Fighting The Good Fight

Heya Fam Ban!

      Well I’m feeling better after five days of the African flu (just what I call it cause I don’t know what I had).  Man, it was five days of pretty much being confined to my bed.  After I emailed you last week I started feeling way worse, so Sister Von Stetten told me to go to the hospital.  That was an experience!  Let’s just say, I’m thankful for the modern medicine we have at home.  It wasn't bad,  but it sure was different.  I’m not too sure if I actually should have gone to the hospital.  An Urgent Care facility would have been better, but we couldn’t find any.  So, we went to the hospital.  The nurse wasn’t too happy I was there.  I don’t think she believed that I was sick enough to be there, but I felt pretty sick.  She gave us a lot of fire for going to the hospital.  It was kinda funny.  So, they gave me a shot.  I’m not sure what it was but they did say it was vultramin and some antibiotics.   Somehow we walked out of there without paying a dime.  Not sure how that happened either, but the main thing is that I’m all better now :)

      We had a massive storm hit QWA QWA last week.  It brought massive rains and cold with it and snow all over the mountains.  It’s really cold.  Let me say it again, it’s REALLY cold.  :p  But I think about what the Sons of Mosiah and Alma and Amulek (characters from the Book of Mormon) endured and we got nothing on them.  So we can’t complain.

      The work is moving at a snail's pace, but moving.  My companion reminded me that our mission is different.  We are not merely trying to build up the church, but build the foundation of it.  We need to be finding those who can strengthen the church in Africa (namely families and priesthood holders).  We figure there are many who would otherwise accept our message, but the Lord wants us to find Him a solid foundation.  So, that is where our focus is.

      I’m faring very well family.  I can humbly say, “I am growing tremendously.” To learn the ways of the spirit has been humbling, wonderful, helpful and so on.

      I love you guys!  Keep walking (on that straight and narrow path)! :P

Remember always that I love you.

Your African Son,

Elder Gold

I Am Well!

Hey Mom!

      So, These last 3 days I’ve been confined to the house and my bed.  I was pretty sick with a high fever and headaches and things, but nothing too serious.  I am recovering now.

      I emailed Dad what I would normally email you, so sorry for the short one this time.  I’m about out of time but I want you to know that I am well, and working hard, and making you a proud momma :)

With my Love … All of it,

Your son,

     Elder Gold

Hey Dadio!

      Happy Late Fathers Day!!  It was a surprise to hear in church yesterday that it was Fathers Day.  I guess my only excuse is that I’ve just kind of been pulled out of the earth for a time.  It’s crazy to think that I have absolutely no idea what is going on in the world around, but it doesn’t quite matter cause its not nearly as important as what’s going on in the heavens above. Or maybe I should say a combination of the two is most important.

      You know, I couldn’t be more proud to be your son at this time.  It fills me with almost overwhelming joy each week as I find out more and more of your dealings. I can tell you are really leading the Golds in righteousness. I have a theory that by the time I get back from my mission you'll be in the bishopric of the ward :)

      Well, about those baptisms.  There are two candles of glimmering hope in our area.  I’ll tell you about them just now.  But man, the converts aren’t coming, neither are the consistent investigators.  Ayesh it’s rough, but I can’t be disappointed in my companion or myself because we are doing nearly all we can.

      These last weeks I have been praying for many things, one of which was that the Lord would deliver us to them, or them to us.  Being those who are pure in heart, prepared, and ready to accept the gospel.  Well, on Tuesday one of those people found us.  A man named Thadeus asked us for a Mormon bible.  He said he had been receiving emails from The Church News for some time and wanted this Mormon bible.  We got his address and went to see him a few hours later.  We discovered that this man had been SEARCHING for truth for over 40 years.  After we recounted the restoration and gave him the Book of Mormon, he was speechless and seemingly overwhelmed.  He eventually said that this is what he has been looking for all this time.  The spirit was there.  We are excited to continue on with this man.  I know God has prepared him and delivered him to us for a purpose.  We will do all we can to fulfill our duty to God and this man.

      Second, are two young people living together named Simon and San.  They have taken us on a roller coaster for sure.  They have one child together, a 4-month-old girl.  San KNOWS the church and gospel are true.  She wants to be baptized.  Simon, well he is a joker at times, but I haven’t really lost faith in him.

      So, for about a month and a half we haven’t been compelled to bring up chastity, even though it was always on our minds.  Last week I realized why. He opened up one evening and told of a spiritual experience he had at church the week before, about how he and San need to be married because it is a sin for them not to be.  It was powerful and brought so much joy to me.  They are going to go to Joburg to get her father's permission so they can be married in two weeks.  After that Simon will be working towards baptism.

      So, those are the two candles in our life at this point.  I pray they turn into roaring fires.

      I wish I could email for hours.  I would tell you sooo much more, but time doesn’t permit.  I love you so much Dad.  Keep up the awesome work :)

Your Son,

     Elder Gold

The Big Freeze Hit

Momma, Bro and Dadio,

      Your emails really just lifted my spirits.  My spirits were a little down today. The atmosphere in the missionary boarding is different.  It’s not very fun anymore since we got the two new Elders.  It’s just how it is.  A little conflict this morning kinda threw me a bit, but reading both mom's and dad's email just smothered all feelings of turmoil.  Mom, I do know how you feel about the time that has past.  I also feel the same, that I will walk back into our home and it will be as if no time was lost.  I know it is the blessings of the Lord, with His tender mercies.

      Man, you guys are very funny with your walking!  You guys really do impress me.  I have no idea how much I walk.  You’ve got me wondering though, just how much I do walk in the course of a day.  I really would like to know.  I’m going to stick my iPod in my pocket this week (it has a pedometer mode) so I’ll be able to see and tell you the results next week.

      Sooooo, the big freeze hit!!  We got snow all in the mountains and a cold awakening these last few days.  It was awesome!!  I was so flippin’ cold it was unreal, but keeping a smile on really warmed me up. :p  Still working however, and through it all I am developing harder working skills.  I really can’t express how much I want, or should I say, NEED to give EVERYTHING to this service.  If I don’t I’ll feel like I’m shafting the Lord, which would not good.

      I used my debit card to buy a heater for 530 rand last week.  The mission reimbursed me however, so I’ll use that money to buy a warm coat.

      I’m swell!  Give Bug Man a huge hug for me.  Bug, I love you.  Don’t slide around these years.  They are just too vital for you to slide.  Also Bro, I want you to surf on my Bru, someone has too :)

      I know I’m running out of time here, but I have found sooo much comfort and solace in the Book of Mormon.  Dadio, those facts you shared with me in your letter about the Book of Mormon were really cool.  I have such a testimony of the truth it holds.  I’m excited for you to read the letter that I sent to you guys in the mail.

With Haholo love,

Elder Gold

Fasting - Strength in Humility

Dumelang Mme, Ntate and Abuti,

      I got my new companion last week.  Elder Dutson is from Lindal, Utah.  A big change up from Elder Ncube for sure.  He is cool and pretty obedient, so that’s good.

 

      Man, I’ve been working very hard and facing much disappointment.  We have four people that were supposed to be baptized this next Sunday but they aren’t going to make it.  They already missed their previous date as well.  But, we’re just keeping the faith, and keeping our efforts strong for them.

 

      I’m also becoming well acquainted with fasting.  All these years I had no idea what I was missing out on by not properly fasting.  Man, the spiritual strength received from such is amazing.  I also read something that said when we fast we are showing God that what we are fasting for is really important to us.

      I’ve adapted to the cold well, I must say.  It doesn’t bother me much anymore. OH, also this week our water heater broke.  So, we heated water on the stove in the morning, then we lost water, then we ran out of electricity.  :)  It was a funny experience for sure.

      Dad, I’ve been getting up every morning, and for about 20 minutes I've been skipping a rope and doing body exercises.  It’s been good, however my new companion is not one for exercising.  So, enjoy your freedom to move Dad!  I’ll get mine back in less than two years. :p

      For the next two weeks our church will be meeting in a small classroom at another school because the students in the school we have been meeting in are having tests.  It’s TINY, but oh so cool.  Very run down with old school desks.  Everything is torn up yet our members don’t even give a fuss.  On Sunday I watched them and joy filled my whole body as they sang ‘Come, Come ye Saints’ with much vigor and happiness.  Africa . . . it seems has become my home.  I love it here, and I love the Sotho people so much.  Dad, you said Grandpa loved the Zulus, but I’ll bet he never met Basotho (plural).

      Well, I can’t think of much else that has really changed.  I get to see President Von Stetten this Thursday, so he will bring mail.  Probably have things from you guys, :) so I’ll say thank you now, and next week as well.  :)

I love you guys, so, so SO HaHolo much!!!

Stay well Mi Casa

Your Elder In Africa,

Gold