Area 1, Week 16 - Nasinu, Fiji 6/23/13 New Companion Elder Nawaqasema

Us With the Sisters after the Worldwide Broadcast (yes with our Fiji water)

Ni sa bula vinaka matavuvale.  Sa vacava tiko na macawa ogo? Oi au sa vinaka sara ga. Sa set na macawa sa oti. HAHA.

How are you doing this week? I am doing really good. This week has been a good week. 

Well first of all we were able to have a baptism on Saturday. We had the baptism for Alisi. It went really good. I am sad that I did not get to take a picture with her at her baptism. We were so busy before it started that by time we got in it was time to start.  I was really bummed.  One of her friends named LeRoy got to baptize her.  He is from the Nasinu 2nd Ward.  Then on Sunday she was confirmed a member of the church.  Then that night we went over to her house and met with her. She said that she felt a sense of peace once she got out of the water and was confirmed.  She told us that she wants to do the same thing that we are doing, to serve a mission!  She is really great and I am going to be sad when I leave this area.

Well I was wondering if you have been reading Elder Ishibashi's blog?  Man, I am so jealous of him. That area that he is serving in seems like a beautiful place and would be a great place to go. That place looks amazing.  I think that I am going to be here for another 4 months at least. I think that I am going to train one of the new intake that are coming in July.   Over the past couple of days, I have been stressed out about the language. It is so hard. You would think that I would get it but it is really hard.  Most of the time we speak English because everyone wants to speak English.  But I know that if I am going to train,  it will push my Fijian and make it better.  So that is a positive to that.

We were in a lesson this week on Wednesday with a Seventh Day Adventist.  Man that was a hard lesson, the spirit was not there. We would say one line and the guy, a preacher for their church, would go on for 5 minutes quoting scripture after scripture.  We were there to teach his son that we got a referal from.  His dad took over the lesson and his son did not get to say a lot. I have to admit he knew the bible really well, but he drove the spirit out of the room.

Oh another thing that happened today was the Leadership Training broadcast about missionary work. It was really good. It is what everyone should hear. The work of the Lord is beginning to sky rocket. If we do these things that they told us today, man it is going to be great.  Read D&C 18. This is talking about how great will be our joy if we bring one soul unto God. Then goes on talking about if we bring many unto him. Every member should have to watch this. The spirit was so strong and powerful in that conference.  It is so important.  I kind of thought that they were going to introduce ipads to the all of the missions.  But it's just what we needed to hear!

Also today we saw a bus that had caught on fire. It was pretty crazy. It was way burnt and fried.

Well that is all that I can think of.  I also want Trevor to read D&C 45:15. It talks about how we should prepare for our service.  

Thank you so much for everything that you do and are doing. I want to let you all know that I miss you all and love you all very much. I miss being around all of you. I know that this church is true and I am doing the Lords work here in a time  where it is booming with work. Keep everyone active.  Do your part as a member of the church.  Invite. Teach. You will be blessed. I know Jesus is the Savior and he loves us all so much.

Love your son/brother,

Elder Dallin Grotepas

Area 1 - Week 15 Nasinu, Fiji 6/16/13

Dad,

Thank you for the letter that you have sent me. I always like to hear what you are doing. You are never doing nothing. That's just how you are.. It sounds like work is going good.  Also how is the economy going? Is it getting better or worse? What are the gas prices? Are they still the same or are they going up again? It is also good to hear about all of the missionaries going in. Is there any new news on who has gotten a call or is leaving. I read about Steiner and I remember that same time I was in his shoes. I was way nervous and sad that I was going to be gone for 2 years. But it is all good. The 2 years goes by way fast and you will wonder where the time has gone.

Well this week has been a good week. It is just a normal week for a missionary, eat, sleep, study, and teach. This week we had a ZTM. That is where the whole zone gets together and has a meeting. We have one of those every month. It was really good and I learned a lot. This week we were trying to get some more investigators. We got a couple and we are going to get a couple more this week. They seem like they are going to be good  Everyone here always lets us in because they know that we are spreading the good word of God.

Well we are going to have a baptism this week on Saturday. Alisi is going to be baptized! She is doing really great. She told us yesterday that she was thinking on going on a mission for herself. She asked us,"Why are all the returned missionaries here in Fiji going inactive once they get back?". Here in Fiji they have a big problem with that. They always come back and they go inactive.

Ana and Neitani are doing really good. Neitani got the priesthood yesterday at church. He did not pass the sacrament because he did not wear a solid white color shirt. It had colored stripes. But next week he is going to be able to pass the sacrament. All is really good with them.  We are still going over to see them.  I know they are going to miss me when I leave because they really like me and Elder Ishibashi. That is what I think is a big problem also with why a lot of RC go LA. The missionaries that taught them are gone and they miss that presence of the ones that taught them.  The new missionaries love them but not in the same way.

Well with our other investigators, it is going good. We are still teaching them and trying to get them to know about the gospel. It is just getting them to come to church. That is the hardest thing he is getting them to come to church. Also another big thing is having them be married. We are working with a couple people that are waiting  to be married.  I don't really want to give out names. I will on a couple people because I know them good. . We are on the 3rd and 4th lesson with alot of people. Lots are keeping the commitments that we are extending but not coming to church like I have previously said.

With the lady form the other island, I have not heard of anything. Violet said that the cheif would allow it for the missionaries to come to the island. But I don't know if they have gone over to see them or what. I will ask today and see if they have and I will let you know of that next week.

Well this week I have learned alot about the gospel in my studies. I am in the Doctrine and Covenants now. Man there is so much that you can learn about. Today I read form 20 to 32.  I did not really know how much information we get from the scriptures until I actually started reading them. I encourage all of you especially Trevor to start to get in the habit of reading. I did not really do it before my mission and that would have really helped me out a lot. They are really powerful and there is a lot to learn from them!

Well I want to let you all know that I love you very much and miss you all very much. Thank you for everything that you have done for me and are doing. You are always in my prayers.

Love Your Son,

Elder Dallin Grotepas

Heidi,

Well everything here is going really good.  It is different being with a different companion. I really liked Elder Ishibashi and he was a good Elder. Now Elder Nawaqasema is with me and he is also a good Elder. He is teaching me a lot on how to be a good missionary. I hope that by time I leave him that I will be able to take some of his traits with me as well. I am teaching him some English also and he is teaching me Fijian, so it works out pretty good.

With that question you asked me, "By honoring the priesthood, what blessings do you receive?"   Think of how have you benefited from Dad having the priesthood in the home? How does the house feel from other houses that you go in where they don't have that blessings in their homes? I know for me it feels a lot better at more at peace. You are able to have Dad give you a blessing when ever you need it. The definition of the priesthood is the power of God. So with that being said, Dad is able to have that power of God. That power that we hold can do anything. God is so powerful, more than you can think of. So how you benefit from it, is you are able to be around that power of God whenever you need it.

Area 1, Week 14 - Nasinu, Fiji 6/9/13

Bula vinaka matavuvale,

How are you guys all doing this week? Here in Fiji it is going great. As you all know that I have gotten a new companion this week. His name is Elder Nawaqasema. He is a really cool Elder and I have a good time with him.  We get along very good.  He is from a place called Tamavua.  This is only about a 10 minute car ride from our house. He is teaching me a lot on how to be a good missionary and to work with the members.  He says that the area could always be better and he is helping me improve it.  He extended his mission so he is going to be going home on the 15th of next month.  He is going to be with me till then. I think that I am going to be here in Nasinu for a next 4 months because I think that I am going to be training after he leaves. It is going to be crazy if that does happen because I would be here in Nasinu for 7 months. That is over a whole quarter of my mission here in one area.

Well everything here has gone really good. There is nothing really new from last week. We are still working with our investigators and helping them along. We are planning having a baptism on he 22nd for a girl and then we are still focusing on getting a couple of our investigator to be married. Everything here is going really good. Elder Nawaqasema says that this area is not doing as much as it could. It is a big area so it is a little bit hard to get lots of lessons. It takes an hour and a half to walk from one side to the other side. Also he said that the ward is not doing everything that they are can be doing. 

Well the thing that was really exciting about my week was we got to go on transfers. The district leader, Elder Olsen, came over to our area and went around with me. It was really good and he taught me a lot and how to lead. I now am having to lead the area. I don't really like it because I would prefer to be the follower.  But I know that president did this for a reason so I could get better at my leadership skills and to get more comfortable with it. Now it is not as stressful as the first day. It was really hard the first day because I did not know what to do if we had a fall through, and of course, we did have lots of those. But Heavenly Father helped Elder Nawagasema and I find some less-actives and were able to get some good referrals. I think that I am getting a bit more comfortable with it though.

Also this week, when we went to see one of our recent converts, he told us that he was going to get the Priesthood on Sunday. He really liked the lesson we taught about the priesthood. The only bad thing is he did not turn up on Sunday so he did not get it. I was so excited that he said that he was going to get the priesthood because I knew he making was a good choice.

Another thing is when you guys go up to Temple Square, look for a Sister Tabua (Tambua).  She is Elder Nawaqasema's sister. She is on her mission up at the Visitor’s Center at Temple Square.

Well that is pretty much my week. It is not the same here without Ishibashi. Isa, I miss him a lot.

 

Last 10 minutes with Elder Ishibashi

Dear Dad,

Thank you for the letter this week. It is weird because that thing that you learned in your meeting is the exact same thing that Elder Nawaqasema said was needed in this area. The first thing he asked was how the members were and if we have member-present lessons. Of course I answered him with a “not so good.” Me and Elder Ishibashi tried to get member-presents (a member being present during our lessons) but it was really hard to get them. So we are going to try to get more this week so our investigators have a friend to greet them at church.  Elder Nawaqasema said this is what makes a good area. We are doing our part as missionaries getting the baptisms, but the members are needed to do their part in keeping them in the ward. I now know how important it is to get these. I encourage all of you and also the ward back home to keep everyone active. It is so important that we keep them ALL active. It does not matter what they have done, they can still come to church. It is so important for them to come and not be lost.  Please tell everyone in the ward for me the importance in this!  And of course, all of you also!

Well like in all the other letters, I am doing really good here. It is really cool to hear about what is going on in your lives. Also up at Lava, it sounds like everyone is having a good time.

Next week I will tell you more about our investigators. I am a little bit low on time this week. I want to let you know that I miss you a lot and miss being around you everyday. I love you all very much and miss you all.

Thanks for everything that you have done.

Love,

Elder Grotepas

Area 1, Week 13 - Nasinu, Fiji 06/02/13

Lots of raindrops collected in the middle of a dalo leaf

Dear Matavuvale,

How has everything gone this week? For me, this has been a good week. We were able to confirm Ana and Neitani as members of the church yesterday. Bishop did the actual ordinance and we stood in the circle. It was really good to see them both as new members of the church now.

Well as you guys already know, I attended my first Zone Conference and I learned a lot there.  It was really good. They talked a lot about member-present lessons. Me an Elder Ishibashi have been struggling to get them because we could not get anyone to come with us. They said that it is important for all of us to try to get as many as we can.  Having a member at these lessons helps investigators so they can gain a friend and know someone in the ward. Also, it might help them because they may come from a similar background.  Members may have experienced the same concerns that new investigators may have and they will know what will help them to gain a testimony of the church. We were able to get one member-present this week, so that was good. Also with Zone Conference, the best part was Sister Klingler’s cooking!  For lunch we had potato chowder. It was so good! I am now always going to look forward to these conferences because we are going to get some good food from Sister Klingler.

Last morning Elder Ishibashi and I are together

You guys also know this, but transfers were called out on Saturday night. Elder Ishibashi is leaving to Rakiraki here in 5 hours to be a District Leader and Elder Owen’s (from my intake) will be his new companion!  It is about 6 hours away.  I will be staying here in Nasinu.  This day had to come where Elder Ishibashi and I were going to have to split up.  This is the only bad news about this week.  

If Elder Ishibashi's family is reading this, this is the letter we as Elder Grotepas' parents sent to your son today:

"Congratulations on your new assignment in a new area of Fiji and for being assigned the new District Leader.  As far as being a leader goes, you are one terrific missionary and leader!

We are so thankful that you were our son's first companion and trainer.  In my experience of being a missionary (Dallin's dad)  your trainer sets the pace for your entire mission.   How grateful we are that he had such a wonderful trainer. You have been such a great example to our son.  You treated him well, you loved him, and you took him under your wing.  You helped him get off to a great start.  I am emotional thinking of the parting of you two because you have just been so awesome to him and to the people of Nasinu 1st! 

May you continue to have success for your future areas of service and throughout your life.  You should be proud of your accomplishments! As parents we are so grateful for you!"

I am getting a new companion, Elder Nawaqasema. I haven't heard anything about him, other than that he is a cool guy.  He is from Tamavua, a place about 10 minutes from where we are. He he is coming to finish his mission here for about a week or so. With my new companion, I will do everything I can to have a strong relationship just like me and Ishibashi had. After that I think that I am going to get another Elder or I am going to get a Ward Missionary until the new intake hits Fiji, and then I am going to train one of them. 

I don't know what will happen. I am a little bit nervous now because I am leading the area. First of all, I don't even know the language that good. It is going to be a bit stressful these next couple of weeks, but I know that the Lord will help me through it.

This week it rained every day and has been cold. Today it is actually very nice and hot out there.  I never thought that I was going to get cold here in Fiji. I thought it was going to be so hot that you did not even want to take a step outside because you would be sweating already. But this week it got down to 73 and it was chilly. This morning I did not want to get up because I was so warm in my bed and it was cold outside. It is weird how my body has adapted to different weather conditions.  Also there was a breeze so I think that made it colder here. When I first got here, Elder Olsen our old District Leader, said that I would get cold sometime. I did not believe him but know I do!   

Well something funny that happened this week. Elder Ishibashi and I were walking home yesterday from our dinner appointment and we went down this muddy hill hoping to get home faster. We made it fine down the hill but when we were at the bottom of the hill, next thing I know Elder Ishibashi has fallen. I don't know he managed this, but all of a sudden I see him moving fast to get past a certain area and then he was down in the mud!  As he fell he threw our phone.  It took us about five minutes to find all the pieces to the phone in the dark. The phone is fine.  It is one of those old Nokia phones and it does not break. I think that we have dropped that phone at least 50 times. A couple of them have been pretty hard hits. When we got home Elder Ishibashi’s legs were covered in mud! It was so funny.

Thank you for all of the advice you are giving me. It is helping me out. I know that it is hard to get enough courage to talk to people you don't even know. Sometimes it is hard to open your mouth, but I know that they are put in our path for a reason. We just need to open our mouths more (this is Elder Grotepas’ response to his father always telling him to never let someone pass you by without sharing your message).

I hope that everything goes good for you this week and you are all protected. I know that I am here doing the Lords work. Jesus is the Savior of the world. Thank you for everything you do for me!  I love you all very much and look forward to talking to you next week.

Love,

Elder Grotepas

Jill (top) and Dilsi (bottom) -  Molani and Junior's daughters

What Reese's cups look like when we get them