Letter to Dad from Lynn Haven-June 16, 2014

Hey Dad,

No problem! Thanks for always being there for me Dad. I've always been proud to call you Dad! Sounds like everybody had a really busy week liked you planned! I told mom that I had a dream something was going to happen to Ethan. Sounds like Noah is getting good! I'm glad that he and Noah get to play together! They are going to do some sweet stuff!

How is apartment?

The apartment is really nice. We have 2 bathrooms so that is pretty sweet. It's a pretty open and spacey place so I like it a lot.

Any new investigators?

We had a sweet lesson with an investigator we haven't met with in a while on wednesday and he wants to get baptized so pretty stoked about that. I told Mom a little bit more

How are you sleeping?

I'm sleeping pretty good. I roll over a lot, but it's better than it has been.

Are you happy? Why?

Yes because I am working hard and having a little bit of success.

Are things going the way you want them to be going? How is your district?

I think so. The district is awesome and working really hard. It's full of sisters but they are doing a lot of good things.

What’s the difference now being on your mission compared when you were with Elder Misi?

I think I'm more motivated to be obedient and I can feel the Spirit more often when I speak and teach.

So are getting some good work outs in?

I'm trying to! They have been getting better. I'm trying to get President to let us use the gym in our complex

Are you in a car?

Yes a ford fusion 2014

Tell me something that went well this week?

We had that really good lesson and I've been elder Grimaud get better at tracting and oyming. I think he is getting less robotic.

Anything funny?

Not really... Elder Grimaud has been eating as much as I do at dinner appointments and he looked at me yesterday and was like "I haven't eaten this much food in my whole life!" I almost died laughing hahaha

Thanks for the thought Dad I hope that I have been able to do at least part of that.

I love you Dad and thanks for being so awesome!

Alofa Atu Oi

Elder Wilson Atagi

Letter to Mom from Lynn Haven-June 16, 2014

Hey Mom

We had some pretty sweet lessons this week. One was a lot of bashing and the other wants to get baptized! So that was pretty sweet this week. 

It sounds like everyone is doing really well! I had a dream that Ethan got hurt at the camp so I've been praying for him. Hopefully Jesse can help Sam out! Yeah that was pretty sweet Riley and I could do that then. I hope dad can use those slippers. The member that gave them to me said if you break them in they are the best shoes ever. I got some awesome $5 sunglasses from walmart today haha. I will definitely write Noah and Email today and Riley too thanks for reminding me!

How was your zone meeting? Tell me about it.

zone training was really good! our zone is struggling big time with teaching a lot of lessons. We do really good with member presents, but our zone leaders lack the confidence they need to lead us. I'm doing my best as a district leader to all that I can to help my district help the zone.

Any happenings with the contacts that you have made or any new contacts?

We haven't a whole lot of success with people that we've been contacting. Mostly just a lot of "I'm not interested" So that kind of sucks

Tell me something great that happened this week.

We had an awesome lesson on Wednesday with a man named Cullen Wilson. We taught the Plan of Salvation and Elder Grimaud asked him if he wanted to get baptized and he said yes! so we are going to set a date this week for July 19th!

Tell me something that tested your Spirit this week

Getting all the doors slammed in our faces. It is just discouraging. Because we are trying really hard, but no success so we keep on trucking. 

Tell me something that strengthened your Spirit or your testimony this week.

I think something that really has caught me this week is how much Jesus Christ uses our everyday situations to change and also to test us. Everything single moment we have choices to make and it blows me away to think that if I can make the right choices than Heavenly Father can trust me later on.

Well mom I guess my quote is "Patience is not the ability to wait, but to have a good attitude while waiting."

Love you So

Elder Wilson Atagi

Letter to Dad from Lynn Haven-June 9, 2014

Hey Dad

Sounds like y'all are going to be pretty busy! Just remember to use prayer and the scriptures to bring Heavenly Father in to balance everything out.

So what steps are you taking to be a better missionary? I was never worried about you breaking rules, but what did your President see that you needed to change. did he feel you picked up some bad habits from some of you past comps? or from situations with past comps?

I'm just getting into a more excited time of missionary work. I think that I lost a little bit of the motivation to go out and work when I was with Elder Misi. Like when I first got out here I couldn't wait to talk to all kinds of people and be out everyday and now I'm getting back into the groove of things trying to find a balance of chilling and relaxing and missionary work. Just trying to keep sane and not beat the crap out of the next person to slam the door in my face haha.

How are things going now? Is there anything we can help you with?

Everything is going great Dad! We have had a lot of work this week and been working really hard.

Change is difficult is there certain areas you see you need to adjust in?

I think I can get better in finding and mindset/attitude especially about like tracting and stuff like that.

What was a cool experience this week?

We had an awesome church tour with some gators that i told mom all about.

How many investigators do you have right now?

We don't have a ton like 3 or 4 solid ones and we are trying really hard to find more.

What is Lynn haven like? Are you the only pair of missionaries there?

There is us and a trio of sisters and a senior couple. Lynn Haven is a good mix of rural and city. It's pretty nice.

What was something bad that happen to you?

Nothing really just a lot slammed doors and that is pretty freaking stupid

What is your district like?

I have 2 sets of sisters, a senior couple and me and my comp.

Can you believe it’s almost been a year? What has changed in you this past year?

I can't believe it. I think my understanding and testimony of the gospel has gotten stronger, but also I've developed a lot of good habits with a planner and writing in a journal, brushing my teeth, wearing my invisalign and making my bed. So that's a lot of big things. I think that something I learned is my purpose in this life and understanding who I need to become to do everything that the Savior wants me to do.

That's awesome that Tyler is heading out already. I really like that quote dad. Thanks! I'm sending a small package with something for you in it. I hope you like them and can use them. Happy Father's Day Dad! Thanks for always being there for me and showing how to not be stupid haha.

Alofa Atu Oi

Elder Wilson Atagi

Letter to Mom from Lynn Haven-June 9, 2014

Hey Mom!

We had a pretty good week! The new comp is pretty chill really quiet. He gets really nervous when he starts teaching and I am working on getting him out of it haha. We had some awesome lessons this week on the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon! It was really fun!

Sounds just like Dad! haha. It is honestly the scariest thing ever to do. Just roll up there and start playing haha. That's good that he doesn't have to worry about the food thing like I did when I went down there. Noah is crazy! haha He'll do alright though. He'll find a way to get some more from the other kids eventually haha. Dad always has the best excuses for things haha.

So is that going to be your job job? Doing stuff for Gransie and Pappies in their house and company. No more school stuff? That will be nice though because then you can have a little bit more contact with Jed and helping him get back to where he needs to be. I'm going to try to start emailing him and see what I can do.

That's crazy that Ty is leaving so soon! Can you get me his email? That's cool that Mariah is coming out too! Where is she going?

1. Tell me something great that happened this week.

Something great that happened this week would be an awesome church tour we had with a couple David and Peggy! They felt like they were at home in the church and we almost set a baptismal date with them! They felt the spirit really strong and it was awesome to hear them talk about wanting to know that it's true! That was pretty awesome

2. Do you have a district meeting or zone conference coming up? I don’t know how often those things happen.

We have zone training tomorrow. So that will be fun! I'm singing with another elder that is serving in bonifay. District meeting is every Tuesday unless we have some zone stuff.

3. What do you think of your new companion? Is he there to work? Are you still excited and working hard?

The new comp is pretty sweet. He is a hard worker, but loves tracting and it is probably the most ineffective way to do missionary work. I'm going to be counseling with President how I can get him past it. Pray for that haha. 

4. Any good talks with people this week? New investigators?

Probably the best would be with David and Peggy. We did have a good couple talks with a recent convert named Don Polacheck. He is super cool and a lot of fun. He can shred on the guitar so we have had a few jam sessions after/before lessons when I'll strum on the acoustic and he'll wail on the electric to my strums. It was soo cool.

5. Who’s your district leader? Are you liking him?

I am actually the District Leader and I think I'm pretty cool so hahaha :P

6. Tell me about something you’ve been studying about this week.

I have been reading in Jesus the Christ a lot this week. I also read all of Our Search for Happiness. It is interesting to me how secret Christ tried to keep His Ministry. Every miracle He performed He told the people not to say anything to anyone. They didn't get in trouble when they did, but He was very, very humble about all of it and tried to help people understand that His purpose was for something bigger.

Love you Momma! Thanks for the thought! It made me tear up kinda!

Don't worry about the shoes either. They are surviving! And have y'all gotten the names to take to the temple yet? Has the whole family jumped on the site yet? We need to get this stuff done and take it to the temple! 

Love you so Mom! 

Elder Wilson Atagi

Letter to Mom from Lynn Haven-June 2, 2014

Hey Mom!

The area is awesome! I love it already.

Is it city or more rural?

It is a mix between both of them. There are a lot of rural areas here in lynn haven, but mostly city like Ft Walton Beach.

Tell me about your companion. Where is he from? What's he like? Are you his trainer or just the senior companion?

It is Elder Grimaud and he is in his 2nd transfer of training right now. He is from Payson Utah. He is really quiet and is kinda like a small puppy dog haha. He is always with me like constantly like sitting right next to me at all times. It's alright though he is a good kid.

What’s your apartment like?

The apartment is probably the biggest since I've been out here. 2 bedroom 2 bath and it's pretty nice. A big main room with plenty of room to do stuff.

How was the transfer? Leaving Elder Kimball, the area, et.

It was all good. We just got back on the van and just moved on to the next area and companion.

Are there other elders and sisters in your area? Bike or car?

Car and there are sisters and a senior couple in our area.

 Anything else cool happen this week?

Not really we didn't get too much done the end of this week just a lot of packing and unpacking.

Sounds like Idaho is pretty bad huh? haha They definitely would not have liked me playing on those courts then. It would have gotten a little rough huh? Sounds like y'all haven't been doing too good on keeping your teeth clean huh? haha come on a mission! You get in to quite a big routine out here. 

I think that I have started getting some things from Gransie and getting rid of a lot of clutter on my desk and really anywhere. I have really changed a lot I've noticed with just cleaning and stuff like that. It's weird haha.

Love you Mom and thanks for getting that stuff for me! I think that I'm going to just send a letter for Father's day. I don't know what to get him out here. So Love you So!

Elder Wilson Atagi

Letter from May 26, 2014

Well my time in Ft Walton Beach is coming to an end and I am headed to Lynn Haven in the Panama City Zone!

My New Address is: 2401 Standford #503

                                Panama City, FL 32405

I'm pretty stoked about it! this week was pretty slow. We were doing service for some old lady. We power washed a drive way. It was like coloring in a poster board with a ball point pen haha. Other than that we were out in the hot sun for a really long time. We had another few lessons with Chyann. She is doing really well. She didn't come to church though I was pretty ticked. Oh well, We were given Agency for a reason I guess.

Love y'all and I will be on for just a little while longer in here so Email back quick!!

Letter to Mom-May 12, 2014

Hey Mom!

It was awesome to talk with y'all too!  Thanks for setting it up with Riley too!

Elder Kimball and I are getting along great. We just have our differences at times and he is a pretty immature kid, but we have a lot of fun together so I enjoy serving with him. 

Keep using prayer and scripture study to do everything in your calling. A planner helps too.... Man I never thought I would say that haha 

I think the Hydration should help out a lot. I've cut out soda so that is helping on the diet and stuff. Mama B is awesome. Don't worry about it mom everything is going great out here and you're in my prayers daily.

Keep on Smiling! BE Bold. Be Happy.

Love you So!

Elder Wilson Atagi

Letter to Mom-May 5, 2014

Hey Mom!

The Weather was insane!!! The Lightning storms were so ridiculous! We haven't been doing too much cleaning while we have been here which I guess is nice. Yeah us missionaries are goof balls haha. Did she buy the canned ones? if she did those are probably the worst kind you can get haha. They're really nasty.

I don't know why I don't sleep. I have really just been rolling around and just restless. I do fall asleep, but I wake up all the time during the middle of the night. It's not too bad because of Heavenly Father really is helping me out. I will work on it this week and then talk to you Sunday.

My spirits are great. I really don't feel sad or worry about a lot out here. The area has a lot of potential and its a lot of fun to be out here. I mean I do get frustrated sometimes with things going on, but I try to stay happy.

Sounds like the boys are getting busy and handling it pretty well. I remember those AP tests and ethan should kill em.

Something great this week was probably a meeting we had with a Part member family the Albas. They are from Vegas. Mario is the investigator and  he has a lot of questions about the gospel and we answered a lot of questions last night. He is awesome and is getting close to baptism so that was awesome.

I am working on just being more and more obedient and getting where President can use me whenever  he needs me.

We'll probably be calling you like in the later evening time at Sister Blanchard (mama b) she has an Ipad and an Iphone so we'll probably go there and talk there.

I have both cards the one wasn't deleted all the way is all so I just didn't know what you wanted me to do.

Love you Mom talk to you later!

Letter to Dad from Fort Walton Beach-April 14, 2014

It's crazy to think that another companion is going home after being with me. I found out today that Elder Misi is going home early. So that was kind of a blow to the brain, just keep him in your prayers alright? That's good Riley is doing well. Ethan and Noah are going to be some amazing athletes next year! I can just see Penrod waiting for Ethan to pick Elora up haha. Sounds like y'all have been busy with your missionary efforts great job!

We are trying to call the military members up and get them to come out with us or to find new people to teach. We try to tell them to find people at work, but I don't know if they are allowed to share much about their religion in the military. The Ranger from basketball does a pretty consistent job at the Ranger camp. He is an instructor there so I think he is doing a good job.

The goofiest thing that happened this week was watching Elder Schwartz pack his bike haha.

We had an awesome musical thing called the Lamb of God and the music was fantastic. It was an awesome experience and i really enjoyed it.

This week we were talking to these girls and their mom about the Plan of Salvation and just really showing them why God is there for us all the time. It really helped me know that this is what I’m here for.

The smile is fighting to stay up but it has been pretty hard to keep up lately. I am trying really hard to give my all and i think this transfer will allow me to do that.

I think this area has a lot of potential and I think that it will be exciting with a new comp in Elder Kimball. He actually came out with me so that is pretty exciting. I think that we will be able to use Family history to find a lot of people.

Thank you Dad for your testimony. I think more and more everyday about the example that you have been to me and in large part my whole purpose of being a missionary is to fulfill your Legacy out here.

I had 1 question though. How can I find out more about our Family History? Like on the Polynesian side? Do we have any books or records of it?

Alofa Atu Oi

Elder Wilson Atagi

 

Letter from Fort Walton Beach-April 7, 2014

My week was really good! My spirits are great right now! Life is good. Ethan and Noah, those suckers are getting too big haha. I bet Ethan will get a scholarship somewhere. Pappies will be alright. Mom said Josh gave him a blessing so he'll be fine. Thank goodness for the Priesthood and the blessing of modern medicine. I wrote them a letter last week so I hope they got it. I will keep him and Riley in my prayers though. Everything happens for a reason which is something that I have come to learn quite a bit on my mission. That's awesome about the bros and all the sports haha. I bet they had fun with the jackhammer in Gransie’s bathroom.

Conference was great huh? I loved it!

I did get the Dillard’s package and the pants fit great! I think that my waist hasn't really gotten much bigger mostly just my thighs have haha all the biking and stuff. I put the bike back in the shop last week haha the spokes came lose in the back wheel so it worked for a while haha.

We have been going through the potentials and asking for referrals and seeing people on the streets mostly for it all. Thank you so much for all that you guys do for me! I can really feel the prayers and everything. We do talk to a ton of military and most of the ward is, so it's hard for them to come out with us.

The sisters in our area are Sister McKenzie and Obray. Sis M. is from Jordan and Obray is from Riverton and they are pretty chill.

We write our emails from the Northwest College over here and we don't have any ward missionaries to work with right now haha

The basketball is fun. There is this huge Army ranger dude that plays super cheap and pushes with 2 hands to play and I beat him in the post all day. It’s a lot of fun.

That sucks that Riley has to come home but the Lord will help him and maybe he is supposed to go home and help out his dad for a while. The blessing of an Eternal Father in Heaven that is constantly watching over us all and knowing what we need in our lives.

We do cook the best food. For the tennis team, I think something easy would be like Costa Vida pork and rice might be the best thing.

Love you!

Elder Wilson Atagi

Letter to Dad from Fort Walton Beach-March 31, 2014

Hey Dad!

Nothing much dad.

It was only about elder Misi and why I didn't tell him that I was having a hard time with him. Apparently he did like a survey and President was just asking why I never said anything to him about it. I am working on it dad. It is hard to be motivated in the morning but I am trying.

I am so ready for conference! The ward is full of air force people because it is between 2 air force bases. We have a pretty small ward. There are like 450 members and like 125 active. We live about a mile away from the sisters. There is a bike shop in our area. He is the DL. We have 2 sets of Spanish in our district then us. There are 2 zones in between us and Mississippi.  

1. Your comp basically has 18 days left how’s that going for you? It's not an issue at all.

2. Is your comp still willing to work? We work hard out here.

3. Tell me about some of your investigators? We don't have any as of now.

4. So have you had an interview with President Smith lately? How did that go? No I haven't lately.

5. Funny story about the week? We talked to a crazy drunk dude on the phone today haha and he was freaking out about our family history website. Not much really happened this week that is worth talking about. I am working on becoming a better missionary.

6. Most spiritual experience this week? Just bearing testimony to someone about the Book of Mormon and feeling and using a prompting to talk to someone in the store today

7. So the Leadership sisters do you have one in your area? No we don't they are an area above us.

8. How are you doing physically? Spiritually? Emotionally? And mentally? I am working on getting better physically and I still am trying to get better at sleeping. Emotionally I am fine. Mentally I will live I am trying to get less stressed out about baptisms and crap.

That's awesome about the setting apart. I'm sorry that I wasn't always the most proactive in trying to be better and I think you are the one that made us look good Dad. Thanks for the quote Dad!

Alofa Atu Oi

Elder Wilson Atagi

Letter to Mom from Fort Walton Beach-March 31, 2014

Hey Mom!

My week was pretty good! I'm glad Mama B (Sister Blanchard) could talk to you for a little while! Basketball is working great!

President Smith did call me about Elder Misi and a survey that he had to do for President. He asked why I never told him about why he had such a hard time with Misi, but nothing too big. I am glad that he likes me! haha I know Heavenly Father knows what we need all the time. Honestly I haven't written anyone a letter in the past like month or so. I just haven't been good at writing anyone really. Mostly just emailing everyone on Mondays.

That's awesome about your calling! I heard that the conference was pretty good! Sad to hear that it's snowing up there during spring break though!

My spirits are doing great! Life is good! Something good this week was probably a crazy rainstorm that we had this week. It was on Friday and we were taking the car to the sisters and we stopped at this stop sign and out of nowhere this huge wave of rain covered the road in front of us and then we got stuck at the sisters’ apartment. They said that a tornado touched down somewhere far away from our area. It was crazy!

I've been missing you a lot lately too Mom, but there is a reason that I am out here. I just have to find the one person that needs me to be the one to talk to them.

Thanks for the scripture mom!

Love you so!

Elder Wilson Atagi

Letter to Dad from Fort Walton Beach-March 24, 2014

Hey Dad!

Missed you too dad! He leaves in April on the 18th. We do have a car but we share with the sisters so technically we don't really have a car haha.

 

It's going really good dad! Life is good! I am constantly trying to stay happy because it makes everything a lot easier. He is working hard for sure. The new area is awesome but the ward is so-so.

1. Tell me about your apartment? The apartment is really little and small but not too bad. We have the kitchen, laundry and study room downstairs then bathroom and bedroom upstairs. We only have one study table instead of 2 so that kind of sucks, not too much space.

2. How is the new area? The area is good but the membership is kind blah. There are a lot of members that want to work with us but they can't because they are in the military and work a ton.

3. So do you like the beach? Have you accidentally fallen into the water? The beach is nice but I don't think I will be "falling" in the water any time soon haha.

4. Is there a rule about how close you can be to the water? No there isn't, at least none that i have seen.

5. Are you having fun? What happened this week that was fun? I am having fun out here dad! We have been making up songs on the guitar so that has been a ton of fun.

6. Sounds like there are some people that like you with all the attention that you got from your birthday. Tell me the goods and bads about your birthday. My birthday was great we got cake/food from like 5 people so that was fantastic.

7. Tell me a spiritual experience you had this week in detail please and how it affected you? I have been memorizing a scripture in 2 Nephi 4:17-28 and I keep just feeling how true the Book of Mormon is. The scripture talks about how sometimes we feel that we aren't worthy because of all the mistakes we make, but really God is always with us. That is something that hit me really hard this week.

8. How are you getting along? I am getting a long great dad! Thanks for worrying about me.

Thanks for the message Dad! I missed y'all a lot this week but I know I'm doing something good here.

Alofa Atu Oi

Elder Wilson Atagi

Pictures from Fort Walton Beach-March 17, 2014

Birthday Cake



View from Fort Walton Beach Shore

Beach Volleyball at Fort Walton Beach

Letter to Mom from Fort Walton Beach-March 17, 2014

Hey Mom!

I did get the package so thank you so much! It was a great day! The sister missionaries in our area baked me a cake. Some members made cupcakes and also another member fed us dinner and a cake.

That's awesome that y'all are safe and sound! The work is going great and I am having a lot of fun in the new area. My comp and I are getting along really well. He is an awesome missionary and knows how to work! I am back on schedule and it is good to be back.

How close does auntie Sa and auntie Lin live to the mission? Dang dad was cutting it close huh? haha why did you get released so quickly?

The mission this week was a lot of fun! We had a tradeoff with the zone leaders and they are really cool. We met a man at the church and he just wanted to learn about what are church was like. I think he really showed up to try and become the preacher at the church haha. He wanted to argue a lot and we matched every scripture and concern he had and eventually he started trying to tell us that the church isn't true and our parents didn't raise us right and that was when I got fired up and filled with the Spirit like a lot. So I pulled out the Book of Mormon and bore my testimony about how I had found out it was true and he didn't say a single word and agreed to read and to pray about it. I think that may be one of the most powerful moments on my mission when my testimony just lit somebody up like that haha. So that was super cool!

I love you guys and y'all made me cry with the testimony book so thanks for that haha

Alofa atu oi!

Elder Wilson Atagi

Letter to Dad from Fort Walton Beach-March 10, 2014

Hey Dad!

The new area is sick! I'm doing really good! I'm doing great here in the new area! I am kinda area sick, but not too bad. My new comp is pretty cool. His name Elder Schwartz. He goes home next transfer so this will be the second missionary I have killed off so far on my mission. He is pretty sweet. He's from Idaho and is kinda goofy, but a really good missionary. Yeah I missed out on Elder Ballard. That was super stupid haha. If I had stayed in Bonifay I would have been fine. There is a beach and we went and played beach volleyball today so that was dope. We aren't in a threesome so it's weird that we are both senior comps. That's awesome that they are both doing good! Sounds like the other kids haven't quite reached their level huh? That's funny.

1. Address? 44 Wright Parkway NW #A2. Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548

2. Near the Beach? We are probably like 4 miles from like a real beach.

3. Was it hard to leave Bonifay? It was super hard leaving Bonifay. I literally knew the town better than most of the people that lived there. Cool story, I helped a 24 year old decide to go on a mission from getting him to come out with us all the time!

4. How was your first transfer? How much did you collect in 7 months in one area? I have seemed to collect quite a lot according to my bags haha, but I didn't really place everything in that well. I think I have just collected a lot of paper and stuff like that. The shoes probably take up the most room.

5. What is your new apartment like? It is really small compared to the old one so i don't like it that much, but I can't really control anything like that so.

6. Who moves you from place to place? They have like a caravan of some vans and trailers and one truck and trailer that carries everybody.

7. Is your comp big like you? tall? He is like 6 ft. not too big though.he isn't very athletic, he is still pretty cool.

8. Have you learned anything from him yet? He knows how to do this thing called personology. Which is reading peoples traits on like their face and hands to predict how the person acts or thinks in life. It's really weird but I will try to explain more when I actually figure it out.

Spiritual moments this week would be when we were praying as we left transfer spots. I said my own prayer asking if I was going to get better as a missionary in my new area and if I was really supposed to be going there. This overwhelming feeling of peace and the answer yes came to my mind so that was pretty cool.

I think that statement is true for sure. I think it would be because the situation with my last comp gave me the opportunity to either rise above it or shy away and I got stronger from it. Heavenly Father always gives us opportunities to make the right choice in life.

We are all constantly practicing on being obedient. Just like a coach puts the player in the first team to see if he can trust him in the big game. The small promptings that we get to go and check if the kids are alright after hearing a call or for missionaries the prompting to knock on the door. Often we find that nothing was wrong or that the person was not interested, but now Heavenly Father sees that he can trust us in a bigger situation when a lot of people are on the line or someone really is hurt or in need. He is waiting to see if we will be obedient always.

Love you Dad!

 

Letter to Dad from Fort Walton Beach-March 3, 2014

Hey Dad! 

What's up? How's it going? I am being transferred to Ft Walton! I think I am training in a trio with an Elder Ethan Shwartz. I'm pretty excited about that. Elder Misi is staying in Bonifay and will be with a former zone leader.

It's pretty interesting to see how life prepares you for things. Crazy to think that life is still like a football game and sometimes we just need to focus on the practice and little things. Maybe that's something you can talk about, that as we go to the temple we are preparing ourselves and others for the big game of judgment. Everything we do is just practice for eternal life. 

1.What happened with transfers? Yes I did get transferred.

2. Do you like what happened? Why? Yeah I have no issues with it.

3. So how are the Burpies? Consistent Burpies will get you in shape it works for prisoners. I'm working on getting better at them.

4. How is the eating going? Becky Heaton said that what I told you was correct. To eat you fruits rather than drink it. She also said V8s are good. As long as it does not make starve. She said don't starve yourself. Just eat healthy and with the members try to fill up with the good stuff first (salad, and fruit then the heavy stuff). It's going pretty good. I have eaten a lot of carrots haha.

5. Tell me something funny that happened? We hit a deer with a member! Haha

6. Tell me about spiritual happening this week? I had an awesome experience of blessing two kids and giving them names. A member that i have been able to get to know well asked me to bless his kids.

7. How have you become the bike fixer? I just know how now. We haven't had a lot of need for it lately.

8. In your pictures there is this skinny elder what’s he like? He is awesome and super funny. At first he was really quiet, but as we got to know each other he opened up.

9. What are your thoughts about being a missionary now? There is nothing like it in the world and I don't think there is anything more rewarding for the emotional work. Does that make sense? It really is a life changing experience that is teaching me how to be a better person and be a better human being in general. Like I’m more understanding and patient and I don't judge as quickly as I used to and I am just changing totally.

10. If you could tell people ready to leave on their missions, something to help them prepare what would that be? Be ready to talk to people and open your mouth about the gospel and be ready for people to be jerks.

That’s it from me Dad. I will send that letter sometime either this week or next. It’s crazy to almost be done and I can't really control it. I am sort of happy it goes by fast. I think the thing I have learned most would be to put in 100% all the time and never look back.

Don’t worry about mistakes but learn from them.

Love you Dad I’ll send a letter this week!

Elder Wilson Atagi

 

Letter to Dad from Bonifay-February 24, 2014

Hey Dad!

It's going pretty good over here. Elder Misi wants to go home really bad and we didn't do hardly anything at the end of this week so that is a bit of a rough patch. I did have a ton of fun at the zone conference. I definitely am just working hard to be a good missionary not really thinking of being a ZL or AP. Just wanting to help out the mission.

1. What did you learn at Zone Conference? We learned about family history and church tours. That is how president has received revelation for the mission so that is what will really start up all the work here in this area of the south.

2. Did president reschedule you training? Not yet he said he is planning on it.

3. So are you investigators getting close to baptism? Sort of. All the investigators we have that are going towards baptism aren't married and they are taking forever to do that.

4. Did find out about transfers? Not yet next week.

5. How are you and Elder Misi doing? Not too great he is really struggling. And wants to go home really bad and I don't know what else to tell him.

6. Great pictures and your brothers liked the picks. Can you tell me something funny this week? Misi almost drove away in the car a few times. That's kinda funny but not really.

7. Can you tell me about a spiritual moment this Week? Zone conference was pretty spiritual. Lots of stuff about missionaries being led by the ancestors of the people we start teaching. That's how we really are led to the people that are "those willing to receive us" That was pretty awesome. I will send the recording of president talking sometime this week!

8. Why are you the only one in a suit coat in the pictures? I didn't take my suit coat off. I like looking cool haha.

9. So I was thinking about your work outs? You running suicides in the parking lot sounds good? But how is your eating? You cannot starve yourself in the morning. Hit the fruits and vegies and slow down on the heavy sauces. Consistency on the exercise is the key with the better eating. I am eating well a lot of juice and tuna a cottage cheese and v8 and veggies and fruit. And a bagel every once in a while. I do need to get better at consistent workouts. It's kind of hard when misi won't wake up to work out with me.

10. How are you exercise shoes? They are still going strong.

Thanks for the quote. I needed that one this week.

I will send the recording of president's teaching next week!

Love you dad

Alofa Atu Oi

Elder Wilson Atagi

Letter to Dad from Bonifay-February 17, 2014

Hey Dad!

The weather has been pretty weird down here. That sucks that the team is struggling. I know how that feels haha. That's crazy Will is going to Peru like Mason! That's ridiculous that Ryan is back already! That’s awesome he had a good mission.

1. So the meeting via broadcast I heard you guys had several GAs? We had quite a few like 5 or 6.

2. When I read other missionaries blogs I see that some parents send articles from home would you like that? That would be cool like what kind of articles?

3. So how is that recorder? It’s pretty sweet and i am trying to do like a recording every other day to record like a journal.

4. Are you struggling with anything right now? I’m good Dad thanks for worrying about me though.

5. Tell me about a cool experience this past week? We didn't really have any this week... I did have a crazy dream though. In the dream the APs called me and told me I have 5 transfers left to become the missionary that the Lord wants me to be so I can be an AP or a zone leader I can't remember the exact detail on that part. So that was pretty cool i guess.

That's good to see all those guys. Something that one of the zone leaders I talked to on Sunday said that to describe in one word the church's goals right now is urgency. We need to understand that our time is short and the work is kicking up fast.

I love you too dad!

Alofa Atu Oi

Elder Wilson Atagi

 

 

Letter to Mom from Bonifay-February 17, 2014

Hi Mom!

Yeah we are pretty excited for it (zone conference)! President actually cancelled on us so that kind of sucks but oh well. We have zone conference this Thursday so we are stoked! I'm sorry if didn't get you anything for valentines! My brothers did good though haha. Sounds like if taught them well haha. That’s good that Ethan had fun with Nikki and it's crazy that Ryan is back already! Holy cow I can't believe that!

1. Did you get our box and do the shoes fit? I did thanks mom for doing that and the shoes fit perfect! I think if have grown a little so that's exciting!

2. Anything happen new with investigators or less active members? Nothing this week. Pretty slow to be honest.

 3. Have you been doing any service? I know you have but I wondered what things you’ve done. We go scoop ice cream for crazy old people in a nursing home here in town

 4. Hardest things this week? Drag Elder Misi anywhere else? Just slow and boring mostly. On Sunday all the leadership in the mission like zone leaders and sister training leaders and APs and President were in Bonifay for sacrament meeting because they had a meeting before that. That was cool

5. Best thing that happened this week? We didn't die! haha And we set up a lesson with Paige and Will finally!

6. Anything you need? Nope I am good!

Okay mom Love you and I will send a letter this week!

Love you so!

Elder Wilson Atagi

Letter to Dad from Bonifay, FL-February 10, 2014

Hey Dad!

It's going pretty well. We just had training this week, but next week we have conference. I probably will be moved sometime soon, but we'll see. I'm not much of a dancer haha.

1. Any frustration with the lack of baptisms? Kind of but not really. We are doing the best we can and it's all up to the people.

2. Did you get you stuff shoes, recorder, pocket knife? I haven't gotten the shoes and the pocket knife yet, but the recorder yes. It's probably on the porch waiting for us. I will be sure to thank mom.

3. What were you doing dancing in the Ward? Was your comp dancing too? It was just a minute to win it at a family fun night, but we had a lot of fun. I think I am a bit more outgoing than Elder Misi haha.

4. Do the shoes fit? Go to a shoe store and have them put caps on the bottoms of your shoes to protect them so they last longer. Haven’t tried yet.

5. Tell me about a family that you have grown to love since you have been in Bonifay? I have really loved a lot of people, but some would be the Driscolls and Ards. They are an awesome family and they are always reading their scriptures and just going out with the missionaries. That would be one suggestion for the family and something that I plan on doing when I go home is go with the missionaries often. We really need members to help us out with this stuff. And they are amazing. Sister Ard is the Driscolls’ daughter so they are absolutely fantastic and very, very Southern haha. Their family is split between Alabama and Florida though so that's pretty funny.

6. Why have you grown so close to this family or person? They are just always feeding us and they are kind of the go to if everything thing else falls through.

7. What is their story? What do they do as a family that you will do with your family? This one is included in 5, but they are converts like a long time ago and Bro Ard got baptized and then married Sis Ard.

I can't believe everyone is coming home already! Like holy cow! I'm excited to continue to learn and grow though!

Love you dad!

Elder Wilson Atagi