Elder Swallow is #Fiji Bound

A storm system tracking near Fiji has officially been upgraded to a tropical cyclone causing disruption to flights. Cyclone Sarai was declared a Category 1 cyclone at 3am on Friday morning. Metservice meteorologist Micky Malivuk said the cyclone was making its way towards Fiji and may be even stronger by the time it makes landfall. “It’s tracking south just to the west of Fiji. Currently, it’s a Category 1, it will intensify to Category 2 by 1am on Saturday, which means storm-force winds”. Messages from the mission president and mission office: On Dec. 27 and 28 we received emails from Tommy's mission president giving us updates on a cyclone (southern hemisphere hurricane) that was near Fiji.  It was nice to know Tommy was safe.  He'd been transferred to a new area but it was inland.  He wasn't able to talk on Christmas but he made sure we knew he tried.:) Your missionary's phone call: Dear Sister Swallow, Elder Swallow  jus...

This week was very hard for me because I left my family in nasinu. So sad the time I spent in nasinu was so so fast. The mission really is just flying by. I loved my time in nasinu so many lessons learned and lives changed. especially mine. I got moved to an area called navua. my companion is from Utah and easy to work. it's going to be a grind. but where there is no struggle there is no strength. have a great week i love you all! pics. 1.Me and my sistas from nasinu. The sulu I'm wearing was a gift from them. 2.Me and my grandparents in fiji. (Landlords) 3. Pics from navua. Ocean 4. Dope house 5.Me @ the temple finally.

This week was a very busy and very rewarding week. We had heaps of good lessons and progression in our area.This Could be my last week in Nasinu so we decided to end in a splash!  We had 4 baptisms on Saturday. The coolest part of the baptisms this week is that they came from all aspects of missionary work! The first was a way on referral named sister Rasari. All her kids are members and just this transfer she decided to be baptized because of the cute little talkative elder (me). The next Angeline and Kitione were a door knock where we just talk to people and the spirit testifies. Way cool to find, teach, then baptize and fulfill my purpose. The final was a huge guy from Kadavu that was being taught in the past. We found him in the area book found and then baptized him! Very cool  very spiritual.  Also this week we got invited to a birthday party for a potential investigator. We got there and then gave a book of mormon to her. Little did she know...

This was a very very good week. Probably the best week this side of the Mississippi. We had many good things happen. We are beginning to truly see the blessings of constant work and obedience. I was beginning to think that I was trying my best for nothing, however our best Is never ever wasted we have our fathers promise of that and now I can testify to all of you that it's true!  This Saturday was the Tukana families baptism. It was probably one of the best baptisms I have had. Feps baptized the mom and little boy, and  I had the opportunity to baptize Hadassah. The Little girl. She was 8 and a little afraid of water. It was very powerful to me. I was already in the water and Hadassah came in a little. Felt the water and ran back of the stairs... Knowing my new little sister i came and took both her hands and asked her in Fijian," Am I going to let you drown? Or will I help you?" and that calmed her down enough to get in the water ...

This week was a very good week we had so many cool things happen this week. We set heaps and heaps of baptismal dates this week. meaning this month is going to be way sick.  One family we are working with, the tuifagalele fam, they are a family of 4 and we taught them all of lesson 1. Afterwards I was like so what is your thought on baptism. and there mom said well this is the church of Jesus Christ so what day? way sick.  The thing that I've realized is that when we do our best. The lord can and will bless us. I love you all very much! keep the work going have no fear because the Lord is with us always...Have a great week. \ Pics- 1.This truck is so inspiring (Mission president name) 2. me and Mitch's missions (you know if you know) 3. My landlord on the roof.

Yadra vinaka! This was a very good week! I hope yall had a good week cause in nasinu we had a good one!  This week we did lots of good helped people on the path back home and found some good new friends of the church!  The highlight of the week however was on Thursday we had the opportunity to see and listen to an apostle of God! Elder Rasband was going around the pacific and he made a quick pit stop in Fiji. meaning all of us on this island went to a conference with him! It was very humbling to listen to an apostle and have the opportunity to shake his hand! He shared some Vuku about how we were all called to Fiji for a reason!  other then that it was a good rest of the week regular missionary stuff. On Sunday We had the opportunity to speak and I talk way to long as is the curse upon me but we have lots of good stuff starting in Nasinu we shall see if we can finish!  I love you all very much hope you have a...

This one goes out to all my fans that still read my emails. Thank you for the prayers and love sent to fiji it has been felt in a real and ever present way!  This was a very good week. It was a good week because we took the advice of president Hinckley "Do not be discouraged things will work out".  If we have a willing heart, ready mind and a strong hand. This week we had lots and lots of fall through but even with the fall throughs the work doesn't stop! We have been working hard and with our working hard the spirit guides and when the spirit guides he tells you where to go, what to do , and what to say. We found lots of really good people this week that were very prepared for us! But the best part came on Sunday!  We came to church early and talked with our bishop. It was the primary program! Which is way cooler in Fijian but no offence, none taken,  to all you English speakers! We helped get kids ready and in position. Then  something awe...

Very very fast week many good things, some discouragement. But in spite of it all the world still turns. We had a way good and productive week this week we had heaps of good lessons and that means that I'm a happy camper! also lots of sun and walking!  we had loads of people who said they would come to church and we were very excited and then when it came down to start time no one was there and I prayed and asked what I can do to improve and get people here. however for some reason I felt peace, like he was happy with my efforts and that it would work out... then after the sacrament i looked up and 4 of our investigators came in! they were just late because of daylight savings! Its was such a testimony builder that when we do all we can, then the lord blesses us. I love you all as i love my family. I hope you have a good week! love Elda Tilo! Pics- 1. Satan in the form of a bug!  2. Dope pic w/ elda sherriff 3. what happens if we break our u...

Sorry I couldn't email last week. It was a public holiday. which means that my family just sleeps and doesn't need to call me! But last week was way good! It was Diwali witch was way sick. we had heaps of sweets and there were  loads of fireworks! it was way sick!  This was however was very busy week! so much to do but not enough missionaries to do it!  this week we had heaps of fun! its different fun then in Nadi and Rabi the fun I have in nasinu actually comes from Teaching people! every lesson is an opportunity for someone to receive not only the restored gospel but eternal life with their families! We had heaps and heaps of great lessons this week but ill just talk about a couple. 1. Lela- I've talked about lela before she's the one that knows everything but just wont take the steps to actually do it. last week however we taught about 3 nephi 27:8 if its mans church it will be in mans names. but if is Jesus's church whose name? Th...

I made a cool discovery this week my part of the island is outside the city enough to be considered the hood. Thus the header! Other than that this week was very good! we found some good families and started rolling little by little! This week was probably the fastest week in the history of weeks! like for real.  We had lots of good lessons this week one in particular really touched my heart and strengthened my testimony. It was with the old stand by Lela she knows everything and believes the prophet restoration and everything. But when we talk about baptism she says i've already been baptized... its way frustrating. However instead of going in doctrine a blazing saying your baptism isn't valid. instead I prepared weeks in advance and had a super good discussion about the line of authority. My family knows that I had asked questions as such. and because I listened to my feeling I was able to bear testimony of the truthfulness of the restored priesthood!...

This week was all goods! In the start of the week was awful rain came like God poured a bucket on Nasinu! Way bad super lame and cold as snot. The first couple days like sucked then it got better we taught some good lessons and the highlight of the week was conference! It was the the first time I've watched conference on my mission and it was awesome. Got some really good insights for my families and for my work! Way good, super uplifting. Watch it if you haven't; super good! I love you guys and keep on keeping on!  -Elda Tilo!  pics- 1. Rainy days 2. ulu maqi 3.Ace the helpful place  4.Little kids flexin lookin like a gangster.  

This week was a week long change! my companion Elder Harding went to rakiraki. I stayed in Nasinu with a new comp Elder Fepulieai, from samoa! We also got sisters in the district now!  This week Wednesday we had 16 new elders come in! and three of them spent there first night in Fiji with me! In the Fiji Suva mission you go out your first night and place a book of Mormon! This is a great experience for both the new missionary and the old one! We had three come with us and I took two and Feps took one. and we went out! It was amazing to see just how much the lord really helps us! We also had a cool experience with a member! we came to pick up our food! and she asked us for a blessing and both of the new missionaries hadn't ever given a blessing before so i was able to help them and we gave a blessing to her and such a sweet blessing and spirit filled the little house! really cool i just hope the new missionaries remember what they felt!  Other tha...

This was a way good but faster than snot week. It feels like I just barely was here writing. Time flies when you have God on your side! This week we had lots of good and progressive lessons. With people that I have truly come to love! There is nothing quite like sharing the gospel.  The first one I want to share is about Kelera. She works at a fruit stand and we found her, by her "cat calling" us! pays to be good looking and have the restored gospel! We have taught her the first three lessons and invited her to be baptized. she said she already has been baptized! So we shared about my boy Jo smith and she has faith he is the prophet of the restoration! and doesn't see a need to be baptized again. So that was cool, but then I brought up the holy ghost how we need to have it given to us. She said she got it by fasting and  prayer... everything I said she had her answers and I wasn't frustrated but disappointed that I didn't receive help. So I this proble...

This is the weirdest and most humbling experience looking back on the past year and see how much I've grown not physically, but in the spiritual sense. Which is the way that the mission works.  Over this past year I've had to humble myself again and again before the lord. And I still fall "short" all the time( it's only OK for me to say it). It is crazy to think that this time last year I was eating olive garden and scared out of my mind to go to Provo... man how the times have changed.  I've been through fire and challenges just to come out a more humble tool in the masters hands. There have been countless lessons I have learned this past year but one stand out above all the rest! Is what i want to share with all of you today! That our heavenly father loves us! And he is not only in charge of all the world but our lives as well! its crazy to think that he knows us perfectly! but i stand as a witness that he does! that's the message that i want to ...