Well this is it. Me

This is the last weekly email I will send as Elder Tucker in South Africa. I will do my best to make it count.  So let us move on to stories.

Story #1: Last Exchange

This Wednesday we had exchanges where I left my area. We got to bike the whole day!  It was super fun.  It was so good to be on a bike a again.  The purpose of the exchange was to help a newer elder be more comfortable leading the area where he is serving.  I believe he did a fantastic job at it too.  We only had to less active lessons that day but they were both really good.  We got one of them to church this Sunday, so they really payed off.  We were both super stoked yesterday.

Story #2: That is what I call a final Sunday

Yesterday was one of the busiest Sundays of my mission.  We started out by taking some of our Elders to church in a township about fifteen minutes outside of Queenstown. Then we went to church to prepare for our baptism where.  Three of the four elders in the ward gave talks.  I was the concluding speaker.  Then we had The rest of church and then the BAPTISM.  In the morning my comp and I decided that if the person who was to do the baptizing did not show up that I would be the one to do it. I took my clothes. That was a smart choice because the dude was a no show. Then we had a bit of trouble with her baptismal clothing.  It all worked out.  Then little did we know but there was a also a child of record being baptized that day as well and they asked me to CONFIRM him after the baptism.  Which I did. Then we went home and crashed for about ten minutes before our appointments.  After that it was a normal Sunday.  Pretty hectic though.

Love you all and Thank you to all that have continued to read these emails.  I hope you all have a wonderful week. This is a picture of the baptism. 

Respect the Convoy- Elder Plumb

Respect the Convoy-Elder Plumb

Nov. 11, 2018

This quotation actually comes from a few transfers ago when I was training one of my sons.  It has recently become more applicable though today. Our car is getting fixed, so we are biking as most of the district.  All four of us.  It is super fun.  I missed riding a bike.  Any who I know you are here for stories, so we will do that.

Story Number 1: Jongi

This week we had MLC which meant lots of travel and little time in the area. When I travel as a missionary I just kind of shut down and do what I need to do to get where I am going and that is it.  There are missionaries that find and talk to everyone.  That is not usually me.  This time was different though.  On the flight back  I had the opportunity to sit next to a man who was visually impaired and lived in my first proselyting area.  I sat down and felt I needed to talk to this man because I  was sandwiched between him and his nephew.  I did not want things to be an akho taco.  Wow I have not used that phrase in a while.  So we talked and I taught about the Plan of Salvation and The Book of Mormon and got to know this gentleman.  He also was the nephew of one of my favorite members in Gugs.  Small country!  Well any way, that turned out to be probably my best flight as a missionary.

Story number 2: What to do during a baptism interview?

We have a lady that we have been teaching since September, I think.  Something around that time. Well this last week was her baptism Interview.  In which we just sit and wait outside.  Well during that time I really wanted to talk to our district leaders companion and pick his brain a little.  That was one of the best conversations i have had.  I don't remember all that we talked about but i do remember that he himself had some pretty incredible experiences in his life that lead him to a mission.  I really think it goes to show that the Lord Knows exactly what he is doing when he places trials and tribulation in our life.  We obviously get to learn and change course which leads to some incredible things.

l will be able to accomplish a dream/ goal that I had at the beginning of my mission.  To have a baptism on my last week in South Africa.  I am stoked about that.  She is a stellar member.  I am so pleased with that there is nothing that can get me down.  Then I will be home next week is also fantastic.  

Well I love you all and hope you have an amazing week.

Elder Tucker

How ridiculous can you get? - In Defense of Truth

How ridiculous can you get?-In Defense of Truth

Nov. 5, 2018

Recently my companion and I came across a mock trial court case in which there are a ton of Churches that are trying to prove the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to be false.  But the cool part of this thing is in the court setting there are two missionaries that are proving the other churches to be false and ours to be true. And these elders are flipping savage!  I love it, that is why I like it.  To my knowledge this has never happened in real life.  It is quite an interesting thing to read though.  Enough of that though, onto stories.

Story Number 1: Every birthday needs cake.

This last Tuesday was the birthday of one of our members, coincidentally also the 2 year birthday of the creation of  Queenstown Ward 2!  She before hand told us that she did not want to celebrate her birthday.  I knew she was not in the right state of mind, because if there is anything I have learned from my mother; if there is an opportunity to eat cake, you eat cake my friend!  That is an old family proverb we still live to this day.  Long story short, we got her and her family a cake. The mother was so happy because she herself was not able to get a cake for her daughter's birthday.  The mother is not a member right now, but cake plants good seeds.  I hope that they will be harvested sooner rather than later.  It was great experience.

Story Number 2: Elder, I need a favor.

I first have to thank the Lord for wonderful Companions.  This Saturday we were on exchanges with the other Elders in our ward.  They are walking elders. I got to walk and take a taxi.  That was interesting.  It was the first taxi I have ever taken in SA.  I usually only swerve to avoid them and then using nicer harsh language yell at them for driving terribly.  It was super cool though.  Very crowded however.  Back to the story at hand though, When we were leaving their boarding I felt that I was gonna get burned that day because I had forgotten my sunscreen and they did not have any in their boarding.  I knew it was coming.  Well we got to Mlungisi and I had already felt my arms were about to be destroyed and my face wasn't far behind.  So after some appointments I called my companion.  I told him that i needed some Aloe Vera for that night, I said that I would reimburse him for however much it was.  I was sore.  He then got it to me that night.  It felt amazing and now I am all healed.  I love my companion.  And sunscreen.  I love sunscreen.

Story Number 3: Testimony

We also had a really good fast and testimony meeting yesterday.  I bore my testimony basically on ministering and how we rebuked a less active member with Matthew 5:14-16.  I felt very proud to bear my testimony.  There were also some good testimonies born.  Especially by the primary kids!   Well luckily we have only two more emails to send and then just to wait a few days and then we are home.  That makes me happy.  

Don't worry I am still working hard.  We actually have a baptism coming up not this Sunday but next Sunday.  So there will be a baptism on my last Sunday! She is the mother of a missionary and the members have been working with her.  I am excited !  

Well That is all I have this week.  Love you all.

Elder Tucker

The Lord has different ways of prompting his children. Me

The Lord has different ways of prompting his children. Me

October 29,2018 

Good Morning everyone. I hope you are doing well this beautiful day.  I am not actually sure if it is beautiful there though.  It has been a little while.  Well any who I will be explaining the subject line in stories today.

Story Number 1: Subject

This last week we have had some temperamental water.  For about an hour it may be on then it will shut off and it will continually do that through out the day.  Not on any particular time schedule.  Just kind of have to be ready.  This Saturday we were having one of those days.  Now my comp wanted to wash some of the dishes that he had been using, but the water shut off as he was filling up the sink.  So he just kind of left the plug in the sink and the water there waiting for the water to turn on again.  I will come back to this later.  Our area is about fifteen minutes away from our flat driving.  Its kind of secluded as well, but since the water was not on we decided to go to the area.  We had one super nice lesson and then we had some time.  Now we had been doing a lot of finding this week so we thought we would just check up on people.  Well we checked on some people and both of us were out of ideas. We had about an hour and a half until our next appointment.  As we were trying to figure out what to do, I start listening to my body.  I had to use the toilet. I start thinking of places that I could go.  I felt that it would be best to go home, so we went.  When we got to the house I  was sprinting in to the bathroom and as I am full stride my comp just yells, "Tucker!".I replied with a stern, "WHAT?!"  Then as I turned around I saw that the dishes were floating like boats on a lake.  Yes the water was back on and our kitchen was flooded.  Luckily it was not the whole boarding just the kitchen.  My comp and I took care of mopping up and went on with our day.  He was quite disappointed with himself for that blunder there. Its alright though. No worries. No damage.

Story number 2: People that come to church are the best.

This week we went to a referral that a member gave us.  The first question he asked was "do you believe in the  Book of Mormon".  I was not too shocked since a lot of people know the Malungus in the township.  They have met us and a little bit about what we teach.  When  we went  to his house he brings out his book of Mormon that he found at a house he was cleaning.  He had read all the way to Jacob chapter 5!  That is when I was shocked.  We then taught him the first lesson and invited him to come to church.  He seemed kind of indifferent but when we got to church he was already there seated waiting for the meeting to start.  It was amazing, turns out a lot of the people in the ward also knew this guy!  It was a really great Sunday to be at church!

Well I love you all and I hope that you have a wonderful week.

Elder Tucker

I would rather not tell the Truth than to lie. -Me

I would rather not tell the Truth than to lie. Me

October 23,2018

For many people that have met me.  They know I have a favorite answer to most questions, which is, "Don't ask questions".  The other day we were leaving some other Elders flats, and they started asking questions.  My companion Beat me to that line though.  I was quick though, I thought on my feet and came up with this rather interesting quote that makes some sense.  I kind of liked it so I thought I would share it with you. Any way on to stories.

Story #1: Missionary or Mercenary?

This last Thursday was my twenty three month click day.  Usually on click days we do something fun to celebrate because it is basically your mission birthday.  Now Exchanges with the assistants also fell on this day, so I was treating the assistant to lunch.  We had burgers and fries, not too bad.  I do miss my fathers burgers though.  They are the best.  Any way my companion at the time was having trouble opening his ketchup packet.  As I was enjoying and heavily focused on my food I heard the packet burst open.  I looked up to  see that he had "blood" all over his nice white shirt.  He also got it on his face and his tie and his hand. We kept getting weird looks as we were heading to the boarding to change.  Luckily it came out with no stains to his shirt.

Story #2: Baptism Interview

Yesterday I had what could be my last of all my Baptism Interviews I will do as a missionary.  It was amazing.  This gentleman was so prepared, he even got married for his baptism! He was kind of nervous though.  Talked really fast but had such a good understanding of things.  It was absolutely no problem to say that man is prepared for baptism and the Priesthood very soon.  He said something that i thought was really cool.  He told me that the main reason he wanted to join the church is because of what he has seen in the Fathers of the ward.  He wants to be just like them, a great priesthood holder. A priesthood holder who presides, protects and provides for his family.  I told him as he keeps his covenants and stays active in the church he will be.

Well I love you all.  Have a lovely week.

Elder Tucker

"Don't do things that kill you" John Bytheway

"Don't do things that kill you" John Bytheway

October 16,2018

This week my companion and I have been listening to a lot of John Bytheway.  He is a truly gifted speaker.  That was my favorite quote from the talks that we listened to this week.  I am still trying to learn that according to people here.  Apparently skiing and rock climbing kill people.  Who woulda thunk it?  Any who onto stories.

Story Number 1: That was a long Day.

This Wednesday was transfers for Elders in Capetown. In Queenstown they all happen by bus.  Well we had three Elders leaving at 6 in the morning but we had to be at the station at 5:10 with the 3 Elders.  We woke up at four to transport their bags. I was in a tri-panionship for the whole day.  It was actually really nice because we got two lunches.  Our companions were coming in that night at about 8:30. We were told they were coming in at 7:30 though so we were at the bus station a long time.  Luckily everyone arrived safely and with little to no trouble. I was all tuckered out by the end of the day.  I slept well that night.

We now have new elders now in my ward. That is actually going really well!  We started out the first day by taking them to their area and showing them a few houses. Then just kind of left them there in the area and picked them up that night so they know how to get back to the boarding.  Then its mostly been that they are doing their work and we are doing ours as well.  It was really nice on Sunday because we got to introduce them and help them meet more members in their area. The new Elders all just kind of follow me because I know more of what I am doing here in Queenstown.  That is really fun.  There is an Elder O. he is serving in Mlungisi the another area in our ward. Mom say hi to his mom!   

I would say the only thing I want to accomplish this transfer is the baptism of Mama F. Hopefully that will be by the last two weeks of my mission.  IF that happens I will be so happy.  That is all really all I hope to accomplish, but of course I will try to leave the area better. 

Story Number 2: General Conference 

I know for most all of you General Conference was last weekend but this is South Africa so we were a week behind.  This conference was super powerful.  We had to have the fire brigade though there for Elder Holland and President Nelsons talks though.  My eyebrows are growing back now though luckily. As we were discussing conference.  I found that the main theme for me was, That good people get hard trials.  As well as the strength to over come them.  I thought that was a great message saying that life will not be a tip toe through the roses but it is more of a cross country race.  

Well That is all I have for you this week.  Love you all. Elder Tucker

"That is very lovely,but you could very easily find an anaconda". _Bishop

"That is very lovely, but you could very easily find an anaconda". Bishop

October 8, 2018

This quote came from our bishop as we were watching The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.  Man that is so long.  MOTab is a lot better.  Any way, we were watching the videos and they were showing some beautiful pictures and videos of nature.  One of them was an amazing rain-forest.  And that is what bishop thought about it. Any who, onto stories.

Story Number 1: Wow, my jaw is really sore.

This week we got the opportunity to go to cape town again for MLC.  Which means we drive a few hours to East London, wait there for a little while then fly to cape town.  Then after a couple days in cape town we do the same thing in reverse order.  Usually it wrecks us, and we are super tired after wards.  And this time was no exception.  How ever this time was special because we stopped at a butchery in a small town to get one of my favorite snacks from South Africa, Biltong.  Now Biltong is like jerky but about fifteen times better, not sure why, but it is.  So we got some beef biltong and two sticks of game biltong, which was kudu.  It was soooooo good, the only issue with it is that the sticks are super difficult to eat.  I guess that happens with dried meat.  Well, it took me about thirty minutes of chewing and ripping apart the Biltong to finallly finish it.  By the end it hurt to talk.  So if you ever get Biltong be aware of that.

Story Number 2: Baptism

This week we have been preparing for a baptism to happen next week.  I personally did not find this lady, she was found by my companion.  We have been teaching her and helping her in her journey unto Christ.  This last Friday was her baptismal interview, which was cool for two reasons.  First she is ready for baptism! Second it was the first baptismal interview that the Elder interviewing her had conducted.  Coincidentally it is also the last since he is finishing his mission and going home on Wednesday.  I thought that was pretty amazing that he had that experience now, and then we will see how it effects him in the future. 

Ladies and gentleman, that is all i have for you this week.  I hope you all have lovely weeks and feel blessed in your life!

Elder Tucker