Hello -- April 12, 2010

Hello,

What a week it has been. It has been truly crazy. So to start the week I've gotten a new companion. His name is Elder Leakehe. He is Tongon and from Salt lake. He is an awesome guy and we have really bonded together over the last couple days. This week has been crazy busy and filled with service. The church is building a pavillion outside of the church building. The missionaries were asked to help. So we spent 2 days putting a roof on a pavillion (only 3 hours a day). It's turned out pretty nice. It was funny working there because all working had different degrees of knowledge. The first day we worked there there were to many chiefs and not enough indians. The second day we worked there it was just us. So I got to be a chief. Woot!!!! So, due to a silly census my host family, The Stewarts, were able to get my birthday. They politely put it on the dinner calender that it was my birthday. Now the whole ward knows. So I've had a few birthday cakes and cards and I know I haven't seen the last of them. Other news. I somehow became the choir director. One day a few weeks ago I got pulled into directing a song, because the lady trying to conduct couldn't. She saw me conducting to myself so asked if I would do it. I did the one song and conducted it during sacrament meeting. This week we are starting new songs and they gave them all to me. So after church every sunday I walk into a class of beeming adults waiting to be led. I find it funny. We have had some crazy wheather this week. One day it's 90 degrees the next it is about 60 degrees and raining. I can never figure out if I should take my jacket with me or not. Oh well. Overall it has been a wonderful week. I love my new companion and he has taught me a lot. He has only been out 3 months, but I've learned quite a bit from him. Hope all is well back home.

I love you!!!

Love,
Elder Tingey

Missed post -- Feb. 22, 2010

So this week has been filled with miracles and trials. Sunday was the last week of our transfer. We spent Saturday and Sunday locked in doors because my companion Elder Benyo got a fever. I thought I was going to lose my mind!!!! He slept most the time. So I cleaned the whole apartment. Top to bottom. Another trial, earlier this week we had a in active parent forbid here 13 year old daughter to be baptised. We were devestated as well as the daughter. During ward council sunday our bishop got word of the news and called the mother. The baptism is back on and will be happening wednesday!!!!! This happened while we were locked in an apartment. What this tells me is that God doesn't need us. As missionaries we are out as tools helping the work a long. It is a priviledge, but if we all disappeared God would still get people into this church. Next bit of news is that I'm moving. Tomorrow I'm moving to Simi Valley. A day before our baptism! No!!! I'm excited about the move. I'll be follow up training someone who has only been in the mission 1 transfer (6 weeks) less than me. Sweet!!!!! I'm so excited for the move. Well, I'm off to go pack and get ready for the move. Love you!

Love,
Elder Tingey

Missed posts -- Feb. 15

So it's been an absolutely crazy week!!! We have 4 people with baptismal dates and we have to fight to keep them. They are meeting so much resistance. Everything from their husbands having heartattacks to their mothers getting cold feet at the last minute. It's been crazy. We've done a lot of finding this week due to a smaller teaching pool. The Lord blesses us in our finding activities though. Saturday we had no scheduled appointments and decided to walk all day. After 6 hours of walking and no success we walked by an apartment. A lady came flying out onto her balcony and asked if we would come teach her latter in the week!! Crazy. Our first appointment with her is tommorrow. It's been a fun week though as well. One of the elders in our appartment goes home next week and I might get transferred! We'll have to wait and see though. So we've had a blast and have had some intense lessons. I've learned though that if you rely on the spirit then you don't have to worry about those intense lesson. No matter what we always get the guidance we need. Well, hope all is going well at home. I love you.

Love,
Elder Tingey