Aloha! June 30, 2014

Aloha Family!

I can't believe that it has already been a month! Time flies on a mission!

This week just came and went, like nobody's business!
Monday we got to go to my FIRST dinner appointment! Since we are serving online, we don't have a ward or area to serve in. BUT because my companion has connections she scored us a dinner with a wonderful family. I absolutely love the people here. On Sundays we get to choose which ward to go to for church, and I convinced Sister H to take me to the Samoan ward. HOLY MOLY. I did not understand a thing!! I felt like I was back in Italy, giving all my energy to understand what in the world was being said. It was one of the coolest experiences here so far. The spirit of the people here -- it is something unlike anything I've ever felt before! These people are so special. And loving. 

ALSO on Friday, Elder P, our VC director, took the new sisters to the Polynesian Cultural Center! We got to get dinner and see the night show! We get to visit the PCC on P-days, but we can only go to the night show at the beginning and end of our mission. 

Serving online is so interesting. Every day, a wide variety of people come on to mormon.org to chat with us. Every day. we deal with some crazies. They are very disrespectful to our faith and what we believe. In the beginning, it was very difficult for me to read some of the terrible things they would say to me. A few days ago, I was pretty frustrated, so frustrated that I just started laughing at myself for how ridiculous it all was. No matter what people say to me, I know why I chose to serve a mission. It is because this gospel is TRUE. The knowledge that comes from this restored gospel, coupled with the wonderful Book of Mormon, brings me so much happiness and direction in my life. Serving here on Temple grounds continually reminds me every day how blessed we are to have this gospel. While these crazy people attempt to make me question my beliefs, we also come in contact with people that have been prepared for the truth every day. We received three new investigators in one night on Saturday! Being a part of this work has been such a roller coaster full of blessings. I am so grateful to be serving online for my first area. It has helped me to learn the doctrine, and taught me to stand up for what I hold to be special and true. 

Our Heavenly Father has limitless blessings in store for us in this life. He loves us. He wants us to live with Him again. He wants us to be happy. That is why we are asked to do hard things sometimes. Whether it be taking the first step of baptism, standing alone for what we believe, or daily repenting/changing to become better, our Heavenly Father promises that He will not leave us comfortless. He will come to us in the very hour that we need Him. Have faith. Just trust. 

I love you all!! Have a great week! 

Love Sister Willardson

PS Happy 4th of July!! AMRRRICA!