Howdy Doo

Well Well Well, I dont have a lot to say this week. It has been pretty uneventful. Just proselyting and sharing this wonderful gospel! All the good stuff is recorded in my journal. Not too sure how much there is to share with ya'll but I'll try my best.

The Brewerville zone was reduced from 12 to 8 elders this recent transfer because of the influx of missionaries. The closed areas will be re-opened next transfer when we receive a whole ton of new missionaries. Im looking forward to that! Anyways, we are enjoying peace and quiet in our compound now with only a few of us. We're able to eat together and do things together with less of us, rather than trying to accommodate needs of many. Elder Kamara and I are really enjoying the obedience of  all the Elders in our zone, pretty low stress level for us!

We enjoyed a fun service project this week, we cleared a bushy area for a part member family and earned the trust of those in the family who didnt like the church. That was fun. I feel pretty boss-status clearing tall bushes and weeds with only a machete. We hack through that stuff like its jello. Then we sharpen our tools on nearby rocks and are covered in grass and shrubbery. We're pretty intense. I miss my echo trimmer, but Im also enjoying the African way.

Rainy season is in full swing. I sure do love my Gortex shoes. Thanks for sending me with them! I dont even have to wear boots while most elders have to. Too easy.

Our investigator pool seems to be very small, relatively, but also very potent. It seems that nearly all those we are teaching are progressing, even if it is a humble few. It sure is comforting to see your hard efforts lead to success. I wish I could say the same about our poor branch... Our branch presidency was re-organized this sunday, the first counselor was released due to him falling less active, and the first counselor's son became the second counselor. Anyways, nearly half of all the lessons we teach each week are to less actives and recent converts. We're also trying to provide service projects to each of these weak families. Our teaching seems to be less, and maybe our baptisms will be low, but hopefully we will be building the foundation of zion for this poor little branch.

I was impressed this week with the importance of looking outward rather than inward to find true happiness. Sometimes when we find ourselves facing trials, we first try and slow down to accommodate the difficulties, but then too often we can make the mistake of becoming too concerned with ourselves and all that we are going through. I found myself doing this recently, and was reminded and impressed with the importance of becoming as the Savior, who never, not once, acted selfishly. If you ever seem to find yourself unhappy for no apparent reason, take some time to look outward. Not only to provide service, but to try and give of yourself with the intent not to please you, but someone else. I strongly believe when we do this, we will find so much more happiness in our lives. I close with a quote from... someone... i forget. "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through the actions of someone else that he meets our needs."

Love you all, take care this week!

Elder Fairwell