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????

Hey I can Translate!!! 7/27/2014

Translating for the Doctors

Ceremony where they gave us Certificates

Okay well The electricity was out today and I just got to the church to e mail! Last week was awesome this week was slow!

The only great thing this week was that the U.S. Air Force came to Vava'u with Doctors and I was able to go and translate for them! It was a big thing where Tongans came in sat down and told me their sicknesses and I would translate it to the Doctors and just kinda be the spokesman! It was a very cool experience and I may have found my future profession, I may want to be a doctor!! HA ha... But I am grateful for the gift God has given me to understand and speak this language! God is good! We have 2 new investigators whom have already gone to church twice and loved it! One wants to get baptized this week and the other is kinda shy! Their older brother is the only member in their family!

I apologize this is so short! But I gotta go! We are a little late to a family home evening! Oh and we made shirts!

I love you tons! A last min. scripture! Luke 9:62  Push on and don't look back! There is a lot of work to do, never be comfortable with your past successes!

Ofa lahi atu! Elder Swan

Shirts we made
TONGA~SWAN

                                        

Conference, Fireside and 3 Baptisms~ 7/20/2014

Tolokina

 

Selevini 

Sione

Famili! How's it going?? Your week sounded full of fun and joy but my week beats yours.. This week was one of the most fun of the mission! It was ward conference this last week and boy was it great! Monday night we started a fast and Tuesday we broke it and went to the family history center! I was able to do a little bit of family search and add somebody to make it more full! I could feel the spirit so strongly it was awesome! We are handing out these "My Family" books to help people do their family names in the temple! Wednesday was a ngaue'ofa day! Service! We went to the elementary school here and cut the lawn and did all this work! The school looked haunted before we started but afterwards... Looked brand spankin' new! Thursday was one of my favorites! We had a Fireside Hiva, or a Musical Fireside. I don't know how often those go down in Utah but here that's what President Tupou is having us do! At least once a month have a fireside hiva! Well we had one and boy was it awesome! The Ward members really got to work inviting people and we had a full house of non-members and inactive members! The songs were some of the most beautiful things I've ever heard! Two of them were all about the restoration and Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon which was really cool and hit a lot of people there square between the eyes! Obviously the Spirit came through the songs, but after each song there was a Fakamo'oni or a Testimony! All the Testimonies born were converts! Each one of them brought the Spirit in such a strong wave that afterwards we got a new investigator named Selevini. I'll tell you about her in a bit! But hearing their testimonies and the faith they took to join the church and all the sacrifices they made to do so! The faith of these people amazes me each day! I was reading a book by Thomas S. Monson and it said "The Tongan mission is one of the churches greatest missions." He goes on telling why, and how great of a people the Tongans and also all Polynesians are. It is true! Anyways, back to the week! Friday we had a Zone Baptism. Our branch has been working so hard to get people to teach and baptize for this week and I am so grateful for that! It's been slow until these past 3 weeks and It's been a wonderful ride watching members join the work and receive the blessings that do come from it! We had 3 souls baptized on Friday! Sione Lopeti Ahovelu, Tolokina Sosaia Tu'ipulotu, and Selevini Vuki Guttenpeil. I bet you recognize Selevini's name! Again I'll get to her in a bit! You know about Sione and Tolokina! Sione made some HUGE changes in his life to follow Christ and accept his invitation to be baptized! Tolokina ever since he was young has snuck away from his family to go to the LDS Church. Now he is happy to call home and tell them he is a member and was baptized! Selevini or "Vini" Is a 21 year old girl whom we just met Thursday night and taught her! She had questions that the spirit was able to guide Elder Caudill and I in and she told us "I want to read the book of Mormon!" So we gave her one! Went back the next day and taught her again! We asked if she was able to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and our message, she said yes! I asked, What were the feelings you got as you read and prayed! She said "I felt peaceful and It was really comforting and after I prayed I knew immediately that it was true! " Then we asked her to be baptized, she said yes! We were holding a baptismal service that night and she wanted to be baptized that night so we called our district leader and he was a little worried about it, but he said he'd pray and see what happens in the interview! I knew it was early and going into the lesson I was gonna tell her no and hold it off for 1 week! But the spirit told us otherwise. So she was baptized and bore Testimony after and it was a beautiful testimony! Before the baptism we filled the Font and I sat and listened to the water for a good hour, it was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard! Knowing people are about to follow Christ and walk into the water and be baptized in His name, with the proper Authority! Saturday we visited a family with the Branch Pres and the Stake Pres. They came to Church and we are hoping to get teaching them! I'm super excited! Sunday was our Conference! It was amazing and seeing 3 of the people I have come to love so much receive the gift of the Holy Ghost made tears fill my eyes! After the Conference we had an amazing feast and I loved it! I thank My Father in Heaven so much each day for the progression of the work and the Miracles I'm able to see each week!

I want to leave you with a quote I really enjoyed this week

"The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the Slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and they then take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature...

Yes, Christ changed men and changed men can change the world."  - Ezra Taft Benson

Cleaning the Font

One year from today!!! 7/14/2014

This is a BAT we ate..... Haha Nasty!

Well my family, another week passed and guess what that means! I come home a year from today!! Can you believe it! I sure cant! Well This week wasn't as eventful but there was a miracle or two! We weren't able to teach Saane and her family but we are going there tonight to teach! But we were able to get Sione and Fe'ofa'aki! They are both visiting from Tonga. Sione is 20 and is Catholic. His older brother is the only member of the church in their family and served a mission! So we have been teaching him! This is my experience with him.

My spiritual experience this week came while teaching a 20 year old boy about the Word of Wisdom! We had already taught him the first and second lesson but a few days after that we saw him really drunk. It broke our hearts because he didn't recognize us! But after seeing this we decided the next lesson we would teach would be the Lea oe Poto! Well He took it well! When we asked him if he would live with the word of wisdom he said, "Can I smoke one more cigarette tonight?" my comp said "No, think of it this way. If God gave you a gift would you trash it and throw it around and leave it outside??" He said no. "Then why would you want to do that with your body? Remember from the last lesson how we taught you your body is a temple and that it's a gift from God?" He said yes. then my comp went on and said "why would you want to trash it one more time?" Then I asked again "will you live with the word of wisdom?" He still had no idea so we asked if we could say a prayer and ask for strength and help! He agreed and I asked if he would say it! The spirit entered the room and everyone could feel it! I asked him again. He took 2 min to think then said "Yes, I'll just eat this banana!" haha. Then I said it's all your agency, but we are only here to help you, would it be okay if we took any cigarettes or alcohol that is in the house that may tempt you? He said yes and gave me a full pack of cigarettes and I DESTROYED THEM!!!!! Teaching this lesson taught me so much and it was a personal experience as I felt I was talking to someone I know and love! I know that Alcohol, Kava, and drugs of any kind are taking peoples lives. Not necessarily death, but their money, time and families. It's sad, but seeing this small miracle of one 20 year old boy making a decision and sticking to it is amazing! It is not impossible. There is a way out. Every door has an exit! Some find it easier than others. But I promise that there is an exit! After a few days a member told me that he was offered a cigarette by a members husband. He took it, but rather than smoking it, he threw it in the bushes!

God is here to help us in all our trials! He loves us and wants us to be happy! Some think the Gospel is hard when in reality It's the only intelligent thing to live by. The Gospel isn't hard. Life is. The things the world puts out, is hard! But with the help of God we can make it through any obstacle Satan gives us!

"Oh how blessed are we to have the never-dimming, always-glowing hope and the eternal knowledge that belongs to us and that we share with the world, that the Gospel has been restored on earth, that God lives, that Jesus is his Son, our brother, our mediator, with the Father, our Lord and our Savior, God's greatest gift to us." President Monson.

It was a good week and we are looking forward to baptizing Sione Ahovelu and Tolokina this Friday!

I love you all,

Elder Swan