Life is great! I'll try to answer as many questions as I can, but
first the big news of this week! We had a baptism on Saturday! I wish I
could send pictures, but I still don't have an adapter. I know they're
sold here, but I haven't found one yet. I baptized Tamwemwe. She has two
children that are members, and has been very prepared by them. Since we
are white washing this area most of the lessons were taught by the
previous elders. But I could tell that she was ready for baptism. I am
confident that she will stay strong.
They have found out that I play the piano, so I have had to quickly learn how to play hymns, so they wanted me to play for the opening, closing hymns and the musical number, and do the baptism. After practicing with the singers for the musical number I am all the more impressed with all of the conductors and accompanists out there, it was very hard. When it was time for the actual baptism though I was busy getting things to work out, so one of the sisters played. As a result the meeting went very well. (Just kidding I would've been fine).
The actual baptism was incredible. It
took me 2.5 tries, so I'm improving little by little. On the first time I
pronounced the kiribati words so bad that they were wrong. Words like
kariaiakaki should not be a hard thing. But they caught me before I put her
under the water. The next time I got the prayer right but when I dunked her I
forgot to put her hand under that was holding on to my arm. Then the last time I got it perfect. There is an incredible spirit at baptisms
and it definitely strengthened my testimony of baptism. As soon as she
came up out of the water on the time that I got it all right the spirit
was suddenly there a bajillion times stronger than before. The
church is definitely true.
We are moving forward with our other
investigators. Some are really close to being ready, but there are more
that are having trouble keeping the commitments which is sad. Especially
since coming on my mission I have loved my times to pray and read the
scriptures. There is power in those simple acts that cannot be gained
any other way. I will continue to help them understand that, but until
they choose for themselves there will be little progression.
They have found out that I play the piano, so I have had to quickly learn how to play hymns, so they wanted me to play for the opening, closing hymns and the musical number, and do the baptism. After practicing with the singers for the musical number I am all the more impressed with all of the conductors and accompanists out there, it was very hard. When it was time for the actual baptism though I was busy getting things to work out, so one of the sisters played. As a result the meeting went very well. (Just kidding I would've been fine).
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| Elder Morley, Tamwemwe, Elder Karekataake |
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| David's first baptism in Tarawa. This is an outdoor font, without lighting |
I
have two favorite things everyday. In the morning I read a chapter of
the Book of Mormon. I read it once all the way through. Then I read it
or skim it again and highlight the little words and things that stick
out. Reading it twice really helps give an understanding of the whole
verse. So I mark little things that help it to make sense. Seeing the
promises and words of the prophets helps me so much. Plus it's kinda
like magic. If I read in the morning I have the ability to be happy or
at least peaceful all day. It is so weird, I think about the life that I
live here and can't imagine myself or anyone in america liking it. But I
also can't think of a bad day, there are some bad moments but the days
overall are always positive. I can walk down the streets and just grin
at the people on the street when I say Mauri (hello). The second thing
that I love is teaching lessons. Life here is more strenuous than that
in america. So I am often exhausted. But When I am teaching (or
listening to ) lessons I have energy.
If we teach a bunch in a day I am energized and excited. If we don't teach much in a day I find it hard to stay awake. The random miracles of teaching the gospel are incredible (another one is, If I'm trying to be obedient and love my companion I don't sunburn) Who would've thought. I also love teaching because I get to practice the language in a controlled circumstance. My companion will say in kiribati, 'and now I turn the time to Elder Morley' and will whisper whatever I am supposed to teach. I can't say no, so I try. Often it is on something that I have never taught before so it is a constant adventure. I don't teach with eloquence but I teach very simply. Almost every point of doctrine has to be boiled down to it's very simplest point, because that is all that I know how to say. But the spirit is there and I improve in my speaking and understanding everyday.
Have a Great Week!
If we teach a bunch in a day I am energized and excited. If we don't teach much in a day I find it hard to stay awake. The random miracles of teaching the gospel are incredible (another one is, If I'm trying to be obedient and love my companion I don't sunburn) Who would've thought. I also love teaching because I get to practice the language in a controlled circumstance. My companion will say in kiribati, 'and now I turn the time to Elder Morley' and will whisper whatever I am supposed to teach. I can't say no, so I try. Often it is on something that I have never taught before so it is a constant adventure. I don't teach with eloquence but I teach very simply. Almost every point of doctrine has to be boiled down to it's very simplest point, because that is all that I know how to say. But the spirit is there and I improve in my speaking and understanding everyday.
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