Good News

​Hey guys!

Yeah thank you guys so much for the money that you guys sent so I could help out the missionary! He was so grateful and now hell be able to go serve a mission in Ivory Coast so that's going to be awesome for him! And concerning whether you should fly or drive I would definitely say fly because flying is always cool! Oh and thank you so much for the package it is really super awesome! Also the glasses are pretty sweet I really like the tints on them so thank you very much. However I'm pretty sure I've gotten used to African food now because when I started eating the stuff, I got some major diarrhea but I'm going to fight through it! ;) Oh I hope that everything is going well with the wedding and that there wont be any problems for the happy couple ;) That's crazy to think that Miles turns one soon! Uh I don't exactly like that all that much.

So this week was a very good week and we had the opportunity to work really well, however on Tuesday it was a little bit scary. We were in the middle of teaching a lesson later at night and we got a call from our recent convert her name is Natacha and she said that we should come over to see her because she wasn't feeling that well so we finished our lesson and decided to head over. We walked in the house and we saw her just propped up against the couch and the problem was something with her respiratory system because it was super hard for her to breath and she told us that she had a problem in the morning because she was working at a hospital and ended up passing out and woke up in the hospital with needles and stuff already in her arm. Anyway she came home and just slept until we came over and then some other members ended up coming over and we thought it would be a good idea to try and give her a blessing so my companion asked her if we could do it but right as he finished asking she starting going in to some sort of like seizure type thing and it was super hard for her to breath so we had to get her out of the house and onto a moto so she could go to the hospital and we ended up sitting her on a stool outside the house and there were several times where she stopped breathing entirely. While my companion and a member were holding her up. It was super scary because after my companion told me that really she was close to dying several times while he was holding her up and it was pretty simple to see that she was pretty close to dying several times but we were able to keep her awake and get her onto a moto. We followed on foot to the hospital because missionaries can't take the motos and when we saw her at the hospital she wasn't doing much better and some other members came and we waited for maybe a good 30 minutes. Really from what I saw I was rather convinced that she wasn't going to make it but after the wait she was able to sit up and we were able to give her a blessing but after we finished the blessing we left because it was super late. That night, I don't think I've ever prayed so hard for anyone in my entire life because really what I saw made me think she wasn't going to make it, it was probably the most scared I've been as well because I've never seen anything like that. I wish I don't again but the next day she started showing improvement and was able to go home. She had some little attacks throughout the week but nothing like Tuesday and shes doing a lot better now but really it was pretty messed up. I don't think I'll be forgetting that anytime soon but I'm glad shes doing a lot better. But when we were just at her house all I could really do was just kinda sit there and watch and it literally was the worst thing cause I couldn't do anything and I said so many prayers in my heart that day just asking that she could make it. Its an experience I don't think I'll have again anytime soon and really I hope I don't get to see it again because it really was not the funnest thing. However I'm super glad that shes doing a lot better and that things seem to be turning around for her.

Um so that's pretty much what happened during the week and we also had 7 of our investigators show up to church this Sunday which is super cool and we're lining up 3 baptisms for this following week of Frere Amouzou, Chabel, and Laurent. Frere Amouzou is a little crazy and he believes he can heal people with the laying on of hands but hes understood our teachings and has stopped healing people cause we told him the importance of authority and he already is calling the church his church so what could go wrong with baptizing him right??? I still don't know but unless he can't pass the interview we haven't been given a reason that we cant baptize him so that will be somewhat interesting. Chabel is cool! His problem is the law of chastity a little bit because he didn't really know any better before but after he learned it wasn't good hes pretty determined to stop that type of behavior because he really wants to do what's right and so well see how that goes as well! Laurent is pretty normal and he's the brother of the missionary that we gave money to so the family tie is good and hopefully the missionary can get him motivated! Also I went to the beach today so I'll have to send you all some pictures! I didn't go swimming but I got a little bit wet because the waves caught me by surprise but it was a good day! Anyway this was a long email and I hope that you guys have a good week! Also if its been a while since you've read the teachings of Jesus I would recommend that you look at them again cause really they're absolutely amazing. anyway that's it for the week and I hope that you all have a great week!

In Like a Lion

Hey guys!

Yeah sorry, I took some time last time but I'm just glad I was able to get a message sent off! I'm glad that everything is going on the upslope now! and That dad is getting back to his normal! It's weird to think that when I'll see him again he'll be a lot skinnier but if what you say is true it will be the same story for me! Yeah the apartment is a little messy but we just cleaned it today and it's looking pretty good so that's a little better! I'm also glad you're spending some good time with the kids they really are awesome!

So this week went by a little bit differently. We didn't get out to see as many people as at the beginning of the week the temperature was nice and we were able to work fairly well but in the second of the week it got super super hot and it was hard to get a good amount of work in. Because of all the work, we did last week that second half of the week slowed us down quite a bit but we were still able to get a good amount of work in and overall it was a good day. Also, I went to my first wedding!! It wasn't for our investigators but it was for the other companionship and were able to go. The couple is super cool and super ready to be baptized. There a beloved family of Thsileu and Raveneau so we get to see them pretty often. Well, the first thing about it is that it was super different! It's pretty much just in a tiny room and its pretty much no big deal and it was interesting to see the translate the languages because there were a lot of different races in the room. There was a random old lady from Switzerland the investigators from Ivory Coast and Congo. 2 Americans and 1 French person and of course people from Benin. It was just kinda interesting. Also while we were there we went down to a lake and passed a crazy weird village!! It wasn't weird as like Voodoo and stuff like that even though there was a little bit but it was almost like we were in a different country. It was so stinking clean and the whole 20 minutes I was there I wasn't called yovo. It was very very very weird. Hopefully, I can send some pictures so you can see what I'm talking about.

Well, that's pretty much a lot of it. I'm really enjoying teaching and figuring out how to become a better teacher. Sometimes it's kinda hard because teaching here is a little different but its really cool. The French is coming a long a ton easier and I'm able to speak and understand like it's almost nothing. I'm very grateful for that because really it was miserable not being able to speak but now it's all good and my companion is awesome! Also, we had a zone activity. We played soccer and ate food and listened to some Rihanna and some rap so yeah. Never thought I would have a zone activity like that but it happened. Only in Benin but I'm liking my mission even though disobedience is rather high. You just gotta do as much work as possible and be patient. I'm just glad I've had pretty good companions! Anyway, it wasn't all that interesting but that's pretty much it! I love you guys a ton and hope that you have a good week!  OH, and for a package just some nice highlighters! I don't have anymore and marking my scriptures is becoming a little difficult. But thanks for everything you guys do for me and I will talk to you soon! Love you all!

How is Africa?

Whats up guys!

I'm glad that baby Miles is ok and that everyone is getting over all of their various diseases. I'm very grateful I haven't gotten too sick or anything but since I said that well see!

Sorry I'm writing you guys so late because today was kinda crazy because we went into the market today and we couldn't really find what we were looking for so that took a long time and also the bus ride back was filled with traffic so it took a little bit of time but its all good!

So today this week went by so quickly and also we didn't have power for 3 days so we were a little forced to sleep on the roof of our apartment because inside was too hot.... sooooo but yeah I slept with my net and I didn't get bit at all so don't worry about it mom! and I've been steadily taking my doxy lately so it was all good! Also we had fish in the freezer and that started to smell absolutely terrible!

Alright so this week we worked like maniacs! We pretty much disregarded any form of a schedule that we have and we taught every single person that was possible! If they gave us a rendezvous we were always there! And it was so tiring! Sunday I was absolutely beat but today I feel like I could do it all over again! Maybe it doesn't sound that smart but it actually worked super well! When I first got here the sector was pretty much dead due to missionaries that worked there before but me and my awesome companion found a bunch of investigators and were able to set 7 baptism dates throughout last week! They should be done in the next 2 or three weeks depending if they're ready and we had 5 investigators show up to church which is actually pretty good here! We really worked hard and it was nice to see that a lot of it payed off. I know that maybe the style of work we put in I couldn't do it for all my mission but it was nice to have one week of just plain work, no meetings, not many delays, or problems just a week of straight works. I guess you could call it working without wisdom but it was pretty fun! It also made the week pass by so quickly its weird to think I'm already in the fourth week of my new transfer!

And to top it all of we had a baptism this Sunday as well! I'm going to try and send some pictures I just hope that you get them! Also I was also able to read a ton of Jesus the Christ today and its very detailed sometimes a little too detailed but I'm really liking it so far so if you have the time make sure to try and read it! Well that's just what happened this week and its been really good! I'm doing good and I hope everyone there is doing good as well! I love all of you guys!

Quiet Week

Hey guys!

Alright so this week the connection is better but I'm not sure Ill be able to send some pictures because I don't even know how long that would take to send them all. I'm glad to hear that mom is over her sickness and I hope that you can figure everything out with Mason's wedding which was really weird to type because I always figured he'd be at the house just until he was thirty ;)

Alright so let me describe where I am so you know its Cococodji and here the place is a ward and its a very big difference between a Branch and a Ward. In Porto-Novo it kinda felt like we were literally starting a branch and there were a lot of things that didn't work very well at all but here it actually works pretty good! Everyone knows there job pretty well and yeah its nothing like churches back home but its a lot more organized than Porto Novo ever dreamed of being so that's a nice change. Also, its a lot easier to find new investigators as members are actually pretty good at presenting new investigators so that's been a change not having to do as much contacting on the street and doing more teaching. HOWEVER, we walk so much and its ridiculous because this sector is huge and we actually have people who are interested and come to church but they're so far away so we get to walk a good amount!

Alright so my apartment is 4 missionaries with one shower by the way, but the missionaries are Raveneau who's a French man and is pretty much what you think a french man would be like. Elder Larson who came with me and he's super cool and actually has similar interests as me so we can talk about stuff back home pretty well which is awesome!  Then my companion Elder Tshileu who is from Congo and very very very kind and peaceful! He doesn't really talk much but really likes learning English and is very cool! Also there is not one single person has a phone!

I cant say that were perfect but were pretty good! Also the French man is going to be leaving the mission after this transfer but the apartment is good!

Also its kinda crazy because when I came here I felt like I learned some good scriptures to teach with but for a kid who just finished his training Elder Tshileu knows so many more than I do and its crazy! I might be the senior companion but its pretty much him that teaches and its really cool! We teach really well together and that's something that was a little difficult with the other 2. Hypote because I couldn't speak French yet and Agbewoley I didn't get much of a chance but its good to be teaching like we should! We also had a baptism when I came here and we've fixed 3 more for this following week and now we just need to finish up the lessons and it will be good! Elder Tshileu really likes working so its been really nice to get out and work like we should be doing and so far its been good! He's really been a good companion and the apartment is also really good and its been a nice change!

There's just one more thing that I want to add, this week really kinda taught me that I should really look for this best in things even when there is really a lot of difficulties. There's a lot of things that can make you discouraged and that kinda happened this week. I was pretty tired all the time and one day we had 7 lessons planned but only ended up teaching 2 also the fact that there's not much working right in this mission makes me sad almost every time I think about it but its really helped to look for the good things those which I've all listed on this email. I'm pretty motivated right now and I'm looking forward to next week!

I hope that you guys are having a good week and that you'll continue to have a good week! Also when is Masons wedding? Maybe you've sent it to me but I've forgotten! Thank you for all of the support that you guys give me and have a good day!

Be My Valentine

Hey, guys!

If possible I'm going to try and send more but for now, if this is all
you get I just want you to know I'm safe in my new area but the
connection at the cyber is terrible! I love you guys so much and I
hope this gets to you! I'll try and send more but well see how it goes!

Super Bowl Weekend

Hey Guys!

Alright so everything is going pretty well and it turns out that I'm headed out of Porto Novo and going to Cococodji with Elder Larson in the same apartment as well as being a senior companion. So hopefully that will be good! My companion is from Congo and I don't know his name really cause its super hard to pronounce and so when they told me it I didn't understand. I'm still in Porto but head out Tomorrow. It's like the complete opposite side of Benin so it's going to be a little bit of a drive but I'm pretty happy with the work that I put in here but I still wished I could do more. It sounds like all the missionaries are pretty cool over there and I'll also be with an actual French person, so hopefully I'll get to speak French pretty well.

Thanks for the package and I look forward to getting to it and I'm glad you all had a pretty good super bowl weekend. it's kinda weird cause I honestly forgot there was a super bowl until you said that. Yeah, I've been taking my medicine more regularly and the mosquito net I'm using a little bit more but not as much as mom may like. It gets kinda hot when you're under it so that's why but I'll do my best to start using it more and more. Oh and I really miss your French Fries, big guy.

So the transfer for me is actually pretty bitter sweet. So Momma Josiane did end up getting baptized and her whole family and they consistently come to church and they're even inviting others to come as well. They just barely got converted and they're helping out the branch more than a lot of people. With her and her family is where I've felt the spirit the most and it's kinda hard to leave because also she is pregnant and wanted me to bless her baby so that is actually pretty saddening. Also, I have to leave Elder Gosse who really became one of my best friends here on the mission. He has a pretty crazy story and he's just a really awesome kid. However, I am super glad for the opportunity that I've had to start out my mission here. I've learned a lot of things and how to try and deal with things that you may not see in any other mission and it's really helped me shape my objective here and how I should live with someone else of a completely different culture. I really feel like the Branch of Porto-Novo was really kinda getting started so it's kinda sad to leave after seeing a whole bunch of progression but that's what the mission is. It's kinda sad to leave a place with a pretty sure knowledge that you probably won't see it again but things are all good! I'm looking forward to the other things that are going to come my way. I'm just really grateful to have served here with a bunch of amazing people I've met but I'm sure I'll continue to have more crazy adventures.

Anyway, that's kind of all I got for this week. I have some pictures that should be with this so I hope that you like them! I love all you guys and hope that you'll have a good week!

Apartment Elders

MTC Buddies

Great Dinner

Snow on Snow on Snow

Hey guys!

I hope you are all having a good week! So I think I ate a little to many eggs. We eat bread and eggs in the mornings pretty often so I think I just happened to eat a lot more than I should've. But it's all good now and it didn't last too long but it did worry me a bit.

Yeah the plan of salvation is actually a really big topic, if we have enough time to talk to them about it cause sometimes investigators just kind of drop off from the face of the earth. Its usually cause they don't want to see us anymore but its all good. Also with Mamma Josiane there is another problem with her ex boyfriend. So I guess his dad and him like all are a part of the Voodoo religion and usually its not like that big of a deal but these guys seem a little bit crazy. So I guess cause shes expecting a baby the dad and ex-husband, who is the father. have been helping her out a little bit with buying food. They came to her and said that like if she doesn't worship with them and like leave our religion they're going to stop helping her. He said that he like will curse her and stuff so that's the problem were dealing with right now... It really almost sounds like it belongs in a movie to be honest. So far voodoo sounds like its pretty much just a grand old mess. There's not really much we can do we are going to talk to President Morin to see what we can do. We went to her house and blessed it and dedicated it so that was actually really super cool. We gave a blessing to each member of the family and it was a pretty memorable moment so far. The spirit was definitely there and it was just really nice and peaceful.

We also have the transfer coming up so I might be somewhere new or I might be the same old same old. Nous allon voir. I say that quite a bit. Hows the french coming by the way?

I'm really sorry to hear about that. I really hope that everyone is doing ok. That's something that's very difficult to imagine and I don't know how much I can do but really if there's something that's possible I'm more than willing to help. I hope that Whitney will be ok. I haven't lost a friend like that but I can only imagine something like that. I hope that shell be ok. Please let the family know that I'm thinking about them even though I don't know them all that well. I'm glad that you're there for her friend Mamma. You've always been a best friend for me.

If I was to explain all that I've learned it would take me quite a bit of time. This place is so amazing and the people are so happy even when there's sorrows pretty much all around. I could talk about it for a long time but that would be a little too long. I'm grateful for all that you guys have done for me and I couldn't ask for a better family. Love you all and have a good week.