LOCKDOWN (Season 2)

Sorry it has been a minute, we have been experiencing some "issues" here in Kenya.  But we are hoping that for the most part they are done, and that we can get back to a normal-ish mission life.  (Cause being completely normal is just boring. so to keep from being boring you find Stories!

Story 1: Schedule

So due to the election repeat here in Kenya we have been on lockdown, again.  This time I had some experience keeping myself busy and entertained.  We realized after a couple days of trial and error we finally found the perfect lockdown schedule.  Requirements: semi big compound to run intervals at, person to run with, kids who like to play football(soccer), and a couch that when you sleep on it you get weird dreams.

here's the routine (times can be adjusted, but only slightly)

6:30-7:59 wake up, then move to dream couch for scripture study and continue sleeping

8:00- 10:29 wake up for real, then either run around the compound with your running buddy/ do an arms workout till you can hardly move, abs, push ups, and pull ups

10:30-10:59 lie on the ground, contemplating life and other things ( like motivation to get up and do stuff)

11-11:19 wake up again ( if you fell asleep), shower, get sweats on

11:20-11:59 eat small brunch

12-1:59 football with the compound kids

2-3:59 lunch, and nap

4-6:29 football again

6:30-10:30 argue about what to eat for a while.  Make food, eat said food, clean the house, contemplate life some more, beat stories, slowly fall asleep on dream couch, then go to bed.

repeat.

Story 2: Trick or Stampede

So me and the other mzungu in the flat wanted to celebrate at least a little bit Halloween, so we got a bag of candy from a little D

uka, then trained a few kids to say "Trick or Treat" then we would give them candy.  We thought it was just going to be like three or four of the compound kids.  WE WERE WRONG!!  The three we trained to say trick or treat, went and bragged that they got sweeties! Within like five minutes, of giving them the candy we had like fifteen kids at the door yelling TRICK OR TREAT! We thought alright two pieces of candy for each kid.  As soon as I opened the door, all of them at the same time: rush me blast through the door, steal all our candy, and my biscuits, and disappear.  Leaving some kids with like twelve pieces, some with none, biscuit crums everywhere, and just plain madness outside of our flat.  There is a reason they don't celebrate Halloween in Kenya, now I know.  And I need more biscuits.

I will share some pictures in a little. Have a great week! 

Drive fast, take chances.(A Trucking Tucker started this saying. Mom who doesn't like either idea.)

Elder Tucker

P.S. it would be awesome if i could get some emails from you guys, cause I honestly have no idea what is going on over there, or with your lives, so hit me up with an email, or just say hi, that'd be cool yeah bye. 

First name.last name@myldsmail.net

Football compound selfies. These guys are a party. Elder H. eating my biscuits. 

Mom's title pray for peace.

Hey mom,

I am emailing at the couples so I am going to keep this short. I am very safe.  We are at Upperhill in Nairobi, it has been not too peaceful but it has been another election.  We don't know when we will be able to go outside again.  But we have plenty of food, and I am having a great time with the other Elders. 

Since neither of you are very forth coming with actual information regarding your missions I am going to give you guys a questionnaire. Love your Big Bro.

How long have you been out?

1. What city are you in? 
2. Who is your companion? 
1. Where is he from? 
2. How long has he been out?
3. Common interests? 
4. How are you getting along?
3. Tell me about one member in your branch
4. Tell me about one investigator
5. Tell me the weirdest thing you have eaten thus far

Bro. not much time so I am just going to answer your questions and send you off. Sorry, but I am using the couples computer, and don't want to be a bother to them. 

1.I have been in Kenya for almost eleven months, on my mission for almost a year now.

2. I am currently serving in Naivasha/Nakuru.  In the rift valley zone of Kenya Nairobi Mission.

3.  My comp is named Elder O. he is from Kenya, specifically Eldoret,  He goes home in December. Common interests are we both enjoy cooking and football, he likes mostly the Kenyan league a team called Goramiha.  We have had our ups and downs, but for the most part we do okay. 

4.  One member in my branch is named R.M.  I baptized him last September.  He works on the flower farms.  He likes to teach me kikisii, and he is very tall.  He has three kids, and they are some of my best friends in the branch especially the youngest one, she likes to take my Nametag and pretend to be a missionary.

5.Investigator I have is Sister C.she is hilarious!  She loves the gospel, appointments are fun. She will hopefully be baptized soon, she has to meet with president first.

6. Hands down, goat testicles. nuff said.  They taste a lot like liver.

Hope that satisfies.

"Going with the armpit"-Me

You know what, I am not even going to give you guys the context of the statement.  Just know Matatus can get very interesting especially in Naivasha.  HaHa.

Anyways how is everyone doing? I hope you are all doing great.  Excuse me for a second, the phone is ringing....

Sorry that was just one of my investigators reminding me that its STORY TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome one and all:

Story number 1: That's right, I did it, the unthinkable...

So while working this week, we had some time to kill between appointments, so I took the opportunity to do my absolute favorite activity, contacting.  Now when I contact I go hard, no one gets by without a book, a card or at least a firm handshake.  This lady comes up to me all dressed in this pink suit with a super wide brim hat.  My first thought, she is a pastor.  I almost was right. Well I ask her if she wants a book, she said "not right now, but she wants to give me one".  I don't play the whole something for nothing game unless its me giving you the book so after about ten minutes of her saying she was a JW and what she believed, I took a book.  Then in thirty seconds, summed up everything she said, with a little help from good old Joe Smith.  Then She took a book!  I took hers as well, BUT I SUCCESSFULLY CONTACTED A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS! This has been a goal on my mission since I have started, so put a big CHECK on that item. Now on to riding a wild zebra...don't tell mom.

Story number 2:  The church is falling!

No not what you think.  The church is still true, no apostasy.  But literally the building where we meet in Nakuru, was hit by a semi truck, and half the building collapsed, we were actually in our other zone.  SO one of our friends, called us asking if we were all safe, and such then told us the church building was hit and crashed to the ground.  Interestingly enough, the actual church we use is only on half the building, and on the third floor.  Well so all of the property the church owned, is still standing and everyone was safe, no members were injured cause it fell after the meetings. Luckily, No one died! The baptismal font which was on the roof, somehow surfed down the rubble and is totally fine.  Yeah that was interesting, church is true.

I am still having fun and loving it here.  Same as always.

Have a great week,

Elder Tucker


Hey momma, 

As for me I am doing okay, our area isn't locked down so we actually had a normal work week kinda. All things safe here. Election Friday so I don't know what is going to happen.  

Love you lots, Teron

So whats up guys?  To be completely honest this week has been uber boring cause we have had to be inside a lot, but that should be ending soon so that will be nice. But I still was able to get some stories for you guys, cause honestly this is the highlight of my week.  Other than sacrament of course;)

First story!

"Flashbacks"

SO this week we were blessed to have zone conference.  I however had been sick so I hadn't slept very much for the two days prior; so I ended up falling asleep through half of it, then getting in trouble afterward for sleeping. Mission president didn't think that President Uchtdorf's quote fit the circumstances.  But for some reason as we were about to leave, we all had a flash back to when I swan dived in the rain, and it started pouring. Some of the missionaries who witnessed my beautiful clumsiness the first time started asking me, "So Tucker we going swimming again today?"  I just laughed and then went and splashed in the puddles like a four year old and I loved it!

Story number 2

Cars

So no we are still a walking mission, but I have really missed the feeling of driving a car recently.  So with nothing to do inside, all day.  I usually sit in my chair and go all speed racer and pretend I am in the grand prix race.  It has been great.  While doing this my companion came out and just watched my for like four minutes disapprovingly, then stated "Are you honestly nineteen?"  I just looked at him and said "he could join if he wants".  He didn't want to join.   As for the outcome I came in third.  I wasn't really into it,  but I qualified for next years race. So I will let you know how it goes.  I have to fix my car though which will take a while, you know us small business racers don't have all the perks of the sponsored ones.

Anyways have a great week guys.

Elder Tucker

Hey Momma,

That is a whole lot of questions but I will try to answer them best I can.  I feel pretty safe, the people here are peaceful and don't want any violence, but we will see near the end of next week how it goes.  The police are using tear gas for the riots, the opposition we hear is using bees.( Teron didn't know how because he is on lockdown. His brother figured out how and it doesn't sound good.) 

Yes I can most definitely see the spirit of Christ in the work, the more you try to be like Christ the more you are blessed, maybe with investigators, but mostly with your attitude.  I honestly don't know but I am hoping that I have, only time will tell. 

Technically yes, the members are average people, but members a lot of the time they are better prepared. The spirit seems to help with their lives, I guess.

Things are alright, but the lock downs are killing me cause I have read every Liahona magazine we have in the flat.  But I am making it okay.  I love teaching though its great.

I hope things are great in utah even though California is up in flames, I will pray for rain.  Love you lots and miss you. Ter

Please pray for a peaceful end to this election. Missionaries are sheltering in place til after the election, Teron's least favorite thing to do is shelter in place. 

"Hey Mzungu! You like Baboons?" Matatu Driver

So now we are back to my usual shinnanagins ( yes I know I spelled that wrong; let's just say I did it on purpose).  So this week I have been riding in cars a lot, missing conference, and walking, but I still managed to create some fun adventures. so just think a happy thought, and HERE WE GO!!!!!!

Story number one: Subject quote

So while on our way to a new small town in our zone, we happened to come by a family of baboons, some of them were HUGE, like up to my chest and stacked!  So the conductor saw I was a little taken back, so he proceeds to ask me said question, then he takes a bunch of rocks he had collected and threw them at the baboons.  The Matatu was stopped. All the baboons start running at the Matau and smacking it and trying to open the windows, to get back at the dude hitting them with rocks. Then the guy was fighting to keep the windows closed so they wouldn't get in, he looks at me and says "I like to make them mad!".  So I understand why now Jane was scared when being chased by baboons, they have large fangs, and are very easily agitated.

Story number two: Straight up G!

So you might be thinking I am about to talk about some poser gangster I met while contacting, well you are.....WRONG!  We got bounced by our appointments when heading to what should've been the Saturday session of conference ( long story short, it was Saturday session, just not this years.)  While walking to our church, which is by the way about three hours walk away from where we stay, I met a GIRAFFE! I talked to him for a second but he wouldn't come close to the road cause he was busy eating. I did get a good picture. Which I will try to send next week cause I forgot my cable today (pole).  Super cool though, giraffes are pretty.

There were other fun stories this week like meeting green lantern.  One of my favorite members has a bright neon green and black suit, it is legit.  And solving a rubiks cube like 150 times cause we were locked in the flat Monday and Friday.  Also that is why I am emailing today, don't worry not apostate.

Anyways have a great week! 

Elder Tucker

Hopefully tomorrow. Mandatory Lock-downs

Sheltering in place Monday and Friday. "Til Elections are over and protests are finished."

Well, this week I have had a question on my mind "Why the heck can mission be a hard thing, it is for the lord right?".  After a lot of thought on this and some Eyring and Holland talks I found; I have come to the conclusion that mission can be difficult because of... the microwave.  Yes the microwave, for more on the microwave theory you can talk to my father, or email me back.  

(Microwave story per mom. Grandpa Tucker was at the Utah State Fair and he saw a demonstration of the microwave. He raised his hand and asked the presenter "what is your hurry?". His theory is instant gratification all started with the microwave.)

 

Mostly it comes down to reward.  If you take for example a job like ski instructor.  It can be very difficult.  Kids are cold, and crying.  They half the time won't stand up, forcing you to do a backwards wedge all the way down the mountain.  But you keep doing it cause you know you will be paid.  It is almost always promised if you do the work you will be paid in, two weeks or four weeks, or after the lesson is over, you can expect it.

However in mission, there is no reward right off the bat.  You work seven days a week, roughly 11 hrs a day teaching people.  You can do this every day and see absolutely nothing.  There is no guarantee that you will baptize every other week, or even ever other month.  It is hard to see the results of our work while you are out here.  We slave away sometimes accomplishing what feels like nothing, but here is the interesting part.

We only work for two years, now again with no guarantee. We are rejected mocked and tossed out sometimes, but we continue to push through.  Because there was a man who did this for twenty one years (roughly).  Who also had no guarantee except, that many people would reject him and that they would not follow him.  He was despised, rejected, beaten, bruised, broken, slapped, spit on, denied, mocked, condemned, and eventually he was crucified. That of course was Jesus Christ, and even though all this happened to him he kept going.  I know that Jesus is the Christ and that he is our Savior and Redeemer.  I want everyone i know to know that i know he lives and loves us. I know he will come again, in his name, even Jesus Christ, amen.

Thank you very much, till next week 

Elder Tucker