August 17, 2014

Hello, there everyone. How are you doing? I'm doing pretty well in case you care. And the week was a good one. Started out with starting out P-Day night an hour and a half late because the keys got locked inside of our car and we were over an hour away from town at the far ends of our area. But it was still fun, it was a good day off and I think it benefited the district, that's what I said at lest when I took a growl for it. . . The rest of the week was getting ready for Charlize's baptism this weekend! And it was incredible. I feel like I've done my work for Whangarei now, I haven't and we still have time to work some more, but I feel pretty much at peace with my work up here. The K's are destroyed though and we have under 800 for the rest of the month, we use like 60+ a day in our area, which means more biking! Which means I have to fix my bike! Which means I need to steal my bike back from Elder Hann.

We also had a really good Specialized Training from our Mission President on exact obedience. An interesting topic that he chose and he said after explaining an account where Elder A didn't help Elder B find something to help get out on time and just stood at the door waiting for his companion did not mean that he was exactly obedient; and that an exactly obedient missionary understands repentance. So there is something to consider, and I was called out to repent by my Zone Leaders thrice this week after that training. Also this recent convert said that she would make my companion and I loon bands so we'll be following up with here with that. Loon bands are these small color rubber bands that are this huge fad down here to link them together into bracelets.

So we'll talk about Charlize's baptism. After the baptism started over an hour late because here Dad,got caught in poor traffic from an Accident in the Brynderwyns' we started and had some good talks on faith and baptism/holy ghost. We all hopped into our cars are drove to the river where Charlize was going to be baptized. Uncle Mike was supposed to be the baptizer but he had to go do shopping in town and go get his daughter to her school netball game, so Charlize asked if I could do the baptism and it was freezing! That river was cold as, but it was an incredible experience where the Spirit was incredibly strong and it was such a blessing to have been a part of her journey working through the foster care system for her to get permission to be baptized. It has been so cool to see the Lord doing this on his time and how even though she was ready in March, I still had the blessing and privilege to be here in August when the Lord would have her be baptized. It is why we are here, to be obedient and have a heart ready to bear testimony and that is how we are honoured as we lay down the foundation of Zion for someone.

Love you all, and have a wonderful week!;

ps - pardon my eyes being closed, they someone were closed in nearly all of the photos except like 3. And yes I have put on some weight, I'm rather happy with it, I look thick as!!

Ciao,

Elder Long