Post Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Hi everyone! So Christmas was awesome! I guess my parents will put up part of our call on the blog so maybe I don't need to say to much! ;) Just kidding!! 

We didn't have a baptism this week, but we have quite a few baptism dates marked (set)! We have the brother of Keven (who was our new member last week) and he will be baptized this week!

Me with glasses :)

We also are teaching a woman named Celly, who is progressing really well and we are very hopeful that she will make a choice that will bless her life! Her brother, also, is progressing. We set a baptism date with him last night, and then we went running with him this morning! It's been really awesome to see all the miracles that happen around this area! 

on a donkey

My first Christmas away from home was really good! We actually taught 4 lessons that day and the rest of our district taught 0! Yeah, we are the best missionaries out here! ;) I did miss good old Christmas in the states and snow!!! Man, do I miss snow! But I will see it again! 

candid after a lesson

Right now we are half way through transfer 4! I still feel like my new comp got here a few days ago! I am loving the work and have really been enjoying being senior comp because I finally have to rely on what I know and I don't have someone to lean on. I have really learned what my teaching style is, and how to really connect with my investigators! Also, my comp is sick (great)! We are always talking about music and singing in the house! It's kind of cool. I have been teaching him how to sing better and he has been teaching me music theory! I also have been getting a little better at the piano! 

I think that's all for this week! 

fica fixe!

Love,

Elder Naylor

Baptism of Keven (my companion is Elder Sampson from Orem. went to Mountain View)

Baptism of Manuel, Americo & Neleda

Zone Christmas Party

Branch Christmas Party

Awesome English

Povocao or Riberia Grande :)

The Christmas Call

Christmas Parties!

This week was kind of crazy! We had our zone Christmas party in Mindelo and it was way sweet! Our president talked a ton about the fact that Christ doesn't want gifts of the world. All he wants is our heart, and for us to follow his commandments! A quote from the party was "Give, give, give, until all is yours! Give everything away and you will receive everything!" It was way good!! 

Unfortunately, we missed our boat to go home, so we had to stay there one day extra. By the time we got back to our area, we had to run to do an interview for one of our investigators, and he lives really far away. I got way sick on the boat! And then had a 1 (hr?) car ride! Yeah, I was not feeling so hot! But the interview happened and he was baptized that afternoon! 

On Saturday, we had district meeting, and then a Christmas party with our Branch and that was really fun! We missed a lot of it because our curfew is 9... but I still had fun! :) Then Sunday we did some good work here in Povoacao and had dinner with a member family. It was really nice! :) 

That's about all that happened this week! I'm having fun and wish the world a Merry Christmas!! :)

Love Elder Naylor

First week as Senior Companion...

So, this has been my first week with my new companion and it's been great!! We are doing crazy work here!! We also had 3 more baptisms this week, and they are all super strong. One of our new members Sunday helped us teach a lesson, and he pretty much taught the whole thing and did an amazing job! 

We also walked through our new church and its almost done! It will be way nice to finally have the space that we have needed for about 5 weeks! We also have really started the work here in Povoação! We have some sweet investigators!! And this week we have our party for Christmas in São Vicente, so that will be really fun!! :) 

So in my study lately I have been reading a ton about Christ! It blows my mind! I think everyone should study about him because you look at yourself and how you can be better, and there has never been a better example than Christ. Never. 

Also this week, the Lord taught me a lesson. We got to church and a lot was happening. The cars that bring all of our members were late, and I got yelled at by the Relief Society (women's organization) president to fix everything, and our branch president is way new, and there was a lot to keep track of!! So I got super stressed!! I went in an empty room (because someone hadn't prepared a lesson so they all joined up, and I got yelled at for that! I LOVE being senior companion so far!! :)) I was freaking out and didn't know what to do, but then after church we had a meeting with the leaders and they worked out all the problems and I felt so relieved! There is still a ton of work to be done but I learned even in a time when it's crazy and you feel like all hope is lost, the Lord is in control! Always! If we are trying to do everything we can, He will take care of the stuff that we simple can not do!!!! 

What a week!

Family! How are you? Glad to hear all is well in Naylor World, and I am happy to report that I have received the Conference Ensign (church magazine) from you guys! The packages I hope to get this Thursday! :) (I think this means he knows they are in Africa, but he doesn't have them in hand yet.) I love you guys! Can't wait for the Christmas call. I will give you the details that Monday before alright? :) Love you!

I will work on sending more pictures. These computers are so iffy every week! Today I can't even open my computer... yay Africa!!! :)
tchau!

Elder Naylor

Training!

Another transfer has come to an end and guess what.... NEW COMP. Again. I have never stayed with a companion more than one transfer!! I don't know him yet, and he doesn't get here until tomorrow, but I am also training him!!! :/ Talk about nervous! I am in one of the hardest areas, and I still don't understand the Croele here.... aahhhhhhhhaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! But! :) I know the Lord will help me, I know this is what He wants, and that He will provide me with the tools I need to do the work that He needs done! :) Yet even with this knowledge, my stomach is doing flips!

We had a really good good week last week! We marked (set) 10 baptism dates and we have 2 families progressing! Our couple finally accepted to be married, so that will be another baptism! Our branch has really been growing, too. The Elder's quorum president walked 30 min to our house just to ask for help on how to organize home teaching! :)

One thing I really have learned this last week is what the Spirit can do for us! He really is the still, small voice!! He doesn't usually talk to us through miracles or through crazy obvious promptings. So we need to do everything we can to be ready to listen! Elder Christofferson told of an experience in football! He was playing line backer. One play, he hit the running back and he could feel the ball, so he started pulling, but then he heard a voice say "Tackle him!!" And he tackled him. He related this to the Spirit because he was familiar with his coach's voice and he was able to hear it through all the crashing and crowd (worldly things) and he trusted it because he new it was good and he was accustomed to it, so he followed it without doubt! 

We all need to be able to do this in our lives! We need to work hard so that we can have the Spirit with us always, and that when he talks, we don't have to think. We can just do it! :)

That's about all for this week! Love you all! :)

Elder Naylor

Video of Todd's Mission Departure

I know it's been a while but I finally got this video to place on the blog.

Visas and Weddings!

Our House

Hi all! Not a ton happened this week. My companion got a call last p (preparation) day to say that he needed to go to Praia (another island) that day to renew his visa. He was there until last Saturday, so we really only worked one day!

Fun in Porto Novo

I chilled in Porto Novo with another dupla (companionship?) and I helped them out. It was really good! I learned a lot and I had a fun time with the other two guys!!! 

In terms of news, not a lot happened, but we did teach a family and we marked (set) baptism dates with the whole family! So that will be amazing!! Also, I got to to be a part of a wedding in Porto Novo and that was a really cool time! I took a video that I will try to send, we will see. But I think I will end there and try to send a lot of pictures this week! 

tchau! :) 

Family Night

Baptism

Missionaries Love Cake

**Todd also sent home a small package of thoughtful Christmas gifts and a personal letter for each of us that arrived this week... albeit in pieces. We've determined that everything he sent seems to have made it, but the box and rubber band that was holding it together won't live to see another trip anywhere. :) We are so glad he did not try to send home a photo chip as we had discussed! All of his pictures so far might have been lost. Small blessings! 

MTC Throwback