Tau Toki Sio Eh

So it turns out that the temple closed for a couple weeks on Saturday so I came back from Vava'u on Friday so we could go to the temple (the group that's finishing) and then everyone went back to there areas but I'm staying with Sister Bever and Sister Paletu'a in the office since I was serving off the island. It was definitely bitter sweet leaving Vava'u, my companion and the other two sisters there (who she's going to stay with) were crying and then all the workers started joking with me and asking me if I was finishing and told me not to cry. It was funny. Inoke was supposed to get baptized but he had some problems still with the Word of Wisdom so I'm excited to hear about his baptism in a few weeks! But it was hard leaving that beautiful island and even though I was only there 5 weeks I'm going to really miss those people!

I just want to thank my Heavenly Father for the many opportunities and blessings He has given me this past year and a half. Tonga has become a part of me--a true home away from home. I will never forget the things I've experienced here, the lessons I've learned, the people, the food, the language, the smiling kids, the warm air, the dirt roads, the broken slippers, the Tongan hymns, the fallen tears, the many laughs, the many prayers, the changed hearts, the unfeigned love, the big spiders, the wandering animals, the wonderful companions I've had, the missionary attire, the black name tag, and most importantly the Spirit that is on this island. They will forever be in my heart. This was all for Him. The One who gave His life for us. I read Mosiah 4 this past week and I invite you all to read it again. The Tongan people truly live this chapter. I hope I can have that type of charity in my life.

I am committing now to all of you that I will do my best day in and day out to continue to serve my Lord for the rest of my life. Although I will be taking off the tag, His name will always be engraven on my heart. And I know that as I continue to keep my covenants I will receive power and help from on high in a world that doesn't seem to believe in such a thing. 

I already know it's going to be a real culture shock going back, haha! But I am excited to reunite with all of you! Hope you have a week full of LOVE and JOY and PEACE. I'm excited to see my beautiful family here in Tonga this week, and hope they can feel a little bit of what I've been able to experience this past year and a half. I LOVE YOU ALL. Thanks for the support and love and prayers!! I could not have asked for better family/friends. 

OFA LAHI ATU KIATE KIMOUTOLU...Tau toki sio ehhhh

<3 Sister Reid

MISIONA MANA

I just need to apologize again for sending such a short email last week. I didn't manage my time very well, but I'm going to try to make it up this week!! This was such a SPECIAL week!! God truly does work in mysterious ways...and it was truly a MIRACLE this week!! 

We met this girl a few weeks ago in 'Otea (the island we cover) and right before we were to leave back on the boat she asked us if she could ask us a couple questions. She then asked us the 3 three questions that is answered in the Plan of Salvation "Where did we come from?" "Why are we here?" and "Where are we going?" We had to get on the boat but I pulled out the lesson 2 pamphlet and promised her that it would answer her questions and invited her to pray about it. We wrote our number on the back but she didn't have a phone and lived in the Elder's area. A week and a half ago one of our members told us she had someone she was related to for us to teach, when we went over we were surprised when the girl sitting there was the same girl we spoke with in 'Otea. We began the lesson and she shared with us that she had read the pamphlet we gave her and that it changed her life. That she has felt like a better person ever since reading it. She shared with us that ever since she saw us that day in 'Otea that she saw how happy we were and how we really cared about what we were doing and she wanted to be a missionary like us some day. THIS GIRL WAS TRULY PREPARED. She had gone to church with her Aunt before and has some family who are members. We committed her to baptism. We taught her all the lessons last week and each day she had kept all the commitments and read the Book of Mormon. It was truly a MIRACLE!! And she was baptized on Saturday!! A couple days before her baptism, Satan was working hard on her. A lot of people made fun of her. We taught her the Word of Wisdom and the next day she shared with us that that morning her uncle tried to get her to drink coffee and made fun of her that she wouldn't but she shared with us that she knew it was an important commandment from the Lord. It was also her birthday last week she turned 16. What a truly blessed week!! I'm SOOO happy for her. Everyone was so impressed when she shared her testimony after the baptism. She cried and said she felt so warm inside. THE FIELD IS WHITE ALREADY TO HARVEST, not in our timing but in the Lord's timing!! THIS IS HIS WORK. I'm SO beyond filled with gratitude and love. She just started school at Saineha (the church's school here in Vava'u) and I'm praying that she will be a light to her parents so that they will want to listen to sometime!

We had Zone Conference this week and President came and it was wonderful. I got to have an interview with him. I'm so thankful for his advice and help! We got to teach the Area Book and I think it went pretty well. 

We have a musical fireside for our two wards this week and our district is going to sing so it should be good!

The finishing date got moved up to the 2nd of February and I'll leave to Tonga probably on tuesday next week so I have about a week left of work and ready to give it my all...DON'T COUNT THE DAYS, MAKE THE DAYS COUNT.

OFA LAHI ATU! God is a God of Miracles!

Sister Reid

This email is going to be pretty short but I just want to share a couple things that have happened this week. 

--we went on exchanges with two of the sisters in our zone this week, it was a wonderful experience!

--Our investigator, Inoke, came to church! And has stopped his drinking/smoking and is preparing for baptism!

--Ward members are starting to give us referrals and we're trying to help the missionary work moving in the ward.

I love you all so much. I know God lives and he loves us!

Have a great week!

Sister Reid

Jesus Christ--the source of pure HOPE

Just a little bit about my area: we cover two wards as well as an island that we go to once a week! The area is the main city in Vava'u so there are quite a few people...the area is large and has lots of hills so it's a good work out everyday! We have a couple investigators we're working with. One of which is a 13 year old boy named Pita. His brother is a member but his dad is the pastor in the Church of Tonga. He has the sweetest heart ever and we've had some wonderful lessons this past week. He really wants to be baptized but we're working toward the dad. Inoke, also wants to be baptized but he's struggling with drinking/smoking and so we're working a lot with him!

I got to fly to Tonga for a day this past week for the MLC which was weird going back for a day and flying by myself haha but wonderful! I learned so many new wonderful things!

A couple things the Spirit taught me: 

-NEVER FORGET why we are here! (whose name do we wear?)

-Be True to what we Know (who are we when no one's looking? <--true testament of character)

-Give our whole heart and will to God!

-Jesus Christ is the source of pure HOPE

-Repent daily and change!

I love this Gospel and I love the missionaries in this mission! I love the work and I am grateful for this life that God has blessed us with! We were created to have JOY! Remember, God loves you. He knows you. He hears and answers prayers. Be patient in affliction, because our trials refine us! Have courage. Be Strong.

Love you all with all my heart! 

Sister Reid

HAPPY NEW YEARS--2017

Another new year has begun! My heart is overfilled with gratitude for the blessings God has given me this past year as a full-time missionary--it honestly has been the BEST year of my life so far. To be honest, I had a little bit of a hard time letting go of this past year...I laid awake in bed on Saturday night reflecting on all the tender mercies of the Lord in the past year and thinking about all the endless possibilities awaiting me this new year...I've been praying a lot and have received a lot of hope and my faith has been strengthened and I'm excited and I'm looking forward to all God has in store for me this new year!! 

I'm LOVING it here in Vava'u...we're covering a little island out here, 'Otea, and it's SO beautiful!!! I'll send lots of pictures next week! My companion is so cute! We've been doing a lot of door knocking this week and talking with the members trying to build up the teaching pool!

Sorry this is short, but I LOVE you all so much! Hope you have a wonderful week <3 

Ofa Lahi Atu,

Sister Reid

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