Well, I have got some crazy
news. I have been here for over six months. A quarter of my mission is gone. It
is weird to think about that. What makes me feel better is that Elder Nelson is
going home in January. That means he is really old and I am young still.
People
we are teaching right now are progressing. M*rtha, Sh*nty, Andr*w, T*mmy, L*sa,
and D*fan. They are all getting baptized on Christmas day. M*rtha is awesome.
She is in Alma
Sh*nty and Andr*w are doing
awesome. They are both ready. Actually all of our investigators that are to be
baptized on Christmas are ready to be baptized. One that we have been teaching
for a while is R*nny. He is A*gustine’s friend. We have been trying hard to
help him, but he is not quite ready to give up certain things. I really hope he
will make it someday. We are just doing our best to help him see that he is
ready and that he can give up betel nut.
Christmas party was fun. Elder
Nelson and I made up a new way to sing the 12 days of Christmas and taught it
to the people
1 big stone
money
2 coconuts
3 dried
fish
4 flower
lies
5 big fat
pigs
6 hula
lessons
7 squids a
swimming
8 ukuleles
9 lava
lavas
10 cans of
soda
11
missionaries
12
televisions
It was fun. I enjoyed it. Besides
that it was just a big gathering of people and the nativity skit. It was pretty
nice.
We were
also invited to a local dance. It was pretty cool. It was fun to watch them
dance. I knew some of the people in the dance. Well, I am thinking about
sending home pictures of it, but you know that ladies don't wear shirts here,
especially at the dances. So I haven't decided if I will or not. If I do, you
might need to shield some eyes.
Dad
Question #1: How is the language coming along?
Answer: My Yapese I feel like it
is getting better and better, but when I listen to people speak Yapese, I am
reminded that I do not understand much. It is hard because people only talk to
us in English. But we are all trying. I can say a good portion of the first
lesson in Yapese. But there is not as much power when I teach like that and
people laugh at me when I speak Yapese.
Question
#2: I’m a bit surprised about the number
of baptisms?
Answer: I am not sure what is happening. The best
idea I have is the members. The members in Colonia.
Sounds like India
was cool. I didn't know people were that poor. The monthly average income I
think is about $70. Not very much, especially if you consider how expensive
things are. I really love your car. It is awesome.
Question #3: You don’t write much
about the challenges…
Answer: To be honest Dad, I don't
feel like I have that many problems. The Lord has and is blessing us here. And I
guess when there is a problem. I don't like to dwell on it. If there is
something I can change, I do. If it is not something I can’t change, I adapt
and move on and keep working. That is what works. I don't worry about myself. I
am out of the picture. It is the others that are important.
Mom
Question #4: When do we talk to you on Christmas? Phone or Skype?
Answer: I will give you a call or email you sometime
this week or next week with a time and a number to call me at. Probably phone
Question
#5: How is your sunburn? Have you considered draining it?
Answer: Sunburn
is long gone. I did drain it though.
Question #6: How do the people come dressed to church?
Answer: Well, it depends. Right
now, most of the men are coming in a white shirt and tie. The women are coming
in the nicest clothes they have. Some just were there local skirts or lava
lavas and a t shirt. That is about all of the people have sometimes. They are
pretty good about trying to look nice
Question
#7: What do you do in church? Talk?
Teach?
Answer: Well, I gave a talk on Sunday on patience. It
was a last minute talk. I got a call Sunday morning and was asked to talk in
about a half and hour for 20 minutes in sacrament. It was fine though. I have
taught primary before and other Elders have taught priesthood before. But
normally we don't have to do anything. Which is good because it means the
branch is functioning fairly well.
Question #8: What are you doing
Christmas Eve?
Answer: Probably just a family
home evening with some families in the Branch
Question
#9: What about Christmas dinner?
Answer: Not
sure. Probably just make something our selves. The Garret’s will cook us
something on district meeting days which are Thursday.
Question #10: How is Yapese
coming?
Answer: It is coming slowly. I
have talked to people here whose Yapese is their second language and English is
their first. It takes them about two or three years to master it. So maybe by
the time I go home I will be good at it.
Question
#11: How do the people celebrate Christmas?
Answer: They
don't, really. Maybe a party. I will let you know after Christmas
Question #12: What do the people give
each other for Christmas?
Answer: Not sure if the give
anything
Question
#13: Tell about a time you felt the Spirit this week?
Answer: At
the District Christmas party we acted out the nativity skit. That was good. The
Spirit was there. I was a wise man. It reminded me of home too.
Question #14: Have you learned new
doctrine?
Answer: Not really. I am just more familiar
with the stuff we teach a lot. Before, if you were a member of the church and
married someone in the church, you had to wait a year after you were married to
go to the temple, even if you have both been members your whole life. Well, now
you don't have to. That is cool I thought. Not really doctrine though.
Staheli
Merry Christmas. Just a little early. What is your plan for Christmas.
Are you going home?
Reed
That is awesome about your grades. School semester is almost
over too. That is super cool. Are you going to convince mom and dad to take you
skiing? I wish I could go to. You are just going to have to do a back flip for
me on skis. ha ha
Grandma
Hey, did you get my letter back to you? I am not sure what
mail actually makes it home to you guys or not. Anyways. Love you and merry
Christmas.
That is about all that is new here.
I love you all so so much
Love Elder Meyer
Question - do you think that A*gistine scriptures are close
to Yap yet. I would like to give them to him on Christmas.
Also, did you ask Sister Lugo to make scripture strings for
Elder Ramiterre? His are the same size as mine, just in a quad.
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