It's raining Geckos

Here's a wooden tag I had a missionary order for me from from the big island❤

Aloha ohana!

Wow this week zoomed by!!!
-I just wanted to take a second to have a companion appreciation moment haha. I am soooo grateful for Sister Taufa! She's helped me a lot this week to not overthink things or take things personally. She is always cheering me on, and she has so much love in her heart. I'm slowly understanding how important your companion is! Rely on the Savior and on them😊

-Funny moment: Sister Taufa sent a referral for someone who spoke the language "hakha". We called the local missionaries after sending the referral to explain more. When she said the man spoke hakha, the Elder confidently said, "No way! I think that's what they speak in the pacific islands!!! I think it's like a chant or something before rugby games too!!" Sister Taufa was DYING of laughter because hakha is actually a language spoken in southeast asia, NOT the language of New Zealand hahaha. But hey, I'm sure if I hadn't served my mission in the islands I'd think it was a language too😁

Also, this morning when I opened the screen door to walk outside for exercise something fell on me from above our front door. It startled me because I had no idea what it was!! It jumped from my shoulder down to my leg, where I could finally see what it was... it was a GECKO hahaha! Gecko's are falling from the sky here... I'm just glad it wasn't a cane spider👀

-Last Thursday we took two couples through the video 'God's Plan' at the VC. After the video we were talking to them. We had a wonderful conversation where many hearts were touched. We asked them what advice they would give to us, and the first thing one of the mom's said was "don't be hard on yourself. God isn't." It was a tender mercy to be reminded of God's true nature. Yes, He is just. He wants us to be obedient. But He does not expect us to be perfect. He simply expects us to do the best we can at this point in our lives 😊 Easier said than applied.

-Also, the new Sister Flake is my fourth cousin! It goes back to William Jordan Flake (she is through Joel, then Dennis). It's fun to have two sister Flake's!

Sister Flake x2!

-MLC was awesome! We will no longer be fed by Church members, but we will provide our own meals. There are a lot of details to come with that, but the purpose is 1) so that we can find more people to teach (5-7 pm is prime finding time because families are home and together), and 2) so that members don't feed the missionaries and then check off "the box" for missionary work for the month (instead of feeding us we hope they will share the gospel with their friends, or have us do so!). I'm excited to see the blessings that come from this change! 😃

Lunch at MLC

MLC. Here is Sister Hoffman, I look up to her as a missionary. She's a hard worker! Full field sis

"aa-aa-aaa... watch out for that tree!"

-Yesterday I was doing a role play on shift at the VC with Sisters Kim and Malan (Sister Malan is new). I was evaluating with Sister Malan afterwards, and while so doing, a couple walked into the VC. I welcomed them and Sister Malan joined me. We took Mark and Sue from New York around the VC and had an incredibly spiritual time with them. It was neat because I felt like I was able to be an instrument in God's hands to somewhat "demonstrate" several principles I have learned about VC work in the past year. I am by no means perfect, but I do know God worked through me to help Sister Malan feel encouraged and uplifted. We felt the Spirit incredibly strong with this couple, especially as we testified of the BOM. Sister Malan shared that the BOM is the whole reason she left her family for 18 months to come serve a mission. She is already such a powerful missionary! I am grateful to serve with her.

Sister Malan and I had an AWESOME tour with Sue and Mark from upstate NY!

-Sister Taufa and I have been assigned to serve in the Hauula 2nd ward now! Woohoo! The areas are kind of still under revision, but for now we are moving forward with taking over this ward that the Elders previously covered. We are suuuper pumped to serve there! In Laie, about 9 out of 10 people are members of the Church. In Hauula it's more like 1 out of 5 people. Our geographical area is HUGE too. It goes all the way down to Kualoa ranch (20-25 min drive). Billy, a man the Elders taught, is actually getting baptized this Saturday, so we are super pumped about that! Lots of work to be done in this area😊 It's an interesting challenge we have with balancing all of the aspects of our work. We tried to make sure we still had adequate time online as well this week. I talked to a super sweet woman on TC yesterday named Tiffany, from Texas. She is a mom of three young kids and really is in need of strength from the Lord. We connected really well, and I was actually able to conference call the sister missionaries in her town in, and they set up an apt for today! (technology is seriously sooooo cool!!!) We called the Sisters separately and they said this was an answer to their prayers. They have felt ALL week this week that God was preparing a family for them to teach, but they hadn't found anyone yet. They were so grateful to us for sending them a family who is open and prepared to hear their message. God is mindful of each of us individually!

-A few more random things: The Allens took us STLs out to eat at Outback Steakhouse after MLC. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know them better. They truly are incredible instruments in God's hands. It was fun to learn more about their lives.

After dinner at Outback

Love these girls! ps the ocean harbor is right behind us

Sister Taufa and I got to hold the Del Cid's ADORABLE little puppy on Saturday after our meeting with Brother Del Cid (the ward mission leader of L2). He was the cutest little puppy around 🐶😍
We tried some Acai bowls in Haleiwa and then drove over to Turtle bay to watch the waves for pday. Boy oh boy I love Hawaii! The waves are getting bigger this time of year.

Acai bowls at Bonzai Bowl in Haleiwa

Yum yum! (and way overpriced hahah)

We had an early Thanksgiving dinner with some members of the H2 ward. They are so giving and loving, and took us in like their own! I'm thankful for the blessings God's given us in abundance, especially our freedom to worship as we choose.

Sister Brown is in the middle holding her grandbaby

Thanksgiving dinner at the Brown's home

Well, we get to see Elder Cook this Saturday! Pray that our special musical number will go well😊♫ We'll also be setting up the Christmas decor on Monday. WOOHOOOOOOOOO I love the Holiday season!🎄 I'll also have two exchanges this week with sister district leaders; I love exchanges!

I love you all so much. Keep smiling and love the pace of life God has given you this week❤
Sister Flake

Here are the Curtis's from L2