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!