Happy [Almost] Mother's Day!!

Live Love TC! (teaching center)

Aloha!

I am SO EXCITED for Mother's Day on Sunday!!! Best day ever!!! I'm also super stoked to get to hear from Elder Holland, in the flesh, in one week from today. We are the luckiest mission! Since Elder Holland will be speaking to all of the missionaries on Oahu on the 15th, we will have pday on a different day next week (a day still to be determined by the STLs, so I'll be able to let you know when they tell us).

-One thing I love to keep track of is how many different languages of copies of the Book of Mormon I've given to people who come to the VC. This week we gave out a copy of the Book of Mormon in Arabic! We met a family originally from Israel, but living in the states now. They were very special. One of their friends had previously given them a copy of the Book of Mormon in English, but he said they haven't read it yet. When I told Orwa (the father) that we had a copy of the Book of Mormon in Arabic inside the VC, he was deeply and earnestly interested to see it. His sense of urgency to see it was striking to me. He took two copies in Arabic, one for himself and one to give to his father, who is a leader of their orthodox congregation back home. Orwa respects Mormons greatly, and he couldn't say enough about how Mormons are the best people he knows. He told me I should be so proud and honored to be a Mormon.---Side comment: I've had many people tell me this same thing (that all Mormons they've met are so happy, nice, respectful, etc). Now don't get me wrong, I know full well that we are NOT perfect people by any means, but hearing this from so many tourists that come to the VC makes me ponder why they say it. As I discussed it with other sisters, I think that one thing that makes Mormons so different (in a good way) than the rest of the world is that we have been given the GIFT of the Holy Ghost (see the following link for clarification on what the "gift of the Holy Ghost" means: https://www.mormon.org/beliefs/holy-spirit). This is all the more evidence to me that this truly is Jesus Christ's church. These things are a part of who we are, not just what we do. The full truths of Jesus Christ's restored church change and perfect us day by day, and we are "different" people because of it. Before my mission, I don't think I realized how special the gift of the Holy Ghost is, as well as how much power comes from the sacred promises we make in the temple. God wants ALL of His children to take part in both of those things, and as a missionary I get to help people do that! It's the BEST!!! Okay, sorry that was such a long "side note" haha--- This family from Israel loved the precious restored truth of temple sealings (their family really can be together forever!!), and during out time together both parents made several comments that they need to learn more at this time. I could see it in their eyes and actions--they were so spiritually hungry, and they could feel inside that they were on the verge of quenching that hunger! They are such a special family who I know God has prepared to learn more and receive the blessings of the temple as a family. Orwa even asked how someone joins the Church! We'll be in touch with them. I know that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is able to quench the spiritual hunger and thirst that so many of God's special children feel. If you, or anyone you know, feel impressed to learn more, DO IT! You won't regret doing so. Please email me with any questions or thoughts!

Here's a pic from exchanges

-Something I feel that I have been repeatedly reminded of this week is that I need to become much more love-driven, rather than duty-driven. It's a difficult thing for me, but this mission time is a perfect opportunity to have my character refined, and become more like Jesus Christ. The Savior was always motivated to do things out of sincere love in His heart for others. He never did something simply because He felt obligated to, or strictly out of a sense of duty. Others could feel His genuine love for them. I want to be the same way! I want others to be able to feel that I do everything I do out of sincere love for others. I've got a long way to go, but diving into the scriptures has really helped me get to know Jesus Christ and desire to be more like Him. Being a trainer has definitely helped me develop a lot of "real" mom characteristics in particular. I still have a looong ways to go, but it's been fun to see myself grow and change.

Beautiful Hawaiian sunset with Sister Wu!

-Food highlight: I'm converted to vanilla soymilk now. It's soooo good. I've been putting it in my oatmeal in the mornings and I'm hooked haha!

-funny highlight: When someone is learning English (or any language), you are always presented with opportunities to choose between laughing or becoming frustrated with the process. Life is so much better when you choose to laugh! :) This week Sister Wu was trying to describe a person's name from the Book of Mormon that she wanted to tell me about. She typed something into Google translate to help, and the word that came up in English was "small". She was trying to describe a particular prophet. I was SO confused. She thought very hard and was finally able to remember the name was "small Alma" ...I was still confused. Then, it fiiinally clicked and I realized she was talking about Alma the Younger!!! hahaha! It was sooo funny :) Apparently in Mandarin they call him "small Alma". We got a great laugh out of it!

-2nd funny highlight: Also, the other day Sister Wu and I were studying the names of holidays in English. We got talking about Christmas in America vs Taiwan. She said in Taiwan, when you get "older" (not a kid anymore), you don't get any presents at all (you just never get presents anymore and that's that). I was so surprised! I clarified to make sure I understood correctly that "you don't get presents once you're not a teenager anymore??" Her response was unintentionally legendary to me, and classic Asian haha... "No, we just eat chicken." She was so straight faced and serious when she said it. I'm not sure why it hit my funny bone so much, but boy do Asians like their food (especially chicken)!!
In all seriousness though, it's been neat to learn so much about Asian culture. I remember before I knew where I would be serving my mission I kept feeling like I would serve somewhere "Asian". That feeling was definitely right! I'm fascinated by the different cultures and I hope I can really click with the hearts of these precious children of God.

-This week Jennifer (the woman we met a few weeks ago at the VC who wants to be baptized) will be returning to Hawaii for work, and she's planning on visiting the VC again so that we can teach her in preparation to be baptized! We need your prayers that she'll continue to feel the truthfulness of our message💙 I'm super excited!

Well, I can't wait to get to skype with you in T-5 days!!! Let me know if there are any particular questions you have. Love you lots!
Keep smiling!
Sister Flake

One of my MTC VC teachers came to Hawaii this week! She served here about 2 1/2 years ago. It's fun to see how I've grown since being taught by her.

This is Tom at his baptism! He is one of my TC contacts requesting a Bible. Woohoo, I'm so happy for him!

Sis Wu's debut brownie making experience was a success!

Meet the Liews! Newly married and just moved into our ward! They are the sweetest couple❤ She's Korean and he's Malaysian.

Each month the senior couple sisters make a birthday treat to celebrate all of the bdays that month. Today we celebrated the May birthdays!!! Woohooooo best bday month ever!! This has been my fav treat so far... what a tender mercy! (sometimes the previous ones had nuts...)

Making muumuu ties at the Busenbarks!! Happy pday!

I need to be taught how to tie a tie again... My knot was shameful hahaha

Guess who I ran into at the VC this week??! Tanner and Hannah! Tanner was in my YSA ward at USU last year! These two got married a few months ago.

I didn't have the chance to write about them in my group email, but I wanted to because they were so special! The Spirit was so strong as we taught them about forever families and invited them to prepare to be sealed. They are planning on being baptized May 26. Wow, they were so cool!

This is Orwa and his family, the ones from Israel! They were sooooooo special!!!!

they had THE cutest kids...