Straightened Up and Walked With the Best Posture I Could

Hey Ya Fam Bam!

So two and a half stories this week:

Story 1

      Thursday night my lower back imploded on me.  I got a blessing from my companion as soon as I could.  Man, the pain wasn’t fun!  I had to lie on the floor for most of the next morning (maybe 4 hours or so) before I thought more of the people we needed to go see than of me.  Then, I went through Friday with heightened pain.  I went to the chemist and got some muscle relaxers because I thought the pain was from tightened muscles, but it wasn’t.  The pain medications didn’t really help.

      Honestly, it was just a normal thing for this guy (me) with a grandpa's back.  I wouldn’t have been disappointed about it in the least except for one thing.  On Saturday our community was hosting a 10K fun run.  We got permission a few weeks back to participate, and honestly, I was really looking forward to doing it.  But based on the fact that I could hardly walk the 30 feet to our car confirmed that I wasn’t going to be able to.

      I’ve heard it said that, “What’s important to you is important to the Lord.”  So I thought I would just let Him know that I was looking forward to the run.  However, I had decided I wasn’t going to participate, and that was it.  The other Elders, who had also prepared to race, were still excited to run.  Friday night I prayed, and then fell asleep.  On Saturday morning, the day of the run, I woke up early to do some studying.  My condition had improved to some degree, as it usually does with time, but I was still in no condition to run.  In those early hours I had two thoughts: The voice of my momma saying, "Lack of movement creates lack of movement,” and the second thought I had was to just DO IT.

      Against everything, . . . I decided to run!  They say that smiling even when you are not happy inside can actually make you happy.  I thought that maybe it would be the same with my back.  I put on a smile, straightened up, walked with the best posture I could and got ready for the race.

      After we arrived at the race and took care of everything, we went to the starting line.  There were a lot of people (maybe more than 100), many of whom were very well prepared.  Thinking of my own preparation, I had realized that I had ran only once during the last three weeks.  No excuses, just the busy life of a missionary.

      We started the run.  I kept a consistent and good pace, soon forgetting about the pain.  With each individual I passed I felt stronger and healthier.  Pretty soon the crowed had spread out and I knew I was closer to the front than the back of the pack.  Six kilometers down and I was feeling good.  Keeping my pace. Seven, great!  Eight, and I had passed a few more guys.  After the ninth kilometer I was on a runners high.  I felt light as air and was moving faster than I thought I had strength.  Shooting through the finish line I found out that I was in twelfth place and had run the 10k in just over 40 minutes.  Since crossing that finish line (almost two days later) the only pains I have are the sore muscles in my legs. HOW MERCIFUL IS MY FATHER?!  Oh, so Merciful and Loving!

...................................................

Story 2

      After the run we were heading to our area.  We had four missionaries in the car as well as a member who participated and was going to be teaching with the other elders for the day.  The road we take is a two lane national highway through the rural country.  As we were about 10 kilometers from the other elder’s area a very nice suv pulled up behind us.  In it were three large men.  They suddenly began to pass us on the highway then stopped half way so they were right next to us.  They were yelling out of the car at us but we couldn’t hear what they were saying.  They pulled in front and signaled for us to pull over.  I was driving and had noticed the license plate said GP, which meant they were from Johannesburg.  Jo Burg isn’t a nice place.  They hit the brakes forcing us to slow down.  I tried to veer around them but they blocked the road.  We were stopped and they got out of the car.  They were HUGE and angry.  I looked in the mirror; saw no one coming from behind or front, and my instincts told me to reverse so that’s what I did.  I quickly flipped the car around and drove another way to the area.  Everyone was pretty confused and a little shaken.  Being very aware of who was around us in-case we met up with those guys again we dropped the guys off and drove to our area.  We then went to the Chapel for a meeting and as we got out of the car, that very same car pulled into the parking lot.  I was honestly scared as they approached us, until they reached out their hands.  They apologized and let us know who they were; A couple of return missionaries who served here seven years-ago.  They were just pulling a joke.  Well we laughed.  I thought it was funny.  Elder Fokuo didn’t, but it was a good experience.

1/2 Story

      Bayo and Kutloano were confirmed members of the church today. Very Sweeeeet :)

      So, Mission President just informed me that I’ll be training a new missionary these next two transfers.  I’m super excited and am glad for the responsibility.  It’s gonna be nice.

I love you family.

Always,

      Elder Gold

It Was a Tremendous Week.

 Hello Family! 



            Well my week was superb. Moving backwards we had 2 baptisms yesterday!  I know that I have been saying three this whole time but, at the last minute the little girl's family decided it would be better to have her wait until someone from the family could baptize her.  We, as well, feel it was a good decision.  But Kutloano and Bayo were baptized yesterday, and oh how sweet it was :)  The baptismal service ran remarkable well; with the exception of the zoo... I mean daycare that was happening in the other rooms for the little kids.  But the spirit was strong, and so were the feeling, especially for the two candidates. 

While Kutloano was changing I was talking to him.  He couldn’t really put words to the experience, but he managed to say the he feels clean, with sincerity that only a Newborn Child of Christ could have. 

Later that evening we went to Bayo's home.  Remember, she has a husband who is a strong member, as well as a 2-year-old boy.  She is generally shy, but she was sooo excited, and as you looked at her face, and into her eyes, you could see that light in her that Christ promised would shine to all the world as a standard. The Gospel is true.  Just as a reminder, she has been taught for, I think, four years now.  She never could commit to baptism. Sometimes the relationship with the missionaries wasn’t very strong and she had yet to gain her own testimony. 

Well, as we were leaving their home, Tshepo (her Husband) walked us out.  He said, “Congratulations guys!  None of the other missionaries could do it.”  Then with swollen heart and eyes he smiled and said, "I’ve waited so long for this day.  For years I didn’t push her because I didn’t want her to rely on my testimony.  Today when she bore her testimony, I knew it was her own. Thank you."   MAN, it was so tender and powerful!!!  As we continued to talk he outlined excitedly his plans for them to be sealed in the temple.  What more could I have asked for than for this family to go to the temple? Nothing.  When they do go, well, my joy is and will be indescribable. 

Most of the active branch attended the baptism.  We have a strong branch now.  They have and will continue to fellowship these two really well. 

Ok, so that was the baptism. 

This Friday we had not as much time in the area as usual.  Wednesday Elder Fokuo was sick so we stayed home.  Thursday our car broke down in the morning (ya we have a car) and we had to take it to Bloemfontein, 65 k's from our area.  Friday we had interviews in Bloem with President Von Stetten, and then had to do our weekly planning (the time we take every Friday to plan for the coming week, especially about investigators and what they need and are struggling with and what we can do to help them.)   Saturday was normal, and then Sunday was baptisms again.  But it was a tremendous week.  I can’t complain. 



So Jordan, you got a birthday coming up, Eh?  It is INSANE to think your gonna be 17.  You are too old.  Well I have a few things for you, and the family, but I’ll probably send it all out at once sometime in November. 



Also I want to note, that I’ve been reading cover to cover the Book of Mormon while I’ve been her, just to add upon my testimony. I don’t really have words to express what I want to say, but I can say that my testimony has never been more intense or stronger. The Book is True.  As well, because of that my testimony has increased in GLORY of the church and the gospel, of Christ, of Joseph Smith, and everything that accompanies them.  It just all makes sense, and the spirit told me so.

        I love you Guys so, so much. 
The Gospel is true.  Aint nothin more true than that. 

I love you guys.  Stay strong. 


Elder Gold

They Were Beautiful. . . All of Them!

Hey ya Family! 



 The work seems to be moving.  We have three baptisms this Sunday which I am just soooooo excited for :)  I’m sure I have filled you in on those three people, Kutloana, Bahedile (Bayo), and Remo who is nine.  They are all from part member families in one way or another.  It just shows how helpful and important it is to work with the members.

Well, last week we went to the ‘Cheetah Experience.’  They are actually a non-profit preserve that raises these cats.  We got up close with HUGE lions, Jumpy Caracoles, dangerous leopards and panthers, playful tigers, and elegant cheetahs.  They were beautiful. . . all of them!  We also had the opportunity to handle some of the babies.  There was a baby black leopard that jumped up on my head and started chewing on me :p
 


      So, I got the package.  It was very nice to get.  I also got the hard drive and have spent some time backing up all my music and talks and photos so I don’t loose them again.  Thank you guys for your thoughtfulness, but most importantly for your prayers.  I’m trying to make the most of my time out here.  Trying to work as hard as I can, and to fulfill my purpose. 



 I love you all:)



Elder Gold