WEEK 35- Goals and the Temple

So, on Sunday night, like I mentioned, we stayed the night in Kona. Then Monday we stayed the night again because Tuesday we had our meeting in Kona in the morning. oh, ya and for pday we played volleyball and got shave ice! it was awesome!!! So then, when went on exchanges again. I stayed in Waimea and took sister Uasila'a-vaha back with me.

This week we have just been focusing a lot on how much our   baptism has been a blessing in our lives. Thus we have been trying to help people to set a goal date for when they want to be baptized so that they have something to work towards. At the beginning of this week, only C had a set date. But on Tuesday J and K set dates to make those covenants; on Thursday T and Ta set dates; on Friday J set a date and on Saturday K made the same decision, to make that a part of her life.   It has been amazing to see how many people are ready to take that step. They just need a goal to work towards. It motivates them! That is why it is so important to set specific goals! In our district this week we have all four set the goal to not crack our knuckles! haha and we account to each other each night. that is another thing about goals: they are easier to stick to if you have someone to account to! And the third thing that I have learned about goals this week is to shoot for the moon! When you set a goal, set it to stretch yourself! As you put forth your best effort, and ask for the Lord's help, you can achieve so much more than you think! So push yourself! "There is no growth in the comfort zone, and there is no comfort in the growth zone"!

Our mission president did a big training on member missionary work, and we have really seen a difference! We have had a lot more members coming to us to see how they can help with the work. It has been going well!

This week, while we were tracting, we met this one lady who spent the whole time telling us how we were in a cult and just didn't know because we were to young and deceivable....and how if we ever wanted to get out she could help us. I  personally  believe that Jesus is the Son of our Heavenly Father....especially considering how He prayed to God, and specifically asked His Father to forgive the men who crucified Him. According to her conclusion, I'm going to Hell. But I told her, that if Im going to hell, I  will have some  good  company:) It was a very nice conversation....I've never been told that I was going to Hell in such a nice way. We thanked her for her kindness and concern. I just told her that I am doing my best to do what I know is right. and she got super upset and told us that it isn't about what we do at all, but it is about Jesus and We can't get to heaven by what we do. true.....but I know that faith without works is dead, so I am going to work to show my faith in my Savior. I know that I absolutely need His grace and mercy to achieve anything, but I know that He expects me to try hard and learn and grow while I'm here on earth. Hence, the importance of goal setting, once again.

We had interviews with the President on Friday, and then we had Cs baptism  It was good to see president and Sister Warner again. They just checked

in to see how we were doing. It has been a great transfer.  So that's good. Then everything went well with Caryssa's baptism. she was pretty excited and then -in the Hawaiian style- there was a big dinner afterwards:)

We went to the temple today!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was wonderful! After the session I just sat for a long long time and enjoyed the peace. Then I double checked the chandeleir- it's still broken:) haha

Well, as I've mentioned, I've been thinking about goals a lot this week. I have a strong testimony that Heavenly Father wants us to set and reach our goals. He wants us to succeed. He wants us to be happy. And he provides a way! He already knows who He wants us to be. He already knows how we can get there. He paves the road to our potential; we just need to walk it! And we have the promise that we never have to walk alone. Our Brother and Savior, Jesus Christ will walk the road of our refinement with us. And if needed, He will carry us. I know, because I have felt the times in my life when He has carried me.

So, set some goals, and invite Heavenly Father's help. He'll never let us down

Aloha nui loa

-Sister Hodgson

week 34 - One Haole girl!

okay so this week i got to go down to Kona on exchanges with the sister training leader! It was so much fun!! The missionaries down there are really positive and super kind! I just felt so energized!

down in Kona, we had a lesson with a little Filipino man and when we were leaving he gave me a hug and said "you are one small American!" haha we laughed our head off...the sister training leader is pretty tall. he hugged her and said "and my big American!" so funny!

Lahi wore a dress to church for the first time this week. Isaiah got the priesthood! and our new friend, Emily wants to be baptized in February! that's our big news updates. and so here's my shout out to ISAIAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (He found our blogs on line)...... : Congratulations on receiving the Priesthood Isaiah! let us know when you read this haha:) and tell Kira that auntie says hi!

Okay, so right now, we are in Kona again with the sister training leader's companion. The Sister trainer had to fly to Oahu early this morning for a leadership meeting so we are in a tripanionship for the day. we drove down and stayed the night last night, but she'll be back this evening.

Our president flew over this week and had a training meeting for all of the ward and stake leaders. It was so great! he is such a relatable guy. He makes everyone feel comfortable, because he is humble. But he knows how to motivate and inspire people. We have had a lot of people this week asking how they can help, volunteering to come out with us, and work with us. The work is hastening!

  Sister P and I both were at Heidi Greenwoods Funeral here in Utah.  She is on the rugby team with Dana and Sarina .  So we wrote HG on the lava rocks because we were thinking of her.

 So Heavenly Father is so good! Just so everyone knows that.  you remember Isaiah? The investigator who found us by walking into the church? Well, we thought that was awesome, but Heavenly Father knew loves to surprise us....so a few nights ago, we got a knock at our door. There was a man who was new to the area. He and his wife had just gotten jobs in our town and he had a few questions for us. The conversation turned towards the gospel and now he and his wife are meeting with us to learn about the gospel! So Heavenly Father is LITERALLY placing people on our porch that want to learn more ! We feel so blessed!

Questions: what are some mission and personal goal for the new year?

I want to be more bold in talking to people. (in the last week we've made a lot of progress on this goal! we've been talking to a lot of new people). Also, I want to develop more charity for everyone I know and meet.

What is eating like? well, when we feed ourselves, we eat Mexican food and a lot of Asian pears and oranges....and carrots. when members feed us, we really get fed. Let's just say we had 10 dinner appointments scheduled for this week. yes, I know, there aren't even ten days in a week....yes.  we eat with members,and less active members alike. our ward mission leader schedules for us. he is so great.

I love Hawaii and the culture, but I can't seem to understand some of the language still. We were at our bishop's house for dinner, and his son was telling us about a pier in Kauai. He mentioned something that sounded like this "chu ge' one shack". I was like "you get shocked?" like thinking there was a lot of lightning by this pier. he repeated "no, des won shak". Still confused, I asked again "shocked?" He emphasized again "SHAK"" ....oh....shark. There is a shark." I am so haole! they all totally laughed at me!

Well, that's all for this week!
love you!

love

-Sister Hodgson

Week 33- Tracting brings surprises and Happy 2014

Well it rained cats and dogs all of new years day, so we went down to Kona and played some great fun party games with all of the other missionaries. Then we went outside to see the fireworks and like 1 minute to midnight, we all posed for a picture, then a huge sprinkler went across and sprayed us all right in the face!!! The photographer still took the picture....needless to say she captured some pretty hilarious faces!! ( hoping she will send some of those later)

Then on new years day we got to sleep in till 8:00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was the best day of my life!!!!!!! haha not really but it was nice! Then we played a marshmallow shooting game with pvc pipes. We did every man for himself, then civil war style: we just lined up and shot volleys back and forth....then Vietnam style.....army crawling across the ground. it was so much fun! and we got to watch a movie!!! Ephraim’s rescue!!! it was good!! and so  fun to watch a movie!

Isaiah, our recent convert gave one of his friends a book of Mormon and he invited him to meet with us!! He is so solid!! He loves what the gospel has done for him and he wants to share that.

So tracting (knocking door to door) is such a miracle. There are thousands upon thousands of houses in waimea, and multitudes of people in each house. The odds of finding any one particular person, at any one given time in any one specific house are very slim.......so guess who we found? yup, that's right- the drunk guy who woke us up a few weeks ago!!!! We were almost done tracting, but we were like "just one more house". As I raised my hand to knock on the door, and just before i knocked, I saw, through the window beside the door THE GUY!!!!! I'm pretty sure the look on my face as we met eyes was a look of terror, fear, panic and shock!!! I quickly composed myself as he opened the door and our conversation ensued. He went on to mock our moral standards and whatever else but then he offered a sweet prayer for "these beautiful women" (said with a drunken slur). As we left he made one last comment "well, now you know where I live......Cause I know where you live!!" hahahahaha we have the funnest times tracting

well, we have to go buy coats and mittens.............we're so cold 24/7....haha this isn't quite what I expected of Hawaii, but we did not  Pack for this!

-Sister Hodgson

WEEK 32- Baptism and a wedding

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

WEEK 31- HO HO HO Merry Christmas!

Our district of missionaries has sis p and myself, and two elders. Elder Hill, and Elder Merril came up with our district name. It's Hill, Hill, Hodge, Merri Pantsmas! like ho, ho, ho, merry Christmas....but with our names in it....yup they're pretty clever! we love it!

Well, skyping was pretty much the greatest thing ever ever ever ever! I so loved that!! I could have stayed on all day!.....but you probablly would have gotten hungry and I'd have to pee............... true story. But I loved every second that we did have! That's what Christmas is about: Family. and Christ, evidently.... because it's named after Him:)

Well this week was wonderful! We baked choke cookies yesterday with the zone, and our dinners for the past two nights have been Christmas parties. We watched a three year old do a hula- that was SO cute!

I ate raw fish this week!! Me no likey..... but fortunately, my companion does! so she took my plate to get me more rice, and she took it for me! hallelujah! I so love her!

We get to watch a movie this week for Christmas! We get to watch Ephriam's rescue! we're excited!

Well, this week is gunna be short, because I blabbed on about all the good stuff for like an hour already, but I'll just end with my testimony:

I know that Jesus Christ was sent to this earth to set a perfect example for all of us, and to perform the atonement. I know that because He atoned for all of us, He has provided a way for us to repent and become better. I know that He also knows exactly how we feel, and can succor us perfectly. He will be our best friend if we will let Him in. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father loved us so much, that He provided a way for us to get back to live with Him again. I know, without a doubt, that He hears and answers our prayers. He loves us, and He wants us to be happy. So if we feel disheartened, if things don't turn out the way we want them to, if we feel lonely, or depressed, we can just ask Him to help us to feel the joy of His love. He will bless us with the love and peace that we seek.

Mele Kalikimaka!

love, Sister Hodgson

WEEK 30 -Christmas parties

      Well, this week was significantly less eventful than last week.

On tuesday, we had our district meeting/service out at the lindsey's ranch. we practiced teaching the plan of salvation and then we went out and pulled a BUNCH of fire weed. Then we went on exchanges. The sister trainer came up here to waimea and spent tuesday night and all day wednesday with me. It was really neat! she taught me a lot.

        We also went to the hospital and helped them take the end of the year supply inventory. that was super fun! we counted like a bajillion tongue depressors and bandages!

        Then sister P got sick, so we had to spend about a day and a half in the pad. We did a lot of planning, paper work and missionary work over the phone. she is feeling much better now though!

        Okay and  funny story, one of the elders called and was like "hey sisters what are we doing on pday?" and I was like "hiking!" and he was like "oh cool! which hike?" I laughed and said "we're not hiking!" "but I thought you just said we were hiking..." "I was lying. This zone is never hiking ever again!" he was like "aw man!....why not?" elders are so thick sometimes!!! ummm does he not remember what happened the last two times we went hiking!? needless to say, we're picking a different activity for the next few weeks.

      We had our ward Christmas party......santa was hawaiian:) super cute. all the little kids loved it when he came! then the next night we went to the waikoloa ward Christmas party and their santa was so legit! so we took a picture with him.

oh and p.s. we found out that we can skype our families for Christmas!!!

sorry this is so short....that's all i got for this week.

I love you a bunch and I can't wait to skype you family!!!!!!!!!!!!!

love, Sister Hodgson