Aloha!!!!! this was the chillest
Christmas of my life!!!! I was like where is the schedule? I was saying how I
missed all the aunts hustling and bustling us around from activity to activity
and I missed Stephanie's home-made caramel........Then I got a package in the
mail from them with the caramels!!!!!!!!!!! what?! it was so awesome! thanks
steph!. I kinda miss real Christmas! But
it has some cool things as a missionary too.
we got transfer news! Sister P and I
are staying here together another transfer! that is so against all odds! but we
know that we are both staying for a reason. We know that there is a lot of work
to be done here.
“I” got baptized this week! He was
so ready. His little daughter was with him, and while he was getting dressed we
walked her over to see the font. We explained how her dad would go down in the
water and get baptized. she was like "Daddy's going to be a
mermaid?"....... . After He was
baptized, he got dressed and then he came up to share his testimony. About a
month ago he was totally lost. He had no purpose in his life. He has come so
far from that day. It has been amazing to see the change. Now he has a family
in the ward, now he knows what he wants to do with his life. He feels more at
peace, and more in control of his anger. He is really a miracle!
We also got to see a wedding this
week. Two of the ward members tied the knot at our ward mission leaders home! It
was so beautiful. They are planning on the temple next year! They had both been
married before and together they have a total of 9 kids. They are so meant to
be together! All of the bridesmaids (their daughters) and the groomsmen (sons)
were dressed in blue aloha print and the whole thing was just lovely! We love
their family.
We went on exchanges again this
week. Sister T joined me up here. She is serving in Kona. We had a blast! We
always learn a lot on exchanges.
MOMMY QUESTIONS:
My most difficult moment on my mission:
I'd probablly have to say, there
wasn't just one moment, but some reoccurring themes.
-Inadequacy- feeling like I can't do
this work well enough. Feeling like I should be perfect but not being able to
achieve that
-Disagreements- It is hard when you
and the person that you need to be with 24/7 disagree on something. whether it
is obedience level, what to do when an unexpected event comes up, etc.
Communication is so key!!! and Charity. If you are both praying for charity,
then the Lord will help you to find compromises. If you really are trying to
develop a love for that person, the Lord will help.
And during all of my toughest times,
when I can't stand it anymore, I just kneel. PRAYER WORKS!!!! in fact, I'm
fairly convinced that it's the only thing that does:) Heavenly Father LOVES
YOU!!!! He loves all of us. If we just turn to Him, we can find all of the
peace that we need.
My thoughts on Christmas:
I am so grateful that Jesus Christ
gave himself as the best gift of all. He was born, so that He could give His
life for all of us. That was His purpose. To give, serve, love and set the
perfect example for all of us. That's why Christmas is about giving, serving,
and loving. And when we don't have the best day ever, when we don't get
everything right, when we need a friend He is right there for us- to love us.
That is the best Christmas gift of all.
Much love and aloha!
-Sister Hodgson
