Sister Flake's Mission Blog: The Book of Mormon Brings Clarity

Aloha Ohana!

Holy guacamole, how have I already been on my mission for 10 MONTHS?!?!! It has gone by so fast. I'm trying to soak soak soak it in!! This transfer Heavenly Father has allowed me see so much of the growth and improvement I've made since beginning my mission. This time has really been a refining experience for me.

-Funny highlight: We had interviews with President Bekker this week, and he asked us to bring our study journals. Sister Wong was having a mini panic attack because she rarely writes in her study journal. She kept going on and on about how scared she was, until Sister Yamaji, her respectful, well-mannered, keep-to-herself, sweet companion, said "it's not the final judgement!" I got a good laugh out of that haha, it was fun to see Sister Yamaji's personality come through a little bit😄 I sure love serving with sisters from so many places around the world!!

-GUESS WHAT. I found out this week that there's ANOTHER SISTER FLAKE coming to serve at the visitors center here!!! She'll be here by the end of this year! The Flakes are taking over the Laie VC, next Hawaii, and then the world!😉 Jk, I'm super excited to come to love her though😊

-Okay, there were SO MANY prepared people I talked to online this week, but there's no time to talk about them all!😢 Just know they were all amazing💕 I just want to share a little bit about a 19-year-old girl from Michigan who I met in the VC. She said she got caught up in a lot of unimportant things in High School, and is trying to essentially figure out what life is all about now. She's been traveling lots, and has become a lot more spiritual--she's been naturally drawn to that in her seeking. She really opened up about questions she has, things she's learned, and how she felt at the temple. A large part of our conversation centered on the CLARITY the Book of Mormon brings! With all of her questions and concerns, I could sincerely promise her that the Book of Mormon can help her find clear answers and peace. She is so excited to read it now, and I'm so excited for her!!! It was a really special experience. It made me reflect upon the clarity that the Book of Mormon has brought me, and how thankful I am for it's guiding influence towards Christ. Also, either the Lord is sending cooler and cooler people to the VC, or else my capacity to love is increasing/expanding, because I felt so much love in my heart for this special girl. Sometimes I feel like the Grinch, and my heart has grown 3 sizes! I'm so thankful.

I love all the awesome people I get to meet!

-We got to do a BEAUTIFUL hike this morning. It was Hauula Loop, a 2.5 mile hike. It's SO COOL because throughout the hike we walked through what seemed to be at least 3 or 4 completely different countries/states because of how different the trees and plants are at various stages of the hike. Some were pine trees, some palm trees, some jungly-looking trees, and so on. I absolutely love getting to enjoy the beauty of Hawaii. This is one special place! Definitely is a hike we'll go on when we come back after my mission!

Pday group!❤ (see more hike pictures at the end)

-Zone conference yesterday was A M A Z I N G as always. It was very focused on how important our attitude is. Attitude is everything! Happiness really is a choice. It's entirely up to us. We are here to experience a wide range of emotions, yes, but only dwell on discouragement and imperfections long enough to be motivated by them👍 Choose happiness!😃😃😃

-I feel like many things in the gospel are counter intuitive. After all, we do know that God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and God's ways are not our ways. (Isaiah 55:8) The world says "how does thinking you're 'nothing' and an 'unworthy creature' allow you to always rejoice??" (see Mosiah 4:11) Well, when we fast, for example, we realize more clearly how weak we are. But there are so many scriptures that talk about how joyful fasting is. I don't know about you, but previously when I would fast I would mostly be focused on how hungry I was, rather than having it be a spiritual experience. On my mission I've learned much more about the purpose and power of fasting. Fasting helps me remember that I can't do it on my own. This causes me to "greatly rejoice" though, when I remember that I have a Savior, and if I depend on Him, I can do anything! Who wouldn't be ecstatic to know they've got a Savior?! Like Sister Morse knows, I just get so excited about the gospel!!!! Get excited about it! Be happy! "Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

Well, sorry for the somewhat jumbled email today, I didn't have as much time to organize my thoughts about the week. Know that I'm happy and well, and LOVING every day!

Love the pace of life God has given you. Find joy in whatever circumstances you may be in! Keep smiling😊

Sister Flake