Change brings growth!

I met Elder and Sister Holland and Elder and Sister Bednar!!! #missionarygoals

Here are some pics that a member took at the Elder Bednar/Holland event.

All missionaries serving on Oahu currently! WE ARE ZION!!

Aloha Ohana!

Wow, lots has happened since last pday! We had "transfer news," where we find out what will be happening the coming transfer, a week ago. There are a TON of changes! They are definitely inspired, and will help the Lords work move forward more effectively here. Change brings lots and lots of opportunities to grow! The changes are intended to allow proper and adequate time for both studies and proselyting. Aka, it will be easier for Sis Wu and I not to feel stressed about getting all of our studies in yayyyy!! Some days last transfer were tricky with all of the scheduled meetings and assigned shifts we were expected to be at. Last transfer was awesome, but I'm excited to see the work progress more effectively as our schedule allows us to use our time more effectively.
We no longer have "morning" or "evening" shift. Instead it's "A" or "B" shift. A shift is from 8-11 am and 2-5 pm. B shift is from 11am-2pm and 5-8pm. It's amazing how big of a [positive] difference this makes in our days! Also, the Sisters who have arrived the past three transfers who are ESL (English second language) sisters will no longer participate in TC before 6 pm. The shifts they are assigned to be a part of during 6-10 pm will be a time for them to observe and train with their companion. This will help prepare them to be on their own for TC in coming transfers. It will give them opportunity to practice understanding others speak English over the phone, practice speaking clearly into the phone, having proper grammar, etc. I'm excited about this change! I have 25 hours online at the teaching center each week this transfer! Yay!! I love TC, and I'm super excited to get to have more time interacting with God's children all over the world. During the TC time I have before 6 pm, I am assigned a temporary companion in the TC, and sis Wu is with a temporary companion on shift on the floor of the VC. The teaching center is being remodeled. It's super nice! Also, we have been assigned a car this transfer! Woohoo! It's a big responsibility, but also a huge blessing. There were Elders previously in charge of it, so it's not in as tip-top shape as the other cars here at the VC cared for by these sisters, but we'll get it there soon😉 Our pdays are on Saturdays this transfer, which will be really nice! Man, there's a lot more changes than what I've included, but I'll have to continue to share more in coming weeks. Let me know what questions you have!

-Oh, and it's always so funny to me when I hear comments from other sisters about how "healthy" I am. The other day Sister Wan saw me eating a green bell pepper in the guide room at the VC, and she said "every time I see you you're talking to guests, extending the guest card, or eating vegetables!!" hahaha I got a kick out of that.

-I learned this week that when Asians wear "doctor" face masks, apparently it's typically a fashion statement rather than a sanitary precaution! (according to Sister Kasamatsu and Takara from Japan). I've seen Asians wearing the face masks countless time as we've travelled, and I've always figured they're just super careful about germs when traveling. Maybe that's the case for some, but oftentimes it's a fashion statement!

-Madison is so awesome! We were able to teach her a second lesson this week. She is a referral from a senior sister missionary serving in our ward here, and it's the senior sister's granddaughter. She wanted to learn more through phone lessons first, so we've been calling her to teach her. She is such a sweetheart! She has a desire to know if she should align herself with any one particular religious sect, and if so, which one. She is willing to work to know the truth. For our lesson with her yesterday, I was on TC with Sister Preslar at the time, so she taught with me. She is a rockstar missionary, holy cow! We were able to establish some great expectations with Madison, and she said she would be baptized if she learns more and continues to feel that it's true. It's just so neat to get to teach someone in a different location around the world, but to still be able to feel the Spirit testify through me to them. The Holy Ghost is able to help God to communicate with each of us, and the Spirit is also able to communicate the truthfulness of our message from our words to Madison's heart, regardless of if we are in the same room or not. The Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead, is absolutely incredible. God's blessed us with technology for many reasons, and I think all of us can do a better job to use it for what it's intended to be used.

LOVE HAWAII

New Teaching Center!

-One TC investigator I'm super excited about is Evan from Virginia. He came on mormon.org chat on Saturday night. He is SO prepared! He has done a lot of searching and preparing on his own, and he came to chat wanting to set up a missionary visit somehow. He has an affinity for Joseph Smith, is searching for solace, and has incredible faith in Christ. We were able to chat with him and really build a neat friendship with him. Just like with Madison, he was able to feel of our testimony even though we are thousands of miles away. It was neat because Evan actually commented to us that he could feel our sincerity and testimony. He is very driven to learn more, and he now has a baptismal date mid-June! It's crazy how quickly we can help people receive the gospel now! It's been one week and he's already progressed along his conversion path so much. One thing I think is significant about Evan is that he felt especially impressed to learn more at this time because of a trial. Oftentimes we complain about trials, but it's through those trials that we experience needed change, growth, and blessings. Just like it says in Alma 36:27, "27 And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me."

-Unfortunately we weren't able to set up a time to meet with Jennifer while she was back here in Hawaii for work. She was planning to come to the VC again, but something happened with a new program she was launching, and she had to keep working. She said she should be more available to meet with the missionaries back home in Georgia in a few weeks after her program is officially launched, so in the meantime she will continue reading the Book of Mormon!

Thanks again for all of the warm birthday wishes! I felt so loved and remembered on Sunday:) Thanks for making it such a special day! I still can't believe I'm two decades old, and no longer a teenager. Weird! So much of the time I still feel like I'm 16 haha... time goes too fast.
It's super neat for me to see how applicable the scriptures are to us TODAY! The Book of Mormon really is able to answer the questions of the soul. I'm excited to dive deeper into studying the Book of Mormon in response to questions about our purpose, repentance, why Jesus Christ is important, why "bad" things happen, agency, etc. I came across Alma 36 yesterday, and it applied to my interactions with so many different people! The end of verses 14 and 22 really struck me because of the stark change in Alma's feelings about being in the presence of God. He went from feeling inexpressible horror of being in God's presence, to longing to be there! What changed?? He remembered his father's prophesying about Christ to atone for the sins of the world, and his mind caught hold upon that thought, and he cried out for mercy. No one can simply make themselves feel these things... this mighty change comes from God. We are each able to experience significant and personal change through Jesus Christ as we humble ourselves and turn to Him for help.

Well, keep smiling!
Sister Flake

German Pancakes for my birthday #spoiled

...with strawberries😋

CHEESECAKE!! Happy 20 to me!

Happy Golden bday!!! No better place to be than at the temple😀

Thanks for the exercise bands!

Here's a cute older Laie local in the "welcome to Laie" video!

Faith Walk for district meeting! We laid our big rock burdens at the feet of the Savior. We're all holding our little rocks in our hands.

This describes our padmate personalities so well hahaha

Pday Seven Brothers picnic! Sis Lam, Cho, Boyce, Takara, Wu, me

I got the "crazy fries"... their yummy seasoned classic fries, but with nacho cheese, fry sauce, and grilled onions on top! SO GOOD>>>

Mālaekahana State Recreation Area

Sis Cho is Korean and Sis Lam is from Hong Kong!

HAHA here are all of the Senior companions laying out while the jr babies played... it's like taking our kids to play together at the park #futuremoms

Sis Takara looks good with my hair, wouldn't you agree??

How do I look with Sis Takara's hair??! Sis Takara said I look "edgy" hahaha... that was her word! Such a fancy word!

Charades! Thanks again for the great Christmas present! It was good English practice too😉

hehehe.... Trying out this game with our Asian compions.

Bean boozled HAHAHA so fun!!!!! The asian sisters probably think we Americans are nutso for putting ourselves through trechery for entertainment;)

Bye Sister Ravanera!

Bye Sister Tonami!

Bye Sister Yun!

She printed nametags for each of us in Korean!

The Big 2 0 !!!!

Birthday fun with my sisters!!❤

Aloha ohana!! Well, today is my last official day to be a teenager--CRAZY! I can't believe I'm two decades old... the mission is a great place to have my golden birthday! Thank you to all who contributed to my beautiful birthday banner! It made me feel remembered and loved. I love and miss you all❤ Our padmates, Sister Boyce and Takara, made me a cheesecake for my (early) birthday!! It was so adorable--it had a big "20" written with raspberries. It was delicious😍 Cheesecake is my favorite! The sisters here are so thoughtful.

I love cheesecake😍💕

Thank you Sister Boyce and Sister Takara! You know how to make a girl feel special!

-So this week I got to hear from both Elder Holland and Elder Bednar! It was absolutely incredible. I learned a TON. These two men truly are special, ordained Apostles of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear from 2 Apostles in such a small setting. I learned much about receiving revelation, the nature of priesthood keys, that the First Vision was what initiated the Restoration (but the Restoration is still continuing today), the necessity to ALWAYS remain true to my faith and testimony, and the importance of humility. I will never be done learning. I will never be the "expert" in this life... and I'm learning to be okay with that😊 By nature I want to be the expert at everything! Elder Bednar pressed upon us that the more I learn, the more I should realize how little I know. The world's pattern tells us that when someone is experienced at something, they know best. We know that we should not trust in the arm of the flesh over God though. We need to follow the patterns of the Lord in order to do His work! The longer I serve, the more I will learn, and the more I will need to acknowledge my dependence on God. Man, I have SO much to ponder from their devotional!

-Sooooo we learned from some other sisters that we have a MANGO tree growing in our backyard! So cool, right?! There are a couple of mangos on it right now, so I went out and knocked one down with a basketball. I felt like a pro😎 Mangos can be pricey here so I'm super stoked we've got our own tree!!!

-Chinese massages. Asian highlight: Sister Wu did this weird Chinese Massage thing on my shoulder/neck that supposedly helps the blood flow more freely. First she rubbed vaseline on my shoulder, then used a quarter (coin) to press/scrape in strokes from my neck to my shoulder. It actually felt pretty good! It was reeeaaallllyyy weird though, because within seconds all of these dark red spots started showing up from under my skin. "Doctor" (Sister) Wu concluded that I am very tired because the spots show up so fast and are so dark. She said it means my blood flow in my shoulders isn't good, so she had to "help it flow" using the coin (or something like that... I'm not totally sure I understood 😁). Chinese medicine is fascinating but also seems pretty strange to me. All I know is that it looked like I had some funky skin disease. It took a few days for the spots to go away! I'm back to normal now though, don't worry😉

-This week we experienced a special life-event for Sister Wu....... she saw her first SHOOTING STAR!!!!! She was SO happy! As soon as she saw it, she yelled out loud with excitement and then put her hands together, shut her eyes, and made a very long wish in her head.😂 Before this week she had never seen a shooting star EVER in her entire life! She told me she thought shooting stars were just a myth because she'd never seen on in Taiwan. Apparently the air/light pollution is too bad there. It made me realize that I've really taken for granted the hundreds of shooting stars I've seen in my life. Then again, I'm kind of a star fanatic and space really captivates me, so shooting stars have always been special to me.

-It's so important to surround yourself with people who will help you be productive and live your values. The past few days I have felt a HUGE difference as Sister Wu has found her own motivation from inside to work harder to learn English and use her time wisely. It made me realize how we sometimes think that our own attitudes or behaviors only impact ourselves, but in reality, they have a very significant impact on those around us (and likewise, we may think the people around us do not influence us, but they play a big part in who we become).

-We have a senior sister missionary in our ward who told us her granddaughter wants to be taught by us online! We were able to teach her about the Restoration on Wednesday, and we'll be calling again this week to continue helping her learn more. She is so sweet! It was neat to get to teach the whole first lesson with Sister Wu. It was her first time! In the VC we teach the Restoration many times each day, but it's usually just a portion of the principles, not all of them.
-Jennifer is planning on coming back to the VC tomorrow by the way! Woohoo!

-I've seen a huge difference when I pre-set the guest card vs when I don't (this is done by giving people a guest card at the BEGINNING of the tour, and explaining that many people come to the Visitors' Center and have a desire to learn more about something that they see/hear/learn here. We explain that as they are here, if something sparks their interest we can stay in contact with them or send local missionaries when they return home). When you give people 1. time to think about if they want to learn more, and 2. a heads up that they probably WILL see something that makes them want to learn more after their short visit here, it allows the Spirit to work more effectively in touching the hearts of the people who come here and helping them know that the things we share with them are true. We applied this concept yesterday and saw some pretty immediate results. Using the guest card the way it's intended to be used (by being pre-set) is something that helps make the Lord's work at the VC WAY more effective! We met a few very special couples from Texas that will be learning more both from us and from local missionaries after returning home. The Spirit touched their hearts and helped them know that our testimonies are sincere, that the things we shared are true, and that we genuinely want the best for them, as does our Heavenly Father.

Well, for my birthday, I'd love for each of you to pray for a unique opportunity to share your testimony this week. I know the Lord will put someone in your path who needs to be strengthened by your faith! He will help you clearly recognize it too. Let me know about your experiences:)

Aloha!
Sister Flake

Pday volleyball game!!🏐❤

Giving our burdens to the Lord (and throwing them in the ocean)😊

Megan, from our ward, brought me cookies for my birthday!❤

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!!

BEST. DAY. EVER.

Aloha ohana!

Well, highlight this week was getting to skype my family yesterday!!!! It was the BEST! I love Mother's Day😊 I've been blessed with the best mom in the universe! I came across a neat talk on mothers yesterday in my studies. Here's a few special quotes from it in regards to mothers, which I want to specifically repeat to my mom:
   "Thank you for your crucial role in fulfilling the purposes of eternity.”
   "To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle—and all will—I say, "Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are. In fact, you are saviors on Mount Zion, and like the Master you follow, your love ‘never faileth.’ " I can pay no higher tribute to anyone."
    "...no love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child."
Motherhood is divine!

WHAT HAPPENED TO BRYSON?!

I'm officially the shortest of the fam #bittersweet

-Also, since my birthday's coming up, I received the sweetest package from home! It was great to feel remembered and loved by so many special people back home. It really brought so much love to my heart. Thanks all! 💕💕💕

Quick delivery!

I LOOOOVE my birthday banner!!! Thank you so much! I feel SO loved and remembered❤❤❤

THANK YOU!!!!💕😀😀

-Hawaii highlight: I HELD A GECKO THIS WEEK!!! It was just a little guy, maybe 4 inches long or so. He was so cute! If you don't know what sound geckos make, go look it up right now. It sounds like some strange monkey calling to his pals in the jungle, or something else crazy and exotic! It's a loud sound from a little body.

-funny language highlight: This week we were reading from the white handbook and Sis Wu read the word "large". She looked up at me and innocently asked "like clothes wash?" I said she was thinking of the word "laundry" and that "large" is not quite the same haha. We got a good laugh out of it😂

-Food highlight: for pday we ate at the Thai food truck at the Fijian market in Kahuku. It was DELICIOUS. I got the pad thai, and it was well worth the $13. It was a combination of noodles, egg, scallops, chicken, veggies, and a delicious sweet sauce. I opted to throw the peanuts away haha. Nuts are one thing I'm not sure I'll be able to come to love, but I'll keep trying!! A member also gave the group of us missionaries money to go buy ice cream, so we got free frozen yogurt after our Thai food. #blessed

Thai food truck at Fijian market! THIS WAS SO GOOD!

Pad Thai with chicken and extra veggies... #heaven Noodles, egg, veggies, chicken, scallops, and yummy sauce.

Fun pday group today!

I got the "PB&J creation" w hazelnut sauce instead of strawberry sauce. Plain greek yogurt froYo base with strawberries, graham crackers, Peanut butter shavings, and hazelnut sauce. It was seriously so good.

A member in Laie 3rd ward walked up to the table of us missionaries at the Thai food truck and gave us money to buy ice cream for all of us. We walked over to the "Ono Yo" frozen yogurt truck and bought froyo for the 9 of us! #tendermercies

 -On Thursday I met Cheryl from Florida. She was so special! I initially met her at the PCC when she walked up to me and asked if she could go on the tram tour. I had a nice chat with her at PCC before the tram departed, and came to find that she'll soon be doing a 10-day mission trip for her church in a foreign country. I could see and feel the Light of Christ in her! She wished me well and got on the tram. It turned out that I rode the same tram back to the VC, and I felt very drawn to talk with her further. I said a silent prayer that if it were God's will, I would have the opportunity to speak with her again. With a little extra effort on my part, I was able to connect with her again. She was in awe at the Christus statue. She told us that the statue belongs in her church, and I replied that He belongs in each of our hearts! She was very thoughtful, and seemed to soak in and ponder everything. I think the part that stood out the most to me was how clearly the Holy Ghost guided our interaction. We showed her the picture of the sealing room inside the temple, and she loved it. She said that more people need to turn to church-sponsored programs for counseling. As soon as she said this, the Spirit brought to my mind Alma 37:37
"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."
I flipped to the verse and shared it with her. She was impressed that I had memorized where it was. I told her that I love studying the scriptures each day, and that our purpose as missionaries is to help others come closer to Christ. I told her that the Holy Ghost inspires us with what to say and share with the people we talk to. I told her that for some reason (unknown to me) God needed her to hear this verse. After I said that, she opened up and said that it's actually something she really needed to hear. She said lately she'd been struggling with saying consistent prayers, and she just often feels too busy or tired to pray. She said this has been a challenge for the past couple of weeks especially. It was neat to discover that the verse I shared really was precisely what she needed. It's special knowing without a doubt that the Lord is guiding me in His work. I feel like I genuinely experienced what Elder Allen means when he says that "following the Spirit is an adventure!!" It really is a fun adventure! I'm excited to stay in touch with Cheryl and help her learn more :) I know this is Christ's church, and He is guiding His work. I'm honored to be a part of it.

Here's a fresh Hawaiian mango from Sister Flake's backyard!!

-We got to visit with a wonderful family from Louisiana this week. The mother's name is Judy. The thing I learned from my interaction with them was that studying the scriptures makes a night-and-day difference! I am loving getting to know my scriptures better. I realized during our interaction that I was really able to illustrate how much the Bible and the Book of Mormon support and clarify each other. I felt I was able to show that Mormons know and cherish the Bible too, not just the Book of Mormon. The grandmother of the group shared that God has given her everything, and I felt impressed to share Alma 26:12 with her. She loved it and said "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" I said "yes, I love Phil 4:13!" She was impressed I knew the reference haha. A few minutes later, Sister Wu shared Alma 32:26-27. The grandma again added "trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding." I told her that Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of my favorites. It was neat because it was really the Grandmother who was proving our point perfectly--the Bible and the Book of Mormon clarify and support each other! They are both testaments of Christ that teach us more about Him, His life, and His words. Power comes as we consistently study the scriptures!

-Something neat that I've witnessed as I've been on my mission is the Lord guiding my studies. This week I saw my studies of the words of prophets come full circle around a particular topic. I had been repeatedly taught about faith and charity he past several days, and now this week 'hope' made her appearance! Moroni 10:20-21 "Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity. And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope." These 3 Christlike attributes are crucial to develop! I also liked a quote I came across from studying Elder Holland's general conference talks in preparation to hear him speak to us tomorrow. He said "the restored Church of Jesus Christ is the vehicle for bringing the teachings and saving ordinances of His gospel to all humankind." It's true! This church is the vehicle!

I love you all and am so grateful for each and every one of you! Keep smiling!
I'll talk to you on Saturday (that's my next pday because transfers are next week).
Aloha!
Sister Flake

The gloriously-timed McD's drop off!! >>> Thanks to the Browns in our ward!