Another Crazy Week

Dear Family,

So another crazy week has literally flown by!  I started the week great, as we walked the streets on Monday, we were stopped like three times by random people who wanted to talk.  Of course I had no idea what they were saying, but my comp got tired of telling me that they all said I had a nice face, or in English that I was pretty... And yes that came from both men and women so if I ever decided to be a switch hitter, I know I can come to Mada... just kidding, but it was nice to receive those compliments.  I have encountered my first problems as a missionary as well.  We had this huge party last Monday, I think I mentioned that, with kareoke and food and fun stuff.  One of the women was VERY offended with the music because she said that it didnt bring praise to our Heavenly Father... so she wasnt going to pray anymore.  Are you serious?  Yes this is how the Malagasy people are.  My comp pretty much just stunned her with scripture and quotes from our prophet about how we do have good music in this world and to always forgive and have faith in the Lord, and she is still to this day a little bitter about the subject.  Crazy woman.  Also while teaching, my companion and I have been teaching this fantastic lesson about patience and enduring to the end! Sooo cool! Ill just share with you the scripture that we use.  In 2nd Nephi, chapter 9 verse 39, it talks of struggles, which we all have.  Anyways, the last phrase reads, "spiritually minded is life eternal."  We share this scripture in Malagasy and then tell them what it means in English.  We then share that the first letter of each of those words spell out SMILE.  We must remember to always smile and to have clean and happy thoughts to receive eternal life.  The kids love it, they are starting to say smile!! So yaa, its been really good teaching, I taught my own lesson about prayer... well I struggled through it anyway.  Every Wednesday we teach English to those who want to learn.  I am loving the food here.  Each morning we go to the little apistery and grab a mofa or bread and two bananas!! Lunch is rice and dinner is like pizza or sandwich but nothing tastes the same as America, its always a little different.  Living conditions are the same, off and on electricity, off and on hot water, fleas are eating me alive, and my allergies are warming up to Mada... It is so hot at nights, like Dad... You would not survive.  Just saying... So this weekend, we are up in Antsirabe.  Its like the Manteca to our Ripon.  Its bigger, with all of the things that ripon doesnt have.  Like a shoprite.  We were so excited to come up, we finished teaching on Friday and went to the bus stop... but the busses were all gone.  We missed them, but from some reason Elder Palmer was like lets go to the gas station to see if any busses are down there.  I was like sure, might as well. We talked to a guy who knew where more busses were and found us one to drop us off in Antsirabe!! Small tender mercies of the Lord, I still remember Sis Stokes lesson about that in sunday school.  We came up to watch conference, yes, I got to watch it twice.  It was fun to stay in a big house with six other Elders... boy some of them are a little too close to going home so they do not care what they do or say... WOW!  Ok... prepare yourselves for this story.  So I came up with a backpack and a pillow case full of clothes and stuff.  When it came time to shower I realized that I had forgotten a towel.  So what does Cole Herrin do?  He of course asks around for a towel right, to at least borrow one... NOPE, the whole weekend he dries himself off with the garments that he just wore.  Yes you can shake your head.  Conference was great, I really enjoyed watching it as I got to look over the notes that I took in the MTC!  We are going to load up on groceries here and head back!  Ohh really quick, so last week I emailed from someones home.  So this family is from South Africa, they are white, and they are like 7th athiest or whatever religion that is.  But, they love the missionaries!! Elaine, the motherm feels so bad for the other mothers whose son left them for two years.  We get to workout at their house every friday and she makes us breakfast! Its so good!! I love working here.  Its wierd, all these missionaries ask how Im doing and I say great... They respond with ok so how are you doing really?  I didnt think I would enjoy it like I do, but just like Coach Johnson taught me, attitude and effort is all that you need!!  Of course its hard, of course there are days that I wish I could just sit at home, but with the attitude that I have now, I am doing great!  Mom, please send pictures!  I need pictures of family, friends, places, I need pictures!! The people love to see pictures!  Also, I know that I should have said this earlier, but I think it would be easier to have my electric razor... so if you could please send that as well... sorry.  I have to shave like every other day though...what the heck?  Im still a little kid! I shouldnt have to shave like this!  Thanks for all the love and support! I love you very much,

All my Love

Elder Herrin