Sister Flake's Mission Blog: Hoppy Easter! ¡Jesucristo vive!

Hoppy Easter!!😃

Aloha Ohana!

Sorry this email is a little bit late! The power went out twice this week (not sure why), and it turned back on a few minutes ago so the computers are working again now. Sorry if it seems scattered or random haha.

-A huge highlight from this week was definitely General Conference!! It was A M A Z I N G !!! The missionaries in the Laie Zone woke up early to watch the live streams of conference at the VC (6-8 am and 10am-noon). We watched all four sessions in the big theater in the VC! It was great! Man, I could write my entire email this week about the messages of conference, but I'll just give a few things I was impressed with, and then invite you to revisit the messages here. A few very clear impressions I received were: this is Jesus Christ's church on the earth today! It is His true and living church (living because it is led by personal revelation today!). God loves all of His children--Christ's church is worldwide! The Lord is hastening His work. It is crucial to learn how the Holy Ghost speaks to each of us. A big theme was the concept of ministering. There were many inspired changes made that will help us to simplify our lives, and more wholeheartedly follow the example and commandments of the Savior. It's refreshing to simplify to the principle of the matter. We are to love God, and love our neighbor as our self. As we seek to minister to those around us, we will feel Christ's love more unrestrained in our life. I prepared several questions going into general conference. I received much guidance, but one impression I received on more than one occasion is that this conference has equipped me with some great tools and insights to find the answers. I need to now go and study the messages in more detail. As I give more time and thought to it, THEN line upon line my questions will be answered. I'm being taught precept upon precept!

Breakfast between Saturday sessions!

hahaha when you wake up early to watch conference and didn't get a full 8 hrs...

Sunday breakfast!!

-Another huge highlight was Easter! This is such an incredible time of year to remember the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He lived, sacrificed His life for us, and lives again today! I am so grateful for the peace I find through Him. I know He rose the third day. He really can calm troubled seas, and troubled souls. "For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;" What an incredible opportunity to remember and honor Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice for each of us. Let Him heal you!❤

Additionally, I hid an Easter egg for each of my pad-mates, and they were so excited about having a little Easter egg hunt! My Korean and Japanese pad-mates said that they never did Easter egg hunts growing up... WHAAAT??!?! So they especially loved it😊 The Korean sisters said that instead, the only "egg" related thing that happened was that they were given a single boiled egg (not decorated or anything) to eat during primary. It's so fun to learn about other cultures and traditions! I love it😊

-Food highlights: Easter-shape noodles! It was so fun to get in the festive spirit of Easter🐣 Also, I bought BRUSSLE SPROUTS this week>>> I'm so grateful I live in a place where I can purchase and eat such a variety of fresh fruits and veggies!!

Enjoying my Easter-shaped noodles!! 😊

-One highlight was meeting Monica and Dale at the VC. They came from the tram tours from PCC. When people come here we hope they feel of God's love for them. We also hope they feel the important role families play in God's plan, and understand that temples are the way God has provided for families to be together forever! With Monica and Dale, we felt impressed to focus on family. Family is very important to both of them, and we had a meaningful conversation where the Holy Ghost's peaceful influence was felt by all. Dale said he loved the tranquility and peace of the temple. It really is the house of the Lord. I am so grateful I will be with my family forever!

-I love studies!! I learn so much as I study each day. I've learned that to study effectively it's crucial to:
1. keep a study journal and
2. have patience.
You need daily ponder time to recharge and learn from the Spirit. For example, one day this week I was reading in Jesus the Christ and a question came to my mind. I wrote it down to ponder, and spoke with my companion briefly about it. Then, a few days later, I was reading in the Book of Mormon and one of the verses I read answered my question precisely! I read the verse and was instantly reminded of my question, which I was able to remember and find because I had written it down. It's amazing to see the "mysteries of God" unfolded to me as I "treasure up" the words of Christ continually in my mind and heart.

District Temple Trip!!!

-I've decided I need to learn more Spanish! On Wednesday and Thursday I met a few wonderful families who speak Spanish. I was able to brush up and use my Spanish a little bit, but it really made me want to learn more!! Wednesday we met a sweet Peruvian family living in the USA, and Thursday was a honeymoon couple from Mexico. The Peruvian family was touched and inspired to prepare to become an eternal family through the temple. Both families will be meeting with local missionaries back home! In both cases the Spirit was felt as truth was testified of. As we spoke, we all felt happy😊 We are here to have joy! This again testifies to ME that this really is Christ's church and His work. Choose to be happy!!!😊😊😊 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

-This week, the online teaching center we use was updated. We call it "TC 2.0". It's been an adjustment as TC 2.0 has been implemented, but it has been so good! There are many changes that will be helpful in hastening the Lord's work. The work is done on a different website now. There have been tweaks that make it easier to teach together as a companionship, as well as collaborate with the local missionaries as we work together to best meet investigator's needs. Change may be hard, but it precedes growth!

-On Sunday we met the Stephens family from Cache Valley. They helped me internalize how special Laie is. This community has such an incredible spirit of love and unity. The people truly are one big family. It doesn't matter what nationality you are, the people here love all of their brothers and sisters. I feel so blessed to be here!

Kristen and May Stephens

-My next pday will be this Saturday, April 7 due to transfers coming up next week😊
Sorry if this week's email was boring or too "preachy" haha... there were just so many awesome spiritual experiences!

I love you all! Keep trusting in the Lord, and keep smiling! 😊😊😊
Love, Sister Flake