The Assistants sharing the Spirit at Transfer Meeting (Georgia Atlanta Mission Facebook Page)

Driven By Faith

photocred: Georgia Atlanta Mission

God's Economy, Leader = Servant (Matt 23:11)

Hello Family,

Sorry this one will be short again I have just been called to be an Assistant in the GAM so I have been going through training all day. I am doing well and am loving every moment I have out here. I need just a few things: 

1. My temple packet, each zone will be holding its zone training meetings at the temple every month so I'll be needing that.
2. Do we still have the other half of the new socks? If we do could you send those.

Love y'all, Elder Gautavai

Peace, Not As The World Giveth

Visiting with Sister Deborah Harding at Kandis and Stephan Atrice reception in Bountiful

On Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 10:05 AM, Carson Gautavai <carsongautavai@msn.com> wrote:

Mom's questions:
1. Are you in need of anything?
2. How are your investigators progressing, how is the finding?
3. Who can we add to our prayer list and/or continue to pray for this week?

Hello Elder Gautavai,

I hope this letter finds you in the best of spirits and ready to kick off another great week in the mission! Again, what a blessing it is to "get to" recommit and renew ourselves yesterday with the Sabbath and the Sacrament and now a new week. Hopefully you will experience even more growth in faith and testimony and become further converted to the gospel as you come unto Christ each day. Thanks for last week's letter. Although it was brief it spoke volumes as to your commitment and engagement in your call. You're absolutely correct, even p-day's are the Lord's time as you consider your full-time call/commission.

We are all doing well here in Bountiful.The Lord has blessed us with faith and tender mercies through his love and atonement. Because of the gift of the Holy Ghost we can feel the influence of the Spirit which gives us an assurance that His atonement is active in our lives. We all have our challenges in life, some small, some exquisite that push our faith. Challenges in this life are necessary and part of God's plan for us to improve and accomplish his purposes. However, just as true and certain is the help that is available to us through the plan of salvation and the atonement of Jesus Christ. As we exercise faith and trust in the Lord we will be blessed and strengthened to overcome. 

Over the weekend we attended the funeral of Mitch and Rachel (Toone) Waite's infant son who passed away from complications of an enlarged heart from birth. Lewie Waite was born on Memorial day and lived 45 days. Lewie' parents described the period as a roller-coaster of emotions for the Waite and Toone families as the doctors at Primary's Children hospital battled to help Lewie overcome his physical challenges. Hearing, Seeing and Feeling the peace that his parents have at this time as a result of turning their hearts and will to the Lord in this challenge, accessing the unmatched strength to carry on through the Atonement, recognizing that through the restoration of the gospel and priesthood keys our eternal possibilities as families made my faith and commitment stronger. The spirit bore witness to me of the great need we as members of the church have to proclaim the glad message of the restored gospel. We can be the vessels that the spirit can work through to bring the Savior's peace to others as we all experience mortalities challenges and troubled times.

I want to bear you my witness of the Savior. I know He lives, Jesus is REAL to me! I will strive to follow Him faithfully by seeking the daily companionship of the Holy Ghost and taking courage to act on the impressions and promptings received. The Atonement is for both sinner, and saint. I will strive to Abide in Him and not just seek that He the Savior Abide in me! Elder share the message, His message so succinctly described by Alma in ALMA 7:12. That's HOW, that's WHY we are involved in this great cause of salvation, this wonderful gathering of Israel, the work of the Lord! I so testify. The Book of Mormon answers ALL, ALL questions in life!! It brings the Savior's peace to a troubled world. It is the word of God. Living prophets will keep us on the path and guide us back home as we listen and obey. I am thankful there is one magnificent and pure gospel, but even more grateful that there are so many wonderful ways of living it!!! Our job is to find that way for us and build and expand upon it! A testimony while necessary and important in many instances is not sufficient to withstand the buffetings of the adversary. Hence, we must be converted to the Savior and His gospel to help us push through and increase our faith. I strive to be active in the gospel first, which will aid me to be active in the church, while each is distinct one from the other (gospel/church), make no mistake they are connected and important. Conversion is the key. Become Converted to Him, by Coming unto Him. Try His Works to DO! Hoorah for Israel!!

Love you more than you know. We Are One!!!

In Him,
Dad

Still Soaring in the ATL 1 Year Later #AllGlory2God

Gospel in Action: Not Really A P-Day, But Not Really My Time

Hello Family,

Sorry this one has to be short as our p-day is being spent helping others move and fellowshiping some investigators...not really a p-day, but again not really my time...it's the Lord's so we are joyfully marching along. We are doing well here we continue to live as He would have us live and take the gospel to all the world.

till next week,

Love Elder Gautavai

Grace Shall Be As Your Day

This weeks questions of the elder and his responses in this mornings email/letter:

Q1. Need anything?

A1. Nope doing well.

Q2. Did Linda get baptized? How's John doing?

A2. Sister Linda was baptized!! Elder Perez and I were both in the font as she is very weak. Brother John came and is progressing really well. Brother Love received the priesthood yesterday which was a really neat experience.

Q3. Who can we pray for this week?

A3. Please continue to pray for the Loves.

Hello Family,

What a blessing it is to be able to write to y'all each week. Moreover, how blessed we are for the technology of today enabling us to communicate and more importantly share the gospel across the earth.

Elder Perez and I are doing really well here in Whitewater. With the baptism of sister Linda G. on Thursday we were excited to finally bring to a close the finding experience and at the same time embark on a new beginning for sister Linda's life that will continue to bless her through eternity. She has a wonderful personal story and journey. Sister Linda has been meeting with missionaries for 2 years being found the old fashion way, tracting. Though her journey has been challenging with many trials and tribulations, the Baptism Thursday night marked an important step in her personal quest for peace. The spirit was incredible!! She was introduced to a ton of members who have welcomed and love her with open arms. Y'all can imagine the happiness this has brought to the Whitewater ward. 

The members of the Whitewater ward have been so excited about the work since last Sunday's Leadership broadcast. Yesterday for the 3rd hour combined-meeting we talked about missionary work. Elder Perez and I talked about our purpose as missionaries, and not just as full-time missionaries. The Fayetteville stake is totally on board with missionary work especially after last month where the stake witnessed 16 wonderful souls here in the Zone enter the waters of baptism entering the gate to the path that points to eternal life; something that hasn't happened in this stake and mission in 3 years. Although it's not about the numbers; each number reflects an individual who we didn't miss and the goals in which we set is a reflection of the desires of our hearts! Yes, it so incredible to see the work moving forward!

Busy as always, but wanted to make sure you got an email to know that I love y'all! This work is true and will continue to move forward with or without us....so we might as well get on board..Hoorah for Israel!!  

Love Elder Gautavai