Happy Halloween

New Zealand Sunrise

G'day and Kia Ora!

Happy Halloween! What an interesting holiday. I need to see some pictures of the girls' costumes! Especially Flo and the White Rabbit. What!? Where did they get those ideas? Has Jenny even seen that movie?  I can however easily imagine Anna as a hippie. (Wink wink) Yeah, I need pictures, because I'm sure they all looked fantastic!

I'm sure you were wondering how Halloween is down here. Basically, people know what it is, but not many people care. Elder MacTavish and I saw only about 20 kids trick or treating last night as we biked around. And we saw some of our investigator's kids and they didn't seem to have scored very much candy. I mean, very many "lollies." So I think if people had candy in their house, they would give some out, but it was pretty scarce. So, Americans are lucky. Also, I think most people think you have to dress up scary for Halloween. So that was weird. Lots of scary children.

As for teaching, we don't very much. We have heaps of investigators, but no one is ever home! Calling them doesn't work, so we just show up at the times they previously said was best for them. But that doesn't always happen. But maybe I misunderstood your question... I personally, do teach a lot. I'd say I teach a 1/3 and Elder Mac does 2/3. But with people who have been taught all of the lessons and are in need of reviewing, then I will teach, as sort of a practice. But with new investigators Elder Mac will teach the main lesson and I will add points where I feel necessary or inclined to. As for door approaches, we do about 50/50. Though he usually takes care of the getting to know you stuff. I'm bad at that, and trying to improve. I actually feel quite comfortable teaching, considering I did it everyday in the MTC. It's a lot easier in English. I think the best part about teaching a lesson is when the person has a question and we can answer it just through testimony, rather than having to prove that it's in the Bible. Testimony always seems to be the best, and scriptures are there to give better understanding, rather than proof that [there is a Spirit world] or [the 3 Kingdoms of Glory].

Kiwis recognizing missionaries: I'd say a 10th of the people have seen us, but don't really know all that much. We get a lot of "not interested!" before we even say anything. I've only heard that the missionary work is a lot better in the North, but as of late, this mission has been progressing greatly! I will try to get some stats for you sometime.

  

I'm afraid I don't know what else to say. This week was pretty slow and the weather was bad. I had my first rainy bike ride! Not fun. But kind of. We have a lot of investigators, but few of them are actually progressing. But that's mainly because they're never available for a lesson. This week I go on exchanges! So I will tell you about that next week.

I hope all is well. It sounds like it is so, so I'm glad. I love you all and am praying for you. And I'm so very grateful for your prayers for me. Remember to read your scriptures, because they're nothing but beneficial! So why wouldn't you?

Have the most wonderful week!

"Fa", (slang Bye in Samoan. It's how the missionaries' phone calls always end with each other)

Love,

Elder David John Rowe