Christmas

Family,

I guess I'll start from after I talked to you. Christmas Day was one of the rainiest days we've had since I've been here. Despite the bad weather, the 4 of us managed to drive to the beach in a place called Melekeok in Babeldaob and have a BBQ. It took us a while, but we finally got a fire started and cooked some delicious burgers. Afterward, we went back to the Zone Leaders' apartment and watched the 1999 Micronesia-Guam Mission video. It was funny to see some of the long time members in it.

Since then, our air conditioner started leaking, our drains backed up (smells awful), and the leak from our refrigerator has caused a small lake on our floor. That's ok though, Elder Stanley just says that we're being blessed and our wives are going to be especially good looking.

The Christmas rain managed to carry over to these last couple of days, so it's made tracting a very fun experience. Actually, I prefer pouring rain to the blazing sun - so it's been nice.

I made pancakes today for lunch, and they were delicious. I just thought I'd let you know.

By the way, the Branch President's daughter is upset again. She was about to take pictures during the baptism, and someone asked her not to. I guess she got embarrassed/offended, so she left, and didn't come to church on Sunday. Tonight, we will be having a lesson on pride.

Oh, there are a few things I wanted to mention on the phone, but forgot or couldn't because Elder Stanley was there. First, if you could send two of everything in my packages, that would be awesome. I'm not saying send more packages, but in the ones you do send. Elder Stanley's family is from Chuuk, and I don't think they have money to send him things. It makes me uncomfortable to get packages when he doesn't get anything.

Second, I would love a fitted sheet. Odd request, I know, but my sheets are always falling off the bed.
I think that's it for those.

Yesterday we were knocking on doors and came across four Filipino men. This is very common, except that there was a huge pig lying dead in their midst. They began to cut this pig open to make fritata. I have provided a picture - enjoy.

Saturday, the four of us were asked to speak in church on Sunday about whatever we wanted, and weren't given a time limit. Great. So we decided to speak on things that the branch and it's members can do better or think about in the coming year. I spoke about Mosiah 18:9 - standing as witnesses of God at all times, etc. I thought it all went pretty well. We all bore our testimonies in Palaun at the end.

Now that we've had two baptisms, our teaching pool, like our refrigerator and air conditioner, is leaking. Luckily, we have some very promising potential investigators, so we'll see.

We tend to teach younger people (14-18ish), which is great, but there are only like 6 or 7 Melchizedek Priesthood holders (not including the missionaries) in the branch. We're going to see if we can teach more men.

That's pretty much my week. I'm still not done with the Book of Mormon, but I decided I'm going to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation before I finish my mission - hopefully it won't take that long.

Elder Stanley and I get into little useless arguments sometimes, and I'm going to see if I can help put an end to them. They happen because he is so regimented in the way he does things and I'm not very good at being told what to do and doing things someone else's way.

"...stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death..."

Love,

Elder Barlow

P.S. It's pretty funny to see what happens when it rains. Everyone stops working. They take cover until it stops, then continue working. If it rains for 10 or 15 minutes without stopping, they go home for the day. They refuse to work in the rain. They must think we're crazy.