Kai ke Mate (Eat till you Die)

One year ago on the 27th I opened my mission call to serve in the Tonga Nukualofa Mission. I remember the joy I felt on that day. I couldn't stop smiling. The Spirit filled my whole soul. I often reflect on that day...it was such a powerful day. The Spirit confirmed to my heart that God is sending me to do a special work in Tonga, even though I am so inadequate. I'm so grateful for the decision I made to go on a mission. One of the hardest things I have EVER done, but it's blessing my life now and I know it's going to bless my life throughout eternity. I love my mission.

This past week was Stake Conference. On Saturday, there was a Priesthood adult session at 3 and adult session at 6 and then on Sunday there was the two hour block of Stake Conference and then a fireside that night. And during the course of those three days, we had 3 BIG FEASTS! Seriously, I ate so much. And during each of the feasts, whoever wants to, can get up and share their gratitude, etc. So people just go on forever about how grateful they are for everyone there and Tongans definitely know how to talk...haha they're so great! Then at the end of their little speech, they ask for forgiveness for if they've ever done anything that isn't right to anyone else, and they apologize for if they forgot to say something in their speech, and apologize for if they've ever behaved in a way that wasn't respectful, etc. haha they're so wonderful and humble. I learn things from the Tongan people every single day. 

These past week couple weeks, we picked up quite a few new investigators! So I'll just give a quick summary of some of them:

Pulotu--married with a couple young kids. We met her at her neighbors house who attend the Church of Tonga. The couple at the house got up and left to the store but we taught the first lesson to her. We've taught her a couple of other times and she's so sweet. She asked us in one of our lessons, "you know people don't really like your church, right?" It was so cute. She then explained that a lot of people have shared there opinion with her but she's gonna just investigate to know for herself. We set a baptismal date with her, but she's scared that her husband (he lives in Tongatapu) might not approve.

Dion Keli--yeah...it's not a Tongan name. But we randomly found her one day (it was kinda a miracle how everything had worked out for us to end up at her house) and she invited us in and told us she was going to Tongatapu to get baptized...she had been talking with her cousin who's Mormon and decided to change her life around. She used to be in a gang in Australia and drink and smoke but she's stopped all of this to join the church. The funny thing was that she hadn't ever met the missionaries before. So we started teaching her and it was amazing. Light bulbs were going off in her head the whole time. She was so excited to start reading the Book of Mormon. She went to Tongatapu and met with the missionaries there and got baptized this past week..but she's coming back, so we'll be doing the follow-up lessons with her.

Paea & Nio--they are a couple that are a part of the Wesylian church and Paea is a less active member of the Church but now she preaches in the Wesylian church. She's SO open minded. Like she believes everything from every church is true...it's very interesting. And when we're talking she's listens very carefully and will say things like "Amen" "Hallelujah" and during my prayer she would kinda make sounds...there were a couple times when it was hard not to laugh, just cause I'm not used to it. But I think it's so amazing that she pays attention so much to everything! 

There is so much more to say but I'm about out of time! So I'll update you more next week!

OFA LAHI ATU!

Sister Reid <3

A Visit to Ha'atu'a

I love the work. There is honestly not a more rewarding feeling in the world. This past week we got to vilo hoa (go on splits) with the Sisters in Ha'atu'a (Sister Medina and Pohahau--in my old area!). It was a lot of fun being able to go back and visit with the people there...it brought back a lot of memories.

This past week during language study, I was reading a random Ensign in Tongan and I read an article from Henry B Eyring about asking questions (directed towards Sunday School and Relief Society teachers in the church). He talked about the importance of asking questions. It's something I've been thinking about a lot--but here are a couple things he brought up. Good questions: they don't have an exact right answer (like what's the first principle of the gospel?..it's not a bad question, but there are better ones) and it takes a minute for the class to think of an answer, but when they answer it's heartfelt. When he formulates his questions he thinks about the response he will get from his class--maybe one question would be good for one class, but not in another. Questions trigger discussions. And those discussions can inspire change. He also said he uses this when he needs to talk to his children about a serious issue or about an attitude problem. He thinks of questions that will open their hearts and allow them to talk, and then desire to change and be better.

So this week was transfers. Last transfer was only 4 weeks cause they changed something with the MTC dates...I'm not really sure. Buuut I'm staying here in Pangai with Sister Betteridge and I'm very happy about that!! Everyone else in 'Eua is staying too expect for the District Leader (Elder Erickson)--which is really sad for all of us! He's been my District Leader since I've got here so it's going to be a really weird change. But I just realized that because I'm staying here this transfer, half of my mission will be here in the island of 'Eua! I'm so grateful to be serving here!

A couple random things:
-Once a cockroach gets flipped onto its' back, it usually stays that way for a couple days, moving its' legs around, until it dies. I have learned this because of the many cockroaches we find when we come home from work..haha got to love it!
-I ate dove last week! It was pretty good.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!
Sister Reid

Conference, Conference, and CONFERENCE

This week was uplifting and I learned so much. We went to Tonga on Tuesday and did a temple session. It was so beautiful. I love sitting in the Celestial Room with all the other missionaries that will be in the Mission Leadership Conference and with President Tupou and his wife. It is so special. 

Wednesday, was Mission Leadership Conference (Conference #1). We role played lessons 1 and 2 as a group (each companionship would take one principle and role play, then we would evaluate, etc.). We were focused on teaching with the Spirit of Truth and evaluated our role plays on three elements from D&C 50:22 (which Henry B Eyring shared in his talk during General Conference) 1.) Understanding 2.) Edified 3.) Rejoice 

When we teach our investigators, these three things should be there and when we leave they will be rejoicing and will want us to come back. We had a Zone Conference (Conference #2) of the same thing on Friday (the APs came to 'Eua) and so that was awesome to practice again. 

We came back on Thursday because there was a cyclone warning, but luckily it just rained super hard for like 20 minutes and then it was canceled. But it was still super windy so President told all the missionaries to stay inside. Quinton L Cook talked about the Cyclone that happened in Fiji a few weeks back and as we (the missionaries) were listening to this talk this past weekend, we thought about what a blessing it was that it didn't hit very strong where we were (it was the same Cyclone that had caused the little earthquake here). Satan really does try to stop the Lord's work in all kinds of ways.

I was SO grateful for the wonderful opportunity we had to watch General Conference (Conference #3) this past weekend. We got to listen to it in English in another room, so that was kinda nice. I love our dear prophet, Thomas S Monson. Although he only got to speak a few minutes his message is powerful! How important it is for us to use our Agency wisely! I loved like all the talks in conference so it's hard to just choose a few to talk about. I really liked the talk by Steven E. Snow that our Genuine concern should be the success of others and the importance of humility. This life isn't about us and it's so important to rely on the Lord consistently and recognize that we are dependent on him. And Ronald A. Rasband's talk was so good. It's so important to continue gospel study through asking questions and remain cheerful and faithful, always.

Hope you all have a wonderful week and fill your life with those things that will help the Spirit be more fully in your day to day!

Ofa Lahi Atu!

Sister Reid

We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet

I'm a little bit jealous that you all get to listen to General Conference right now..but I get to watch it this coming Saturday and Sunday and we're downloading the sessions in English so we can listen to it in English. I'm so grateful for the opportunity we have to listen to a living day prophet and apostles. My testimony and appreciation for our prophet has grown so much stronger. As we talk to many other people from other churches, it's definitely something that sets us apart. Earlier this week we taught a couple named Mamata and Malakai. We started teaching lesson one and it was a bit rough at first cause they weren't really talking and we were trying to follow the Spirit to have them open up but they didn't seem very interested, especially Malakai. When we got to talking about prophets we felt impressed right then to talk about the living prophet on the Earth today. Malakai, who had been looking down most of the lesson, looked up. I pulled out a picture of the prophet and as we explained how there is a prophet on the Earth that leads the church of Christ, they couldn't help but stare in amazement. We invited them to General Conference and they agreed to come! I'm so blessed to be a part of this gospel. I know this church is lead by God through our prophet, Thomas S Monson. 

Sister Betteridge and I get to travel to Tonga tomorrow for Missionary Leadership Conference! Sister Tupou called us last week to be Sister Training Leaders. Again, humbled by the opportunity. I'm so excited cause that means I get to go to the temple again! I'm so looking forward to it :) 

Mateaki, our investigator (12 years old) came to church on Sunday! His sister, Ofa, has been a strong member ever since she was little. We've talked to the mom a lot (less active) and she has expressed her desire in coming back to church, but the dad is a bit stubborn. So we're working on their family. I'm excited to see the miracles that I know are going to happen in this area! 

Ofa Lahi Atu! <3 Hope you all have a fantastic week!

Sister Reid

Happy Easter

Soooo my new companion is Sister Betteridge (Petalisi-in Tongan) and she got here on Tuesday and she is so wonderful! We get along SO well! She is such a hard worker, chill, funny, and a really good missionary. I've already learned so much from her and I know I'll continue to learn a lot from her example! She is from Washington state but studied at BYU last year. It's been fun being with a palangi, a lot different, but people are so nice and we've had so much food at our house the past week and each so much at fafanga (when the members feed us)...it's crazy! But seriously, I think we've gained a lot of respect from the members because we're not picky and we try to eat a lot. haha. But we're diligent in exercise so it doesn't risk our health too badly.

The work is coming along...it's been really hard to find new investigators because the preachers in the churches tell their congregation that they're not allowed to listen to us. So we're finding ways around that..and really starting to work with the members. But yesterday in ward council, all the leaders in the ward set a date for us to come to their house this week and they'll have someone for us to teach...so if that goes the way we hope it does there will be a lot of progress! 

Easter here is different..they don't do like Easter eggs, or things like that. They get off work and school on Saturday and Monday and pretty much everyone goes to church and have huge church celebrations in "remembering the cross"...

General Conference will be the week after for us...and I'm SO excited!

I finished the Book of Mormon in Tongan this week...and guess what? It ends the same in Tongan as in English...haha it has been such an awesome experience being able to read it in Tongan..the Gift of Tongues is real. Learning a language is the most humbling thing ever and SO hard and takes a ton of dedication but it's amazing seeing how it took me sooo long in the MTC to even read a verse and understand it and now I understand almost everything I read..still have a long way to go but I know that God helps his missionaries.

Hope you have a good week! 

Sister Reid

He Is Risen

How blessed we are to be children of a Heavenly Father, whose love is infinitely perfect and who is merciful beyond all measure that He sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer, die, and then burst the bands of death that we might live. What a beautiful time of year this is to reflect a little deeper upon our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ--the most Selfless being this world has ever seen. He Lives. He invites us to Follow Him. And He stands with arms of Mercy stretched out to you. Because of Him we can become whole, without spot, if we just accept him. How do we accept him? By living the Gospel of Jesus Christ--Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring the the End. My love and gratitude for Him has grown deeper as I've stood as a representative of Him--I'm inadequate, I'm weak, I make mistakes. But because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ I am enough and I receive strength enough to do what needs to be done. I love my Savior and Redeemer, the Prince of Peace, even Jesus Christ. I testify he lives and loves everyone of us--and because of His atonement we can be enough, we can make it through, and ultimately we can become perfect and live with God again. 

Sister Langi (my companion) and Sister Vaa'i (my old companion) both finished their missions on Friday aaaaaand Sister Medina (my companion from the MTC) and I have been working together in Pangai (my area) until our new companions come (tomorrow).....soooooo my new companion is a PALANGI (white girl) and she's been out a couple months more than me and so I'm super excited!!! But I'll tell you more about that next week :)

It's been a lot of fun working with Sister Medina and leading out the area these past few days. It's kinda crazy because sometimes you don't know how capable you are until capable is the only thing you can be haha. I'm feeling a lot more comfortable communicating with people..and although I have a long way to go to be fluent, there has been a lot of progress. I really love the Tongan language, I love the people here, and I love the gospel--the mission has been so good for me...SO hard, but SO good. Aaaand I'm going to finish the Book of Mormon in Tongan tomorrow...which I'm super pumped about. 

A lot of the people we teach turn out to be less actives but they just don't really remember they were baptized when they were younger..so that's a bit of a struggle. So we just treat them like an investigator but instead of them getting baptized we just try to get them to return to the church. And there are a lot of people who want to return to church but they married someone from another church and they won't let them return. So we teach the less active and try to teach their spouse but it's really hard to find them both home because most the time they're gone drinking kava and smoking with their friends. 

One guy we started teaching is from America but he came to Tonga about two years ago and while he was in Tonga he got baptized like a few days after meeting the missionaries (I don't really know how that happened....) and he doesn't know very much about the church. He's been attending church the past year but he doesn't really know Tongan..so we've been teaching him the doctrines and it's really weird teaching in English. Especially saying the prayer in English...I sound so awkward! haha but it's good, I'm glad we're here to help him learn the doctrines. 

Ofa Lahi Atu!!! Have an incredible week and Easter!

Sister Reid

MALIA'S AND KEPUELI'S BAPTISMS

MALIA AND KEPUELI GOT BAPTIZED THIS WEEK! It was seriously so beautiful. Since it was part of ward conference, the Stake Presidency was there and a lot of other people to support. It was a little stressful because it was supposed to start at 6 but Kepueli hadn't come back from "the bush" yet but when they arrived we welcomed them with open arms and smiles! When the meeting started their eyes were filled with tears and the Spirit was so strong. I seriously felt so much love for them. They were confirmed yesterday in church (ward conference) and they seriously glowed!! Their parents listened to the missionaries a year or so ago but haven't really been interested since. Their sister married someone who is less active and he smokes and stuff and that bugs the mom so we're going to start working with the sister's husband (he came to church yesterday for the first time in a long time) and then hopefully we can start teaching the whole family!! 

Tiola. Things have been a little confusing with her (she was maybe going to move to Tonga to go to school, etc) and she was supposed to go on Saturday to visit Tonga so we put off her baptism to figure some things out...so I'll keep you updated with that!

Sister Langi finishes this week and I have no idea what will happen with transfers. I'm a little nervous, but I know I don't need to be because God knows what he's doing! I'm so grateful for everything I've learned from Sister Langi...she pushes me to be a little better everyday..sometimes it's a little painful but I'm SO grateful!! 

I love this work. Last night, we were walking down the street and a boy stopped us and asked if he could ask a question. He said he was baptized a while ago but stopped going to church and has done a lot of bad things and he wants to know if it's possible for him to come back. We explained to him the process and then my companion shared with him the scripture in Isaiah "though your sins are as scarlet they can be white as snow" His eyes filled with tears. The Savior is so merciful. The atonement is so wonderful. The Lord has provided a way back.

OFA LAHI ATU!!

Sister Reid