I'm Here

So I am not sure where I should be writing my main e-mails to the world or something like that. But here we go, I guess.

Kia Ora(na),

I am not in America in case anyone forgot. I am reminded of that daily and it still trips me up, when I realize that I am 7,000+ miles away from home. But I am on "the Lord's errand and am thereby entitled to the  Lord's help." that was more or less a quote by President Monson. Really gives me strength that the Lord is on my side out here no matter what as long as i stay committed to what he needs me to do.

The MTC was a strange experience, the food wasn't too great and there was no buffet, just a half hour to eat your meal, which is not enough time to eat any sort of meal. But I persevered. My companion was Elder Smiler, and true to his name he always had a smile on his face except when taking photos, then he would do the Maori, face and give a happy scowl. Love that Elder. My other roommates were an Elder Lewis who could never keep his glasses clean, love that Elder, and the B-boy Elder Johnston of Brisbane, Austrailia; Love that Elder. 

I was taught by a Sister Seuni, whom I am taller than!!!! and a Brother Semalu, who was taller than me.

Someone also thought it would be funny to make me a District Leader in the MTC. No idea whose grand idea  that was but I guess it worked out for me and the fellow Elders and Sisters in my district. Which I am terrible at! Calling everyone Elder or Sister or Brother, it is absolutely exhausting. Although in the MTC we were there with an ESL intake, they are amazing people! That is actually where I got my lavalava from, Elder Uvea from Samoa. I am going to miss him, but as he told me when he gave me that lavalava,

"Always remember, Never forget".

how powerful a statement is that. Did I make a statement like that back in the Pre-Earth life. Did I tell my Father that I would always remember him and never forget? I knew that I would be cast through the veil and that would involve me losing my memory of him, but I believe I made that promise to him. I have always been able to believe in this church because it has always just felt right, and that is a blessing of that promise. God has always helped me and if anything I Know that he has never forgotten me. I am always on his mind, and he spends time thinking of ways that he can help me in my life, and I have come to love him. That is why I am out here, because I love my father in Heaven and this is where I can best express that love, And now I am tearing up in an internet cafe, great.

On to my life in the field. I am in an area about 4 hours and 90 minutes away from Auckland in the Northland. The Area of Dargaville!! The people here are rather interesting. Everyone is rather poor, they all know of the missionaries and most just don't like us. The ward has about 30 active members and a little under 200 Less Active members. Trying to work on that, hopefully with enough work miracles will happen. (Side note: Incredible talk everyone should listen to: Miracles by Elder Matthew Cowley) My trainer is Elder Curtis of Boise, Idaho. Not the elder I was expecting as my companion, but still an incredible elder and is inspired of God as my trainer. We work well together, we are both very quirky and it all works out great.

I was blessed to have 2 baptisms already all set up when I got out here. Jarius and Wikitoria, just were baptized and confirmed this last saturday and sunday; that was an absolute blessing by the Lord to be able to partake in that. I gave the opening prayer in that baptismal service, and followed it up with a sudden testimony in Sacrament meeting that I was not informed of. Both went well I hope. I have learned to really start loving this people, and the best way to do that is to pray for charity and love. Something I am still working on.

The work out here is difficult, and the people are rather prideful, and when you are offended you hold that contention for years, hopefully I can make some sort of improvements on that regard toward myself first and then towards the people of Dargaville.

"Be still and know that I am God" D&C 101:16; stop moving at the pace of the world, the world races towards its own destruction. Be still, and find God, be on your knees with prayer on the strait and narrow path and you will find that you have traveled farther down the path to eternity and exaltation then you ever could have on your own feet.

"I never said that it would be easy, only that it would be worth it." That is a magnet on my half broken refrigerator, and I know that every word of that is true. Take comfort, we are chastened to be put back on the path of righteousness, and are tried to make our weaknesses strengths. Love you all, especially the family. Pray to soften the hearts of the world.

Kia Ora,

Elder Long

p.s. my flat is fairly old and is kinda trashed, but I am the 27th elder to live there since 2009. I love it and my bike is really, really, nice. and the prices here are ridiculous. brand name cereal here: $12.00, combo meal: $9.00, Petrol: $2.30 a litre (gas: $5.80 a gallon), finding the worth of your soul: priceless.

New Zealand Temple

My lavalava and my Samoan roommate!

Pretty View

Elder Curtis and Elder Long at a baptism