Do We Know What We Really Have?!

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

Q1. Did you get your package from home ok? Was it what you were looking for? (shampoo 3-in-1, snacks). I put a disc with church music in too.
A1. Yes I did, it was all that I was looking for, Thank you!
Q2. Will the GAM be utilizing any of the technology tools? (social media, iPads, etc) in the future?
A2. Here in the next couple of months we will start using the iPads, eventually will be teaching lessons through Facetime and things of that nature.
Q3. Do you need anything at this time?
A3. Nope doing well.
Q4. Who can we continue to pray for or add to our daily/this week prayer list?

A4. The usual would be great, J. who we were teaching is progressing and we are expecting his baptism this week.

** Tell Sole Badger (Mekelee) to look at his email I left him a little note!

Greetings from the South!

Another week has completely blown by us. With at least 4 trips to the airport, transfer planning and prep for this week's arrival of Elder David F. Evans, it was very busy last week filled with opportunities to stretch and strengthen ourselves, our commitment in the hastening of the work of salvation here in the great GAM.

Elder Frances Bernard upon his arrival to the GAM. Photocred: GAM

I had a wonderful opportunity to greet, and to sit and talk with Elder Bernard Tuesday as he arrived in the mission and some more on Wednesday before he was off with his trainer companion to his new area.  

It's quite fascinating to see our Father in Heaven's hand in even the smallest details of His work such as providing the means by which we can support 230 plus missionaries and being able to know at all times how each of them are doing. I have witnessed this time and time again as we search for apartments, cars, member housing, and so much more. Truly remarkable!

This upcoming week we are very excited to be able host Elder David F. Evans, of the Quorum of the Seventy and the Executive Director of the Missionary Department who will be conducting a tour of the GAM. I'm so pumped to hear from him as so much of the spotlight has been placed on missionary work. He will preside over and conduct zone training meetings on Thursday and Friday with all 6 zones as well as Thursday night fireside for missionaries, investigators, less-actives, and recent converts. Under his direction we will hold temple tours, baptisms for the dead for the recent converts, and fireside meeting later that night. The last count we have so is 230 are set to attend. This again should be very exciting!!

Elder Oaks, Elder Soares, Elder Giddens, Elder Evans

The following week over 500 missionaries will be gathered in Atlanta as we will have the privilege to hear from Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve who will be accompanied by Elder Ulisses Soares of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder M. Keith Giddens (Area Seventy). We are so thrilled in anticipation of seeing, hearing, and feeling what the next step the Lord has in mind for the GAM.

Photocred: GAM

President Harding continues to show why he is the man whom our prophet has called to lead our young but valiant army here in the GAM. Being able to talk with him almost daily, and to be around him a good part of the week you cannot help but know he holds the keys for missionary work here in GAM. So many lessons have been learned by observing him and following his inspired counsel, it's not hard to KNOW that anything is possible because we have a leader of his stature, faith, and diligence.

I bare witness this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is only two choices we have in this life; whether we are willing to follow the Savior and his teachings and be guided by him, or go some other way, (any other way, every other way, going it alone) sure to leave us full of grief and despair. In our ward we had a baptism Katie H. She bore her testimony saying: "We as members of the Church don't know how lucky we are to have all of our questions answered through the gospel of Jesus Christ." How true that is!!! The Gospel answers every question. One step closer to Heaven, Keep CLIMB'N, WE HAVE MORE MOUNTAINS TO CLIMB, now and FOREVER!

Love, Elder Gautavai

Flashback - The Elders of Fall

AP's Elder Gautavai, Elder Steele Photocred: GAM

GAM Missionaries Attend BYU vs. Georgia Tech to Meet and Talk with Fans

Sorry Busy Change'n Me, The World!

I apologize for the late response. 'Been very busy today traveling picking up missionaries and transporting them to the airport.

I love you all!

Elder Gautavai

I'll Go, I'll Say, I'll Be What You Want Me To Be

Elder Heath, Elder Richard Gautavai - Wausau ZL - On Wisconsin!

Periodic check-in of the elder's cousin, Elder Richard Gautavai who is currently serving as a Zone leader in the Wisconsin Milwaukee mission. Elder Gautavai entered the mission January 2012.

Good morning, good morning!

We here in Wisconsin Rapids were very impressed with this past weekend of General Conference. I felt the Lord's voice in many of His servants, and I felt his call to do more, to become more, and to lengthen our strides. This past conference answered numerous amounts of questions for me here in the field, and my faith has increased. I left General Conference with a clear understanding of part of the Lord's vision for me.

I want to thank you for what you said before I came into the field (I will address this later). As you know, I was strongly impressed a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to return home on January 3rd. I was so sure. But after much asking, seeking, and knocking, I decided that January 30th was when I should return home.

Upon calling President Cutler and informing him that I would not be returning home for school, I was immediately racked with thoughts of torment and regret. I had never before been plagued by so much doubt and confusion. For the next couple of days I felt that I was making the wrong decision, and that everything was wrong. I was then attacked again to finish my mission casually, and even worse, as disobedient as I could. As I felt these feelings, my faith began to grow. I knew that the Lord loved me, and I knew that He is not the author of confusion, and He began to speak peace to my soul.

I will share with you the thoughts that I left with Rylee concerning my decision to labor in the field.

Yes, I have decided to come home on January 30th. I actually changed my decision, but I have received a confirmation from the Lord that January 30th is an acceptable time for me to return home. I will share with you 2 things that helped me to make this decision:

1 - President Cutler, lovingly, suggested that the First Presidency had full intentions on every missionary, regardless of schooling, should serve for the intended 2 years. I felt a deep impression that this is exactly what the Lord would have for all of his children, and that demonstrating faith in the Lord's commands always brings increased testimony.

2 - Elder Perkins, a Seventy in the church, came to our mission and taught us that one way that missionaries can model their lives is after that of the mission president's and his wife's. I was touched deeply by this statement as both President Jones and President Cutler have moved me to exercise greater faith than I ever have before. I thought back to a letter that President Cutler had written me where he talked about how he had postponed his early arrival for school to labor in the field. I see how this small sacrifice has brought him to a greater and deeper understanding of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it touched my heart that this is a path worthy of following.

While there have been other things that have influenced my decision to stay in Wisconsin for the additional 3 weeks or so, your father's voice has also rung through my mind. Right before I went into the MTC he told me that, "nothing is more important here at home than the things you will do for the next 2 years."

I testify that serving a full-time mission is a commandment from the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as obeying the Word of Wisdom and going to church each Sunday is a commandment, serving a full 2 year mission is the same. President Monson has said, "that every worthy, able young man should prepare to serve a mission. Missionary service is a priesthood duty, an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much."

I would encourage you to share this wonderful knowledge with those of your friends who may struggle with the choice to serve a mission. It is a commandment of God, and it has changed my life forever. The Lord himself declared this in the Doctrine and Covenants saying, "And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen."

I can't help but say thank you for reminding me more than 20 months ago that there is nothing more important than serving God, and putting God first. I now know that Satan is doing all that he can to thwart the work of our Father in Heaven and deep inside individuals as well.

I have felt the song of redeeming love, and am grateful for this wonderful work that we are blessed to engage in. I love this Gospel, I love this church, and I love the Lord Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that we may all find safety as we lose ourselves in the service of the Lord.

Love you guys!

Elder Gautavai

The Heavens Were Open This Weekend, Wide Open!

General Conference - I Got Time For That!

Strive To Be One, Even As They Are One In Purpose

AP's Elder Gautavai, Elder Steele @ GAM mission home with Bro. Sis. Jensen of Bountiful, Utah Photocred: GAM

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

Q1. You look great! How are you able to drop the weight? Running, not eating as much/better, all of the above?

A1. All of the above. We try to run 3-4 miles a day a lot of push-ups and sit-ups as well. Not eating as much and took out bread, rice, most dairy. Living off of chicken, talapia and beans.

Q2. The Church magazine photos and article is creating quite the buzz here, are the families in the photos members of the ward/stake in Fayetteville? The pictures are great!!

A2. Yes they are members in the Whitewater Ward, creating quite the buzz down here as well you can feel wards and members taking ownership of the charge to take the gospel to all the world.

Thanks for the update on the L.'s and in particular sister L., I have some thoughts on this situation I will share in my email note.

Q3. How's T. progressing? A great example of preparing yourself spiritually and being an agent ACTING in faith (ask --> find, knock --> opened).

That's funny about noticing Ry's getting stronger/bigger haha…Are you in need of anything at this time?

A3. We gave T. to the YSA sisters, with our schedule being so hectic it was hard to set up a time to teach. Anyway, can I get some American Crew Shampoo and some healthy snacks (cliff protein bars, dried mango's, anything you can think of will do!)

Q4. The L.'s, T., who else can we pray for this week?

A4. Extra faith and prayers for the L. Family, in particular Sister L. and daughter N. They are scheduled to be baptized on Sunday during conference. Missionaries working hard with members to help her and her daughter get to the waters of baptism this week.

To my AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING Family,

Wow! All y'all are doing so well! Ry looks great and seems to be very happy! I'm going to be praying extra hard for him this week that he may have peace of mind and heart with the confidence to move mountains in school and on the field! Sole Badger, every report I hear about you is nothing but amazing..must be because YOU ARE AMAZING! Mighty Teancums are these two (Ry and Mekelee) wouldn't you agree? Praying for both of them and their success this week.

TEANCUM

A great military leader in the days of Captain Moroni who mourned the bloodshed and famine caused by so much war. He slew many great enemies of the Nephites such as Morianton, Amalickiah and Ammoron. Although he was not able to escape with his life after the assasination of Ammoron, that act ended the war. Teancum lived and died bravely, defending his people and their liberty.

(Alma 50 - 62)

It is just incredible!! We live in a time in the history of the world where the gospel has been restored to the earth, God's power (Holy Ghost) and His authority are here to guide us through this mortal sojourn. The answer, the solution was put in place (Atonement) to help us overcome our short comings and sin, feelings of guilt and shame, and turmoil. Because of these things we may receive eternal life and all the Savior asks is to come follow Him, to repent and be baptized into His church -- the only church that He is at the head of, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and then NEVER GIVE UP (endure to the end). Moreover, be to church every week to offer Him a broken heart and contrite spirit to then partake of His holy sacrament to renew our covenant with Him, get to the temple make more sacred covenants and preach and live the gospel! I say, now how easy is that!?!

In my studies of the Doctrine of Christ this week 2 Nephi 31, 3 Nephi 11, 3 Nephi 27 i began to understand with my previous temple visits this incredible principle we call unity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are so unified in one purpose its remarkable.

2 Nephi 31: 10-12, 14-15

10 And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? 

11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. 

12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

14 But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me. 

15 And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

In all of these incredible chapters we see the Father testifying of the Son, the Son testifying of the Father, and the Holy Ghost testifying of the Father and the Son. Can you imagine what it would be like if missionaries and members unified like the 3 members of the Godhead and invited everyone to come and be baptized? Can you imagine the support we would have from the Father and the Son and Holy Ghost!?

Excited to hear the prophet address us this week one year after the historic announcement that hastened the rescue here on this earth. We do have a living prophet on the earth who leads and guides us! May we do as Alma who listened to the words of the prophet Abinadi and have the faith to bring about a mighty change in our lives to unify with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and then preach the gospel!

There are 3 types of people

1. Those who make it happen
2. Those who watch it happen
3. Those who wonder what happened

Let's all be the 1st!

Till Next Week, Keep Climbing!! GO COUGARS!

Love Elder Gautavai