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

"Will you bring us some hot water?" Ilinge Elders

"Will you bring us some hot water?" Llinge Elders

October 2,2018

For about One and a half weeks.  All the elders in Queenstown except for us have been out of power.  That is because we don't stay in their complex.  Any who they called us today asking for hot water.  I think they wanted to make some sort of medicinal tea.  So we took them hot water from our kettle.  I don't really see why they did not just make a fire for themselves.  People have been doing that for centuries.  Any who I will move into stories now.

Story Number 1: Cape town Exchanges

As zone leaders we get the opportunity to go on Exchanges with the Assistants.  They work in Cape Town.  I got to be the one that leaves the area!  First off it felt so weird because during the flight there I had no companion.  That was the first time in All of my mission I was alone.  Kind of strange.  Any who we focused this exchange on gaining the trust of members.  We had some amazing lessons and meals with members while I was there.  One of which I remember was the first time my comp had visited that person.  We got to use a lot of the ideas and skills that we talked about in comp study. It is like President Lebethoa says, "preparation precedes performance".  Great exchange.!

Story Number 2: Missionary Fireside

Two days ago we were invited to a missionary fireside held by the stake.  It was so AMAZING.  For a few reasons.  The first reason is because our mission president and his wife were there.  We see Pres. Lebethoa a lot but rarely do we ever see our mission mother.  She is usually being a mother to her actual children.  Either way it was great to see them together and that they gave amazing talks and training there.  The most amazing part though was done by the third speaker.  He basically rebuked all of the members there for not doing missionary work.  The thing I liked about it though, is he was so loving when he did it.  Never stopped Smiling.  And the things that he talked about regarding inviting people to Christ were so awesome.  I really think the stake will be more upbeat when it comes to missionary work.  We will see how the next few weeks go.

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

Elder Tucker

Why are you spitting on the ball? To see if I fixed it. Elder S.

" Why are you spitting on the ball? To see if I fixed it. Elder S

Sept. 9, 2018

This week we popped our soccer ball.  Luckily there are a few elders here that know how to fix them.  So this elder tried to fix it and his test was to spit on the ball.  He is a very interesting elder.  I love him a lot.  Well on to stories.

Story Number 1: Wednesday day off

So this week we heard about some taxi strikes that were to happen this last Wednesday.  When we heard  all of our Elders were concerned about getting to their areas since they all use taxis.  Well as my comp and I were discussing what to do, we got a message from the president saying that we were all to stay in the boarding the next day.  We were super bummed.  Yes we were safe from nothing because there were no strikes that happened in Queenstown.  We spent the day playing basketball at the chapel and skipping rocks at a pond near our house.  Going back to basketball though.  In our mission and a lot of the missions in Africa the most played sport is soccer.  I was tired of playing soccer.  My companion is also a stellar basketball player so I wanted to see if we could play some ball.  We did and it was awesome!  I lost,  but it was worth it!

Story number 2:  Gospel principles

Yesterday the senior couple in our ward was teaching a lesson about the family. It was not what we were expecting, but he was truly lead by the spirit in what he did. The lesson was absolutely amazing for all present and was a great way to spike interest in some of the non-members that we had at the church that week.  It was a great lesson.

Sorry this email was a bit short and rushed.  It is a public holiday here and everything closes early.  Love you all and have a great week.

Elder J. Tucker

"I don't even like chicken, I just eat it because it is around". Tata

"I don't even like chicken, I just eat it because it is around". Tata

Sept. 19, 2018

This came from one of the funniest men that I have met in my life.  We went to this families house for dinner on Tuesday and he was roasting his whole family.  IT was a night of non-stop laughter.  Great man, very outspoken. This was my favorite quote from the night though.  Well Let us move on to stories.

Story Number 1: GOLDEN CURRY

In the most recent package I received there was a pack of Golden Curry.  Here in SA we receive a lot of curry but it is all Indian curry and not Japanese. Growing up and as I continue to still grow up I love curry, and I would tell everyone about it.  Especially that we put pineapple in the curry!  They are always confused about that.  Well I finally got around to making it.  It was the most homey meal I have had in a long time.  It felt super nice to have something like that.  It made home so much closer than it already is.  And it turned out fantastic, especially the pineapple.  That curry made my week.

Story Number 2: YSA activities really work.- Pres Lebethoa

This week we had the opportunity to fellow ship with our mission president!  That man is A spiritual giant.  He was able to resolve any and every concern that people threw at us.  He also extended an invitation to one of our progressing investigators that has really helped with her testimony of the Church.  While we were teaching her, we were discussing her baptismal date.  We were gonna move it back due to church attendance.  Before we could though she asked us to move it back. Our mission president asked her about her concerns which was her kids. She felt her children would be a disturbance at church.  After we talked about it he immediately extended an invite to bring her children to church. She did! Obviously she has never heard of the Tucker twins, hahaha.  We are very excited for her baptismal date though.  She is now as well.

  In accordance with the quote above.  We asked how he met his wife and he told us it was through a YSA activity.  Then he proceeded to tell us that the worst thing to hear is when a YSA brother tells him that there is no one to date in the area.  He always tells them the same thing, "Are you for real?!"  Then he explains to them and calls them to repentance.

Well that is all I have this week. Love you all have a great week.

Elder Tucker

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This African sun has been making out with my face.- Illinge Elders

"This African sun has been making out with my face." Llinge Elders 
Sept. 10, 2018

This quote comes from an Elder this morning.  We were giving him sun screen.  He was quite excited about that, and that was his response.  He is a super awesome elder, in his second transfer on mission.  Any who onto stories.

Story Number 1: SO MUCH TRAVEL!

This week we traveled a lot, and I basically spent an entire week out of my area. Here is how it worked.  First on Tuesday we drive about two and a half hours south to East London.  That I might add is a super awesome and cool drive.  There are some really cool towns and canyons that you drive through.  Twas much better on the bus ride up here because I saw nothing.  After getting to East London though we went to the airport and flew into Capetown, very cool flight, I slept a lot of it though.  Then straight into a training from the assistants.  That was a great training on being a Zone leader and correcting behavior.  From there I went back to being a Greenie and staying in the Assistants boarding with other ZL's.  Where my companion and I found tennis balls.  We learned how to comp juggle, which one is amazing because it just is! Plus my comp had no idea how to juggle before that.  He is very talented.  Then the next day we had meetings all day.  Then we flew back to East London the day after and drove all the way back up to Queenstown in the rain.  For two and a half hours it rained. No sun just rain, it was great.  I was so tired after travelling that far that we got home and just slept until the next day.  Great Experience though.

Story Number 2: Mt. Lukhanji

When I came to Komani, I asked about P day activities.  I was told there was a mountain that you could hike called Mt Lukhanji.  My companion wanted to it really bad and so did I when i saw it.  What we were not told is that there is not really a set trail up there.  You just kind of follow this fence and go up.  It was super fun.  The mountain works kind of like steps, you have a really steep up hill to this little rock face that is about five feet high, then you climb up walk a little while and then do the same thing again.  Up until you get really close to the summit.  Then you scramble up rocks and things until the top.  And if you don't go on the rocks you will be waist deep in bush, so its easier to go on the rocks.  Then the top is really flat,  but the view you see is absolutely amazing.  Just mountains and towns.  And the best most amazing part is that at the top there was...wait for it........SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!! It was awesome to play with some snow and have a snow ball fight at the top of a mountain in Africa.  I missed those little frozen sky crystals.  Then after that we went down which was kind of tiring because you don't want to fall so you go really carefully down the mountain but still end up rolling your ankle like six times.  Now I am just tired and exhausted.

Well that is all I have for you this week.  I will make sure to send pictures of Lukhanji next week because I forgot my card reader.  Love you all have a great week

Elder Tucker

"Hey! Its a recipe for a microwave cake. I am gonna try it!"-Plumb

"Hey! It's a recipe for a microwave cake. I am gonna try it! " Plumb

Sept. 5, 2018

Let it be said that we tried it and it turned out actually pretty darn nice.  Especially with ice cream.  It was a great departing gift.  Well any who let us move onto stories.

Story Number 1: Transfers.

This week I got transferred.  There was also a new way of travel for those of us in Eastern Cape. I got to ride a bus for about Eight hours all together.  It was pretty awesome but also not because they did not give us food.  One of the cool parts of the trip was that we got to meet nearly all of the missionaries in Eastern Cape because we were in east London For their transfers!  IT made things very fun, brought back memories of waiting at that air port for my companions.  Life of a missionary.  Then after wards we got on another bus heading to Queenstown and unfortunately they were playing a movie on the bus, but it was about acts of random kindness.  Very good movie!  Then we arrived safely in Queenstown and got burgers and shakes at Steers.  It was great!

Story Number 2:  WOW!  That is a lot of Plates.

Yesterday we went to  a house to bless the sacrament for a Makhulu who is the age of my grandfather! 100!!  She likes to dance.  Well any ways, while we were there we get fed! We helped dish out the  food.  There had to be at least thirty plates that we were dishing out for.  Turns out this lady has done this thing for about ten years, and its still growing. Their kitchen was full, but at least it was a large kitchen.  I think probably the nicest/largest houses I have been in during my mission have been here in Queenstown.  IT is an absolutely amazing area.

Well that is all I have for this week.  Love you all and enjoy life.

Elder Tucker

Is this your excuse for swimming? -Bishop

"Is this your excuse for swimming?" Bishop

August 28,2018

This week our baptismal pump is still broken, so my companion and I took an hour out of our day to bail the font.  It went a lot faster than we were expecting.  That was fun!  My back was a bit sore afterwards. It was a great work out.  The subject line is what our Bishop asked us whilst we were bailing  Any who I know the reason you read these is for the stories, so here they are.

Story Number 1: Pass along cards can work.

The other day my companion asked me if i had ever had someone call us because of a Pass along card.  I had to think, and out of twenty one months on my mission; I had never ever had someone call because of a pass along card.  Then last Monday we got a text message at four thirty in the morning from a gentleman that said "he needed Christ in his life."  We made an appointment for the next day, when we were actually awake.  When we went there we asked how he found our number.  He just pointed to a pass along card.  When we looked on the card, guess whose hand writing it was! It was mine!  I felt super cool! That was awesome, then we had a great lesson with him.  Unfortunately he has vanished lately.

Story Number 2: You never know what your news might be.

This last Saturday was transfer news, which was given to me by my Zone Leaders.  Now from my time in Uitenhage I have had some interesting plot twists during transfer news.  This was one!  Mid-training my new companion they are transferring me to a new Area!  IT came as quite a surprise, a real Shocker! The other day as I was contemplating if I felt that I had done everything I could have done in this area.  I looked back at the people I had taught, the friendships and the relationships I had made here, and felt that it was enough. I will miss my companion. I have really loved serving in this ward though and I will miss it, but I am very excited for my next area.  Which is Queenstown!  Sometimes there is Snow there, I hope I can see some. I will be a Zone leader in Queenstown which is really the only area of the mission I have not seen.  I am very excited about that.  

Well I love you all and have a wonderful week.

Elder Tucker

Elder we have no food for breakfast. I am making cookies.- Elder Plumb

"Elder we have no food for breakfast. I am making cookies." Elder Plumb

August 20,2018

So this MSF cycle was kind of long, and we ran out of some breakfast foods like cereal, and someone, broke all the eggs on the floor one morning.  Luckily we had things for cookies.  We had snickerdoodles for breakfast and basically every other day after that at some point in the day we have cookies.  It has been really good, probably not good for us though.  We did eat a ton of oranges though so I think they cancel out.  Any who on to stories.

Story Number 1: What can I do to get baptized?

This week we had no people on baptism date, now I know in some missions that is usual, but for Africa its pretty easy to get people on date.  Now this week we were at a lesson and we were teaching the plan of Salvation, and as we were closing up the lesson he asked this question. So we opened up into the scriptures to Doctrine and Covenants 20:37 and discussed it.  Then after we had expounded the scripture, my companion extended a baptismal invitation.  He accepted and we set a date for him.  The coolest thing about that was it was my companions first Baptismal invitation ever on his mission.  He was on a different level after that.  It was kind of scary.  He was very excited, as was I.  That was a powerful Lesson!

Story Number 2: It's funny what you see at a bus station bench.

This is what I told the elder that I was on exchanges with. We were having a day full of drops, so we sat down at a bus stop and just watched people walk by.  The best thing we saw was, wow that is a palindrome!  Sorry, any way, the thing we saw was this little tiny dog that thought it was the big dog.  Hated passerby's so it would bark and nip at them.  We watched this dog go at a few people until we saw this wonderful gentleman coming home from work swing his lunch box ever so nonchalantly down the road.  Then the dog came at him.  I have never seen anyone give less care than that man.  He just gracefully picked up a pebble, not a rock but a pebble, and continued to walk by swinging his lunch box.  After the dog started coming back he just lobbed the pebble with a hook shot and kept walking.  Me and my companion were laughing so hard.  I love the care this gentleman gave.

Congrats to my grandpa! He is a 100!  I could never ever seeing him like attention Ha Ha.  That does not sound like grandpa at all.  Open house sounds like it was fun.  Here was a very usual week, nothing really happened except I am finding I am way more upfront with people about their questions, especially drunk people. Then I mess with them, my comp. told me that you can tip them over by swaying.  I hope I can try that this week.  It will be funny.  Dad sorry no travel plans this week.

Well I love you all, have a lovely week  

Elder Tucker

"What is going on Elder? I have no idea."

"What is going on Elder?" Elder Plumb "I have no idea." Me

August 19,2018

This quote doesn't necessarily come from a specific story, usually this happens at least once or twice a day.  This week though, it was quite memorable though, so onto stories.

Story number 1: Subject line

This week we had about a five minute walk to our appointment in about forty minutes.  In order for us to kill some time we decided to do some tracking. When tracting we came in contact with this one dude, who wanted to sell us a phone.  We did not want the phone; but I have been asked a lot of times if I knew someone who was selling a phone.  After the which  he asked what type of phone we had, which is a simple call or text phone.  But then he just took it and started calling some people.  I looked at him and was like, "Mfethu, what are you doing?"  He just kept saying, "No its your phone I will give it back now now."  I got quite frustrated and my comp was asking what was going on.  The guy had our phone for like three minutes just trying to guard it from us.  That is when I knocked it out of his hand and the battery came out.  He was not happy but serves him right.  Then he just kept asked if we trusted him.  Moral of the story don't trust any one.  Not even your reflection.

Story Number 2:  I will let you off with a warning

So this week we went to Addo,  and one of the elders was taking pictures but the car was in the way.  Unfortunately he was not aware we are not supposed to be out of the car.  So we were going out of the park and the ranger almost slammed him with a huge fine,  luckily he did not.  It was a pretty good laugh though.

Also there was a baptism this week. Here are some pictures.

"NOPE! I am not going anywhere. I will sleep in this chair, Plumb can sleep on the floor." Me

"NOPE! I am not going anywhere. I will sleep in this chair. Plumb can sleep on the floor." Me

August 13,2018

First off let me start by saying.  It finally rained.  Which is super nice because it has not rained in a very very long time. There was only one problem though.  To explain the problems, we move on to stories.

Story Number 1:  Subject line

Luckily I come from Utah where most all Utahans know,  the weather is kind of moody, so we are pretty prepared for anything.  Now we lost our car, the mission took it for some of their reasons, so we walk now. I felt like I should take my jacket and I told my comp that he should take his too.  He did.  As we were walking to one of the houses that we were visiting, it started pouring rain hardcore.  Then came the quote above because there was no way that I was walking all the way to our finishing point in that downpour.  Luckily PE is like Utah so the weather changed five minutes later and we were able to get to the chapel without getting too wet.  Then we were able to get home via cab.  It was awesome.

Story Number 2: ITS YOU!  YOU BROUGHT THE CURSE!

This last week, in the last few minutes of having our car  we had not one, not two, but three flat tires!  We figured the last one out after the car was taken though.  The first one was because of rocks on the road and small roads and big trucks,  it was not fun.  The next one we are not sure how it came to be, and we don't know about the last one either.  The tire place knows us though.  They are pretty cool people, with nice beards. To explain the title of the story though, my companion was telling me in the week before he came on mission he had four flat tires on three different cars.  Two of those tires were at one time.  I am pretty sure he cursed us. 

Well that is all I have for this week, love you all.

Elder Tucker

"Elder its cold." "Elder it is not that cold." "YOU CAN SEE YOUR BREATH!" "True"-Companionship

"Elder it's cold." "Elder it is not that cold." YOU CAN SEE YOUR BREATHE!" " True" Companionship

July 30,2018 

Hello everyone

Winter finally hit this week.  It was quite nice. My companion finds it cold though (he's from Arizona). This was the conversation we had while standing outside the church scouting for investigators.  He will get used to it though, then summer will hit. HAHAHAHA!  Anywho onto stories

Storie Number 1:  MAN I JUST SHINED THESE!

This week I have shined my shoes I think four times. This is because something always happens that gets them dirty again.  The first time all of our appointments had to be dropped due to rioting. Rioting includes burning tries and putting rocks in the road. 

 We went to a members home and helped shovel some dirt so they can build and extension to their house.  Mom asked if the members do better financially in our church. Yes, yes they do. Our members work together help each other with service. Missionaries help as well. Also they have a church clan which helps them to network for jobs.The members also participate in the self reliance classes that our church does. 

 The other times I ruin my shoes is when it gets dark, its hard to see areas with mud, or its just muddy.  I have been quite tired of shining my shoes.  Gotta look my best though. I represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Story Number 2: IT'S TRUE OR NOT!

This week I have been studying in Preach My Gospel a lot.  Specifically in chapter three.  As I was studying there was a sentence that stuck out to me.  The Message of the Restoration is either true or its not.  And I thought, "Wow, that is so simple."

A lot of times I have heard on my mission that people believe that God and Jesus Christ could appear to Joseph Smith, but the church is not the only true church. Just silly things like that, and it goes to show that there is no partial truth in this message. It's either all true or all false.

 I would like to share my testimony that the Message of the Restoration is true, God and Jesus Christ showed themselves to Joseph Smith, and that the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God, as well that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's true church established on the face of this  earth.  I say these things in the name of  Jesus Christ, Amen

Love you all.  Have a great week.

Elder Tucker

Transfers.

Transfers

July 24,2018

This week was transfers, I am staying in my area and I am training a new Elder!  He is from Arizona and talks really fast.  I am training Elder PlXXX.  He has a desire to learn IsiXhosa though so that has been really fun!  I am working on my Afrikaans, to be more multilingual.  That has been very fun.  Afrikaans is a lot different though. 

My companion is a farmer, also is a cross country runner, so we have a lot to talk about. He is super fun to be with and it will be awesome to train him.  I have realized though, I either talk really slow and sound like a hippy, or he just talks fast.  Since I have been told hippies smell bad, I like to think he talks fast.  Anywho Lets move on to stories.

Story Number 1:Timkhulu

This was the clan name given to my companion after an act of good doings.  This act was going to a house to take a fellow shippper.  The mama of the house said, "Hey your timing is right, we need your help."  We helped.  What they needed was to move about twenty bags of cement into their home.  The cement bags were about 110 lbs.  My comp was just like "okay no problem"

, grabbed a bag like a sack of potatoes, threw it on his shoulder and was in and out in less than a minute.  I did not want to test that. I had one of the other scronny guys help me carry them. Figured out he can do that because he used to do it with 150 lb hay bails everyday.  Really was not expecting that at all. Don't judge strength by looks!

Story Number 2: Elder is this the street? Maybe, not sure, its more of a path than a street though. 

This week we have gotten quite a few referrals!  Some of the street names are really hard to find though because they are super small streets in this maze of houses.  We were trying to find this house address.  Could not find the street, or even a path for that matter. There was a point though that we were trying to get back to the car using a short cut.  It was not a short cut, but a dead end.  My comp said to me before we went, if there is no path it means we were sent to this door to find someone.  So we found someone! Unfortunately he is not in our area, just watching over the house.  However he was in some other elders area and they can visit him.  It was not at all a waste of time or energy.  But we were lost in the maze for a few minutes.  Truly it was a blast,  white people speaking IsiXhosa is always a shocker for kids.

Well that is all I have for this week.  Love you all.

Elder Tucker

View of our area

PE?! AGAIN?!-Me

PE?! AGAIN?! Me

This week I made four trips to Port Elizabeth, which is about forty five minutes away.  I was really sick of driving there.  Really just tired of driving.  The cars are going next week anyways though, so I guess there will be a break for the next few months.  From those experiences though I learned some things which I will share with you in stories.  Without further adieu, stories.

Story number 1: BEFORE YOU MOVE, CHECK THE WEATHER - Me

On one of our excursions to PE we were helping a family move.  It was down pouring.  We got to the old house and we were moving things then putting stuff on the trailer.  Most of it was soaking, like beds and random boxes filled with random boxes.  That actually was not too bad, but then we found out where we were moving it too.  A farm area! IT WAS MUDDY!! Wet and muddy. These guys were prepared at their new house though because one of their walls opened up.  THE WHOLE WALL!  IT made things so much easier to do.  It was really nice but they had no beds that night.  Moral of the story when you move check the weather.

Story Number 2: "Are you finding people to teach?" "Yes, yes I am."

I did. This was a conversation that me and my companion had yesterday.  My companions mind at that time was mostly on figuring out the news and highlights of the FIFA World Cup final.  I had not had a teaching appointment that day and really wanted one!  I felt inspired to go to see this family that we contacted.  We went, and it was powerful.  We taught this family The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It was absolutely incredible to see how prepared they were for that lesson.  They had questions, that we had answers to!  Concerns that we were able to help with.  Near to the end of the lesson, just as we were about to close, the father of the home turned to us and said, "I really want to go back to how I used to be, and feel what I used to feel."  He was previously a member who had back tracked on his spiritual journey, and now he wants to center his life more on God!

To that comment we could immediately testify that the Gospel was to the way to do that.  Then there was a glow from this man.  We had brought hope into his family.  It was a lesson I won't ever forget.  They were so excited for us to come again, and we are excited to go there!

Well ladies and gents, that is all from me and my side.  Love you all, have a lovely week.

Elder Tucker

P.S. FYI South Africa is having a postal strike. Jeron thinks maybe 2 months now but he's not sure. I know I have a package somewhere.