Letter from Elder Telona . . .

We have been trying to write to Elder McEwan's companions so that we can get to know them, and them us. This is a sweet letter I received from Elder Telona, who was Sean's companion two transfers ago. I love all of the amazing Elders who serve on Chuuk. I hope to meet them all someday :).

April 14, 2014

Elder McEwan & Elder Telona ~ Serving on Romanum

Dear Sister McEwan,

Thank you for the letter. I am really glad to have served alongside with Elder McEwan. He has taught me so much. Thank you very much for your prayers. I hope you do get to visit Hawai'i someday. It is very beautiful.

Sincerely,
Elder Telona

We're All Doing Well Out Here . . .

The internet has finally been fixed for the Chuuk Elders! We were sooo excited to receive word from Sean. We look forward to hearing more from him and will hopefully receive a letter in the mail soon!!! :)

Our wonderful lunch at Zone Conference
this week ~ April 2014

April 6, 2014

Hey family,

I'll keep it short because I'm going to be sending a letter. Thanks for the boxes and letters
that you've sent me.

Oreos that Sister Crisp made
with the ingredients and recipe
Mom sent

Elder Jonas is doing great and we're both trying to work hard, the investigators are going well there are just some wrinkles that we need to work out with them but we are hoping to have 1-2 baptisms this next week, a teenage girl named Miikarine and Matt (side note, his wife was baptized two weeks ago and I've been teaching him for about 5 months).

Thank you momma for sending stuff to Sister Crisp to make Oreos for all of us. We all absolutely love homemade Oreos!!! :)

Love and kapwongs seni jon Chuuk!!
Elder Mikiimik

T-H-E Best Chuuk Zone
Top back left: Elders Garae, Payne, Ladore, Simpson, Schroath,
Telona, Selander, McEwan, Fefuna, Holmes. Middle row left: Sister
Crisp, Elders Crisp, Mackie, Jonas, Fabiano, O'Bray, Plocher,
Vanisi, Kleven, Fermanis, President Mecham. Bottom row left:
Elders Peck, Vehikite, Hunter, Rainey, Roque, Canakiavata

Happy Birthday, Mom . . .

I was surprised by this sweet birthday wish from my dear Elder! It brought tears to my eyes . . . doesn't take much, especially when it involves my boys :). What a great opportunity we have to rub shoulders with Elder and Sister Crisp. They are great examples to us as well as to the Elders they serve, help, and take care. Along with their many other responsibilities of the islands, they always make sure the Elders are loved!

March 27, 2014 (In Chuuk)

Dear Sister McEwan,

Is it your birthday? Would that be our today, or your tomorrow?  Your elder asked if we could wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!  First elder to do that, so he thinks you are really special!

I also wanted to thank you for your service to the Chuukese missionaries in Provo. By the way, how do you make Oreos?  Sounds good!

E McEwan is doing well on Romanum.  He seems very upbeat! It is different than Mechitiw!  Some elders are fonder of this area than others.  The branch has dozens of kids running around, usually without adult supervision!  We don't choose to attend there all the time.  We can attend wherever, and we do!  Best wishes to you. Sister Crisp

A Loss on the Islands . . .

As a mom of two missionaries currently serving, it is with a broken heart that I write this post, but many have messaged as the news has been heard. We have not heard much from the Pacific Islands since February because of internet being down and mail not being sent, but received word of a tragedy that happened on March 13, 2014. We know that these dear Elders have an eternal bond that cannot be broken.

An amazing Elder in Sean McEwan's mission has passed away from a fall. Elder Miller Toa was an incredible missionary and served the people of Chuuk valiantly. He and Sean became companions in August. As I reread the letter written by Sean at that time about this dear Elder, there is no doubt that he was a wonderful person loved by all. Sean loved him dearly.

Please pray for his family and loved ones. Pray for our missionaries in the Micronesia Guam Mission. Pray for our Elders on Chuuk. There are not many of them on this small group of islands and they are truly brothers who I'm sure have broken hearts at this time. They are strong young men and have an extra special Spirit with them, but I'm sure they are hurting.

I am so thankful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and to know the plan of a loving Heavenly Father. Especially through hard times, it is comforting to know that He is there for us. He definitely has an ultimate plan for each one of us. I am grateful to have been able to share in a bit of Elder Toa through Elder McEwan.



Our District at Zone Conference

March is Looking Good . . .

March 4, 2014

Dear Family,

Hey now, how is everyone? I hope well. Things are going great for me and Elder Jonas. We're looking to have 4 baptisms this weekend, a young man named Anikson, and older than me guy named Matt, and two sisters, Rowena and Sanfy. March is shaping up to be a great month!!! I just hope I get to stay for it (we'll have had transfers by the time you get this :)).

I'm doing well, just trying to get everything done that I'm asked to do. Been kind of hard lately because it's been raining every day for the past week, so we're trying to just get out when we can and make the most of it. Hey, one of the youth, Nitik, just came in the house and says "Hello!!" I really like Nitik. He's a good kid.

Rodney is actually leaving on the 8th of March, we're all trying to help him get ready so that he'll be prepared.

Thank you guys so much for the boxes and letters and everything. It really makes my day to get them!!

So a little bit about my branch. We've got about 160 members on record, but we'll be lucky if we have 10-12 of them show up (that doesn't count all of the little kids that come and attend). My Branch President, Tarsisio Walter, is a spiritual man among men and I love him! He's married and has four kids -- 3 boys and one cute little girl that has a crush on me and Elder Jonas. They're all outside and say hi and love to you all.

I love you guys. I miss you so much and I hope this letter finds you all well!! Kot epwe nomw remi ach chusefan!!

Much Love,
Elder Mikiimik

Change of Heart Day . . .

February 7, 2014

Well, last night Elder Jonas brought to my attention that I don't smile or laugh or anything like that anymore, so I went to sleep thinking about it and woke up deciding to change. I've been smiling and laughing and just flat out happy all day long! I could definitely see a difference in the way I did and said things. Maybe that's been my problem lately and I just couldn't see it until someone else pointed it out to me. Very thankful for Elder Jonas :).

We met with Matt today. We might have to consider dropping him. We also met with a kid name Sumi. Super good day all around!

Love from Romalum!
Elder McEwan

Stuck in a Slump . . .

February 5, 2014

Man, we only had 1 lesson today! Not really my favorite day as a missionary. Lately I've been feeling like I'm in a slump and no matter what I try to do, I can't get out of it!! I'm trying to be humble and find people, but it is crazy hard!!! So much for my plan.

Anyway, met with Matt and taught the Plan of Salvation, which was actually a really good lesson. Also, me and Jonas got haircuts in preparation for Zone Conference next week. I'm going to ask President Mecham what's going to be happening to me (as far as transfers go). I've heard from multiple people that I'm going to Pata, and stay on the path of the "one who trained me" (Elder O'bray). I'll be honest, I'd love it there, too! I love all the members and all of their investigators. We'll have to see what the Lord needs of me.

Keep Strong!
Elder McEwan