French Toast, 4 Starbursts and M&M's

Family!!

Thats soooo cool that Braden (Garrett's friend from Utah)  got called to Taiwan!! I'm super excited for that kid!  He will do great. How was he when he opened it?? And  Keatons call! thats crazy.(Ghana Accra mission) He'll love the Ghana MTC and He'll love Accra. The airport is a little sketchy but its a great experience for sure. (Keaton is from Garrett's ward in Utah).The mosquito patches that we got from Mike work way good. I haven't had a single bite since being here. I replace them every morning after I shower. They are genius. You guys can continue to write long emails as well on here because I found out that I can print at some of the internet cafes. So I can just print your emails and then respond in letters. I'm glad you finally got my letters. I didn't want to make mention of them because I wanted it to be a surprise when they arrived! so I'm glad you got them! and no I haven't received any packages or letters yet.

So remember when we were talking about how I probably wouldn't have to speak in church very often because of where I am... yeah they do missionary Sunday every 3rd week. This is where the ward and full time missionaries take over the whole meeting. Guess what I got assigned to do... Elders Quorum.  Wasn't the most exciting thing to hear on Wednesday night. You could say I was a bit taken back. I was supposed to teach on the topic Come into the Temples from the Lorenzo Snow book which is chapter ten. I wanted to make it a good lesson, so every personal study from Thursday to Sunday I studied and wrote down questions to ask and highlighted parts in the book. I was nervous that I wasn't going to be able to take up the whole time, because back home there really is no participation in the class. When sunday came, I studied and went over it in my head so that I would be able to present the lesson with perfection(; When it came time for me to start, I had 45 minutes left for me to teach. so I started out and we started reading the first two paragraphs on the first page and we discussed them, then we read D&C 110 which enlightened us a little more on the second paragraph. At this point when we finished D&C it had only taken up 10 minutes. I started sweating a little. Then one man had a question so another guy answered it in the class. Then someone else made a comment and needless to say the lesson went great!  I closed with my testimony about the temples and that was that. I'll teach Elders Quorum every 3rd Sunday if it goes that well. (:

So I'm 19 now!! Friday was just like every other day... teach lessons... teach lessons.. and teach lessons...But to start my day off, I decided to enjoy myself a little and make my favorite food... French toast (:  I made it for breakfast and dinner. It was a good moment. I took a picture so that I could show you guys! But I think I'll have to upload photos next Monday.  Also on my birthday Elder Smith gave me a coconut, Elder Dahlin gave me 4 starburst with a delicious treat that I can't remember what there called, and Elder Pentreath gave me M&Ms... Its hard to save food here. I almost ate all of it that evening. I had will power though and stopped myself.

Saturday I was able to have my first baptism.  He is ten years old and has two cute little puppies. I was worried that I would screw up his name during the prayer. When he first told me it, I couldn't understand him because little kids here don't speak very clear all the time. But to this point in my mission, we have had 5 conversions so far. The mission is growing rapidly and we are suppose to be getting a lot more Elders in the next coming transfers.

I want to say thank you for having me grow up in the gospel and being able to know these things from when I was little. I'm grateful that Dad and Mom lived their lives in the gospel and got married in the temple so that we could be a family forever. I don't know where I would be if I didn't have the gospel as my background. I think I would be lost and unhappy. I walk the streets everyday and see people who don't know about the gospel and I want to share it with all of them. I know what they are missing out on and I want them to have this same joy. Growing up in the Gospel has been such a blessing being able to feel peace and happiness. Knowing that through Jesus Christ,  I and everyone else, are able to make it back to our Heavenly father. I really am so Thankful.

I only have one scripture this email because I forgot to write some down during my study time during the week.
Alma 13:24 Angels are preparing the hearts of people

This is why the duty of members is important. They are the key to keeping converts in the church. They have the power to build a strong relationship with them so that the convert can feel happiness and peace while attending church. Members also need to refer people to the missionaries. When a member refers a friend to the missionaries, it helps a lot because the referral already has a friend in the church. The friend is able to attend all the lessons, answer any questions when the missionaries aren't around, and are able to bear strong testimony of the truth. When an investigator sees just a normal everyday person bear sincere testimony of what they know to be true, and not just the missionaries all the time, it may be the key to them becoming converted. Members in missionary work is key. We all need to improve on assisting the missionaries by befriending new converts and making sure they feel welcomed.

And Candice! Congratulations on Graduating college and becoming a professional! (; Go make money! You have completed your mission. How do you feel now that you have accomplished it? I am proud of you and so excited that you are finally finished!

Tell the little ones that I saw a monkey climbing in the tree the other day during a lesson but I wasn't able to take a picture... they run away to fast.

I love you all and miss you guys!! send pictures(: and keep writing letters!

Love Elder Zaugg