My old companion Elder
Long left and went down to Auckland, he is serving in the very first
area that I started my mission which is Manakau. Surprisingly I still
remember the name of the first area I served in. He is in the Nui
program which is a language program. You are all wondering "why is it
that Elder Thorpe is getting new companions!" well..that is a good
question because I don't know why...maybe it is because they get jealous
of my wonderful smile or hair style. Who knows but the mission
president is always inspired. We both said our goodby's, little tears
here and there and laughs. Elder Long was happy to leave Whagarie
because he has been here for six months, so half of his mission, it was
good to see him happy but at the same time I was sad to see him go. My
new companion is Elder Hall, it is an easy name to say which is already a
check mark off the good companion list. Elder Hall is from England!!!!
Chip Chip Cheeryooo!!! He has a hard proper English accent, not like
American English because nothing is more proper than the American
language. He is the best! Funny story is that when I was in Henderson in
Auckland with my old companion, Elder Lewis was in the same place were I
met Elder Hall, so we pretty much knew each other before we got put
together. Elder Hall is the new district leader, this is his first time
being a district leader, he told me on the car ride up here that he was
so EXCITED to be my companion....so honored to be loved by other
missionaries.
This week was a fast week
because of transfers! Elder Hall and I, on our first night together,
went out to go teach a lesson already set up with an investigator and we
brought a member with us. This investigator we taught, his name is
Sterling a 18 year old boy who is looking to change his life. Background
story of his life, is that Sterling grew up playing sports, was
talented and could have possibly of gone pro. He hung out with the wrong
group of kids that drew him down the wrong path. My last companion and I
met him a couple of Sundays ago, found out that his grandparents he is
staying with are active members in our ward. Going to the lesson on Thursday
night just after getting back from transfers meeting in Auckland which
was a three hour drive, we were ready to teach Sterling. Brother Maxwell
a recent convert to the church came out with us that night. Brother
Maxwell never was interested in the church, but his wife was always a
member, long story, short, brother Maxwell decided to take the
discussions with the missionaries and be baptized. My companion, me,
brother Maxwell and Sterling started having a discussion. In the middle
of the lesson brother Maxwell started bearing his testimony to Sterling.
We sat there watching Sterling's expression when brother Maxwell told
about his testimony and his story of joining the church. Knowing about
brother Maxwell's background, Sterling felt at peace and comfortable. He
told us later that he would like to take the discussions to see where
he should be. Sterling is so humble, he will sit there and listen to
every word we tell him and he takes it to heart. An 18 year old who is
looking to change, is humble and welling to do anything to change his
past is an 18 year old looking for the Savior!
On Sunday
we went to the branch that we covered instead of our ward. We had
planned already to go to Pie Pie Wie. The branch was having the primary
program. It was amazing to see the little ones go up and share their
talks. There was this one primary song that I really got into. When I
say that what I mean is that I could have gotten up in the middle of
church and started dancing, but I didn't. I forgot the name of the song
but it was a good song. We were able to meet two investigators at church
and found out that both have been coming to the branch all their life.
One is 16 and the other is 18, not brothers and don't know each other
but have been coming to church. The 16 year old boy, which I have
forgotten his name, is gay but knows about the family proclamation is
looking to change his life. He had an interview with our bishop and
understood the circumstances and is wanting to change. We will go by
next week to his moms place to ask if we could possibly start teaching
him. I don't see him any different than a brother who is wanting to
change his ways and we as missionaries are here to be guides to help
those understand the teaching of our Savior and how his teachings can
help us change.
The 18 year old is Abraham and he is
MASSIVE, not too round but fit and TALL!!!!!. We went to our members
house that he was staying with. His partner, who he had his baby boy
with, is part of the member family that Abraham is staying with, so she
is the daughter of the our second counselor of the branch presidency.
Elder Hall and I started talking to Abraham and asking him about his
understanding about the church. Found out that he used to be taught by
our zone leaders, knows everything about the church. We asked him what
was stopping him and he told us that getting permission from his dad is
something he wants to do and having that family support. Elder Hall and I
sat there and waited for the spirit to tell us what to say to him, then
without an hesitation we challenged Abraham, before the 18th of October,
to ask his dad's permission to be baptized. Then we asked him to be
baptized on that date and he said yes, without thinking at all. We were
BOLD towards him but not over baring that the spirit was able to touch
him. Sometimes it just takes those simple words of love and
encouragement to tell those we love and care for to show how much the
Lord is wanting them to take that next step to change. Not us, but the
Lord.
I have learned this whole week that
CHANGE....is not scary but change itself means that we are willing to
forget the past and move on forward. I used to think change is something
that would be easy but looking back, the mission life has changed my
perspective of the church. All the teachings of the church are all about
having the will to change, just like when our Savior said to our
Heavenly Father "let thy will be done", those words were coming from our
Savior saying to our Father, I am ready to do what you ask of me, this
is your will and I am ready to do it, to change, to become a better
person, or to be who you have always seen me as. I have never been so
happy in my whole life, the changes that have come in my life are
remarkable. Stories, friends, and families that I will always cherish
because they have all changed me.
My words of advise to
all those who are not serving a mission or are, is that you don't need
to be on a mission to change. There are plenty of ways that are provided
for us to have that chance to change, we just have to be willing to ask
for help. Don't be afraid of changing, there is a quote I have been
going by on my mission, "change shows that you are spiritually growing"
or in other wards change means you are becoming that person that you
have always where, are, and will become.
Have a fantastic week! Dont forget to smile and to laugh once in awhile!
From Elder Thorpe, the short Elder.JPG)
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