Where's my water just became very real.

I say this because from Sunday, we have had no water to our community of Scheepershoogte.  I really can't explain how to say that over a message, so good luck on saying that.  What we did though was travel to different Elder's boarding's for showers and washing.  Luckily we have water now, I guess they were fixing a pump going up the hill!  Did not think to give us a notice or any sort of heads up though!  Any who on to stories.

Story Number 1: You should go into radio.

This week we had a really slow week, so we decided to go through the ward list and to find some less active members we could maybe bring back.  Well we went to one family, that was Xhosa.  In my area there are a lot of Afrikaans speakers.  It is pretty fun to learn that but I really love using IsiXhosa.  Any who whilst we were there we were getting to know each other and I was sharing everything in Xhosa.  Fun fact about me is when ever I speak IsiXhosa I drop my voice for some unknown reason.  Just kind of happens.  Back to the story though, we were about to leave and they asked me to pray in IsiXhosa.  I did what I could, I can't say a whole prayer in Xhosa, except when I am blessing food.  I did what I could in what Elder Dlokova called "Xinglish", then the family said, "you have a nice voice, you should go into radio."  I said "I will think about that one".

Story Number 2: Family baptisms

Something else really cool that happened this week was some investigators that are getting baptized this coming Sunday passed their interviews!  This family has been coming to church for many many months and was ready to be baptized a long time ago, in my opinion.  We did not rush them though.  I have taught this family my whole time here in Uitenhage, so it was quite exciting for them to be prepared and ready to be baptized.  I guess when you work hard and give your all, the Lord will give you blessings.

Well I hope you all have a wonderful week. 

Love Elder Tucker

Dad, 

In the words of President Eyring's father "A young girl has gone home". Grandmother was the most amazing Grandmother ever.  I will be excited to see her again one day.  I also agree Linn, Sue and Grandma are having  lovely reunion. 

"That cat just scratched my dog. Learn to fight dang it!"

This quote comes from one of our members.  They have a kitten and a puppy.  The Kitten's name is Max and the Puppy's  name is Kumkane (King). I Thought it was a pretty powerful name. I think you can figure out the rest of the story from that.  It killed me, I was laughing for quite a few minutes.  Anywho on to other stories.

Story #1: Wow mama, you know a lot of people.

This was a comment I made to a new investigator.  The reason we went there was to visit a Recent convert and his family.  When we went there the mama knew our fellowshipper and his family and she knew so many other people in our church.  Honestly I was shocked.  But it makes it all the easier for her to come into the ward.  When she comes to church. It will be awesome! 

Story #2:  Wow I feel like a real Xhosa now.

So on saturday I was kind of bored.  You know mos, when you are bored you get hungry.  So I saw all the ingredients I would need to make Mgqusho.  I decided I would make it.  So on Saturday I started soaking the samp and beans.  Then started cooking them Sunday morning before church so it would be done when we got home.  It wasn't but that was okay.  We had a gap in our appointments that we could check on it again.  That time it was done, so I added in all the other stuff.  I have to say for my first ever attempt at making Mgqusho without the help of a Xhosa man.  It was really amazing. It was a great feeling a sense of accomplishment.  

Happy Fathers day ! Hopefully you all find a sense of accomplishment this week.

Elder Tucker

Dad,

    I really could not ask for a better father. Honestly the things you taught me by your words, but more through your example have really helped me in life.  Especially here on my mission. I know for sure you will continue to be my #1 role model, especially when I have a family of my own. So Thank you Dad! 

"It sounds like your going to tell your clan names or something.""proceeds to give clan name and praises" -Fellowshipper and Me

Good morning everyone I hope you all had a wonderful week.  This quote comes from one of my recent converts who just started fellow shipping with us.  He was kind of shocked when I was introducing myself in IsiXhosa.  So then he said the above to which I proved that I could.  Its fun being a Malungu that can thetha. But on to Stories.

Story Number 1:  Is this tripe? No this is not.  Yes it is, this is a lung.

This was my thought process the other day.  We went to a dinner appointment with some members.  They made my favorite. dumplings.  It was super good.  When I got the plate though.  The meat seemed different and things; I ate it none the less.  It was super nice. As I was eating it though. I was trying to figure out what part of the animal I had.  Until I noticed the Bronchus. Turns out lung is pretty nice with dumplings.

Story Number 2: Dangerous Paths

A lot of times when we teach about the apostasy during the restoration we get a lot of comments that follow the same general idea.  "I believe all churches are the church of God."  We encountered this the other day when we were teaching a new family.  Until now I never really understand how to open their minds to the idea that God has one true church.  When this gentleman said this though, our fellow shipper, who we really haven't  taken with us much shared the story of Joseph Smith.  Then brought in the Idea that The Prophet Knew it would be dangerous to live only part or even a false gospel and a false teaching.  Joseph Smith needed to find truth and safety.  I never really saw things like that.  I usually tell people he was looking for truth, which is true.  When this brother shared that the whole lesson was edified that "Truth brings safety".  I urge you in your life: Make sure you know the paths you are walking.  Especially where they will take you.  I know the gospel is the path for all to get back to our Heavenly Father, and though it may not always be easy, it is definitely worth it.

That is all I got for you this week ladies and gentleman.  I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Elder Tucker

I am good, but I don't speak Afrikaans- Me

Good morning Everyone.  This quote comes from a my encounter with a lovely Boer (white Afrikaans speaking male).  Now these guys are very straight forward so he saw me and came up to me and started to speak Afrikaans.  The above was replied.  He then proceeded to tell me that I needed to change my hair cut.  I think it might be because I got it cut from the Indians down the street.  They do a great job, he did not like it though.  I respect his opinion, but I disagree. Any who onto to other stories.

Story number 1: Bringing them back to the fold

This Tuesday we had a dinner at the chapel for some schools and police people and things to raise awareness of the church in Rosedale, because we are opening a cluster there.  Now we had a few school representatives come, one of which was a super less active brother who did not realize he was coming to church until he was here.  He even threatened to not pay the taxi driver because he swore he took him to the wrong address.  That is when the First counselor noticed who he was.  He proceeded to go fetch him and cordially invite into the chapel.  We did not have a huge turnout for the Event, but we all considered it a success that we got to see and talk to this brother.

Story number 2: Transfer News done right.

So last transfer news day, we had a cake for another reason but me and another elder really enjoyed it.  Coincidentally a lady in her area makes really nice cakes for really cheap.  So we asked for one and for her to write "Transfer News" on the cake.  She did.  One of our zone leaders really loves transfer news day and since this is his last transfer news, he goes home next transfer, we wanted it to be fun.  Needless to say he went crazy when he saw the cake.  It was super fun.

I think the most spiritual moment this week was when I was talking to a less active brother.  My companion and our fellowshipper went back to sit in the car.  I felt that we needed to talk to this gentleman and see what we can do to help him.  There was not really any cool thing that came from it so far.  It was just good and nice for him to see at least one person is not gonna give up on him.

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

Elder Tucker