Sister Flake's Mission Blog: It's not about you :)

The pday clan!

Alooooha! This week went by super quick (big surprise, I know😉). I've begun learning some really important things this week.

One of the biggest things I've started understanding better is the power of fasting and prayer. Just like in Alma 17:2-3 it talks about the role of prayer and fasting in missionary work, but it also relates to gaining a stronger testimony in general.

"2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God."

Sincere fasting and prayer bring the Spirit into your life in greater abundance! I felt like this Fast Sunday was one of the first Fast Sundays that I've started getting it "right" (getting the most out of it, and especially getting what God wants me to get out of it). I had several very specific things I was fasting for, one of which being to receive strength and help in submitting my will to God's will, and not caring who gets the credit, and not having to be right all the time (really to simply state it, I was asking for help being more humble). It was a tender experience for me as I prayed at the end of my fast and pleaded for the Lord's help. I acknowledged that I cannot do this alone.

He already began answering my fasting/prayers even before I was finished fasting! We had an excellent Relief Society lesson on being more humble... and we discussed GRATITUDE as one of the best antidotes! The following day (Monday) I could see God's hand guiding Sister Hunkin and I to yield to the Spirit in our teaching, and to really try to submit to God's will. This is HIS work! All in all, this fasting/prayer experience helped me to really see that there is actual strength and power that God gives us as we turn to Him through fasting and prayer. In my experience, I felt assured that my fast really did accomplish its purpose. It turned my heart sincerely to God, and I know that I, and others I fasted for, are receiving strength because of it❤ God truly is our LOVING Heavenly Father! He wants to help and bless us every chance He possibly can, and He does so! When we turn to Him through fasting/prayer, we give another wonderful opportunity for Him to pour out more blessings upon us.

Laie Zone at Zone Conference

With Sister Allan at zone conference

-Zone conference on Friday was a m a z i n g! We talked a lot about Christ-centered obedience. It was a good wake-up call to me that I need to be doing better with the little things (being more exactly on time, staying focused on the work, serving others more, etc). I felt very spiritually edified, and also a bit spiritually chastened, which is goo😉) I came here on a mission to do the Lord's work, and I need to do it His way, and make every minute count! One thing that was said that I loved was that Hawaii is paradise to me because of the sweetness of the gospel I feel here. It's so true! Hawaii will always be a special and holy place for me because of all of the incredible experiences I am having here. One other thing I liked that was said is that gospel knowledge protects us from the adversary. We should be motivated by that to study the gospel more!! Do you think about how you're missing out on protection against the adversary when you decide not to read the Book of Mormon one day, even though you justify it by thinking "it's only one day..." ? Why would you NOT want that spiritual protection?! It beats me haha... continue learning every chance you get!!!

The District Leaders made breakfast! (2 Districts combined here)

-Sister Goodman brought up an important phrase that I have come to love since preparing for, and being on, a mission. "It's not about you". Jesus Christ exemplified this phrase perfectly. He was so submissive and selfless. I read 1 Nephi 19:9 during studies this week, and I LOVE the perspective it gives me about Jesus Christ's submissive character: "9 And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men." I know that Ether 12:27 is true... as we humble ourselves and have faith in Christ, we receive strength through Christ and are able to have our weaknesses become strengths!

Sister Goodman also pointed out the perfectionist mentality that Me+works=Christ (the more good I do, the more I become like Christ), rather than Me+Christ=works (the more I simply focus on Christ, the more good I will naturally do with Christ's help!!). Hopefully that makes sense the way I explained it and the way it is intended... sorry if it's confusing/inaccurate the way I described it. I know that as we put our focus on Christ, we will become more than we could ever make of ourselves by trying to do as many good things as we can on our own. Let Christ change you!

Beautiful sunrise in Hawaii❤🌺

-On Monday we had lunch with the Chong's at their home. They are two of my absolute favorite people here on my mission, I have really grown to love them both so so so much! They never cease to make me laugh too... Sister Chong hates flies and she was stomping around the house trying to swat a fly that had snuck in hahahaha. I showed the Chong's my song on youtube a few months ago, and they asked if they could play it at our prayer meeting before afternoon shift at the VC on Monday. I briefly explained the song, and they played Cherish (It's "Cherish" by Rice in a Bottle on youtube if any of you haven't seen it). The sisters loved it, and it was a great opportunity to reflect on what a blessing it is that we know the Plan of Salvation. We know God's plan for our happiness! The plan that God proposed to us in the pre-Earth life with Him is no secret or mystery... God has revealed knowledge of that plan through prophets He has chosen anciently, as well as those chosen today! I know that President Russell M Nelson is God's chosen prophet on the earth today. I also know that God truly does have a divine plan designed to allow us to return to His presence after life on earth. Through God's priesthood authority that has been restored to the earth, we are able to receive special blessings and make sacred promises with God to hold faithful to His commandments! If we love God, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). Here is a link to more information on the Plan of Salvation if you are interested in learning more! https://www.mormon.org/beliefs/plan-of-salvation

Lunch with the Chongs

-Food highlight: The French fries at Seven Brothers are probably the best French fries I've ever tasted in my entire life... maybe even my eternal life too hahaha (<--missionary jokes/humor just about kill me...😂). They are seasoned specially, and come with fry sauce... and they bring a smile to your face guaranteed!!! Also, I had the Hukilau burger at Hukilau Cafe today, and it may have been the best hamburger I've eaten in my entire life!!! It rivals the burger at Hard Rock Cafe in London, and the one here at Seven Brothers. It's got a big beef patty, sweet thin-sliced roast beef, cheese, fried egg, grilled onion, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and ketchup. Dad, you've gotta try it😉

-The funniest moments this week have probably been revolving around the eggs being laid outside of our pad by our friendly neighbor hen! We haven't named her yet. We walked outside on Friday and there was an egg sitting in the dirt patch right by the door hahaha. Then on Saturday we walked out and there was ANOTHER egg!! Tuesday we walked outside aaaannnnddd.... there were THREE eggs sitting there!!! I just about lost it when we walked outside this morning and there was another egg 😂😂, we've got a third of a dozen eggs sitting outside our front door. Farm fresh eggs delivered straight to our door! What more could I ask for😊 Pretty soon I won't need to go buy eggs anymore! We could start a business from our friendly neighbor hen. Eggs are super expensive here, so it's honestly a tempting idea haha... jkjkjk😉 BUT we did find that the Cackle egg outlet shop has wayyyy cheaper eggs. We bought 18 for just over $3... super good deal for Hawaii!!!

-So last week I mentioned my uke was being engraved!!! I LOOOOVE the engraving on the front! It's hibiscus flowers🌺 Very Hawaii. The back was supposed to have "Hawaii Honolulu Mission -- September 2017 - March 2019 engraved, but it didn't quite turn out as expected (too light). But that's life sometimes, right? You've just got to learn to focus on the good and appreciate the things that DID go right!😊🌺🌺

-One of my favorite moments at the Visitors' Center this week was an interaction with a sweet young adult woman from China. She didn't speak much English at all, and I don't speak much Mandarin, but we had a very sweet spirit-to-spirit interaction😊 After all of the Chinese tourists were finished taking pictures with Sister Boyce and I (two blonde, white, Americans... it's like seeing an exotic creature in the wild for them 😉), we invited them to learn more inside the VC. We invited the sweet Chinese Girl, but she said they had to leave and she was sorry she couldn't stay longer. We ran inside to grab some Chinese copies of the Book of Mormon, as well as some other pamphlets, to give some of them before leaving. We gave a few out, and then I had a Chinese BOM in my hands, and Sister Boyce said "let's go give it to that sweet girl!" We hurried back outside to their tour bus. She was already on the bus, but we peeked our head in and she happened to be sitting on the very front row. I handed her the Book of Mormon and pamphlets and said "it's a gift for you." She was so touched! She stood up quickly and came outside to thank me. I told her "I know the Book of Mormon is true" in Chinese, and she replied in English, "I will read! I will read!" We took a picture together. Even though I wasn't able to communicate much to her in Chinese, I know that the Holy Ghost communicated to her heart the things that God needed her to feel that day. I can't wait to meet her one day in heaven and hear the rest of her story from this point on!

Well, I hope you all have a fantastic week. Focus on the GOOD in your life, and feel happy about the wonderful things you DO do each day. Express gratitude to God in your prayers each night before bed. He is listening!

I know God loves each of us, His children. His way and His will are perfect--trust Him❤

Much love! Aloha!

Sister Flake

4 generation pic at zone conference! We got to see Sis Blake from full-field! Sister Staheli trained Sister Blake who trained me and I'm training Sister Hunkin❤