Zone Conference

Hello everyone!

So this week was ridiculously busy but it was awesome! Elder Gong of the Seventy came and we had district and zone conference with him! He is a beast! I learned a lot of new things and he knows so much about the scriptures that its ridiculous. He talked about how in D&C whenever it mentions stakes, it is talking in the language of the temple which I thought was really interesting. So I want to study that a little bit more. But yeah those meetings were so good! That is why I am writing today instead of yesterday. We had a normal day on Monday and so today is our p-day! Pretty sweet. 

Holding a snake!

The work is still doing really well. It slowed down a little bit because the members stopped going on exchange with us. And telagu is basically impossible to understand without someone translating, although I am getting a lot better at understanding! I still cant speak very much but its whatever. The biggest problem we are having here is getting people to church. Sundays on missions are lame. I thought it was supposed to be a day of rest! They are awesome because they go by so fast but the hour before church starts is like the most intense hour of my life. We ride our cycles to our area which is like 20 minutes away and visit all our investigators to see if they can come. Its insane. Anywho. We have 1 baptism scheduled for this next Sunday. Everyone else is bunking. Its lame. But we have 4 others scheduled throughout the rest of the month. Hopefully we can get them to church. Man Pastors of other churches are so annoying. There is one sister and she said she loves our church and knows its true but she is afraid to come because her pastor and his church members are scolding her for coming to our church. But we talked to her about courage and had a really good lesson about Abinadi and other people in the BoM. We showed her 1 Ne 1:20 and its Nephi talking about how the jews were stoning the prophets and rejecting his father but then he talks about how those who are chosen of the Lord can be made mighty even unto the power of deliverance according to their faith. I dunno something like that but it was awesome. The rest of our investigators are slowly progressing but they are all very hesitant. I think the best way to help this is boldness. That is something I am learning a lot about here. Haha Somtimes I feel Like I am being a little rude because my companion will say "please come to church this week, but if you cant then its no problem." Then I kinda pop in and say "No, Its not okay. You need to come to church. Its a commandment from God and The blessing you are missing out on when you come take the Sacrament, and experience the spirit are things that you should not be missing in this life." Elder Gottipati doesn't like when I do that. I enjoy it though. 

Garbage disposal

So I think the culture shock has subsided for the most part. I saw a spider larger than my hand this week and couldn't take a picture because some crazy Indian kid ran over, picked it up and threw it 100 yards. I hope it comes back and bites him. Just kidding. I wanted a picture though. Maybe next time. Also. I saw something this week that I will probably see many times more in my mission but I dont know it just made me feel really sick. I saw a woman beating her child so badly and ruthlessly, I wanted to go and beat her the same way and ask her if she liked it. But I couldnt. I know its just the culture here but the way she was hitting him shouldn't be legal anywhere. 

Good stuff. On a happier note. I have almost perfected Kaja. Its one of the best Indian sweets you can find here and I love it. Its awesome. I dont know about to describe it. Maybe the best way is that its like toaster stroodle but with sugar syrup. Pretty sweet. Life here is pretty sweet. There are going to be some big changes in the next transfer though (July 2). Im guessing I'll stay here in the Mundry. June is like the hottest month ever. Holy Shnikies. I have sweat more in 5 minutes here than I have during any sporting event that I have participated in. But... Rainy season is coming and I am so stoked.

Playing Cricket

So Cricket is stupid. I played it, and I am terrible. There was a 5 year old Indian kid making fun of me in Telagu. I was gonna beat him with the bat but I decided that Christ wouldn't do that and neither would I. I'll send a pic of that. On Pdays we play basketball, take naps, make kaja, and yeah. There is like nothing to do in Rajahmundry. Its okay though. I love it. 

Let me know whats going on and how life in America is! Go eat some hamburgers for me... :'( Just kidding I had like the best chicken curry the other day I almost cried.

Love you all!

Elder Checketts

A Room with a View

6-1-2014

Hello Everyone!

Soo this week was a pretty slow one. The members were all really busy this week. They had a youth conference thing at the church so it was hard for us to go and teach people. I was able to play cricket for the first time this week! Such a weird sport. I dont understand it at all. Its a lot like baseball but not at the same time. This week was kind of rough with our investigators. None of them came to church this week. So we went to go and talk with them but they all had lame excuses. Its okay. Next week they hopefully can come. Fedro and his wife were supposed to be baptized like 3 weeks ago but they keep bailing. Next week we are going to kidnap them and force them to get to the church. Just kidding. But sometimes I would like to do that! Sundays are so frustrating on the mission. I think thats why they have P-day on Monday! And its something I am so grateful for! So this week Elder Britton(ZL in our apartment) were experimenting with mangos and a sweet called Kaja. We made a mango milkshake and it was fantastic. I Love mangos and I am depressed because mango season is at an end. So we went out and bought 50 for 200 rupees... about 2.50$ haha pretty sweet. We got a good deal. Kaja is like the best treat I have ever had. That stuff isso addictive. So of course I learned how to make it! My Kaja isn't quite as good as the shops but its still pretty good. So we made a bunch of those and now we want to experiment with putting mango inside of the kaja and frying it. More info on that to come!

So I think for the most part that the culture shock is kind of gone. Except for the heat. I dont think I could ever get used to it. I am always covered in sweat. its whatever. The food is beginning to taste much better. Its about time!! We had some really good chicken curry last night at a recent converts house! it was ridiculously spicy but so good! I am getting a little bit better with eating with my hands. I don't drop as much rice as I usually do! This week was kind of hard because now that I am used to this place I am starting to miss America! Man I miss Hamburgers. But its okay because we have mangos! Those things have saved my life.

This month we should have around 4 baptisms but we will see. We need people to come to church. We have set up a member to take them to church and they know where to go. We go down there every sunday morning and try to walk with them to the members home. But Satan does not want to let these people go. So annoying. Anywho. We have like 20 investigators right now. Some progressing much faster than others. We have a few Hindus we are teaching who want to convert to Christianity which is awesome. but their families are so against it. I am hoping there hearts will soften and they will allow their kids to be baptized without disowning them. Pastors here are awful. They always tell there congregations not to talk to us and that if we give them a book that they should not pray about it or read it. We then ask the people why do you think that they are telling you not to do that? Cuz its true! And they dont want to lose their "tithing" funds. Elder Nepali (the other ZL) absolutely despises pastors. its kinda funny. Everytime someone talks about pastors he gets kinda red and says we need to destroy them. I feel bad for any pastor that comes across him. He knows the bible so well he could probably prove them and their religion wrong with 2 verses. What a guy. He is from Nepal. And the funny thing is that he is probably the nicest guy I have ever met. Soo yeah thats life in India. Just dirt and smelly cows. Until Next week. Please send me some beef jerky. I miss beef. Also I was serious about the whole putting a pic of Jesus on the letter/package. Elder Britton has been doing that his whole mission and has only lost like 2 packages out of like 10. pretty sweet. I cant send pictures again this week because we are back at an Internet cafe. Thats the only reason I dont like Rajahmundry. The power cuts are awful. Well. Lova yaa miss yaa. 

Elder Checketts

Beef Curry

Hey!

How is everyone? Life in India is still basically the same. I sweat like 2 liters everyday. Man on Wednesday this week it was like 120 degrees. I wanted to die it was so hot outside. Anywho. This week was much slower than past weeks. We found out that our main investigator has a word of wisdom problem so that was kinda lame. But we have like 5 people set for baptism on the 2nd. I am so pumped for today. We are going to an FHE with the Mongamuri Family and they are going to tech us how to cook beef curry. I am pumped out!It should be really really good. I hope it doesnt give me loose motions. Anywho. Yeah. Nothing really happened this week. Saw more people going to the bathroom in the streets. I almost got hit by a bus too. That was fun. Bus drivers are the meanest people. We have some solid investigators. Hopefully they get baptized next month. We failed miserably. Next month we will do really well though. 

Family how is everything? Is ryan still doing well in Minnesota? How is Chris doing? Are you in Tennesee yet? Crazy stuff man. Mother Father? How is life? Work? Man how is the new TV? Thats crazy. Matt and Whit and Noah! How are you guys holding up?? Hope you are happy and well! You guys are probably so tired!

Well the mish is going well. I got my suit this week and It is freaking sweet! I will send a bunch of pics! Elder Britton bought a purple suit and we took some solid pics. Elder Britton looks like James Bond in his purple suit.

Elder Britton and Elder Checketts modeling new suits.

ummmm yeah. Well. Let me know if that package is on its way.. Hope all is well. Love you all and miss ya.

Elder Checketts

God Bless America!

Hey!

Wow! What a crazy week. Sorry I didnt write last week. After talking to the family I didnt have time to email! So This week was nuts. I think I told you about how we had 9 new investigators in one day last week right? well we did.. But this week. We have 34 new investigators. Heavenly Father is pouring out his spirit here and it is awesome. We had 28 member present lessons and the other companionship in our district had a record breaking 41 member presents during the week. I cant believe how much help we are receiving from Heavenly Father. So my companion and I have been going on splits everyday for the past week with the members and its crazy. We have 4 people scheduled for baptism on the 25th but they arent that solid so we will see. We need this one guy, Fedro, to stop smoking so that he can be baptized. We are working with him so please add him to your prayers. Sundays are so frustrating on missions!!! Man! When investigators dont come to church I just feel so depressed! But then at the last second Heavenly father blesses us! We were able to get 4 investigators to church on Sunday and they are all awesome! As a zone in Rajahmundry we had 120 member present lessons and 80 new investigators. The work is taking off and its beautiful. Please add these people to your prayers!

So I didnt have a really crazy cultural experience this week but A gay guy did hit on me. He walked up to me, checked me out and said "super"..... I sat there for a sec really confused at what had just happened and then it hit me. I am scarred for life. Yikes. Anywho. Yeah. I saw more people pooping on the side of the road. Lots of Cows and I still havent taken a picture.. Sorry.. Working on it! We are so busy that I never have time to pull out my camera and take a picture. We are constantly going to appointments all day its crazy. This week has been back and forth with loose motions and constipation. One day Im way constipated and then the next its all loose motions. Sorry for the details buuuut.. yeah. Fun stuff. There is a dog that follows us everywhere here and his name is Raja. He is a beast. He literally protects all missionaries its awesome. Like all the missionaries in Rajahmundry know this dog. When people drive by us he will growl at them and try to bite them its awesome. I will send a pic of him.

So yeah life here is pretty sweet. Today it is 41 degrees C which means around 105 plus the humidity. I think. Thats what someone told me. that feels about right though. It rained last night so the humidity is killing us today. I am starting to gain weight. I am beginning to see a rice belly and I am scared. I need to start working out.

Also, I have some advice!! For sending packages, letters, anything. Put a picture of Jesus on it and then (most) people wont touch it. I guess they afraid of being cursed which is awesome. Sooo yeah! do that and most things will be able to get to me! So this week I started to miss America a lot. But it’s all good because we went to Dominoes and had pizza and even though it was crappy pizza I feel better! If any of you feel like sending a package or anything like that.. I could use some beef jerky... haha just kidding. Man I miss beef so much. All I want is a nice Steak. or a hamburger. We eat veg meals all the time. We go to hotels for lunch usually and there is one place that we go to called godavri heights. Its 70 rupees for all you can eat which is like 1 dollar. but they tell us not to think of things like that because then we will blow a lot of money. my suit was 2500 rupees and thats like 45 or 50 dollars. but thats a lot sooo I dunno. Its weird. We eat Chipothe all the time and Papu which is like liquid curry and its really good and really spicy. I had chicken tikka fried rice the other day and it was lovely. I will try to send lots of pictures next week too.

Let me know whats going on in America and I want all of you to thank Heavenly father for A/C. Love you all!

Elder Checketts

Mother's Day Skype

We didn't get a letter this week, but waited until 11:00 pm for the Skype call from Elder Zach for Mother's Day. We had a few problems with video and sound on different ends, but eventually had a great time hearing his voice and seeing his smiling face live all the way from Rajahmundry.  It was 90% humidity and about 104 degrees. He is always sweating.

 He got to see his new little nephew and catch up on his brother's activities. 

And for Mother's Day Mom got a necklace and note that said, "A Piece of my Heart is in India"

He and his companion found 15 investigators during the week and 9 in one day yesterday.

We got to bed around 2:00am this morning... and it was totally worth it!

First Baptism!

Hey!!

So! Good week! We have 7 new investigators and we had our first baptism yesteraday! Her name is Mahdri! She is way solid and I am so happy for her! She wanted one of the members to baptize her so that was awesome! I guess technically its not my first baptism cuz we didnt teach her but its whatever. I going to say it is. So this week was pretty sweet. I am recovering from my food poisoning which was wonderful. It is lame. I have to readjust to the food. Rajahmundry is a terrible place to get sick because the food is all spicy and there is absolutely no american food. We had some toast the other day and it smelt like America. It smelt so good that I cried. Haha just kidding but it was awesome. Anywho. Life here in the Mundry is sweet. One thing I would like to mention specifically are the Mangos. Ohhh myyy gooodnessss. They are beautiful. Its mango season here and They are so good. I could live off of these mangos. Man. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. So We are in an internet cafe right now because the generator is being lame and stopped working at the church. I wont be able to send any pictures this week because I dont want to attach my camera to this virus infested computer. 

Skype!! I can skype you guys! My skype time is 8:30 am here on monday so it should be 8 at night on sunday there.... Right? Yeah. But. I need you guys to create a skype account for me, and then email me the information for it so that I can log onto it here. I am pumped. Make sure that the baby is there!!! Not that I dont want to see all of you.. I am just stoked to see the baby.. If thats possible. I am also excited to see Benny. Man I miss that mutt. The dogs here are all really depressing and gross. I see dying puppies everywhere and its terrible. 

Soo India is still as wild as it was the first day I got here. I am still adjusting to the food. I eat veg meals everyday. Which is basically rice and potato curry and papu. Quality. So I started the BoM again like 3 weeks ago and I am in 3 Nephi 4 now! Man I just finished reading about Samuel the Lamanite. He is an awesome example. BREAKING NEWS. My mission card just arrived!! Lemme explain. So we get mission cards right? Those cards get an allotment twice a month. Since I was Visa waiting in washington I didnt have a card there. When I got here. They didnt have my card either. So for the past month I have been going with out money. It was rough. But now my card had like 8000 rupees and I am pumped. haha thats only like 100 american dollars but I am still pumped. Anywho I am way excited now. 

Elder Gottipati says "Hi" My companion is a stallion. He is way nice. Like overly nice. Sometimes its annoying how humble he is. But he is an awesome example to me. I am learning a lot from him. He is really hard working too. He always wants to be out and about teaching people. Either that or Pista milkshakes. Dang those are good. We are addicted. So elder Randall(Zone leader) went home today. It was sad. I liked him a lot. He reminds me a lot of Chris. He is a track star and will be running at Utah State! He runs like a 4 minute mile. Its insane. 

So yeah. Life here is swell. Has the Ogden Temple been finished yet? There are a few elders from there that are wondering. Oh! One request. Can you send like a photo album with pictures of every body in it? Like everyone. Family friends strangers girlfriends anyone! But everyone here asks to see pictures of family and friends so I need an album with some solid pics in it! So yeah everyone should send me some like real tangible photos. I cant do anything with emailed pictures! I love them... But I cant show them to anyone.  Sooo send me some pictures!!! That would be awesome. 

Also. Family home evening. It can be a wonderful thing. We met Mahdri at a Family home evening and now she has been baptized. Invite the missionaries and non member friends to FHE! It can be so helpful! Well. I love this church. My testimony is growing every single day and I love it. Dont be afraid to share the gospel! I am so grateful for all of your support and Im really sorry If I dont respond to your emails but its really hard with a limited amount of time. I will try my best to send a small message to everyone. Love you all. I will see you and talk to you next week!! Make sure you email me the password and username of the skype account you make for me before next Sunday!

Elder Checketts

Photos!!

Driving on the wrong side of the road

Me and my companion with other missionaries!

Goats?

Local Neighbor

View from Apartment?

Dancers

Me