Beautiful place, Beautiful people, Beautiful language ~ 6/8/2014

Malo e lelei Famili.

Fefe hake? Man this week was really good! On Tuesday we got our standard of excellence which are the numbers we need to strive for each week! Man they are really high especially for those in small ares but hey guess what!?? The Lord is with us and we will do our best to reach the goals!  They are all 15-20 per week. Except the baptisms are 2-5! They are very tough numbers but we need to remember that this is not mans work. This is the work of a Supreme being and with His guidance we will be able to Hasten the work and bring MANY souls unto Christ. So we have been struggling with these numbers... All of Vava'u has been... Last month both zones on Vava'u only had 2 baptisms each... That's 4 baptisms... That is awful... Our goals is each zone to get 40 baptisms a month. So you could say we need to step it up! And we have! Elder Caudill and I are planting seeds! It may not be useful now but We are planting and nourishing! We share 1-3 minute lessons to almost everyone we see! We also try and serve and talk to everyone we see! I can see others opening up to us as we do this! A member that hasn't been that open and friendly with us has actually just become one of our closest friends! She went and bought us eggs and cheese and onions so we can make omelets today! Off topic! Sorry! Back on! This week we did teach 2 of the 3 girls! We committed one to baptism and she said yes! She lives in Mataika which is the zones area! So I talked to them and hopefully we can get her a date to be baptized there! The other girl is also from Mataika but is already a member just inactive! So we committed her to go to church and read the Book of Mormon! They are doing well! The other girl went back to Holonga so I don't know about her... We just received 5 referrals from our branch presidents wife! So we plan on going to them Today or Tomorrow! She told us they want to be baptized but they want to wait until the grandparents pass away... Family is huge here and church can ruin families! I have seen HUGE sacrifices by young 18 year olds and have seen them kicked out! Their Faith is amazing! Anyways, as I heard this I thought of Matthew 10:37 which says that we must love our God more than our Parents and Children! If we love Him more we will follow him and be obedient to him! That's a scripture all of Tonga needs to know and understand!

The work is good and moving forward!

I am so blessed to serve in such a Beautiful place with Beautiful people and a Beautiful Language! God really does know these people! He really looks after them! Each and every one of them I believe wants to do what is right! It's just hard for them to do so with all the pressure. They are too caught up on "The Kingdom of Tonga" Rather than The Kingdom of God! Yeah on Earth you can be popular and can be high up there and have people look up at you like a star, but what about in the life to come? What about after mortal life? Will they still be popular? Will they still be looked upon as the stars of the sky? No! But those who do what is right in this life will continue on to the next life and be given Glory. We will be as God and what else can you want? You can't want anything more! There is so much more than this life!

So this week I went to the Ocean with Elder King as we were on a companionship exchange! We caught some fish and an Eel! Haha The eel bit king on the finger and he couldn't get it off! It was Hilarious! Finally he got it off and was fine! Just some blood! Haha! I'll send some pictures! And about the Omelets! We came to the church to cook them! They were amazing!!! I took a video of me speaking Tongan explaining what we did but It wont send... Sorry! Hahaha! Oh and I ate Ota Ika right outta the ocean!! (Raw Fish!)

It's gonna be a good week! I love you all so much! Keep on studying and living this gospel! It's all that really matters :) Smile!

Ofa LAHI atu!

Elder Swan

Went fishing today~ caught an EEL!

Tevita caught a black spiky sea creature

Puffer Fish

Elder King

 

Holding a Sea Turtle.... So Cool

I love this Ongoongolelei 6/1/2014

"Brothers"

So this week was really good! Sad and good at the same time! So Sitivent bailed... He never showed up to the lessons and I guess it was all a joke or he just got into something with his family... We kept seeing him but he would avoid us so it was really sad! But on the bright side we were able to get 3 new investigators in Ha'akio! All girls 18, 18, and 14 and they are all really really.... Cool! They are all really shy and nervous to talk to us so we just try and make them laugh and help them trust us! The family we got them from is a good family but not good fellow shippers... Luckily there is another 18 year old girl that is LDS staying there! She is really cool and helps a lot! The investigators always ask her questions then when we come back she asks us hahaha!!!! At least they're listening! But I feel good about them I just want them to accept the gospel! It's hard watching so many deny it. I just want someone to accept it and watch the happiness grow in their lives! It truly is a blessing to bring the Ongoongolelei to all these people. Ongoongolelei (Gospel) Literal meaning (Good News)

So Saturday we had a full day of Ngaue ofa! Service! It was really fun! We built a fence! It was a good time in the pouring rain! We were all muddy from head to toes and soaking wet! But It was an awesome time getting closer with the members through hard labor and taking a shower with the mud! HA ha!

Today after netting we are going to the Tahi (Ocean) with two rascals named Tevita and Loma! I love these kids! So I'll have an adventure to tell about next week!

The work is good! I love it! I love and miss you! Keep reading the B.O.M! I just finished it again and started yesterday! So get going!

Ofa lahi atu!

Elder Swan

Elder Swan, Elder King, Elder Vaea and Elder Katoa
Our Zone Leaders

Our Branch Pres. son

Tongan Sacred grove...

Climbing trees, Bees and Machete's 5/25/2014

That's my BOY!!!

Well my week started off kinda rough! We have been trying hard to find people to teach but it's all Wesleyan people in my area and they have a Conference coming up June 23rd where people from the entire world come here to meet. (Tongans from all over the world.) So every single night they get together and ako hiva (song practice) So at night they aren't home and during the day they are all working which leaves our villages desolate... But we have been doing more lessons and actually had an investigator come to us! His name is Sitiventi and he had been baptized once but ran away when it was time to be confirmed. He really wants to get baptized and we were able to teach and talk to him and will continue teaching him everyday this week! He has a date to be baptized this week! I don't know if it's too fast there aren't really any rules that I'm aware of.. It's more just if we feel he is ready and I think he is! He really wants to go on a mission too! He is 23 and has time to go if he wants! He was definitely a blessing! But also we had a chance a while ago to teach an inactive member about the Word of Wisdom! We taught him the W.O.W. and then he left and went back to Tonga! Well 2 days ago a member came over to us and told us they got a text from Poasi and his family! Saying how grateful they were for our example to him and also how he was so grateful for the message we shared with him and that he realized after the teaching how unhealthy it is to do the things he was doing and that he should clean up his life. Well now he is a strong member and wants to serve a mission also! He doesn't know if he will be able to because of tattoos but he wants to! I am so grateful for the opportunity we have to touch souls. Even when I feel down I know there are people’s lives that I have touched and that they are living better lives because of the Gospel!

Also Saturday was an adventure!!! It was a service day for us! But first in the morning we wanted to start off with a sweet snack!!! So we went with our buddy Sunia to a big mango tree with a BIG bee hive in it!!! He got an old coconut branch and lit it on fire to smoke the bees out... Then with his Machete he broke off the honey comb and that made the bees mad! He asked for another branch so I went to give him one and ran into 1 tiny bee... It stung me right between my nose and right eye... It hurt so bad!!! But it was well worth the fresh honey! haha After that we went to (tufi niu) which is pretty much searching for old coconuts on the ground that people feed their pigs with and make food with the coconut milk! While doing that we decided to climb coconut tress! Man was that an adventure.. Trying to get down was rough... I have a video hahaha! After that we just went to get fire wood for a member and it was fun chopping things with a machete! Oh we also caught a fish with a machete! That was interesting and cool! Tongans are talented!

Well this week is going to be good! I am having a good time, learning a lot and can't wait to progress in my knowledge! I love studying the scriptures and also other materials!

I learned this week from the B.O.M. that we need to learn from our own mistakes as well as the mistakes of others! In Alma 55 the Nephites send a lamanite named Laman to give the Lamanites wine that the prisoners will escape! Well it worked and when the Lamanites tried it on the Nephites the Nephites remembered what had happened previously! I would love to hear what each of you learn in your personal and family study! Please tell me!

Love you all

Elder Swan

Amazing~ What an adventure!

 

Don't let go

My Companion - Elder Caudill

I ate 5 Coconuts this day 

               




                 
                   

Can you see the little boy in this tree
He's a STUD!

Fresh Honey ~ So worth it 

Transfer? Maybe ~ Maybe not 5/18/2014

Family!!! Well it was SOOOO good to talk to you last week! I'm grateful for the phones we were able to use. I apologize for the no Skype! I know most missionaries get to Skype but some of us need to sacrifice Skype. It'll just be so much more special when I get to see all your smiling faces!

We came early to email today because we may get transferred! We should have found out last night but didn't so we may find out today. So we figured we would get an email in!

Oh yeah mom! Will you throw the Ukulele tuner in the box so if I get one i can keep it tuned?? Thanks!

This week was really slow! EVERYONE of the Wesleyan faith have song practice every night so we really don't have much to do! We try and visit members and in actives but they are always gone or busy! We taught a boy named Tanginoa on Friday and it went well and I asked him if he would read the Book of Mormon and he said no.... I asked why? He said he only believes in the Bible! I explained as well as I could that the Book of Mormon is another testament and that it works together with the Bible and the only way to know of it's truthfulness was to read it. I bore testimony and that's all I knew what to do! It's on him to try! But he showed up at church during my talk in Sacrament and I made sure he knew I knew he was there and I spoke to him! It was kinda cool. He seemed like he was listening really well at church. So if I stay here he will be a priority!

I had Ota ika last night! The raw bowl of fish!  Haha it was so yummy!

Well as for last week, not much happened. I hope you can email back soon! Hey did Abe say the box was Okay??

Times up I gotta go mom! I love you tons! Remember to read the B.O.M.

Ofa lahi atu!

Elder Swan

The work is picking up~ 4/27/2014

Zone Conference

Surprise!!

Kind of! Okay so the E-mail thing. I was not going to E-mail today because I received an answer to my prayer to be obedient to the mission rules! But then received a call from Elder Harmon who had just got of the phone with President Tupou! He said we are able to use computers at a public Internet house! Luckily there is one in our area! So we are able to net when its open! But the bad news is that most areas do not have them!  I've only known of two in Vava'u. So you are blessed! Haha! The reason why is because of Disobedience on the computers! It's a real pain because when we obey the rules and do our best we get the punishment along with everyone else. I have more to say but want to remain positive towards my family of Elders and Sisters in Tonga! It actually wasn't President Tupous call, It came straight from Salt Lake City! So It is from the Lord and it will only bless us! In a way I love it because we can only focus 100% on the work! But on the other hand I love hearing from you guys each week and receiving the help I need to carry on in my endeavors. I've been reading about Job. What a guy???!!!! He was so strong and faithful! Even when Satan took everything he had he blessed the Lord and remained perfect and upright escheweth evil! I am trying to be like him and always be obedient and thank the Lord no matter what situation I may be in because It could always be worse! I think that was from Uchtdorfs talk! One thing Pres. Tupou said was in the Book of Mormon the verses that say "it will come to pass" are incredibly powerful! Know that with every trial we receive, it will come to pass!

We had an opportunity to have President Tupou come to Vava'u for a mission Conference! He helped us a great deal in our struggles to find people to teach! After words we decided to put his lesson right to the test at our fafanga! He wants us to role play with members so they won't be scared to invite people to listen to us! So we role played! Usually the family feeds us and kinda wants us to leave! But the Lord blessed us with the entire family sitting in the living room! So we went for it! The dad (Faleula) Is usually standoffish and shy and not really into missionary work! But after a few role plays with his kids I asked him if he would role play! He said sure so Him and his wife role played for a good 5 min! It was awesome and the spirit was super strong! We challenged them all to invite the people who they role played and we will check up on them today! We also realized the Members aren't supposed to help us... We are here to help them. They are all really busy! So we are here to visit the inactive members and invite people to come unto Christ! After putting that into perspective we went our searching for Inactive members! We have 14 or so that we are gonna try and bring back and teach their families! The work is picking up!

I only have an hour so times almost up!

This is me teaching a goat, a pig and a horse. Even some animals won't even listen to us...

I was called to preach the Gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue and "creature"...

:)

The horse was not having it... He ran away 4 times but luckily
he was tied to a tree or else I don't think we would
 have gotten one word in... 

 As for things I want/ need!

Razors, toothpaste, face lotion, Advil, neosporen, band aids

Grandpas hot mustard and Salami... if possible.. haha

English hymn book one of the small ones

conference edition of the Liahona!

Letters from friends since I have no more e mail most likely!
Pictures!

More church things :) just the little things you always send!

Scripture tabs for my Tongan scriptures!

Small English PMG (Someone took mine)kinda.. I gave it to a member that is serving in SLC in June!

HI CHEWS!!! and See's candy stuff...

tape

Spanish to English dictionary... If you think that's a dumb idea its okay! I thought it could be easier to learn 2 languages! Just learn a word for each one! If you can!

Times up! I love you all! Until next week
Love Elder Swan

Another week down! 4/20/2014

~Elder Swan State Champion~

Well another week down in Houma! It's been a better week. We were able to teach 2 lessons this week... That's more lessons than we have in 4 weeks... We've been having a hard time here but I think It is slowly picking up! We are still trying to catch Samiu to teach him but His family was sick and he was taking care of them then on Friday he was drunk... So we couldn't really teach him hahaha. But we did get to teach Siosaia, he is 17 and is a pretty cool kid. He's pretty strong in the Wesleyan church but He set up a time for us to teach him today at 4 so I hope that goes well! We also got to know a girl who is 18 named Mele. She has a wild story but has talked to the Elders before! She was going to be baptized but her dad wouldn't let here. But now that she is 18 she can choose! So I am hoping we can teach her soon and give her this wonderful gift of Eternal life. There are times when I think "What's the point of me working and trying to teach these people when they don't like me or don't listen... But then I tell myself that no matter what I will try because it is Eternal Life!" So that's my motivation. It's tough but I know there are those who will take a leap of faith and grab hold of the Gospel! So I just need to find them! And I will!

 I love you all so much!!!! Fast and pray for our success and also the success of all missionaries !!!! Love you !!!!
I hope you have an awesome time in Vegas!!! TANNER HAPPY BIRTHDAY... 17 .. Holy Freak... I guess I'm next..20- We are old goobers man! Take it easy.

My favorite kid in the world
His name is Tomasi and he is our best friend!

This morning I was fighting some kids with sticks.
                   It got pretty WILD!!!

This is Sione toki, we are trying to teach his family.       It's not working out to well but he is a stud!

These two cute girls Lute and Salifaia are grading                                coconut meat.

This is a Molokau~~ They are huge centipedes and they are poisonous. Our Branch Pres. took the fangs out Haha !!!  So CREEEPY!!!!

Thanks so much mom I got my packages!
I have already finished Legacy of Faith and Joseph Smith! I loved them!

Where the Wesleyan's hang out 

Need a shave?

Two weeks is to long :) 4/8/2014

     We had not heard from Tyler for 2 weeks and it's been just about killing me waiting and waiting for an email but late last Sunday night we got a quick email from Elder Freer letting us know that Tyler was fine and that their computer was broken and he would email us as soon as he could. What a sweet and very needed email from Elder Freer~ thank you. Then I had a wonderful surprise Tuesday morning when I opened my email and saw this from Tyler.  

MOM!!! I got a chance to e mail today! So I will make it fast! The past two weeks have been..... The same!! Kinda no fun without the success, but I am so happy for all the Elders that are getting success! There will be a day!! :) But Last Sunday we showed up to church with 0 people there 30 min before it started... Finally 15 min later our branch pres and 1 other showed up... We started church with 5 people including me and Elder Katolo. Instead of bread we had crackers which was funny! Katolo blessed the bread and water and I passed! After The Sacrament was passed 4 more people showed up but that was it! Our Branch pres decided to end church after everyone bore their testimonies and we just went to all who were sick and shared a message and gave blessings! It ended up being really cool! Transfers were this week and I am staying here with Katolo! We both think next transfer we will be training.. Which I hope I train a Palangi! We have 1 solid investigator and He is really doing well. We set a baptism date for the 19th! So hopfully that can go through and all will be well! I want you all to know that everything will be okay. 

 I love you all sooo much! Miss you heaps!!

Your son

Elder Swan