01/13/2014

                Yesterday when I was writing in my journal, there was a thought that popped into my head, "it’s easier to be a part of someone’s life, when you change it." I don’t know where that thought came from, but we could say that it’s the theme of this email.

            I noticed something about my life before, who I was and what I did. Honestly I can say that I didn’t live the gospel. Sadly it’s true, I had awareness that it was there, but I wasn’t one to put it as my priority. I went through school making friends, spending years seeing people and becoming their friends. Then either when I moved away, or we grew up and didn’t have that contact anymore, I slowly started to forget some of their names... pretty shameful if you ask me. I have a hard time remembering some of these people’s names! I believe that they are having the same difficulties too though; out of 10 I’d say maybe 4 remember my name. After realizing this sad truth, I read a note that a recent convert gave me in Church yesterday. She said "Dear Elder Fyffe, I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for all of the things you taught me and my family, and all of the good times we spent together. You will always be graven into our hearts, and I have a strong testimony that our Heavenly Father loves us, and that we will all see each other again after this life, thanks to you! We love you!"

            It was really awesome to get that little note, it definitely made my day. After reading that, I realized something: these people will always remember my name. Every time I talk to a member who was converted, I ask them who their missionaries were, and without hesitation, they tell me their names. No matter how old the person, they never have trouble telling me the name of the person who introduced them to this eternal gospel. What a huge blessing I have, to be remembered!  Also to receive an "eternal" friend! I realized that the friendships that I am creating now, are so much more wholesome and stable than the relationships that I based off of "likes and dislikes" before my mission. These are the friends that I’ve always wanted! I can name a handful of people who have stayed a true friend throughout the years, and now, thanks to my mission, the cup runneth over! I told myself that I want to find these kinds of friends after my mission, so I called myself on a 3rd mission after this mission, (the second mission being marriage haha.) That is to continue finding people to share this gospel with!

            I had the amazing opportunity to baptize my cousin Trace before my mission, and that is something that we shall hold in common for the rest of our lives! I can’t wait for the day when I can say that I baptized that friend of mine, and I didn’t even need to wear my missionary nametag. Missionary work is our divine calling, because it’s a work of joy, of blessings, and of service. If we lack in any of these three categories, voila, the answer... Missionary work! It gives us a reason to read the scriptures with purpose, to say our prayers with purpose, and to go to the Temple to receive the revelation we need to advance the work of the Lord in our lives.

            We don’t need a calling in the Church in order to fulfill our pre earthly calling of helping others find the Light of Christ! I know and Promise that The Lord will bless you! I’m so proud to be serving Him, and to see the blessings and changes that I can bring into the lives of others! There truly is joy to be found in this life, it truly is why Adam fell. I never doubt the work, and I try to not doubt myself, because we are all the children of the most high God. I love you all and can’t wait to hear from you next week. Stay safe this week! Here are some other pictures of my amazing investigators!

Elder Fyffe

 

01/06/2014

                It still boggles my mind how many people exist in this world, and how much of an impact one person can actually make in the lives of others. God put me in an amazing family; I lived with them for 19 years and never understood how much I meant to them and how much they meant to me. Then God decided to help me get the picture because I was too dense to figure it out on my own, so he sent me away from my family for 2 years just to get the message across. May I just testify with the 50lbs that I have gained on this mission that I understand now! I will try my best to never take advantage of this beautiful family the Lord gave me. I love my cousin Austin so much, and am so proud of the example he is setting for his family by going on a mission. I thank my parents for loving me enough to spend a pretty penny just so that I could enjoy a Christmas here in the south pacific with my own little pine tree. And most importantly I thank My Heavenly Father for loving me enough to cut me down. The mission is a very humbling experience. 

            I have an investigator whose name is Jean-Pierre who reminds me every time I see him, how much I have changed his life. Every time he tells me that, I correct him and say that I was just there doing my job, but it’s The Lord who you should be thanking. A lot of experiences that I have been having lately have been showing me how small I really am, and how magnificent the Savior is. For example, a few weeks ago, I gave a blessing to a father of a family, who has had an addiction to smoking since he was 15 years old. The next time I saw his wife, she ran up to me crying saying that her husband had completely stopped smoking. Now this family comes to me every time they need a blessing because they say that im powerful haha. But I correct them every time, The Lord is the one who is powerful, I’m just an instrument in his hands. I’ve felt the power of The Lord pass through my fingers and his words come out of my mouth as I give blessings to his children here in Tahiti. Every time it’s a reminder of how important it is to be worthy to hold the Priesthood. The Lord isn’t going to use a bat to dig a hole; he’s going to use a shovel. So I do my best every day, so that I may continue to qualify for this work, his work. I realize that at times I was using a bat before my mission, I wasn’t quite qualified for this job yet, but the second the Lord called me to be his representative, he began to qualify me.

            This has definitely been the hardest thing I have ever been through in my life, but all pearls start out as grains of sand, and little by little, year after year, we become that pearl of great price that God always knew we could be. I’m thankful that he never gave up on me, I’m glad I never really gave up on him either. It just helps me know that there really is a time and place for everything. Everything is planned out in God’s Calendar, and I know my sister’s name is written somewhere in there, maybe this month, or even in a few years. All I have to do is stay ready for that day when she finally opens her heart and gives this stuff a try. You can ask any Tahitian what the ocean tastes like and they will all say salty. Because they’ve all tasted it. But, if you ask them where the true church is, not all of them can say The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, because not all of them have "tasted it," yet. But that’s what I’m here to do, invite others to taste the truth, I’ve tasted of the One and Only True Church, and it definitely is sweet! God doesn’t expect too much from us, just a little bit of effort at first, then with his help, it will become a great desire, then we will no longer call it work, but salvation.

            I love this gospel; it really does set one free. I’ve never been happier, and this joy is something that will continue to grow at the same rate as my testimony. So I see a lot of joy in the future! Anyway, I’ve started taking Pictures of my investigators for an album I want to put together after my mission, so you shall all being seeing the beautiful people I serve! I love you all, stay safe this week! Also the two boat pictures are of the service projects ive been doing, painting boats for people!

Elder Fyffe

 

12/30/2013

                Christmas passed pretty calmly this year, coconut trees being thrown around in the rain storms. Didn’t feel much like Christmas because there wasn’t snow, but I can say that it was one of my favorites! I loved passing the night with a few families that I had the glorious opportunity of baptizing this past year. It’s a huge testimony to me that we are all the children of our Heavenly Father, when I feel the joy that comes from the people here. Actually as we speak, one of the investigators that I baptized named Poehere is doing her visiting teaching at the member’s house that I’m in right now! What a blessing to see how much she has progressed spiritually ever since the Lord crossed our paths! I love that girl like a sister.

            Well today has been pretty crazy for me, a lot of things have been going through my head, what kind of things you ask? Well, all of the progress and blessings that I have seen in my life up to this point. All of these thoughts came into my head this morning, when we went to the airport to pick up 10 new missionaries, fresh out of the MTC. Holy moley did I feel sorry for those kids, they are so lost, most can get by with the French they learned, but others remind me exactly of myself. All they could say was bonjour and bien! And they didn’t understand anything that I was saying to them! I remember being in their shoes, that feeling of "what the heck did I get myself into," little do they know how much they will be blessed in the upcoming months. The lord really is at all sides, he really brings miracles to pass through the weak things of the world. He chose one of his weakest children (me) to serve a mission on a tiny island in the South pacific, and told him to learn 2 languages. Then I look at all of the things that have happened up to this point and I tell myself, I should never have doubted my potential.

            It’s pretty funny to see these new missionaries, with high spirits and sweat dripping down their faces, it made me smile to know that I’ve gone through the things they’re going through, and to know that they will all be alright. The beginning of my mission was a completely humbling experience for me, the fact that I couldn’t speak forced me to listen to the spirit, because I had no chance helping these people with my own proper force and efforts. I completely relied on the spirit and the faith that my horrible French would touch their hearts. Guess what? It did! Just goes to show you that it really doesn’t matter what we as missionaries say, all that matters is the conduit we make with the spirit to transmit the message directly in their hearts. Even if French really isn’t a problem now, I never rest on the words and phrases that I’ve learned. I go off of the words and phrases that come from my heart. Which for the most part is "I love you and the Savior loves you, I don’t see why we wouldn’t be able to succeed," As a representative of Jesus Christ, I need to show my love for them, as the Savior would.

            The work here is starting to build up again; we had to open the back curtains of the chapel last week because all of the churches benches are full! The lord really is hastening his work, and im doing the best I can to live up to the standards that he has set for me. It’s hard, that’s for sure, but I know that it was never easy for the Savior. I love my mission so much, I love my family, what more could I ask for? I love you all and hope you have great new year’s! My new year’s resolution, stay alive for one more year.

Elder Fyffe

 

12/23/2013

                Okay, I don’t really have that much to say this week; it’s been quite a busy and hectic week, I’m missing my family a lot because usually around this time, were eating popcorn around the dinner table playing scrabble or bananagram. I love this time of year, but the thing I am most grateful for is the Savior and how he takes care of me and my family at this time of year. I can say this will be one of the best Christmas’s ever because I’m doing the Lords work and feeling a joy that i never knew existed. It stinks that i forgot my camera again haha, but i will try my best to send the pictures another time today.

                 This morning I went on an awesome hike up to a place that reminded me a lot of horsetail falls, tomorrow we will be spending Christmas Eve with three families that i baptized, I can’t wait, they are some of my favorite people on earth. I’m so happy to see and hear that you are all doing well; it’s what i pray for all the time. I’m not going to say much this week in the letter because i will be Skyping you all in 2 days and will need some things to talk about. I hope that you all have a Christ Centered Christmas, I know I sure will! Love you all!

Elder Fyffe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/17/2013

            One of my companions Elder Bates is finishing his mission today, so for the past few weeks, I’ve been helping him get everything that he needs to done, in the least stressful way possible. I’ve learned a lot these past few weeks with him, the mission is pretty surreal. While you serve, it seems like the mission will never end because you do actually get lost in the work. The Lord has been keeping me really busy lately. This past month has flown by like none other. But being with elder bates has made me realize that one day, all of this will come to an end. And it truly will be a bitter sweet moment. Going and visiting all of the families he has taught and gotten to know these past few years really helped me see what kind of a difference one person can make in the world. Our potential is absolutely huge! Being a child of our Heavenly Father is the biggest advantage I have in this life. I can depend on myself to a certain extent but in order to obtain the miracles and in order to explain the miracles I have already seen on my mission, the only answer is my Royal heritage that comes from the Heavens.

             I look back at all the things the lord has accomplished through me in this sector since I’ve been here. 25 baptisms, 4 weddings, countless blessings by the laying on of hands. Thousands of prayers, a few dozen watery eyes, seeing investigators cry because they feel the love of their savior. This sector has been absolutely amazing. I was definitely put in the right place at the right time. I hope that I will be able to stay here a while longer, the transfers are in 2 weeks, so I’m a tad anxious to see what will happen. The Lord has blessed this ward, this past Sunday we gave 7 of our recent investigators the Priesthood. It was amazing to see them all stand and be sustained, knowing that I had something to do with all of that. We even had to open the back curtains of the chapel because we’ve been bringing so many people to church.

            I love my mission so much. I can’t wait to see Trace and Cameron and Dennis and Isaac and Sascha go on their missions. They have no idea how absolutely amazing all of this is and how much potential they actually do have. We really don’t give ourselves enough credit; especially MY SISTER. I don’t think she realizes how special she really is, and how big of a difference she can make in the lives of others. Even if God is the priority in our lives, we are always the priority in His. Sometimes it’s hard to see the path that God wants us to be on, because we are blinded by past experiences and self-doubt. I remember being in situations like that, not having a single clue of my own self-worth. Thank goodness I have the gospel in my life now; it really has helped me see the person I will one day become. I can’t wait! I can’t wait to put all of these lessons I’ve been teaching to work in my own family. I’ve seen the difference it can make in others and I know that it will definitely do the trick in my family too. Something else that I’ve learned on my mission is that you can never force people. As a missionary, we are only here to invite. I love inviting people to change their lives, to be blessed, because I know Heavenly Father will help anyone obtain these two things. I have many goals in life, but one of the biggest ones on my list, is to go to the temple with my whole family again. It truly is one of my deepest desires that I know can easily be accomplished with acceptance from a simple invitation, to just open ones heart and let the Savior in. I pray for that day, I hope for that day, and I work for that day. So I know, one day, it will happen! I love my sister and my Parents more than anything; I really hope they know that! I think that’s about it for this week, I forgot my camera cord again, so I will just be sending a whole ton next week! I love you all, stay safe and see you on Christmas!!

Elder Fyffe

12/09/2013

                Well, another week came and gone in the blink of an eye, crazy how fast time has been going. We accomplished 6 baptisms this weekend, but sadly I have left my memory card at the house. Stink! I will definitely send them next week. I was able to give a talk during sacrament meeting yesterday, and also give the gift of the Holy Ghost to 6 people, so it was a very busy, yet spirit filled day. For my talk I shared how grateful I was to be a part of the changes that took place in all of our newly converted members. I got to see that they were all born again spiritually. Then I made a connection from how a baby is born, and the first thing it does after being born is cry. I always thought to myself that the babies are probably crying because they leave the presence of our heavenly father. Then I made the connection to all the baptisms I have seen up to this point, and I have to say that about 90 percent of these people come out of the water crying after being "reborn" spiritually. Then with that I realized, they are probably crying because they were given again, the chance to return into the presence of Heavenly Father. So they cry tears of joy. I love my family here in Tahiti. I Love my Heavenly Father and the plan that He created for each and every one of us individually. I love being able to tell people I love them in 4 languages, (English, French, Tahitian, and Paumotu) I actually worry that the ability I have to speak these 3 other languages that I learned will go away after my mission, because it truly is a gift that I was given.

            I hope that you all have a great week this week, not really much other things have happened. I’ve really just been helping my companion get ready to go home, he leaves next Tuesday. So I’ve been running him around and doing last minute preparations with him. It’s sad to see him go; he really is a great Elder and a great friend! The Lord needs me here for another 10 months, so I will do my best in order to receive a whole bunch of blessings for my future family, and the family I have right now. I love you all and pray for you constantly. Please stay safe! Sorry this letter was a little short!

Elder Fyffe -French English

Orometua Fyffe -Tahitian

Korometua Fyffe -Paumotu

12/02/2013

                Well, this week has flown by, not too much happened, but next week should be crazy. We have 6 baptisms this weekend! I can’t wait; they are my favorite moments in my mission. The spirit is always so strong! As some of you might have seen already on Facebook, I did a service project this week, and it was really phun for me, because I love doing artsy fartsy things, especially when it’s for others! Need not worry though, I wasn’t the one who went on Facebook, we as missionaries here in Tahiti, don’t have the right yet. So it was one of the members who went on so he could put the pictures on. They were very happy because I did it for free; all I asked for was cotton candy in exchange! It was well worth it!

            I love my mission right now; it’s filled with so much joy as I see how positive of an affect this gospel has on the lives of these amazing people. One of my favorite memories thus far is expressed in the picture with me and my companions teaching our lesson in our van, which happened to be down by a river haha. I really hope someone has done the ordinances of Chris Farley... heaven wouldn’t be the same without him. Anyway, I love each and every one of my investigators because they have all taught me so much, and helped my testimony grow in amazing ways. I will never forget these people. I can’t wait to come back after my mission.

            Other than that, I ate a fish that had lips like a human, and teeth like a rabbit. It was delicious. Also, we went hiking to the 3 waterfalls again because we have some new elders who haven’t seen it yet. It was quite nice. I miss being able to come home from work and just go hiking with my cousin Austin. As for thanksgiving, it passed without me even noticing, seriously, I just realized that last Thursday was thanksgiving, and when I think about it, I didn’t even eat anything cool haha. I guess it’s Christmas when we eat a bucket of seafood, for that, I can’t wait. That’s pretty much all for this week, I’m sorry this letter was short, I love you all!

Elder Fyffe