Handwritten Letter

9.1.2014

Dear Family,
Well, the internet is down again today so I figured I better write a letter.  How are you doing?  I'm not sure exactly what's going on with you guys since I couldn't check email, but I am sure all is well.  It's amazing how the Spirit calms all worries while I am doing my best to do missionary work!

So, this last week was awesome.  Despite 3 baptisms falling through, we saw a lot of miracles.  We pushed really hard this week to find new investigators as well as teach as much as we could.  We ended the week with 42 lessons, 36 member presents.  Which is way above average.  But when I look at the number, I don't think of just getting high numbers, I think of how blessed Elder Garae and I were with the Spirit to be led to all these people ready to hear about the Gospel.

We have quite a few progressing investigators -- we have over 10 baptisms planned for September.  We put our goal at 6 and we really want to do all we can to reach it after falling short last month with only 1.  We have 3 young women very close to baptism -- Anisa, Caroline, and Akapeinna.  Cool story:  Anisa is Rodrick's older sister that lives across the street and we started teaching her and when we gave her a baptismal date, we told her it was the same day as another girl named Caroline.  She asked "Caroline who?" and we told her a girl from the mountain.  She just got quiet then told us that they were 'Promise Sisters' when they were maybe 6 or 7 years old when they went to school together and she hasn't seen her in a couple years!  So the next time we went to FHE w/ Caroline's family, we brought Anisa and they had a sweet reunion.  Hopefully they will be able to be baptized together as well on the 13th.

It's amazing how following the schedule to exactness can bring such blessings.  I was sick of using Chuuk as an excuse to have a bad schedule.  Even though chaos and coming in at 6 or just whatever, Elder Garae and I pushed to try and be the best missionaries we can be in all aspects.  And after our first day giving it our all, we saw the fruits of it because we met quite a few potential investigators, and I just feel happier which makes me more outgoing which makes me more willing to talk to random people and share the Gospel.  I wish I figured it out earlier...I probably missed out on a lot of blessings.  But not anymore, Elder Garae, myself, and the Spirit will be working harder as a team than ever before!

Things are also kind of hectic here in Chuuk Zone...one Elder went to Guam and another chose to return home, making things difficult for some areas.  Hopefully it doesn't affect me here, but we will need quite a few more Elders after this transfer because 3 more Elders finish their missions.  After this transfer, the oldest ones in Chuuk Zone will only be 2 transfers older than me!  Kinda crazy to think about.  If I'm gonna train on my mission, it will be next transfer.  Which would be awesome because that would mean I stay in Neao!

Well, just know I am still doing amazing out here and learning a lot.  I'm growing up.  Thank you mom and dad for raising me, I couldn't have asked for better, loving parents cuz you guys did a good job so thank you for all you've taught me.  I love you guys!

Love, Elder Schroath

P.S. Uwae oui kapwong me tong ngeni meinisin eknewe josih merika seni ennetin netipei!
(a return missionary from Chuuk translated the PS for me:  Give my greetings with all my heart to all the pretty American girls.  ha ha, he's still my silly son!)