Week 28- Another week!

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

 

Well, this week was a pretty normal week, with little miracles, times of frustration that are outweighed by the tender mercies where the Lord helps you learn to laugh. To start off, it is weird to be surrounded by so many other missionaries all the time. We seriously see other missionaries every day... from seeing them a total of 3 times prior to Makakilo and now every day. It's a little much but there are some benefits too.

 

Now for the most important part: the people.

 

We have been working with Brother Autele who is a less active member that is trying to come back to church. He is perfect, we have lessons with him every week and he basically teaches himself. Then I'm about to invite him to read the scriptures everyday as a family and he starts to tell us his daily routine of waking up at 3:30 and taking his kids running and then after their hour run they all grab their scriptures and read them together and discuss them as a family. Wow, ok can you keep doing that? He knows that he needs to be the leader in his family to help them all come back to church. Then he has talked with the Bishop about how he needs a calling. Why is he meeting with us? I love him though he is so happy and positive and just a joy to my day!

 

On Thursday, our District all went over to our Elders area and helped them knock doors for an hour. We ended up knocking on a door, the dogs were barking so she came outside, into this super sweet girl. Her name was Rizel and she said she would really like it if we could pay with her. We talk with her a bit and pray for her. At the end we invite her to learn more and be baptized. She said that she would! Amazing! We introduce her to the Book of Mormon, she loves to read and says she would read it. Then she asks where the church is. She is so great! We didn't see her at church but we gave her number to the Elders who live near her so that they can stay in touch with her!

 

Toilolo Ohana: they are a miracle to me because I feel homesick for Lanai a lot. And the Toilolos make me feel at home all the time. They truly care about the missionaries, they always welcome you in. Unfortunately, I'm still a guest so they won't let me help cook, serve, or clean the dishes. (I will have to break that barrier soon) They had us over for dinner again on Sunday and I love just sitting and playing with the kids. Then, their daughter-in-law, Virgina, taught me the basics of using a fire knife!!!! (how the fire dancers dance) It was so cool. Then, every Sunday, before we eat they all sit down and have a spiritual message. This week, we watched 2 mormon messages and yep I cried at the end of the 2nd (I think it was Mountains to Climb by Elder Erying). Then they had a mini testimony meeting where people could just share their thoughts. They have such a strong family and I love being with their family.

 

Saturday we had been invited to the Samoan Ward picnic and so we were there for the 2nd half of our day. Oh my, it was so much fun. Of course there was so much food and then all of the auxilararies performed some sort of talent. Mainly dancing or some sort of haka! Wow, I love hula and I'm going to learn more of it when I come home.

 

Prayer has been really helpful this week. Prayer has the amaizing ability to just calm me down, to remind me of the greater perspective. I continually have to pray for patience and I know that it has helped because there are situations where I have been able to hold my tongue (which is something I don't always do.) Prayer is my only option when I don't know what to do because I am never alone and I will always have Heavenly Father who will always listen and will always answer.

 

This week I'm grateful for cold showers, for fans, Advil, and my Samoan lava lava. I'm grateful for prayers, for families centered on Jesus Christ, and for hope that Jesus Christ provides. I'm grateful that sometimes things dont turn out the way we think they are supposed to. I'm grateful for eternal families and for the blessings of the temple. Especially as my brother is getting married for time and all eternity to his beautiful fiance. Be strong and carry on. Keep your chin up and when life gets too hard to stand, fall to your knees. I love you all! Te amor! Afa atu! Ete au mai! Aishiteru! Aloha wau ia oe!

 

Love Always,

     Sister Cassidy Jean Lang