My Call To Serve: HEARTBREAK ON PALAU

With one of our investigators Vireeda and her family

The work is going really well. Palau is AWESOME! loving every second. Learning so much about the gospel. No baptisms yet. But this a next week there should be.

Really sad news. There's a part member family that we go and teach a lot. The mum is a member and her son who is 9 is too and the other two kids are under age. The dad isn't a member but he's more active than most members haha. Well we taught them again this week and talked to them a lot about life and they fed us giant clam which was pretty good. Anyway we love them and they hadn't been to church in a while so we made sure they would come this week! And yesterday morning they came to church and I was so happy to see them and that they could hear me sing too in sacrament. I was looking at Dativa (the mum) and thinking how nice it was to see her here and her little girl rubbing her mums arm. And yesterday afternoon as we were about to go in to an appointment, a sister from the branch called us and told us that Dativa had just passed away. I couldn't believe it. So heartbreaking. So we went to the hospital to see that family. And Henio, the Dad was crying and holding his kids. And we went to give him support and he grabbed my hand and looked up at me crying and said, "I'm so glad she got to hear you sing in church. She got to hear your voice." From that point all of us elders were in tears. As they brought her body out and I lead us in "I am a child of god" and Henio said a prayer over her and kissed her on the cheek goodbye. It was Heartbreaking. I didn’t know how much it would effect me. But it did. But I know this church is true and she knew as well. And her last day on earth she chose to come to church. And she was saying to us that all she wants is for all of her family to be baptised. That is going to happen before I leave. I'll make sure of it. So sad for their family.

But yeah it was a good week, other than that. :) I love you mum and thank you so much for everything. I don't what I would do without you! I kinda forgot its my birthday this week haha. In the letter I sent that you should get soon there's a lot of photo's and it talks about how grateful I am for you and Dad! But I really am. I love you guys and my most precious memories are with you and dad and blaze as a family. Nothing can replace those. :) Especially Christmas memories haha.

I got the dear Elder package! THANK YOU! was awesomeeeeee lots of goodies to share haha. And then I got the two boxes on Friday :D SOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'll send you a photo of me with the stuff. So it was like all the food and fans and stuff. Haven't gotten the shoes or anything yet. Maybe today :) we check the mail everyday :) Thank you so much Mum you always spoil me. I'm spoiled but I’m not a brat :P haha.

I seriously was so happy when i got the packages and so grateful for a loving
mother :D I couldn't have asked for a better one :) I Love you mum :D I'll be sending you some stuff for you birthday soon :D I'm so grateful for everything you do for me and that you went through pain to bring my spirit to earth. Oh and by the way our personalities have existed in us since we were just "intelligence" even before we were spirits. and it carries from then til now and after life. :D interesting hey!!

I love you all. Have an awesome week and stay safe and send my love to everyone. I love you!

Elder Striplin Warrior

p.s. Did you know that the God of Abraham and Isaac and pretty all in the Old Testament was Jesus not actually God?