Loving the Work . . .

August 24, 2014

Dear Family,

Well, I'm loving it here in Guam. As far as address, just use the mission address, it's easier. So that is:

Elder Sean McEwan

Micronesia Guam Mission

620 W Route 8

96913 Barrigada

Guam

I was able to see some people in CHuuk before I left, but it was hard....I absolutely love them, and I want to come back. I do get to use my Chuukeese a little (in the ward here in Barrigada, we have a Sunday School class entirely focused on Chuukese people). Ummm...I have been eating more American food lately, and the living conditions are more manageable. I have HOT water to shower with, and I don't have to use a bucket anymore, along with a fridge a WORKING fridge and air con. Things are good thus far, we have a TON of work to do, both for investigators and the Guam Zone, but one thing that I love about Elder Afualo is that he is very focused on the work. He played football at SF High, so that helps for him to bring in his knowledge and experience in this calling. His first name is Richie, and he is Samoan.

Thnks for helping for college stuff, it seems that there are a lot of missionaries right now that are also trying to get all that squared away, but yeah, just let me know what you find.

Yeah, I do actually remember Halley. Me and Elder Afualo saw her picture in the office a few days ago and I thought "Man, I think I know this girl." Then I looked at the name and whre she was from and was like HELLO!! Yeah, just tell here that I'm here. Also, Elder Roberts is currently serving in Yap.

My release date....no I don't know, BUT!!! I've heard that maybe the end of January. And you're right, I don't like to think about it. This whole thing has been such an eye opening experience for me, and I don't want it to end. I've learned so much and I don't want to wake up one day and not be doing what I'm doing. I've felt more at peace over the last few days and weeks than I have in my whole life, hands down, and I can't imagine a day when I'm not a full-time missionary. A big thing that I've learned lately comes from a question I've had for a long LONG time: What can I do to have people be happy with me? I've been talking about it with Elder Afualo and I've realized the answer that I wish I could've known forever ago, which is this: Don't try to make people happy. Make God happy. The world and it's standards are going to change all the time, but God's standards are simple and unchanging.

I hope that everything is going well for you guys. I love seeing pictures and hearing about what you guys are up to. Please know that I miss you guys, but that I'm loving being a part of this. Never before have I felt this type of diligence and determination to finish something (another thing I'm glad I've learned ;) ).

I love ya, Momma!!

Elder McEwan

OH!!! P.s. I just dropped off some Chuukese missionaries leaving for the MTC today. It made me feel really good to know that I helped all 3 of them to prepare for their missions and have taken care of them here in GUam. Made me feel like my own kids were leaving for their missions.

Word From Guam . . .

Word from Elder Crisp and then one minute later a letter from our Elder saying he had arrived safely in his new home on Guam :).

Hello, Just to let you know, your son left for Guam at 2:50 a.m. this morning! He will be missed!!!!

Elder Crisp

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August 18, 2014

Dear Family--

Wow, busy, busy, BUSY!! We are all just up to our ears in work . . . LOVE IT!!! :) I'm doing good. I just got into Guam (at 4:30 a.m. this morning) and I'm excited to be here. My companion is Elder Afualo (from Spanish Fork, UT) and I really like him. He's served the majority of his mission in Pohnpei and just came to Guam one transfer ago, so I'm very excited to be working with him and to learn from him.

That's funny that you mention "service issues" with phones, because that's what I went through in Paata, no service down in the house and having to walk all the way up the mountain or to the other side of the island to make a phone call. Hahaha :) that's too funny!! By the way, very NICE phones!!! Is there any hope of one of those waiting for me to come home?

I don't really have anything to report or talk about right now, on account of 1) I just got here, and 2) I'm still a little jet lagged!! But I love you all, and when I find it, there will be an SD card coming your way soon. (BTW, I'm sorry, but the new memory card that you guys sent me went missing in Chuuk, along with another SD card and my camera bag. But don't worry!!! There will still be pictures of CHUUK!!)

Ren tong wachemuk,

Elder Sean McEwan

Unexpected But Exciting News for the Islands . . .

A surprising message I awoke to this morning from Elder Crisp. What am I going to do without him and Sister Crisp?! They have definitely been my "connection" to Sean as the internet and mail service has not always been accessible to him. I have sure come to love them and their love for and example to the missionaries, the Chuukese people, and to me :).

Sean has served on many of the islands for Chuuk for 19.5 months of his mission and absolutely LOVES the Chuukese people. I know he will miss them and feels like he has left "home" again. However, it will be a great opportunity for him to serve on Guam as well. The church is true no matter where you go and there are many people EVERYWHERE that he will share the gospel with. He will be a great leader in Guam. Hurrah for Israel!!!

Dear Sister McEwan,

The internet is not working at the church again and Elder McEwan asked that I email you on his behalf. He says that he got his card in the mail today and that you can now activate it. He also wanted you to know that he is being transferred to Guam to serve as a Zone Leader. Flights have been real tight lately so we don't know exactly the day he is leaving, but it will be in the next couple of days. We are just waiting to get the flight arranged. He will be missed on Chuuk!

Elder Crisp