27 Oct 2009
Nepong Allilm Ami!
Those pics of Zach's interception are pretty sweet! Nice work bro! Keep representing for the Wells family. McKenzie I'm so pumped that you're starting high school swimming. You'll have so much fun, make sure to love every second of it! I was always on the Blue Team and Blue always won :) Sydnee you're nine! Holy smokes you're so big. I liked your carpet burn on your head picture. Very pretty.
I got the pictures of me mom thank you so much. My Chuukese moms will love them! Man, I sure look different. ha I've been eating so healthy lately and pumping the weights, so I'm looking good :) My motivation has been BYU Swimming. I don't know why but I got excited for their season. Thanks for the results of the Pacific Invitational meet dad. All-american Brandon Watson is nice to have back.
I loved the positive affirmation by Sydnee, that's pretty amazing of her. I can just see her smiling big all the time.
That is something I've done since day 1 of my mission is to smile. At first I just smiled always to hide that I was scared or not sure what I was doing. I wasn't about to let anyone see that so I just smiled and no one could tell :) As time went on I just kept smiling through rain and shine, rough and bad, stupid and dumb and coming out on the other side. I was sailing smooth instead of all beat up from what happened. I like it, so I kept smiling. It's now at a point that whenever something goes different than planned or something turns rotten I, out of habit, just smile and nothing seems terrible after that. I have so much to smile about that I can't stop; from sun up to sun down. I'm doing the best work in the world and that in itself is enough to keep anyone smiling. Not to mention that I have a studly good looking family at home (and that includes, of course, all extended members :)) who love me enough to keep writing to their son and brother who lives in Chuuk. Thank you!
Well Sewel is getting baptized this week and that's pretty monumental. After five months of working with him he's finally there!
Last week we had zone p-day and then I went on an exchange to the island of Uman for a couple of days so that is why I wasn't able to send a letter. In Uman Elder T and I caught a rat, because their house is crawling with them, we showed it who was boss and we'll just say that he won't be coming around anymore. Uman is a really great island, it's probably my third favorite after Romalum and Paata (and I haven't even worked there for more than a couple days. ha). Elder T and I also wrote a song in Chuukese for the ukelele.
I have a nickname that I need to tell you. It's "charame". "Charame" is like Chuukese sweet talk but it's really complex, more so than any sweet talk in English, anyway, I know a lot of it so the Chuukese gave me that as my nickname. No DON'T WORRY I'm not wooing all the Chuukese ladies out here but maybe it will help me in the long run when I return home. ha
A watte ai tong ngenikemi. Ewe tong a nom rei fan itemi ese kuch fonufan ika fan sat. Chechemeni pur ai tong esap much! Love your guys' guts!
Tong Jaiwak!
Elder Wells "Ito"
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
"I'm Pumped!"
13 Oct 2009
A temple in Brigham City! No way! It’s already like my 3rd favorite temple just because dad always told us there was a temple there. That’s so cool! McKenzie is now in high school swimming. Wow! That’s so amazing. I’m so pumped for you Kenz. Syd and Zach keep up the good work! Keep the W’s coming in for the Wells. Guess what? I got a letter from you guys that you wrote on Aug 24. That was cool. I’m so happy to hear that Kelsey is doing so well, man I love her! She’s still yet to write from BYU “I-do”, that’s all cool though.
Man so I’m pumped about BYU swimming, make sure to keep me informed on the results. I’m working out way hard, and float between 185 - 187 lbs. Which is 10 more lbs. of muscle instead of fat :) than when I came out at. I’m planning on revamping that team. ha, kidding. But is there anything I need to do school related? I only ask because Elder Sorenson has had permission from President Dowdle to get on the couples computer and start applying for school. Maybe not. But is there anything for swimming that needs to happen? Maybe if you could e-mail Tim Powers (what a guy :)) and see if there’s anything that we should do to make sure it all goes smoothly. Sorry, I’m just so pumped about so many things that I can hardly control myself.
Another thing I’m super pumped for is Sewel’s baptism! He’s been hacking away at his baptismal date for months and it’s almost here! Oct. 31. Look out, that’s exciting news!
Kerfin, one of the young men from Muan is leaving on Thursday for Guam and reaches the Philipines on Friday and enters the MTC on Saturday! He’s a stud and does so much for us and for the branch. It’ll be the third missionaroy from Chuuk that I’ll see off, which means I’ll probably cry because these guys are such studs! That’s the biggest news and so we’re making sure to make some time for Kerfin.
Oh, something of note... I got a letter from a girl! Wow! I forgot what that was like. It was cool. It’s all good because missionary work makes you better looking . . . . spiritually :) And so I’m not worried plus, missionary work rocks my world so I don’t care about much else.
I have been on Weno island for 10 1/2 straight months. I don’t know anyone else who has done that. Usually they get transferred to an outer island to break it up, but I have been here straight 10 1/2 months. That’s a long time! I love it though, but I would really love to go back to an outer island again. Outer island life is the greatest and I love having no other worries than just my small little island :)
I talked to Hill the other day and he was way pumped when he heard of you guys going to his homecoming! Do it! Peterson is going to have dinner with you?!! Give him a hug for me! I love him to death. Just like all you guys!
Tong Taiwak!
Elder Wells “Ito”
P.S. I sent a padded envelope with pics. Did you get them? I sent them the same day as this letter.
A temple in Brigham City! No way! It’s already like my 3rd favorite temple just because dad always told us there was a temple there. That’s so cool! McKenzie is now in high school swimming. Wow! That’s so amazing. I’m so pumped for you Kenz. Syd and Zach keep up the good work! Keep the W’s coming in for the Wells. Guess what? I got a letter from you guys that you wrote on Aug 24. That was cool. I’m so happy to hear that Kelsey is doing so well, man I love her! She’s still yet to write from BYU “I-do”, that’s all cool though.
Man so I’m pumped about BYU swimming, make sure to keep me informed on the results. I’m working out way hard, and float between 185 - 187 lbs. Which is 10 more lbs. of muscle instead of fat :) than when I came out at. I’m planning on revamping that team. ha, kidding. But is there anything I need to do school related? I only ask because Elder Sorenson has had permission from President Dowdle to get on the couples computer and start applying for school. Maybe not. But is there anything for swimming that needs to happen? Maybe if you could e-mail Tim Powers (what a guy :)) and see if there’s anything that we should do to make sure it all goes smoothly. Sorry, I’m just so pumped about so many things that I can hardly control myself.
Another thing I’m super pumped for is Sewel’s baptism! He’s been hacking away at his baptismal date for months and it’s almost here! Oct. 31. Look out, that’s exciting news!
Kerfin, one of the young men from Muan is leaving on Thursday for Guam and reaches the Philipines on Friday and enters the MTC on Saturday! He’s a stud and does so much for us and for the branch. It’ll be the third missionaroy from Chuuk that I’ll see off, which means I’ll probably cry because these guys are such studs! That’s the biggest news and so we’re making sure to make some time for Kerfin.
Oh, something of note... I got a letter from a girl! Wow! I forgot what that was like. It was cool. It’s all good because missionary work makes you better looking . . . . spiritually :) And so I’m not worried plus, missionary work rocks my world so I don’t care about much else.
I have been on Weno island for 10 1/2 straight months. I don’t know anyone else who has done that. Usually they get transferred to an outer island to break it up, but I have been here straight 10 1/2 months. That’s a long time! I love it though, but I would really love to go back to an outer island again. Outer island life is the greatest and I love having no other worries than just my small little island :)
I talked to Hill the other day and he was way pumped when he heard of you guys going to his homecoming! Do it! Peterson is going to have dinner with you?!! Give him a hug for me! I love him to death. Just like all you guys!
Tong Taiwak!
Elder Wells “Ito”
P.S. I sent a padded envelope with pics. Did you get them? I sent them the same day as this letter.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Kind of Sad -- but strengthening
29 Sep 2009
Ran Allim ngenikemi!
Oh boy what a week! Elder Sorenson and I have a new motto. It comes from D&C 58:4 “After much tribulation come the blessings.... And right now, let’s just say we’re waiting for the blessings. ha Secondly that little word “much” means a lot more now than it did before. But life is as good as ever. :)
Right now we’re low on investigators progressing towards baptism, but we’re doing plenty of finding so hopefully it will result in some fantastic new investigators.
We had transfer calls last night, and I’m in Chuuk for another! It’s coming down to crunch time. My greatest desire is to at least end my mission in Chuuk, so each transfer I stay in Chuuk means less chance of going to Guam and returning, oh dear.
Our recent (studly) convert Hertina ran into some problems. Her younger sister and her husband that stay with Hertina have taken over the house and have been forcing Hertina and her three children to sleep outside under the “falang” cooking hut. Hertina had enough and went to sleep in her house, but when her younger sister’s husband came home he wasn’t happy at all and under ridiculous circumstances beat Hertina with a metal rod. Hertina left that night with her kids and went to stay at Sameon and Marsine’s house. (They’re preparing to go to the temple in December) and that’s where she is til right now. Her face is way swollen but nothing can slow her down! She still washes our clothes, cooks food for us, loves life more than anything, and is just positive! Nothing can get her down! Amazing, due to the fact that her husband who had gone to America to send back money just barely married another Chuukese woman and left her other kids in America. She has handled all these family problems in such a remarkable way that I am inspired by her example. The truthfulness of God’s restored Gospel brings such happiness and joy that no earthly pain or suffering can quench it and Hertina is a shining example of that. I love her!
The amazingness of this Gospel blows my mind, and seeing it affect peoples lives in such a significant way is spiritual strengthening in everyway. I love this Gospel, and I know with everything emotional, spiritual, and intellectual that I possess that it is true! And that makes me love it even more.
I know Christ is our Redeemer and that Joseph Smith is His Prophet that restored His church to prepare the world and us, for Christ’s magnificent second coming. That through His church and obeying the ordinances and commandments in it we can live forever in the presence of God and I am so pumped about it!
I love you all!
Tong Ennet,
Elder Wells “Ito”
Ran Allim ngenikemi!
Oh boy what a week! Elder Sorenson and I have a new motto. It comes from D&C 58:4 “After much tribulation come the blessings.... And right now, let’s just say we’re waiting for the blessings. ha Secondly that little word “much” means a lot more now than it did before. But life is as good as ever. :)
Right now we’re low on investigators progressing towards baptism, but we’re doing plenty of finding so hopefully it will result in some fantastic new investigators.
We had transfer calls last night, and I’m in Chuuk for another! It’s coming down to crunch time. My greatest desire is to at least end my mission in Chuuk, so each transfer I stay in Chuuk means less chance of going to Guam and returning, oh dear.
Our recent (studly) convert Hertina ran into some problems. Her younger sister and her husband that stay with Hertina have taken over the house and have been forcing Hertina and her three children to sleep outside under the “falang” cooking hut. Hertina had enough and went to sleep in her house, but when her younger sister’s husband came home he wasn’t happy at all and under ridiculous circumstances beat Hertina with a metal rod. Hertina left that night with her kids and went to stay at Sameon and Marsine’s house. (They’re preparing to go to the temple in December) and that’s where she is til right now. Her face is way swollen but nothing can slow her down! She still washes our clothes, cooks food for us, loves life more than anything, and is just positive! Nothing can get her down! Amazing, due to the fact that her husband who had gone to America to send back money just barely married another Chuukese woman and left her other kids in America. She has handled all these family problems in such a remarkable way that I am inspired by her example. The truthfulness of God’s restored Gospel brings such happiness and joy that no earthly pain or suffering can quench it and Hertina is a shining example of that. I love her!
The amazingness of this Gospel blows my mind, and seeing it affect peoples lives in such a significant way is spiritual strengthening in everyway. I love this Gospel, and I know with everything emotional, spiritual, and intellectual that I possess that it is true! And that makes me love it even more.
I know Christ is our Redeemer and that Joseph Smith is His Prophet that restored His church to prepare the world and us, for Christ’s magnificent second coming. That through His church and obeying the ordinances and commandments in it we can live forever in the presence of God and I am so pumped about it!
I love you all!
Tong Ennet,
Elder Wells “Ito”
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Octopus Anyone?
22 Sep 2009
Ran Allilm ami!
Happy Birthday Dad and McKenzie! Big happy anniversary Mom and Dad you’re all amazing! I bet you all thought I forgot, well I didn’t it’s just a little late. ha Things are as busy as ever but I’m loving it!
I have to brag a little first. The past two p-days we’ve played basketball with the Chuukese and we haven’t lost once. All in all we’ve probably played more than six hours and 60 games of basketball and not once have we lost. So yeah, Zach, I’m still a stud. ha
We had Zone Conference last week and that was a big success! Everyone was edified and spiritually regenerated. I’m excited to see the future results of the conference. The missionaries have done wonders and we have become more unified than ever before! I love these missionaires as much as I love these Chuukese (and that’s a lot). Everything is so good, I love it! And since it is going so well something will probably change so that we won’t get too comfortable. ha Unfortunately that change, I think, involves either Elder Sorenson or myself going to Guam. Oh dear, President Dowdle has verbally verified that I will be going to Guam, the only question now is when? I’m over it.
I have eaten “Nipach” dad (octopus). Paata’s nickname is “Paata Nipach” because they’re famous for catching octopus. And I love it! Nipach is probably my favorite meat to eat with rice, and you know what the best part is? The head! I love the head and “met masouan” (the contents of the inside of an octopus head). That’s one thing you’ll have to learn how to cook when I get back mom. ha
I know I’ve already mentioned it but any new news on BYU swimming? I still go through withdrawals sometimes. Every once in a while for my shower in the morning I’ll fill our bucket we shower with all the way up (5 gal) and then pour it on me all at once and imagine that I’m swimming or at least just immersed in water. ha I’m a nerd.
I’m glad to hear Gramps is out of the hospital, but he’s a stallion so I knew he wouldn’t be in there too long :)
This week will be great! We’ll have plenty of time to go “finding” and find new investigators. We go through investigators pretty quickly here in Muan. If an investigator isn’t progressing we let him/her/them know it, commit them to change and if they don’t . . . . . well we know right where to put them. Right in the former investigator pool. We don’t mess around. We have so much to do we can’t afford to drag someone through everything so they can get baptized and fall away. Our entire focus is finding Abraham’s seed. Those who have been prepared by the Lord and are ready to make the commitments and progression to baptism, and I love it!
My letters have changed over time haven’t they? Sorry, if you all find them boring I write a bunch of stuff that I love as a missionary but I imagine it’s different for you back home. Oh well, the point of the matter is that we’re tearing it up out here. All the Chuuk missionaries are.
“Ua chuen tongeikemi ousap phan ponuku!” I still love you all, don’t forget it!
Tong Ennet,
Elder Wells “Ito”
Ran Allilm ami!
Happy Birthday Dad and McKenzie! Big happy anniversary Mom and Dad you’re all amazing! I bet you all thought I forgot, well I didn’t it’s just a little late. ha Things are as busy as ever but I’m loving it!
I have to brag a little first. The past two p-days we’ve played basketball with the Chuukese and we haven’t lost once. All in all we’ve probably played more than six hours and 60 games of basketball and not once have we lost. So yeah, Zach, I’m still a stud. ha
We had Zone Conference last week and that was a big success! Everyone was edified and spiritually regenerated. I’m excited to see the future results of the conference. The missionaries have done wonders and we have become more unified than ever before! I love these missionaires as much as I love these Chuukese (and that’s a lot). Everything is so good, I love it! And since it is going so well something will probably change so that we won’t get too comfortable. ha Unfortunately that change, I think, involves either Elder Sorenson or myself going to Guam. Oh dear, President Dowdle has verbally verified that I will be going to Guam, the only question now is when? I’m over it.
I have eaten “Nipach” dad (octopus). Paata’s nickname is “Paata Nipach” because they’re famous for catching octopus. And I love it! Nipach is probably my favorite meat to eat with rice, and you know what the best part is? The head! I love the head and “met masouan” (the contents of the inside of an octopus head). That’s one thing you’ll have to learn how to cook when I get back mom. ha
I know I’ve already mentioned it but any new news on BYU swimming? I still go through withdrawals sometimes. Every once in a while for my shower in the morning I’ll fill our bucket we shower with all the way up (5 gal) and then pour it on me all at once and imagine that I’m swimming or at least just immersed in water. ha I’m a nerd.
I’m glad to hear Gramps is out of the hospital, but he’s a stallion so I knew he wouldn’t be in there too long :)
This week will be great! We’ll have plenty of time to go “finding” and find new investigators. We go through investigators pretty quickly here in Muan. If an investigator isn’t progressing we let him/her/them know it, commit them to change and if they don’t . . . . . well we know right where to put them. Right in the former investigator pool. We don’t mess around. We have so much to do we can’t afford to drag someone through everything so they can get baptized and fall away. Our entire focus is finding Abraham’s seed. Those who have been prepared by the Lord and are ready to make the commitments and progression to baptism, and I love it!
My letters have changed over time haven’t they? Sorry, if you all find them boring I write a bunch of stuff that I love as a missionary but I imagine it’s different for you back home. Oh well, the point of the matter is that we’re tearing it up out here. All the Chuuk missionaries are.
“Ua chuen tongeikemi ousap phan ponuku!” I still love you all, don’t forget it!
Tong Ennet,
Elder Wells “Ito”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
