Hurricane, schmurricane, natural disasters...... who cares? Here's the latest:
Well this week was really really good. We set a baptismal date for the 2nd of January with a seventeen year old girl named Sulu; she is awesome and has a rock solid testimony.
In Fiji, we hear all the time, "dua ga na Kalou", which means just one god. They say that the church you are a member of doesn't matter, only that you have faith. It is very frustrating and I cringe every time I hear it. But it worked for our good for once. I was worried that Sulu's parents would object her being baptized, but thats when this saying worked for us. They didn't care.
We also had 3 more who don't have a date yet, but have accepted the commitment for baptism. Kini and her mother Tiko from Wailoku, were both baptized Saturday. That was really great to see. I am really happy for them. It seems like just yesterday I contacted them, but really it has been like four months. It is crazy. Time goes so fast.
Christmas is going to be a little bit slow I think. We are going to be eating a lot. That is basically the extent of Christmas here- Big lovo feasts. Lots and lots of people have gone back to the villages so this week is going to be very slow. I think we will be pretty busy trying to get all our baptismal commitments taught so we can baptize them at the beginning of this next year.
As for the Hurricane last Monday, I thought it was a lot of fun. It was my first natural disaster! Lots of strong strong wind and rain. Driving the roads was awesome: dodging downed powerlines and fallen trees. It was fun! We played football in the hurricane though; it was sweet. Who can say they played football in a Hurricane??? I can. Ha ha. We had no water until Friday and no power Tuesday. So that was not very cool. But it was a good experience. I am not sure how many died, but nobody I know. We got to chopp up some fallen trees and had good service, so that was cool. Other then that, it was just amazing to see how fast everyone cleaned it up. On Tuesday, everyone just got together and cleaned it all up and by Wednesday, there was little evidence that anything had happened. It was crazy. But I am doing great.
I'm excited to talk to you all.
Much Love,
Elder Wall
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
December 13, 2009 E-mail
Well this week was very good. We stayed really busy, which was a surprise to me.
In Fiji, it is the tradition to go home to your village for Christmas. So a huge chunk of our teaching pool won't be back until after the new year; but we still managed to have a great week.
Two kids, 12 and 14, Petaia and Talina, have been coming to church every week for the past six months, but their parents haven't let them take lessons. Well their older brother got his mission call and it softened the parents' hearts so now they are allowed to be taught and want to be baptized. So they are great, but they left Saturday for the village and Christmas there. As soon as they get back though, we're going to baptized them.
One other girl Sulu, who lives with a member, has been going very very well and I challenged her to pray about baptism. I am confident that she will be baptized really soon here.
We also have another young man Luke, who is going great and came to church again. I am excited to see how things go with him. His family members are also potential investigators. They came to our ward Christmas party. So the work has really picked up here and just as the pattern of my mission so far, things should be really good right after I get transferred. It's okay though.
As for transfers, not yet. I think it will be right before elder Lloyd leaves the first of January. I don't know though. We will see how it goes.
We had a missionary fireside that went really well. President Ostler spoke and it was awesome. We started with only about 15 people, but by the end I think we were pushing about 40. Everyone loved it and we got some new referrals.
Well I hope all of yours week was as good as mine. Have a great week this next week. thanks love you all and talk to you soon.
Oh yeah, it is raining like crazy and strong wind; there is a typhoon warning but its okay I live up at the highest part, so its all good. No worries.
Love you all,
Moce Loloma Levu,
Elda Lalaga
P.S.
You will never believe me, but I am actually a clean freak. Elder Lloyd and me kept are flat very clean and I loved it. Then I got transferred to Rakiraki with mushrooms growing in the shower. I hate living in filth. I have cleaned the crap out of our flat now and it is half way okay. But I have learned how bad living in disgusting places is.
I got grandma's package. and it was awesome. I thought I sent a thank you letter. If not, tell her thanks for me. It was great.
In Fiji, it is the tradition to go home to your village for Christmas. So a huge chunk of our teaching pool won't be back until after the new year; but we still managed to have a great week.
Two kids, 12 and 14, Petaia and Talina, have been coming to church every week for the past six months, but their parents haven't let them take lessons. Well their older brother got his mission call and it softened the parents' hearts so now they are allowed to be taught and want to be baptized. So they are great, but they left Saturday for the village and Christmas there. As soon as they get back though, we're going to baptized them.
One other girl Sulu, who lives with a member, has been going very very well and I challenged her to pray about baptism. I am confident that she will be baptized really soon here.
We also have another young man Luke, who is going great and came to church again. I am excited to see how things go with him. His family members are also potential investigators. They came to our ward Christmas party. So the work has really picked up here and just as the pattern of my mission so far, things should be really good right after I get transferred. It's okay though.
As for transfers, not yet. I think it will be right before elder Lloyd leaves the first of January. I don't know though. We will see how it goes.
We had a missionary fireside that went really well. President Ostler spoke and it was awesome. We started with only about 15 people, but by the end I think we were pushing about 40. Everyone loved it and we got some new referrals.
Well I hope all of yours week was as good as mine. Have a great week this next week. thanks love you all and talk to you soon.
Oh yeah, it is raining like crazy and strong wind; there is a typhoon warning but its okay I live up at the highest part, so its all good. No worries.
Love you all,
Moce Loloma Levu,
Elda Lalaga
P.S.
You will never believe me, but I am actually a clean freak. Elder Lloyd and me kept are flat very clean and I loved it. Then I got transferred to Rakiraki with mushrooms growing in the shower. I hate living in filth. I have cleaned the crap out of our flat now and it is half way okay. But I have learned how bad living in disgusting places is.
I got grandma's package. and it was awesome. I thought I sent a thank you letter. If not, tell her thanks for me. It was great.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
December 6, 2009 E-mail... 1 year and counting
Well this past week was incredible. My one year mark, Christmas party, and temple sealing. It is hard to really look back on it all and describe it.
Thursday we had training from President Callister, the area president. It was amazing! Like always, when in the presence of a GA, the spirit was so strong and I have so much motivation to do better and be better. Two quotes from him I loved that I want to share:
#1 "This gospel is not about changing your behavior, it is about changing your nature."
#2 (in reference to unanswered questions of the gospel) "Don't give up the 95% that we have and know, for the 5% we are not sure about."
It was awesome and he is a great guy. We had a big question answer and training with him.
Then after that, all ten of the missionaries who have taught the Nalila's from Rakiraki, all got to go and do a session with them and watch them be sealed. It was incredible; by far the best experiance of my mission so far; so powerful and they were so happy. They had such true love and gratitude to each and every one of us elders. It made me feel so useful and accomplished as a missionary. All the hell I went through in Rakiraki was worth it at the moment I hugged them and heard the gratitude in their voices. I loved it so so much. That was exactly what missionary work and being a missionary is all about; watching a family enter the temple, make sacred covenants with god, and be sealed for time and all eternity. I will never forget that day, which happened to fall exactly on my one year mark. It was the best way possible to conclude the first year of my mission.
Then the next day, we had sports day and had the hugest football game ever. It was a lot of fun. Then that night we had the Talent Show and party; it was great. My district learned a Meke traditional dance for the Talent show. The music kept cutting out so that threw us off, but it was still good. We didn't win though.
Saturday was our combined Zone Conference and it was really good. I love President and Sister Ostler and they always seem to train on exactly what I need to hear; it was great. Elder Lloyd gave his closing testimony and it was really hard. I can't believe he is already going home. It seems like yesterday we were in Nadi talking about the one year he had left and now it's me that has a year left. It is kind of an eye opener to me how fast the mission goes.
Sunday we had a missionary christmas fireside which went well and we had a really good turnout.
Well I hope all your weeks were half as good as mine. Merry Christmas! Enjoy the cold. I am sweating to death.
Love,
Elder Wall
Thursday we had training from President Callister, the area president. It was amazing! Like always, when in the presence of a GA, the spirit was so strong and I have so much motivation to do better and be better. Two quotes from him I loved that I want to share:
#1 "This gospel is not about changing your behavior, it is about changing your nature."
#2 (in reference to unanswered questions of the gospel) "Don't give up the 95% that we have and know, for the 5% we are not sure about."
It was awesome and he is a great guy. We had a big question answer and training with him.
Then after that, all ten of the missionaries who have taught the Nalila's from Rakiraki, all got to go and do a session with them and watch them be sealed. It was incredible; by far the best experiance of my mission so far; so powerful and they were so happy. They had such true love and gratitude to each and every one of us elders. It made me feel so useful and accomplished as a missionary. All the hell I went through in Rakiraki was worth it at the moment I hugged them and heard the gratitude in their voices. I loved it so so much. That was exactly what missionary work and being a missionary is all about; watching a family enter the temple, make sacred covenants with god, and be sealed for time and all eternity. I will never forget that day, which happened to fall exactly on my one year mark. It was the best way possible to conclude the first year of my mission.
Then the next day, we had sports day and had the hugest football game ever. It was a lot of fun. Then that night we had the Talent Show and party; it was great. My district learned a Meke traditional dance for the Talent show. The music kept cutting out so that threw us off, but it was still good. We didn't win though.
Saturday was our combined Zone Conference and it was really good. I love President and Sister Ostler and they always seem to train on exactly what I need to hear; it was great. Elder Lloyd gave his closing testimony and it was really hard. I can't believe he is already going home. It seems like yesterday we were in Nadi talking about the one year he had left and now it's me that has a year left. It is kind of an eye opener to me how fast the mission goes.
Sunday we had a missionary christmas fireside which went well and we had a really good turnout.
Well I hope all your weeks were half as good as mine. Merry Christmas! Enjoy the cold. I am sweating to death.
Love,
Elder Wall
Thursday, December 3, 2009
November 29, 2009 E-mail
Well this week was pretty darn good. Went super fast but that usually is a good thing cause it means we were busy. Which we were. We have a family who is moving to Gau, an outer island with no church there yet. We have been trying to set up to have them begin a unit out there and hopefully the church can start growing out there. We are baptizing their son on Wednesday which should be good, then we have to meet with President Ostler about the unit.
We got a whole bunch of new investigators this week and had some great first lessons with them. In one lesson, as soon as I handed them the BOM, they opened and started reading. I hope that willingness to learn are read continues.
Vilikesa, whose mother does not seem to be to fond of us, told him he is no longer allowed to go to church with us. Then when she saw that we kept coming back to meet with him, she said he wasn't allowed to meet with us. I am not sure, but I think he snuck out and we ended up teaching him just outside of our flat on the ground. It was an awesome lesson and I was prompted to ask him about how the holy ghost works. He said he didn't know and that he had only seen the people stand up in front of the church and start convulsing and speaking in tongues, so he thought that when we said he would receive conformation from the Holy Ghost about the things we share, that was gonna happen to him. So we taught about the fruits of the Holy Ghost and he just lit up and was shocked that anyone can feel the holy ghost not just the people that the talatala's say are feeling it. Then he told us that when he meets with us and went to church with us last week, he felt different. So things are going very well with him however his mother thinks we're converting him to satanism...I'm sure that is what her talatala tells her. I think the kid is 18; let him pick for himself, but thats not the culture here. Oh well, things are going good though.
I found out the Nalila's from Rakiraki are going to be sealed in the temple this thursday and I get to go be there. I am so excited I can't wait. I am gonna cry like a nine year old little girl. Maybe not... we will see.
I hope you all are doing great. I am doing pretty good. Christmas party is this week and all the missionaries from the whole mission are coming in so it is gonna be very fun. Love you all.
Love,
Elder Wall
We got a whole bunch of new investigators this week and had some great first lessons with them. In one lesson, as soon as I handed them the BOM, they opened and started reading. I hope that willingness to learn are read continues.
Vilikesa, whose mother does not seem to be to fond of us, told him he is no longer allowed to go to church with us. Then when she saw that we kept coming back to meet with him, she said he wasn't allowed to meet with us. I am not sure, but I think he snuck out and we ended up teaching him just outside of our flat on the ground. It was an awesome lesson and I was prompted to ask him about how the holy ghost works. He said he didn't know and that he had only seen the people stand up in front of the church and start convulsing and speaking in tongues, so he thought that when we said he would receive conformation from the Holy Ghost about the things we share, that was gonna happen to him. So we taught about the fruits of the Holy Ghost and he just lit up and was shocked that anyone can feel the holy ghost not just the people that the talatala's say are feeling it. Then he told us that when he meets with us and went to church with us last week, he felt different. So things are going very well with him however his mother thinks we're converting him to satanism...I'm sure that is what her talatala tells her. I think the kid is 18; let him pick for himself, but thats not the culture here. Oh well, things are going good though.
I found out the Nalila's from Rakiraki are going to be sealed in the temple this thursday and I get to go be there. I am so excited I can't wait. I am gonna cry like a nine year old little girl. Maybe not... we will see.
I hope you all are doing great. I am doing pretty good. Christmas party is this week and all the missionaries from the whole mission are coming in so it is gonna be very fun. Love you all.
Love,
Elder Wall
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
November 22, 2009 E-mail
Well this week was pretty good. I walked and walked and walked and I still haven't lost a single pound, but maybe this next week will drop some jiggle around the middle.
We had one Investigator who I contacted one day as an unplanned contact. He was playing rugby out in the street and I had him pass me the ball then kept his ball while I talked to him and set up an appointment and it has gone good since then. Sunday we picked him up and walked together to church. His name is Vilikesa. He is great and is very quiet so I don't think he is paying attention and then he asks awesome questions! I have high hopes for him.
We also had a less active family who we have been teaching for the past three months come to church for the first time in years. She is awesome! her name is Usenia. Her husband is kind of a punk when we bring up gospel topics, but we have a lot of fun just talking with him and cracking jokes. They have three older children who have not been baptized yet so I hope we can get the whole family activated and baptize the older ones.
We still don't have a ward mission leader, but a return missionary from this mission who just finished a couple months ago just moved into our ward, so I am hoping we can get him called as a ward mission leader. He is great and knows missionary work so I think he would be good.
The elders' families who stayed with you were very excited. They heard from their sons and said they loved it and were so very grateful for your love to them.
I don't remember if anyone remembers Jone from Wailoku who me and Elder Smiler found and taught, but he was baptized and it was awesome. I was really excited and I had a good talk with him. He told me how grateful he was for the gospel. It was great.
I got a letter from Miti in Rakiraki and he said to tell you all how grateful he is for you sending me to him. He said he has never met you but to tell you all that he loves you anyways. It was so great to hear from him and hear how strong his testimony is and how much it has grown. I miss Rakiraki and all the people there. I love Tamavua though and I am gonna miss everyone here when I leave.
Well that is my week. I hope all you had a great week and have another one this week. Eat lots of Turkey for me and have a great Thanksgiving. I will be here walking the streets drenched in sweat ( its hotter then crap here again ).
Loloma Levu,
Elda Lalaga
We had one Investigator who I contacted one day as an unplanned contact. He was playing rugby out in the street and I had him pass me the ball then kept his ball while I talked to him and set up an appointment and it has gone good since then. Sunday we picked him up and walked together to church. His name is Vilikesa. He is great and is very quiet so I don't think he is paying attention and then he asks awesome questions! I have high hopes for him.
We also had a less active family who we have been teaching for the past three months come to church for the first time in years. She is awesome! her name is Usenia. Her husband is kind of a punk when we bring up gospel topics, but we have a lot of fun just talking with him and cracking jokes. They have three older children who have not been baptized yet so I hope we can get the whole family activated and baptize the older ones.
We still don't have a ward mission leader, but a return missionary from this mission who just finished a couple months ago just moved into our ward, so I am hoping we can get him called as a ward mission leader. He is great and knows missionary work so I think he would be good.
The elders' families who stayed with you were very excited. They heard from their sons and said they loved it and were so very grateful for your love to them.
I don't remember if anyone remembers Jone from Wailoku who me and Elder Smiler found and taught, but he was baptized and it was awesome. I was really excited and I had a good talk with him. He told me how grateful he was for the gospel. It was great.
I got a letter from Miti in Rakiraki and he said to tell you all how grateful he is for you sending me to him. He said he has never met you but to tell you all that he loves you anyways. It was so great to hear from him and hear how strong his testimony is and how much it has grown. I miss Rakiraki and all the people there. I love Tamavua though and I am gonna miss everyone here when I leave.
Well that is my week. I hope all you had a great week and have another one this week. Eat lots of Turkey for me and have a great Thanksgiving. I will be here walking the streets drenched in sweat ( its hotter then crap here again ).
Loloma Levu,
Elda Lalaga
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
November 15 E-mail plus a note from Mom
This past week we had the privilege of meeting 3 members from Fiji at the airport who were on their way to the MTC to serve missions in Oakland CA. It was incredible and they were way cute! Two of them came to our house and then we took them to the MTC the next morning. I asked them if Jake was fat and they laughed and said yes. That is what Jake is referring to in his email. The Fijian people are tall, but slender, not big like the Tongans and Samoans. They loved Jake and he loved them and it was a great experience to have them in our home.
Well like the Elders told you, I am fat. But that is going to hopefully get better soon, we found out were losing our car. So I am giong to be walking again and maybe I will lose some pounds. Most likely not though. I eat way too much to lose anything. This past week was awesome though.
President Uchtdorf came and we had a special missionary fireside on Tuesday, which was awesome. He didn't get to stay as long as Elder Scott did, so we didn't get to have a question and answer session. But he still gave an amazing talk and it was incredible to meet him. He is way funny and his wife is hilarious, she asked us what we were uder our skirts or if were like the Scotts and dont wear anything underneath. It was so funny. They are great, and again I am amazed and will never forget the feeling of being so close to such wonderful men of god and being uplifted by their words. He spoke a lot about strengthening ourselves and our testimonies, not just that of our investigators and being sure that we do everything that we can and have no regrets. It was great.
We had a fireside tuesday night and tons of people were there. He spoke a lot about families and the importance and also how much tithing will bless them even when times are rough if they just pay a few cents here and there. Then Wednesday, they had a culture night and it was awesome. Got to see traditional costumes and Meke dances. It was so fun and I loved it! I took tons of pictures.
Things went pretty well this week with the work. We had some good lessons and we're hoping to make some headway towards baptisms. I think its gonna cut down our effectivness with no car though, cause we have really spread out investigators. It will work out though.
We had a less active who hasn't come to church in years, go to both the nights of President Uchdorf and she has two children who are not yet members, so I am hoping we can get the family activated and baptized. Her husband is kind of a Punk though and is not supporting their desires to return to church, even though he too is a member. We will keep working with them though.
I'm working hard and having a good time. I cant believe my one year mark is knocking on the door. I still feel like I just got here and still have so much more I need to learn and improve in. It is good though. I love Fiji and even more I love the people of Fiji. Have an awesome week. I love you all!
Love,
Elder Wall
Well like the Elders told you, I am fat. But that is going to hopefully get better soon, we found out were losing our car. So I am giong to be walking again and maybe I will lose some pounds. Most likely not though. I eat way too much to lose anything. This past week was awesome though.
President Uchtdorf came and we had a special missionary fireside on Tuesday, which was awesome. He didn't get to stay as long as Elder Scott did, so we didn't get to have a question and answer session. But he still gave an amazing talk and it was incredible to meet him. He is way funny and his wife is hilarious, she asked us what we were uder our skirts or if were like the Scotts and dont wear anything underneath. It was so funny. They are great, and again I am amazed and will never forget the feeling of being so close to such wonderful men of god and being uplifted by their words. He spoke a lot about strengthening ourselves and our testimonies, not just that of our investigators and being sure that we do everything that we can and have no regrets. It was great.
We had a fireside tuesday night and tons of people were there. He spoke a lot about families and the importance and also how much tithing will bless them even when times are rough if they just pay a few cents here and there. Then Wednesday, they had a culture night and it was awesome. Got to see traditional costumes and Meke dances. It was so fun and I loved it! I took tons of pictures.
Things went pretty well this week with the work. We had some good lessons and we're hoping to make some headway towards baptisms. I think its gonna cut down our effectivness with no car though, cause we have really spread out investigators. It will work out though.
We had a less active who hasn't come to church in years, go to both the nights of President Uchdorf and she has two children who are not yet members, so I am hoping we can get the family activated and baptized. Her husband is kind of a Punk though and is not supporting their desires to return to church, even though he too is a member. We will keep working with them though.
I'm working hard and having a good time. I cant believe my one year mark is knocking on the door. I still feel like I just got here and still have so much more I need to learn and improve in. It is good though. I love Fiji and even more I love the people of Fiji. Have an awesome week. I love you all!
Love,
Elder Wall
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