Week 46

February 13, 2017

As I quickly write this final email of the day I just want to tell you all that I love you and care for all of you.  I do think about you and I pray for you as well.  Just because I am thousands of miles away, it does not mean that I have forgotten.

As for myself I went on a trade-off with our zone leaders, went to a trainers meeting, and went to a District Leader training this week, oh yeah, we also had transfer calls.  Our district did not change this transfer, but we are gonna be very busy.  We hope to be able to prepare some people for baptism on the 25th.  It's so awesome when someone hears and accepts the message that we share.  It makes all the bad moments worthwhile.

Well, I gotta go, the internet was very spotty today so I did not get to write as much as I usually do.  I wish you all the best.

-- Elder Wood --

The first one is a picture of the Parker family.  We were doing some service for them and decided to take a picture of them on the way out.

The next picture is one of my companion (Elder Miller) and then one of our Zone Leaders (Elder Larson).

The final picture is one of our other Zone Leader (Elder Craig) and myself.

The last two were just after we finished a trade-off with our zone leaders.

Week 45

February 6, 2017

Wow, I am almost out of time for today, but I will say that the Lord will care for and protect all of you.  It may take longer than this life though.  God's plan includes the next life as well, so when things are difficult or strange in this life, rejoice!  For you have grown so much more because of it.

You all have a great week, and I will work on a better email for next week.

---Elder Wood---

So, I did not take many pictures this week, but I did have this one.  My majestic bike (The Gray Baron) and myself getting ready to write to you all.

Week 44

January 30, 2017

Good morning everyone!

It has been a great week here in Port Antonio once again.  It has also been a rather strange one.  For those of you that aren't missionaries, we had a broadcast where we were able to listen to some of the living Apostles.  They told us that many things including how to better do the work, I am so grateful for that.  Some of the things they did was change our focus by helping us set different goals.  THey also gave us more flexibility in our daily schedule.  It was a great broadcast.

As you can see in some of the pictures I sent, Port Antonio had a baptism.  It was Damion, who is the husband of a member.  It has been quite some time since he has considered making the commitment, but he finally decided this is what he wanted.

God is awesome, because even though He knows the best solution to every situation, He doesn't force us to do things His way.  We have to choose.

I wish you all a fantastic week and hope that you are able to stay warm.

---Elder Wood---

So the first picture is just a beautiful sunrise this morning, just wanted to add some sunshine to your day.
The second picture is a baptism that happened here in Port Antonio. His name is Damion Wilson.
The last two are pictures of the scenery of some of our recent trips out of town.

Week 43

January 23, 2017

It's been an awesome week.  We had a wonderful district meeting and we talked about getting a temple in Jamaica.  We also met Elder Gammiet, who is part of the Quorum of the Seventy.  He shared with us the ability to help teach each other by asking questions in a way that all the answers they get are from the scriptures, themselves, or the Spirit.  I am continuing developing my question asking ability.  The college is doing alright, school just started for them.  We might be considering focusing most of our efforts elsewhere at the request of the Branch President because we want to be working with members more.

I am out of time for now, but I wish you all the best (and stay warm).

---Elder Wood---

So, my companion was "towed" the other day.  Jamaican towing is when somebody rides the bike normal and the other person sits on the bar between the driver and the handlebars.  It is strange and different.  I tried to get a good picture, but I wasn't fast enough.

Week 42

January 16, 2017

Alright, so the reason why our companionship did not have a phone was because one companionship became two, and thus we needed a second phone.  Since that point we have been able to receive one.  Don't take thinks for granted!

This past week I have learned that no matter what the result is.  We have to keep trying.  We are finding at a college campus right now, not too far out of Port Antonio, it is called CASE college.  I have good feeling about it.

Stay warm, because I am.

---Elder Wood---

Here are some pictures of the view and a cool abandoned building we found while contacting.

Week 41

January 9, 2017

Well, my body has healed up pretty nicely over the past week.  I no longer have problems kneeling and my elbows are pretty good as well.  As for the missionary work its been unique.  I have been training as you all know and we also don't have a phone with us, or keys to the church building.  It is pretty different than anything I have had to face before.  As I continue to reach out to my district, God, and those that are here in Port Antonio.  My life is blessed as well.

My companion reminded me of how special you are all to me and I hope that you are all doing well.  I encourage all of you to continue to my counsel with the Lord in all your daily matters, he is there, he wants to bless us.

I hope you all have a "blessed" day,

---Elder Wood---

These are some pictures of me with my new companion Elder Miller.  His tie is in his pocket is because he is a new missionary. :)

Week 40

January 3, 2016

So, I am still in Port Antonio.  I have Elder Miller as my companion, fresh from the MTC, he is from Wasach, Utah.  My old companion, Elder Rowley, is serving with a Canadian named Elder Rasmussen.  We are all here in Port Antonio and I am sure I will be able to take a picture of all of us sometime in the next 6 weeks. :)

We have been doind a lot of contacting lately, we have not been able to get a second phone for the area yet so we have been going around without a phone.

Peace Out,

--Elder Wood--

So this morning we woke up early to play soccer.  We then visited a lighthouse nearby.

Doctrine & Covenants 31:1-13
1  Thomas, my son, blessed are you because of your faith in my work.
2  Behold, you have had many afflictions because of your family; nevertheless, I will bless you and your family, yea, your little ones; and the day cometh that they will believe and know the truth and be one with you in my church.
3  Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.
4  You shall declare the things which have been revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun.  You shall begin to preach from this time forth, yea, to reap in the field which is white already to be burned.
5  Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire.  Wherefore, your family shall live.
6  Behold, verily I say unto you, go from them only for a little time, and declare my word, and I will prepare a place for them.
7  Yea, I will open the hearts of the people, and they will receive you.  And I will establish a church by your hand;
8  And you shall strengthen them and prepare them against the time when they shall be gathered.
9  Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile.  Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast.
10  Go your way whithersoever I will, and it shall be given you by the Comforter what you shall do and whither you shall go.
12  Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward.
13  Be faithful unto the end, and lo, I am with you.  These words are not of man nor men, but of me, even Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, by the will of the Father.  Amen.