Zone Conference, Baptisms, and a Rogue

Dear Family!

Zone conference was sweet! It was with Sinkor zone (so all the sisters were there) and us Logantown zone! It was odd 'cause it wasn't even in Bushrod district,  it was one Monrovia and one Bushrod, but it worked out! It was pretty powerful. I enjoyed it. [I asked him what they do at zone conference:] ...just receive instruction. We sit and take notes and participate sometimes on how to become better missionaries, with various focuses. :) And we eat a good meal of rice and chicken.

Zone Conference at Sinkor Chapel - Sinkor and Logan Town Zones (combined) 

Back Row: Elders Finau, Burr, Smith, Godi, Park, Montgomery, Witehira, Pishl, Nakale, Price, Kamara, Connors, Osatohangbon
Middle Row: Elders Dahlin, Okunrobo, Ideh,  Widdison, Sisters Muzambi, Kithangu, Okeke, Iwenofu, Onwuka, Kiteto, Elders Elliott, Ayim, Bosomtwe
Front Row: Sisters Rametsi, Br. Missionary, Dever, Elder Dever, President Kirkham, Sister Kirkham, Elder Miles, Sister Miles, Addo, Kizza 

"the sisters told me to be in the picture"

Doe community is wet. But I like it. :) Still awesome investigators and members. Oh yeah, we baptized some people on Saturday! Es. (in her 40s), Vi. (40s), and Estella (young girl). It was good! Estella wasn't on time to church, so she wasn't able to be confirmed... but, next week! I baptized Es. and Estella, while my companion baptized Vi. He had to do that a few times to make it legit... Haha, Es. and Vi. aren't small women, but I was able to baptize Es.just fine! Probably helps that I have height and weight on Elder Kamara, but I also give some credit to dunking people in swimming pools back home. ;) I'm reminded of Dad pushing people to the bottom for baptisms. ;)

My health is good! I'm feelin' pretty fat lately, 'cause... I dunno, I think I've gained fat. But I'm working out in the mornings decently! I do pushups, occasionally do situps (but they hurt on tile, so I usually just do crunches), some tricep work, some squats, some bicep work, some flys with the tension band... It's not bad.

Last Monday I had a GREAT purchase: Diet Coke. I loved it. I can't get that here usually; I found it in a big supermarket!

Oh, there's a new supermarket that opened up close to our apartment! I laughed so hard when I walked in. They have some Great Value brand, some Kirkland brand... It was funny. Tons of American stuff. I bought myself a Hawaiian punch. :)

Ah, well, I was gonna share with you a really cool story about this one minister guy who told me and Elder Burr (I saw him last week, too, on exchange with Elder Smith) that he was ready to be baptized and that he was converted... But he didn't come to church. So that story is spoiled.

We had 24 investigators in Sacrament meeting! It was incredible!!! :) I like this branch. Everything's been going sweet. I'm still trying to learn the area better, though.

I read a sweet scripture this morning: 2 Nephi 9:48-49. It was good. Lil' bit of spiritual thrown in to mix things up, yeah? ["Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin. Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God."]

This week was good! We had some good lessons, but the week was mostly focused around the baptism. :) I'm so happy for those women to be baptized. Es. has some daughters that we're preparing to be baptized soon, too, and Vi. is married to a recent convert (Zaugg's convert). Estella is a very smart girl, so she's been fun to teach. I'll see if I can get you some photos! [no photos, yet again. USB port issues at the cafe.]

I'm going to send my sd card home soon, as soon as I can back up these photos on my flash drive! Then you'll have a ton of sweet pictures. I'm trying to take more lately, but with no camera while proselyting, it's still harder. [mission rule: no cameras while proselyting]

We haven't had LEC credit for the past few days and it gets crazy hot at night. [Liberian Electricity Corp.--their apartments usually get a few hours of electricity a day, but not lately.]

A rogue broke into the other Logantown apartment! Elder Burr and Elder Smith both had their cameras stolen, their phone stolen, and Elder Smith's bag. So... It was a pretty crazy morning! :) They even moved the razorwire that had been set up.  The rogue sneaked in and stole those things from the same room that they sleep in! Crazy. [I'm grateful everyone is safe]

Liberia's still an adventure. :) I'm working hard to improve! Thank you for all your support. Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Price

__________
Excerpts from this week's letter to his mission president:

Dear President,

Things went well this week! I am very happy to be able to say that the baptism this week went very well. I still feel blessed to be able to serve in this branch, especially with the great support from members. Each week I see it as a miracle when I look at how many investigators are coming to church, and I know that it's not me or my companion alone making that happen; Heavenly Father is definitely stepping in. I'm making a stronger effort to know the area very well for the past few days and this next week.

Elder Kamara and I are doing well. I'm doing my best to continue to learn from him, especially his patience and boldness when resolving concerns and giving correction. We are working to strengthen our branch and our zone, and I'm finding my feet in being a zone leader.

The zone is doing well, and I've seen some great things since zone conference...

Thank you for your reminder to apply the instruction from zone conference. I'm going to try to learn all those points on the "Remember This" by memory. [from Preach My Gospel]

Thank you for your support,
Elder Price

A Week of Exchanges

Hello!
Cool stories about lost dogs! Sounds like things are exciting as usual back home. Always something going on with us. :) But, I must say, that handcart stuff sure looks a lot cleaner than I remember it. :) Ryatt's hat is SWEET though. I love it. [Rikki and I went with Ryatt on this school field trip on Friday. I also went with Rikki and Rain when they were in 4th grade. No photos from Elder Price this week, so I'll share these of his brother:]

4th Grade Utah history handcart trek

Now you're working in the nursery too?! Whoah! And Rikki is a primary teacher...Say what?? That's cool! Rikki, I hope you teach deep doctrine to those kids. Make them blow their parents' minds. Please.
[Rikki is staying with us for a couple months while her husband is in Ranger School at Fort Benning. She will be teaching the seven year olds at church.]

Sweet pictures! Looks like a great shirt. By next Monday I will be finished with my 33 for 33!  And then I'll have an awesome shirt! I'm excited. [he joined in a burpee challenge that Dale's doing, 33 burpees a day for 33 days. We're sending him the reward shirt that goes with the challenge] Although, I must admit, I can't get my muscles as big as people like Elder Ayim. Dangit. These Africans have some natural steroids, I swear. Except... It's not like they can DO very much more. They just get the muscle mass faster. Some of us Elders had a long conversation about this this morning as we were working out.

Ahhh that talk about the different places for Ironmen (Ironmans?) made me more excited, too! Idaho and Colorado sound kinda... Not as cool... Exotic ones will be nicer once I have one or two finished. :) Lake Tahoe always sounds awesome! We'll be able to figure it out. South Africa would be so cool. I'll work up to those with those distances first, yeah! It'd be great if you were able to do it, too, Mom!

That sounds super great for the package! :) As for final requests... Uh... I can't really think of anything right now. I'll keep thinking as I write.

Sounds like our ward is doing good! Though, I need to ask, DID ZACH GET HIS CALL?!?!?! I suppose the answer is no... but still, I want to know. [His good friend is waiting for his mission call. Not yet, hopefully this week...]

I hope that meeting went great with the newly called! I'm excited to get new people in this mission! With us being such a small mission, we get to know everyone. No new people, really. It's all just the level of how well you know them... But we recognize all the names. What did those guys seem like? Any names that I should be more aware of? ANY AF PEOPLE? [I facilitated a get-together last night for a few elders heading to Liberia in August and September. Trevor Robb was able to meet with them and give them an overview of what to expect traveling, at the Ghana MTC, and their first couple months in Liberia. It was great to meet these outgoing elders and their families, and I think they found all the information helpful.] 

That sheet is awesome! [in a recent package I sent him a poster that has about 18 different ways to tie a necktie] And yes. Even Liberians know Jimmy now. ;)  [In reference to him retelling his dad's jokes at an activity night the week before.]

Notes:
Oh yeah! I wrote this: I would like a consecrated oil container. The one I came with spoiled quite a while ago... A metal kind, more of the keychain style, you know?

We watched conference on Saturday and Sunday! Just the priesthood session on Saturday (It was AWESOME. I loved it.) and some other one session on Sunday at church. That one wasn't as great, 'cause the kids in the building were disturbing and there were technical difficulties, but it's okay.

We had 21 investigators at church yesterday! My highest on my mission. It was fantastic. :)
The week was good! Soooo there were a TON of exchanges.

First, exchange with the APs on Tuesday. I went with Elder Finau! He's cool. Both Elder Kamara and I went to Doe Community, just different investigators to teach. It was a good day! I learned a ton. We only got lost once! From the mouth of our member, Vera, in our conversation: me: "do you know where Mami lives?" Her: "I ain't even know self! I only been there one time!" Me: "well crap." (I took it out of coloqua, 'cause it'd be hard to type the coloqua.) [I asked him how he'd say the "well crap" part in coloqua and he said: ""ayeee!" or something. :)"]

On Wednesday I went with Elder Burr into Logantown, he led as the district leader of my district! It was good. I had a fun time with him, though there was a frustrating lesson with an inactive member, active Catholic where he stopped listening... But it wasn't too bad! Good day, overall.

On Thursday I went with Elder Smith into Logantown. That was a pretty chill exchange. He's an awesome guy.

On Friday I went with Elder Nakale into Point 4!!!! That was a super cool exchange 'cause it's my first area! :) People liked seeing me again. Plus, Elder Nakale is from Namibia. So we got to talk about that a ton! The place sounds really cool. Really cool. Maybe I'll visit there one day!

On Saturday was baptisms! and then the Priesthood session. Pretty fast day. I didn't do as well as I could've in regards to organizing (especially 'cause I wasn't aware exactly what to do as a new zone leader in that section, but that's an excuse..), but I'm gonna do better next time! I'm workin' hard. :)

Dear Journal, (5.16.2014) [Friday]
Hey! Today was the exchange with Elder Nakale. He's from Namibia. Namibia sounds like an awesome place. It's really developed. Sounds fun! The day was pretty good! I proselyted in good ole point 4! It was cool to see old investigators and members. :) Phillip is baptized. TOTALLY my convert. He's awesome. He was baptized by Elder Nakale, but I taught him a ton.

Tonight I had to plan the baptism for tomorrow 'cause it hadn't been planned beforehand (I've been out of my area! Nothing I could do 'bout it!), and Elder Kamara hadn't planned it. . . .
H. and V. had me call them (they sent a "please call me" text) tonight. They miss me. :) I go back tomorrow. Yay!

Today, on the exchange, I realized that the Lord expects a lot from me. I know I'm not a perfect missionary, but I need to be better. I'm a zone leader. In many missions, that calling has a bit more connotative authority to it. But for here, it feels like the zone leaders are no big deal. I'm not over 80 missionaries. Not 40. Not even 20. 12. I'm over 12. But this is the assignment God says I need. The number doesn't make my responsibility inferior.

My left shoulder started giving me serious problems today. It hurts a ton. It feels like something in my socket is messed up. I hope it doesn't get serious.

. . . I want to lead better. I want to learn better. I want to be more obedient. I want to be an example. For Ryatt, for my children, for whomever. I want to be that missionary that some people back home imagine me to be. Love, Elder Makani Rain Price

Soooo that's about it for this week! Love you guys so much! Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Price

[Excerpts from this week's letter to his mission president:]
Dear President,

...I am doing well. I'm working my very hardest to fill the responsibility that I'm assigned to fill, and I'm applying Elder Bednar's words on spiritual traction. I'm trying to learn as much as I can from my companion, and I'm especially trying to improve on what isn't covered by my companion, too. This past weekend, I felt a big sense of stepping up and applying what I've been learning over the past couple weeks more than I have before. I feel the Lord helping me to learn leadership principles and to become a better leader.

I loved your letter this week about the choice to be obedient. I recognize it as true, even in my own life. Thank you! I'll apply those principles more and try to be a better example in making that rock-hard decision to be obedient.

The zone is doing well... The exchanges I had were great, and I learned a lot from each of them, especially in personal improvement in giving training.

Thank you so much for your care,
Elder Price

Doe Community

Hello!

Our phone call was awesome. :) I love you guys too. Hold tight, Mom! [He gets to call home twice a year--on Christmas and on Mother's Day. We had fantastic conversations with him yesterday. Absolutely loved it!]

Those manapua things sound sweet! I'll go there when I'm at BYU, it's probably true. :) They sound awesome. BYU... Seems so far away! But I'll be taking tests soon enough. I guess I should enjoy this time with none of that while I can. ;)  [I told him about a new bakery in Provo called Hruska's Kolaches--delicious!]

I forgot to mention on the phone call: I miss reading books! I love reading.

Notes:

This past week an investigator offered us $10USD (no small thing) after we taught her. We politely refused, but I'm reminded how much the apostasy has set in! She's great, and we're working with her to being baptized soon. She saw us later, when we were passing the shop that she and her husband run, and she insisted she buy us something ('cause we had explained that we can't accept money like that). We thought it'd be something like a bottle of soda, but... She brought a bag with corn flakes, a canned soda, shortbread cookies, knockoff pringles, and more stuff that I can't remember. It was crazy awesome!

I've started to use that Disney pen as my proselyting pen. Hehehe... I also proselyte with the Eldredge tie quite a bit... :)  [it's a knot style]

Oooh! There was a mutual thing on Saturday, the first ever (I explained it in my phone call), and they did this thing called "joke joke" where they go up front, say "joke joke" then they tell a small story that's funny! Just going up there to tell jokes! They INSISTED I do one. So I stood up and told the Jimmy Noel story of him burning his sleeping bag. It was good. :) ...The young women of this branch... They like fun. It's quite awesome. :) They also cook for us a bunch. We also think of the 20 year olds as borderline young women... So, it's not like they're the itty bitty 12 year olds cooking! Good food. Good food.

I played with the frisbee last Monday! Elder Kamara and I enjoyed it. Also, I tried sour-sours for the first time! It's a fruit with a giant pit, but it tastes like a sour candy and looks like a cherry tomato kinda!

I made cookies! They turned out GREAT. My companion had a pack of Betty Crocker's chocolate chip cookies, so I put it all together. It was amazing. Please send some, yeah? :) :) :) I took a photo, I'll see if I can send it today. [no photo, the computer he was on wouldn't allow it]

This week was good, 15 investigators at church, powerful lessons, just... This branch is sweet. I love Doe Community. The members are awesome.

I'm learning, and I'm changing! I love you all. Keep up the good works. :)

Love,
Elder Price

Photos from Leadership Training (courtesy the Liberia Monrovia Mission blog):

Clockwise from bottom L: Elders Pearmain, Price, Jensen, Pishl, Estigoy, Zaugg, Erickson

 

President Kirkham giving instruction 

Going home and getting back to work.
"Where's Elder Price?" We spotted a new backpack on his back.

Rainy Season Has Begun

Hello!
It is almost Mother's Day! I think I'll be calling around 6 our time... Let's say 6.

This week was good! Notes:
Elder Widdison has a guitar!!!!!!!!!! I've been playing on it!!!!!!!!!!...  playing Elder Widdison's guitar has been wonderful.

For some reason, I put Matt. 10:24 as a note. I don't remember what that scripture is... ["The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord."]

It was 93 degrees F a couple days ago! Some guy with a Lexus gave us a free ride from in town (a meeting, Mission Council), and his car had the temperature!

Walking in the rain... I'll get to that story.

FMS ARE ALLOWED! With just fish. No other meats. But it's awesome. Doe Community FEEDS. :) I'm lovin' it. [FM= Free Meal, usually provided by members or investigators. They haven't been allowed for the past couple months because of ebola virus safety precautions. They just modified the rule. As he said in a follow-up, "Fish can't get ebola!" ]

Okay, so this week was very good. I'm trying my best to become a good zone leader, especially as the youngest missionary in the zone (both physical and mission age). I'm learning a lot, and Elder Kamara is a great companion. I've heard that story about the burnt child! I don't know the update. [Elder Zaugg shared a story last week about a young child who was burned by hot oil. I asked if he knew how the boy was doing.]

Throughout the week we taught great lessons! District meeting on Tuesday was good (I didn't have to give instruction! Not being district leader is kinda nice in a way...). Wednesday and Thursday were full days of teaching, and I'm learning Doe Community small small. It's a confusing area. Friday was Mission Council! All zone leaders and sister training leaders. It was cool to see all my zone leader friends. :) I'm good friends with most of them. Mission Council was really good.

The next day, Saturday, there were no baptisms on Bushrod Island (what? Yeah. Crazy.) But we had a meeting with the District Presidency (Zone leaders and the presidency). It was fun! I saw some Point Four members at the district center, and it was super awesome!

As far as using my sandals this week... Rainy season has come. Darnit. Boots for Doe Community! Brings me to my story of it raining. Yesterday we were at an FM when it started POURING. we waited it out a little bit, then the members loaned us a couple pairs of slippers to walk through the water with. So we rolled up our pants and took off our socks and shoes! It was an adventure. We went to another FM, and then it started pouring again. But we had to go this time, so we got some plastic bags for our shoes and our scripture bags! We started walking home! After wading through water for a long time (some of it was knee-high) the Berrett's drove by. They turned around and picked us up, not before taking a picture. :) When we got to the apartment we used hot water, bleach, and antiseptic to clean our feet and legs. That water is filthy! [I told him I was looking forward to seeing the photo from the Berrett's and he said, "I was SOAKED. It was fun. :)" ]

Elders Price and Kamara in their borrowed slippers. Photo Courtesy Elder and Sister Berrett

Rainy season. Photo Courtesy Elder and Sister Berrett

A journal entry for this week: Last night's!
Dear Journal,
I really should have set more time aside to write today. Today was sweet with church! 18 investigators at Sacrament meeting. Doe community is apparently always like that. I had a good time at church; I got a chance to play on the piano a bit after all three hours. It made me want to buy a real piano...  I'm teaching Elder Kamara how to play the piano, too! First steps though: teaching hymn music theory in the basics. Notes, rhythms, all of it."

[story about the rain] The day was really good, and I'm feeling His help in me being a zone leader. This isn't easy, but I know there is a reason to God why I am here. Elder Kamara and I get along great, and things are okay. You know the song Titanium? I've thought about it... Of course, no one is completely impenetrable, but the Lord takes care of all flaws "The Lord gives unto men weakness that they may learn humility..." I can't remember the scripture, but the gist is... If I rely on him in my weakness, He will make those weak things become strengths. That's like being Titanium, kinda. Just that through Him, "I am Titaaaaannniiiiiiiiuuuuuuuummmmm" :)
Tomorrow is emailing. I'm excited. This is mission. Goodnight.

So, that was yesterday! Hope you liked it! Anyway...

Have an amazing week! I love you all, and keep up the great works. :)
Love,
Elder Price


[I asked him for a quick review of various things he took on his mission, so we can pass the word on to other missionaries that are receiving calls to Liberia. Here's his feedback:]
Shoes: Eccos are good shoes.
Socks: Athletic socks. Nikes, Adidas, the Florsheim ones that Mr Mac sells are nice too.
Slacks: My pants are holding up fine! Though some missionaries like hiking pants better. I've proselyted in my boy scout pants for a couple weeks, too. (The hiking zip off kind) The cool max are good, though. [He took Haggar Cool 18's, we had heard good reviews about the breath-ability of the fabric. I asked him about the hiking pants: "Like the kind you'd get at REI?" and he said "Yep! Just no bright obviously not allowed stuff. Cargo pockets? No problem."]
Shirts: Staffords are fine! Any short sleeved white shirts, really.
Hats... I don't really wear one. But for those who need one, anything. I don't really like having the weird flap on the back of the one I brought.
P day clothing can really be anything. Don't stress it.
Power adapter converter would be good. If they sell a small voltage converter, yes. Besides that, my standard little thing on my stuff works great. [He took a USB adapter (120-220V) and recharges his mp3 player using that. I believe he has a similar stand-alone charger for his camera batteries, so his camera does not plug have to plug into an outlet directly.]
Rain coat... I haven't used mine yet, but the rainy season just hit, so I might!
Rain pants: Uhhhh I'd still never use them. :) ;)
Umbrella: They supply one.
["Passport holder/wallet? Would it be helpful to have one that flips inside your waistband?"] The waistband would've been better than mine, but don't stress that. The kanga pouch thingy....