Elder Austin Rich : 2017-11-12

Nyob Zoo

This week we spent some time preparing for the turkey bowl coming up next week. On Saturday morning, we played some football with all the young men. It was 9:00 in the morning so it was really cold. It was fun though to play football again and get to know the young men a little better. This week we also went to a member’s house and they were watching football on the TV. And it was HARD to not watch the football game.

This week is Elder Lewis’s last full week. One of the members threw a going away party for him at their home. There were a ton of members who came, and it was really cool to see all the members who came to show their appreciation for all he did to help the ward and the Hmong members while he served in Madison. He served in this area almost a year, so he was here a long time.

We also went to help home teach a Hmong family whose name is Txoov Xob. We went because we needed to help translate for them. While I was translating, it was really cool because I realized how much I know and how much I was able to do. It was REALLY cool for me. I also realized how much I don’t know and need to still study and continue to improve. After we were done, the guy I was translating for said something really neat to me. Elder Lewis had to translate, but he said, “God called you to be a Hmong missionary because he knew if you were an English speaking missionary, it would be too easy for you. God knew that being a Hmong missionary would be hard for you, but through patience and diligence, you’ll be able to learn it.” And then he complimented me and encouraged me to continue to work hard and be diligent with my studies because if I do this, one day I will be really good. I thought it was really cool to hear him say this, even though he said it in Hmong, and Elder Lewis had to translate, it was really neat for me.

With Thanksgiving coming up, one thing I have been focusing on this week is Gratitude! One thing I have been doing, and a lot of times we all do this, and that is to focus on the negative things. It is really easy to look at the things that are hard, look at the things that are not going our way, and we take for granted all the things we have and the things that are going our way. This week I tried really hard to be more positive and more grateful for what I have. So…

I am super grateful for my companions. I am really sad to see Elder Lewis leaving. He has been a really good example to me and Elder Vang because he always pushes us and he puts us in those awkward situations to help us grow - even though we are not comfortable in those uncomfortable situations, it helps us to grow. He is always pushing us to help us become better. I’ve become really good friends with Elder Lewis in the last month.

I am grateful for Elder Vang too. He has been an awesome companion. Knowing him for 2 months in the MTC and 1 month in the field, we have become really good friends. I am grateful for him pushing me too and helping me to improve and be a better missionary.

I am also really grateful for the Book of Mormon and for the opportunity I have to read it every day. One thing I thought would be cool is to have a little challenge with everyone who reads this email from now until Thanksgiving. So the challenge is to read the Book of Mormon every single day until Thanksgiving. It’s a pretty easy challenge, but one that a lot of people don’t do. But I promise if you all do so, it will help you in your life. It will help you to be more happy, make things feel more peaceful, and will help with answers you may need. The Book of Mormon really does relate to our lives and it really can help us. I’ve seen that in the last few months as I’ve studied it more diligently. And you will all receive blessings from our Heavenly Father for doing it. I hope you will all join me in this challenge.

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Tshwj Xeeb