12.8.14 Update

Swaziland is a gift from God. This small monarchy-guided (There is an actual king here) land is the most gorgeous of any place my eyes have ever had the privilege of encountering. The mountainous regions in combination with the African foliage destroy any notion of what I thought beauty was. Everyday I find myself pausing in awe and taking in the vistas God grants me.

 

  

 

My companions are the best, man. The absolute best. I think it's a culmination of speaking in my native tongue (kind of... this is going to sound ridiculous ((because it is)) but no one can understand me unless I use a shoddy Irish accent. I'm not playing with you. The Californian accent is a little too quick, I suppose. It's all the emphasis on the vowels and rolling the tongue with some of the words that helps. It's also highly entertaining for my companions.) and just being brothers in the most bonafide sense. Due to issues not of their own making, my comfort level as a missionary and human being never quite met the a satisfactory level with my companions until I hit Swaziland. I love this country. I love these people I am serving and these people I'm serving with.

 

Elder Banovich [The O.C. - Original Companion] (prepare for your mind to be blown) went to Viewmont. Apparently I graduated with him. He looked so familiar the instant I met him but neither of us could place it until hours after when he mentioned where he lived. Crazy, crazy stuff. He is the biggest sweetheart in the world. He's also the biggest goon in the world. It's still a holy time with him, but the humor is congruent to who we are. He kills it in the clicking language and is definitely the most knowledgeable to cultural differences and need-to-know information. 

 

Elder Galland is the addition to our trio. There is no complaint on my end here - Galland was the first District Leader I had in Mozambique and now he is my District Leader (and companion) in Swazi. I was so stoked to hear I'd be living with him again and now I'm serving with him! The love this bear has in his heart for everyone is love in the truest sense of the word. He's the man. He just gets it done, whatever is being asked of us. I've also never met anyone who can tell a more engaging story. It's an art I'm sure anyone he knows him would say he perfected it. 

 

In the weeks we've been working together I've had some of the most powerful spiritual experiences yet on my mission. The very things we study about in the scriptures have been happening. It's real. It is all real. Do people know that? I want to testify that I know this is the work of the Lord. I know He is with us and I am so grateful to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful to wear my Savior's name everyday on my chest and in my heart. It is the best decision I have ever made. There is no comparable feeling to the goodness that is out here.

 

And this sentiment isn't exclusive to just my writings and your readings - It's attainable. It doesn't just have to be something everyone reads about every so often when they decide to look at some LDS kid's blog in Africa. The secret is choosing. The secret is acting. If you want to know if these things are, do what Heavenly Father asks you do to do. DO. Get on your knees, Pray. Ask Him what He would have for you. Read His word, and follow it. He promises blessings if you follow his commandments, and God cannot lie. My invitation from over here on the other side of the world is to join me in this happiness. Join with me in this joy.

 

Act, friends. Act. Do. Find out for yourselves.

 

Start here:

 

https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng

 

Elder Mortimer