"Christmas in the Caribbean"

HE SURVIVED THE RAINY SEASON

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

MISSIONARY VS. WILD

Thanks for the corn bread recipe! such a great idea, right now I'm
really craving, too; I had forgoten all about it! I'm glad the
Christmas was good...I was kinda hoping to call and see everyone
was havin a lousy christmas because I was not there...but ya'll
looked great... Christmas was great here as you saw. We had a
great time with the elders and the Collings. They are great.
The day after Christmas was not so great though...I didn't
sleep at all that night and woke up so dang sick...I threw up
in the morning for about 5 minutes and then my head was
spinning the rest of the day...luckily the Collings are here.
They got me and Elder Garotta back to Moule, and me some soup
and other stuff. I felt bad sleeping all day but I was just
not feeling up to do anything but try and sleep. Saturday I
still had a headache and runny nose and stuff, but I was able
to get out and work and that cures everything. But its good now.

Tuck is lookin good man. I can't believe my little bro is
almost 18! I was thinking about that and it blows me away!
He is the man. He has got to start preparing for the mission!
Man everyone looked great! I was so happy to talk to you guys!
It put me in such a great mood! The mission has really made
me so grateful for the family, and also resentful for being
such a geek when I didn't hang out with you too. This week is
gonna be a great week for Moule, if it's Elder Garotta's or my
last week here we gotta go out with a bang. Bunch of
investigators and a bunch of people at church! K well I love
everyone
From a separate e-mail:
The zone leaders wanted to get all the apartments spick and
span because a lot of them looked like crap (not ours whoooop
whoooop!) so we stay at one of the apartments. The zone
leaders bring a bunch of extra matresses and then we wake up
at about 6 and clean till 9 or 9:30 and with 14 guys we get a
lot done. Actually to be honest it ends up its 6 or 7 of us
that do all the work and the others are lame. But after we
will go play soccer all together, see a beach and play frisbee,
or see a waterfall or something.It's really hard to transfer
from island to island because of flights so they will transfer
from branch to branch. Elder Garotta thinks we are getting
transfered... I think I'm staying still.
Elder Garotta has become such a wuss on me.. the last two
weeks i have set up markers on a long straight road and have
done ladders....they aren't doing tons though...but I think
he is getting trunky and wants to look good for when he gets
home so hopefully this week will at least be different we have
transfers the week after.
Dad thanks for your advice on the language...I definitely
find a difference in my french when i just get out and testify.
Testifying of the Saviour is the best. Its the fixer of all
things...it can fix a heart when its sad, it can bring calm to
a soul that is stresses, and it can bring the french language
to a missionary when he is feeling really insecure about it.
And as missionaries we definitely can not fear or worry about
sounding dumb when we are doing this work. This last sunday
...so yesterday I guess I had to give a talk and I was really
tired from the day before and hadn't prepared tons...but before
I started I just decided I was not going to worry about what I
said before hand, and I just had faith beforehand that what I
needed to say would be given to me. The talk went so well!
My first talk a couple of weeks ago was a wreck, and the
difference was definitely more faith and less fear.
So the utes are gonna pull an upset pretty soon...I'm so
excited to hear who wins!!!! Elder williams and I are gonna
fast...no just jokin'...first off the fast isn't for that
and second the utes don't need it! I'm glad to hear the jazz
are developing their younger talent. Sports are tight,
unfortunately im becoming a little bit of a soccer fan here,
but I can't help it! It's all they do...so me and hill will
be better buddies.

"Merry Christmas, Utah (Never Far From Home)"

This is last week's lost e-mail:
It was a crazy week...Monday to Thursday there was a huge gas
strike and we could not get anywhere outside of Moule from Sunday
to Thursday. We did not even know zone conference was still a go
until about 10 o'clock Wednesday night. I guess they are
complaining gas prices are outrageous here(like they are not
everywhere else, too, so everyone decided they wouldn't drive for
four days (the missionaries joked it was just 'cuz they wanted
another holiday). But it really screwed up our week. We had three
really good investigators who had baptismal dates: Michlo, Rosin,
and Renai. We had planned to spend all of Monday and Tuesday in
Moner a Leau working there with our investigators there,
specifically Rosin and Renai who live there. Moule is actually a
three city area (Moner a L'eau, San Francoi, and Moule). We
had memebers set up to come and teach, but because of the
strike our plans were all screwed up. We adapted our plans for
Moule and to work with our investigators there. Michlo was
the only one of the three investigators with a baptism date
who lived in Moule, and we had planned to see him on Tuesday,
but could not even get a hold of him until Thursday night. So
we worked with most of our investigors in Moule, but ended up
doing a whole lot of finding (port a port). Finally, we were able
to meet with Michlo Thursday night only to be devestated to
find he had found a girlfriend, and didn't think he could keep
the commitments of baptism. I don't know how to explain
the sorrow and desperation there is in seeing someone be so
close and yet still so far....Even worse was that we have not
been able to get a hold of Rosin for the last week for whatever
reason. I think he has started smoking again, but this week
has just been rough as far as the work goes. We are having a
tough time finding tons of good investigators too. Everyone
here seems to have so much potential, they are so nice and
great, and yest so stuck in their own religions. I wish i could
do more, but the French limits me still.
Luckily we had the best Zone conference to lift my spirits
after this week. The spirit was so strong and I really allowed
it to teach me some things. In all I still feel the branch is
growing stronger and becoming a more closely knit branch.
This week we were surprised by two of the sisters who made
a whole bunch of pancakes for the branch after church. I don't
know what it is but they are pancake crazy now! Mom thanks
so much for your testimonyevery week, it helps boost mine
each time a read it....I love you and love the fam...thanks for
the awesome recipes, too! They are so kick butt!

MOULE






COWBOYIN' UP, GUADELOUPE STYLE

"Incommunicado"

Andy apparently sent another email to the family that did not arrive. So, all we received this week was the email answering our questions. So, here goes
What are all the bottles on your kitchen counter (previous week's photo)? They are our attempt at food storage haha...we did a huge cleaning though so they aren't just chillin' on the counter.
How has apartment hunting gone? We have not done too much on that, we have been so busy and it is not that high on the list of the priorities
When are the 3 baptismal dates you talked about? See mom's letter (the one that never arrived)
How was zone conference? Oh my gosh it was so great! I wrote a letter about it that hopefully you will get...but I'm finding letters take a really long time to arrive.
Are the members taking Luissant under their wings? Are they fellowshipping him? Yeah he had becoming very well fellowshiped in the branch except that he just left this week for France for like 2 months with a member( they should be getting married in a few months) He needed to go to France for some type of surgery.
Let us know any time you receive packages. Have you received the package with Christmas CDs in it? I actually just got it today and can't wait to listen to the tunes!!!! I laughed so hard when I saw the old school pictures of me, Tuck and the girls.


ANDY'S FIRST CREOLE DINNER


FANCY BANANA LEAF PLATES


FINGER-LICKIN' GOOD


LOOKS LIKE A MISSIONARY CREATION?

"Jolly Mon"

Thanks so much for the recipe...cooking is so sweet...right now
my thing is rice. I've been cooking rice for about a week, and
trying different things. I'm known as the cooking "slut" ...
sorry for the term...but I'm just quoting other people. I've set
a goal to learn some good creole food to cook for the fam when
I get back. I think most creole food is cooked with native
spices though so its harder. Hopefully, I'll figure it out.



Dang it sounds like a pretty good week for you all! I'm not
gonna lie, I'm getting a little home sick...little...Christmas
is just the sweetest! Anyways...congrats to Brent and Emily
(baby boy due in April), thats awesome..its the best time of
year to celebrate life!
Christmas is so cool...I just finished Jesus the Christ this
week. Holy cow, it's so good. I read it in 2 weeks so my Book
of Mormon study wasn't as much as it had been, but you know me...
I'm a nerd, once I start a book I can't stop. Its really opened
my eyes though to the reality of his atonement and the difficulty
of his mission, and although he went through temptation that none
of us have been subject to and went through more than any of us
can imagine, he overcame the world!
I can't believe He-dont-suck Tuck applied to Blimpie's. Maybe
if he changes his name to Naylor he could score a job... Ash
thanks for the email..the postcard should be coming but it takes
forever! Moule is good though, the work is going great we have 3
people with baptismal dates, and a couple others who are family
of 2 of them who might come around.

Andy's First Baptism: Luissant



The biggest problem is the branch. There is no unity and
although the branch president is very capable he doesn't help
the best with it...so we have been trying to work with them and
pump them up pretty good. We just got news that the Collings
(Senior couple) are going to be working in Moule for the next
4 months so that should be huge! Keep on keepin on everyone,
I love everyone !

Andy on a P-Day Hike with His Zone

How did P night go? Did you really dress like pirates? Haha, I know you were probably worried we wouldn't look like missionaries if we dressed like pirates, but we ended up not doing it...I came as Papa Noel instead (Santa)...and not really even him. I just wore a santa ha, but its was stupendous! We had a bunch of people there...all the missionaries came to support and had most of our investigors there. We had domionoes, monopoly, uno, and other games that we played for about an hour. For a break Elder Garotta and I made a bunch of pizza thanks to mom's dough recipe, we probably made 7 or 8 pizzas and we shared a spiritual thought about prosperity. It went really well. Afterwords we played a game as a group for an hour. It was really great for the members and investigors both.

Is the weather getting hot(ter)?Naw not too much...its hot all day everday...I think there is a point where it doesnt matter how hot it is it just feels the same

When you and Elder Garotta teach, how much of the teaching do you do? Well...that depends. I'm really not that great at the french...its so hard to think in french and so difficult...I don't think I've immersed myself in french yet. Elder Garotta speaks perfect english so we don't speak french 24/7...I teach a lot if we have planned the lesson prior, but because people here are flakey and a lot of times we plan lessons on the fly for someone we hadn't planned on teaching, I don't have as much time to prepare. I can always understand what we are talking about, but still can't quite be in on the lesson as much as I'd like. My understanding has gotten better though

Are there any unique Christmas traditions on Guadeloupe? How do they decorate? There are only a few decorations up but not very many. haha christmas doesnt start in october like it does in good ole america...there are some cool homes of people from dominica who put up lights and stuff though

Church Members in Moule

"Lovely Cruise" Pictures

Andy on All Saints Day


Andy's Companion, Elder Garotta, on All Saints Day



The Kitchen



More of the Apartment



The Bedroom/Study

"Altered Boy"

I'm glad to hear that the thanksgiving was good. I'm sure it was. It sucks...its about 1 o'clock here, and I have not eaten since yesterday afternoon and so I'm starving. It wasnt much fun reading about all the great food you and dad wrote about...and dad was using details! We had our own little Thanksgiving dinner on thursday. I'm not sure if I told you..but the Collings had all the missionaries over and they cooked turkey while all the missionaries brought something...there were twice baked potatoes, green bean casorole, deviled eggs, breadsticks, mashed potatoes, stuffing, fruit salad (for you mom), and apple crumble. I almost won the contest for who could eat the most until I threw up....it sucked. Elder Williams won of course (he's a U football player) ...home slice can eat! But it was a great night; we had testimony meeting after and it was awesome. This whole week with the holiday season and everything I have been thinking about just how grateful I am for family and how much of a geek I used to be for not wanting to hang out with you all the time. It sounds like Tuck's less of a nerd than I was which was good. All the elders and I bore testimony and gave thanks to our families, to the unifying and eternal love we had for our families. I want everyone to know I love them.. I can't wait to get the picture of the family haha hopefully there are no floating heads like last one.
This week has been cool in Moule, we have a bunch of new investigators that are pretty new> It's so much slower (the work) here on the french side, and luckily I have been pretty good about not getting down when we hear how many baptsims the english side is getting. Truth is that as long as I'm working hard I have no reason but to rejoice in my God and that I already have taken part in helping one soul come to him. But ya love you guys tons...no worries about the game, mom, I knew they would win haha....Utah football kicks trash...

Other tidbits from the weekly Q & A:

• The West Indies Mission had 237 baptisms in November
• Packages sent via US Postal Service are best sent in a "packaged envelope, not a box".
• "Not gonna lie, all the elders are jealous of my popularity...I have been tearing up the letter records..haha I don't know if its because I get a lot or they just don't get much, but thank you Dianna and Travis, Phil and Mandy, Aunt Carol, Emily and Chad, Allie, Masha, Clara, Paul and Sara ...mail is crucial! and always remember when you send something it never hurts or costs more to throw in a little sports article.
• Louisant's baptism was not in the ocean. It would have been cool, but we are supposed to let the person choose and he wanted it in the baptismal font so that was lame, but cool still...Elder Garotta and I were witnesses.
• Andy wants for Christmas: I just want you guys to have a great Chrismas, and to keep putting me in your prayers, and drop a few lines and thats great

"Conky Tonkin'"

Heyo Mommio!
Man you sound like an apostle .... it's so awesome to see you growing and how great an example you are to me. This week I have been reading in Alma about chapter 45 to the end of it. and the wars are really sweet. of course (especially Teancum...he is my boy!), but i was really touched to read about the 2000 stripling warriors and their mothers. I hope you know that I feel the reason I'm able to be here on my mission is because of you and the principles and faith that you have shown me in your life. You're the best mom. Ok, so I think I'm going to send a memory card home today or tomorrow; but send it back as soon as you can so I can get some more pictures before Christmas. Who knows maybe it will get there before Thursday so you can take some pictures of the party for me...Haha Grandma and Grandpa are the best...I hope Grandpa is back to scaring the little kids in the ward haha...well actually he scares people of every age, not just kids. Crap mom....you ruined the game for me! I think....well at least it was a win from what I can read between the lines.
So lets see what has gone on this week...I don't remember too much. We are teaching this family, the Lepenec family: an older man of about 60, his wife, a Portuguese woman of about 40, and their daughter about 14. The mom and the daughter have come to church on and off for about 3 years and have just got reacquainted with the missionaries. The other day I was talking with the mom and she told me she wants to visit Utah sometime...I asked her when she would be doing that and she replied after her baptism (have I told this story before? oh well who cares haha)! Anyway, Elder Garotta and I have been teaching them every couple of days since then, but the dad has become a problem. Basically he thinks we are a church that just tries to take people's money with our tithing. We have explained how it works; how no one is paid in our church. We have tried to build his testimony of Joseph Smith so he can have a testimony of his commandments, and nothing is working. All he wants to do is argue. So Elder Garotta and I fasted with the family yesterday, and we have faith that that might at least soften his heart to allow their baptisms ( that's the problem, he won't let them be baptized). Elder Garotta and I have set a high goal for baptisms by the end of the month, and we are hoping to get a few this week and a lot next month (I'm really missing the snow and want some type of white Christmas).
Speaking of White Christmas, Elder Garotta has a sweet version of the White Christmas song.....who was it by again....oh ya, Michael Buble! So sweet! We have made a tradition of singing it in the back of peoples' cars when we are on our way back from appointments; they like hearing the English Christmas songs...maybe not the voice that accompanies it so much, but haha...
k well mom i love you and love the family

Answers to family questions.
Did your baptism go through? Oh, I didn't even tell about his baptism to mom...but Louisant's baptism was awesome! A member of the branch did it which is good, its so much better to build those deep spiritual bonds between members than missionaries. He came to church yesterday to be confirmed and he looked like a new man.. so up beat and just looking great.
Can we rip you some Christmas CDs? What can or can't you listen to (Christmas music)? Most Christmas music we can listen to... I think basically anything except songs with romantic lyrics (probably wouldn't be the best for me cuz I'm a lover), but some kids have some Michael Buble christmas....haha I'm not jealous at all..
How did your "P" night go? P night got pushed back to the 5th because of some conflicts, but it is shaping up to be good...we need to get our pirate costumes together...but yeah I think Elder Garotta and I are just going to use some of our Mission fund money for it...it shouldn't be too much, and the members have been really kind at feeding us lately, probably like twice a week.
How are your feet? My feet are great...and I'm not really taking care of them either... I think they were just trying to scare us with all those myths..but I'm watching them..actually this morning we played soccer at this sweet beach and every one's feet were torn up and bloody, it was fun though
Did you buy a machete? NO! man Preparation day goes by way too fast; we never have time to buy stuff! I'm workin on it though...I'm keeping my eyes out for a killer one though
How much longer does Elder Garotta have on his mission? He leaves in February. We just got transfer calls to serve in Moule another transfer so I'm stoked to be with him. I get to hone my culinary skills for another 6 weeks...and that doesn't even count french help!

So the game was good? Man I'm excited...poor Tuck didn't get to go...I'm sure you could have gotten so much more for those tickets! But, its alright...haha i wanna see Tucker's model football picture though...the ladies all over it?

"Island"

We received a letter, not an e-mail, from Andy yesterday. Here are some excerpts:

Cow fait? That's how's it going in french creole. Today has been awesome We just finished zone conference with Elder Vinas of the Seventy. He trained us for a day; it was unreal. Talk about someone just having a spiritual glow around him! He taught what we missionaries need to do to build the church here & build strong branches with strong members so that we can eventually get a stake here. Right now it will be a long process. There is not much priesthood strength and that is the foundation of the church. But, he planted such a vision of how the work needs to be done here.
We have been teaching these elderly couples who are Catholic and we taught them tonight and set a baptism date with them. For one of the couples it was their first lesson. I snuck in at the end of the lesson that I was excited they could be starting down the road of baptism (haha... I think it kind of took them off guard to mention that so quick in our teaching).
It's funny, Elder Garotta and I have been using my lack of french to an advantage. I'm the one who asks the hard questions or commitments or for a member to teach with us. If they say no I just say "I don't understand" what they are saying until they say "yes". They underestimate the sneakiness. We have some really good investigators right now who are on the right track. It's hard here in Guadeloupe to get investigators 'cuz there is a very, very small percentage of the people living the law of chastity. So, it will take some patience.
One brother, Mitchlot, is probably the nicest man I have ever met, but he is scared to death to get baptized and then mess up with the law of chastity after baptism. It's all comin' together though. It is awesome to see the hand of the Lord in His work.
The food is amazing. Although I have not tried tons of the creole, I have been pounding as much fruit as I can. I can't get enough. I don't know if you can get tubby off fruit, but I might find a way to do it. I talked Elder Garotta into buying tons of fruits and vegetables from now on. I don't know why vegetables, I really don't like 'em, but just to make you proud, mom). We bought apples, pineapples, kiwis, bananas, and bunch of yogurt for the mornings. We don't have money for much junk food which is good. Food is really expensive here. It's probably 50% higher prices, but it makes us good budgeters. But, by far the most important fruit here is coconut. One family gave me this coconut milk (warm) and I about threw up. Then my companion, seeing my attempt at pretending to like it, told the family I wanted more (he knows most missionaries can't stand it). But, I have to be honest, the coco here has been growing on me. We have this amazing coconut jam and ice cream right now. Okay, well that was a lot of writing about food.
Last week we did some service for a man in the ward who owns a bunch of cows and pigs. We got to help with them, but the best part is after we helped him in his yard with machetes! Yipee-kai-yay! It was so sweet! I am going to have to buy one this week, cuz I think the zone is going to a waterfall on Preparation Day... I don't know why I need a machete for that but trust me... it is necessary.
Everything is dandy here. I hope everything is well at home. How are ya Hill and Ash? I miss my sisters. Are you getting pumped for Christmas? I know I am. My companion just got a Christmas CD that had one Christmas song sung by my boy Michael Buble', "I'm Dreaming of A White Christmas". So that's sweet.
Tuck, how are the ladies? I suggest using the creek a little bit, we have one in our backyard... such a setup. I need some pictures of the family. Investigators love to see our families, too.
Love you all, Elder Andy Neff

"I Will Play for Gumbo"

Andy Hopes to Have a Baptism Saturday
Like His Friend Chas (same mission)

The brother and sister that we were teaching were always nice, but we had to drop them because they were not keeping their assignments. We invited and invited them to church and then even came to pick them up the day of church, and they were there but she said she had just woke up...thats how it is here. Alot are willing to listen and they are even interested, but the difference between those that are ready and those that are not is in the committments. M aybe someday though...man that seems so long ago to me!

This week a great week though! I dont know what it is but i have been really fired up lately...maybe its cuz the utes are doing so well.... MAKE SURE NO ONE TELLS ME THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME (the Elders get to watch video of the game as a zone)! I have been trying my hardest to contact everyone, and it has really helped the french and the work. Moule is doing good, the work is coming and we are seeing a lot of changes in the attitudes of the members and it feels like everything is coming together thanks to the Lord's hand.

We had a lesson with Louisante this week and we had a prayer on the run about what we should teach. We both had the same answer of faith unto action, and that action was baptism. It was the best. He almost commited to last saturday, but we felt he still needed to be taught more. So, it's this saturday. He is the most shy man I have ever met. In fact this morning we had an early lesson with him and he explained his concern of speaking in church and really doesnt want to. haha. We told him he wouldnt have to speak for his baptism. He is also scared because he can't read and is worried some callings in the branch might require it. So, his concerns are good ones and not anything to worry about... I'm stoked though!

The language is coming alright. I'm having trouble delevolping my vocabulary outside of church things, but this week i made a deal with Elder Garotta that if he speaks french all the time I'll do something for him...so that should help. The elders here are really lazy about french study, and so I need to try and not fall into their tradition. I was expecting to get here and never speak english, but we always do...so....ya, its coming though. I'm also learning a little creole...just phrases really. Everyone laughs when I speak it to them so its a good conversation starter...

Elder Garotta is getting better and better at keeping up with me (running). Today we got a good hour in right along the beach! Pinch me...but yeah he is doing good, and now he has even starting helping me with the diet...sometimes when we go to the other missionary apartments its ridiculous when you compare it to us. The other elders are all about the snacks...the cookies, pastries, fries, the soda, nutella. haha One of the elders even makes his own reeces peanut butter cup by putting one spoonful of peanut butter and nutella in his mouth at the same time haha...Actually its pretty dang good (I had to try it once).

Oh guess who sent me the letter of this week this week....Aunt Carol! haha It was awesome, had like 6 sports articles! Family is the best! MOM....haha ben is an animal give him a hello for me. I'm glad to hear Trent is finding some good work; I miss my boxy....I miss everyone actually.

This week you will appreciate that I had my first real creole meal...We got invited to our landlord's family party this week where they were celebrating their ancestors. We walk in and there are these piles of food set up against the fire place for apparently as sacrifices to their ancestors....after they took us outside and the entire family and us sat down on cinderblocks and they placed these huge banana leaves in front of each person. I had no idea what was going on...then they came around with these huge buckets of rice and just placed it on our leaves and then around again with chicken and sauce....everybody started eating with their hands, it was the messiest meal I've ever had, so good! Chicken Gulumbo. Ok love everyone but gotta go!

"Autour du Rocher"

Hey mother dear
Things went all right with Eva, we have seen her twice since then and both times she really was not doing very well/ Luckily there was a lot of family around for her. It didn't help that he (Adonai) was catholic before he died and was not baptized yet/ So it was a catholic funeral. I'm not going to lie; I was upset when Elder Garotta and I showed up and 20 people kept repeating the same prayer over and over again for an hour. They were all reading off some sheet of paper..how comforting is that to the Her? zilch! Elder Garotta and I sang a couple of cantiques(hymns) for her. and I hope it helped a little bit more I don't know, I shouldn't put down their church, but there just isn't much healing that goes on.
That's cool tuck used the story in sacrament meeting though! Sorry I don't write very well so he could quote me...I'm the worst writer. I don't have time to comment on most of what you write me, but its sounds like you are all doing great and I love hearing and seeing how much the family is growing spiritually.
Oh but i HAVE to make a comment about trav's and dianna's baby "hahahahaha" that is so sweet! I love the name and that he is a big boy! Such perfect for them! He is gonna be a monster football player.
Things are great here in Moule. I appreciate the prayers and I promise they do help the work so much! Especially when they are coming for the best family in the world...Last Tuesday I did splits with Elder Williams, the zone leader! He is so sweet! He is going to be playing for the Utes next year so he and I get along pretty well. I'm calling him right after this to talk about the TCU game (thanks dad you're the best). It's definitely a lot easier to understand conversations when with him; he speaks well but doesn't speak as fast as Elder Garotta. He had to take a breathalyser test that night for driving...he wasn't driving bad but they don't like Americans here.
The big news this week has been the election. It's ridiculous how many people ask us about that, and how amazed they are that we have a black president Everyone we talk to that's the first thing they ask is what we think about the election (they realize by my look and then by my french that I'm American). It's funny though, they do not care at all what he says just that he is black.
So mom will be proud of me, Saturday i made about 75 pancakes for a pancake party after church yesterday. Yup. lets just say I'm a pro pancake maker. haha. It was amazing to see how many people have no idea what a pancake is! They loved them...but we did it as a way to start building better relationships in the branch, as well as pump them up for a game night we are going to start every week, as a way to invite investigators to get to know everyone in the ward. The first game night is in two weeks and the theme is the letter P ( I stole the idea from Paul and Sarah Taylor for theme nights with letters). The missionaries are gonna make pizza; I'm going to be playing the piano; we are going to play spoons or another game cuz that doesn't work haha; and teach about the priesthood....sweet! If you have any ideas for other games for other nights let me know. I love you all and you are in my prayers. This week my scripture has been Alma 34...i love the scriptures....Remember that we must worship god in everything we do, in spirit and in truth, and while we do this we must always be thankful for the endless mercies and blessings we must receive from him... It is a blessing to rejoice in our God and when we have trials be grateful for them and remember verse 41 of Alma 34( I don't remember what that says but I wrote it in my journal) there is never a reason to fear as long as we are worthy for eternal life. The church is sweet! Love you guys and keep it real in Utah for me.

Andy

Mopping Up Moule

Things are just great in the Guadeloupe area. The work is really coming along....and although it sucks because I feel limited as far as the actual teaching goes (due to the language), I feel I'm contributing. We had the sweetest experience for zone conference with Elder Vinas of the Seventy this week. He really was blunt when training the missionaries about what we need to do and how it is to be done. My hand was sore after because of all the notes I took....it seemed like one really long sweet quote. He he did all in English too, which is not his native tongue. He is truly a man called of God and that receives revelation for this area. After zone conference he gave a talk for all the members on Guadeloupe and he left it open to questions. He was understanding the french half the time (and he doesn't speak it), but ya very cool. Things are still going good with Elder Garotta, we are still rocking a sweet diet of fruits, veggies, yogurt, and other awesome fruit. I have been introduced to some very different foods here including this fruit called "fruit of bread" or "fruit a pan". We have some that grow by our apartment. Its kind of like a huge potato. It's good for breakfast with eggs though. I'm loving cooking here, its so crazy seeing what stuff works with what. Who knew that you could make a killer pasta with tuna? So we had a baptism this week of a boy in the branch named William; Elder Garotta did it. It was an awesome experience, and we also set a baptismal date with a 64 year old man Adonai on Friday. He has been taught for a while and was a great ami (friend) of the church! He had read the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants, and had wanted to wait to get baptized with his wife, Eva , but she had been very stubborn about her baptism. After about a month of waiting for her, he set his date by himself. He had been coming to church and was even going to bare his testimony in church on Sunday. We got a call on Saturday morning, the day after we had taught him and set the date, that he had had a heart attack and passed away that morning while fishing.... I could not believe it. It still feels unreal to me...it got me thinking a whole lot just about how short life is and how we have to be living right at all times so when that day comes we are ready. I know he is being taught and administered to by missionaries in the spirit world We are going to visit Eva tonight. The work is awesome. I can't wait to get your letters, and sorry if my letters are lame. Tell the family hi and I love ya

More Q & A.

Do you live outside of Moule (is that why you have a long walk to the bus stop/church)? Yea, we kinda live on the outskirts of Moule. The plus is we get a pretty decent apartment because its cheaper, but I'd rather trade for a crappier one.

What is the geography of Moule like? Is it hilly? Flat? Moule is very flat, there are hills, but for the most part flat... The other side of the island where the volcano is is the more rocky part. Today for preparation day we went as a Zone to go to a waterfall! It was unreal how amazing it was! I'll be sending pics for sure. But Guadeloupe is beautiful everywhere! I thought I had some sweet pictures of sunsets and stuff, but I have been looking at some other Elders' pictures, and I don't have anything good in comparison!

Are you always near the ocean? Is the coast sandy or rocky? We are mostly by the ocean, but Moule is a big area...our area covers about 1/4 of Guadeloupe, so it does change. I have not even seen it all yet.

Do you have washer/dryer in your apartment? Yes, we have a washer and then we just hang stuff up...luckily I have not ruined any of my clothes yet.

Is your apartment clean? Do you see some weird bugs in it? You would be so proud of me....mom. Ours is the only apartment that is kept in any type of good condition (as far as I have seen). There is a bunch of stuff that's broken, but as far as cleanliness goes its good good

What do you do on P-Days? I have not done anything until today. The first 2 p-days we just read the BOM for a Guadeloupe-wide challenge.

"Stranded on a Sandbar"

So my clothes are taking a toll with all the walking and sweating we do...and also you will be very disappointed to know that a pen exploded in my pocket this week haha wow I'm dumb...but its all good, they are fine.

The work is going good though, we taught a sweet family (the Ferrands). Its a brother and a sister who are so freaking nice! They were so receptive and so willing to listen to the gospel. and even though a lot of people are willing to listen. Usually we just walk up to an open door of a house, and doors are always open cuz of the heat, and we say "TO-to-to" the English equivalent of "knock knock knock" and then they let us in too teach, but don't accept what we say. This family, though. loved what we had to say, and we made baptismal dates....I think I'm only gonna be able to do one email a week, but ill send a letter today.

In response to some of our questions, Andy wrote:

If the walk is so far, why don't you ride bikes? I think its cuz they would probably get stolen...but honestly it would be a good idea. It really messes with schedule...because after studying in the morning its about 11(cuz of language) but if we left to go knock doors we would have to walk a half hour and we would have to walk a half hour back for lunch (we dont have enough funds to eat out every night) I think its ok though cuz we usually just make phone calls from 11 to 12 to set up appointments and get members to come (it really is so much better to teach with members, not only is it more powerful but now that investigator has a friend at church other than the missionaries). But the time from 11 to 12 gives us time to make our day more efficient, and then we just skip dinner...so it ends up working out alright. Elder Garotta has really got the branch going, last week we had as many member lessons as the entire district combined; he is a great missionary.

Tell us about the food. I have not had too much of the creole food cuz we usually make our own, but elder garotta makes some mean pasta that is SO good...he also made some boquets the other day ( i don't know if that is something found only here or other places as well) ...we were able to eat at a members house (President Gardel) and they served this awesome creole soup bouillon...it was amazing...unfortunately I have no idea what was in it but a lot of spices...I'm loving cooking though, I have learned how to make a lot from Elder Garotta...and I have even made a few things...we made your chili mom as well as your apricot chicken...we don't have the best cooking stuff so that one turned out kinda...different..oh and i made some money banana pancakes!

Tell us about your living arrangements. The house has three rooms, our kitchen and our bedroom, and then one 10 by 8 bathroom, that is probably the most efficient bathroom I have ever seen. You can be going to the bathroom and showering at the same time. It doubles as both...its cool too cuz its self cleaning.

Tell us about the branch. We have about 15 active members. the primary consists of one family...the Vautiers she has 5 boys who are sweet. This one kid he just turned 12 is tight. He doesn't make me feel too retarded when I speak to him in my french so i have made buddies with him. He is smart though, he speaks a little English and Spanish, and he speaks perfect french! Can you believe that! French is a hard language. Anyways...I told him I have a sister a little younger than him..Ashley? mwhahaha...but then there are a few other members that are good. President Gardel is the man. He helps us tons with member lessons, and never turns us down when we ask. He speaks such slurred french though; I have never had a conversation with him because I can never understand him (je ne comprends pas!). It is a good ward, and the members are very friendly with the investigators we bring. We had 5 last week but it should have been more. Oh and the primary had their primary program yesterday which consisted of four kids, two ladies who spoke, and me playing the piano for their songs.

Is the French spoken proper french or more of a creole? I don't want to talk to much about the french haha...its so bad...the adult people that have moved to Guadeloupe from France or something I can understand pretty well, but kids my age or people that have lived here there whole life I can't understand at all. Even after I tell them I don't speak creole and they speak in french, it is tough...Elder Garotta is teaching me some creole now though, but all in all I'm progressing pretty well.

When does Elder Garotta go home? Is he still the man? haha Its true I suppose; its easy to love your companion for the first week but once you get comfortable with each other its not as good...but not us...he is still sweet, he is a goofball. I took him on a run this morning that was pretty far haha and he kept freaking out at me that we should turn around and go back after about 20 minutes, but then i talked him into believing that although how hard you work during your mission decides your blessings after mission, the workout time and how hard you work then decides how pretty of girl you marry...haha he was all for the run now..no joke that is the only reason he kept going.

Have you had your stitches removed? yea it really was not a big deal at all...they are out and I don't think i have a scar haha I'm a spaz.

I don't remember if I told you last week but our two zone leaders are both football players going to BYU and Utah when they get home...they said president is maybe going to let us watch that game (their dad or someone will send it) I would have a heart attack if we got to see that...cross your fingers

"Trying to Reason with the Hurricane Season"

Hey family!

Well im finally here! It is awesome! My companion is Elder Gorotta and he is a cool frenchman. He knows how to work hard and is defintitely pushin' me. He has already been such a help to my french...he also allows me to do a lot when we teach (more than i am actually comfortable with sometimes, haha but its good for me, but it always works out good). Elder Gorotta is so good with people! He is friends with everyone i swear! I'm so stoked to be with him, and he has an accent that is fun to make fun of....but anyways we are serving in Moule, a small town...and there are no worries about getting fat, 'cause we have to walk everywhere! The nearest bus is about 45 min walk, and the church is an hour and a half walk (with contacting and stuff), so I'm getting at least 5 miles of walking in a day. After emails we are gonna have to carry our groceries back (yikes). The people here are good...I say good not great because there is no doubt they are the nicest people ever...anyone here would invite you into their house and gladly talk to you for however long you want, but not " great" because its hard to find those that are willing to do anything with our message...but I know the Lord will lead us to those that will...the members are great...President Gradel had us over for dinner the other night and we have just started to get him helping with missionary work, we still need to get the other members to help more but Pres Gradel is great! He invited 6 friends over when we ate over that we were able to teach (k well i bore testimony of what my companion said haha, im not at a good enough french level yet, but i did do a sweet magic trick for entertainment)....crap i ran out of time, but ask me in your emails this week what else you want to know and ill tell ya....k i love everyone and am praying for everyone

Additional information gleaned from a response to emails included:

• The weather is so crazy! it will rain for about 10 minutes at a time so hard! harder than i have ever seen anyzhere else; and then it will just stop! its so hot too...and its winter! im sweating so much! but its good.


• Elder Garotta is the man he speaks really great english, he does pronounce some words wrong, and i love making fun of him when he does (you see he secretly wants to be american, and so he wants to speak perfect english)


• Man that is sweet 'bout Tuck! (Tuck had a touchdown catch last week) What a stud! I can't wait till we are all back home and playing some turkey bowl again...i wanna smoke him again.
• Island life is so awsome! its unbelievable how beatiful it is here! I wish we had more time to enjoy it though, its bad but im already looking forward to when i can come back and really enjoy it haha
• I think i have sort of got the hang of things, i still need to adjust to just how tiring missionary work is, the mornings are a little bit of a daze as of late cuz im so tired. but im sure ill get used to it.

"Travellin' Clean"

As described on the West Indies Mission blog (maintained by the fantastic Sister Robison):





Hurrah! The newest elders are here but it wasn't easy. They were supposed to arrive at the Trinidad airport at 8:00 PM Monday night. We got them Tuesday night at 10:00 PM - 24 hours late. Here is the story of their 40 hour journey:

Monday

• left the Provo MTC very early Monday morning
• arrived at Salt Lake City airportflight delayed out of Salt Lake
• arrived Atlanta , missed departing flight to Trinidad by a few minutes (had to catch tram, run to gate, oops wrong gate, find right gate, no plane)now what?
• contacted Delta personnel, got in touch with us - everyone scrambled
• no easy way to get to Trinidad so...
• early evening 5 elders fly to Cincinnati
• an hour later the other 2 fly to Cincinnati
• sleep a few hours in hotel

Tuesday

• morning - all 7 catch flight to New York City
• early afternoon - all 7 fly to Trinidad
• 8:00 pm - arrive on time
• line up in immigration
• immigration officer doesn't want two of them to enter
• frantic calls to President Robison and Sister Coleman to bring permit to the airport
• 9:30 pm - march triumphantly through gate!
• met by President Robison and the assistants
• 10:00 pm - dinner (?) in the mission home
• 11:oo pm - 12:30 am - handle necessary welcoming and training (finances, paperwork, orientation)
• 1:30 am - finally to bed
  

Wednesday

• 5:00 am - elders serving in Guyana head to the airport (Elders Harris, Brenkmann, Lee, and Coronado)
• right now (8:30 am) - Elder Neff (going to Guadeloupe) is being interviewed and I haven't yet seen Elders Jones and Noah (serving in Trinidad)

Andy wrote us quick e-mail. It follows.

Hey mom and dad I don't have very much time. But I wanted to let you know i arrived in Trinidad just fine. We got here last night and Elder Barton(chas) was at the mission home because he was being transfered! He said it was one in a million chance we would see each other, but thats just another one of the tender mercies of the Lord. I probably won't see him again on the mission due to different islands. This morning I woke up early and have been chatting and interviewing with President and Sister Robison. They are awesome! They are so nice, and make you feel right at home! It makes me sad they won't be here the whole 22 months for me. But I am off to Guadeloupe in an hour to serve with Elder Garotta as my senior companion. I guess he is a native of France. Ya i'm screwed...no doubt he will make me speak 100% french. But i'm so excited! I'll be making 3 flights to get to Guadeloupe today....is that a record? i'm pretty sure...7 flights in 3 days! holy schmokes..k well gotta go. love ya

"Come Monday"

Welllllll...thanks for the letter mom and dad. I'm just sending an email this week since i'll be talking to you on monday So plan on monday morning from about 6-8 sometime..sorry for the large window...Thanks so much for the package too...as usual the cookies were quite the hit...well the gingerbread ones were.Were those other cookies a new recipe? i miss your home cooking...i have managed to get through 9 weeks of fattening all you can eat MTC crap with only gaining 6 pounds! Its unbelievable but kids put on an average of 15 here i think. Its ridarn diculis...it probably wouldn't have even been 6 but this last week the packages of food have been flowing in (Clara, Ange, the fam) I should call you all satan! but I appreciate it..mom it sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now... I know what you are doing is hard but that you are being blessed for it...and no you don't sound proud, just supermom is all. During the priesthood session (Which was awesome by the way)president Eyring talked on stretching ourselves as children of god and that as we grow spiritually heavenly father is going to rely on us more...soo keep doin what your doin:)...but ya I hope ya'll saw me, Tucker said he did, but we watched it as a choir on tuesday and I only saw my face in a crowd of about 20 haha. I got the shaft by the camera men! but its was awesome being there and feeling the magnitude of righteousness in those chairs in front of us. K so funny story....last night I was lying in bed, and a must have been having a bad dream or something cuz i jumped in bed and came back down and smacked my head on a bar, i woke up after that and was all upset cuz I knew I'd have a huge bruise the next day, and my head was throbbing! haha It does take some serious skill to sleep apparently, but I laid my head back down and i saw my pillow was all bloody! i don't know how in the crap I did it but i had a huge gash on my right eyebrow ridge!. I tried to go back to sleep with a towel around my head(it was like 4:30 in the morning) but couldnt fall back to sleep cuz it wouldn't stop bleeding...i tried going to class and stuff with it but it wouldn't stop so at about 8:00 I went to the doctor and they sent me to the hospital down the street for stitches . hahaha! And the award for dorkiest stitches story ever goes to?! Andy Neff, in learn how to sleep! but ya I guess I'll have to find someone to take them out in the in west indies or something. So no worries over here, I'm taking care of everything and we will talk to you on monday! Au voir mon famille! "I like ya a lot"

Final Week at the MTC

Dear .... Everyone,

How goes it up north? I can't believe that you would go to the cabin without me! That's lame, and good luck having fun... just jokin'. I am jealous though. Mom, thank you for the amazing cookies and recipe book. The cookies were gone that night (I only ate two luckily). The recipe book will be nice though. Word on the street is that we have a cook in the West Indies though. I kind of hope not so I can get better at cooking. But, on the other hand if we don't have to cook, there is more time to do missionary work. I'm sure you are getting kind of bored of my letters from the MTC. Nothing really happens. I do like it here and enjoy the study time, but I'll be grateful to leave.
I appreciate your advice on being district leader, mom. I'm sorry if last week sounded like I was shrugging the duty off as "no big deal". Truth is, it is difficult for me because I have to act the leader role and its tough finding the balance between fun guy and serious district leader. I just didn't want to sound as if I was complaining last week, hence, the "no big deal". But thanks for the advice. I know you are doing a great job as Relief Society Pres.
Anyways, nothing too much to report other than that. I just wanna hear more about how everyone is doin'. I hope letters won't be this boring for everyone in the West Indies. Tell Tucker he needs to start dating. I'm dying to test out some french lines that he could use. So, he can fill me in on that, or if not, tell him to write me about football.
I know this church is true and that Christ lives. I know that Joseph Smith was called to open this dispensation and through our testimony of him we can have a testimony of our entire church. He was so sweet! Au revoir, Andy

And from his email: I just got back from another day at the temple. Its cool that all the missionaries go through every week. Each session the probably has 5 different languages everytime! its wild! I'm going to miss it. So i should be getting my flight plans tonight sometime, i'll let you know the low down next friday...I'm stoked for singing tomorrow night...we get to the conference center around 3 and practice till about 5. Apparently i'm singing 2nd tenor but i think by the time i'm done singing the songs my voice has covered about every part haha. Mostly i'm just excited to hear the direction we will recieve from the brotheren this weekend. HOw awesome is it that these men that recieve revelation from God, are all talking to us in two days. and i know there will be something in conference for everyone. HOw are my buddies doing out in the field? it sucked to have pat leave the mtc, i didn't even realize how much of a comfort it was having him there until he left. K well you all have fun, i'll talk to you later, Elder Neff

"Sheer Genius, Lloyd..."

Hey folks!

Another Utah win, eh? I'll be honest, it doesn't surprise me. Can you tell Coach Kyle to make the win margins a little larger for me though so that I don't have to put up with this crap I get from BYU fans? "Well, we won by 40". You know how they are. So, I'm thinking that I need to write Coach Smith about Tuck. Ahhh! That really bugs me.
So the house is coming along? I'm glad to hear that. I dibs the big room downstairs when I get back & for sure my machetes will be on the walls (apparently he's moved on from the Ninja sword collection phase). I'm definitely down for some hunting when I get back, dad. I'll be practiced at hunting, sort of. On the mission we hunt for the elect of God. hahah. Okay that's pushing the analogy, but I try.

Some news this week is that, I guess, the missionaries are singing in the priesthood session of conference. I was one of three hundred that get to go. So obviously it must have been a random selection cuz if they had heard me sing I would be shoot out of luck. So watch for me Dad and Tuck.

The French is coming along really well. I can basically say anything, but go about as slow as a four year old. I need to start thinking in french, but not cross the line of thinking like a Frenchman. Because as Harry Dunn says..... well, you know. I was teaching an instructor the other other day who happened to have served in the West Indies. He told me that the french missionaries usually have to learn french creole along with french. That scared the crap out of me. Two languages? It is alright, though. It will all work out; it always does if we rely on the Lord. And thanks for teaching me that.

So for gym I occasionally play basketball instead of working out. I tend to get a little too competitive when I play. Plus, there are a lot of chuckers or guys who just don't know how to play. So when I get a little frustrated, I quit and go play four square. All I can say is that game is "sheer genius, Lloyd". My companion's and my weekly goal is to have better four square teamwork. Well, you can tell that not much is going on this week, but I love everyone and keep on keeping on. Andy

PS Fun pictures of Elder and Sister Neff (who'll have the Caribbean covered!) & Andy and his buddy Pat enjoying the MTC

Sleep-Talking in French

Man! Time is flying by here in the MTC. And with every week I feel less and less prepared to speak French. This week Elder Brady (who is going to the same mission as Ashley Christensen-- Geneva) and I taught the first lesson all in French (35 minutes). It was tough, but I felt we did a good job! The great part about teaching is that most of the message is said eloquently through the spirit and the lack of eloquence in the language can be overcome through that (the Spirit). It's weird though, apparently I am getting the hang of the language because my companion says I talk French in my sleep. I still don't know if I believe him, but he swears by it. Sleep has never bothered me here. I always feel as though I get enough and never seem to be very tired. So, add another thing to the Lord's blessings.
I feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day here...hahah... every day is the same. I love it for the most part. Studying is the best (who'd have thought!) and I love the feeling of finally understanding something in French. The only thing that sucks is that everyone is getting wise to my pranks. But, we have some new kids coming in on Wednesday. Mwahahahaha! (he's sounding like his Grandpa Taylor)
I've made it a goal to keep all the rules to a T, to set an example for the district (not that I wasn't already... but not perfectly). Getting to bed on time was a task!
My running has continued, and I'm jump roping a lot now. So, I've been able to stay in shape (at least I think). I'm sure you are making fun of me at home, but, no joke, elders that are here nine weeks put on an average of 17 pounds. Not me!
This week I have had my scripture study and discussed in class the saving grace of the Lord (Elder Bednar's first talk.... Money!) I have come to appreciate trials that our Father in Heaven gives me. No, I'm not drunk, but how are we to grow without the blessing of overcoming tribulation? How are we to overcome the truly difficult tirals without overcoming the small ones? See D& C 58:2,3.
I love and miss everyone. Let everyone else know how grateful I am for the letters and support. --- Elder Neff

E-Mail from September 12, 2008

Andy's e-mail ( not in its entirety) included:
Its good to hear the house is coming along! surely but slowly, but that has always been the case. So it sounds like the utes are tearing it up!!!! SWEET!!!! i'm so stoked hearing about them! and especially rubbing it in to the BYU fans. I admit i get a little "gym locker" trunky....alright thats a crappy way to put i miss the sports. I get an hour a day for gym but usually i try to run and jump rope if i'm outside(ps, is there anyway i can get a jump rope sent?) its been a good workout its so fun. I feel like rocky and sing eye of the tiger while a do it...no but i do play basketball on some days too, and D-Will (Elder Torres is a D-Will look-alike) sometimes makes an appearance. The french is coming along...we have had some setbacks with new instructors coming in, and have had to teach ourselves a lot, so i kind of suck...But i've been trying to use any spare time i have to work on it. We have to teach the first lesson in French on wednesday!!!! but i think i'll have it by then..I just speak about as slow as a 3 year old.
So we had as ashley would say "Uchtdorf" (ask us why Ashley calls President Uchtdorf that)come last tuesday! I think i've decided he is my favorite speaker! His wife started off things and she was so peppy and up beat. Her English was not very good and she admitted to it but said that she didn't care as long as she had the spirit with her. and although it was hard to understand her at times, her point was understoood. I know that that is how it will be for me in the west indies..i'll struggle with the language at first but those who are ready to hear The Word will hear it through the spirit!, and President Uchtdorf gave an incredible talk on Missionary work, it inspired me tons!!! i'm gonna send you a copy of my notes of that talk.. I have seen so many people here, i saw Harry the other day, and see Pat a lot. its wierd to see everyone though, it almost feels like highschool...minus all the cute girls unfornately. K well i'll send you a letter today as well with those notes.
Love everyone, Elder Neff

Week 3-- Excerpts from His Letter Home

What is up family? How are things going on the home front? I hope and pray everyone is doing well! Things are pretty decent here, we are into a nice groove and time has started to go by a little faster, so that's swell! Everyone has been getting sick. Even though I wash my hands thirty times a day (you're welcome Mom), I still woke up with a sore throat this morning.
Studying has been going well, I love being here and just being able to study. Although it's not the funnest here I realize that this is probably the only two years I'll be able to be so engulfed in the gospel. It's a true blessing. So I suck at French, but that's okay, it will come. We have to be able to teach lesson one in french in two weeks! (Good freakin' luck) I can barely contact people. But, the Holy Ghost will "quicken my learning", so no worries.
One of my favorite things here is the referral center. We get to call people and share a message with people and offer them a free Book of Mormon or DVD or something like that. I talked to this lady, Gloria, for about twenty minutes the other day. I was able to bear my testimony of the Book of Mormon to her. She is a grandma (which was good for me) and had eight grandchildren. I also bore testimony that families can be together forever. I told her that the missionaries in her area would like to share a message, and she accepted! Sweet, eh?! I can't wait to do this for real in the West Indies! I don't know how in the crap I'll do it in French.

Au Revoir



Andy at Jenn's Mission Departure

MTC Musings-- Andy's latest

Bonjour! Ma Famille! Comment sa-va? That's about the extent of my French. I'm working hard to learn, but there have been some new hirings and stuff in the French department. So, our district has not had a teacher for the last week and a half. It's been teaching ourselves which is not too bad cuz after all its really the spirit doing the teaching. We have actually been able to keep up with the other French district that has teachers.

Last Tuesday was awesome. Elder Oaks came to speak and spoke on how to teach with the spirit (which has been a big topic lately). Elder Oaks was freakin' awesome. He is the man. I can tell that he is one of those old guys that you would not want to fight; he probably has loads of old man strength. But, he told us that because of the sacrament we are able to have the spirit with us always as we stay worthy of it.... throughout the week. It's in the sacramental prayer where it says" and always to have His spirit to be with them". So that was awesome.

The guys in the district are awesome. We have one kid that cracks me up; almost everything he does. He reminds me of an LDS Tom Tallou. His name is Elder Fernieden. He's from Canada. My companion, Elder Brady, and I have been getting along great. We are good pals. He has gotten really homesick lately so I have been trying to help him through that. It's ok though; everyone gets at least a little homesick. But all the boys are way fun. So, last night was pretty fun! You could say I pulled a grandpa Keith. I hid in our district leaders closet for a good 15 minutes, right before he got in bed. When he turned off the lights to get in bed, I scarred the CRAP out of him! It was awesome. He is kind of anal, too, so it made it all the better.

Well that's all for this week. I just want you to know I am learning a buttload about the gospel (Nacho!). But really the spirit is so strong here. I love it and love you all.


Andy's cousin Maclaine reports about Andy:

I've seen Andy a lot more in the past couple of day. He is hilarious. The first day he was concerned about the food here so I told him to check out the wrap bar. Its where you go and they make you a wrap with basically anything you want in it. I've seen girls that eat it for lunch AND dinner everyday! Anyway, he came up to me a couple of days ago and said " So you got me going on the wraps, then I got my district on them... and now we all have gas". Nice. I met a sister in his district and she said that he's funny. She said that he can definitely be serious and very spiritual but he's definitely got a goofy side. Its really fun to see him here. I took a picture with him on Sunday but it was kind of fuzzy, so I'm going to try to get another one with him.

....And He's Off

Yesterday we took Andy to the MTC. It all started about 9:00 AM as we took the ride to Ephraim to pick up Tucker from football camp so that he could see Andy off at the MTC. Between Ephraim and Provo we stopped in Nephi just long enough to grab some highly nutritious fast food at Wendy's. We arrived at the MTC, took a few obligatory photos, and did our best to keep smiles on our faces. The meeting with the MTC presidency was uplifting, but didn't quite quell the feeling of impending doom. After we tearfully said our goodbyes, Andy chose to move quickly towards the sign marked "Missionary Exit Only".