Sister Flake's Mission Blog: Yes, I'm still alive!

My new companion has arrived! Fresh from the MTC!

Aloha everyone!!! WOW it's been a long time since my last pday! Sooooo much has happened. This transfer has been AWESOME so far! I'm training Sister Talia-Hunkin (we just call her sister Hunkin) and I LOVE her. She's from Riverton, Utah, is 5'11", played volleyball in college, joined the church in 2016, likes to laugh and be happy, has 2 brothers also on missions right now, and has a rockin' awesome testimony! She practically came pre-trained. She is willing to work hard and be obedient, she has a happy attitude, and she is constantly seeking to learn and improve. What more could a companion ask for! We have seen so many miracles together at the Visitors' Center already😊 I am so excited for all the things I will continue learning from her this transfer.

Our new pad is nicknamed "big pad"... and it's for a reason haha! It's super big! I love it. AND it has a PIANO!!!! The living room is huuuge. Our padmates are Sister Tua'vao (from Tonga/California) and Sister Tonami (from Japan... she was my padmate last transfer too). I'm still in the same area, the married student 2nd ward. I love it! It's fun experiencing things with Sis Hunkin as she experiences them for the first time. I really like the new-ness of everything when training!

Highlights from this week:
-The Barringers (from my home ward in MN) surprise-visited me on Sunday!!! It totally made my day!! I felt so much love as Sis Barringer delivered hugs from mom, and as I got to spend a little time with them showing them the VC and getting an update about them/MN. They are such good examples of faith and optimism. It was doubly awesome because Sis Barringer reminds me so much of mom, so it felt like mom was visiting too💗 A little bit later in the week, I got to see the Lewis' from my home ward too!! It was a great surprise! It was fun to get to chat briefly with familiar faces and again feel love from home.

Hugs from home from the Barringers!

And the Lewis's!

-We went on a super beautiful hike this morning! It was called Ha'ula Bunker and had such beautiful views. I'm so lucky to be serving as a missionary in HAWAII!!!!!😍😍😍

HAHAHA at first when we walked by this we all thought it was a cross (like a memorial someone had died there)... then someone realized it looked a lot like an arrow... then we all realized it WAS an arrow that was pointing to the correct way of the trail hahahahaha we would've gone right by and missed the trail if it weren't for the "grave" marking!

-We got to watch a press conference from the Church about the new prophet and first presidency. President Nelson is the new prophet, and President Oaks and President Eyring are his counselors. It was so neat for me to have the chance to watch the press conference, and have my testimony confirmed that this truly is Jesus Christ's restored church! Jesus Christ directs His church, and it is He who calls the Prophet and Apostles to lead His church. The prophet knows and loves our Savior. I sustain President Nelson and His counselors and am so excited to see the miracles God brings to pass through them😊

-Well, the Allans have arrived and are the official new directors of the Visitors' Center. They are so great! Elder Allan is a big film director/producer guy, and he also practically wrote the Preach My Gospel missionary manual so I mean that's pretty cool!!! Elder Allan is SO good at listening to the Spirit. I think that's one reason why I'm serving here while he is the director. I need his example and experiences to help me as I try to learn the "language of the Spirit". Sometimes he'll pause during a thought and "check in" with the Spirit to make sure he is always following what God would have him do.

Swintons' aloha 'oe💗

-One of my absolute favorite miracles in the VC this week was our experience with Joanne and Steve. They came to the VC in search of a peaceful place. Joanne lost her father on Jan 18th when she was a young girl, and then lost her mother on Jan 18th when she was a young mother. She said they always try to go somewhere peaceful and sacred/special on Jan 18th. They thought about going to the Buddhist temple here, but decided to stop at the Mormon temple instead because they had never been. We all agreed it was no coincidence they came here today! I KNOW we ALL felt the Spirit so strongly while together. They were with us for a little over an hour. We testified of temples, the Book of Mormon, and we even got to show them the "God's Plan for His Family" video. At the end of that video they really opened up to us, and we were able to listen with love and connect their life to the gospel. They've been through a lot! At the end of our time together, they gave us their information and we will be in touch with them. The local missionaries will be visiting them as well, as they have been looking for a new church lately. At the end of our time together, Joanne asked if she could give us hugs. She said she loved us both and was so grateful for our listening ear and kindness and testimony to her. We really all felt so much love for one another! It was such an incredible and spiritual experience💗 I felt SO much genuine love for them! I know that that love came from God. That's one of my favorite things about serving as a missionary--I get to see people through Heavenly Father's eyes, feel His love for them, and invite them to follow His Son, Jesus Christ. Missions are the BEST!

-My second favorite VC miracle/experience this week was with Erica and Jeff. They aren't very religious, but believe 'something' is out there. During our brief time with them we focused primarily on the Plan of Salvation. We testified simply of our pre-earth life, our purpose here on Earth, and what happens to us after we die, as well as the importance of Jesus Christ in God's plan. Erica asked soooo many really awesome questions. One thing she asked about is how we can know God exists and that He has a plan for us (what 'evidence' we have... she asked it sincerely though, she wasn't trying to prove anyone wrong). Sis Hunkin testified of the Book of Mormon and the Bible as evidence to us, and I also pointed out the miracle of human bodies (Jeff is a doctor). Erica was so intrigued by everything we had to say, and I could outwardly see that inside she felt something. She could feel the Spirit testifying of truth to her! It's the coolest to see that as a missionary... because we know our message is true, and the Spirit is able to help others know it too! ANYWAYS, my favorite part of he whole thing was at the very end of our time with them. We walked up to the front desk to fill out their info to stay in touch, and Erica just said to me "you just look so happy!! Like genuinely happy." It sorta caught me by surprise, but it made me reflect on how I AM truly happy, content, and confident in life! I testified to her that I am truly happy, and that it has come because of this knowledge about God and His plan for us. They can find and feel the same happiness every day, just like I do! As we were walking back to the tram with them, Erica again mentioned how happy of a person I am. It was fun to get to know her better and see her open up. She seemed happier herself when they left! I am so grateful for the JOY the gospel brings into my life. I really truly am sincerely so happy! Plus, the joy felt while sharing the gospel with others just makes me bubble over with even more happiness 😁. It's fun knowing that others can see/feel that joy! Maybe it was Julie Ann letting her sunshine shine a little brighter through me that day (it was her birthday).💗

Cool green flowers... are these carnations??!? They made me think of Julie 😊 Happy Birthday Julie!

Well, I hope that you are all able to reflect on the JOY the restored gospel of Jesus Christ brings into your life! As Pres Nelson said, " the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives." When we focus on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we are happier!!!! It's just a fact of life! If you don't believe me, try it... I dare you😉

Love you all! Have a wonderful, warm, tropical week, just like I'll be having!😜
Sister Flake

Look mom... a coconut!!!!! The water tastes kinda funny and the meat was slimy... but hey, I've tried it now! (it was actually Sis Hunkin's and I just tried it)

Acai with coconut (like ice cream), granola, banana, strawberry, blueberry, coconut flakes, boba (sp?) and honey. First time trying the acai bowl! Soooo yummy:)