Week 65: Plumbing and Gilbert's Lessons

 Aloha!

Over the course of this week, we've been reteaching the 5 lessons to Gilbert so that he can feel ready to get baptized as well as know what he needs to know. The lessons have been going so good! We taught him everything in two appointments with some other ward members. He's still officially on date for November 12th, this Saturday at 4:30. 

While we were stopping by Dawson's house, we decided to teach him the gospel of Jesus Christ lesson and ask him to pray about what baptism could mean for him. Since we don't see him a lot, we usually hesitate to give him an official lesson or ask him to keep commitments. But I felt that we should at least ask him to ponder it for himself. He said that he would!

We drove over to Kaumakani and talked with our friend Namu who goes to the church right next to ours. He's a really funny guy and it's always fun to talk with him. We shared the scripture Mosiah 2:41-42 which talks about the blessing of keeping the commandments. He liked it! It's also fun when we're walking to church and Namu yells "Hey Elders!" from his church. It makes us feel super cool.

I was only able to teach a mini lesson to Laverne (Zephyrs mom) because there were kids all around her and she was kinda stressed. So I shared a Book of Mormon scripture that helps with stress. But we did get to see her again later! On Saturday I went on exchanges with my buddy Elder Bashford and we went to that neighborhood so that Elder Bashford could speak Marshallese to some people. But we ended up just teaching Laverne about prophets. I think that helped with her understanding.

On Friday we went with our pal D.O. Vannamen to this one ladies house in Kekaha who needed some plumbing work done. We dug trenches for 3 hours! I haven't done that kind of work in a long time. I was kinda out of shape for it . D.O. almost passed out. But afterwards, we talked to the lady that Christy who D.O. convinced to take the lessons. Thanks D.O.! On that same day, we swung by Marsha's place to see if she was home. We turned around and saw her walking up. She was just about to call us! Marsha said she felt good about baptism! Tomorrow we are gonna help with her garden.

After me and Elder Bashford helped her in her garden, we talked about the commandments and baptism. We explained why we are commanded to get baptized. She was hesitant to set a date, but felt good about the commitment to be baptized. 

At art night in Hanapepe on Friday, we tried talking to a lot of people but they all kinda brushed us off except for this one girl who had recently lost her mom! We offered to teach her about the plan of salvation and eternal families. While I'm talking, a random stranger puts their hand on my shoulder and says "I'm in an eternal family! Listen to these missionaries! I'm a member!" And walked away. That hasn't happened before. 

After that, some members gave us free food from their food truck and I actually helped make a plate of food! If I need a job, Hokus food truck is where I'll be.

Gilbert got interviewed by President (Uncle Dan) Kitashima. And.....he passed!! November 12th, on Saturday at 4:30.

Well that's pretty much it. Many great teaching opportunities were made this week because we tried to talk to everyone. That's one more of my favorite ways to go do missionary work now. If you talk to everyone, you won't miss the opportunity to find someone who's ready. 

You just got to "dig a little deeper." 

Hope you all had an amazing week!

- Love, Elder Nielsen