MERRY CHRISTMAS--I'm going to Vava'u!

So this is a quick little email just to say hope you all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS aaaand my last transfer starts today and guess what? I'm moving to Vava'u tomorrow! We spent the morning packing up (my companion is moving to Havelu and is going to be the new STL here...so proud of her and gonna miss her like crazy :)..and Elders will be taking over our area...which I'm a little sad we're both leaving). 

Vava'u is a group of islands up north (about a 30 minute plane ride) and I'll be serving in Pouono (which is like the main city) and I'll be driving a car there. I'll be companions with Sister Masima (I think she's from Hawaii and has been out for about 3 transfers) but I'll meet her tomorrow and let you know more next week!!! 

Wish you all the best!! LOVE YOU!!

Sister Reid

Happy Holidays

I just love our investigators right now. They're so wonderful and I feel so happy every time we get to go and talk with them! I'll tell you a little about each of them:

Alisi--she's 89 years old (I told you about her last week) but we're planning on her baptism for this week! There are a few complications with her daughter not wanting her to be baptized...but we're getting that figured out. A lot of her other children are members and... she is so wonderful!!

Ma'u--I wrote about her a few weeks ago (we taught her on her birthday)..we're still teaching her but she was sick this past week so we just visited her. She's so so cute!! She wants to come to church so bad but they've been busy with the Christmas program in their church so her mom said they can't come. But I'm excited to keep teaching them this week!

Taleta--her husband passed away last year and her son is a member but less-active...she has responsibilities in her church she doesn't want to leave but she really wants to listen to learn more. When we taught her about the temple she had a lot of questions and we set up a time for her to go with a few of the members to the temple this week and sit in the waiting room. I'm excited for that!

Brittney--she's 15 years old her mom is less-active but doesn't want to come back to church but they've been being taught for quite a while now...and she's super shy to go to activities and stuff but she finally came to church yesterday!! I was SO happy!

We have some less-actives we're working with, a lot of them who are trying to stop smoking. 

There are several others we're working with but those are just a couple highlights...I love this work so much! Even though it's not easy...mentally one of the hardest things I've ever done...I'm so so blessed to be able to help in the Lord's work. I love my Savior and have felt more of His love as I've reflected on His life a little more this past week. 

We're having a mission Christmas party this week and each zone is doing some singing. I'm excited for that. I'm looking forward to a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Best wishes to you all...you're in my thoughts and prayers...the Savior loves you and because of His sacrifice we can overcome our weaknesses and shortcomings...love you all...keep lighting the world...

--Sister Reid

Mission Tour

This week we had mission tour with President Hallack which was absolutely wonderful! He talked a lot about keeping our goals for baptism in view. The talks by him and his wife as well as our mission president and his wife was so wonderful! We also got to have MLC with them on Saturday which was wonderful. 

We went to Atata on Thursday and it was SO hot!! I was literally gonna die, I felt like I couldn't even breathe...and the saddest thing about it was that we went with a few bottles of water but the people there had no water so we kept one and gave them the other two. They got one of the boys to climb the coconut tree to bring me and my companion a coconut to drink. I love coconuts! Luckily, that evening when the boat came to pick us up they brought some water with them for the people. 

We have an investigator in Atata named Alisi she's about 80 years old but is still in pretty good health. We taught her this past week and it was such a powerful lesson. She shared with us how badly she wants to see her husband again and talked about how much he loved her. I put my hands on hers and told her that she can see her husband again. We shared with her the Plan of Salvation and a little bit about the temple. We told her that her husband is learning these same things where he is at right now. She told me she would do anything to be able to see and live with him again...she asked me what she needed to do to be able to go to the temple. We told her to first, pray about our message, attend church on Sunday, and work/prepare to be baptized on the 24th of December. She told us that she will do her best to do those things. My heart was full of so much love for her! I learned 2 main things from that lesson: 1. How beautiful the knowledge we have that we can live with our families forever! 2. Future relationship goals...haha

I love this work!!! I'm so excited for Christmas even though it feels very different here...we bought a little stand of Christmas lights to put in our MQ this morning so now it feels a little more like Christmas in our house. I'm SO grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ. I've felt closer to Him this year than I ever have in my entire life. I'm so thankful for His sacrifice and love and I know He will NEVER leave us alone. I'm so blessed to have His example to follow. I know He lives. What JOY that sweet sentence give. 

OFA LAHI ATU,

Sister Reid

The Best Birthday Gift

We have a lot of good investigators we've found and are working with...but unfortunately a lot of them are leaving this week to go to New Zealand for Christmas and won't be back until January. So that's kinda a bummer...but we're praying to find new investigators and that our other ones will keep progressing! 

We got to sleepover one night in Atata and get a lot of work done there. I love that little island and I'm excited to see it progress. There are only 3 member families there and it's not even a branch yet...but we're working so that it can become a branch! 

Last week, we started talking to this girl walking by and asked where she lived and she told us that missionaries had gone to their house before. We went to her house and set up an appointment with the mom and came back the next day. She shared about how important her family is to her and so we talked about families and then the conversation lead to the Gospel and we taught lesson 3. She was listening but I could tell she didn't really want to listen. But her daughter (Ma'u-14 years old) was sitting next to her and was very attentive. We invited them to be baptized. I could tell the daughter wanted to say yes but was waiting for her mom. The mom said she has to think about it. We talked a little more and asked about my companion's family joining the church. They talked for a little. She told us that it was her daughter's birthday...so after the lesson we sang Happy Birthday. I just felt so happy in my heart because I know that there is NO better present we could have given her on her birthday than to share the precious knowledge we have of the Gospel. 

We had a musical fireside last night that a few of our investigators showed up to, including Ma'u! I was so happy to see her there. Her mom is going to New Zealand this week, but we're going to go and keep sharing the lessons with her. I love this gospel so much.

The weather has started to get really hotttt, struggle be real in the uniform but I know that because of this I will never complain again in my life about needing to dress modestly and it being too hot or something...haha

I know I thought of so many other things to share but the time's almost up and I can't remember anything...haha I love this work so much! I truly find so much joy. We're working to find those that the Lord has prepared because I know that the field is white already to harvest. I'm so blessed to be able to spread this Gospel.

Thanks for your examples and love and support. 

Ofa Lahi Atu,

Sister Reid

This LIFE is a BLESSING

Thanks for all of the Happy Thanksgiving wishes cause honestly, I didn't even know it was this week! haha 

We had transfers this past week and me and my companion are staying together and working in SOPU (where we've been living, but we just switched areas with the Elders). It's been fun starting out the work here. I have such great hope and faith for this area and know we're going to see lots of miracles. 

We cover a little island that is a 20 minute boat ride away from our area called Atata. We got to go there are Friday with the sisters in Liahona and it was sooo much fun. There are not very many people there (look it up on google maps!) So many little miralces that we were able to see there. It was cool because one of my investigators from Ha'ateiho moved there and I got to meet her again! I'm excited to keep you updated about the island. The church just got allowed into there and it's not even a branch yet..but I know it will be soon :) 

It's nice that we'll still be in the same stake as our old area cause some of our investigators that are going to get baptized we'll be able to go to their baptism! Also, two of my investigators from Ha'ateiho got baptized two weeks ago and I was SO happy to hear that! 

I've been thinking a lot about sacrifice this past week. Nothing great ever comes without hard work and sacrifice. Sometimes I wish I could just wade on the water...but life wasn't meant for that. Our time in this life is so short compared to eternity. It is an OPPORTUNITY and a BLESSING and we need to make the most of it. We've been blessed with adversity to learn and grow and develop Godly attributes so we can BECOME like our Heavenly Parents. Isn't that wonderful? We must use our time wisely, sacrifice our will, talents, time, etc. because all we do here effects our eternity. If you died tomorrow and stood at the Final Judgement how would you feel? (Alma 5: 26-28) How have you used this precious time God has given you on Earth? We shouted for Joy at the opportunity to come here. Remember that. We are all brothers and sisters. And God loves each of us. I hope and pray you will find peace and joy in the little things :) Trust the Lord. Through Him, we find TRUE peace and joy. 

Ofa Lahi Atu!!! 

Sister Reid

Ngaue ki Sopu

So transfers were this week aaaand I'm excited because I'll being staying with my hoa (comp) Sister Palenapa and we're going to start working in the area that we stay in (Sopu). It's kinda crazy that we'll be white washing again but it'll be good. We also might be covering a little island (Ata'ataa) that we will be able to take the boat to once a week. Which that'll be a lot of fun. 

It's been a good week. Lot's of spiritual experiences. Misieli is doing well! We go there like everyday and he's so happy to see us. He likes to compare churches and he shares all the good things he notices about the Mormon church. He wasn't able to come to church on Sundaybecause he was going to a "remembering of his brother" that passed away but we're hoping and praying he'll come next week. He's reading the Book of Mormon and has such great Faith. We found out this week that he has a really big smoking problem and has smoked for about 60 years. But he's already started to cut down. We're helping him strengthen his faith so he can overcome it. 

This morning we got to go help move sisters around to their new areas. And the sister in the picture below is from 'Eua (the one I got to go on exchanges with) that is waiting for her visa. She got her visa and will be leaving to the MTC/her mission this week...she gets to stay with her family for a couple days before she goes to the MTC and we got to drop her off to them. Her mom is the Bishop's wife in 'Eua so I was so happy to see her again! 

Hope you all have a wonderful week of Faith and Miracles. God lives. He loves us. I'm grateful for His hand in my life, and in this work. 

Ofa Lahi Atu!

Sister Reid

The Miracles come after the Faith

We have been working so hard this past transfer to see baptisms but it seemed like everything was working against us. Our ward missionary leader and bishop are traveling overseas and it's been a little difficult working with the members. But I knew that when we give it our all and be exactly obedient that miracles come...sometimes not when we want them to, but the come. And they came. This past week we went to a follow-up meeting for trainers/trainees and at one point President was asking about our baptisms. He asked several missionaries and I just felt my stomach turn. We've been doing everything we possibly can and I just didn't know why we weren't seeing the fruits of baptism. I feel like I'm so much better of a missionary than I've been my whole mission but at other times on my mission it was easier for us to get baptisms. We returned from the meeting and I had such a greater determination to find people to baptize. 

We were knocking doors with a member and we met this old man. He was making food on the side of his house and we started talking to him. His name is Misieli. He's Wesleyan but he has a lot of family who is Mormon and he used to be good friends with the missionaries when he lived in Ha'apai. We asked him if there was anything he knew about the church and he told us that the Mormon church is the only church that can actually change someone and that the members have Christ-like attributes. He said that his church tries to change people but it doesn't work. I asked him if he would like to get those attributes, change his life etc. He said he would. Then we shared a short summary of lesson 3 (still standing) and we focused on the importance of baptism and then after talking for only 5-7 minutes I committed him to be baptized on the 26th of this month. He said he really wants to try to be baptized that day. He's really open minded and has a lot of faith. He just started reading the Book of Mormon. 

Then two more miracles--we set a baptism date with Foaki our investigator and we found a house of 3 young adults that we committed to be baptized next month if they receive a testimony that our message is true and they agreed. 

Then on Sunday we were finally able to have a meeting with all of the leaders in our wards and the ward mission leader bore his testimony in sacrament about the work and a lot of the other members did to. 

We are finally seeing the fruits of our labors and it's amazing! It's a little sad that the Elders will be taking over the area next week but I know that it's just been a test of our faith and God has other plans for us! 

We went on splits a lot these past couple weeks and it was so fun...I love the sisters in the mission!

Funny thing: so if you leave food out, most the time ants get to it. So we left some bongo (like Cheetos) in our car and when we got back in the car we started eating them (not paying attention) and then I looked down after I'd eaten about five and realized that we'd been eating a bunch of dead ants on the bongo hahaha glad I got some extra protein.  

Love you all so much!!! Pray you all have a fantastic week!

Sister Reid

Love One Another

I've thought a lot about love this week. Pure Christ-like love and how powerful it can be. This past week we've been working with one of our investigators for them to read the Book of Mormon and recognize that it's true. They've listened to several missionaries before but it always ends up that they believe the doctrine in their church and they're not willing to move to another church. They have a lot of crazy questions but I knew that as they kept their commitments that they could grow in faith and find that the Book of Mormon is true. I could see a change. But on Saturday when we went to them I could tell that the son and his friend were very hard-hearted and wouldn't be open to what we were going to share with them. He had a really hard time believing that there could be other scripture. We asked him how he learned that the Bible was true. He answered that he had read it and fasted and prayed. We invited him to do the same with the Book of Mormon. He refused. The mom then intervened and apologized for the things her son said. Really, it wasn't even rude, he was just sharing what he felt...but there are a lot of people here in Tonga that feel it's disrespectful. I told them I was grateful for his honesty and although we know our message to be true and we want them to read the Book of Mormon, we respect their agency and we won't force anything on them. Then all the sudden my heart was overwhelmingly filled with love for this family. I felt like I had known them forever and I had the greatest desire for them to know of these truths. Tears ran down my cheeks. I really hate crying, especially in lessons, because it's hard for me to speak...especially in Tongan. But I told them that I love them so much and we will always be their for them no matter what they need. Then I looked at my companion to talk cause I couldn't. My heart was just overfilled with love. After everyone went around (one by one) and expressed what they were thinking and feeling, apologizing, etc....that's a normal thing here in Tonga...it got to the sister (Faka'osi) she thanked me. She said that I was the first missionary that has ever shed a tear and that she feels so warm and happy and full of love every time we come. She asked us to please come back and share 'cause she likes learning about our church. I noticed in that moment the importance of showing and sharing Christ's love with everyone. They invited us to kai umu yesterday (eat lu) and it was fun. I love that family so much and I believe one day they'll come around a join the church!

We celebrated the duali (light celebration) at the house of our investigators from Fiji that are Hindu. We just ate sweets and stuff. It was SO sweet. But it was fun! President and Sister Tuione showed up.

LOVE YOU ALL!!

Sister Reid

And a Little Child Shall Lead Them

I went on splits with Sister Paletu'a (she's like one of the sister assistants to the president) this past week and it was so wonderful. Towards the end of the vilo hoa we were walking down the street and these two little girls (about 9 years old) came up to us and started talking to us. I assumed they were Mormon because of how friendly they were but turned out they were Siasi Pahai (idk what that is in English). We gave them a little picture of Jesus and asked them where they lived, they got really excited and asked us to walk with them to their house and talk to their family about Jesus. We walked up to their house and the family was sitting on the porch. We told them what happened, that we had met their daughters out on the road. I could tell that they were a little surprised but friendly because their daughters seemed to love us so much. I shared with them the importance of our message and a little part of the plan of salvation. They were very gracious but told us they were drinking beer and about to go to town so we should come back another time. As we left one of the boys living at the house told us that he was baptized but his parents separated so he came to live at this house but he really wants to come back and has been helping his friend to stop smoking. The little girls didn't want us to go and they started crying but we told them to pray and they told us they would. We went back the next day but they had just left. I just learned how in tune children are. I feel like if we have any access to the hearts of that family it will be because of the children there. No wonder why we should humble ourselves to be like a little child. 

The work is going well, our investigators are progressing. President told us this past week that ours and the Elder's area will be switching at the transfer (cause we live in their area and they live in ours..the MQ in our area isn't safe for sisters)...so it's been hard knowing that I won't be in this area next transfer but everyday I still work just as hard and love the people even though I know it's gonna break my heart..but it's all the Lord's work! And I'm happy to do it.

Hope you all have a wonderful week full of miracles! Look for the tender mercies from the Lord.

Ofa Lahi Atu!

Sister Reid

I Love This Work

So much to say. So little time. 

Monday--we got our car! That has made everything a whole lot easier. 

Tuesday--We had our district meeting, went around with a couple members and found some new investigators, and then that night we had a teaching with an Indian Family (from Fiji). The sisters before us started teaching them and they've started to read the Book of Mormon. It's interesting because they are Hindu and believe in a lot of gods. President and Sister Tuione are the fakafeohi (fellowship) to them and so it's been cool. We taught them the Plan of Salvation and they had watched a movie about Jesus Christ earlier that week and the mom couldn't stop talking about the things she'd seen in the movie. So it was perfect cause we tied in all the elements of the Plan of Salvation to Jesus Christ, which was good because he's central to the plan! They are beginning to believe but when we committed them to be baptized they just kept saying "oh you don't understand, Hindu can't be baptized"...so we're working to strengthen their faith and we're praying for a miracle to happen! We got to go to church with them on Sunday to the English speaking ward in Liahona--it was SO weird hearing church in English but it was a good experience. They're such a cute family!

Wednesday-- We taught a couple of our other investigators. A quick summary about them. Saane is living with members right now (her family is a Ha'apai) and she really believes but is having the hardest time agreeing to be baptized because her dad is a preacher in their church and he's having heart issues and is scared that if she gets baptized he's gonna be so mad that something will happen to him. But she comes to church every week and so we're praying and fasting for her! Our other investigator, Foaki, is in almost the same situation...but we just started teaching him last week..so we're praying for him too!

Thursday--We had MLC which was a wonderful experience. My companion stayed the night in my old area with Sister Medina and I picked up the other STL there to go to our meeting. I learned lots and it was fun seeing the missionaries from the outer islands again. 

When we came back we learned that one of the old ladies in our ward had passed away. She was one of the first people we met when we moved here. Her name is Alisi (Alice). She had me get the globe and show her exactly where in the world I came from, then she had given us lots of names to visit and before we left she asked that the palangi (me) say a prayer for her. From what I hear she was a very faithful women in the church and went to the temple every single week even though she was having a hard time. The church needs people like Alisi--what a great example!

I love this work. I love my companion. I love my investigators. I love the members. I love Tonga. And most importantly, I love my Savior. 

Hope you all have a fantastic week! 

Sister Reid

Yay for General Conference

Well things are pretty good in my new area! We went to the training meeting on Wednesday and I got my new companion! Sister Palenapa is from 'Eua and I knew her from the missionary preparation class we helped with when I served in 'Eua! She's well prepared and has such a great desire to do the work! We got to our area Thursday but we haven't gotten our car yet..the area is huge compared to the other areas in the mission, and we live in the area next to ours (because the MQ in longolongo isn't very safe) so it's been a struggle trying to do the work. We don't have a map yet and there's no such thing as an address here so luckily we've had kind members show us around! We have a few investigators that are progressing towards baptism that we were able to meet with and I already love them! 

I loved watching General Conference this past weekend! It was wonderful! We got to watch it in English, which I was grateful for to hear their voices. I LOVED it so much! I received so much personal revelation and direction. It truly testified to me of the blessing we have to have living prophets and apostles testify to us. Their words are priceless and I pray that we will all try to live according to the things they were able to share with us.

Hope you all have a wonderful week full of miracles! Looooove you!

Sister Reid

Hello Longolongo

Sooo the big news...I'm MOVING from Veitongo/Ha'ateiho to Longolongo which I've heard is one of the biggest, if not the biggest area in the mission. My daughter (Sister Aluesi) moved this past Thursday to Halaleva to be follow-up trained by my old companion Sister Malu! It was hard saying goodbye...I think I felt a tiny bit of what a parent feels when a child leaves home. My other companion (Sister Fullmer) is moving too. I will be training again! So that means I'll be white washing the area...a little nervous about that, but I'm excited. I'll get my new companion on Wednesday.

 

Sister Wunderlich (my other old companion) finished on Friday and had to wait a couple days for her parents to get here and she got to stay with us which was SO fun! I miss her and her beautiful voice.

Sitiveni was baptized on Saturday and it was SO wonderful! It actually started out as a struggle...our church water wasn't running, and neither was any other church's water around our area so we asked President if we could do it at the beach in our area and he said that'd it'd be fine. Seriously, the most BEAUTIFUL baptism. He carries his Book of Mormon everywhere with the pamphlets of the lessons inside. His testimony that he shared at the baptism was simple but powerful. I love this work.

We got the opportunity to watch General Women's Conference this past Saturday and I loved it! I especially loved President Uchtdorf's talk (fourth floor, last door). I'm more than excited to watch Conference this weekend!! I know it's going to be so uplifting and powerful. How grateful I am for a living prophet on the Earth today.

I've been thinking a lot about patience recently...it's made the hugest difference! How many times in our lives do we need to be patient with either God, others, or ourselves? And patience isn't just enduring something but it's using our agency to make the best out of our situation and choose happiness. I love chp. 6 in PMG and what it teaches about patience. I encourage you all to read it and listen again to the talk about Patience by President Uchtdorf. Patience and Faith are connected so tightly. As we increase our Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, I believe we will become more patient people.

Hope you've been uplifted this weekend listening to General Conference! Love you all soo much. 

Ofa Lahi Atu!

Sister Reid

Choose to Believe

So, Lipina's baptism was wonderful! And guess who happened to be at our church watching their son play volleyball? President and Sister Tuione, so they came upstairs to see it. It was a sweet experience having them there. Lipina sang, and she has a beautiful voice! 

So our Bishop's daughter's boyfriend is a nonmember and we started teaching him several weeks ago and he's getting baptized this Saturday. His name is Sitiveni and he has a really big heart and good desire. He's had a hard time recognizing his answer to know if it's all true, but he's solid and really wants to be baptized. I'm excited because our Veitongo ward has been struggling and we're finally getting a baptism!

We have a lot of other investigators we're working with and we've been SO blessed, I don't have time to talk about them all right now but God's tender mercies are real! 

Someone asked me this week: Thinking about all the different beliefs and opinions in the world, you've chosen to believe this Gospel. Why do you choose to believe?

As I've thought about this question..a lot of thoughts have come to my mind. It makes sense to me. To be honest I can't imagine life without it. If it turned out that none of this was true and there was no life after this, I wouldn't regret the way I've lived my life and believed with all my heart because of the person I have become from it.

I don't have a perfect knowledge and someday it's harder than others, but it's when you CHOOSE to believe by each choice you make every single day that you feel great peace and light in your life, and you realize how can so much peace and joy come from something not true?

It's once you choose to believe, and act on that belief, that your FAITH increases, your desires are different, and your heart changes. And that's why I choose to believe. 

Wish you all the best week! Keep shining the light of Christ to all you interact with!

Ofa Lahi Atu!

Sister Reid

Baptisms are Beautiful

Soo Taniela got baptized on Saturday and it was probably one of the best days of my life! The members are really excited and supportive of him. Sister Malu and Sister Medina got permission to come to the baptism! It was so fun. Right before the baptism started he shared with me and Sister Malu and Medina how grateful he is for the things we've shared with him. He told us that he thought that he could have a good life by directing it by himself but he realizes now that he needs to allow God to direct his life in order for him to get the joy and happiness he needs. The baptism was beautiful and while he was standing in the water, tears ran down my cheeks. The baptismal ordinance is beautiful and the fact that his sins were all going to be washed away made me feel emotional. Afterwards he was able to share his testimony. His confirmation was wonderful. He was super nervous to sit up on the stand but he finally came to terms with it. He cooked us food that night and it was delicious. 

So I got another companion, we're toko3 (trio) again! Sister Fullmer came back from 'Eua because she was sick and a brand new companion came in the middle of the transfer that got sent to Eua to be trained...so Sister Fullmer is staying with us. She's super nice and funny, it's been good.

Lipina is getting baptized on Friday and she is SO happy and excited. This work is amazing. I feel SO much joy from it. I love my Heavenly Father and know He's watching over this area.

Ofa Lahi Atu!

Sister Reid

The Tender Mercies of the Lord are Real

So this week was good, it started out kinda rough but we worked hard and it turned out great! Sister Mafuataimi (one of my trainees) got transferred to Vava'u to be companions with another sister who had been in a trio. It was sad saying goodbye to her but I know she's gonna have fun in Vava'u! 

We had Zone Conference this past week and it was so uplifting and wonderful! We talked about finding people (street contacting) and we worked extra hard this week talking to everyone we see. We've seen a lot more opportunities to teach and have gotten new investigators. 

We were walking down a street this past week and walked by a house and there were two men standing to the side. We started walking past and then decided to say hi, the one man invited us to talk with the ladies sitting in the backyard. We walked to the back and there were two ladies sitting on a mat doing some Tongan crafts and they looked a little upset that we wanted to talk to them. We sat down, talked to them for a minute and ask if we could share a message. They agreed. We began to talk with them and I asked them what the most important thing is in their life, they both said that prayer was. The one lady shared about praying for her family, I felt prompted to talk about families and then asked what I felt was a little bit of a random question but came very clear into my mind "what's important to you about your role as a mother?" As the two ladies answered they began to cry and share about the difficulties they've faced and the responsibility they feel they have in being a good mom to their children. We talked more and promised them that the Gospel of Jesus Christ that has been restored can bless their life and their family. We asked them if we could come back and they accepted. I'm grateful for the situations the Lord puts us in and I've realized the importance of asking inspired questions that helps us find the investigators needs. I love this work!

Sooo on Tuesday when we met with Taniela he shared that he wants to be baptized this Saturday (the 17th), we're SO happy, cause we feel like he's been ready and we've taught him all the lessons but he had doubts and although he still has questions he shares with us every lesson that he believes everything we're sharing is true and is looking forward to the day he'll receive a tui malohi (really strong faith) to everything. He has such a big desire to know EVERYTHING and studies a lot on his own, but we've talked a lot about faith and he realizes it's a process (line upon line, precept upon precept). I'm SO excited for his baptism on Saturday and Sister Malu and Medina got permission to come to his baptism!! President said he's going to try to come too. I'm so grateful for this work, what joy I feel from the fruits! 

Hope you all have a wonderful week! Ilove the lyrics to a ldsyouth song we've been listening to: "I will fight for the King, cause He is fighting for me" how true that is.

Ofa lahi atu ka moutolu,

Sister Reid

Lau, Fakalaulauloto, Lotu --it's simple

So this week was great, we got to teach Taniela several times and he came to church and reset his baptism date to the 24th. He still has tons of questions but he always ends up telling us that he believes and knows he'll receive a stronger testimony by the date he is baptized.

We taught Lipina (16 yrs old) this week (she's gone to church for months, lives at the house of a member, and has been taught by missionaries but hasn't really had a big desire to be baptized.) We've talked with her a couple times but this past week we decided to go back to the Book of Mormon. She couldn't really remember what the Book of Mormon was so after explaining it, we challenged her to read Moroni 10:3-5, think about it, and then pray to Heavenly Father to know if what we are sharing with her is true. We talked about the Spirit a little and then told her we'd come back the next day to check. She's a shy girl and doesn't really like to share a lot but the next day when we went back, she pulled out her Book of Mormon, explained what she learned from the scripture and then shared that when she prayed she felt happy and that she believed what we were sharing was true. My eyes were wet and my heart was full. It's simple. When we pray with faith, God answers. Not always in the timing we expect, but He answer. She's preparing to be baptized on her birthday later this month! 

-we had fleas in our house and car so I've been pretty itchy but they came and sprayed this week so it's better haha

-we went on vilo hoa (splits) with the sisters in Vaini and it was great! (My companions and I are in the ones in the middle in the picture) 

-my companions are doing well and I love them so much!

Love you all!

Sister Reid

A Year of Miracles

This week was wonderful. Sister Malu left on Monday night and Sisters were in and out of my MQ (missionary quarters) until Thursday when we got our new companions. On Tuesday night there were 5 of us there which was a lot of fun and I got help in my area so that was also a plus :) So yeah, I said new companionS cause I got two haha. There were so many sistesr in the new intake that I'm training two at the same time--Sister Aluesi and Sister Mafuataimi. They're both from Tonga (one from Vava'u) and both prepared very well before the mission. It's different being with Tongan companions but it's gonna be a great experience, I know. Sister Mafuataimi is actually "tali visa" meaning that she's supposed to go to the Philippines but her visa didn't come so although she hasn't gone to the MTC yet, she'll be working in Misiona Tonga until her visa comes--which could take up to 6 months. 

So their first full day out in the mission field was my one year mark. We worked hard and talked to a lot of people. They have a lot of energy to do the work and I love it! It's been a cool thing reflecting on this past year of my mission. Little did that sister missionary know, one year ago, when she was walking into the MTC what in the world was ahead of her. How grateful I am for her faith, for taking that step into the dark, and moving forward even when things were difficult. Looking back I am SO incredibly grateful for the humbling experiences I have had. My heart has changed so much. I have so much further to go, but I feel such a greater joy and peace in my life than I've ever had before. How important it is to walk forward with faith, do things we don't always want to do, and give ourselves for the one who has given everything to us. I am so thankful to my Father in Heaven for the opportunity He has blessed me with. I know this is His work and I am simply an instrument. Fakafeta'i ki he Otua. 

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Ofa Lahi Atu!

Sister Reid 

Training Ki Ai

It's hard to express all my thoughts and feelings in an email once a week but I'm going to try my best to share just a little piece of the experiences I've had this week. 

First off, we've kinda been the sister motel this week and it's been a lot of fun! After the sisters from 'Eua left, Sister Faux (who just finished) came back from Vava'u and stayed with us for a night. Then since Sister Medina's companion just finished she's been staying with us since Friday and we'll be together until we both get our new companions on Wednesday...at the TRAINING MEETING. Yeah...Sister Malu is moving to town and I'll stay and train in Veitongo/Ha'ateiho. I'm gonna miss my Aussie. I'm not sure who my companion will be yet, but I'm pretty sure it's going to be a Tongan and so that'll be fun. 

I'd like to share about one of our investigators, Taniela. Taniela is in his 30's and we found him from one of our members (we had set up a family plan and they committed to invite someone to listen on a specific day and that's where it started). The first lesson was very spiritual and uplifting. When we came back the second time, he shared with us that he's visited with a lot of missionaries before in Fiji and he's talked to a lot of Bishops but he has a few questions that none of them could answer. He then promised that the day he understands the answers to those questions he'll be baptized. He then went on to ask questions but when we went to answer he'd ramble off about something else. He told us he really wanted to know if what we were sharing was true but we were having a difficult time helping him understand 'cause he just wanted us to prove everything through the Bible and stuff. He had prepared to be a preacher in the Presbyterian church several years ago but then got into a lot of bad things and hasn't gone to church for years. Through the next several lessons we testified to him, we gave him commitments, we taught him that we need to use our Faith and God will reveal the truth of our message through the Holy Ghost. 

He came to church last week. He started reading the Book of Mormon. And on Friday night when we talked to him, he shared with us that he prayed to ask God to know if it's true. He asked us to explain the Book of Mormon again to him. We read 3 Nephi 11 with him (when Christ comes). He said he believes it's true. Then we all started crying. He told us that he feels something really strong and that he feels like he's kinda shaking. We bore our testimonies. Sister Malu invited him to stop smoking, with tears in his eyes and even though we hadn't even taught the Word of Wisdom yet, he said, "Yes, I'll stop smoking. I'll stop drinking alcohol and drinking kava. And I ask that you allow me to come to all your church meetings". The Spirit was so strong.

It's so true that understanding doctrine really does change behavior faster than teaching behavior will change behavior (Boyd K Packer). This is a testimony to me that God declares his gospel through the weak. It's so true when they say that when you lose yourself you find yourself. From teaching people and serving others I feel myself changing every single day and I'm understanding better who I am. We're helping Taniela to stop smoking and he's excited to make any change to his life that he needs to. God is a God of Miracles.

I love this work. 

Hope you all have a wonderful week full of tender mercies from the Lord.

Ofa atu ka moutolu,

Sister Reid

100 Years of Misiona Tonga

Just a few quick highlights of what happened this week:

Monday: The sisters from Eua came to stay with us for the week.

Tuesday: We went to the King's Palace (sat outside) and Shumway (palangi-he's famous to the people here because of how good his Tongan is) was able to give a speech and I got a picture with him :)

Wednesday: We had MLC. They changed it so that just one of us is Sister Training in a companionship so Sister Mo'unga (from Eua) and I went together. We went to the temple before and it was so amazing. We talked about teaching repentance and I've thought a lot about Alma 5. I love the questions it asks. 

Thursday: We went to Liahona because there was a huge feast and all the kaingalotu and less actives and investigators were all able to go! TOO MUCH FOOD! The Royal Family came as well. 

Sunday: Ha'ateiho stake had their stake conference (one of our wards is in one stake, and the other two are in another). A member from the 70 came and spoke to us. Afterwards we got to join him in eating a big feast. He asked me a lot about the uniform and was wondering if I really had to wear it and the braids haha. It was cool talking to him.  

We had a fireside that night for all the members to close off the celebration and we were so happy 'cause one of our tough investigators came!!

This week has been so full of events and excitement. I love this work. My testimony has been strengthened this week and I'm so grateful for the things I've experienced. 

Ofa Lahi Atu!

Sister Reid

Happy Birthday to Misiona Tonga and Myself :)

This week started out wonderful, we decided to set up some missionary family plans with some of the members on Monday night. One of them was the Relief Society president and their family. When we got there, they had an investigator there (Lipina) and the whole family was sitting neatly on the couch. The husband shared about their family and how they were happy we were there and how their family has a lot of problems (shared some background) and then said we'd start with a song a prayer and then turn the time over to us. I got a distinct feeling that we needed to share with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ (lesson 3) rather than going with our normal "family plan" set up. It was beautiful. We committed the Lipina to baptism (she's been taught most the lessons and was just waiting to get permission from her parents and has gone to church for months, but now it's her decision and she really wants to get baptized next month on her birthday, I think she's already ready haha but we'll see what happens). And then when we were talking about "Endure to the End" and the mom raised her hand and shared that we were an answer to her prayer. There's a lot of family problems and she wanted to give up. But the spirit just told her that she needs to hold on and "endure to the end" as she continued to share the kids were crying, her one boy holding his head in his hands, and it was evident that this family needed some healing. She expressed that they had started out reading the scriptures and such at the beginning of the year but they hadn't for a while and she new that's why the problems were seeming unconquerable. It's the little things every day that counts. The husband said that they needed someone to intervene and remind them of what is of most importance. God sends people to intervene in our lives sometimes. He looked at us and said, I want you to come back a year from now and when you sit in my family you're going to see something different, we're going to get back and start doing the simple things. It was evident that they had taught their kids and were a good family, but they'd lost focus. Satan is attacking all families and we must protect them by doing what's most important.

This week MISIONA TONGA is celebrating it's 100 YEARS! Most of the mission presidents from the past have returned and there are a lot of visitors and returned missionaries! They're doing huge celebrations and festivities. We'll get to march tomorrow but that's the only thing we get to be involved with. But go online and see if you can see anything about it!

We did a service project this past week at the hospital (picked up trash and painted the fence) and Sister Malu and I got interviewed on TV. haha they said it was broadcast to America but I don't know if I believe that...but it was cool. 

THANKS FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES :) 

On my birthday, we went to our three wards..and it was the best because we had a baptism on Friday (Fe'ao, we started teaching him a couple months ago and then he wanted to be taught by the Elders so they finished the lessons but since he lived in our ward boundaries he had to get baptized in our ward) and so he got confirmed on Sunday. It was beautiful. We ate food at the Matu's family's house (baby Reid's house) and it was delicious and they gave me chocolate. Some of my old missionary companions called. The Assistants dropped off the birthday package from my family (Thank you so much! I loved the letters...they made me cry:) I love you all like crazy), the Zone Leaders came to pick up our president letters and dropped off a gift from Sister Medina and sang, andmy companion wrote a sweet note and gave me her watch (such a sweetheart), we also attended two ward councils....so it was quite an eventful day! 

I got to go, but love you all and hope you have a great week! Keep being you :)

Sister Reid

Let Us Be Faithful

Just a couple highlights from the week:

-It was good getting back to work! We worked hard and got some new investigators! 

-We went to Stake Conference yesterday and the HEFY group was there. It was a lot of fun talking to them and brought back some awesome memories from the time when I went to Fiji. Our ward choir sang and it was SO beautiful. I love it every time.

-We're doing a "read the Book of Mormon in 30 days" challenge as a mission. I've thought a lot about Nephi's faith this past week,especially the time when he was getting the brass plates. What a great example of diligence. How many times are we willing to try and do what the Lord has commanded us? How many times will you go and invite people to listen to the gospel? I hope we'll be like Nephi and say, "As the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us. Wherefore, let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord" )1 Nephi 3: 15-16

-We got to speak in our other ward yesterday which went really well. I'm excited to work more with the members!

Sorry this was so short..don't have much time. I love you all so much!

Ofa Lahi Atu,

Sister Reid 

Nini and Mani got BAPTIZED!

This week was very different from any week I've had on the mission so far....because we stayed at home like the whole week. My companion's sickness got worse and she couldn't eat or drink anything without throwing up and had like no energy and the pills the mission doctor gave wouldn't really stay down...sooo I cleaned the house super good on Tuesday and did some extras studies and got to know/talk to my companion....and on Wednesday.....and on Thursday (thankfully, the Zone Leaders we're sooo kind and got to take some of our appointments!) but then on Friday she started feeling better (finally was able to eat some food) and we got to go to Nini and Mani's interview and then we worked and went to the baptism on Saturday... I started getting a cold which wasn't bad but I lost my voice on Sunday. It was hilarious. I sounded like a man and it was really hard to speak. But my companion told me "her prayers were answered" cause it shut me up hahahaha yeah sometimes I talk too much...haha ahh I love her. We just got done playing volleyball for pday..and it was sooo fun! I miss it. But I'm pretty weak...and it'll motivate me to get in better shape haha

Sooooo like I said..Nini and Mani (Bishop's sisters) got BAPTIZED! It was so amazing. They are so funny and love to joke around. I love them so much. They're 16 and 18 years old and they're looking forward to the day when they'll be "Sister Vaioleti". We're going to set up a time for us to go and watch them do baptisms for the dead next week! After their baptism, they were just glowing! On Sunday, after their confirmation, I asked them how they felt. Taimani described it as her whole body felt like it was burning. It's so crazy how in just a few weeks someone can change the direction of their life. I am so grateful for Bishop and we're going to start working with their older sister next! (We baptized their brother last month).

This past week, since I had a little extra time I began to read the New Testament straight through. I read a chapter in Tongan and then skimmed through it in English...it was really cool cause different things stood out to me in each language. My love for the Savior has grown immensely this past week. He is an amazing teacher and I've loved studying about his life. Matthew chp 6&7 have to be two of my favorite chapters because it seems like no matter what principle you're talking about in the Gospel, you could find a scripture to relate to it. No wonder why it's in the Book of Mormon too. 

I also love Matt 11:28-30. I think sometimes we try to bear our burdens on our own...but the truth is we don't need to. Christ invites us to come unto Him. Pray for strength. And through the enabling power of the Atonement, we'll be given strength to endure. He will give us peace (John 14:27) in the midst of affliction. God doesn't always take away our trials--because that's what refines us. In fact, that's the reason we're here on this Earth, to learn and grow! But He has provided a way for us to endure these trials--through Christ, if we let him!

I hope you all have a fantastic week. Remember our Heavenly Father loves you. You are His child. He has a plan for you. Trust Him. And He will lead you along.

Ofa Lahi Atu,

Sister Reid

I Feel My Savior's Love

Sooooo transfers happened on Thursday and it was sad saying goodbye to Sister Wunderlich we had good times together but my new companion is great. Sister Malu is from Sydney, Austrailia, she's 25 years old, she's funny, kind, and I'm excited to work with her! We just switched companions with two other sisters so on Thursday we went to Fahefa (their area), picked them up, and then dropped Sister Wunderlich and her new comp (Sister Alovili) off in their new area. Then Sister Malu and I took the car and came back to Veitongo/Haateiho. It was hilarious driving on the left side of the road. Luckily, I've gotten used to which side to drive on from just being in a car this past transfer...but I put on the windshield wipers instead of the blinker about 20 times...haha but now it feels pretty natural. 

My poor companion has been sick the past several days so we actually haven't been able to go out and work. We moved to Liahona (until hot water gets installed in our MQ) and so I've gotten a lot of time to study and play the piano there and talk to myself haha. 

We have two investigators preparing for baptism on Saturday! Bishop finally got permission from his dad to let his two younger sisters be taught (Nini and Mani)...so we've been working with them and they are so wonderful! The first lesson we taught them we committed them to baptism..at first, they had a difficult time understanding why it was important for them to be baptized. But the last lesson we taught, one of the sisters shared her experience of praying and receiving an answer about the Book of Mormon and then expressed her desire to get baptized as soon as possible. They're so cute, I love them so much, and I'm so grateful for the converting power of the Book of Mormon and the Holy Ghost. 

I love you all so much! I know that as we look for opportunities to share these precious truths we will feel joy beyond what we can comprehend. I'm so grateful for the love I feel from my Savior and His Gospel everyday as I read the scriptures and share His word.

Ofa Lahi Atu!

Sister Reid

Palesiteni Fo'ou ki ai

This week has been filled with many wonderful experiences, many of which is because we got a new mission president this week! President and Sister Tuione are WONDERFUL! They are so very kind, spiritual, and some of the most HUMBLE people I have ever met in my life. They are young...like younger than my dad...and they have 5 children (the oldest of which is on a mission and the rest live at the mission home)

On Tuesday, we got a text from the APs while we were setting up a family missionary plan with one of the members in the ward, that said, "Don't forget you're going to vilo with Sister Tuione at 6pm"...it was 5:30pm...yeah thanks for the reminder text since we didn't even know about it in the first place haha! But it all worked out, we cancelled our fafanga and picked her up, The first lesson we went to wasn't lava so we went to our back-up plan...they weren't home. This was Sister Tuione's first time ever going out with the missionaries in her life, so she got a good feel for what it is like haha. We went to one more house and the guy was busy. But thankfully, the other people at the house were available for us to talk to (a couple--a less active/nonmember). The lady shared her story and we talked for about 3 minutes. I asked the mamalohi if he still reads the Book of Mormon...and then the member that was there went on for about 20 minutes about the history of the Book of Mormon through the Bible...and the investigator was almost asleep. My companion looked at me like "what do we do?!" After he finished we shared a scriptures (Ether 12:27) from the Book of Mormon that has helped us in our life. The lady (invest) shared her testimony about that scripture and agreed to keep reading the Book of Mormon. We all shared our testimony and Sister Tuione got to testify her first time as a missionary. It was honestly one of the weirdest lessons but it turned out well! Sister Tuione said she had a really good time and was proud of us...pheww haha glad she had nothing to compare it too.

We dropped her off and she asked us if we could come in and meet president. Even before I stepped in their house I felt the strong spirit inside. We met President and their kids. right before we were about to leave he said, "is that okay if you two join us for family prayer?" so we knelt down and he asked...me...to say the prayer. No pressure. haha. But it was a wonderful experience to be able to bless their family.

Wednesday, we had Mission Leadership Conference. He shared his vision for the mission and focused on obedience and the Missionary Handbook. It was inspiring. We are now allowed to play SPORTS (I'm going to try to play volleyball :)) and have Zone Pdays. 

So much more happened this week....but I guess the next biggest thing is that my companion is transferring! I'm going to follow-up train Sister Malu (Tongan from Australia) and I'm super excited. We went vilo hoa with them a couple weeks ago and she's hilarious! I also will be the one driving...so wish me luck on learning how to drive on the left side...especially since I haven't driven a car for 10 months!

Love you all so much!! Have a great week.

Sister Reid

Happy Birthday to the King of Tonga...and America!

Happy Fourth of July! I'm sad I won't be there to see the fireworks..but it's the King's birthday here in Tonga so they're celebrating that here which is pretty cool. 

Anyways, we got our new mission president this week! We will meet him tomorrow at Mission Leadership Conference and I'm very excited. He's Tongan from New Zealand and is pretty young but has already been a Stake President. I've heard really good things about him so I'm looking forward to the things I'll learn from him and his wife! He's a convert to the church and just found out what a district meeting is haha so it's going to be interesting! But his wife served her mission in Tonga several years ago. 

This week was a bit of a struggle with the work but we worked hard so it was good. We had taught one family last week who seemed really open and excited to hear our message. We went back yesterday and she had just talked with her preacher about it. She shared with a some scriptures that talked about "palofita kaka" --false prophets. And with so many words told us that we were those false prophets and that we can leave her family alone and lead away others. This isn't the first time this has happened. So we listened respectfully. I asked her a few questions and she told us that she will never believe Joseph Smith is a prophet and the Book of Mormon is true. It broke my heart a little because she had no idea what she was denying. I told her we respect her belief and we're not going to force anything upon her, our responsibility as missionaries is to simply invite and then we respect others agency...but then we left her with our testimonies. I hope and pray she felt the Spirit while we testified cause I surely did. I pray her kids felt it. She was kind enough and let us leave them with a prayer. Her girls hugged us goodbye. It broke my heart but I pray they'll be open to the truth one day. 

The baby was blessed yesterday and they explained to us why they named him Thomas Lucas Reid. Thomas is after the prophet (Thomas S Monson) and Lucas/Reid were named after us (the two servants of the Lord). they're so cute!

We have one investigator that is really progressing towards baptism this week or next week. His name is Fe'ao. He's about 20 years old and moved in with one of our members a little while ago. I love this work and seeing how it changes people! 

Last night, we taught a man from Tahiti (Bishop found him) who is here and wants to start a business. He speaks Tahitian, French, and a little English so we taught him at Bishop's house and talked very slowing. In the middle of the lesson our Bishop started saying things in French to him and me and my companion look at each other SO confused. And then we looked at his wife like how is your husband speaking French?! I swear he got the Gift of Tongues or something. He didn't tell us until after the lesson that he lived in France for two years to play rugby. So funny. Then we went home and saw a lizard licking my ice cream cake that I left on the table. Gotta love living in Tonga. 

Hope you all have an awesome week! The Lord loves you. I love you. 

Sister Reid

The Baby's Middle Name is REID

Tons of crazy stuff happened this week with investigators and stuff but I don't have a lot of time to write about it all...so I'll just write about a few random things:

I GOT A BABY NAMED AFTER ME (kinda...) so last week we had fafanga at the Bishop's house and while we were over there eating we found out that the wife was at the hospital and had just given birth. We were a little confused about why the family was still at home and then we realized that they were waiting for us to come and eat! (Yeah, feeding the missionaries is super important to some people). We got mad at them for waiting for us--THEIR LITTLE BROTHER WAS JUST BORN! I got mad at Bishop. haha. And we shoveled down the rest of our food and left. We came back a couple days later and saw the cutest little baby boy EVERR! And we asked what his name was. And guess what they named him? Thomas Lucas Reid Matu (Tomasi Lukasi Liti Matu) I was dying!! The middle name Lucas is after my companions brother that they always joke about marrying their daughter. Man, it made my day! 

We had a special Sister Trainer's meeting this week with President and Sister Tupou. It was wonderful! They shared the sweetest testimony with us... They finish on Thursday! 

The mission is wonderful! I'm so so blessed to be here. I feel so much joy every single day from this work. Just a thought: Don't ever pray again to help the missionaries find people to teach but rather pray for you to find someone for the missionaries to teach. Member Missionary Work is the way to go! Hope you all have a fantastic week. 

Ofa Lahi Atu

Sister Reid

Net was down last week...sorry

First off, just want to apologize for not sending an email last week, the net was down in both of the churches we work in. A lot has happened these past couple weeks so although I wish I could explain everything, it's just not possible..so here are just some highlights!

1- We had a baptism last Saturday! One of the wards we're over was just created last month (one of the wards split) and the Bishop of the new ward brought his brother to be taught--and he just got baptized! Our Bishop was baptized several years ago, went on a mission, married one of the Tukuafu's daughters, and is on fire with missionary work. It's so awesome. 

2- Last Monday we got permission to go to kolo (town--Nuku'alofa) to buy fabric for a couple new kofus (dresses). It is so different from the rest of Tonga--lots of people and lots of cars. We got pizza which was delicious and got to look around the "market". It was a lot of fun to finally see town but I think I'm more about the simple, quiet life. 

3- There was a stake musical fireside this past week here (that President and Sister Tupou came to and spake at) and let's just say this stake can SING! They sing with such power. It gave me the chills.

4- Last Sunday, Sister Wunderlich and I got to sing in one of the wards -- we sang "Abide with Me" in Tongan. Yesterday, in another one of our wards they randomly asked us to sing right before the meeting started so we sang the same song. We were a little nervous but it turned out good (Sister Wunderlich has a gorgeous voice) we also made Bishop cry so we took that as a good sign. And it just happened to be that in that ward the temple president was visiting..

5- We just finished reading the Book of Mormon again as a mission. I love it. It truly is the word of God.

6- Got my Tongan Driver's License this morning! I handed them my Utah one, gave them 60 pa'anga, they took a picture of me, and handed me my license. I'm not driving yet (Sister Wunderlich is the designated driver) but when I do I'll have to learn driving on the left side.

7- Missionary Leadership Conference was last week and it was INCREDIBLE. I wish I had time to share all of the things I've learned. We talked about what it means to both "Do" the things that Christ did as well as "Be" by having a willing heart and developing His attributes. Many people create a TO DO list but we should create a TO BE list. We all discussed what "tell how vs. show how" means. This was President and Sister Tupou's last MLC and at the end when they went around shaking hands we sang "God Be With You till we Meet Again". They are wonderful and I'm definitely going to miss them but I'm excited to have a new president. He comes the end of this month. But President and Sister Tupou will be staying in Tonga until August because the church here will be celebrating 100 years of Misiona Tonga!

8- We had Zone Meeting this past week (my first one since I've been on the mission--'Eua is only a district) and we got to teach like half of it. All of the sisters in our zone were sick so we were the only sisters there. It was a very uplifting meeting and went pretty well for having to translate the MLC meeting (which was mostly all in English) to Tongan for all of the Tongans in our zone meeting.

I love my mission and I love the Lord. I love the opportunity I have to serve my Heavenly Father and pray with all my heart that I can do what he would have me do, say what he would have me say, and be what he would have me be. I know that when we give him our hearts he can make more out of us than we could ever make of ourselves.

Love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!

Sister Reid

Goodbye 'Eua

SOOO much happened this past week! But first off, I GOT TRANSFERRED FROM 'EUA! I got a call from the assistants to the President on Monday Night about 8:30pm -- we were just finishing up a teaching with Mateaki and Palomesi at a FHE --and I knew immediately what it was for...I was getting transferred. He said the office just bought my ticket and I would be transferring to Tongatapu (Veitongo/Ha'ateiho) and we would be switching companionships with another pair of Sister Training Leaders -- Sisters Wunderlich (my new companion) and Viamahi. I would be leaving the next day and I needed to do whatever I need to do to be able to be at the airport at 9am the next morning. 

After I hung up the phone, Sister Betteridge and I looked at each other and cried. I think the hardest part was the short notice but I knew it would be okay. We went home and I packed...the struggle was so real! The next morning we went and I said goodbye to Malia and Kepueli (the two recent converts), the bishop, and another family in the ward. Hiko (the old man at the house we live at), sat us down and gave about a ten minute speech...crying...apologizing for if he'd done anything bad, sharing his love--just in the good old Tongan way--and then I gave my attempt in doing the same back. 

We got to the airport, paid for the overweight luggage (although I had left like half my stuff) and I got on the plane with my over-stuffed carry on and pillow/blanket. Luckily, they saw the struggle was real and probably because I'm a missionary, gave me front row and two seats (that's what you get for being a frequent flier). The plane started and I couldn't hold back the tears--I looked out the window and felt like my heart was literally breaking. 'Eua had been my mission. There were people there I knew I may never see again. I let the tears go for about 5 minutes and then looked up for the things that blow out air to dry my eyes out. I felt the sweetest feelings of peace and confirmation that this was God's will and I knew it'd be okay. 

And guess what? It is okay! My new companion is great. She's from Layton, Utah...she has been out here 3 more transfers than me. Our new area is very large. I feel like I'm in Muli (across seas) because they have real stores, a bakery, etc. We have a BRAND NEW car (just came on Monday) and I'll probably get my license in a couple weeks. Aka I need to be dedicated even more to diligent exercise. We live at the house of President Tukuafu (2nd quorum of the 70) and they have this BEAUTIFUL dock out back on the ocean/inlet, there are many wonderful people, and we're over 3 wards so we're super busy! But it's awesome! We have a bit of a mice problem and have already caught two. haha it's the worst but I don't feel as scared of them anymore.

There is SO much more I could write about (lot's of teachings and people that are preparing for baptism) but not much more time. I'm so grateful for the gospel. And grateful for these people. I am so blessed to be in Tonga and to be serving a mission! It's the last MLC for our mission president so that'll be sad..but excited to go tomorrow! 

Hope you all have a fantastic week! Know that God is aware of you and he has a plan! Ofa Lahi Atu!

Sister Reid

'E 'Otua ko e Tapuha (How Great Thou Art)

This week we watched the addiction recovery videos (there are 12 short videos for each of the steps) with one of the less actives we're working with, who just recently overcame his smoking addiction. Those videos are AMAZING. So so inspiring. I invite you all to watch them. We all have weaknesses, things we need to overcome, and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can overcome our shortcomings. Encourage you all to watch them :)

We had our Musical Fireside this past Wednesday. Sister Betteridge and I sang "How Great Thou Art" in Tongan/English, four of the young men sang a song, a member family sang, and then some of the primary kids sang "I love to see the Temple" in English/Tongan. It was so beautiful! All the songs were alternated with short talks by recent converts...one of which was Kepueli (our recent convert that got baptized in March). Earlier that day, Sister Betteridge and I went and invited his mom to the fireside and although she had mata kovi we were so happy when she showed up! It was REALLY hard for her when Kepueli and Malia got baptized because her whole family is Catholic..so we were happy she came. Kepueli shared his conversion story and about how hard it was when he got baptized cause a lot of his family hated him, a lot of kids at school were rude, and even his parents. Tears ran down his cheeks as he shared his testimony. I was a little nervous about what his mom was thinking...but the whole program was really spiritual. A few days later we were walking on the street and his mom stopped us and thanked us for the beautiful program and for how spiritual Kepueli's talk was. We're hoping she'll be open to listening to us soon :) 

So I'm pretty sure I'm staying...most of the transfers were done last night. But there is a possibility that something could change the next couple days...

I hit my 9 months this week! The mission has gone by sooooo fast! But I'm feeling at home here in Tonga. I love this place. It would be nice to have a bit of a variety in food...but it's wonderful.

Have a great week!

Ofa Lahi Atu!

Sister Reid