My Last Full Week

Well its here, I can't believe it but it is. Its been quite the ride here these past 2. I surely will miss it, especially my wonderful Filipino's who I love so much! I actually had quite a fun week this past week. We went down to Sorsogon about 4 times, so there was quite a bit of driving. But the best part of it all was that I got to go on Exchanges in Gubat, my first area! I haven't been back there in a year and a half, so it was really exciting for me, brought back lots of emotions ha. I only teared up when we were down the road aways leaving ha. But we had lots of fun visiting a lot of the people I used to teach and talk to. We spent most of the time in Gumang, my favorite part of the area. It was good to see the people there again, the people I had come to know and love, know about their personal lives, their professions, how old their kids are and how many of them there are, etc. It was surreal. It was reallly like a dream ha. The kids were running around me again, giving me high fives and talking to me! I missed them so much, and I was surprised, they've gotten really big since then. I figure thats how its gonna be when I see Josh again ha. We taught a man I was really close to back then, Rafael, who has gone a little Less-Active again. But he committed to come to Church the next day. Also one of the young adults I baptized, Emman, who has also gone off a little. Hopefully they will begin to return to the Path. I have really loved my Mission and my past areas, but I think I have a special spot for Gubat, maybe its because its my first area, or because I can relate a lot to the people there because they're all fisherman I don't know, but I just really love them there. I pray they'll stay strong in the Church and keep the Faith. So that was the highlight of my week. Its been a blast here. I've loved my Mission so much, can't imagine doing anything else right now! It's been really worth all the sacrifice, sweat, tears and everything else. I love the Lord and I'm grateful that He's allowed me to represent Him these past 2 years. I owe Him so much, He's lead me by the Hand time after time in my life, and I really just feel remorse almost for some of the things I've done and the way I've acted over the years. I'm thankful for the realization I've come to have out here that I have much to do to repay Him, although I'll never fully be able to. He's kept good watch over me for a long time. I thank my family, my wonderful parents who have done so much over the years for me and Josh and Ally. And I'm thankful for the best 2 siblings in the world, can't wait to bug you guys again! Thanks to everyone else who've been such a big support to me, sending letters and emails. I love you guys so much and I can't wait to see you again! Thanks again.
With Love,
Elder Jake D. Akins

2 Weeks to Go

Oh jeez the times going to fast. Honestly it is. I can't believe it. Well we've had quite the week here in Legazpi. I'm glad that I'm staying busy, its keeping me focused which is what I need. So to start off the week we were in the southern part of our Mission on P-Day, helping a Member Nurse RM guy give Flu Shots to our Missionaries, so thats why I didn't email on time last week ha don't think its because I was emailing on another day because I wasn't! Tuesday was our "P-Day"...but it really didn't feel like P-Day. Monday just has this feel to it...no really it does. Once you have been having non-proselyting activities on a day for 2 years straight, then all of the sudden one day you change it, it just doesn't feel right. I think thats how its gonna be coming home I'm guessing? I don't know, lets worry about the Work at hand first. The next day we had our Trainer/New Missionary Workshop for the companionship who are training this transfer. It was my last training in the Mission, and it was a good one to end on because we got the approval from President at the end. And then that night at about midnight I drove to the port and got us on a boat for Masbate Island! But it took me and Elder Whitney (one of the Supply Elders) 4 hours to get us on! The Ports here are crazily unorganized...and it was raining real hard so we weren't sure if the Coast Guard would even let the boat out...but sure enough they did. "Its all good" is probably their motto. Oh and by the way we had a spot reserved on the boat at 1 in the morning...but when we got there at midnight we were suprised to see the boat we had been reserved for start to pull out to sea...so that was a good sight. I just started laughing as I saw it leave, no idea why but it just seemed funny at the time. So when I finally got to sleep at 4 in the morning, I didn't think it was funny anymore. Lots of good memories there though. Our Exchanges with the Masbate Zone Leaders went really well. I went with Elder Lethaby, who is my Batch. We reminisced about the MTC and where the time has gone. We had some fun experiences tracting too that day. We ended up teaching this 45 or so year old man that is a farmer by profession, while his wife is a banker, so they are well off so to speak. And yet he was really humble and willing to listen to us. He really enjoyed our message and encouraged us to return to his home. On the way back from Masbate I read the Life Stories of my Grandpa Doc Brown and Grandma Maud Brown. I really enjoyed it, and it made me want to learn even more about my ancestors. I think thats something that I'll pull away from my Mission, my interest in my Roots and where I came from and their stories. I've really been getting excited about it, I've even been doing some Indexing lately! Its really fun. Also this week I drove by Gubat, my old area and got to stop and visit with some Members from there for a bit. I also talked to the Pimentels, Tatay was so excited to see me he hugged about 30 or so times while I was there haha it was a really fun reunion. I've missed them a lot. I should be working down there this week on a special assignment so hopefully I can see them once more before I leave. They really are such humble and kind people. Wish I could take them back home with me! OH and Daraga 1st Ward, my old ward, has been on fire with Baptisms lately! We are going to be opening another area in their boundaries at a place called Anislag! The Members are really excited, so are we! Theres a couple of us who have served there here in the Office and we are really happy that it has continued to progress even after we left! I sure do miss those days when I was serving there, such a good Ward. Oh man I'm gonna miss it. I've been so blessed to be apart of the Work here, and I'm really gonna miss it. 2 more weeks to go. Hope it doesn't go to fast. Love you all and I'll see you fore long.
Love Elder Akins

3 to Go

Quite the week we had here. My companions were gone a bit for the week on Exchanges and off helping President with Interviews and such. I was left in the Office with the Secretary and Finance Elders, not doing a whole lot but just enough to keep me busy. We had some Missionaries being dumb down South so I had to straighten some things out there. Our Mission President's son just returned from his Mission in Boise, Idaho. He knew Mitchell Phillips a bit so we chatted for a moment when I saw him about how things were there. He really enjoyed it, and he asked me how I like it here. I told him the same. As I only got 3 weeks left here in the Philippines, I've dwelled a little on how my time in the Mission. I think for anyone who is asked how they liked their Mission can't help but try and describe how it was. We can talk about the food or the culture, funny stories and all that, but for me I can't really describe how I feel about these past 2 years. All I can really say is I have loved it! I just don't know how to describe it, its so intimate I feel. You have to really experience it for yourself to understand.  I've come to love this People, to really really love this People who I never ever thought about before receiving my call. Loving others is something I've learned here, as well as many other things. I hope that they stay with me too. I'm excited yet nervous for the future. I can't wait to be with you all again. Yet I'm all mixed emotions about leaving. Mission's are tough, thats all I've got to say ha. Love you all!
Elder Akins

Sorry For Not Writing

Sorry I haven't written for awhile, we've been scrunched with stuff lately. But lately things have been going well. Its still the same Office, same crazy stuff always happening. Lots of Trainings and more Trainings. I'm grateful for these past 6 months I've had to learn all about Administrative things being here in the Office, its been difficult for me to adjust to these kinds of things but the Lord hasn't left me alone I'd say. Its crazy I've even made it this far here. I heard something the other day from another Office Elder, he said that "The Lord placed us here in the Office because He knows if we were out in the Field we would be working." So I guess what he means is its just a different test for us here. I've definitely been stretched to my limits, but I've learned a lot from this experience. So this week I got to chill with the Supply Elders (Elder O'Connor and Elder Whitney) and help them with their work because my companions went to Catanduanes Island to do some exchanges and attend a Zone Training there. So on Wednesday I helped them reorganize and clean our apartment because its where all of the supply things are stored. Our Office is to small, so we sacrificed our space for it all. It took us most of the day, but at the end it was a project that Dad would've been proud of! I love finishing a job and seeing that was done right, I guess I got that from him ha. But we were really happy of how it looked, and the other Elders were blown away when they got back from work and stuff. We had a nice Companionship Study together at the end of the day, we kinda just shared some cool scriptures with one another and talked about how the Mission has impacted our lives. We would've planned for the following days work but we would be going all over the Mission to deliver supplies and fix apartments. We moved a whole apartment that Thursday, in the rain...yet again something Dad would've been proud of. Friday I gave my GoodBye Testimony to the Sorsogon Zone at their Zone Training. I got to attend there because we are reviewing Zone Trainings in our Mission to see how effect our ZL's are. The cool thing about that was I started my Mission in that Zone, gave my Arrival Testimony there, and then I got the chance to give my Departure Testimony there too. I shared about Matthew 21 when Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him and then tells him to "Feed His Sheep"...it also talks about fishing in there so I had to share it. But it went well I think. Hope they picked up what I was putting down about not wasting time out there ha. OH and I had real Milk that day for the first time in like 2 years! It was real good, can't wait to get some more when I get back. OH and one more funny story fore I finish. So Saturday it Brown Out'd here so I went to turn the Generator on in the back and I saw that it was out of Gas. So I started fillin it up with Diesel and sat down on a container. After a bit my butt felt a little wet, so I stood up and realized that Diesel and leaked out of it and made a pool right where I was sitting...I was so mad because I had just gotten those pants back from the Washers! The outside of my wallet got soaked too, smells real good now. But thats ok, everytime I smell it it'll remind me of my Mission! I'm really gonna miss being out here in the Philippines, this has been one of the best experiences of my life, if not the best! Well I hope all is well back in good ole Santa Clara. Can't wait to be back in town and see everyone! Love you all! Take care.

Elder Akins

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to you Dad and all the other fathers out there. Many of you have really impacted my life for the better, I think I'd be a lot different if it wasn't for the many good examples I've had over these past years. Well this has been quite the week, by the way sorry I didn't write last week I didn't get to email that much because we had just got back from a Zone Conference and were preparing for the next one. We had 3 of them this week, oh boy I'm beat. We visited our 2 big island zones and had one down south. Lots of traveling. One night we were driving for 4 hours from one end of the mission to the other doing some re-arraigning with missionaries at about 8-12 midnight...I think the Spirit ended up driving at one point because I was getting really sleepy. It was oddly foggy that night too, but we made it in the end! I really wish I had an amazing spiritual story this week but we've been busy with these Conferences so not much work has happened this week. But we should be getting out more this week, although we do have Transfer Planning tomorrow. Its always just one thing after another. I miss you all, sorry these are shorter than they used to be. Love you all!

Elder Akins

Grabe Ang Week Nito!

So ya the Philippines never ceases to amaze me. Last night I was driving home from the Office with everyone in the truck with me and we got behind this Padyak, its like a bike with a sidecar that they drive people around in. It was about 11 o'clock and I was about to pass this guy but something was holding me back from doing so. And he was being really wierd because he was in the middle of the road and then he would keep it to the right, then come back to the left. His Ronny buddy on the back was half hanging on, half off but he kept calling me to pass them. So I did and right as I did the guy swerved for no reason in front of me, luckily I figured he was a little tipsy so I was being careful. So ya he was, then the guy on the back tried getting off while he was peddling and lost his shoe, so I had to stop for him, then he started walking who knows where. But needless to say he went another half mile or so fore he dropped off this lady with a baby that I didn't see inside. So I'm very grateful for the Spirit and that it was telling me to be cautious that night. This past week though we had 2 different trainings/conferences. They both went well, we kinda scrapped it by with time but they were good. My new companion Elder Hernandez is doing well, he's really stepping up to the plate. I guess the Family got to meet with his family this past week which was cool. But ya, we had a great week for sure. We found about 3 or 4 families through tracting this week! Our area hasn't had a baptism in a year or so, so we have decided we are going to break the Curse of the AP's area. We are super stoked, our most progressing family is the Ballderama Family and they are starting to read the Book of Mormon, they kinda remind me of the Magallon's. I actually saw them yesterday after their Church service, except for Brother ha he had to go home early because of LBM which they all thought was hilarious when the told me ha. Oh I love them so much, can't believe I ever doubted coming on a Mission. I love you all, hope everyones doing well. Be seeing ya soon! Mom make sure that Joey and Maynerd keep getting my emails please. Love ya!
Elder Akins

Crazy Crazy Crazy

I feel like the only word that is consistent in my grammer now is Crazy, because thats the only thing that happens here ha. Let alone back at home, like how all of my buddies are getting back right now! What the heck, I didn't even know Joey and Lindsey were heading home this week! Crazy stuff. Man I really gotta stop saying that, I'll try to before I get home. Well we had a decent week, we've been adjusting the Mission like crazy because of problems with missionaries health and stuff. But I'm learning how to keep it all together. I got to go through my old area (Gubat) this past week, but I didn't stop to say hi to anyone, wasn't time. But I did see good ole Tatay Pimentel standing in his door way shirtless as ever! Haha I love Filipinos! Such a crack up. Quick funny story: So I got to attend a Birthday Party in my old area in Daraga at one of my old investigators house because I had to show some new Elders where he lived. Long story short we got sat down right in the middle of this group of about 50+ people (half of them were drunk old guys who were having the time of their lives when they saw 2 white guys and a poly guy show up), and then they made us eat all of this food. It was super awkward, embarrassing and super funny. We were laughing along with them haha. Thats what I love about the Philiippines, you never feel alone. The people are always so nice and caring. We had a good time and we were even able to get an appointment with a girl for those Elders. Me and my companions had some real good success with our area this week. We've been focusing on this strip of railroad that has a lot of houses along it this past week and have found quite a few of potential investigators, so hopefully they will take off in the Gospel here fore long. Well I love you guys, hope all is well and that you're getting plenty of rain back at home. I'll try to bring some home with me when its my turn to head out! Love ya!
Elder Akins

Missionaries Down

This has been another hectic/insane week. I think I'll just stop saying they're crazy because its just normal now. I've never experienced so much GO GO GO in my life. Jeez, an Elder just needs to take a few moments on the stream slaying fish I'd say! Life's getting to much in a hurry for me! The craziest things have been happening lately. We've lost almost 10 missionaries to illnesses in the past few weeks. Its hurting us bad, we are pretty low on Elders and Sisters right now. Hopefully the Lord will bless us with some more soon. Maybe we are lacking in Faith... I don't know we'll have to look into that. I'm really growing from all this though. So I what I really should be saying is I'm grateful for these trials that God is giving to me, because He loves me enough to "cut me down" so to speak. A mission is a truly amazing experience. Well like I said we got a new companion last week, Elder Hernandez, who is a stud, but who I failed to mention is a BYU/BoSoxs fan so that ain't flying...but we've worked through it and both agreed that we can be companions for the time being haha. No he's great though, we're good friends and I'm happy that he's here. We had a really cool spiritual experience this week in one of our lessons. We visited an old Bishop that has gone Less Active in our area. Long story short he hasn't been coming to church for a long time and we haven't had much progress with him. We haven't even been sure what his concern really is. But on Saturday night we were finally able to peel away the last part of the onion! We found out, after an awesome lesson about becoming Disciples of Christ leaving everything using Matthew 4:18-22 I believe it was, that he was offended long ago by his uncle who also served as a Bishop. So now that we know whats up we can finally help address his concern. I hope before I leave that he will return to the Church, thats one of my Personal Goals right now. Also that me and Elder Hernandez will have a baptism here in the AP Area...which hasn't happened in almost 2 years now ha so we'll see how that goes! It'll take some Faith I guess. Pananampalataya baga!
Love Elder Akins

Transfer Week

Well another crazy week here in the Office. We had lots going on with getting ready for the Transfer tomorrow. The Plans themselves for the Transfer were really crazy. We had a lot of changes happen. We got 2 new Supply Elders: Elder Kelley and Elder O'Connor. So they will be staying with us from Tuesday on. Should be lots of fun. I'm also getting a new companion, Elder Hernandez. I'll tell you more about him next week, but he's a good guy. We are also getting a new ZL here in Legazpi, one of my good buds Elder Whitney. And part of the crazy thing is he will be taking the place of Elder O'Connor. Elder O'Connor's comp, Elder Pasadillo, is my old comp and he is heading home. So Elder Matautia, this cool, funny, Poly Aussie kid, will take his spot. This isn't even half of it...confused yet? Ya, I'm trying hard to not get confused haha. But its a blast though! We ate Lunch and Dinner with President a couple of times which is always an interesting experience. He always has these crazy stories that he shares with us that leave us saying, "That used to be President?" For example, back in the early 80's he lived in the Middle East, and he would spend countless hours Spear-Fishing. He also told us how he would catch so many fish out there when he was fishing from a boat that they would fillet them and lay all the fillets on the top of the boat and all over the deck so that they could fit them all. Then they would lay them on their car as they drove home, and by the time they got home they would dry to the car haha. He used to have a sweet Tom Seleck Mustache too. On a more spiritual side, I'm currently in the War Chapters of the Book of Mormon. I love Captain Moroni's example most of all, I think he is my favorite Book of Mormon character. He's such a stud. Humble, yet bold. Wasn't afraid of anything. He had complete Faith in his men and the Lord. I hope that I can follow his example more. I've definitely been blessed of having many amazing examples in my life. My Father, my grandfathers, my uncles, my cousins, fathers of friends, ward members, the list goes on and on. Thanks to all of you, I'm so grateful for all of you and the good influence you've had on me! I love you all. Also to my bud's, who knows where I'd be without you Ronny's!
    Love Elder Akins

Quick Email

Hey everyone sorry I'm down to only a few minutes now so I'll make it quick. But this week was pretty crazy. We were supposed to move a bunch of missionaries around this week, but weren't able to get around to it because we had a ton of other things come up like missionaries that wanted to go home and other things. So its been kind of a stressful one. Prayer has played a big role this week. I try to just not worry so much and have an understanding that everything that gets thrown at me, fastballs and curveballs, is all for my good. It works pretty well I suppose. I recently heard about my buddy Elder Bunting help fish in a shark...hey bud just to let you know, I'll be reeling in stuff bigger than that at Powell son! Can't wait to see my buddies again, its been to long. I was able to Skype the family today. Gotta say its been a long 2 years since I've seen you guys, I know that mostly because Josh is starting to look bigger than I remember. Can't wait to throw with ya again buddy! Oh man I miss you guys so much, and I especially want Mom to know how much I appreciate her and love her! I hope you could understand me during the Skype haha my English skills are less than par right now. I feel almost socially awkward when I English under pressure haha. But I love you Mom and I hope your Mother's Day was awesome! You deserve more than a day's rest! Love you! Other than that I hope everyone else is doing well! Miss you all!
    Elder Akins

The Time is Far Spent

I really don't know where the time goes! This week has gone by super fast. Everyday has been pretty busy for us. We had a few Exchanges in pretty distant areas so that took up a day. And we've also been busy moving Missionaries around to different areas under Presidents direction. So needless to say I've been spending quite some time behind the wheel. One night it just turned out to be My Night. Everyone that has been in the Office has left some kind of mark or such on the vehicles. So this one night I was coming back with Elder Surio from grabbing a bite to eat because we had just finished running errands for the day. So I went to pull into the tight opening and I ended up taking a bad angle and put a dent the size of a baseball into the side of our Ford Ranger. So that made my night. Its a good thing the Church has Insurance right?! I was pretty grateful at the time. Then I had to tell President what happened, but it was all good with him. Ha I felt like I was back at home telling Dad that I broke a sprinkler head on the lawn or something. But we got everything taken care of and its all good now. This week me and Elder Surio had a great lesson about Joseph Smith with our Investigator Joy and her boyfriend who was at their house. We watched the Restoration video at their neighbor's house who are members: the Luvendino's. They have a couple of little girls, and their youngest little girl: Showbee, who I would love to adopt and bring home with me haha the cutest little girl! She's so funny too, she's only 6 and she asks the most mature questions about where I'm from and if I have a girlfriend and what my family is like! Such a little cutie. Anyways, the lesson was great, and we had a good Question/Answer time after the video. The boyfriend even had some questions so hopefully we can teach him with her in the next lesson this week. Thats about how the week went, sorry times limited to this is all I got! Love you all!
    Elder Akins

Exchanges, New Missionaries, and Other Stuff

I'll just keep it real simple this week. So we had 2 different Exchanges with different Zone Leaders this week. The Guinobatan Zone and the Sorsogon Zone Leaders. They were pretty fun, I always love getting out of the Office and back to working. Guinobatan was one of those Jungle areas, so I was lovin' every bit of it! Even got to have some Coconut again! I've missed Buko a lot, that'll be one of the hardest things about coming home I think. But it felt good to be out in the Boonies again, ipinaganak ako sa kabundokan! It just smells and feels so much better there. Anyways its was a really fun exchange. The Sorsogon Zone Leaders: Elder Poulton & Elder Benson, are both studs. I went with Elder Poulton...and we met harsh rejection from many a people due to their area being in a richer area. So a lot of people are just not up to listen. But we still had fun. On Wednesday we had a new Sister come into the Mission from Pakistan...and she hardly spoke a lick of English....or Tagalog. Poor girl, its gonna be a rough take off. I think I realized that when I was trying to orient her with all the Mission Rules and such and she didn't have any questions and was kinda just sitting there like a stump on a log. Oh man, well she'll be fine I guess. We'll just have to pray lots for her. After dropping her off at the Port to go to one of the islands in our Mission with her Trainer, we drove back. We decided to stop at the Pilar Elder's apartment (our Zone) on the way back to check on them. When we got there it was about lunchtime. We walked into the house after seeing their shoes at the door. They are 2 Filipino Elders, but I heard this different kind of English accent when I was there. After giving Elder Surio a "Whats going on?" look, it clicked for us both. Elder O'Connor! The Dirty Aussie himself. Ha so we walk in and him and the other Zone Leader, Elder Pasadillo (my old comp) are just chillin, they were waiting for the other Elder's to return back from work. They had just come through from a different area from exchanges and were just doing an Apartment Check, but we were cracking up trying to figure out what the heck they were doing there! So we took them home with us, and on the way home we decided to make some little kid's day! We had these free coca-cola's given to us, but we aren't allowed to drink it. So as we were driving down the highway we would stop and give it to kids walking down the street, along with a pass-along card. We actually got a text saying thank you from one of them which was cool. But one kid wasn't that excited when we offered to give him one, instead he took off on a dead sprint for the hills! Funniest thing of the week, and we got it on video so I'll upload that soon. So much fun! I love being a Missionary, especially dito sa Pilipinas! Oh and by the way, I've been pondering it for a long time and I gotta say that I'm on Team Pacquiao! Its gonna be such a good fight! Oh man its gonna be crazy! People are already getting ready for it here. And I really hope Pacquiao wins because I really don't wanna find out what will happen if he doesn't haha. Love you all! Take care.
    Elder Akins

Gubat Visit

So this week wasn't much of a commotion. President Guanzon has been gone the whole week at a Mission President's Conference in Manila, so there wasn't much Office work to do. We did however get to take some Sister's down to Sorsogon Province, to Gubat my first area! I was so excited to get going. The sad part though was that we didn't get down there until 9:00pm, which means everyone and their dog is asleep in the Philippines at such time. So I didn't get to say hello to some of the people I know there, like the Pimentel Family. It killed me driving past their house on the highway out. We did get to go see the Elder's at the good ole blue apartment there. Its even smaller than I remembered it ha. Can't believe that's where I started my Mission, its gotta be one of the worst apartments we have here haha but it took me right back! Especially the bathroom, still smells bad. This week I listened to a cool talk by Elder Marcus B. Nash of the First Quorum of the 70 about "Righteous Dominion and Compassion for the Earth" which he delivered at a Law Class at the University of Utah. I liked it a lot, made me understand the Creation better and the importance of taking care of the Earth. Yesterday me and Elder Surio were out working at night and we ended up teaching one of our investigators at the house that is next door to her's, its her sister's and her husband's. Anyways it was a good lesson, and afterwards we got in the car and Elder Surio just looks at me and says, "Ok, what the heck just happened?!" Then he explained to me that something weird had happened in the lesson. So he was sitting almost across from me on the floor, leaning against a wooden doorway. The doorway had like a drape thing over it so we couldn't see into the rest of the house. And apparently while we were teaching someone was running a finger over his back! Haha from my perspective I couldn't' see anything, and the investigator couldn't either. It was crazy haha I was laughing the whole time he told me the story. We think it was our investigator's sister because Elder Surio said that once he heard the husband coughing on the other side of the house the finger stopped. So we won't be visiting that house anymore. Haha only on the Mission. Well I hope everyone's doing well! Spring is here and hopefully you'll be getting rain soon back at home! We need it!
    Love Elder Akins

Happy Late Easter/General Conference!

So sorry about last week, we were swamped trying to get ready for Transfers and all that. Gratefully I now have time to say whats up to everyone! So ya life's going good, especially after watching General Conference! Oh man, that was my favorite so far. Given before my Mission I had never watched a full G.M. so ya. But the talks were so impactful for me. After watching Elder Nielson's talk I realized that even though I am trying to do my best to follow Jesus Christ and use His Atonement and everything else, that I will always be a Prodigal Son. Thats why I am so grateful for God's Mercy, that He would make it possible for me to return to Him! It was a great talk. I loved Elder Packer's talk from the Saturday Morning Session ha made me crack up when he was talking about how his successful marriage all started when his girlfriend was sneaking out of class to give him a "Cookie and a Kiss". Both of my favorite Apostles gave great talks as well. Elder Perry talked about Families and Marriage and talked about his experience when he and President Eyring went to the Vatican. It was cool that members of the Muslim faith quoted our "Family Proclamation" in the meeting. And then Elder Holland's talk was amazing, it hit me so hard! His story was so gripping, I could feel that warm sandstone on my hands! And then I loved how he brought it to the Fall, and then all the way back to the Atonement. Ah man it was so good. I thought about Josh during it haha if he would be there for me, and I know he would if the situation ever called for it. He's a good kid, and I miss him. Well this week has just been lots of planning and getting ready for our MLC. There are moments of fun and jokes though, so its not all boring. We just got a new Elder here in the Office, Elder Peterson. He is training to be the new Finance Elder, so he will replace Elder Kelley after another Transfer. Well I hope all is well back at home and you guys are getting lots of rain! I miss you all. And I can't believe Devin's engaged, that kid! He better delay that until I get back!
    Love Elder Akins

Hittin' Up Catanduanes Isle

So the highlight of this week was definitely going to Catanduanes Island and going on exchanges with the Zone Leaders there. We actually got delayed a day before we were able to get there. We woke up at 3:30 in the morning and went to Tabaco, a port city near Legazpi. When we got there we found out that we weren't able to get the truck on the boat because they were already over-booked. Soooooo we went all the way back home and didn't sleep the whole day, and it was the best... So the next day we tried again and thankfully by the grace and kindness of the Loading Director, we got on. So then we got to the Island and did some good work there with the ZL's. I got to see my Trainer (Elder Yu) while I was there. He's training a Filipino kid right now. And also I beat him in Basketball 1x1...again. While on the Exchanges we had a crazy funny experience happen. Elder Olayao is the Elder I was with, and we were contacting a referral at the time. We ended up finding the Nanay that we were looking for around the corner from her house, taking cover under a tree from the rain. As we approached her the member that was working with us jumped back and yelled "AHAS!" which is Snake in Tagalog. We looked down at her feet and there was this big ole snake just sitting there! So we grabbed her and pulled her away, but after we got to looking at it, it turned out to be dead. Which is the reason she didn't notice it, because she told us after that she thought it was a stick haha. We cracked up for a minute with her about it. I got some pics of the snake, I'll try to upload them soon. All in all it was a fun exchange, it was my first time being on Cat's too. Other than all that its been a normal week of work and the sort. Oh man I can't believe Elder Tevaga goes home in a week! So crazy, times to fast. This week we start Transfer Planning with President, that means Work and Stress! Can't wait.
    Elder Akins

Lots of Driving

This week we did lots of driving with having to move Elder's to different area's and stuff. One day I did a total of 7 hours driving. It was crazy. At least now I know I can make it up to Grandpa and Grandma Davis in a day. We went to the southern part of our mission that day and I got to drive through Gubat my first area. The only person I saw was Tatay Pimentel who was standing in his doorway at their house. Sadly I didn't get to stop and talk though, hopefully next time. I miss that family so much. And they'd be so surprised at my Tagalog now because back then I sounded like a baby trying to talk to them ha. While driving on a different day we had a drunk Tatay stumble out onto the highway ha luckily we swerved and missed him. And that morning we also got a nice little wake up call from seeing a crazy naked guy cross the road in front of us! Ha all we could do was just yell "OOOHHHH!" in the car and laugh till we cried. This place is so crazy. I'm trying real hard to step up into my position, its hard though. Sometimes its chill, but other times I'm on the hot seat. We also went on Exchanges this Saturday with the Zone Leaders in Tabaco, and Elder Decicio made some good food for us! Oh how I miss Filipino Traditional foods. We don't get to eat Rice and stuff a lot here in the Office so when we do I eat till it hurts! Oh its to good haha. Well hope everyones doing good and hanging in there! I love you all!
Elder Akins

MLC and Other Stuff That Happened This Week

Well it was kinda boring here this week. For the most part. We had a Missionary Leadership Council with all the Zone Leader's and Sister Training Leader's this week, so we were planning and preparing for that the whole first part of the week. We did a lot of talking and helping President, but I'm getting used to talking in front of everyone now so its not a big deal. Driving still going well, haven't hit anyone or anything yet (knock on wood). I got to drop Missionaries off at the airport so that they could go on a free trip to Manila and eat at the legit restaurants and fast-food restaurants there...twice. So while everyone was bringing back Krispy Kremes and stuff, me and Elder Surio looked on, doing work on the computer and hating life. I think the next time I'll ever get to go there is on the plane home. But thats life. I did get a Subway Sandwich though, which was amazing. They didn't have Banana Peppers which kinda bummed me...and then Elder Tevaga stole all of my Peanut Butter so it really just wasn't my day. On Thursday we went and saw Elder Haymond and his comp in Guinobatan and picked up a washer in the car. We almost ended up tying it to the roof, but then we fixed the problem and it fit in the trunk. As you can see my life isn't as amazing as it used to be. But we'll push through it I guess. Hope you are all well. Take care.
Elder Akins

Week 2 Down

Dear Family and Friends,

We'll I'm glad I made it through that week ha I never thought it would end! The Office is either legit, or its super boring and stressful. It kinda like half of the time there's something going and we have to be all over it, but then the other half of the time its just chill...but we still don't get much sleep ha. I miss being out in the field where I actually had a plan of how the day was gonna go, now its all jumbled running here, doing this and that and running back. Ha but its all good. We don't get to go out and work a whole lot, its mostly just running errands, fixing problems, helping people get to where they need to be and lots of planning for meetings and stuff. Its a good thing I've got lots of good guys here in the Office to keep me going, we have lots of fun.

So this week was my first time ever going to Mass, it was at a banquet that we got invited to for the Skin Clinic I used to go to for my acne. The food was great, and we ended up sharing a Pass-Along Card with some of the people on our table during the banquet. We were rubbin shoulder's with a ton of big whigs there, like the guy who owned all of the 7Eleven's in Legazpi was there on our table, the Mayor and his wife were at the banquet as well as countless other people who I didn't know ha.

We had to go pick up some Missionaries in a far area on Wednesday and switch them with other Missionaries because there was some problems in their area, so me and Elder Surio were mobbing the whole way there. I was taking corners like nobody's business haha. Driving here is SO different from back home ha sometimes really scary, other times so amazing.

On Sunday we had Stake Conference here in Legazpi, and I was there when Brother Victor Magallon got sustained to the Melchizedek Priesthood...nothing makes me more happy than seeing him and his family progress in the Gospel! It reminds me every time of why I came out here on a Mission. I love the quote, "A Missionary: Someone who leaves their family for 2 years, so that others can be with their families for forever." I know this is the Lord's Work! And I'm so glad that I get to be apart of it, even if now I'm stuck looking outside of an Office all day I know that its for my own good and that I'm here to help others have the same amazing experiences that I've had out here! Hope you are all well, I love you all and can't wait to be back amongst you again.

Love Elder Akins

Transferred To...

Ya so now I'm here in the Office...so now I'm all I'm doing is being a Pencil Pusher as AP which isn't as glorified as it sounds. I was caught off guard when they announced me as the new assistant, I knew it was kinda wierd that they would transfer me so fast since I was in my new area 1 transfer, and my old comp is now gonna do 5 there so it seemed a little wierd for me. But so far its been either stressful or fun, depending on what day it is and whats happening. Like sometimes we don't have anything to do so I get to study a lot or look at Mormon Messages on the computer. I've been driving lately too, I went and got my license renewed for the Philippines here in Legazpi so I've been cruising quite a bit. Its WAY different than back in the States. Imagine a land with no traffic laws, no stop signs or street lights...its like a real life Racing Game haha! Its kinda sketchy but it'll really help improve my driving skills I'm thinking. So the day I got called we had to take everyone down South to Sorsogon to the next Transfer Point, so I got to drive through my old area, even saw some people that I knew as we drove. I announced the new Companionships there, then me and Elder Tevaga drove back. It was fun to chill and talk with him again. Him and Elder Surio are my new companions. E. Surio is actually my Batch coming into the Mission, he's from Daily City, California...its in the Bay area. And then me and Tevaga go back to last year as well, so it's gonna be a blast. Tevaga's the one from Hawaii who moved to Washington that I told you about. Here also in the Office is Elder Kelley, our Finance Secretary, from Shelly, Idaho. And Elder Temaras, our Secratary from Manila, Philippines. We've been having tons of fun, even though we're like #TEAMNOSLEEP here. We wake up super early for some stuff, like when we had to drop off Missionaries in their new areas last week in the morning. It was a 2 hour drive and we had to get them there in the early morning so we were up by 4:30. I'm adjusting well though I think. Its gonna be kinda difficult when I have to speak to all the ZL's and STL's at our Missionary Leadership Council next week, but I already did a Trainer's Training with Elder Tevaga last week so I'm feeling better about my abilities to speak in front of others. Just hope the Lord will help me, cuz I need every bit I can get. I feel like unto Moses when he said "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slowtongue." But I know that all things are possible to me through our Lord like it says in Philippians 4:13, so I'll give her my best shot and hope the Lord will do the rest! I love you all and I'm constantly praying and thinking of you. Especially my Family, I love you guys so much. Have an amazing week!
Elder Akins

Transfers...again.

I'm out of Daraga already, its only been 1 Transfer haha so there must be good/difficult things in store. It was super unexpected, I really thought I was gonna be here for awhile too. But the Lord's always got other plans for you, especially if you're getting into your comfort zone...which I totally was! I'm gonna miss Daraga 1st Ward! Best Ward in the Mission! Giving my Goodbye Testimony was kinda weird because it was the 2nd time in 6 weeks haha its like I was already gone! Its all good though, I'll go where the Lord wants me to go ha. I figure its always best not to murmur, just do what needs to be done. This past week was super legit! Me and Elder Pasadillo got to go to Batan Island for Exchanges this week! Its the ghettoist part of our Mission! And we had a blast. The 2 hour boatride was nice, we just chilled up on top of the boat and slept and took in the sun. I got my Farmers Tan on, gonna look like I've been workin hard in the fields in the dead of summer when I get back...cuz I have, just the Lord's Fields thats all. The island is super beautiful, the water is clear blue, and the beaches are white! A lot of people were checking me out because white people just don't go there that often. The day after we got back from Batan we were just super beat. We attended a District Meeting first, then got to the apartment and took showers after 2 1/2 days haha ya we attend the meeting as we were. Felt like Heaven! But Satan was really tryin to tempt us to sleep and make it a no work day or something, but we ended up just getting to work like we should've. And that night we saw the Lord's Hand and His Blessings for us. We had a few hours to work, so we tried hitting some unplanned appointments (rarely is there ever planned appointments in the Philippines). We got the boot 3 times. By then we were running down and wondering what to do, like well should we just go back or what kinda thing. But the wierdest thing happened. We had both expressed feelings of wanting to go back home and just finish the day, but it was like something was just pushing us, we both kinda just kept walking without thinking. We got to our last appointment, to a Less-Active young man, ended up teaching him and finding out some of his concerns with why he wasn't coming to Church. We even expressed to him how the Lord had lead us to him that night, it was a great spiritual lesson we had. These are some of the Miracles that happen on the Mission, thats why I love it so much! Well my times almost up here. Guess we'll see whats gonna be happening for the rest of my Mission tomorrow at Transfer Point, wish me luck!
Love Elder Akins
PS Happy Birthday Ally!

A White Valentines

So it wasn't a White Valentines just because me and Elder O'Connor (my housemate) are the only white guys in the neighborhood and I took him out on a date like you're thinking...you'll have to wait till the end of the email to find out why. But I'll just say it was an amazing and inspiring week for me! So first off I've been inspired to fix my tennis shoes. I've worn holes into the fronts of them cuz we ball to hard here. I've been hunting for Duck Tape but no success yet, guess I'll just endure the blood blisters till I find some. Me and O'Connor went on Exchanges again this week, had some fun and crazy experiences happen, like the one guy I used to teach who told us he'd be fine living in the Terrestrial Kingdom...uhhh ya I guess, whatever you're into. We told him that he needed to pray about it first, so he said he'd text when I figured his life out. Also that day I got my BDay/Valentines Package! Thanks Momma! But for cereal...don't send anymore. I especially enjoyed Grandma Brown's Card that she sent haha the pics cracked me up. Oh and on that day I got Elder O'Connor to wear an American Flag tie with me...he's Aussie. I watched 3 mice play around on a ladies countertop during a lesson for a bit. It's really sad what people have to live through here. Our District Meeting on Receiving Prayer Through Revelation was legit. Elder O'Connor gives great workshops. I was really inspired to make my prayers even more meaningful through Elder Tevaga's conversion story/testimony on prayer during that meeting. He's such an inspiration to me. Saturday was the real Highlight of the week though. It was Valentines, but not just an ordinary Valentines. Brother Conrad was finally baptized into the Church! And I've never attended such an amazing Baptism. It was an honor to be one of the missionaries to have taught, given blessings to, and finally baptize this man. I've never seen or heard of such an amazing Conversion Story and such a strong Testimony from a Recent Convert. He is an amazing man. After he came up out of the water he bowed his head and gave a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord. He really understands the importance of Baptism...unlike our Part-Member Ronny of a kid who was lost the entire day of his baptism...so he didn't get dunked like we'd hoped haha he's super crazy and just kinda does what he wants so we kinda saw it coming. I felt bad for his Mom because she really was excited for him to be baptized...oh well theres always next saturday! Conrad shared his favorite scripture that my comp E. Mallabo shared with him when I was there to us during his testimony: Moroni 10:20-23. It really gave him hope and faith when he needed it. I don't cry really ever (guess thats my Akins side), but that man made me tear up for sure. Its been a blessing to have been apart of this man's life, and I can't wait to see him again after this life! Miracles do happen!!!
Love you all and hope you had a Happy Valentines.
PS Its my little Squishters BDay this week, shout out!!!
Love Elder Akins

Its Gonna Be a White Valentines!

Well guys I got some great news for y'all! This Saturday we are gonna be having 3 Baptisms in our Ward, one for each companionship! The Sisters have a single man who is ready, me and my companion have a part member kid who's finally ready haha he's super crazy but passed his interview, and the final candidate is from my old area. If you remember Brother Conrad, the man who has cancer, well he's been cleared by our Mission President for Baptism! And he's asked me to baptize him! So I'm so excited for him! We started teaching him way back at the time we started with the Magallon Family, and now all his stuff with his wife is cleared up so he can be baptized! He's so happy and excited, he came to Church on Sunday and that's all he talked about with me the whole time! His story is really amazing, and I'm so glad that I got to be part of his conversion. He's just one of those people where I've really seen True Conversion happen, just makes me all the more happy that I came on a Mission! Well other than all that good stuff, I turned 20 this past week. The AP's and the Office Elders took us and Elder O'Connor and Elder Mallabo to this super amazing Buffet in Legazpi, its actually inside a 4 star hotel. We joked about how it looks a lot like the Great and Spacious Building, but in the end it sure was good food and we had lots of fun. They pulled a quick one on me and told the waitress it was my BDay, but at least it wasn't as embarrassing as that time we got Sammy Walton to ride the Saddle for his BDay at Texas Roadhouse (Shout out to my Boys, BroHouse when I get back?!). Also this week we went on exchanges in the farthest part of our Zone to a place called Donsol, and also a place called Pilar. Donsol is actually the Whale Shark Capital of the World and its the nicest place I've been so far in the Philippines ha. It took us 2 hours on top of a Jeepney to get there. The beach looked great, it kinda reminded me of my first area. I went with Elder Christofferson (my batch!) and his comp Elder Lonjas. We had a good day of work and I did a Baptismal Interview for one of their investigators. The next day we traveled to Pilar and worked with the Elders there. Me and the Elder I was with found quite a few service opportunities while we were proselyting, like for example we helped an old Nanay carry this big log to her house along the road, then we helped some kids cross the highway and carried their jugs of water for them, and lastly we helped this Investigator dig out some clay behind his house so he can widen his house...white shirts and all. Just another week in the life of a Zone Leader I guess. Love you all, thanks for all the Birthday wishes, you guys are the best!
Love Elder Akins

Busy Busy Busy

We were really busy this week. Ran some errands for the AP's, had 2 sets of Exchanges, and still managed to work our way to the top of the boards! We almost hit the Standard of Excellence in our Mish, its like the Goals for everything, so we were super pumped because we didn't even get to work full out in our area this week! The best part of this week though was getting to go back to my area which is like next door haha. I worked with my Dirty Australian of a pal Elder O'Connor there, and it was legit! We visited Brother Conrad (the guy with Cancer) and the Magallon Family! Brother Conrad was excited to see me ha and we had a great lesson about the Priesthood. We told him that we know if he keeps on the path he is on, one day he'll be able to receive this Sacred Authority from God! He was so pumped up haha. After the lesson we were asking him how he was doing with all the Commandments and such, and then Elder O'Connor asked him about how his Grape Juice was (this member brought him this big jug of Pure Grape Juice from the States as a gift. Its super expensive here) that he had out. It was out on his table, so he grabbed it and handed it to us. Then he said he feels wierd when he drinks it, so he'll only drink like a glass a day or so. We thought that was a little wierd, I opened her up and gave her a good whiff...turns out that stuff fermented REAL good haha! We told him that Grapes ferment after a period of time (like 2 weeks ha) of being left out in the heat. So in the end he decided to toss it hahaha good choice my friend! Don't think you can get baptized if you keep that one up! And our lesson with the Magallons later on that night was legit of course! So good to teach them again. I miss my area :( So ya thats the update for this week. Hope y'all are good back at home! Miss you guys. Heard that the SeaHawks lost...thats what they get for knockin my Cowboys out. Much Love!
Elder Akins

1st Zone Training and other Meetings

Pretty jam packed week this week. We had a meeting with our Sister Training Leader's on Tuesday to prepare for our Missionary Leadership Conference on Wednesday, which went well. President gave us a few new rules for our mission, and cleared up some old ones that some Ronny's here weren't following. He also gave a Workshop on Increasing Your Teaching Pool with the AP's. It was a pretty sweet meeting, being there with all the Great's in the Mission. Lots of them are my good friends so it was fun to see them all and talk with them. Me and Elder Pasadillo have been planning really hard this past week, and we came up with this great Action Plan that we are implementing with our Zone. We also had a great meeting with our District Leaders yesterday night after our Zone Training which was legit. We discussed some concerns in our Zone and listened to our District Leaders in what they thought, then together came up with this plan to report the amount of people we've tracted daily, and out of that amount how many allowed us to come back on a later date. So we'll see if our Planning went well or if it went all for nothing. I haven't been this tired in my whole Mission yet, Physically or Mentally. But Spiritually I'm up in the clouds. Man I love listening to President Guanzon when he speaks to us. There's always stuff I'm learning from him. Such an amazing man. I also had Interviews with him this past week. Ha it was more of like asking me how I was and then him telling me that he's happy I haven't been on Facebook...uh ya ha thanks President? Just made me laugh, ha he said everythings well and just to keep on doing the things I've been doing and I'll be fine. He was pressed on time I guess haha. But thats alright, the one at the end of the Mission's the one that matters. Oh and our Zone Training that we put on went very well. Its so much easier now for me to talk in front of people now, but I can't wait to just not have to worry about meetings and stuff like that anymore. Now I look at the younger missionaries here and think "Just enjoy your time as a Jr., it doesn't get much better than that!" Oh well, times a tickin so I'll make the most of her while I'm still preaching the Gospel! Nothing beats this Work! I love it!
Love Elder Akins

Where was I transferred . . .

So ya I got transferred this week...but I got lied to really bad by all my office buddies. They told me that I was opening a new area in a different zone and told me I needed to pack, so I did. Well we get to the Transfer Point and they start reading names and stuff. Then my Zone Leader, Elder Pasadillo gets up and reads off all those who are coming into the Zone. Elder Cameron, his comp, was leaving so that means we get a new ZL. So he starts then pauses right as he goes to read the name...and looks at me. Then my heart sunk ha and sure enough he calls my name. So I go up onto the stand and whisper to Elder Tevaga that I'm gonna beat him like a red headed step-child as I go past him, then give Elder Pasadillo a handshake and sit down. Ya I was pretty shell shocked for a minute ha. Never thought I would get anywhere past a District Leader, but I guess the Lord has other plans for me. We've been running errands for the AP's a bit, planning everything for this coming week with all our meetings with the Zone and Mission, we have Interviews with President this Wednesday, and still trying to punch out a regular working schedule this week, so its been a little hectic for me. But I figure all it takes is time and it'll all be normal for me, so I'll just keep pushin. The worse part of the whole getting transferred situation is that I already said goodbye to all the members here haha so they were all laughing at me when they saw me on Sunday...its so bad ha. But I'm really glad I'm still here in Daraga 1st Ward, the best ward in the Mish! But no ward beats Santa Clara 5th Ward so its all good. Random fact, I met an Elder Rupp from Logan, Utah and turns out he know Christin Voran from back at home, actually they're cousins which I thought was funny because he knows Booty's somehow too so I told him that Boots Frei is my cuz and that I know Voran. Small world eh?! My new housemate is Elder O'Connor, my Dirty Aussie (as I call him) buddy. He's a batch behind me. We've been having lots of fun and we've been working out hard in the mornings...its time to get all this fat off from all the super good food here. I love Filipino food so much ha. Actually I broke a bamboo couch this week so ya I think I've gained some weight ha. Highlight of the week was getting my Christmas Package! The Jerky hit the spot, I think Dad made that but I ain't sure. Thanks though! Well my new area is pretty good. It kinda stinks though because everywhere I go I can see my old area ha but I can't go to it. We walk right down the street to go to the Magallons but I can't even go to their house! Drives me nuts! Me and Elder Pasadillo are already doing work here. For example, we have this Less-Active in our area who doesn't want to pray at all, she hasn't for like months now they said. Our second lesson with her we got her talking to the Lord! It was great, and she really felt good after. I love Missionary Work ha! Well I don't know to much about the area, so I'll have some more updates on the work here next week. Love you all, ingat!
Malapit na akong matapos sa Mission ko ha!
Love Elder Akins

Transferred Again

Alright well I'm gettin transferred this tuesday to who knows where. I'll keep ya filled in on the det's next week. Wish me luck though! So I had a cool opportunity to work with my Trainer again on Exchanges this week. We had a lot of fun, and its good now that we can communicate a lot better than back when I didn't know Tagalog haha. We met up with the other AP's and ate at this nice restaurant for dinner. We just sat there cracking each other up for the whole time, and me talking smack on Elder Tevaga haha. It was a super good day, its always a cool opportunity to work with you old companions and stuff like that, its kinda like going back in time. The other day during my Language Study time I was sitting outside of our apartment with one of our old neighbor guys who I love talking to, practicing my Tagalog and talking about how things are back in Utah. He was really interested in our farming and stuff. We talked about guns and all sorts of stuff. I love that guy haha I'm sad I gotta leave him and all the other people I get to know really well. Thats what I really love about the Philippines, I just get tight with the randomness of people haha. He's the guy who hooked me up some Carabao Horns ha hopefully those make it through Customs. I'm gonna miss this place for sure. We also did a Service Project for the Magallons this week, clearing weeds in the backyard so they can plant vegetables and stuff this year. I always love doing Service Projects...especially if its for them ha! And like I said I'm leaving so we came back that night and taught a lesson on Missionary Work and talked about how they were Fruits of that Work. I committed them to doing Missionary Work, living the Gospel and staying true to the Gospel their whole lives. I think it was meant to be that we knew each other. I'll never forget them and the many happy memories we shared with them in that little cement house. Gosh dang I hate leaving people! The good news is I'll be able to stop by and say hi anytime that I come through because they live in Daraga and we're always here for meetings and stuff! Yay! Saw 2 drunk guys get into a fight this week too, way sketchy. We hightailed it outta there ha we were going to teach one of our investigators but decided it to better to come back the next day. Well the end of this week was full of tears, I'm gonna miss this Ward! This Ward is just so special, my companions next companion is super lucky. I'll miss these people so much, thats gotta be the hardest thing about Missions, leaving people you come to love and know so well. I don't like it at all. But life goes on, and thats the way God wants it to be I guess. All is well. Love you all. Take care this week!
Love Elder Akins

Happy New Year

Had a pretty good week this week. We found some New Investigators, one in particular with a Word of Wisdom problem. We descerned in the first lesson that he wanted to stop so we invited him and he commited to us that he would abstain from those problems he has. We are gonna be trying our best to help him these coming weeks, his name is Salvador. I had the oppurtunity to go on exchanges twice this week, once with a new trainee and the other with my batch Elder Cameron. Elder Gonzalez is the new trainee, and he's a major stud! Kids got tons of potential, wouldn't suprise me to see him become the AP here after I leave. It was fun to see the fire he has, kinda like when I first got here. Sometimes I see myself just get into the Old Missionary lull, so I think it helped me to realize that I gotta have that fire all the time! I think I really got into it when we were teaching the Magallons, but I gotta find it again. Then at the end of the week I went with Cameron, and we had lots of fun! His area is way out in the boonies, ended up gettin a little lost ha but we found the way again. We found a new Family this week too! So excited to start teaching them! We've taught a little about the first lesson with them, and they are really interested. Sadly we can only teach on Sundays because Brother has work all week, he's only home on Sunday. We'll see how it goes. Not much went down on New Years, watched some fireworks then went to sleep. The fireworks here are so loud ha I swear I thought the Chinese were invading this week! And the best thing that happened this week was Brother Conrad, the one who has cancer, was able to come to Church this sunday! He really tries hard to make it every week, but his pain is really uncomfortable. Hes such a stud though, everytime we go to his house he's always reading the Book of Mormon and always has something new to share with us that he read! I love the Mission! These 2 years are something I'd never give up! Thanks for all the support and love guys, and I hope everyone has a Happy 2015! Also shoutout to Booties Frei and his new wife and Lexi Bunting and her new husband for gettin hitched this week! Next up TJ Larson!!!
Love Elder Akins