January 22, 2012

Wowwwwwwwwww!!! Mahajanga is amazing! Yes, I am on the coast now, and I actually played basketball on a court by the ocean this morning! Pretty cool experience because I actually felt like I was playing basketball on that famous basketball court on long beach just because I could see the beach as I was playin ball haha! And there's more than that that makes mahajanga awesome...the branch is awesome, anddd they have the "best pizza place in madagascar", and you better believe that the first night I was here I got a pizza from there. It was delicious. But the only problem is the chef of that restaurant is going out of town on vacation at the end of this month and not coming back till march, BUT I think that I will also be staying here for a while because right now there are only 2 missionaries here, but president said that he is going to be sending 4 missionaries up here very soon, so then I'll have to train them on the area and who knows maybe stay here for at least 5 months. Which means...lots more of the most amazing pizza in madagascar!!! And the downside...lots of seafood. My very first meal in Mahajanga was fish and leaves on top of rice at a member's house. It wasn't too bad though, but they said that that wasn't that good of a representation for the seafood here so they invited us over for another soiree(dinner/lesson with the misssionaries) tonight, so they can cook some more seafood for me haha! I'm half excited and the other part nervous. 
So answers to your questions: Yes, it was a very long trip from fianarantsoa to here. It was a 10 hour bus trip to tana, and then a 12 hour bus trip to here. I stayed in Tana overnight though and got to go to a zone conference the next morning and then I left at 5:30. So I got to go on an overnight 12 hour bus trip. And during that bus trip, it was raining, pitch black, and foggy, and there are not really lines on the road to help keep you going on the road, so I was pretty nervous for a little bit, but it seems that those driver's experience after driving that road everday for the last 10 years payed off and maybe some help from God as well ha because we were flying down that road and had no problems. I ended up arriving in Mahajanga at 5:30 Saturday morning. Found a taxi and finally made it to my house at like 6:15. I got to the house and I soon found out the reason that the Mahajanga missionary house is known to be the worst one in the mission. As soon as I walked in the gate and then the front door I was ducking under doors, under walkways, tripping as I walked up the stairs, taking 10 minutes to fry up eggs and still undercooking them, and not getting any water pressure from the shower haha. But other than that it's basically what I was expecting the housing situation to be like when I got my call to come to madagascar, but just a little bit better than that. You just see palm trees all over the place and the beach and really darkskinned black people, because thats what happen when they get sunburned I guess, who speak in a weird really cool accent, and really fast. So that's my description of my new area, the people, and the house, and the trip up here. But other than that, the only other thing that is an important point to share with you all in order to describe mahajanga completely, which I've already briefly mentioned, is that.... it's burning hot here always!!! I'm actually sweating right now as I write this. Things actually usually shut down here from 12-4 so that everyone can get out of the heat. So because of that, we actually don't do our studies in the morning here; we work from 8-12 and then come in from 12-4 and then go back out and work from 4-9. So that's all the really good and just the little bit of bad(I've only hit my head 6 times so far in the house, and bit my tongue once during those head bumpings ha) about mahajanga, my new area. My companion Elder -------- is great! He only has 4 months left on his mission, but I plan on working him hard to the end and he said he's devoted to do the same. He is the one from the picture at the restaurant in Fianarantsoa. He's from utah and nevada. He and I were friends from the day I got to madagascar so our companionship should be pretty great! Elder Lunt did stay in Fianarantsoa. And I actually replaced his cousin here, who is also called Elder Lunt. Pretty funny to me, and I met a new investigator yesterday who's name is lunt. 
       Other news and stuff about my mish, is I forgot to tell you in the last email but I actually got into some poison ivy/oak/I don't know but it was poisonous, when I was back in fianarantsoa and I had to deal with that throughout the day until I got home that night. Also, my mission president is amazing! He's actually coming up here this saturday, hopefully to pick out a new house haha! That's actually what he's supposed to be doing when he comes up here, so we will see if we can find a better one than the one we are in right now. I guess I'll get to move into a new house again, just like we did in the last area. But other than that, the last thing is that I need a debit card for personal fund if I ever want to get souveniers while I'm here because the food is actually more expensive here and it would be nice to be able to keep some meat on my bones while I'm here haha! I don't need a lot of money each month, but I do need some for souveneirs and food. So if you guys could send a debit card soon, that would be great, because it is much needed. Oh and I did get my package when I went through tana on the trip up here! It was amazing!!! I love it all, and my companion and the AP's in Tana have enjoyed some of the candy. Were planning on making the cooking probably today or tomorrow. It was all great. And I'm actually using that book for language study now as well, by reading the scriptures that it brings up in my malagasy Book of Mormon first and comparing my understanding to the english version. 
But that's about all that is going on here in Madagascar in the mission of Elder Waters. It was good to hear from you guys, and I hope you keep staying healthy and have a great week! 
I love you all for eternity,
Elder Waters, Mahajanga
God be with you till we meet again

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.

January 9, 2011

Hey Family!

I love you all too!

This week has been a little bit rough and a little bit draining. Its rained every single day this last week with no more than an hour break at a time. So that means that there was lots of slipping in the mud, falling into rice patties, muddy; pants, shirts, ties(because when you ride on a bike in mud, it flips all the mud up into your face and clothes, so there is lots of clothes washing going on today), shoes, and jackets, and tiring days where if you really didn't have a desire to work than you wouldn't. I guess that happened because a cyclone passed through the country, but since we're in the middle of the country, nothing bad really happened besides rain non-stop nonstop nonstop ha. But I am ok, and I will be ok! 

That's was about all that happened during my week though, lots of slipping in mud and working in rain.

But it's really good to hear from you. It doesn't sound like your week was the greatest either, but I'm glad to know that you were able to push through with your faith, and realize that everything's gonna be ok. In answer to your question about the package from the ...., it's at the office in Tana so when I get transferred I'll be able to get it! :) And hopefully your package comes soon as well! :) 

I don't think going to utah while not being able to wear shoes is the best idea haha. I hope you are able to figure something out to put over your foot, so you'll still have that foot when I return. ;) That's great to hear that Brenton has his Diploma now! Very cool! I'm happy for him and proud of him too! And that's way sad that .... didn't get to go skydiving. It's good to hear that .... and .... made it to Florida safe, hopefully all of their plans will work well out for them. Good luck with all of your missionary efforts, I'll be praying for you, just as I hope you're doing for me ha! :) And that's great to hear that the in-active cancer lady came to church and even bore testimony. Great work!

Well I love you all! I hope you have a better week and that I do as well!

Love for Eternity,

Elder Waters

God be with you till we meet again

Facebook and Life message: Life is hard, but at least we know the purpose, know there will be an end to all of our worries and pains, and the way that in the meantime we can receive peace and comfort from a higher source. Visit Mormon.org if you don't know yet, and/or would like to learn more. (That is not from an infomercial just to let you know. I have not been hacked by mormon. org. These are my own words haha!;))

January 2, 2012

Hey mom and dad, family and friends!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

It sounds like you both had an amazing week! I love the story that you shared dad about your's and mom's trip the less-active member and how you both bore testimony to her and helped her find comfort and understanding. And I loved the stories that you sent mom from Brooke's talk. Very cool, I shared them with the other two elders in my district. That was a very cool connected story! I'd like to copy and paste both stories to this email so when you put it on my blog, people know what I'm talking about. Dad's story: 

"We went and visited a less active family tonight and to here her stories and how she is dieing from cancer. Mom gave her lots of words of encouragement and she also has struggled with being angry with God. Mom share with her lots of thing to help her see that it's the Lords plan and His big picture not her own plans and desires. I think it helped her and by the time that I gave her a blessing I could feel her walls starting to crumble and her humility start to affect her life. We all need to have humility as a big part of our lives.(especially me)."

 Brooke's story:

"One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare.

He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mothership, he saw something that turned his blood cold. A squadron of Japanese bombers were speeding their way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor, could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the flaeet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch weaved in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until finally all his ammunition was spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to at least clip off a wing or tail, in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly. He was desperate to do anything he could to keep them from reaching the American ships. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had destroyed five enemy bombers. That was on February 20, 1942, and for that action he became the Navy's first Ace of WWII and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. A year later he was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of that heroic action to die. And today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So the next time you're in O'Hare visit his memorial with his statue and Medal of Honor. It is located between terminal 1 and 2.

Story number two:

Some years earlier there was a man in Chicago called Easy Eddie. At that time, Al Capon virtually owned the city. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. His exploits were anything but praiseworthy. He was, however, notorious for enmeshing the city of Chicago in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder. Easy Eddie was Capone's lawyer and for a good reason. He was very good! In fact, his skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time. To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big; Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago city block. Yes, Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddy did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddy saw to it that his young son had the best of everything; clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Yes, Eddie tried to teach his son to rise above his own sordid life. He wanted him to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things that Eddie couldn't give his son. Two things that Eddie sacrificed to the Capone mob that he could not pass on to his beloved son: a good name and a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Offering his son a good name was far more important than all the riches he could lavish on him. He had to rectify all the wrong that he had done. He would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Scar-face Al Capone. He would try to clean up his tarnished name and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this he must testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. But more than anything, he wanted to be an example to his son. He wanted to do his best to make restoration and hopefully have a good name to leave his son. So, he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street. He had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer at the greatest price he would ever pay.

I know what you're thinking.

What do these two stories have to do with one another?

Well, you see, Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son."

Cool stuff, cool stories! 

About your questions:

This last week was great and we're definitely ready to jump it back into higher gear after this 2nd 3day weekend in a row. I haven't set any specific new years resolutions yet, but I plan on doing that sometime this week. Have either of you set any new years resolutions? The day after the phone call was just fine, since it was pday. Otherwise it may have been a pretty rough day if I had to go right back to work after that night ha! And I'm glad I made sense that night, I wasn't sure if I did or didn't or if I even said all the things I may have wanted to, but I still enjoyed it a lot! We can still email those things though! :) And thanks for sharing that message from facebook, good to hear that.  Also, I have not gotten my package yet, but I'm not too worried just yet because there are other elders who had their packages sent a long time before ours and they're still not here yet. I think they're probably just all backed up in customs right now.  

Anyways, I love you all very much!

Love for eternity,

Elder Waters

God be with you till we meet again

Facebook message: "Recent advice from one of my friends: If you really want to have success in your life and in your goals than you need to fight for it, just like you would if you were fighting for your last breath when you're being held under water, and then when you've done all that you can you'll find success in your goals and life. That's for any of you that have new years resolutions. Good luck with them! ;)"

December 26, 2011

Hey Family!
It was great talking to you all yesterday too! I was pretty tired last night, so sorry if half the stuff I said didn't make sense. But I still enjoyed the time. Next time, lets try to start it earlier though, ok? ;) 
I'll continue to pray for you all as well! I know that you all need the help as well, especially if I want to see my mom all in one piece when I return home. You gotta stop hurting yourself mom! Deal? 
Well I love you all and I hope you have a Happy New Year!
Love for eternity,
Elder Waters(Ranoralava)

P.S.: New idea for something to send in the next package. My companion's family did this, and it seems like a way good idea if its not gonna cause too much stress and work for you all.: I want you all to take video of all the different things, ex:of like people in the family, cool things that you guys do together, the family new years party, Brock's wedding, just different things that you guys would think I'd like to see. And then you just send that SD card from the camera in the package and then I can watch whenever I want on the mini dvd players that every missionary house has. It doesn't have to be too long, but it doesn't have to be too short either haha! ;) But if that doesn't fully make sense just tell me in the next email and I'll try to make it more clear. 

Facebook message: If there's something in your life that you don't like, that's affecting you spiritually or physically, change it! There's no better time than right now to change for the better! You don't always know how much your example can help someone else do the same.
Malagasy: Raha misy ny zavatra amin'ny fiainanao izay tsy tianao, izay manimba anao ara-panahy sy ara-batana samy, avy eo iovahana izany! Tsisy fotoana tsara kokoa noho ny amin'izao dia izao mba hiova ho'an'ny tsara kokoa! Tsy fantatrao foana ny hery an'ny ohatrao afaka hanampy olon-kafa mba hanana ny faniriana mba hatao ny zavatra mitovy.

December 19, 2011

Hey Family!!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I got one of the packages a few days ago and I love it. Thanks a lot! There's a lot of great stuff in there. I am really excited for the next one to get here too! The pants are a little bit small in the waste size(I'm guessing cause you thought I'd lose weight while I've been here), but I still wore them because they look niceee! Thanks! 

This week was good. I did get a new companion.  His name Elder ..... He actually has a cousin here in this mission too. So when the AP's called me to tell me that my new companion was Elder ...., I asked, "the big one of little one", because one is really big and the other is small. And when they said the big one, I was way happy because I had heard a lot of good things about him. But I didn't understand it at first, because he was supposed to be getting transfered to an area called "Fort Dephain" where it supposedly has the best beaches in the world and it's like the furthest south you can go in this mission and you have to go by plane. But because he was flying, he had to have his passport and stuff, but his visa had expired 3 months before, and when he got to airport at like 5 in the morning the airport police wouldn't let him go. So then he got retransfered here to be my companion. So it looks like it was just meant to be, us two! ;)
He's an older missionary. He's 23 and has 7 months left on his mission. He know's the language very well, but he's a little bit shy when he's around other people(but I'll try to help him out with that). He's a humble, hard-worker though, so I'm excited to get back into the groove of working a lot again. Last night, in a few lessons, I made up a few examples right on the spot that worked really well. That's how I like to teach lessons now, is by examples and applying specific lessons to each persons needs. The works working and should get working a lot better now. I'm excited for it!

 I love you all! 

Love for Eternity,

Elder Waters

Message for Facebook:

Everyone have a very Merry Christmas, and try your best to remember the reason for the Season, our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Malagasy: Manana ny Christmàs mafinaritra be ny olon-drehetra, ary hiezaha mba ho tsarovy ny antony ho'an'ity fotoana ity, ny Mpamonzintsika, Jesoa Kristy!

December 11, 2011

Man, I don't think anyone(besides our Heavenly Father and Christ, because they know all things) can understand how happy my family and friends make me! I really needed all of the cheering up that I received from you and others today. I just want to let you and the rest of the family know how much I love you all. And the amount is: sooooooooooooooooooooo much! That's a lot if you can't tell, but it's still not even as much as I do love you all, because even with how big and how many GB's this email could be, it wouldn't be able to handle enough o'ssss haha! So now that you know that I love you a lot.
I don't have much more time, but I love you mom, and dad, and the rest of the family for eternity!
Love, Elder Waters
God be with you till we meet again

Message for Facebook:
Family is good/amazing! Love your family always even when you feel like you don't.
Malagasy: Tsara/mafinaritra ny fianakaviana! Tiavo ny fianakavianareo rehefa tsy tsapanareo fa tianao izy ireo.