Our Gratitude

Headed out to work in the uta (bush).   You can see he's
got his trusty machete which may be the only tool he
will use. 

We now have only a few weeks of writing our mission blog and sharing with any who read it the wonderful opportunity we have had to serve in Tonga.  We have such a deep love for the people of Tonga and the missionaries we serve.  We can never thank them enough for the wonderful way we have been accepted in to their beautiful country and culture for the past 21 months.  They have so much they can teach the world.  Their patience with each other, their loving way of sharing all they have been blessed with.  Their wonderful innocence, their glowing smiles, their lack of guile.  What magnificent and admirable traits they build their lives around.

As you might have guessed, it's been an eventful week with several changes and we are excited at the thought of seeing our family and friends again soon.   We have quickened our effort to finish up documentation and tie up any other loose ends.  We've started giving away some of the items in our food pantry, and other miscellaneous items such as, tools, chairs, coolers and even most of the clothing we brought with us.  Some of our things can be used by other senior missionaries here like our printer and water cooler.

We will be reporting our mission October 21st at 9:00 a.m. in the Bountiful 5th ward.  We had to wait several weeks due to the ward Primary program (which we will sadly miss as we attend the homecoming of another senior missionary couple), then General Conference, and a Fast Sunday.  This is all good as it gives us a chance to get home and put things in order and relax a bit.  We appreciate so much having family that are stepping in to help get our home ready for us to move right in immediately when we arrive in Salt Lake City.  Our good neighbors in Bountiful have kept a close eye on our home and that has given us lots of comfort.

We really look forward to seeing our dear family and friends again soon and it brings us to tears when we think that it is finally actually happening.  Then we spend some time with some of our Tongan friends or our missionaries and tears again fill our eyes as we realize that we may never see some of these good people again in this life.  It is so humbling to see so many common life challenges and at the same time see such a wide disparity in the comforts of life and the opportunities that are non-existent in one culture but the basic item in another.  It is comforting to understand that the most important opportunity is exactly the same for both groups of people and that is obtained by putting our Faith and Trust in God.  The important fact that God is no respecter of persons and that we can all choose the right when it comes to accepting and doing our best to live His gospel.

I am often disappointed by my lack of ability to communicate the wonderful testimony I have been blessed with; to have such an unwavering and deep testimony the Gospel and the plan of salvation is truly a gift from our Father-in-heaven.  Even so, I hope you have felt our commitment to our Savior as we have shared our experiences with any who are willing to take the time to read our simple blog.

I am trying to do a better job of sharing the depth of my testimony by not only doing my best to abide by its principles but to share my thoughts publicly as well.  I do know that Christ was born, lived among us, taught us through his words and actions before he voluntarily atoned for the sins of all mankind and was finally crucified on the cross to seal His work with His blood.

With Christ's atonement the Eternal payment for all of our sins has been paid and we will all be resurrected.  Other rewards await those who are true and faithful and strive to live by the principles Christ taught.  If Christ atoned for all of our sins and that was the extent of it ... what need would there before for any of us to "Come Follow Him"?  This can only mean that there is more expected of us.  We will all kneel at the judgment seat one day to be judged of our works ... whether they be good or evil.  How can we look our Redeemer in they eye who gave himself so selflessly if we did nothing throughout our lives to follow his example.

I am thankful for the principle of forgiveness and have used it many times throughout my life and will undoubtedly need to rely on it more.  I know that I can be completely forgiven if I repent and forgive others (that's a big if and that often gets overlooked).   I know work daily to develop good habits to overcome other things that I need to learn to do better.  With all my flaws as a man ... God has seen fit to bless me with a deep and abiding testimony that I cannot deny.  My prayer is that I can help others see and understand the Gospel and hope for all as I too continue to learn.

It's little bit disappointing that we won't get to know some of our newer missionaries very well but we know it is time to turn this page and bring all the good we can with us in our memories.  I have seen a few photos on FaceBook of the next group of missionaries whom we will only see briefly and we know there is another large group coming after that.  The Lord's work moves forward and He will continue to bless the missionaries and the Kingdom of Tonga.

L>R, Elders  Langi, Parker, Richard.  Front Elder Tuione
Getting ready to do a ngaue 'ofa (service project)

Elder Langi and Elder Parker
Elder Langi is showing Elder Parker the finer points of working
a machete, which is to let the Tongans use the machetes

From L to R - Elder Hardy and Elder Takapu.
We passed them on our way to find the egg store in their area

From L to R Elder Coons and Elder Hurrell
Getting ready to teach the 1st discussion to the GPS students

L >R Sister Upa and Sister Mohetau - Sista's in Zion

Elder Chrostopherson and the agony of de-feet!
Yes, they do wear shorts under the tupenu.

Neat and tidy

The last HEFY house of the year

We've got the Sun in the morning ...

.... and the Moon at night!