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

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!♡