Now is the time to prepare! 8/24/2014

Elder Mahina ~ Elder Swan

 How are you? Your week sounded really good! My week was good also! It was short and fun! We got a new investigator. His name is 'Ofa! He is a stud! He attends the Church school in Vava'u but isn't baptized! We are hoping to get things going with him! Other than that the work was slow! Went to our Fakataha Alealea (Ward Council mtg) And the Ward fought with the bishop and it was super sad! How does the work progress in an area where the members don't get along?? So that's our problem... Also there is a family that is less active and we are trying to get them back so they can go to the Temple and be sealed! We are having family home evening with them tonight so that should be good!

So I want to focus this on my study! This week I was studying in Alma. I read Alma 43.. Verses 19, and 38.. It's about war and stuff. But I received revelation in a different way! I thought about it and it talks about being prepared! The Nephites were prepared for the war for the Lamenites. The Lamanites on the other hand were not! That's what I want to focus on! We have been given the things we need to prepare! The Book or Mormon, prayer, Prophets and Apostles! Everything! Now it is our job to make use of these things and learn and grow and prepare! If we don't do this then we will be left as the Lamanites! We will be unprepared and naked and Satan wins. Now it's our choice. In Alma 41:7 it tells us that we are our own judges! It's our choice whether we receive Eternal happiness or Eternal damnation! So be wise and use the gifts we have received and be prepared!

I love you all! Sorry time is short today!

Ofa lahi atu,

Elder Swan! 

A new friend :)

New area, new companion, great food!! 8/17/2014

Mom, Family,

It's me.. Man this week feels like It has been extra long! But Monday is here and I'm e mailing you! First off, my hand is fine! I was scared at first but it's all good now! I can move it and I'm fine! I did go to the hospital and they did a very good job of cleaning it out! Although they are kinda rough... Hahaha! But my companion's name is Elder Mahina from Australia! He's been out 8 months! He plays Rugby and Boxes. He is pretty funny so I think we will get along well! The area is okay! I like it! I have eaten the best I ever have! They feed us like kings..... Man, like full tables of food!  I may gain some weight! Hahaha! 

Well not much to write about this week! I just saw some pictures of the Elders that just went home and man that looks like it is amazing! It's coming fast!

I love you 

Elder Swan

My last night in Houma~

                            

Elder Mahina my new companion and all the food they feed us!

A little better

Transfer to Tu'anekivale 8/10/2014

Sitaleki's Baptism

My wonderful family,

Hows it going? This week has been awesome! It was really slow because of transfers, but we made it to Monday. First off lets talk about transfers! I am transferring to Tu'anekivale. That's where Elder King was.  My new companions name is Elder Mahina from Sydney Australia.  I'm really excited, the area is beautiful and I've heard a lotta good and bad about this area. This week we didn't really do much, but we were able to baptize one soul into the gospel.  His name is Sitaleki Monu'ia He Uikelotu 'Otuhouma.  He is 10 years old and is the second member of his family to join the church.  Other than that, we kinda just tried to prepare for transfers.  Just a few hours ago we went to Mangia and visited around with some members, two of the kids took us to this river and at the river there was a natural slip n slide. We got it wet, and started sliding down it.  I went once and I was fine, but the second time I hit my hand on a root coming out of the ground and sliced my thumb open. We just barely cleaned it out by pulling a few rocks out and a lot of dirt.  I asked the members if I should go to the hospital and asked what they would do if I did go and they said they would clean it up and wrap it because they don't have any thing to stitch or glue it.  So I may go to the hospital later tonight but I'm not positive yet. Please do not worry about me because I'm fine.  I will be leaving Houma tomorrow and going to my new area.  Elder Caudill will be going to Leimatu'a with Elder Crosby who was in the MTC with me.  I'm gonna miss Caudill, but I trust in the Lord that we will come together at the end of our harvest.  (Aalma 17:13).  Elder Freer and Harmon are going to Ha'apai.

I burnt a really dirty church shirt it was all yellow and stuff.  On Mondays P-day we try to go out and explore and in my new area, there are tons of places to explore.  If you remember the pictures I sent of the beach, that's my new area. 

I'm really gonna miss this area and all the people here that have become a part of my family.  They have impacted my life more than I can even put in words. 

I love and miss you all. Tell all of the family that I love them. If you need anything just ask. 

ofa lahi atu,

Elder Swan

I will miss this place and these wonderful people

Slip and Slide
It's always an adventure!

OUCH!!!!!

Osi lava ta'u e taha! 8/3/2014

Sunday Dinner ( Noodles, Corned Beef, Sweet Potatoes, Chicken & Luu!)

Family and friends,

This week was pretty good! We are still getting a lot of success in the Houma and Mangia area. Ha'akio is still slow.  But we did have 1 lesson with a man who is 38 named 'Oti. His wife's family is LDS and lives in America! We taught him and invited him to be baptized when he receives his answer and he said yes! So that was cool! I know he felt the Spirit working and it was a cool experience! In Mangia we have been teaching 2 brothers. Sitaleki is 10 and Sitiveni is 15ish.  They both really have a desire to learn about the gospel. Sitaleki is getting baptized this Saturday and we are praying Sitiveni will join him! Sitiveni has said he wants to get baptized but he is just nervous what his friends will think of him! Actually his 2 best friends are the sons of the Wesleyan preacher. So that's hard for him! But I know he will choose the right and overcome his shyness and do whats right!  Their parents weren't really nice to us at first but are opening up and gave their kids the freedom to choose if they want to be baptized! So That was a successful week for us!

Because I have been out a year now... I want to just reflect to my family the things that I have learned. I have learned many things I never would have if I didn't come on my mission! When I first stated my mission I had a strong belief that it was true. In all honestly I didn't know. I've lived off of others' testimonies. But I had a belief. I know that that's not the best way to start a mission but it wasn't long before that belief turned to knowledge! The best things I've received on my mission have been knowledge! I know 100% that this is the one and only true Gospel on the earth! I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God and that he really did see the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is truly another Testament of Jesus Christ and that it contains the fullness of the Gospel! If we live by the teachings in that little blue book, then life becomes easy! It's not the gospel that is hard, it's life, the gospel is a gift from God to help make life easy! I've learned death is a part of life, in a way yes, its sad! But if you look at it the way it really is, it's happy. It means the one who has passed overcame the challenges of this nasty world, and made it to his/her eternity! What an accomplishment for them! And knowing that in a very short amount of time we will be with them again! That is what is so beautiful about this Gospel! If we live it we receive eternal life! With our loved ones! And with our Father in Heaven, and our Savior. But the thing that I have learned and cherish the most would be my knowledge of the Atonement of my Savior and Redeemer. I know of a surety that He came to earth and accomplished the impossible! I know that He went to the Garden of Gethsemane and shed his blood for me. I am eternally grateful towards Him for that! I often think how many of the drops of blood He shed were for me. Then I read that they are all for me, they were all for you! It was so painful that He, the Son of God asked if there be another way "but thy will be done" Fully committing himself to the will of the Father. I know that He died on the cross and on the 3rd day overcame death so that we all may overcome death! He is our Savior and our Redeemer and it is through Him that we are saved in the kingdom of God! This testimony which I have received I know is true. I will protect it with my life and I will continue to build it up! I owe everything to my family and friends that have helped me to make the decision to serve and to my mission for the things I have learned! I look forward to this next year and the many wonderful things I have to learn!

Luke 12:15, Matt 6:19-21

Romans 5:7-8

For those struggling with sicknesses and trials of any kind I ask that you read Romans 8:16-18

I love you all and pray you will all overcome these challenges that are only to help us grow!

Elder Swan

 I'm starting family search and trying to find names I can do in the temple! Will you please ask Grandma and Grandpa for any information!?? I would really love their help! I've been reading the stuff about my ancestors and I can definitely feel them here with me and the Spirit of Elijah! Also please have dad call grandpa Swan because I'm enthralled about George Swan the Father of George Alexander Swan! Please get me some info and then e mail it to me! I'll print it out and do what I can! If you can help me find names also! I love you so much! Thank you!

Deep in study

We walk in this darkness everyday.....

They tunu'd 11 pigs for a Missionary coming home!
If possible please buy a pig for me to tunu when I get home

Over the HUMP!!!

This reminds me of something????