Dear Family,
I feel as if it has been forever since I last emailed you. How has the month of October treated you? Did you see what I did there? Hahah, the missionary still gots it. And yes mother, I know that it was incorrect grammar. Sorry to hear that Ty is dont with soccer. "on to the next one, on to the next one" Basketball! And, gotta throw my youngest a Happy Birthday shout out! Love you Ty!! Everyone needs to give him and extra hug for me here in Mada. Im gonna miss another birthday of his, thats 3 in a row I have missed. Sorry man. As for my week...
It was so so great. We got back from Mahajanga last week and we were doing a lot of preparation for the visit from Elder Bednar! Yes, THE Elder Bednar. He flew in to Mada on Friday at 2:10. He was picked up by President Foote and then was driven around Madagascar to see it as this was his first time being here. My mission president asked Elder Rigby and I to sit by one of the popular tourist places in Tana just in case Elder Bednar wanted to get out and walk around. We were going to get to translate. We put on our whitest shirt, polished our shoes and just looked good. We got the text from President that he was heading our way. So I felt as if I was on my way to pick up a prom date cause I was gettin the nervous sweats and checking my hair constantly in the mirror. We saw the large white van pull in, so we got out of the car and just stood there waiting to know what to do. They drove right by... we felt pretty stupid, I tell you what. We got in the car to drive away thinking that we were not needed anymore when I recieved an SMS from Pres saying to wait. I replied with "and do what" the response was great. "Stand, smile, and wave!" They flipped around and drove right up to us. I started to wave and smile. But they stopped and Elder Bednar opened the door. He shook each of our hands, asked where we were from and then told us that we looked great. One thing that he said stuck out. "I can see the happiness of this great work shining from your faces" What a blessing. What a compliment. What a great moment. I attended his member devotional an hour later and was able to see him interact with the people and teach some great things about the priesthood, the book of mormon and about the temple. He kind of slayed the members. We took off the next day.
I am now in Antsirabe doing some splits and preparing for zone conference here on Thursday. I will be in Tamatave next weekend for zone conference there. I cant tell you how much I love the mission. How blessed I feel to be apart of His work here and to feel the warmth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I love you all so much.
All my Love
Elder Herrin
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Monday, October 19, 2015
Just some pictures to catch you up
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| A picture of the street |
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| A couple of the young men I taught |
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| Here are the elders that we did splits with! a couple of them at least |
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| So I was able to go on a split a while ago with Obioma and Razafimandimby, my trainee! It was so much fun! |
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| Elder Becker with some kids, cool pic! |
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| Baobab trees |
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| Split with string and becker and the start of transfers. |
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| This is Elder Brown, a newer elder, on his birthday. I dont know if you remember the south african family from ambositra, but we ate with them! |
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| The day the Elder Rigby and I took off to start our mission to go on splits with all trainer and trainee companionships |
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| Elder Rigby and I doing some site seeing at a place called the crown of thorns. |
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| Gettin all these elders together is too much fun! |
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| A selfie of me enjoying the scenery on the 10 hour drive |
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| Here are the elders that we did splits with! a couple of them at least |
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| A picture of what the women look like |
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| Here is just one more that I got in Mahajanga. They have Baobab trees!!! |
"Just Keep Swimming"
Dear Family,
Man, what a week I have had. I cannot wait to tell you all about it. First, I love just giving you all some encouragement as it makes me feel as if I am fulfilling my duties as a missionary! Hahaha. I hear that the football team is doing well! I can promise Rhet that I am his biggest fan from Madagasikara, BY FAR! Hahah. I just need to know what number you are so I can start making signs like all of your girlfriends back home. Maci, I am sure, is just throwing girls around left and right! You bully! And I am sure that Ty is just running around trying to do his best on the soccer field! You are all living up to the Herrin name that Brock started!
So this week has just been one of those extremely tiring weeks that was just so fun and strange all at the same time. Pretty normal week for Mada I guess. We started the week helping the sisters work through some .. issues. I will probably report more on that once I am home. We spent the next couple of days working in the office.
Some of the things that we were doing in the office were meeting with President every night to work on transfers as that just happened yesterday! Well, the transfer has started I guess you could say, the week of transfers is ahead. We were also preparing for zone conferences, MLC, meeting with stake presidents to coordinate the missionary work with the wards. It was a pretty long week.
This last weekend we drove back up to Tamatave with President to meet and do interviews with the missionaries, and also to dedicate a building. That was one of the coolest things that I have been able to witness here. This brand new building that was just built that could pass for an American building. I tell you what, the church knows what its doing when it comes to ... well anything. And it does help that we have stacks to build nice buildings like that, but its a great building. The entire chapel was filled and President Foote gave a great prayer to dedicate the building. So cool. We finished the meeting and headed back to tana that sunday. We decided to stop at a hotel half way so we didnt have to do the entire drive that day. We stayed in a place called Andasi be. It is this rainforest that is just beautiful and has so many wild animals. Big tourist attraction. Elder Rigby and I got our own little room for the night and then we drove back this morning in time for a north vs. south zone soccer game. We (the north) won 2 to 0. The south will not rise again. hah.
I am still loving my mission. I am learning so much from President and his wife. I can not wait to start a family and help my children live the gospel. I know that it is what will make us happy for life and all eternity. I love you all so much. I love being a missionary!
All my Love
Elder Herrin
Man, what a week I have had. I cannot wait to tell you all about it. First, I love just giving you all some encouragement as it makes me feel as if I am fulfilling my duties as a missionary! Hahaha. I hear that the football team is doing well! I can promise Rhet that I am his biggest fan from Madagasikara, BY FAR! Hahah. I just need to know what number you are so I can start making signs like all of your girlfriends back home. Maci, I am sure, is just throwing girls around left and right! You bully! And I am sure that Ty is just running around trying to do his best on the soccer field! You are all living up to the Herrin name that Brock started!
So this week has just been one of those extremely tiring weeks that was just so fun and strange all at the same time. Pretty normal week for Mada I guess. We started the week helping the sisters work through some .. issues. I will probably report more on that once I am home. We spent the next couple of days working in the office.
Some of the things that we were doing in the office were meeting with President every night to work on transfers as that just happened yesterday! Well, the transfer has started I guess you could say, the week of transfers is ahead. We were also preparing for zone conferences, MLC, meeting with stake presidents to coordinate the missionary work with the wards. It was a pretty long week.
This last weekend we drove back up to Tamatave with President to meet and do interviews with the missionaries, and also to dedicate a building. That was one of the coolest things that I have been able to witness here. This brand new building that was just built that could pass for an American building. I tell you what, the church knows what its doing when it comes to ... well anything. And it does help that we have stacks to build nice buildings like that, but its a great building. The entire chapel was filled and President Foote gave a great prayer to dedicate the building. So cool. We finished the meeting and headed back to tana that sunday. We decided to stop at a hotel half way so we didnt have to do the entire drive that day. We stayed in a place called Andasi be. It is this rainforest that is just beautiful and has so many wild animals. Big tourist attraction. Elder Rigby and I got our own little room for the night and then we drove back this morning in time for a north vs. south zone soccer game. We (the north) won 2 to 0. The south will not rise again. hah.
I am still loving my mission. I am learning so much from President and his wife. I can not wait to start a family and help my children live the gospel. I know that it is what will make us happy for life and all eternity. I love you all so much. I love being a missionary!
All my Love
Elder Herrin
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
GO! split GO!
Dear Family,
How are we all doing this week? I have heard that conference was just great... yes, still has not been seen by me. Three new apostles is pretty crazy. Much of my mission was betting that our old mission president, President Adams, would become the new apostle... funny things the missionaries say sometimes. I think it just goes to show how much respect that the mission had for our him. Sports seem like they are just ... goin. Simply put. Keep up the good work Herrins.
As for the "Elder" Herrin, his week was anything but simple. I emailed last week from Fianarantsoa on Monday. I had a split with Elder Godfrey and Elder Koncurat on Tuesday. We taught some really cool times and enjoyed getting to know eachother since I didnt know Elder Koncurat. We got up Wednesday morning at 5 and took off to Ambositra. My very first area. We went on a split with Elder Wootan and Elder Knight. They are doing some awesome work, all things considering. The area is going to be shut down this transfer so finding new investigators is hard for them. All in all, they are doing pretty well. We got up Thursday morning at and drove to Andranomaneletra to do a split with Elder Stringfellow and Elder Becker. They are also doing well. I just cant belive how many amazing missionaries we have in this Madagasikara mission. I mean, all of these Elders are just motivated and willing. Some could do better, but I love them all so much. We got up on Friday morning at took off to Tamatave. That is an all day like 7 hour drive. So we got there in the evening and started doing splits there on Saturday. We went with Elder Johnson and Elder Kunkel. Two missionaries that are just not afraid to talk to EVERYONE! I learned so much from the way that these two missionaries did their missionary work. Then yesterday, I went with Elder Koplin and Elder Bassett. Again, two elders that can just talk to people.
So, now I wanna share some really cool lessons that we taught during this week. I was teaching with Elder Koplin yesterday. We found a couple of less active members just kind of roaming the paths of Tamatave and asked if we could share a small spiritual thought with them. They obliged and let us into their home. Elder Koplin started to talk about becoming like Christ. Like the attribute part of it. I asked kind of a bold question to these two un-married 20 year old kids. I asked what attributed they needed to work on in thier lives to become more christlike. One of them spoke up, Josea was his name. He explained to me that he has a really hard time giving in to temptations in life. Almost immediately, Brother Hammarstroms teaching from deacons quorum like 8 years ago came to my mind. I told him that picking good friends was one of the most important things that he could do at this point in his life. I used the example of me on the mission. All my friends right now are obeying God's commandments so it makes it a lot easier for me to obey. He was about in tears. The spirit was strong. Elder Koplin wrapped up the lesson well by sharing his testimony and committing the two men to acting on the lesson. I hope they do as I know that I was inspired to be better.
Another cool yet really weird lesson that I taught was with Elder Koncurat. We taught this woman about the book of mormon. We walked in and immediately she started to share with us how she gets these wierd dreams. I first shared with this woman the story of Joseph Smith from his perspective. We read from Joseph Smith tantara. I told her that the devil knows that she is finding the truth and is trying to keep her from finding it. She kind of accepted what I told her and we went on with the lesson. Elder Koncurat has been here almost three months so he explained to her what the Book of Mormon. This woman would not stop talking about the wierd dreams that she has every night. Elder Koncurat was not really understanding what she was saying, so I kind of interrupted Elder Koncurat. I looked at the woman and said "rehefa mahazo nofy ianao, dia amin' ny izay fotoana izay, tonga dia vakio ny bokin'ny mormon. Manome toky anao aho fa raha manao izany ianao, dia lasa ny nofy ary ho matory tsara ianao." It doesnt make a whole lot of sense to me in English and thats why I wrote it in Malagasy. But I said that when she recieves a dream then at that time, read the book of mormon and I promised her that the dream would go away and she could sleep good. I hope that she took my advice. I probably need to follow up with Elder Koncurat.
Anyways, the mission is just great. I love it here and I love being able to help people. Have a great week. I love being a missionary!
All my Love
Elder Herrin
How are we all doing this week? I have heard that conference was just great... yes, still has not been seen by me. Three new apostles is pretty crazy. Much of my mission was betting that our old mission president, President Adams, would become the new apostle... funny things the missionaries say sometimes. I think it just goes to show how much respect that the mission had for our him. Sports seem like they are just ... goin. Simply put. Keep up the good work Herrins.
As for the "Elder" Herrin, his week was anything but simple. I emailed last week from Fianarantsoa on Monday. I had a split with Elder Godfrey and Elder Koncurat on Tuesday. We taught some really cool times and enjoyed getting to know eachother since I didnt know Elder Koncurat. We got up Wednesday morning at 5 and took off to Ambositra. My very first area. We went on a split with Elder Wootan and Elder Knight. They are doing some awesome work, all things considering. The area is going to be shut down this transfer so finding new investigators is hard for them. All in all, they are doing pretty well. We got up Thursday morning at and drove to Andranomaneletra to do a split with Elder Stringfellow and Elder Becker. They are also doing well. I just cant belive how many amazing missionaries we have in this Madagasikara mission. I mean, all of these Elders are just motivated and willing. Some could do better, but I love them all so much. We got up on Friday morning at took off to Tamatave. That is an all day like 7 hour drive. So we got there in the evening and started doing splits there on Saturday. We went with Elder Johnson and Elder Kunkel. Two missionaries that are just not afraid to talk to EVERYONE! I learned so much from the way that these two missionaries did their missionary work. Then yesterday, I went with Elder Koplin and Elder Bassett. Again, two elders that can just talk to people.
So, now I wanna share some really cool lessons that we taught during this week. I was teaching with Elder Koplin yesterday. We found a couple of less active members just kind of roaming the paths of Tamatave and asked if we could share a small spiritual thought with them. They obliged and let us into their home. Elder Koplin started to talk about becoming like Christ. Like the attribute part of it. I asked kind of a bold question to these two un-married 20 year old kids. I asked what attributed they needed to work on in thier lives to become more christlike. One of them spoke up, Josea was his name. He explained to me that he has a really hard time giving in to temptations in life. Almost immediately, Brother Hammarstroms teaching from deacons quorum like 8 years ago came to my mind. I told him that picking good friends was one of the most important things that he could do at this point in his life. I used the example of me on the mission. All my friends right now are obeying God's commandments so it makes it a lot easier for me to obey. He was about in tears. The spirit was strong. Elder Koplin wrapped up the lesson well by sharing his testimony and committing the two men to acting on the lesson. I hope they do as I know that I was inspired to be better.
Another cool yet really weird lesson that I taught was with Elder Koncurat. We taught this woman about the book of mormon. We walked in and immediately she started to share with us how she gets these wierd dreams. I first shared with this woman the story of Joseph Smith from his perspective. We read from Joseph Smith tantara. I told her that the devil knows that she is finding the truth and is trying to keep her from finding it. She kind of accepted what I told her and we went on with the lesson. Elder Koncurat has been here almost three months so he explained to her what the Book of Mormon. This woman would not stop talking about the wierd dreams that she has every night. Elder Koncurat was not really understanding what she was saying, so I kind of interrupted Elder Koncurat. I looked at the woman and said "rehefa mahazo nofy ianao, dia amin' ny izay fotoana izay, tonga dia vakio ny bokin'ny mormon. Manome toky anao aho fa raha manao izany ianao, dia lasa ny nofy ary ho matory tsara ianao." It doesnt make a whole lot of sense to me in English and thats why I wrote it in Malagasy. But I said that when she recieves a dream then at that time, read the book of mormon and I promised her that the dream would go away and she could sleep good. I hope that she took my advice. I probably need to follow up with Elder Koncurat.
Anyways, the mission is just great. I love it here and I love being able to help people. Have a great week. I love being a missionary!
All my Love
Elder Herrin
Monday, October 5, 2015
On The Road Again
Dear Family,
How're we doin?? We are almost into the month of October!! That means that school is in full swing, sports are just the only thing on TV and that Herrin life is just getting crazy! I sure do miss it. Thanks you all for keeping me updated on everyday life. Its nice to be aware of all the happenings. My life is just pretty boring over here in Madagasikara ;)
I am writing from the same place I was two weeks ago, Fianarantsoa. Today we got up and drove up to this really cool catholic thing. Its called the crown of thorns... self explanatory. Elder Rigby and I are doing some splits down here and then to ambositra, antsirabe, tamatave to do more splits. I would love to share a little about my week.
All of the week, up until about Friday was spent in the office. We had a lot to do to get statistics updated, to try and finalize the transfer, to prepare for all of the traveling that we are going to be doing in the next two months. In preparation, I had a couple morning to do all of my studies.
We got up one morning, and I was studying from Preach my Gospel and from the Book of Mormon. I was studying about studies. We had kinda been talking a lot about it recently with President Foote and I know that it is something that I need to work on. I was reading in Preach My Gospel about accountability. We have to hold ourselves accountable for what we do. If we set goals, but dont follow up on them... what good did those goals do for you? It all comes down to consistency. Elder Rigby and I talked a little bit about studies and holding yourself accountible. I really liked the scripture that it referenced in D&C 58:27 - 33. We all need to be anxiously engaged in a good cause. Whether that be studies for school, or studying the scripture, we need to be engaged and hold ourselves accountible to do those things.
I love my mission. Luke asked me the other day if I was excited to go home. Without thought I said yes. But I just think to myself... why would I wanna come home when this is SO good. I promise, I will come home, but its not going to be easy. I love you all so much. Thanks for the love and support. I love being a missionary!
Elder Herrin
How're we doin?? We are almost into the month of October!! That means that school is in full swing, sports are just the only thing on TV and that Herrin life is just getting crazy! I sure do miss it. Thanks you all for keeping me updated on everyday life. Its nice to be aware of all the happenings. My life is just pretty boring over here in Madagasikara ;)
I am writing from the same place I was two weeks ago, Fianarantsoa. Today we got up and drove up to this really cool catholic thing. Its called the crown of thorns... self explanatory. Elder Rigby and I are doing some splits down here and then to ambositra, antsirabe, tamatave to do more splits. I would love to share a little about my week.
All of the week, up until about Friday was spent in the office. We had a lot to do to get statistics updated, to try and finalize the transfer, to prepare for all of the traveling that we are going to be doing in the next two months. In preparation, I had a couple morning to do all of my studies.
We got up one morning, and I was studying from Preach my Gospel and from the Book of Mormon. I was studying about studies. We had kinda been talking a lot about it recently with President Foote and I know that it is something that I need to work on. I was reading in Preach My Gospel about accountability. We have to hold ourselves accountable for what we do. If we set goals, but dont follow up on them... what good did those goals do for you? It all comes down to consistency. Elder Rigby and I talked a little bit about studies and holding yourself accountible. I really liked the scripture that it referenced in D&C 58:27 - 33. We all need to be anxiously engaged in a good cause. Whether that be studies for school, or studying the scripture, we need to be engaged and hold ourselves accountible to do those things.
I love my mission. Luke asked me the other day if I was excited to go home. Without thought I said yes. But I just think to myself... why would I wanna come home when this is SO good. I promise, I will come home, but its not going to be easy. I love you all so much. Thanks for the love and support. I love being a missionary!
Elder Herrin
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