Sunday, April 12
We got to watch conference this weekend, which was awesome. They showed the Priesthood session first on Saturday afternoon, followed by the morning and afternoon sessions. Then, today we watched both Sunday sessions. I sat through the first two, watching in Tongan and not understanding a thing! Until I found out there was a separate room where they were playing it in English! Ha Ha. We just watched it at the Stake Center on a projector screen, just like the Priesthood session back home. My favorite talks were from Elder's Cook, Holland, Snow, and Oaks (especially Oaks). But, I really enjoyed the whole thing. The first time in my life I have ever been excited about conference! Ha Ha.
This transfer has kind of sucked. My companion is what Tony Perkis would call "a destroyer". He hates to work and loves to break rules. Much of my time has been spent studying while he sleeps or messes around with some of the guys from the neighborhood. We haven't been teaching much, but I have enjoyed my study time. I am putting together a nice little library that is helping me a lot. My first companion, Elder Alatini, gave me some student and teacher study manuals from the Old Testament, Book of Morman, Doctrine and Covenants that help alot; plus Preach My Gospel and the book you sent me by Elder Holland have helped me so much! I am beginning to find a ton of joy in studying the scriptures. I have noticed now that I can read faster and get more out of it than I used to. I am finding that there is so much knowledge to be found that I never get bored.
A few nights ago, I had dinner at the home of President Moleni, who was the mission president here before President McMurray, and he gave me a Tongan name. Taulani. It means tow truck. Ha. He said it's because I need to pull my companion along, just like a tow truck would, when he is not working right.
Well I want you to know that I am doing good. Sometimes I get discouraged and tell myself that I can't do this for 20 more months. But then I just remember that I've already done it for 4 months, so I know I can do 4 more. By that time, I will have done 8, so I'll know I can do 8 more. Even though I wish the time would go faster, I must admit that its gone pretty fast so far. Can you believe I've already completed 1/6 of my mission! I'll be back home before you know it. I love you guys so much and I pray for you every night. I am so grateful for your love, prayers, and support. I know this is where I need to be. And no matter how hard it gets, I can always remember Elder Hollands talk from the Sunday morning session and take comfort in knowing that the Lord will not leave me alone. And, "the Lord will shape the back to fit the burden placed upon it".
Ofa Lahi Atu,
Elder Tulane "Taulani"
(We posted lots of new things today, so continue looking down the page for more updates and lots of fun pictures!!!)
4/29/09
Rewind to post on March 2nd..
... "I have some big news, I got my first baptism yesterday! (March 1st). The kids name is Nepote. He is about 18 years old and we only started teaching him less than 2 weeks ago, so it happened pretty fast. My companion let me do the honors, since I’ve never baptized anyone before. It was awesome. I said the whole prayer in Tongan and even got to wear the white tupenu. The fonts are outside here so that was really cool as well."
Random pictures from Tonga!
In the package we just received, Elder Tulane sent a memory card from his camera. Here are some random pictures from life in Tonga. Enjoy!!!
3/23/09
Rock'n and Roll'n in Tonga
(CNN) -- A tsunami warning was issued and then canceled Friday shortly after a major earthquake struck early Friday off the coast of Tonga.
The earthquake "generated a small tsunami," but there is "no evidence of destructive waves," said Stewart Weinstein, assistant director of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii.
Robert Cessaro, a geophysicist with the center, said: "There's a tsunami in the water, but it's not gonna do much."
On the largest island in the Tonga chain, Tongatapu, in the capital city of Nukualofa, a clerk at the International Dateline Hotel said the earthquake was felt but caused no damage.
At the Fafa Island Resort, off Nukualofa, Joseph Sanladerer told CNN that the earthquake woke up guests and shook wine glasses from racks, but caused no significant damage. iReport: Did you feel the quake?
The tsunami center issued the regional tsunami warning for parts of the Pacific near the quake's epicenter, about 213 kilometers (132 miles) south-southeast of Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The quake struck at 6:17 a.m. local time (6:17 p.m. GMT).
At a depth of just 6.2 miles (10 km), it is considered a shallow earthquake. Typically, the shallower the quake, the more destructive potential it carries. But that is not always the case.
The USGS recorded the quake as 7.9 magnitude; the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said it was 7.7. There were no immediate reports of damage or death.
The earthquake struck a few hours after a volcano erupted off Tongatapu, Tonga, about 200 km away.
Ken Hudnut, a geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey in Pasadena, California, said: "The association with the volcanic activity seems to be an interesting added dimension to this. It's not clear at this point that there is a direct association, but it seems suggestive at this point."
Elder Tulane's thoughts on the events...
Hey mom
Yeah the earthquake was pretty cool. It happened around 8 o'clock on Friday morning if I remember right. I was just laying on my bed when it happened. It shook us really good but there was no damage done anywhere. It lasted for about a minute and was pretty fun haha. I didn’t find out about the tsunami until later, they were gunna have to move a few missionaries but then the warning got canceled so everything was ok. I’m not positive but I’m pretty sure I would have been safe where I was.
Transfers were today and I’m staying in Holonga but I’m getting a new comp, he is on his way from Vava'u so it will take a day or two for him to get here. In the mean time I’m staying with my district leaders.
This week has been kinda tough, I've been sick and haven't been able to eat much; mostly head aches and stomach pains. The whole thing has made me pretty homesick (haha) but don’t worry its nothing serious and our nurse, Sister Garrett, is taking real good care of me.
Well it was great to hear from you. I miss you guys like crazy
Elder Tulane
The earthquake "generated a small tsunami," but there is "no evidence of destructive waves," said Stewart Weinstein, assistant director of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii.
Robert Cessaro, a geophysicist with the center, said: "There's a tsunami in the water, but it's not gonna do much."
On the largest island in the Tonga chain, Tongatapu, in the capital city of Nukualofa, a clerk at the International Dateline Hotel said the earthquake was felt but caused no damage.
At the Fafa Island Resort, off Nukualofa, Joseph Sanladerer told CNN that the earthquake woke up guests and shook wine glasses from racks, but caused no significant damage. iReport: Did you feel the quake?
The tsunami center issued the regional tsunami warning for parts of the Pacific near the quake's epicenter, about 213 kilometers (132 miles) south-southeast of Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The quake struck at 6:17 a.m. local time (6:17 p.m. GMT).
At a depth of just 6.2 miles (10 km), it is considered a shallow earthquake. Typically, the shallower the quake, the more destructive potential it carries. But that is not always the case.
The USGS recorded the quake as 7.9 magnitude; the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said it was 7.7. There were no immediate reports of damage or death.
The earthquake struck a few hours after a volcano erupted off Tongatapu, Tonga, about 200 km away.
Ken Hudnut, a geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey in Pasadena, California, said: "The association with the volcanic activity seems to be an interesting added dimension to this. It's not clear at this point that there is a direct association, but it seems suggestive at this point."
Elder Tulane's thoughts on the events...
Hey mom
Yeah the earthquake was pretty cool. It happened around 8 o'clock on Friday morning if I remember right. I was just laying on my bed when it happened. It shook us really good but there was no damage done anywhere. It lasted for about a minute and was pretty fun haha. I didn’t find out about the tsunami until later, they were gunna have to move a few missionaries but then the warning got canceled so everything was ok. I’m not positive but I’m pretty sure I would have been safe where I was.
Transfers were today and I’m staying in Holonga but I’m getting a new comp, he is on his way from Vava'u so it will take a day or two for him to get here. In the mean time I’m staying with my district leaders.
This week has been kinda tough, I've been sick and haven't been able to eat much; mostly head aches and stomach pains. The whole thing has made me pretty homesick (haha) but don’t worry its nothing serious and our nurse, Sister Garrett, is taking real good care of me.
Well it was great to hear from you. I miss you guys like crazy
Elder Tulane
3/7/09
3/5/09
3/2/09
E-mails March 2, 2009
Hey mom, thanks for the letters! I have good news but I already wrote about it to dad, so you will just have to ask him what happened cause I am not gonna write all that twice! Ha ha! Missionaries here all have their own houses, we live on the Stake President's property, but in seperate houses. Our house has one room with a sink and 2 beds (it is smaller than my bedroom at home), and a bathroom with another sink, toilet and shower. We have running water but it is cold, which really doesn't bother me. We have a scheduled fafanga (meal) every morning and night with different families in the ward. The houses here remind me of Charlie Bucket's house (from Willey Wonka and the Chocolate Factory). I have not been able to finish a full meal yet, ha ha! My companion is really good. The AP told me that Pres. McMurry was worried that my MTC experience wasn't great since I was a solo missionary, so he hooked me up with the best elder they had!!! I'm getting plenty of good pictures. Anything else you want to know, just ask and I'll be happy to fill you in! Oh yeah, I'm on Tongatapu, which is the main island, in a town called Holonga. But our area also covers the towns of Malapo and Pelehake. I love you all and miss you very much. Ofa lahi atu! (Much love to you!)
Elder Tulane
Hey dad, its good to hear from you. I’m more adjusted this week and I’m sure that I will continue to adjust with every week. I have some big news... I got my first baptism yesterday! (Sunday). The kids name was Nepote. He is about 18 years old and we only started teaching him less than 2 weeks ago, so it happened pretty fast. My companion let me do the honors, since I’ve never baptized anyone before. It was awesome. I said the whole prayer in Tongan and even got to wear the white tupenu. The fonts are outside here so that was really cool as well. I’ve been to Liahona a few times, mostly on P-days when I go with the other palangi, (white) elders, on the island to language study with President Shumway. How is everything going back home? I miss you guys very much. Send all my love to the family.
Elder Tulane
If any one has any questions you would like us to e-mail Stan and ask, just post up a comment!
Elder Tulane
Hey dad, its good to hear from you. I’m more adjusted this week and I’m sure that I will continue to adjust with every week. I have some big news... I got my first baptism yesterday! (Sunday). The kids name was Nepote. He is about 18 years old and we only started teaching him less than 2 weeks ago, so it happened pretty fast. My companion let me do the honors, since I’ve never baptized anyone before. It was awesome. I said the whole prayer in Tongan and even got to wear the white tupenu. The fonts are outside here so that was really cool as well. I’ve been to Liahona a few times, mostly on P-days when I go with the other palangi, (white) elders, on the island to language study with President Shumway. How is everything going back home? I miss you guys very much. Send all my love to the family.
Elder Tulane
If any one has any questions you would like us to e-mail Stan and ask, just post up a comment!
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