This week has been awesome! We found 3 new potential people we can teach! This Saturday was our ward activity, Taupos Got Talent. My companion and I did our best to invite as much people, but it was a small group who came. It was still very fun and spiritual. Nonmembers came and they enjoyed themselves as well. We performed with the Relief Society, doing a simple Hawaiian piece. The Elders did a comedic act, ventriloquism. And the Tokoroa Elders did Napoleon Dynamite dance, all though no one got the reference because no one knows who Napoleon Dynamite is here Haha. This week we really worked on strengthening the members in the ward while receiving referrals from them, we also went through old areabook record papers from past Elders 2 years ago. We were able to find more people to teach by doing so. I've been able to see the Lord's hands more and more, especially this week. He has softened many hearts and prepared people to accept our message. I'm forever grateful for him. Hope all is well wherever you are. Oh it was also Anzac day! We were poppies and where able to speak to more people because of the holidays!
Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi

Kia Ora Whanau!
This past week was transfers! Guess what? I'm still in beautiful Taupo.. but Sister Toi left me and was replaced by another Tongan companion, Sister Sapoi! All my 3 companions so far are Tongan. Which is amazing because I get to continue drinking otai and eating Chopsuey. And I get to continue learning the Tongan language. Fefehake eh? Saipe, Malo opīto. Ofa lahi atu eh! Haha! Sister Sapoi is very sweet and calm, unlike Sister Toi who did most of the talking with spazz. So Sister Sapoi and I will definitely improve on our conversation skills this transfer, we have no choice haha.

We stayed the weekend in Turangi and helped out in the Branch's Easter Program. I loved it, the spirit was so strong. I love our Savior and celebrating His Atonement. We are so blessed to know what happens after death and how we can return to live with Him. He is amazing. One of the people we are teaching, Marie, sang in sacrament as part of the program. The spirit was very strong, she just needs help recognizing the spirit. We also did an Easter egg hunt for a less active family, in the chapel! Just so they can feel the spirit there and we shared a message on Christ also.

For pday today we went on a walk to see a huge tree and bought a whole bunch of groceries because my tongan companion says "why is there no food in this flat" but we have food. But not enough apparently Haha. Stay warm, I love you all!

Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi

Sister Sapoi

Kia ora whanau!
This week we had exchanges. My companion went to Rotorua, and I stayed in Taupo with a different sister, Sister Tuwai. Sister Tuwai is from Fiji and she is hilarious. Her nickname is Sister Stories because she tells so many stories from her village in Fiji, like riding on banana trees or getting hidings with all her cousins. We visited a Fijian woman, Bubu Viri and ended up doing service for her (gardening). Bubu Viri also had her great nephew, Jack, staying with her who's from England which was really cool because he had never met missionaries before. I love doing service because we are teaching by example and it's a great finding opportunity. It also can soften hearts for them in the future if they aren't ready to hear the gospel now. We were able to share a little bit with Jack and hopefully when he meets missionaries back in England, he'll accept the message they share. Christ served wherever he went; healing, ministering, raising the dead, etc. He said in 3 Nephi:
     
 "..verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works(service) which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

So I challenge you this week to go out of your way to serve someone, let them see and feel the pure love of Christ!

Anyways, this week we also met a bulldog named Milo who had puppies, hiked on pday to Taranaki Falls, and got a tshirt from my Chickfila family back in Utah! It says This girl runs on Jesus and Chickfila! I love it!

Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi

Sister Tuwai

Milo the Bulldog

Taranaki Falls

Kia Ora Whanau,

  We taught Sela the law of chastity this week, the next day she told us that she wants to get married to her partner! We were so happy! We also taught her the Word of Wisdom and she understood and is committed to keep it. She said she is ready to be baptized but wants her fiance to baptize her and he needs to sort out some things first. So now we are trying to help him get back on track, he's less active. I love seeing them change and come closer to Christ!
 Jodie had been reading these Book of Mormon and has been progressing a lot. She loves the stories and learning more about faith. We read with her Ether 12 and some of Alma 32 and she loved it. She wants to be baptized, but wants to learn more first!
  I fixed my 'sleepy' problem. I just get up and go straight in the shower, and then I'm just awake for the whole day. I usually shower at night. But I always had a problem of feeling tired throughout the day, so this little change actually helped a lot. I dont know why it took me two transfers to figure this out. Heavenly Father answers prayers so simply.
I can't wait to listen to General conference! It's like Christmas for missionaries. I know this church is true! Anyways, I love you all!

  Arohanui,
  Sister Wihongi