Finishing the Year Strong

Hello Family,

How great it was to talk to you on Christmas to feel of the strength and unity of our family as we let the Lord guide us in everything we do! Y'all remind me of the mighty Anti-Nephi-Lehies who became converted and never fell away because they decided to bury their "weapons of war" (repent) and keep their covenants with our Heavenly Father (Alma 23, 24). Y'all are MIGHTY!

Hoorah for Israel!! We had a baptism for Ben R. this week and the peace that it brought to all who were in attendance was amazing. As I was filling up the font a warm feeling overcame me and the impression that today the Lord won this small battle in the Sharpsburg area over Satan. Thanks to President Harding I have developed a deep disdain for Satan in a good constructive way. It's a wonderful feeling knowing we helped rescue a soul from the adversary. I'll have more on the baptism later. Beyond this great news, we are going back to the temple Thursday to counsel with the Lord at another Zone Leader Council. The Lord's house, the temple where Satan cannot cross its threshold -- sooo awesome!

The thought that came to me especially through my studies this week is that we truly are learning the ways of heaven. Just like no unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of heaven the Spirit is the first thing that leaves us when we are disobedient as taught in Mosiah 2. Being endowed with the spirit of the Lord is the greatest gift one can receive in this life and I know what it feels like to not have it for a time. Consequently I do not want to be without its constant companionship. We are truly at war here to help people recieve a remission of their sins, be endowed with the power of the Holy Ghost to be able to qualify for eternal life as taught throughout the Book of Mormon -- as we are obedient to what the Lord has asked we will prosper in the land!

I love all of you and am grateful for all you do. The Lord is hastening His work. May we quicken our step and work even harder to BEcome who He would have us BE.

Love Elder Gautavai

Converted Unto The Lord

A family Christmas eve tradition from as far back as I can remember is celebrating the season with dinner at a favorite local establishment, Kyoto's Japanese restaurant in Salt Lake City. Last year I reflected on how our family dynamics would soon be changing with nephew, Richard and son, Camree at that time preparing to serve missions leaving home for the next two years. One year later, Christmas eve 2012 a familiar sense as yet another son, Rylee a senior at Bountiful high school now prepares to leave home in 6 months on his mission at the age of 18. Our family Christmas gatherings are again going to take on different look and feel next year, and the year after that.

Christmas day 2012 was our first of three Christmas' where like thousands of other missionary families throughout the world await the much anticipated "call" -- elders and sisters calling home to speak with family and loved ones. Rochelle and I remember these calls well from the fields of labor having served missions many years ago. Yesterday however was our first on this end of the call as eager parents and family. Missionaries are given special permission to call home twice a year, Mother's day and Christmas day. As you can imagine there is a lot of excitement surrounding this call.

This year we decided to host a family dinner in our home awaiting the elder's call. We invited our Gautavai, Alip and Tavita 'aiga' (samoan word for family) which includes the elder's Grandpa's and Grandma Alip. In a previous email the elder indicated much to his delight he would be proselyting Christmas day as counseled by President Harding and would then end his day at the home of Bishop Roner of the Sharpsburg ward (Sharpsburg, GA) for a Christmas meal. The elder also noted in his email he would be calling from the bishop's residence.

Being new to this experience as parents we weren't quite sure how the call would take place. Unlike our day and with the advancement of technology a new form of communication video conferencing over the internet seems to be the rage with programs like Skype. A wonderful use of technology giving this call experience an added dimension with live video. A nephew, currently serving in the Brazil Sao Paulo North mission, elder Spencer Mahe was able to Skype with his family in Sacramento earlier in the day. Another nephew who lives next door, currently serving in the Wisconsin Milwaukee mission, elder Richard Gautavai would also be Skype-ing later in the evening. We weren't sure if elder Gautavai would or could Skype as we understand it is at the discretion of the mission president. Eager as we were with all the possibilities, just to be able to converse real-time with elder Gautavai was our simple hope. The last direct communication and hearing his voice was a disjointed call from a pay-phone at the Salt Lake City International Airport the morning he left the MTC for Atlanta (July 10th).

The day started very early with meal preparations for the gathering. Mekelee was the first of the two boys at home to awaken. Rylee would follow not long afterwards. Mekelee was eager to open Christmas gifts under the tree. Both boys have been really good about seeing the real meaning of Christmas throughout the season. We have noticed the two brothers becoming even closer which from our view as parents is noteworthy and very gratifying. Perhaps it's a mutual realization of Rylee's not too distant departure with the new mission age announcement/option, and working on his mission papers (just down to a dental visit and final interviews). Having the elder on the mission has brought countless tender mercies and blessings to our family and home not the least of which is the brothers drawing closer to each other even as they leave home.

Our menu consisted of family favorites and polynesian comfort foods including ribs, sapasui (samoan chop suey), baked taro, korean chicken (one of the elder's favorite dishes of his grandma Alip), beef tomato stew, sweet potato casserole, musubi, ahi poke, poi, lupulu, haupia, pagipopo, chocolate caramel cake, red velvet cake, grandma Alip's tropical punch drink, and rice. We had the pleasure of doing a test run with the Skype app as we were able to connect with the family (Mahe's) in Sacramento, Vanessa and Jarvis and their kids Jazlee, Blaze, Hunter and Ty. It was fun to be able to see and speak with them. We were especially happy for grandpa and grandma Alip to see and talk with the grandkids in California. We also utilized technology as we watched nephew Jace Tavita a senior at the University of Hawaii and member of the UH Warrior basketball team play in their final tournament game against Ole Miss in Honolulu. Having Ginger and Gilbert (Jace's parents) here along with the Alip's made watching the game via internet stream really enjoyable.

My cell phone rang at 5:25 PM, the telephone number on my display was not a number I recognized other than "404" which I know to be the area code for the general Atlanta area. As I answered the caller said "hello", in turn I responded, "hello?" It was the elder!!! He didn't recognize my voice at first as he asked who I was haha. I wasn't too sure myself although it became evident as we passed this initial greeting. We spoke briefly the first time to ensure we could get everyone in. He said he wasn't in a position to Skype at least for this call (we'll shoot for the Mother's day call in May). We were just so thrilled to be able to talk with him again! He said he and elder Price (zone leaders in the Fayettville Zone) were busy with 9 appointments they had for the day. He said as a result of the Lord's help along with their effort they were able to add more investigators to their teaching group. Some news he mentioned to us is that he and elder Price are training a new missionary from Provo, Utah who just arrived in the mission. He said their days are extremely busy. The Fayetteville zone is one of the larger zones in the mission and they have been working extremely hard to bring souls to Christ. He said with the Lord's help they have seen many miracles in their zone and also in their personal area. The elder has a baptism this coming Saturday and a family in January they have been working with and committed. Quick observation: the southern culture has taken hold on the elder as he speaks with a lot of "Yes Sir", "Yes Mam." haha

The elder made the rounds as the phone was passed from one family member to the next (Rochelle, uncle Pati, Aunty G, Grandpa Gautavai, Grandpa Alip, Grandma Alip, Mekelee, Rylee, Faaagi, Gil). As a parent it is humbling to see the hand of God in your children's lives. We see this in each of their personal lives. We see and feel this in the elder's life. We are grateful and blessed. After speaking with each family member, the elder asked if he could be put on "speaker" so he could address the entire gathering/family. After testifying of Jesus Christ and His atonement, the elder encouraged us all to personally read and study the 7th chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon. He said chapter is his focus in bringing the doctrine of Christ to the people he loves and serves. The elder then asked if he could leave a blessing upon us and requested we join him in prayer. He invited us to join him in on bended knee for this blessing. The elder inquired if there was anyone we knew of who could use a blessing at this time in their lives. He asked me directly, I told him his grandparents "all three of them." I told him we are always mindful of their well-being. He began his prayer to our Heavenly Father through and in the name of His son Jesus Christ, expressing sincere appreciation for His mercy and love, for the opportunity he has to serve on the mission, and for all of us here at home, his family. The elder than plead with the our Father in Heaven to be with his grandparents at this time of their lives. I was impressed to tell the elder during the prayer to please pray for his cousin Jace in Hawaii. The elder then proceeded to pronounce a blessing on his cousin to strengthen Jace and help him throughout his basketball season. He closed by thanking Heavenly Father for His son and the Atonement and gospel. He noted leaving this blessing as part of his sacred calling as a missionary. Needless to say there wasn't a dry eye in the home at the conclusion of the blessing and prayer. I told the elder how proud I was to be his dad and how much I love him, and that I have been impressed to tell him his Father in Heaven and Lord and Savior Jesus Christ love him. I encouraged him to continue to be "True at All Times in Whatsoever the Lord Entrusts Him." We then ended the call after saying talk to you in May. It was now 6:33 PM (the call lasted 1 hr 8 min).

We made a mad dash next door to experience elder Richard Gautavai's call via Skype. It was good to hear and now see elder Gautavai in Wisconsin. He sounded and looked wonderful. Faaagi setup a projector so the Skype session could be viewed on the wall (pretty cool setup). Although elder Richard Gautavai has been out longer (next month will be his year mark), this is his first Christmas in the mission. It is amazing to see the growth in him and his excitement for his mission and the opportunity to serve and bless the lives of those he comes into contact with. So thankful!

Although our family dynamics are changing, this Christmas season has brought more hope, more joy, and more charity and love to our family and home. Again, it is so humbling to see our children becoming more gospel-centered and  converted unto the Lord. It is a great blessing in our family and home to have our nephews and son bringing people to Christ. Can't wait for Mother's day!

Elder Gautavai's dad

Christmas Eve, Call Countdown

The Wise Still Seek Him

Well hello stalwart family, like those that raised the Stripling Warriors!

This week has been another good week. Elder Price and I had a busy week running around doing baptismal interviews for our zone. It's so incredible to see the Fayetteville Zone (higher-income, very affluent demographic) going crazy right now! We are finding our brothers and sisters our Heavenly Father has prepared and bringing them through the gate that leads to the path toward eternal life. I also had the privilege to conduct Zone Training Meeting from 8am-2pm. In this meeting we were able to teach the missionaries in our zone a few things to help us continue to move the work forward and to be able to "swing our swords" (sword of the Spirit - Ephesians 6:17) against Satan. haha I didn't know I could train for that long (6 hrs), I even ran out of time. I never thought I would say "I talk a lot"..I guess you'll find out next week.

That's so great that you are continuing to do missionary work! I get so excited just hearing about success stories like the ones you are sharing with me and I know that we are suppose to be sharing these stories not to boast or to brag but to strengthen and uplift others that in the Lord's strength WE CAN DO ALL THINGS. One thing has become so clear to me, there are NO LIMITS on what the Lord and Savior can DO.

We are excited about our work here in Sharpsburg. We are praying for a baptism this Saturday but if not (Daniel 3:18) then the following Saturday for a family we are working with. We are also very excited to be proselyting on Christmas day to share a message of the Savior to bear witness of His Atonement and how we cannot fully partake of the Atonement if we have not been redeemed of our sins, been empowered with the Holy Ghost to qualify us to prosper in the land or receive eternal life! 

No signs of letting up over here! Time is going fast and the Lord is hastening His work. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy has asked us here in the Georgia ATL mission to do the same. Last stop on Christmas will be at the Bishop's home for dinner. We planned it this way so that we can devote all of our HEART, MIGHT, MIND and STRENGTH to the Lord on His celebrated day.

Look for an email later this week.

Love Elder Gautavai

Seeing Others As They May Become

Hello Stalwart and Mighty Family!

That's an awesome success story Dad, an Ammon like missionary experience! I am convinced that as we continue to share our success stories of reactivation, of blessings and our testimonies we will have a greater desire to go out and do missionary work!

Stand Ye In Holy Places

Sounds like y'all had a great week! Mekelee it is good to hear you are still keeping active as well as doing good in school! Ry it's also good to hear of your continued success and what it's gonna be like at the next level. Certainly the Lord is blessings us just as He promised all of us He would if we bear our trials patiently; He will reward us 100 fold.

What a GREAT week this has been here in the Fayetteville Zone. Miraculous things are happening as we continue to search and rescue those that our Heavenly Father has prepared for us. This week with the Lord's help we experienced an amazing accomplishment as a zone nearly tripling the goal set for new investigators. We really have Ammon and Amulek type missionaries in our zone, their diligence and obedience is truly humbling.

Thursday we were able to go to the temple here in Atlanta to start off our Zone Leader Council. The temple was a uplifting experience, a chance to get away from everything around us and seek counsel and revelation from the Lord as to how to better ourselves and those we have stewardship for and work within our zones. I am definitely grateful for temples and how it helps us to replenish our armor to fight against the world. I am also grateful for a temple back home that is so close even within walking distance.

We are looking forward to Zone Training this week in which Elder Price and I will be conducting and training our missionaries. President Harding will be presiding at the meeting. I have really learned some great leadership skills from President not only for the mission, but life in general -- helping with the little things that make a deep impression and lasting impact for those we help and serve.

The thoughts that have come to my mind recently have been of the Book of Mormon. I will be finshing it again for the 2nd time since I have been out here and I have learned even more this time! haha It's so true that we can always get something new out of the Book of Mormon -- I LOVE IT! I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the ONLY way we can prosper in the land. It is the ONLY way that we can be saved from the worst human condition -- sin, spiritual death. It is the ONLY WAY, THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!

I love all y'all and pray for you each day.

Love Elder Gautavai

There Was No Other Good Enough

Hey Y'all,

This week has been just an INCREDIBLE week!! A big reason is Elder Corbridge of the first Quorum of the Seventy being here in the mission. We attended a stake leadership meeting with him as well as Zone Conference where he helped us with our teaching and also discussed the 4TH MISSIONARY, the article he wrote. The main message that I took out of his counsel is the Atonement MUST BE THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING WE TEACH and how the people need to understand that if the Book of Mormon is true THEN the Atonement is for us; and that we can be forgiven of our sins, endowed with the power of the Holy Ghost and thus be qualified for eternal life.

Elder Price and I were so excited to go out and apply this to our area and in our teaching, AND in 3 days we picked up 6 new investigators and have a total of 9 investigators at this time! I have a testimony that when people understand what the FIRST VISION really means to them and why they should join the church..their desires and excitement to read the Book of Mormon will shoot through the roof!

This week we will be heading to the Atlanta temple for Zone Leader Council. I am so excited to go to the temple with the many stalwart zone leaders and our mighty Captain, President Harding (our Captain Moroni) to COUNSEL WITH THE LORD as how to best help the mighty missionaries we preside over in our zone (I learned that "preside or presiding" means we are RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OUTCOME).

I'm doing very well and I am glad to hear y'all are doing great also. I imagine with coach Mendenhall and the BYU coaches coming over to the house all y'all will be doing some deep cleaning haha. 

Let me share a real awesome experience. A couple of days ago we felt impressed to ask a young less active couple if we could teach them the plan of salvation as they are getting ready to welcome a child of our Heavenly Father into the world and their home. They replied that they were busy. We told them that WE LOVE THEM and if they needed any help that we were there for them, that we thought the world of 'em. Two days later the wife's non-member father passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack. Sunday the Husband came to church alone and I went over and sat next to him and put my arms around him and just told him I LOVED HIM and that I thought he was awesome! He arose and bore powerful testimony of missionary work and pleaded with the ward to not let a moment slip by to share the gospel with someone because we never know when we won't have that chance to share it and that person has to wait to hear it in the Spirit World. 

That caused me to ponder and feel the spirit so powerfully that I got up and bore my testimony of the Atonement and how this life is all about the Atonement and relying on our loving Heavenly Father. It has caused me to be recommitted  as I hope it will recommit y'all to SHARE the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those around y'all for it is the ONLY WAY to receive peace and happiness and again qualify us for eternal life.

Love Elder Gautavai