Wrestling with Lions

This week has been a lot of fun :) Because of transfers, we stayed in Bloem for most of the week. I got my new  companion, Elder Bringgold, on Wednesday :)

We went to the game later that night and then came home Thursday. 

While we were in Bloem we really didn’t have anything to do. We found out that there was a military museum and that it was free :) We we went and looked at some of the things there. It was all pretty cool and there was this one tank that was probably a good 25 feet high. IT WAS THE BIGGEST THING I’VE SEEN..... actually let me take that back.... the elephant that we saw in Richards Bay was just as big.... but still the thing was huge ok :) hahah So we took some pictures of the tanks and just kind of walked around.... it was weird because it was a military base and they didn’t check us for IDs of anything so we thought that wasn’t really safe but oh well :) 

After the tanks and stuff we went and got some food at the mall. And then we went to WRESTLE LIONS!!!!! ummm yes you just read that right.... We straight up wrestled an 18 month old lion that was the strongest thing. It was only 18 months old and just the power that it had mad you feel so hopeless. Good thing it wasn’t a full grown but still that lion made me look and feel so small. So the lion is so tame that is even plays with dogs. It come up to you and will knock you over and start like laying on top of you and just is this giant cat! It has a little roar to it.... Because its not fully grown and doesn’t have its roar yet. Well we went in there and were able to pet and lay down with it and it would come and nibble at your shoes and would sometimes lick your face..... The tongue was like a rough rough sandpaper like it felt like someone grabbed your face and dragged it on cement its was crazy!! They said that a lion can literarily lick meat off of a bone just by using its tongue. Oh yeah how do they feed them..... Well they bring in dead cattle and chickens and what not what not. At the facility they have about 30 lions and about 6 tigers! The tigers were super cool!! They do this like growl things and it send chills down your back. And the guy said that he can’t fully trust tiger because they attack you from the back when you aren’t looking at them. There was a lot of cool stuff! They even had a family of lions... The Alfa male and the his wife had three baby cubs. And the trainer could be with them because the lions would trust him, but he said that if we were inside the fence with him they would kill us instantly! They had White lions and just so many cool things! I wish I could send videos because those are the best!!! Also at the Facility you can help work there for like a week or however long. They pay for your food and feed three meals a day. You have a place you can stay and yeah so family if you want to have the experience of a life time.... in a year when you pick me up we should go there!!! Its super cool!!!!! 

So the next day.... We went to the Celtics game. And Well Yeah its like the videos it was super crazy there... It was so much fun we went with the missionaries in rocklands and with the bishop and a couple of members from thaba nchu. I’m glad that we had the bishop there because we were a little more safe! We were seriously the only white people there besides the Ref hahaha and we were scared that if the ref called a bad game we would get beat up or something ahahahh :) But no we were super safe :)

This week we didn’t have a lot of time to go and find new people to teach. We showed elder Bringgold around and he was able to meet some people. This upcoming week we have a lot of work to do with referrals that we received yesterday at the blitz :) so next week email will be more spiritual! Love you all have a great week :) 

8th Transfer!!

Hi Everyone!!!
Well this week is the end of my 8th transfer! CRAZY!! Time is really going! Like guys I hit a year this transfer..... A YEAR!!! Like umm that was the fastest year of my entire life! Hearing about the next football season starting again I’m just like..... Two years ago I started my senior year Friday night lights...That is so weird to think about!! I really miss playing in that blue jersey with my best friends.....brothers..... Always part of the pack! Anyways back to reality.... Well this week we thought we were going to the soccer match.... we some confusion... apparently it’s this Wednesday... so we will be in bloem for mostly this week because of transfers and the game.  I can’t wait for the game I know it’s going to be crazy hahah :) 

Speaking about transfers, elder lisonbee is leaving me...... sad.... great times great times... But he had been here for six months so like yeah that is a long time. He is going to be in the same boarding as elder mears so yeah I’m jealous about that! But I’m getting Elder Bringgold. All I know about him is that he is two groups younger than me, He is from Wisconsin so yeah we will see. I will be getting him on Wednesday   morning so he will be in for a great surprise cause that night we are going to the soccer match! Elder welling will be getting another companion as well so the three some is now officially over..... I’m kind of glad because it was challenging.... not like arguments or anything like that.... it’s just awkward when we tract of like in a lesson. But don’t get me wrong I loved being with elder Lisonobee and Elder welling. Elder Welling goes home this transfer.... as well as mears.... THAT IS SO WEIRD HAHAHA! Anyways Yeah I think I’ve covered it for the transfer part :) 

Ok so update on the missionary work/ investigators. Well from going back and forth between that areas it made it difficult to keep the investigators interested because our schedules and the investigators never always went well together. So we lost some but that is ok because that just means we know how serious they are about the important message that we have to share. We were not able to be with the ward to do the blitz this week, because we had to go and see people for elder lisonbee to say goodbye and take pictures. But we heard that the blitz went really well! We even received some new investigators so we will be having this upcoming transfer start of really well! I’m really looking forward to this transfer because I can just feel that great things are going to be put right in front of us by the lord :) I’ve already been blessed greatly to experience these amazing experiences such as the four baptisms we had in just this transfer, the family, the new people we met, the powerful blessing i was able to be a part of..... Man just so much! I love this area.... like I don’t want to ever leave! It really has changed my mission and my life! This gospel is so powerful from the doctrine from just the influence that the lord truly has over his children and he knows exactly when they are ready for them to hear the gospel of his son... and then we are blessed as missionaries to have the lord put those people right into our view! This transfer is going to be amazing!!! 

So cool actually amazing experience that we had this week. We were able to be part of the Mormon helping hands at an orphanage. I wish I were able to send videos!! But just that whole thing was amazing! What we did was first start off by fixing the fence around the grounds, then we painted the walls. And then we cleaned up the garden and the relief society prepared the greatest meal ever!!  It actually is my favorite food on mission. Pop And Marroho!! I haven’t had legit Marroho since lesotho! AND BOY DID I MISS IT!! Anyways of course we let all the little kids and then everyone that was there get there food first! About 30 kids ranging from 3 to 16 in age. They were so much fun to be with. I took my soccer ball and we were able to play a little bit of soccer with them :) But as we were leaving all the Orphans got together and started to sing us songs! It was the most humbling thing ever! Just to see the little that they have..... But can still be so happy.... like I didn’t get it But you can just see how much the lord loves each and every one of them! I will never forget about that experience!........ I loved it. I wish i could explain what it really was like. But I think I’ll be able to send pictures this week so hopefully you will be able to kind of see what it was like :) 

Well that is about it for this week:) this week will just be a lot of fun. I’m excited to go to my first Soccer game in AFRICA!!! Like I bet you guys haven’t done that ;) hahahah Just kidding :) well I’m loving my mission more and more everyday :) I’m learning so much! It’s crazy! Well I’m staying in shape haven’t got so sick where I have to stay in bed yet so that is good ( knock on wood) I love you guys thank you so much for you emails! Seems like everyone is doing great :) love you family!!! Miss you guys!! Miss all the homis! miss Ya Kris Keo A rata. ;) Everyone have a great week :) find the mysteries of god this week :) 

USA! USA! USA!

HI EVERYONE :) 

K so this week was all kind of a blur because it went super super fast! And not really to much happened besides missionary work obviously and the occasional watching of the Olympics at bishop’s house :) USA USA USA!!! The Olympics are super cool. Usually when we pop in really quick there are people watching and us missionaries all being from the states chant USA! USA! USA! whenever we win hahahah :) its fun :) Well about this week :) 

This week was a little crazy because of the threesome that we are in. Its actually a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. Especially in like lessons you really have to listen to the spirit so that the lesson runs smoothly! The investigators that we picked up recently have started to fall away because they were not as serious as we thought they were going to be..... but that is all ok :) We have received some more this week as well so it should start picking up again pretty soon:) 

One day... Bishop asked us if we were free for about two hours... we were.... well it turns out that a lot of members had a soccer team and they needed some players.... I love playing sports so we obviously went.... I was the only white guy on the field and basically in the town besides elder welling... they had me play goalie.... brings back memories when I played when I was little hahahah :) we ended up drawing with the other team three to three...... but I only let one goal get past because they had me go in at half time so.... it was a lot of fun:) its like I had my own little fan club ahhahah :) 

We went to elder wellings area on Thursday and on Sunday so I was not able to help my district this week with the blitz but from what I heard they did ok and we were able to get new people to teach :) I love the members here. Anyways being in elder wellings area was fun. We were pretty busy and we were fed real nice when we were there so that is always a plus hahah :) We are doing Mormon helping hands on Saturday at an orphanage. On Sunday we were able to go there and finalize the project and there is about 30 kids all staying in a small small house... 

Its really sad... but the little kids are soooooo happy and they love having visitors!! They are so fun to play with and just kick the little ping pong balls that they play with..... I think we are planning on getting them some toys. But yeah we are fixing the fences cleaning the gardens just doing a lot and the members are going to feed us and the little kids as well :) I’m very excited for this week :) Also on Wednesday we are going to be going to a professional  soccer match Bloemfontein celtics vs the Kaizer Chiefs bishop invited us and we got approval from the mission to go with him so that will be a lot of fun...... THE ATMOSPHERE IS INSANE THERE if you want to see it go onto youtube and type in Bloemfontein celtics home crowd and just watch some of those videos!!! The chants are sooo cool hahah :) bishop showed us and is teaching us..... he also said that he has to stand next to me because ill probably be the only white guy there so we were get on the big screen and maybe on tv :) Good church publicity right hahah :) 

Well I love my mission I even love the ups and the downs :) It is all just a great learning experience and I love the spiritual experiences the most!!! I love reading the Book of Mormon there is like crazy cool everything in there hahahah :) Well I I hope that everyone is doing great :) Ashley congrats on getting married cousin!! I’m still a little angry that you didn’t wait till I got home hahahh :) Mom and Dad Keep being lonely together and making your peach pies :) siblings keeps being awesome and growing your little families :) Max Keep surviving in the MTC (prison) But hey your almost out ;) Hermana Sparks..... I love you....... Grandmas Thank you so much for your emails and your letters I truly do appreciate them :) Love you :) Just everyone who is a part of my life thank you so much :) I am truly blessed :) And hey you all are too because just being apart of a dominating country in the Olympics is awesome ahahah :) Man I love life hahah :) Its so cool :) Hope everyone has a great week :) Bye Yoi

Zone Conference!

Zone conference!!!! It was the best zone conference that I have had on my mission! President Thompson is the coolest guy ever! He is always cracking jokes and making us laugh and also motivating us so much! The spirit was so strong there honestly! We talked a lot about the new mission vision that President has. He has like 5 that he can’t pick from but mostly they all center on the book of Mormon! We have used the book of Mormon so much this week! Just like door to door instead of like the restoration pamphlet we just say we are going around talking about this wonderful book and it has actually caught a lot of eyes! It’s really cool to see! The president also challenged us to open the pages just to a random page and have them read it when we introduce the book to them. And as they read you can just see how interested they are. Really cool to see.

Zone conference was also great to just see all the missionaries again! Mears and a lot of people in my group. We ended up having a big soccer match zone against zones and that was a lot of fun. We play at the university in bloem! So the fields were legit not dirt like usual, but big goals and nets and nice grass so it was a lot of fun. Then after like always we have to play some basketball :) we had a four on four tournament which was fun..... then this like actual team came onto the court and said they had practice so we played half court... then the wanted to play against us.... yes of course....... but obviously they don't know missionaries hahahah WE ALWAYS WIN!!! It was a lot of fun :) We stayed at the hotel again with all the missionaries and ended up playing four square for a long time that night hahaha :) Great times

So this week Elder cook had to go home. He is in elder lisonbees group. He was elder Wellings companion. So now Me and Lisonbee and Welling are in a three some for the rest of the transfer.  Two weeks so that will be interesting! We will see how that all works out going back and forth in our areas.... so now I have two areas to work in..... this is going to be stressful hahah :) Then on top of that the blitz picked up about 6 new investigators this week so yeah a lot of work to do :)

THE KOLOKU FAMILY!!!!!!! They were baptized on Saturday!!! They made it!!! I Baptized the father Ramothabane Koloku  And Elder Lisonbee Baptized the Mother Elizabeth Koloku :) THE WATER WAS ICE COLD HAHAHAHA :) when Entate stepped into the water a certain word slipped out of his mouth that stared with a S hahahahhah But only me and Elder Welling and the bishop Heard it hahahhah It was really funny :) Later Entate Received the Aaronic Priesthood and now we are teaching the little kids so that Entate can baptize them :) I'm sure I’ll be here for that!!! All in all the whole experience was amazing!!! Me and Elder lisonbees story has already spread across the mission that we baptized a family!

Later that Saturday night..... Bishop needed help slaughtering the HUGE RAM!!! I MEAN HUGE the thing was like so tall like up to my waist and it was HEAVY!! His mother in Law bought it for some special occasion so she needed s help. So we helped hahah :) That this was a monster hahaha It charged at me and it put up a good fight hahaha :) But you just gotta grab  it by the horns hahah :)

Today we are planning on cutting up some wood to have a fire tonight and to show Amo ( Our last baptism ) what a S’more Is. So that will be fun :) We are also having so KFC I think so that will be nice... haven't had some in a while :) Because I have this Challenge with my mom that I won’t use my home card for 30 days..... Good thing the 30 day are over at the end of this week then I can spoil myself a little bit hahahah :) it was a great budget challenge though well needed and great for my future life :)

I'm having a great time! I love reading the book of Mormon! Whenever I have a minute I read it! IT IS SO INTERESTING!!! There is actually a lot of cool stories I really didn't know about hahhah :) Very cool! Also lately I have been putting in inserts or quotes that go hand in hand with a scripture so it’s really cool to fully understand some doctrine :) Elder Roberts.... Our Sr. couple.... is a genius when it comes to this stuff.... I guess that will happen when he has been institute seminary teacher for 46 years or so..... Yeah that guy know every single page in both the bible and the book of Mormon right off the top of his head!!

Well guys don't be shy to email me or letters ;) It would be good to hear from some of you :) love you guys thank you for your support and friendship and prayers :) This gospel is so awesome and so real and so true!!! READ READ READ PRAY PRAY PRAY :) )And watch the blessing come pouring in!!!! Have a great week Fellow siblings!!

Zone Conference!

Zone conference!!!! It was the best zone conference that I have had on mission! President Thompson is the coolest guy ever! He is always cracking jokes and making us laugh and also motivating us so much! The spirit was so strong there honestly! We talked a lot about the new mission vision that President has. He has like 5 that he can’t pick from but mostly they all center on the book of Mormon! We have used the book of Mormon so much this week! Just like door to door instead of like the restoration pamphlet we just say we are going around talking about this wonderful book and it has actually caught a lot of eyes! It’s really cool to see! The president also challenged us to open the pages just to a random page and have them read it when we introduce the book to them. And as they read you can just see how interested they are. Really cool to see.

Zone conference was also great to just see all the missionaries again! Mears and a lot of people in my group. We ended up having a big soccer match zone against zones and that was a lot of fun. We play at the university in bloem! So the fields were legit not dirt like usual, but big goals and nets and nice grass so it was a lot of fun. Then after like always we have to play some basketball :) we had a four on four tournament which was fun..... then this like actual team came onto the court and said they had practice so we played half court... then the wanted to play against us.... yes of course....... but obviously they don't know missionaries hahahah WE ALWAYS WIN!!! It was a lot of fun :) We stayed at the hotel again with all the missionaries and ended up playing four square for a long time that night hahaha :) Great times

So this week Elder cook had to go home. He is in elder lisonbees group. He was elder Wellings companion. So now Me and Lisonbee and Welling are in a three some for the rest of the transfer.  Two weeks so that will be interesting! We will see how that all works out going back and forth in our areas.... so now I have two areas to work in..... this is going to be stressful hahah :) Then on top of that the blitz picked up about 6 new investigators this week so yeah a lot of work to do :)

THE KOLOKU FAMILY!!!!!!! They were baptized on Saturday!!! They made it!!! I Baptized the father Ramothabane Koloku  And Elder Lisonbee Baptized the Mother Elizabeth Koloku :) THE WATER WAS ICE COLD HAHAHAHA :) when Entate stepped into the water a certain word slipped out of his mouth that stared with a S hahahahhah But only me and Elder Welling and the bishop Heard it hahahhah It was really funny :) Later Entate Received the Aaronic Priesthood and now we are teaching the little kids so that Entate can baptize them :) I'm sure I’ll be here for that!!! All in all the whole experience was amazing!!! Me and Elder lisonbees story has already spread across the mission that we baptized a family!

Later that Saturday night..... Bishop needed help slaughtering the HUGE RAM!!! I MEAN HUGE the thing was like so tall like up to my waist and it was HEAVY!! His mother in Law bought it for some special occasion so she needed s help. So we helped hahah :) That this was a monster hahaha It charged at me and it put up a good fight hahaha :) But you just gotta grab  it by the horns hahah :)

Today we are planning on cutting up some wood to have a fire tonight and to show Amo ( Our last baptism ) what a S’more Is. So that will be fun :) We are also having so KFC I think so that will be nice... haven't had some in a while :) Because I have this Challenge with my mom that I won’t use my home card for 30 days..... Good thing the 30 day are over at the end of this week then I can spoil myself a little bit hahahah :) it was a great budget challenge though well needed and great for my future life :)

I'm having a great time! I love reading the book of Mormon! Whenever I have a minute I read it! IT IS SO INTERESTING!!! There is actually a lot of cool stories I really didn't know about hahhah :) Very cool! Also lately I have been putting in inserts or quotes that go hand in hand with a scripture so it’s really cool to fully understand some doctrine :) Elder Roberts.... Our Sr. couple.... is a genius when it comes to this stuff.... I guess that will happen when he has been institute seminary teacher for 46 years or so..... Yeah that guy know every single page in both the bible and the book of Mormon right off the top of his head!!

Well guys don't be shy to email me or letters ;) It would be good to hear from some of you :) love you guys thank you for your support and friendship and prayers :) This gospel is so awesome and so real and so true!!! READ READ READ PRAY PRAY PRAY :) )And watch the blessing come pouring in!!!! Have a great week Fellow siblings!!

It's August???

Umm.... yeah where did 2016 go??? It’s like already over hahahah :) the new 2017 class is about to start the school year! The NFL is starting up again.... like where is the time going?

I love it but I hate it at the same time because it’s like... wow..... What if I don’t want to come home.... I love my mission and I don’t want it to end honestly!! This has been the greatest experience of my life and I love gaining knowledge and drawing closer to the lord thought his wonderful gospel!!! I love IT!!!! This week has been great! A lot of people to teach and a lot of new people as well!

The blitz that we are doing with the ward is amazing!!!! And really fun! The reactivation of the less actives is amazing to see! New faces every week the attitude in the ward is on a positive high and the member missionary relationship has grown in was I never thought was possible! I love this area! I love working hard with the members. Not only do we have powerful lesson with less actives but we receive new investigators though it all! And it’s not like just the normal investigators.... it "gold mines" and they are powerful!!! 

I’m having a great time on mission and I’m learning a lot..... Amo is 21 and palesa is 15 after they are baptized we go back and reteach them the lesson. They have a lot of good friends now in the church so they are really solid! Amo is like super powerful and like studies like crazy you would think she has been a member for years now! The blitz thing that we are doing has been soooooo successful!!! We have a lot of less actives coming back to church. We have received about 4 new people this week to teach! Our stats are growing like crazy!!! We are super busy putting 10 hour days in often. It’s really amazing how fast the area can grow when the missionaries and the members are working hard and the lord then can trust us with his children and literally puts people in our paths! We have ran into so many gold mines.

But this week we have a zone conference.... actually today... It is elder Mears last zone conference!!! That is crazy I remember when he wasn’t even a year yet!! Now he goes home in like two months or less!!! I’m excited for this zone conference elder Lubamba from our MTC group is now in our zone.... So it is me Elder Weiler and elder Lubamba in this zone.... Pretty cool! We are having a zone vs. zone soccer match.... the winning zone gets ice cream from the other zone.... So we better win hahahah :) then we are all staying in the bloem hotel tonight because tomorrow we are having a zone activity... We are going to a military museum and then mini golfing so that should be a lot of fun as well :) man mission is just so cool!!! Then as you know we gotta play basketball at least once before Mears leaves hahahh :) 

So let me talk to you about the Koloku family!!!! Well...... yeah they are getting dunked This Saturday!!! 4 Baptisms in the last 3 weeks pretty power! The koloku's will be the first success story from tracting that I’ve had on mission!! And on top of that it’s not just an ordinary baptism.... the family is planning on going to the temple and getting sealed.... we are baptizing the parents then teaching the little ones and then entate will be able to baptize them... I sure hope I am here for that!! The family went from not even liking to talk to their neighbors to all of the sudden an instant change of heart and just open... loving... caring.... just all the above!!! They defiantly have changed their life around and you can see the light of Christ just brighten them!!!! I love this family!! 

And this is the reason I came on mission..... To not only teach but to grow with a family.... to help the best I can but to allow the lord to use me as a mouth piece to help bless the lives of others! I love these experiences!!! This is really the best thing ever!!! I love seeing my testimony grow and just feeling so close to the lord and Jesus Christ and just learning so much!!! It’s really cool!!! Read your scriptures every single day!!!!!! And don’t just read use the foot notes!!! This is truly the greatest thing ever on this earth.... the gospel..... Nothing else better!! I’m happy I’m fine.... I hope everyone has a great week :) be safe and drink lots of water in all that heat hahahah :) yeah its cold here but I love it.... just not when my fingers are about to fall off when we are riding a bike hahahah :)