Three Weeks in Samoa

So this week has been very numerically inneffective but a great week! Elder Christopherson was great to hear from on Tuesday but to be honest I loved hearing from one of the 70 he came with more than him on the Sunday before at a conference for my stake. He talked about 1 Cor.3:2-3. We are walking epistles of Jesus Christ and we need to be asking ourselves what Kind of message we're sending to everyone around us every day. What I add to that is that the message we show those closest to us during the day matters more than the people outside of our home. If I was grumpy and allowed my self to react to my Companions blatant honesty in a rude way at any point in our companionship we would lose the spirit of the Lord and as D&C says, "Shall not teach". So my invitation from his words through my testimony to you is to be conscious of the message you send to our family. Are you delighted to be with them, even when its hard? Do you really want to know about how they are on the inside? Do you care about what they did and didn't do at school? Do you really want them to follow the prophets? My favorite and I know is the most important because its the first step in conversion: Do you love the Book of Mormon, and want more than anything for them to love the Book too? There's powerful truth hidden inside of those questions, especially when thought about as you read the BOM and as you talk with us, your children. I know this works because its what I get to do all day. Do I really want these Samoan people to read and pray? Do I really believe in the lessons I'm teaching? YES. That will be a yes every day I am here because The first step to answering those questions is love. Love for God, and then love for His children, and I at least have that much love. Check out 2nephi 31:20. I know that this gospel can change lives because it has at least changed mine and that of my family. So be sure that when you are converted you give back to where that conversion first started; within the walls of your home as a child. There is no wonder why Father puts us in eternal family units. It's because He knows how to stimulate an eternal "yes" to any of those questions. Within the homes to where He sends each of His beloved children. I know this to be true mommy Jones. 

By the way my zone went to Manono tai this week and part of my heart was filled with more of Samoa! :) We were painting a school there to help the people get more familiar with the Missionaries. Just more proof that Heavenly Father really does gather his children on the "isles of the sea". I love missionary work mommy Jones! I don't want to go home for at least the next 22 months! Be sure you know that I love you though, okay?

Second week in Samoa

We two palagi's just open our mouths say what we know and learn what we don't. That's the key to learning this language! :) Things are great over here. We're working super hard and during my training every day we focus on topics we feel we need the most and every time they immediately bless us. I'm addicting to this whole missionary work thing. Also yesterday we had a stake conference with an Elder Nelson... He's the seventy traveling with Christophereson who we're meeting with tomorrow morning! :) It'll be so cool! :) Elder Nelson all but said the second coming is this year and then went on to talk about the message we're sending people as members of the restored gospel. He said 2 things in particular about what the prophet and Apostles want the most. 1: A strengthened faith in Jesus Christ, and 2: Strengthen families. If we as a church can accomplish that then we'll be ready for the second coming (pretty sure I'll still be in Samoa for that). ;) There's a lot of work to be but its a good thing its a blast.

This meal on the table looks smaller than it actually is. One meal for 2 faife`au (missionaries) could easily feed our whole family... It's delicious too! :) Also the other picture: So its been rough sitting on the floor. Not terrible but I just want to do all that I can to get comfortable so that I don't have any distractions from teaching by the spirit. So My trainer one night when I was in the shower got rid of our two chairs and dropped our tables to the floor so that we could get fa`amasani to sitting on the floor. It's a beautiful strategy because it's working miracles in my focus during lessons. I could care less about my legs! :) 

I love you Mommy Jones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First Email from Apia 1/17/16

So I'm in Tuana`i near Apia on Upolu. It's a great area! More civilized than I had expected but its great over here! We're living in a little box smaller than any apartment you've ever seen. It's a missionary house on the property of the church building and our bathroom/shower is next door. The first day was a little weird but I already fell in love with it. There's always ants on everything, I never get to stop sweating, there's no glass in the windows just screens, etc... I love it mommy Jones! I couldn't be in a more perfect place for me! I might just go undercover and live in some remote part of the island before my time is up. 

I have not found my camera and I don't think there are any cameras on this island other than the ones missionaries have... I'm so sorry to lose it so early on, even just at all but my companion has some pictures for me so it'll be alright. As far as things to send in packages, I don't need anything so far, Bug spray, sunscreen, snacks... I'm not even sure anymore just know that I'm taken care of out here. 

As far as teaching goes, I guess I know a ton of Samoan already for my first week. My trainer says that It took him a month or two to get where I am with the language. We've been trying the best we can to teach but My Soa just got done being trained so He's only been here for 3 months and I'm fresh as could be so we sure do sound confusing a lot of times and visits are filled with a lot of silence while we piece together phrases in our minds. Nevertheless God keeps his promises and we are able to bless others with the knowledge of the  gospel through the holy ghost. To sum it up; We're not effective teachers yet but rather we are HUMBLE teachers that sure do know how to pray. :) I love it! I couldn't have asked for a better way to start my mission! Plus Walking around Samoa from village to village is like walking through a heavenly mine-field of angelic gathering places. Well I guess sort of... Everything and everyone is dirty, but It doesn't really matter that much. It's great over here!

My Companions name is Elder (Parker) Redd. He is fantastic! Honestly the most humble guy I know except for in Elder Form... :) He just does the Lords work with a sincere heart and honest knowledge of what his abilities are. Therefore He just relies on Father to help him along the way. I love Him to death. Plus he's a wee bit "nerdy"/"dorky" so He's a keeper eh Cydney? He is always serving me to! I don't know what else to say other than I love him and wish we didn't have to focus on the Lords work so much because then I'd get to talk with Him a lot more. This whole mission thing is magnificent. 

So everyone that came with me from the MTC are; Elder Tuimauga(Samoan), Elder Kimball(la`u soa), Elder Fifita (Tongan), Elder Packard(Palagi), Elder Mataitusi(Samoan/asian). And Sister Luatau.

It's wonderful out here! 

Love, Elder Jones

Arrived Safely in Apia Samoa

Robert and President and Sister Hanneman  I guess I can stop worrying now I have received confirmation of His arrival in Samoa. Course I already knew this cause I had 3 confirmations in my dreams last night. The first was the Dryer was unloaded but had 2 items left inside  then Robert gave me a big hug. Next I got a email from the Senior couple covering his area Telling me what a blessing he will be in the Upolu area. Last I got one of those photo copied kind of confirmation letters they mail to you where they hand write in the Elders name and district of something. Lol I didn't sleep too much last night too busy worrying. I'm curious where he is actually serving though. Wait and see next Monday for P-day.