Elder samuel haycock's
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bringing the light of the gospel to the people of kiribati
Elder samuel haycock's
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Later that night, we had a chance to have a quick email exchange: Mauri, I have a little more time for questions. Tell me about your P-day and new companion! Also, tell us more about the music competition you had last week. Well I don't know who my companion is at the moment but I will know on Wednesday at Zone Conference. Pday is great because I can talk to you all! Not a lot went on today as we chilled out at the house. The music competition was a lot of fun and I had a lot of fun getting to know members and really being able to talk to them all. And be able to get to know them and have them start to love me more. Were you asked to lead the music because of your ability to read more music? Or was it something else? I kind of volunteered and they just loved how I did so they kept me to do it. Know that with faith all is possible. That's awesome! I'm glad you got to share your talents! You are right about faith! It can move mountains. Tell me about the city you're in. Bikenibeu is awesome but it is small and really doesn't have everything, but the work is there - you have to work at it. When you say really small, do you mean area or population? How many people are near there? How many people are you teaching? Oh and do you baptize in the ocean here or is there a font? I would say 2000 at most and our area is smaller. We are teaching about 30 people with 14 investigators. Super fun! But it is stressful sometimes. We have both. The Stake has said to fill the font now and it is clean now. It wasn't before. Wow. What makes it stressful? When people don't want to make and keep commitments or when they don't repent. Everyone says Hi and they love you! You're teaching Seminary too?? So busy! Keep up the good work! Tell everyone I love them too!! I have about 10 minutes left. Good! I enjoyed seeing the pictures you shared. The worms still gross me out...but I know how much you like them. Haha! Tell me about the frozen chocolate milk in a bag...weird. It is an awesome cold drink but I do have to say that it is weird having to drink out of a bag. Do you just cut a corner and suck it out, or is it like a Capri sun? You literally take a bite out and suck on it . Crazy! I didn't think you would be able to find or get frozen stuff. I bet that's a nice change! Almost every island has it but I just barely sent the picture of it. I love you! I am so happy I got to visit with you tonight! Keep working hard, push through! You are doing great things!! Love you too. Mauri, It really is crazy how fast time flies as. I am approaching my last transfer here in Kiribati. This mission is a special mission. It is not like any other mission. If I were to describe half of the stuff that goes on it would be disturbing. Honestly I am excited to see all of you. But I am really excited that I have two more months to keep helping people come unto Christ. We should have more baptisms coming up this next month as investigators are making progress. I am also excited for this week as our stake is throwing a Song Festival. Where all the wards compete against each other. It will be awesome and it has been nice to lead them and to put those music skills to use. Needs: Space Saver Bags - yes, for clothes and other things. Pair of pants to come home in. My feet if you find 42 that size works the best - I don't know what size that is in US. If you would like to supply me with a little money for souvenirs I wouldn't argue. But if not I can get along without. As for a turtle shell, I wasn't planning on taking one home. I would encourage all of you to read from Hope of Israel by President Russell M Nelson. Such a great message! I know that we have a prophet for these days. I know that he leads and guides this church. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. I tangiringkami, Elder Ekaki Bikenibeu 2nd West. I got to hear from him later that night and he wanted to ask and answer some questions we exchanged via email. How are you doing? How's your health? I am just exhausted and have a head cold at the moment. It usually wakes me up at 1:00 AM and then have a hard time sleeping after. I have had it for two days now. I just wake up and I don't know what to do. But I do wake up with enough energy - just have a headache, runny nose and sore throat. I have also moved around a lot (in my sleep) more these past couple of days. It has been weird. Tell us more about your companion. What do you admire about him? What are his strengths? Elder Hansen loves to be right. He is 6'2", is very smart and has a fantastic memory! Tell us about your home. Beds or hammocks or floors? Are rats a big problem still? Our house imagine a run down house in America and you have it. One old fan that still runs and tile flooring. The five of us sleep in the same room on the floor. And yes, rats are a huge problem...ish. They have died down since we have had the cat. Do you get around by biking or walking? Are your other flat mates fun to be around? Biking!!! They are fun sometimes but frustrating because they break down once in a while (the bikes). I'm back with Elder Roberts which is awesome. I have to go. So I want to say I love you. Have fun! Mauri, Just a quick update about me I am doing great! and I am excited that I have the opportunity to talk to you all. What have you been up to? I have been sharing the Gospel with the people of Bikenibeu. Such a cool experience happened this week! While I was lessoning with this lady, can I say, the Heavens were open and I saw her (in a vision) with her husband and her two children step out of the temple. It was so cool to see. I can testify that it will happen one day. How goes the work? The work is there but it is slow at the moment, but I see it picking up soon. What do you enjoy most about serving in Bikenibeu? Just being able to be in a ward and actually have a bishop that does things. It has been fun working with the Young Men as they are struggling in their assignments but I love helping them out. Needs: If you could send some space saver bags - mine have broken and don't work right. If you want send me a pair pants that would be nice, but I can deal with my two pairs of pants right now. Message from President Larkin: Elders and Sisters Senior Missionary Couples play a critical role in our mission and we have upcoming needs for several senior couples in both Kiribati and the Marshall Islands. This can be an exciting opportunity for couples who are at a stage in life where they are able to serve a mission together. If you have family members who may be interested in serving in our mission, please pass on my Church email address - [email protected] - and ask them to send me an email. If you do not have family members who are able to send, perhaps there are family friends/acquaintances who may be interested. As you know, this is the world's best mission! Thank you for all you do! We love you! President Larkin Spirtual Thought: Alma 34:32-33 - I want to remind you that we must repent always and to not put it off as we are in these last days. I am so thankful for this simple gospel. I want to testify that these things are true in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. I tangiringkami, Elder Ekaki Bikenibeu 2 West Alma 34: 32-33 32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. 33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. Letter Dated May 14th, 2018 Mauri utu, Happy Mother's Day! (Aia Bong Tiina, A na Tekeraoi!) Well sorry I wasn't able to email you this week. The internet was down in our zone, and I wanted to be obedient, so I sacrificed writing an email. A quick update of what is happening with me. So first, I got transferred from Betio. Sad Day! Especially when you have loved the people and your investigators are starting to make progress to baptism. But, I know that is what the Lord wants. So I have been moved to work in the Bikenibeu 2nd Ward and have been assigned to be District Leader of the Bikenibeu District. Nerve wracking. This past week we had Zone Conference which was really good and it had a lot for me in what I was struggling with at the time. We also received the Doctrine and Covenants in Kiribati for the first time this past Wednesday. It has made my studies really nice. "Tanimai Nakoiu n ami iango n taai nako, tai nanououa, tai maaku." - D&C 6:36 My thought is focused on looking unto Christ. I testify that as we focus our attention on Christ, we will be saved. I testify that we will be given the power to overcome trials and afflictions. I testify of these things are true in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. I tangiringkami, Elder Ekaki Bikenibeu 2nd West D&C 6:36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. No real email this week, but we did learn that he is serving currently with Elder Hansen from Idaho who has been out 18 months. He says that being District Leader is sometimes challenging when you want to see the work move forward, but are faced instead with complaints. He also asked for a brownie recipe and that was about it....except for all these beautiful photos. |
Elder Samuel HaycockI am called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This blog is about my adventures in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ for the next two years in the Republic of Kiribati. Archives
July 2018
CategoriesContributorRachel Haycock - I am the mother of 6 amazing children and the lucky wife of a dear, sweet man. I love to write, read, cook, teach and sew. I hope you feel the Spirit of the Lord as you read about Elder Haycock's adventures in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. |