Zone conference 12/18/2016

I love being so close to the water all day long this is the best area so far because the waves actually break on the shore everywhere else they break like half a mile out off the coast because of the reef.

 So here's to answer your question about what my companion looks like. This is just a couple little memories from the last couple of weeks.

One is of us planning at night we had changed out of our clothes because we walked home in the rain to do our weekly planning so we just hung it all up to dry and put on those. 

The other is of our zone conference which was really just a district conference because President doesn't let disobedient missionaries come to meetings so we had heaps of people not attend. It was still a great time though. We had our meeting at a super nice Chinese restaurant in town, and then went shopping at the market and finished with caroling at the hospital. We had a good time.

December 11th 2016

So Elder Tauiliili and I were having a great Monday and all was well w were both about to take a little nap before having a FHE with a family and a bunch of cute kids then Elder Afualo calls us and says I'm getting transferred... I was so bumbed!!!!! WE had just started to work well together and were seeing eye to eye and now He's gone. Plus I had to pack everything in like like 1 hour but all my clothes were still hanging up to dry... Lame! But I'm here now and happy about it all because the area is awesome and my companion is sweet too. his name is Elder Johnson from Las Vegas and hes been out for 4 months. I really just think God likes to put me with newbies because I've only had one old guy and that was Afuvai but only for one transfer... I'm not complaining though all the new guys always want to do the work so they just make things super easy, the only downside is its hard for them to teach and communicate but its becoming normal and I feel like I'm getting pretty good at helping them learn this language.. Maybe not though I'm probably just a punk senior companion who only does what he wants to do... ;) 

But yeah I love it here! :) 

 

 So I'm in a new area now. its called Nuumau but I cover 4 villages its Elder Redds second area too which is kinda funny :) I cover Eva, salelesi, Fusi and saoluafata. ITs a gorgeous area. Theres tons of beaches and stuff and its so tempting to jump in. Theres even a little mini island that just adds to the beauty of it all. Plus this week we found this man whos basically walking to baptism. The field is white and already to harvest. I love it!! This area is so cool! :) ANy questions?

December 4th

l feel super lame because I'm almost out of time and haven't written you anything. THis week was a bit of a bumpy one though... Me and my companion had to work through some differences and I've learned a lot about being a companion because of it. We finally got it all worked out and its all good though. Really though I'm super grateful for our zone leaders because they were a huge help with the two of us. I know that called leaders are called of God in this church through the proper line of authority and they're a great help only once we ask for their help. Thats what we needed this last week or two. WE just needed to be honest with them each other and sincerely seek their help and Gods. So sorry that is such a lame update on this week but know that I love you, all is well and I'm stoked we're on the downhill slope now. I'll see you soon and be sure to find out about what the word is for our phone call on Christmas.

I love you mommy Jones! 

Happy Thanksgiving from Samoa

My companion is pretty cool he comes from laulii upolu and tapueleele savaii and he just so happens to have a lot family and friends in our area so its easy for us to get to know families that we've never been to before. He's a really good people person and thankfully hes super patient with my Samoan abilities because I can speak I just feel like I'm at a stall even though I know I'm not I just wish language progress was going faster. We're doing great though, he just wants to be exactly obedient which he struggles with at times but Hes open about it and wants help so we're getting him there and he's helping me to see a lot hings I can fix. :) I'm doing fine. I'm just super stoked I'm only a handful of days away from my year mark. I never thought I'd get to this day. But all the stuff missionaries say is true. at 6 months you think okay its possible to do this, 1 year you realize that having to go back is a thing like it will actually happen some day its not just a dream, and then 6 months left you can do pretty much anything you want to language wise, you know the lessons the rules, etc... the sky is the limit. Its all so true so far. Also the last 6 months just fly by I guess. ;) All I know is that right now I do not want to go home. I just want to stay here in Samoa forever because there is way too much craziness going on in the world. The Samoan people are always bringing up this and that about whats going on in America and someone even told me there's about to be war or something... I never know what to believe but man what the BOM says is so true about all the calamity and junk like that. Being on Gods Errand is just so peaceful, and so full of Joy. Little to no worries just that I'll have enough time to get all the visits in I need to or do enough studies, or get this report or lesson prepared. Its so nice. But what I hear about on the outside is just terrifying. But that's basically me. I'm striving to be more patient with the language hoping that I'll be fluent sometime soon, coming out of the clouds and realizing that I'm on a very short timer till I have to go an live on my home again in the dark and dreary world, just taking things day by day and staying happy. I still miss Vest And Ligaliga. I never thought I've have a favorite companion or companionship but it was definitely those two punks. I can't wait to spend more time with them after the mission. Especially Vest. :) But yeah that's me, how things are and what not. I'm just living the dream on an island full of the most respectful and happiest people on earth. :)

I don't know If I told you this but I have a solo to sing for the missions Christmas program that goes on for all of Samoa... It'll be cool but I just don't want to worry about that to be honest. I haven't been taking any time to practice because of all the work to be done. I'm stoked about it though it'll be a great memory! 

 

Just this member guy that we visited because all our other plans fell through. I'd never visited the family everyone else we went to was busy or gone and then I remembered this family giving us money to go buy our dinner with because they couldn't provide for that night. So On Thursday we went over there and just started to chat and get to know them not thinking much of it hoping to get some referrals for that area and then the man his name is Tui asks, "how long does it take to do lessons?" We told him about 2 ish weeks and then he said I'd like to do mine maybe. I asked why because I assumed he was already a member and then he said he's not baptized so he just wants to be taught then if it feels right he'll be baptized. I was so shocked. Especially because I think in that moment we talked him into being baptized on the 24th of December.  He was a miracle for this week. I had just prayed for some people who were prepared the night before because we had dropped a couple old investigators this week and then bam he shows up. I'm stoked. I'm sure there will be more people guided to us. He says he never talks with the missionaries just his wife and kids but then that day it was just him and his daughter so he decided to stay and talk. Boom. I was amazed. thats how the work should be everytime. :) 

 

Well thanks for all the calming of my little fears that aren't really real fears. It sure helps a ton. ;) I'll be doing lots of singing when I get home and mostly in Samoan okay? ;) But hey I gotta go, I love you tons be sure to send my love to everyone. Have  a great week .

New companion Elder Tauiliili

Dang that was so many non missionary missionares. I wish they'd do stuff like that over here! :) It loks like a blast!

So transferrs this week were a punch to the heart! Elder Vest and Elder Ligaliga got taken away. E vest is in Sataoa with a trainee now so I just got made a grandpa!!! :) E ligaliga is just down the road though in solosolo. I miss those to to death but my new soa is great I'm just having to get used to speaking samoan literally all day every day. :) Its alright, a bit rough but it'll be a big help to boost my language abilities. :) My new soa is Elder Tauiliili from Laulii and tapueleele savaii. He's a studd been out for 4 months and started in Tuanai just like me but he knows more about that area than I do because I didn't hardly know any samoan over there. :) We're getting a long well and I'm grateful he's patient with my samoan hes the perfect native for me to be comps with. But yeah thats basicall the week any questions? 

We cover and attend Apia 1 and Apia 2nd ward. He's been out for 4 months. Today I had, a banana, rice, turkey, pumpkin, and water. No I'm glad I'm still here in the area I jsut really miss the crap out of Elder Vest and Elder ligaliga... The difference in fun from those two to this new companions is so drastic. My new soa is great we just have to get familiar and we don't speak the same native tongue so theres just ifferent barriesr to overcome but I'm glad, I love thearea. :) Heck yes my shoues will last 11 more days!!! :) they're still going strong! I had to tape them and glue them for it to work out... they're retty bangd up but I'm loving using them. :) No one I'm super close with yet but It'll happen soon.

 

 They put pumpkin in soups here all the time but they just seasoned it and fixed it up like a mashed potato for us at a restaurant we went to afeter shopping this morning. It was pretty good.

These are the Missionaries he was refering to her in Arizona. Cydney is on the front row. Its weird to think that last year He was on a mini mission too.

Nov 13th

Hey sorry the internet wasn't working for a while but now it is and our P-day is nearly over.

ANywho that sounds like such a sweet moment. I can just imagine the look in his eyes and the feeling in his heart. I miss him so much! When I get to see that stud again I'm probably gonna break down into tears and then just heaps of joy just like alma the younger and his brethren. If you see him again let him no that there is nosuch thing as coincedences. I learned a ton about that this week. I love him!!!! 

I love you too so don't forget deal? THas so cool that calli is getting married and I'm so stoked that its to TIm, not sure why I just see them fitting really well. so cool!

THe feelings on the other side of that initial separation are pretty scary for the first couple yards but then you just so stoked about what is about to start.  I love you heaps we're out of time and Elder Ligaliga needs to email still so I'll see ya next week. Love you tons!!! 

November 6

Holy a lot of cupcakes! I miss your cupcakes! You remember the plan for when I get home still right? just heaps of baking and relaxing with the family. I'm still looking forward to that... I'm not sure how much longer I'll be here everyone keeps telling me that I'm going to be transferred and become a ZL but I don't believe them nor do I want to be a ZL because I'm in love wit this city area. Whatever God chooses though...

I did get the card but umm do I have to call and activate it? I am not sure... Yes I did finally get the packag this week and what the heck man! That was awesome! THe Cheezits inside of it blew up and were all over everytihng but it was all good and I could still read all the cute little letters. :) Holy crap I miss that kid! I miss all of you hooligans and homies! But man do I love all these new additons to my group of homies! Especially Elder Vest and Elder Ligaliga! These two are the best! Just all of my companions have been absolute studs and I hope it stays that way! :) Well no hurricane yet but it is getting to be the rainy season soon so I'll let you know if any kind of storm shows up okay. :) WHAT!?!?!? i MISS THAT KID! hE STILL HASN'T EMAILED ME IN FOREVER... I just keep hoping that once he gets on his mission that he'll have to be on the computer so then he'll remember to email me because this is just killing me. I don't know anything thats going on with him and he's my best friend! :( 

 

cool it is the most recent one! :) THe fast was pretty cool for us elders over here as well. I know fasting really works mommy jones. I don't know any other way to do this work and its the only way that I'll ever be able to raise a family, and succeed in the world to provide for them. I know that I can't do it on my own. So uhhh this is collins 10th time being a ninja huh? and what are carlie and Tucker? They stumped me... Everyone is super cute though! I wanna hang out with you homies

 

 Wait just figured it out thanks to Elder Vest! A sheep and avatar! huh?

 

October 30

 I have been remiss the last few weeks cause Robert has mostly been replying to my questions and asking personal questions but Im gonna share what I can. So this is from October 30.

"Well Lgaliga didn't work out because he just didn't want to make us white guys seem like pipsqueaks so he's just looking out for us but hes a new zealander so he doesn't press 750 only 350 because those fellows/blokes use Kgs not lbs... ;) 

BUt yeah E Vest is pretty buff and I love him. 

 :) Tell Elizabeth Allen sorry about her birthday and she'll have better ones on her mission... ;) "

October 23

So conference this week was a blast with Elder Neilson! Chantelle and Nivon got baptized this Saturday which was a blast! ummm not sure what else to talk about. oh hey this morning we went to the gym because elder vest is a muscle man and we got some gains and then a niu.... So yeah we're basically the most shredded whit guys in the tristate area... ;) But anywho we're having the times of our lives out here and what you said about Elder Vest just really getting me, well he does so its the best and then Elder Ligaliga is a powerhouse when it comes to preaching to the samoans plus we're right around where all his family lives so like everyone knows him! I love you!!!!! Sorry we're crunched for time but all is well so no need to worry about me or us. I just got done making some french toast too! It was delicious

October 16th

This week was great week! WE had tons of fun! We're all getting pretty scared that president is going to send one of us away pretty soon and We're pretty darn bummed because this companionship is just sooooooo fun!!!! I love it! :) This week we decided to only speak Samoan for a week and its been soooo fun. We were all a bit scared at first but then as we've gone on with it we're just having a blast! Its all because Elder Vest felt like he was stuck in the same spot with the language so then we talked him into that goal and I've seen so much progress in him so far! Its the coolest!!! :) Last night we all got back at like 10 pm from 6 hours of conference that we watched in Sauniatu which is like 1 and half hours away from our house where we watched conference. It was great but loooooooong.... Last night though we all just ended up sitting around for like 2 hours talking about all the favorite stuff we like about our mommies. Not sure how it started but Elder Vest and I are very much mommas boys! Its the best! So yeah we miss you guys! :) Other than that we set up 3 souls with baptismal dates so we're pretty stoked! One is this lady who lives at the bishops house, shes his sons wife and missionaries have been working on her for over 2 years. She told us though after accepting the date of the 29th!!!!! that with the other elders she never felt the spirit... Super sad but it just goes to show that God's work has to be done his way. For us as missionaries everything is outlined and if we don't follow it then we're out of the picture and out of the work. Even if we're just one minute late to waking u, or late to studies, or we're late home, or we don't plan, sing a worldly song. WE curse ourselves in so many "harmless" ways and then God has to curse us because God will not be mocked.. So yeah anyways we were pretty amazed and just stoked that she accepted the spirit she could feel with us and the truth's we were applying to her. 

So yeah that's the week. 

ps mommy Jones I think I somehow lost a bunch of pictures... all the ones I gave you guys already so be very careful with them okay? We've still got all the sd cards though so all is well but the computer won't let me safely eject the usb for whatever reason so I think last week it deleted like half of the pics. I'm just gonna shut it down and pull them out today though... 

First Things First

First things first is that Elder Vest Sends his love and says a big hi! He says you're amazing. I'm not sure how he knows this but he just didn't want me to forget it. ;)

Also Poto sends his regards. I'll explain him later... 

We've been having so much fun this week! I love it here! I'm so in love with the area and my companions and all the great people we get to work with each day, they've got hearts of gold! :) 

So this picture is of me and Poto. He's my here. He's got the best english I've heard in all of Samoa and he's just got a way with his words. Here's just a sample; "Some can some cannot can" "Make it till you make it" He's basically the source of all wisdom. The only problem is hes got voices in his head but as we keep talking with him they go away and he gets pretty happy :) We're like homies with him and this week we woke up early to take him some new Sunday clothes because If you can see behind the picture his house is just a little tent he made out of some junky tarps that he fastened to the side of a broken house. we brought him clothes so that he could come to conference but then he didn't come because he wated to go because of his desires not us which was respectable but the important thing is that he realized that baptism and the holy ghost is the way to be happy all the time and to get rid of the voices and the only way into heaven so he's really thinking hard about it. :) We love that guy! I can't wait to just tell you all stories about him at home because man he's funny! The first man I ever met here in Matautu. But yeah he always asks us to send his regards to everyone in the church headquarters and all the other missionaries so I'm just keeping my word because you're all my headquarters. 

But yeah that's basically the highlight of the week is Poto! We're going to go take some fala over to his house to make it a bit nicer for him. Hes also an artist! 

Pray for him please. :) 

THe firt one is of us eating dinner together at this little restaraunt called scoops because fafaga didn't show up. It was awesome but the french fries costed like 5 bucks each! It was nuts! We're regulars over there.

The other one just depicts the great elders I'm paired with. Elder Vest doing...um... that... and Elder Ligaliga reacting. :) WE have a graet time together. Elder Ligaliga got put with us this wednesday I think but I'm not sure its just been a blur of FUN! We're tearing it up. Elder Ligaliga is from New Zealand and he's been out for a year on saturday that just passed. HE's a stud! 

THe third.... yeah... WE have a great time! He has a very soft cheek. ;) In the name of jesus christ amen...

THats all

I'm living in Matautu but my area is Literally Apia. Like the part thats right on the ocean in the bay wherea e the ships are, the big market, mcdonalds, all the big stores... its crazy! :) I went thorugh a bit of a culture shock when I first got here but all is well now and I'm really starting to love it.

I'm living in Matautu but my area is Literally Apia. Like the part thats right on the ocean in the bay where all the ships are, the big market, mcdonalds, all the big stores... its crazy! :) I went thorugh a bit of a culture shock when I first got here but all is well now and I'm really starting to love it.
WEll this whole thing was an unexpected transfer because transferrs are actually this week so I was pretty shocked along with everyone else but now I'm living on matautu street which is awesome but super super weird! Like I said it was a whole other culture shock coming here because its just like being in a city back in america with a busy main street alley ways, huge buildings and all kinds of cool stores too but I'll tell ya what there was one paved road and just jungle in lalovi...

I love it though! Its a blast over here. WE J-walk on the regualr, meet heaps of people all in one day, still don't use street names because everyone just memorizes buidlings and where they live based off of land marks. Its all just so new! THe coolest part is that I;ve seen so many people from Tuanai and lalovi since I';ve gotten here because this is the place where everyone comes to do their shopping each weekend and we're out and a bout preaching the gospel so they pul over and make my day all the time! ITs sweet! 

The weirdest part of this weekend since I've gotten here thoguh was this guy named norman that we met as we were looking to invite his mom back to church because she hasn't been coing very much... WE asked if we could help him with anyone after we woke him up from his sleeping and then he invited us in and we started having the weirdest conversation. It basically went exactly like Alma Chapter 30... nearly word for word in some cases. WE sat down and he just started chatting as if he didn't hear our offer for help from before so then I asked a gain and he paused grinned and asked if there is a God. I of course got pumped to answer with a yes and he just got upset and argued that I don't know because I haven't seen him before... It was weird mom! This guy lives in Samoa and doesn't beleive in a God..... I never thought in a million years that I would meet someone lke Norman on my mission!!! I was blown away! We kept discussing it more and more but his answers were always short and denying the witnesses I was giving him. A few times he laughed, other tiomes he yelled... Then He asked us to share something about God So I just opened right on up to Alma 30 and read him word for word starting from verse 37 who he is. It was nuts! WE both felt the spirit up until his mom who were looking for came in and started to argue wiht him... We dippd out pretty shortly after that because we had a baptism to attend. It was the strangest part of my mission by far! I MET KORIHOR... 

So this area has so much in store for me. WE speak a lot of english because theres heaps of english speaking people especially in the ward... Its all just so different and new I'm not sure what to do half the time but its a blast. 

 I ditched elder Sewell though and don't know if He has a new comapnion yet or not he was just waiting with the elders in Samatau last I heard.. I miss him. BUt I'm with Elder Vest from Logan utah who just got here 6 weeks ago so you guessed it I'm training again and I'm loving it again! He's a stud! He can speak samoan really well already which is a blast.

Yes I'm still DL over here and this district needs a little bit of help but I'm excited to do it. We're covering 2 wards and they're awesome! fia palagi too. Elder Redd is training in Tutuila with someone from Elder Vest's intake, Afuvai is working at an airport i guess, the intake is all doing great, TUimauga is an AP, Fifita is a ZL in tutuila trying not to get fat from all the american food, Luatua was a sister training leader but now I think shes training in SAvaii, Kimball last  heard was training, packard is working on coming back out, and Mataitusi I guess is backside Upolu somewhere just preaching it up. so yeah that's us. I had a great week and hope to go set up heaps of baptismal dates this week and then end it with a sweet conference weekend. I love you heaps and will see you soon! :)

Elder Jones

September 18

Hey mommy so sorry about this but I've gotta go because we're going to learn how to wweave a hat out of a palm leaf in lke 5 minutes. But I am working on a very special something for you this month and everyone else so I promise that will make up for this lame email and alot of others. THis week has been great we got a ton of work done and found another girl who wants to be baptized this week so Saturday we'll be opening the heavens for this sweet girl named iva. I love youa ton, thanks for all the love in the emails and I'll be more careful with what pictures I take but I just want to remember these things when I'm old and gray! :) I'll have another SD Card shortly headed your way.

Love Elder Jones!!

Stake conference

The stake conference this weekend was the coolest!! Way better than the first one I attended in Tuanai. The Floral arrangements were AWesOME as you can see in that picture I forwarded to you from the Mcbrides. But really this weekend while attending the conference was a very spiritual weekend for me . Not that I got all kinds of fires started inside my heart but I was given a lot of revelation while listening to and watching the careful preparation and prayers that went into every selected speaker and their topics. I especially loved how much the stake president did personally to bless his stake. Theres been a bit of a rough relationship between the mission and this stake which has tainted my thoughts about the stake and the lear=ders but this weekend has really humbled me and showed me a lot. I gained a lot of love for this stake over this last weekend and I just want to do everything I can to help them out especially with all the stake goals and things. I just want the work to take off here and I want to do all that I can to help it! :) 

Thats like the best part of the week oh and we found 3 new investigators who all want to be baptized so thats pretty legit! ;) God makes things so easy for us if we just do it all his way. :) 

Some of my favorites from the SD card we got Friday