Xhsa

 

Hey Mom and Dad,

It is kinda hard to believe that come Feb 21 I will have said good-bye a month ago. Only 23 left to go. And I am excited to live each to the fullest. What I am finding is that the harder I work the faster it goes. Kinda interesting isn't it. I feel very bad for those who sit around and don't want to do the work.

Any who lets try and answer your many wonderful questions. My week has been good. We have many potential investigators. I have made two baptism invitations (one a soft one) and I felt good. My companion said that our numbers for this week have been the best he has had in this area. Cool right. I am starting to get the hang of Lesson 1. So there is a ward here but we barely fill the chapel. So there are many less active members.

I have not been able to meet with the Bishop yet, but I hope to get some time to do so soon. Both parties have such busy schedules. Soon... I look forward to seeing how we can best help him in our area. The thing is he has a matter of six missionaries in his ward. So in due time. And this Cosa language I come to find out is Xhsa (but sounds like Cosa, with a click instead of an X) It is a written language, and they have a Book of Mormon, somewhere. I am barely getting the hang of the greetings, but I pray everyday that I will be able to soon communicate to the people in the language that is easiest. Right now I am okay because I know that the Holy Ghost will still testify of truth for the investigator even if they do not yet fully understand.

No news yet on my visa, but transfers are coming up in two weeks. I think that if I were to leave it would be then. So again, hopefully soon. But I am willing to stay in Queenstown as long as needed.

That is so cool about Courtney. And it is amazing how the Lord answers our prayers. I pray every day and night that we are growing closer together through missionary work.

I can't wait to hear how the cultural celebration goes, Tell everyone how jealous I am.

As far pictures go, I am trying my best on the computer but it is very slow. I can't promise much. There is WiFi around here and so hopefully every now and then I can send through such means. But ultimately I can't wait to have a big slideshow popcorn party type thing when I get home. I will figure something out soon.

P-days are rather nice. Not a lot of time, shopping, laundry, braai (pronounced bry), and sometimes hiking (like next week), and the nature preserve (like last week).

I am still feeling a little shy and out of place but I am getting comfortable and a little bit more bold.

I love my area, in just a moment we are going to a braai with some investigators. They are the sweetest. You have a grandma, a mom, and a son (19ish). They are Devout Catholics, so they don't really want to be baptized. Nevertheless they want us to keep teaching them and reading the Book of Mormon with them. I am soon going to invite them to have family scripture time and prayer time, where they learn it by themselves as well as us coming over. Because I know that the Book of Mormon will be the key to their desire to be baptized. And if they pray about it they will be strengthened.

I thank you all for your prayers. I love you all very, very much. I look forward to Mondays just to tear up over your words of love and support. I miss you all, and I pray that you do feel close to me as you do missionary work, for I feel close to you as I help bring families closer to Christ. Have a wonderful week!

Love you with all my heart! See you in just about 23 months, which will go by in a blink of an eye, so make them count.

Love Elder Pennington