Week 105

April 2, 2018

Well, this week is certainly very different. At this time next week I am gonna be back in Idaho! 

This week I also spent some of the time saying goodbye to the wonderful people of Kingston branch. I also spent the weekend watching general conference. That was full of surprises.

I can't think of much more to write other than the fact that this is my last 'normal' email in Jamaica, oh, some pictures should come after this email.

I am glad that I was able to serve on the Lord's mission for two years. I will email you all later.

Sincerley,

---Elder Wood---

The first picture is Elder Menlove trying to look like he works out.

The second one is some of the branch snacking inbetween sessions of General Conference on Sunday.

The Third is President Hamilton being carried away in Lehi's Dream during General Conference.

The last is a beautiful view of the harbour in Jamaica.

Week 104

March 26, 2018

Good evening everyone,

This past Sunday I gave my going home testimony since it was my last normal Sunday in Jamaica. I am grateful that I do have another week out here though. I encourage all of you to work hard in what you do have so if it ends, you don't have any regrets.

I will continue to work hard in these "last days" of my full-time mission. I wish you all the best and hope that you liked the pictures.

Sincerely,

---Elder Wood---

1st Pic: We found some sweet potatoes in a member's yard.

The second is Elder Menlove taking care of the soil around some banana trees.

The last is a picture of the view from the back of a coaster.

Week 103

March 19, 2018

Good evening everyone,

As it gets ever closer to the week 104 email (week 104 will be the last emailing day before I go home) I have continued to work with the members and the missionaries around me. 

Some of the interesting things this week is a film crew came down from Utah to records some parts for a safety video series.

We had a hike earlier today. That was fun, we hope to climb Blue Moutain next monday, it is the highest mountain in Jamaica.

Something that I am continually learning is that Heavenly Father can see the intent of your heart and will bless you accordingly. He helps us as we focus our efforts on those that are around us. The more we care about others, the more we will see those blessings within us and within them.

I wish you all the best and I will talk to you later,

---Elder Wood---

We hiked up to a waterfall today, the first picture is when I was climbing down from the topside of the waterfall.

The second is some of the missionaries trying to take some bamboo down the mountain with them.

The third is a beautiful view from up there.

The last one is the actual waterfall that we went to see.

Week 102

March 12, 2018

Good evening Everyone,

I just want to wish you all a very happy Monday, and if it is not, do something to change it because it is not over yet.

I realized something over this past week. There is a phrase here that is used a lot "once a man and twice a child" while it normally refers to your overall life I thought about how it can apply to individual parts of one's life including my own. When I entered the Mission I didn't fully understand what I needed to be doing, as I understood better I worked better. What can happen though is when the end is in sight you tend to slow down a bit. The phrase is not a law you can choose to work past this phase or allow yourself to become childish again.

I wish to finish this part of my life as strong as I can, so I will wish you all the best.

Sincerely,

---Elder Wood---

The first one is a picture of how Kingston used to be divided up for missionary work back in the 80s

The second is a beautiful view of Kingston from Red Hill.

The third one is a dog named Bolt. He keeps everyone that is not suppose to be in the yard out.

Week 101

March 5, 2018

Hello everyone,

I can't believe the title of the email today. Week 101, I have been a missionary for so long now :) 

This week we also had zone conference. They asked me to give a talk about studying and I compared it to cooking. The more we study, the more prepared we are to make dishes, or to talk about certain subjects. We won't always be perfect but that doesn't mean we can't prepare.

I will continue to work hard in the missionary field and I wish you guys the best.

Sincerely,

---Elder Wood---

So the first one is of myself, Elder Edwards, and Elder Cluff at a member's yard helping him with his dogs.

The second one is Elder Menlove, he got so cold in zone conf that he needed a blanket. We were at the mission home and the room temp was maybe 75 degrees, most likely warmer, but we were freezing.

The last one is the Red Stripe factory. We were helping with a community event and it was on their field.

Week 100

February 26, 2018

Good afternoon everyone,

The first picture is a picture of Brother Barrett, his birthday was this week and we wished him a happy birthday.

The other one is a picture of Elder Menlove and some pickney at a meal we had with a member.

Oh, and a quote for the day. "“Never give up what you want most for what you want today.” ― Neal A. Maxwell

Sincerely,

---Elder Wood---

Week 99

February 19, 2018

Good morning Everyone,

I am now 21 years old! Man, Its been quite a journey. This week I was also able to visit Stony Hill and visit some people I have not been able to see for a while.

Also, at this point in time, one of the missionaries cooked for the district, it was delicious. I have also learned that I will be staying in Kingston Branch for the last 6 weeks of my mission!

Something I learned this week was allowing others to reach a goal in a different way than you do, or in other words be different! I feel like we often judge others for doing things different than we do. I caught myself doing it with a member a few nights ago, they were explaining something in a very different way than I would. During the experience I realized that it wasn't bad, it was just different.

I hope that you all have a wonderful week and I will talk to you all later,

---Elder Wood---

Picture one is a double rainbow that happened on my birthday.

The second is a shelf that we built for a member so that they could put their family's shoes up and out of the way.

The last two are when myself and Elder Anderton got lost in Stony Hill, we found a very beautiful location.