Letter from Elder Meyer: It’s coming to a close. A basketball miracle (end of letter).

Saying "goodbye" to Yap Island

2 years on this tiny island... but big miracles were witnessed.

  

Hello everyone

This was a pretty good week. I am in Guam right now, we had a meeting yesterday. It was really good.

Dad

Don't worry about the short letters, you are doing amazing work, you just need to focus on that. I do want to get as much work done as I can before I go home. When you said that, man, it made me hurt a little inside. I know that I am going home soon, but I don't feel like I am leaving soon. It just doesn't seem right to leave Yap. I don't feel like it is going to happen soon. Then when you said that, it kind of made me realize I am leaving sooner. I want to have 23 people baptized on the island before I go. The goal is 45 for the year, so that is half.

Question 1: How often is the Holy Ghost noticeably present during your teaching times?

Answer: Honestly, almost every lesson. It is rare, but very noticeable when the spirit is not in a lesson.

Question 2: Have you learned anything during your mission that will make you a better dad, when that time comes about?

Answer: I would say patience. I have learned how to be more patient and also helping people make the right decisions; Allowing them to use their agency, but to help them use it in a helpful way. 

Question 3: If you had chosen not to go on a mission, what would you have missed?

Answer: I would have missed out on everything. I am a new person now. I see everything differently. My testimony would not be where it is today. It would be weak. 

Question 4: What have you been praying for lately?

Answer: I have been praying for a couple of people, specifically C*lvina, J*stin and Al*cia.  Also that our entire mission will reach 1,000 baptisms for the mission, and 45 in Yap for the year. 

Question 5: How many lessons and with member’s present? 

Answer: We had 31 lessons this week and 23 of them were member present lessons.

Question 6: How did your best lesson go this week and what made it so?

Answer: I would say our lesson with a new investigator. His name is D*llion. He has no background in God, so we are starting at the beginning, and it was just really awesome to testify something so simple that God exists. Most people here believe in God, but he is not sure. We had a really awesome lesson with him, and it he really felt the Spirit.

Question 7: What made you smile this past week?  Answer: Sunday, we had 6 investigators at church, it was awesome.

Question 8: Can you describe what makes missionary work so rewarding?

Answer: Seeing people change from doing bad things, and living a miserable life, to doing good things and see them filled with the light of Christ.

Mom

So there were 2,000 people at stake conference. That is so many people. I can't believe it. That is crazy. Sounds like prom was really fun. Could you also send another basketball, the one you sent is almost entirely destroyed. The kids here love basketball.  

Question 9:  Are you ever cold on Yap?

Answer: Yes I am. If there is an air conditioner on somewhere, I am cold. If it rains, I am cold. 

Question 10: Tell about a recent activity that took place.

Answer: Every Friday night, we have a sports night. So we had a lot of members and others there at the church playing basketball. It was really fun. I got to talk to some of the investigators that we had there, and it really helped. It helps them see that we are normal people not just people who share the gospel. We know how to have fun.

Question 11:  Describe a scene that you see often, that you think would surprise me.

Answer: Just the beauty of the sunrise or setting over the ocean. It is really nice. Way better in person than any camera can show. 

Question 12: Do you ever eat meals with members?

Answer: Sometimes. They don't invite us over like they do in the states. It is much different, but if they have food, they will give us some while we are there at their house. 

Question 13:  Who cooks - you or Elder Wamilia?

Answer: We both do. Neither of us is any good at it, but we just make stuff up and hope it comes out okay.

Question 14: Tell me something that happened this week that made you smile.

Answer: Teaching this mostly deaf guy. We were teaching about the prophet. How God always calls a prophet. I did the pen thing, and it didn't work because he wouldn't follow my hand he would go the opposite way when his eyes were open. Then Elder Waimila just says we have a prophet today he is going to speak on Sunday… okay let’s pray. And then we left. It was so funny. He didn't understand us very well, and Waimila just ended the lesson. 

Sharing final testimony in leadership meeting... before coming home.

Letter to Everyone

Alright, I can send picture because I am on Guam, but I am almost out of time, so I will go fast. This was a tough week teaching wise. We still did good, but it was a little bit harder. We should have a couple of baptism this month. So that is going to be awesome. I really hope that we can make it to 23 before I leave. We had a really awesome lesson after playing basketball. There were a bunch of boys at a basketball court, and I challenged them to a game of basketball if my team won… we get to have a lesson. So it was great. I got some of the young men to help us play. Well, we were behind 4 to 11  and then we won 28 to 30. The boys were really mad at first.  I thought it was going to be a terrible lesson, but by then end, it was great. They all felt the spirit and they were not so mad anymore. So that was good. We taught about the restoration and Prophets. They all really understood it. They all accepted a baptismal date, so that was really good. It was awesome. A member that was less active was playing as well. He was so not very happy when we started the lesson. The whole time I was praying for the spirit to be in the lesson, and that we would win the game. At the end of the lesson the less active kid came up to me and told me to go and see him and that he forgot everything inside the Book of Mormon, and that he wants to learn more. So that was really awesome. We are expecting to have a good week as soon as we get back to Yap. We will get there Wednesday morning around 4 am. We got to Guam Sunday around 7 so we didn't sleep all day Saturday until Sunday night, so it was a long Sunday yesterday, but it was great.

I love you all so so much.

You are the best family ever. I don't say it enough.

Love Elder Meyer

Moves and front door is on the ocean. Audio message for Christmas. Never thought the day would come (Q4). Another baptism (Q6).

Hello Everyone

Things are going pretty well here on Yap. We have had a lot of changes to the island in the past week [Week of Dec 8^th). It is awesome.

Christmas Testimony in Yapese -> English
2:49 minutes

Dad

Congrats on doing that much temple work. That is really cool. You are a great example, of how one person being taught the gospel affects generations in both direction. That is pretty cool.

Question 1: Refresh us on who all the missionaries are, companion setup, and location covering.

Answer: Me and Elder Mott in a new area called Gagil. It is the same area, just some of it was assigned for the other missionaries. Waimila and Hatch in Thol (where I just was), Ramiterre and Huppe in Dalipebinaw. Huppe is new to the island, but served on the Island of Chuuk for a while. He is 2 transfers older than me and the sisters. SisterCambell and Sister David. They are in Colonia.

Question 2: How many lessons taught this week, and how many with members’ present?

Answer: Well, only 15 and 8 with a member. Not too bad for having to move where we live, and get stuff ready, and shrink part of my area.

Question 3: Are those going to the temple repeat visit or new first time?

Answer: Most are new. It is really great. I can't wait for them to come back and talk to them about it. Jim the district president is going again. If you go a second time, you have to pay for expenses.  [Note from Dad: Because of the substantial flight and expenses to travel from Yap to Philippians –nearest temple—the Church helps defray the costs for those going the first time to the temple to be sealed to each other.]

Question 4: When the sisters arrived, what thoughts crossed your mind about their service on this wonderful little island?

Answer: I never thought I would see the day. I was so happy to have them here. Sisters in the past did a lot of good work. So it is good to have them here after not having any for several years. I was a little concerned too. I have actually never really served with sisters before. The only sister missionaries I saw was when I went to Guam to get my trainees.

Question 5: You haven't got any of our packages for a while. I wonder why? Mom has stuff to send, but concerned about you not getting them... i.e., scriptures for that Elder for example.  [Note from Dad: Our last 4 packages haven’t been received. Something has changed]

Answer: I didn't know you sent the scriptures. I got the art stuff last Wednesday. Thanks. Those kids are going to love them. When did the scriptures get sent?

Question 6: What put a smile on your heart this week?

Answer: Seeing Cl*nton baptized.

Question 7: What do you most appreciate about Yap Island, other than the people?

Answer: Umm.. Everything… really I love it all. I really like how clean this island is. I hear most of the other islands are a bit dirty, but not this one!

Question 8: Can you describe details around the best teaching moment from this past week?

Answer: We were teaching Sh*ndra. She is a new investigator in my old area. We were talking about the restoration.  Starting at the beginning with God, and who He is. And she asked why there are so many churches, and what are the differences between them. She was super interested. It was really great. She was engaged in what we were teaching. It was all in Yapese. She was really impressed. We got to the Apostasy, and she really understood why there were so many churches today. It was great. She accepted a baptismal date. It was awesome!

Question 9: What are you most looking forward to this week and why?

Answer: Umm let’s see. Probably working a spot of the island that has not been worked in a long time. It is going to be great. It is really strong Catholic, but it should be really interesting.

Mom

Sorry mom time is up. I know you are really busy don't worry. You are the best still. Love you

Staheli - How was your presentation? If you did it already. I can't remember when you are doing it. I hope it goes well, if you have not done it yet! I know you will do great.

Reed - Hey Man, love you.

Letter to Everyone

Alright so what is new here? Well I guess a lot is new here. So dad asked about where everyone is. So that is really cool. We have not had 8 missionaries or sisters in such a long time. It is super exciting. I know that it will really help the church grow here. The sisters have a car, which forces a walking area in the Thol branch. It is a big area. It is from where I use live at to the church. It is large, but good things can come. I moved apartments and so did Ramiterre. It has taken a long time to get it all situated, but it is all done now. My new apartment is really nice, and every morning I get to wake up to a beautiful sun rise over the ocean. It is super nice. It is really fun.

I live like right next to the ocean. It is really nice. In the morning there is a really good breeze. It is nice. When we moved to this apartment, we lost the air conditioner. None in the new place. I am okay with that, but Elder Mott is still not adjusted, so he is always hot. There is another apartment right next to ours. The missionaries for the Jehovah witnesses live there. It is an interesting relationship right now.

We had the baptism of Cl*nton. It was super great. He was so excited. One of the members who is his friend baptized him, S*lvester. It was really great. I gave him the Gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday. It was a really good service, and he was so excited. Cl*nton has a couple of friends that we are going to try to work with. They are pretty shy, but we will see what comes out of it.

Let’s see what else is new. Oh yeah. I am the new district leader. So that is cool. It should be pretty fun, I guess. I need to give trainings ever Thursday at district meeting. I call all the missionaries for their work report and then tell the zone leader. Then they tell Guam, but besides that, I am just a normal missionary. I just make sure the district is functioning well, and help fix any problems.

I have talked to the sisters a little bit. Sister Cambell is training sister David. It is sister David's first week in the mission. It would be hard to train in an area, where you don't know anything about anyone. They will do really good.

I love you all so so much.

You are the best family ever.

Love

Elder Meyer

Elder Tueller goes home

Letter from Elder Meyer: Wow!!! Sister Missionaries coming to the island! Now there are 8 missionaries on Yap.

Hello Everyone.  Here's a video of a wonderful baptism in the ocean.

To Everyone

So, this transfer is crazy… I will go fast. We heard we might lose most, if not all, of the missionaries because of the chickenguna.

Well, then we were told we need to find some more apartments so that is what we are doing now. We have found 2 new places to live, and are getting things ready for more missionaries. We were told that we might get some sisters, which is really exciting, and go up to 8 missionaries. We have not had either of those for 3 to 4 year.  So things are pretty great right now. It will be really great. There should be 4 missionaries in the Thol branch and that would be really exciting. I can't wait for that to happen. This transfer should be good and quite interesting at the same time.

Cl*nton is doing really good he should be baptized on Saturday. It should be great, we are both very excited. The person, who gives him a ride to church, is going to the temple, so we need to find him a new ride to church. It will all be okay though. Blessings will come from people going to the temple. We have some new really great investigators, they should be baptized this week, if all goes according to plan, we are going to push and pray that it all happens.

Sorry it is short. I had a huge letter written out and when I pushed send it took me to toggle.com, so I lost it all. I am very sorry. The internet is crazy here sometimes.

That is about all the time I have left. Just know that I am doing fine, the work is going great, I love this gospel, and I LOVE YOU ALL. YOU ARE THE BEST.

Love

Elder Meyer

Just lost everything again on the computer. And I have only a couple of minutes left, the only thing that saved was dad's stuff.

Things are going good here on Yap. We are all doing really great.

Dad

Sounds like Reed's day was a lot of fun. You are so lucky to be able to go to the temple so much. I truly miss it. And over 200 kiwi's, that is crazy. I didn't think we would ever get any of those.

Question 1: I noticed the Garrett’s finished their mission. What was the biggest blessing they brought to the island during their service?

Answer:   I think the temple. They were such a big part of getting the first group to go and getting this group ready to go next week.

Question 2:  If you were to pick one thing that you learned this past week, what would it be?

Answer: Expect the unexpected. More on this later…

Question 3: How many lessons, plus with members present?

Answer: We had 23 lessons and 12 with a member present.

Question 4: I can’t remember if mutual is working in the Thool branch? If so, what do they usually do?  Answer:  Nope.

Question 5: Any teaching or lessons being shared with an island chief?

Answer:   Not really. They have stopped progressing. We just stop in and see them every once in a while to keep them in contact with the missionaries.

Question 6: I’ve lost count, how many total baptisms on the island since July of 2012?

Answer: I think close to 30.

Question 7: Was there a moment this past week when the Holy Ghost confirmed something that was being taught?

Answer: We taught the restoration several times this past week, and every time the Spirit was there, I felt it and I know the investigators felt it.

Question 8: Could you share the details about today’s prep-day?

Answer: Today, we study in the morning just like normal, and after head to Colonia. We start laundry go and shop and email. Come back, finish laundry and go do something fun. Today, we are going to be busy doing something very interesting. More on that later though.

Question 9: For the youth Sunday school class, you seem to teach from time to time, do the students seem to have a favorite Book of Mormon story?

Answer: Nephi, I guess. That is the one that they are most familiar with. So I try to get them to know more stories from the Book of Mormon.

Question 10: What put the biggest smile on your face this week?

Answer: Hearing the testimonies on Sunday.

Question 11: How do you feel the zone is doing overall?

Answer: We are doing pretty good. I think that we can always do better though. We are all pretty unified which is good.

Mom

Sounds  like you guys had fun.

Question 11:  Did you get any packages this week?  What was in them?   Answer: No.

Question 12: What did you do on Thanksgiving?  Answer: Teach

Question 13:   Tell about church in the smaller northern island branch/congregation.  How many were there? What did you do?   Answer:  22 blessed sacrament.

Question 14:  Have you thought of anything you want for Christmas?  Answer: chocolate bars.

Staheli - Dad said your presentation is awesome.

Reed - How was Reeds day?

Letter from Elder Meyer: Zone Conference, 2012 was a great year.

Hello Everyone. From what I read, sounds like everyone is doing super well. I am glad to here that.

Well, President Mecham came to Yap on Sunday early morning and is leaving late tonight. The flights on Yap are not very good. President Mecham came for a zone conference. It was really nice. And that is why I didn't email yesterday, sorry about that. Anyways, Elder Nelson gave training and so did President Mecham. Elder Nelson brought in A*gistine and C*rmen to talk about what their experience was with the missionaries. They said that we did a good job. So that was good.

They also bore their testimony after. Now that is when I could feel the Spirit so strong. Hearing a recent converts testimony is the next best thing to seeing them baptized or baptizing someone. It was great. The Spirit was very strong and we could all feel it.

We then talked about how to begin teaching. We did a role play where you act out what you would say in a real situation. A*gistine and C*rmen helped out. We "taught" them again. It was pretty good. I think it was weird for them at first, but they were good sports about it.

President Mecham said that there were 396 people who were baptized in this mission in the year 2012. That is 147 more people than last year. Our goal for total people to be baptized in 2013 is 500. Our goal for Yap was 25, but President Mecham bumped it up to 29, so we have got our worked cut out for us. We already have one for the year and a couple more planned. There have also already been 22 baptisms across the mission this year. So we are off to a good start. President Mecham is great. He is very enthusiastic about the work. He is a great mission president.

Dad

Well sounds like your job is pretty crazy.  I am glad that you and Reed have time to go skiing and that you guys have a lot of time to talk to each other. I do wish, however, that we would have gotten back into this whole skiing thing a little bit earlier. So you are still going to the ward conferences. Those should be fun. But you are probably just busier now.

Question 1: 

I wonder if you’ve been blessed by some of those whom you personally did temple work for?  Has this been something that has come to your mind for consideration?

Answer: It actually has not crossed my mind. But now that you have me thinking about it, it would not surprise me whatsoever if the people I did temple work for are involved in the process here. Maybe my ancestors that I did work for are teaching the ancestors of the people that I have baptized. Now that would be awesome.

Question 2:

Have you ever been hurt, say on a prep-day?

Answer: I can't remember ever being hurt on prep-day. I may have, but I do not remember. Which is good, because I have climbed on some sketchy stuff? Like the old boats that are just in the bay. They are rusty and hard to get on to, but nothing has happened to me. Actually that is about all the stuff I have really climbed on. Oh and an old lighthouse. But that was no big deal.

Question 3:

Do the new members get opportunities to serve?

Answer: They should be given a calling. I believe it was Thomas S Monson who said that every new member deserves a calling in the ward. So if you guys could help with that in Chico, do it. They DESERVE it. But here, things are a little bit slow, so we are working on them getting callings. Ann*e should be getting a calling to work in Young Women’s soon.

Question 4:

Speaking of serving, in addition the teaching experiences you’ve had, are there chances to do additional service for people?

Answer: Well, we offer everyone service. Most people say no, we do however have a couple projects that we might be able to help with sometime. Like fixing roofs.
Love ya

Mom

Sounds like it has been cold there. It has been nice here today and yesterday. No rain right now. Missionary work stops when members stop helping. Members help in here in Colonia. So, if you know someone or think that someone might be a little bit interested, open your mouth, talk to them, be bold and get the missionaries involved. Here is a fact for you guys. Of the 14 people that have been baptized since I have been here, 13 of them were from member’s friends and family and them coming to teach with us. 1 of them was from our finding efforts. From finding efforts, there are a lot of people that we talked to that don't go anywhere. Missionary work is better with members.

Question 5:

Has your companion gone home?  What's the plan after he goes home?

Answer: He goes home January 30. He is not sure what he wants to do. But something with being a fireman, I think. Maybe in air force, maybe not.


Question 6:

How is the finding going?

Answer: Nothing has happened that is great. We are trying, but members work better.

Question 7:

What package did you get last?  What was in it?

Answer: The one with the salami and gold fish, yumm

Staheli

It was great to hear from you this week. I loved talking to you at Christmas too. So, you are getting better at skiing. About time. Haha I am just joking. I am glad that you are getting to enjoy the snow so much. Maybe by the time I get home you will be able to do back flips on the skis. It is crazy to have been out over six months. It sure has gone fast. I really only feel like I have been here a couple of months. I love you

Reed

How are you doing? So are you skiing or snowboarding? Either way, have fun. Love you man

Grandma

Thanks for the letters. I love them so much. I am going to write back very soon. You are a wonderful grand ma. Love you 



Well, I am out of time. 
I love you guys so so much


Love Elder Meyer

Letter from Elder Meyer: This may put a smile on your face...

As you all know I am assigned to Yap Island. I was so surprised. I am so excited at the same time. Well my companion is Elder Tueller. He is awesome. We left for Yap on Saturday at around 10. We got to Yap at like 11:30. Once we got there you get a leis (flower thing). And yes, it is a naked women doing that. It was a little weird, not going to lie. 

After we finally got our bags, we went out to the front to get picked up. Well, just like on the "Other Side of Heaven" movie, no one knew we were coming. We just sat there for about an hour and a half. Waiting for someone to come get us. We looked for a member to see if we could use their phone. Well, eventually a member in the ward recognized Elder Tueller and gave us a ride to the apartment. 

Once we got their, I pretty much fell asleep. I was really tired. We got up the next morning and went to church. There are two different meetings that we are assigned to in the Thol area. The first one is called a small group. The Bishop is called the small group leader. There was only 5 people there. It was crazy! 

They ran out of sacrament cups so we passed on that. Elder Tuller and I were asked to speak. No surprise there. It was quick and easy. This all took place on the back patio of some little hut. It was pretty funny. 

The second meeting we went to was in an actually church building. It is pretty nice. There were 10 people in total. The branch president ran all three meetings. I was surprised we had all three meetings, to be honest. I was not asked to do anything it sacrament meeting. Two young kids gave talks. They just read out of some church book. It was awesome. 

In Sunday School and Priesthood, the branch president taught. He just read out of the manual for them. When asked a question, he would choose on anyone who would move. Most of the people in the branch are from the outer islands, so they don't even speak Yapese. The branch president would translate for them as he taught. One time, when he was translating something, he asked a question and my foot twitched and he called on me to answer it. The question was in an outer island language, so I could not understand a word of it. I just did the best I could and moved on.

When you travel, you get what is called an airplane day. Basically the Mission President gives you permission to sleep for a little extra while. So, after church, I came home and sleep because I was still on Utah time. I sleep for like 8 hours, woke up, ate a little bit, and went back to sleep.

Today is Monday and pretty much all we have done so far is gone shopping and study. This whole time we have been sleeping in the other elders apartment. (there are 4 elders here now) We are going to go and clean up our apartment here, pretty soon. We took a look inside it. It is pretty messy. There is junk everywhere.

The apartments are actually pretty nice. There is running water and a filter in every apartment. There is also electricity. I was pretty surprised. Things have probably changed a lot since Brother Whitmore has come here.

Yapese is the hardest language to learn here in the islands. I am already pretty frustrated about it. There is an awful ng sound that is everywhere, and so hard to make. I have been trying forever and I am no where close. I know that the Lord will help me though. Let's see, oh yeah, we have a car. I was surprised about that too. It is nice to have the car. There are not too many roads here, and the roads that are here are really bad, so the Yapese people drive really slow.

The mission home is super nice though. And sister and President Mecham are really nice. Oh, Guam is not very close to the United States. it is way these civilized. So when I got there I was stunned about it not being so civilized and then when I got to Yap it is more civilized than I thought. I guess that is pretty good. Don't get the wrong idea, it is still very rural. The church does a good job taking care of us. We pretty much have the nicest cars and the nicest houses.

I have not gotten the package you sent. I don't have any idea where it is, or where it could be. I don't know when you sent it. Someone from Yap goes to Guam once a month, at the beginning of the month. I might get it then.

The food here is really expensive. We get 220 dollars a month for food and other stuff. There is no milk here. Dad you would not like it. If you want milk, you have to put it in a suit case and carry it from Guam. The store is a lot bigger than the picture that Brother Whitmore has.

I am sorry that I am not sending any pictures. I forgot my converter at the apartment. I will try to remember it next week.

I love you all so much. You are the best family ever. I hope everything is going well.

Love
Elder Meyer.

Road to the chapel:

Yap Island

For those that know the story of Johnny talking about the Island of Yap (Language = Yapese) for the past 4 years... this is quite amazing.  He has been assigned to serve on and around the Yap Island Zone, and will be trained by Elder Tueller. 

P.S.  These young missionaries do not pick or submit location preferences for their missions. They are assigned by direct revelation from Heavenly Father to one of the twelve apostles authorized today, by Jesus Christ, to function in that role.

(Posted by John Meyer: Dad).