Dear Family and Friends,
We had a great and busy Sunday. There were four baptisms in the branch, two from the other companionship and two from ours. Elder Chagoya and I baptized Vijay Seera and Manindra Singh Chadalawada. Vijay is only 15 years and he is great young man. He was so excited about baptism and when we talked to his mother and father about it the father started yelling in Telugu. At first we thought he was angry but then we later found that he was yelling something along the lines of "If Vijay is getting baptized, We need a PARTY!!!". We were relieved to hear that. Manindra is Vijay's neighbor. He is great but a little more shy than Vijay. He really surprised me because we started teaching Manindra's sister Manikiyum and then later we met Manindra and his brother Sagar. Out of the whole family I thought Manindra would be baptized last but he showed me what was up and pulled out of nowhere. He was so nervous for the baptism interview. It's tough to put people at ease for the interview because you need to prepare them to answer in English, which doing that alone can cause a lot of stress.
At the baptism all of Vijay's extended family showed up. It was great and spiritual but unfortunately none of them spoke English so maybe the Elders will meet them again after 10 years or so when a Telugu mission opens.
Manikiyum and Sagar our next on the baptism list. We were trying to get them to be baptized the same time as Manindra but they wouldn't commit and for the longest time we didn't know why. Arun, a member and Manindra's friend, came with us for one appointment and he spilled the beans by pointing at Manikiyum accusingly said "Elder, she won't be baptized because she drinks tea!". It was followed by a sharp scowl from Manikiyum and a rebuke in Telugu that I'm pretty sure translates into "shut up". But it unlocked the door and Manikiyum and Sagar both confessed that they weren't keeping the Word of Wisdom. But the problem was diagnosed and now we can start working on the cure. Already they have both committed to quitting tea cold turkey so we will have to see what happens.
Yesterday I went on exchange with Elder William, a native elder from Hyderabad. He has been out for 20 months and got an extension and he has a firm determination not to get trunky. He runs up steps, he speaks boldly, and he won't take no for an answer. We were talking to a sister and he told her about God's plan for happiness and she said she wasn't interested. "Sister, so you're telling me you don't want to be happy?" he said. She was caught off guard and said no. "Then sister, you don't know our message, how can you say it can't bring you happiness unless you listen to the whole message?" She was a bit confounded. We didn't get a return appointment but throughout the day everyone we talked we made sure to raise a warning voice and tried to convince them that our message was worth listening to. Elder William is a strong elder and I'm glad to have him in my district.
So as for the subject I have funny story that happened this week which was my most recent step to becoming an Indian. It all started because I must have ate something funny for lunch. On Monday we were cycling out to the boonies of our area and as were cycling I noticed I needed to go to the bathroom of the number 2 sort. Well by the time we made the 30 minute cycle ride out there it was confirmed that I really did need to go...and it wasn't going away. We were in an area that was less populated and I didn't want to ask anyone to use their bathroom. But I needed to go so Elder Chagoya and I found an open field with lots of bushes for covering. I had a handkerchief for toilet paper and I had hand sanitizer so I thought to just go out to the field and do it camping style. I just about finished when my stomach churned a little more and I realized that I wasn't done yet. The handkerchief was ruined already and the only thing I had left was my water bottle. So I took a deep breath and went Indian style. It wasn't the most pleasant experience ever but now I know when I go camping that I don't have to bring toilet paper anymore...just a water bottle:)
The work is coming a little slower now that Summer is hitting. Only a few months ago I was complaining because we had so much to do and so little time, now I wish those days would come back. And having a district to worry about doesn't make things much easier either. I feel like this is my next mountain I have to conquer. Just when I thought missionary work was getting easy I get another thing tossed on me. I was reading a talk the other day by President Eyring in the 2008 October Priesthood Session where he talked about how life always gets harder as you go along but the Lord will give you strength to do all the things you are asked to do. So I guess I just better be diligent and have hope that I can overcome this challenge.
Thank you so much for your letters. Matt, I hope you had a great time in Utah. You definitely deserve the break. I sent a letter to you and Jen and the children so I hope you get it soon. I love you and your family so much. I love you all so much. Remember that Satan wants us to be miserable and to think that the worst times are worse than they really are and that the best times are not worth our attention. Always look for the eternal.
Love you a million apostilic testimonies that you have heard I and I am about to enjoy:)
Elder Mackay
I think that it's absolutely amazing how quickly we can talk to each other. I'm glad that you all had a break from the physical and spiritual tempests of the world. I'm looking forward to the General Conference talks and yes Paige, night boarding is amazing. It will be on the top of our to do list when the separated twins become a dynamic duo again. And I'm so jealous...not of the frosted cookies, although I must say it almost lead me to covet, but that I am missing out on the four babies being put together. It must be like Rugrats at Carly's home.
Love ya
Curtis
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