Christmas Time

Dear Family and Friends,

Talofa lava... mea muamua e fia fai atu i tatou aiga nei... ou te tatalo mo outou e maua le Kerisimasi Manuia ma se Tausaga Fou Manuia... o le agaga o le Kerisimasi e faigofie mo tatou uma e faapena mafaufau o le Alii Faaola Iesu Keriso... o le meaalofa muamua mo i tatou na auina mai o lo tatou Tama o ile Lagi... ma ou te molimau le moni ma le faamaoni o le galuega na faia Iesu i luga lenei fogaeleele... ma e fesoasoani tatou e maua le olioli ma le fiafia i le olaga nei.. e sauniuni e toe feloai ma lo tatou Tama o ile Lagi.. i le Kerisimasi nei... e fia tuuina atu se lu'i mo outou uma.. e mafaufau le faamanuiaga ma le fesoasoani o le Alii tonu tatou olaga.. ma le taime nei sa luga lo'u misiona... ou te iloa o le fesoasoani o tagata o le ekalesia e lagona le fiafia i le kerisimasi nei...

Friends and Family! how are you? i hope all is well and getting ready for this Christmas we are excited! I know that the Lord has helped us heaps and will continue to help us. This Christmas i know that the Lord has blessed me in my missionary endeavors, as well as my family. I know when we recognize the Lord in our life things are made easy,  like he promises in Ether 12: 27,  "I give unto men weaknesses that they may be humble and if men humble themselves and have faith in me, then will i make weak things become strong." alofa atu!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

MANUIA LE KERISIMASI MA LE TAUSAGA FOU

Elder Tiatia

CHRIST-mas

 

 

Dear Family and Friends,

ahhhh... on the 12 day of Christmas in Auckland New Zealand we set a lady for baptism. On the 11th day we baptized! On the 10th day we confirmed! On the the 9th day we are still Playing up!(P-DAY) and to be contiued.... hahaha. Well great week this last week we found a new lady that we have been working with for ages. I know with persistence and with the previous elders and sisters planting the seed and getting her ready for us to teach her we were able to finally teach. I want to do something different!  So for the people who read this... I want to do a question and answer thing. So please if you have a question send it to Courtney or my mum so that i can try to answer it for you! 

Each week there are new challenges and each week it gets harder and harder. We are struggling to find people and I know that we can do better. We can’t do it alone and our president knows that, so he wanted us to read the 4 gospels to build our faith in Jesus Christ. Seeing that Christmas is around the corner I want to challenge you all to read the 4 gospels and to build your faith and bring the spirit of CHRIST-mas... 

because that is the TRUE meaning of Christmas.

Please also think of people who are in need in this season and do works of kindness for them. God works through our hands, we just need to have faith.

I know that it has built my faith in the Lord and will continue as I carry on in his work! alofa atu! 

Dad ou te alofa tele lava ia te oe! aua e te popole... ou te iloa e pusi taime uma ma lou faigaluega..  

 

Elder Tiatia

Simple Prayers

Dear Family And Friends,

A great miracle happened this week! We are now on bikes! We are really busy getting around our area, but this last week it has been crazy stormy and rainy. We had planned to go to Papakura.. which is about a good 5 mile bike ride from Manuwera. We started biking and it was pouring hard out so me and my companion decided to stop and say a prayer. I know that without faith it was not possible but when we starting riding again, about 5 mins later the rain stopped and we made it out to Papakura to Proselyte. Then we worked our way back making visits and by the time we came home, not to long after it started pouring rain again. I know that our Father in Heaven knew what we needed and how he could help us.. In Mormon 9: 18-20…

 

18 And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many might miracles? And there were man mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles.

19 And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

20 And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust.

 

i know that god will always work miracles if we believe and have faith in his son Jesus Christ.. 

ou te iloa ma mautinoa e moni lava lenei mau ma ese le manaia le mea e a'oa'o ia te i tatou... o le a e faatuatua i lou tatou Tama o i le Lagi e masa'a faamanuiaga ia te i matou.. ma e tutusa lava lenei savali mo tatou olaga.. i taime uma ma aso uma.. aua e galo i lou tatou Tama o ile Lagi.. e fesoasoani matou e maua le olioli ma le filemu.. e tapenapena ma galue i lenei olaga e sauniuni e toe feloa'i ma tatou Tama.. ou te molimau ia te outou e sili lava le galuega lea i lenei olaga.. alofa atu

-Elder Tiatia

Time for Transfers Again

Dear Family and Friends,

Talofa Lava. Hello friends! Looks like another transfer here in Papakura. So Awesome! The ward is funny as! Reminds me of the home ward, when there were fun times and laughs and then also drama hahaha. Anyways.. I still have my companion Elder Silipa. He’s the man. We are doing really good and have heaps of people that we are teaching. We are preparing for a baptism, looking to find some others for this month which will be fun. Well other then that.. this last Sunday we had the opportunity to fast and what a blessing it was to me to feel the love of the Lord and help me with his work. I know and have a testimony of fast and prayer and what it can do for us wherever we are in life and help us with whatever we need help with.

Well a family asked us to do a blessing for their uncle who was in the hospital. It was really awesome cause it was out of the area. So got to see a bit more of Auckland. When we got there, we walked up to the room, opened the door and I ran into my Uncle Samuelu and Aunty Fou. My dads cousins.. 2 years ago I met them in Hawaii . and now here in Auckland... so awesome. We talked and did the blessing for their uncle and as we did the blessing.. I know that the spirit of the Lord was there assisting me and my companion as we anointed and sealed it with a blessing. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true and the priesthood that was restored is the same priesthood that Jesus Christ used when he administered to the people. I love the opportunity that I have to hold the priesthood and administer to the people of Auckland. I know that it is a blessing and a responsibility to be worthy to use and bless those that are in need of it. I love the fact that I’m preparing for my future family.

Mo le atu i le agaga Faafetai i matou Tama o ile Lagi mo le avanoa matagofie e uu'ai le pule ma le mana o le peristua mekisateko e faamanuia ia tagata uma e manaomia le fesoasoani ma le faamanuiaga o le Tama o ile Lagi..Ou te iloa ma mautinoa o le fesoasoani o le Lagi ma le Alii Faaola a Iesu Keriso.. e fesoasoani mai ia au ma lou soa e faataunuuina le faamanuiaga i tatou uso ma tuafafine i luga lenei lalolagi... ou te faafetai ia lo'u Tama ma lona faataitaiga ia te au o le vaega taua o le galuega o le peristua.. ma le tofi e uu'ai ia te i matou... ou te tatalo e lagona le vaega taua o le tofi o le peristua.. ma saili i tatou uso ma tuafafine e manaomia le fesoasoani ma e galue faatasi ma i latou... 

-Elder Tiatia   

 

Grateful for all of YOU!

Dear Family and Friends,

Well i hope everyone enjoyed last week.. this week there isn't really much i have to share or say... but i just want to give my love and gratitude to all those that support me.. and also to Courtney for doing this blog and for her letters and support.. There is something really interesting and i hope my mom will be okay with me doing this.. but i just want to share the testimony that she has.. I know and can see the growth in my mom as well as for me in reading and i am just grateful for it..." I'm so grateful to our heavenly father for all that he has giving me.  Especially my family and our children we were blessed with.  I'm grateful for having Grandma Julie around to be with her grandchildren and great grand babies.  I'm grateful for having the Gospel in our lives that set standards and principals for us.  I'm grateful for having a living prophet that receives revelation, serves his people, and gives us guidance.  I'm grateful for the Missionary Program that the church has to serve the people throughout the world and gives everyone a opportunity to hear about our Savior Jesus Christ and his gospel.  I'm grateful for you and Josiah for choosing to go on a Mission.  What a blessing to be able to learn your own native tongue and to teach the people in a foreign country. 

I know that all these things are through our Heavenly Father and I'm truly grateful;)

I am also really grateful for Courtney.. and i know how much she loves and serves the Lord in helping all those that she can.. and here is her testimony of Service and Love "So this week was Thanksgiving. I can’t explain how thankful I am to know that this Church is True. How was I so blessed to be born into a family that believed in this beautiful gospel? As I look around at our family I am so thankful for each and every one of them.  So being that it is Thanksgiving week I just wanted to share my testimony of Service and Love. My two favorite things. I have loved giving service since I was a little girl. I watched my dad get so excited to help anybody he could find. He always told me that service is doing something for someone else and receiving blessings in return for what you did. My mom also reaches out to families secretly and does special acts of kindness. I have a huge testimony of how service is a sacred part of the gospel. I see how not only service changes the person who gave it but it also humbles the person who receives it. I am so thankful for all the opportunities that I am able to serve others.  Love in the gospel to me is not judging other people, letting go of little things, and becoming like a little child.  Where we live I feel like this is overlooked. There are so many members around us that we forget that even people in our own wards need love. Love changes people. Love is that person holding the door , the one hug from a member at church,  a simple hello or a sincere how are you doing. I wish everyone could just love each other and always be reminded that everyone is a child of God. Love is the most powerful gift we can give and so many people are yearning for it. I have a testimony of the love our Savior has for us. He knows us. As you know Elder Holland came and spoke last week to us. At the end of his talk he blessed the people. With my health the way it has been I have been really discouraged. Tired and hurting all the time and confused. He gave me a blessing of health. I felt  his words seep into me and hands placed on my head as if he was standing behind me. My anxiety lifted and I knew that everything was going to be fine. Our Heavenly Father loves us and hears our prayers. I am so thankful for the love of our savior. I hope that this week you will give extra care and love for those you are teaching and talking to. Every moment is a moment we can use to be examples of the gospel and show our love. I am so proud of you that you are serving a mission and giving Full-Time service and love to the people of New Zealand. They are so extremely lucky!... "  I know that she is a daughter of God sent to help me and support me.. thank you so much to her also.. 

Something about the mission right now.. the area is going good.. my companion and I just found and set a girl for baptism.. they were a referral from members.. .and we went over and the mom said, "oh hey my daughter wants to be baptized". then found out the family was less-active.. so we went back the next day.. had a great lesson with them.. and invited them to church... what a great blessing it was to sit in sacrament meeting and to see this family sitting there and giving there love and showing there faith to the Lord... this week we have heaps of work in for us.. as we get ready for this week.. we have heaps of new investigators and it is time to share and set them for baptism.. well as the New Zealand Auckland Mission does it....

"WE SAVE SOULS WEEKLY"

-Elder Tiatia

Giving Thanks

Dear Family and Friends,

 

Alofa atu! Well I hope that everyone likes the blogs.. a special thanks to Courtney who designed and keeps my blog going.  I am very thankful for you. So this week has been very special and with the holiday of Thanksgiving,  I was thinking maybe we can take it to the next level. For those that can, please watch this clip.. http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng&query=thanksgiving+mormon+messages#in-the-spirit-of-thanksgiving

On your Facebook status name a few things you are grateful for in this life, both spiritually and also temporally. Well I love and am grateful for the things that I receive in this life to help me learn and to grow. I am also grateful for family, courtney, and my parents and their wonderful examples.  I am grateful for my Savior and all the he did to take my sins.. (alma 7: 11-12).. Iam grateful for the Plan of Salvation and for temples.. that my family is able to be sealed for time and all eternity!

Another thing that I have been thinking about lately and a lesson that we had this sunday is about parents.. here is a clip to answer and help parents with their children...http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng&query=thanksgiving+mormon+messages#parenting-touching-the-hearts-of-our-youth

I am grateful for my parents that have taken the time to support and love me. Yesterday in our priesthood class a man shared his testimony of what he learned the night before. He shed a tear saying how he went to hangout with his friends saturday night to play billiards. He came home at midnight and to his astonishment his 3 year old son was crying for him and was waiting up for him. He wanted the love of his father. What a great example his son was to him and helping him learn the importance of family...

Alofa atu i tatou aiga.. ma mo le atu i le agaga faafetai mo le lagolago ma le alofa i lou aiga.. ou te iloa ma mautinoa o le Faaola e soifua.. ma avatu i lou agasala ma lou filifili sese i aso uma.. ma faafetai lava mo le avanoa e salamo.. ma le fiafia sili e lagona i taime uma.. ou te molimau atu ia te outou o le aiga e sili lava i le taime nei.. ma malosia lou sootaga i lou aiga... e tusa e malosia le sootaga ma Lo matou Tama o i le Lagi.. alofa atu! manuia lava le fuafuaga i lenei vaiaso!

 

-Elder Tiatia

 

Be Prepared.

Dear Family and Friends,

This week there is a lot to be mentioned as well as a lot of things i want to share.. and seeing that i am horrible in typing and writing in Samoan... its going to be in English... so faamolemole tatou aiga ma tagata e fiafia lava e vaai le blog... faamalie atu... alright so this week has been crazy busy... and i know that the Lord is helping us find and not only that he is with us.. in an conference talk by Elder Dieter Uctdorf he quoted Elder Joseph B Wirthland, "Oh it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us--even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, HE NEVER WILL.. we might see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever.... The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of TRANSFORMATION. it takes us as men and women of the earth and refines us into men and women for the eternities."   this is so true... i have seen it in my missionary work.. and i know it cause i have applied it... its my challenge and goal for my family and friends to take a step back and apply this and ask the question... "Am I ready for the eternities?"... i know and promise that we can all be ready if we prepare... how do we prepare?... well here is something that my mission president handed out that i know and think it can help us all out...

"choose ye this day whom ye will serve"   -Joshua 24: 15

Satan                                                  Savior
Fear                                                     Faith

Doubt                                                   Desire

Worry                                                   Work

Complain                                              Commit

Oppose                                                Obey

Rebel                                                   Repent

Sensual                                               Spiritual

Depressed                                           Determined

Death                                                  Life

Telestial                                              Celestial

 

I know that this has helped me make better choices in my mission and definitely will help me later on in life.. i know that it will be awesome if the whole world will understand... and thanks to all the missionary applications that have gone in... a little statistic for those who love numbers.. Salt Lake Headquarters have been getting in 700 missionary applications weekly... since President Monson changed the age... there has been a jump.. to about 4000 missionary applications weekly..  crazy crazy! "The Standard of Truth has been erected.. no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing... persecutions may rage, mobs may combine armies may assemble calumny may defame... but the truth of God shall go forth nobly, boldly and independently till it has penetrated every continent swept every clime visited every country and sounded in every ear till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say, The Work is done.." 

well everything is going all good in Papakura.. loving it down here.. the weather is like utah... bipolar weather... rain or shine... gotta do what you gotta do... well alofa atu friends and family~

 

-Elder Tiatia

 

His eyes are open, I promise. :)

 

Congrats Siah!

 

Uo ma Uso ma Tuafafine,

Talofa Lava... seki ma pusi a le vaiaso... o au ma lau soa sa maua se seti fou... ou te faafetai tele lava o le Alii ma matou Tama o i le Lagi mo lona faamanuiaga ia ma'ua.... o au ma lau soa ua taumafai e sue ma saili se tagata fou e aoao... te iloa le aso tofi lana te'a... sa ana pogi ma;ua... ou te iloa ma mautinoa o le Atua e fesoasoani ma'ua aso uma... ma le taime ua tatala le ana pogi... ua alu le aso atoa e saili se seti fou... te iloa, ua maua.... ou te iloa ia au o le Atua e vaai ia ma'ua ma silafia o mea uma lava e manaomia o ma'ua... ou te faafetai mo le avanoa matagofie e ana pogi ma sue le fesoasoani o matou Tama o i le Lagi... ou te molimau atu ia te outou e moni ma faamaoni le talalelei... ma lo matou Tama o i le Lagi e silafia mea uma e moomia fesoasoani i le olaga nei... alofa atu... ma faamolemole... taumafai e ana pogi... iloa ia au e tatalo ma ole atu i le Alii mo lona fesoasoani e foai mai ia matou soo se mea e silafia e faaaoga ia matou... alofa atu!

Friends and Family,

Kiora! What a great opportunity I had to experience the love of the Lord and a testimony building experience. I know that this church is true because it helps us to live the doctrine we learn day after day. This last week me and my companion decided to fast. We needed help from our Father in heaven in finding a family and someone who will accept the baptism invitation. Well we opened our fast and started our day and after the second appointment and being rejected a couple times, we had a lesson with a former investigator who was ready for baptism.  We talked with her and set her for the end of this month. I know and testify of the power of fasting and what it can do for us not only in the mission field but for us at home. I always and everyday feel the love of friends and family who pray for missionaries and as well as for me. Thank YOU! I am also well pleased to announce the calling of my little brother, Elder Josiah Tiatia! He will be laboring and serving in Oaxaca, Mexico Spanish Speaking Mission! I know that this work is the Lords work and I am happy to hear the great and wonderful twin of mine will be serving his mission! God Bless you  Siah as you search and learn and know how simple the doctrine of Christ can be. You will know how the Saviour works. So for the new missionary here is a scripture. It is revelation given to Joseph Smith when missionaries were being called.

Doctrine and Covenants 39:5-10, " And verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth my gospel receiveth me; and he that receiveth not my gospel receiveth not me.

   And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom.

  And now, behold, I say unto you, my servant James, I have looked upon thy works and I know thee.

   And verily I say unto thee, thine heart is now right before me at this time; and, behold, I have bestowed great blessings upon thy head;

  Nevertheless, thou hast seen great sorrow, for thou hast rejected me many times because of pride and the cares of the world.

  But, behold, the days of thy deliverance are come, if thou wilt hearken to my voice, which saith unto thee: Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on my name, and you shall receive my Spirit, and a blessing so great as you never have known.

  And if thou do this, I have prepared thee for a greater work. Thou shalt preach the fullness of my gospel, which I have sent forth in these last days, the covenant which I have sent forth to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel.

   And it shall come to pass that power shall rest upon thee; thou shalt have great faith, and I will be with thee and go before thy face." 

 

I know that this is so true and that if we listen and heed the counsel of the Lord we will receive the blessings that he has in store as well as the power that comes when we testify! This counsel was given in a General Conference talk…I’m not sure how long ago but I remember it and ran across it during my studies. In verse 7... take out James name... and put your name... and the in verse 10... for those that have already been baptized... put the sacrament... to remember the covenant we entered into... I know i have made mistakes and I know that mistakes is what helps us grow and we have to learn humility before we can do anything. I love you all and know and testify that this is true... in the name of Jesus Christ Amen...

-Elder Tiatia

Pray Right and Always Be Grateful

Dear Family and Friends,

Malo Lava tatou aiga! Seki lava au i lenei eria! ua maua se seti fou i le vaiaso lana te'a... tele faamanuiaga laua maua o au ma lau soa i lenei eria... ma ua fai le Aso Sa mo Tamaiiti.. po le Aso Sa Paepae... Sole, Malie a le fanau o i Niu Sila... Ma e le ma'i le faasamoa o le fanau... Te iloa e leai se talalelei i luga le lalolagi e maua le Aiga Faavavau... ou te fiafia tele lava o le faamanuiaga laua maua i lou aiga gata foi lea o au... faafetai tele lava o lou uso laiitiit... o Josiah... ua filifili e auauna atu o matou Tama o i le Lagi... e manatua le pese tonu le vi'iga.. "filifili mea tonu"... lona uiga... o matou e filifili soo se taime lava e maua le avanoa... filifili mea sa'o... e mafai i matou lagona le fesoasoani ma le fiafia silisili i lenei lalolagi... faafetai tele lava mo outou ua faitau le blog ua fai o Courtney!... alofa atu! 

Alright fam bamz and friends... alofa atu! thank you all for reading! Well nothing new has changed but the fact that we have a lot of people to baptize but the concerns are families  and not wanting them to join the LDS faith. I hope and pray that we can all be grateful for eternal families because it is only possible in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In a talk I listened to this past week by Elder Bednar in 2008, he shared an experience he had while feeding members of the general authority. While they were about to close for the evening, him and his wife received news about a close friend who had passed. Sister Bednar who was going to offer the prayer new that she should pray for this family to receive comfort and the lords spirit.  Before she said the prayer the general authority said to only pray for what she appreciates and was grateful for.  As Elder Bednar states, "When we pray we can pray for what we are grateful for and what we appreciate the most." He said this general authority had no idea what had happened to their friend but the importance that he emphasized gratitude in our prayers shows that we must always be grateful. Elder Bednar said, "In our prayers we should limit what we ask for and say what we are most grateful for" (paraphrasing)... I know my family and friends, that prayer is essential.  It is essential when we do it right.  In this upcoming month of November lets make a goal to be more grateful! I have tried it and I cant explain the wonderful love of the Lord who is forgiving and oh so Loving to us! I want to  close with this scripture from the Book of Mormon... "Pray with full energy of heart" Moroni 7: 48. Yes we can do it! I love you all and miss the family! alofa atu! 

-Elder Tiatia

Tofa Soifua Liahona Ward

Dear Family and Friends,

Talofa Lava... Seki lava i le galuega tonu lenei tovine... Ou te iloa ia au... o le Atua e vaai ia au ma fesoasoani mea uma mo au... Mo le atu i le Faafetai mo lona Alofa ma agalelei ia au ma lau soa... te iloa i le vaiaso lana te'a... ua siitia fafo lou eria muamua... o waterview le uarota Liahona... ua siitia lalo i Papakura i tonu le uarota Papakura 2... ma lau soa fou o Elder Silipa... o au o le Taitai soa... Faafetai le Alii ma le Perestine le misiona mo lenei avanoa ua maua.... i le aso to'onai lana te'a... ua uma le papatisoga o Justin Laumatia... ua uma ia amata le faamanuiaga i lenei eria... Faafetai Lava o le Atua mo mea uma laua auina mai mo au...

Friends and Family,  everything is all good! I am in a new area. I got transferred from my first area... Liahona Ward. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given to serve our saviour. Also in this new area i am Senior Comp with my companion Elder Silipa from Apia, Samoa. This last weekend we got to know each other and also plan a baptism for a wonderful  brother Justin Laumatia. A mission is not easy...but if it was then it wouldn't be the program for "boys to become men". Everything that is  done and learned out here on the mission you have to do yourself. I would like to share one of  my favorite scriptures, "But charity, which is the Pure love of Christ and whosoever shall be found with it at the last day it shall be well with them." [Moroni 7:47-48] This love is contagious... all you have to do is share it with everyone! So my challenge to everyone is to find that someone that you can share love with and think outside the box and share that love with someone you don’t know! You never know what difference you can make in just one life.  Alofa Atu family and friends! 

-Elder Tiatia

 

His first time eating these little babies.

9 months!

Dear family and friends,

well as you know the weather here in new zealand is all good... its springtime now...and no more freeezing nights... we don't have to wear suits anymore and we are in white shirts till after dinner time... about 6 we have to wear suits... other then the weather... this last week was awesome... when me and my comp Elder Ah-choo koon... had a baptism... her name is Daisy Meki Sioviata... really nice family... she was adopted by the elders quorum counselor... and he gave her to us to teach her... but other then that got everything taken care of... and now she is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.... In the NZAM we save souls weekly!!!!!!!!!!.... this last weekend we also had the chance to watch the 182 General Conference... so awesome... great inspiration from our wonderful leaders... no joke... general conference on your mission is like the super bowl or the world cup.... so awesome... and after its done... you just want more... i love it! great opportunities for the leaders of tomorrow... also for my young brothers and sisters with the age of missions moving down... so awesome... i am also grateful for my little brother Josiah Tiatia... who is waiting for his call.. what a great opportunity for him and also for our family to receive even more blessings from our great father in heaven... also grateful for brandon and samantha for their awesome and great love for their family... to be sealed for time and all eternity! CONGRATS! 

faafetai tele lava i matou tama o i le lagi... mo le faamanuiaga laua aunina mai ia te au ma lau aiga... mo le atu i le faafetai i le taitai o le ekalesia o i le lalolagi mo lona faaliga ma alofagia mo i matou... faafetai foi mo lau matua mom and dad... alofa atu... faafetai foi ia courtney mo lona alofa ma lagolago mai ia te au... alofa atu tatou aiga nei! manuia lou vaiaso ma ou te tatalo i le Tama o i le Lagi e faamanuia ia outou ma foai i le malosi o le tino i le vaiaso nei! faasoifua!

-Elder Tiatia

6 months and 1/4 done {ahhhh!}

Elder Tiatia has been out there in the all amazing mission field for 6 whole months. That might not seem that long but believe me, its LONG. We are both so proud of his accomplishments this far along in his mission! He is loving the work he gets to do through the hands of the Lord. Its not all fun and games in the mission field though. There have been some tough times and some rough times but he is doing really well! He got to take a trip to the Temple and he absolutely loved it! Fun Fact: they decorate the temple grounds with cabbage! He said its incredibly beautiful! but lets be honest, what temple isn’t? He is busy  busy busy like Missionaries are! He is eating “really healthy” although that is hard to believe since he gets fed at every single house they go to! Haha but he said he is! He is just starting to get used to driving on the “wrong” side of the road cause he is their designated driver. He loves his companion in New Zealand an they are always afraid they will be transferred away from each other! They are a great pair of Men. His Samoan is coming along great! He writes perfect in Samoan…or so people tell me…I can only understand bits and pieces of it! He got to give a talk a couple weeks ago in Sacrament Meeting in Samoan and he did just amaaazzzing! He sends his love and appreciation to you all! Here is to the next 1 1/2 years!

5 months today!

He’s been out 5 months today! So exciting! Plus he is finally in New Zealand!! He is extremely excited about being in a Samoan ward and driving a CAR. No more bikes for him. Here are some pictures of his new flat in NZ, the Beach, and his Mission President and Wife. :)

His Favorite Scripture:

Deuteronomy 31:6

He asked me to tell you all to read it.

PART 2: New Zealand

I got some bitter sweet news.. I'm leaving Wednesday.. i talked to president.. he

called and said hi.. then told me i was leaving.. i don't want to leave

I'm not ready! I will miss the people here. It’s hard to leave... I’m excited though, but its crazy.  –Elder Tiatia 

 

It is official news! He’s leaving Wednesday June 13th, 2012 to Auckland, New Zealand. He’s been in Arizona for 4 months now! He’s finally going to the place he was originally called to. He was meant to be in Arizona for the time that he was able to spend there. He has had amazing experiences and so many baptisms. He loves this gospel so much and has been prepared to serve in New Zealand.  Here we go!

 

Auckland….here he comes!

4 months!

The Elder has been out in the Mission Field for 4 months on Friday! He has heard news that he will be in Arizona for at least 3 more months! He has been SUPER successful in AZ with a baptism every Saturday since the end of March and still going! There is a lot of work to be done in Phoenix, Arizona and he is meant to teach the people there. We got to talk to him on Mothers Day and he is doing SO well like always! He said that he is going crazy with the heat there but that he loves Arizona and is already telling me he wants us to move there haha. Well this week there are transfers and he will be staying in his area and home that he is living in right now but his comp will be leaving him. So we are hoping that he will like and get along with his next comp and they will have just as much success! I should be getting more pictures next week so I’ll post up again soon.

-Court XOXO

Missionary work: Selflessness is of its very nature. Self-discipline is its requirement. Prayer opens its reservoir of power.

Elder Tiatia has had 2 more baptisms and has a baptism every Saturday for the next month! They are teaching soooooo many people right now! This past week he was riding his bike with his right hand holding a water bottle and his left on the handle…their cell phone rang…as he looked down as the phone a lady walked in front of him and he had to slam on his brakes….with the only hand on the handle (his left) he flew over the front of his bike and face planted it. He said he scraped up his shoulder and his ankle is killing him but other than that he is doing good! His letter was hilarious talking about what happened! Apparently Crystal and Jesus were laughing their heads off (the couple sitting on their porch of course). He put on a pretty great show for them. He is growing and growing spiritually and its so fun to watch him grow with each letter and email. He’s still loving Arizona mostly because his visa for NZ hasn’t come through yet. He told me that the best part of serving his mission is not only bringing people to the truth of the gospel but that its helping shape him to become a husband, father, and hard worker.

"If you serve a mission faithfully and well, you will be a better husband, you will be a better father, you will be a better student, a better worker in your chosen vocation. Love is of the essence of this missionary work. Selflessness is of its very nature. Self-discipline is its requirement. Prayer opens its reservoir of power."

-Court XOXO

"In the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve but how."

So Miah is still in the Phoenix, AZ mission with no word on his Visa for NZ. He loves Arizona even though he is craving to feel  New Zealand! He is crazy super busy right now teaching 15 different family/people. He said the hardest part of his mission is missing eating lunch…lol. He is working harder than ever and on the go go go go. He lives with one other companionship and a 78 year old man (Brother Bowler). He loves him! Brother Bowler spoils the missionaries by buying their groceries and getting them treats! Miah said that he plays the Piano all the time and reminds him of the old man from “Up”. They are surly being taken care of! He likes living in this house a lot better than the last because this one is IN his district and the other was 2 mile. A LOT of riding bike EVERYWHERE. He has lost 20-30 pounds already and is still losing. Out of all the missionaries living in the house his favorite is Elder Young a missionary from Texas (who is also the zone leader). In down time, well that they have which isn’t much, he plays a “Dora” uke. He loves playing to relieve stress. He has grown SOOOO much just in the last couple months and knows that this was the best decision he could make! We are all so proud of him.  All in All he is LOVING his mission and can’t believe that its almost been 3 months already!

-Court XOXO

2 Months Down.

Okay He sends individual emails to everyone so there won’t be just a “Family” email. He is doing REALLY well! He had is first Baptism on March 3, 2012. He has another planned on March 17, 2012. He is still in Arizona because his Visa has yet to show up! He has lost a LOT of weight from riding his bike 20 miles a day to not having as much food around him as he did here in Utah. He wanted me to make sure to send all of you his love and appreciation for your support! His Arizona address is 2736 W Belmont Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85051 in case you want to shoot him a letter or package.  As Missionaries are, he is crazy busy every second of the day! He has gotten sick 2 times and had to take some time to rest but he’s finally getting over that. He can’t believe that its already been 2 months in a couple days! He just wanted me to tell everyone that he is working harder than ever and loves the Gospel so much! You know all that Missionary talk :) There isn’t a lot to say this post but that he is doing so so well and has his head in the work. Here’s to the next 22 months! (Pictures coming soon)

I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go (MTC Week 2)

Miah didn’t really have a “Family” email this week so I’ll just let you know how he is doing. He LOVES his companion and all his “Boys” in the MTC. He loves all the food, classes, and firesides. Although he asks for snacks all the time because his dinner is too early for him! haha. His Samoan is coming along really well and he is so ecstatic to get out in the field. He wanted me to thank everyone who has written him or sent him a package in the mail and to tell you that he doesn’t have a lot of time to write! He is a busy servant of the Lord and he loves that. He hasn’t had a problem with being home sick, although he misses everyone, he knows that his decision was the right step to prepare him for his future goals in life. He was supposed to leave February 6 (Monday) to New Zealand but this morning he called and said that he is going to Phoenix, Arizona for 1 month because his Visa hasn’t come through yet. So he will be leaving Monday February 6, 2012 to Arizona! Hence the “I’ll go where you want me to go” title. He is bummed that he isn’t going to be in New Zealand yet but he said that the Lord is in charge and he is guiding him where he needs to go. I’ll post his Arizona address on here when we find out! Thanks to everyone for supporting him in his decision and helping him along the way! He appreciates all that you guys do for him and his family.

Scripture Miah sent to me this week, Deut. 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

"The ultimate goal of missionary work in the Church is to invite all the inhabitants of the earth to come unto Christ. Six billion people throughout the world are waiting to hear the message of the restored gospel. We are the people so blessed with the charge and responsibility to carry forth that invitation and message."

-Court XOXO

His FIRST email. :)

hey there family,

its elder tiatia here!

i love you! i am here safely in the mtc. my district is so sick! and zone leaders rock the house. ones going to the philipines. and i dont know where the other one is going. but i am doing good in here. i cant even express how humble i have gotten! i think back to all my incidents that i have had with our heavenly father has been watching over me. he saved me through my mango tree incident, all my surgeries, and no illnesses that i can think of that has endangered my life! i am so greatful for all that he has done for me in keeping me alive! so i am greatful to be a missionary of this true and wonderful gospel!!! i love it! ive learned tons while in here. i havent read through the whole book of mormon but i feel the agaga paia(holy ghost) guiding me to know the right things! i love this gospel! and i am greatful for the opportunity i have to serve the lord! and give back! i miss you all! i love you guys so much!

how is everyone doing? please email me through here. or ask court how to use dearelder.com. oh and family i am on a fast track program! i am only here for 3 weeks. i guess my samoan is better then i thought. so i will be leaving february 6 to the land of the long white cloud! i am so excited but scared! my class helps me learn the doctrine. but i know through the lords and the holy ghost i will be guided in the samoan language! my compainion is elder ete from seattle called to the riverside, cali mission english speaking. he helps me out a lot with my samoan! i love the mtc.. and the schedule was hard at first but it feels like i can get right into what i need done!! the food is wayy good! all you can eat! but no worries we have gym. and i am keeping my figure! i eat salad with every meal! so its not bad! we even had fish and chips! SO BOMB! cant wait for the kiwis fish and chips!

i love you guys! i know that with out you two! i wouldnt be who i am today! i sent court a list of things i need.. we eat dinner early 5.. to early.. could you guys make a package and drop it off!

i love you guys and i hope to be hearing from you soon! remember you can use dearelder.com and email me! please! getting mail from you guys makes me feel awesome! i love you all!

=Elder Tiatia

The Beginning. (Courtney’s Side)

This is it. Elder Tiatia left yesterday January 18th, 2012. The MTC received one of the greatest Elders they could get. He is ready to serve the Lord and be a leader in his mission. Since obviously we haven’t received a letter from him yet I’ll be explaining how this went from my point of view. I’ll probably go back and forth with this throughout his mission. Earlier Tuesday I got a fathers blessing from my dad to help me to be able to be able to talk without crying. I was calm all night and all Wednesday and really I am still calm.  I gave him the last  hug I could on Tuesday night at 6:20pm. We then sat in the High Council room to get him set apart. We went around the room bearing our testimony and saying how proud we were of him. When we left the room there was such a spirit there.  We went to dinner, other family members said their goodbyes and we went home to his house to pack. As we finished packing all I was able to do was give him a hand shake and go home to sleep to get ready for the very emotional Wednesday. Wednesday started with grabbing some last second things for him. Him giving me a big teddy bear with words I needed to hear. Then we left. We took pictures, ate lunch, took more pictures. Then it was time. You know you think you can prepare yourself for saying goodbye to someone…you can’t. This year we have been together for 3 years. I know how he thinks, I know how he feels, and I know his heart. We tell each other every single little detail in our lives. Probably the best of friends you could ever imagine and also love each other more than words can explain. We have this connection that I couldn’t even start to describe. As I shook his hand for the last time and looked at his face to see that last tear stream down his face as he said his last I love you. I knew he was going to be okay. I knew in that moment that we were going to be okay. The spirit was with both of us. I watched him from afar, get his bags out of the car, hug his parents, and walk into the MTC without looking back. I cried all the way home. I am so blessed to be able to have such a special relationship with him. I know its right. I know him going on this 2 year journey to serve for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints is right. It is going to be rough, it is going to be hard, but its going to be worth it. I am so proud of him, I love him, I can’t wait for him to be home, but I can’t wait to see him go through the spiritual growth that I know he needs. He was Called. He went to Serve him. He will be back.

-Court XOXO