MELE KALIKIMAKA!!!

What a great Sabbath day to be a missionary❤

Aloha and mele kalikimaka!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SOOOOO excited for Christmas!!! It's the most wonderful time of the year:)

Well we'll get straight to some highlights:
-I BOUGHT A UKULELE!!!!!!!!!!! I'm PUMPED about it haha. I got it at the PCC during the 40% off weekend for PCC employees and missionaries. So it only cost me one leg and 10% of my arm, not a whole arm and a leg! woohoo! <--wow my sense of humor has dwindled painfully 😂... It's a tenor uke and I love it😊

MY UKULELE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-This morning we drove to the Busenbarks for lunch, and they live close to Northshore. It is BEAUTIFUL there, holy cow. I loved watching the huge waves come crashing in and smelling the salty ocean. I love soaking in those heavenly moments!

Lunch at the Busenbarks!

NORTHSHORE😍

My eyes are a mixture of the ocean and the stormy sky!!!

-We got to have a special fireside with Elder Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles! It was SO neat. I know without a doubt that he is one of Jesus Christ's chosen Apostles on the earth TODAY! (imagine having a fireside with Peter or James or John... yeah, pretty epic!!!) It was the VC sisters and the Elders in the Laie Zone, plus the 3 sr couples at the VC.

He opened most of the time up for our questions. So (of course) I asked a question!!! I asked him what a few things he's done to better learn the language of the Spirit. He approached it as follows: the more you study about Jesus Christ, the more you know Him. The more you know Him, the more you love Him. The more you love Him, the more you desire to serve Him (and will naturally become more like Him in the process). He promised ME specifically (He said "Sister Flake" about 5 times throughout his answering my question) that nothing will bring the Spirit into my life more abundantly than by studying Jesus Christ, and that as I study Him, my testimony will blossom and I will be filled with the Spirit. I know that this applies to all of you as well! Also, read Moroni 7. Learn what/who the Spirit is.

Other important takeaways were: thank God for everything good that DOES happen each day, and do those things for His glory... don't seek for personal credit. Just quietly go about doing good! I felt very personally ministered to. I know that God has called and set apart a prophet and apostles to lead and guide us today, under His direction Himself. We are so blessed!!! https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng

-I got to play the guitar this week! Man it felt so good. My fingers are soooo not calloused anymore though. It was a niiice guitar too! Sis Mondejar and I got to accompany the VC sisters in singing "Oh Come All Ye Faithful"! I did a pick pattern and she did a strum pattern. I love music so so so much

-It totally made me so happy when one of the people I met in the VC last week (Conne) sent me a Book of Mormon verse that she found on her own and really liked! (We had been texting and I had shared some of my favorites with her). It was Mosiah 24:15: "15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." I LOVE it!

-I officially received word of my first set baptismal date of an online investigator! Woohoo!! Isaac is getting baptized on Jan 13... SO EXCITING!!!!!! The local missionaries have collaborated with us in helping Isaac come closer to Jesus Christ. I'm so excited for him to receive the blessings of baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost!

-I think my new tied-for-favorite scripture is Ether 12:4 (tied with Proverbs 3:5-6). "4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." Christ is my Anchor!

-It still cracks me up seeing chickens and roosters everywhere here... #justhawaiithings

only in Hawaii...... #classicrooster

Well, I hope you all have a very very Mele Kalikimaka!!! I love 2 Nephi 25:26 "26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." The Book of Mormon is an incredible tool God has given us to use to draw closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ! USE IT!!! I love how much I have learned about Him through the Book of Mormon and the Bible. Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Mighty One of Israel, the Living Water, a Sure Foundation, the Prince of Peace, the Lamb without Spot, the Good Shepherd, my Rock, my Advocate, the Creator, the Refuge from the Storm, the Mediator, our Savior, and so much more! Seek Him. I am so grateful for Him, especially at this Christmas season. How special it is that I get to be a personal representative of Him at this time! He lives and He loves us. I know it! Give thanks to Him not only through word, but also deed. I love Jesus Christ and am so grateful for His love, sacrifice, and perfect example. He wants to help you in your life--let Him!!
Continue to trust in Him in all you do.
Love,
Sister Flake

Lunch at the Chongs😊 Baked potato bar!

The Lakes took us out to lunch at Seasider on campus! They're in our ward😊

Dinner with the Reyes family:) The Filipino food was sooo good! Bulalo soup, 
banana ketchup with the rice and chicken, and Cassava cake!

The Transfer-ly French Toast Friday!

CHEESECAKE>>> from the Reyes fam😊

Dinner with McOmbers!

Exchanges with Sis Lin #2!

Time for some fun family Christmas traditions!