Transfer news!

October 16, 2017

Last week was super great because we got to go to the temple and do a session. It was really great and felt like a spiritual renewal. We also enjoyed seven brothers afterward...they are famous for their burgers.

This week we were able to do better about talking to people and sharing a message with them. We even found a super nice chuukese lady that said we could come back. We went back on Saturday and found out that her husband is a member and they have 3 kids. We were able to teach all of them about the restoration. They also speak and understand english really well. So we got 4 new investigators which was really exciting after not really having any the past few weeks.

We also were able to participate in a Just serve project. We helped with the land they had for the Haiau. There were a bunch of taro patches in water, logs to be moved from a tree that was cut down, and mulch to be moved to different areas. We mostly helped with scooping the mulch and putting it into the wheelbarrows...it was hard work! We also helped organize the logs that were moved that they put around an area or palm trees. It was a great experience!

We received transfer news this week and I am being transferred to Honolulu! I have mixed feelings... I didn't really tell anyone except Bishop and Bro.Long before sacrament. But they ended up singing to me and of course I broke down after standing up by the pulpit for like 2 seconds! But it was cute because some girls came up and gave me a lei and a hug. Bishop also talked to me a little and told me to come back and marry a local boy! Then a bunch of the ward members came up and said bye. It was so sad! I'm really going to miss them! And somehow a lot of them had leis... But it was really sweet. I love the hawaiian ways. I was able to take a few pictures with members after church.

It was really cool after church because we were able to visit quite a few people that we haven't been able to see in a while.

My new companion is Sister Ogawa. She is from Japan. I went on exchanges with her my first transfer here. It will be awesome. She has served in Honolulu before so it will be great!

Aloha,

Sister Heath

Temple day with Kaneohe Zone

Driving back from the temple with Sister Kwok and Sister Mousley

With Sister Sampaio

With Brother and Sister Davis

With the Brother and sister Long

with Ola

I love Kaneohe!

October 10, 2017

Well this week was pretty good!

We went to Boots and Kimo's last p-day...a restaurant that is famous for their Macadamia Nut sauce on their Banana Pancakes. It was pretty good!

We were also able to play glow putt with some of the elders. I had a good time but a few people got a little frustrated...haha

We were able to meet with an investigator after like a month and we were able to teach him longer than 20 minutes like the last time. He is very intelligent. It went well but he likes things very planned out so he wouldn't be able to come to church but he said he will read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true. He also shared something what Sister Lybbert and I liked: No one wants to die young, no one wants to die old, the trick is to die young as old as possible.

We also had the opportunity to do service at Pearl Harbor which is always a good time and it is interesting to learn about what some of the people went through!

We were able to finally see some less actives members that I haven't seen in a long time or met since I've been here so that was really great!

We also had an activity where we did a walk through teaching about the Plan of Salvation. Sadly no investigators came but our stake president spoke about how the members need to do better about helping with the missionary work so that was nice.

I have a testimony of prayer especially this week where I encountered things that I realized I couldn't conquer on my own. As I prayed for help and strength I knew my prayer was heard because I felt help right away. I know that we can pray for help no matter how big or small. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are there to help always.

Love,

Sister Heath

Glow putt

 Sister Lybbert and I in the jail on the Missouri at Pearl Harbor

 The view after our morning run...I love Kaneohe!

My cool walnut I talked about a few weeks ago...can you spot Buddha?

End with a Spiritual High

October 2, 2017

Last p-day was really fun. We went to sea life park with some other missionaries. We were able to enjoy the sea turtles, sea lions, feeding the birds, and watching the amazing dolphin shows! We had a blast!

On Wednesday after we had interviews we took our car in to get our oil changed so we didn't have the car for an hour and a half so we walked. It turned out really great. We met this guy that just broke down when we started talking to him. He is having a really hard time and doesn't feel like he has any true friends. So we shared our testimonies especially about how God loves him and gave him a restoration pamphlet. He didn't want to give us his number so we gave him ours. But he lives in a different town and says he sees the Elders so hopefully they can start teaching him! But it was definitely a tender moment. We were able to talk to quite a few people walking around which is something that we have been struggling with hence the plateau of missionary work...so it was nice for a change.

We also had zone conference this week which was really great as always. We had some great training from President and Sister Bekker and our Zone leaders. I also had the opportunity to give the talk that I wrote about strengthening the level of our faith. I spoke about how we need to always be doing things that will exercise our faith and pushing ourselves. Like praying for opportunities to share the gospel and then acting on them.

We also had exchanges which was really fun. I was with Sister Sperry and she is great. We got to watch conference at the stake center and some wonderful ward members provided breakfast and lunch after each session! I really enjoyed conference! Especially President Nielsen's talk on the Book of Mormon. If presented with the Book of Mormon or rubies and diamonds which would you choose? The man in the story he shared said the Book of Mormon was worth more than rubies and diamonds. I love the Book of Mormon so much and the knowledge we have because of it!

We also had the opportunity to attend a Musical Fireside where a very talented family performed beautiful Hawaiian songs and hymns. It was really special.

Love,

Sister Heath

Sister Lybbert and I after Zone Conference (can you spot the temple?)

Green Sea Turtle at Sea Life Park

Penguin named Walter

 Feeding and talking to the birds

 It's on my head!

Aloha!

September 25, 2017

This week wasn't too eventful but it was still good. We were able to teach Tu'i another lesson before he gets baptized. He is really sweet and we were able to bring two people from our ward. One young woman sister and her brother who is Tu'i's age. So it was fun for them to be there together. We were also able to give a children's Book of Mormon and he was really excited to get a new book to read and he said he is going to finish it really quick. So we will find out how far he has gotten tomorrow.

We were also able to teach some sisters that we were able to ask if they wanted to learn more...One of them has been taught in the past. It was a good visit but there is only one problem...they are a softball family and one of the girls has games every Sunday :( so we will see if things will change...

We were also able to go on visits with the Relief Society which was fun. I was able to go with Sister Sampaio and she is really good with talking to people and relating to them. I was like I just want to bring you everywhere with me! We visited some less actives to give them information and to update ours.

One of the highlights of this week was the General Women's session of conference. We had a stake get together. We had dinner and then watch the broadcast. It was really nice. The talks that were given were so good. We can always use a reminder of our worth and that we need to let our light shine.

I know that this gospel is true and when we share it with others and are an example to them we can strengthen our testimony. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to constantly share my testimony with others. Even if it is about something small that I know to be true.

Much aloha!

Sister Heath

 License plate...only in hawaii..."Shootz"

Sun shining down in Kaneohe 

New companion, new week

September 18, 2017

This week was really good! 

Sister Mousley and I had weathered the crazy downpour we had last monday. We were walking out of the mall and we only had one umbrella. We were getting soaked, wading through water, and laughing hysterically. Sister Mousley was holding the umbrella so my right side was soaked! haha It was an adventure! We visited members that night so Sister Mousley could say goodbye.

On Tuesda,y we went to transfer meeting and I met my new companion Sister Lybbert. I also was able to see some other missionaries I haven't seen so that was fun. Especially Sister Tailleur it was so fun to see her! We also had to say goodbye to Sister Modolon who went home :( 

Sister Lybbert and I had a good first day together. We were able to have some good lessons. One of them is a boy we have been wanting to teach since his grandmother passed away (on the day we were originally going to start teaching him...so sad and unexpected) We had their home teachers there and his mom and grandpa were there. His name is Tu'i and he is 9 years old. He is really sweet. We taught about the Plan of Salvation and it went really well. He wants to be baptized which is great. We invited them to come to church. They even had dinner for us afterward which was great!

Sister Lybbert is really good about trying to learn the area and she remembers thing pretty well.

We also had a great lesson with Fran we taught the restoration and found out she was a member. But it was really good and needed because I think she has been away for so long she has forgotten things. She was able to feel the spirit and was reminded that this is the true church (She said that as we were teaching her and we were like she is a golden investigator and then we found out she is a member and we were like oh, that makes sense, she has the holy ghost..haha) But I think it will be great re-activating her and helping her family who aren't members.

We also did some service this week helping clean and rearrange which was good. One of the houses really needs decluttering and cleaning so it is satisfying helping with that. 

We also met this really nice man named Phil, he is less-active and no longer believes in God sadly but he still was very kind and talked to us. He was an architect so we were able to see some of his great work. He also has traveled a lot and has some very cool pieces from around the world. Like some cabinets from china that have carved patterns with jade and granite. Before we left he gave us these really cool walnuts that are carved from Hong Kong with the soldiers on them and Buddha. It was really nice of him especially because we just met him.

On Sunday, we had church and it was good and at one point of the meeting I look over and see Tu'i and his family sitting and I was so excited so I told Sister Lybbert. We were so happy they came! There were quite a few people at church and I had a good time talking to them and introducing Sister Lybbert to everyone. I realized how much I love our ward.

That's about it for the week!

Aloha,

Sister Heath

Sister Bowen and I at transfer meeting (My MTC comp)

Sister Lybbert and I

 Have you seen Maze Runner? Ya I destroyed the mechanical spider...(We ate at a member's house for dinner and the husband is a metal worker. He made this for his daughter's Halloween costume last year and a leather vest and the actor contacted her and said that her costume was on point! So cool!)

Child of record baptism for Ethan :)

The witness comes after the trial of your faith

September 11, 2017

Aloha Friends and Family,

This week was pretty good. For last p-day we were low key and just stuck around the house. It was kind of nice.

On Tuesday we had district meeting and we talked about having an eye of faith how that leads us to being anxiously engaged and that leads to urgency. We are trying to have more urgency as we share the gospel with everyone we come across. It was a good reminder.

That night we had dinner with Sister Sampaio and Morris. We went to a really good Thai food place. It was a lot more fancy than I anticipated. We had the Chef's special soup to start, then we had really good fish cake for the appetizer. Then we shared a few things for the entree. The yellow chicken curry was my favorite, it was sooo good! The chef even came out and talked to us and shared a unique mango with us. I think he called it a White Puria or something... apparently it only grows on the big island. It was really sweet and good even though I'm not a big fan of mangos. We had coconut cream ice cream for dessert which was really good.

Sadly, our investigator with a date, Molly has not been feeling good all week so we haven't been able to have a lesson with her. She is having aches and pains and sickness...it's so sad. She is pretty independent so we have asked her several times if she wants a priesthood blessing. She doesn't really reject it but she doesn't accept it either. But we went by a few times to visit which was good and we got to talk to her husband that isn't active. We were hoping he would listen in on lessons but he said he's been there done that... I'm hoping it will change though.

We experienced some more interesting people this week. This guy was just going on about our church and how we needed to do our research. He wouldn't really let us talk but this time I tried to share my testimony but he kind of shot it down. I felt like I did my best and moved on. 

We were able to find one new investigator this week which was really exciting. We were looking for a less-active member but he had moved so this girl named JoGina answered the door. She was super sweet and told us that he moved. But she was like do you want to share a message with us and we were like yes. So we sat down and taught her about the restoration. She told us how her family goes over to her relatives house a few minutes away for dinner and the sisters usually share a message. So that was super cool that she has already had experiences with the missionaries. And her grandma was a member and she was really close to her. Sadly she passed away a few years ago. But she was really nice so we will see how this week goes. 

We are trying this new things where the sister training leaders come to our area for an hour and we go on splits to visit people. I was excited because I found out I was going with Sister Modolon (my grandma in the mission). Sadly when the time came we were only able to do it for 15 minutes but it was still really fun to be with her. She is awesome, especially talking to everyone. And she is going home tomorrow! So sad but I'm glad I was able to do that with her.

We also were able to finally meet and have a lesson with one of our investigators Tommy. He is in his 60's. He super nice but really laid back and doesn't like to make appointments or plans. But we had a lesson where we sat down and read the Book of Mormon and talked about the restoration instead of just standing at his door. He has a strong belief in God, was raised Catholic but doesn't really go to church. We asked him to continue reading the Book of Mormon and come to church and be baptized. But of course he doesn't like making plans so he has to think about it. But I felt like it was a really good lesson.

Saturday night we got transfer news and it surprised Sister Mousley and I. I am staying and Sister Mousley is transferred to Kaneohe 1st ward! She will still be in my zone! Crazy! My new companions name is Sister Lybbert and I will meet her tomorrow.

Church was really good. Once again no investigators came but Brother Kishida came which was great. We had a really good lesson in Sunday school about our different roles as members of the church. We are soldiers-fighting for right, athletes-we keep enduring and we be the best we can always striving to be better, and farmers-planting and sowing the seed and having the faith that it will grow and cutting out the bad and replacing it with the good. 

That's about it for the week!

Love,

Sister Heath

Sister Mousley and I loving our plumeria flowers

Quick splits with Sister Sorenson and Modolon

Ups and Downs, All Arounds!

August 28, 2017

Hello everybody!

So last week for p-day we planned to play tennis but of course we didn't think about the weather in Kaneohe which has been rain mostly. So we weren't able to play. We ended up playing a little basketball which was fun. We also played volleyball which was good too.

That night we tried to visit a few potential investigators but sadly they weren't home but I realized for most of them we met their wives which I though was funny...

We had exchanges this week which was super fun. I was companions with Sister Sorenson again which was really fun. She's my favorite! It was pretty fun at their pad too because there is 2 other  sisters that live there as well. We get along super well and she is just so cute and loving. But sadly almost all the people we tried to visit weren't home :( But we were able to have dinner with a member which was good. We also had an appointment with a family and it was super crazy because when we walked in I recognized the grandma. I was like no way this is the same family that we are teaching in Kaneohe! (The family we visited is the sister in law of who we are teaching) It was pretty crazy! Oh we also talked to this guy that was waiting for the bus, he seemed like he was homeless. But it was funny because he's like I have so much to tell you and he just told us about all these random things and how he lived in the forest for 10 years and killed a lot of centipedes.. It was an interesting conversation...At one point he told me that I had a weird expression on my face...oops! haha

We were also able to do service for a less active member this week. We helped move dressers, rearrange, and clean. It was pretty fun plus I like organizing and seeing things go from cluttered and dirty to clean and organized. She was really grateful for our help which was good.

Sadly this week we had some opposition. One of our investigators lives outside of a family's house and helps them out. We've been teaching him for a few weeks now. But this week the lady that owns the house and kind of was questioning us and was very contentious about it. She left and came back a few times and so we would resume to teaching. But she pointed out her no soliciting sign and threatened to call the cops or something. She was asking us what we needed to do and we were like would you like us to leave and she was like ya, you aren't true missionaries because you don't know the Lord's prayer and Joseph Smith is an anti-Christ. So we awkwardly left. Our investigator said he would read the pamphlet but it's sad because we can't really jeopardize his living situation. Also, the phone number he gave us he never answers... But I know everything happens for a reason so we will see...

We were able to visit with the recent convert that moved to our ward and we read the book of mormon with her. It was really good and she has this Book of Mormon made easy which had some really cool insights...it basically explains things in more detail. She is super awesome.

We also did service on Saturday. We painted curbs for a retirement home and that was good too.

Well that's about it!

I know this gospel is true and your testimony will grow as you live it!

Aloha,

Sister Heath

Stoked about our Lula Rue leggings from a sister in our ward