Kia Ora Whanau!
This week we walked by a bus stop and a man who was rolling up his cigarette stopped us and asked what the 10 commandments were because he had forgotten. So we sat beside him and showed him a way that he can memorize the 10 commandments using hand gestures. It was a nice unexpected teaching moment. The man then said that he is fearful that what if he accidentally kills someone while trying to defend himself or what if he accidentally breaks a commandment? He then got up and left really quickly, and I feel sad that I couldn't tell him that God would not condemn him if he accidentally breaks a commandment. That God is our loving Heavenly Father and that He knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts, and He wouldn't punish us for something like that. It makes me sad that people have a fear of God and don't know much about His loving character. I know that He is our loving Father, and that He wants us to live with Him again. That is why He gave us His Begotten son. How great is the love of God, the fruit of the Tree of Life!

It's been a nice week, we taught a 9 year old girl about prayer. She was very interested in God and wanting to speak to Him. It gives me true joy being able to help someone start a relationship with their Father in Heaven.
I love being a missionary!
Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi

This week was interesting. A lady named Michelle went on the church website and I was the one to answer her questions. She wanted to learn more about Christ and how His Atonement works. She has been thinking about Him lately and just realized that she needed Him. People around her have been saying that "There is no such thing as sin." But she has been thinking that there is more to life than just "Earthly laws." I was able to bear my testimony that is there more to life! And that Christ lives and He is the one that can take away our sins. Long story short, we are friends now and she is reading the Book of Mormon 🤗♡

We had zone conference this week at the Church History Museum. We learned that we need to embed the Character of Christ within us AND rely on His Atonement in order to reach Exaltation. In 2 Nephi 27 it says:
"Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am."

We need to strive our best to being selfless, loving, righteous, honest, etc. I would like work on being more humble.

This week was full of contacting referrals. Oh and Grandad, nanna Kathy, auntie Jazz, Damon, and Baby aleah visited me at church this Sunday. It was a pleasant surprise. I definitely have felt a downpour of Heavenly Father's love many times this week, even at times when I feel unworthy. He is wonderful.
Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi

Nawton, Hamilton

I am now serving in the Nawton, Hamilton area! It was really hard to say goodbye to those in Taupo. I grew to love the people there so much. But I am excited to know what Hamilton has in store for me.

Well, it is where most of the family connections are of course. Attending church for the first time was amazing! Everyone we meet would say "Oh! Welcome to the ward Sister- *glances at nametag* ... WIHONGI?!" and then we would chat and they all would tell me how they had a crush on Uncle Jody, was bullied by Uncle Scott (uncle scott you egg haha), admired Grandpa Barney, etc. and the conversation would end like this, "Well, I'll make sure we put you sisters down on the meal roster! Let's have a meal together this week!" and then my companion would tell me later, "Man, all these members never fed us before. oi oh eh!"

My new companion is Sister Meto! She is a shortie from Fiji! She is half Fijian and half Kiribati, and you don't want to mess with her. She is small but sassy, a true savage and likes to get into mischief. (She is Rocket Raccoon). It is Hilarious being her companion, she is also really pretty!

I am also called to the OTC (Online Training Center). When people go on the Church's website, they are given options to Chat with an online missionary, receive a free book of mormon/bible, request missionary visits, request online bible studies, and they all go to us. We often help people on their path to conversion over video calls! People from all over the world! The OTC has a goal of having 150 baptisms by the end of this year and they are already half way through. Yesterday, I had my first call with someone named Michael from Nigeria. He is currently going through a lot in his life and decided that God can help him. So he came on our website seeking for answers and also requested a bible. It's a miracle to witness the Lord's work hastening even more through technology. His work is going in a rapid pace, all over the world! The prophecy is being fulfilled and It won't be long till our Beloved Savior returns again, time is running out! His Church is true!

Within Nawton, there is a baptism coming up this saturday for a 12 yr old boy in a returning member family. There is a lot to do here which is lovely! The more work, the better!
Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi

I had exchanges this week and I was with Sister Taito in Rotorua. Sister Taito is my STL and she is from Fiji. We had a lot of teaching appointments and we read the Book of Mormon during many lessons. During exchanges, I learned how to give more meaningful promise blessings and to stop feeling fearful of high expectations. The Lord only asks for my best, and He will cover the rest. And I need to stop telling myself that my best is not enough. And that goes for you too.
This week we also got to meet our new mission President and his wife! President Erekson is from Boise Idaho, he is very funny and also very spiritual. I know he was called to New Zealand for a reason. After meeting with him with our district, he told all of us to "meet me at McDonald's, I'm buying all of you lunch." Haha so we got to know him more over lunch.
We have been seeing a nonmember, Lucy, who was found by the Elders ages ago. She wants to be baptized, she just has a hard time quitting smoking. We are going through the Addiction Recovery program with her. Lucy is very special and cares so much. She loves church and learning more about Christ, she has a strong testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon already. She has a talent of crocheting and knitting. She has knitted me and orange blanket and some slippers! I love her so much, and I'm amazed at how much she's changed and grown ever since learning about the gospel.
My companion and the other sisters surprised me with a cake for my "6 months" or one-third of being out on the mission. It made me realize how fast time is going, and that I need work even harder because time is running out! I don't want to take this time I have to share the gospel for granted. There is no place I'd rather be than out here and serving the Lord. I know He lives. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi

Also thank you Auntie Heather and Uncle Scott!♡

There was an earthquake at 3:30 in the morning on Tuesday! I was shaken awake and heard the dresser and things on the wall clatter from the tremor. Funny story, I fell asleep that night & it was the first time I forgot to say my prayers before bed, so my half asleep brain thought it was the devil shaking me, and that he got a grasp on me just because I forgot to say my nightly prayer. Frightened, I quickly started asking Heavenly  Father for forgiveness, pleading to Him to save me. Then in the middle of my prayer, I felt a tap and my companion said "Did you feel that earthquake?!" And I was like "oh.......yes." I felt kind of dumb thinking it was an evil spirit shaking the room instead Haha. But my companion and I were still "shook" and didn't go to sleep after that for about an hour. Lesson learned, don't forget to say your prayers before night-night.

I had a sweet tender experience this week. We met a little 5 yr old girl named Mihi that someone we've been teaching nannies for. After our lesson, she stayed around us and was looking at the picture of Jesus we had. She then looked at me and asked "Who is that?" I told her who He was, and that He was her Big Brother who died for all of us. She asked "Why did He kill himself?" I chuckled & said it was because He loved us so much that He was willing to give His life for us. (Trying my best to answer her in the most simple way, for a 5 yr old yo understand) I then told her that He is always there beside her and that she can always talk to Him. And she continued to ask so many sincere questions. I've never seen such a young child so interested in Christ, she was soaking in everything I was saying, believing every word I told her and trusting me (a total stranger) so easily. She asked questions like "How can He listen to you if you can't see him?" "How does He know me?" "Is He in the Sky?" "If He is God's son, How did he come to Earth?" She was one smart lil girl. After answering a dozen questions, I gave her the picture of Jesus and wrote his name on the back. She then told me that she couldn't read but I "should put a heart next to His name, so that He knows you love Him." I obeyed her precious request, drew a heart, and gave the picture back to her. She stared at it, stared at me, then put the picture right next to my badge (they were the same size). Then pointing to my badge, she said "Is that so you can always remember Him?" My heart melted and told her "Yes! Yes, it is! But how did you know that? I thought you couldn't read?" She just laughed. I  understand why Jesus tells us that we should become as little children. To be meek, humble, & full of love. To trust in Him as easily as Mihi trusted my words. I'm a little sad to know that she was brought up in a home without the comforting knowledge of our Savior. But I am beyond happy that I was given the opportunity to share my testimony with her. It was something I really needed during that time. I felt my Savior's love throughout that whole  experience. I know that Mihi felt the spirit as well, even at her young age. Christ lives and he loves you. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amine.

Kia Ora Whanau,

We had exchanges and I was in Rotorua with Sister Parkin. It was so cool to see what their area is like. We visited a lot of less actives. We read a chapter of the book of Mormon with a less active and it answered her prayers, and gave her more motivation to follow Christ. Sister Parkin is a great hardworking sister and it turns out that she used to live 5 minutes away from me near Bennion Jr High. We met a former person who was being taught to years ago and we were welcomed in the home, shared a message, and they said they were moving to South Auckland, they dont know the specific address, but we gave them our number to contact us so we can have missionaries visit them and for us to help them move.
We had a fireside here in Taupo. It was just what the ward needed. It was amazing. It was a stake fireside but not many came, just a decent amount. It was called "Do you have my name?" And it was about temple work. Lucy, a nonmember, came. And also less actives we've never met came along. It was great to strengthen the ward.
My Companion and I felt that we needed to visit an "Eternigator" (Eternal Investigator , someone who never progresses) and it turned out she had relatives over. They are a sweet Fijian family, and they never met missionaries before so we introduced ourselves and gave the mother a Book of Mormon. We told her what it was about, bore our testimonies, and answered some questions. She also is moving to taupo soon so we may teach her in the future! It's amazing how Heavenly Father leads us to people who are prepared. He will give us missionary opportunities, so please include in your prayers that you'll be given a missionary opportunity. It can be as simple as saying a short testimony. God lives and Christ gives me strength beyond my own.
Kia kaha.
Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi

Kia Ora Whanau!
We had our last Zone Conference and interviews with President Cummings. We also had Stake conference in Rotorua. 

This week was the best week of spiritual boostment. Especially because of Zone Conference. Last week, I was praying for so many things. "Heavenly Father, please help me strengthen my desire to be healthier and move faster in the mornings" "Please help me teach the Restoration more simply" "Please help me have a change of heart & mind as I feel spiritually weak" Every training we had was an answer to my prayers! We had a training on the best workouts to do in the mornings, a training on The Restoration and how powerful it is even when sharing it in a couple sentences, and a training on receiving immediate blessings through being obedient. I felt so much love and more strength to do the work here in Taupo.

We went door-knocking this week, of course, (Sister Sapoi's favorite...) It was a miracle that my companion was actually non-resistent to it this week! I love her Haha! We went down a street we chose (after praying to know where to go of course) The street we chose turned out to be all Airbnb's and vacation homes... 6 houses in a row, no one was home. Then we saw a vacation home that was being refurbished and a sliding door was wide open, we walked towards it and met a painter named Jason. He doesn't own the home, he was just doing his job painting. Spoke to him about the area, where he's from, etc. Then we told him who we are and what we do and said "we share messages that bring peace and comfort during trials, would you be interested?" And he mentioned that for the past month he's been thinking and wondering how to come closer and knowing more about God. He's been through rough stuff alright. No doubt we chose that street to be led to him. We bore our testimonies, & left him with a pamphlet and our number. Sister Sapoi and I felt joy! I love finding and seeing knew people, & I was filled with joy that Sister Sapoi can feel the happiness that comes from finding!
I know God Lives, He answers your specific questions. He listens to every prayer. Christ lives and gives me strength through the enabling power of His Atonement. I have a testimony of immediate blessings that come after repenting and being obedient. Hallelujah!
Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi