Happy Birthday, MUM

I am so glad that you loved all your birthday presents!  [My favorite present was an appt card that he sent with the date that he would be coming home -- December 17, his birthday.]  I recounted the days three times to make sure that I got it right.   So cool, right?  [He counted up the transfer days.]  

[We went over his Facebook friend requests.  He told me of the ones to friend.]  Cool story about Robert [one he told me to friend]...... We door knocked into their family.  They haven't been to church in over 20 years. And now he is back at church, and getting the priesthood again.  I FOUND THAT GUY!!!! awesome, huh?  They are an awesome family.  I love this work!  Elder Rigby told me this, and I was so happy!

We had zone conference this week.  This is the awesome list of ideas that we brainstormed of finding/talking to people!  We will be trying them all out soon.  

Here we are at zone conference.  I got to catch up with Elder Edwards, one of my closest companions yet.  He is the man!  And of course Elder Usalai'a popped in there too.  

We had a wild ride driving from Featherston to Upper Hutt. It was one of the curviest roads I have ever been on!  I filmed the whole way down.  I can't wait to come home and watch it.  We drove through the Rimutaka Range.  It was so much fun.  Look it up on the Internet.  It was definitely one of the highlights of the week.  

But here is the best news of the week....  We have a baptismal date set for our investigator.  April 15th! Or maybe the 18th, we aren't for sure yet, but it will be one of those.  We will be visiting him three times a week to really make sure he stays on track.  I am so excited.  Transfers are in 2 weeks, so I hope I am still here.  

I love the scripture you sent me this week, and your thoughts. [The first year he was gone, I mailed him a quote each week, this 2nd year, I am sharing a scripture and my personal thoughts each week] It was inspired, for the people over here.  You can see that when the people here live on the benefit and don't work, then they are grumpy, sad people.  We talk about that a lot with people.  People notice when they start working they feel better and more useful and needed.  Sweet! Now I will have a scripture and story to back me up.  Thanks mom!

[Here is what I sent him:
2 Nephi 5:15, Nephi is speaking,
"And I did teach my people to work"
my thoughts...
Hard work brings happiness.
Idleness invites tempation, Hard work brings happiness and prosperity, and invites the spirit.]  

I hope your birthday was wonderful Mum!  Thanks for being my motivation while I am on my mission!  You have made me who I am today.  I will always be in debt for everything you have done and given me.  I will love you forever!  I did not doubt my mother always knew what was best for me.  Alma 56:47-48.  

Love, 

Your son,

Elder Tuckett