Got Hastening?

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

Q1. We chuckled about your comment about Kelee..he is growing up, we are proud of his progress and growth. We had a great FHE where he became emotional about his testimony.
A1. Kelee baring testimony? Get out of here now that is something that Im looking forward to most of all.
Q2. Have you settled on a homecoming date? BTW Spencer St. John across the circle received his mission call to Mexico Cuidad Juarez mission leaves Aug.
A2. I have lets lock down June 29th.
Q3. How is the work? One thing I have learned in the work of salvation is you cannot prejudge or give up anyone…you just never know.
A3. The work is simply an amazing sight to see, whats been clear is we need to get more people into the church doors each week here in the south!
Q4. Thanks for the opportunity we get to pray and act in faith for your investigators, members and missionaries. We earnestly pray for each as well as you and your companion. Who can we continue to pray for or add to our prayer list?
A4. L. & B. Family.

Assistants enjoying a meal, elder Porter (photocred: GAM)

Greetings family,

Apologies for last week!

Wow, well this week took off so quickly and now we are looking at a new week which seems to be filled with meetings and transfer planning. Where did April go? haha

This last week we had the chance to go out on many exchanges which was incredible! I love being out teaching, preaching and ministering to the people here in Georgia. President and Sister Harding were in Fort Lauder-dale Thurs-Sat at a mission president training with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the quorum of the Twelve, so Elder Porter and I kept the army moving forward while they were receiving instruction from Elder Holland. :) How Lucky!!

The agenda for this week is transfer planning as well as mission council at the mission home, with zone training meetings at the temple! I love weeks like this! Its such a great opportunity to receive revelation through the Spirt from a loving Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ!

Well that's what going on with me in a nutshell. I'm doing very well so happy, feeling so blessed couldn't imagine being anywhere else in the world at this time then right here in the South as we seek to bring souls unto Him.

Till Next Week

Love, Elder Gautavai

Bask In Its Life-Giving Light.

From: Elder Camree Gautavai
Date: April 21, 2014 at 4:54:02 PM MDT
To: Rochelle Gautavai
Subject: Easter in the Greatest Place on Earth

Hello Mom,

The South has definitely grown on me..not sure there is a better more amazing place to be..especially for the Easter season. Our Heavenly Father has to have a special place in his heart for the people of the South. Although the worship is different and the need for the restored gospel with its ordinances are ever so apparent, these people love the Savior. :) While driving around Saturday and Sunday it was hard not to notice bus loads of people being transported into meetinghouses of all different sects to celebrate the Savior and his Resurrection. Now all they need is the second half of the story. :)

By the way the Because of Him video is absolutely incredible!! This week we went out and used it as a finding tool. Elder W. Craig Zwick of First Quorum of Seventy showed it to us at mission leadership council before it was released to the world..spoiled. haha As far as lds.org and Facebook not sure if it will used by our missionaries during my time that I have left, but I'm sure eventually we will get to use it as a way to reach more families.

The pollen here is crazy..we wake up to the yellow powder-like material all over the streets and cars. It's that time here in the south.

I'm excited to see Kelee. So many of the members here have mentioned that he is quite the cute fella. I tease and say don't let him fool you..but I'm sure he has grown so much. Glad to hear he is still working hard in all he does.

Thank you for getting all of the things together for me. Its probably a big load and I am grateful that you are willing to throw more on your already heavy load.

There will be at least 10 more on my flight home to Salt Lake. It will be quite the sight. 15 in total returning home from my mission on that day. This will be the first set of sisters who we received after the age change announcement that will be going home..crazy how time flies.

I must stop and take the time to thank you and dad for getting things in order as far as school. I'm sure its not easy and probably an extra thing to think about and do. Know that I am thankful and very appreciative.

Anyways gotta go but I love you very much and into the next life!

Elder Gautavai

#BecauseofHim

The Savior As Our Model and Pattern

Hello from down South!

Zone Conference Trainings with Companion AP Elder Porter (photocred: GAM)

Sorry this is late and short..it has been busy, busy around these neck of the woods..We are more than half way through Zone Conferences with the remaining two zones having their conferences this week.

Last night we had a remarkable meeting with Elder W. Craig Zwick (First Quorum of the Seventy) and Elder M. Keith Giddens (Area Seventy) who spoke to our Zone Leaders & Sister Training Leaders on the importance of leadership using the Saviors model for leadership only using the scriptures and preach my gospel to demonstrate. Overall it was one of the most powerful meetings that I have been apart of. Elder Zwick and Elder Giddens both did not disappoint. We are led by valiant brethren here in the South.

Much to my suprise yestereday as well Ben R. a convert that Elder Price and I baptized recieved the priesthood in the YSA ward I attend. It was a memorable experience seeing it from start to finish!

Well gotta get off to the battle!

Love,

Elder Gautavai

Whether By Mine Own Voice Or The Voice Of My Servants..It Is The Same

Weekly questions and statements for the elder from home. His response in his email back today.

S1. It sounds like Spring is definitely in Georgia.
Q2. We saw the leadership council meeting with the singing of hymns and songs..really cool..y’all poly elders did great very heartfelt and spiritually uplifting. When Elder Holland was at our building not long ago, he said that as priesthood leaders the Lord expects us to lift those we have stewardship over. I would say you elders went a long way in accomplishing that. Could you tell us beside Elder Bernard and Elder Fetuli who the others elders are and how long they have been out, where they are from?
A2. Elder W. Taufa (Arizona) Spanish Speaking arrived in Jan of this year, Elder M. Taufa (Arizona) arrived in January of 2013. Elder Malu (Tonga) arrived June 2013.
Q3. Are you in need of anything?
A3. Nope.
Q4. We have enjoyed praying for the local leadership in the church there in regards to the work. Who or what else can we exercise our faith and prayers for this week?
A4. K & B investigators who came to conference and being taught in Whitewater.

Greetings from the South!,

Meeting with new missionaries in mission office (photocred GAM) 

It has been pouring down rain here in Georgia washing away the yellow pollen that seems to cover everything during this time of year.

How lucky are we to know for certain we are led by prophets, seers, and revelators especially as the world continues to spiral out of control. We are blessed and prospered as we heed the counsel of the prophet President Thomas S. Monson and have our faith built upon the Savior Jesus Christ. Absolutely loved hearing these inspired leaders speak to us this weekend. Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge (First Quorum of Seventy) didn't disappoint laying down simple doctrine of The Restoration, Joseph Smith, The Book of Mormon, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As we were sitting in the chapel watching and listening to him speak, all the missionaries were quite pleased of his boldness and surety of the first vision and the events that stemmed from Joseph Smith asking in prayer.

Attending the temple was amazing as usual no surprise that when we participate in theses sacred ordinance the power of God is made manifest. Mission Leadership Council went really well as I'm sure you know about through the mission Facebook page. This week we march with our captain with Zone Conferences as well as Sunday when will be visited by Elders M Keith Giddens (Area Seventy) and W. Craig Zwick (First Quorum of Seventy) who spoke during conference.

Gotta go, love you!

Elder Gautavai

The South Will aRise Again!!

Weekly questions from home for the elder. His response in his email back today.

Q1. How’s the weather in the ATL?..we just got 4 inches of snow today…70 degrees one day the next snow?! haha..

A1. 60-70 degrees down here in the South! Lovin' It!

Q2. What is your p-day routine like?

A2. The morning routine is still the same, exercise, studies, 

Then we clean, email, shop. Either we go on a 3-4 mile run, or 6 mile if we are ambitious with the office elders or we play basketball. Usually we have some time to study and prepare then we head back to the office at 6 to start the week.

Q3. Glad you were able to attend the temple. What a blessing. Is the temple in your mission area?

A3. Yes the temple is in our mission boundaries.

Q4. Who can we pray for and exercise our faith in-behalf of?

A4. Stake Leaders and Ward Leaders here in the Georgia Atlanta Mission.

Family,

Dad great to read your message again so inspired and absolutely true. Thank you for teaching and living the gospel in the home. So that if your children will exercise faith they will come to know with the same conviction of the truthfulness of the gospel. Thankfully Sister Harding gives me a copy of the ward news letter so I was able to read it yesterday as well.

Speaking of yesterday this was HUGE! For the first time Elder Parker our area 70 invited our mission council that consists of (AP's,ZL's & STL's) to the coordinating council meeting which consists of Stake Presidents and High Councilors over missionary work. In the meeting we aligned members and missionaries goals for baptisms and hastening the work of salvation. It was simply amazing, powerful! We are uniting here in the South and throughout the world to bring about the lords work! Elder Parker then joined our mission-wide conference call last night. 

April we will be visited by Elder Giddens and Elder Zwick, President and Sister Harding will then be instructed by Elder Holland at the mission president seminar in Florida. The brethren are getting out there and ensuring we are hastening the lords work! It's incredible to see and be apart of. The south will aRISE!!!!

We will attend the temple again this week with our mission leadership council and strategize how to climb the summits in April!

Grateful for your combined faith and love for the Lord. May we know that we are where we ought to be at this time in our lives. Look to the Lord in every thought doubt not fear not.  

Love, Elder Gautavai

You Only Get 24 - Serve It Like You Mean It!!

Serve WIth aLL your Heart, Might, Mind and Strength
D&C Section 4
#4thmissionaree
(photocred: GAM)