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. 

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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!

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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!

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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!!

 

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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!!!

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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!

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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.

 

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theELDERNAYLOR