Hey everyone, here's Elder Wilson Matua's last email:

I'm COMING HOME!!!!! WOOOOOOO MOMMA! I'll see you in a two days! Love you MOMMA! Don't have a lot of time to email today, but we will be catching up soon! Alofa atu ia te oe!

And that's it. I guess we'll talk to him on Wednesday. FYI-Elder Matua will give his mission report on Sunday Sept. 13 @ 9am (7350 S 1300 W). 2 years has come and gone and he'll be arriving in Salt Lake at 740pm Wednesday. We have looked forward to this day and now that it's finally here, we're excited and anxious for his return. Thanks again for all your prayers, support and love!!!

Elder Basson not happy taking the Driving Test

I'm beginning to get very anxious, mixed emotions is all that I can feel at the moment. But disregarding all of that. There is still work to be done. There is no room for excuses that the point. I feel like I am on top of the world. With these feelings Elder Basson, Telleman and I will be working the hardest we can and not letting our mistakes tear us down. It was a challenging week we might add. But with the hardship we faced we saw a great miracle happen with Aiko Fukumoto! She was baptized this week and more than anything brought much joy to us all.
          I've been very stressed out having to except the fact of leaving New Zealand in the coming week. I've been fighting the emotions because I do not want this experience to end. All good things have an ending and this will be the hardest one yet. We will be working as hard as we can to overcome our weaknesses and just do the work that we have this week. This is going to be the best week of my Life! I Thank you for all that you do and all that you say. It inspires me to do my very best!

Great Day!!!

Baptism....Rhoda Scanlan

Hey sorry it's been a busy day!!! I've got two new companions. A greenie Elder Tellemen (Australia) and Elder Basson (South Africa). Things are going well and well I will be finishing my mission here in Harbour! Woo don't need to move!  Congrats on Drew (Elder Burns) going on his mission! Kris let me know today about him going.
I'm getting excited!!!!! But also getting very sad...I'm glad President has done my last transfer the way he did...SO I CAN STAY FOCUSED!!!

My NEW comps, Basson (Left) and Telleman (Middle).

SORRY NOT MUCH TIME THIS WEEK, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

I will be staying here in Harbour for my last 4 weeks!!!! I'm in a trio right now with the Takapuna Elders until Thursday when I get my companion. I'm not too far from the mission home but I'll be going back to my area with my new comp. Things are starting to get crazy! I can't believe Jessica's leaving for her mission, Dominican Republic....Wow!! Spanish Speaking! Don't have much time left and I have to go shopping, so here are some pictures. Happy Birthday to my goofy little brother Garrett, and birthday shout outs to all the cousins, aunts, uncles birthdays in August. Special birthday wish for my Grandma Sherry Burt! Love you all!!! Have a great week!!!

Got to bless this little one...Carter Mataafa. 

The Elders in my District.

OK, so Elder Matua didn't have much time to email but he said he's getting nervous and really doesn't know what to think. He sends his love to everyone. As of today he has 4 1/2 weeks left. He has already been in contact with Bishop Miller and is scheduled to speak on Sept. 13 at 9:00. Right now he is still in a trio with the zone leaders but he said he should be getting a new companion, so we'll know something Sunday when he emails. He'll be finishing out his time in Aeroview and as the end draws near he will make contact with friends and families from his different areas. Working in the YSA ward has been an eye opener for him, but he's finding that he is making some good connections.  
For us as a family it seems so weird that he's coming home soon. These 2 years have been a blessing for us, and we're so grateful for the love and support you've shown this missionary son of ours. His experience has brought so much joy and happiness to us, and we can't wait to hear all his stories.
God bless everyone!!!

Chillin' with Elder Duke at the clinic

I'm in a trio now! My Companion Elder Duke went home early for back surgery so now I'm with my Zone Leaders until I get a new companion...It's been a crazy week for us here.
Elder Duke had a doctors appointment on the South Side of the Mission on Tuesday to find out the results of his MRI. Ended up being that 12 of his vertebra were damaged, 3 prolapsed discs (Note: it's extremely painful) , and ruined lumbar spine. The doctors prescribed for him was 5 mg of morphine to stop the pain...Wow was he cranky.

Our Mission President was at our flat about four times this week speaking with Elder Duke about what was needing to be done. Felt like he was living with us for a good part of the week. But finally on Thursday, Elder Duke was off. We took him to the airport that night. Honestly it was the weirdest thing to be there especially as a missionary. For a few brief seconds I thought it was me coming home. I send the video I sent to my family. so you can see my reaction.
From then on I've been with the Zone Leaders going around their area..they cover the whole of Auckland City from the North Shore to Penrose. HUGE Area! We've been working a lot of their area this week. It's so pretty around here!  Honestly I wish you could see what is here! Heavenly Father did no go lightly on Making a Beautiful World! He went all out on New Zealand!

I finally know what's it's like to be in the YSA Ward. ( Zone Leaders Ward) I went with them this week! Oh my Goodness it is so different! I loved it! Where is the Singles Ward in West Jordan? Because I will for sure be going! I'm feeling much better and enjoying the work. Have a great week!

Hello Everyone,

 I thought I would just say that I am doing HEAPS better! For what I can handle on a day to day basis. We are only working about half a day. They have been pretty effective but personally I wish they were better.
I've been thinking a lot lately and I'm finding it really hard to keep my mind focused all the time. The time is slipping from my fingers.  It's hitting me harder and harder everyday! The lessons I've learned on my mission have really strengthened me and taught me a lot about who I am and learning about who you are. " It's easier for us to find because we have more of ourselves to find." - D. Todd Christofferson.
Or in what I see is this, the fact that we will always be finding ourselves in little instances. Only if we are paying attention we will see those things.
It's been a struggle here on a mission but from what I've seen, the thing that helps the most while on a mission is CHARITY!  Wow has this impacted me a lot. If we love the outcome will always be a positive. I have used this question quite a bit on my mission to help me see if I had a good day or a good week.
Did I love the people we met today? If I could answer yes then it was a success! I love my mission for all that it is!  Only 8 MORE WEEKS!!! WOW
Have a great week, love you all!!! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers

Here is just s short email Elder Matua sent us this week. He is still in a lot of pain but we're hoping with the help of the mission nurse and the Area physician (doctor that is assigned to oversee medical issues for the Church in that area for the Area authorities and the mission) that he'll finally be pain free and back to work. He's been frustrated by the whole situation but we assured him that all will be well and that this will just be another experience that will help him grow. We spoke again with President Balli and he said that he is confident that Elder Matua will heal and get back to work. He allowed Elder Matua a quick call home and we talked for a few minutes. Always good to hear his voice.

Had to take a picture of his scuffy face from the week

That was the longest week of my mission. But I finished the NEW TESTAMENT and DOCTRINE & COVENANTS!!! So that was a big accomplishment for myself this week! I'm still very sore and I think I might have to take it easy again this week. Transfer week and I highly doubt I will be moving anywhere. It would have to be a weird change in events that'd cause me to move. But don't worry I will live. Love you ALL!!!!

Me in my Awesome $7 suit!!!

Yeah I know it's been two weeks since we last posted anything. But it's been a crazy 2 weeks to say the least. So. I'll post Elder Matua's email from June 14, then I'll give you all an UPDATE on his condition and health...WHAAATTT?

Hello Yet again:)  The District has made some big improvements. Especially Elder Pemberton and Fougorouse. Elders Kreiger and Perritt went to do a "Surprise Companionship Study" with them. Elder Fougorouse had just woke up and got out of the shower. The Zone Leaders had spoken to him about giving you a call concerning the matter. Their companionship has changed quite a bit. They are working in unity to get the work done in Takapuna Ward.
Elder Kafalava and Mahoney are doing well also. Elder Mahoney has been a little sick but is pushing through. Trade off was a success. Quite a few miracles came out of it! New investigators, and quite a few potentials. It was a great week for a whole lot of reasons. Goals were accomplished. Work was done and focus on the work was oh so sweet.
For my companion and I we are still searching for the elect to teach. But in the process we are setting up the area for other missionaries in the future! Find potentials left and right, being friendly and serving those around us everyday. It gets more fun and more fun every day! I absolutely LOVE it! Still trying to figure out how to make our companionship even better than it is right now and trying to make improvements to our area.

Elder Iakopo trying on "NEW" shoes on member's porch

Light Sabre

OK, now for the UPDATE!!! We got a call from President Balli last Friday (yeah it was a shock!!!) informing us that Elder Matua was going in for surgery (out-patient). Needless to say, we were nervous but Pres. Balli assured us that Elder Matua would be in good hands. He started having pain again (you'll have to ask him when he gets home about the pain) and rather than prolong his suffering, Pres. Balli decided he needed to have this procedure done and called to get our permission. We also spoke with the doctor and he answered our questions and that helped ease our concerns. He wasn't able to really email because he's been on pain killers and he needs to be off his feet and resting. BUT it was great to get a "Father's Day" call on Saturday with permission from his mission president. He says he's doing well and should be back to 100% within 2 weeks. So hopefully we'll get a better idea of how he's doing on Sunday when he emails. Here are a few pictures from the hospital....He sends his love to everyone and says he's getting nervous because he's short-timing, a little over 10 more weeks from today!!!!

Ohhhhh the pain. Hospitals NO FUN!!!

Post-op...getting ready to go home

Chillin' at home..recovery time!

 Hello! The week went well much better than the last, with our focus to find five new investigators it was achieved! We are very happy in saying that we followed the spirit and really let the Holy Ghost be the guide this week. We had some really good potentials come out of it. So we've got a lot of work to do this week! We are so ready to just do it! Along with following the spirit we had the opportunity to give a blessing to a part-member family we are visiting, the Mataafa Family. We've been working with the father for quite some time and is progressing well. He came to church this week on his own along with the kids! Elder Iakopo and I were so excited!
I came to a realization this week yet again with the power of fasting. Church was a huge testimony builder of listening. Teaching two classes was a big test for us. But when relying on the spirit and listening with charity it brings clarity. I have a very firm witness now of the importance of fasting. What great spiritual power it has given to me. One day a week without a temporal intake of food or worldly desires brings six days of spiritual capacity to endure. It's amazing to me how powerful fasting really is. Everything physical is shut off and spiritual is turned on. The more we turn off the physical and turn on the spiritual we always get the benefits. In order for a more spiritual experience of fasting is this. Getting rid of the world and listening to the sways of the Spirit! It works!
Trade-off on Friday was a success for us with Elder Pemberton and Fougerouse. Many concerns from Elder Fougerouse were shared about his companions. A lot was shared and a lot was resolved. Studying has been a problem for him so I gave him some suggestions on what might help him out. Start with a question, seek for things that answer your question, and seek how what you learned can be applied. Elder Pemberton is seeking to do things his own way and leaving his companion behind. Preparations are being made to let him know that when you are working together you are much stronger. Gained some guidance from Elder Perritt on how I might help him realize what needs to change.
Elder Mahoney and Kafalava are doing much better than in previous times. Much more progression has been made in their companionship. Yet again another really good week. Elder Iakopo and I were able to help them out this week with shopping, and in return they feed us some dinner, tacos. Really grateful for the District we are even though we have a few hiccups that need to be fixed!
I hope all is going well for you and may Heavenly Father's blessings be upon you:)

Making dinner with the District

This past week was a struggle for me and my companion. Nothing was working for us hitting road blocks, and running into dead ends. Elder Kreiger gave some great counsel to me. "It was a good week if you didn't break any of the "Four Loves" this week." or in other words if you loved your companion, the people, leaders, and area it was a good week. It was some good counsel for me, he also included that sometimes we have to change the little things to build up desires to continue and endure. This week is going to be much better for us as a companionship. Teaching investigators was a struggle, Hit and miss visits, Overall we need to make some changes to what we are doing. 

Elder Fougerousse, Pemberton, Kafalava, and Mahoney are slowly progressing. Really wish there was a way to help them out more. We were not able to have our trade-offs this week, too much going on for me and my companion. We are trying to do what we can for the district but I sense that Elder Mahoney does not want to take anything that I shared with him into consideration and use it. It hurts but I do not know what else I need to do to help him out. But I feel that the best thing to do now is just fasting and praying that something will change and that they will recognize that I really do care for them and want them to progress. It's painful to watch but there's nothing I can do, it's all up to him to change.                         

I hope you all have a good week!

Hello everyone. Sorry, Elder Matua didn't send a weekly email this week. When he emailed us on Sunday he said that he didn't have much time but that things are going well. He has a new companion from Samoa, Pesega 3rd Ward, Elder Iakopo. He didn't say where his old comp, Elder Fine was transferred to. But the work continues to move forward, slow but making some progress. This blog will have more pictures of him, his companion and the district. He sends his love to everyone!!!

DISTRICT

New companion, Elder Iakopo

Chicken, anyone???

Missionary Fun

"Cheesy Smile" picture

E mail Day

Kia Ora! Good Sabbath Evening! Short email this week, we're having our Zone P-day today. So It should be a blast! Nerf Guns and Zombies!
I hope today has been a great day of Spiritual Refill, There are a whole lot of things I have come to a realization of this week.
1. Satan really likes to work on you at your low moments
I've been sick..Yes again sick but I am all better now; Geared up and ready to go to battle. The Adversary has been a real EGG. He really played tricks with my mind. It's only when I am sick it happens. It's terrible. I sought some help from my Mission President. He gave me this, Fasting! So if I look skinny skinny you will know why:)  
2. The Atonement is SO REAL- Repentance is an awesome process of changing and reforming. I have really taken it for granted but now I realize it's going to help me. My views have switched heaps!
3. Trials and tribulations are like mirrors They display how strong you are.
4. I'm terrible at speaking my mind.
 Having to counsel missionaries is the hardest thing for me to do as a leader. It hurts you more than it does the missionaries because you learn to love those around you. It hurts to the point you want to help but there's not a whole lot that can be done because agency is the key to everything. It's super tough!
 So I have a lot of improvements to make...in a short amount of time. It will not be easy but I pray that the harder I work the easier the trials will be to endure. It's going to be fun to see what is going to happen here in the next while! Heaps of emotions will for sure be coming about so I hope all goes the way it should!
 Let me know how things are going for you! I hope this week is awesome for you!

Tofa mai Niu Sila!

Well, as you can tell from the picture Elder Matua shared this week, the weather is getting colder. They're heading into the winter months over there and so he has to bundle up. It was so good to talk to him on Mother's Day. We talked for about 55 minutes and he sounded great. The bridge pictured below is where he called us from. Our conversation consisted of questions we asked him and then he'd ask us some questions. One of the questions he asked was, "OK, which room am I going to use when I get home?" We couldn't give him a definite answer, but I think we'll have a room ready for him downstairs (fingers crossed). He laughed about that one because he said, "Well, maybe we can just knock out the wall between the rooms and we (all 3 boys) can share a room." Can you say missionary flat? Ha Ha

A question we asked, "How is the area?" He said that the work is really slow, hard to find investigators, it's a more affluent area and he said that people aren't as humble. But he also said that it's great working with Elder Fine, and that he really loves him because he's so humble and works hard. He talked about his appreciation for his family, something that he said he took for granted and that he's learned how important his family is to him. That really made our day!!!! He had words of encouragement for Tai and Garrett, expressed his love for his MOM, of course, and his love for his ward and extended family. He was kind of bummed that he didn't get a chance to talk to his cousin, Ean, who recently returned from his mission in Samoa. Mostly because he wanted to rap in Samoan. He was also excited to hear about the return of another cousin, Braden, from serving in Mexico (his younger brother, Cole, will be leaving for Iowa in July). He was blown away that Duncan, Kingston, and soon he-himself would be home, He said that he's feeling sad because he feels like he's leaving "HOME" to come home. His experience has been a real life-changer, mostly spiritually. He hasn't changed much physically, he has maintained his weight, which for him is a big thing because the people were always so willing to feed them. But definitely his testimony has grown and he's grateful for the gospel in his life.

Mother's Day Bridge

As we concluded our phone call, he shared his testimony with us in Samoan. The beautiful country of New Zealand and it's wonderful people have definitely filled a space in his heart. We are excited to have him home but it's a bitter-sweet feeling. We're going to miss his emails and especially the BLESSINGS that come from having a missionary in the field.

Hello Family and Friends!

THE DISTRICT

Just a quick update on what's been going on here in the Auckland New Zealand Mission! Miracles are happening! My companion and I are getting along really well and it's making the work so much easier! If there is any advice for a future missionary. This is it...Stay humble and be patient and Heavenly Father will take the reigns to control what needs to happen. My companion and I have been fasting for a good portion of our week. Seeking inspiration on what HE needs us to do with those we know! And it has been working. Humility in fasting brings more blessings:)

Not a raincoat....ARMOR!!!

We have had miracle upon miracle this past week with meeting new people and meeting potential investigators. Everything here has had to be through the members and our members are on board the Lord's train to success! It's a huge blessing! We have been working with a returned missionary, Melody Parker, she is the BEST...actually her whole family is AMAZING!:)
We get referrals like crazy from them and we are getting worked in this ward! I love it! Our goal this week is to have someone set for baptism this week!


My goodness I love this area! We are not..I repeat not going to become discouraged this week! I know this is His work and I know that he will provide his purposes!

Have the greatest week!

All is well here nothing has changed, just the fact that Elder Fine and I have been using a car...It is a blessing and a burden at the same time. We are not really able to talk to many people on the roads so we have had to improvise our efforts in knocking on doors in the area surrounding the contacts we have on one street.

A few highlights from this week. We found six new investigators!!!! YES!!! All coming from fasting and prayer. They both work and are GREAT tools to gain extra help from Heavenly Father! Meeting the ward this past Sunday was quite interesting in itself. So multi-cultral in North Shore, from South African to Chinese. You name it we've got here in "Taka's Brew." It's beautiful here, SO GREEN! I will for sure miss the foliage because everywhere you look there are trees or bushes. It's sweet az! But adjusting has been difficult but it will take time after being in Papatoetoe for about 8 months. The members are the best! We are double covering Aeroview Ward and Aeroview North Woop woo!!! I believe that this area is prepared it's just going to take our efforts to find miracles here.
There has been a lot of negative talk about Harbour Stake, but we will be putting all of that to shame!

THIS AREA IS THE BEST AND WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR WHAT IS TO COME NEXT!!!

Elder Matua has been transferred to Harbour Stake, and is assigned as a District Leader, covering the Aeroview Ward. He says that his area is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, but then again, what part of New Zealand isn't beautiful, right??? His new companion is Elder Fine from Nukualofa, Tonga. He is so excited to be serving in a new area, but as you can see by the pictures, he's made some eternal friendships with families in the Papatoetoe area. We will be forever grateful for the care and concern the Saints in Papatoetoe showed him during his time there. Faafetai lava!!!

Last picture with his district and the Irvines in Papatoetoe.

New Companion, Elder Fine from Tonga

It's getting colder here.

Sorry everyone, I know it's been over two weeks since the last post but it's been kind of a stressful two weeks. Let me start by saying that the Lord has granted miracles on Elder Matua's behalf. The first miracle was that New Zealand wasn't impacted by Cyclone Pam as we had initially heard. Elder Matua said that they prepared for the worst but in the end they got a lot of rain and some wind but nothing life threatening. The second miracle is that he's doing better physically. We heard from him at odd times on email days because he was really sick. He had to be driven everywhere. He spent a night in the hospital and then a week in bed. I won't go into details, other than to say that it was serious enough physically that he almost had to be down for 6 weeks. But thankfully the Lord has allowed him to recover and he's back to full activity and loving it. Being down for a week was driving him mad (and I'm sure his companion).He's still in Papatoetoe, going on 6 1/2 months, but transfers are this week and he's pretty certain that he'll be moved. So, we'll update everyone next week. He got an AWESOME surprise this week!!! Elder Burns (his former companion) and his family are in New Zealand and they stopped in to visit him and drop off his Easter treats. He was SO happy to see them!!!

The Elders and the Burns Family

Anyway, he didn't send a weekly rundown the last couple of weeks due to illness, and then we were out of town this last weekend for Spring Break and Easter and we didn't have good reception for phone or email.

REUNITED with Elder (Kris) Burns

Hopefully we'll get a better picture of what he has been up to for the past couple of weeks.

The District...part of us anyway.

Here we go! After another awesome week I can say, Elder Blandford and I worked our butts off! Making everything as effective as possible and building our desires to become more effective servants of the Lord!
When in doubt rely on the members to get someone for you to teach! We were able to teach two new investigators, referrals from our dear Relief Society president! She wanted us to teach her nephews Isaia and Iupeli! They should be set with a baptismal date here shortly! We taught them the Plan of Salvation on Monday and this week we will be teaching them the Restoration.
     My District went from two companionships to one to watch over this past week. With sickness and "disability" a lot of changes have been made.  But it's been interesting to see what happens when a ward is split and then combined into one. The faith of others is really tested. Sister Merrill and Rarawa have really grown in the past week. I am so glad to be able to help these sisters grow. They have made a lot changes! It's interesting to be a District Leader. It does not add stress it just adds extra responsibility and need to be the best YOU you can be! I has really been a test that strengthens!

Service Project

        We had a cool experience having a member (Dekon Yee) come out with us to work. Martha Collins is a member we have been trying to get back to church,we were able to get her to come. All because of Dekon Yee. He is preparing for a mission and has a DESIRE to be out there. We had him teach on the Atonement (what he has wanted to know more about) It was so good to hear what he was saying. He resolved concerns, bore testimony, and made clear what his message was about. The icing on the cake was this, Sis. Collins came to church, after years of in-activity she came yesterday! I told Dekon "It's because of you she came." He replied "This is a good day." The Spirit truly does testify. The work of salvation is inspired from a loving Heavenly Father who is constantly needing us to provide the means by which our brothers and sisters can not only discover the "Living Waters" but drink from it.
             The gospel is so true and will always be! The blessings of heaven are available to everyone if they act in faith according to the promptings of the Spirit and all other sources of inspiration that are given to man. God always rewards the true and faithful seeker! Let us all be those faithful seekers.

LOVE YOU and find a missionary moment this week!!!!

Teaching the AWESOME Sunbeam class!!!