January 15, 2012

Hey Family!!!

This week was fantastic! We had two cyclones combine on the island of madagascar and we had some serious fun working in the rains again this week(still not the fantastic part). But it's starting to clear up a little bit! But the great news is that things are starting progress again in this area because ofthe blessings of prayers, God's help and our hard work and caring! We had a 105 people at our branch this Sunday...that is the same number of people that were there on my very first Sunday here in this country in Fianarantsoa when the branch was still one. But that means that since I and other elders have been here since the beginning of my time here, our branch has at least doubled in size(and we gave the other branch a lot of our dilligent investigators and good areas, when we split, and got none in return. Showing that our branch and area is rocketing up again). :) And the other exciting news is that I'm getting transferred, and not just getting transferred back to Tana like everyone else usually does when they're in province(anywhere outside of Tana), but to Mahajanga, Afganisthan(jk)/Madagascar. Probably one of the hottest and coolest(awesomest) places in madagascar! Meaning that no, I have not gotten the tie tan line yet, but in mahajanga it is definitely possible that I will be getting it and losing weight supposedly because it is so ridiculously hot there. I'm told by the missionaries already there that I can leave all my hot stuff(like sweaters, sweats, my blanket, anything that's hot) behind in Tana in my suitcase because it's going to be so hot there and to save space in the one bag that I get to take up there. It's going to be a 2 day trip with an overnight stop in Tana. And I only get to take one bag with me and my bag for my sheets and pillows that the mission gives us. We got the transfer news last night, and I could not believe my eyes. Mahajanga only has 2 missionaries there right now, but before there were 4, so we are going to have to combine the two programs of the areas and do twice the work during the week. I'm excited and a little bit nervous for it at the same time. But I know that all I can do is my best and rely on the Lord to help me with the rest(I learned that from someone called: parents. If you know my parents by chance, tell them thanks for helping me learn that throughout my life, and especially my schooling years when I didn't always/ever get straight A's haha). ;) But mom and dad, if you haven't already taken my advice from a previous email, go and watch on the mormon messagas, a message entitled: "Parenting: Touching the Hearts". That video describes you guys in your children's lives! And thanks for it! :) 

And that's all I have to write about my week and my news. Now about things that are going on in your lives and questions. It's funny though that as you two will be write to somewhere really really cold, and your worried about how cold it's going to be, that I will be going on thursday to somewhere really really hot and worried a little bit about how cold it will be. I'm excited for my trip though, and I hope that both of you can have an awesome trip as well!  I got my package from the ----- on Saturday, and it had some thousand island dressing, with a note saying "I hope this will make up for the time I ruined your taco salad :)" haha(it did), and some sour gummy worms, and a very nice letter with pictures. It was a great package, I'm happy I finally got it and that it made it here safely. I'm excited to get your package as well now. And mom and dad, I've enjoyed being the baby even if it does mean being the last one in the family to have to listen to your great(at most times) advice haha! That was fun hearing about your fun taco salad party with ....... and her family. I'm sure that ----- does have a powerful bear hug, she's always been a strong little girl. How old are they now? And that's great to hear about ------ calling...go -----! And it's great as well to hear about everyone that are on their mission's now. That's some great news! And thanks dad for sharing some of your mission experiences and your love. That's great to hear about yours calls for possible work. I'll be praying for the jobs to work out well for ya'll.

Well I should go! I pray for you guys(family) always, and especially that mom's foot won't freeze off in utah ha, but I send you all a big bear hug and kiss as well and an email. Enjoy it like I enjoyed all of your emails! ;) Have a ggggggrrrrrreeeeeaaatt(frosted flakes) week!

Love for eternity,

Elder Waters

God be with you till we meet again

We don't always know why certain things happen in our lives, but if we're acting in accordance with the Gospel we can know  that God knows all things, and that he knows what we truly need, not just what we, with our short-term perspectives desire. Isaiah 55:6-9 God's ways our higher than our ways, and His thoughts than ours.