Christmas, Freezer Pizza & Weight Gain

It's amazing how people are around the Christmas season. Members everywhere invite us to share meals with them, even though they themselves struggle to feed their families. They always manage to put away enough money to help someone else.

Man, emailing today is hard. My head is just swimming with all the things we talked about yesterday. Not a whole lot has happened between now and then (what, 22 hours ago?). I washed my clothes. That's about it. I'm going to have a crappy freezer pizza for dinner today. That's kinda big. I don't know, I'm just thinking about my family. This year's Christmas was a lot harder than last year's. I can't say why, but it was. It might have been because I had a lot of time to myself yesterday... I was just thinking and listening to music. My time left here is so short. I think about my last phone call this coming Mother's Day. I might still be here in Sinkor when it happens! It'll be in the third transfer from now. And from there, there's only six months of mission left. It's sad, and exciting.

It's weird, because as a missionary, I've let my feelings and thoughts of home go dead. I don't feed them by fantasizing of home and family reunion, so I don't feel homesick at all. Well, that is, except for yesterday, where I felt homesick BAD. It just awoke in me so many old feelings of home and family that I had forgotten about. It's easy to get carried away as missionaries. People rarely write me anymore, so that adds to it. I guess I'm just becoming an old missionary! There's not much time on the clock left for me... I'll be devastated when I leave this place. It'll break my heart.

Well, I'm honestly out of stuff to say for today. Sorry for the short email. I know you love getting lots, but you got lots yesterday. ;) Know that I'm doing well, I'm healthy (maybe TOO healthy! Remember the weight I lost in Bo? I gained it all back, and maybe a little extra!), happy, and most importantly, safe. Take care of yourselves, and have a happy new year! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Vaughan

Christmas Packages, Bullet Holes & Supermarkets

Please tell Aunt Becky to send the appreciation of the mission to her ward in Colorado. They sent our mission dozens and dozens of ties for the elders here for Christmas, and they keep sending various elders packages who can't get them. Thanks so much! The gifts are SO appreciated! Ties are often in high demand here, considering that many elders don't have much money for ties, and those that do often need ties to give to their recent converts who also don't have money for ties. Thank you thank you thank you! You guys are the best! Elder Appleby is in my zone again, so I got to see the package he got from them as well. They are the only packages he gets here, so he is VERY VERY happy whenever one comes! Thanks for all of the love and support! We need it out here.

We saw a video produced by the church at our Christmas conference that I think you'd like. It was entitled "Finding Faith in Sierra Leone." It is a neat documentary that follows a number of the pioneering members of the church here (okay, well, THERE since I'm now in Liberia) in Sierra Leone. It was cool for me, because I know all of the people personally! Mamie Sivalie, Moses Wills, Prez. Turray, and Abu Tommy! It's so cool. Anyways, it just talks about their strugglings with the church, and how they were blessed by it. It talks a lot about their trials through the war. I think you'd like it, if you're able to find it.

You know, Liberia is a nice place to be. I think the only reason why it'd be unadvisable to come here as a tourist is because of the recent elections that passed. When those come around, lots of violence does too. The UN has HUGE influence here. Their peace-keeping troops are EVERYWHERE, and there are workers from all sorts of UN departments going to and fro all day long. This place has had a rough time.

There are certain places where you can see bullet holes in banks, bridges, and other things. It's crazy. Elder Liufau was telling me that they had to lock down in the apartment during the election becuase of rioting. Shouting, gunshots, and etc. We live in downtown Monrovia in an area called Matadi, so we are in the middle of the action. But, as of now, there isn't anything much exciting going on. We still have the 7 pm curfiew, and we religiously keep to it. We're always in the house before it gets dark, so we're safe.

And yes, the light and water is nice to have, but both of them have gone. Easy come, easy go, right? It's sad. The mosquitoes here are killer too, so it makes things absolutely torturous at night (that's when they're out in full-force). When we have light we have a little relief because of our fans and things, but as of right now, we're in darkness.

And yes, the conversation with Bro. Markus who drove us here was absolutely inspiring. It makes me want to write a book about him. He's a "Captain Moroni" for sure (so much so, it's actually his nickname among the missionaries!). I miss him a lot... He's just a good example of someone who knows what's important in life, and that faith and righteousness are the way to a better life. I'd just love to document his life!

Condolences to Dad, ya? Sorry he has to have a fun time recovering from surgery... Get well soon! You need to be able to talk this Sunday when I call home! ;)

Okay, Liberia is VERY different from Sierra Leone. First, there isn't so much racism here like there is in Salone. People here don't make a whole lot of comments about your skin color/nationality/the US/anything like that, whereas Salone likes to make it a central focus of your relationship with them: You're a white man, I'm a black man, and we're friends. It's irritating like crazy. Also, the Liberian people have the opposite attitude of Sierra Leoneans. People in Salone !!HATE!! Salone, but people in Liberia LOVE Liberia (almost to the point, in fact, that it's obnoxious!). It's nice, because in Salone people would complain about their country/circumstances/white people/etc on and on and on, but people here love their home! You have no idea how refreshing it is. People who love themselves and their country. It makes a world of difference.

Liberia, in general, is much like Sierra Leone regarding developement. The only difference is here in downtown Monrovia, which is developed to the point that it looks like a mini America! It's way nice. Go a few miles though, and you're back out in the bush and shanty towns. So yeah, it's mostly just our area that's like this. Every other area is atypical of ours. In general though, people here live better than people in Sierra Leone. And for us missionaries, we live better than
the missionaries in Salone. We have supermarkets! There's the legendary Harbel Supermarket, which I've not been to yet, but I've heard it's like a Safeway. Can you believe I've gone 13 months without SUPERMARKETS?? They're so expensive though. They charge in USD, and we use LD. Yeah, ouch. We're given $135USD every month, so to buy ANYTHING at a supermarket has to be carefully budgeted. Even a $0.75 can of Dr. Pepper (WHICH THEY HAVE HERE!!!) has to be carefully considered. So, while we are in fact in a nicely developed capital city, we're still living like the rest of the people: Poor. We eat rice just like Sierra Leoneans do (which isn't bad. I like rice!!).

Regarding office work, we don't spend a whole lot of time with it. We spent only like 3-4 hours in the office this week. Elder Liufau says that it depends on the mission needs though. We process baptismal records and things, and do whatever Elder Kirkham tells us to do. So it's not too bad. I like the variety it brings to the work here. While some people look at office work with scorn and disgust, I actually like it. Is it not also work to bring to pass the salvation of mankind? Indeed it is. It's just a little less glorified. According to D&C 128:8, the work of record-keeping is just as important as the ordinance work itself. Hence, I like it. Where it is not recorded, it is not completed, and cannot be acceptable in the eyes of God. I'm perfectly at home in the office (with the exception of the air conditioning. It's too cold! I think I have poor circulation, because my hands and feet get cold way too easily).

With that in mind, we spend a great deal of time teaching. It's nice. And since Elder Liufau is finished with the training program, we don't have to do 2 hours of companion study, so we have an extra hour of work. Especially with the curfiew, the extra hour makes a huge difference.

The proselyting work here is really nice too. Our area is comparatively small to everywhere else in Liberia, so we don't have to walk quite like my past area. Monrovia is also flat, so I'm not missing Wellington too badly! No more mountains! The mountain made it easy to learn the area, but it's a PAIN to summit every blessed day!

We have a lot of great investigators too. Elder Liufau, with his trainer Elder Lambson, had white-washed this area three months before I came, so it's really easy to keep track of things.

All of these factors together, I feel like I'm on a missionary vacation! Sure, I work very hard as usual, but the work is nice, and the payout is readily visible. In my previous areas, we spent a lot of time "sewing seeds." I had a lot of hardship in those areas. I hope I stay here a LONG time! Sure, hardship will come, but there are a lot of perks to being here.

It's hard to say that much around here is "exciting", but I guess that's mostly because "exciting" doesn't quite mean the same for me as it does for you! ;) I guess the new language is exciting... and complete gibberish!! It's insane, but fun.

Well, I'll stop here today. I love you so much! I'm having a blast right now. It's a great time to be a missionary. I'll be so heartbroken when it's all over... But for now, I'm here, so I'm perfectly happy! :)

Have a wonderful week, and Merry Christmas!

Love,

Elder Vaughan

Ode to the (W)retched Road to Liberia

Read the poem penned by Elder Vaughan about his 6 hour journey through the jungle to Liberia on the Mission President's blog. Also included is a short video clip of the journey.

Farewell to Freetown, Jungle Roads & Sweet L-I-B

So, while I was still in Wellington, they brought my replacement, who was indeed my dear friend and former companion Elder Bennion. We had a sweet couple of days working together as I awaited the day I traveled to Liberia. It was nice because I was able to get him acquainted with both the area and area book, his companion Bro. Kargbo, and pretty much everything else about life there. He had served in Wellington 2nd branch at the beginning of his mission, so he's already pretty familiar with the scenery.

Friday was the day I was anxiously awaiting: Heading to Liberia! Friday was nice. Bro. Markus the mission driver came and picked me up at the Wellington apartment near noon last friday. I was traveling with Elders Obinna, Coffie, and Iyieuware (yeah, the last name is insane. Pronounced "you-are-eh"). We arrived in Kenema in the evening to stay the night around 8pm after passing through Bo to drop off some few things. I got to see my old apartment on Bo #2 5th Street. Yeah, that was crazy. It was interesting to have all of the old memories flood back into my mind of the place I once called home.

When we reached Kenema, we were starving, so Markus took us to the Capitol Hotel for the crappiest and most expensive casava leaf I've ever had. However, we were filled, so I was okay.



The next day we woke early, around 6 am to start our journey again. It was amazing to listen to the stories that Bro. Markus told us about his time as a soldier in the Sierra Leone civil war. He was a true hero at that time. I was so inspired by him and his example of how to be satisfied in life. His life isn't that extravagant, and his job isn't very glorious, but he's perfectly happy because he has time for church and for his family. I'm grateful for the wisdom I gained from listening to him.

The road to Liberia, however, is 86 miles of horridness. I've never hated traveling so much in my life. It took us about six hours in the Ford Everest to reach the border. The dirt road is composed of themost turbulent array of muds, stones, and who knows what else. It seriously looked like a motocross arena. It was terrible. I was in the back seat, so I spent the whole time fighting car sickness. Poor Elder Obinna lost his own battle and threw up all over the jungle (which was staggeringly beautiful by the way. We got to drive through the Kola National Forest Reserve, which was awesome. It's a HUGE JUNGLE! Sweet.

Needless to say, I was grateful to arrive in Monrovia. This place is like a third world America. I'm struggling to find a way to describe this place. Well, I live the high life, compared to other Elders around here. We live smack in the middle of town, which is very nicely made and paved. We have dozens of super nice super markets here in town where you can get almost anything you can care to think of! Problem of course is the price. This country uses two currencies: The USD, and Liberian Dollar ("Liberty"). $1USD=$70-73LD. We don't use coins here. I dunno, just a few differences.

We have elecricity, which is a definite perk. We also have running water in the compound, which is a rather nice change. Hmph! Freetown? Forget about it. There is no running water there. I'm really liking this place. I had my first Dr. Pepper in 13 months. Yeah, sweet.

As far as my calling as office Elder goes, there's not much to it. Mostly scanning and emailing baptismal records. It's not bad. I like the office work because it gives me a little chance to change things up every once in a while. I can get pretty discontent with routine. I'm amazed to this day that I survived Njaie Town for so long. As of right now, I'm enjoying sweet air conditioning in my office and an amazing computer all to myself for free. Yeah, the labor of office elder has some definite perks. Our office is in the Sinkor district center, so we get to come to the church all the time. This place is really nice, and the church has done really well here. I'm happy about that!

My companion is amazing. He really knows his stuff, is a humble guy, and works his tail off. He certainly keeps me on my toes! It's great. He's from Texas, has been on mission for 2 transfers now, and is just excellent. I'm really enjoying being with him. After being with a branch missionary for so long, it sure is sweet to be with a legit Elder again. I'm really loving this place.

Yesterday and the day before was our Christmas conference, hence why I'm emailing today, rather than Monday. We had loads of fun, played games, all that jazz. We watched Megamind again, which was just as good the second time, and A Christmas Carol starring Jim Carrey. The food was so good too! I had my first turkey and cheese sandwhich in I don't know how long! Then I had a legit CHEESEBURGER! Man, I can see why everyone calls this place "Sweet L.I.B."! We're enjoying like crazy. I got to see some old friends like Elders Svongwa, Tims, and Appleby. All in all, I really had a great time.

As far as the people go, I don't know too much yet. I've only taught like 5 lessons since I've arrived because of the conferences and things. I do know, however, that these people speak the worst English I've ever heard. You can't even excuse it by saying it's a different language. It sounds like English from the deep south gone horribly wrong. I'm doing my best to keep up with it. They call it "coloqua." It's not a written language, so I can't really send any examples. They basically cut off the last syllable of any word they speak. It's bad. I'll try to give you some samples on the phone when we talk at Christmas. ;)

Alrighty, everyone, I love you! Have a wonderful week! can't wait to hear from you! :)

Love,

Elder Vaughan

Transferring to Monrovia, Liberia!

First: Congrats on the Armar Branch becoming a Ward! It's a great blessing indeed. The people here are anxiously awaiting the day that there can be a ward in their COUNTRY, let alone one they can attend. Many of us speculate that that is why Elder Holland is coming: To organize the first stake. But, we don't know! Time will tell.

Second: Congrats with cyber monday! I can't wait to come back to join the team. I really do miss it a lot. It felt kind of like a working family (it DID help that the family also works there! ;) ) Sounds like you did BOKU past 1,000 orders last week alone! That's so cool! The way it sounds, the new warehouse isn't going to do for the business for much longer!

Okay, so I have a little to talk about today: Last night was transfer news, and I'm being transferred to Sinkor branch in Monrovia Liberia! I'll be serving as an office elder for the whole of Liberia. I don't really know what all of that entails, but it'll be sweet. I'm going to an Elder Liufau, who is an American Samoan. From what I've heard, he's never actually been to Samoa, so he's basically an American. Elder Liufau has been on mission a little over three months now, so I'm still senior companion. Isn't THAT fun?

I already knew I was transferring mid-week last week when I received news from the Assistants on Wednesday that ANOTHER branch missionary was coming to me starting the very next day. I thought it was very odd, considering that Bro. Sanu was going to stay until Sunday evening. If they wanted me to be with a branch missionary again, they could have just waited til today or tomorrow to send him! I spent the night pondering the reason and concluded the following morning that it was because I was surely being transferred, thus giving Bro. Kargbo a chance to learn the area a little before I go. Sure enough, it's what happened! I'm pretty dang excited to go. That place is basically another mission! Funny enough, it's Elder Bennion that's coming to
replace me! I think it's where he'll finish his mission, since he's going back in April.

Training pre-mies (Pre-Missionaries) is NOT EASY! They typically have ZERO experience teaching, so it's obviously a challenge for that reason. I do my best to help them prepare for their own missions. I've learned a lot here in Wellington about dealing with people that you may not get along with. I just do my best, and go forward with a smile! There's not a whole lot else you can do.

Elder Kenner left us today. All that needs to be said about that is that it's sad. After 9 months of living with him. I'll miss him a lot, but he's returning after a faithful 2 years, so I'm happy for
him.

Okay, time don don. Next time you hear from me, it'll be from Monrovia! Woo hoo!!! A new life awaits! And OH!! I get to live with my pikin Elder Esiaba again! I'm WAY excited for that! I think I'm leaving Freetown on Friday, I'll get there Saturday. You can change my "current city" status on Facebook, eh? ;) Ha ha ha!!

Okay, love you lots! Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Vaughan

Early Christmas, a New Tee Shirt & Chastisement

Did I receive Aunt Becky's packages? YES I DID!! I've been trying to remember for weeks to let you know, but it just slips my mind. And what a sweet package it was! You have no idea how nice it is to get decent quality toiletries through the mail, especially deodorant and toothbrushes!

What's more, guess which other package I got? Your Christmas one!

Woo hoo! It took like 11 days to get here. Isn't that awesome?? Sis Roggia was praising your wisdom in listing the contents on the shipping manifest. You have no idea how many people try to send boxes that say value of $100-$200 on them, and then find out that they can only be received through bribe. It's ridiculous. Be grateful for UPS.

The contents of the package were wonderful! While it is ordinarily expected that one should wait for Christmas to open Christmas presents, I'll be honest and say that I didn't wait. I hope you can understand. ;) I felt something roughly speaker-shaped in one, and something roughly SD card shaped in the other. THANKS SO MUCH! It came in handy on Saturday when the landlord surprised us by remodeling our kitchen. We had to stay at home ALL DAY LONG. That was a little crappy, but having general conference audio and new inspirational musics helped SO MUCH!

Without the other speakers, my musical listening would have ended after couple short hours. Wearing the Star Wars shirt just feels amazing too. ;) It's the only shirt I've worn all week (when not wearing my white shirt and tie)! I wash it in the morning so that it's dry in the evening. I might love it just a little TOO much. THANK YOU!!

I'm outstandingly jealous that you got to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert!! That's the kind of music that I loved so much at home! The other bands I listened to were the same style, just of the non-Christmas variety. Uh, I'd LOVE to go see them! I even have some on my first memory card, but when I was putting music on it, I was just watching for Christmas-y things. I wasn't sifting the METAL Christmas out, so I have it! However, the Spirit says I shouldn't listen to it till I get home. No problem, I'll just go enjoy with you!

Woo hoo!! Cyber Monday! I'm glad to hear that it's busier than ever at work Dad! Can't wait to get the final numbers. It's so sweet!

I'm excited like nothing to find out where Josh is going on his mission (when that time comes)! I'm praying for Africa. Heck, even Sierra Leone! If I got to train him, I'd be the happiest man on earth! We would be Elders Vaughan! Or, Elders Vog-han, Vogue, or whatever these people call me.

Well, not a whole lot to say about this week. Things can be hard at times. I have a lot of teaching opportunities with my companion, which are very important. This is our last week together, so I look forward to making the most of it. He's so excited to serve, and for all of the right reasons. Even I didn't have all of the right reasons to want to serve, but I discovered them as I came.

It feels like there hasn't been a whole lot of stuff going on for us this week... Partly because of the odd jobs we had to do this week, like watching the apartment while the kitchen was being redone, zone meeting, a temple recommend interview for my companion, things like that. It feels like most of our week was eaten, and I hate that. Zone meeting was interesting though. Elder Kotey, one of the zone leaders, took an hour to chasten the zone for some different items of disobedience. With as many new missionaries as we have here (oh, HALF THE ZONE!!), there is a LOT of broken rules regarding communication with girlfriends. It's a little sad, and a little pathetic. I'm grateful that I didn't have to worry about that at all. I'm not concerned for them though, they'll figure it out, Most of them do.

Well, today I'll be putting together your christmas presents! It's something small, but I think you'll like it anyhow. As you know, I can't really send anything. Sorry for the not-so-interesting email. It's just missionary work as usual! Next week will be transfer updates, so stay tuned! ;)

Love you all! Have a wonderful week!

Elder Vaughan

Stolen Items, Amulek is my Companion & Hugs for Mom

Today I laughed a LOT. Josh e-mailed me his usual antics, and Mom's email about being duct taped to a wall for charity was certainly a funny one! That's such a cool idea to raise money! I'm so glad that you like being the "cool mom." It makes my life a lot better.

YOU FOUND MY STASH?? I shouldn't have been so foolish to think it wouldn't be found, hidden in my Warhammer Tank. Well, it wasn't intended to be effective. It was really a last-minute idea to hide away some last things I was holding on to the night before I left, one year ago. If I remember right, my headphones were in there too. I also tried to stuff my ipod in there, but upon discovering that it wouldn't fit, I gave up. In my haste to just get it put away, I just decided to give it to Jesse. Does he still use it? I'm definitely going to be needing an ipod of any variety when I get home. Man, and I need that $35 I stashed in there too.

We're celebrating Thanksgiving big-time!! We've enlisted the help of our dear Antie Chris to roast for us FOUR WHOLE CHICKENS!! Yeah, one for each of us. No worries, Thursday will be just as good for us as it will for you (minus, of course, the company of dear friends and family). We really shelled out for it, but it's no problem. We all want to enjoy.

I am getting a little irritated with some of my things going missing. Two weeks ago, my Sierra Leone football jersey was stolen, and today my sweet graphic tee that I had also bought was stolen. Driving me a little nuts. What can I do? I'm not stupid when it comes to keeping things safe. They just disappear. *Sigh*. There ARE a few things I won't miss about this place.

Dad, you asked if I think that my companion is like Amulek in the Book of Mormon? Uh, YES! He got a call from the Mission Prez (i.e. The Lord) to serve to someone who was coming to his house who was the Lord's messenger. Am I not then Alma? Ha ha ha, yeah, it's a little bit of a stretch, but you're right! I love my Amulek companion... He's my best friend! We just have fun every day, and baptize people like crazy!

The work it so much fun. This week we had a sweet baptism of Sis. Susan Sulaiman. It was wonderful. She's your same height, so baptizing her was super easy. As soon as she bent her knees, she was already under the water! This transfer we've had a steady baptism every week. It's so sweet! It's the kind of momentum I like. Rather than one every transfer, we have one every week! It's just awesome. I think by this time I've baptized 40 people (numbers matter not, but I know there are some at home who want to know). It's BOKU!

This week we received some great news: Elder Curtis of the Area Presidency is coming in January!! Woohoo!!! More exciting than that though is this: Elder Snow of the Presidency of the Seventy is coming here with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Twelve Apostles!!!!!!!!!! They'll be coming in February. It's kind of a big deal since it's the first time an apostle has come here since Elder Scott dedicated the land years ago. Am I excited? YES YES YES YES YES!!!

Anyways, that's the week! I love you so much Mom! Watching Bro. Sanu hug his mom every day at the end of proselyting isn't very easy to watch. Worry not, the next year will be over oh so very quickly! (Not that I necessarily WANT it to, but, when my time is over, it is indeed time to go home and hug my Mom. ;-) )

Love you!

Elder Vaughan