I'm getting old

Aloha ohana!

This month was super duper great! I hit my 6 month mark this week... can you believe it's been SIX MONTHS already?!?!? I feel so OLD (as a missionary😉) Time has flown by. I'm so grateful for the things I'm learning about myself, Jesus Christ, and God's plan for us! I am so happy here 😊

-First highlight is getting to see the Hardingers!!!!!!!!!!! It made my whole week!!!! They really are like family to me, so it brought me so much joy to get to see them, visit with them, and get hugs from them. Man, I sure love them! Lisa and I kept our arms around each other the majority of the time, and I couldn't help but feel like I was with my own mom! It's so awesome that God has placed us in other's lives to help them have more joy😃 Chris, Lisa, and Anna definitely brought me joy!!! They said the forecast wasn't looking to good, so in my prayers that night I prayed for sunshine, and boy did sunshine come! It's been beautiful and sunny nearly the entire time since that prayer! Moral of the story: prayer really works! Sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers in the way we expect or want, but He always answers them. I'm just grateful God saw fit that no one else needed rain more than the Hardingers wanted the sun! haha😉

I LOVE THE HARDINGERS!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Their visit made my whooole week!!!!!

-Food highlight: a Japanese dish called "omrice" (I'm not sure how to spell it... it's a compound word of 'omelet' and 'rice'). You whisk the eggs and cook an omelet in a pan, then you add the rice mixture on top of the omelet, fold it over, and put ketchup on top. The rice mixture has diced onions, carrots, peas, chicken, seasonings, and ketchup, mixed with rice. ...and of course it only tastes good if it's been cooked using chopsticks and not a spatula. 😉 SO GOOD.

Nao and Haruki Meguro! Japanese couple who we ate omrice with. I love them!!! He served in MN.

-Terrible food highlight: we got to eat at Panda Express when we went to the mall in Kaneohe (Panda is one of my FAVS). I decided to branch out and try a new entree. It was labeled as "spicy", but I sampled it and it was totally fine! It had chicken and peppers and other greens... I sat down and started eating it and it was delish! Then I took a bite of a dark, pepper-looking thing and BAM I thought I was going to DIE because my mouth was ON FIRE!!!!🔥 I don't even know what kind of pepper it was, but it was NOT a nice pepper hahaha... I literally felt like my tongue was going to fall off and my mouth was going to burn up from the heat. I thought I'd built up a little tolerance to spicy food since being here, but that hopeful thought was squashed like a little gnat when I ate that pepper today hahahaha! I'll keep trying😂

Here's the culprit... el diablo.....

Panda for lunch (and dinner haha... I was so full)>>>

-I have LOVED serving in a married student ward! Even though our area is 100% members of the Church already, we see so many miracles as missionaries there. We get to see the Spirit working through us to accomplish the things God wants to accomplish among some of His precious children here! I've really grown to sincerely love the members of this ward❤ It's been fun to be in the same area for three transfers now because I've really gotten to build some awesome friendships with some of the members. Recently we've been doing a "Book of Mormon Reading Challenge" with one of the members, and it's made my heart SO happy seeing her excitement for the Book of Mormon blossom! All it takes is a little faith and a willingness to act, and miracles happen. God is good😊

The Kuoha family! They made the best fish>>>

-Speaking of the Book of Mormon, I was following up on an investigator I sent a referral for who lives in Wisconsin. Her name is Gail. God has definitely prepared her heart and mind to receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ at this time, and I'm honored to be a part of her conversion! I got a text from her this week saying she's "got the Book of Mormon now and can hardly put it down!" I got to visit with her over the phone about the local missionaries' visit with her, and her interest in the Book of Mormon. It's so joyous seeing others get excited about Jesus Christ and His restored gospel! I know it's true! I just know it!😊

-In the VC this week we met the sweetest lady named Patrice from Oregon. Local missionaries will be visiting her back home! We're excited to stay in touch with her as she learns more about the gospel!:) Sis Wan told Sis Hunkin and I that on the tram ride back to the PCC Patrice told them that "Sister Flake and Sister Talia-Hunkin are my angels, and blessings in my life!!" How ADORABLE, right?! I think oftentimes we don't realize the mortal angels God has placed in each of our lives. This week try to notice and appreciate those angles a little bit more❤

Patrice❤

-We had lunch with Chongs on Saturday and Sister Chong was just ON ONE that day haha! She cracks me up... she's such a goof. One of the sister missionaries from Korea was telling a story about how she learned the phrase "I'm into you", and at first she thought it just meant a friendly "like" (that you enjoy someone as a friend). So, this sister walked up to Elder Goodman and told him "I'm into you!!" Sister Chong almost peed her pants she was laughing so hard. We do get some pretty funny experiences with all of the different languages spoken around here. I was talking to one of the Chinese tour bus drivers while his tourists were in the VC, and I spoke with him a little bit in Mandarin. He told me (in English) that the best way to learn mandarin quickly is to have a Chinese boyfriend! That made me laugh haha😂 He did tell me I have very good mandarin though! I'm learning more little by little. Hopefully by the time I give my homecoming talk at church I can bear my testimony in English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Spanish! It's super neat getting to live in such a diverse place, and interact with people from all over the world. God really does love all of His children, and nothing can separate us from His love!

Lunch with the Chongs!

I love the Chongs!!!

All of my new Chinese friends from this week!! I feel famous with them! No Chinese boyfriend unfortunately😂

HEY General Conference is this week! For those of you who don't know what general conference is, it's a time when God's chosen Apostles and Prophet speak to all of us! They share the things God has inspired them to share. The things they share will help us be better equipped to face the challenges of this day. Tune in to conference this Saturday and Sunday at lds.org. I promise you will hear and feel something that will help you with the specific challenges you are facing right now!
Keep smiling! Trust that God is working all things for your good, because He is 😊❤

Love,
Sister Flake

District Temple Trip!

Exchanges with Sister Domingo! 

TBELL FOR DINNER!!!>>> I tried a yummy quesarito thingy and CINNABON DELIGHTS and nacho fries

The new "thing" at our fav fast food joint... TBELL!!!! The nacho fries are good!
You dip them in nacho cheese instead of ketchup>>> The Flakes (sr couple) bought our food❤

Target!!! It felt like home hahaha!

Chinaman's hat (the rock structure behind us) is the end of our zone on the south side. 

Look at my new hat!!!😉
...inner peace...

Yum😂

Angels among us

😇
Aloha my ohana!
-Well, I've officially ran into a palm tree. I'm a true Hawaiian now😂 Alright here's what happened: so it was raining on Tuesday afternoon on our walk to the VC for our shift. As you know, in Hawaii it rains sideways, not straight down from the sky, (because of the wind) so I was holding my umbrella in front of me, into the wind. I wasn't really paying attention to what was around me because I was so focused on keeping dry. I was following behind Sister Hunkin (or so I thought), but I tooootally ran into a palm tree hahahaha. Luckily it wasn't straight on,  but I whammed my right side and got the green algae stuff from the trunk all over my hand/arm. There was even a little MARK on the tree where I'd scraped off the algae ahhhhhaha. It was pretty funny😂😋🌴

-2nd "funny" highlight is also a VC highlight: On Wednesday I got to meet Latriece from D.C. She was so awesome! She really had an open heart and a desire to know God's will for her. She was raised in a very strong Christian home, and her grandma has actually had missionaries over for dinner in years past! We gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and invited her to read 1 Nephi 13, a chapter that talks a lot about the purpose of the BOM and why it is so stinking special and important!!! (if you haven't read it... go read it here... right NOW!!! This chapter made me fall in love with the Book of Mormon even more than I already was!!! It's so powerful!! The Book of Mormon really does teach us the plain and precious truths of Jesus Christ's gospel that have been lost or changed in the Bible. Things just make more sense as we study the Bible and Book of Mormon together!) Latriece felt that part of the reason she came to Hawaii was for the time she spent with us at the temple. I confirmed that I knew God led here here for a reason. Everyone we interact with has been prepared by God (through angels usually... see my later highlight about our St Patrick's day movie night) and led to the temple, whether they know it or not😊) At the end of our time with Latriece, I pulled out a guest card from my pocket and gave it to her so that we can stay in touch. She opened it and looked a little confused, so I gave her a pen and just said to write information for whatever method of contact is best. She wrote her name and phone number in the comments section, instead of the contact information section, but I didn't think much of it. I confirmed her spelling and phone number at that time. Later in the evening, when I was recording some information on the paper about things to follow up on with her, I realized the guest card I had given her WAS IN TAGALOG!!!! No wonder she looked so confused haha! I have nooo idea how a Tagalog guest card ended up in my pocket, or how I didn't notice during our interaction, but nonetheless it made me laugh😂

Latriece from D.C.😊❤

-Also, I made a tie!!!!! I'm so domestic, I know😉😂 In all honesty I haven't used a sewing machine in ages, and I think I almost broke Sis Busenbark's because I forgot to put the little foot down on the fabric before sewing away! Whoops haha. It all worked out though! The Busenbarks had all the Monday pday sisters over for a delicious lunch too😊 Love them!

Tie making at the Busenbarks! #sodomestic😉

Ta-daahhhh!!! 

-Other VC highlights: We met Patsy, Joe, BJ, and Eliana from Texas. They were so special! BJ is disabled. I was able to testify to Joe, the father, that because of Jesus Christ, one day BJ will have a perfect body! The Spirit that came as I testified of that simple truth to Joe was strong. I know he felt something! I felt something different and special about their family, and I honestly think it was because of the love surrounding BJ. They will be learning more from local missionaries when they return home! So many people come to the VC not knowing why, but leave uplifted and with a resolve to change for the better. Many want to meet with local missionaries in their home towns!

We also met a family from Oregon who is planning to come back to Laie before the end of the year to be sealed together forever! I felt so much joy and excitement for them, and I can't wait to see them in a few months😊 Temples are a place where families are united eternally!

They are coming back to Laie to be sealed in the temple before the end of this year!! super exciting! 

-On Friday we had zone conference. As always, I spiritually FEASTED! I learned so much through spoken word and through the Spirit. The biggest themes were gratitude, our authority and spiritual power as set-apart representatives of Jesus Christ, our purpose, and ways to use technology creatively (by using our unique talents) to help others come unto Christ. If you've got any ideas let me know! Technology is such a great tool. My testimony of the Savior and His Atoning sacrifice is undoubtedly increasing! It's a gradual process, but I can feel it has grown. Sister Bekker is just a ray of sunshine! She's like the energizer bunny... Seriously! She's the most peppy, energetic, ball of love and sunshine ever haha!

zone conference lunch! so delicious😋

4 generations of missionaries❤

4 generations plus Sis Boyce haha

-Saturday was a really special day that confirmed to me that the other side of the veil is much more a part of our lives than we realize. I firmly believe what Alma 13:24 says. "24 For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory." There aren't just mortal missionaries assigned to serve the people who come to/live in Hawaii, but there are so many angels on the other side who are working to touch the hearts of all who come to Hawaii to believe in God and to come closer to Him. There are angels guiding people to come to the Temple VC in Laie! I know it. The Laie Zone missionaries (VC sisters and our district leaders) got to have a "bonding activity" celebration on St Patrick's Day. We had ice cream sundaes, visited, and watched the movie "Love Kennedy" by TC Christiansen. ALL of the missionaries were so touched by the movie. In VCTM on Monday, Elder Allen had us "process" the things we learned from the movie. Many mentioned how they want to be like Kennedy. They want to love EVERYONE unconditionally like she did. They want to refrain from judging. They want to not view 'hard things' as 'challenges'. They want to be close to the Spirit at all times. Kennedy has made a lasting impression on me, and on every single missionary serving here at this time. Thank you, Kennedy! ❤ Since Kennedy is my second cousin, Elder Allen had me briefly introduce the movie before we watched it. He also had me share my thoughts afterwards to wrap things up. I shared my memories of her. I remember that she was happy, she loved to give hugs to everyone, and you couldn't help but feel loved when you were around her. She made you feel loved through her spirit and actions primarily, but also through her words. She had a special connection with the other side of the veil and could see things we do not see right now. I encouraged the sisters to help ALL of the people we meet here at the VC to feel of Christ's love as Kennedy would. I know that Kennedy, Julie, and other angels (in my family specifically) are helping me and the other sisters in God's work here. What a special work to be a part of! I'm so grateful God has let me be an instrument in His work here.

BEST MOVIE EVER!

Ice cream sundaes provided by the Senior couples>>> they loaded up the ice cream for us hahaha

Movie night!

Hehe Sis Kasamatsu is a funny one😂

Happy St Patrick's day from us missionaries to you! #festive

-important lesson I've begun learning in more depth this week: things turn out better when you let others help. For example, think about The Creation. God the Father COULD have (He has the necessary power) created the entire earth and all of us on His own, but He chose to let Jesus Christ create it under His direction. The creation was a joint effort (done by "we" and "us", not "I" and "me") Even if I CAN do things on my own, things turn out better than they otherwise would have as I trust and rely on the Spirit and on others for help. This is how God wants things to be done, especially His work (missionary work)! He communicated that through example. This is hard for someone like me who tends to be an independent perfectionist! I'm learning a lot though, and I'm grateful for the literal strength and increased capacity I receive through Jesus Christ's enabling power (grace) every day. We access that grace through living the doctrine of Christ as found in 2 Nephi 31!

Well, this week try to love others as Kennedy would! I know by doing so, the 'hard things' you face won't seem quite as challenging, and you will feel strength and joy come to you from the other side😊

Love you all!
Sister Flake

all lubed up!

Fiercest Tram Scouts out there... I'm not sure which scared away the sun more...
our sunscreen or our fierce faces😉 haha

Temple trip on Wednesday! We went with Sis Lee and Sis Wan

Me, Sister Wan, Sister Hunkin, and Sister Lee

Meet the Harris family! They met on their missions in California hahaha #yikes

Pretty view on the road on our way to the assisted living place in Haula! We got to do an hour of "service" visiting with old folks. We even got to play scrabble with a darling old woman named Edee!❤

This describes my testimony and feelings!

The temple brings us home

Aloha ohana!

-Farmer Flake's update: Hayhay's (our friendly neighbor hen) eggs hatched!! Thank goodness I didn't get too adventurous and EAT one of the eggs last month haha. The chicks are absolutely adorable!!!!!! I think Hayhay is mormon too... she's got 12 kids!! Big family... 😉😂

HAYHAY'S A MOMMY!!!!!!!

SO CUTE!!

cheaper by the dozen...

-Clement and Chandra from Florida got baptized on Saturday!!! Clement submitted a Bible request back in January, and Sis Hunkin picked up the request from the queue on mormon.org. We called him and Sister Hunkin got his address, and then when it seemed like she was going to hang up, I interjected to ask Clement a few inspired questions since we hadn't really gotten to know them much. We came to find out that he recently moved and has been trying to find a church! We had previously explained that local missionaries would hand-deliver the Bible, and I said they'd love to have him attend church. He agreed! We prepared him to attend the following day! As the weeks went by, we stayed in touch with Clement and his wife, Chandra. They are absolutely adorable. Chandra feels that God has a calling for her in this church, and they both have been soooo prepared by God to accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! They were baptized on Saturday. We wish we could have attended the baptism! We are grateful for the technology that allows us to stay in touch with them and receive photos though. We even got to video call them a few weeks ago to speak! They are cuties. It's amazing to see how the Lord is hastening His work through technology. This all began with a Bible request submitted by a man who moved to Florida. Amazing! What a blessing it is to be a part in someone's conversion--no matter how small the part may seem, it is important! Never underestimate your example. Others notice! You ARE making a difference.

Clement and Chandra!!❤

-Food highlight: Today we had lunch at the PCC at the Hale Pups food truck. They sell giant, fancy hot dogs. Dad would be in H E A V E N there hahaha;) I tried "the common king" hot dog... it had bacon, swiss cheese, a hot dog, kailua pork, bbq mayo, pickles, and onion rings on top. Now THAT'S a hot dog!!! It was SOOO delicious. I can honestly say it's the best hot dog I've ever eaten... the fanciest too. Dad, you MUST eat here when we visit as a family!!!;) FiaFia farms also gave us free coconuts and smoothies! They love their missionaries❤ One more food highlight...Sis Hunkin made fried oreos for her dinners a few nights this week. Now that's what I call a balanced meal--pancake batter outside for grains, cream filling as dairy/protein, chocolate cookie part comes from cocoa which is a plant that grows on a tree (so we could call it a fruit right??!), and then vegetable oil (considered part vegetable right??)... what a balanced meal!! Hahaha😂 She cracks me up. She let me try one and it was delicious!

When in Hawaii... you've gotta have a coconut! He cut the top with a machete haha

Our favorite PCC food hut... FiaFia farms! Free coconuts and smoothies this week😊

-Today after our hot dog lunch we went BOWLING at the university! It was so fun😃 BYU-H has a bowling alley (and ping pong tables!!!!! maybe I won't be as rusty as I thought I would be! I need to be prepared to take on Bryson after my mission😎). It was super fun and cheap too! It was only $5 for one lane for an hour, and $2 for shoe rental. Definitely a repeat pday activity! I was going to say that this is the first time I've gone bowling in a dress in my life... but then I remembered that I bowled in a cover-up dress in cancun last summer at the resort. BUT I CAN say this is the first time I bowled wearing a super special missionary nametag!!! We went with Sister Lee from Taiwan and Sister Wan from Hong Kong. SO FUN😊

BOWLING @ BYU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It reminded me of our Cancun adventures❤

-This week we met Debra and Jessica from Wisconsin. Our entire conversation was while we were on the temple grounds (we didn't go inside the VC at all). We had a wonderful conversation. They were both very impressed with the dedication and sacrifice of us missionaries. They kept commenting how inspired they were by our choice to serve a mission. They both have strong faith in Jesus Christ. Debra has seen many advertisements on TV by the LDS church, and she said she really loves the promotion of faith they offer. Debra was a darling older woman. We built a solid friendship through our conversation. Towards the end of our conversation, I felt inspired to ask Debra if she's much of a reader. She responded that she LOVES to read! We had created a friendship that was genuine enough at that point that I could simply give Debra a copy of the Book of Mormon and tell her I know she'll love it, and she would know I was being sincere. I RAN back to the VC to get her a copy of the Book of Mormon because the tram was there. I felt like the elder running to deliver a copy of the Book of Mormon in a park in the picture they showed in general conference in President Nelson's talk last October haha! With Debra I really learned the importance of building a sincere friendship first and also being excited/energetic about the restored gospel. Debra is now excited to have the missionaries back home take her to church so she can see what it's like! Debra was a special daughter of God. I know shell remember our interaction for a long time because of the Spirit that attended us.

-Goal-setting is inspired and essential for a life of constant growth and improvement! This week one of my goals was centered on LISTENING to the Holy Ghost and to others. Sister Hunkin and I noticed a big difference in our work this week, and I think this principle of listening with love made all the difference! Listening with love sets you up to teach to people's needs. Elder Holland's quote from PMG page 185 came to life for us,

"More important than speaking is listening. These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and what do they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right, you might ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is missing in their lives. I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more. … If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us—by the Spirit and by our friends.”

Sister Hunkin and I saw this come to pass! As we tried to listen with love, gospel principles were naturally brought up and easy to relate to the guests. We were able to build a connection with them that made the Spirit flow more freely amongst us. It was amazing! We are to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ in God's way, which is by the Spirit😊 Also, missionary work should be fun! and it IS fun!! I love it! Since the Spirit guides us, it's always an adventure discovering where he will take us. If we're not having fun, we don't have enough of the Spirit with us❤ Additionally, I learned this week the importance of praising the good in others--we progress/improve much faster that way. It's best to do all things the Savior's way vs our way!

Transfer-ly VC photo

-We met a couple from LA, California on Saturday. They are not members of the Church. They said they live near the LA temple! They told us that whenever they get lost, they look for the LA temple and they can then find their way home! They said the angel statue on top even points the way to their house haha! They said that the neighborhoods there are easy to get lost in, so it happens quite often. How neat, right!? The temple is really the house of the Lord! It's His house, and we are His children. Even for those who are not on the covenant path yet, the temple is a guide and a comfort, and it helps us to return home. Through the temple God's purposes are accomplished, and we become better prepared to return to our heavenly home one day with our eternal family! This gospel brings so much hope and joy!!! The temple brings us home.

-Since we had stake conference last week, we had fast Sunday this week. I felt prompted to do a "gratitude fast"--fasting solely out of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the blessings He's given me. It was SO special! If you've never tried it, I would 100% recommend it. I now know a little bit more than I knew before that Jesus Christ is MY Savior, and that He sacrificed for me. His Atonement is very personal.

-In one year from today, on this very day, my full-time mission will come to a close. It's going so fast!! Sometimes the thought will hit me that I want to be a missionary forever! This is the most satisfying work ever. But I know that this time as a full-time missionary won't last forever. However, I know I'll find joy in every phase of life as I find opportunities for significant service in each stage! I know I'll probably write the same phrase "I want to be a ______ forever!" at some point about being a mother of young kids, or a grandmother, or having a certain calling, etc. The good news is as an exalted being we WILL get to be engaged in the most fulfilling work EVER... and for eternity!!!!! How sweet is that?! I'll just follow my mom's example in finding joy in every stage of life:) Eccl 3:1-8 I know there is a season, time, and purpose for everything!

Always remember that God is your loving Heavenly Father, and He is mindful of you! Trust in Him, and KEEP SMILING 😊😊😊😊😊
Aloha!
Sister Flake

Dinner with the Lewis family! We love our ward!

Breakfast before district meeting, provided by the DLs! #districtfamily

Our friendly German couple!

Our friend Kaelan from NY! She's excited to read the Book of Mormon😊

The Flakes! Serving here at BYU-H❤