28 March 2016

The One with Concrete

This week we had a great opportunity to serve.  One of the people we are teaching needed some remodeling done.  So Elder Ellsworth and I were able to go and help him!  he had us breaking up a concrete slab in the backyard.  We used sledge hammers to break them and then wheeled them to the front yard!  After a few hours in the heat it was all done!

I have really gained an appreciation for service and helping others out.  As we read in Matthew 25:40; we are serving our Lord when we serve others.  As missionaries, we are always looking for opportunities to serve, it's just frustrating when no one will let you!

On Wednesday we met this really cool guy named Sean.  we taught him about God's love for him, prophets and the Book of Mormon.  He was really excited to read it and pray about it.

On Saturday we got a text from Sister Sackley and her companion, Sister Huber.  They told us about a person who wanted to learn more, and had scheduled a time that we could meet with her.  Long story short, we met with the person and she is AMAZING!  When we introduced the Book of Mormon, she wanted to read it all that night.  We really are seeing miracles on the dearly, some more apparent than others!

I know that we are all blessed in different ways.  i know that as we look for them in our lives, we will see God's hand.

Sincerely,

Elder Tanuvasa

21 March 2016

Season 3: Episode 7 "The One with Easter"

Good morning everyone!

This was a very spiritual week, as we were all able to recognize and celebrate the last week of our Savior's life. I had a great opportunity to study Christ's life and His Atonement or Sacrifice specifically this week. It was a huge realization to me to recognize where we all would've been, and where I would've been without having a Savior. He has literally saved us all. During my mission so far it has been a tremendously humbling experience, and this week was no exception. As I was sitting in church, listening to the speakers and specifically one speaker talking about "Grace".  One of my favorite scriptures came to mind that I feel impressed to share, and it is Alma26:11-12 and it reads 

11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

And it hit me so hard that I have been relying too much on my own strength and my own abilities, and it was holding me back. It came to me that I needed to give myself over to Him, and instead of relying on myself, I need to rely on Him. As I am yoked with Him (as well as my companion Elder Ellsworth) we will be able to accomplish way more than I ever could by myself.

I am so grateful for our savior Jesus Christ and for His love that we are able to feel constantly. I am grateful for the hope and the strength that His gospel, atonement, life gives me and gives us all. I know that as we rely on him, he will be accomplish miracles in our lives. 

Last thought really quick: Also while reflecting this week, I had the opportunity to look back and to see God in my life, and to see how he has gently but firmly led me in the direction that I needed to go. And I know that everyone will be able to see the same thing as you reflect. 

Have a great week!

Elder Tanuvasa

14 March 2016

Season 3:  Episode 6 "The One with Steve"

This was a very eventful week, on Tuesday we had Zone Training Meeting.  Which is basically when a lot of missionaries gather together for a couple hours and receive training on how we can better help those we are teaching!

We went on an exchange on Thursday.  Meaning that I was with another missionary for a day!  We were in an area where a lot of people speak Spanish...and the limits of my Spanish is....iHola!  Haha let's just say I didn't do much talking that day, it's a good thing the missionary I was with spoke it well!  I should've paid more attention in Spanish....

On Saturday was Steve's baptism, there was a lot of people there from the local congregation to support him!  It's so great to be a part of the Lord's work, and get to see His power work int he lives of not only me, but everyone!

I am so grateful for this opportunity to be serving the Lord full time.  Though there are a lot of challenges and distractions, I can feel the strength of all of your prayers.

Elder Tanuvasa

7 March 2016

Season 3:  Episode 5  "The one with Good, Better, Best"

This week I have had the chance to do a lot of reflecting.  One of the people we have been meeting with has been preparing to be baptized.  As we kept getting closer to the day, it seemed like more and more problems were arising, employment, etc.  He expressed to us that he didn't know if he would be able to provide for his family.  I was able to share my experience of putting my trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and putting Him first.

Both my companion and I bore testimony that He knows him, and that He cares and will not allow you to fail.  I know that to be true.

I know that we have been blessed with the Spirit to lead and guide us and lead us to do right, it will never lead us astray.

Elder Tanuvasa

29 February 2016

Season 3: Episode 4 "The One with Food Poisioning"

This week was very slow.  A lot of people were canceling their appointments and people in general were saying no to us more often.  Anyways, fast forward to Thursday, I started to get chills, my stomach wasn't doing so well, and I was light headed.  My companion ended up calling the nurse for me, cause I didn't want to.  Anyways, I was told to rest until I felt better and my symptoms went away.  On Friday, I slept 20 out of the 24 hours and was only awake to throw up, use the bathroom or eat, haha. On Saturday we tried to go out again, but had to return early that evening.  

Sunday I received a blessing, and was able to make it through all of the church meetings.  We had 3 people there that we were teaching, and they really enjoyed it!  Rested the rest of the day and that brings me up to now! I am starting to feel better and I hope that this is the end of this sickness, hahah. 

Hope y'all have a great week!

Elder Tanuvass

22 February 2016

Season 3:  Episode 3  The One with a Broken Bike

Good Morning!

This week someone's bike broke down...but it wasn't mine!  Elder Ellsworth's bike broke down about a mile from our destination on Wednesday.  We ended up having to walk that mile, and then walk another 2 miles to wait to get picked up by other missionaries.  I was just grateful that I am in Tampa, and that there are missionaries close by!  If we were anywhere else, it would have been a lot longer.

One of the things that this week has really brought to my attention was the importance of prayer.  The importance of keeping our Father in Heaven in our lives at all times.  In the scriptures we always read about how people would go through a cycle where they would be righteous, and then receive blessings.  Eventually they would turn prideful, and lose the strength that they had previously because of their righteousness.  In Alma 63 we learn how we can continue to be blessed without being prideful.  We learn that we should 1) remember all of what God has done for us and 2) pray continually.  As I've continued to pray continually, I've noticed a change of attitude and I am much more receptive to the promptings of the Spirit.

Elder Tanuvasa