12/3/13

Hey everyone! This week was super good! I think I told you in my last email, but this past week we were in Nairobi from Monday to Wednesday for Zone conference! At Zone conference the Mission President and his assistants talked to us. They talked to us a lot about obedience, which is good cause that is a common struggle in this mission. The spirit was soo strong it was amazing! It was nice to be in Nairobi and fill up on all of the foods that I have not eaten for a long time! The ride back from Nairobi took like 4 hours and before that we had to wait like 3 hours in the bus just for it to leave. I almost kissed the ground when we got off haha. Just to the side of the road I saw about 30 giraffes eating some leaves though, so that was super awesome! I have one seen giraffes and I think wildabeasts, but I hope to see some more in my time here. This weekend we went to the other area in our district, because they had baptisms. They had 35 baptisms to do! Most of them were 9-12, which is always funny. The water in the font was freezing cold, so right when the kids came up from the water most of them had a hilarious reaction. Some of them would just start freaking out and trying to climb up the sides of the font. I felt bad because it was like they were in shock, but they were OK. There was one super small girl I felt awful for. She came out just crying because it was so cold, so the Elder in the fond handed her to me and I wrapped a towel around her and tried to get her warm but she was way cold! I cant blame her though; I got the water all over myself and it was freezing! This weekend we stayed in that area the whole weekend because Elder U, my companion, was sick. On Sunday we went to church there, and I went to primary. It was hilarious! They were doing songs like Once there was a snow man, and head, shoulders, knees, and toes. I always do all the actions and everything with them, and they all cracked up! The best one was when they did, do as I'm doing. The leader was dancing, so I started dancing. They laughed a little at first, but then at the part where you do it super fast all the kids and even the Primary President lost control! They were laughing so hard! I wish I had my camera because I would have taken a video, but I left it in Kalong, because it is rain season. Well thats about it for my week! I hope everyone is doing well, and had a good thanksgiving! Elder Janda Hey mom! Sounds like this week has gone well! This week was a whole lot better then previous weeks. Thanksgiving was weird without feasting, but I still had a pretty good meal. We killed a rabbit and I made some mashed potatoes and gravy, so that was our Thanksgiving meal. Next Monday is when I will find out what is happening regarding transfers, so I will let you know. It seems as if both of my companions will be leaving and I will be getting one or three new missionaries in my area. We will see. Thanks for the words on being a good leader. I have tried very hard since I got here to have serving and loving the people as my number one priority, and it seems to be helping more then anything else. That is awesome that you are going to be an usher at the temple! I so wish I could be there for the dedication and everything, but I will be happy to go in 2 years! I love you mom! Thank you so much for everything you do for me! I hope you have a great week! Love, Elder Janda Our Mission President gave all the missionaries the following 12 day Christmas challenge, so I thought I would do the same to you and to anyone else who wanted to do it. Go ahead and post it on my facebook for anyone who wants to participate. “ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS…” “Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause. Lend your efforts to helping people…Stand higher, lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those that hang down. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Gordon B. Hinckley Christmas is a wonderful time to look for opportunities to perform acts of meaningful service. I challenge everyone who wants to to choose a family to do the activity “The twelve Days of Christmas” with. The family could be one you are close with, you dont know, or that you want to know better. This is how you do the Twelve Days of Christmas: The activity begins on December 13th. You deliver 12 items the first night (December 13th), 11 items the second night, 10 items the third night, etc., and work your way down to 1 item on Christmas Eve. You can just deliver something each night- a poem, a decoration, a food item, or whatever your creativity can figure out. Giving a certain number of items seems to work the best, if possible. Leave a note or poem every night with each item, explaining what you are doing. It could be something like: Twelve Days before Christmas, You find right by your door, 12 yummy cookies, That weren't bought from a store! If you are not delivering a certain number of items, your note should still include something about the day you are on, such as: Eleven days before Christmas, Look, and you will see- A funny Christmas Story, Sent to you, by me! These items should be delivered anonymously, until Christmas Eve, when you reveal who you are. Save the best gift for last, like a Book of Mormon for a non-member, etc.