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