You Can Make The Pathway Bright, Fill The Soul With Heaven's Light

Weekly questions for the elder from home leading off this morning's email. The elder's response follows in his email.

Q1. That would be great if you can send pictures..do you need memory cards for the camera?
A1. Yes I sent the memory card off today, another memory card would be great.
Q2. That’s very kind and generous of bishop Kennedy to help with the alterations. Those are the suits you went out with? Also can you get us his email address or home address.
A2. I will be sure to get you that contact information, yes the suits I came out with.
Q3. Thanks for the update on those you are working with including Ben. We'll continue to combine our faith with yours’ in their behalf. I placed Chase, Ben and Sarah's names on the prayer roll list in the temple Saturday as well. Who can we add this week to our prayers?
A3. GAM, with specific regard to each missionary to BE full of faith, exactly obedient, so that they and we as a mission will be able to realize every-soul-find-a-soul!

Greetings!

What wonderful news! As we journey forward in this search & rescue it's amazing to see the hand of the Lord in my life and yours. Super excited for Ry! I'm certain this Sunday will be an extremely powerful experience for all involved with his farewell! Can't wait to hear reports on it.

This last week we conducted more mission president interviews as well as mission council and new missionary trainings. One thing I absolutely have come to love is the feelings and experience associated with having sincere prayers in my heart during these trainings as I really have been focusing on what it is the Lord wants me to say and facilitate allowing the spirit to be the teacher. I've tried to model Elder Bednar's way of teaching via the Holy Ghost. Despite it being a challenge, it has been super, super, SUPER, neat to rely solely on the spirit for guidance and direction.

With Fayetteville ZL Elder Moodie at Senoia Christmas Parade

Saturday Elder Freeman and I went on an exchange with the Whitewater elders, Zone Leaders, Elder Perez & Moodie. I partnered with Elder Moodie and man we went out hard! We talked with everyone, inviting all to come and hear the glorious message of the restoration and to be baptized. The Senoia City Christmas parade made for a wonderful opportunity Saturday night to talk with everyone in a normal natural setting. I love talking with people and connecting on a personal level discovering spiritual needs and being sure to always talk about the restoration and an invitation to come unto to Christ as means of filling those needs.

HUGE miracle!!; seeing as the Lord sees!! It's about Beth K. a recent convert in the Whitewater ward (my previous ward) who was found by Elder Perez & Moodie. I discovered for the first time where Beth lived Saturday while on exchange with Elder Moodie. When we pulled up to her house, I remembered knocking on the door of the house next to hers and talking with her aunt. Beth was outside of the house when an angry unknown man came running at my companion and I wanting to know what we were doing, angrily requesting we leave. He yelled at us saying that we were soliciting and that he would call the cops on us. After numerous attempts to lovingly explain to him that we were representatives of Jesus Christ and that we had a beautiful message, that He lives, the man again demanded we leave and so we obliged and walked to knock on the surrounding doors. Despite the fact we had left his house area, he preceded to follow us verbally directing us to the complex exit. In a calm, controlled manner I said to the man that he could call the police if he wanted but it was our calling to tell people about the restoration of the gospel and we would continue on despite his objection.

Unbeknownst to us, Beth had witnessed this whole exchange and felt so bad for us. She would tell us that she didn't know we were Mormon missionaries. Beth thought we were Jehovah Witnesses. In conversations with Elder Perez & Moodie after I was transferred out, she told them that it was then that her heart started yearning for God and that if she ever got the chance to see those two young men again she would apologize for her neighbors attitude and harsh treatment and to thank them for standing up for what they believe in. Well we had a wonderful opportunity to be with Beth Saturday and to explain that we were those young men who she was talking about.

Another busy week awaits us as we have zone training meetings throughout the week. Before you know it, it will be Christmas and transfer planning!

A favor if I could ask; would each of you send me your testimony of the Savior sometime this week as the Christmas approaches, that would be wonderful!

Well another week awaits each of us to be better than before. Love you with everything I have!

Love, Elder Gautavai

A Royal Generation, A Preach My Gospel Generation

Questions from home for the elder in this morning's email. The elder's response followed in his email back:

Q1. How are you clothes holding up? Do you need replacements?
A1. Clothes are holding up just great. Bishop Kennedy wanted to take my suits, the two that are loose to get altered so I'm going to touch base with him on that.
Q2. How is the elder from Bountiful doing? (the one who graduated with Rylee)
A2. Elder Woodward? He is doing good, he is in Dunwoody on the east side of Atlanta.
Q3. Do have pictures you can send? Do you have any of the choir event recently?
A3. Yes I can send some they will come next week after the trainings. Someone took pictures of it so I'm sure I can find some.
Q4. Are you in need of anything at this time?
A4. Negative.
Q5. Hopefully things are progressing with your finding and teaching, especially with C.C. We’ve been praying for him and others you may not have found as yet. We included his name as well as B.’s on the temple prayer rolls this week.
A5. We haven't been able to get in contact with C.C. recently..Still trying! B. came to church at the YSA ward yesterday super big step for him!!
Q6. Who can we pray for this week?
A6. S.S. She will be having a super important surgery this week.

Brian Bishop, Elder Freeman photocred: Brad & Debbie Bishop

Good morning!

I'm right there with you, December just popped up seemingly out of no where. The average length of service for our missionaries is around 8 months. This makes me feel old! ha ha Starting to feel so much excitement to take it to the next level and find, teach, and baptize even more people that the Lord has prepared and readied for us. Just gotta find 'em with the help of the Spirit!

With this year coming to a close, our goal is for every missionary, every companionship, every soul-find-a-soul; that each companionship baptize at least 2 people a month. We are praying, training, and working ever so hard to help the missionaries locate find and secure at least 2 on our climb up the mountain. Its neat with how young the mission is to see how important it is to teach, invite, follow-up and re-teach with great love. Does that sound familiar in the parenting world? lol

The South must be flooded with the Book of Mormon!! I have never felt more sure and confident in that then now. One thing that has been absolutely incredible is carrying a soft cover of the Book of Mormon everywhere; keeping it attached to us always..reminds us of the incredible news of the Restoration and the importance to share it with the world! I love testifying of the Book of Mormon in a part of the Lords vineyard where the Savior is worshiped. We are just bringing the second half of the story to them!

I second that of Rylee being sent to BYU first before heading out on the mission. I've always had a strong feeling that the prophets call to lower the age of missionary service over a year ago was in part with the Lord needing mighty leaders like Ry in this great battle,..not to destroy the enemy..but more so to rescue those who have fallen into enemy hands.

Hurrah for Israel!!! Joseph Smith did see God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon is evidence of this remarkable truth! We have a prophet on the earth today who if we will listen to his voice..we will return safely to Father one day!

Most importantly may you know I love you!! I can trace back experiences where each of you have propelled me to this point in time. I can clearly see this and also see why.

Well, I'm fixin' to go find some people to teach!

Till next week,

Love, Elder Gautavai 

Thanksgiving Blessing - They Did Not Doubt Their Mothers

From: Elder Camree Gautavai
Date: November 25, 2013 at 9:29:27 AM MST

To: Rochelle Gautavai

Mom,

In case you weren't aware, you are loved by me so much!

259 missionaries is a lot! What's so wonderful mom is that they all have different challenges and levels of desire..But they are here and I love them just for being here and love the Lord because he trusts us so much with each one. If it were easy why would they need us? So the traveling assistants role is to travel and train companionship's that president has selected. They don't have an area. What this means is that we take care of the administrative things, train, and are able to build a model-area in the YSA ward.

Sister Harding, AP's Elder Gautavai, Elder Freeman, President Harding photocred GAM

We do live in the same apartment. Elder Freeman is from Lehi, Utah and knows a lot of people that I know from out that way. He plays lacrosse and has diabetes. I have never served with a companion with so much faith and love. Truly the Lord sent him to me so that I could learn from him. I'm going to soak up everything from elder Freeman before he departs. The Lord is so aware of me/us. I have seen and felt Him sustain me in this assignment no doubt! My Patriarchal blessing is absolutely blowing me away as I have been reading it each night and finding answers and direction on how to deal with situations I face.

Mom, I need to tell you I find so much joy in Talking With Everyone!!! Whether it be in the grocery store, in the parking lot, at a restaurant, wherever..I love talking with people connecting with them. President Harding has helped us learn how to have normal conversations with everyone. One thing I love is just going for it, inviting people to church or to read the book of Mormon. We must find those that have been prepared or are being prepared who will receive us and in order to do that we have to talk with everyone!! I have set a goal this week to meet 10 new people each day.

Great to hear of your temple experiences! For Thanksgiving Bishop Kennedy invited us over for dinner. I love this mighty leader!! Each time I see him he is always doing something to hasten the work. Last night the Whitewater Ward Choir and Hartford United Methodist choir combined at the stake center signing praises and medley's of hymns and revival hymns! History in the making!!

To the woman who will always be my "number 1" whom I look to for so much! I love you dearly mother! God bless you this week and forever more!

Love, Elder Gautavai

"The Rapstoration" - Elder "O" Missionaries Opening Their Mouths, Word

Missionary Work, Temples Are Key in The Gathering of Israel

Weekly questions for the elder from home included in our email this morning. The elder's response follows in his return email:

Q1. Are you in need of anything at this time?
A1. Negative.
Q2. What are your plans for Thanksgiving day and dinner?
A2. We will be trying to find some new YSA adults to teach and later in the day eat at a member in our (YSA) ward, we will be over at Bishop Kennedy's of the Whitewater ward for dinner.
Q3. Thanks for the update on C.C and B.S. I was able to take both names with me to the Temple Saturday and place on the prayer rolls..who else can we join our faith and prayers with yours this week?
A3. You can include S. & A. D., two sisters we met at yogurt stop talking with everyone :)

Greetings from down South,

It is so wonderful and great to see the family at the temple. The house of the Lord is a special place where we can be taught by the Lord if we prepare in a way that allows us to be open to receive revelation, furthermore what we experience inside the temple may largely be correlated to how well we have lived and prepared outside the temple. Living at a higher level through scripture study, prayer, fasting, obedience, of consecration all play a fundamental role in helping us gain the full experience at the temple. I know that the temples that dot the earth today play a HUGE role in the gathering of Israel in fulfillment of the prophesy and the promises made to Abraham. With that said it all starts with sharing the gospel and BAPTIZING!!

I'm absolutely loving this time of great search and rescue I am so privileged to be apart of. I have learned so much from Elder Steele and know I will continue to learn even more from Elder Freeman. Elder Freeman is from Lehi, Utah and is familiar with many of the same people that I know from out that way. He has such tremendous faith and zeal in doing this work. With two transfers left he is looking to MAKE IT HAPPEN!!! 

Wow! Talking with Everyone is by far the greatest! I truly find joy in talking with everyone, everywhere! We are to find those that will receive us, we do not know who they are so we must talk with everyone!

I continue to do well and love serving with those in whom I labour along side. Sorry this is short..I love all of you! Each one of you has played a key role in helping me to this point! VICTORY!!! KEEP CLIMBING!!!

Love, Elder Gautavai

Become As A Little Mekelee

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

Q1. Do you need anything at this time?

A1. No.

Q2. How is C.C. progressing? How did you find him?

A2. He is doing pretty good he brought his g-friend to the lesson and we set them both on date for the 7th. We lost contact with them for a little bit so they would be a good one to pray for.

Q3. Who can we unitedly lend our faith and prayers for this week?

A3. B.S., He is having a rough time being a recent convert especially being the only one in his family. With him being a YSA, I'm trying to get him to the ward and help him go through the temple.

Greetings from the South!

This week has been a very busy week. We attended the temple with the ATL zones in our mission on Tuesday. While at the temple I had the impression to talk to the missionaries in my training about having the vision of the Savior and then putting the work in to make it happen. What was cool is the very clear prompting I received while there to tell them about Mekelee. So when it came time to train I first shared the story of Mekelee wanting to be the best football player, not just in his age, but the best period. Mekelee's vision for who he wanted to become drove him to work constantly, training with Ry and the high school team, in the backyard, watching film and so on. Anyway, it was so powerful! We all need a little "Mekelee fire" in us. President Harding second witnessed that and shared how Mekelee is like a giant spiritually, sharing how he helped him with his talk a couple of stake conferences ago as a member of the stake presidency.

I will be receiving a new companion as my dear companion Elder Steele will finish his last two transfers as a Traveling Assistant. My new companion is Elder Freeman. He will serve his last two transfers as an Assistant as he goes home with Elder Steele as well.

The work is hastening! The missionaries will provide the wave. WE, just have to CATCH THE WAVE!

Keep climbing!!!

Love, Elder Gautavai

Invitation: The Work of Salvation Connects All Things Heaven and Earth

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

Q1. How was your temple service and leadership council/trainings?

A1. Amazing! Temple service is a MUST!!

Q2. Are you in need of anything at this time?

A2. Negative.

Q3. Who can we join in faith and prayer for this week?

A3. C.C. our wonderful investigator who we are teaching tonight at the church.

Happy Veterans Day from the South!

AP's Elder Steele and Elder Gautavai Atlanta Georgia Temple

Another week has flown by here in the GAM. With zone training meetings all this last week, it gave us the opportunity to continue to attend the temple as part of the schedule. I love the temple, the perspective for life it gives is simply remarkable. I have been fortunate to attend the temple often while here on the mission. By attending the temple, I have grown to love our Heavenly Father deeply and have so much more gratitude for HIM. I am at awe with his love for us and all his children.

Before heading into an endowment session, President Posey (temple president) briefly shared with us these thoughts. Not only is it important for the one soul who is baptized here on this earth, but for their ancestors who have passed on. He said as 1 soul(convert) progresses and enters the temple, it is equivalent to 1000 souls(converts) who will eventually enter the temple because of the 1 soul. Then came his invitation to us....although 1 soul is great in the eyes of God, there are many who are ready and waiting to "come unto HIM." How great would be your joy if many more were brought unto HIM. Hence the HASTENING! Making BAPTISM so important!  

As I pondered and meditated upon President Posey's invitation this week, my desire to do all I can has increased tremendously.

Our focus with all our valiant missionaries is returning back to our purpose--to INVITE & BAPTIZE--working with our faithful members, active & less active to find those to BAPTIZE. Also, to have the FAITH to get out there and MAKE IT HAPPEN by tracting and talking with everyone etc. With our recent visits from prophets, seers and revelators, we were reminded that as full time missionaries we are vital in the work of salvation. That it is important we do our part. IT IS SO SIMPLE!!

Thank you for sending me the article on the USST that I requested. Serving with President Harding and Elder Steele has helped me realize I must always be worthy of the promptings of the spirit, but more importantly have the courage to follow it. Thus, receiving the prompting to ask for the article. As of yet, I have not shared it with any of the zones. I am waiting for the direction of the spirit to guide me to use it at the appropriate time. That is certainly an adjustment that I have made, listening to the spirit and figuring out what exactly is needed in the training meetings. 

We are busy as ever with one more zone training meeting this week and then transfer prep! Can you believe its already transfer time!?

Well I gotta run. If there is anything I can do for y'all please let me know. Praying for your success each and every day. GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN! KEEP CLIMB'N!

Love, Elder Gautavai