The Best of Times, the Worst of Times

I begin this post with a heavy heart. Many of you have probably seen Facebook posts and maybe even a Deseret News article about the passing of two returned missionaries in New Zealand on February 3rd. One of the elders, Timothy Amai, had left the Fiji Suva mission on December 31, 2016. Jackie and I had a nice FaceTime visit with him a week or so before this accident. We were planning to visit New Zealand after our mission and he was going to be our guide. We will still visit and make our personal condolences with his parents.

Elder Amai was a zone leader here is Savusavu when we arrived, then a district leader, and for all but 12 weeks when he was transferred to another area, we have been working with and learning from him. We spent many hours facilitating self-reliance classes with him and other missionaries, both going home and those that had returned to Fiji.

He was an amazing young, valiant and a "soldier" in the Army of God, Gone but not forgotten. The hymn, We Are All Enlisted, has been running through my mind since we heard the news. Tim was truly in the army of the Lord. He was always positive and loved what he was doing. Those around him were infected with his enthusiasm and drive.

He was the subject of a YouTube video about preparing for a mission before he left home in 2014. Here is the link of that video;  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WmvV4mPfJz4&feature=youtu.be

The same man that did the video before his mission wrote a wonderful tribute to him and the other RM, Tim's uncle, that was killed in the accident also. Here is the link to that tribute:  http://www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz/article/two-latter-day-saint-men-remembered-after-tragic-accident

We are truly thankful for the plan of happiness and the opportunity of living together as a family forever in His presence. We love you all and pray each day for your health and strength and to remain faithful and live the examples life for your families.

Elder and Sister Roberts