Lose the Flab February!

Hey there,
I looked at your text email, mom, and laughed because it was hard to make out with the spelling errors, but it was funny :) I can picture you trying to text and run at the same time... kinda like that time I dropped my iPod at the Y on the treadmill and it went zinging out the back along with my towel. It's safe to say I am still just as graceful. We were taking a picture yesterday and I was setting the timer and had to do a James Bond barrel roll over the bed and run to the wall and smoked my knee on the chair on the way over and slipped on the floor... graceful. 


But! The reason we were taking the picture is because we have another missionary with us! Do you remember the W family? Elder Nelson and I ate at their house every Sunday in Maypen. Well T (Elder now) is serving with Elder Taylor and I. He hasnt even been to the MTC yet! His mission call is to Tallahassee Florida but his Visa has been giving him trouble and he was supposed to start his mission in December, so they decided just to get him started out here. So Elder Taylor and I are training him, he could leave at anytime but says that he will probably be outta here by March 5th, transfer day in his mission. It's cool serving with a Jamaican, we had shrimp and rice and peas for lunch yesterday, Elder Weir cooks like an angel. Im definitly going to come home with a Jamaican cookbook of the real authentic stuff. 

Speaking of food, It's almost February, and you know what that means.... the third annual "Lose the Flab" February! So starting today it's healthy time. And more working out in the morning and the night time. 100 pushups a day, pullups, and some abdominal workouts that don't include a Zinger and KFC.... With beach season only 18 months away, its about time to whip this weak, slightly pudgy body into shape! haha But seriously though, its time. Im going to buy some peppers and eggs and maaaaybe some chicken today. What else would be good for me? Mom, all these things that you've been telling me my whole life about being healthy are now going to be used because... well... it's time to be more healthy haha So... can you tell me some things that would be good for me to eat? Im thinkin oatmeal or eggs in the morning, lunch we are usually out on the road, but maybe packing some peanuts or something, I don't know, this is where I need your expertise in the healthy department. 

This week was basically cut into two parts. Tuesday, Wenesday and part of Thursday not one single person returned our phone calls. We called probably 10 people multiple times and got no response. So, we put on some serious miles on the finding shoes. It wasn't to bad looking back, but finding all day makes for long days especially when you feel you've already gone everywhere. But the zone leaders came out and dropped Elder Weir off Thursday afternoon and it's been cool having a fresh missionary in the companionship. Even though he's from here, mission life is always different and takes getting used to. His feet are pretty sore from walking (brings back memories) but he's doing very well actually, much better than I was when I first got here. 

The exciting and most important news of the week though is that Sis. J is getting baptised on Saturday!!! WAHOO! She is ready. We've been meeting with her almost everyday for the past two weeks and at least 3 times a week for the last month, and she's been taught by previous missionaries for 6 months before we got here. She's very solid and we are so excited for her baptism. N is doing well, still coming to church and reading her scriptures a lot. It's been pretty legit. We spoke in Sacrement meeting yesterday, well, Elder Weir and I... Elder Taylor was like "Oh, you go first, I'll go last" and sure enough, he only had time to bear his testimony... lucky ducky haha It was good though, I spoke on prayer. Talked about how Lehi, Enos, and The Brother of Jared are all excellent example of prayer, and that there are really two prayers that are the most important prayers spoken by anyone, anytime in the history of the world. Christ in Gethsemane and Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove. With one prayer, Christ made it possible for us to return to our Heavenly Father, and with the other prayer, Joseph Smith recieved the fullness of the gospel to bring back to this time so that we can all work toward returning back to our Heavenly Father. I learned a lot while preparing it. There is so much more power in prayer that anyone gives credit. Prayer is a two way conversation with God, not just us talking to Him. Pretty rad.

 Oh! Something crazy, Uncle Brett's cousin is serving here in April! I got an email from him last week saying so, thats pretty wild, eh? That will be fun and cool to serve around him, shoot stories back and forth about Uncle/Cousin Brett haha 


You guys have a great week! Ill be sending pictures this week! 
I love you!
Elder Romney 

Zone Conference

Hello!!

 

Holy smokes that is so much snow almost overnight!! I remember SCC getting shut down back in the day for school, I loved those days. I think the only reason they close it down is becuase the parking lot wasnt built very well so getting all the snow out of it is a joke. haha

 

This week was pretty good. It was a slower week it seemed like but it was still good. We had Zone Conference on Tuesday which was really good. Everyone in the zone (Negril, Hopeton, Santa Cruz, Junction, us, Mandeville) plus President and Sister Hendricks and the Assistants came out here to Sav for it. I love listening to President Hendricks. That guy is so funny, not in a slap stick way but a lot like President Monson. He tells a lot of stories to make his point more clear. 

One thing that really stuck out to me that he was talking about is grace. Yes, we are saved by grace, 100% absolutely; but the question really is have we been changed by grace? "Heaven won't be heaven to people who aren't heavenly" was a sweet quote from Pres. Hendricks. We have to let grace change us if we want to live with Heavenly Father again. A lot of people say that we as latter day saints are trying to earn our way into Heaven. Not at all, we are trying to learn Heaven; something else that was a sweet quote from Pres. 

Anways, it was so awesome and it gave me a new outlook on the relationship between us and Jesus Christ. Take a piece of paper, put a dot on top and a dot on bottom. Christ is the top dot, we are the bottom dot. Move your pencil from the bottom slowly up to the top and draw a line where you think we are finished with our part and Christ makes up the rest to the top.... Makes you think, eh? Another awesome quote from Pres. Hendricks, "Christ doesn't make up the difference, he makes all the difference". He takes up all the space between the dots, and we just have to try. Pretty rad! We have the coolest mission president ever, hands down. He will throw this deep docrtine at you and you can soak it in, but by the end he has you crying because you're laughing so hard at his stories. I'm calling it right now, he's going to be a General Authority in my lifetime!

 

We are still teaching a couple great people. Sis. J is preparing for baptism on Feb, 4th, and she's the only one who's still coming to church consistantly. We had a great referall from the mission headquarters, a man's sister lives in the States and is a member and called the mission office and refered him to us, so we went up about a 20 minute taxi ride, out to the boonies of Sav, and met him. He's awesome! He seems so interested and wanting to know more but he didn't come to church and didn't keep two appointments so that was kinda frusterating. But, this week was still great!

 

Elder Taylor's birthday was this week! Yessiree, Thursday the old fart was the big 20. So we baked a cake, got a nice deal on some Vitamin Water, and had a legit birthday party with... cake and Vitamin Water haha. It was fun though, I think he had a good birthday. We are goin out to Negril to really celebrate at Margaritaville :) A man can't spend his 20th birthday a KFC! Oh man! Also this week we were helping a member out at the church, trying to find him a another hose so he didn't have to carry a five gallon bucket all over the church to water the plants. So we go out to this little building with chairs and stuff in it, sure enough there is a hose. BUT we go to open the door and BEES come flying at us like we said somethin nasty about their mother! There was litterally probably 30 wasp nests, and bees everywhere. So we get the hose out real quick and close the door... but we have to lock it... and the lock is underneath a metal protective cover... so Elder Taylor and I went straight Steve Erwin/James Bond on this lock. I poked out the wasp nest from inside the lock cover and got down and was trying to lock it up while Elder Taylor was standing behind me swatting bee's left and right with a book... I'm sure from the road people were thinking what in the heck are the white men  up to now... it was hilarious.

 

I got your guy's package too! Thank you so much! I'm wearing the shirt right now, still smells like a basketball game! Thank you so so so so much! Can't wait to eat all the goodies inside!

 

I love you guys!! Have a great week, don't get stuck in the snow aaaaaaaand, yep, I love you!!

 

Elder Romney

A busy week and new pics

Hello!!

Yes, Elder Taylor and I are very excited to stay together as well.
It's crazy, it always seems like the harder your week is, the better
blessings come out of it. This week actually wasn't terrible, it was
really good. Mission life is so weird. Weeks fly by but days seem like
they go on forever sometimes. We had two full days of teaching this
week which flew by! And by full I mean going from appointment to
appointment without needing to find in the middle of them. Those days
flew by. We had a couple days that just seemed to go on
foooorrreeevvveeerrrr and thats when you look at your week and get
discouraged. BUT there isn't anything to be sad about because we have
two people with baptism dates! And they are very solid. One is an
older lady who is the sweetest lady I think I've ever met. She's
been coming to church every Sunday for 5 months or something like that. 
A really long time she's been meeting
with the missionaries. We loves the gospel, LOVES the Gospel
Principles book and reads it along side the Book of Mormon, she's a
star. We needed to make sure her husband would be supportive of her
choice to be baptised and had a cool experience with that. We just
finished up meeting with someone and had a couple hours before our
next appointment. We were walking up town and just decided to call her
up and see if we could meet. We had meet the day earlier and were just
planning on seeing her at church but we called anyways and asked if we
could come say hello. It wasn't some big sign in the sky being pulled
behind and airplane saying "CALL HER CALL HER CALL HER", just a little
thought, just like the Spirit works. Sure enough we walk over to her
house and her husband is there. He works and lives away from town and
was just in for the day helping her put up a bathroom. We met, started
talking, and asked if he would be supportive of his wife getting
baptised. He said yes, but didn't understand why if she'd been
baptised already why she needed to be baptised again. We had a really
great lesson on authority and how someone gets the authority to
baptise. A great way to explain it is if you're driving down the road
in your car and an ice cream man waves you down and says "Hey Mister,
Im going to write you a ticket. You're going way to fast". You would
say "No way Ice Cream man! You can't write me a ticket because you
don't have the authority". But as you continue down the road a
policeman pulls you over and says "Hey Mister, Im going to write you a
ticket, you're going way to fast". you have to pay the ticket because
why? He has the authority. The ticket is baptism. Anyone can write you
a ticket, but whether or not they have the authority determines if its
valid. Welcome to a lesson with Elder Taylor and Elder Romney! haha

Things are lookin good though.  Another woman about 21, and then
we have recieved 3 refferals from the branch... cha ching! We are
stoked.

You guys sound like you're having too much fun skiing and boarding!
You remember the one time I went snowboarding with Trev and Morgan and
ended up being slightly concussed? I hope the little nippers and Pops
are better than I was. Do they know how to stop yet? That was the one
thing I never really got a hold of... flying down the bunny hill,
yelling out "MOVE! I CANT STOP!" and then gracefully belly flopping,
starting from about the middle of the hill and ending at the bottom so
I didn't ride out into the parking lot. Gotta love the snow!

Don't worry about getting old mom, I feel the same way. My arm was
sore from carrying my bag of groceries last week.... It's time to jump
back into my push up routine. I bought some perfect pushups from Elder
Nelson in Maypen, they actually work really well... when you use them.
I notice they don't do anything for me when their collecting dust..
funny how that works, eh? :) Also, my hair... let the laughing and
giggling begin but it's becoming uncharacteristacally... thin. I
already checked to see how much Rogaine is here and I about choked on
my candy. Elder Taylor has hair like a wolf... think George Kastanza
versus Jerry Seinfeld... guess who's George haha

Well family I love you! you guys keep up the good work over there, I'll
do the same over here. Attached are some pictures of my six month mark
tie burning (those are my comfy pants, notice how big they look on
me!) a nasty tarantula in the church and a recent convert's birthday
party we were invited too! haha His name is R, he's Sis. D's
son, turning 10. I tell you what, Jamaican's know how to throw a
party. I wasn't sure if I we showed up to a ten year old's birthday
party or a hip hop concert. Music blazing, people and kids dancing, it
was pretty fun!  Love you guys!

Elder Romney

six month mark

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRHTDAY DEAR MOTHERRRRR HAPPY BIRHTDAY TO YOU!

Did you like my song? haha Happy 39th birthday!

Im so glad you got my package!! Me and Elder Taylor busted up looking at the pictures you guys sent. Very funny! I already sent Haley another shirt, it's a large, I it looks like the meduim fit, but now you have large for someone to wear if they are feeling like a homie.

This week was pretty regular, besides my 6 month mark! Only 3 more quarters to go! It most definetly has gone by very fast. We went to Burger King to celebrate, and in typical Elder Romney and Elder Taylor fashion, something got ahold of Elder Taylor and wrecked his stomach the next day and my stomach this morning.... NOT doing Burger King anymore! But it was fun, I burned a tie, it was fun! It totally blows my mind that Robbie has been out almost a year! I think it's a year on the 19th or the 12th or something like that. At this time next year, he's gonna be coming home! Crazy. 

Yes, we did get transfer calls and... We're staying! Yep, at least one more transfer here in Sav. Both me and Elder Taylor. After this transfer we will have spent Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Boxing Day, New Years, my 6 month mark, his birthday, valentines day, and maybe his year mark! It's been a busy 3 months and looks like it's going to stay the same. We get transfer calls on the saturday before transfers, transfers themselves are on a Wednesday. No public transportation, the zone leaders come pick you up in their truck and take you to Spanish Town with all your shwag and then you get handed over to your new Zone Leaders and verse visa.

We are excited to be here for at least one more. That investigator I told you about last week, the really awesome one, called us this week and pretty much told us not to come back. Definetly a bust, she's great but I guess not as interested as we thought. That made us sad, but we recieved another refferal from a member last week so we went and checked them. They are cousins of the member, brother and sister, 17 and 15, and are way cool. They are very good at singing! They actually are signed to a record label from America and have done legit gigs. They sang at Kitefest, it was on New Years day here in Sav and they opened for a guy name I-Octane who is one of the biggest names in Jamaica and pretty much all of Sav was there.. This is no gig at the Cretin Hop playing for 6 people and the sound guy haha We talked music for quite a while, shot stories back and forth about gigs and such, I liked it a lot. Some people say that talking about that stuff with investigators isn't why I'm here and isn't very spiritual, but finding things in common with people helps build your relationship with them to start teaching. Investigators aren't just some random person we want to baptise, i've made so many friends here in Jamaica, some who wanted the gospel and some who didn't, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to be friends with them if they aren't ready or don't want the message we have to share. It's cool to be able to walk down the street and amidst all the chatting and swearing at us, we will hear a "Elders!" "or "Missionaries!", turn around and its someone we are teaching or someone we met in the road, just saying whats up. It's pretty sweet!

You guys sound like you're doing well. Can you give Shelby my email address? I'd like hear from that homie.

A couple business things, I am out of batteries here for my camera and buying pack's of AA's is pretty expensive. Maybe in your next package, I know we have some rechargable ones a the house, doyou think you could send those and the charger? That would help me out a lot. Also, you asked what I wanted in packages and all I said was beef jerky and seeds... you can send me anything you want! haha Candy, food, cookies, whatever you'd like. I am accepting to all package items :)

Anyways, thanks for the email, I always love hearing about what is goin on back home. You guys have a great week and I'll catch ya next week! I'll send some pictures too in a different email.

Love you!

Elder Romney

It's a new year!

Hello family!

 

Happy New Year! I can officially say I am coming home next year! :)

 

I am soooo glad this week is finally here! We get to actually go out and do missionary work! haha Its funny how when all you do is go out everyday you wish you just had a day to relax and do nothing, and then when you get the chance to stay inside you are dying to get out of the house.

 

As far as the elections go, there was a shooting on Tuesday night downtown, JLP was rallying and PNP came in a shot up the place. 1 dead, 3 injured. We werent down there when it happened thankfully, and we found out about it the next day as we were delivering Christmas goody bags to some members. We came in Wednesday night at 5 for dinner, and then at 6 got a call from our branch president saying there was a curfew on the whole city becasue of the shooting, so we had to stay inside from wednesday night at 5pm until friday at 2pm (friday is our super planning day so we stay in and plan for the up coming week from 10-2). Thursday we cleaned the house up a bit, since we clean it every p-day it stays pretty clean. We have turned into quite the baking duo though. We won a cookie and brownie mix at the Christmas party and had a cake mix and frosting already and baked all three this week... yeah, hasnt been the healthiest eating week every, BUT it was absolutely delicious and helped get us through 45 hours posted up in our house! We played futbol friday night and then saturday had a nice full day of seeing people.

 

We have a new investigator, she was a referal from a member in the branch and she is awesome. She was being taught by missionaries about 7 years ago, and admitted that at that time she wasn't ready to join yet because of school and things. She's settled down now though, has a cute little kid and married, she coulnd't make it tto church on Sunday but actually called to apologize and ask us when we are coming back to see her. It's pretty exciting! We had a branch council meeting on Sunday and asked that every member or every family pray about one person they know that we could teach. I think its going to be great, we are getting more involved with the members and they are helping us get people to teach. Thats been our biggest struggle lately is finding people. We will have a couple great lessons planned out in a day but the rest is just finding, and the only people that are out in the streets are those who are unemployed and drunk by noon because people who have jobs are at work. Getting the members involved is how to get er done!

 

We had a really cool experience this week too. As we were leaving the house yesterday to go to church and I just really wanted to break my fast with a dinner appointment instead of Mac and Cheese.. no disrespect to Mac and Cheese, it's a celestial meal for sure, but I was out of kethup and have got in the habit of putting WAY to much jamaican hell hot sauce in it and i end up with watery eyes and sniffing the whole time I'm eating it because it's roasting my mouth...  Elder Taylor always says "Yo Elder Romney, there is NO need to get emotional at a time like this!" haha It's pretty funny, BUT ANYWAYS. We say our prayer before we leave and just ask "if it be thy will, please let us have a dinner appointment". So we get to church, sacrament meeting goes by, gospel principles goes by, priesthood goes by, and nothin comes up. We weren't to put out, a little bummed for Mac and Cheese again but no worries, i love mac and cheese. We had a branch council meeting after church, so it's like 2 o clock now, and Pres. Blake asks Elder Taylor to give the opening prayer. Litterally right as he says amen, Sis. Blake (who we've never even really talked to before) says "Excuse me Elders, I just thought of this, do you have dinner tonight?" We smile "No, no we don't". She's says "Perfect, come over at 5". Prayer answered! Not only though were we blessed with that but we show up and its this gourmet meal! Chicken stuffed with calleloo, fried chicken, beef, rice and peas, mashed potatos with carrots and butter and peas in it, and as much of us as you want! It was soooo nice, the whole family was there talkin and eating, just shootin' the breeze. It was like a dinner appointment back in the states. We finish up dinner, and sure enough, she sends all the left overs home with us AND dessert! Talk about a prayer answered. It was awesome. Definetly the perfect way to end the night and week.

 

On another note, transfer calls are coming Saturday! Im 99% postive I'm staying, I think Elder Taylor will be outta here, so I might be getting a new companion next Wednesday. We realized too that Elder Taylor and I have spent 4 holidays together! thats pretty nuts, I hope we stay together for one more, he's a homie. I can't think of anything else really! It's crazy, I hit my 6 month mark on friday!! and It's your birthday on Monday! So happy early birthday Mom! Ill attach some pictures of the week, you guys have a great week!! Love you all!

 

Elder Romney 

Christmas email

Hey mom!

It was awesome talkin to you guys! It was definetly a breath of fresh air. Elder Taylor had a great talk with his family too, I love Christmas!

 

After we got done talking to you and Elder Taylor's family we just went home. We were pretty out of it, I was soooo tired. We talked all about our families and stuff, and before I knew it I had fell asleep on the matress couch. I've eaten nothing but candy and jerky over the past two days! That is what we would call a Merry Christmas! :)

 

Yes, Jamaican's pose for everything! It's hilarious, guys and girls both. Sis. Dixon is probably 38-40ish. she has 5 kids who are all homies, I love that family. Whenever we are havin a rough day, goin over to the D's for a little bit puts us in a good mood. One day we went over there, my acne was really bad, and Sis. D (in only the way a mother could) says "Elder Romney, have you been eating to many sweeties (candy)?" "Yes..." "Have you been drinking lots of soda? "Yes...." "I can tell... Thats not good for you!" haha And then she gave me a whole list of tasty things that are healthier than soda and told me if I go and buy this special tea that purifys your blood and clears up your face, she would make it for me every week. The tea sounded absolutly disgusting so I chose to kick back on the sugar instead and drink more water, but she is awesome.

 

I miss the ward choir! And am glad that you guys did well as usual.

 

Well I cant' think of anythign else to say that wasnt said yesterday, we are havin a quite week for sure. I loved talking toyou guys! I cant wait for Mothers Day! I love you mom!!

 

Jackson 

PS: The picture with us and all of our shaweet sweaters is our boy band.We are called The Card Agains... get it???

Tis the week before Christmas!

Hello hello hello!

ITS ALMOST CHRISTMAS! We are SO stoked. Yeah, I've never sweat outside at Christmas time, so its definetly a new experience. But, we still have the Christmas spirit. Ill be skyping you guys at about 10:30 your time, right? Is that when you said would be best? Im so excited to see everyone!

This week was pretty good. Elder Taylor and I got sick, I caught a cold first and a sore throat and then he caught on to the stuffy nose. We had a Christmas party with the Negril branch in Negril friday night which was pretty fun. The food was delicious buuuuut gave Elder Taylor food poisening... sometimes food isnt prepared the most cleanly here so he was pretty miserable Saturday and I went through a almost two rolls of toilet paper blowing my nose, but we had a good time doing it! haha The highlight was definetly having N confirmed on Sunday. I was looking forward to doing it but I guess a member of the branch presidency has to do it (didn't know that) but I was still able to be in the circle and awesome nonetheless. She's so great, I'm grateful for the blessing she was into my life and that Elder Taylor and I were trusted with one of Heavenly Father's children. We are really starting to get along with the branch and are friends with them now. That makes Sunday's much more fun when you know who people are and can joke around with them. We are recieving more referrals (hallelujah) and so missionary work is goign to be picking up. It's been a slow start, and I keep saying that because some days it litterally feels like we are starting from scratch because some days we are, but things will and are getting better for sure.

I love the pictures! All those cookies and such make my mouth waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaater! I was telling Elder Taylor all about fruit loop cookies, and we are going to try and make some, wish us luck! Since we've had cooking gas, we have gone all Betty Crocker Martha Stewart in the kitchen. We wanted a tasty snack the other night so we got creative... home made funnel cake (Dad, listen up). If you deep fry buttermilk pancake batter, and put chocolate syrup and icing sugar on it, watch out... your body won't know what hit you! IT was delicious, ripped both of us in two, but sooo worth it haha. My new years resolution is to eat a little healthier.. I think its a good resolution :)

Anyways, that was about all that happened this week, pretty quiet! I am so stoked for the Christmas party, we are wearing matching rasta ties to it, gonna be lookin fresh! I will tell you all about it on Sunday at 10:30 your time! Email me back if that works!

Love you!

Elder Romney

PS: In the pictures you sent me... who is the baby?? Do I have a new baby brother???

PPS: A couple pics for you, check out the rasta CARDIGAN.. yeah, I bought a cardigan. Hard rocker Jackson bought a rasta cardigan... i amaze myself too...

Dec. 12th letter (I can't stand counting the weeks-it makes time go too slow!

Family!

 

I love your Christmas tree! (Lynette's note-we made our family tree this year with nothing but gold and green lights and ornaments with little Jamaican Flags)  We love walking past the banks here because they are some of the only buildings with Christmas decorations up. As far as food goes, I've only had one loaf of white bread since I've been here, and that was my first week, I've been getting whole wheat every week since. We got cooking gas this week thanks to President and Sister Hendricks. They were all the way out here in Sav and already they took us to get some. So we went straight Betty Crocker and Martha Stuart last night and deep fried some dumplings (still working on the flour to water ratio) and Chiky's last night :) Chicky's are like a vannila oreo outside with strawberry frosting in the middle... yes not healthy at all, BUT I didn't drink much soda this week, I only had two, and my face is like butter. Definetly watching the soda from now on, I dig not having acne! It's a nice change. Fruits, yeah.... there isn't much fruit here to be honest. It's not in season, but summer time there are mongos and guinepp and all sorts of fruit. I drink Tropicana at KFC, that counts right? ;) 

The baptism was great! Things went pretty smoothly, getting the branch to sit down for it was a gong show for some reason, with little kids and such. That was kinda frustrating, but we held it right after church and it was awesome. Elder Taylor did the baptism, there was lots of people there, we got a picture with her, the Spirit was so strong, I loved it! She was very happy as well. She is receiving the Holy Ghost next sunday at church and she asked me if I would give it to her, so that will be exciting as well. We had an investigator at the baptism too and he said he liked it a lot which is shaweeeeet. Things are good!

 

The rest of the week was kinda slow. We still don't have many people to teach so we are doing a lot of referall hunting and finding still. We were focused on meeting with N more than anything this week. It POURED on Thursday! It hasnt rained like this since August. We were soaking wet, Elder Taylor had an umbrella, I on the other hand, flew without one and goodness sakes, I was wet haha And cold! It gets cold here at night when you're wet!

 

Oh! Big news! We tracked down a computer and soooooo we will be skyping this Christmas! I need to know what the time difference is exactly between me and you and when works for you for us to call. You guys will have to create an account on skype and give me the address of it so when I log on I can type it in and call you. Im so excited! So Definetly let me know those thigns in this email because it will be the last one before Christmas! I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I don't think I will ever ask for anything for Christmas again, kickin it with you guys will be good enough. Defienetly one thing my mission has done for me is made me appretiate what I have. And I will be sending your package this week! You will love it, hopefully everything fits... better delete that part before the kids see! haha

 

In other news, it's election time here in Jamaica and everyone goes crazy for them. Its PNP (orange) and JLP (green) and both are having huge rallies here in Sav as we speak. I can feel the bass of the speaker towers in the internet shop right now, its nuts. We avoid them at all costs because Pres. told us to and because its stupid to be around them. They get pretty crazy, we arent allowed to wear green or orange ties because some people are lookin for a reason to beat the snot outta ya. But either way, things here in Sav are getting better! 

Tell the family I love them, I was thinking about Grandpa on Saturday too. Family temple day sounded like it was awesome. Well I love you all! 

Tell CJ Ive been waiting for an email from that homeboy!!

 

Elder Romney

Week 22

Well hello!

 

Christmas devotional?? Heck yes we did! It was kidna frusterating though because streaming it over the internet at the church was a bust, it had to buffer every 10 seconds, but the parts I saw were really good. It's so funny, everyone from the branch came to the church to watch it and it started at 8 our time... at by 8:30, there was more people asleep than awake! Little kids and adults alike! Everyone here goes to sleep so early and get up so early, it was pretty funny to see 20 of probably 30 people zonked out in the chapel. We were so pumped for the christmas singing, and we did get to hear all the hymns which was awesome. I love christmas music! We have a christmas CD here that a member made for us, we gave her a list of christmas songs and she put them on a CD and of course, had to have Amy Grant's "Grown up Christmas list" and "Rockin around the Christmas Tree" and Harry Connick Jr's "When my heart finds christmas" and "Sleigh Ride". It feels like im at home jammin with you guys! Christmas here is so much different, I wrote a Christmas parody in the shower this mornin.:

Oh the weather outside is windy

dandy and hot and sandy

with only 19 more months to go

I miss snow I miss snow I miss snow!! haha... I thought it was pretty funny.

 

This week was rather interesting. First the not so good, Elder Taylor got robbed down in the hood on saturday... it wasnt scary or anything, just some punk kid, probably 19 or 20, riding his bike past, turned around and said "hey can I see your sunglasses?" Elder Taylor took them off his face, knowing if he gave them to him he would steal them, so he was holding them away and the kid just snatched them out of his hands, put them on and said "I look good in these. Im keeping them" and rode off. We were both really mad, I wanted to go get them back but, as a more wise seasoned missionary, Elder Taylor pointed out that its not worth getting stabbed over a $5 pair of shades. Which is true, but we were pretty put out the rest of the day. Even in Spanish Town, the HEART of the ghetto, even in Gordens Pen, the HEART of the HEART of the ghetto, we got more respect than here. It's pretty sad. But whatev's, all is safe and sound. So to answer your question about if there is ghetto is Sav, there is, but its hardly even the ghetto. Spending the first 3 and a half months in the real ghetto makes New Market Oval look like hollywood.

 

But, the good news.... N IS GETTING BAPTISED SUNDAY! Yay! She is a super star! Seriously, she's a friend of a member, and she has kept every commitment, every appointment, and done everything we've asked her to do. She was already living a very good lifestyle so she didnt need to make many changes at all, she's been to church every sunday and arrived before most members do, and read 1 Nephi chapters 1-13 already and asks quetions when she doesnt understand. It is so cool to see how she's grown in the last 4 weeks. Her little girl is soo cute too, she's 2 and an active lil girl. Her interview is wednesday and then after church Sunday she will be baptised.Talk about a blessing! She's going to be a great member. Oh, and double good news, V IS GETTING BAPTISED ON SUNDAY TOO! He's our super star in Spanish Town that we "randomly" came up to us outside the church. We won't get to see it but that doesnt really matter, I'd love to serve in spain town again and link up wit him. It's gonna be a good weekend!

 

Oh right, the other questions. The food here is good. I've taken a new approach to food since we dont have gas for the stove and havnet since spanish town, I just buy PB and J, bread, and some snacks every week and eat that at home. There is a KFC here and a Burger King that we hit up every now and again, but I would love to get stove gas so I can start doing eggs again, maybe when the zone leaders are here they can take us in the truck to go get another tank. Lactose wise I think i've still got it. I've had Ice Cream twice and both time's ive been pretty mashed up. It didnt stop me though... funny how that works haha It has stopped me though after I remembered "oh yeah, I don't like this feeling". I don't buy milk or anything, i drink about 3-4 liters of water a day and about a Pepsi or Grapefruit Shweeps a day too. I've kicked back on the soda though, not helpin my teenage bumps (thats what they call acne here).

 

This month is going to fly by. Baptism this week, a full week next week, then the christmas party in Kingston! We are so jacked for the christmas party and christmas, it will be fun. Yes skype will be awesome! We're still tracking down a computer, we might be able to buy or borrow a camera and mic from someone and use the church's computer which would we way cool. Are you really 4 hours behind? Thats pretty wild.. we have a few more emails to figure out wah gwaan so im not to worried. Ill let you know for sure whats up though by next week or the monday of christmas week. as soo as we know, you will know.

 

Can you put a some more dough on my card? I need to send your christmas package :) Thank you!

 

You guys sound like you're havin a hoot, everyone eat some Russian Tea cakes and short bread and cinnomon rolls and fruit loop cookies for me! Oh and your package made it, I think its your package, but Ill be opening it at christmas time, just fyi. OH and Pryors sent a package too! Beef jerky, toosie rolls, licorise, gum, and propel packets... they know how to make a boy happy! The jerky is almost all gone... i couldnt stop eating it haha anyways, I love you all! Have a great week!

 

Elder Romney

week 21

Heeeeeeellllooo!!

I MISS THANKSGIVING!!! I will send some pictures of Elder Taylor's and my thanksgiving. It was definitly not the same, but we celebrated for sure. He did a trade of in Negril the day before, so Elder Gray and I taxi'ed out there that morning and served in the soup kitchen. It was pretty fun, definitly the most rockin soup kitchen in Negril since we were there... I think I've found my calling in life after that... I can see it now, big lights down the side of the strip in Vegas that says "SOUP!" I couldnt stop thinkin about Nacho Libre being making soup, it was very similar. BUT ANYWAYS! We went to Ricks Cafe and got the dog bowl ice cream dessert for our thanksgiving feast. Most delicious.

This week was good though, we got transfer calls on Saturday, we are staying in Sav (no surprise there). Things are still pretty slow as far as a teachign pool is concerened. We are teaching about 6 people I think, but 4 came to church on sunday and 3 have baptisms dates and are very very solid, reading their Book of Mormon, coming to church, definitly genuienly wanting to be baptised which is SHAAAAWEET! December will be a fast month for sure, I hit my 6 month mark Jan 6th! Crazy how fast things go. It doesnt seem like ive been here long at all though because the weather doesnt change. It's not as rainy as it was when I first got here, but its still hot and sunny every day.

We are so pumped for Christmas!! If we can find a computer to use on Christmas day at a members house or something, that means we can skype each other! How cool would that be?? I think that would be most triumphant. There isnt much Christmas celebration here. We saw that inside the bank they are decorationing but other than that, there isnt anything. The electricity bills here are ridicoulusly expensive anyways, so christmas lights are out of the question for most people. We have been singing Christmas songs though since the beginning of November and will probably sing them until at LEAST April. Gotta love Christmas!

This week we had some great lessons. One lady we are teaching is just so solid. She says yes to everything we teach her and at first we werent sure if she was just saying that or if she really cared, sure enough we went back after one day of not teaching her and she'd read all the intro, testimonies of witnesses, and the firstfour chapters of the Save about a year ago so its very nice, air conditioned and everything.

Elder Taylor and I are having a lot of fun here (but not to much fun... its obedient fun ;) ) Im going to send some pictures a bit later, so dont worry! You will have some! love you!

Elder Romney

week 20

Hey family!!

 

This week was a lot better than last week for sure. Sav is beautiful! As is Negril! We went there for district meeting and are going back today for p=day, ill have some awesome pictures for you guys.

 

We did a loooooooooooooooooooot of finding this week. I kinda feel like Robbie might feel in France. We rode around forever, talking to as many people as we could. In the schemes of Sav, the people are always at work during the day. So we walked through all of Llendilo and maybe saw two people. That makes days a little difficult, but there is always people down in New Market to talk to. New Market is right along the ocean and we spend a lot of time in there. There are a lot of members down there and out of the 3 people we are teaching, we meet two of them in New Market. The vibes here are a lot different than in Spanish Town, that east coast vs west coast vibe I guess. People here are a lot more kick back and not as busy, but not as open to discuss with you and if they are discussing, they just want bash. Its not terrible at all, we had a couple discussions (I wouldnt call them bashes because no one was yelling and we were keeping it pretty cool) with a few people and obviously throwing scriptures to them proving what we are discussing doesnt do anything, so after about 20 minutes into each of them we just end it and invite them to come learn more at church. It is fun to see how people interpret the bible so differently though... and when I mean differently, I mean more different than anything Ive EVER heard. It makes for an exciting day.

 

Our branch here is great. We are really clicking with them and earning their trust. Back in February, 18 people were baptised in the space of 3 months, all from member referrals. So we are definitly trying to get those. There are a few people we call up to come teaching with us every once in a while which is a huge help because they take us to their friends. Its been a slow go as far as gaining a teaching pool, but we arent discouraged. Things are good! Two of the people we are teaching have already accepting to be baptised and have come to church. We arent teaching many people as of now, but the people we are teaching are solid which is definitly nice.

 

Snow? Whats that? ;)

 

I cant wait to get that video! That will be so cool to see everyone. Oh, and mom... Ive only been out 4 and a half months, not 5 and 1/2... but good try! haha Christmas time I will call later. Our church is from 10-1 so calling early would be a little bit obscene.. I want to talk to my family, not the zonked out zombie version at 4 in the morning your time!

 

A couple biznizz things: I now know what I need for christmas... My shoes ripped the other day and its my only pair so I would LOVE some dough for some new church shoes and also I need a new bicycle seat... Im sending a picture of it, its a little.. uh... worn. Its been handed down from father Nelson to me, and goodness sakes, its time for it to retire! A good pair of shoes that will last are abut $70 in in the department store and my Cloud 9 bicycle throne is about $35.. so... yes... that would be lovely!! 

 

oh yeah, i got your letter with the pictures!! I laughed so hard when I saw the one of all of us! Made my day! Thanks!!

 

I love you guys!

Elder Romney 

 

Pictures :1. The throne itself in all its glory... its rather painful! 2. Nothing makes a missionary happier than a cold pepsi and some mallows! We roast them out on the veranda on a hibachi grill that a missionary left. A great way to wind down the evening. 3. The combo.

week 19

Hey there family!

 

What. A. Week. Im not sure where to start.... Well I guess we will start with Monday night. Monday was a hoot, gotta love p-day in Spanish Town, had family home evening at Sister C's house, it was so much fun. We got home and recieved a call from the AP's saying that... we are getting emergency transfered to Savana La Mar on Wednesday. Yep, so we are here now in Sav, whitewashing our second area in 6 weeks. It's hard to describe because we really really really loved Spanish Town, in three weeks it become both of our favorite area. Had three baptisms lined up, lots to do, everything was going great. And now we are in Sav, which is amazing. Its right on the ocean, I get to see the other  side of the island, its really nice over here, but its a complete whitewash. There wasnt much left to work with in the area book, it hadn't been updated for about 9 months and we still don't know many people... its just been a crazy week. We spent the first two days here just cleaning because the house was a disaster. But, all is well now, its a very nice house, big, washing machine AND hot water :) we are blessed for sure. The past four days after that we have been exploring our area. We walked friday but got our bicycles fixed saturday and rode everywhere, trying to talk to everyone and get to know the place. We were blessed on our first day out on the town we ran into a member and he showed us were some members live and introduced us to some people. The branch here is very friendly and we do have some friends that we made at church. Missionary work was booming here about 9 months ago, all from member referalls so that is definetly the way we are going to go about it. Its the best way.

 

Things are really good though. We are stoked to be here, stoked that we finally saw the ocean (especially Elder Taylor, hasnt seen it since he got here 8 months ago). I never thought I would serve in three areas in three transfers but its good, I'm learning so much. Sav is sweet, talk about a kick back ocean town. Everyone here is so chill, even traffic here seems relaxed (besides the accident we saw this morning, that was crazy!) But there is a lot to be done and we are ready for it. Some good news from Spanish Town, V came to church and went to a baptism! He is such a boss, sad to leave him but Elder Hitchcock and Elder Colluci will take care of him. The Lord works in mysterious ways for sure. I'll attach some pictures of the latest excursions. I love you all!!

 

Elder Romney 

week 18

hello! my shift key is still all wacky on this computer so my apologies.

 

This week was really great. i am really loving Spanish Town. We had some really cool experiences, ones that i will remember for the rest of my mission.

 

First, so on tuesday we went out, had a full day planned and walked out to gorden pen to try and meet with R (our investigator with a baptismal date). We got totally lost, had no idea where anything was, spent about an hour walking around trying to find it. We find his street, and as we are walking a man stops us and asks us what we believe about Spirits and the devil. So we talk to him a bit, and he's posted up on this cement building window so we go sit with him. An hour later after hitting what seemed like every topic there is about the church, he asks when we can come back and teach him more because he hasnt ever been so interested in something in his life. He already goes to church but got really hooked on about how in 1 peter chapter 4 saying that spirits get taught in the spirit world but are held accoutable to the laws of the flesh and it blew his mind, so we were stoked!! Just a random guy on the street and turns out to be the nephew of someone in our branch presidency. Cha. Sweetness. So then we go down to R's and he's got a friend there who is also extremely interested. Before this we had only met with R 3 times and he had just learned about the word of wisdom and the law of chastity. We ask him how those things are going with that and after only 2 days he turns around and teaches his friend both principles, word for word. It was so awesome! He has grown so much in just two weeks. He couldnt come to church sunday which was sad but he's still a stud.

 

So then later that day, we get blown out of 2 appointments, and are sitting outside the church finishing up a soda and about to head off to a lesson and a a man walks by, we exchanges 'goodnights' but he turns around and asks what this building was. Long story short, he had no idea what church we were and hadn't heard anything so we took him inside and showed him around and asked if he had time this week to meet with us again. He says 'well I have time right now. I have time every night because I walk past the church everynight to go home from work". BOOYAH. Teach him about the restoration and he is just asking all the right questions and on board to be taught and learn more. here's where it gets really cool. We leave the church and Elders Hitchcock and Colluci are walking past the church and feel impressed to talk to the guy they just walked past. They flag him down, introduce themselves and the man says "I know, I just got done speaking with Elder Romney and Elder Taylor'. Ya! Talk about meant to be! He told the other elders how he felt something different when he walked into the church and how he was meeting with us and very interested. It was a great experiance. we aren't sure what happened to him though, we havent been able to get a hold of him for 4 days so I think he must be out of credit on his phone.

 

all in all this week was nice. The last couple days were rough, had all of our appointments cancel besides two from thursday to sunday so we spent a lot of time finding, which is cool. get to talk to more people and get to know the area better.

 

Shoes, I did buy some but not church shoes. There was a shaweet sale on shoes so I snatched a couple sweet pairs, my church shoes are holding up fine. My feet are all callused up and manly now.

 

Address, I actually do not know my address :) If you google earth spanish town and find the church building, we live about a 5.45 minute walk from there.

 

Sounds like things at home are going great! Love you all and stay warm! I know I am!

 

Elder Romney

week 17

Hey there fam!

my shift key on the keyboard is sticky so i might not have the right punctuation on some things.... just to let you know! ok, questions off the top: Nope, no package from Amanda.. which makes me saaaaaaaad!! Elder Taylor and I live in a four man house with Elder Hitchcock and Elder Collucci and then the Zone leaders have the other side of Spanish Town so there is 6 missionaries here. Makes for some pretty rad P-days and days in general. We have been prankin Elders Hitchcock and Colluci pretty good... it gives everyone a laugh after a long day :) Pres. and Sis. Hendricks finish their mission about the time I finish mine too, two weeks before or something like that.

ok, SPANISH TOWN! It is awesome here, I love it already. Our branch is so awesome, there is two branches, The ZL's are in the other branch, same building though. We meet at 11:30 and we have some studs in there. Our Elder Quorum president and Mission leader come teaching with us all the time. They are so dependable, and teaching with a member present is so much more effective because the investigator already now has a connection to someone in the branch. This week smoked by but at the same time I feel like I’ve been here for month's already. since we are white washing, its like starting from scratch. We are taking the approach of using the branch and lots of referrals instead of aimlessly calling at gates all day (we don’t knock on doors, we call at the gate). And wow, talk about effective! We have four solid investigators, one of which is named R. His sister had been taught by missionaries and he would just listen and sit in but we called him up and he got to the church, found fare somehow, and knows so much about the church already. Accepted to be baptized on Nov. 20th and i can see the blessings he's already received. For one he doesn't have a job... not true anymore. Our Elder quorum pres. hooked him up, he also was at the church when a senior couple was there and they gave him a shirt and two full schoolbags of notebooks, pencils, color pencils, the whole nine yards for his two little sisters. Its awesome, its building my faith the more and more we are teaching him. He came to church Sunday as well. He was late and we were really bummed out but I was fasting for him to come to church and whala, he came for the last part of sacrament meeting and the rest of church. 17 years old and a sick kid.

White washing is new to me, but we literally talk to everyone and invite everyone to church. Everyone. Every human. It's cool. None of them came but still, there's a promise in Doctrine and Covenants that says 'open your mouth and I will give you strength that man cannot know'. Tried that this week and it works! Imagine that, the Lord keeping his promises! We are teaching another teenage guy and a couple other solid people who we are friends with now. one week here and we have been blessed like crazy. Thursday we did splits with Elder quorum pres and mission ward leader, O and I took a WALK all the way out to Thompson pen, like a two hour, two and a half hour walk out there and oh man, I’ve been sore ever since. Walking 11 hours a day will do that to ya! but my feet are getting used to walking and not bicycling again. We talk to so many more people because we walk. I dig it.

In other news, guess who's lactose intolerant?/ me! found that out after two rounds of cheesy pizza... which makes me sad, but I’m over it. It beats being up all night with runny belly. elder Taylor bought a pull up bar and I have a set of perfect pushups from E. Nelson so we are going HARD workin out everyday. I dig it also.

Well fam, things here are great. I miss Halloween for sure, you have to tell me what everyone is for it!! Love you all!!

Elder Romney

week 16

Hey!

Wow, you guys sound wicked busy. The house looks awesome! It doesn't even look like the same house! This week has been pretty crazy. I ended up not leaving Maypen until Saturday because the new Elder's Visa didn't clear, so I stayed with Elder Johnson and showed him around Maypen. Bicycling all the areas we go in three days makes me realize how huge Maypen is. Our area is the whole parish of Clarendon but we only ever go as far as Twin Palms one way, Tollgate the other way, and Hayes to make up the triangle because its about a 1 and a half to two hour bicycle ride out there one way. But it was really fun showing him around, introducing him to some investigators, he and his trainee are whitewashing so I know it was a help to him to have a guide around for 3 days before Elder Nugent got there. 

Spanish Town! President Hendricks came and picked me up Saturday afternoon and dropped of Elder Nugent to the Maypen house, and then we met up with the Zone leaders and Elder Taylor in Spanish Town. Got all unpacked, the house is nice! Washing machine, two bathrooms, a separate study room, a laundry room, kitchen, little living room space where Elder Hitchcock and Elder Colucci study, its a wicked nice house. I was so used to scrubbing out my laundry I forgot how to work a washing machine... but learned real quick :) Talk about a luxury, I love that thing. My clothes all fit properly again and aren't streched out at the neck (my t-shirts) and everything is white! whoo hoo!! Elder Taylor is a boss. I already knew him from being in the same zone and we get along great. We are excited to see what Spain holds for us as we whitewash. We had church yesterday and a meeting with the branch pres., got a couple refferals which was awesome, and are stoked to get out and meet them. We do home teaching in the branch too to the less actives so we have about 12 people to see each month. We are going about this a lot differently just because we are whitewashing I think.  We are using the branch to get refferals and being really involved with them because 80% of baptisms are from member referalls (I dont know how to spell that!) We are pumped to be here! We have a microwave here too and a way to watch a family DVD as well. 

Well I don't have much time this week to email, got lots to do! But know that Elder Romney is one happy camper in Spanish Town! Things are great, I'll have more to email about when things start picking up. Tell everyone I love them and i'll talk to you next week! 

Elder Romney

PS: halloween is not celebrated here, it is for the sake of parties in the tourist towns, but no where else... which is sad because I miss having candy at my disposal!! :)

week 15

Hey!

This week seems like such a blur! To answer your questions off the top, no, we didnt have any investigators at church that we are teaching, but we had one come from somewhere else, so at 11:15 our time Elder Nelson and I were teaching her about faith and the Word of Wisdom in Gospel Essentials class. But this week was pretty good. It rained a lot. Has there been a hurricane passing by? Because we had some biiiiig rain fall which was awesome to watch. Tuesday night I rode my bicycle in it to get home, talk about wet! It was a lot of fun though. Once you're wet, it doesn't matter how wet you get. But Iearned an important lesson: don't ride through puddles because puddles equal covered up pot holes... yeah... ouch!

I went on a trade off in Old Harbour with Elder Gayle and I tell you what, that guy can cook! We had curry chicken, rice and vegetables. He's a Jamaican, so you know he cooks authentic. I chopped the carrots... and made peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches as an appetizer.... some chef I am, eh? I think when I get home, Pryors is going to have an all new Jamaican addition to the menu with all the food I'm learning how to cook. That was fun, teaching in Old Harbour. Thursday was zone conference. I love zone conference. Spanish Town and Kingston zone all meet in Kingston. It was great, learned a lot.

A story was told about some sister missionaries in Vermont who had been serving the heart of NYC and loved being out in the country, small town area. They were driving up a huge mountain to get to an investigators house out in the middle of no where on some switchback roads. One of the Sisters got the distinct impression to lock the car doors. She ignored it twice, but he third time locked them and told her companion to do so as well. Not 5 seconds after they locked it, they heard a huge thump on the roof of their car and a man was looking down on the windshield and another one on the passenger window. They just kept driving, keeping it cool, and the guys fell off the roof and ran the other way. They made it to the house, got out of the car, and there was a distinct handprint on the handle to the back door. They didn't even notice another man running along side the car trying to open the door.... yeah, crazy story. Moral of the story, follow the Spirit! Don't put off those feelings, especially as a missionary because we are protected when we follow those promptings and need that protection.

Friday night activities are way fun, we're still going. It's a great teaching tool too. Elder Nelson and I aren't harldy ever playing basketball at the same time, one of us is always sitting out, so the one who is sitting out talks to the other guys about the church and stuff. Its good to just get the word out. Nothing has come of it yet, but the seed has been planted.

Ok, time for the big news... Elder Nelson and I are both getting transfered! He is going into Kingston and I'm whitewashing Spanish Town! (Whitewashing is when we are new missionaries, not one who has been in the area at all) I will be with Elder Taylor, who is the man, he served in Linsted which is in our zone so I know him pretty well already. He's actually my brother in missionary language, because your father is your trainer (Elder Nelson) and your second companion is your mother (now Elder Taylor). But Elder Taylor was Elder Nelson's first trainee, making my mother my brother and my father my grandfather.... yeah, my missionary family is whack! Spanish Town will be exciting. It's a big big city, with lots going on. From what I hear its a solid branch with lots of great members, Im so excited! So today we are cleaning our house so its nice for the new missionaries coming. Wednesday is when we are actually leaving Maypen. I'm happy but sad because I was finally getting to know the members and getting places with our investigators, but I know the new missionaries will pick up right where we left off!

Moral of this email: Life is good! You guys sound busy and happy. We don't use Mormon.org as a teaching tool really because no one has internet, but I hear its awesome in the U.S. I love the pics of Mac and Summer and their braces!! They will look so much different when I get back... hope I can recognize them!

Have a great week! Love you!

Elder Romney