Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas Week

Hello Everyone and Merry Late Christmas,
So I got to talk with my family this week but I didnt tell them anything about this week so here I am writing a letter to everyone. So this has been a great week. Like a normal week it has had its ups and its downs. So to start out the week on monday we went to the mission christmas party. It was great. Since we didnt have have the car the zone leaders came and picked us up. For the party we met and we started out with a testimony meeting. Afterwards we had lunch and then we had a christmas program that some of the other missionaries put on for everyone else. Afterwards me and elder kohu talked with the mission president and then we got dropped back off at our flat and along the way we got into a discussion about very deep doctorine. It gave me a headache haha. But it was good. The next exciting thing that happened was CHRISTMAS!!!
So for christmas day we got up and we went into our area and we just visited some of the members. afterwards I got to call my family. That was an amazing experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. It gave me the boost I needed to keep doing what I need to be doing. After calling them I got to hang out with a few other members and then that ended our day. Then yesterday was a good day as well. First at church one of our recent converts got called as 2nd councililer in the relief society. Then a investigator that missionaries have been trying to get to come to church for almost a year finally came yesterday as well. After church we went teaching to someone we met on the street and come to find out her and her two daughters were taught once by missionaries and they really wanted to join the church but then they had to move and they looked for the church but they could never find it until now.
So that is pretty much all the exciting stuff we experienced through out the week. It has been a good week and I wouldnt change it for anything. So I hope everyone had a great christmas and I hope their days are happy and doing great. I miss you all an I thank everyone again for the support that they have given to me. I hope I can keep hearing from you too.
From
Elder Lindsay

Sunday, December 19, 2010

He is alive!

Well hello everyone how are you. I am so sorry I havent writen in awile its just that the dumb internet has been down in the area. But today I am emailing on a sunday because tomorrow we are going to roodeport (an hour away) for the mission christmas party. So since I have wrote to you last we have had 10 more baptisms. I got to do six of them. It is an amazing experience seeing how the area is growing and doing what the lord wants them to. Soon we might have a smaller area because they are thinking about opening another branch in our area.
So the intense story of this week. So the other day when we were driving me and my companion didnt see a cement pad in the middle of the road because the sun was shining in our faces from the sky and reflecting off water and so we ran into it and it put a hole in our radiator and it tore off the front bumper. So now the car is getting fixed we are on bikes. We have to travel from carletonville to khutsong (almost 10 ks away) every day plus some. Its intense but hey we have to do what we need to do in order for the lords work to go forth. So other than these things the week has been pretty normal. I cant wait to call you on saturday. I will be calling around six oçlock at night here so it will be about ten oçlock in the morning there. I cant wait to hear from you. I love you all and miss you so much. Talk to you soon.

-Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay

P.S- Im not going to do a letter to all people this week because I dont have much time so maybe just post this one on my blog.
P.S.S- Quote from the past few weeks
"Elder Rodgers has been working me so hard. We have rode bikes so much that my rear end is beginig to look very beautiful"
-Best Two Years

Monday, November 29, 2010

Transfer Week

Hello everyone,
So it has only been like half a week this time so there wont be much to talk about this time Im sorry. But I am doing great feeling better and all. I have been keeping myself busy and doing what the lord wants me to be doing. So we got the transfer news and I am staying in the area that I am at. I am so fine with that because there are so many people I so want to help and baptisms coming up and I just cant leave yet. But the thing that is different is that Potchefstroom the area I worked for a week is being closed to the missionaries. So the missionaries are being taken out of there and now it is part of my area. Now we have a big big area and that means more work and being even busier. But I am ready because who can fail when they have the lord on their side.
So the other thing that made this a special week is that lefa and sylvia were confirmed and then we had Hennie, Lydia, Dipuo, Gladys, Thandokazi, Pearl, Deborah and Abraham that were baptised this past week. Thats right EIGHT baptisms. I was in carletonville watching Hennie while my companion was in Khutsong doing the rest. It was so great though. Then this next week they will all be confirmed and we have NINE other possibilities for baptisms. I hope they all go through that would be amazing.
So as you can tell we have been keeping ourselves very busy. Time is going by at such a fast pace now days it doesnt even seem real to me anymore. So Christmas is just right around the corner. I cant wait honestly. I have been invited by a few people to come and visit and stay with them on christmas so we will have to see what happens. So yeah that is the rest of my week. Sorry there isnt more to talk about but hey when you dont have much time then you cant write much haha. So I miss all of you and I thank everyone for their love and support that they have given me. Thank you to Emily, Trent, Liz, Aunt Tammy, Grandma and Grandpa, Shauna and many others who have written to me and supported me. I love all of you and hope all is well.
-Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Wednesday Email

Hello everyone,
Yet again I am writing a late letter I am so sorry. The thing is this
monday me and my companion both woke up and we were so very sick. But
we are doing better now so no worries. So this is the first chance I
have had to write.
So this past week has been a pretty normal typical week. I cant
complain because it has been good. Yes there has been its downs but
the ups practically wipe those away to seem like nothing.
The biggest thing that has happened this week is that on sunday we had
stake confrence. We just watched the brodcast of it at the khutsong
chapel. Dallin H. Oaks and Boyd K. Packer both spoke to us. Its sort
of a bummer because I missed alot of it because I was in and out
counting our investigatiors who showed up and getting water because
the water was turned off again. But from what I saw it was amazing. So
the baptisms that were suppose to happen this past week didnt happen
because stake confrence but they are going to happen this week. So
this week we should have six or seven baptisms I am excited.
Another thing that happened is that we got to attend two funerals. One
was for a lutheran church and one was for our church. It was
interesting to see the differences between the two. I prefer ours for
sure but it wasnt exactly bad for the lutheran church.
So I would just like to end this email by telling probably the most
spiritual experience I had this week. So there is a mother and
daughter that I started teaching way back with elder albertson. The
last week that elder albertson was here the mother said she didnt want
to be baptised and didnt want to leave her church. The daughter was
just kind of like "Yeah whatever" and not really interested it seemed
like. But this past week me and elder kohu went on splits so one of us
was with a branch missionary teaching and the other with another
branch missionary. So I was with Tebogo (yes the same one that was
baptised in september he is doing great) and we were going to teach a
family about the family mission plan. But they werent home and so we
had free time. I just go a feeling that we needed to go see this
mother and daughter.
So we go and we talked with the daughter and she said that she knows
the church is true and that she wants to be baptised. She is on date
for Dec. 19. Then when we were about to leave the mother comes home
just returning from town. We sit and talk with her and I got another
feeling to ask her about her feelings about the church and all. She
told us that she knows its true and that it is the one jesus christ
established here and she has been reading the book of mormon the past
month when we havent been visiting and she knows everything to be
true. But she just isnt ready for change. She said we just need to
give her time. So all in all if I never followed the feelings I got we
would have just completely missed those precious oppertunities the
spirit gave us.
Im not saying that it was all me because it had nothing to do with me.
Its like my missionary scripture says " I am unworthy to glory" I was
just a tool in the spirits hands. The spirit is the one that does all
the work here. But we are the tools that helps him and I am so
grateful that I have to oppertunity to help him with what he needs
done. I know this church is true and I am not going to change that for
anything. I will just end by saying I miss and love you all. Thank you
all for your love and support you have given to me. I couldnt do this
with out you.
Miss you all
Elder Lindsay

Monday, November 15, 2010

Busy Busy Busy

Hey everyone how are you doing? I am so sorry for all the waiting I have caused you to do. I hope you can forgive me. So last week on monday we were painting our flat and we had to finish up this week. So last week after we finished painting for the day we went to family home evening and I taught the branch about unity. To begin we all did cope activities it was fun. (Cant take camp out of the boy's heart) So the rest of the time here in africa has been pretty normal except for yesterday. Yesterday we had three baptisms in carletonville. Lefa and Sylvia were baptised finally (the married couple who were suppose to a few months back) and then a young man who just turned eight. And guess who baptised all of them.. me It was intense. I was nervous about one when I baptised Karabo but I had no idea until yesterday that that was nothing compared to three. haha.
Oh and also this past wednesday I was able to attend my first zone confrence. When we got there we talked about working with member and ward orginization and all that. Afterwards as a zone we got together and we watched the 'Joesph Smith Movie' It is a great movie I love it so much. Cant wait till I can see it again haha.
So yeah besides that everything has been pretty normal. Staying busy and doing all I can do to keep up and all. So I know this is a shorter letter than normal but I have to hurry to get things done for the rest of the day today.
I love you all and I thank all of you for your love and support. I hope I can hear from all of you soon.
Elder Lindsay

Monday, November 1, 2010

Another week

Hey Everyone,
I cant believe it another week has come and gone. I am telling you it goes to fast. Its already been two weeks since me and Elder Kohu became companions. Wow I cant believe it. So anyways I want to say thank you to those who have sent me letters so thank you to Shelly, Emily and Liz for you letters. If anyone has sent me letters I havent got them yet but as soon as I do I will let everyone know.
So this week has been an awesome week. It kind of started out rough but if you just forget your troubles and go to work then all will work out for the better. So first thing. On Tuesday we stopped at a red light and then it changes to green and our car wont go and guess who is driving...YES ITS ME! haha. So our clutch went totally out in our car. We pushed it off to the side and we called our mechanic. As we were waiting all the members and investigators that passed were all like "See Elder Lindsay I knew you couldnt drive" or "Elder Lindsay what did you do to the car" haha.
But in my defence the mechanic looked at the car and it was old and it was breaking anyways so it was not my fault haha. So now we have the zone leaders car until they can get us a new car (not that, that is nerve racking or anything that I might destroy the leaders car haha). But they said that when they get a car for us it will be an automatic which will make things so much easier.
Then on Wednesday we did exchanges with Elder Rand and Howard. Me and Elder Rand went around and we did baptism interviews while Elders Kohu and Howard taught lessons. So Lefa and Sylvia the married couple that was suppose to be baptised a few months ago is back on date for November 14 now. All is looking good so keep your fingers crossed everyone. Then a girl named Neo and then a guy named Karabo passed their interviews as well.
The next day we went on splits with the branch missionaries because we were so busy again. But we are working on finding more father led families to teaching and older males. Because the Khutsong branch would be a ward but there is little priesthood and lots of youth. So we are working on it and some day IT WILL be a ward.
So to top off this week we ended with the baptism of Karabo. But let me tell you preparing for it was one big pain. First after his interview with Elder Rand we found out he would need a second interview with President Poulsen. We were told President Poulsen wouldnt be able to do it this week at all. So we go to the Branch Presidentcy and we tell them to cancel the plans and all. But then on Friday President Poulsen calls saying he would come or call Karabo on Saturday. So we have to go back to the Branch Presidentcy and tell them to put it back on. So Sunday comes and we pull up to the chapel and one of the councillers in the presidenctcy told us there was no water in the building and so he asked us to go get water from his house for the sacrament. And it dawned on us when we got back that that ment no water for the baptism font as well. We immediately started praying and asking the lord for his help. By the middle of the sacrament meeting I went to go check on the water. All pipes were off still no water. But something told me just to go turn on the font pipes. And when I did I a small stream of water started filling up the font. It was slow but it was getting the job done. No other water pipes were working until like a half an hour to an hour later. I know the lords hand was in this baptism. Then ten minutes before the baptism we found out that there were no clothes to fit me (I was baptising Karabo) or Karabo. So me and Solly a branch missionary rush to Carletonville (10 - 15 minutes away) to borrow jump suits. We got them and rushed back and we had the baptism. When I walked into and and out of the font with Karabo it was the best feeling ever. I felt joy, peace, comfort, fulfillment all in one and then some as well. Its hard to explain the feeling exactly but it was amazing. It made all the struggling worth it.
To top off yesterday a mother we have been struggling with to quit coffee and keep commitments told us she quit coffee and that she is done with it. She is progressing so much. I love all these people I teach and I am going to miss them so much when the time comes for me to leave. I dont know what I will do with out them.
So there is my week. It has been tough but amazing at the same time. I wouldnt trade it for the world though.
I love all of you and I miss you. I hope all is well and I hear from you soon.
-Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay

Saturday, October 30, 2010

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Monday, October 25, 2010

New Companion

Hey everyone how is it going?
Well another week has come and gone and it seems to be getting faster and faster each week. So first things first. Monday and Tuesday were kind of a pain Im not going to lie. We didnt get much teaching done because my companion wanted to go around and say his final good byes to everyone. It got me thinking how sad I am going to be when I have to leave this area. It is an absolutely amazing area and I will miss it when I have to go. But that is not for AT LEAST six more weeks so that is way good. So on wednesday we went to transfers. We got there early and so I talked with some of the missionaries I flew over with. It was so great to see them again we talked alot about our areas and companions and Jeffrey R Holland and other things. Then we went to the transfer meeting and the new missionaries got their companions and their areas and then the departing missionaries gave their testimonies. After the meeting we then got our new companions.
My new companion is elder Kohu. He is from New Zealand. He is great. we get along well. Not like best friends but we get along which is just fine. I have already learned so much from him and I hope I keep learning from him.
So the rest of the week has been pretty normal I must say. Teaching alot and getting new investigators. So this week we will only be having one Baptism because something came up with one of the people. So Kerabo is the one being baptised and he asked me yesterday to be the one to baptise him. I AM SO NERVOUS I have never baptised anyone before. But with the lord with me I know I will be fine and I can do anything.
This week our teaching stats were kind of down from previous weeks and so was the church attendace but that is ok because as of today we have 26 people that have a date set to be baptised and the number keeps going up. So as you can tell the work is going well and there is still room for improvement but it is going great.
It has been a good week and I am so glad I have the oppertunity to be here. I have my hard times still but what missionary doesnt right? I love all of you and miss you alot. Thank you to everyone that has written to me and given me support. I pray for everyone and hope all is well. Hope to hear from everyone soon.
-Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay

Monday, October 18, 2010

Jeffrey R Holland Visit

Hey everyone how is it going?
I hope all is well with each of you and that you all are having the time of your lives. So this week has been a long week but a good one never the less. So basically we just have been way busy teaching and getting people ready for their baptism dates in a couple of weeks.
So the biggest things and most exciting thing that happened this week is that Jeffrey R. Holland from the quorum of the twelve apostles, and Elders Snow and Warner from the Seventy came and spake to all of us missionaries on Friday. It was amazing. We got to line up and shake all of their hands as well. When I shook Holland's hand if felt like a shock of spirit just shot straight into my body. It was amazing. So Holland talked to all of us about converting ourselves before we teach other people. He says that is the whole reason why preach my gospel was written in the first place. Its not to convert non members its to convert the missionaries before they go out teaching to those people. Then he talked about staying active in the church as we return home.
It was a great experience and one that I will never never forget.
So sadly that is pretty much all that is new for this week. I know not much Im sorry. But everything is good. We had twenty investigators at church yesterday which is tops and we have taught lots and lots of lessons. So everything is good.
I will need extra prayers the next couple of days because exchanges are happening on wednesday and my companion is leaving and so I am the one who will know the area and have to teach someone else about the area. Pray for me that I do well and that I can help these people with whatever they may need.
Well I know that this is a short letter this week and Im sorry its just that nothing much has happened. I promise next week it will be a longer letter... I cant promise it will be more exciting but It will be longer.
I love all of you and miss you alot. I would love to hear from all of you if you get the chance.
Keep the spirit near by.
-Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay

Monday, October 11, 2010

Normal Week?

Hello everyone how are you doing?
So this week has been a pretty normal week but it has been good never the less. So we didnt have our baptism that we planned for because her child is very sick so she asked us to move it so she could focus on her child. Which isnt a problem because she is still progressing and doing very well with the church. We confirmed the two that were baptised but missed being confirmed a few weeks back. I got to help by standing in the circle but I didnt give the actual blessing or anything like that. The other two that were baptised and confirmed a few weeks back blessed the sacrament yesterday. That is the neatest experience to see someone be baptised and to see them living the gospel like they should.
Well this week we went on exchanges. I came to Potchefstroom where I was before when I came for the week. It was good to be back in the area and see how it is doing. Its the same old same old. I was with Elder Haward and we went tracting and taught lessons it was good. Thursday we switched back so I went back to Carletonville/ Khutsong. On Friday we had district meeting and the zone leaders came to visit as well. They delivered the mail that we all had received. I got a letter from Aunt Michelle and her family, Shauna Spencer, and Tag (my dog. Who knew he could write... I think my mom taught him because his writing looks alot like hers haha) Thank you to everyone that has wrote to me and supported me. Your letters are very much appreciated. I have probably got more mail since then but I dont know because we only get mail when we go to the mission office or when zone leaders bring it to us.
So everything else has been pretty normal this week. We have been busy teaching and following up with people we really havent done any tracting. We have twenty people on date so far for baptisms and we are hopefully going to put more on later. This week I have noticed I am becoming more open with the people and that I do things like I never thought I would before. I am more open than before. I know my sister Heidi is probably thinking I have always been open but not like this. Its different is some way.
I have seen the hand of the lord in all I do. I am learning so much while I have been here it has been amazing. I cant believe three months have already passed. Time is going too fast. I love everything I am doing. Yes there are times when I struggle and I feel like giving up. But that is normal. I will push through those times and use them for my advantage. I know the lord is watching over me and that he wants me to be here at this time. If he didnt I wouldnt be here. I will make him happy in all that I do and say. "No Unhallowed hand can stop this work from progressing" (Standard of Truth Joesph Smith) I love my work with all my might. And its only going to get better.
I love all of you and miss you. I think and pray for everyone. I hope all is well with you. I hope I get to hear from you soon as well.
Remember Heavenly Father is always there even in dark times. You just need to look for him.
Love you always
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay

Monday, October 4, 2010

Conference Week

Hey everyone how is all going?
So this has been a pretty normal week up to the weekend when confrence came. Wasnt that a great confrence? Well I will talk more about that in a second but first let me go through the week.
So last monday for our zone activity we went shopping around because the zone leaders wanted to buy some african stuff. So I got a few things myself. I got a small stone lion and a small stone rhino and then I got and african shaped wooden carved plaque thing haha. (dont know how to really describe it.) Then on wednesday we had interviews with the president Poulsen. We got the times all mixed up and all so we were there like an hour early but it was all good because we got to sit and talk with the assistants and Sister Poulsen. IT was great. So the rest of the week has been pretty normal. Working hard and keep pushing on trying to help others with their baptism goals and progress. So at the end of this week we have 18 people total with baptism dates and we have about six more we are planning on giving dates to so hopefully by the end of this week we will have 24 or more with dates.
Also the end of this week we are hopefuly having another baptism. Her name is Patience. She is married and has a little girl. Everyone in her family including her husband are members and so that would be good if she follows through because she will have all that love and support coming from her family.
This week our results werent as high as previous weeks. We had lots of problems with people being gone or with appointments being dropped or whatever it was. It was just not the best week for teaching. But that is ok we still did some good.
So on Friday night it was awkward because we went to go teach a girl named Neo. When we got there she said that her and her family were celebrating her mom's birthday with a dinner. She said she wanted us to stay because she made food for us as well. Well why it was so awkward is because we only knew Neo and so when she wasnt in the room we just looked at her family like hello you dont know us but we teach your daughter haha. But eventually the mom started talking with us and it broke the ice so it was good. They are all a great family.
So I just want to say thanks to people who have sent me letters; I have got some from Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Shauna, Aunt Tammy, Trent, Janet, Emily, Chelsey, Kirstie, Bridger and many others. Thank you all for your love and support. Your letters are great. I will try as much as I can to reply but please just give me time.
So Confrence. On saturday night from six to eight we watched the Saturday morning session. Then Sunday morning from eleven to one we had the priesthood session, and then we had saturday afternoon session from two to four and then we had sunday morning session from six to eight. We didnt have the chance to watch the sunday afternoon session because of the time differences but hopefully I will be able to at a later time. I loved confrence and it was the neatest feeling when they would talk about missionaries and their work and I just kept thinking hey Im doing that and when ever they would pray for us I just felt a new sence of energy enter me. It was amazing. I loved all that I got to see. I learned so much and its always good to hear from the authorities of the church.
Thank you to everyone for your love and support. I can feel all the prayers that have been going out for me and I thank all of you. I love what I am doing and there is nothing I would rather be doing right now then being here and teaching these people. I know the people also appreciate it because some members yesterday told me thanks and that I am a good missionary. They knew right from they met me they could trust me because of my personality and that they knew they could be themselves around me as well. So I know I must be doing something right.
Well time to prepare to go back to work. I cant wait to see what the lord has in store for me this week. I love all of you and remember to keep your trust in the lord.
-Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay

Monday, September 27, 2010

New Experiences

Hey everyone how is it going?
Im so sorry that I didnt write last week I was just having an extremely hard time and I didnt really feel like writing a big long email to everyone. So I am sorry and I hope you can forgive me. Alot has been helping me through these past few weeks just as reading the scriptures and prayer and talking with the mission president and alot more. If any of you are struggling with anything all I can tell you is to turn to the lord and put your full trust in him. He will see you through. Trust me on that.
So let me start out with some stuff from last week since you didnt hear from me. So Monday last week we went with our district leader to visit an older member in his area. Her name is sister Bobbi. She calls me cirmit because I am a "greenie" haha. But she is very great. She says she is going to email my family so just a heads up family watch for that email. She would be great to keep in touch with.
Last week we also had four baptisms. They were four individuals that happened to be baptised on the same day. It was amazing to see all of them get baptised. Sadly only two got confirmed this week because they were the only two that showed up.
We are also still struggling with the married couple that were suppose to be baptised awhile back that I told you about. No matter what we do there is always something that comes up and we have to push their baptism date back for some reason or another. Hopefully we can get something down this week for them.
Also last week we found out that we are going to have a visit from Jeffrey R. Holland on the 15th of October. I am so excited! Confrence is also this week which I am way excited about. So we go saturday night for the saturday morning session and then on sunday morning is the priesthood session and saturday afternoon session and then later on sunday is the rest of the sessions. So confrence is going to be litterally all day on sunday. I AM EXCITED!!!
So also last week we got to go to a preschool for a service project. Sadly we didnt get any pictures because we were varnishing and I didnt want my camera to get ruined. So as I said me and elder albertson varnished a whole play set they had there while others painted a room and painted other play things outside. It was great. I can officially say I hate varnish but its all good haha.
So basically I can say that the only exciting thing that has happened this week is that I have finally been able to eat some interesting stuff. I have offically tried Mahordo (cow intestines) and Ox liver. And they are actually pretty good. Im not lying its not bad. Its not great but its good. My family may not want me to come home now that I have said that haha.
So yeah other than that the past few weeks have been pretty normal I can say but they have been great. These bad experiences of stuggling and others have strengthed my testimony so much and I am greatful for them.
So alot of you have been asking for pictures and letters. I have been getting alot and all I can say is please hold on. I am getting many and pictures are really hard to get to you personally. But I will try my hardest. Same with letters I will respond as soon as I can.
So I would just like to end by bearing my testimony. I think the lord deserves that for all that he has given me this past few weeks and not giving up on me.
So I know this church is true. If it wasnt true I wouldnt be writing this letter right now. I would be on a plane back home withe everything that has been going on this past few weeks. But I know the lord gives us challenges to help strength us and he knows that we can endure them exspecally if we just ask for his help. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet and that he has been called of God. I cant wait to hear his words along with others this next weekend. I thanks God for all I have and mostly for my family back home supporting me. With out my family I dont know what I would do. I love them so much and hope they know that. I know that the lord wants me here at this time and that I am doing what I am suppose to be. As Joesph Smith says "No unhallowed hand can stop this work from progressing" I will only move forward with this work and grow more.
I love all of you and I miss all of you. I hope you know I love you. REMEMBER YOU ARE CHILDREN OF GOD! and there is nothing better to because it comes with an unending supply of love.
I hope everything is going good and I know God is blessing all your lives. Talk to you next week.
-Your Friend, Son, Brother, Etc
Elder Lindsay

Monday, September 13, 2010

Work is Progressing

Hey everyone,
So what a week it has been. We have been so so busy. Its great and tiring. We havent been able to take our lunch hours like we usually have. But that is ok. I really dont get hungry too much while I am out teaching because I am focusing so much on the people and what they need (I know it might be hard to believe that me not get hungry haha).
So last week monday we had a district activity and we went to a game reserve. It was great. We mostly saw giraffes and a few other animals. Still no lions or rhinos or elephants but I am bound and determined to see one some day. We got lost in the game park because the park ranger told us what road to take but I guess we missed it and went on the wrong road haha. Oh well as you can tell because I am writing this letter we made it out safe and sound haha.
This week we have had a few families feed us. I tried a new thing called Acher. It is fruit cooked in cooking oil and then they add spices to it. Its hard in some parts and cant chew. It is something I wouldnt personally recommend but they like it here so hey no problem with that haha. Then yesterday we got feed twice. We got fed chicken and rice with salads. So nothing new there but it was good.
So this week on wednesday we were waiting outside an investigators home and we saw a little kid get attacked by a chicken. It was the craziest thing. We were just standing there when all of a sudden we hear the kid start screaming and we seem her on the ground and the chicken on top of her pecking her and flapping its wings like mad. The chicken got scared off but then as we were teaching the lesson the door was open and the chick came to the door and was looking in and like it was going to attack someone else. The craziest thing.
Then this week we had a very good turn out at sacrament meeting. We had 25 people who are investigating total come to sacrament meeting. Twenty three of those are from khutsong alone. And of course we had to start out our church day in Carletonville and so we didnt get to see all those people in Khutsong. Oh well at least they came right. We now have fourteen people on date to be baptised.
So as you can see the work is progressing and all is going well. I have still had my ups and my downs this week but it will get better and plus I have the lord to back me up.
Sorry this is a shorter letter everyone but I am short on time today. I miss all of you and I want to hear from all of you.
Love you
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay

Monday, September 6, 2010

Busy week

So yet another week has passed,
Is it just me or does it seem someone turns up the speed on the time when someone leaves away from home haha. Each weeks seems to go faster and faster I dont know how I am going to do everything haha.
So anyways after last week's email I came back to carletonville/khutsong. I was sad to leave Potchefstroom because I was having such a good time with elder rand but It was good to get back to my area and all the people who we teach and who we interact with. I missed them so much. they are a great bunch of people. They have asked me if I plan on getting married here and living here after my mission and Im like I dont know I dont plan that far ahead...plus my mom wouldnt like that ;)
So on tuesday as we were driving around our car all of a sudden started shaking and so when we got out we looked and on of the tires was completely flat. It was great haha. We went to the person we were teaching and then went back to change it. A group of members saw us and saw we needed help so they came and practically did all the work of changing our tire for us. They didnt want us to get our nice clean clothes dirty haha.
Then on wednesday we finished up our special training sessions. So now on on wednesdays we will be in our areas unless something else comes up. And I recieved a DEARELDER.COM letter from my sister...very short but sweet haha. and I also recieved a letter from sara. I also got a letter from Kylee which it was great to hear from her. Where are the letters from everyone else? hahaha just kidding all though it would be nice to hear from everyone.
So also on wednesday we found out we would be going on exchanges again and so on thursday elder albertson had me try to drive since I would have to drive around on friday for exchanges. IT WAS A DISASTER haha. Dad knows what I am talking about when I say I cant drive stick shift haha. But it was cool though because on friday when it came down to the time when I needed to drive no matter what I hardly made any mistakes. Yes I made some dont get me wrong but they werent major ones. I know the spirit was with me that way I could do what I needed to do and not worry.
That is one of the many ways that the spirit has helped me this week.
Yesterday was one hectic day. Me and elder albertson doubled up some appointments so we were packed haha. We went to church and then right after church we had to move up an appointment to right after so we could go to Brother and Sister Bukes' house for lunch. We forgot that every fast sunday they feed the missionaries and so we had to squeeze that in too. They like talking to us and so by the time we left there we missed our appointment with a less active lady named Molli. So me and elder albertson went on splits with two ward missionaries. I taught Tebogo and he went and taught Molli.
In two weeks we have many baptisms planned. On the 19 of September we are planning on having Bongani, Tebogo, Sthembeso, and Thato being baptised.
I hope all of them go through so keep your fingers crossed for us and for them. After we taught Tebogo and Molli we were suppose to go eat at Nkombisa family's home. They have been wanting to feed me run away (chicken feet) and Morhordo (spelt wrong Im sure = cow intestines and stomach) for the longest time. And they were planning on it yesterday but then the mom had to go to the hospital to visit someone so they said sometime later this week they would. They are a great family I am going to miss them all so much. They have made me feel welcome and appreciated. I am so grateful for them.
Well that is pretty much all for the week. It has been busy but good and bad at the same time. But I will conqure the bad times with the lord on my side all things are possible. Today we are planning on going to a nature reserve. I hope it goes through and if it does I will get pictures and be sending them.
So I will just end by saying that I know that this church is true and that I am doing what the lord wants me to be doing at this time. I know that I am growing I have seen it myself. The gospel is great and it can help with anything you may need help with. Just ask the Lord he is there waiting for you just to ask him so he can help you. I love this gospel and I wont give it up for anything in the world.
I love you all and I miss you all. Thanks for your love and support. Cant wait till I hear from you and I hope all is well.

-Your Friend, Brother, Son, Etc
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay

Monday, August 30, 2010

1 Week Transfer

So everyone another week has come and gone.
And what a week it has been. so to start out last monday night me and elder albertson went and we were teaching one of our investigators Dladla. As we were teaching our phone goes off and elder albertson leaves the room to answer it. When he came back we finished the lesson and then as we left he told me it was the district leaders who called and they said they were coming in a few hours to pick me up because we were going on a week long transfer. So we rushed back to our flat and I packed up enough stuff for the week and then it was time to go.
So this week I have been in an area called Potchefstroom. My companion for the week has been Elder Randrianandry (Rand for short) I have learned so much from him and we have had so many great spiritual experiences while teaching. It is so different from being with Elder Albertson. But its good though.
Then on Friday the Zone leaders came and we went on exchanges then too. So I went back to Carletonville for those exchanges but one saturday once I was done then I came back here to Potchefstroom.
The people at church were so confused yesterday when me and elder rand tried explaining what was going on. I dont blame them for being confused because it is a really confusing situation.
So basically that is all that has really happened this week. Nothing new and exciting to report sorry.I know that this is a dull letter. Im sorry. I will try my best to have more to write about next week.
But anyways I love all of you and I miss you all. I thank all of you for the letters you have sent and all the support. Remember god loves all of you and he is always there to help you in anyway he can...you just have to ask.

Love you and miss you
-Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay

Monday, August 23, 2010

Baptism complications, new foods, and blessings

Hey everyone,

So another great week has come and gone. It has been good though. So our baptisms that we planned on last week never happened due to some complications but hopefully this week it will work out for them. So this week I printed off pictures for Fikile and and she loved them (of her baptism). And she was confirmed yesterday and it was great. She was so happy and we are happy for her. Also yesterday before she was confirmed they did a blessing for a girl who is like two or three at least and it was the blessing they do to give a new infant their names and that. It was really strange to see haha.
So this week we have been busy. We have had to give up part of our lunch breaks in order to accomidate everyone. But it is all good. Also this week I got to help in my first blessing while I have been here. We were teaching someone and their mother in law is a member and as we were leaving she asked us to bless her. It was a great experience and I love seeing the faith that the people have here.
So I didnt try the chicken feet or cow stomach and intestines this week but I did try a few new things. First is called a Fatcake. Its like a scone with ground beef in the middle. It was so good. AND BIG! I almost couldnt finish the whold thing. And then the next thing is corta. Its bread with the middle cut out then they put meat and cheese and fries and some kind of sauce on it then put the part of the bread they cut out back on top. And I got to finally try TWIST (rub it in to brother hemingway for me) haha.
So some things about africa itself. Right now it is the windy part of the year and khutsong is dusty. So yesterday as we were driving we could hardly see because of all the dust and smoke in the air. They burn their feilds here and so there have been many many fires and so lots of smoke. Its great! Two things I will definately miss here is the sunsets and the stars. I can see so many stars here it is amazing. and then the sun set are so amazing. the sun is normal and then as it starts to set it goes to an orange color and then red. It is so pretty I will try to get pictures to send home and show you. The school teachers here are all on strike because they want more money. So the kids just showed up to school one day to find out that their teachers werent showing up and that they didnt have school for the week. It has been something going on off and on for the past little while apparently.
So that is basically everything that I have for you this week. I miss all of you and want to hear from everyone. Thank you for all you do for me and thanks for your support. I cant believe that it has been almost two months but it has also been so long. Time is so strange on your mission.
Remember to do all you can do and then have the lord there for back up. He is always there weither you reconize it or not. I know that I am suppose to be here at this time and I have seen my life in a different view and its all good. I see so many blessings.

Talk to you next week.

-Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

First set of Pictures







































 
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