JayLynn E. Loves

Malo e lelei. Family and friends, I hope you all are doing well. Here's an update on this past week or so here in Tonga.

Our transfers just happened this past week, and thankfully, I am still here in Vava'u and in the same area, "Makave" (the best island). I've been on this island for 8 months, and I'm pretty sure I'll be finishing here. Just this past week, I found out I'd be getting a new companion, "Elder Fu'e" from Utah, and I will be training him, so I'm pretty sure he will be my last companion and this will be my last area. Sounds pretty crazy to hear that, but I'm excited for this last chapter that I have. Elder Fu'e arrived on the boat Thursday morning, and that same day, our mission president flew in with the area 70 Elder Jaggi, who covers the entire Pacific. Elder Jaggi is in Tonga because during the past week, he had zond conferences with all the missionaries here in Tonga for our yearly mission tour. We had a meeting with them on Thursday held for us trainers and with our new companions who were being trained. Right after, we had a leadership meeting. Both meetings were being zoomed so the whole mission could join. Both of the meetings were very good and spiritual. During the training meeting, my mission president mentioned how there is an elder in the room who requested to finish his mission in a smaller island before he finished. He then said how he was planning to put him on a smaller island, but the spirit prompted him strongly that he needed to keep him in his area and train. He then said this Elder will know seeking the will of the Lords over his. The elder he was talking about was me. I really would've liked to finish on a smaller island, but I am grateful for my mission president helping me recognize Heavenly Fathers will over mine. Leading up to the transfer, I had also prayed to finish on a smaller island. Sometimes, the Lord will answer our prayers not in the way we may have wanted in the first place, but afterward, we look back and realize that is why.

My mission president also shared about how training is the most important role in the mission. Elder Fu'e will be the 5th companion that I've trained and because unfortunately my trainner didn't teach or help me much, I've tried my best to help every comp that I've trained. So I look forward to helping Elder Fu'e with as much as I can. It's crazy how fast time goes. It feels like yesterday I was just as my comp new to everything and struggling to learn the language. It's a bit of a full circle moment. It's only been a short amount of time together, and so far, it's been fun. I'm so grateful to have a comp that is willing to work hard before I finish.

Friday morning is when we had our actual zonecon with all the missionaries together with Pres and Sister Langi, and Elder and Sister jaggi here in Vava'u. It ended up being such a great meeting. If you've met Elder Jaggi, you can tell just off the first impression that he is called of God to be a full-time servant. He and his wife's smile and energy light up any room, and their words are strongly guided from the spirit.

I was able to open the meeting with a message. Not gonna lie I was a bit nervous because I was asked 5 minutes before the meeting started, haha, but this isn't the first time that has happened, so luckily, I was a little prepared. As I had little time to think of what to share, I grabbed my PMG book to see if there was a quote or scripture I should share. Well, the first thing I saw was from chapter 4, "Seek and Rely on the Spirit." So I felt that is what I'll share about. I shared about how most of my mission the biggest help has been the guidance of the Holy Ghost. As we are obedient in keeping the commandments, praying, and studying the scriptures daily. We can feel the guidance of the spirit in our daily lives. When we seek and rely on the spirit, we can see miracles in our lives just as I have. I invite you all to seek and rely on spirit in your lives. I testify that the Holy Ghost is our best teacher and will comfort us in times of hardship.

We had our stake conference for the Neiafu stake just yesterday as well as Saturday, so I and other missionaries in my district were lucky to hear again from Elder and Sister Jaggi. That also ended up being a very neat experience because they would translate every sentence right on the spot, something I've never seen before. Again, it was another great meeting from this past week. The stake center was full and even outside sitting under tents. Us elders, along with other members, had to sit outside under tents because the chapel was too full. The way Elder Jaggi shares and teaches is very unique and special. The entire stake was touched by the things he and his wife shared. They also had a children stake choir, and you could feel the spirit so strongly as they sang songs of the Savior.

Elder Jaggi finished his talk, saying that it is our responsibility as members to prepare for the Saviors' second coming and how he is coming quickly!!! I too testify that he is near!!

I am praying for all. I love you all and so does he..

- Elder Wolfgramm

Yoo, family and friends. I hope you are all doing well from wherever it is that you are. I thought I'd write a short update to my life and how work is here in Tonga.

It's crazy how fast time has gone, and I only have a little more than 2 months out here. With that said, I am trying to make the most of every day and hour that I have left here.

I am still in the same area, Makave Vava'u, and we cover the two villages Okoa and Utui. Also, still with the same companion, Elder Hansen. I've been here for two months now, and my comp has been here for 4. We have our transfers coming up this week, and I believe that at least my comp will get transferred. But we will see what happens. I really do love this area, so I would not mind if I stayed here. Although it is a lot of walking because it is a huge area. The walk is very pretty and it's good exercise. We are blessed to have great members who feed and take care of us every day.

Lately, I have been trying and praying harder to draw closer to the Savior in my thoughts and actions as he invites us to do so. D&C 88:63. As I have done so, I have felt much happier and felt his love much greater. I know that is all something we can have and feel if we choose to draw closer to him in our lives.

This past week, we had a good council meeting together as a district, and it was held in the village Toula here on the island, Vava'u. Near the chapel is an infamous look-out spot called "Ana veimumuni." The lookout is very pretty, but what it is known for is the cave and fresh water pool. Out of all the pretty spots and islands I've been to, I don't think I have seen anything that cool. The cave reminded me of pirates of the Caribbean or the movie Goonies haha. Let's just say that I may or may not have gone inside the water in that cave. That'll have to be a story for another time, haha. Another thing cool about that cave is that there are a lot of stories about it. Because it is fresh water, it is a place where they used to get drinking water back in the day!! I guess some people today still drink from that water!!

This past week, I did a companion exchange for a day in the Village Talihau with Elder Lui. Elder Lui is from Tonga, so I was glad to be able to learn some new stuff with my Tongan language. In the Tongan language, there are like 3 different classes.

1. Regular people

2. Chief

3 King

I am grateful cause Elder Lui is very smart and was able to help me a lot with words and phrases I am not used to hearing or using. If you are able to speak the chief or kings language here in Tonga, you will gain much more respect when you speak to others. Especially the elderly.

I love the village Talihau because it has one of the prettiest beaches here on the island, Vava'u. Bright blue water and a pretty view of other islands in the back. Also the people in that village are very cool. Another thing that I took and learned from E. Lui is that he was originally assigned to a different mission in PNG but has been serving here in Tonga for over a year now. If that was me, I would probably be complaining or upset that I had not gone to the place I was called to serve. Well, I originally met E. Lui a year ago back in his first area in the island, Ha'apai. We were in the same district together, and from then till now, I have not seen him complain or work differently. He showed and reminded me that it does not matter where the place or location that you serve. The work that we do here is the same everywhere in the world because it is the Lords work, and the place you are is where he needs you to be.

Yesterday was a great spiritual sabbath day. I felt the spirit strongly as I took the sacrament in remembrance of the Savior and his atonement. Every other Sunday, we get to teach the young men in their Priesthood quorum, and that has been something that I cherish because I remember growing up and being just like them. We have been trying to strengthen their young priesthood holders, and I have seen a big difference from when we first got there. I have seen so many blessings and miracles in this great work and I can't wait to share with you all. Despite all the hardships, I love this work. My life has changed because of who I get to represent every day. The Savior and Redeemer of the world. I know he loves each and every one of us, no matter what we are going through. I hope you have a great week. Prayers to you all.

Ofa lahi atu

-Elder Wolfgramm

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