November 19th, 2012

Dear family,

I am feeling fine. I kind of fluxuate during the day of how i feel.

i am eating rice, ramen, and chicken. a little fish. and i have now drank from a coconut and tried taro root. taro root is not good. we haven't eaten at a member's home, but they have sent us home with food a few times:)

for the most part, the people understand some english, but don't speak it very well, so i am learning kosraen as fast as the Lord permits.

Each of the main islands in the mission (Guam, Yap, Chuuk, Palau, Pohnpay, Kosrae, Saipan) are they're own zone, so the entire island of Kosrae. However, people really only live within a mile of the shore, and we don't have missionaries in Waluncng. The areas are Lelu, Malem, and Utwa. There are six missionaries and the senior couple. The seniors are the Eldredges who lived in Centerville, so that was a fun connection:)

wishlist? well, any candy is highly appreciated;) any taste of home is a special treat:) also, pictures. 

 

first off, me and elder conejero have been whitewashed. we didn't know anybody or the area. Also, elder conejero was made my trainer and the new zone leader at the same time, and since i'm new, i am not a zone leader with him;) so he is all alone in that calling. it seems really hard.

 

we are teaching a lot of lessons. in the past, our zone has been averaging 50 to 60 lessons a week. right now, me and elder conejero are averaging 9 to 10 lessons a day, and our zone totals are reaching above 100 a week.

 

we have 10 baptismal dates set up for the next couple of weeks, so hopefully we will be able to help them progress. The main problem here is really dealing with the word of wisdom.

 

we are helping a young man named patrick prepare to serve a mission. he is really excited and is going through the necessary steps to be worthy to go. it has been incredible helping him overcome his challenges.

 

there is a surprisng amount of difference between the people in lelu, malem, and utwa. malem has a lot more educated people and stores, utwa has the old people, and lelu has the more poor and humble people. it is really great working with them.

 

something i have discovered is that i smile more than anybody here, and wave to everybody. and they notice it.

 

i have grown to love the book of mormon, especially alma. that guy knew A LOT. i just finished reading the book of alma, and have learned soooo much. it is incredible how much there is to get out of the book when you are looking for inspiration for other people.

 

going to the bathroom here is kind of like finding an old bucket in your garage and turning it upside down. you never know what's gonna come out:)

i have realized how much i love you guys. when we teach about families, i realize just how great our family really is. i really love you. i have come to discover that is something that i really miss, is being with the family. not necessarily being in the same room all the time, but being in the same house, or close to each other. thank you.

 

i know that God exists. i know that he inspires us to do good. i know that this church is true. i have felt the same feelings as alma when he said o that i were an angel. the gospel and especially the book of mormon gives power to people to change. i have seen it. i know that this is the hardest thing that i have ever done, and that when i stretch as far as i can, miracles happen. i am already seeing them.

 

i hope you are well and happy. why not be happy? there is always something to see in the world around us that uplifts our spirits and brings us closer to God.

 

love, elder gerber