MTC Week 4: Alu Sa'o

Lo'u Vaiaso

Aso Lua - President Emily Belle Freeman of the Young Women Presidency spoke in a devotional and she also played two songs on the piano, the second one with her brother-in-law singing along. A while afterwards, we watched a nativity reenactment, and it was nice. There were cute kiddies as the animals and we sang Christmas songs. They not only acted the shepherds and the three wise men and such, but they also acted out Samuel the Lamanite prophesying about the birth of Jesus Christ. Between dinner and the next event, which was a Christmas Music Program, was a long time filled with nothing. So I decided to fill that time by studying the Christmas Study Plan that was on the gospel library app. I learned a lot more about the real reason for the season and the point of view of the Nephites during the time of Christ's birth. I never really thought about the Nephites side of Christmas during Christmas time, so it was like a puzzle piece completing the picture of Christmas altogether. I felt the Spirit as I studied more about Him and eventually watched The Christ Child. I cried. Anyways, the Christmas Music Program was the best. Many talented missionaries performed musical numbers for us from singing, to piano, to guitar. They played The Christ Child halfway through, and I was happy to watch it again. After studying more about His birth, I've felt a stronger love for my Savior and His love for me, and I cried again as I watched the film. I know Christ lived for us, died for us, and lives for us today.

Aso Lulu  - This Christmas morning began with calling family after breakfast. I opened my gifts and watched my family open theirs. We then got to listen to Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife. Then there was an optional scavenger hunt, so Sister Haie and I decided to try it out. We had to explore the MTC and take photos for proof. It was fun, and we got stickers at the end for our prize. They say "I Spent Christmas 2024 At The Provo MTC", haha. Now I'll see it in my journal and remember this day forever. Since it's Christmas, we got to watch a movie! Of course it was missionary related, but I still loved it. It was Escape From Germany. Very inspirational, and if you haven't already, I highly recommend you watch it. And if you have, watch it again, lol. Dinner was a bit different today because instead of eating in the cafeteria as usual, we ate with our districts in the rooms we usually have district meetings in. We then had a Special Christmas Music Devotional by Yahosh Bonner and his parents. It was fun and upbeat. We ended the day with service and packed everything up where the devotional was.

Aso Tofi - When I need a break, I look out the window to view the valley, the mountains, and the lake. Since our class is on the 5th floor, we have a beautiful view of outside. It snowed heaps this morning and people made big snowmen and had snowball fights. Elder Teloma tackled the biggest snowman during our class break and Elder To'omata just ate the snow a lot (slipped). Brother MacDonald, our second teacher that teaches class, came back from his trip to Samoa. He's a fun teacher, and his lesson made me feel a lot better from my gloomy mood today. I was very sleepy in the middle of the day, and I hate to be sleepy when I want to get things done.

Aso Faraile - Sister Haie and I had our first HOA in Samoan with Brother Moody and boi was it a disaster. But, Brother Moody didn't seem to be upset at all and even celebrated our first one, saying we were malosi (strong). It made me feel a lot better. We can only get better from now on. After that, I released my stress with ping pong and Foosball in the rec room with the district, lol. We had to have a scripture memorized in Samoan by evening class, so I memorized 2 Nifae 26:33.

Aso Tona'i - My soas and I got locked out of our room after coming back to change from exercising. All our keys, phones, and cards to get into buildings were in there, haha. Usually we leave the door open a crack so that we don't need to unlock it over and over again when we go back and forth from the restroom, but my soa accidently closed it behind her. So Sister Haie and I headed over to the building where the info desk was with our exercise clothes on and hoped someone would be out and about to use their card to open the door. There was literally no one out and about except Elder Madsen and Elder Mathews. They were able to open the door for us so we got a spare key from the info desk. Then we had to wait for a Sister to open the door to our residence building, lol. All is well. We got in, unlocked our door, and returned the spare key before dinner.

Aso Sa - Sister Piena is amazing because she planned our micro-lesson for Relief Society. Our lesson was on Dale G. Renlund's talk "This is My Gospel"-"This is My Church". She made chocolate pretzels using nutella and pretzels that we had from our horde of snacks and gave it as a treat for the Sisters. Salty+sweet=gospel+church. Sacrament Meeting was great too. Elder Teloma was pretending to play the prelude on the piano that was basically a keyboard. His silliness reminds me of my brother. "Go and Do" was great as always. The Rasmussen's, my branch leaders, are the best. Brother Rasmussen said stuff I needed to hear, and he said he felt prompted to say it. So it was the Lord speaking to me. I felt the Spirit during the Discipleship Devotional. We sang "I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus" and I got all teary-eyed. I really am trying. There are many Christlike people in my life that I look up to and inspire me to be better and I hope to be that someone for someone else.

Aso Gafua - Today was our last visit to the Mt Timpanogos Temple. I've been looking forward to coming to the temple this week since it's been a bit tough learning stuff. I needed the peace, tranquility, and Spirit that only the House of the Lord can bring. Sister Haie, Elder To'omata, and Elder Teloma didn't come though because they went to Temple Square. That trip was only for those who aren't from the States, but I don't mind 'cause I went there with my family before coming to the MTC and I wanted to visit the temple.

Mafaufauga Fa'aleagaga

"Thy Will Be Done"

I came across this song during our Individual Experience of "Go and Do". These are my thoughts I wrote in my notebook as I listened: The Lord knows the bigger picture. Do the Lord's will. When you focus on doing the Lord's will, serve, and love others, the natural/selfish man will diminish and will be replaced with charity. The Lord loves everyone because He knows exactly what each of us have gone through. I must have love and patience for everyone and be willing to forgive.

I invite you to listen to the song and write down your thoughts and feelings that come to you as you listen as well. I know that by doing this, the Spirit will be able to show you what you need to hear and feel. What God needs you to hear and feel is personal to you. I le suafa o Iesu Keriso, 'amene.

MTC Week 3: Onosa'i

My Week

Tuesday - I felt the Spirit greatly during personal study, so I hope to keep that habit after the mission. My soas (comps) and I joined the choir again for the devotional. We sang "Come Lord Jesus Come" and it was very beautiful. Last time we sang "O Come All Ye Faithful". The speaker for the devotional was Elder Hugo L. Martinez of the Seventy and his wife.

Wednesday - We had our second HOA (Helping Others) and it felt much better than last time, at least for me. We were supposed to teach the girl we taught last week again, but then they switched her on us at the last minute. So we had to change up our lesson to teach a different girl. After that, we played basketball and four-square in the gym. Sister Hunt and I played against Sister Moeai and Sister Haie. In case you forgot or I never explained, Sister Hunt and Sister Moeai are from the other Samoan district. Sister Moeai is a shooter maaaan. Elder Teloma and Elder To'omata were struggling with four-square cause they're used to handball, haha.

Thursday - Class started in full immersion today. That means my teacher, Brother Palmer, only speaks in Samoan from now on. It's so fun and I can't wait to be able to speak like him and my other teacher, Brother Moody. When we don't understand, he uses actions and writes on the board. Before dinner, my soas and I exercised in the Sister's fitness/gym room that's by the rec where we play ping pong. When we're not going to the gym with the district, we plan on exercising there. At the end of the day, our STL's (Sister Hunt and Sister Moeai) gave me and my soas a Christmas gift: a box full of snacks! :D

Friday - On Fridays, my district plays games (this Friday was our first game day cause we just started doing this) and we played Mafia. It was Sister Haie's first time playing and now she loves it so much.

Saturday - My soas and I had our third HOA and it was with the same girl we taught on Wednesday. I felt much more comfortable and natural teaching. I could tell we were led by the Spirit because we worked together smoothly and I said what came to mind in the moment and what I felt. Sister Haie shared her personal experience with baptism and you could feel the Spirit so strongly.

Sunday - I felt the Spirit a lot on this day. In case you don't know what that means, everyone feels the Spirit differently. But for me, it's a warm feeling in my chest, goosebumps, or just an overwhelming sense of love, peace, and comfort. Elder Madsen (from the Marshallese district) and I did the musical number for Sacrament Meeting. I played "Silent Night" on the piano while he sang. I messed up the intro, but it's all good! We didn't have Relief Society, so me, my soas, Sister Hunt, Sister Moeai, Sister To'ofohe, and Sister Felix went back to the residence to watch Christmas-related videos while eating snacks.

Monday - We went to Mt Timpanogos temple again and I loved it. It's much bigger than Taylorsville temple, but less detailed. The bus rides there and back are my favorite cause it's nice and chillaxing.

Spiritual Thought

From the devotional yesterday (Sunday), I learned the difference between "testimony" and "conversion". From my notebook, it says, "Knowing the Gospel is true is the essence of testimony. Consistently being true to the Gospel is the essence of conversion." I invite you to become truly converted to the Lord, cause in this world, a testimony isn't enough. The adversary will do everything in his power to lead you astray "that [you] might be miserable like unto himself." (2 Nephi 2:27) But as you choose to follow and obey God, I know He will lift and carry you out of those snares. I le suafa o Iesu Keriso, amene.

MTC Week 2: Speak Your Truth!

Title

Sister Piena says that a lot and I think it's funny.

My Week

Tuesday - Someone sent me huge cookies and I wasn't expecting it. But it made my day! Elder Neil L. Anderson spoke to us in person at a devotional. My comps (companions) and I sang in the choir before he spoke. I tried doing Alto 1, but I honestly had no idea what I was doing, haha. It was an interesting but fun experience.

Wednesday - Taught a "Helping Others" lesson for the first time. That means we taught a whole lesson for someone who was acting like a real stranger to teach. It was scaryyy, but the person we taught was nice, so it could've been worse. She rated us a 7/10! Whatever that means, lol, but I heard that's good for the first time doing it. I definitely know what I could work on, but hey! That's what the MTC is for. :) There's always room to improve. Later on, my district played basketball in the gym.

Thursday - My district played volleyball this time in the gym. I'm not very good at it, but it's fun to participate. As I'm getting to know and serve my comps and district better, I'm growing to love them more and more.

Friday - It snowed a lot in the morning! We played in the snow a little between classes and workshops.

Saturday - I was a little down by the end of this day, but all I know is I want to leave here with no regrets! Oh, and my district tried the Fitness Center together. It's where all the weights and exercise equipment is. I didn't mention this before, but I struggled to get up on time for the first week. So to get over this, I put my phone on our room desk with an alarm. I'm on a top bunk, so I then have to get out of bed to turn the alarm off. And then I have to do 10 pushups. It's been working so far. :D

Sunday - Sister Piena gave a great talk about faith in Sacrament Meeting. My comps and I then got to give a micro-lesson in Relief Society, and it was Sister Piena's idea to do butt-charades. It was fun, haha. For the Musical devotional, the cello guy from the Piano Guys spoke and played his cello for us. He was phenomenal. I didn't know he was funny, too, lol. He's a very inspirational guy.

Monday (today) - We went to Mt. Timpanogos temple today! Very chill and relaxing, just how I like it. We had to take a bus there and back, and the bus driver let us hold her chihuahua, lol. It was the most calm chihuahua I've ever seen.

Scripture

• Ether 12:27

This scripture was mentioned a lot this past week and it's a good one. I invite you to read, ponder, and pray about it whenever you can this week and, if you'd like, share your thoughts and feelings about it with me. I love hearing from you, and so does your loving Heavenly Father!

MTC Week 1: Straight Ooouuut

Talofa lava!

Man, what a looong half-ish week. So many classes, devotionals, workshops, and meeting new people. I only arrived on Wednesday and have already learned a lot. To get this email started, I'll introduce my companions, district, and branch.

Companions

Alrighty, so I thought I would have just one companion named Sister Haie, but turns out I have two companions, so I'm in a trio!

Sister Haie is from Papua New Guinea and was called to Samoa, Apia, Samoan-speaking, like me. She is very soft spoken and has a strong testimony in the gospel. As I've gotten to know her, she is sweet and likes to speak a lot about what's on her mind.

My second companion is Sister Piena. Sister Piena is from Laie, Hawaii and she was called to Hamilton, New Zealand, Tongan-speaking. She is kind and funny and knows how to have a good time. Sister Piena and two other Elders are the only ones learning Tongan, so they have a small Tongan district. Since they're so small, they tag along with my Samoan district.

District

My district consists of four elders and two sisters, which is me and Sister Haie. We're all going to the same mission. Our district leader is Elder To'omata and his companion is Elder Teloma. They're both from Australia, but in different cities, so they clicked very quickly. Elder Teloma is the reason for my email title, he says that a lot and it cracks us up. I've never heard the phrase "Straight out" but it sounds similar to "Far out" which is what my parents say.

Anyways, that's them, and the next Elders are Elder Hall and Elder Tuliloa. Elder Hall is a palagi from Mesa, Arizona, and he's very well-spoken. His companion, Elder Tuliloa, is from Laie, Hawaii, and he's quiet.

We were supposed to have another pair of Elders in our district, but they never came. They were from Papua New Guinea, too.

Our teachers are Brother Palmer and Brother Macdonald. Brother Palmer brings the energy while Brother Macdonald is more chill, but they both bring the Spirit into their lessons.

Branch

Our branch consists of the Tongan district, my Samoan district, and another Samoan district. The other Samoan district has much more Elders and Sisters than ours and are going to different places Samoan-speaking.

Tongan district: Sister Piena, Elder Wolfgramm, and Elder Niutupuivaha.

Other Samoan district: Sister Tolofua (from Hamilton, New Zealand. She knows a lot of Wihongis, lol), Sister Felix, Sister To'ofohe, Sister Moeai (from Taylorsville, Utah. I went to school with her brothers.), Sister Hunt, Elder Misa (apparently my dad knows his mum from CCNZ or something), Elder Taylor, Elder........ such and such, haha. There's too many, I don't remember all of them. But I will in the near future!

Our Branch President is President Rasmussen.

Anywayyyys, sorry for the long introductions, but I just like seeing the connections I have with other people that I've never met before. The world is small and even though we come from different nationalities, backgrounds, cultures, etc., and speak many different languages, there's one language we all understand: the Spirit. Being here at the MTC, I've seen people who come from all over the world, but we all share the same mission and fa'amoemoega, and that's to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Before arriving here in the MTC, I was worried I'd be deathly homesick. But the first few days I've been here, I had never felt the Lord's Spirit and love as strongly and as long as I did. I knew it was the Lord comforting me and telling me that I'm where I need to be. Now, that doesn't mean I haven't felt homesick at all or even overwhelmed by all that's expected of a missionary. But, it does mean I know I won't be alone in my endeavor to become better and more like our Savior. Christ will be with me every step of the way to help and support me as I give my all to Him, and I know He can do the same for you.

These scriptures testify of it: Ether 12:27, 2 Nephi 25:23, Moroni 10:32-33

I know my Savior lives and that He knows you personally and loves you unconditionally. I love the people here and I love you too and say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, 'amene.