JayLynn E. Loves: February 2025

Malolelei sieku Famili ofeina! Oku mou fefe hake?

Here's an update on my work here in Talau/Neiafu Vava'u from this past week or so.

I'm still here in the same area working with my comp Elder Fifita from NZ. So far, my last 2 companions have been from New Zealand, so I've been learning a lot more about things over there. Also, these guys have got me thinking consider moving over there and playing Rugby instead of Football🤔. Guess we'll see after the mission! Ay Robert's is that us tokz👀?🤣

Always grateful for how the mission has brought me life-long friends I'd call brothers from places all over. I think all missions are like that, but being here in Tonga is just special when you're on a small island with not much, and only you and your companion are there for each other.

We have a new intake coming in this week, so that will mean a transfer, but I'm just hoping I don't get transferred from this area or have to train. Lol I think my mission president likes putting me with new guys cause I've been getting them for almost a year now. Guess we'll find out probably by next week.

Last week was a really neat experience being able to meet my dads cousin "Sulieti" and her husband as well as my little first cousin "Connie". I was able to go to their home in Ha'alafuli, which is actually in the same spot where my grandpa Maikelis home is, and that was definitely special just being there. I was only there a short time, but was able to go over with my companion and eat at their home. I'm hoping to go again to see all of my grandpa's land that I've always heard about.

Another reason I am blessed to be serving here. Meet family and see the land of my ancestors.

This past week, we were able to go back on a boat to the small island we cover here "Ofu". We went for just 1 day and were able to go around visit, meet with the few people that live there and also do some service. We went to the bush with this family to help them get some coconuts to feed their pigs. They seemed surprised that I knew how to climb a coconut tree, but that's one of the things I learned after working a long time on the island Haapai. Ooh we were also able to play some rugby there during our visit on the small grass field next to the chapel and the beach. I'll never forget these times. The small islands, pretty beaches and loving people.

After a lot of searching and praying me and my Companion finally found someone to teach. We met this girl named Moli who is 25 and good friends with one of our members. I actually found out that we are somehow related distant but still cool. Anyways after church we were able to teach her about the Plan of Salvation. As we finished up the lesson and I shared these verses from 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 Moli was in tears. The spirit was really strong. She thanked us and shared how she needed to hear that because her brother and father had both passed recently and she thought that was the end.

I am grateful for the hope our Savior and his Gospel gives us all. Like Moli there are so many people that need to hear the truth of the Gospel and the Plan our Heavenly Father has for all of us. We will continue to teach her next week and I look forward to that. Another thing we've been able to do lately is using the Priesthood blessing the sick. I always count the times I've been able to give a blessing because I have seen first hand miracles in the power of the Priesthood.

I am always grateful to be serving the Lord doing his work in the place where my feet stand.

Love and miss you all.

Ofa lahi atu kiate kimoutolu

-Elder Wolfgramm

Ofa atu hoa

After noon boat ride

Kai meleoni I Ofu

Connie❤️

"I love to see the Temple"

Ofu🏝

Mani lucky taua ee hoa🤣

Today, it is Sunday here in Tonga, and I know it'll be Sunday tomorrow for you guys back home. Being here over a year now in Tonga, I've learned what it really means to keep Sabbath day Holy, and working in town has reminded me how of that. Evereryday there are lots of people in town working, shopping, eating, driving around and it is always noisey. Today, as we were walking through town on our way to the wharf, it was completely quiet, shops closed, and not a single person out. I felt the spirit strongly and remembered today is the Lords day. " 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God."

I know there are lots that work today, but let us remember what the Lord asks us to do. Today is a day to reset spiritually and give out time to the Lord.

Growing up I always thought Sundays sucked because that meant the weekend was over and school or work was coming up. Clearly, I needed to come here to know the true meaning of this day. Sunday is now my favorite day, and I always look forward to it because I have felt the spiritual reset is needed for us all.

Today was a neat Sunday because in my area we cover all of town which is 2 big wards and then we cover this branch on a small island called Ofu which is about a 20 minute boat ride over from the main island. Anyways, it was neat because we were able to go over there for church. A lot of the members now live here on the main island but still go to church in Ofu, so we caught a boat ride over with them. We were on our way to church this morning on this small boat completely full. A special experience riding past beautiful islands and then pulling up to the beach with the small chapel right on it. We had Lotu (church) and both me and my companion were asked to speak, so that was nice being able to introduce myself and share testimony. Afterward we had a big eating right on the beach! Definitely a day to be remembered. I'm always grateful for the special moments like these on my mission.

This past week was definitely a lot better than the past few. Although it's been hot and we walk lots of hills me and my companion were finally able to get out and meet with our members and people in our area. We are currently not teaching anyone but trying each day. We were able to help teach with Mission prep class, and also, Friday, we got to teach the little kids at the local elementary school, and that is always one of my favorite things. We had visited some members or none members and left with a simple prayer which was strong felt in the spirit. It has been fun working here in Vava'u meeting family or people that know of my family really well. The longer I've been here, the more I love it. I really hope I get to stay here a while because it feels like a new home, and everyone has treated me like family.

I hope everyone back home is well. Miss and love you all. -

Ofa lahi atu Elder Wolfgramm

Y'all this past week was one for the books...

It was the worst week I've ever had on mission, but the most memorable one I will never forget. I cried mostly every day. At the chapel, in the flat, in the area, during all of district council, and on and on and on. Like literal breakdowns and was getting triggered by every and anything that I couldn't stop crying. My eyes were so swollen every day people thought I was sick. Some times, in the AREA, I'd be almost ready to throw hands with my companion. It got to the point where we'd be coming home because I couldn't manage to teach any lessons without breaking down and the Spirit was definitely not there.

Pretty sure me and my companion broke some kind of record for how many companionship councils you can have in one week. I'm pretty sure I broke some record for how many times a sister missionary (especially a TRAINER) skipped saying prayer before beginning these impromptu companionship councils & NEKK MINUTE starts cussing. 💀💀💀 The gift of repentance truly is the best and much needed in every one's life, every day. Don't take it for granted. It got to the point where we had to involve our Mission President, President Moyo from Zimbabwe, and the whole night had a companionship council with him. 😬 He told me, "Sister Atuaia, you know when you're married, there will be times you won't always get along with your spouse. You have to work it out. Don't you want to get married?" I was all crying ugly and pissed I said, "No, not anymore." 💀 Then he said, "No, I know you do and you will." 🤣 This man really didn't give a ratz what we were telling him, just that we'd be companions still and needed to work things out by being grateful for one another.

All in all, me and my companion really had one helluva week and all the trouble, drama, and hurt came because of me. There was a lot of being chastised, humbled, and apologizing on my end. A lot of asking for forgiveness and truly learning how to be selfless. A lot of honest feelings and thoughts shared between me and my companion that have only helped draw us closer. Sister Bindanda truly is one of a kind and I'll forever be grateful for her. She has taught me a lot and shown me much love and care in her own unique way. She is a POWERFUL missionary who truly does not mess around. 🙏🏽 I love this girl and it's her birthday today so here's to more life for my sis.🎉

All in all, my gratitude for serving a mission grows every day. Without serving a mission, there's no way I could become a better person or know more about the joy, love, and peace the restored gospel of Jesus Christ brings into our lives. I'm forever grateful for our Savior and all He's done for us. I am also grateful to know of my divine identity and seeing people how Heavenly Father sees us. I only have 10 more months to do work and I'm grateful for these hard times, like this past week, that show me how I can become better and love/serve the people around me more, especially my companions.

Love you all. Yeah, fa✌️

Picture captions:

3 - My compa really love taking aesthetic pictures. Here she is in her element 😂

1 - Pouring cement with Richard & Rodgers. Our two bruddahs in Christ that we've been teaching and are on date to be baptized later this month. They are good friends with Martin who we just baptized last week. 😁

5 - Posin with Sister Mary, one of our powerful members from. The Kawama 2nd Branch. She's the best. 🫶🏽

2 - My companion styled my hair, along with another powerful Kawama 2nd Branch Member (Sis.Cecilia). My compa took these pictures and she said, "Yeah, I made you look good with my skills. I'm the best. You're welcome." 💀😂 This girl truly has no filter and is honest as heck. She ain't lying though, thanks sis 🤝🏼

4 - Me with my 2 daughters 🥹🤣 Sis.Ncube & Sis.Bindanda. Living with them is really sumn else. Never a dull moment with them

If there's anyone that knows me, you know that I dont really like staying inside the house too long... This past week, we didn't leave our house till Friday, and even that was just a little bit of going out. So it felt like I was losing my mind this past week. I just want to go out, work, and also get closer with our members here. But the reason for that is because my companion had a huge boil (hangatamaki), and his foot was swollen, so he could barely walk. We went to the hospital here, and they told us to rest on it, and they just gave us the same normal free pills they give to everyone here, lol. I just wanted to go out and work, but I had to be understanding of my companion and had to do my best to help him. We are also still in a trio because Elder Naulangi is still waiting to catch his boat to Niua.

We were able to give my comp a blessing last week, and by Thursday, we were able to drain his foot. Since then, the swelling has gone down, and his foot is almost back to normal.

I'm just looking forward to hopefully getting some good work done this week with my comp. With all that time home, I was able to do a lot of studying. From reading scripture, lessons, and listening to conference talks.

There was this quote by Bishop L. Todd Budge that I liked

"If Jesus Christ sought quiet time to commune with God and to be strengthened by Him, it would be wise for us to do the same."

I liked this quote because although I was tired of being inside our home all day, I had a lot of time to really commune with God through scripture and prayer.

Yesterday was the first Sunday, and I had the opportunity to share my testimony in both of the wards that we covered, so that was neat being able to introduce myself and share. It's funny because I think people are still shocked when they hear me speak Tongan for the first time. From seeing a lot of eyes closed to the minute I speak, and they all start staring, haha.

Last night , we went to visit this Fijian couple who stay with a family here in Vavau which we are trying to get to know more, and hopefully teach. There is currently 7 Elders staying at our tiny home as of yesterday evening because the outer island Elders will do their shopping today. Anyways, when me and my companion and I were visiting their home yesterday evening, they told us to tell the rest of the Elders to come over because they wanted to feed us.

They fed us Noodles and keke. Although they weren't members, and didn't have much they showed so much love to us and I'm always grateful for the people like that who have showed so much love on my mission. It was also really cool getting to know someone from Fiji and learning more about their country.

That's just a little update on this past week here in Talau Vava'u. I love it here and am always grateful for this opportunity

Ofa atu- Elder Wolfgramm