Busy Bees, and Praying knees

Wow, this week was so short and so busy! We had two exchanges with the sisters here, and with everything else I seriously didn't know if I would make it! But prayers are real, people. On Sunday night I just prayed that I would be able to make it through Monday and when I woke up I had more energy than I have had my whole mission. It was such a great day!!!

So on Monday, we went out tracting the area because the off-campus students live all throughout Laie. We were trying to track down a specific girl because her name was given to us by the ward mission leader (she is very less active). The house we went to seemed empty, but we knocked anyways and a girl opened the door. She was kind of loopy because we woke her up from a nap (oops), but she invited us to come in. She said she had just moved in from Brazil, and by the way she was dressed, I was SURE she was a non-member! We were both very excited and got to know her a bit, finding out she was a member, but struggling all alone here. We were able to share a message with her and her Korean roommate, and the spirit was just so so strong. At the beginning of the visit, they were both pretty awkward and stand-offish, but after our prayer they both thanked us for what we shared and for radiating love to them. I know this story is small, but It meant a lot to me because I really knew that we had been an answer to their prayers, and that they had needed some encouragement that day. Something that has given me the greatest joy on the mission so far is acting upon a prompting, and finding out later that it was an answer to someone's prayers. I know that prayers are real. And I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers in many different ways, one of which is by prompting others to come to our aid when we most need them. Don't let a prompting to help someone pass you by! Just do it!

Also, I know that you all like hearing updates on my food. I just want you to know that every single night that we have been fed by the married student wards, we have had spaghetti. No complaints, though!!

I love you all and have a Happy Happy Halloween! 

Sister Willardson

Crossing Paths

Well, another week has gone by, and Laie is still green and lush (maybe a little wetter than average)! The storm we had brought a lot of rain, and I had the exciting experience of driving through the flooded streets! It was the ride of a lifetime, my poor companion! hahaha

But I have some more information for you about where I am serving now. Sister D and I are covering 10 student wards on BYUH campus. We are covering 8 young single adult wards, and 2 married student wards. It is busy, busy! On Sunday we went to 4 sacrament meetings, and then had our VC shift and other responsibilities so there was hardly time to breathe! But I am loving it. We are becoming professionals at tracting, and navigating the BYU Hale's (homes). I am grateful for this new obstacle to tackle. 

I hope that you were all able to see Meet the Mormons! We got to see it a few weeks ago in the VC, and the VC will be getting it in sometime next year. It is empowering, and if you haven't seen it yet I reccommend you go check it out!! This last week, we were going to a dinner appointment at a resteraunt (the family owns the restraunt) and we were walking past the little movie theatre here in Laie and an older couple came up to us and asked what was playing in the theatre that night. I think they thought that we were employees because of our nametags. We both said, "Meet the Mormons!" really excitedly, knowing that they were not members of the church. The older lady asked, "What is it about, is it a comedy?" hahaha No, it is not a comedy. We tried to build it up as much as we could, but in the end they were NOT interested. So we kept going to our dinner. When we arrived and ordered our meal, we saw the older couple again and they called us over to their table. They had a question about Noah in the Bible because they had just watched the movie, "Noah." We were trying to explain to them that the movie was fiction, and that the real Noah in the Bible was a loving prophet, not an evil man that fights aliens and tries to murder people. Eventually, they began to soften up, and we were able to have a whole conversation with them about the church, and our purpose as missionaries, and why we chose to serve missions. It was just a really funny night, but I know that Heavenly Father provided a way for us to cross paths to give them a touch of the gospel. They were a really cool couple. 

Another thing that happened yesterday was we were doing the tram rides from the Polynesian Cultural Center and we met a really classy group of old ladies, all widows. They had formed a group together because they had all lost their husbands and wanted to travel together so they wouldn't get lonely. They were all sweet, Catholic ladies. At first they didn't want to get off the tram at the VC because they thought we were going to try to "convert" them, but we explained to them that we wanted to teach them more about the temple and about what we believed. They complied, and from then on had all kinds of great questions as I showed them around the Visitors' Center. I love meeting new people, and getting to know them and helping them build their faith. I don't know why Heavenly Father provided the way for us to cross paths, but I do know that I felt true love for these women, and I hope to see them all again some day, happily, with their husbands again.

A few months ago when I was called to be a trainer, I was so overwhelmed and I asked to receive a priesthood blessing. In it, I was reminded to think back to my childhood and all the people that have influenced me, and helped me to prepare to serve a mission. I keep being reminded of certain people that Heavenly Father placed into my life to change and influence me, leaving an impression on my heart. I am so grateful for all the influential family members, leaders, friends and strangers that have made me who I am today (even though I am still a work in progress). Heavenly father does not provide the finishing touch on us, but the Finisher's touch through the people we meet and the experiences He allows us to have.

I love you all! Shine bright like a star! haha

Sister Willardson

Laie Angels :)

Well hello there, family! Or should I say, Aloha, my ohana!

This last transfer literally flew by, and we had transfer news last night. I realized that I am never very descriptive in my emails, and I think that this might make you laugh so I will describe exactly what transfer news is like here at the VC on Sunday night before transfers we all meet in the big theater at our VC. We begin by singing our traditional transfer song about "Laie Angels at the Visitors' Center" (hahaha) Next, our coordinating sisters (kind of like AP's at the VC) announce the next transfer via some crazy way, and it has been different every time. This time, they made a cute little movie showing what was going to happen to all of us. Then we all celebrate with treats.Transfer news is a pretty big deal here at the Laie Temple Visitors' Center... :)

So this next transfer *drumroll please* I will be leaving Laie 8th ward :(, but staying at the VC. I have been called to serve in the YSA wards on BYU Hawaii campus! My new companion will be Sister D, from the Philippines. I am super excited about this big change, mostly because I will be driving a car, and I will probably lose some tummy because the YSA wards don't feed quite the same as family wards! haha. Just kidding, kinda. But I am the most excited because I can't wait to be able to teach people that are so close to my age. I have been prayerfully seeking for opportunities to relate better with people, and understand their trials better so I can know how to help them. I know that this is a direct answer to my prayers, and I am so grateful for this opportunity. We have also been called as Sister trainers for half of the sisters here at the VC, and will be conducting exchanges with them throughout the transfer, as well as help provide training for the Visitors' Center. I am so humbled and nervous for this responsibility, but I know that Heavenly Father is in charge. He always is.

I just want to share with you my testimony of the Book of Mormon. When I first arrived here in Hawaii, I made the goal to read it again, studying and pondering its teachings. I was searching to gain a better relationship with my Savior, to understand more about His character. I finally finished last week. Reading the Book of Mormon with a purpose changed me. Not only did I learn more about my Savior, but I feel like I learned more about myself -- my strengths, weaknesses, and purpose.  I know that the Book of Mormon is a true book. When I got to my knees to pray about it again, I received an indescribable feeling of warmth and peace. I didn't even need to ask. I believed it was true, and now I know more than ever that it is the most true book on Earth. I am so grateful for the testimonies of Christ found within its pages. I am so grateful for the ability it has to literally change and transform us as we follow its teachings. 

I feel impressed to invite you to read the Book of Mormon every day, even if it is just for 10 minutes. Just as this book has molded and changed me (and continues to do so), I know that it will change you. As you draw closer to the Savior, He will touch your life in undeniable ways. His promise given in the Doctrine and Covenants is this:
"Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

I know that Christ is waiting on the other side of the door to minister to us. We just have to let him in. A sure way to let Him in is by reading His words in the scriptures. 

I love you all! Have a great week!
Sister Willardson

It's raining, It's pouring!

Aloha, Family!

Howz It?? The past couple weeks have flown by. Every week I feel overwhelmed with what I should write home about my experiences because I feel like there is just so much! It has been very rainy here in Laie, and I specifically love the rain because it makes the whole world smell great :) It has a cleansing effect on the community, and I love when we get caught in it walking to appointments because then I get to pull out my cool umbrella (thanks dad!) and just take everything in. I love this place, I love these people. 

An update on the coolest food that I have eaten on my mission so far -- octupus salad, nori (seaweed), a side of homemade tempura shrimp and fresh, raw ahi tuna! The best meal ever! I love sea food! Having a cute Japanese companion has it's perks! The members here often try to make meals that will make her feel more at home. Thus, lots of seaweed and rice and fish. yum yum yum.

Now onto more important things -- Conference!! This last week we were able to watch the General Womens' meeting, Meet the Mormons (a new movie coming to theaters October 10th) and of course General Conference! It was such a powerful week! i went into General Conference, like most of you, searching for some answers and peace. Boy, did I receive it! I'm so grateful for the blessings of having a prophet today, and I love the renewed testimony I received of His divine calling. God loves us, and He speaks to us today through our prophets. 

A couple weeks ago, we had a couple visit the VC from San Fransisco, originally India. The husband wasn't very interested but the woman had all kinds of questions, and I shared with her the Book of Mormon, and my testimony of Jesus Christ. Although they are of the Hindu faith, she was very interested and said that she wanted a copy. She said that she knew God was trying to tell her something by sending her to us that day. She kept commenting on how peaceful the Temple Grounds were. WOW! All I have to say is that I know that she was prepared and her heart was softened when she came to us that day. I felt very blessed to be able to meet her and share with her my testimony of the truths of the gospel. I could just see this beautiful woman as a future church member, taking the sacrament and teaching lessons in relief society. I'm beginning to realize just how many hearts are touched within the Visitors' Center on a daily basis -- including mine.

Go back and watch your favorite General Conference talk this week! 

Love Sister Willardson