Things Still Going Good

Hello again Ohana,

 

So We are emailing today, because things ended up falling through down at Kalaupapa this week. It takes 3 days for the workers down there to get a pass for us to come down, so our sponsor figured as long as he got it in by Wednesday things would be fine, but apparently Friday was a day that for whatever reason wasn't a working day so things didn't get through so we are going to go in 2 weeks since next week is transfer week. We figure people will want to say goodbye if they are leaving. I hope I am still around for sure. So anyway it was a really quick week. I'm not sure where all the time went, but I guess it is time to email again.

 

So Tuesday I brought Elder Maughan up with me for an exchange. The day went pretty quick as we needed to email. We also had dinner at 5 and then a birthday party at 6 not leaving too much time to teach, but we still managed to have a good lesson with a  catholic lady referred to us my a sister in the ward. It started out kinda slow as we asked her what she expected to get out of the lessons, and she replied " I want to know what your under clothing is all about and why you give up so much of your money to your church" Tough concerns for a first lesson, but we explained we would answer all her questions throughout our lessons and started with the Restoration. I thought it went really well especially as Sister Kaholoa'a, who referred her bore her testimony on how the gospel blesses her family, and she always wanted to share it with Sharon. We committed her to read The Book of Mormon and pray. We are going to teach her again tomorrow so I am pretty hopeful she read and prayed. For dinner the Kaiamas made us Steak and Potatoes which was AWESOME! Don't see enough potatoes around here. Hawaiians prefer taro and yams.

 

Wednesday morning we met with Debra to teach her one last lesson before her interview. It was probably the most intense lesson I have had on my mission thus far. She has been having some tough times with family and at one point told us she needed to push back the date, but we calmed her down and taught about repentance and especially about the Holy Ghost and how after baptism we can have that wonderful gift to help comfort and guide us. It was way intense, and I was so grateful we had Joseph Akaka with us who just came home from a mission, with us. Debra really listens to him and really helped. It also built my testimony on really listening to what Investigators say. Sometimes we really have to listen hard to hear the real concern, but when we do the Holy Ghost can bring thoughts to our mind on what they need to hear.

 

Thursday we were back to good old tree chopping. good times ha ha I even wore shoes just for you mom. :) Things were good though. I don't remember too much exciting from Thursday except we had a good lesson with a guy who we have been teaching consistently for as long as I have been here. His parents joined the church really late in life, but he never has had much religious teaching. Anyway is also being taught by the JWs and has asked us to only share messages from the bible so he can compare. I have found how blessed we are to have modern revelation to guide us and really clarify bible teachings. The exciting thing was this week he told us that he realizes how important The Book of Mormon is to us and he would like us to teach every other week from the Book of Mormon, which is a step in the right direction.

 

Friday was exchanges again this time I went down with Elder Pincock down in Kaunakakai. Man it is so much hotter there than up in our area. We ended up tracting for lots of the day and offering service. Friday night was a potluck for Elder Kiaha who just came home from Vegas. He had some fun stories and experiences  He said he already misses Cafe Rio. ha ha

 

The baptism was amazing The spirit was awesome! It was probably my favorite so far. Debra was so ready and so excited and I don't think she has stopped smiling since. I didn't even have to speak ha ha which was kind of nice. Good experience. We also played basketball Saturday night which was fun.

 

Yesterday was good. Had a few meeting after church which took up some time, but other than that it was smooth. We had dinner with Apuna's who had been in Kaneohe 2nd ward on Friday and Saturday. Brother Apuna has a sister who lives in 2nd ward, but goes to 4th ward. Apparently they met both sets of Elders. How is Elder Lepule? He sounds like a kinda funny guy. I bet it is nice for him to have a Samoan bishop. Anyway when Apuna's told them I was in their ward they said they knew you so that is always exciting to hear. Not too much else to say, except I love you guys and hope all is well. Aloha!

 Love, Elder Tripp