ALOHAAAAA

How is everybody this week!?! Great!

This week just flew by!! Nothing much to report... Sister Ohno and I are just trying to stay cool in the heat of the Hawaiian summer. It has been pretty warm this week!

This week, Sister Ohno and I were able to have a wonderful family night lesson with our investigators, M and F. They are young girls in our ward that really want to be baptized but their father won't let them. They live in a broken home, without the father, and raised solely by their strong loving mother. Their mother, C, is a convert of 2 years. They have received all of the pre-baptism missionary lessons (they have even taught a few to the missionaries), and are just waiting on their father's permission since they are under 18. It is heartbreaking to see their struggles. We had a lesson about the temple, and were inspired to share with C, the mother, about the endowment. She has not yet been through the temple, but we are trying to help her get there. I know, without a doubt, that the enabling power that we receive inside the temple can help us to overcome many of the challenges we face today. With that power, families can be strengthened, broken hearts can be healed, and God's love can abide even stronger in the home. I know this is true, and I have felt this power as I have stepped into the homes of many families here in Laie. I love the families here. 

ALSO this week I found out that my dear investigator, Rickie, from England was baptized! I wish so badly that I could have flown over and attended. But the funny thing is that the night I received the email from him about his baptism, I met a wonderful couple from England here in the VC. Coincidence? Never :)

Well that is all that I have time for! I hope that you all had a fabulous week. 

I know that the Lord loves us and knows us. I know that when we open our hearts to His will we can see miracles. He always takes us down the path that leads to growth and increased capacities to love. I want to end with a quote from Brad Wilcox's talk titled "His grace is sufficient" (because it is):"Grace is not the absence of God’s high expectations. Grace is the presence of God’s power." 

I love you all! 

Love Sister Willardson