My First Comp From Utah??

January 27, 2020

Soooooo turns out my comp isn't actually from New Zealand...

Last Wednesday we were walking around,when my comp looked at me and said, "Want to hear something funny?" And then he continued, "I'm not actually from New Zealand, I'm from Utah!" He told me that he was tired of doing the New Zealand accent with me anymore, and there was so many things that he wanted to talk about, but he couldn't because I thought he wasn't from America! This man's not just from Utah, but PROVO, Utah hahaha! Ever since he confessed, we've gotten super close and had way more to talk about. Elder Arakaki is shredded! We've been working out together. We go on runs every other day and do ab workouts together. Let's just say my abs have never been so sore, and every time I cough or sneeze my abs hurt so bad! It hurts so good!

Also, here on the island, we proselyte early in the morning on Monday and then we take a trike to San Jose -- a nearby city -- because our area has no computer shops. After that we have the rest of the day to do our shopping here in the city and then chill at the zone leader's place. Tuesday morning is our district council, and it's also in San Jose, and since there are no trikes that can take us back Monday night, we just sleep over at the zone leader's. It's the same situation with the whole zone, so it has become our routine every Monday: We proselyte in the morning, chill at the zone leader's, play volleyball Monday night -- because no one is awake at night -- and have a mega sleepover haha! 

Spiritual experience of the week:

We taught this lady, Nanay Castro, who has been taught for 4+ months, yet she has never come to church. We decided we'd try teaching a powerful lesson centered on Christ, Saturday night, and if she didn't come to church the next day, we might consider dropping her. We taught a lesson on the sacrament, emphasizing the authority from Jesus Christ and that the priests have to bless the sacrament. We wanted her to understand that Jesus  Christ is the reason behind every speaker and discussion in His church, and especially His sacrament. We promised her that if she came to church, she would feel the spirit. I gave her a kind of bold statement. I challenged her by saying, "Try coming to church and during the sacrament, if you feel the spirit that means that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ. If you don't, then we won't come back." Well, she came to church. However, right when the sacrament started, the power went out! Satan was really trying to make it so she didn't feel the spirit! I was praying most the time for her to feel the spirit, despite the circumstances. I think she had a good experience, but we'll follow up with her tomorrow night! We were also able to have 10 people we are teaching come to church, which is 7 more than last week!

RIP Kobe Bryant! So sad! Found out while I was buying some pastries this morning.

Also don't take running water for granted! Haven't had it for 3 days and I would appreciate it if it came back :)

Filipino kids!

So many dogs here.