Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,
I heard the other day and then emailing my family today confirmed about the shooting back at home. I just want to take a moment to let you know that my prayers are with you. That even when bad things happen and we don't understand why; we can still find peace with our Savior, Jesus Christ. He suffered so we would never have to feel alone in our times of trial and weakness. With Him we can be made whole; we can feel peace within the storm. The hardest times in our lives are when we need Him the most and we must turn to Him with our broken heart and He will heal us. My heart broke too when I found out that one of the victims was someone I knew - it hit home a little bit more this time. Our hearts can be healed; because we are children of God and He made us and even when we break He can heal us and make us stronger. One thing I still know is that God is still good and Loves us and loves those that have gone as well.Aloha 'oe, aloha 'oe
One fond embrace, aho'i a'eau
We had to say farewell to Mark, he left for Alaska the other day. We taught him about the Word of Wisdom and my spirit rejoiced as we talked about how are bodies are temples and Heavenly Father knows what is best to put inside of them and things that are not so good. He agreed and then went further to look at his life and see how he could better apply the Word of Wisdom to make sure that he is always physically sound to better be able to hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I am just amazed at how much he has figured out and then when he hears about it as a commandment from Heavenly Father he has no problem believing and following it. He is excited to see his son and hopefully have the missionaries in Alaska start teaching him as well. I am sad that I wont see him anymore but happy that I could have known him.
Antoinette is back with date to be baptized on June 14. We were able to read some of the Book of Mormon. A little miracle when I feel like she finally understands why we need to read the Book of Mormon because it is our proof of what we say is true; it will bring the peace when everything else is falling apart; and it will bring us closer to our Savior.
Riza is a 9 year old girl and we are starting to teach her family. They are an amazing little family who has been through some tough trials but are so willing to listen. When ever we go over the mom lets the kids be kids for 10 minutes asking all sorts of questions but then she quiets them down and says its time for them to teach us. The last time that we taught them we had introduced them to the Book of Mormon and this time we were going to go over Joseph Smith and prophets. We start teaching and we get to the part where Joseph Smith goes into a grove of trees to pray and Riza jumps in and tells us what happened. She had been reading the Book of Mormon and is loving it! I was amazed at 1. she had read the Book of Mormon and 2. that she understood what it said (English is her 3rd language- she speaks Marshallese and Tagalog and now English).
As I reflect on the past week I realize I understand very little. I don't know why some people are given the challenges they are. To me some seem harder than others; why does someone face financial struggles while another tears herself down because of the actions of another. Why is life so hard sometimes? Why is this still bothering me; shouldn't I be better now? Why, why, why. We have so many questions that we don't always get specific answers to. One thing I do know, as I mentioned above is that Jesus Christ is the Master Healer. With my own strength I can do next to nothing. But as I turn to Him and give myself to Him, He makes me so much more. He whispers the words I need to say to comfort, reminds me of a scripture that answers their questions in a way that I didn't see; He opens my mind and I end up giving the same advice my mom gave me to another. I don't know a lot of the answers and I probably never will; but, I know where I can turn and that is enough. In Ether 12: 27 it reads, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." With Christ I am made strong and I love Him for that. I love you all! Te amo! Alofa iate oe! Mahal kita! Poake paoke yuk! Aishiteru! Narong secolm! Ofa atu! Yakwe yuk! Aloha wau ia oe!
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