Talofa oku Kaiga fagasele!

Talofa oku Kaiga fagasele!

This week has been really wonderful! The Lord's hand has poured out many blessings upon us! We have had so much to do! I am really tired, but I am really happy about the work that God has provided for us here. We had nine new investigators this week! We also didn't have any investigators that we dropped this week, so we have a lot of people we're teaching.

Two of the new investigators we found are Molesi and Taam (pronounced Tom). When we met them on the road, they asked if we had any Tuvaluan pamphlets that they could read. The first time we didn't have any, but then we got prepared and we saw them again. Then we asked if we could come back. We went and had a really good first meeting with them. They asked about baptism and about the Joseph Smith Story. They seemed genuinely interested and willing to act on this wonderful message. We'll see what happens this week. I really liked them, partly because the one's name is Tom, just like my little bro, and also because they just seem like humble seekers of truth. We'll see them again on Tuesday and see how that goes.

Two of the girls in our branch are friends with a less active and her non member brother and sister. We asked them to come with us to the lesson on Saturday and they gladly agreed. They shared beautiful testimonies and when we invited them to church, the member girls even invited the investigators to walk with them, without any prompting from us. Then on Sunday we had the less active girl, Meli, and her non member sister Tara at church. Meli felt the spirit so much, she asked if she should be baptized again. We told her that if she repents and changes her life, it will be good to prepare to take the Sacrament. I'm excited to increase the member presents and see what other miracles might happen.

I felt really tired yesterday and I didn't really enjoy church too much, because it is hard for me to understand the language when I'm tired. I was feeling pretty down, but then we went to a lesson with one of my very very favorite families, Eti and Taiga. Their son is preparing for a mission, but they've yet to join the church. We asked Taiga about baptism again yesterday, and she said, "I'm still thinking about it." We asked if she knew what we had shared was true, she said yes. We then shared about Joshua 24: Choose ye this day whom you will serve. We shared that sometimes you have to make hard decisions. Then while I was sharing my testimony an experience came to mind in my life. Probably the hardest decision I have ever made was to come on a mission. I still remember the day I really decided that I would go. I had church at the U and I was walking to the Music Building to practice the piano. I was thinking about going on a mission and I just had a feeling like, "You need to go." After that, I decided to go, and it felt like hands from the other side were preparing the needful things and I felt a force drive me to go. I had to leave some things behind though. I had to leave music and the piano for two years. I remember Lenora's face when I told her I wanted to go on a mission. She was happy but she was also puzzled I think that after getting that good that I would put it on hold for two years. Of course, she understood, but just like I knew it would take a lot of hard work when I get back, I knew that too. I also remember Dr. Allred my choir director saying "No you can't go. You have to sing for the singers." The hardest thing though was to leave friends and family that I love so much. I don't regret it though, I have never regretted it.

After I shared that, I knew that she would have to face some similar things to me. Leaving her church, she would probably have to leave behind friends and family that didn't fully understand the reasons. She would have to leave behind her position as treasurer of her church. I knew though, it would be worth it. The Lord always blesses us when we heed his words and sacrifice whatever it takes to follow him.

Well, two more weeks and then I get a week in Fiji! I don't yet know who my new companion will be. Elder Whipple knows, but I don't... The Assistants told him not to tell me. haha well fun times

I love you all! This church is true! Joseph Smith really saw God the Father and his son Jesus Christ. Most of us in the church don't know how significant a statement that is, but it is true. Through Joseph Smith, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has again established his church on the earth. It will never fall, and it is the way for our families to be together forever!

Love,
--
Elder Paul Leland Hill
Fiji Suva Mission