Hey Family!
So things are going good. So my suit will work if it has pin stripes? It is in perfect condition (as to my standards), but it does have pin stripes. I will be glad if it works, because I really don't need a new suit.
So all is well, but this week was a little rough. We lost 2 investigators - one of them being Brenda. We weren't able to contact her this whole week, even though we stopped by literally everyday. Calling her doesn't work because her boyfriend answers the phone, and then hangs up on us. So finally at the end of the week (on Saturday), we stopped by and her boyfriend answered the door. He told us that he is not going to change, and that Brenda is not interested either. He told us not to come by anymore. It's really hard, because we know Brenda's boyfriend is the only thing holding her back. She is in a really rough situation, and I think that she is scared of Leone (her boyfriend). It doesn't help that she is expecting, and has no where else to go (both of her parents have passed away). We are still trying to get in contact with her, because I want to hear it from her, not Leone. She has a lot of friends that are members, so we are going to keep trying through them.
Then we also lost another investigator, because she just feels comfortable at her church, and isn't willing to keep commitments.
Then to top off the week, we drove by our amazing prepared investigator - Sione Tongamoa - on Wed. (he had a baptism date for Mar. 12th), and we found him sitting outside on his chair smoking! When he saw us he hid his cigarette and hoped that we didn't see! We went up to him, and talked to him about it. He was honest with us, and told us that he is still struggling with it. Investigators have to be clean from any addiction for 3 weeks before they get baptized, so we had to push back his date to Mar. 19th. He only smokes like every other day. He is doing good, and is still excited to be baptized.
So it was just one of those weeks, but all is well. This is the Lords work, and I know that when we have faith and enthusiasm, the miracles flow! We did find one new investigator this week, but he doesn't speak English, so I just sat and smiled at him while Elder Neiufi taught.
We had 2 great lessons with our investigator Nio Fale'ofa this week. He is so excited to be baptized in two weeks! His faith has really grown and he loves meeting with us. He lives in Palo Alto - which is out of the mission and like a 30 minute drive from the church in San Mateo (where we teach him), but he makes the sacrifice twice a week to meet with us and learn the gospel. Also for church, the only member who can give him a ride, has to be to church 1 hour early for a meeting. So Nio has to get up at 6 am every Sunday to be picked up around 7 am so they can be at the church by 8 am. Then he has to wait an hour until church starts at 9 am. He has great desires and says that its all worth it!
I still love being in the Tongan program, and I'm still trying to understand more of their culture... I have noticed that no matter what I say (to my companion, members, my zone...) they always agree with me, even if its wrong! I think its due a little to the language barrier, and they just say yes, but they say yes to everything! If I walked up to any member at church and asked them if I could have their tie, no joke, any member would take off their tie and give it to me. They are very generous. I don't know if you've ever heard, but they say that being a missionary in a Tongan ward is the only paid ministry in the church! Members give us money for no reason all the time (even though they are not supposed to). Seriously I've been given over $100 since I've been here. If you don't accept their money they get mad (just like if you don't eat their food!) But we just donate a lot of it to fast offerings. Something else that is crazy is that Tongans are the best member missionaries, but sometimes they take it to far! There is a family that is teaching an investigator on their own! They wont hand him over yet. They even set a baptism date for him! It is pretty ridiculous, but whatever. Hopefully we are going to start teaching him this week, if they let us.
The weather here has been pretty cold this week. When I say cold I mean around 50 degrees. San Mateo is further south than San Francisco, and doesn't have the fog - which I am very grateful for!
Elder Neiufi says that he doesn't want anything from Utah, except for a "nice Utah Mormon girl!" But seriously I really don't need a package! I know that you love me, and I'm grateful for all the stuff that you've sent, and if you feel like sending something I love letters!
Well family I love you! It was so good to hear that Gaylynn in doing well. Tell her that I love her, and that they are in my prayers. Love you!
-Elder Cook
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