A Tree, A Kite, and a Baptism

This is a picture of a historic tree.  The story has something to do about how it was stolen from England or something like that.  I thought that it was pretty cool.  

I am sad to report that the missionary work in our area is very slow right now.  The door knocking is not working for finding new investigators.  All the ones that we are working with are not showing much interest.  But, this week on Thursday, it was Waitaingi Day, and there was a big festival in the area, so we got to get out in the community and went to a carnival sort of thing.  My companion got onto the front page of the Facebook page.  They cut me out, I was not as important as him to get my picture in.  Anyways, we saw lots of less actives, as well as actives, and got to meet their friends and families and it was great.  So, we are just putting ourselves more in the community and making friends so people know we are human and not scary vultures that are trying to shove the gospel down their throats.  

Thank you so much for all of the things that you have sent me about the Gilbert Temple.  I feel like I know all about it now.  And thank your for the article about my new mission president.  I actually got to talk to his wife on the phone this week.  They sound so nice and are trying to get their feet planted so they will be ready to run when they get here.  

My iPod is about out of memory -- you never sent me that card back,  I think I am going to just buy a small hard drive that will last the rest of my mission that I can put my photos and videos on.  

I am so happy that you got to see Olivia in the temple. I am so happy for her.  I bet she was glad to have you there for only her second time.  I will have to email her her.  I told her I am going to come hunt her down on her mission in Idaho! 

I got a package from Sister Hamula this week.  She must have been guided by the spirit because she sent me pots and pans.  This flat really had nothing in it.  We only had one dish, and we would hurry and wash it so the next person could use it.  I was so happy to see the pans.  She also sent us some candies.  She is the best!  

I went to Masterton on exchanges this week with my district leader.  Afterwards, he bought this kite to send home, and we decided to try it out really fast. 

One great thing that happened this week was that we had the baptism of a member that was able to be re-baptized. Unfortunately, this doesn't count as a baptism for us as missionaries, but it was great to see the atonement work through their lives.   We had like 10 less actives there.  It was so great.  They all felt the spirit and it was so amazing.  The sisters had an investigator there who started bawling and just made me feel the spirit!  It was the best baptism I have ever attended.  I loved it so much, it was probably the strongest I have ever felt the spirit since I attended the temple for the first time!  I loved it so much.  

Mom, thanks for feeding the missionaries TWICE this week!  You will be blessed!

Love,
Elder Tuckett