Week 29: Earthquake! Beast-mode out of the hospital...Bro Kohli's baptism

Well today was going pretty normal. I was sitting on the 6th floor of a hospital waiting for some elders to get some tests done. The I noticted that the sign above me was starting to shake. It was almost as if an earthquake was happening.About 10 seconds had past and it was still shaking and I was thinking in my head "Oh CRAP, this is an earthquake"'. I was the first person to stand an yell ''EARTHQUAKE''. It remined me of the episode of The Office where Dwight set fire to the office to see if everyone was going to follow the proper procedures. The old lady sitting accross from me was laughing and pointing at the shaking sign. I think she was ready to die. But I'm 20 years old so now was not my time. I channled my inner Marshawn Lynch and rushed down the stairs while weaving in and out of people. Ironically I was wearing my Seahawks shirt, socks, and shoes while doing so. No I was not injured.

Also Brother Kohli was baptized yesterday and Shreya was confirmed. Brother Kohli was introduced to missionaries 7 years ago and was baptized yesterday. It just goes to show that no effort is wasted. You never know when people are going to be fully ready to accept the gospel. His wife was estatic for him. She's been a member for about 20 years. I'll send pictures this week.

Russel M Nelson is coming this week. But in bigger news I found a place out here that makes really good Chocolate Chip Pancakes and Hashbrowns. I hope the US is treating everyone well. I know I miss it each and everyday.

Elder Dusara

Ajay and Kareena

6 month tie burn

Bro Kohli's baptism

P-day lunch, before the earthquake

Week 28: Sherya's baptism, blessings of strong families, an Apostle coming to visit

My area is doing good right now. We just had a baptism yesterday for Shreya. She was a referral from a family in the ward from a little over a month ago. So she has a solid fellowship through that family. Then we have a baptism scheduled for brother Kohli for this Sunday. All of our other investigators are hard to catch. We are hoping to do a little more finding to help the area as well as focusing on any less active families as well.

Elder Jalagam and I are doing well with all this success that we've been able to see this past month or so. We are both getting the feeling that this might be his last transfer so we are going to do the most we can with the time we have.

My testimony has grown this past transfer with teaching Shreya. I've noticed that her family has become more closer since she started taking the lessons. I've noticed on my mission that once there is a household of active members in the church then it just makes the home life much easier and less stressful. I know this as a fact because this was something that I was beginning to notice right before I left on my mission. I know that it's because of the restored gospel that this is even possible.

This past week I had Johnny Rockets, Chilli's, McDonalds, and KFC. Also Russel M. Nelson will be visiting my mission at the end of the month. Today, one of the Autos that I was traveling in was playing Imagine Dragons and had a sweet sound system as well! We tipped him and got his phone number so he can drive us more often.

Elder Dusara

Elders Jalagam and Karnikaraj

Ambassador of Mali, Brother Samake

Elder Dusara with Sherya

Sherya's baptism with family

Week 27: New missionaries, answers to questions from conference

This past week has been very busy. We had conference over the weekend and transfer meeting last week. At transfer meeting I met two missionaries that are fresh to the mission field and they said that they knew "The Elder Sanjeev Dusara". It brought a lot of joy to my heart to hear them say that.

If everything goes as planned for this week we will be having a baptism this week for Shreya and another one next week for brother Kohli. We have 1 more lesson with Shreya tonight and two more with brother Kholi and they should be set. 

I met a missionary by the name of Elder Pedly and he's from Hyderbad. He did one semester of school at BYU-I and he's basically an American. His english is perfect and he knows about the treasures that wait in store at Red Robin, Costco, and The Cheesecake Factory. 

Conference was great and I loved all the talks. I had a lot of my questions answered and I finally have that clarity that I have been searching for. I'm excited for the what is waiting to come this week.

Elder Dusara

With Elder Savage

Home cookin Delhi style

Week 26: The 6 month mark is here - Two investigators

If I was a sister missionary I'd be 1/3 of the way done, but I'm not so I'm 1/4 of the way done. This has been the fastest 6 months of my life. The next time I blink I'll be back in Washington.

So this past week we have been teaching two investigators that have baptismal dates. One of them is named Kohli. He has a wife that is a member. This is his 3rd round for taking the missionary lessons. But during the second lesson he told us that this was the first time that he has had a desire to read and pray. He also is secretly taking the lessons without his wife knowing. he doesn't want to tell her until a day before his baptism. The other person that has been progressing is named Shreya. She is living with the Massey family in the branch and she has been reading and is understanding everything that we say. 

Transfers are this week and I will be with Elder Jalagam this transfer. So we are both staying in the same area. Him and I are stoked because this transfer has a lot in store. We have two investigators with baptismal dates for the 18th of October. Also this transfer 4 American missionaries are going home. I going to miss all of them so much. They are one of my few connections back to the US.

I'm excited to be able to watch conference this week. We have a couple set appointments for each day this week. Plus on Saturday we are having dinner with the ambassador of Mali. So a lot of things to look forward to this week. 

I think I've set a new record of laziness. I went out and bought paper plates so I wouldn't have to do any dishes. I also have lasted 6 weeks in India and havn't cooked anything from scratch yet. I love you all so very much. I'm entering into the second quarter of my mission and I'm going to hit the ground running. Also there's only 83 days left until christmas... but who's counting?

Elder Dusara

A little background on the photos below. Ajay attended a grand opening event for H&M where he saw a few Bollywood celebrities.  The second photo is of the CEO of H & M department store. Ajay saw him in the mall liked way he carried himself.  Ajay went up and met him and introduced himself to him. During the course of the conversation, he found out the role this man plays in the organization.  Missionaries are required to be in casual clothes on P-day and are not asked to wear their name tags which is why he was in street clothes. 

Fashion Show

H & M CEO for grnad opening