Learning Chuukees

We were so happy to get this email from Eric. His P-day is Monday, but we receive his letters Sunday night because of the time zone difference. They are a day ahead of us.

7/15/2012       
Hey Mom (and family):          

That was way nice of Richard Milenkovich to come down, he is such a good friend!! Please thank him for me! Also ask him how his family is doing.

Bryanna got her license!!!! OMG I'm soooo glad I'm on this island and away from the potential disaster that awaits all those poor and unsuspecting drivers in Arizona :P I love ya Bry :) Just please be careful, I wouldn't want to come back there and "teach you a lesson" if you were to get into a crash... oh and yeah, BE HOME ON TIME!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAX!!  Dude you are so lucky that Mom, Dad, and Bry are having a super cool Mario Birthday Party. LUCKY! That sounds like so much fun. If I was there, I think I would Be BOWSER. MWAHAHAHA. And then I would take all your presents (stars) and you would have to play games against me to earn them all back.  haha. I love you very much, and thank you for taking care of Mom for me. You are the best Bro ever :)

I'm happy to hear that you are doing well Mom with the Chemo. I know that it is hard, and that there are some times when you just think... What’s the point. But I know that you WILL beat this. And that you will have such an enriched testimony on the power of blessings and faith. I am so extremely proud of you and Dad, for all that you have been through and for the positive examples that you have been in both my life, and the lives of those around you. I love you very much, and please keep me updated :)

IT is so B...E...A...utiful here. Not only is the weather amazing, but the trees, and ocean and just general atmosphere. I have learned so much about life, having a native companion, as well as being able to teach and learn from all the diverse types of people here on Guam. We are teaching this guy (I’m not going to say his name) and I have been able to see him experience the Atonement work in his life, and it has been such an amazing and spiritual experience. I can’t even describe it.

The bikes are a bit hard, because we have to bike 5 miles to get to the village where most of our current investigators are, and it is about 80% of the time uphill :( but it’s all good, because on the way home, it’s a breeze :) I have never been so wet in my life, between the constant rains, and the crazy amounts of sweat. haha ( sounds really gross to type it).

I have learned a bit of Chuukees. This is my testimony (it will be spelled wrong, most likely):

Uwa sinei pwe ei mwuchifen mi ennet, me pwe Joseph Smith emon sofoson Kot. Uwa sinei pwe Ewe Puken Mormon mi pwan eu pwarata usun Jesus Christ. Uwa kinisou ren mirit me kinomwe non maniouen, me ei tufich en angang fan iten Semach won Nang. Uwa apasa ekkei mettoch non iten Jesus Christ, Amen.

In English:

I know that this Church is true, and that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I know that The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. I am thankful for knowledge and peace in my life, and this opportunity to serve in the name of our Heavenly Father. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all, and thanks for all the support of everybody.

Love,

Elder Hadder