Kia Ora Whanau,
I am going to be a little vulnerable and let you read my letter to President this week. (Is it because I'm too lazy to write a new letter? Maybe🤔..) but the experience i felt in the letter was a big one for me. And also, this will show you what i really feel at times which you don't really get to hear haha. But overall, I love my Father in Heaven and my Elder Brother Jesus Christ. Anyways, here it goes...

"Kia Ora president.
The highlight of this week was Exchanges. It was so cool being able to serve a bit in Temple View. I liked knowing more about my family connections, and for some reason it feels less scary talking to them. The sisters have a good connection with the members there and they get heaps of referrals too. What was cool was that i even got a referral to visit in my area from a member in temple view. Sister so-and-so was not feeling well at that time and we could only do so much, but it was nice to see the Sisters work hard and push each other to do better. They are awesome sisters. And i really really love Temple View.
This week we mostly worked in Tuhikaramea ward and visiting less actives. We noticed that we needed more people to teach in Bremworth park so we did some finding there the other day. We knocked on many doors and no new people, i was kind of getting sad and i usually dont feel this way, I'm used to not having much success in doorknocking but i guess i got extra discouraged. That night we had mcm meeting in bremworth park and i was worried and felt shameful that we had not much to report because we didnt find new people even though we tried our best. On the way to the chapel to the meeting, a random man stopped his car and said "this is for you sisters!" And drove off. He handed us a warm fresh loaf of maori bread and i nearly cried right there. I felt Heavenly Father's love and comfort through this act of kindness, letting us know that we have done our part even when no one wanted to hear our message. I get emotional thinking about it. Anyways, i felt better and felt less shame going to mcm after that.
President, I'm not going to lie, it was a hard week. My motivation went down a lot but it's the tender mercies like the bread that gets me going again. I hate to admit this but i think i am getting trunky. After sending my last companion home and now being with a homesick companion, i think it's rubbing off on me. Help me!!! Haha but you don't have to worry, i am going to rely extra on my Savior and His wonderful Atonement. I know this is His work and He is helping me along the way. I don't want to let Him, you, or my family down. I love you all so much. There are so many people wandering in the wilderness, and I need to help them cling on to the iron rod that they may partake of the fruit and feel God's love. Thank you President♡
Ofa Atu,
Sister Wihongi

Shirley Ferguson

Kia Ora Whanau!
It was quite an eventful week. I feel like each week is getting busier and busier. Here are some Highlights:

- At the start of this week I went out with the Temple View sisters to help them teach a young single adult, she is so sweet and I know she will be baptized. She just has to overcome some word of wisdom things. But I loved teaching her and seeing her teach a friend she invited to the lessons! ♡
- We had Zone Conference with Elder Yamashita of the seventy!!! He is so cute and his wife, it was the funnest and funniest Zone conference ever. We did origami and made a mouth to remind us that we need to open our mouths and talk to as many people everyday😂  They told us a story of a Sister who served in Japan in the 80's and she baptized 300 people because of her faith in God. Heck, I am so using more of my faith and putting it to action.
- at the beginning of the week, we committed to finding 2 new people to teach within the next 7 days. After a week of knocking on doors and hopeless finding, on the very last day at night, we went to go back to a house we knocked on a couple weeks before. They are from Afghanistan and the first time we met, they didn't let us in. It was a teenage girl and we remember she told us her birthday was on the 12th (Sunday!) So we went back with a wrapped Book of Mormon and chocolate to wish her happy birthday. She invited us inside and her two brothers were there with us and she opened her gift and asked "What is this book about?" We were able to give her a brief summary and bear our testimonies. All three of them asked us many questions and they are so sweet! We love them so much and we will see them again. I was in awe that we were able to find 3 beautiful souls to teach and help them come closer to Christ.
I know God Lives and this is His work. Families can be together forever and we are loved no matter what. Our Savior's arms are always opened to embrace you♡

Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi

Oh and last week for Pday we went hiking up to Wairere Falls. It was crazy fun! I'll send pics in a separate email

Photos
1-3. Top of waiters falls with the district
4-5. Zone conference, with the sisters. And one pic with our district leader Elder Haycock (and sister fonua posing in the background)
6. Some Lu and fish and Tongan food
7-8. I totally forgot to mention the most important thing in my last email. Hoera was baptized!!! It was such a sweet baptism and he is a gentle giant in a little 10 yr old body. He was also baptized with his Sister. The Heke family are beautiful,  I love them dearly.