Monday, October 19, 2015

"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

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

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

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Another Day Another Blessing

Dear Family,

What a blessing it is to be here writing to you all today.  I pray that you are all in high spirits and feeling the wonderful blessings that the gospel has to offer.  I thank you all for the prayers that are sent my way.  I know that its kind of selfish, but I definitely wouldn't be able to make it through my mission without those prayers... so keep sending them please.  Ty, keep running hard.  I cant wait to go out and play with you.  Maci... uhhh don't drop anyone?  Rhet, hit a little harder, I promise that you will start to grow some hair on your chest.  The only reason I know that is cause I didnt hit hard and I didnt grow hair... maybe it will work for you! 

This week was just another great week.  I emailed you last week from a place called Fianarantsoa.  We were down there with President Foote who was doing interviews with all of the missionaries in that area.  We came back through Antsirabe and I was able to go on splits with the Antsirabe elders (Obioma) and continue teaching all of the way cool investigators in that area.  I enjoyed it a lot.

I also had the opportunity to work in Manandona with Elder Yeagley.  I worked with him in Fort D.  His area is really struggling as he is the Branch President and they need all the support that they can get.  During that split, we had a Branch Presidency meeting.  Elder or President Yeagley asked me to add some input or give advice... uhh??  I talked about the teachings that we recieved from Elder Cook when he was here.  That is centers of strength.  We are pulling elders out of smaller areas and putting them in the main areas of Madagasikara.  I asked the council what would happen if we pulled the missionaries out of Manandona.  One of the coolest responses came from the guy that they are looking at to replace Elder Yeagley as Branch President.  He said, "If we can get the home teaching to go, we can get the Branch to go."  Way cool.  Just shows you that no matter how young the church may be, the Lord is always preparing people to harvest the white field.   We drove back on Thursday and had a lot to do in the office. 

We spent all day Friday doing statistics for the mission.  This mission is doing so well.  Its really cool to see all of the progression that each area is making.  I love this great calling!  We had a pretty slow Saturday and Sunday.

My sabbath was so so nice.  I am having the opportunity to work, for the first time on my mission, in a ward.  It just kind of goes by itself.  The lessons were great, the ward council was just astounding, and all I had to do was translate for the mission couples.  That was hard.  Yesterday, my Preparation Day, was great.  We had the opportunity to play some basketball at the office, we drove lots of Elders around trying to do little things.  The evening got very interesting when we went to dinner.  We had dinner with Pres. and Sis. Foote at a small place here in Tana.  We were walking back to our car when we witnessed a moto accident.  At that same time that was happening, I ran to help a little boy who was profusely bleeding and the poor mother who didnt know what to do.  There were 4 missionaries in the street with the accident and on the sidewalk trying to help a struggling mother and child.  Makes you really grateful for where you come from and having the gospel in your life. 

I know that I am protected from so much here in Madagasikara because of the work that I am doing and the prayers that are sent my way.  I know that I am a servant of our savior Jesus Christ.  I know that this gospel is true. 

Thank you so much.  Dont forget to smile. 

All my Love

Elder Herrin

Monday, September 14, 2015

Quick Story

Dear Family,

How are we all doin this week.  I sure hope that things are well.  I pray for you every week.  I pray for your health and for your spiritual progression.  I know that those two things are really important.  I love the scripture 2 Nef 9:39.  Read it.

I dont have a lot of time today. I am in a place called Fianarantsoa with President Foote.  He is doing interviews with all of his missionaries and I have been traveling with him.  I just wanted to share a quick story that just was way cool.

Last Wednesday we were at the office and I get a call from one of the zone leaders saying that he was doing a baptismal interview.  He said that he was interviewing a woman who was asking that I baptize her... I asked who the woman was and they said Hiantra... didnt ring a bell.  She was from Tamatave and appearently elder bowler and I had taught her when I was there.  I told them that of course I would love to do the baptism.  I went home, still not knowing who this woman was.  They gave me some descriptions of her. They said she was a gma that had three teeth and they were as sharp as a saber tooth... yaa still had nothing come to mind.  I went through my journal and even through my old planners but still could not find anything out about his woman.

Come Friday evening and we are planning this big trip to go down to Antsirabe then Ambositra, then to Fianarantsoa to do interviews.  I spaced the baptism but luckily President reminded me that I had to be in Ambohimanarana at 2 for it.  We were scheduled to leave at like 3... I almost canceled and just said for one of the others to dunk her... I decided to make it work.

We got there Saturday afternoon to the beautiful new chapel that was opened a couple months ago.  It could be an american building, thats how nice it is.  It even has a built in font.  Yaa, thats right.  So I am waiting and waiting to "meet" the woman I would be baptizing.  She shows up and immediately it clicks. 

In Tamatave there was this family that we were teaching.  They were progressing really well.  They were the people that understood if our message was true, then there was only one true church on the earth.  They just werent ready to accept it.  They had a mother who lived with them (Hiantra).  She was the old woman that talks your ear off and says all this stuff, but you never really pay any attention too.  Thats how I felt in Tamatave and boy do I regret that. Hiantra would sit in on the lessons every now and then, but she wasnt progressing as well as her daughter. 

Any way, she walks in and sees me and starts to tell me her life story.  How she moved to tana and wanted to continue learning like she did from herrin and bowler.  She found johnson and covey and has been converted ever since.  It was one of the coolest things baptizing her.  Right before I left, she gave me the number of her daughter who I was teaching.  She wants her family to be just as happy as she is.  And she trusts me to try and make that happen.  This gospel is amazing. 

I know that what I am doing is what God wants me to do.  I am so darn happy doing this work.  Thank you for all the help and prayers that you send my way.  I love you.  I love being a missionary!

All my Love

Elder Herrin

This is Hiantra

Pictures

MICHELLE AND TINAS FAMILY, the will be baptized soon!

Both ex missionaries and married in the temple. I was her district leader... wierd.

The second is one of my favorite families.  The mom is the best.

The third is the first pics mother.  Just a funny lady

A nice family that I had been teaching.

Michelle and Tinas cute cute kids

Me getting into the bus... seats were few so you had to do all you could to get yourself a seat.

some of the great young men and young women.

The great men of the church.   




All the new missionaries at the house kickin it!!

GO GO GO!!!

Dear Family,

How are we doing this week?  Mom tells me that we are doing well and in full swing of things.  I also heard that BYU put on a big stellar upset the other day.  I heard it from Elder Morley's parents.  He is a missionary that just left, and his parents had come to pick him up!  I love that guy.  Anyway, I probably had the most tiring week of my entire mission...

I am now working in a ward.  My very first ward since my mission began.  It is called the Anjanahary Ward.  I have also been working a lot closer with the mission president, President Foote.  I have been doing a lot more mission work as opposed to missionary work. 

At least twice, every single day this week, I have been to the airport either picking up, or dropping people off.  And because I am in Madagasikara we were even there waiting for flights to come in that never came.  Its always fun to be sitting there with the mission President at two in the morning waiting for two sister missionaries who should be coming from the MTC and find out that the flight was changed to the next day at two in the morning... yaa. 

As I noted in the first paragraph, one of my favorite missionaries, Elder Morley, has left the mission.  I got to meet his parents and enjoy a very nice meal with them and the mission president and his wife. 

One of the coolest experiences that I was able to participate in was picking up 11 new elders straight from the MTC.  I drove back to the mission home with just two elders because I was driving a smaller car, but it was so cool to see their faces as I zoomed through the streets of Madagasikara.  Then we were able to go through a meeting and a training meeting with them and just see the new light that they have with them.  What a special thing a mission is.  

One cool thing that I thought I might share is that I will be learning sign language in this area.  We have a recent convert that is deaf and LOVES the missionaries.  He has already given me a name.  He makes a hand motion over his eye brow.  I guess I have large eye brows cause that's what stuck out to him.  I am excited to start learning that. 

Things should start to mellow out because the transfer is over now.  We have a lot of traveling to do this month and missionaries to meet and help. I am so so excited to be working here in Anjanahary.  I just hope that I catch some more rest.  I am going to send you some pictures of my good byes in Antsirabe.  Thanks for all the love and support. I love being a missionary!

All my Love

Elder Herrin