Fwd: NAKED, DRUNK, and LIZARDS

Skyping on Sunday!!! Best Christmas present ever!! This is such a great letter!! I love this missionary kiddo!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jarod Jason Ivins <jarod.ivins@myldsmail.net>
www.10Kmilesaway@blogspot.com

HELLO!

So wow, this week was awesome. 

In the earlier part of the week we had zone conference, and received great training from the AP's and President and Sister Merrill! They helped us a lot on how the Book of Mormon and the Bible go together! And how we need both of them to have the FULL truth! I loved it! 

Then the next two days we had service in the morning. We helped Cleary move boardings, and then the next day helped a member sand and paint all her cabinets! It was really fun, but incredibly HOT! THIS WEEK WAS SO HOT. I've showered 2-4 times a day, and changed clothes about the same hahaha. But I LOVE IT! 

We have been really busy teaching as well this week. We have had 2 days of appointments from 11 am and finishing at 9 pm. It is hectic, and we have been working really hard! It is awesome. Elder Hawkins is doing so great here, and has adjusted to SA very fast. He served in Manchester for a month, in which he learned a lot on how to be a great hard working missionary, which helps! We have a couple really good progressing investigators and met a lot of new people this week! We are hoping to have a baptism on the 14 of Jan. and then on the 18 of Feb!

Xolisani, is a 19 year old boy who comes to church every week and loves it! He is progressing well, and Sheila, a 60 year old mama is amazing. She knows so much so fast!! There are a lot more but those two are doing the best right now!

On Friday, we went to a wedding of 2 people in our branch, Thembela and Sihle. It was so funny, they were kinda awkward the whole time, and when it came time to kiss, they were hesitant, then just started making out! So that was dope.. hmmmm haha

Then last night, we went to stop by this house to contact a referral. When we knock on the door the guy yells come in, but the door is locked. He just keeps yelling come in! I'm like yomie, the door is locked!!! And he comes and opens it, and is like, sorry.. but we notice, this guy is NAKED! AND DRUNK! he quickly grabs his underwear (a super tight speedo thing) and then wraps this blue towel around him that looks like a toga. Like how amazing! hahahha then his wife comes down and is super embarrassed and like it was just soooooo funny! Then the his friend comes in even drunker and just wearing a towel! And so when they started to fight and wrestle each other, it fell off. So man. HILARIOUS! His wife and sister in law are really interested and we will be meeting with them later this week! They are really nice and apologetic, and really want to be able to learn more about Christ. which was so cool to see, that even in that situation, we were able to share how their lives can improve from our message! Her name is Celiwe!

Another thing that was funny this week, is how hot it is, so every morning you wake up in pools of sweat. You study: sweat, you teach, sweat. but the other day, I wake up, and this LIZARD is on my face. It was soooo amazing ahhaha. Just this little guy, scared the crap outta me. 

On top of this week, I realized just how much I love my mission. Every part. Even though it is hot, and long days and really tiring. The spirit I constantly feel, and the people I meet and the great lessons we have, make everything so much better. I hope you all find the Joy in this Christmas time and have a great week! I cant wait to see you guys next week and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

PrayForANNIE

🎁🎁🎄🎁

LOVE, ELder IVins

1. Boys coming back from 4 weeks in the bush. They get circumcised, then go out and become a man.

2. At the wedding with the old makhulus

3. Mowell boys

4. Deep in thought

5. Hmmm

6. The wedding, aren't we funny?

7. Sheila turned 60 so we had cake and drinks with her.