Final Email From The Field - Hope of Israel

Helpful Key (counsel elder received from President Harding early on)
M1 - mission before the mission (preparing)
M2 - the mission
M3 - mission after the mission (building upon)

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

With the M2 phase of my life coming to a close, I feel a great sense of peace and a greater commitment to serve the Lord to the end as I have the past 2 years. I'm incredibly humbled and keenly aware that through the atonement of Jesus Christ we may all receive God's greatest gifts (eternal life, endowed with power, remission of sin) if we will live the gospel of Jesus Christ that is only found in one place.

As a representative of Jesus Christ I testify that our Heavenly Father knows us so intimately and is aware of our individual circumstances. These past two years have been the most challenging yet rewarding years of my life to this point and will set the course for the M3. I'm very excited to keep this work moving forward in the M3! It really never ends it's only the beginning with the knowledge I feel at peace with where I'm at and know that when the time comes later this week I will be asked by the Lord to go back and continue to hasten His work from home.

The people of Georgia, in particular the saints have my heart to its fullest. Among others reasons I know I was sent here so that I could experience the love and faith of the saints here in Georgia.

I testify that Joseph Smith did in fact see God the Father and His son Jesus Christ and because he did there is no middle ground in this work. It's either true or it's not and the only way we will come to know if it is or not is through the Book of Mormon. I testify that President Thomas S. Monson is  a prophet of God who holds all the priesthood keys with the authority to use them and because he does a wave of missionaries have been sent out into the mission field and has made clear that members and missionaries are to partner together in bringing others to the Savior.

Elder Gautavai set apart as Full-time missionary at his home the evening before entering the MTC. Pictured with President John R. & Sister Deborah Harding (photographed June 19, 2012)

Lastly I testify that President Harding is the mouth piece for missionary work in the Georgia Atlanta Area. I testify that he is our Captain Moroni here in the South who continues to raise expectations to the level the Savior is asking. I love President Harding with everything that is in me words do not do justice as to the love and loyalty I feel to him and his leadership. He along with many others have taught me how to be a priesthood man and how to be a true leader not by the way the world would define a leader but using the Savior's example in leading.

Thursday, June 19th will mark the end of M2 and beginning of M3; no stopping only continuing to move forward!

Thank you for all of your prayers and support these last two years--I feel it; always!

Love,

Elder Gautavai

Last Father's Day, Sabbath In The GAM

Photo courtesy of Elder and Sister Allen GAM

Assistants Elders Bernard, Gautavai, Webster, Porter, President Harding | Photo courtesy of GAM

Make It Happen, Still!

Weekly questions from home for the elder. His response as part of his return email received today.

Q1. Are you in need of anything at this time?
A1. No i'm doing well.
Q2. In addition to those from the past, who can we add to our prayer list for this week?
A2. Tyler H.

Hello Family,

Bike exchange in the Georgia heat!

Bishop and Sister Kennedy w/ Brother and Sister Day and their children.  Sister Day is their daughter

Although I'm doing great, it's been very bittersweet. I realize that there is a time and a season for all things including when the Savior returns. Nonetheless, we can still do more to give others the chance to come unto the Christ and fulfill the commission that everyone be baptized by water and fire (Holy Ghost).

We wrapped up our boot camps this week and we were visited by Elder Steele! What a huge surprise! I enjoyed every moment being with him and hearing of the great efforts in missionary work that lay ahead. Elder Bernard is my new companion and will be my last. We have been on a couple of exchanges this last week and are running hard through the finish! There is never a moment to stop and stand still.

Gotta get going and will talk to you next week!

Love,

Elder Gautavai

GAM Boot Camp 2014 Round 2

(All photos courtesy of the GAM)

GAM Boot Camp 2014 Round 1

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

Q1. We shipped a box with goodies for you..which you should have received, it will keep you in check for the remainder of time left, as well as when your on the go/road with exchanges.
A1. I did get it thank you! However it didn't last more than 2 days. I decided to share with some other elders which was a blessing!
Q2. Take some photos on your journeys if possible.
A2. Will do.
Q3. The boot-camps from what we see on Facebook looked really cool. We enjoyed seeing you leading the pack with the running (too good). You look great!!
A3. haha yeah gotta lead from the front, not the back!
Q4. Are you in need of anything else that we are not aware of at this time?
A4. No.
Q5. We have been earnestly praying for you, M.P., Ta, Sh, Ka, Dx and carrying all y'alls name to the temple each week..should we add others for this week?
A5. Mn.

Greetings family!

Again time is short I wish I could tell you all that has been going on here at the GAM. We continue to press forward with unshaken faith, exact obedience, with absolute trust that if we will open our mouths as commanded, talking with more people and increasing member involvement, we will see many enter into the waters of baptisms here shortly. FAITH, DILLIGENCE, PATIENCE!

Thank you for ya'lls letter it really meant so much and was needed right at the particular time I received it. President is truly inspired!

Great to hear the Elder is learning and growing in the greenhouse (mission) that President Jewkes our first counselor describes that we as missionaries are in.

Well Gotta GO!

I love you,

Elder Gautavai

All Photos courtesy of GAM

Elder & Sister Parker of the Quorum of Seventy