Well Done Elder Richard Gautavai, Well Done

TWENTY 3 Glorious Days

Today marks the 23rd day since the Gautavai family has had 3 full-time missionaries in active call. It also marks the first time in our family history that we have had 3 elder Gautavai's serving at once. As the elder's cousin Elder Richard Gautavai returned home with honor today and subsequent release at 8PM in the home of Bountiful Heights Stake President Dan Lake, our 3 turns to 2 active family missionaries, 2 Elder Gautavai's. Before being released Elder Richard Gautavai paid a visit while still in-call to the elder's younger brother Elder Rylee Gautavai in the MTC (see http://elderryleegautavai.blogspot.com "A Triumph Song We Sing Post"). It is truly a marvelous blessing and glorious experience to have 3, one more than the previous high of 2 (the elder's uncle Matsonia Gautavai and aunt Taaga Gautavai who were served missions in Japan Nagoya and Peru Arequipa respectively, and the elder and cousin Richard Gautavai Wisconsin Milwaukee). 

Not sure when and if this will occur again, perhaps in a combination of older and younger family members  or the next generation of Gautavai missionaries. What an honor and privilege it is to have children, family in full-time service of our Heavenly Father as He hastens His work of Salvation. A family that serves the Lord together is blessed!!! Hurrah for Israel!!

Carson Gautavai

Don't Let What You Cannot Do Stop You From What You Can Do #CalledToServe

GAM Facebook Page Updating Status for the Extreme Weather Day

Highways iced over in Atlanta

The Power Comes When We Act In Faith!

Hello family,

Can you believe it's January 27th!? Wow where has time gone?! Seems like we've lost track of time here in the GAM as we continue to hasten the work of salvation.

In today's letter I would like to share with y'all the amazing experiences we had this weekend. The 48 stakes in the US southeast area held stake conference this past weekend. Sunday morning was a combined stake conference for all 48 stakes beamed via broadcast from a stake center in Orlando, Florida. Presiding at the meeting was Elder Russel M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Speakers were Elder Robert C. Gay and Elder Erich W. Kopischke both of the First Quorum of the Seventy, and Sister Carol F. McConkie, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency. 

The theme for this weekend?..you guessed it The Work of Salvation! It was amazing to see the leaders of the church and their absolute love for all the members here in the south. The south continues to grow and soon will rise as it has been shared many times before!

Elder Nelson spoke of the difference between doctrine and doctrines in the scriptures. When used in its singular form it represents the Father/the Son and their one and only way. When used in the plural form it often pertains to the philosophy of men mingled with scripture, or the adversary. There is only one way! Many find it hard to believe -- understandable as it is almost harsh to say there is only one way -- however, the scriptures are clear and the unique path makes sense.  

Brother Norris received the Melchizedek priesthood yesterday!! So heart warming to see his process from the waters of baptism, to the sacrament, to the temple and now receiving the higher priesthood. There is truly no greater feeling than to see and watch the doctrine of Christ unfold and change lives!!

So great to see and hear you are all doing well! Please send my love to all of the family.

The power comes when we act in faith! Never stop inviting, we succeed when we invite!

Love,

Elder Gautavai

Last Check-In From Elder Richard Gautavai - Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission

Hello!

What a wonderful two years it has been! The changes and blessings in my life have been nothing short of a miracle. It is amazing to be able to ponder over the mighty change which has been wrought upon everything that I have become. I have felt so inadequate these past 24 months I can't even begin to tell you. I've had the idea of "becoming" engraved in my mind for 24 months, and after everything is set and done, I have tasted of the sweet fruits of the fulness of the Gospel. Never in a million years did I ever imagined 24 months of honest, dedicated, and faithful church service could enable me to feel the Savior's love more fully than at this point in time.

I can say that I have a deep desire to continuously help people to come closer to Jesus Christ, and to feel His redemptive power. It is amazing! It is quite simply...amazing. There are no words that can ever describe the sweetness of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He is truly our Master, Healer, Shepherd, and many more things. I'm so grateful for His Atonement, and I look forward to my next transfer in Bountiful, Utah.

I'm so excited to see you all, and I'm so grateful for your sacrifice on my behalf.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a vessel in helping others to come to Christ!

Love you guys!

Elder Gautavai

Game On! D&C SIXTHIRTYSIX - LOOK. DOUBT NOT, FEAR NOT

Weekly questions for the elder from home to start off today's email. The elder's response follows in his return email.

Q1. We've been asked about GAM missionaries from people we know who have relatives serving in the GAM—two elders, Fetuli (Hawaii) and Olive (Utah). Are you familiar with them?
A1. I do know those mighty warriors really well both stalwart & faithful soldiers here in the GAM.

Elders Fetuli (Hawaii) and Olive (Utah) Photocred: GAM

Q2. We see a lot of pictures on the GAM Facebook page (thankfully haha)..who is the primary picture taker? We are spoiled with this great channel of information. The Canada Montreal mission doesn’t have anything like this at least not at this time :(
A2. Sometimes it's me! haha other times its the office elders or one of the other Assistants.
Q3. Are you in need of anything at this time?
A3. Nope doing well.
Q4. Who can we pray for this week?
A4. B.R., our investigator who was fellowshipped on to us from a neighboring ward (hurrah!)

(I shared with the elder in this morning's email of a special regional leadership meeting of the 21 stakes in the Bountiful, Davis county area held in our chapel this past Saturday for all stake presidents and bishops in this region. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the quorum of the Twelve apostles presided at this meeting. Joining elder Holland was Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy, Elder Lynn L. Summerhays Area Seventy, and Bishop Gérald Caussé of the Presiding Bishopric. A very spiritual and faith lifting meeting).

Greetings!

Wow! that must have been quite the meeting thanks for sharing the notes from it I will continue to look over and apply here.  

I'm doing so very well! I love being busy & love doing the work of the Lord! This week we have been planning-out 2014 & 2015 here in the GAM. Its been exciting to see the growth of the Lord's work here in the south! We will grow by at least 50% from last January when we had 29 baptisms we are already at 35 baptisms with a BIG weekend coming up! All credit to heaven!

Photocred: GAM

D&C 6:36 is the scripture I come back to every single time! It's the formula for success..if we will look to the Lord doubting nothing we will be aided and guided in our righteous works and desires.

How can we not give credit as well to the temple visits each month. The temple is so huge and must play a role in our lives! D&C 109 & 110 have some incredible promises to those who move forward from the temple to do the work of the Father! With the uniting of missionaries, members, & Heaven we will continue to drive the adversary right out of town!!

Love you,

Elder Gautavai

Therefore What Manner of Men (And Women) Ought We To Be? Verily I Say Unto You Even As I Am - 3 Nephi 27:27

This week's questions for the elder from home. His response in his return email today:

Q1. Thanks for the update on the mission goal(s) for 2013. While just slightly short of the 500 (498) it’s still miraculous that the GAM was able to achieve what it did. Wonderful, just wonderful!
Q2. Thanks for D.'s name to pray on, have you been able to follow-up with her?
Q3. Is there anything that you need at this time?
Q4. Who or what can we add to this week’s prayer list?
A1-4. I'm doing great and am not in need of anything.

Greetings from the South!

L-R Elder Richard Gautavai (Wisconsin Milwaukee), Elder Rylee Gautavai (Canada Montreal), Elder Camree Gautavai (Georgia Atlanta)

With so much to do I leave you this week with simply my testimony of this the work of salvation. I know that this is the work of our Father in Heaven. That even as Rylee has joined God's army, we--all of us feel the urgency and love that our heavenly father has for all his children in moving this great work forward. 

1 Samuel 3:10

The war cry has been sounded, there is no turning back. With the Savior at the head of this royal army, we look unto him in every thought doubting nothing!!..He will use us as His hands and feet as we demonstrate our worthiness and willingness. I testify that the command is clear -- go ye unto all the world and preach the gospel baptizing in the name of the Father and the Son.

One day we will look back as we stand before the judgement bar and we will account for our works here on earth..may we stand there with full confidence that we've talked with everyone that we could, invited everyone, as well moved ourselves forward in progression on the only path leading to salvation and exaltation.

Love you, Elder Gautavai

Another Modern Day Stripling Warrior Joins The Army Today - Elder Rylee Taualai Kawiwoole Gautavai - Canada Montreal French Speaking Mission

Proud of my brother, Rylee - love him so much!!!

“Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and confess their sins before him.” 

– Alma 17:2-4.

photo taken 20 June 2012, Provo MTC

Hurrah for Israel!!!!

I Am Ready Now!

Weekly questions for the elder from home in today's email. The elder's response follows as part of his email.

Q1. Are you in need of anything at this time? 

A1. Nope.

Q2. How did you, the GAM end up for the year (goal of 500)?

A2. All credit to heaven as we achieved 498 baptisms doubling the previous year total!

Q3. Thanks for the update on those you are working with. Who or what can we continue to pray for or add to our daily prayers this week?

A3. D., worked with her on an exchange. We connected really well and she is going to get baptized this month hopefully.

Gotta start off with a miracle! So we went to pick up 5 sisters who on their way to Mexico for their missions. They missed their flight so they are staying here for a couple days. Some mix ups happened and because the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airport is so huge we took a shuttle from the international terminal to domestic terminal. During that time a family of 4 sat by us...and would you believe it they are from wait...MONTREAL CANADA! haha Can you believe it? We shared a pleasant conversation about the gospel and how Ry will be in Montreal in a couple of months. They are going to contact the mission office there and will be on the lookout for an Elder Gautavai (speaking) parle français! Hurrah!!!!!

 

 

Photocredits: GAM

Photocredits: GAM

Photocredits: GAM

Well it has been a very busy week for that I apologize for the short letter last week. Instead of our regular transfer meeting we transferred the entire mission by way of checkpoints. We drove all day Tuesday transferring missionaries and then when the new missionaries arrived we took them to their areas. By the way Elder Stewart, a new missionary is very good friends with Dawson Lake as Dawson worked with him on his mission! Small world!!

Ah! so many exciting things going on here its so hard to put it into words! The Lord blessed us with 498 baptisms last year & the goal is to find even more this year whom He has prepared. It will all start this week as we go to the temple for Zone training meetings each day this week and be instructed by the Father & Son.

Grateful for the gospel, grateful for Ry and his decision to serve now! As Ephraim Hanks responded to then the prophet Brigham Young when asked to go out and rescue the pioneers... I AM READY NOW! Watch out adversary here comes another captain Moroni!  

Look to God and Live!

Love Elder Gautavai

Excited For and Proud of My Brother Ready to Serve in The Canada Montreal LDS French Speaking Mission

The elder's younger brother Rylee joins the army of missionaries in 1 week, Jan 8th. Here is a link to stay up with his missionary life-changing adventures via online blog @ http://elderryleegautavai.blogspot.com