Pukete, Hamilton

Well. This week was a rollercoaster.  It was transfer week and Sister Meto and I recieved news that we would be in a trio! But the day before actual transfers, we received a call in the evening about some change of news... I will  be training while Whitewashing an area! That means I have a daughter! And will be serving in a new area with my new companion. When I received the news, I was actually shocked and a little frightened and excited! This was crazy! I had to pack everything that night and say goodbye to families in Nawton that I grew close to within those 6 weeks of being there. I love Nawton so much, I'll miss it.

Well, my companion was unexpected & was still flying to New Zealand. I was waiting for her to arrive at 6pm but... I received another interesting call saying that I would actually be going on a roadtrip with my Mission President up to Auckland to pick up my companion at the airport!! President and Sister Erekson and another missionary couple and I started heading to Auckland, we stopped at Pokenos for ice cream as well! They said that I was spoiled that day and it truly felt like it Haha. Well, I picked up my companion, Sister Raymond! She is a funny, spiritual, proud Idahonian! She's so perfect and so genuine. I admit I was scared at first, but Heavenly Father had comforted and helped me so much these past couple days. We were able to get return appointments with a nonmember and less active families already. The ward is amazing and so loving. When we moved to our new flat, we had no food and no money. Other missionaries dropped off some food for us AND Grandpa Pat and Aunty Jaz came to church on sunday and dropped off some goodies as well. That was a huge blessing and I love them so much. <3  I had no need to fear in the first place. I thank Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ for always being there for me, and for sending support through other people as well.  I know They are always there for you as well. You have do not need to be afraid of high expectations, the future, or of messing up. Because you are not alone!

Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi

Tomorrow we hear transfer news and it will be my 6th transfer! How time flies. I love it here in Nawton and with my lil cute companion. I hope we will have another transfer together here in Nawton, hopefully my companion feels the same way... haha. This week we went to the Church History Museum with Kevin, he is the one who is set for September 14th. It was fun and he was amazed being able to see his Fijian culture in it and learning more about the restored church coming to the islands. At the end, we watched Ask of God (The new Restoration video) in the theater. It was fun and Kevin is so excited to have the fulness of the gospel be part of his life. He has a childlike excitement that is fun to see. His Fiance helps him a lot and they've been reading the Book of Mormon together, they both are waiting for the day they can enter into the temple :') This week we spent lots of time with the members and they are going to prepare for a fireside to boost them in confidence for their missionary work. We will be helping them and being a part of it. We had our last district council with our lil tiny district that has only four missionaries. My companion and I & my District Leader and his companion. Haha, it's so funny because thankfully, every week the Zone Leaders or the AP's come and crash our district council and our District Leader always says, "Sorry sisters, looks like we won't be having our double date today." And we all just laugh and look at each other awkwardly. I sang a duet at a training, I am a Child of God in Maori. We've been having meals with members almost everyday this week, my companion and I just only drink smoothies when we are at home. It's been great, I love being a full-time servant of the Lord. I love the fulness of the gospel, I love the Book of Mormon, I love my Father in Heaven and my brother Jesus Christ. They live and this is true!
Arohanui!
Sister Wihongi

Kia Ora Whanau
This week was full of miracles!!!!
First miracle was Kevin. He is a nonmember who stays with a member family. He has taken the discussions with past missionaries but wasn't very into them. We have been trying to get an appointment with him for weeks. Every time we set one, it would fall through. Until one night he messaged us randomly saying that he wants to take the discussions again, every night, starting the next day. So, the next day we came over for our first lesson, I walked into the living room and he was sitting on the couch with a big smile on his face. He then told us that He wants to get baptized in September! (It was going to the 20th but he just told us he wants it sooner on the 14th!)  That was so unexpected and the best surprise ever! We then had the lesson on the Restoration because he wanted to start from the beginning again. It was the most spiritual lesson. When we told him about Joseph Smith and how he had the question of why there are so many churches and which one is true, Kevin related to him very well. He was amazed and told us, "Wow. I used to make fun of the 'mormon' missionaries because they believed in Joseph Smith. Now I'M the one who believes and relates to him!" The family he lives with (The Bennette family) sat in the lesson as well and shared their experiences which brought the spirit in more strongly. Kevin has gone to so many churches prior to this one & his grandparents are strong Pentecostal. We taught him the importance of having the priesthood and the fullness of the gospel in the Book of Mormon. Best. lesson. ever.
The next day we came over and we asked him what he thought about the night before and the Restoration. He told us that it was amazing and that he could hardly breathe the whole time we were teaching! We then taught the Plan of Salvation and He asked such amazing questions, that I wouldn't have even thought of! It was another great one and the family learned things they never knew before too! He then told us that the Book of Mormon is like an "upper cut" to the face. Haha! Everything that he reads answers his questions or gives him more knowledge of our Savior.

The second Miracle was Phoenix's baptism! Phoenix is a 10 yr old boy that I've only taught a few lessons too. His baptism would always post-pone and we could just see Satan working so hard on him and his family. Their care broke down this week and they were stressed to the max! We kept visiting them every day, sorted out rides from the members, prayed with them everytime, let's just say lots and lots of tears were shed throughout the week. I had exchanges this week and took a different Sister to go see them. She shared a scripture in Ether 2. The story of the Brother of Jared and how he asked Heavenly Father how they are going to steer the barges when they had no way to steer them, and the Lord said that He will prepare a way before them through the crashing waves. Phoenix's really parents needed to hear that.

It was a lovely yet unique baptism. It was so cute, Phoenix came out of the water with a huge smile and the word, "Wow!" He also bore his testimony, simple and powerful.

I am so thankful for Heavenly Father's hand in Kevin's and Phoenix's life. I'm so grateful for His love for them. I know He loves each of you so much, and He is there for us when the waves of life come crashing down on us. He has prepared a way for us to escape the depths of the sea, that we may one day return into His loving arms. Each morning as I wake up, my heart is full that I am an instrument in the hands of God to bring souls to repentance; and this is my joy. All Glory to God!

Best week in Nawton!!! It was my companion's first time seeing snow!

Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi