11 January 2016

Season 2:  Episode 7:  "The One with the Snake?"

Dear Friends and Family,

So much happened this week, I'll try and get it all down.  On Monday, we made an impulsive decision to go hit 9-holes of golf, so that was a ton of fun!  There was a lot of people there, and we didn't even hold anyone up!

On Thursday, we were meeting with this girl whose dad is a member, but her mom isn't.  they live way out in the country.  So we went out out see them, and the meeting went really well!  The spirit was so strong!  And after we met, they gave us a tour of the farm, and it just so happens that two days earlier, one of their mama's had a kid.  Hence you see me with a tiny goat.  They were not potty trained.  There were poop pellets ALL over the place.

On Saturday we were talking to people in a parking lot, and we met this guy named Jose, who didn't speak English, used my Espanol dos skillz and was able to teach a little, and say a prayer in Spanish!  So yeah, language barriers are basically gone, totally fluent in Spanish right now, hahha.

On Sunday the YW President had us come in and show the Young Women how they could use the Book of Mormon to answer their prayers.  We started off by getting a question from them that applies to their life.  We then all knelt down and had that person pray, and ask the question to Heavenly Father and to ask him to place one word in their head to look up in the Index of the Book of Mormon.  Afterwards we looked up the word and she went through, reading the brief summaries in there, and when a scripture stuck out to her, we went there, and BANG! Found her answer.  The spirit was so strong.

I've put this to the test, I dont' know how many times but every time, it's answered!  Sometimes we kneel/wait longer than we thought we would, but without fail, or question is answered!!

I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, as well as the Bible and know that our Father in Heaven can use it to answer our questions, and I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love you all, until next week,

Elder Tanuvasa

 

 

 

(From his email:  "And we found a dead snake in our dryer.. had to get it out cause it STANK, and of course, I had to get a pic with it!")

4 January 2016

Season 2:  Episode 6 "The One with New Years"

Happy New Year's y'all!

I was informed by my family and friends that I "talk differently" now.  I am unable to see how that would work seeing that I am in the United States and speaking English...speaking of that, that reminds me of when I was calling to confirm an appointment (a long time ago) and I asked "is there going to be a male there?" and her response was "well, I have chicken in the fridge...." HAHAHA she thought I said MEAL instead of MALE.  Anyways, that is just a good 'ole story to start us out.

Nothing really happened to us on New Years Eve and New Years that was out of the norm. It seemed like everyone was getting pulled over however, which I thought was no bueno.  Made me a little nervous while running the next morning.

Not too much to write about.  Happy B-Day Pops!  That would be on 5 Jan 2015 if any of y'all are wondering!

Love you all,

Elder Tanuvasa

28 December 2015

Season 2: Episode 5 "The One with Christmas"

So this week was Christmas, and I hope y'all had a great one.  We had a Christmas Devotional on Tuesday, which was very spiritual, took us 2 1/2 hours to drive up to Tampa but, twas worth it.

On Christmas Eve and Christmas it was very....different, as in what I am used to Christmas being.  It was the exact same when it came to missionary days.  We tried caroling, but as we practiced I was like, "yeah....this isn't going to happen...." HAHA

Did get to talk with the fambam, which was sweet.  Great to "see" everyone and get to talk with them, but it's always hard saying goodbye.

Got to bring the best gift I can give, which is a knowledge of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I mean, what better gift could I give?

Anyway, hope y'all have a great week and a Happy New Years!  I'll be in bed at 10 pm in case any of y'all was wondering what I was doing for the night.

Sincerely,

Elder Tanuvasa

21 December 2015

Season 2:  Episode 4 "The one w/Barnes"

Hello Friends and Family!

This week was awesome!  We had the FTM Christmas Party, and that was so much fun!  There were some other people at Fort De Soto Beach, and they saw 150 young adults having fun.  I thought to myself "This is probably the straightest/cleanest party these people have ever seen."  There was no alcohol, no drugs, no music, everyone had their clothes on and were modest at the beach!  150 18-25 year olds having fun on the beach!  I'd imagine they were a bit confused, haha.

On a more spiritual note, the Barnes family was baptized on Saturday!  It is such a privilege that I have to see/witness people change their lives and come closer to Christ, and especially see the joy that it brings to every aspect of their life.

Tomorrow we have a Christmas Devotional, the whole mission is coming together and we get to have a more spiritual gathering.  The Christmas party was mostly just partying, hahaha.

Love you all,

Elder Tanuvasa

Oh, and Merry Christmas

14 December 2015

Season 2: Episode 3 "The one with my 2nd Stake Conference"

Dear Friends & Family

This week was Stake Conference for the Sarasota Stake, and it was my 2nd time going in less than a month.  It was a strange feeling because I'm used to having it once every 6 months, but I just had it in my last area, and I made it just in time for my new area!  It was pretty cool!

Before Stake Conferences we went on exchanges with the other Elders in the District, get this, there are three sets of sisters and two sets of Elders in my District!  It's weird!  They exchange went well, it's nice to be in different areas and getting to know different people!  Tomorrow is the Florida Tampa Mission semi-annual Christmas Party, so all 150 missionaries will be at Fort De Soto Beach!  I'm really looking forward to that!

Met some AMAZING people this week, one of the people we met was a couple, and we saw them three nights in a row!  And every time, the Spirit was there, so strongly!  It was such an amazing experience!

Last thing, if y'all would keep Joseph Pierre (or Pierre Joseph) in your prayers.  See Elder Logan Robert Sackley's blog if you have any questions.  http://www.logansackley.blogspot.com

With Love,

Elder Michael Tanuvasa

7 December 2015

Season 2: Episode 2 The One with

Hello Friends and Family!

Thank you for all your love, support and prayers, they strengthen me every single day.  Not much happened this week...had Zone Conference on Tuesday, but since I got transferred, I wasn't able to see Sister Sackley :-( however, I was able to reconnect with my MTC companion Elder Bowden!  It was super cool to be with him, and be able to share different experiences that we've been through!

Not much else to write about so....until next week!

Elder Tanuvasa

30 November 2015

Season 2: Episode 1 "The one with Transfers"

Hola mis amigos y familia

On Tuessday, my companion and I, Elder Haslem, were saying goodbye to some members, as we were both getting transferred.  On our way to a member's house, we got a call from the AP's, telling us that Elder Haslem was staying!  It was bitter-sweet for him because he had already come to terms with us both leaving and then he was told to stay.  He is still in Palm Harbor with Elder Cantu.

Had an early Thanksgiving on Tuesday, one of the members that I had gotten really close with, took us to this BBQ place, and ordered a bunch of food for us and their family.  Prime rib, brisket, ribs, chicken, baked beans, cole slaw, fried mac & cheese.

For Thanksgiving, we went to two recent converts houses.  One of those grew up in Hawaii, so it was nice to talk with him.  It reminded me of home (in the good way).

Had a baptism on Saturday, and it went really well.  A little stressful, but hey, what baptism isn't?

Saw so many miracles this week.  One of those was when we went over to teach one of our investigators, her and her friends were there so we ended up teaching her friends also, and we set baptismal dates with all of them!  They were all super excited!  The Lord is hastening His work!

Love,

Elder Tanuvasa

23 November 2015

Season 1: Episode 18  The One with Transfers

Bonjour!

Lol, I have been practicing my French, mostly because Elder Sackley is learning it aaand I try to email him in French...It takes me all week to translate his message.  But you know, whatever.

As per the title of my episode this week:  I am getting transferred, guess I wasn't doing enough work, haha.  At first when I found out, I was sort of glad, we had worked the area we were in very hard for the past four months, and the work was starting to slow down.  But we just had our last lesson with one of the people we are teaching.  And my heart was breaking as I was teaching, cause I realized that I really do love these people.  And my heart was physically hurt because I was leaving him.  As I was explaining to him that this was the last time we would teach him and that we were leaving, tears almost came to my eyes.  Never in my life, have I felt this amount of love for someone after knowing them for only a month.  I got to catch a glimpse of the Saviours love for me personally, and for all of us!

As I've been pondering this whole situation of leaving the ward members and the people I've been teaching, yes it hurts to leave them, but I'm just grateful for the chance that my Father in Heaven has given me to know them.  They have impacted my life so much and have changed me drastically.

In church we learned about how to be better teachers and students.  And the biggest thing that it all comes down to be being an effective teacher is loving the people that you are teaching.  And the perfect example of this is Jesus Christ.  The love that He had for those he taught is immeasurable.  And we learn through His example, how to teach.  Because if we love those we teach, then we are going to come to the lesson prepared already taking the time before hand to create the lesson.  If we love those we teach, we will listen to their questions, so that we can help them to answer their own questions, lots of times that is through the scriptures, but Heavenly Father works through many ways, and He knows what we need.  I use the term "teach" very loosely.  It can apply to anyone who has an influence on some other person at any place or at any time.  Soooo that's all of us!

I love you all and I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior.  That His gospel was lost after the death of his apostles, but was then restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  And through him we have a living prophet today in Thomas S. Monson, as well as a quorum of the 12 Apostles and Quorum of 70 (see Luke 10).  I am grateful to be here in FLORIDA sharing this message, and I know of its truthfulness, and I say these things (or write) in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Elder Tanuvasa

24 November 2015

16 November 2015

Season 1: Episode 17: The one with 7:90

Hmmm...nothing special really happened this week....other than the miracles we saw daily.  One of those was on Wednesday!  We had just gotten out of a lesson at 7:30 and we didn't really know what to do, as those are the hardest hours to fill as a missionary...So we decided to talk to people on the street.  At first, when we went out we didn't have much success.  We decided to pray, and we prayed for guidance to those who we should meet that night; we prayed specifically that we would meet 5 people and be able to teach them!  And from then, it was just impression after impression, the Spirit guiding us where to go.  Long story short, we taught 7 lessons in those late hours!  The Lord is truly working miracles!

I think that one thing that I told myself before my mission was that I wouldn't care if anyone said no to me.  That it was their loss...But that is so far from the truth, it kills me to see people find the truth and feel the Spirit, but then deny it still!  I feel a burden on my shoulders when they do, but I know that I can only control so much.  I just have to remember that the Spirit is the true teacher, not me.

This is the last week until transfers, so this Saturday I'll know if I'm staying or not!  I'll let y'all know next week ;)

Love ya,

Elder Tanuvasa

9 November 2015

Season 1: Episode 15  The One with My First Gator

Hello, again.  This week was a very exciting week.  Lots of miracles are happening every single day.  This week we had 18 lessons with a member present!  About 16 of them were with priests who came out with us!  It's so awesome to see how excited they all are for a mission and how willing they are to sacrifice their time for the Lord's work!  Really makes me wish that I had gone out with our missionaries more!  It's really cool to see how they have grown as they've been coming out with us! At first, they are a little shy, but by the end, they are always looking for opportunities to bear their testimonies!  Most of them are so good, they even are able to teach some principles!  It's really exciting to see members getting involved in the hastening of the work.

Committed another person to be baptized!  He is very interested and is coming along well!  One of the recent converts in the ward has been meeting with missionaries for a while now and her mother is really interested in the church!  So we've started to teach her, she's seen a lot of good changes in her daughter and is curious as to why, so we are so excited!

Anyways, I love you all!

Elder Tanuvasa

p.s. I saw my first gator, hence the name of this episode, I don't know if the pics came through, if not, I will send them next week.

p.s.s. we are making peanut butter rice krispy treats.  Please pray for our digestive system, lol

11 November 2015

District Meeting

2 November 2015

Season 1:  Episode 15  The One with Halloween

Hola mis amigos y familias

So, last week we had a few of the priests come out with us to a few lessons.  We've actually set up a system where we have at least 2 priests come out with us each week!  It's really good preparation for a mission, and it's really cool to see how good at teaching these guys are.

The first mutual activity each month, the priests/laurels do a Preach My Gospel night where they learn how to teach, and practice teaching as a companionship.  It's super fun and a great way for them to prepare as well!  They've improved so much since when I was first here, haha and they love it!  I wish I had done more things like this before my mission!

Last week was rough, lesson wise.  Had 0 lessons both Friday and Saturday, cause no one wanted the gospel around Halloween I guess...which was unfortunate.

This week we are spending most of our time in a more wealthy part of town, so it should be pretty interesting, haha, oh yeah, on Friday we went to a football game for a couple of the priests, whose senior night it was!  Our ride fell through so we ended up biking 9 miles there, with a slow leak in my front tire, so we had to stop and fill it every 5 minutes.  We had biked 5 miles earlier in the day so it made it a 23 miler...let's just say I slept real well that night, haha

Love you all & hope you are well!

Elder Tanuvasa

26 October 2015

Season 1: Episode 14:  The One with Blood

Hello, Hello!  So this week....hmmm...how do I explain it...for lack of a better term...we just went hard, lol.

We taught 32 lessons and committed 2 more people to be baptized!  We have 4 solid people to be baptized either next month or in December, so the work is hastening here in Palm Harbor.

We were invited to a members high school play on Thursday.....and it was pretty interesting.  The play with the members in it was really good and they did an awesome job.  But the two plays that followed were kinda creepy, haha.  Like one was about the Salem With Trials/Possession, come to find out later that the play was written by students.  So that was...something haha.

Oh yeah, and this week as we stopped to fill up on gas, we found a gas station that RAN OUT OF GASOLINE...like...how!?  Anywho, I thought it was hilarious.

As we were driving home one day, we stopped and gave blood at this mobile bus thing.  Dont' worry, it wasn't sketchy.  It was really nice and the people there were very kind.  But the best part was, they couldn't run away HAHAHAHH so we got to share a little bit of the Restoration with them, which went well, haha.

Love you all,

Elder Tanuvasa

19 October 2015

Season 1: Episode 13   The One with a Farewell

This week i was blessed with an e-mail from Kekoa "The Great" Loo.  He has asked that I include a couple of things in this episode.

My mission so far has been amazing.  It's been a terrific opportunity for me to gain knowledge and strengthen my testimony.  One of the things I've learned so far, in my time with the Florida Tampa Mission, would be learning to love.  I still feel like I am learning to love, and to see people as Christ sees them.  Especially when it comes to the subject of religion, people are so quick to jump on our differences.  When you look at the teachings, they all are teaching great things.  Lately I've been striving to see others through different eyes, trying to understand where they are coming from, how they've been raised so far, it's made a huge difference in my love for the people, even when they may be yelling or cursing at me.

Since I've been out on my mission, I have learned how to be lovingly bold.  Before, I feel that I was timid and avoided confrontation.  Now, I don't seek it out, but I have found an inner confidence that truly helps me to inform people what they need to do to come closer to our Savior.  That comes through much prayer and much preparation/scripture study.  I've come to find joy and happiness in studying the gospel, it's perfectly simple and deep simple enough to study for a life time and only scratch the surface.  I don't know how it works, just ask Jesus.

Anywho, a boy from the ward leaves on his mission next week to Czech Slovak Mission.  He's been going out with missionaries for years and is sooo prepared!  I'm super excited for him and it makes me think back to when I was about to go into the MTC.

Love you all,

Elder Tanuvasa

p.s. love you Uncle ;) LOL