Heart, Might (Spirit), Mind and Strength To Make Big Things Happen!

Answers to questions from today's email:

Q - Do you need anything?
A -  Nope I'm great. Can you let the Guynn's know of my great appreciation and gratitude for their package they hand delivered. Unfortunately, I was out and about when they stopped in and I didn't get a chance to thank them personally.

Q - Do you keep in contact with P$ and B?

A -  Yeah we stay in touch quite a bit trying to get them to bring more YSA's over to the YSA ward.

Q - Do you communicate (email) with others beside family?

A - Nope just y'all.

Q - With Mother's day on the horizon (2 weeks) do you know if you will be able to Skype?

A - Yes. I know we will be able to Skype just unsure as to where at this time.

Q - Who can we continue to pray for or add to our prayer list?

A - Pray for us here in Whitewater we have set our visions high this transfer and our going to put forth the faith and obedience to make big things happen.

Hello Family,

Well it's great to write y'all. Another week has quickly flown by here in the GAM. It's been simply amazing to see the Lord's hand in all of our lives as we welcomed around 30 new missionaries to the GAM this week. We said goodbye to our 2 departing missionaries on Wednesday. Elder Pasiaka from New Zealand was one of the departing missionaries. My new companion is Elder Javier Perez also from Bountiful. Elder Perez attended Viewmont and has been out 14 months. I am so stoked for the opportunity to serve with him as he is another ZL, and we really work well together!!! Elder Perez was born in Argentina living there until he was 7. He is a convert who was a member of the Catholic church previously. He enjoys playing rugby and is real a blast to be around. We find great joy in physically "wasting, and wearing out" ourselves out for the cause of Christ. Days seem to fly right by us. My previous companion, Elder Ercanbrack headed up to Calhoun, Georgia the northern most tip of our mission.

This transfer in our Zone we have started a "40 Day Fast" that will take us to the end of this transfer. As part of the 40DF we will be eliminating 10 deviations that seem to poke at our Spirituality in hopes to having more of the spirit in our lives -- the most precious gift we can receive. Our zone's goal is for every companionship to bring a family unto Christ by May 31. The excitement has been contagious as we are seeing the missionaries in our zone become completely engaged enjoying this unity in gathering. 

What has also been incredible to me is the chance that I have had to work closely with inspired men as President Harding, President Jewkes (counselor in mission presidency) as well as Bishop Kennedy of the Whitewater ward who loves, loves missionary work and the growth that it is bringing in the ward. I had the opportunity to go on splits and minister with Bishop Kennedy Tuesday night. His love for those he serves is incredible!! We enjoyed going into the homes of returning members (LA) inviting them back to church to fellowship with the saints.

Continuing to keep all y'all in my prayers! I love you!

Elder Gautavai

He'll Give You Rest

Hello Family,

Well I will be here in Whitewater to at least June as I have made it through another transfer. I will however be receiving a new companion this Wednesday so that'll be exciting. 

This last week we stayed busy with meetings, exchanges and regular proselyting activities. Yesterday at church, the stake high councilman who was scheduled to speak didn't show up for Sacrament meeting. Right before the administration of the Sacrament, Bishop Kennedy of the Whitewater ward asked me if I would take up his time lol. With a joyful response, I gladly filled up the assigned time as asked speaking and testifying of missionary work. Being agents who act, as the scriptures say to open your mouth and it will be filled; not your mouth will be filled and then open it. 

So many neat experiences have come through TALKING WITH EVERYONE, no matter what. On an exchange in good ol' Sharpsburg this week we stopped at a gas station to use the restroom. While there I received an impression to go and talk to the women who was working at the cash register. To make it a little more natural to talk with her I grabbed some items to purchase and proceeded to have a nice conversation with her about her adventures in life. We asked her if she was happy? She paused for a little bit, and said, "I haven't been happy in a long time." Upon further discussion we learned of many questions she had and how desperate she was to find answers to those questions rooted in her soul. Right then, right there even as people were coming in and going out we proceeded to explain to her that we are Representatives of Jesus Christ and that He sent us to her to answer those questions thereby enabling her to improve her life. What a feeling of great assurance it is to know that we carry the message that can bring peace into the lives of those who mourn, and are heavy ladened. Through our Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement we can be freed from the guilt and shame associated with sin. 

'Til next week,

Love, Elder Gautavai

Talk To Everyone!

(Questions posed to the elder in our weekly email with his response in his email letter:

Q - Were you able to get a nice suit? Do you have it now or to be picked up?

A - Yes I got a plain black suit. A member in the ward who does alterations professionally is going to alter the pants for free. I am going to get it today.

Q - Was merchant good to you?

A - They were good. I was actually able to share the book of Mormon with the salesman working with me as we were fitting the suit. I asked him some questions and told him how he could have his worries taken care of through the message of the restoration so he is working now with the Newnan sisters now.  Pretty cool! TALK WITH EVERYONE!

Q - Who can we add to our prayer list, or continue to pray for this week?

A - Continued prayers for Sister G. as well as the L. family).

WOW! What a surprise to see the mighty Elder Nelson in those photos! Never was there a more valiant missionary than Elder Nelson! His dream was to see the GAM hit 40 baptisms and for the first time last month we hit that achievement.

This week went really well we literally talked with EVERYONE it was great! I really love sharing the gospel with everyone and share what the power of the Book of Mormon can do for them in their lives. We stopped everyone whether they were walking in their yard, riding their golf carts, or working; we stopped and talked with them about the wonderful message of the restoration and how it could change their life. This was so amazing!

I am keeping busy as always. This week is Zone Conference week so I have been diligently, prayerfully preparing for tomorrow and how we can build up the faith of our missionaries and to strive to meet the Savior's vision for our zone and mission. Transfers is coming up on the 24th so we'll see what happens. Well gotta run, I love y'all! HOLD THE GROUND YOU STAND ON!

Love Elder Gautavai

Living Apostles and Prophets Testify of Him

Hold The Ground Which You Stand On!

Q.  How is President Harding doing?

A.  President is doing well he went in for surgery on Friday and is going to be leaving the hospital here in the next couple of days. His faith and resilience is incredible. During his stay he has given out 25 copies of the Book of Mormon!

To learn more about the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Request a free copy of the Book of Mormon

Q.  Who can we pray for this week?

A.  We are set to have a Baptism on Sunday for a lady by the name of Linda. She has really bad health problems so we are praying morning, midday and night for ten minutes for her health to be okay this week.

Hello Family,

What an amazing week this has been for me personally out here as a representative of Jesus Christ doing as He would do and putting full faith in Him and His divine power.

Atlanta, Georgia Temple

This week as leaders in the mission we had our monthly opportunity to attend and visit the temple two days prior to General Conference. We used it as time in which we could prepare ourselves for conference in seeking out inspiration and revelation as to what the next steps as a mission should be. The incredible feelings we unitedly experienced in the temple that day are best explained in the Doctrine and Covenants 109:22-23 and 39. 

D&C 109:

22  And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them;

23  And from this place they may bear exceedingly great and glorious tidings, in truth, unto the ends of the earth, that they may know that this is thy work, and that thou hast put forth thy hand, to fulfil that which thou hast spoken by the mouths of the prophets, concerning the last days.

39  And whatsoever city thy servants shall enter, and the people of that city receive their testimony, let thy peace and thy salvation be upon that city; that they may gather out of that city the righteous, that they may come forth to Zion, or to her stakes, the places of thine appointment, with songs of everlasting joy;

To be endowed with our Heavenly Father's mind and power (His will) in order to know how to teach, how to preach and how to talk with everyone, inviting all to hear the glad message of the restored gospel stems directly from going to the temple as often as possible to renew our covenants and as we do being endowed with the further light and knowledge we need to accomplish this and move the good work along! Our prayers were answered by our Heavenly Father at the temple through the inspired spoken word and confirmation of the Holy Ghost during General Conference.

Our desire as a mission is to be able to involve the wards and stakes even more in the work; for we know and were borne witness to at conference that EVERY MEMBER' A MISSIONARY is the way. In order to do more as the Lord has asked of us, we must as members of His church regardless of being a full-time missionary or not, share in the Lord's proclamation to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) -- SHARE THE GOSPEL with EVERYONE we meet! As this was talked about during the sessions, we jumped for joy in the church we were watching where only missionaries were in attendance; as we have come to know that we can knock, and knock and knock on doors 'til we drop but there is a better way. The Lord's way...through everyone one of us as members of the church and disciples of Christ..He will help us and bless us through our covenants as we do. I invite you to follow the prophets counsel to invite everyone anyone to hear the mighty missionaries teach and testify of Him, of the only message that matters, of the restored gospel.

I love you all and am grateful for your prayers in my behalf and to my dear mother thank your for your divine nature and your service as the primary president. The lessons learned of always putting the little ones first and helping them feel of our Heavenly Fathers love will never be forgotten. HOLD THE GROUND IN WHICH YOU STAND ON!

Love Elder Gautavai

Faith in Every Footstep - Do This and Joy, Your Hearts Will Swell

Hello Family,

With President John R. Harding at the Elder's Setting Apart at our Home before entering the MTC 19 June 2012

Okay sounds good I am printing this out and will try and get down to Newnan today if not I will be sure to get down there next P-Day. President Harding was admitted into the hospital this weekend and so the Assistants have needed some help today getting things done. He should be okay the doctors are running tests and what not to help him.

Ry -- my goodness -- looks huge! Like mighty Nephi in that soccer uniform! haha

The Elder's younger brother Rylee in soccer action for Bountiful HS Sr year Spring 2013

Unfortunately the L's struggled this week and we weren't able to baptize them. However towards the end of the week we got them back on track and are planning to baptize them this Saturday. It has definitely been a neat experience working with the L's. I have truly grown to love this family with everything I have seeing how far they've come and how much they need the gift of the Holy Ghost in their lives. President has been working hard with them as well and the L family will be making a trip to the temple to talk about families and to pray for the spirit to touch them in a way that will allow them to be baptized this Saturday.

The Elder (second from left) on the hand cart Trek 2010

I am doing great and am so excited to hear of how the Lord is blessing y'all! Obedience brings blessings, exact obedience brings MIRACLES! Hoorah for Israel!!!

Love Elder Gautavai

Ultimate Worship, Follow Him

Hello Family,

Midtown Atlanta skyline view from Georgia Tech Football Stadium (BYU vs. GA Tech) Fall 2012

Once again it's great to hear of your weekly endeavors and successes back home. Our Heavenly Father continues to guide us here through this mortal sojourn through the Holy Ghost and as we all rely on that guidance we will be blessed beyond measure.

This was another busy week full of teaching and preaching the message of the restored gospel. This week at sacrament we were able to have 8 investigators at church!! What was really exciting to see is that each of them were brought by a member of the Ward Council and fellowshipped into the ward. In an effort to work closely with the ward and stake leaders we planned out a day of service where we will be heading to a local Methodist church to do service for them as well as inviting them to a ward game night coming up in April.

You probably noticed this too...isn't it cool around easter time how all Christian churches promote Jesus Christ! Everyone talks about Jesus Christ during Easter EVERYWHERE!

I am so excited for General Conference in 2 weeks, its like Christmas for us out here in the mission field! To listen to a living prophet and apostles receiving guidance will definitely be a wonderful experience!

Well I don't have a lot of time but I want you to know that I love you all!

Love Elder Gautavai