January 19, 2015
Dear Family:
This is the start of my last week in the mission. We had a
great week last week. I only have about 20 minutes to E-mail though. I don't
think I will have time to E-mail next week, sorry!! Highlights of the week are:
on Tuesday we got to go to the temple. That was good for me. It helped me get
through my thoughts and settle my mind on some things. It was a really cool day
for Tyler as well. That night he got to go do temple baptisms with the YSA
ward. When he told us about his experience at the temple he was very excited.
He got to go two days after being confirmed! There weren't a lot of men there
so he got to do 25 names. We had two exchanges this week. One with the AP's and
one with the Spanish Elders. Both were good. All except when we exchanged back
I got myself into a little bit of trouble. Elder Guigure is one of those
annoying in your face all the time people and he likes to pick fights. He was
being really really annoying so Elder Larson and I got into a wrestle with him.
Long story short there is a big hole in their wall now. It is approximately the
size of Elder Larson's butt. All three of us have to split the cost. I am kinda
mad about that because Elder Guigure started it, and he is the one who pushed
Elder Larson into the wall, but we still have to help pay for it. On the plus
side I did win! And then next time he tried it I won again!! Another great
thing is the area is set up really well. I didn't want to leave the area dead.
We just baptized Tyler. We want to start teaching his family. We have the Bakers
who we picked up who are almost ready to be baptized. They will be baptized in
a week or two in February. Also Aolani has started to come to church so we can
baptize her in two more weeks. We have Vanessa and Sarah who both should be
baptized soon we just have to overcome parent concerns. We also just found one
more girl for the YSA who is really solid as well. I feel good about how much
the area has changed from when I got here until now. I think right now the area
has more potential than any area I have had before. This is also the best stake
and ward! I am sad to leave because we have so much going for us right now. I
guess once you finally figure out how to be a missionary is when they send you
home. I remember a year ago I thought I had it figured out haha. I wasn't even
close. And I still feel as though I have a lot left to learn about being a
missionary. I don't know everything, but what I do know is that God loves us.
He lives and knows me by name. Jesus Christ is truly our Savior. The Atonement
isn't just an idea. The Atonement was an event and I know that it happened. I
know by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus Christ suffered for our sins,
died, and has risen. He did all of that thinking of all of us, his brothers and
sisters. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's Kingdom
here on the earth. It was restored by a Prophet named Joseph Smith. I know that
the family is the basic unit of the gospel. If not for my family I would not be
the person I am today. The people I have taught would not have had the
blessings of the gospel in their lives. I also have a testimony of good
friends. I am thankful for all of you in my life and the effect you have had on
me. I would have never had this amazing mission experience if it was not for
your examples. This is a bitter sweet moment for me. I don't really know how to
feel. Excited to go home and see everyone. I look forward to applying the
things I have learned in the last two years in my life. I want to see what it
is like to continue to share the gospel and see really what it is to be a
member missionary!! However I love where I am, the people I am working with,
and what I am doing. I guess it is the Lord's will! Talk to you all soon!!
Love,
Elder Wood
