Hello everyone!

Well it has been another great week here in Palau and again it feels like a blur so here I go again winging another email. Let’s see what I can throw together shall we?

Well okay, before we talk about my past week let’s look into the future a little bit! Tonight I am going on exchanges with my BFF Elder Bush and It is going to be a BLAST! We call our exchanges the DYNAMIC EXCHANGES because we are the dynamic duo! (I am Batman and he is Robin) We even have Batman and Robin tie clips that we wear; which is just the best! Seriously though I love teaching with Elder Bush, I learn so much.

Okay Marty, it is time to go back to the past…

This past week was just swell. I have truly dedicated myself to learning this language and I have definitely seen the blessings that have come from it. I am now able to touch the hearts of these people more so than I ever could have before. I love this language. Ak betik a renguk a tekoi er a Belau me a Ak betik a renguk a olisiakl el ngara tegoi er a Belau.

The work is progressing slowly but surely. We should have a baptism for a boy named J. in a few weeks which I am so excited about! We also met this awesome woman named L. and her wonderful family who are just SO prepared for the Gospel it is unreal. L. also happens to be the half-sister of the baby I gave blood to a few months ago. It sure is a small island! Seriously though EVERYBODY IS RELATED TO EVERYBODY! I already love L. and her family so much and I am so excited for them and their new life they are finding in the Gospel.

I have been reading a lot in M. Russel Ballard’s, “Our Search for Happiness” and it is such a wonderful book. The main thing that the spirit has testified to me, while reading this book is the importance of loving other churches and faiths. I used to think that since other churches were not the true church that they were just evil and they should be treated as so. I used to almost teach people of other religious denominations with a sense of “your faith is wrong and mine is right” and I would almost try to destroy their beliefs. Fortunately, I learned very quickly that the spirit is not there when you do that.

As Jeffrey R. Holland taught, “we are not here to tear down others faith in Christ and replace it rather, we should strive to build upon it.” As I have pondered about this I have come to realize that other faiths are not bad. Faith in Christ is faith in Christ no matter where you go to worship. I know that God loves ALL his children equally and answers ALL their prayers.

I also know without a doubt that the only place to find the fullness of Gods Gospel and his true priesthood is within the restored Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I encourage you all as you prayerfully seek to find ways to share your own testimony and spread this wonderful Gospel that you start by focusing on what brings us together rather than what divides us. I promise as you do this you will find great success in your missionary efforts!

I love being a missionary and I love serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I still do not feel worthy or qualified to be part of such a glorious work but I know God has faith in me and has qualified me.

Thank you all for the letters of love and encouragement that you send to me. I could not do this work without you all and your support. I am so thankful to have so many amazing people in my life. I love you all deeply and personally.

PS. Thank you Mom for the awesome countdown! and a special thank you to all who wrote me and wanted to be a part of it. I love all your letters and hearing from all of you 🙂

I know that I am nothing, but through God I know I can become something.

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Love,

Elder Rupp