Grateful To Be Here

We found out that we have less time to email now....so my emails are going to be shorter. 

This past week a Sister in our district finished so we've been in a trio with her companion (Sister Latu). It's been cool because she doesn't really speak English so it's been fun doing language study with her. But  it's been a little difficult being in a trio...she was kinda sick and loves taking breaks...so it was a struggle.

Also, I had my first dream that had some Tongan in it! It wasn't very much but a step in the right direction...haha

Aaaaand I got some mites in my hands and feet (SO GROSS)...they're like little bumps under my skin that get itchy at night, there aren't that many (thank goodness) but we went to the hospital and got some cream...and the mission doctor said it should be gone by next week...so nothing to worry too much about :) The hospital was pretty sketch though, like definitely not sanitary, so I am grateful I only had to go there for cream!

I am going to try and send some pictures (it takes forever to upload) so sorry this is so short! But I love this work, it is wonderful. God lives. Christ is our Savior. And the Holy Ghost can be our constant companion. 

Ofa Lahi Atu!

xoxo Sister Reid

Rain for dayyys

I learned how to do an inside-out braid this week and it's actually way easier than doing a normal braid...why have I never done this before?? haha

Also, I forgot to tell you...but I ate DOG (kuli) a couple weeks ago! I didn't have very much but it wasn't too bad.

It rained a lot this week...which makes it a real struggle especially with the dirt roads. On Friday evening, we were walking and all the sudden it started pouring rain so we went under a big tree and waited for it to calm down but it just rained harder. So we got a plastic bag from the house next door, put our bags and ta'ovala s in it, and walked out into the rain. We were soaked in like two seconds. Everyone was outside playing and they told us to stay out there with them so we just watched them play..nothing we could really do. But now we're friends with all the Weslyian (Methodist) kids!

Most of the people in our area have been baptized at some point in their lives but have fallen away and now attend another church. I've been thinking a lot about why that's happened to so many. During a lesson this past week we asked a less active we were teaching to read the Book of Mormon. She used to be a really strong member of the church. But as tears filled her eyes she said couldn't because her preacher said she couldn't and that she was just happy with the church she was in now.

The next morning I was reading chapter 5 in Preach My Gospel and it says, "The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion." I'm beginning to recognize more completely why the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion--it's through reading the Book of Mormon that we can know for ourselves it is true. Did a young boy write this or is it an ancient record that has been brought forth and translated for our day? And if it is true then the gospel is true...and what are we going to do about it?

We must read the Book of Mormon EVERY SINGLE DAY so we can gain a deeper testimony of this Gospel, our Savior, living day prophets, the Priesthood, etc. We cannot afford going a single day without reading from its pages...things are going to get hard, they already are, and we need to have a testimony that is firmly planted...when questions arise, we need a testimony of the Book of Mormon that is continually being fed so that we can tolerate the uncertainty we feel while staying true to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must be willing to experiment upon the word (Alma 32:27-28) and we must desire to know and be willing to act.

Hope you're all doing well. Ofa Lahi Atu!

<3 Sister Reid (Ridi (reedee), Liti (Leetee), Red, and everything else I've been called...my last name has never been a struggle before)

Amanakilelei = Hope (Amanaki-to expect/expectations) (lelei-good) =to expect good or good expectations

Vilo Hoa

Malo e lelei!! 

On Wednesday and Thursday we went on splits with the Sister Training Leaders and it was such a wonderful experience! I learned so much. The heavens were opened and miracles happened. I went with Sister Pakalani (she's actually from our area! and she knows English pretty well...thankfully!) and she has become one of my heroes! We went to her neighbors house and asked the man there (Timote) if he was available to hear a message...and he said he was. We decided to teach him the first lesson and when we started talking about Joseph Smith, he told us he didn't believe Joseph Smith was a prophet. Sister Pakalani asked him if he'd asked God. He said that he hadn't. She went on to talk about priesthood authority and the Book of Mormon. At the end, when we committed him to pray and read Moroni's promise, tears filled his eyes, and he said, "I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and I want you to come back on Saturday to make sure I prayed and read..." It turns out that he actually was baptized when he was little but never really knew the doctrine (this is the case with A LOT of the people in our area). He told us he hoped his baptismal record was lost because he wanted to get baptized again but by a palangi (white guy) haha. But the record was there. 

Several experiences like that happened during the next day. I learned so much from her. She truly teaches by the Spirit. She loves the people and that makes all the difference. When she taught, even though I didn't know everything she was saying, I felt so emotional and the Spirit was so strong. 

A little bit about our area: It's pretty small...we can walk across it in like 5 minutes and it would take less than an hour to walk up and down every street. There are a lot of pigs and dogs that wander around and everyone has 2-3 feet high fences around their houses that we climb over every day (it's a struggle...haha) When we go to someone's house we usually just call their name and they come and whenever we go into someone's house we take off our shoes. We usually sit on the ground on mats when we teach. When we go over for meals, they don't eat with us. They either leave and we find them when we're done to thank them, or they sit there and talk to us while they watch us eat. There are four areas in Eua and ours is the smallest but we're over two wards and everyone else is over one...so there are a lot of members in our area! 

This month, the mission read "On Being Genuine" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf and it is such a wonderful talk. I really liked one part in particular, "I pray that we will resist the temptation to draw attention to ourselves and, instead, strive for a far greater honor: to become humble, genuine, disciples of Jesus Christ......Such artificial discipleship not only keeps us from seeing ourselves as who we really are, but it also prevents us from truly changing through the miracles of the Savior's Atonement. The Church is not an automobile showroom--a place to put ourselves on display so that others can admire our spirituality, capacity, or prosperity. It is more like a service center, where vehicles in need of repair come for maintenance and rehabilitation. And are we not, all of us, in need of repair, maintenance, and rehabilitation? We come to church not to HIDE our problems but to HEAL them."

I love this so much. We can't just go through the motions...we need to open our heart and change to be more like Christ. It's not an easy road but it was never intended to be. We need to consider our purpose in everything we do and make sure we are being "genuine". As a missionary, I recognize that this work is not about me but rather about the Lord and His work and I am simply an instrument. 

Love you all so much!! Ofa Lahi Atu!

Sister Reid

Truck Tire Popped

So here's the thing...I have less than a half hour to email because the tire popped on the truck we were riding in on the way back from the hike and it took forever to fix...so I probably won't have time to reply to any one but I will read everyone's emails :) Sorry!

It's getting to be summer here in Tonga but luckily Eua is the coolest of all the islands so I lucked out there even though it's pretty hot!

This week was great! I love 'Eua and the people even though it's like straight camping haha. We had Zone Conference this week and the Assistants to the President rode the boat out here. It was good! We learned a lot, role played, and ate food.

Everything is going good. Not being able to say what I desire to say is SO hard though...especially in lessons. I desire so bad to speak and say the thoughts that come to my heart but they're all in English...and it's hard cause I can't really understand what the investigator is saying..but for some reason I can read Tongan and understand pretty well haha. But I know it'll come and I know that my smile and simple testimony count for something now.. :)

Yesterday, the two wards we are over had their primary programs and they were adorable!! The kids have such sweet spirits about them and many of them cried...they have been practicing every night for the past couple weeks! One of the wards had all of the kids dress up like missionaries and it was absolutely adorable!

OFA LAHI ATU!!!! You're in my prayers always.

Sister Reid

ps Apparently an ant bit my face two nights ago because I woke up and it was a little puffy haha..embarrassing..but it's gone now thankfully!

Miracle Baptism

"It takes broken clouds to make rain.
It takes broken ground to make grain.
It takes broken grain to make bread.
It takes broken bread to remember Him.
It took a broken Savior to provide the Atonement.
It takes a broken us to accept His offering.
The Lord loves broken things--cause we're all just a little bit broken,
But the Atonement of Jesus Christ can heal broken things."
(Elder Nielson, from the Presidency of the Pacific Area, shared this
with us this at 'Eua's Stake Conference)

This past weekend all the members in 'Eua prepared for Stake Conference and for the change in their Stake Presidency. They looked their very best, some of them washed their cars, and they all arrived like an hour early...to every meeting. Elder Tukuafu (from the 70) and Elder Nielson came and spoke. It was great because Elder Nielson spoke in English and it was translated to Tongan so I understand everything he said! In a meeting with the stake leaders we were invited to, he talked about the importance of educating ourselves in every area of our life.  As leaders, we must be educated in order to help the younger generation. He later talked about member missionary work and how the Lord doesn't want us to necessarily WORK HARDER but to WORK SMARTER. And of course, we had a huge feast after all of the meetings of really good food.

Middle part. Braids. Black Ribbons. No Make-up. Uniform. Flip Flops. This is my life. Very low Maintenance. Very different. But I think I actually like it.

Anyways, this past week we got two baptisms! It was a miracle. We thought we had no progressing investigators but then some members informed us that there were two kids who had been taught by the missionaries a couple times but were unable to be baptized because their grandma wouldn't let them (even though the mom, who attends the Church of Tonga, said it would be okay). The members have been working with this family for many years. But somethings played out and the grandma gave the "okay"! We taught them all the lessons again to make sure they were ready for the interview and Malei (8 years old) and Keio (10 years old) were baptized. On the day of their baptism, the font wouldn't fill up (it took 2 hours to fill up 3 inches haha) so we moved it to another building-and it all worked out! The kids were so tough because the water was freezing! Love them so much. We're going to work with their mom next :)

Our neighbor across the street receives boxes from her family in America each month of food and stuff and she shares it with us because she doesn't like sweet things! So when fafanga (our food appointment) falls through we go over and eat Nutella and pancakes and Syrup and ice cream...if I get fat, it won't be from the Tongan food...it will be from their kitchen ;) But the Tongan food is actually pretty good! And the members are SO nice to feed us twice a day!!! They are very nice people and I'm so grateful to be here!

Always so much to say, so little time...hope you're all doing well!!!
Love you all so much! Choose the right.

Ofa Lahi Atu!!
Sister Reid

p.s. the internet is too slow to send pictures...but I'm going to keep trying :)

Malo e lelei Eua!

I made it to Tonga...aaaaaand got assigned to the island of Eua (Ha'atua)!! And it is beautiful. I am the first palangi (white) sister to leave the main island of Tongatapu! It was a struggle trying to get ONE bag down to 50lbs to fly here to Eua. The plane ride was hilarious! The plane was TINY...it had like 15 seats. The runway was some field haha. It was difficult to adjust the first couple days (not being able to speak the language...it's a real struggle!) but I love it!

My companion, Sister Vaa'i, is Tongan but she's from Australia so she learned Tongan here. She is so funny and she has a lot of family in our area so she's able to connect with everyone super well. Our area is pretty small and most everyone is Mormon or Wesleyan. The area book hasn't been updated for over 5 months and so we're kinda starting fresh. The members are super on top of the missionary work here though so I am grateful for that!

The water in Eua has problems and sometimes just shuts off. Luckily, the missionary quarters has a huge water tank that fills up with the rain water and filters it so we've been able to shower out of a bucket and drink from that. That was a real interesting experience but not as bad as I thought it would be!

Clothes have been something to get used to. A girl gave me a couple outfits in the MTC and now we're working to gather some more...haha

This weekend, we were able to listen to conference in Tongan so even though I didn't understand a lot of it, it was fun listening for the words I do know.

Today, for Pday, we were able to go see some of the sights in Eua and it is BEAUTIFUL!!!! I'm going to try to send pictures but the internet is super slow so it might not work.

This work is amazing and I'm so grateful to be here! Alma 26...read it...it's an amazing missionary chapter.

Ofa Lahi Lahi Lahi Atu!!

Sister Liti (Reid)

(Comment from our family letter)

We ride in the back of trucks haha and it's so fun and everyone is nice. And I met the missionary couple from Gram's ward :)

(Missionary couples' letter to Tiff's grandma/attached pic)

Sister Bearce and I were having a wonderful experience on our mission in Tonga. We were at the mission office last night picking up a van when we ran across someone you love. Sister Reid was right there.  (Tuesday when Tiff just got to Tonga)

Someone told us there was a new Sister from Orem and wondered if we knew her. The answer was no, but we know her grandmother.

What a small world!

She is going to an island east if us called Eua. It is a forested island and has a logging industry. She will do well there. Her companion is from Australia but is of Tongan descent. I think she will train your granddaughter well.

I hope you enjoy the photograph.

Elder Bearce

Working for the Lord in Tonga!

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Tonga, here I come

...In two days I will be on my flight to Tonga...Ahhhh! These past couple days have been filled with emotion. I've felt SO much excitement and joy as I look forward to the opportunities and experiences that are before me but I also feel a little broken hearted over the fact that I have to leave all my friends here and leave the comfort of being in Provo. Also, this morning was the last time I got to go to the temple. I didn't think that would be so hard...but I haven't missed a week going to the temple for just over 21 months. I have seen such huge blessings come from attending the temple. But I know that my work is with the living and I know that will be such a blessing! I really am so excited!!

On Sunday, it was our fast Sunday because of General Conference. I had the opportunity to bare my testimony in Tongan...although it wasn't super long, I felt so much peace in the words I spoke because I really do know that this gospel is true! It brings me so much joy. I am so blessed to know of these wonderful truths. Aaaaaand I am so excited for General Conference!!! I think we will probably be able to watch conference next weekend too--my first week in Tonga--cause it takes a week for them to translate it! Yay. I hope we all take advantage of listening to the words of our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and the apostles and prepare so that we may hear what the Lord has prepared for us!

Yesterday, we had in field orientation and it went really well! It was so helpful! Last night, my teacher (Brother Fisher) showed us pictures from his mission and wore his Tongan missionary attire! It was so cool!! It made me think a lot about my humanitarian trip to Fiji last year...honestly, one of the most wonderful experiences of my life (shout out to HEFY!;)). I know that my mission in Tonga is going to change me and I'm going to love it so much!! 

Tonight, our Zone will sing goodbye to us. We sing in Tongan, Fijian, Marshallese, Kiribati, and Samoan! I LOVE singing with all of them...it's so beautiful. Pray that I can keep the tears from coming haha!

So this past week I shared a poem in Zone prayer, that I had found right before I came into the mission field, by an Elder serving in Texas. It's called "He's Been There Before". It touches my heart so deeply each time I read it and I hope you will take the time and read it too (I'm going to attach it at the end)! It helps me remember that we have nothing to complain about. We are never alone. There is someone who understands EXACTLY how we feel. He truly has been there. He's been in the darkest depths of life and in the highest places of joy. He's with us every step of the way. I hope we never forget that. 

I'm grateful for my opportunity to serve a mission!!

Ofa Lahi Atu!!!!

Sister Reid <3 <3 <3

HE'S BEEN THERE BEFORE
By Elder Troy Whittle,
Texas, Houston Mission

The alarm rings at 6:30; I stumble to my feet.
 I grab my  companion's bedding and pull off his sheet.
A groan fills the room, is it  already time to arise?
 It seems like just a second ago I was able to  shut my eyes.
The morning activities follow - study, prayer, and  such.
When it's time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven't  accomplished much.
"We have a super day planned," my comp says with a  grin.
 I lowly utter a faithless breath, "Yeah, if anyone lets us  in.
"With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the  street
Prepared to face another day of humidity and heat.
It's 9:30 in the  evening, the day is almost through;
My companion and I are riding home, not  accomplishing what we thought to do.
We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to  receive a lot.
Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "Air  Box."
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete.
The only thing  to show for our work is a case of blistery feet.
It's past 10:30 PM, my  companion is fast asleep.
Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to  weep.
In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray;
I need to talk to  Father, but I'm not sure what to say.
"Oh, Father," I begin, "What happened  to us today?
I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away.
My  hands, my aching hands - worn, hurt and beat;
If our area was any smaller,  we'd have knocked every street .."
"Why on missions are the days so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike.
Will  you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me.
I sweat so bad, it gets  in my eyes; It's very hard to see."
"Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't  your protection enough?
People always laugh at me and call me stupid  stuff.
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack;
I  want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back."
"And  what about my family? They don't have much to say,
I'm sick of not hearing  from home, day after day after day.
Oh Father, why am I here, am I just  wasting time?
Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my  mind."
"My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?
The way he  rides his bicycle, I don't think he can see.
Now you have it, I can't go on  I don't know what to do;
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for  You.
"My prayer now finished I stand up, then jump right into bed.
I need  my rest for tomorrow; we have another long day ahead.
Sleep starts to  overtake me; I seem to drift away,
Then it seems a vision takes me to another  time and another day.
I'm standing alone on the hill, the view is very  nice;
A man walks towards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ."
Tears of  joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet,
"Arise," He states, "Follow Me  to the shade - you and I need to speak.
"My attentions toward the Savior,  total and complete.
He says, "Your mission is similar of what happened to  Me,
I understand how you feel, I know what you're going through;
In fact  it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you."
"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you.
At times I felt not quite sure what else I could  do.
I know you don't like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be  sweet;
Just remember the donkey I rode wasn't equipped with 21 speeds."
"I  understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something you hate;
I  remember when I sweat blood from every pore, oh the agony was great!
I see  you don't like your companion - you'd rather have someone else.
I once had a  companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth."
"It's hard to wear a  helmet and have people make fun of you.
I remember when they put thorns on my  head and called me King of the Jews.
So you feel burdened down by the weight  of your pack.
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my  back."
"Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day.
I  guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way.
It's hard  not to hear from home when your family's not there to see;
I lost my  communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why hast Thou forsaken Me."
He  embraced me with His arms, His light filled me with His love,
With tears in  my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above.
I stood with awe and  wonder when a beep rang in my head,
I listened and heard the alarm, then  realized I was in my bed.
My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no  way!"
I sat up and said, "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures  today!"
No matter what we go through, when we feel we can’t take  more;
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ. He has been there before.