ELDER SAYLIN..... GUAM SERVING THE LORD. Send packages and Letters: Elder Saylin P.O. Box 861 Moen, Chuuk FSM 96942
Monday, February 20, 2017
A few more pictures!
A letter from January 29, 2017
Dear Mom and Dad,
How are my mom and dad doing?? I know it's a no-brainer and unnecessary to say because you already know, but I miss you so much!! It's been over six months and I'm still not used to having you around. I probably never will be. Can you believe it's been that long? Does it feel like it's been that long? Has it been fast or slow for you? Sometimes I'm like, holy cow, it's already been 6 months and then other times I feel like I've lived here my whole life and was born and raised on Chuuk. It's hard to explain, but you served missions, too, so you understand. I'm sorry for no big letter to everyone this week. I haven't had time because I was trying to write the whole family letters.
Last week we had six baptisms!! It was super awesome. Fenter, Fency, Don, Akwil, Eswi, and Aisi all got baptized. I love them sooo much. Akwi is like my mom here. She's my favorite and super funny. She even washes all of my clothes for free! She is so awesome and so strong in the gospel. She even follows us around sometimes and comes teaching with us. She is 37. Her husband Don is the same way. They're my favorite! We still didn't get permission to have baptisms on our island or any small island off of it, so we had to boat everyone over to Romolum, an island in my district. It is the smallest island in the whole world that have missionaries!! The island is gorgeous. Eswi is 18 and she's soooo cool. She wants to go on a mission now super badly and last month she had never even heard of the church before. She knows all the lessons super well and wants me to teach her more stuff so she can teach, too. She's legit.
The area has been doing pretty well here. I'm absolutely in love with my village. These people are the best. I couldn't have a better area in the whole world. I'm so blessed to serve these people. It's been a little hard leading the area, being senior companion, bit I've loved it. My Chuukese has improved like crazy. I've been very blessed. I know lots of that has to do with your prayers, so thank you! It's helped tons.
I have to say that being on these islands with crystal clear waters just KILLS me not being able to swim! Maybe we can come back here together someday.
I really liked your spiritual thought, Dad, from your January 1 letter. I like where you said to try and know Christ, and that as His servant I should be able to see the one person who is pleading in his/her heart to be reached and loved and saved and healed. As I have been trying to do that more this last month, Heavenly Father has seriously led me to so many investigators. I love being able to help them and bring happiness to them. The truth of the gospel teaches us the plan of happiness from God! As the people change their lives and become so happy, it is what makes me fall in love with my mission, as hard as it may be at times.
I love your advice. Anything about anything would be awesome to hear from you. I always can take your word and input about anything and I know it will end up good. I look up to you so much. Thank you again for everything you do for me and the examples you are to me.
I love and miss you,
Elder Saylin
How are my mom and dad doing?? I know it's a no-brainer and unnecessary to say because you already know, but I miss you so much!! It's been over six months and I'm still not used to having you around. I probably never will be. Can you believe it's been that long? Does it feel like it's been that long? Has it been fast or slow for you? Sometimes I'm like, holy cow, it's already been 6 months and then other times I feel like I've lived here my whole life and was born and raised on Chuuk. It's hard to explain, but you served missions, too, so you understand. I'm sorry for no big letter to everyone this week. I haven't had time because I was trying to write the whole family letters.
Last week we had six baptisms!! It was super awesome. Fenter, Fency, Don, Akwil, Eswi, and Aisi all got baptized. I love them sooo much. Akwi is like my mom here. She's my favorite and super funny. She even washes all of my clothes for free! She is so awesome and so strong in the gospel. She even follows us around sometimes and comes teaching with us. She is 37. Her husband Don is the same way. They're my favorite! We still didn't get permission to have baptisms on our island or any small island off of it, so we had to boat everyone over to Romolum, an island in my district. It is the smallest island in the whole world that have missionaries!! The island is gorgeous. Eswi is 18 and she's soooo cool. She wants to go on a mission now super badly and last month she had never even heard of the church before. She knows all the lessons super well and wants me to teach her more stuff so she can teach, too. She's legit.
The area has been doing pretty well here. I'm absolutely in love with my village. These people are the best. I couldn't have a better area in the whole world. I'm so blessed to serve these people. It's been a little hard leading the area, being senior companion, bit I've loved it. My Chuukese has improved like crazy. I've been very blessed. I know lots of that has to do with your prayers, so thank you! It's helped tons.
I have to say that being on these islands with crystal clear waters just KILLS me not being able to swim! Maybe we can come back here together someday.
I really liked your spiritual thought, Dad, from your January 1 letter. I like where you said to try and know Christ, and that as His servant I should be able to see the one person who is pleading in his/her heart to be reached and loved and saved and healed. As I have been trying to do that more this last month, Heavenly Father has seriously led me to so many investigators. I love being able to help them and bring happiness to them. The truth of the gospel teaches us the plan of happiness from God! As the people change their lives and become so happy, it is what makes me fall in love with my mission, as hard as it may be at times.
I love your advice. Anything about anything would be awesome to hear from you. I always can take your word and input about anything and I know it will end up good. I look up to you so much. Thank you again for everything you do for me and the examples you are to me.
I love and miss you,
Elder Saylin
Monday, February 13, 2017
Dear Family and Friends! (Snail Mail)
Amy ouo fet ikenei? Ai nuku ouo chol asoso menomnom pwan mommot pun amy mi chipwong. Nge Semei, ka fokkun sinei angang weires.
Whatssssipp?! This week has been a little crazy. It's been both sad, but also good. Hard, but also worth it. There have been lots of osukusuk (problems) this past week. We weren't able to have all the baptisms, but we have moved them to next week so that will be good. So this Saturday we have Fency, Fenter, Fineina, Akwi, Don, Ngeni, and Eswi getting baptized, and maybe Siwando, but we haven't seen him in a week. Also, Atk and Atari will be baptized if they get married before Saturday! Some of our investigators were a little bummed they weren't baptized last Saturday, but they understand so it's all good.
Every once in a while Elder M has this problem where he can't feel anything in his body. It's like his nervous system stops working. He always says it's fine and he won't let me call the zone leaders and tell them. Last Monday, he was sick and slept all day. Tuesday when we woke up, he was super hot and sweaty (more than normal haha!) and he couldn't feel his body. So I called the zone leaders and they called our mission nurse and the President. They told us he needed to go to the hospital in Wanu, the main island. So Tuesday we boated in to go to the hospital. They took his blood and gave him some medicine. The doctor of Chuuk is Mormon and called President Zarbock and said he isn't allowed to go back to outer island and needs to stay close to the hospital. We were both pretty crushed when we heard that. Wednesday we got a call that there's another emergency transfer! Elder M is no longer my companion. I was pretty sad because we loved eachother and had a bast together everyday. I felt way bad for him because we both love Tol so much here.
The happy side of my story is that my new companion is Elder Floyd!! I love him! We've been wanting to be companions ever since we met. He was in my last district when I was in Sapuk and we went on tons of exchanges together. We are the exact same person. haha It's too good to be true. He's from Idaho and loves football and working out. Wednesday night we boated back to Tol and have been all over the place teaching. We work well together, too. I seriously love my area and never want to leave. The people are amazing. Everyone in my village is so humble and loving. We are all just one big family here. My Chuukese has gotten so much better the past few weeks. I'm now senior companion and lead my area. It's a blast finally knowing enough Chuukese to talk to anyone about almost anything and understanding so much of what people say. I still have lots to learn, but Heavenly Father has also blessed me so much and helped me learn so much Chuukese these past 6 1/2 months. Tol's accent is still a little bit hard and they speak sooooo fast here! It's insane, but I am getting used to it. I love it. I love it here so much! The good days and the bad-- wouldn't trade it for the world.
I love you,
Elder Saylin
EMAIL FROM LAST WEEK: (Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017)
Love you!
Amy ouo fet ikenei? Ai nuku ouo chol asoso menomnom pwan mommot pun amy mi chipwong. Nge Semei, ka fokkun sinei angang weires.
Whatssssipp?! This week has been a little crazy. It's been both sad, but also good. Hard, but also worth it. There have been lots of osukusuk (problems) this past week. We weren't able to have all the baptisms, but we have moved them to next week so that will be good. So this Saturday we have Fency, Fenter, Fineina, Akwi, Don, Ngeni, and Eswi getting baptized, and maybe Siwando, but we haven't seen him in a week. Also, Atk and Atari will be baptized if they get married before Saturday! Some of our investigators were a little bummed they weren't baptized last Saturday, but they understand so it's all good.
Every once in a while Elder M has this problem where he can't feel anything in his body. It's like his nervous system stops working. He always says it's fine and he won't let me call the zone leaders and tell them. Last Monday, he was sick and slept all day. Tuesday when we woke up, he was super hot and sweaty (more than normal haha!) and he couldn't feel his body. So I called the zone leaders and they called our mission nurse and the President. They told us he needed to go to the hospital in Wanu, the main island. So Tuesday we boated in to go to the hospital. They took his blood and gave him some medicine. The doctor of Chuuk is Mormon and called President Zarbock and said he isn't allowed to go back to outer island and needs to stay close to the hospital. We were both pretty crushed when we heard that. Wednesday we got a call that there's another emergency transfer! Elder M is no longer my companion. I was pretty sad because we loved eachother and had a bast together everyday. I felt way bad for him because we both love Tol so much here.
The happy side of my story is that my new companion is Elder Floyd!! I love him! We've been wanting to be companions ever since we met. He was in my last district when I was in Sapuk and we went on tons of exchanges together. We are the exact same person. haha It's too good to be true. He's from Idaho and loves football and working out. Wednesday night we boated back to Tol and have been all over the place teaching. We work well together, too. I seriously love my area and never want to leave. The people are amazing. Everyone in my village is so humble and loving. We are all just one big family here. My Chuukese has gotten so much better the past few weeks. I'm now senior companion and lead my area. It's a blast finally knowing enough Chuukese to talk to anyone about almost anything and understanding so much of what people say. I still have lots to learn, but Heavenly Father has also blessed me so much and helped me learn so much Chuukese these past 6 1/2 months. Tol's accent is still a little bit hard and they speak sooooo fast here! It's insane, but I am getting used to it. I love it. I love it here so much! The good days and the bad-- wouldn't trade it for the world.
I love you,
Elder Saylin
EMAIL FROM LAST WEEK: (Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017)
Momma!!
How are you!!! Hey, so I guess that today is our new p-day!
Thanks for your email! I am so glad you like your presents and the pictures! You sent me a box!? YES, I can't wait to get it. haha It's much needed:) That's so good to hear about Seth! That's super awesome.
AHHHH I'M FREAKING OUT ABOUT SCOTT! That's so lame . I was so pumped to find out where he's going today. I think about it everyday hahaha --so pumped for him!
My area has been super good. More and more people are coming to church and we are getting people callings. Last week we had over 50 at church! Super awesome. We had 6 baptisms again and we're going to have about 25 more this month. It's been so amazing to be a part of this great work in Tol. I could for reals live on that island forever. I'm so in love with the people. They are all just family to me.
Thank you for all the prayers and everything that you have been giving me! Y'all are the best.
Oh and the ukelele "Donner" is supposedly a good brand. Thanks so much! I for reals can't wait to get it. There is not too much to do on p-days haha.
I miss you tons mom!
Elder Saylin
Monday, February 6, 2017
Pictures!!
It's a mission rule to wear life jackets. Grandma Saylin would be happy. In the background is the church on Chuuk where I email home. We come back to this island once a month to email.
Our hut.
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