Aloha from the Islands . . .

What a sweet letter we received from Elder McEwan's companion. These young men of the "MGM" are by far the BEST!

Monday, December 30, 2013

Dear McEwan Family,

Aloha from Hawai'i!

If Elder McEwan hasn't already told you guys, my name is Elder Telona. I am from Hawai'i and love to play the ukulele. I love being companions with Elder McEwan. I have been out on a mission now for almost 5 months. Already I've learned so much from Elder McEwan about being a better missionary.

I will return to Utah when I am done with missionary service and if it alright with you guys, I would like to visit you guys. If you guys have any questions you would like to ask, I would be glad to answer them. I am so proud to serve alongside with Elder McEwan and want to thank you all for raising a great son.

Aloha once again from Hawai'i and until next time.

Elder Telona

Merry Christmas from the Islands . . .

Tender mercy that everyone's "cheese got moved" so these
Elders were able to talk to each other :).

What a GREAT day it was to be able to Skype with Elder McEwan all the way around the world on Chuuk. It was a bit difficult to talk across the Pacific Ocean because as good as internet is, it does have it's limitations. We were able to see his wonderful, happy face for a bit and hear his voice for almost an hour! It's so great to hear how happy he is and how much he loves his mission, loves the island, loves the Chuukese people, and loves the Lord.

The day even got better because times got a little changed with both Elders from what was planned, so all of a sudden . . . We had Chuuk on one computer and the Dominican Republic on the other! They were even able to talk to each other briefly, even though it was challenging for them to hear each other.
Today was a great "bucket filler" day! :).

December 26, 2013

Dear Mom and Family,

The birthday and Christmas packages that everyone sent in the mail came today!!! :) :) :). Thank you so much for all the letters and pictures from so many of the family. I also REALLY needed the new white shirts :).

I'm so glad that I was able to talk to you guys today, and I'm glad to see that everyone is doing well!!! It really made my Christmas to see everyone and be able to talk to you all!

Please know that everyone here, Elders and members alike, wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! Thanks you all for all the gifts and for the help and support at this time in my life!!

Please every one have a safe and Merry christmas!! love you all so much!!!

Ai tong ngenikemi,

Elder McEwan

All the McEwan "boys" talking to each other
Christmas 2013 from Salem to Chuuk to the Dominican Republic!

20th Birthday on Romalum . . .

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you so much for all of the birthday wishes that were emailed to me! I don't have enough email time to thank everyone individually, so I'm hoping Mom puts this on the blog so you don't think I am ungrateful.

It was great to celebrate my birthday on Romalum! Since it was on a Sunday this year, I enjoyed spending it at church and with my Chuukese family :).

Thanks for keeping me in your prayers and for your continued support.

Ai tong ngenikemi,
Elder McEwan

Sometimes It's Hard, But We MUST "Keep Trying" . . .

December 15, 2013

Dear Family—

I've been great! Things are good, we are just right now trying to find more investigators but it's starting to get super hard because it seems like everyone on the island (including some super super less active members) really hate missionaries and the church. But as of right now, we are still working with a young guy named Rico. He is so ready to be baptized right now, the only problem is that he wants to be married but the girl's parents don't agree with our church, even though their oldest daughter and her husband have been married in our church. So confusing, but that's just how it is here. We'll keep trying.

Everyone loves the family picture of all of us up the canyon, and they want to see more pictures of my family. Also, the gifts were awesome, thanks so much for thinking of me and Elder Telona this time of year. I also have a box that'll be heading up your way next month, just got some odds and ends that I collected while I was in Mechitiw.

The weather here is starting to get colder at night, but it's still super hot AND super rainy every day. I miss looking at the mountains during this time of year but I know I'll more than likely be going home to snow all over the place.

I don't know when we will be calling to set up Christmas calling times, but I do know all of us will be calling on the 25^th and 26^th here in Micronesia. It's weird to think that after that, I'll have one, maybe two more times, to call before I go home.

Thanks for sending me Elder Sorensen's correct email address. I'll make sure and shoot an email off to him today :)!!!

The letters and stuff haven't been seen yet, but I figure it'll either come today or I'll get it when we come in for Christmas.

Anyways, I hope you guys all continue to have fun and remember our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this time of year, and evry day throughout next year.

Tong seni ngang,

Elder McEwan

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