Nice week

Talofa lava Family,

 

Life is good here in the Hon-Best zone. Sounds like life is good on the mainland. Things are still going pretty well over here. I think we are starting to relate a little more with the ward so that is nice, they are starting to get on the same page as us regardless of the cultural and language differences we may have. Mom, yes the bubble wrap worked, the cookies were intact of how they were supposed to be, both half and whole. I did get get the message on the camel's neck and the camel was enjoyable. :) Dad, happy Fathers day or Manuila le Aso le Tama' is how they would say it in Samoan I believe. This week we had a pretty good experience with a new investigator we found so that was exciting. My Samoan is progressing a little everyday, I can bare a simple testimony in Samoan, and I can understand a few words here and there. Usually I can determine a little about what they are talking about in EQ and sacrament. Glad to hear all is well in Grantsville and everyone could have a good weekend. I am glad Mom at least keeps me updated on the finals. ;) I actually get kept up to date pretty well by the Samoans, but I hadn't heard who won yesterday until mom mentioned it. We are still being fed super well which is always on the positive

 

So Tuesday after Emailing was pretty normal not a ton going on. we found a potential or 2 around, but not a whole lot so that was kinda a bummer. We are working hard though so things will work out eventually. We got fed well though with all the fried chicken I could ever want ha ha. I am still getting used finding more room to cram down food ha ha.

 

Wednesday was pretty productive. We hung out around KPT, I don't know if I explained but KPT is a set of 2 apt buildings that are low income housing so there are all sorts of different cultures there. I think I counted 7 sets of missionaries that have people to teach there. So it is nice to see some people from Honolulu and Waipahu zones sometimes. Anyway we had a couple of teaching appointments and had some good lessons. No one super solid yet, but I thought the lessons went well and maybe next time they will be a little more ready who knows. We also did some tracting around looking for some new families.

 

Thursday we met some less active members and shared a little message with them. They were welcoming and very hospitable which was pleasant. They take good care of us they really do. We talked about the gospel and how is has blessed out families and then they also shared so that was really fun. The spirit was great. We played ward basketball at night which was fun as well

 

Friday kinda just flew my, not quite sure what happened, but that is ok I guess that happens some times. I remember heading up to Mililani for dinner which was different. Never had been there before so that was a little foreign but it was still nice.

 

Saturday I ended up on exchanges with Elder Burbidge from Aiea area,(the stadium and stuff) He came with me to my area and we had a good time. He was my zone leader in Hilo for a bit so that was fun to talk about old times and fun things in Hilo. We found a lady in Kaimuki down in Honolulu. We talked story for a bit and she mentioned we worship Joseph Smith not Jesus. Which in very broken English we explained that that was false. I just so happened to have a restoration pamphlet in Samoan and gave it to here on the page about the restoration. It was so cool. She just quietly read it for a good 10 minutes and the spirit just filled the room. We just sat there and let the spirit take over. She finally asked about the Book of Mormon and then asked if we could come back and answer her questions. It was so cool, how she just opened up and wanted to give pamphlets to all her friends and read the Book of Mormon and wants us back over this week to talk some more. Miracle for sure.

 

Yesterday we had just usual church at 3 it was lots of fun as usual. we had a special dinner afterwards for a sister leaving on a mission. It was so cool to be a part of a Samoan Feast. They bring the food to you and throw lots on. They make sure you always have anything you need and take complete care of you. I feel like we should add that part of the culture to our family. where the Women always serve the men ;) haha It was an experience though. I was preparing to give the thanks speech at the end of the meal, mostly just brother Black who is the high councilor assigned to our ward was going to talk the words into my ear quietly while i repeated them. We had it down so he could just sit by me and it wouldn't be too obvious although I'm sure they would have thought he was helping me, but at the last minute Bishop asked him to do it. He served his mission there so he speaks fluent.

 

Anyway hope all is well. George just a quick question. I heard the Halawa elders mentioning they were struggling to get more than a one day pass on base and I was wondering if you had any tips for them anyway that would be great. Hope all is well. I love you all Tofa soifua just means good bye. Not exactly sure what soifua means, but it is almost always added when you say welcome or goodbye  so i assume its a blessing of some sort. Anyway Tofa Manuila le Aso, or have a good day.

 Love Elder Peniamina(benjamin) Malaga (trip)