08/25/2014

This transfer is going by so fast. We are now in the last week of the transfer. I have enjoyed my time with this companion and I want him to stay for another but there is rumor that I might train. Whether he stays or I train I will be fine either way.

 

This last week was awesome. We had 29 lessons this week and I think that is the most I have had so far on mission. All of our appointments were going great and not falling through like other weeks. I don't have anything crazy or weird to say about this week. Everything just went really smooth which is nice every once in a while.

 

On Sunday we had two baptisms. They were of a 16 year old boy named Desmond and a 9 year old girl named Naomi. They are awesome and the baptism went great. The 9 year old is the daughter or a recent convert who is really strong and she started crying when she was baptized. Desmond is awesome and will probably be a stake president some day. Just another addition to the wonderful priesthood.

 

I spoke at the baptism about the holy ghost. As I sat down I realized it wasn't me speaking. That happens a lot and I am so thankful for the companionish of the holy ghost. The spirit is a wonderful gift from our Heavenly Father to help us through this life. We just have to listen.

 

Elder Hepworth

08/18/2014

In two weeks about I will have been out for 6 months and that seems pretty crazy to me. We had a good week. Well it didn't start off that way. My companion was sick on Tuesday and we had to stay in. I don't know if I'm cursed but either I or my companions always get sick. The cool thing is that the senior couples made us chicken noodle soup and brought it over once they heard that he was sick.

 

After he got better we got to work. It was a slow week because I wasn't pushing him too hard. On Saturday we had a helping hands activity where we build a playground for a school. It was a great experience but the lack of construction equipment was killing me. All I could think the whole time was my dad and I could have this done in like an hour. We had to do it the old fashioned way and use shovels. We definitely made an impact on that school and I'm sure they appreciated it.

 

On Saturday night it rained an on Sunday. Not many people came to church because of the rain. Like only a few have cars and some walk really far. It is funny how we can take the things we have for granted. Church was good though and I'm always tired after we have our lunch appointment because I'm used to the Sunday nap but we push through it. No rest for the righteous missionary either I guess.

 

On this coming Sunday we are having two baptisms which is exciting. Our zone leaders came up on Friday to do the interviews and the one that went with us is a funny guy from Austrailia. One is a 16 year old boy named Desmond who is awesome. The other is a 9 year old girl who her mother is a convert and is super strong. We will find out this week who is baptizing them and it would be cool if it was me. There are a lot of less actives in this area so we are working with the branch on that. There is a ton of work to be done and we are doing it up here in Limpopo, South Africa. I hope everyone has a good week. I keep you all in my prayers. We are sure lucky to have this blessing of the gospel in our lives. I'm so happy that I get to share it with others.

 

Elder Hepworth

08/11/2014

This week has been good. It has been a weird week though. Like everyday what we planned turned out different but they were good days. I'm still having tons of fun up here. I wish to stay here for all my mission haha. My companion who is district leader recommended me for training which is crazy so that might be coming next transfer.

This week we went on two exchanges. I went on exchanges on Thursday and Friday with two different elders. The fist exchange was because my companion had to do a baptismal interview. The second was a normal exchange. It was an interesting couple of days because I was in our area both times and I haven't been here for very long. I got lost a couple of times and didn't know what to do but I make it through. This area is big and crazy to learn but I will get it down soon. 

On Friday we had zone meeting. It was cool because up here we don't see many other missionaries. Two of the elders from my fist zone are in this one with me. Elder Robins from Burley, Idaho is in this zone and it was cool seeing him and talking to him. 

On Saturday we had some funny things happen. We saw a guy who was so drunk he fell down a hill. Then 30 seconds later we saw a black midget which is so funny looking that we sat there laughing with tears in our eyes for quite awhile. I've been teaching my companion how to drive and he was practicing starting up a hill and he peeled out and fish tailed up the hill on accident. Then on the way home we were super exhausted and he had his head out the window. I rolled it up without looking and then I see him looking at me with the funniest face. He tells me what happened and his head got pinched and he didn't say anything or react quick enough. 

I'm having so much fun out here. My companion and I get along great. We have good times and we are working hard. We should be having some baptisms in a couple of weeks. I love mission! 

Elder Hepworth

08/04/2014

This week was an eventful week. Each day I had something nice to write in my journal. I drive a lot because my companion can't drive a stick and I'm going to have to teach him. This is my second companion that I will have to teach but I'm a good teacher. We haven't had time to though. We are so busy. This area is booming like crazy and there is a ton of work to be done.

So on Tuesday we took some other Elders to a part of there area to far to walk. Then after dropping them off we thought we could get to our area a faster way. Then we ended up getting lost for two hours and having to back track. Then on Wednesday we were having a good day and everything was going good but then our 6 and 7 canceled and we found out there was a member in the hospital. So we went and visited her and it made her day. Then we gave her a Book of Mormon to comfort her. Thursday my companion and I got offered a wife because we are American. Friday was the funniest day. We were teaching the law of chastity and this family has two dogs with to much energy. So as I was explaining it my companion goes and none of that and we looked over and they were humping each other. The timing was just so funny.

This week I studied a talk in the Liahona about perfectionism. Sometimes I don't feel good enough and this talk really gave me strength. We don't have to be perfect we just have to strive to be the best we can be. Jesus Christ will make up the rest. Mission is great. It is deffinitely the hardest thing I have ever done. They didn't say it would be easy though they just said it would be worth it.

Elder Hepworth