We have had some really exciting news come in from the First Presidency, down through the chain of command, all the way to the Fiji Suva Mission! From now on, our focus as missionaries won't only be baptisms into the church, but now we have a "Returning Member" program. The missionaries will now be working (together with the help of the members) to bring less actives back into the church. We have always been teaching less actives throughout the week, but now there is a plan with steps set up to help bring back people into FULL activity. HURRAY!!! The focus comes from Mosiah 3:18, "Becoming as a Saint.” Now we are focusing on bringing SAINTS into the gospel, both investigators and less actives alike. We’re saving saints, not just saving investigators. The gospel is on the earth for not just those who are not baptized. Some of us find a way off the path and forget what it feels like to feel the Spirit and love of our Heavenly Father. But, that doesn't make us any less a Saint than anyone else. God loves EACH of His children just the same.
The plan has a list of 6 steps where the member will meet with the Bishop a few times, start the MY FAMILY book, be worthy of a temple recommend and pay a full tithing, and also attend church quite a few times. It sounds like it will be a lot of work, and it WILL be a lot of work, but it’s going to be SO worth it! The missionaries in our ward, Sister Pauga and I, and two elders, are working with our Branch Mission Leader to help set up some plans for rescues throughout the months. We are so so excited to finally get the ball rolling in a HUGE way! We have lots of exciting things planned for the branch starting this Friday with a youth/YSA activity.
When the mission age was lowered, the Lord needed a MASS EXPLOSION of missionary work to flood the earth, not just by the missionaries, but also by the members. In Conference a few times ago, Elder Nelson gave a talk "Catch the Wave.” It's really awesome. Go and read it!!!!
So this week we went to Savusavu for our zone training meeting where we learned all about the Returning Member festivities. Sister Pauga and I walked all over the area, found some more less actives, ate an octopus, hiked a hill, and got a nice sunburn. Life is good!
On Sunday, we also were asked to speak on the Priesthood. At first I wondered why they asked the sisters missionaries, not the elders? But, it turned out to be a great sacrament meeting. Sister Pauga and I tried to focus on how the priesthood can bless the entire family, not just the priesthood holder. Men aren't the priesthood, but the priesthood can help them become the men that God designed them to be, as they help the children of God on the earth attain the saving ordinances that they need. Baptism isn't the only thing we need, we need to aim for the temple as well. Sealing in the temple for time and all eternity will bring us the greatest happiness in our lives! (shout out to my homegirl Andrea Taylor for getting married!! SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!) I'm so grateful for the righteous and worthy priesthood holders that I have in my life, my dad, my brothers, my uncles and my Grandpas and everyone else who holds the priesthood. I look up to you! Thanks for honoring the priesthood that you do have. It's a sacred role you've been entrusted with. Alma 13 talks all about how the priesthood holders were chosen from the beginning because of their faithfulness and righteousness.
Vinakavakalevu na nomuni yalododonu ka yalodina!!!
LOLOMA LEVU!
Sister Trammell
Life is good!
