I just got a letter from you in the mail today and it made me so happy1 Thank you for your kind note. You're the best. Thanks for sending my friend's emails and the packages and everything, too. :) AND THE PICTURES! Pictures are the best! I carry Sam's school picture with me everywhere in my wallet and always show it to all the little boys that remind me of him, and to everyone else, too, because he's such a stud. I laughed super hard at the Nauvoo picture. Dad's beard is so awesome! The other elders think it's way sick, too.
Thanks for the update on everyone's life. It snowed???!? I honestly forgot what cold feels like. I'm so dead when I come back. hahahaha That's awesome to hear about Dad and the U of U and that he won! Super proud. He's a genius and such a hard worker. Crazy about Toni Rudolph. I still can't believe that. Super sad. How is their family doing? They're in my prayers always. Have you visited him in the hospital? How did y'alls Thanksgiving go? I'm sure ours will be very different. I miss Gary's ukulele! He's going to be so happy when I get back. I'm learning lots of songs on the ukulele. Everyone here plays of every age. Even the cute little kids. I'm getting pretty good. Gary and I can play together.
Thanks for your scripture. I love it! People really only can have true joy from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We really have been so blessed in Sapuk lately. So blessed! In the last 14 months in Sapuk before I got here, Sapuk only had 3 baptisms. in 14 months! That's so low for Chuuk. The other areas get lots. The other area in my district had 8 last month. We have had 4 in the 3 transfers I've been here. God is blessing Sapuk sooo much. It's turning around. Elder Gibson and I are lucky to be a part of it, as hard as it may be at times. My scripture I have really been focusing on lately is Alma 26:11-12. I'm sure you know it. We need to remember that every good thing comes from God. The work here is not Elder Gibson's nor my work. It's Gods. If it weren't for Him, we would be nothing. God really does help me so much out here and blesses me in so many ways. He is always there for me and always answers my prayers. The gift of tongues is real. I feel like I have been improving lots lately. I just try and talk as much as I can to everyone and not care when I mess up or what they say about me. I'm understanding more and more. Things are starting to make a lot more sense. I have been trying really hard to be exactly obedient, and God is just pouring out the blessings I am so blessed. I couldn't be grateful enough. I have found that it is so much easier to be exactly obedient and be happy than to break a few (even simple) rules and not have God's help. Being able to talk to people and say lots of stuff is making it so much easier out here. I feel like I'm actually useful as a missionary and exist again. haha It's still hard and frustrating, but I have a good base now and God's helping me learn so much. Thank you for all the prayers and fasts for me back home. I can feel all the help coming from them, so thank you! I miss you lots, Mom. Thanks for being an amazing mother. You're the best.
Love,
Elder Saylin
"The members are categorized as a group since they are not yet large enough to be a branch. They meet on a tarp, under a canvas tent, and on this day in the pouring rain. One of my favorite moments was when the group of about 15 adults and 40 children sang the closing hymn “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” On what seemed to be a random and small island in the middle of the Pacific, it was obvious that this faithful crew knew God was very aware of where and who they were."
PS: THERE IS AN AMERICAN TEACHER WHO IS KEEPING A BLOG FROM HER ADVENTURES IN CHUUK. HERE ARE A FEW INSIGHTS OF ISLAND LIFE FROM HER BLOG:
When in Chuuk, you eat as the Chuukese – no need for individual plates and utensils – you just grab a handful of rice, pass the communal platter of fish, eating it right off the bone and throwing the bones over your shoulder and into the ocean, drinking from your own coconut, while using your rain-soaked lap as your own little table. It was one of those moments when you think, “What is my life right now – this is such a great adventure!”
