New companion, same area.

Me and Elder Calizo

Well I'll be honest this week had a lot of high notes! I was grateful for things that happened! My new companion is Elder Calizo from American Samoa. He is half Filipino and half Samoan. We are working in my original area and we hope to find even more people to teach. I had a very interesting thing happen to me on the Thursday after I got my companion...We visited a non-member (Seventh Day) she was talking and talking and talking and..then she said fai se tatalo a'u ( I'm going to say a prayer). Well, a thought came into my mind that I did not fully understand  and you'll have to ask my Mom  about it. Needless to say it was something my Mom wrote to me in a letter she sent that made me think back to that prayer and the thoughts that I had, so I decided to record it in my journal. Maybe I'll share it with you someday.

In your studies I would suggest you take a minute and read Moroni 10:4-6 and also Joseph Smith-History. And I would also recommend Elder Tad Callister's book, The Infinite Atonement.

On our way to transfer meeting

Love my new companion and I hope to be the best trainer I can be! :) LOVE YOU AND HAVE A GREAT WEEK:)

A New Chapter

I got some great news this week and I am so excited to tell you all that I am going to be training a new missionary!!!!! So excited!!! I received the call this week on Tuesday! As soon as I got the call... I accepted :) I went straight to my knees in prayer to know what I should do for this new Elder and I was reminded of the things my trainer taught me. Thoughts of teaching lessons came into my mind from the last twelve weeks and the things I learned but I also thought of the things that I would do differently. I want to do my best to help this Elder transition to this life....the life of a missionary!   Also that I can become better in teaching others and learn from him also! I hope to do the best that I can! MY LANGUAGE IS GOING TO GET SO MUCH BETTER THAN IT IS NOW!!! AHHHH I'M SO EXCITED!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Me and Elder Pulido went on splits I was honestly a little nervous to cover my area with the two of us and the lack of Samoan we have...but I think the Lord was with us more than usual helping us answer questions. I was grateful for that trade off because I actually felt like I was making progress! I have been making progress and I'm reaping the fruits of it !!



Each passing day the work is becoming easier and that much more important. I have loved reading the scriptures lately, I'm currently in Helaman and reading the New testament! I invite all of you to read the Book of Mormon and rebuild upon the foundation of your testimony and the reality of knowing that HEAVENLY FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST LIVE AND THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IS TRUE!!!!!

I love you all and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me!:)

Quick email...slow week

Malo Soifua Lo'u Tina, Uso, Tama...and to friends and family! This week was a slow one but was also super fast, if that makes sense?? I still don't understand why that is...but let's get to the point:) The work is sssssllllllllooooowwwwwllllyyyyy building! We did a lot of relationship building this week and ahh..well yeah that was probably why this week went so slow. Pheww glad I have this week behind me!

Stake Conference this week:) Went really well and I was having some Deja-Vu those two days...almost like I'd been there before in that very chapel.. ...I was listening to one of the Sister RM's bear her testimony and BOOM I had a feeling of ....."woo I've been here before...and she was speaking....and woo this feels right!"

Taking a Break

I had a lot of spiritual promptings this week that always led me back to my Patriarchal Blessing..I found myself THREE times this week reading it..right before going to bed...I guess that's why the blessing is so important! If YOU haven't gotten yoursyet, GET IT! The blessings from it are numerous and I can't explain how much help it has been to me!

I ran across some scriptures concerning Diligence...Alma 26:5 and D&C 75:1-5. These can apply to any situation I invite you to read them! And reap the blessings from it!

Love you ALL! Have a great week!:)

Baptisms and a week full of BLESSINGS!!!!

Hello Family and Friends!

 O a mai outou?!?! Manuia? Seki a??

The Samoan is getting better, and I have found that with trying to speak the language it is coming along....just really slow so I looked to find some other resources:) I looked to music as another way of learning. I got some music from a member. Apparently music has been helping a lot of the Elders and Sisters learn the language. Hopefully it will do the same for me:) I have been speaking in companionship study, sharing what I have learned...not very good but luckily Elder Gaga can understand what I'm trying to say! It's helping but I WANT THIS LANGUAGE DOWN PAT! I've never wanted something so badly and I'm going to keep doing everything I can to learn it.

Sa seki a le papatisoga!!! Sa la'ua fiafia mo le la papatisoga!
Elder Gaga and I were so excited for Saturday...but honestly it felt like another day not any different. I was really excited for this baptism! Wow it was amazing! Sam almost hit his head...not my fault Sam is a big guy!! I was all the way to the front of the font and he still almost hit his head! I had to pull him forward after he went under to stop him. Faaninimo...piece of cake;)

Me, Sam, Faaninimo and Elder Gaga

As I said the prayers (D&C 20:37) I got a little choked up and really felt the spirit. It was an amazing day and I was privileged to be a part of it.

Great week and can't wait to see what is next. Keep praying for me and Elder Gaga:)

LOVE YOU ALL!!

Plugging Away

Me and my MACHETE

Hard at work

Not a lot to report this week. We are still on track for baptisms at the end of the month. It's amazing to see the work moving forward. We had to pull back a little with one of our investigators and we hope to still get her baptized someday. But on a happier note we will be  baptizing Sam and Faaninimo!!! YEAH!!!

So we are having success and I think the work will continue to progress. Hope you all are doing great, thanks again for all the emails and prayers. You just don't realize how much that helps. LOVE YOU ALL and will be in touch again soon.

Elder Gaga and the Lawnmower  

Service projects and teaching

Vave le taimi (time is flying)! I love this area and honestly I think...if I could, I would stay here the whole duration of my mission. I love it here! This week Elder Gaga and I got two new sets!!:) Sam (lost record has to be baptized again) and Grace (a sister that's been going to church for a long time but just hasn't been baptized) I'm so excited, you have no idea! I finally have the chance to see the work progress! I am SOOOO EXCITED AHHHH! I am so full of joy! Ah...finally!!!!!

Gifts-camo pants, Ravens T and Toms

Service Project

We got to do some service for some of the people in this area and that was awesome. My language is struggling but I know THIS week is going to be better for me to start speaking! I can't wait to say the new things I have learned! We've been teaching in English because Sam and Grace understand it better than Samoan and the same for me. Ha Ha. I think I need some practice in my own language before I just start trying to speak.
Thank you for all of your prayers. It's good to have your support and I know that I can't do this on my own. And thanks also to all who have emailed or sent letters, it's always good to hear from you all. I will try my best to respond, but if I don't please forgive me cause P-days just don't give us much time.

Alofas to you all.

Short email this week

This week has been a great one! Had the chance to spend some time with Elder Hall, we were in a trio til Thursday. Being in a trio made me so grateful for my companion! The three of us were able to work in both the Samoan and English programs! Nice to mix it up a little bit! We drove the car everywhere and honestly made the day longer. I'd rather walk! ha ha We had a miracle on Thursday! Wow it was cool! We met with a girl named Grace! She's twenty-four and has been going to church for 11 years but hasn't been baptized. Guess what?!?!?! WE SET HER FOR Baptism on the 18th of January! WOOOO!
Super Excited!  Can't wait for this day!

I hope all goes well this week and hope every single one of you has a fantasic day:) Love you and yours!

These are pictures of Sis. Pe'a and Sis. Brown's baptism commit, I had the opportunity to baptize her. It was AWESOME!!!

Post Christmas, Pre New Years Email

Elder Matua, Elder Gaga and cousin Valu Sauvao

As you all know me and Elder Gaga got to spend Christmas Day with my Aunt Dahlia, Uncle Tavi and their family, and I think I gained six pounds. No, literally I have gained about six pounds!!!  Not Good, Dad says I need to watch it or I'll gain seventy pounds in no time...ha ha. Anyway, on Thursday we met a lady who was going to be baptized but her sister passed away and so she put it off. We told her that her sister is still alive in spirit and re-committed her to baptism and she said YES, but we had to refer her to the English Elders to have them teach the lessons. She's a Maori (native New Zealander). I hope we can get an invite to her baptism, but I'm glad we got to meet her. Oh, and I get to baptize Sister Pe'a and Sister Brown's commit this Wednesday, I'm really excited for that.
So I met another of Dad's cousins here in New Zealand at church on Sunday. He (Valu Sauvao) read my name tag and asked who my father was, I told him Eddie and then he embraced me and explained how we are related. His dad and and my dad's mom are cousins (Uta'i side). His brother-in-law is Bishop I'aulualo of the Tamaki 1st (samoan) Ward that we cover. We were invited over to Bishop's house and we had tons of food and koko Samoa and Valu told me some stories of when he stayed with my dad's family in Samoa.

Talking stories

I also met one of dad's school-mates, Tariu Sa'u. I'm sure there will be more people that I meet that my dad and his siblings grew up with and went to school with in Samoa. It's so cool!!!! I feel very blessed. Hoping for more miracles....I have faith that things will turn around for us. Elder Gaga is a great trainer and I'm so glad to be with him and to feel his spirit and love for the work. My dad talked to him in Samoan when I called on Christmas Day, he was surprised and very humbled.
Well, Have a Happy New Years everyone and pray for miracles to happen in your missionary efforts and send some prayers my way too...LOVE YOU ALL!!

Best Christmas EVER!!!

TJ, Elders Utai, Brown, Matua and Gaga, Tavi

I believe that I can honestly say that having a missionary in the field is one of the hardest things for a parent to deal with, emotionally. Especially during the holidays. For the first time in 19 years Wilson isn't here to spend Christmas and New Years with the family. Waking up this morning felt different, there was a hole, a void. And yet, this afternoon around 4:15 p.m. all of the anxiety, anticipation and nervousness were all put to rest when we heard the simple word, "HELLO." Elder Matua spent about 45 minutes talking to us from half a world away, and let me tell you, just hearing his voice made this one of the best Christmases we've ever experienced. Unfortunately we didn't get the chance to Skype, but it was great nonetheless. It seemed like we talked about everything and nothing all at the same time, and it really didn't matter, but the time just flew. We laughed, we cried, we talked, laughed some more, cried again, it was AWESOME!!! He and his companion and the zone leaders all spent Christmas Day (yesterday in New Zealand) with my cousin Dahlia and her amazing family. Needless to say, they had plenty of food to eat. Big shout out to Dahlia, Tavi, TJ, Tamara, Taran and Teaghan for taking such great care of our missionaries!!!! Fa'afetai lava!!!
We talked about his health, area, companion, district, ward, members, language and through it all the most important thing was just HEARING his voice. Isn't is amazing how the sound of a voice can soothe the soul, especially if it's the voice of a loved one? Now I know firsthand how a missionary parent feels, I can say that I've been there, done that. And even though the time may be short, it is the greatest feeling in the world to know that through the marvels of modern technology we can communicate with anyone at anytime. We are truly blessed to live in this day and time.
He said that the work is slow, there are 12 missionaries assigned in his area, but he's not discouraged, just takes it one day at a time, and both he and his companion are doing what they can to be positive and look for teaching opportunities whenever they present themselves. He sends his love to everyone and is so appreciative of the emails and letters, they help keep him motivated. And thanks for all the birthday wishes!!! He had an amazing birthday and Christmas.

This is what happens when you eat too much

He did say that he could use some prayers on his behalf, to find more investigators and to open some doors to teach more people in his area. And to do the same for the missionaries here.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Happy 19th Birthday, Elder Matua

Still nothing happening in this area......still waiting for a miracle somewhere. But we haven't lost faith! Faith has been key this week and waiting. We have found new people to teach but seems to be that when we get the opportunity to teach...appointments fall through, they don't show up...yeah it happened a lot this week. But through the trying times the benefit of having the Savior is a BLESSING. A HUGE Blessing! The Lord has put Elder Gaga and I through this for a reason. We both are still trying to figure it out. But I think I know what Heavenly Father is trying to teach me....LOVE.....LOVE IS IMPORTANT....LOVE YOUR TRIALS.....LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR MISSION....NEVER GIVE UP!!!!
I have seen the blessing of being in this area, it's been coming from the members. The Lord knows what I need and I have felt it during this Christmas season. He loves me and He love ALL OF US.

Sis. Pe'a, Elders Matua and Wilson (Iese)

My gosh 19 already...Where did the time go?..Only one more birthday and I'll be home??? It is really that fast? WOW I CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE IT MYSELF!! My district sang to me today, so nice:) The mission is wanting to have a "WHITE CHRISTMAS" or in other words, Baptisms on Christmas Day! Me and Elder Gaga...don't have a set :( It's tough to see the success of others but trying to be happy for the new members changes the whole thing around. Me and Elder Gaga attended a baptism on Saturday. But I have a feeling of happiness and I had a thought "Be happy, don't get discouraged your time will come." What!? Okay I said. I'm waiting for the day when I get to see the gospel work in someone's life....patience, patience, patience, and also diligence in all things!

My District

LOVE YOU ALL HAVE A VERY,VERY, VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS ...REMEMBER CHRIST!! LOVE YOU ALL!

PS Today is the 23rd in New Zealand and it is Wilson's 19th birthday. Elder Wilson (pictured above) is Eddie's cousin, Rick Wilson's son and they are in the same district. Today, the 22nd in the states is also our nephew, Kingston's 19th birthday. He is currently serving in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission. We wish them both a very, Happy Birthday!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Missionaries from Otara, Papatoetoe, Manukau and Tamaki zones at the New Zealand Temple

I'M GIVING CHRIST MY SON...a poem

I wanted to share this poem for ALL the parents out there who have a missionary in the field.

Shiny gifts have lost their glitter.
I think I understand.
Christ’s birth should be celebrated
By giving him two hands.

I’ll spend more time in the temple.
I’ll spend time reading his word.
I will serve more humbly
And pray that my faith is stirred.

My head is bowed more frequently
My tears are quick to run.
I’ve put my faith in God this year.
I’m giving Christ my son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held
The hands I taught to pray;
Now knock on doors to find the ones
Who will listen to what he’ll say.

I wonder how Lamanite mothers
Gave their sons to war?
Or how pioneers faced hardships
They sacrificed so much more.

My loss will be his presence.
His dimple, his laugh, his fun.
For two years we will pray for him
I’m giving Christ my son.

Because I know Christ needs him.
Until all the gathering’s done.
My gift has taken years to make.
This year…I’m giving Christ my son.