WEEK 37- snow in Hawaii

Well, this week was surprising!!

On Monday we played volley ball down at a park near a beach and enjoyed the sunshine! then we went to teach a lesson to a cute 9 yr old girl. We had forgotten the DVD player, and so we had to change lesson plans (we had planned on showing a video) so we decided that tonight was not the night to invite her to be baptized. but as we talked about the gospel of Jesus Christ (Faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end) she was like "aw, I want to be baptized!" and we were like thinking 'shhhh....little girl, not yet!' and we just said "that is such a good thing" then went on with the lesson. Then she said it again, but this time louder "I want to be baptized!" and we were thinking...well.... okay fine. I guess we really should not fight this! so we set up a goal for her baptism day, and she and her mom are so excited for it. Heavenly Father is preparing people everywhere to take that step. and especially little children are so receptive to the spirit! They feel it, and know that it is a good thing!

We went on exchanges this Wednesday! Sister Uasila'a-vaha and I went down to Kona. We went to visit a girl , and she wasn't home, but the two men who lived in the house beneath her were home. One of them came up to us and was like "are you the mormons?". my heart sank....I just didn't feel right about this guy. I said a silent prayer in my head to know if I was just being judgmental and he really needed the gospel, or if he really was a creep. I still just didn't feel good about it. I could tell that my companion didn't either. The spirit was giving us the feeling that we needed to leave, and that the intentions of these men were not good. The man told us how he "wanted to learn about the mormon bible" and that he was "so very interested". We told him about mormon.org, and how he could learn more there. We went upstairs to try and see if L was home and the guy went back into his house. We quickly and quietly stepped away and had almost made it out of the yard when the two men rushed back out of their house. They were like "wait, come back! I want to learn more!" we told them that we had left a mormon.org card on their washer (washing machines  are common to find out side of people's houses) but they didn't even listen as we told them. They both began to enthusiastically  invite us back. They we're beckoning and kept saying "come on. come here." " they were becoming super frantic. we just explained that we had to go and quickly left. It was so uncomfortable. I am very grateful for the spirit, who warned us that this was not a good situation. That was unmistakable. I am so thankful for Heavenly Father's guidance in situations like these.

So today, we drove up to Mauna Kea and played in the Snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so freezing cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! okay it was like 37 degrees, but that is cold to us Hawaiians! We built a snow man, made snow angels and sis p even went sledding down a hill.....but she fell off and super junked her leg. But she's tough. She's okay. We took pictures in our Heidi shirts…missing Heidi.

We are all getting a little antsy because transfers news is coming up so soon! We'll know officially on Sunday, but we'll probably find out tonight....all of the flights get booked tonight :)

      Take away thought for the day: Always be ready to listen to the promptings the spirit gives you. He will never give us false information. He always testifies of truth, and gives us direction and protection. And whenever we have a decision that we just can't seem to make by ourselves, we can come up with an answer, pray about it and see how we feel . The spirit will help us know if it is right or wrong. Even if it's just a little thing- If it's important to us, It matters to Heavenly Father and He will give us guidance.

He loves you! I love you! Church is so important to teach us what we need to know! and don't forget about family history!

love, Sister Hodgson

WEEK 36- comp unity and Rexy!

Aloha!!

So, this week sis p and I hit our 8 month mark. It was really weird. But what better way to celebrate, (missionary style) than by tracting door to door!!!!!.....in the pouring rain...... yes that's exactly what happened! We thought that it would be a good idea......but maybe our brains aren't fully developed yet because we both got super sick and spent the next day confined to our beds with tissues and medicine. That was not so fun. Sis p got it worse than me. she could hardly even talk.....which semi defeats the purpose of going out to do missionary work. We were totally laughing though at our companionship unity....we do everything together... we even get sick together:) We got out and worked the next day though. I ended up needing to do most of the talking. Her voice is still a little sick sounding, even today. But we feel better!!! We both got priesthood blessings, and that always helps.

Also, this week we got a new car! Our 2011 toyota corolla, named Bruce, is going back to Oahu today. We got a 2014 Chevy cruise! we named it Rexy...because it's license plate starts with RXZ.

So we went from 64,000 miles to 64 miles. The church takes really good care of the missionaries.

We have been teaching a lot of little kids this week. It is very interesting to have to teach things so differently, so that they can understand. We have to come up with new ways to explain things, and a lot of analogies. I have decided two things: one, I don't think that I have what it takes to be a 3rd grade teacher. Two, these little kids are so important to Heavenly Father. They are so innocent, and they have the desire to be good. They know when something is good, and they are eager to learn. We love seeing the way they change as they learn more about Jesus Christ and His gospel.

We're also working with K towards baptism. It is really on the line. She has a lot of outside influences and pressures, but she really wants it. So please keep her in your prayers. We know that Heavenly Father's love for her is stronger than any other influence that is pulling on her.

One more thing that we have been noticing this week, we need the help of the members in our ward!  Maybe the missionaries in your area need help giving rides to church, or maybe they need help in some other way. But I guarantee that they could use your help!!!!!!!!!!!! so ask the missionaries in your area how you can help them! This is the Lord's work, and we can all feel the blessings of being a part of it as we work together.

Onward Christian Soldiers! Have a wonderful week!

Much love,

Sister Hodgson

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