WEEK 43- Priesthood blessings

Mommy Questinos:
are their trials or things you learned when you are younger that you use now in the mission field.?

yes. just anything that I ever went through that was hard prepared me for now. In fact, I even think the easier stuff prepared me: everything that I have experienced up till this point has shaped me and made me more able to handle the struggles of life. And the things that I haven't learned yet, I am having to start  learning now. but something that I am learning is when we are experiencing something difficult, we can pray and ask Heavenly Father what He wants us to be learning from this.

tell us about your zones: ...it's a big island so we hardly see each other. but we have AWESOME zone leaders!!! Like Moroni/ Nephi status!

This week was good but tiring.

My companion is still feeling sick:( headaches, etc.

We went around and visited a lot of ward members with one of the sisters on the ward council, so that has been fun.

We even did some service in the rain.  A lady was sick and needed to weed the taro field...soooo...yeah getting some service can make you smile!!

It has been really cold here! But we have our heaters and blankets, so we're okay.

We went to go visit one lady this week and she just hugged me so tightly and said that she was feeling so sick. She can hardly breathe! I think she has asthma and allergies and used to smoke so her lungs are not working properly. We sat down on the couch and then she slid down to the floor and just laid her head in my lap and cried. She felt that my feet were cold, so she pulled my foot into her lap and warmed my foot up. she kept holding my legs and kissing my knees and crying. I was embarrassed at first. but I knew that the didn't want to hold my feet because of anything that I , Rachel, had done, but she wanted to hold my feet because I was a missionary. It was a really humbling experience. the people here are so humble and loving. we called and some brothers in the ward came over to give her a blessing. It was really neat. by the time they got there, she was coughing nonstop. literally. she couldn't even talk anymore. but as they gave her the blessing, she was able to breathe, and by the end, she could say "thank you brothers."

AS I thought
back about that experience, I realized that I am so grateful for the Priesthood, so that people can be given blessings. and I love the humble people of Hawaii!

sorry this week's letter is so short! love you all! Transfers next week....????

-Sister Hodgson

 

PS mom thanks for the new outfit...new clothes are fun , you start to get pretty tired of the "same old same old"

Week 42- the book of Hodson

The book of Hodgson

-An account of SIster Hodgson. Her journeys in her days of preaching amongst the people of the isles of the sea.-

Chapter 1

Sister Hodgson journeys to the land of Kona. She Finds strength in the Lord. She is joyful in her labors in the land of Kona. She humbles herself and returns to Waimea.

1Now behold, it came to pass that there began to be much contentions and disentions amongst the sisters of the kona zone, wherefore it became expedient for the leaders of the zone to organize an emergency exchange.

2And it came to pass that on the morrow, behold the exchange did commence and I did make her journey to the land of Kona, to proclaim the gospel there with Sister Lebaron.

3And behold, I did find great joy and gladness in the work of the Lord in the land of Kona. For behold, the work did prosper amongst the people there. For the sisters who had gone before did work with much dilligence, and with exceeding faith.

4And when the time that was beforehand determined for the exchange to end, behold, the leaders did find it expedient to continue the exchange. And I did remain in the land of Kona all the next day.

5And it was the evening of the second day since I took my journey to the land of Kona, when the leaders of the zone sent out a proclamations amongst all of the missionaries in the land that there would be another exchange which would commence that evening.

6Now behold, this did gladen my heart, yea, verily, I did proceed to shout for joy at these glad tidings. For behold, I had found great joy in the work of the Lord in the land of Kona.

7And it came to pass that Sister Uasila'a-vaha returned to her home land of Kona, and verily, she was exceedingly confused at the things which had transpired over the past two days.

8For behold, she had been in another land, and did not know of all the things which did come to pass in the land of Kona. Therefore, it became expedient for me to account all of the things that sister LeBaron and I had seen and heard in this land. And Behold, I was also exceedingly confused, because I was not well aquianted with the land of Kona.

9But we did rely on the Lord to strengthen us in accomplishing His work. And behold, we did see much success in the land, and found much Joy in the Lord our God.

10And we did sing praises unto Him all the day long.

11And when the time came for my journey back to the land of Waimea, my heart was exceedingly sorrowful. For I had grown to love the people of Kona, having spent four of my last eight days in this beautiful land.

12But behold, I knew that I must return to the land of my residence, to fulfil all that the Lord should require me to do there. Therefore, I did find need to humble myself, and put forth my trust in the Lord. For He had hitherto shown unto me that His ways were higher than my ways. Therefore, I did make my journey back to the land of Waimea.

haha that was so much fun!!!

So I love Kona to pieces! it is warm there and the sister there work so hard- like no luch break status!!!!!!!!!!! it was fantistic!!!!! I learned a lot on the exchanges. Our sister training leaders are awesome! Oh, also we got to go running down ALI'I drive which was fantastic!!! I haven't been running in forever. Sister Willis is still sick, but she went to the doctor this week and got some help. SO that's the gist of this week.

Love,

Sister Hodgson

week 41- Boxes

This week went by very quickly!!!

On Tuesday, we had district meeting. For the motivational activity before the district meeting started, some elders had set up a game of "water pong" ......it was actually super fun! haha

 sis willis and I won.!!!

..... it was nice because I got us all rehydrated......then during the closing song a few people had to get up to use the restroom:) fun stuff.

Then on Friday, we had Zone conference!!! and finally, on Friday, our shower got fixed!!!! Yay no more cup showers!!!!!!! President talked about how we are all in this "box" of missionary work. we can move around as freely as we want inside the box, but we can't go outside of the box- break the rules. He talked about how we all slip outside of it a little bit here and there, and what we need to do is get back inside. But when we get Way outside of the rules and do something crazy, then we get put in the "not trusted" box....and he drew a little tiny box. He said that is where he puts you with a companion that he knows will watch you closely, and you get "babysat". He talked about how we can repent and change and eventually get back into the big box- the trusted box. But it we're not willing to do that or if we are still being crazy, then we get into another little box....and he drew an airplane on the chalk board. That's for when people get sent home. So we all laughed, but it really was a good point. It is a special opportunity to be out here and we don't want to blow it by breaking all of the rules. Rules are there to keep us safe. Heavenly Father gives us commandments so that He can bless us as we keep them, and so we can be happy.

 

here is a picture of our DL and sister Willis and I :)   ( being happy :)

Saturday was exchanges! I went down to Kona with sister UV. It was really fun! She is such a happy and positive person! I love being around happy people. it just makes me......happy!!!! So that was fun- and hot. Kona's hot.

Sister Willis has been pretty sick these past couple of days. She has been really good at just pushing through it, but yesterday she was exhausted! So our day consisted of ward council meeting, church, a lunch appointment, then coming back home. She needed a  nap. Then we went to see three little girls' baptism, then we went back home and she napped a little bit more. poor thing has just been so sick! we did our studies then had dinner and went to bed. We are going to take her into the doctor tomorrow. They think part of it might be that our house is old and moldy....so we'll have to see!

Aloha loa

-Sister Hodgson

WEEK 40 - a broken shower and starving people

First she freaked me out by sending this...we thought she had cut her hair!   just trying to cool off by pulling her pony tail up!

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This week we had some good teaching opportunities! First of all, one of the young women invited her friend to an activity with all of the girls, then she introduced her friend to us. Her friend has been reading the book of mormon and is in Alma. (that's pretty far in!) So we will get to talk with her more this week and teach her a little bit more about the gospel!

Also, we went tracting last week and met a nice lady named  R. We set up a time to come back and when we came back we got to talk to her and her husband. It turns out that some elders had helped them to build their house years ago. So they know some things about the church. We talked about how God has always called prophets, and how we have a prophet on the earth today who holds the priesthood just like the apostles when Christ was on the earth, just like Noah and Moses and Abraham. They really were interested. We asked them to pray and ask Heavenly Father if all the things that we talked about are true. I love that so much, that everyone gets to find out for themselves- they don't have to take our word for it, but they can ask God and get an answer directly from Him!

Well, we found out that I am the designated driver now, so that has been fun!

I get teased for driving the speed limit by most,  but its the sacred tithing that pays for these cars ....I would rather error on the side of caution.

oh, and our shower is broken! so no water will come out of the shower head...only out of the faucet.....For the past couple of days we have been filling up a cup with water and just pouring it on our heads repeatedly...it has been fun and cold. but I think they are coming to fix it today! YAY!

We had a lesson with a guy named J. We talked about how after the death of the Savior and His apostles the true gospel of Jesus Christ, in it's fullness was not on the earth. We talked about how the world was in an apostasy. "Behold the days come...that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and [people] shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." -Amos 8:11-12. We talked about how the people were hungry for the gospel. They were thirsty for guidance and truth. He said that he felt like that a lot in His life. We know that this gospel, the church of Jesus Christ is what fills that hunger.

We had an opportunity to fast this week, and there was a time when someone was eating in front of us. I can tell you, that that lasagna looked yummier than any lasagna I'd ever seen! And I thought to myself that the way I felt about that lasagna way a type of how people feel when they don't have the gospel in their lives. There are people all around us who are spiritually starving. some of them don't even know what they are hungry for- but it we can give them something to "eat", I know that they would be so thankful. How is it that we never forget to feed ourselves each day, but we forget to feed ourselves and  others spiritually all the time. I am guilty of it too. But brothers and sisters- we have the lasagna!! We have what fills that hunger. And there are many good, wonderful people who are "kept from the truth because they know not where to find it". We aren't here to force anything on anyone, but we are here to offer and to share what has blessed our lives so much. So share what you know and love! Live what you believe! and invite people to learn more about Jesus Christ-

Love you all! Our Savior lives, and our Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us!

Aloha

-Sister Hodgson

PS We love the Kona temple!

week 39- no one is home and the Lord loves us!!

MOMMY QUESTIONS:
The most memorable thing that I have eaten is called Laho, or Lahos.........it's basically........I don't know how to say this in the most politically correct way......... Cow testicals......yup... just fried. freshly cut from that morning.

one of the most memorable things that I have done is still hiking Pali lookout at night on the fourth of july with our zone. We kept losing our shoes! and the blind elder tripped/slipped less than I did haha. it was a steep, muddy hike! The view at the top was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you could see kaneohe and the road to honolulu. It was awesome!

What I have learned from having companions is when you are both concerned for the happiness of the other, and are willing to make sacrifices for each other than you will be able to get along. I have also learned that as we pray to the Lord, and ask for charity, He will bless us to be able to love ANYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have also learned that the people that I enjoy being around are the ones who encourage me to be my best self, and I want to be that for others too.

Aloha!!!!!!!!!!!!  So this week we got sister P all packed up and went around so she could say her goodbyes, then we drove down to Kona to stay the night.  The night before sister p and I had only gotten 3 hours of sleep because of packing.  Then Tuesday night, the sister training leader and I got like 4 hours of sleep, and the others got about a half hour..... then we drove to the airport. We got everybody off then we had more cars than companionships staying on the island so like four of us had to drive cars by ourselves and then there were a few who had companions. It was a crazy early morning, then we drove up to Waimea and I got my new companion.

She just came over from the other side of the island.   She didn't even have to fly, but she made it here!  She and I love to quote movies together, and we are learning a lot from each other!  She is from Alabama and she said I have a good fake southern accent! haha, but we keep practicing just for fun.  ( she is the one in the EATING pictures )

This weekend like 90% of the people we went to visit were not home!!!!  It was less than exciting, but we are hoping and praying for more success this week.  

Well, I have been learning a lot about charity this week. I love in Moroni chapter 7, verses 45-47 it says:

 "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."  

I have been trying to take the attributes listed here one at a time and work on developing them in my life.  It has been fun to see how Heavenly Father gives me opportunities to work on each one.  Heavenly Father is so interested and involved in our progression.   As we come to Him with our weaknesses, He will bless us to be able to make huge strides of progression.  He can make more out of us than we could ever make of ourselves.    I love this poem, I don't remember exactly how it goes or who it is by, but this is the gist of it:

"my life is just a weaving between my Lord and me.  I cannot chose the colors- He weaves so skillfully.  Sometimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.  Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly will God unroll the Pattern and reveal the reasons why.  The dark threads are as needful in the weaver's skillful hands as the strings of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned."    

It is something like that.  But I love the concept.  He knows who He wants us to become, who we can become and what He needs us to experience.  He will bless us and help us along this journey.

I know it!

Love, Sister Hodgson

WEEK 38- learning, changing and growing

This was such an amazing week! the Lord really blessed us with miracles.

On Friday, Jayden and Stetson (cousins) were baptized! They each have a mom who is a member, but not fully partaking of the blessing church can bring, and a dad who is not yet a member. So they have been such a good example to their loving parents and we know they want to be a forever families.

On Saturday Tehani and Tania were baptized! They are sisters. Their Dad is a  member and their mom is not  a member of our church. But their faith has been such an example to their families as well. I just love seeing these kids take the step of baptism. They can feel the spirit so strongly, and they know that it is a good thing. They find joy in changing their lives; And the baptisms are such special experiences for everyone who is there to see it.

Sister Pantelakis and I also found out transfer news. She is leaving to go to Honolulu. I am staying here and a sister Willis from the other side of this Island is coming to join me. Sister P and I have been through so much together and this was a perfect last weekend. We are really going to miss each other, but we are grateful for the wonderful time we have had here in Waimea.

There is a store here called Aloha grown, that sells t shirts and such. They have some shirts that say Waimea grown on them. Sis p and i both got one because we feel that we have really grown a lot and learned a lot here. I am such a different person now than I was even four and a half months ago because of the things we learned from each other and with each other. Also, Auntie Lahi gave us our Hawaiian names this week. She went and got them from one of her old kapunas, who prayed about it and dreamt on it. The name she gave me is Uluponi, which means to grow well and be successful.

On Sunday, Kaila was baptized. Kaila is stetson's cousin . All of their parents have been talking saying maybe this is a sign that they need to focus on coming back to church and again strengthening their relationships with God themselves. These kids are such strong warriors for Heavenly Father, and they are teaching all of us adults how to have faith and follow Christ's example. After Kaila's baptism, Jayden's dad came up to me and said that his son, Jayden, had inspired him and he wants us to come and teach him to work towards that himself.

Our hearts are SO full of gratitude to our Heavenly Father who has prepared these children to be examples for all of us through their choices. Heavenly Father is really moving His work forward in this area and we feel so blessed to be a part of it. It is so amazing to see that none of these blessings came about because of sister Pantelakis or myself, but they came about because of the Lord. He sends His spirit to testify that His gospel is true, and that changes hearts. He allows us to be here to see all of this miracles, and it is changing my life.

This is one of my favorite scriptures : "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles ... have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever. " Alma 26:12

Love you all!

-Sister Hodgson

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