Elder Critchlow/Elder Holmes

Cousins make the best friends

This past week Dax ended his first transfer on the mission and our cousin, Matt, ended his last transfer.  For me, it was interesting to see the difference between someone beginning their mission and somebody ending. From reading Matt's last email I could feel how much he loves the people of Argentina, and how hard it was going to be to leave. Dax really is doing well, but he is still a little homesick, still trying to get the mission stuff down, and obviously has not yet developed the love for the people that Matt has. This song really sums up the emotions both of these boys are feeling. I thought it would be cool to share Elder Critchlow's last e-mail as a missionary with Daxon's this week :)

ELDER HOLMES

Kia Ora Everyone!

I hope everyone has had a great week! it seems like just yesterday that I was here in the email shop emailing you all! Time flies by!

Well, I went on another exchange this week and I led the area again because I'm cool like that I guess haha jk. It was a really good exchange we visited heaps of people talked to heaps of people got honked at a few time haha it was an all around great day!  Last week on pday we had very intense dodge ball game at the church, and my team won every time! I got a little competitive but it all worked out good haha.

These last few days we went to a few meeting at the church by a man whose name is brother jones, he is a Maori and he gave a bunch of presentations on how the Maori culture is in the book of Mormon and he has travelled all around the world and has tied in book of Mormon history to American indian culture as well as Maori culture and pretty much all pacific island cultures he has tied clear back to the book of Mormon it was really cool.  he was showing all these physical evidences of the book of Mormon not just in America but here in New Zealand. However as cool as all the physical evidence of the book of Mormon is the only true way to know if the book of Mormon is true is to ask Heavenly Father in the name of Christ if it is true believing that you will receive and answer. 

Well this week is the last week of my first transfer out in the mission field, I have been in the field for six weeks now and the time has gone by quick, I hope everyone has a good week thank you for all the prayers they can be felt out here in New Zealand there is strength that is holding me up that is not my own! and it comes from all your prayers thank you so much!

Shout out to the Worlds greatest missionary Elder Critchlow! he is the reason I came on a mission he is the best "Older brother" I could ever ask for Thanks for all you have done and all the good advice you have given me Elder Critchlow! Your are without a doubt the best missionary in the world in my book! and don't forget it!  Everybody Give him a nice big hug from me at the airport!

have a good week everyone love you all!

ELDER CRITCHLOW:

Well family.. It is here. this will be my last email home. I can`t believe my last week as a missionary is already here. I can`t even begin to explain how I am feeling right now.. I feel so happy and sad. So excited and so nervous. It really doesn`t make a whole lot of sense unless you have served a mission. It is just a really hard feeling to overcome! All I know is that I am so grateful for this wonderful experience I have had as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It has been the best experience I have ever had. 

To be honest, I have no idea what to say because my mind is just racing! I feel like there is so much I still need to do and with only one week left in the mission field, I have no idea how I am going to get everything done! Haha I do know that this coming week is going to be very special. Tomorrow I have my exit interview with President Ayre, Friday we have Carolines baptism (which will be the last time I get into a baptismal font as a missionary), Saturday I have my farewell party with our ward here in Parque Patricios, and Sunday is the big farewell that my group will have with our entire mission and all of those who come with them. This week is going to be an emotional roller coaster! I am sure I will be crying a lot this coming week! Haha 

Last week was a good week. The more time I have with Elder Duffin.. the more time I just want to stay with him. We get along together so well.. probably too well! Everyone tells us that we act like we are best friends and I think it is because it is safe to say that we are! Haha I am just happy that we will be able to end this transfer together with a very successful baptism!

I also had my last appointment with Dr. Darling this past week and even that brought some tears. Most of them came from Meriam.. Dr. Darlings secretary.. Haha I am going to miss them so much! 

I am so grateful for all of you and for all that you have done in these 2 years to support me. To be honest, I have the best family and group of friends an Elder could have. I am so happy to be able to see all of you again and share all of the amazing experiences I have had in these past 2 years. I hope that you all have a wonderful week and know that I will be so excited to see all of you at the airport next Thursday! I know that this church is true, I know that this work is the work of our Heavenly Father. I am happy that I can say that I have been my biggest convert and that I have no doubt that this is the church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I love you all and I will see you next week!