Week 104: His final week...now he's HOME

Dear Family & Friends,

Well this is the last email that you will get from me as a missionary. This past week was awesome! Conference was defiantly the highlight. The talk that I think I will try to apply is the talk given by Elder Rasband. He talked about how important it is to act on a prompting that we feel from the Holy Ghost. I know when I go home that I will try not to get lost in all the noise, but try to listen to the still small voice.

I've enjoyed these past 6 weeks with Elder Chidithoti. We've shared lots of laughs and memories together.

I had 3 "farewell" dinners with members this last week. Even after the Sunday afternoon session the Branch President gave me a farewell cake. It came as a total surprise. We also had two dinner appointments last night. I was defiantly feeling the love from the Branch Members. I think there are a couple other members that are treating me one last time before I'm off.

Oh and packing my luggage is going to be a pain in the butt!

This has been a great experience. I've had my fair share of struggles. But I know that my experience through those struggles will build me that much stronger at home. I love this church and all the imperfectly perfect members. I'm going to miss this crazy city. I don't know when I'll be back but I know I will have to return soon.

Elder Dusara

Thank you to all those that supported Elder Dusara during the past couple years. He had an incredible time in Ventura CA and New Delhi. For those who have Facebook, i was able to hide and follow him as he came out of the train up to baggage claim in Seattle yesterday. Worked perfectly...enjoy
https://www.facebook.com/sdusara/videos/10212769973873636/?pnref=story

Week 103: Aradhana gets confirmed. The final zone conference...

Namaste,


Yesterday Aradhana was able to be confirmed by President Johnson John. We even started teaching her about the importance of temples after church. Also, I was able to give my last testimony yesterday. I received a warm thank you from the branch for my service. Some of the members keep on getting me mixed up with Elder Basil. A few of them went up to him and wished him luck as he returns home to the United States.

I had my last zone conference last Wednesday. I had a blast and learned a lot. I sat in the back and was secretly sharing peanut M&Ms with the Elders around me. I shared my last testimony with them and of course I cried because of how much I'm going to miss this place.

Last week Brother Suresh and his family fed us BBQ Chicken, pasta, beans, and potato salad. I told them that I've never eaten potato salad before and they laughed because they were surprised I hadn't. For dessert they made a Fruit Parfait. It was the first time that I've had a parfait before as well. It was dang good too.

I know this is my last full week. I'm really going to miss this place a lot. I'm very blessed that I've been able to be a healthy and successful these past two years.

I'm now able to say this. Mom... Dad.. I'll see you next week! :)

Elder Dusara

Week 102: Aradhana gets baptized!

Aradhana's baptism was great. The water was freezing, but I didn't mind because it was hot outside so it was pretty refreshing. Sister Amy Paul was very happy that another member in her family joined the church after 24 years of trying. We will talk with her in our next appointment about who will be confirming her.This Tuesday Sister Amy Paul is taking the entire district out to lunch to celebrate.

This week I have my last zone conference and I'm sad that this is all coming to an end so soon. I'm going to do my best to be a sponge and just let it all soak in.

Some days go by slow, but when I look back at the weeks, the weeks are going by faster. The weather will be in the low 100's for the rest of the week.

Elder Dusara

Week 101: Sister Aradhana's progress, Chhaya keeps progressing...

Hi Everyone,

This past Sunday Sister Aradhana passed her baptism interview and has chosen me to baptize her. We were also finally able to get in contact with Chhaya again. She was also able to attend church this past week and is continuing to battle getting her parents permission to be baptized.

Right now the weather is in the mid 80's. But By next Monday we will reach the 100's. The weather right now is quite refreshing but next week I will be melting...

No big plans this upcoming week. Just finding and meeting new people.

Also my entire body was sore for about 4 days straight after playing competitive sports for the first time in over 7 months.

Elder Dusara

Week 100: Aradhana's progress...Holi in Delhi

This past week was good. We are continuing to teach Aradhana and she is progressing well. She came for sacrament and left to go to the hospital because her arm was giving her pain. But after that she was able to return to church to witness a baptism for Elder Basil's investigator.

Yesterday all of the missionaries were on an apartment lock-down because it was Holi. That's the big color festival. So we just stayed in our apartment and threw water balloons at each other. We even threw some at our neighbors and any kids that walked by our apartment. It was a blast because we got into a serious war with our neighbors on the roof top of our complex.

Today I played basketball for the first time in 8 months. I have a ton of rust to shake off when I go home. But it was a ton of fun because we had about 13 missionaries playing.

Elder Dusara

Going home infographic