Friday, August 30, 2013
Oh! The Week! Toasting to the Work!!!
August 19,2013
Hello Family!
Well, this week was pretty fun. Lots of
Work! Holy cow! But we have fun doing it so it’s good. Love being comps with
Elder Montgomery. It’s way fun. So let’s see, where to start.... well, we are
doing work in our area. We have like 7 people with fixed baptismal dates and 14
progressing investigators! That’s a massive number! And it’s only going to grow
this week! The work is a lot of fun when it’s going good! So let’s see...
One day we were in Rocha, a part of our
area that’s all the way on the other side of the city. Kinda crazy but
whateves. Anyway, the day wasn’t going too hot. All of our appointments dropped
for the night and it was like 7 pm so we went to the store because we needed to
get some new frying pans because ours are tiny and horrible. Well, they didn’t
have any there but... they had an awesome sale!!! I love food sales in Angola!
They had American hamburgers, they are called bubba burgers, for 5 dollars a
box. That’s a steal! They are usually $20! And Martinelle’s sparkling cider
which is usually 15 dollars was $5! So we took advantage and went home and had
a good meal. and made toasts to an awesome transfer. It was great.
Oh guys! So on Saturday... something
crazy happened. hahaha. We went to Maria da Silva’s house for lunch. Maria is
one of the original members here. Like, she worked a lot with Uncle Earl. (so
she tells me.) She has a house in Provo and she’s secretly loaded. She says
she’s just here in Angola to help the church. Anyway! So we went to her house
for lunch and our Branch President came and some nonmembers that were Portuguese.
so everything’s going great and we’re socializing with the Portuguese people
which is fun.. and then.... something legend , wait for it, wait for it! All of
a sudden Maria’s niece came out to have lunch with us (she actually cooked it
and then went to go get ready for the "get together") and holy flip
my jaw hit the ground with the loudest bang you ever heard! I kid you not when
I say that she was probably the most beautiful black woman I have ever seen in
real life. and and AND!! She had long.... beautiful... REAL hair!!! You
guys! I forgot how to speak Portuguese! Or any language for that matter! And
she was wearing pink pants... and idk if I’ve told you guys this but I’ve
always had a thing for pink pants... anyway it was the most mind blowing thing
of the week! Okay now here’s the disclaimer. Nobody freak out and write me
freaking out about what I just wrote. Nothing is going to happen because of it
obviously. I just wanted to give you an in-depth look at a missionary’s mind
that happened to be at a very funny moment! We are still normal! And you should be grateful for that!
What else... our branch is
growing like crazy. We had to bless the water 3 seperate times because there
was sooo many people!
We got invited to an English Bible
study yesterday... actually more like we thought we were going to a lesson and
it turned out to be an English Bible study. They asked if we believed the Bible
and if we could trust it. I recited the article of faith that I learned in
primary obviously! You know how I got those articles of faith down :)
We had a frustrating lesson at the
beginning of the week though. We were teaching about the Sabbath day. Yeah,
well here, people have a problem with that. Well, they just interpret it wrong.
Because in Portuguese it’s the same word as Saturday. So the 7th Day Adventists
are pretty big here. Anyway, we were having a lesson with a really good
investigator and he just had some doubts about it. Nbd (no big deal) so we explained
how it used to be on Saturday but after the resurrection in became Sunday.
(Funny thing I never knew that till I came on a mission) anyway, his dad overheard
and came over with his Bible and he was obviously a 7th day guy and
he just went off on how the Bible says this, look up this scripture, blah blah
blah. Spirit gone. Anyway, we’re like, we don’t want to argue at all and he
just kept going off on these scriptures. I just got sick of it and I was like okay look, I already know every
scripture about the 7th day. All of them. I already know them. I study the
bible too, but what we’re telling you all depends on if the Book of Mormon is
true and if Joseph Smith was a prophet. Then the dad was like, anything tha’ts
not the Bible is a lie. He started calling the Book of Mormon a lie and Joseph
Smith a liar, and I was getting kind of upset. Like, don’t you dare tell me
that when you haven’t even read it or don’t know anything about it! So I kinda
raised my voice a bit and I was like " I testify to you that the Book of
Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet, I know it! I wouldn’t have
dropped everything, family, school, girls, etc., to come here across the globe
to Angola to preach about this if I didn’t know it was true." Then he got
kinda silent and then it was Elder Montgomery’s turn to testify! woo! Double
witness! It was sick!(awesome!) then we said a prayer and got the heck out of
there! but I kinda feel bad for 7th Day Adventists.
Last night we went to the Wegglands for
dinner. they are the American couple that live in our branch. He works for BP.
But it was amazing to be at their apartment eating good good American food! Literally,
when you walk into their apartment, it’s like walking into America! It’s
awesome!
We went to the ilha today. (the beach.)
That was fun. just to see all of Luanda! and the port!
Well, that’s the wrap! Love you all! It
sounds like you are all having way too much fun (Darin, Marissa, and Hannah. Babes,
I haven’t heard from you in a while but I’m sure you’re rockin’ it in Jr High! Go
Sabercats! Mom, Dad, I love you guys!
Love you all!
Elder Tingey
The Bronx of Luanda!!!
August 12, 2013
Hello Familia!
This week was crazy! Transfers, new
people, new area ,new branch, it’s nuts!
But, it’s really good. The city is
sweet. We don’t really work in the
city, our dupla (companionship) works
just on the edge and outside of it. lots of
barrios. (low-end neighborhoods) but
it’s still cool. The people are
more humble than in Benfica. Which is
good. We are teaching some sweet
people right now and we have lots of
work to do. There are always
people we can have lessons with. Which
is good. It’s taking a little
getting used to. In Benfica, things are
a lot slower pace. But here it’s
a million miles an hour!
So Elder Montgomery is great. It’s fun
to have a comp from the same
city. We have a lot in common and we
have a lot to talk about. haha I
think Elder Montgomery is loving
talking because he hasn’t talked in
like 3 transfers because his last comp
liked to talk. We live
alone which is kind of a bummer but
it’s nice at the same time. The other
elders just live a street over so we go
over to their house to do
meals together and stuff. Our house
is.... probably the worst one
in Luanda in terms of how nice it is.
But it has the essentials and so
I’m not complaining one bit! (although
at the moment we don’t have
energy... and because it’s an apartment,
we don’t have a generator. ) And we
don’t have a water heater, but that’s
fine, I just boil water and take
bucket showers. Tudo bem!
The branch is way cool because it’s
probably the biggest in Angola and
so it functions! It has people
sufficient to have almost all the
callings assigned and yes, things are
more organized and I’m grateful
for that. A lot of the members already
know me because they have met
me before and my name is Tingey (Uncle
Earl). So that’s fun. We eat at
a member’s house about 3 times a week.
So that’s really nice. It’s funny
because some of the prominent members
that already know me were
talking to me yesterday and telling me
their confidential plans about
how they’re going to do things for the
church here in Angola. Let’s just
say.... There is a lot of money being
thrown around. It’s really cool
to see these members do that. They have
the means and they are
basically just giving it to the Lord.
Being in the city was really weird at
first. I didn’t know any part of
it and I felt super uncomfortable the
first couple of days, but
Heavenly Father has heard my prayers
and given me lots of comfort. I
love that he takes care of me out here.
Wow! School has already started! That’s
weird! You are all so grown up!
But I’m going to learn a lot this
transfer. Elder Montgomery is an
amazing teacher who has so much love
for the investigators. I’m excited
to learn. We’ve been focusing a lot on
the Book of Mormon this week in
our teaching. It’s so essential people!
READ THE BOOK OF MORMON EVERY
DAY!! Seriously. It’s the only thing
that can keep you safe. It helps
you remember. (Remember is probably Elder
Brown’s favorite word) it
helps you remember what it’s like to
feel the spirit, it helps you
remember the commandments, and it helps
you remember your covenants
and your purpose here in life. These
things are a must! You will be
lost in life without it!
I had an interview with President this
week and after it, he took me and
Elder Montgomery to lunch.
hahahaahahaha So we’re in this
restaurant, and there is a TV playing
music videos. Oh boy... haha but
so funny. It was so awkward and because
of this it was so funny. The
channel was playing songs like
"smack that" "I kissed a girl ___ _ ___ __" and " dont you wish your girlfriend
was hot like me"
bhahahahahahahahahahahaha! I was like
dying, it was soo awkward! Oh the world is
sooo corrupt! Music vids are of the devil! Except
country....well most of country.
President is awesome though. Love
that guy. Well, I think that’s
pretty much the wrap! Love you!
Elder Tingey
ps. Mom, I got your package thank you!
Love you!
MY WEEK!
July 29-2013
Well this week was pretty good. And
pretty tough. But it was good.
I’m glad you all had fun at the
ranch.
Well, I’m just going to go through the
week day by day.
Tuesday we had an awesome lesson with
Daneilson and his family. Daneilson is the father. But yeah that whole family
is so legit. And we brought President Quiame with us, who is the branch
president but will be the Patriarch here someday I swear! Anyway, we talked
about the gospel of Jesus Christ and baptism. It was way good. Kind of like
"put your faith and your intent on the line" kind of lesson. He
expressed some concern about leaving his pentacostal church and so he didn’t
know if they were going to come to church on Sunday. So, I bore my testimony
and then challenged them all to pray about the Book of Mormon and they all said
they would do it. And then, Sunday came...... and the whole family walked
in!!!!! I was soo happy!
Not much else really happened this week
because a lot of our investigators were out of town. But the district put on a
campout for all the youth. It was basically like a stake youth conference. They
went camping and such and had a bunch of sweet faith building activities. Elder
McCune got to go with his comp cause they had baptisms and they got to baptize
them in the river! So cool! I’m jealous. But tudo bem. Apparently on the campout, the young
women of our Benfica branch got talking at night. ( of course) and they rated
the cuteness of the missionaries in our branch. There’s 6 of us. Well, trying
not to say this too pridefully..... I was number 1. hahaha jk.
So all during this week we had a plumber
over trying to fix our pump so we have to be at the house with him when he does
that. Lots of time was wasted. Anyway, the pump kept breaking every time after
he left so we would call him again and he would come in the morning the next
day. Anyway, we get to Saturday. He was supposed to come in the morning. Elder
Brown and I waited..... we put all our appointments in the evening.. and we
waited and waited. Nothin. Finally we’re like okay forget this he’s not coming.
Let’s go. We are literally walking to our gate when he knocks. gosh dang it! So
Saturday was wasted. Sunday was good though. I had an interview with President
to help with my rebellious heart that I have. hahaha He’s awesome I love that
guy. Don’t worry. I haven’t been doing anything rebellious. I just feel
rebellious. Then we had dinner with him and sister. We heard some good
stories.
So yeah, with the visa thing.... keep
praying. we heard by word of mouth that the visas were approved. There
is nothing official yet though. I talked to president last night. But
were still praying.
Oh, I gave Elder Hobbs a hair cut on
Saturday. My first one ever! But it came out really well. I was proud hahaha
and so was he.
Well, that ‘s about the rap. I learn
about transfers next week. We’ll see what happens! It’s crazy.. Austin and Matt
are already training... hahaha and we have 30 missionaries in Angola right
now... that’s like barely a zone in other missions!
Love you all!
Elder Tingey
Blessings! Blessings! Blessings!
Milia - Basically, a little sister
July 22, 2013
Hello family!!! Gosh dang it you guys!!!! This week was so fast but sooo long at the same time. You ask how is this possible??? And then you remember that you’re at the Ranch!!!! The best place and happiest place (don’t tell Elder Brown that) on earth!!! (Yeah it’s better than Disneyland)..... holy freak you guys have no idea the pain I went through this week without the ranch! Oh I miss it sooo sooo sooo sooo much!
But, none the less, we did flippen work! And the blessings came! So Elder Brown and I have been trying to get more involved with the branch and working more together so we had a couple meetings with the Branch Pres this week and... we may become branch secretaries pretty soon, which would be way cool. And the branch really needs it. I would be the financial secretary (booya!) so I’m stoked. I hope it happens soon. But this week we were just teaching families and people up the wazzu! Not really anything out of the ordinary happened just the regular lessons. Although I got some pretty tough questions that I was glad I was on top of my game to answer them! Man, one time I had to explain the fall of Adam and man, people just don’t understand it sometimes, even members at home! I didn’t even till I got out here and studied it. but psh now I’m a master teacher at it! Opposition in all things peeps, remember that! But the highlight of the week was on Sunday. 11 investigators showed up!! holyyyyyy freak! Ana mira, an old cripple lady I love to death who wants to just follow the savior with every fiber of her being, finally arranged a way to come to church! I was soo happy! And then she had to climb of the stairs..... but with the great faith she has she did it! She just kept saying with Jesus I’ll climb these stairs! hahaha the branch loves her. Then we had the Daneilson’s family all show up! I was pumped at that! And then another family came and they just kept coming! It was like Christmas!
And then, lots of our main strong members are all out of the country for some reason so Elder Brown and I got thrown into the nursery... and I had to teach about the Holy Ghost to 3 year olds.... awesome! Hahaha but it’s okay my man Lucas was there. Rita’s family is really doing great. They are going to be such good members when they’re baptized! The hardest ones to get are always the best!
And I need to be transferred; which will most likely happen in two weeks. But it needs to happen. Way too many girls have crushes on me here. Our branch... che, I need out. Too many mocas looking at me! But it’s probably my fault.... my hair is starting to curl.... what can I do.. it’s magical.
You know, I was just thinking about this.. Uncle Steve is old!! Already a Grandpa! What’s up Gramps! Aunt Cheryl, don’t worry you may technically be a grandma, but you still look like a young momma!
Oh my gosh.... ranch ranch ranch ranch ranch ranch... che buddy. Thanks for sharing it with me cause I freaking miss it a ton..
Mom, what a great temple story. Thanks for sharing. I miss that place! Angola rocks, people! Well, I miss you guys a ton. Tanner, dude, your’e coming here, okay? But seriously, let me know where you’re going. Like today, cause I check my email tonight real quick again. Well, I love you guys like crazy! Mom, I got a second set of letters and Babes I got yours too. Like right now. So I haven’t read it yet. Troy I got yours. Way to go with the piano! and thanks for the mission pics. Those are way cool. Love you all and the ranch a ton!
Com amor,
tchau
Elder Tingey
The Week...
July 15, 2013
So, I can tell that my family is in the
full swing of summer! Glad you all made it to the ranch safely. It’s the best
place on earth. The BEST. I’m convinced if there was just a small little temple
there it would be better than the Garden of Eden. Tell the Burtons Hello for
me! and I want their email too if you can get it!
So it looks like Marissa had a blast at
EFY! che! Geez, my sister is the coolest! Darin, send me pictures!
Hannah, I got your note in the card mom sent me! Thank you! I love you
and miss you so much! Babes, what’s up girl, how is my twin sister? I’m sure
you’re loving the ranch with little Anna there. ah!!! The Ranch oh my gosh eu
tenho bwe da saudades do rancho!!! quero ir quero ir quero ir. Anyway..
So just a forward warning, my letter
isn’t going to be that long or good this week cause well.... there was a lot of
work work work and 1st lessons up the wazzu! And it’s all kinda the same for me
and just runs together. But we are teaching some sweet families now. We were
teaching this one family the first lesson and this cute little girl in the
family asked a question... and she is just little. She’s like... so when Joseph
prayed to know which church was true, and Jesus appeared to him, what did Jesus
say again? Oh my gosh made my heart melt! She is such a smart little
girl!
Um what else. Oh yeah, Elder Brown is
the best comp ever!!!!!!! yeah. I was having a little bit of a hard time on Thursday
and so Elder Brown and I had a good heart to heart and it was flippen awesome.
I love that kid.
We had baptisms this week at our new
font in our chapel and they went very very well. I really don’t have much else
to say. This week just kinda... went by and I forgot everything. We set about 3
baptismal dates this week, and you
know, testified of the gospel as usual. Elder Brown and I are keeping a writing of our lessons, when
we preach to more than 15 people at a time. You know, like Alma and Amulek. so
that they can eventually become scripture one day. haha jk we don’t do
that.
The APs, went down to Lubango with
president this week, so there was only 4 of us in the house.... perfect. It was
awesome. So much cleaner.
Mother I got your two envelopes, thank
you so much. well.... I’m sorry this letter is horrible... but to make it
better... pictures!! yeah!
Well I love you guys sooo much!
Elder Tingey
Sunday, August 11, 2013
July 8, 2013 First Week of the New Mission
July 8, 2013
First week of the New Mission
Hello Mundo! tudo bem?
First off, thank you troy for the
letter! Good job on life and being such a great dad! And yeah pouch mail is
like the worst thing ever invented. And since we’re our own mission now I’m never
gonna see those letters. Sorry but thanks bro! And mom I got your packages! Both
of them! Thank you! They arrived fine but there was a little problem but I knew
it would happen. The popcorn butter leaked which I figured would happen. But don’t
worry I cleaned everything.
Aunt Cheryl I read the email you sent. Thank
you for sending that! I’m glad everyone is doing great and that Tyler is
looking more acceptable ;) he told me he would write me twice while on the
mission since I wrote him twice. Well I hit 8 months this week.... just a
reminder. Preferably one letter/email one year and the other the next. Thanks Ty.
Don’t have too much fun with Darin at efy! Oh and yes aunt Cheryl I know I have
the BEST mother in the world. She is Amazing!
Holy cow I’m soo jealous of your
summer! It sounds soooo fun! Costa Rica sounded like a blast. And Marissa thank
you for the pictures! but Marissa.... che,..... holy cow..... like whoa......
stop being so hot, or your going to get attacked!! I must say.. Mom and dad did
a great job. We probably are the most beautiful looking children ever. Actually
the best looking family ever. I showed Elder Chandler the photo of Darin and
dad and the water fall and he was like holy cow bro..... yep your dad is
totally in the CIA. hahaha! But wow the summer is awesome there! Costa Rica,
efy, the ranch..... che.... I miss it so much! I knew the summer would be tough
here cause you guys are having so much fun there but it’s cool cause I’m having
some awesome spiritual experiences.
So my week! Well, we had mission conference,
which was awesome. I love president’s vision for the mission. hahahahaha
basically screw going for such crazy numbers like we were, and keep and follow
the spirit all the time and the numbers will follow. Plus, we can’t overload
the branches with too many baptisms. That’s not how you establish the church
because they can’t handle trying to retain all of them. Let’s strengthen our
branches and then grow altogether. LOVE IT! So awesome! I love the Merrils. They
are soo like G and G Stoker. Sister Merrill is so much like Grandma Stoker it’s
halarious! hahaha I love it. I had an interview with President Merrill on
Saturday. hahaha My first interview with a mission president my entire mission!
hahahaha. I was like these need to happen often! Anyway, not THAT much work was
done this week because of like 3 days with the president but still; we did
work. And had a flippen awesome spiritual experience.
Okay, so his name is Mario. We
contacted him and his family like a month or two ago. Totally by the spirit. Anyway
we finally are able to sit with him on Saturday. And they are such a golden
family. Married, car, good morals. Like perfect. And elder brown and are just
focused as ever trying to do the best we can for them and have the spirit
testify to them. And so Saturday, we had a lesson with them and before we
started the lesson I was just like "you’re going to listen with your ears
and see with your eyes but I really want you to feel in your heart. Just open
your heart and try to feel with it. BOOM, Elder Brown and I taught the
first vision so well! Not that we taught it well, but the spirit was there just
SOOOO strong! Brown and I just testified up the wazzo and gave it everything we
had trying to follow the spirit and it was just such a good lesson. I can’t
even describe it. I wish you could have been there. And then he’s like, I’m
coming to church tomorrow. And HE DID! It was just so good! But man after we
got out of that lesson Elder Brown and I just were so moved by the spirit. Once
we got around the corner, it was just like YESSS!!! bro hugs, and pumpin fists
in the air! Yeah, Elder Brown and I.... we do work. So awesome!
So I have some more things to ask of
you. I think you guys are either too technologically handicapped or just super
lazy so I’ll ask you to do it the easy way. There are 3 albums that Elder Hobbs
has that I absolutely love. You know why? Cause they’re country. But church
country. That’s right! its called a Nashville tribute to Joseph Smith, and they
have one to the pioneers called Trek: a Nashville tribute to the pioneers. And
one called The Work: a Nashville tribute to missionaries. And holy cow they are
the best church country songs EVER!!!! So please buy those cds and send them to
me. Or buy them on itunes and burn it to a cd for me and listen to them yourselves
cause they are soo good! Well, I love you all like crazy!
Elder Tingey
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