Week 30 on the Island of Eua

Hey Mom and Dad, 

This week was good. Seems to go by sooo quickly. I cant believe its p-day already. Next week we'll be skyping. That will be nice. That's awesome that Hogan is playing A ball too. Garret is a good guy. I'm doing well. I'll be google chat calling you guys next week on Sunday for you guys, around 3:30 pm. That will be great, I can't wait.

We had district meetings this week they were lots of fun. The Pangai sisters brought a bunch of oranges to the meeting, really good. We made schemes of how to steal back all of the mission bikes on the island (past missionaries had just given them all away, there used to be 8, which are just layng around the island at people's houses right now). After the meetings the Pangai sisters told us they put their leftover vanilla ice cream from fafanga in the freezer and they shared it with us. So that was good. Afterwards we went to go give service at the Library with Jen. The school children were all outside for teeth brushing time. I think the school does that once a month or whenever  someone from the hospital visits. We talked with Jen about a ton of things and helped her label all of the Tongan kids books with colored stars and tape. At one point  in our conversation she found out that we both had just graduated and she was really surprised. She thought I was 26! That's seven years she's giving me. 7! Tafoya and I had a laugh about that. We then left the school and shook hands with probably a thousand school children. All of them yelling "Speini eh!!!"  "looo". I'm going to miss all the kids in Tonga someday. Saw a bunch of  awesome huge blue, green, and purple wild parrots flying around above the road on the walk back. On our way back we saw an awesome sunset. Talked with some fisherman and saw a cow in the back of a truck tied up and still alive. 

Water was dead couple mornings this week, listened to Monsons 2014 conference talk about courage.  I was also able to finish all of Jesus the Christ. Also finished True to the Faith. Also read a bunch in Alma about trusting in God. 

  

We were able to fix Tilema's weed wacker so she could cut her grass. Then we went and talked to Tala Fili, he was making kava bowls outside. he talked to us about making small ones for us if we wanted for 50% off. Then we talked about whale bone carvings. He told us that they are extra expensive because its illegal to kill whales, so the only way that they can get them is if they are beached. He then told us a story about a whale being beached when he was a kid here. Then he showed us how he worked on making kava bowls with his chainsaw. That was cool. We went to Mosese at the big ovava tree resort from Tala's and had an awesome lesson. Something Mosese said made me feel like we should teach the plan of salvation instead of the restoration, so we did. His lesson was awesome. He felt really good afterwards. He even said he was interested in baptism but said he wants to talk with Litani first. It was sweet, we left there and headed to see Jr, while walking up the the hill we saw Jr and Rodney looking around their pig pen with flashlights. They had a friend come over to shoot  two of their pigs for Rodney's nieces birthday party in Tonga tomorrow. He had shot two of the but both went running and broke through the fence. He told us they wouldn't be able to do the lesson tonight because of it. We said that was fine but wanted to help them find the pigs. So we went on a pig hunt, hoping to find them. We followed the blood trail and got all excited to find them but we never did, what a waste, poor pigs. Rodney still needed two pigs so we all got into the  pigpen and  started chasing them up the hill where Rodney and Jr were ready to tolomaka'i them. They ended up catching them. Exciting stuff. Then we learned how to prepare a pig from scratch. First they boil them, take em out of the boiling water and frantically tear as much skin and hair off as possible. Comes off really easy actually. Then they take a knife and pluck off the hooves. Then Jr. took a razor and shaved the rest of the hair off of them. We watched Rodney and Meite gut them too. Everything was done and they were ready for the freezer in about 40 minutes or so. It was really cool. I know how to kill and prepare a pig now, its easy. That was really cool.

Later on in the week we had a picnic with the district at the Stake Center under this huge tree. It was really fun. it was sports day at the middle school so a bunch of people were there. We brought our leftover keke and crackers. We ate chicken curry and tip tap chocolate things. Hanging out with the district is the best. We always have such a great time. Everyone contributes and makes it a better time. Lots of fun and lots of jokes. Tafoya and I noticed how perfect the tree was for climbing and decided it would be an injustice not to do just that.

On our way to ward leadership council, I caught a piglet. That was sweet, it started squealing like crazy though and before I could even think about getting a picture, the momma pig charged at me. She was a big pig. I dropped the piglet and got out of there. Finally caught a baby pig though!

On Fast Sunday I decided to bear my testimony about the power of fasting. That was fun. I talked about how I used to not appreciate fasting before and how I'd often take food and hide it and eat it secretly. They thought that was funny. Then I talked about how I've seen fasting work while on my mission. The whole meeting was really good. Afterwards Tala Fili told us that Tonga needs more missionaries like us. That was really nice of him to say and to hear.

I'll talk to you next week, 
Love, Tay  

Ofa Atu!

Week 29 on the Island of Eua

Dear Mom and Dad, 

This week was really good. It was slower than most and we didnt have that many teachings but we had two baptisms on Saturday. We also ate three massive feasts a homecoming party and 2 more because it was stake conference, so that was fun.

 Dad- Glad that you're not out of town anymore. Hows your back? 

I hope that the baseball party goes well too. Sounds like it will be a lot of fun.  Looks and sounds like you guys are all doing really well.

I sent a lot of pictures this week so I think you guys will like those. I'm doing well.

The days are going bye soo quickly its insane. Two weeks and its Mothers day and I'll be able to see all of you guys. That will be fun. 

Hope you're doing well

Love Tay 

 4/21/16
We went to a missionary homecoming, it was awesome. Tongan celebrations are the best. So many laughs.

We started out hanging in the back shed with Sifa and Soni and Pulu and ate some weird sweet mini keke things. Sifa is the best, I love that guy. I want to be like him when I'm his age. He was wearing what I would imagine cool Eurooean backpackers would wear, with a red beer t-shirt haha.

 Didn't bother him at all and he hung out with the stake presidency and all wearing his beer shirt like it wasn't weird at all. Sometimes I forget he has just been released as Houma Branch President. He's like a kid, he's the best. I think I'm going to miss Sifa the most when I leave here. Our stake presidency is the best too, Lasalosi, Ma'u, Havea, they're all awesome. Alison's is the best also. I love Tongans. The celebration was fun, there was another long table that we sat at, piled with tons of food. We had just eaten Fafanga though so we didn't eat all that much. I mostly drank otai. There were speeches and so on while people were eating and the Elder Taufa stood on a mat thing and people came and put leis over his head. Head so many leis on at one point that his head was buried and you could hardly see his face. Candy leis too. It was kinda getting out of hand. Kaibolas are fun, it lasted three hours.

4/23/16
 Woke up and headed to the church to fill up the baptismal font. The ward was having choir practice there at 6:45 am. They love to do stuff at weird hours out here. Got the font going and then went to check on Jr to check on his tupenu. Then went back to the mq and finished personal study. I'm super close to finishing Jesus the Christ. We then booked it to the church for our baptism. I love our members. They are great, Samisi Vave and Elder Taufa are really cool. The start of the baptism was a little rough because Aunoa didn't have a white dress and was waiting for someone to bring it. So we ended up starting at 10:30. Overall it was good though. Aunoas brother baptized her and then Jr, they were pretty happy. The loafs of ice cream afterwards were good too. 

 Later we started the walk to Tufu for Stake conference. President Havea saw us and gave us a ride. When we got to the church we found Alisona, Kisione, and President Ma'us son hard at work cleaning the whole stake center. It made me think back to all of the ward service projects back home. Helping people move, cleaning the library, cleaning up parks and so on. I was watching them and thought to myself about how I want to be more like Alisona and Kisione and those guys. I've learned so much from the members out here in Tonga, they are awesome, such great examples.

Met up with Moala and Lolohea before the priesthood session and then Pres Lasalosi walked over and said "Why are you so happy Sipeini?!!" Haha I had a big smile on my face for whatever reason, I don't know. Then he started talking to me about how great our baptisms must've been this morning. He's the best, love that guy.

Stake conference was great. Pres Ma'u talked about raising a family. It got me thinking about my own family someday. And how grateful and happy I would be, to be trusted enough by the lord to take care of them, and how massive of a responsibility it would be on me to do so. Someday that's going to be the most satisfying feeling. After the adult session we were invited to another feast, unlike last time we feasted. It was delicious. Lots of fun, Tongan feasts are the best.

Week 28 on the Island of Eua

          Hey Mom and Dad,

Good to hear that things are going well back home. I'm doing good. We are expecting to have four baptisms this week. Its going to be kind of crazy. Friday is going to be back to back to back interviews for most of the night.

Mom I loved all of the pics that you were able to send me from your trip to TX and from home. I'm glad that you guys had a lot of fun down there too. From everyone's letters it sounds like things are going well back at home. Its great to hear about how well Luke, Hogan, and Jack are doing too.  

Love you all. Love, Tay

4/17/16

We returned Sunday night back to the church for the fireside. When we got there we found all the missionaries in the back near the stake offices. The APs had just called and told Erickson the transfer. Everyone's staying but Erickson, who's going to finish his mission in Vava'u. I think that's why Erickson has been a little sad. He was supposed to go to Niua Fi'ou to reopen the smallest most remote and least advanced island in the mission after two years being closed. But Prez told him if weather was bad at the end of the transfer he wouldn't have been able to get back to Tonga in time for his flight home. That really stinks, I understand why Erickson is sad. After the fireside Erickson and I talked about him going to Vava'u and so on. This district is really great, I love all these guys, we have a great time when we are able to hang out together. Later we got a ride back to Ohonua in the back of Prez Havea's van with all his kids. Viliami (Paki's son) is the best. He always yells as loud as he can "Spainieh!!!" he's great.  tomorrow after emailing, I think we are going to the beach in Pangai and eat a dog before Erickson leaves. That'll be fun!

Week 27 on the Island of Eua

Hey Mom and Dad,

I'm doing well. We were able to watch conference in english this past weekend since they had the dvd. so that was good. I really liked Elder Ballards talk about family councils, it reminded me of all the rides dad and I took to baseball or the movies. I loved having that time to talk to you dad. It made me miss you a lot. Thanks for being really great and someone for me to look up to. I'm really grateful for you.

Thanks mom for the package, it was great!  All  food is gone now though haha, everything else was a great surprise also. I shared the candy with my district while we watched conference it was great.

I'm happy that you guys enjoyed my experiences the last week. They were fun. This week was great too.

Love you Mom and Dad, Love Tay 

4/4/16

P-day started out as usual- laundry, emailing home, had Fafanga at the resort today it was fish, rice, onions, carrots and so on all chopped up nice with some good sauce over all of it. Then stopped at the store for a couple things. We saw some friends of ours and then booked it in the rain to President Havea's. He gave us a ride back to the MQ with all of our just cleaned laundry. It continued to rain so we decided to clean up the place a little.   

4/5/16

The next day woke up and it was still raining hard outside. It rained all day long and never let up for a single second. We studied for a while. We watched parts 1 & 2 of the district for comp study. Then had language study, it's getting so much easier, feeling I'm understanding most everything now. I felt like I was just studying the Book of Mormon and Bible today instead of reading in another language. Noticed ants all over the place again and we just deep cleaned everything yesterday. Great. After Fafanga we decided to head out in the pouring rain to our appointments and rescheduled them for later so we could go to Houma. Walked everywhere in the rain today, stopping and teaching lessons. It wasn't too long before we were sopping wet. By the time we got to Fafanga, they grabbed an old shirt and started drying our feet and legs off, they are great and the food was awesome. 

4/8/16

Our meeting with APs today was the best part of the day by far. I feel like I learned a ton, and it was maybe the most edifying meeting I've been in so far. It was awesome. The role plays were all really funny and we got a lot done. Afterwards Presdient Ma'u brought us lunch. After lunch we all went to Siomatanga. We rode in the back of Vailahis truck.

He took us to the cliffs at the south of the island and there were wild horses everywhere. 

We went to the ovava tree again. It felt weird hiking through the jungle in our missionary clothes. We decided to go into the cave again, the cave went so much deeper than we thought it did the first time around. There was an underground river and underground waterfalls that went deep down into the earth. The cave split into two so that there was a steep drop in between our legs. It opened up above us to a huge cavern of stalactites and birds and fruit bats. It went sooo much farther than we initially thought. When it got to the point where we couldn't see we decided to turn back or it wouldn't be safe. It was lots of fun. We then went back and got our packages, books and stuff and headed back to Ohonua for our lessons. 

Week 26 on the Island of Eua

Hey Mom and Dad,

 I'm doing well. This week was good. We got a bunch of new investigators and I baptized our investigator from the north end of the island on Saturday. It all went really well, oops, I forgot to include those pictures, oh well. It was good though. I'm not a pro with the language, but I know enough to get by with most everything if I'm having a conversation. Reading in tongan helps, I feel pretty comfortable right now. 

I have gotten used to the conditions  and everything we have to deal with, and not much bothers me anymore. There was a spider on my wall the other day about the size of my hand and I just picked it up by the leg and tossed it outside without thinking anything of it. Its weird now that I think about it. 

That's cool that your friends daughter got called to my same mission. Maybe I'll run into Sister Pupunu someday. Probably not while I'm on Eua though.

Ofa Atu, Tay

3/28/16 P-day

Got our laundry to Luisa's, then headed to Maikolo for a much needed haircut. He gave me a good haircut, probably my favorite haircut ever. Maikolo is good. Worked out, showered and then headed to the church to email.   After emailing we left for Matamahina (cliffs with the worlds first sunrise).

Those were really cool as usual and I got a ton of pics. On the way back we had to roll the van down the hill to jumpstart it. Talk about memories from lost. The only thing  the island is missing is a Hurley. The van ride with the district to everything was the best part about Siomatanga. Conversations were so good and lots of fun. We were talking about our dreams at one point and everyone's first dreams in Tonga. Then Tafoya spoke up and told everyone that I woke him up a day last week because I was teaching a lesson in Tongan in my sleep. Tons of talk about old memories in Tongamama'o together and so on. Good stuff. The second site we went to was the big ovava tree in the middle of the jungle. We've been there before ( Erickson, Reid, and I) but this time I walked around and found a whole new perspective where you could see the whole thing.

 

And get this... We found a massive cave!!! The ovava tree starts at the opening of the cave and its roots go all through it. It was really cool. It was huge and we couldn't find the end of it. It got smaller toward the back and opened up into a little underground stream, then we starts hearing bats flying past us. They make little clicking sounds as they fly, so crazy. There was a hole in the top of the cave too.

                               We got some really sweet pics and saw some awesome scenery. On the way back some kids were swimming around in the stone pools that we went to before. All in their tighty whities haha. Jump started the van again, it had to be pushed. The van ride back was really good too, lots of good conversation.

4/1/16

We went to a welcome home party for Elder Vave at Filia Vave's for Fafanga. The party was insane. It was so much fun. All of the Ohonua ward was there and a lot of Houma as well. We got there as President Havea was speaking, sat down and they said a prayer, and then they unveiled the table...maybe four or so tables of food piled on top of food, literally the plates and bowls were all wrapped so that more food could be stacked on top of them. Three or four tuna puakas were on the table too. I've never seen food stacked that high before, there was no place to set your plate down to eat. The president sat us on each side of Elder Vave, he had just returned from serving in the Phillipinnes. We talked with him all through dinner. He told me my Tongan was really good for only being out 6 months. We would grab a plate of food unwrap it, eat it with our hands, then put it on top of other food and grab more. It was cool, I ate three bowls of crab salad (no salad just basically crab meat) it was really good. Then they came around with cake and ice cream and handed it to us. Lots and lots of food. Tongans know how to throw a feast. People stand up and pass around a mic and people will just talk or give a toast while everyone is eating. No one really pays attention to it everyone just continues eating and talking amongst themselves. Then they blasted Tongan dance music. Suli got up and started dancing to it with his ice cream and it was so funny. Everyone was laughing their guts out. It was awesome. It was a great party,  funny and crazy.  

         That night we went to go and teach Isi. We waited for him inside his house for a little bit and then decided to go and get him. We found him at the house across the street and he told us that he was too busy with the neighbors umu "underground oven" to talk, even though he set up that time to talk with us. I didn't let that happen. Haha looking back it was funny, all the stuff I did to get that lesson. "Ha'u! Ha'u! Taimini! Te tau talanoa!" He kept saying he was helping with the neighbors umu and I said that his neighbors were doing it just fine on their own and then I asked "ko e ha Oku majuningataha, e umu or ho'o fakamo'ui?" - "what's more important, the oven or your eternal salvation?" And 

he answered the umu. So then I said "io? E umu? Oku ke fie Ali ki heli? Te ke Ali ki heli koe'uhi ha puaka?" Hahaha interpreted- "oh yeah? The umu? Do you want to go to hell? You're going to go to hell because of a pig?" Hahaha maybe that was a little too much but it rolled off the tongue so easily. He agreed to have the lesson after that though. But then he didn't want to go back to his house for the lesson, and I wanted a member present. "Ha'u tau Ali!" I'm glad Tongan culture is rough cuz I basically pulled him over the fence and no one batted an eye. Haha afterwards I asked Tafoya what he thought of how I made sure that lesson happened, and he said "well, during the process it seemed a little excessive to me." Then he talked as if he was me and said "I'm inviting you unto Christ by pulling you over this fence!" It was funny. Effective though. Wanna go to hell Isi? We ended up having a great lesson. And he set up another appointment with us. 

4/2/16

We headed to the church to prepare the church for the baptism. Swept the room and set up chairs and then waited forever. I was wearing the white tupenu and it was way too big for me. I wrapped it around me and tied both ends to each other. At 10:50 people started showing up. The baptism was great. Most of the Houma branch showed up. I performed the baptism and all was well. President Havea gave a great talk and the Sela who was baptized shared her testimony. She covered so many things. We overheard one of the members say afterwards "man the missionaries did a good job teaching her doctrine". That was nice to hear. Others gave fakamalo (thankful) speeches and one was super funny. Everyone was busting up, I love watching Sifa laugh. It's great. He's got no teeth and it's just great. Love that guy! The best part of the baptism to me though, was Samiu. His leg was injured from something in Uta last week, and while eating Fafanga we invited his family to the baptism. I wasn't sure he would come because of his injury, but he was there ready to support. Samiu is great. That made me happy. He smiled real big at me when I saw him in the back. Good guy. One of the best parts of the day in my opinion 

On the way to one of our appointments we got to look at this awesome Sunset!

Another pic from the cliffs.

Clouds here are so cool!

Some more pics of the ovava tree.

Week 25 on the Island of Eua

Little bits of Taylors journal:


3/22/16

I listened to President Monsons last conference talk about keeping the commandments while eating breakfast. Then I saw the biggest lizard I've ever seen outside of a zoo, run into the bathroom. This lizards body was as thick as a half dollar and probably 7 inches long. We found the momma. It's kinda freaky that those pretty much own the place. The last half of personal study I read chapter 22 in Jesus the Christ. I'm almost halfway through now. It was really sunny, really humid and freaking hot, we placed our sweat rags over our heads to keep our heads out of the sun. Sweat was dripping off of my fingers. We walked all the way to the Stake Center. On our way we walked by Pakalani's store and she gave us 2 corn dogs and some water bottles. It was about a 40 minute walk, we got to meet the new sister missionaries. Sister Beterich and Sister Pouhauhau. The meetings went well. The AC was turned on really high, it felt really good until all of our sweaty clothes made us cold. After the meetings we waited out a downpour and headed back to our MQ where we got changed to do some service work in Houma. We then walked to Sione Kauvakas to get a ride. The whole back of the truck was filled to the brim with wood,so there was nowhere to sit except for on top of the truck roof itself, and then it started to rain again, hard. The truck ride was way fun. I don't think I'd be doing this anywhere else but here. Going 40 miles per hour on top of a truck roof, it was flipping fun. 

We got to Houma and found out that no store on Eua had any nails. So all we did was unload the wood. Alisona ordered some nails and we are going to come back Thursday and build the fence. When we got back to our MQ I found that massive lizard above my bed. So we went on a lizard hunt, he's a big one. 

3/23/16

We had another lesson with Mele, we sat down under the pavilion and she got up and made us some fresh squeezed orange water. I asked her how her prayers went and she told me she sometime feels like she should read the Book of Mormon but doesn't because she doesn't want to replace the bible. So we explained to her that it's not a replacement. We then read some scriptures and she said she liked everything we read. We taught  her for a while reading scriptures, explaining repentance, forgiveness, baptism, and the Holy Ghost and how she can have its companionship after baptism. She was really excited and felt so good about all of it. That she said she would definitely read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. It was a really great lesson, I could feel the spirit and I could tell she could also.
Later on we had a meeting with the stake president, he had us load a bunch of wood into the back of his truck, and we took it and dropped it off in Kalamas back yard. We're going to build a fence with it for their new pig farm (Sunia is going to give them two pigs to start out). We almost died at Sesililis, 4 dogs came sprinting at us with the straight devil in their eyes. I wouldn't be surprised if those things were possessed. They are freaking terrible. Sesililis wasn't even home. We left there, and went to teach Ma'ata's to teach Isi. That appointment fell through.

Later on we went to Filia Vave's and Mele told me to come in so I could get my new Ta'ovala they had made me. It's awesome, way nice, I wore it the rest of the day. (the ta'ovala is what he wraps around his waist, on top of the skirt or tupenu)

Then we went to the church activity but not many of the less actives or invitees showed up. That was our reason for being there. So we left to try and go and visit some of them. On the way there the sunset was awesome. The picture really doesn't do it justice at all. The clouds in Tonga are really cool.

3/26/16

Our Fafanga was at Vili Puafisi's house. He lives on the way to Houma. We got there and Vili and two other guys were roasting two tunu puakas on a spit. That was awesome. I figured out how to take night pictures with my camera. A bunch of kids were there jumping on top of a mattress on top of a van and joking to throw each other off. We found out that it was Vili's daughters 1 yr old birthday. That's a big deal in Tonga, and that's why they switched our Fafanga for that night so we could be there. They brought out a big cake. They asked me to bless the food and the girl when I said the prayer. Then they sang "happy birthday" and then "happy long life to you". Haha a little different than I've heard before. Food was great afterwards Vili gave us a ride and set up an appointment with his neighbor for us to teach him on Wednesday. Then we helped him get his car rolling down the hill so he could jump start it in reverse.

My other flip flop broke. Here is the latest fix with duct tape. Starting to think these may not last my whole mission. 

Week 24 on the Island of Eua.

Hey Guys,

 Our time is short on the computer today, and will be from now on. I've been able to read everyone's emails though and I'm glad everyone is doing well. Here's a little bit of what's happened here this week. 

Love you guys,

Love, Tay 

We set out to search for the road in Pangaii that goes down to Tufu, because we were still trying to get to our appointment even though we were really late. The rain had turned everything into mud, which also meant that the roads were full of puddles of pig and animal poop smeared everywhere, deep too. There was no escape. Our feet were filthy and it was super slippery. I nearly turfed it probably ten times. That would've been really bad. I would've smelt like crap, literally.

We finally found the road to Tufu though and followed that down the mountainside into the Eua Jungle. 

We got there two hours after planned. It was awesome though. We sat at the tables under the pavilion before the hall out front, and I asked Mele if she had read the Book of Mormon at all, to which she responded that she hadn't. She then went on to tell us that she wasn't going to read the Book of Mormon because she had a bad feeling about it, and that she had tried many times to read it but she never can. It was kind of weird. Then she started telling us that she enjoyed our visits and really appreciated us, and all of this stuff, but that she wasn't going to read it and she felt sorry. I told her that was alright that obviously we want her to read it because... but we aren't forcing her and it's her decision. Basically we told her we are here to invite her not to force her. Then all of a sudden I had the weirdest impression that I should ask her about if she had already been baptized in the church and what she thought about it. That seemed really really odd to me, especially considering it was completely out there and she was basically  telling us that she wasn't interested anymore. Who asks someone about being baptized when they just told you they aren't interested? Also it was weird because I felt like asking her if she'd already been baptized or not, when I already knew she hadn't been. Weird. Well anyways I did haha. "Have you been baptized into this church already? What are your thoughts about that?" Then she responded "no, but I almost was when I was younger." - "oh yeah why was that?" - "my grandpa was bishop in the Mormon church, and sometimes when I needed it, he would put his hands on my head and say a little prayer". Boom, gold! It turned into a great lesson about what the Holy Ghost does, how she can recognize him and about sincere prayer. It was really good. The spirit was really strong too. The visit went from us being dropped by her to her making sure we came back on Tuesday. And she said "ok I will definitely pray about that". Before we left she insisted on making us a squeezed orange drink. It was a cool visit.