Aloha!

I thought you'd all like to know a few things about this week, because it was substantially different than all previous weeks I've experienced on my mission thus far. That's because this week made me grow to absolutely despise everything while simultaneously working harder than I ever have before. My new companion, Elder Orihuela by name, is not even from Mexico, he's from California. He likes video games, anime, and playing the Uke. He's not really super talkative most of the time though. Don't get me wrong, he talks a lot to basically everybody else, but I still have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, and I don't think I'm a very good senior companion. He's very nice to me though, he's been teaching me a lot of information, and I've worked harder in the past 3 days than I ever did in the past 3 months. The problem though is that I'm always extremely stressed out now. Every single day, unrelenting stress. Trust me, it's been the longest, most stress inducing week I think I've ever had, but hey, it can't all be sunshine and rainbows. What do you think this is?! Hawaii??!?!?!?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH- Oh, goodness I need a nap. I hit 100 days this past week, and I'm still going strong!

So, as stressful as this week has been, the highlights thereof have been absolutely fantastic. Here's the skivvy on what happened in Wahiawa in this week of hospitality, miracles, and tube socks.

#1: THE BAPTISM!

*cough* *hack* ugh...

Anyway, on Monday, the final day of last transfer, I got my first 3 baptisms! The Vickers Ohana was baptized, and they asked me to give a message on the Holy Ghost, and I poured my heart out up there. I almost cried (almost, I held it in until afterword, then I still didn't cry but you get the idea) and I bore my testimony by telling the story of me, and Japan, and getting lost in a train station in Osaka. I'm sure all of you remember that story, and when I told it, and talked about how the Holy Ghost has influenced my life, I turned to the Vickers and I talked directly to them, forgetting about the others in the midst of the congregation and telling them straight up: "I know that the Holy Ghost has blessed me in my life. I'm proud of the decisions you've made to be baptized, and I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are proud of the decisions you've made to be baptized, and the Holy Ghost will bless you in your life, that I promise you" It was a very powerful moment, and to be honest one that I thought would never happen. I knew in that moment that I was not speaking my own words, I had a lot of help with that talk. So there you go.

#2: THE BIGGER FROG!!

*toot*

So, I hope that all of you remember that one time I caught a cane toad? Well, my esteemed friends and relatives, I finally got the big one that was by our water heater that one time. He was super strong, and I had a hard time keeping a good hold on him, but it was totally worth it. You can really get a grasp on his size! He's huge!!!

Anyway, I wish you all the absolute best this week.

Mitch, congrats on making it to the field bro! You'll be a great missionary!

Connor, at least they didn't put milk in your ventilation system. Missionaries did that in our building all the time, so that the next people coming in would have a stinky mess of a room. If Dr. Pepper’s all you have to deal with, be grateful.

Justin, have fun in college!

I hope you all have the best week ever! Aloha!

Vickers Family Baptism

Goodbye to Elder Campbell

The Huge Frog

Chillin' with some members