JayLynn E. Loves: Nephew

Mālō e leleí si'i famili, kaunga ngaue moe friends,

It's been about a month or so since I last wrote an email, so here's an update on my work here in Tonga.

I am still in the same area Okoa/Utui Vava'u with my companion, Elder Hansen. I am blessed and grateful to say I am in good health. Because I only have about 3 months left Ive been trying to get back into good shape so I dont go into off season trainnig at square 1 when I get back home. Another blessing of serving here is that our neighbors have a lot of dumbells and stuff so thats been nice. The work here is definitely slower than other areas I've been in, but I love it here. Both the people in Utui and Okoa are so good. My companion and I have gotten pretty close with some families here, even non-members. One key to missionary work here in Tonga is working with the members, especially because most people who live in the same village are usually closely related. So, in every area , I usually try and build good relationships with members because they always bring us people to teach.

Because I've had more time on my hands, I've been able to ponder and study more from the scriptures. It's crazy because if you knew me back home, I never read from the scriptures. It was hard for me to understand and felt like it was something boring. It is a blessing and miracle how I've learned to love reading the scriptures.2 Nephi 4:15. It is a way I've felt the Lord speaking to me and an answer to my prayers, especially from the Book of Mormon. I also feel peace of mind and his love in my daily studying. I know that through studying the scriptures, there are so many ways the Lord can bless each of our lives. One of the great blessings of serving is having lots of time to study them every day.

We had our zone conference here in Vava'u last Tuesday, and this was special because it was our first with our new mission president, President Langi. It ended up being a beautiful meeting. One of my favorite zone conferences I've had so far. Although I've only met him once, I and so many other missionaries here felt so much love from him and his wife. The future is very bright for the Tonga Nuku'alofa mission. President Langi is not just a teacher but one that leads by example. I wish I had him longer, but I look forward to these last 3 months that I have here. After our meeting, he had an interview with every missionary, and this was nice because this is something my last mission president never did. I ended up having a great interview with him, and afterward, he gave me a blessing. I felt the spirit so strong in that interview and blessing. That was definitely needed. At the end of our zone conference, our mission president taught us all to be one in Christ. D&C 38:27.

2 Nephi 25: 26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

Despite all the hardships I love this work and know it is the greatest work taking place here on earth. It is truly the Lords work. I am grateful for this opportunity to be a full-time representative of the Savior here in Okoa/ Utui Vava'u. I love and miss you all. Pray you guys have a great week.

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

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