What a Wonderful Life I Have . . .

It's been a few weeks since we have heard from Sean since he is now serving on Romalum. What a great treat to get an awesome (and long :) letter from him this week as they are all on the main island for Zone Conference!

December 8, 2013

First off, I'm so glad that you are doing great right now Mom and that you are being taken care of. I don't know if I could stand it if I was told something serious/life-threatening happened to my mother or anyone else in my family, especially at this time of the year.

That's so awesome that you all are having so much fun right now and enjoying this Christmas season. Me, it's been pretty good, just finding, teaching, baptizing, and just enjoying Chuuk. Parker and Dylan, keep reading from that handbook, if you can understand it early, you guys will be so much more ahead of the game when it comes time for you guys to "suit up".

I had one baptism this last weekend, a young man named Benjamin. Unfortunately I have not received the envelope from the Primary. However, I have gotten your box for the 12 days of Christmas. Me and Elder Telona are so excited to start unwrapping them this week (Thursday here, Wednesday there). Elder Telona has never done this befoe and wants to start on the 12th of this month so that we will be opening a gift every night until Christmas Eve.



So much rain that there is no schools open
on days like this!

Also, it's funny that you mention that you guys are having the missionaries over and thinking of less-actives/non-members to have over as well, because we just finished up our District Conference and that was our topic, How can members help hasten the work of salvation. I know that this topic is inspired, because President Monson has also commited all of us in this Church to step it up and help in the work of missionary.

Hey so chek it out! We just got two new missionaries, one from Pohnpei (Elder Ladore) and one from Utah (Elder Monson). That's right, the nephew of the Prophet is serving here in my mission, on the island of Uman. Just thought you would like to know in case President Monson stands up in Conference and starts talking about Chuuk! J J J J

We are hoping to have two weddings and 4 baptisms this month. And right now, we are trying for a total of 750 baptisms here in Chuuk alone. I'm just amazed at how fast this work is moving, and I'm so glad that I get to be a part of it.

You know it's funny that you guys just finished watching the Christmas Devotional, because I also just finished watching something equally as inspiring, aabout the story of Ephraim Hanks and the Martin/Tyler Handcart Company. Guess they came out with a movie about it and from watching it, it really gives me a profound understanding of how powerful the priesthood authority of God can be when an individual stands ready and worthy when his moment comes. Makes me wonder, how many opportunities have I passed on or not been looking for, to share in the priesthood power to lift someone's hope, to strengthen someone's faith in the Living God and in His Son, Jesus Christ? How will I prepare myself now so that I can stand ready when my moment comes?

That's so awesome that you guys have a connection to Elder Monson through Stef. We all love him and think he's the best, he makes us all laugh and I know that he is going to be a great help to the Uman branch.

Our investigators are also doing well, and we had a few of them attend the District Conference taht just concluded. Me, I'm keeping on alright, just really starting to see my liife in a whole different way than before. I'm finally realizing that living my life for me and my wants, is not a good way to do it. The Lord has blessed me with some of the most amzing people in the world and I get to go and see and strengthen them every day. I get to exercise my faith with everyone that I talk to and pray that someday they will accept this Gospel. Right now, in my little chain of islands (the Fai-Chuuks), we are seeing our share of trials and adversities. People that were so open to the Gospel that have either been baptized and received callings and the priesthood and been so excited and adement about the Church, are now starting to fall away.

As of right now, no I don't know when I'll be calling yet, and I also don't know if I can add Garrett in as well to the call, but when I know, you guys will know. I'll be sending out some pictures and videos home so hopefully you guys like them.

Pwapwa epwe nonnom remi pokiten ekkewe mettochun ei fonufan ra sotunikemino pwan sotunikichino atun manauachkewe. Pwan ussum jok Mama, ngang mi pwan minaminoch usapw minaminamang ren ai we tuffichin nom non ach ei famini. Ngang mi fakkun sinei, me ua pwan tongeni annetata pwe Samach Kot won Ngang mi manau tori ikenai pwan Noun Ewe ach ewe Chon Amanau Jises Kraist. Non ei fansounun Kristmas, ouse mochen ousapw menukano usun uputiwan Jises Kraist; mutata pwe epwe nom remi fansoun meinisin esapw eu ran jok. Ngang mi sinei pwe ina mo sise juwen tufichin kunafengenikich non ei fansoun, ua jok nuku pwe Ewe Emon mi Fel epwe tumunikichino tori sia chusefan non fenuachwe Utah.

Tong seni ngang, seni ikenai tori feinfeino jok,

Elder McEwan ika Elder Mikimik