I still struggle with getting up on time, that is alright though, I am slowly getting better. The weather is either very humid hot an sunny, or pouring rain, like a flash flood status. My favorite time is when it is warm rain that is just sprinkling, it feels like mist is just being sprayed at us. It feels amazing it is like the perfect middle, too bad it rarely reaches that. The food is good, I really do like most of it but I am just a little hesitant with most things. The pure quantity is rough, especially sense we have a car, I definitely need to workout harder in the mornings. I am glad you guys are chilling with my friends even if it was past mom's bedtime. Really though that's good. Christmas Eve is something that I know I will miss, especially hearing about all the normal, traditional snacks we have, man Sam is going to miss me. :) I am not sure who sister Gee is but just remember those In-N-Out burgers are a missionary blessing. I didn't even realize that I was at a month, I can't believe I am 1/24 of the way done :)
This week:
Multiple times this week I have kind of zoned out and just realized where I am, all the experiences I have been having and all the things that I am doing that a year ago I would have had never thought, or even imagined.
The first experience was the temple trip. Once a year the entire mission goes to the temple, it is about a 2 hour drive away from the mission home, out of the mission boundaries. Everyone looks forward to this trip all year. For me I felt out of place almost, I mean I had been to the temple just 2 weeks ago in the MTC, and also a bunch of times this past year. The mission is split into three groups to go over three days. We went on Tuesday, heck yes Temple Tuesday!
We were invited by one of our ward members to his brothers 21st birthday, there were a lot of non-members so we were able to share a little bit so it was good but man it was cool. When we got there it was like a really big deal, the birthday boy was named kimball we had never met him before. He was sitting at this table up in the front just like at a wedding. Next to him they had there bishop up there, then they called us up there, I had no idea this was coming. I felt like royalty. The birthday was pretty much like a church meeting. They started with a song and a prayer, the bishops said some things and then the family all took turns saying things, I assume that it was about kimball but it was all done completely in Samoan so I am not sure. They then presented him with his key. The only part I was familiar with was after he was given the key we sang happy birthday in english and he blew out the candles. We had a closing prayer and song. They even had me say the closing prayer I was hoping to pull a harry potter and just kind of start speaking in Samoan without knowing it. like Posthle Tongue ( however you spell it). I didn't though, just normal english but that is okay. After the prayer the food started, we were fed first at the head table and then everyone else followed. It was really cool, we had to leave to our dinner appointment however so we didn't get to stay but that is okay. It was another time when I zoned out kind of through the whole thing.
On Sunday we were able to attend the Tongan ward, this was the next experience, To me it sounds just like Samoan but sooner or later I am sure that I will be able to tell them apart. This was one of my favorite parts of the week. Church was still Church even in a different language.I kind of zoned out the entire time, but it wasn't my fault that I couldn't pay attention to tongan talks. It was amazing how strong the Spirit was for me even without knowing what was going on. I felt it so strong and it is something I will never forget. It was a great experience but it also made me grateful for an English speaking mission.
The last thing I want to talk about it my very first "Come and See" fireside. Every one in the mission is invited to come as long as they bring an investigator. There is about 250 missionaries in our mission, them plus all their investigators, people bring more than one, it is definitely the biggest firesides I have ever been to. It is really cool for all the missionaries to get to see each other - everyone loves it. Recent converts share there stories, they have amazing musical numbers and president Bali usually speaks to us, this time however it was Elder Pearson of the Pacific Area Presidency, of the Quorum of the Seventy. It was so cool and I can't wait until next time. They will just get better and better as I meet more and more people.
I love all you guys and have a very merry Christmas. The Church is true!
-Elder Summers