Quick note to peeps

I'm not feeling well today so I don't have the energy to write a lot.

I'm doing amazing. This past week was really busy for me. We had zone training on Thursday, went to Port Alfred afterwards for exchanges. It was great though the time out of our area didn't help much. We are having a lot of success right now because of a recent convert telling all his friends about the Church. 6 people in our teaching pool are from him! Great things are coming to pass!

It's been really wet lately. My socks are always wet because of the holes in my shoes. I don't mind though.

Have a great week!

LOVE YOU ALL!

--

theELDERNAYLOR

The best of me.....

Wow has this week been great!

We have been working as hard as we can to keep the work going here. Things are really starting to turn up for us. On thursday we went down to Grahamstown to do exchanges with the elders down there...that was fun. Grahamstown is such a great little city. We were there thursday night, friday, and then drove back saturday. I didn't sleep well those two nights so I was extremely tired Saturday night. When we got back to east london on saturday we didn't even have three seconds to breath, we had to get right back to work in our area. At one point I found myself hiking along a trail of mud to visit this lady that lives way out yonder in our area that has been coming to church on her own lately. My shoes were and still are covered in mud and this was just after I had washed my trousers. And she wasn't home. When we met up with the other Elders later, one looked at my muddy bottom half and said "Elder Naylor, you are sure dying strong aren't you?" I hope to think I am.

Yesterday At Church was a powerful day. We had a total of 12 investigators at Church! It was wonderful. most of these people that came are mainly because of Baxolele. He is really on fire! He has such a great desire to share this message with people and you can truly see how the gospel is changing his life. During our lesson yesterday with him, he was telling us about his coworker that he has been talking to about the Church and how she is getting interested and I was smiling ear from ear as I listened to the ways he has been going about teaching her. LOVELY!

Days are quick, I'm happy and enjoying things right now. Hope everyone has a great week!

LOVE YOU ALL!!

PS the picture is of me in front of the Church of Chris. Whose church is it? Chris's. haha. 3 Nephi 27:8

--

theELDERNAYLOR

Happiness is a Blessing

The Subject to this email comes from a recent convert here, Baxolele. He was talking to us the other day about how now that he is a member, he is trying to notice the blessings from living the standards that he has been taught. He said that he expected blessings to come in material things at first but just the other day he did something that just brought him pure happiness. He took that as a blessing from Heavenly Father. It made me really think....what blessings do I miss out on because I'm looking for the wrong things? In the past two years I have gained nothing on the terms of material things or money, I haven't moved up in class, nor in status. My entire life is on hold right now as I do this service. In fact, my family has sacrificed more for me to be out here than they probably have received. So what have I been blessed with? These past two years have brought me a greater sense of who I am, who my Heavenly Father is, and the role that the Savior Jesus Christ plays in my life. I have been blessed with hardships, really bad days, and moments where I thought I was nothing. I have been blessed to learn what it means to have humility. To have patience. To realize that when you are running the best you can through life and you trip and fall that the only thing to do is to brush yourself off and keep going. I have been blessed to understand the importance of the family, the role that Heavenly Father designed it for and truly what the words "I love you" really mean. I have been blessed with a greater understanding of the Gospel and the Scriptures. I have been blessed to see people change their entire lives just to be a part of this Gospel. I have seen that in my own life, I have yet to really sacrifice anything. I have been blessed with an understanding that I don't have much to complain about in life. I have been given so much. Heavenly Father loves me so much. I have enjoyed the time I have spent in the Gospel these past few years and I hope that many years will still be ahead, full of ups and downs. Blessings shouldn't be looked at things that make life easier but make life more meaningful and worth it.

As for this past week, things didn't go quite as Elder Giles and I had planned. We had full days Tuesday and Wednesday but on Tuesday our car was getting serviced and was in the shop most the day which hurt our appointments, Wednesday everything just seemed to fall through. Thankfully Thursday was an incredible day. We went on splits with the ward and managed to get a lot of work done. Powerful day. We managed to get six people at Church again and this coming week seems to be shaping up to be a great week. We are heading to Grahamstown this Thursday for exchanges which I'm excited for because I love working with the Elders of my zone. 

I hope that everyone had an amazing week and that this coming week will be better.

I love you all! 

--

theELDERNAYLOR

Miracles!

I don't have much to say this week but one thing: the hand of the Lord is in this work.

Lately we have been struggling a bit to get people to teach and things just hasn't been working how we wanted them to. So we have been praying a whole lot more than we usually do, taking the matter to the Lord and he has been listening. Yesterday we had 6 people come to church, a high for us.  Most of them were brought by Baxolele and tow others just came on their own. They all loved church and they all have some real promise. We made appointments with them all and by the time that the day ended yesterday, our whole week is pretty much booked. We are going to be very busy. I can't wait. We don't know how it happened, it just did. Truly the Lord is helping us as we have humbled ourselves and really involved him in the work. Can't wait to see what happens.

We were able to do some service at an old age home on tuesday and we had loads of fun. Most of the old people we worked with aren't mentally there anymore but you can see that it makes them happy when we are there. We snag them hymns and even danced for them and with them. It was the best service I have done on mission. Service isn't just cutting lawns! 

Sorry this is short, but know that I'm happy and things are doing well. 

Things are going to be awesome.

Peace Out. 

--

theELDERNAYLOR

Transfer 17

Today is the first day of my 17th transfer which is really crazy to think about. Time has gone by so fast and I can't believe that I will be done so soon. i'm not ready to finish and  i definitely don't want to!
This week has been a crazy one! Elder Giles and I have hardly been just us two these last couple weeks with having exchanges and the APs staying with us. We had leadership training on thursday and it was such a great spiritual boost! I love learning things and discussing the Gospel! Thursday night right after the training we drove down to Port Alfred to interview a family for baptism. I love interviewing people and hear these new converts bear testimonies! Right after the interviews we drove straight onto Grahamstown in which we had exchanges with the Elders there. I went with Elder Balmforth for the day, my old comp, it was great! I love that little city, such a historical place! We came back Saturday morning but stopped by port Alfred again to drop some things off to the elders there and we had breakfast on the river front....it was awesome!

I love working with other missionaries..I learn so much from them. Being a Zone Leader is such a great experience.  It keeps me very busy but the rewards are so great.

Sorry this is short but that is my update for the week!

See you guys soon!

--

theELDERNAYLOR

I got the news today, but it wasn't news to me!

Hello everyone, sorry for not writing an update last week...things have been a little wack but I'm all good and things are fine.

This week has been a great week for me for the most part, I've really seen the hand of the Lord in my work and that sure does make me happy.  On Friday we had Zone conference and it turned out really well. It was a combined conference with three zones: Queenstown, East London, and Mdantsane. I didn't have much part of it but I did do some things. I gave a talk about how 'it's all the same work' whether you are working with Less actives, recent converts, or investigators...all of them are heavenly father's children and he loves them and wants them to have the best. Elder Giles and I gave a report of the East London zone and blew people away. We used the Pokemon theme song and changed the lyrics to fit more of what was going on in the zone....we sang our little hearts out and had people pretty much on the floor laughing. it was awesome....I enjoyed it a lot.  During zone conference, the mthatha elders gave me a letter from Grace that basically changed my entire mood for the week. It was the best letter I have ever received from anyone while on mission. She thanked me for talking to her that day back in December and helping her out so much. She told me how she ahs finished the Book of Mormon and that she even gave a talk at Church a few weeks ago. She quoted a scripture in the Book of mormon that is officially my favorite now: Ether 12:4. It's a beautiful verse and I was surprised to not see it marked in my scriptures! The letter really made me realize that I am engaged in the work of the Lord and that he leads me to those who are ready to hear the gospel. 

In other days, Elder Giles and I had a first lesson with a family named the Browns, a wonderful young father led family. They had made us dinner and everything when we came and we had a lovely discussion about families and the role of the gospel in the family unit. I really pray that they will progress and accept this gospel, it will change their lives.

Oh...winter is officially here...boy has it been cold these past few days. Luckily our flat stays warm and we have yet to turn on a heater. I have no idea what I am going to do when I come back to utah and have to deal with a real winter haha.

This coming week for me is going to be probably the busiest weeks I've seen in a long time. We are fully booked from now till wednesday and then on thursday we have a training in the morning and then we are driving to Port Alfred(2 hrs away) right after that to do some interviews and THEN we are driving to Grahamstown for exchanges before we will get back on saturday. WHEW. Our week is pretty much gone! But I sure do love it because it keeps my mind focused on the things that are important.

I LOVE THIS GOSPEL. Why? Because it never changes...it will always be the same. When the world throws you curveballs and hits you hard...when life just doesn't go the way you wanted...you can always rely on God and His works. I love him. I love this Church and I love all of his children. I'm so happy to be serving them!

Have a great week everyone!

--

theELDERNAYLOR

Hello.

I don't have much to really say. It has only been four days since my last update.

Elder Giles and I are really trying our hardest to work with less actives and strengthen the ward that way.  It has been kind of hard because these less actives are hard to get a hold of, but we won't give up! On Friday we went to an awesome district meeting about keeping our recent converts active in the gospel, the district leader did an awesome job. That is one of my favorite things about being a Zone leader, is going to all the different districts and working with the elders. It's an awesome calling.

Baxolele is just doing awesome, this guy is going to really help the church here. We went to teach him about the priesthood on thursday but when we asked him about it he had already read everything about it and pretty much taught us!!!! It was grand!

Things are well. This Church is true. I sure love this work. I wish my mind could stay focused and I could type all of my adventures to you...good thing that I keep a journal!!!! I see great miracles and things that are beyond my comprehension.

I love you!!

 

--

theELDERNAYLOR

T-H-U-R-S-D-A-Y

Bet cha all thought that I wasn't going to email this week eh?

Well I get to email today because on monday I was in CAPE TOWN. Yep that's right, I got to go to the Mother City.

My second home.

We flew out Sunday night because it was Zone Leader Council this week. All the Zone Leaders from all over the mission came down for an epic three days. A lot of my transfer are zone leaders so it was a great reunion of some great people. We got in late on Sunday and stayed the night with some Cape Town Zone Leaders then Monday morning we all met at the office for the activity. It was great walking back in the office, everyone was happy to see me and I was glad to see them too! As soon as I walked in I actually got asked to help with some things and ended taking care of a few things that I knew....it felt great.  The Pday activity was a hike with President and Sister Wood on a trail called Steambird...it was a nice hike, we stopped halfway and president gave us a little devotional and inspirational thoughts. After the hike we went back to the office for lunch and then we split up into two groups....one played sports and the other went downtown.....bet ya can't guess what group I was a part of? In fact I was the one driving the van to downtown....no way was I going to play sport unless it had four wheels haha. The next day was full of instruction and discussion.  We went over the vision of the mission and what we need to work on and leadership instruction from President. We started at nine and ended at nine...it was a long, but amazing, spiritual day. I loved every second of it! Elder Simpson (a zone Leader) and Elder Pearson (current office elder) were both there and it was great to catch up with them. Oh and by the way, I ate so much food I can't even think straight.....it was an incredible three days.  We got back yesterday afternoon and right from the airport went to work with appointments...we both were very tired last night but it was worth it all!

As for other things, Baxolele was baptized! It was a great service and he was very much ready. He had asked me to baptize him and it was a great spiritual experience to use the Priesthood of God that He has entrusted me with. Baxolele is going to make an amazing member. One of his first things he said to me after Church on sunday is "when you see me again, I need to know about the priesthood." Powerful young man. I LOVE MISSION!!!!

Alright, well that is my update for the week. Things are going well. Elder Giles and I are getting along well together and I think that this leg of my mission will be one of my most memorable ones.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

--

theELDERNAYLOR

Good morning son, I am a bird in a brown polyester shirt

Want some fries?

Maybe a coke?

The roast beef combo is only 9.95.

Hello everybody!

I don't have much to say this week due to me calling home last night. That was great bytheway, so great to hear from every one and how they are doing!!!

The only thing that I have to report on this week is that Boxolele is going to be baptized this saturday and I am so excited! He is way powerful and he truly has had a great conversion. He said how he felt the spirit while reading the Book of Mormon the other day...he then tapped the book and said "ah...that book" as he smiled. OH how I love to see people progress!

Another great thing that happened this week was last night. The BYU Young Ambassadors stopped through East London for a fireside and it was so powerful! They are amazing singers and gave some great talks! 

Sorr yfor the short updates everyone! 

Have a great week!

--

theELDERNAYLOR

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?

Transfer time!

This week Elder Davenport goes back to the woods of Idaho and I'm left here to continue the work of the Lord. I'm kinda nervous about these next couple transfers...it's my last sprint but I'm sure that I'll do well. This wednesday I get a new companion...his name is Elder Giles. I've only met him like once at the beginning of my mission so I don't know too much about him. I don't think there will be any problems though. I know that he has also served in Mthatha. Hmm, my last companion probably. Mind Blown.

As for the work this side, we are keeping pretty busy. Things are going really well and I'm enjoying this area a lot. We had a great visit with a lady named Zoe this last saturday. Her cousin is a less active member and Zoe hasn't been part of a church for years.  She really enjoys our visits and we finally committed her to come to Church and she did! She brought her little ones and they all loved it! I have some high hopes for this lady. We are also teaching her sister but she isn't as interested though her young boy came to church all by himself on sunday...surprised us both! Hopefully he'll give good reports to his mom and we can get her to start coming!  IN other news, Baxolele is going a long great. He soaks up everything we share and is so excited to be baptized. The only problem is he has to work a lot on sundays and that might hinder him but besides that, he's the strongest investigator that I've seen!

Oh and guess what is happening? A movie by the name of The Avengers came out and it seems that everyone is talking about it. KILLS ME. I literally plug my ears everytime it is brought up. It will not be spoiled for me! 

I love this work, it's just so great to be a missionary.  It's all true and I know that God lives. 

Keep on keepin' on people.

 

--

theELDERNAYLOR

Two birds on a wire. . . . .

Hello all.

I don't have much to report with this past week. Things have been just going well.

The highlight of the week would have to be Baxolele. He is just progressing so quickly. We taught him the Word of Wisdom this past week and he said that he didn't have a single problem with anything...it's rare to find a nonmember here that doesn't smoke or drink. AND he said that a few months ago he got this weird feeling that he needed to quite drinking coffee. This guy is just the definition of awesome. He's pretty exited to be getting baptized and so are we! 

In other news, Elder Davenport and I took a road trip out to a small town called Grahamstown. Lovely little place, I was almost jealous that I never got to serve there.  We went there for exchanges and had a great time with the Elders out there. Every thursday, they have a bible study class at the local university, Rhodes University and we were able to attend that and it was a great way to do finding. It was strange though to go to a bible study class on a university...you wouldn't see that much in the states.  I grabbed some cool photos but sadly I don't have my card reader to attach them. Another time.

In other other news, I am well. This coming week is pretty much booked. We are really busy. We are going out to Port Alfred on Thursday for an exchange, another place I'm excited to see. 

I hope that everyone is well. I am grateful for those that email me each week, it's great to hear from you even though I don't respond much via letter or whatever means you expect a response. Please keep the emails coming! and send a letter or two!!!!

Have a great week!

--

theELDERNAYLOR

NOTICE: This email message is for the s

 FOUR, THREE, TWO!

Last week it was Elder Parry, Elder Davenport, Elder Brereton, and I.

Elder Parry is home.

This week it was Elder Davenport, Elder Brereton, and I.

Elder Brereton is getting transferred to Cape Town tomorrow.

Now it's just going to be Elder Davenport and I.

Then he goes home beginning of may...so much change!

Things have been pretty good though this past week. Baxolele is now up at the top of the list as most powerful investigators of all time. he came to Church on Sunday and loved it...he was even answering questions in Elders quorum.  He's just a very chill, smart young man and I'm really grateful to be working with him.  

We have also been working with this other young kid named Tabo....his cousin was baptized in the beginning of the year and he wanted nothing to do with it but now he is coming to youth every week and even is coming to Church! Hopefully he'll keep going in his progression.

I had a cultural experience on Saturday. We went to a funeral of a member's father and it was a typical Xhosa funeral.  Lots of singing and at one point people even started to clap and stomp their feet...one guy even stood up and slapped his book.  Every time someone would get up to speak, they would all sing and when the person who was speaking would cry, they would also start to sing. I didn't know what to do...I didn't understand most of what they were saying (all in Xhosa) and I was probably the whitest kid in the room. It was a cool experience nonetheless, something I will always remember.

I hope that everyone has a great week! Send me some updates via paper or email! Come one come all!

--

theELDERNAYLOR

 And after almost two years...........

Hello one and all!

Well this week has been quite the busy one on my side. Doesn't seem like I get much time to just sit and think anymore, but that is fine with me!  This weekend just previous was a wonderful one for me...I got to watch general conference! Oh how I love conference, I always seem to get the direction I need.  My favorite talk was probably from L. Tom Perry's or Jeffery R. Holland's, but they were all great so it is hard to pinpoint which one was my favorite.

On saturday night I had an amazing experience with one of our investigators Baxolele (if you pronounce that right then I'll give you a candy bar).  We had planned on going to see him and his sister and teach his sister about the restoration but upon arriving there we find that it is only Baxolele around. So Elder Parry and I are jumbling in our minds of what we should teach when Baxolele says something along the lines of this: So I understand that the Church was restored to the earth and such, but I've been wondering lately what is my purpose in life. Woah. For those of you who know your PMG, lesson 2 is the plan of salvation which covers the question "why I am here on Earth?" He was going right with the show and it surprised both of us.  So we teach him about where he came from and why he is here, he loved every minute of it. right when we were about to close the lesson, he asks another question "so when I die, my body goes to the ground but where does my spirit go?" BOOM.....this guys is like reading right from PMG and not even knowing it. This may seem to some as not as cool, but I found it amazing and was pretty much knocked off my feet. This guy is powerful! It was an amazing experience for me.

Other than that, things have been pretty normal. Elder Parry heads back to Whales on Wednesday. I'm really going to miss him. He's been probably my favorite companion on mission. We get along so well it's almost scary.  Our thoughts are too alike. Strange how two people from two different parts of the world can befriend each other in the way we have. Cool beans, it's been great serving with him. 

Well, things are great this side. This Church is true and living. I'm grateful to be a part of it and doing this work. I have been reading the scriptures more often than I usually do this past week and it has really given me quite the spiritual boost compared to most weeks. I love the scriptures!

Have an amazing week everyone!

--

theELDERNAYLOR

I was a Duke this Halloween, this year gonna be James Dean.......just wish I knew who I was in between!

DASHBOARD!

That's a word that a recent convert says in our area and Elder Parry and I have now incorporated it into our language. We laugh every time she says it. I think I have laughed more in the past week than I have in quite some time. Things are going really well this side. I am enjoying mission. The only downside is that Elder Parry is going home in almost a week and I'm not ready for such things, but I will survive. I WILL SURVIVE...Oh no no no. Just walk out the door.

Alrighty. This week has been a busy and great week.  We have a pretty good teaching pool here and we are moving the work along at an incredible speed.  In the past four months, this ward has had about 6 baptisms and more on the way...it's awesome.  The ward relationship with the missionaries is the best I've seen my entire mission. They really help us out and keep the work going.  I've only been here just under town weeks and I feel pretty comfortable with the members.  Our ward mission leader is just top notch. He has been in the Church for about four years and he takes his calling really serious...he gets things done.  Awesome possum.

We had a baptism here on Saturday...it was really wonderful. It was a mother and daughter, the daughter is in her 20s and the mom is a mom's age.  They have been investigating the Church since about January and just love everything about the Church. At the baptismal service, they bore powerful testimonies. It is so incredible to see people have the Gospel touch them in those ways.  Makes me so grateful for the testimony that I have and helps me to keep it nurtured.  Yesterday when we went over to the house to visit them, Afikile, the daughter told us that she "met Mr. Holy Ghost." and that "He's so wonderful! It was like a movie when I was confirmed...He came and was like 'Hey, I'm the Holy Ghost, nice to meet you.' and I was like 'It's nice to meet you too!'" She's awesome.  It is alos amazing to hear recent members talk about the change they feel from when they didn't have the gift of the holy ghost to when they receive it.  I would suggest that all you reading this, if you have the Gift of the Holy Ghost, do your best to keep Him Around. Read 3 Nephi 18 and 2 Nephi 32 to see how you can keep him close to you.  I love the Spirit! And if you haven't receive the gift of the Holy Ghost....read 2 Nephi 31 to figure out what you need to do to get this wonderful gift!

Missionary work is so great! It's the only time I think that I will be able to truly be in the world but not of it.  You are constantly thinking about the Gospel and how to improve your life in order to help others come closer to Christ.  

Well, I think that this is sufficient for this week. hope that everyone has a great week. You are in my prayers.

Love ya all! 

--

theELDERNAYLOR

London - East London SA

I always had a desire to serve in the great city of London.

But instead I'm in East London. In South Africa and I'm just fine with that!!!!

I am no longer in Mthatha, I had to say good bye to that wonderful little place on Wednesday and I headed down to East London.

I am very close to my old area, East London 3rd....I am now in East London 2nd ward.  The crazy part is that I am actually living in my old area at the boarding that I slept in for the first couple weeks of my mission!  It's cool to be back at that boarding, with the monkeys and all.  

My companion is Elder Parry. Yes, that same Elder Parry that I served with in Mowbray....we are companions again! Yay! We really enjoyed our time together the first time and it is strange that I am serving with him again because this is the second companion I have served with twice (the other being Elder Davenport, which bytheway, is in my district here.) I'll only be with Elder Parry for about three weeks because he has to go home early due to his visa running out, so halfway through this transfer I'll get another new companion.....probably my last. We'll see though.

Things are great here...I'm back by the ocean, back by some great missionaries and I'm in a great ward with lots and lots of work! Things are really great. Oh...and I'm a Zone Leader. Coooooollllll BEANage. 

Leaving Mthatha was strange....I really liked that area but I was ready to go back to a city where there was lots of missionaries. Mthatha was a great area where I had some good success (one being Grace!). I'm excited to be out here in East London though....though it will be tough learning the area before Elder Parry leaves me in a couple of weeks.  

Thanks for all the support you guys give me.

I love you all!

--

theELDERNAYLOR

Go FIND em!

Well everybody....

This week will be short due to the fact that I don't have much to report on.  This week has been yet another week but nonetheless it was absolutely amazing! 

We have been doing a lot of finding lately because we desperately need some new people to teach.  I usually don't like going out and knocking doors but we absolutely had to this week.  Once I was out on the pavement, all was well and I actually really enjoyed all the people the we talked to even though the immediate success wasn't that great.  We'll see what happens in the future.

As for other things: Grace is now a member! She was confirmed a member yesterday! She is so great and it will be really sad to have to say goodbye to her, who knows when I will see her again in my life!

Things are just great here. I'm loving mission! I have really learned the power of prayer in the last six weeks and it has really helped me to turn to my Father in heaven and council with him on all things. Much strength has been given to me!

Well peeps, this week is transfers. Some change is in the air I feel....(Actually I know, but I'm not supposed to say until tomorrow. I'll fill you in next week!)

Once again, sorry this is short, but know that i love you all!!!

 

-- 

theELDERNAYLOR

Amazing Grace!

Hello everyone!

Boy has this week been great! The one thing that was amazing of course was the baptism of Grace yesterday!  It was really amazing to see someone go from a street contact all the way to the water.  She was very prepared by the Lord to receive this message and I'm so glad that I was able to be a part of it! Oh, and she even asked me to baptize her.  She is such a wonderful lady, very powerful testimony. IN the time that we gave her the Book of Mormon in December, she is already through Mosiah and it's incredible to see her understanding and progression. (I could see a potential Relief Society President here...but that's up to the Lord)
Another great thing was that the other guys in my district had a baptism as well....it was someone that I had street contacted while on exchanges last transfer. She was also very prepared. OH what a great week!

On other news, I'm doing pretty well.  Don't have room for much complaining really.  The work is moving along, though it has it's hard times and I'm feeling that I'm doing what I need to do right now.  It is a great part of my mission!

Another thing that happened this week was that we had Zone Conference in Queenstown on Thursday.  We left wednesday afternoon and stayed the night. It was a great conference full of some spiritual boosters! I sure love any conference in this Church!

Well, that was my week. I'm doing really well. Transfers is next wednesday and I have no idea what will happen....I have given up trying to guess. You just can't guess revelation from the Lord to the mission president.  I don't really care what happens because I know that no matter what, it is the Lord's decision.

Have a wonderful week!

OH. And to those that send me letters, cards, and whatnots...I'm sorry I never respond. I have a serious issue of laziness when it comes to writing letters.  I'm sorry, but i'm thankful that you do think of me.

all the best,

-- 

theELDERNAYLOR

Miracles do Happen

Hello everyone!

 

Miracles do happen...I witnessed one yesterday. So we have our investigator Grace. I tracted into her about the first week that I arrived here in Mthatha and have been teaching ever since (except for most of February when she went to Zimbabwe). She is great and was really prepared by the Lord to receive the gospel. Each lesson with her is powerful and she always has great insights. The only downside is that she couldn't get baptized until her husband gave his consent.  I have fasted and prayed for Grace so much that she would be able to be baptized soon.  She is ready.  Saturday night, I prayed my heart out that her husband would have a softened heart and allow her to continue. 

 

Well a Miracle happened.

 

Grace called me shortly after Church yesterday, I was still at the Chapel. She was so happy over the phone as she said that her husband called and they talked about it a bit more and he said that if she feels that this is the right thing to do, he won't stand in the way. WOAH! I wanted to jump up and down because of my excitement! Oh it was incredible. It made my week.....my YEAR. I was happy for the rest of the day, nothing could get me down (even the fact all of our appointments fell through). Grace is getting baptized. Finally. I'm not sure if it will be this coming Sunday or the following one, but all I know is that it is happening.  Heavenly Father's hand is fully engaged in this work. And I'm just grateful to be the messenger.

 

So my family and friends, that was the highlight of my week. Great things are happening here in Mthatha and I'm glad to be a part of them! Have a great week!

 

I love you all! Stay strong! Read your scriptures all the time!

 

 

theELDERNAYLOR

Fireside!!!!

Hello everybody!

This week has been really great for me,some great things are going to be happening her in Mthatha in the coming months and I'm glad that I get to be a part of starting it all.  We have some great people that will hopefully bring some great strength to the branch and help it to grow.

Saturday we had a missionary fireside to help the members get excited about doing missionary work.  When it was to start, there wasn't that many people there and I was getting worried that all the work we did was for nothing, but by the time that we started, we actually had a bigger turnout than I thought.  The fireside went really well. We focused on the message of the restoration and what it means for everyone on the Earth and how it can bless anyone's life.  We then split up into groups where we all practiced talking to our friends about certain things whether it be about The Book of Mormon or having prophets on the earth today. It was really cool and we hope to have many more in the coming months.

Another great story that happened was with some new investigators we found. They are a young couple from Ghana and they saw a program about the Church on TV a few months ago but through trial and error, haven't been able to see us till now. They are really great, the husband asks some great questions and you can tell that they are really ready to receive the Gospel. The only downside is that they can only meet with us once a week. Oh well, slow and surely they'll come around.

Those are the highlights of my week! I sure love this work and all the blessings that it is giving me!

I know that it is all true!

I love you all and I hope that you have a wonderful week!


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theELDERNAYLOR

All My Life....

Hello to another week.

Hope that everyone had a good previous week, mine was pretty good, not much room for complaining!

Things this side have been going, we have been keeping busy and having some good people to teach! 

Something that always gets me on mission is when you meet with someone that you think isn't that interested but it ends up being a great lesson!

Take our lesson with a man on tuesday.  He belongs to the Seventh day Adventist Church and usually when you meet people from there, all they want to do is bash about doctrine and it's hard to keep focus in a lesson. This man was different, he listened really well and asked a lot of great questions and in the end of the lesson he told us that if he figures out that this is what God wants him to do, then he'll do it.  He says that he needs to seek more about our message and really figure out if it is true.  What a wonderful response!  I walked out of that lesson really happy.

Do we all have our testimonies in the place that we want them? 

I have been doing this whole missionary thing for the past 19 months and every once in a while I have to step back and think about what all this means to me.  24 months is a long time to be doing something, a long time to be preaching a message to people you have never met before and probably will never see again...that is why I have to always make sure that I am doing this for the right reason. 

I sure know that this is the True Church of Jesus Christ and that is was established on the foundation of Apostles and Prophets. I know that God loves His Children so much that he gives us the things that we need to gain eternal life. That is why he called a prophet in these days. I know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God and that Thomas S. Monson is His Prophet today and that He speaks through him to bless all of his Children.

Much blessings come from giving heed to the Prophets message.

So know that I know without a doubt that everything I do is of God and that this is His Church.

If you haven't figured this out then I would invite you to do so.

Read the Book of Mormon, pray, and Ponder.

The Holy Ghost will tell you this is all true.

I know so because I did so.

I love you all, have a great week!

--

theELDERNAYLOR

Stayed In Mthatha

Well, for all of you to know, I stayed in Mthatha for one more transfer.  My companion is still Elder Mukongoro.  Everything is mostly the same minus the fact that Elder Simpson isn't here. Instead we now have an Elder by the name of Elder Schneider from Germany. This is going to be an interesting transfer.

This past week has been pretty hectic.  WE had to drive to East London on Wednesday to get Elder Schneider, such a long drive!  We stopped at a restaurant on our way back and I got myself a birthday dinner. Yum.  Can't wait though for my next birthday dinner! Better be amazing!

The one great thing that happened this week was that we got a phone call friday night from someone that I thought I would never see again....Grace. Our investigator that left for Zimbabwe last transfer. She is back now and all ready to go, I am so excited to be teaching her again!!!!!

Sorry that this is short...I just feel at a lost of words this week. Mission is going by pretty well and I'm learning a lot, with the Challenges teaching me the most.

I know this work is true and that I'm doing this for the Lord only.

Have a great week!!! 

-- 

theELDERNAYLOR

Hey everybody!

had a baptism this week! It was wonderful and I'm so grateful that I was able to help Sihle become a member of Christ's Church and God's Kingdom!!!!

I don't have much to say this week but know that I am thankful for all that everyone does for me and the support that you give me!

Transfers is this week...on my birthday. We will get transfer news tonight and I'm not sure what is going to happen. I may stay or I may go...who knows. I'm fine with whatever happens!

What else? I had an exchange with Elder Simpson this week and we had a very powerful day! We met someone that had a lot of questions about the Church and the Book of Mormon and we used the Book of Mormon to show her how much Christ means to us...it was so great!!!! Then we had a lesson with this new investigator and she had some questions about repentance and yet again it seemed like Elder Simpson and I were being led right to the scriptures in the Book of Mormon to help her! I love the Book of Mormon, I just finished reading it for the fourth time this morning...love every word! I'm trying to read through the New Testament as well...oh boy, scriptures are just amazing!

Well...I hope that everyone has a great week! 

Sorry this is so short! 

--

theELDERNAYLOR

moses served in the wilderness for 40 years... this is nothin'


Well everyone, this week has been interesting.

Things didn't go quite as planned, we had a lot of dropped appointments and a lot of hunting and finding.  It has been a long week but I'm glad that I lived it because I'm stronger because of all those things!

The highlight of the week was the lessons with Sihle. She will be baptized next week saturday and then confirmed on Sunday.  She has a real, strong desire even though she struggles with english.  As she grows and learns more in the church, she will become a very powerful member.  Yesterday we read with her in 1 nephi 8 and we used objects around us to recreate Lehi's vision. A weed was the tree of life, the dirt was the field, a stick was the iron rod...so forth. It was a great lesson. I like teaching outside!

Elder Mukongoro and I are doing well together despite our cultural differences and barriers.  He is a very powerful missionary and I'm grateful to be serving with him!

Transfers is next week. I am completely dumbfounded on what is going to happen.  Have not a clue of whether I will be staying or I'll be going, whatever it is, it is with the Lord. 

Sorry this is short but I have to go!!! LOVE YOU!!!!!!

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theELDERNAYLOR

January over and out!!

Already? wow, time is really going by fast!

I'm low on time today so I'll keep it short and sweet.

The highlight of the week was on Friday. The zone leaders had come out for exchanges and while out here, they interviewed one of my investigators for baptism, Sihle.  AND SHE PASSED!  Oh how glorious it is! She'll be getting baptized on the 11th of February, a perfect birthday present for me!!!!! That was the best part of the week I'd say.

I've been studying the New Testament a lot lately, and this morning I was reading in Acts...I love how you can see the way that the government of God's Kingdom was established in the Primitive days and how the Church today perfectly echos that. I am so grateful to have the scriptures and the knowledge I do have! I am also grateful for the chance to study each day! If you don't make time to read the scriptures, then make sure that you do.

Well, I know that this work is true and that this is the work of God. I am so grateful to be out in this part of the Lord's vineyard and doing His work. How Glorious it is!!!

I LOVE IT!!!

Have a fantastic week! ! ! ! We are entering the greatest month of the year soon, make sure you remember the great people born in February. (Chris Farley, me, Chelsea, Steve Jobs, and others....it's a great month)

LOVE YOU!!



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theELDERNAYLOR

Hot, hot, Hot!!!

Boy has it been hot lately! I can't believe it But we did have some over cast yesterday and that seemed to calm things down a bit. Oh South Africa weather!!

This week has been a really great week for me with a lot of success.  Elder Mukongoro and I decided last week that we need more people to be coming to Church, so we set that as our goal.  Guess how many people came yesterday? We had a total of seven people that we are teaching come! It was amazing! It felt really good to see a goal of ours actually come true! It was a great way to end the week.  Also, we now have three people with baptismal dates with another probably coming this week. We have a baptism scheduled for the 11th of February and then the rest will be in March. A ton of success for this little branch out here in Mthatha! I am just loving it!

The only downside to the week was with our investigator Grace.  She is heading back today and it makes me sad that I won't be able to see her get baptized.  Hopefully she lets me know when she actually makes the covenant! She was probably one of the most powerful, well prepared people I have ever met on my mission (besides Corneille....he was too prepared!)  

I am really busy and grateful for it, I am grateful that I'm out here doing this work. I feel that I am becoming the missionary that I wanted to be my whole mission.  I only wish this would have kicked in earlier on. Oh well, I have six months to work off this fire within me!

Sorry if this seems short, but that is what happened this week! I loved it and feel that this week will be even better! Keep awesome people!


Love you all!!!   

-- 

theELDERNAYLOR

 I HAD EGGS FOR BREAKFAST

 That's right, I ate boiled eggs for breakfast...about three of them. I had boiled 11 eggs, don't know why but when I got to the third egg, I was done. Too much for me. maybe I'll make a sandwich for lunch today. Why am I saying this, I don't know.

This week has been a week full of ups and downs. the ups included friday, a day that we were supposed to not have any appointments but somehow...at the end of the day, I realized that we had stayed busy the whole day. It was incredible. We did a lot of tracting but it was a great day.

Saturday was a day that was a downer. we were to be busy the whole day with seeing people but low and behold, only one of our appointments held.  It was with Grace, another powerful lesson with her. so sad she's leaving the area.

I guess mission is just like that, has it's ups and it's downs. Helps me learn disappointment and makes me look at the good things in life with a bit more appreciation.  As I ponder about where I am on mission and what I am going to do for the six months and what kind of missionary I want to be when I go home...a scripture in John 7:17-18 comes to mind. I need to focus on my Father's will and not worry about home.  I love it out here and I'm glad to be serving!

Thanks for everyone who gives me support, couldn't do it with out you!

LOVE YOU ALL!

--

theELDERNAYLOR

Hello everyone.

 

Today is the first monday of my 13th transfer on mission. It is crazy how time flies.

 

this week has been an interesting one I can say, we had transfers and everything and things got a bit mixed up but I'm glad to report that I'm still out here in good old Mthatha.

 

I did though get a new companion....his name is Elder Mukongoro from Kenya. He is pretty cool so far, he's been out for a grand total of six months. Do you think the church would let me switch places with him? I wouldn't mind still having 18 months left.  I don't like how quick all this goes by.

 

This week we have been picking up the pieces from the Holiday break...most of our investigators are coming back and we are starting to be somewhat busy again. i love it, keeps my mind focused and centered on the work!  We had a wonderful service at the Church yesterday, mostly the missionaries ran the show with all the other elders giving talks and with me teaching priesthood.  I'm getting kinda good at this whole teaching people thing.  Kinda like it :)

 

We had a wonderful lesson with Grace...she is progressing so fast, it blows my mind! The only downside is that she is leaving for Zim next week....shame, oh well.

 

Well, hope everyone is having a wonderful year so far!!! I love you all!!!

Sorry yet again with photos...this computer is being stupid like most of them here.

 

Loves!

 

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theELDERNAYLOR

 2012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991

How was everyone's New Year?!?!?!

Mine was pretty average, not much really happened.

Mthatha has slowed down a bit during these holiday season but we are still trying our best to see people.

Grace is the one person who I have the highest of hopes for.  She has bee progressing a lot lately and just loves all the stuff that we have been teaching her.  She came to church yesterday and it seems that everyone is fellowshipping her really well.

The only downside is that she is going to Zimbabwe at the end a January and doesn't know if she'll be coming back.  Oh well, even though I would love to see her get baptised, I know that she can find the gospel anywhere.

For new years the whole district sat around the boarding not doing much due to us not being able to go out into the area (a lot of people like to get tipsy...we were protecting ourselves.)  I think this was the first new years in many many years that I wasn't awake when midnight hit...I woke up but it was due to the sounds of fireworks outside.  I wished my district happy new year and then rolled over and went back to sleep. I'm such a party eh?

Yesterday we had wonderfrul testimony meeting at church...the people here are so strong in the gospel....it is awesome.

I feel at lost of words today, don't know why. Sorry guys.

We have been painting a roof these last couple weeks and on saturday we conquered a large chunk of it. GO us...I'm peeling from the sunburn. Oh well, the service is worth it!

Well everyone, I hope that you have a wonderful year this year, I'll be joining you very soon! Almost scary how soon!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

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theELDERNAYLOR