the power is in you to do good

So this week has been pretty good. My language is progressing which is
good. I'm working to listen closely to what they say and I've grown a
lot in actually understanding them. It's crazy how much language
learning has to do with just being exposed to it continually and
consistently. There are some missionaries here who don't even study
the language, and yet they've come to be pretty functional and can
understand people. Cause a lot of it is "behind the scenes" so to
speak, it has to do with your mind just subconsciously picking up bit
by bit. Any way, it's still very necessary and useful to study though,
because things like verb conjugations are easier to pick up if your
mind has a head start by seeing them on paper before you hear them
being applied by speakers.
Anyway, we've been blessed a lot this week. Me and my companion have
continued to see blessings, we've come to understand each other better
as well and become more unified.
Recently I've been thinking a lot about a talk I heard where a guy
talks about how a  spiritual confirmation can be, and is perhaps more
often, the absence of a No as opposed to a Yes. That goes right along
with a scripture in D&C that I think I've already shared here before:
something like: 'the power is in you to do good... a servant who has
to be compelled in all things is slothful... you should do many good
things of your own will...'. Any way, I love how there's so much good
we can do in this life, and so much we can do to continually improve
ourselves our situations and to help others. The possibilities are
limitless.
Any way, some other thing that's happened this week: Me and my
companion have had the opportunity to help teach someone english
recently. It's really great. We'll see how it goes though.
Yeah other than that. Those two kids are progessing nicely. We've got
some other investigators: Taba, and Ta who are progressing
towards baptism as well. We're still teaching them right now. We
taught T about the Holy Ghost a few days ago and he related this
story were he'd heard a voice guide him as well. He's really receptive
to the things we teach him, it's way awesome.
Well that's it for now, ti a bo!!! Thanks for all your prayers!!!
They're very appreciated!!! Love you all!!!
Ti a bo!!! - ELder Seffker

It's a choice

Haha, it's great here, so different here! You guys'll love it! Sounds
like the weather is great! That's crazy how quick the year is going
by! You don't really notice here. It's always warm and sunny! It has
been raining quite a bit lately though, which has been kind of nice!
Something to do with the location of Kiribati: we hardly get strong
winds. Sometimes there's a breeze, but they don't have hurricanes or
cyclones or anything. We're right in the middle of a tectonic plate,
so yeah, they don't get earthquakes or tsunamis either. Which is
great! Interestingly enough, as you know, we're right in the middle of
the ocean, and yet somehow we're in somewhat of a drought :/
Any way, sounds like things are good back at home! Any construction going on? ;)
This week has been good. Definitely been helped through my trials and
seen miracles! Thanks a ton for the prayers!!! I'm seeing a lot of
growth! Any way, seriously though, thanks for the prayers. They really
do help! Let's see, yesterday we ate at M again, sea turtle
again as pretty much always. I think my stomach is building a
resistance to sea turtle!! ;) Because it doesn't seem to upset it so
much any more. We were waiting at one of our investigators houses,
Tokiauea (/toe-key-ah-oo-aye-ah/) ha, and he pulled up on his
motorcycle with two sharks lain over the side! They were probably
about 5 to 6 feet long in my judgement. And like 200 pounds each. any
way, we ate them for lunch two days later. They've got a fishy flavor,
but they're really good with curry. We actually saw some big miracles
this week. haha, it's not so much a tradition in Kiribati to baptize
kids right as they turn eight, considering people don't really
remember their birthdays here. Well, we received two referrals. One
went something like this: "He hasn't been baptized yet (comes to
church every week). You haven't been baptized yet have you? Kid: no."
So yeah, we just need to teach them lessons and so forth. Well, any
way, have a good week! Here's a thought: resistance to temptation
isn't a skill, it's a choice, and it begins with choosing to read and
pray each day. I know that if we do our best to follow God's counsel,
we don't need to fear! Because all He asks is that we do our best each
day! Well, love you all, see ya!! - Elder Seffker

On 4/10/17, harry and Patti seffker <seffkerp@msn.com> wrote:

Jared how was your week? I'm so glad that you are feeling more confident in

sharing the message regardless of your ability in the language. I'm sure you

have seen so much growth in doing so. I am so proud of you. I love to your

bike analogy and riding with no hands. We just can't be afraid to fall. The

Lord will surely hold us up.

Well our temple marathon was a great success. Tuesday we went to the Brigham

city temple, Wednesday the Logan Temple, Thursday was bountiful, Friday Salt

Lake, and Saturday was ogden as normal. I was thinking today and marveling

how much revelation I received this past week. His love for me is sure and I

can feel it. I can also understand more of the plan of salvation and his

eternal plan for everyone of his children. I felt clearly some messages that

needed to be taught to our family and in my Sunday school class. I love the

temple and feel of its power!!

Yes so we could be there at the end perhaps they can release you from the

mission field through a call from our stake president or you can still be on

your mission and we can be your companions. It's up to your mission

president and you and what will work best. We don't mind either way we are

just happy to come. I suppose we will fly into Tarawa and go to the Mission

home. I can notify and arrange with president Larkin to make sure everything

will lineup.

I'm so happy you got of those packages. There still two that you have not

received. One has jerky and letters and the other is Easter. It sounds like

you are receiving them 4 to 6 weeks after I send them. ❤👍

Everyone here is doing really well. Dad has been working hard and the yard

looks beautiful. It has been raining so much and everything is so green.

It's not like some springs with the grass is still half dead from winter

it's all very lush green. All of the fruit trees are blossoming and the

spring flowers are everywhere. Yesterday however was kind of crazy weather.

We had hail and blossoms blue all over the place. But today there is no sign

of the storm. The sun always rises!!

The kids go back to school this week. Johnny and melissa are doing track.

Melissa is doing distance and Johnny is doing sprinting and hurdles and long

jump. Scott and Melissa went to a steak dance last night. Scott danced with

Melissa one dance. They're good friends!

We all miss you but are filled with faith and prayer in your behalf. This

morning as we were leaving for church Jacob said I miss Jared! I will help

them write letter to you later today. I know my prayers ascend to heaven and

God hears. I pray for you to witness miracles as your faith is put to

action!!

I love you so much. Press forward son

Mom

Sent from my iPhone

just don't be afraid to fall

 It's so awesome to hear all the progress
that's going on!!!!! I was just talking to someone about how unending
our opportunity to grow is. I've come to learn that if you're not
growing as you used to be, it's not because you're approaching
fluency, but because you're not trying as hard ;) That's definitely
something I've been learning!! ;) I think at the beginning of my
mission I had some goal in the back of my mind to: really work hard to
get fluent and then find other areas to focus on. Hahaha, but I've
definitely come to learn that fluency is more of a journey, not really
a destination.
I'm not sure if I've ever had a monumental confirming witness as is
sometimes the case. But I've definitely had tons of little ones that
continue to build my faith in it. I know it's true, and as my study of
it and my testimony grows, I definitely see it's influence in my life
and my need for the strength it offers.
Work is great. I can just FEEL my desire growing ;) haha, really
though. It's crazy how good PMG and other missionary examples,
expectations, stories in the scriptures are. And how much we can learn
from them!!! The growth available to us is so unending! Motorcycles:
not yet approved :/ but fortunately, our bikes our pretty sufficient
for our area right now.
SOunds way awesome all of the things you guys are involved with and
the good week end you had!!!!
Thanks for your support and example!!!! You guys are such a great
example in gospel living and raising the family in righteousness!!
This week has been really good!!! I'm working hard to open my mouth a
lot more, and it's going well!!! I can't help but share an example
from my companionship, it's awfully cheesy but it illustrates my
efforts so nicely: My companion was riding his bicycle no handed the
other day. My last two companions have possessed the same skill, but
personally I was never too interested then, nor was I now.
Nonetheless, I asked him any way: "what's the trick to riding like
that?" his answer: " just don't be afraid to fall. The bike is gonna
go like this either way (wobbling, swerving a bit)". I tried it. it
actually kind of worked. It was interesting how the bike kept going
even though the ride was kind of rough. I related it to my language.
Sometimes you've gotta just open your mouth and do your best. The ride
might be rough, but it still gets the job done. THat's the only way to
aquire the skill any way. You've gotta just open your mouth, you'll
make mistakes, but you'll get better. Any way, I know that we need to
continually work to do our best in everything, and to grow. Especially
in the commandments, and our church and family responsibilities. A
quote I recently heard somewhere "every day is part of eternity" it's
definitely true. If your plan is to do better tomorrow, you may as
well just do what you can today also. Because today and tomorrow are
all part of eternity, and if our plan is perfection, we ought to be
making progress on that path. Any way, I know that the church is true.
I'm grateful for my opportunity to serve here. I'm grateful for this
gospel. I know that prayer is super important, as well as scripture
study. I know that those things will keep us on the right course. Love
you! - Elder Seffker

help eachother grow!

This week has been good!!!!
New companion is from Idaho!!!! His name is Elder ln. He's an
awesome missionary!!! Anyway, it's crazy how much I've learned from
him! It's definitely such an important decision to choose the right
companion throughout life!!! Seems like you can either help each other
grow, or you help each other fall away. Any way, thanks again for all
of your support!!

 Love you!! Have a good week!! - Elder Seffker

He will lead us along

I look back on my past now and realize frankly how immature, human,
sinful, etc. I was haha. When are definitely nothing without Him, but
when can continue to grow and progress. It's been such a blessing that
even as imperfect as I was, am, and will be through out this life,
even though I continue to strive to improve, that the Lord still
blesses our efforts. Even just a desire to do good brings so many
blessings. It just makes me think how reliant we are on Him, and how
good and powerful He is. haha, pride is definitely a lie. I used to
think it might be hard to be humble, as if you had to continue to beat
yourself down and exagerate the good of other things and so forth. But
I realize now that humility is really just accepting the truth. It's
letting go of pride. Any way, I have a long way to go, but I guess we
just keep learning and growing. haha, I know that it's a great
blessing and grace that I was able to have any positive influence on
people back home, I know the spirit is the real teacher in any situation. 
Love you all.

faith progresses to the point where we can move mountains in Christ's name

Yeah living conditions are okay. It's a great experience. All lot of
the things that were really dramatic changes have subsided so to
speak. We're thrown in head first, positively surrounded by the new
culture, no relief ;) and so we eventually get used to it. In fact, it
would be weird now to feel cold outside or to have a shower that's
hot. Other little things like that. Especially sitting cross-legged
all the time, at first it hurt. It sill hurts once in a while, but
I've forgot what it's like to go through a day without that, and so it
doesn't really hurt any more ;) (also my legs are developing slowly
toward that circumstance as well). Another big change especially
during this transfer is the language, because me and my companion
aren't much of talkers, we rarely speak english to each other. And
therefore, my language has improved dramatically, and I'm beginning to
feel much more confident! I can understand people much better now!!
Any way, I know that Heavenly Father is looking out for us. I know
that He's so ready to lead us and guide us. I know that He truly is
through His Holy Spirit, even when we don't know it. I know that He
blesses us with knowledge, new perspectives and understanding, people
who can help us, peace, and all other good things. I've really seen
His hand in my life lately. Thanks for your prayer and your fasts. It
definitely strengthened me. Sometimes times are tough, and I know that
by your fasts and prayers and love I've been able to get through them.
True, it's so individual! Sometimes we can feel that way amidst our
trials, and we can feel alone. But it's so nice to know that Heavenly
Father isn't going to let us slip through the cracks so to speak. He's
not going to forget us. No matter how alone we feel, no matter even if
we can't see the light at the end of the tunnel of our trials, He
understands us, He understands our trials perfectly, better than we
do, He knows how to help us through them, and He will lead us along if
we put our trust in Him. He knows where the light at the end of the
tunnel is. We just need to do our best, that's all that He asks.
President Ln has said before something like 'our best on somedays
is better than other days', Heavenly Father knows our hearts and will
bless us so generously as we rely on Him in this life.
THanks for your testimony! It's good to hear your testimony. I've had
Jacob 4:6 on my mind at times during this mission, about how we search
the prophets words and how their witness builds our own, and
eventually, with so many witnesses, our faith progresses to the point
where we can move mountains in Christ's name and things like that. Any
way, it's good to hear others testimonies. When someone tells you
things they know are true, the spirit can whisper to your heart the
truthfulness of it. I suppose that's one reason scriptures are so
important. Apart from the fact that they explain important gospel
truths and principles and commandments. They contain writings of
prophets, and their witnesses. I'm grateful for your testimony. I know
also that the scriptures contain the testimonies of the prophets and
others, and I'm grateful for that! As far as actually things happening
this week. I've been really blessed with guidance and help. Thanks for
all of your fasts and prayers for me!!!!! My language has been
progressing well. In language you've got pronunciation, grammar, and
vocabulary it seemed. (and if all those things are in check, then you
must needs sound like a native ;) but I actually was missing one
thing, intonation (and maybe there's even more things) but any way,
I've learned a lot about intonation now, and know I feel like I'm
REALLY ready to attack vocabulary!! Any way, T is still going
good. Her baptism is this Friday! K is still happy to lesson; he
keeps most of the commitments... but he still won't yet come to
church. We're working with him to develop his faith. He loves to pray,
he sees the blessings of it. He does pretty good with the reading....
A problem here I suppose is that many people aren't accustomed to
reading a lot. I honestly can't say I know anyone who's read the
entire Kiribati Book of Mormon through yet, let alone investigators.
THough I'm sure some members have. It's sad to say.... they certainly
have the time..... any way.... have a good week! I love you all!!!! -

this life is the test

That's an interesting story! Haha, looks like you guys went skiing eh?
Yeah huge turtles!! The meat is like chicken, but it tastes different.
I actually think turtle might be the thing that was making me throw
up. I'm good to eat some, but I think too much upsets my stomach. Not
exactly for sure though, they're pretty dense though... I would
imagine like 200 pounds, maybe 150.
Haha, seasons here aren't even acknowledged, because we're right on
the equator pretty much. So there's hardly a change. Actually though
there is some aspect of season here. Not with the temperature, but
with how much rain we get. We've been in a drought for the past 4
months though, so it's always hot and humid ;)

K has actually been doing pretty well!! He's still got some
doubts but he continues to love lessoning with us, to read the
scriptures, and do follow the commandments. He's actually got really
high morals. But, he still needs time to learn the truth of it for
himself. Another good investigator, Ta, has been progressing
great!!! She is really prepared. She came to church the very week we
extended the commitment. She came this week as well. And she has
absolutely no reluctance with baptism! Any way, her testimony has
grown a lot, haha, when we asked her if she would be baptized, she
answered as if it was obvious, a no-brainer. Haha, any way, I know
that the church is true. Thanks for all of your prayers!! We've been
led to find some really prepared investigators! I know this work is so
important! One of the things I love to say during lessons is this: "Te
maiu aei, tiaki te motirawa, (this life is not our time to relax), Te
maiu aei te kataaki (this life is the test), te motirawa imwiina(the
time to relax is after it)." anyway, I know that it's true. I love to
read in the D&C, just like a loving father, the Lord continually
exhorts them to do the things he KNOWS will bring them happiness. He
continually focuses on and exhorts them to do the things that they
need to, to receive eternal life, the greatest gift. I know that He's
like that with us to. Men are that they might have joy(2 Ne 2 25). The
nature of God is the nature of happiness(Alma 41:11 or 12?). God loves
us perfectly. Just as a loving father He builds us up, He encourages
us, He comforts us. He reminds us of things we need to do so that we
can receive the gifts He's prepared for us. He warns us not to do
things that will bring us unhappiness. Any way, I'm so grateful for
this gospel. I know the church is true. I'm grateful for the example
of the prophets. I know that if we study and pray everyday, the Lord
will teach us the things we need to know line upon line. Have a good
week! Love you all!! - ELder SEffker