I'm at full strength, so no more worrying or praying for me! The whole malaria business was totally crappy, but I'm a strong believer that whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger. On top of that, I believe that the closer to death you get, the more powerfully you bounce back. So with that, I'm actually rather grateful to survive yet another run in with the most notorious disease in Africa. Something about being sick this time really awoke in me a love for my life that I've never had before. People here, when you ask how they are, often respond "I tell God thanks for the life," which I never really understood. Now, I KNOW. Every day I wake up and tell God thanks for the life, because one day, it won't be there.
Thanks for the pictures from the business. Man, Dad's warehouse isn't going to be anything like how I left it! I guess that's good, since it comes from growing and not from anything else. I'm excited to be a part and pull my weight. And I'm so happy to hear about Helen and Heather getting married! Marriage is truly the greatest thing. It always makes me so happy to see two people who put themselves aside for someone else. It always brings out the best in them. Around here, it's not too common to see, so when I see it now, oh how it touches my heart!
Oh, I just remembered something I wanted to ask you about. What would you think about me being an EFY counselor when I get back? I was bouncing ideas off of Elder Liufau the past couple nights of what to do with life as a RM, and that stood out as the most awesome. I don't really know anything about what the schedule looks like for that, but I know that I'd love to be a part of it. The only other concern would be how it interferes with my participation with the business. But anyways, that's a thing of the future that was on my mind this week.
I've recieved a new companion who has a reputation to work very very hard, so it'll be just what I need to get things back in gear after everything was thrown from the sickness. Missionary work is just sweet! Now I'm with Elder Raymond from Nigeria. We've been together for a whole two hours or so, but I can tell it's going to be awesome. I'm really excited. I love getting new companions, so it's always exciting. What's more, it now makes me the only American (okay, here they simply say "white". There's no shame or insult in distinguishing race, since we're all treated fairly.) in the apartment. I'll be with Elder Raymond, Elder Esiaba, Elder Ameworlor (from Ghana), Elder Obinna (from Nigeria), and Elder Mazani (from Zimbabwe). I'm telling you, it's gonna be a blast!
As for Joshua's mission call... I'm guessing Texas for stateside, and Kenya for international. That'd be cool, right? You mentioned the establishment of a mission in India and how the church is seeking Mormons of Indian descent to serve there. It makes sense that they want Indians to serve in India. That's what they want here too, but the demand for missionaries is WAY too high for the branches to meet. Hence, we have about half foreign and half native missionaries. And I guess by native I mean native to West Africa.
So Jesse's been listening to Dragonforce? Man, I was seriously not liking that music when I left on mission. Now that I've had a famine of worldly music, it would be so appealing! I thought it'd be a lot harder for me to leave the music I like behind, but really it hasn't been so bad. I still have music (mission approved), and though it may not be my first preference in terms of entertainment, it's still music. It's like going vegetarian; there's just nothing as good as a medium rare steak.
Thanks for sending those items I requested. I really appreciate it. Sure, I'm in Monrovia where it's POSSIBLE for me to get things like sandals for myself, but the difficulty is in finding ones that are good quality. You know that if it's from the states that it'll be good. But here, people have become very talented at making things that are crap appear to be top quality. Hence, I really appreciate the help. Oh, and I don't remember if I asked for it, but deoderant is one of the best things to recieve. It's so insanely expensive here. So, if you throw in like 3 or 4 of them, I don't think I'd need any more until I came home. That, and shaving cream. It's EXPENSIVE! One can or maybe two will do just fine for me. Thanks!
Can you believe it? I don't have double-digit months any more. I have 9 1/2 months left to go! I'll be SO SO SO SAD when that day comes! I'm really not ready to come home. Which I guess is good, because I still have a decent bit of time left. I really love being here, in spite of all of the hardships we go through as issionaries in Liberia.
Oh, speaking of hardship, we have a new guardian angel in our branch. His name is Mark Luzaine (not sure on spelling), and he's from the states. He's staying here for six months working for the Air Force. He's sealed, has two kids or so, and is by himself here. Last week, he came to our apartment and brought us a pizza and grape juice. Man, it was the best thing I've ever eaten! My first pizza in 14 1/2 months! He's a really great guy, and he's offering to help us in any way that he can. So, there's an additional reason for you to be completely sure that we're being watched after here in Africa. ;-)
Alrighty, time is finished for me today I think. I love you all so much, and hope that you have an awesome week. Grandma Little told me about what you did for Dad. You know, buying a double recliner so that the two of you could still be together and so that he could sleep sitting up. I'm so impressed by you and Dad; the way that you take care of each other. You truly live what you said when you told me that marriage is about putting 100% into it all the time, so that when one is less than that, the other is there to lift them up. I admire you so much, and appreciate similar sacrifices that you've made for me in my own life. You and Dad are simply incredible people, and I can't wait to be with you again.
Love,
Elder Vaughan
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