Iaorana tatou pauroa!

Let's get right to it.

Tuesday we saw several investigators, and it was just an all around good day because we were in an all around good attitude all day. I think the new transfer gave us a good kick of motivation and hope. Amazing what a good attitude can do right? Especially when both my companion and I are feeling it at the same time. Even that evening when we did some tracting in an upper class neighborhood for a few hours, talked to literally no one (well like two people finally, but they were not at all interested) but you know what? We had fun. We laughed it off.

Wednesday and Thursday were kind of the same, just trying to keep our spirits up and find anyone that would receive us. My favorite was probably Hi-, a nice man who invited us right in. He talked to us about his beliefs and unbeliefs, and a lot of things he said tied right into our message. Unfortunately he just kept talking so we couldn't get a word in edgewise, but that's okay. We'll do better next time, I think he's really cool and really needs the gospel.

He-'s been keeping us laughing all week. Half the time, he says stuff that's just random and funny, and then half the time he'll say something unexpected but very intelligent.

For example:

1. As we're about to leave, he calls out "Hey, my baptism's the 22nd!" then, pointing one by one to the 5 or so dogs and a pig "And he's the 23rd, he's the 24th, the 25th, the 26th, and the 27th!" And we reply, "Ok, you can baptize them. You'll have the Aaronic priesthood by then."
2. Every time we ask him "So who's going to baptize you?" "Me." "How are you going to baptize yourself?" "I'll just jump in the water."
3. Lesson on the Sabbath Day. "So on the Sabbath Day, everything you do for God, is good to do. Whatever you do only for yourself, is not good to do. For example, read the scriptures. That's for God. So should I do that?" "Yeah." "Exactly. What about going surfing? For you or for God?" "For God" "Um... yeah right. Try again!" "Hey, you have to show that you're grateful for the waves He gives us by not letting them go to waste!"
4. "So we talked about several commandments today. Will you keep these commandments? Will you try your best?" "Hey, God didn't say to do our best. He said to do it." (That's a yes in my book)
5. So he wasn't really giving us a straight final answer about if he feels ready to be baptized this Saturday. During a lesson on Wednesday, Soeur Ke- asked something like "So what are your doubts, what's keeping you from knowing right now if you're ready or not?" to which he just replied "... Well, it's important to think about it first." Fair enough, my friend. Anyway, we did end up pushing it back a week, Soeur Ke- and I both felt he needed just a little more time and finally he admitted yesterday that he felt the same. He's definitely going to be baptized, but needs a little more time to prepare. He has no major blocks, he doesn't smoke or drink, his family is okay with it, he has a testimony, and everything is going well, but this week just felt too rushed.

Anyway, that's the pretty much the week. Friday we went to the homecoming of our former Assistant to the President, who is from our ward. It was kinda weird because we're used to seeing him as a missionary but now he's released! We're not sure if we should call him by his first name or Brother Fa- (like his dad?) so we usually just go with Fa-. Saturday we visited inactives and new converts and helped out with a fireside about Joseph Smith and the Restoration. Sunday was Easter! It was lovely, everything at church was about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection.

I love the words of the primary song, "He Sent His Son"

How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?
He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.
How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?
He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know.
How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?
He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath.
What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?
Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.
What does he ask? Live like his Son.

For God so loved the world that He sent His Only Begotten Son. I know that's true and that God loves you too! My go-to message this week was Alma 7:11-13 as well as Hebrews 4:15-16. Go look it up! Christ took on everything for us, for me, for you, so that he can help us overcome everything!

I love you too,
Soeur Ladd