"Sometimes you just gotta chill and go to a Bar man..."

We ate on the ground for the first time so that was different but we also ate LOBSTER!!!!!! 

This is how my Saturday night went. We were heading to our Fafaga (dinner) when a drunk guy started to talk to us. He started to single me out when it started to rain and we hid in a bus stop. He was talking to me and we got on the topic of going to heaven. He was on a rant about how we need to be clean to live with God. But right in the middle of his thoughts he stopped talking to me (I forgot to mention he talked like Jack Sparrow...and used his hands soooo much!) But then he started telling me "Sometimes you just gotta chill and go to a bar man and just drink and live it up ya know man?" It was so funny to see his face as I told him about the Word of Wisdom and how we don't drink or smoke or do anything! He was a very funny drunk man.

Anyway this week was amazing! I was able to have my first baptism! And you would not believe how nervous I was because I had to do it in Samoan! But I kept a cool calm exterior....not. It went really well! We went back the next day to see how they were and it was amazing to see how different they were. They just had a light to them that I can't explain. They just seemed so much brighter and happier! It was amazing to see how much of a difference the gospel can make in peoples lives.

But other than that my week has been hectic! Our district had 8 baptisms and Elder Redd is the District Leader so we had the chance to do all 6 of the other ones. Which meant we were going everywhere to do the interviews! I thought at one point that we were like cops with all of the interviews we were doing! But it was really good for me at least to be there and to see how important this is to some people. I saw how excited they were that they were so close to an amazing ordinance. The gospel is so true and I am so glad that I have the chance to take this gospel to the people of Samoa!

Questions for the week.

1- tell me how your baptisms went? I am so excited for them. What a great day.
-The Baptisms were amazing. The spirit was soo strong and I just knew how happy they were as well as my Heavenly father.

2- How are your other investigators doing?
-Out investigators are either on parole or are waiting for new people to be their sponsers to be in American Samoa so that is hard but we were able to find a part member family and the Dad is super ready and we are hoping that he is going to be baptized here in the near future.

3- Are you enjoying tracting?
-Tracting is amazing! I love to be able to feel the spirit to either prompt me or Elder Redd on where to go and who to talk to! It is nice to get a good sweat on as well.

4- Have you had to kill any giant bugs or rats in your apartment?
- Yes there are cocaroaches in our room all the time and if you leave anything out on the table the rats will eat it. They are smart not to eat the ones on the rat trap tho!!!!!!!!

5- Have you had the chance to drink coconut milk straight from coconuts?
- Indeed I have and I can say that I didn't like it at first but it is growing on me....

6- Does American Samoa celebrate Thanksgiving since they are not on the continent?
- I have no Idea if they do or don't I havent been asking people so.....Sorry

7- Have you had the opportunity to speak in church yet? How did it go with the language?'
- No I haven't thankfully!

8- Are you becoming more fluent in Samoan? or do you speak English some?
- I am progressing as fast as my Heavenly Father wants me to progress in the language. But I am still no where close to being fluent. I do speak a lot of english over here so that kinda stinks.

9- Do you think you will stay on AS when there is a transfer in a few weeks?
- I think that I will be in AS for a couple more months.

Thank you all for your love and support! I love and pray for you all!

Alofa Atu

Elder Bethea