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