Final Thoughts... from Sister Willardson

Well.... I certainly can't believe this is for the final time.... Aloha, Ohana :)

First of all, a quick recap of my week because it was one of the most perfect, peaceful and amazing weeks of my whole mission. Everything seemed to go perfectly and I really feel like all the open strings are all tied together. For example... one friend that I made all the way back in January just told me this last week that he is getting baptized in December. I've never felt so happy. We don't always see the results of our planted seeds. It is very rare. 

Also, one thing that happened this last week is there was a miracle baptism here in Laie! A lady from China came for her nephew's graduation (BYUH) and decided that she wanted to get baptized before returning home. One of the sisters here who I came out with, Sister Qiu, is from the same place and we had a last-minute baptism for her. Every time we have these miracle Chinese baptisms, there is always a special spirit there and we can ALL feel how elect these people are that are choosing the Gospel. Choosing faith. Choosing light :) Also, this week is full of festivities because of the graduation here at BYUH, we are also celebrating the 150th anniversary of Laie!! Elder Christofferson came to share some thoughts and I got to shake his hand. Haven't washed it since!!!!!! lolz. Kind of kidding... :)

But on a more serious note... I can't let this time pass without expressing my extreme gratitude for the past 18 months of my life. I wish I could express it all in words, but a quote from George Q. Cannon explains my feeling perfectly. He said this after he finished his mission in the islands, "My happiness finds vent in tears when I think of the Lord's goodness, long-suffering, and mercy to me. Glory be to His great and holy name for causing me to stop upon these lands for I would rather have these feelings than all the world with its continents." I wouldn't trade these experiences for anything in the whole wide world. My happiness keeps finding vent in tears...

I can't believe that these days here in Hawaii are coming to an end. More than musubi and natural Hawaiian air conditioning, I am going to miss the sweet aloha spirit that can only be found here. Aloha is more than a word. More than hello and goodbye. More than a way of life. When I came here, I first saw it. Then I felt it. And now, upon returning back to the mainland I hope to always live it. These people (along with my experiences in the Visitors' Center) have taught me to serve expecting nothing in return. I've learned what it means to be a sister, daughter, friend. When I came on a mission, I never expected it to be so hard. There have been many times when I've been tested and questioned. Not a day passes by that people don't reject this message. Despite the rejections... I've never seen so many hearts change. The greatest change has been me. I can't deny the change that has taken place within myself. My priorities, my desires, my faith, my confidence and my testimony. Before my mission, there are so many things that I believed, and now there are so many things that I know. Things that will be engraven in my heart forever. This gospel is true. Christ is at the head of this church, led by a true prophet today. The Book of Mormon is true. It has literally changed my life. There is so much more, but all these treasures I vow to never forget or take for granted. 

THERE ARE NO ENDINGS, ONLY ETERNAL BEGINNINGS. 

A hui hou, Hawaii. I'm leaving a piece of my heart with you.

Sister Willardson

my week

wow. this last week was so good!! I actually really love being in a trio because we are making every second COUNT! (at least we are trying haha)

I always have so many ideas and deep things that I want to say in these emails but sadly, I'm at a loss of words. As usual... I promise we are working over here ! hahaha

One amazing set of people that I met here this last week was a family from the UK. A mom and her two sons. The sons were older, probably a little older than me. One of them walked straight to me and asked if I could show them all around the center. They wanted to learn more about the Temple and what we believe. I taught them about the Book of Mormon, the Temple and taught them the restoration. It was so amazing to see their interest. A lot of times when people come in, even if they are interested in learning, their hearts are still hard and it can feel really forced. I hate feeling like a tour guide. That is something that I have been trying to avoid my whole mission. But this time was different. Before they left, they accepted the missionaries to come teach them more when they return home. Its moments like these that remind me why I love being here :)

Also the weather has been crazy good the past few days :) This is paradise :)

I have one last email to send next week, so I'm going to spare you all from getting gushy until then :) LOVE YOU ALL!

sister willardson

ALOHAAAAAAA

Aloha Ohana!! This last week was a blur kind of... I'm still trying to remember what happened. We had zone conference (my last one! :(), and I had my final interview with President Warner. He just talked about marriage and dating and school and all that jazz. Really good advice, but it feels weird to think about going home!! 

This last week I had really great studies. One thing that kept sticking out to me was how we can stay converted throughout our whole lives. And its through the day to day decisions we make. Elder Clayton of the Seventy said,

"Belief and testimony and faith are not passive principles. They do not just happen to us. Belief is something we choose—we hope for it, we work for it, and we sacrifice for it. We will not accidentally come to believe in the Savior and His gospel any more than we will accidentally pray or pay tithing. We actively choose to believe, just like we choose to keep other commandments."

Everyday we need to make the sacrifices necessary for our conversion. Conversion does not come from one grand spiritual moment or event. It comes from our day to day decisions, and whether we choose to prioritize the Lord or not :)

LOVE YOU ALL!
Sister Willardson

INSPIRE!

ALOHA FAM BAM!!

This last week was FULL of tender mercies. Sister B, M and I have been working haaaard, trying to visit literally every house in the 5 wards we are covering in these last few weeks. And that, coupled with our Visitors' Center shift... has been very rewarding :)

Life is good here in Hawaii!!

Yesterday, I was having a slightly hard day for some reason and I was pushing through it and praying that I could see a miracle or small tender mercy to know that I was doing enough and the second we arrived to shift at the visitors' center, my "hanai mother" (P) from full-field had brought her daughter and husband in to come see me!! P is not a member, we taught her a lot full field but she isn't interested in the church. However, she is the most Christ-like woman I have ever met. Before I left, she gave me a pearl necklace and told me that I was like a daughter to her. I hadn't seen her since until she came into the Visitors Center to see me yesterday!! I was so surprised and full of love that I wanted to cry :) I asked her how she felt at the Visitors Center and she said "I only came to see you, I would never set foot here on my own." haha! Someday I hope and pray that her heart will be softened to the gospel because I know without a doubt that it will only bless her and her family. I know that she was one of the people I was supposed to meet on my mission. Maybe not for her benefit, but certainly for mine. With all that she's been through in her life, she has inspired me to always look to God and trust. It is easy to lose our faith when trials come. It is harder, but more rewarding and noble, to keep our faith even when we are in the furnace of affliction. It reminds me of something that President Uchtdorf said this last general conference in the priesthood session, "there is nothing noble or impressive about being cynical. Skepticism is easy—anyone can do it. It is the faithful life that requires moral strength, dedication, and courage. Those who hold fast to faith are far more impressive than those who give in to doubt when mysterious questions or concerns arise."

I love you all!! Thanks for your continuous prayers and faith!! Be an inspirer!

Sister Willardson

aloha ohana!

BTW, remember Rickie from London? Haven't talked to rickie in like 8 months and he came looking for me on chat! received an amazing email from him later telling me about his life! He is still active and happy and just got married to another convert!!
This last week was kind of long... hahaha but it was so good. We met some amazing people in the Visitors Center. I had a slight panic attack realizing how fast time is ticking and I want more than anything to just STOP TIME. Can someone please let me know when they invent something that can do that for me? lol for reals. 

But anyways. Conference was the absolute best part of this week! I had a lot of spiritual experiences listening to our prophet and apostles speak. I know for myself that they truly are called of God. I will shout that from the rooftops so everyone can know it. How blessed we are to be on Earth at this time!! 

I just want to share a quote from a talk I read in this month's ensign!! It talks about a race in ancient greece where the runners had to keep their torch lit throughout the race. If the light went out, even if they finished first, they couldn't win because the goal was to keep it lit. 

btw,

"As long as we continue to rise up and move toward our Savior, we win the race with our torches burning brightly. For the torch is not about us or about what we do. It is about the Savior of the world. And that is a Light that can never be dimmed. It is a Light that swallows the darkness, heals our wounds,and blazes even in the midst of the deepest sorrow and unfathomable darkness. It is a Light that surpasses understanding. May each of us finish the path we have begun. And with the help of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, we will finish joyfully and with our torches still lit."

I know that this is true. Keep your torches lit. Don't give up. Don't slow down.

Sister Willardson :)

Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit

Aloha, Ohana!!

So week one in the trio has been pretty.... hilarious hahaha. I laugh everyday at us. I think I understand why the work is meant to be done by two's. But we enjoy it and it's keeping me busy and focused, so what more could I ask for? haha. Man. I love serving a mission.  

So I have been thinking a lot lately about my mission -- the impact it's made on me. I still can't explain it in words but I think a lot about how all the challenges and experiences Heavenly Father asks us to go through in our life are like a trainer trying to break his horse. Because of our natural man, we are comfortable feeling "free" and solo and we think we know best. But the purpose of this life -- the only way we can truly feel fulfilled and purely happy -- is to come to know Heavenly Father. He is our Trainer/Master. I feel like before my mission I was some sort of a wild horse. I was happy but I didn't understand my Master. I feel like now, towards the end of my mission, I have had experiences that have broken and humbled me to Him, to His voice, and now I feel even more free. It gives a new meaning to "a broken heart and a contrite spirit." I am SO GRATEFUL for God's love and infinite wisdom. He knows us. We are His children. And when we come to know His voice, we can understand the "why" behind our challenges. He breaks us so we can become stronger. So we can become more like our Master :)

Sister Willardson

BEST WEEK EVER

Wow. This was one of the best weeks on my whole mission. It was full of powerful studies, amazing people, and tender moments. 

On Friday we met a man that has been studying with the missionaries in Kaneohe and is planning on getting baptized soon. He is a super spiritual person and the moment he walked onto temple grounds he said he felt like he had been here before. It felt like home to him (side note:he actually doesn't have a home he couch surfs). When he saw the Chistus statue he began crying and couldn't enter the visitors center. Apparently, he is a pastor for another church and wants to introduce everyone he knows to the Gospel. We got to walk with him up to the Temple lobby and share with him the sweet spirit that resides within the Temple. The whole time he kept telling us he was seeing angels and that we were angels and that this was all true. He may have been semi crazy but I know for a fact that this man has been blessed with a sensitive spirit and it touched my heart. He has been back to the VC almost every day since and can't get enough of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ :)

As the end of a transfer comes to a close, I am excited for a slight change! TRANSFER NEWS I am staying here at the VC and in Married Student / YSA wards but my new companions will be Sister M and Sister B!!! THAT'S RIGHT A TRIO! hahaha it will be very interesting :) 

And one last miracle for the day... Biggest miracle of my whole mission. Over a year ago I met a sweet young woman -- she came on the Tram with me and sister Ohno and we just hit it off. We have been good friends ever since -- emailing and calling. She's from Toronto, Canada. Even though we were close I could never get her to go to church or anything but last month she came back to Hawaii and visited me on the west side and had an amazing spiritual experience here. She returned home and went to church there and LITERALLY just called me and told me she is getting baptized on Sunday. If I served my mission for just one person, I know it was her. I can't express my gratitude for this chance to be here. To be serving the Lord for 18 months. I would NEVER change this opportunity for anything or anyone. 

THE GOSPEL IS TRUE. It is a gospel of love and mercy and grace and change. And it's here for everyone.

Love you all!

Sister Willardson

ALOHAAAAA

ALOHA OHANA!!

Don't have much time this week because we went on a super long hike today (sorry!!) but I had a really great week!! 

We worked a lot with less-active members in our area this week and saw a lot of small miracles. I also called one of my old investigators named C from earlier this year, and found out that she is meeting with missionaries again and attending a new ward and almost finished with the Book of Mormon!! That is my favorite thing about serving a mission. Seeing the light enter back into peoples lives after it's been missing. THE GOSPEL IS TRUE!!! 

Love you all!!
Sister Willardson

Another week.....

ALOHA OHANA!!!

This week was super great. Not much really to report... The Visitors' Center has been super slow and some days I just want to pull my hair out, I feel like I'm going insane!! Hahaha BUT the good news is... I am grateful to be here :) Really. I have fasted and prayed over this and I know that even though I don't know why... I am here for a reason. I am super grateful for my companion, Sis Kim for being so awesome and patient with me!

I've also been praying and fasting for Sister Kim and I to find someone that needs this gospel. This last week we got a new investigator in our area!! Her name is Hiba, and she's from Ghana/the Marshall islands. She received all the missionary lessons before she came here, and wants to get baptized!! Sadly, even though she is 18, her dad won't let her so she has to wait.  But it is a MIRACLE!!!! Miracles happen every day :):)
Nothing new to report besides that... Life is good. The gospel is true. Read your scriptures. And smile more often :)
Love you all!

Sister Willardson

ALOHA FAMILY!!!

Check out the pic of my new companion at the end of my blog!
Well, I have a lot to say this week but little time (why does this always happen? haha I am still trying to learn time management I guess lol). First I wanna say that this week was awesome!! It's been suuper muggy and humid, apparently there's lotsa hurricanes out there in the pacific (not close to us though no worries) which is causing it to be super weird. This is the first time since the beginning of my mission that I've been in a biking area, and I think Heavenly Father sometimes has a sense of humor. I just got used to looking like a slob every day and always feeling sticky hahaha

First of all, I met some cool ladies from my last area Waianae, and I got to take them on a language tour. We were speaking pigeon hahaha. I actually do like being here at the VC. I heard a quote this week which sums up a lot of the frustrations I've had on my mission. It says, "you can count the seeds in an apple but you can't count the apples in a seed." I know that someday we will be able to count all the apples though. And they will be the sweetest, most crispy apples ever! hahaha

I'm still working on following spiritual promptings throughout my day, and I've been trying to show Heavenly Father that He can count on me. Last night we were walking to a dinner appointment and we were a little early and a big black dog started running at us. In my last area, I would have taken off running or something, because those dogs are mean. But I had a flashback when I saw this dog to about a year ago. And I realized that I had met this dog before! A year ago my comp and I were serving in the same area -- YSA 1st stake -- and we were tracting and nobody was home. We didn't know where to go. So we saw this dog and it saw us and stood up and started walking in front of us, looking back to make sure we were following it. We followed this dog to a house that we had never been to, and met some students inside. So when I saw that dog last night, I knew exactly what we needed to do... follow it! hahaha so we did and he took us to this house of these guys that are in a reggae band and they are less active. We have tried to visit them before but with no success. That house is nicknamed the "Pot House" and is just super sketchy looking but I just kept going all the way to the front door and knocked! They didn't answer (even though I am pretty positive they were home), so I just left a funny note. Anyways. My comp thinks I'm crazy but I seriously will follow that dog any where. 

I'm outta time so that'll be my story for the week. haha. Do something crazy today! 

Sister Willardson

Aloha, Ohana!!!!

Aloha, Ohana!!!!

This last week has been a roller-coaster trying to adjust back into the VC. I just totally reflected on my mission so far and I can't believe how blessed I've been. I would have never guessed how hard my mission would have been, the people I would have met, and the lessons I would have learned. Some lessons have to be RE-learned too hahaha

I just feel so peaceful and grateful for the opportunity He gave me to serve here. Among these people. I know it's not over yet, but that's just how I've been feeling. 

Visitors' Center is a hard place to be. Sometimes I just feel like an unpaid tour guide hahaha so we ALL have to re-discover our purpose continually. But because of that battle I've had my whole mission, it has become a habit to FIGHT the battle. And I hope to be re-committing myself to Him my whole life!

This last week I've really been praying to discover my purpose again and I finally found it again. One night we were tracting and it was thundering and nobody was home. We didn't know what else to do and it was almost time to head home, but I felt so strongly that it wasn't time to give up yet. We said a prayer on the side of the road, and felt impressed to head the opposite direction of our house. I was thinking of a student house that we could visit, when suddenly we walked by a house that I hadn't been to since last November. I never served in their ward but my companion, Sister D, was very close with them and we went over a couple times for dinner and to say goodbye when she finished her mission. I remember the dad was super sick at that time, and just felt SO STRONGLY that we needed to go visit RIGHT THEN. My legs carried me towards the house while everything inside my head told me I was being dumb to visit them -- they weren't even in our area!! We walked up the stairs and knocked and they answered the door and I just said that we felt like we needed to come and didn't know why. At first I don't think they remembered me, but as we were there and started talking to the mom I knew right away why we had come. Her husband had passed away last DECEMBER, right after my companion had left and we had stopped visiting. She had had a really hard day and was really missing him. I strongly felt His spirit there with us, as well as our Savior's. We were able to be there and comfort her, and I left knowing that I had followed a prompting from Heavenly Father. And those are the best feelings in life. 

Follow a prompting today!

Sister Willardson

A good day here in Laie :)

Well, I'm home! Or I guess, in my home away from home? Idk, I feel like I have many homes now haha. Leaving Makaha/Waianae felt like I was leaving home. I feel like my heart has been torn into a ton of little pieces. Goodbyes are hard... BUT Coming back to good ol' Laie is like taking in a deep breath of humid, salty fresh air :) There is definitely a special spirit here. I love living so close to the Temple. Coming back to the VC, though, has been a small kind of struggle. I feel like I no longer figuratively fit into my muumuu. So much has happened, and I am not the same as I was 3 months ago...

I'm doing the best I can to incorporate the things I learned full-pros into my missionary work here. It is so different, even if the end result is the same. It has taken me the past few days to prayerfully find my purpose and get back into the swing of things... But I'm getting there...

I'm lovin being back in YSA and married student wards, though!! It is a BLAST! A lot has changed over there in the past 6 months, and it is so fun to see all the familiar and new faces! We have seen a few miracles already with some potentials ;)

Today we went to the Temple -- my first time in a WHILE it seems. I thought a lot about family history. The promise we've been given of our hearts being bound to our fathers is a real thing. We come from so many people that have sacrificed for us to be here. Heavenly Father has a plan, and I know that we were all reserved to come here at this time. Let's make our ancestors proud! If you haven't had the chance yet to this week, go to the Temple :)

Sister Willardson

We are One!

This week was another good one. We had a few beautiful miracles!! On Tuesday, a sweet woman got baptized in our Tongan branch. Also We received transfer news... I will be heading back to the Laie Temple Visitors Center, serving in the YSA first stake and Married student 3rd ward. Back in YSA! hahaha 

I just want to take this time to express how GRATEFUL I am to have served here in this beautiful place -- the Oahu west side. My heart has never felt so big, I never knew I could love so many people. I could never change the experiences I had here for the world. I know that Heavenly Father sent me here because He knew that I needed to be here. i don't necessarily know if the people needed me, but i needed them :) And I will never be the same because they have been a part of my life. I have met people who literally have nothing, but with the Gospel they have everything. I have seen miracles, felt His hand, and done my best to leave these people better than I found them... which in return has left me better than I have ever been :)

I love you all. Never forget that the people that surround you need a little love too :)

Love sister willardson

Look for the Light!

Aloha, errybody!!
Well.... this last week was another one full of suprises... I have
never felt like everything in my life was crashing down before until
these last couple weeks hit. I wish I could explain all the things
that have gone wrong, but at the end of the day, all I want to say is
how GRATEFUL I am for the challenges and trials we are given in life -
I know without a doubt that Heavenly Father gives them to us when we
are ready and when it's time to learn more.
Since my companion went home a little over a week ago for some medical
stuff, I have been in a trio with Sister B (a new missionary) and
Sister D (a VC sister that is out here serving full-field
too). We have been covering both the Tongan branch and the Makaha ward
over here. It has been an interesting ride because both areas are
pretty busy. But we have seen so many miracles!! We have a miracle
baptism tonight in the Tongan branch and quite a few coming up this
month in the Makaha ward! Souls coming to Christ, wooo!! But... our
trio hasn't lasted long. Sunday night we found out that Sister D 
needed to go home for some family stuff and so now it's just
the two of us... Sister B and I. We took Sister D to the
airport yesterday, and it literally broke my heart to say goodbye
because I don't know if I'll ever be able to see her again... Since
she is from the VC, we have served together for a very long time. Now
she is back in the Philippines. Man. She taught me so much. I am just
super grateful for the chance I had to know her. Saying goodbye twice
in the past week has been a rollercoaster.
However... I know that Heavenly Father is aware of all of us. He
scatters sunshine throughout our dark nights so that we know who we
can look to for light. And that Light is always there :) There are
always reasons to smile when we put God first :)
I love this Gospel. I know that God has a plan for all of us. There
are no such things as coincidences. He is in the details of our lives
:)
Stay Sunny!!
Sister Willardson

Come what may, and Laugh :)

Aloha, Ohana!

I can't explain in words how crazy this last week was, but I am so grateful for Heavenly Father, who knows us perfectly and has a Plan. My beautiful companion, Sister L went home on Saturday for some medical things, and so I have joined another companionship, sister D and Sister B who we have been sharing a house with the past two transfers. So I know them super well and they are awesome. We have combined the Tongan branch with their Makaha ward, which means we are busy busy! Being in a trio is pretty crazy too, so we are working through the glitches. But I am super grateful for this challenge, and I know that as we do our best, the Lord will do the rest. He is always here. And He never gives us any challenges greater than what we can't handle. Since I am now covering another ward, we are teaching so many people and we got to have a lesson yesterday with a cute girl who grew up in the FLDS church, and asked us to teach her more about our faith because she doesn't agree with some of the doctrines that she grew up with. It is crazy because she grew up reading the Book of Mormon, living the gospel completely with a few differences. So teaching the restoration is nothing new to her... We just focused a lot on Prophets and authority, and at the end of the lesson she was glowing. I love sharing the light of the Gospel with those that are seeking it. Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. :)

Sister Willardson

Aloha, and Malo e lei lei!

Howz it!?

This week was.... very interesting. hahaha

We had Zone Conference on Tuesday, and it was so nice to see President Warner and his wife. We gave some training with our Zone Leaders on receiving revelation through prayer, which was sooo needed. It made me reflect on how I sometimes receive answers from Heavenly Father, because lately I have been struggling recognizing promptings and acting on them. I realized that Heavenly Father always inspires me through ideas and thoughts... and I often mistake them with just plain intuition. But now I have really been trying to pay attention to those things, and act upon them. Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways, but He always invites us to do good in the world :)

On Friday, sister D (another VC sister in the zone) and I were called back to good ol' Laie for the day to cover while they all had Zone conference. It was a whirl to put back on that muumuu and lead tours through the VC again... I love the VC (of course) but I am definitely enjoying my time over here on West Side for the time being :) Love this place. I love the people. and I love this gospel.

Do good in the world today!!

Sister Willardson

:)

This week was one of the best weeks of my mission. I don't have a ton of time to tell ALL the stories, but I think I would be super ungrateful if I didn't share the big miracle that we had this week. On Friday we had two lessons back to back and after the first lesson, I REALLY had to use the restroom (I had chugged a ton of water before the lesson, which I wouldn't recommend). haha So we quickly pulled over to McDonalds and when I came out of the bathroom Sister L was on the phone with an investigator so I sat down next to her.  Just then, two women walked by and one saw me and said, "we were literally just about to call you! I was super confused, and just said "huh??" and then that lady (a member) said that she had met her friend at McDonalds so they could call the missionaries together and schedule an appt to meet. A choir of angels were singing in the background hahaha. But I just said woa! Well here we are! and we decided to meet later that day and ended up having a THREE HOUR lesson on the restoration, and this lady was soo interested and solid. I can't include all the details, but it was AMAZING to see how the Lord works by small and simple ways, and I was so grateful that He was able to use us that day, even if it did revolve around my small bladder. hahaha

I love this work. I love this Gospel. Lives can be changed, and hope can be discovered through this restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He is here. and He wants all of His children to know who they are, and who they are capable of becoming. I love you all so much! Tell a knock-knock joke to someone this week!

Sister Willardson

So much love

Malo e lei lei, fam bam!
This week was sizzlin'! I don't know how hot it got, but it felt like
everything was gonna melt off my body... jus sayin'. With that being
said, this week was FULL of miracles. New investigators poppin out of
everywhere! Our investigator Zech agreed to be baptized... the date is
TBI. We have also been working with two sweet girls for months, and
they agreed to be baptized as well. Still praying for some Tongan
investigators, but they will come, we are confident :)
Sadly, we didn't do much for 4th of July. I actually kind of forgot it
was a holiday. I only saw one firework over here because they are
illegal. I guess it is so dry and they have had problems in the past.
We weren't allowed to proselyte so we just played basketball and
volleyball at the stake center.
Today we went on a BEAUTIFUL hike along the coast! I love this side of
the island. Laie will always hold my heart, but this place has made
its way in. That is something I have learned out here. I never knew my
heart could hold so much! hahaha the gospel is true. This is His work.
And I am so grateful to be a part of it :)
Give someone a donut this week!
Sister Willardson

Aloha, Famiglia!

This last week went sooo fast! I can't believe i have already been here for 6 weeks... Well we received transfer news and i will be staying here with sister Lea'aetoa for another 6 weeks!! staying in the Tongan branch!! And we are gonna do all we can to help it grow! ;)

The past few days I have done a lot of reflecting on my time here. It has been a roller-coaster, full of ups and downs... I really have loved every second of it, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude to be able to serve here. I love the people. The food has changed my life (and my appearance hahaha). My testimony has grown. And I have been changed for the better. I know that this is where I've needed to be to continue to grow and become the missionary and daughter that Heavenly Father wants me to be. 

This last week we had a ton of promising appointments and they basically all fell through. grr. but thankfully we still saw a ton of unplanned miracles. We have been teaching this 15 year old boy named T and we taught him almost every day this week along with his cousin M. We are also teaching someone named Zech, and he is progressing a ton. It is amazing to me to see how much this gospel can literally change lives. And it kills me inside when people choose to live life without it. If they only knew...

I will never be the same because of the knowlege I've gained here -- I know that this gospel has the power to change and transform our lives because I have seen it over and over :) If you're feeling like life is getting kind of hard or bland... open up your Book of Mormon and let Christ enter your heart :)

Ofa Atu :)

Sister Willardson

Indebted

Aloha, beautiful ohana!

Seeester Willardson here :) And I had a really good week! haha :)

This last week we got to go to the Temple as a zone, I went on exchanges in Mililani (had some interesting experiences there... haha), and lots more! We made the goal to have a ton of with member lessons this last week, so we have been taking two sisters in the ward around with us. They have been showing us where their friends live, as well as their nonmember and less-active families so we have been able to teach a lot of Tongans! Finally! We are really trying to build the branch, and just found out that we will be moving chapels to another location (for some it will be a lot farther away for them), and we have been worried about losing some of them. This last week we visited a family that has been less-active for a while -- the husband fell away because he was drinking so much kava. The family followed him. We have visited them a few times, but this last week when we visited he was the only one home, and we got to share a message with him from the door and invite him to come back to church. We told him that the chapel would now be closer for him (normally it is about 25 minutes away, but now it will only be 5). He said he is going to come back....!!!! We know that this family coming back will bring even more to the branch, and it is a MIRACLE that this man is planning to FINALLY take his family back. AHH! 

I know that Heavenly Father's hand is in everything and that His will brings the greatest growth and change for the better. He is aware of all of us -- even the sparrows that fall. I have seen His hand in this work and in my life, and I can't even express a piece of my gratitude to Him for all He has done for me. This time is a time for me to pay everything back, but I feel even more indebted to Him. I love this gospel. 

Sister Willardson

Another day in the island sun :)

Aloha, everyone!!

This week was... different. I was a little sick, but we saw lots of miracles regardless. Man. I love this area, there are so many amazing people to talk to! My favorite lesson this last week was with a guy named Zech -- He was referred to us by our recent convert Owen. They are best friends. He was super nervous to meet with us because he has been away from religion for such a long time. We taught him the restoration, and focused on the Book of Mormon. His transformation throughout the lesson even softened my heart, and the Spirit was there. He even offered the prayer at the end -- so beautiful and powerful. I don't know what's going to happen next, but I know He felt something when he was talking with us. I love being a missionary. I love being here, in this place -- SO different from Laie. It has changed me, softened me, refined me, and helped me to understand even more of how much God loves us and wants us to find Him. To find His everlasting Gospel. And to BECOME.

I love you all! Keep being amazing. Thanks for all your prayers and love :) I can feel it!!!

Sister Willardson

Carriers of Light

Well, I am loving it over here. So many interesting experiences... :)

While I have been here, my biggest challenge has been seeing how these families are just stuck. They don't have much, and they are stuck living the way that they are and it breaks my heart. The only way that I know how to help is by sharing the Gospel. Because I know that, although it won't change their challenges, it will help them to understand that these challenges are all part of the Plan. This last week I was really struggling, asking God how it could possibly be fair that these people have to live like this. As I was watching the sun go down on Thursday, I received my answer, clear as day... Heavenly Father loves us. We are His children and He wants us to return to live with Him again. By coming to Earth, He knew we would forget who we are, and some of us would deny his existence. I can't even imagine how that would make Him feel, but He still allows us the ability to choose -- to lead our lives. Agency is all part of the plan> Heavenly Father allows us to have specific challenges that are designed to bring us to Him. To understand our relationship with Him. And maybe, just maybe these people's challenges are the only way that they could find Him. (hoping that makes sense). Basically... His plan is perfect. There are no mistakes, and we are never alone. I am so grateful that we know this Plan. That we know our purpose in this life, and we can share it with others. So many are out there walking in darkness with NO IDEA of who they are, and who they have the potential to become. We have that light that they need to light the way. We have the obligation to share it. To be sharers, not just carriers, of that light :)

Share it!!
Sister Willardson :):)

Last week's: Best day ever :)

Malo e lei lei!

This week was.... So busyyyy.

And so amazing. We stayed pretty busy traveling around the west side of the island as president was doing interviews with the missionaries. We were checking planners and area books... Something that I have learned on my mission is how much I dislike doing paper work and busy work. haha, there goes my dream of being a secretary!!

But Saturday was... amazing. Our investigator, Owen, entered the waters of baptism. We were praying all week that there would be people at the baptism because it was the same day as graduation and he isn't even Tongan (even though He was getting baptized into our Tongan branch), but the branch all showed up. It was a miracle! His mom and best friend (who are not members) came, and his friend even accepted us to teach him now. We were also praying that the baptism would be done in English since Owen doesn't speak Tongan, and literally everything ended up being in English. That was a miracle. Wow, everything just went so perfectly, but the most important part was how powerful the Spirit was during the baptism. It was so amazing. I love being a missionary. I know that this Gospel is true and it CHANGES people. I feel so blessed to have seen that change in others here on my mission, but most importantly, to see the change in myself. I will never forget these sweet, sacred memories. I love this Gospel, and I love my Savior.

Have a happy week :)
Sister Willardson

Kai Kemate :)

Aloha, Famili!

Wow. This last week was pretty amazing. And just so everyone knows... I AM STILL ALIVE!

I may have gained 10 pounds in the last week... But I am still alive :) In our Tongan branch, we cover the whole west side of the island, and that means there is work work work! For some reason, however, our only progressing investigators aren't Tongan hahaha

We have a baptism on Saturday! His name is Owen and he is dating Tongan girl in our ward. He is soo solid. He's been meeting with missionaries for a while now, so he knows everything, but it wasn't until 3 weeks ago that it actually clicked for him and he wanted to be baptized. We have taught him a few times this last week, and it is so amazing to see how much faith he has in the Lord -- He won't let anything stop him from entering the waters of baptism :)

Let's see what else... We don't get to stay out very late because it is not really safe after dark... But it has been cool to see how the more we are out and about, the Lord blesses us with people to teach -- whoever they are! We even got to teach this lady named Lissa (we gave her some food too because she is homeless right now), but then she gave us this big list of stuff to get her and it kind of got awkward haha

The families here all really struggle financially, and they are just so humble. Despite the environment, it is amazing to see how the Gospel is literally a beacon of light to those who are stuck in addiction, depression and sin. God loves us so much that He provided a Savior for us to lead us back to Him. Living the Gospel is turning towards God when the world tries to convince us to turn away. No matter who we are or what we're going through, this Gospel can and will transform our lives, and give us the strength to move forward with a bright hope of a better future.

I LOVE WAIANAE!!

I love you all!

Sister Willardson

Malo e lelei!!!

Well, Ohana, this is it!! Transfers tomorrow and guess who is packing her suitcases??

I am being transferred to the west side of the island, to serve in the Waianae Tongan branch! It just recently opened up to sisters two transfers ago, and so it is a pretty fresh area, and I am SO excited to serve among the beautiful Tongan people. I will be serving again as a Sister Trainer alongside my new companion, Sister L (not sure if that is how she spells it because I have never met her...But she is Tongan so I am relieved!), and will be sharing the branch with another set of sisters, one of which is also a VC sister (Sister Y from Hong Kong). I am so excited!!

After (almost) a year in the Laie Temple Visitors' Center, this place has become home and I am so excited, nervous and anxious to start a new chapter by leaving here. I feel like I am leaving on my mission all over again. No idea what to expect... But I have grown to love this beautiful community, the people, the school, the spirit here, and the sisters. It will be hard to leave but it is time. And only three months. So no biggie :)

But I just want to take the time to express how grateful I am for this opportunity to serve the Lord here, in this place FULL of culture and love. There is no other place in the world like Laie. I have been thinking recently about our Savior and the hope He brings into our lives. One of my favorite scriptures in the NT is when Christ says, "Iam the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yetshall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."

I don't know where I would be without my Savior. We meet people every day that struggle with the effects of cancer, losing loved ones, finding a purpose in life... And the solution to all of the darkness in this world is literally the light that comes from Christ. There is hope. Death is not the end. There is light and life and love. I love this gospel.

I love you all! 

Sister Willardson

Qing :)

Aloha beautiful ohana!

This last week was spectacular!! (trying to mix it up with my word choice) hehe. 

Sister M and I have been staying very busy online! At this point, we have stopped chatting as much and just focused on working with who we do have. Our teaching pool is too big right now! Which is a blessing. Jimmy is still progressing very nicely, we are just trying to get the missionaries to meet with him. We have taught him almost all the lessons, and he is FULL of faith. He always says stuff like "I want them to come to our church and find this too!" when he's talking about his friends haha it is so cute. We also called another man named Victor yesterday that had requested to meet with missionaries, and he is in a rehab facility struggling with lots of things. He wants to find God again, and build a relationship with Christ. He agreed to be baptized. So now we are just waiting on his missionaries to contact him too! SO COOL! I could happily serve online for the rest of my mission. 

On Saturday we had the chance to attend a baptism for Qing, a young adult living here in Laie. She is from mainland china, and has been through A LOT in her life. Sister M had met her back in January when she was serving on campus. I had never met her before, but she had brought all her nonmember friends to the baptism and the spirit was stronger than I have ever felt before. Sister M and I shared the restoration during the missionary moment (my first time speaking at a baptism-- I was TERRIFIED!), and the Spirit was overwhelming. Qing is a really special person, and I know that she is going to be monumentally influential in bringing the Chinese people the Gospel. She is a spiritual giant. And everyone could feel that this was a historic moment as Qing entered the waters of baptism. She glowed. 

I love this gospel, and I love being able to see and feel God's love for everyone. I have never felt so happy or fulfilled before in my life. God's love changes the hardest of hearts. 

Give someone a hug today :)
Sister Willardson

Skype!!!

Aloha, cousins!!

This week was so amazing... (I feel like I say that every week, but it is true!) Sister Mount and I have been seeing lots of success online! The Visitors' Center has been pretty slow, but we are super busy online!! The biggest miracle that happened this last week is that Sister Mount and I called our new friend Jimmy and we set a baptismal date for him for the end of this month. We sent the missionaries to him right away, and have been calling him almost every day ever since. He is hilarious! Every time we talk he mentions the Walking Dead and cracks jokes. We are so excited for him :)

ALSO we have another amazing miracle from this week! We have officially received permission to start teaching our investigators on Skype!!! We have our first appointment set up for tomorrow with our friend Maria from Argentina!!! I cannot even explain how excited we are! We have been waiting for this day for a while, and now even more doors are opened to be able to teach around the world!

And even more exciting... I can't wait to Skype you guys on Sunday! Happy Mothers' Day, mom :):)

I love you all!!

Thank you so much for your prayers on our behalf. I can truly feel angels here with us. I love being a missionary, and I love serving the Lord :) This Gospel is true. I know it with all my heart. 

Have a beautiful day!!

Sister Willardson

Open gli occhi!!

Sister W wanted me to ask everyone to like the Hawaii Temple Visitors' Center (Official Site) on Facebook. 

Aloha Ohana!!
Wow. 11 months today. Where is the time going?? 

Within these past few transfers, I have had an epiphany... and yesterday was the first day that I was able to put it into words. So please bear with me! But I was just thinking about how GRATEFUL I am for this opportunity to serve the Lord right now, wherever I have been called. Serving in a Visitors' Center is a very interesting thing, and I have grown to truly love it. My companion is finishing her mission very soon, and it made me think about how precious this time is to devote everything we have to God. I think about the wonderful age change that gave me this opportunity to be a missionary. Sometimes I think it is crazyyy that Heavenly Father trusts 18+ year olds to go around teaching others about this precious gospel. But something I have learned while here is that He could easily do this work alone. He LETS us be a part of it. When I leave, the work will keep going with or without me. That is pretty cool. So this time is the time that the Lord is preparing us as His future leaders to BECOME. I sure feel like I am becoming. I hope I am becoming for the rest of my life. Hopefully that made sense? 

Alright... a story for this week... man. This was a good week. Last night, a woman came in and she watched Meet the Mormons. After the movie she started talking to Sister Mount and I and she said she had had two brain surgeries and then she just broke down and said that she had been through so much in the past few months. She asked if we had anything else to show her and we took her to the back and started talking to her a bit. She said that this was the first time she had come to Hawaii since her mom passed away and how hard it was. I felt THE strongest impression to ask her if her mom was a member of the church and she said yes. That was kinda cool. Then she said she was raised in the church but fell away and was so lost and we said a prayer with her. After that, she was calm. She knew what she needed to do and that was strengthen her relationship with God -- what she once had but had lost. She left with a desire to change. To come back. To find Christ again. That was a really neat experience. It is SO IMPORTANT for us to open our eyes and talk to everyone we meet. Who knows... they might be going through one of their greatest battles on the inside. 

Everybody, keep your eyes open! :)

Sister Willardson

Just another Beautifully Random Week :)

FAMILY!! :)

This week has been... so amazing. I love my companion Sister Mount so much! She is seriously and angel. And we have seen so many miracles... Serving online has become a goldmine of crazy experiences, I could happily serve here for the rest of my mission, to be honest. Amidst the crazies, it has been such a blessing to be a part of helping others learn more about the church and answer their doubts and fears and helping them develop their own personal relationship with God and our Savior. What a blessing. Technology is awesome!!

We also met some seriously inspiring people this week at the Visitors' Center. None that were exactly interested to learn more but they inspired me!! We met two older ladies (I'm talkin 70's) and they were telling us that they had surf lessons set for the next day. We also met a lot of truly Christlike families that were not members of our faith, but gave us good advice for raising our future families and were such amazing examples of service. Man. I love people.

In other GOOD news, I found THE ONLY available source of true Mexican Food on this side of the island! Nelly's taco truck. They are my new amigos :)

Lastly... The highlight of my week. This weekend was graduation for BYUH and we were invited to the President's Luncheon by Bishop Gary A Stevenson of the Presiding Bishopric. They are family friends of Sister Mount :) That was. So amazing. He and his wife are the nicest people I have ever met. Dang, that was the fanciest meal I have ever eaten though!! I didn't know which fork to use, mom! I should have paid more attention growing up! hahaha Good news is, I had my napkin on my lap. #success

All in all, this was one of the most random weeks on my mission, but it was full of Tender mercies and I could not be more grateful to be here, serving the Lord and the people that I meet. I love this gospel. I know that it is good and true with all my heart. 

As Matt 11 says,
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I know that when we yoke ourselves to the Savior, that is when our burdens can become light. It is when we lose ourselves in His service, and leave behind the things that don't matter, that we can realize who we are, and with His help who we can become. 

I love you all! Pay for someone's lunch today :)

Love Sister Willardson <3

A week of miracles

Aloha Ohana!!

This week... was oh so great!

I don't have much time but I have a cool miracle story (one out of many!) from this week! Sometimes I wish I could just email you my journal... But that would probably just be a mega overload!

This last week, Sister Mount and I had lots of time on chat, which means lots of time to contact investigators. I have a good friend that I met on chat in December named Jeff, and he was recently baptized but struggles with addiction. When I met him on chat, he was in a super low place, but it has just been a blessing to see overtime how much he has grown in this roller coaster he has been on in his life with jail and parole, etc. But he has so much faith, despite it all. This last month, he has hit the low again, and has been struggling to overcome his addiction. I felt prompted one night to email him a video called "Hope of God's Light," which I know he has seen before. The next morning I received an email from him. He said that when he got my email he was with his friends and he was joking around and said he was going to play them the video. He did it to be funny, but at the end, he said they were all in tears. He said one of his friends even asked if she could come to church with him and learn more about the church! THAT is the power in sharing what we know. We never know who will be touched by our short testimonies, and God's light :) That is something that I am learning here at the VC. Everyone, no matter who they are has some of that light in them. Our job as members isn't to give them crazy spiritual experiences so they can find God, it is to help illuminate that light that is already within them. That light is real. 

I love you all :) Be a light!!

Love Sister Willardson

A New Day

Happy Easter, Ohana!

This last week was such a blessing. With the #BecauseHeLives video, chat has been off-the-hook! We have been so busy!!! I even got to chat in Italian (thanks to Google Translate haha) because there was so much activity on there. That was super cool!

Also, some minor transfer news -- and I can't believe it is transfers again already!! I will be staying online, and serving as a Coordinating Sister with my new companion..... Sister Mount!!!! Ahhhh I am so excited!! She is the one that I was on exchanges with when we met Karim (our miracle  friend that was baptized in February). She is the most amazing person I have ever met, and I cannot wait to serve alongside her!!!

Wow. I am so grateful for the chance we had to watch General Conference this weekend. All the missionaries in our zone watched it in our theater here at the Visitors' Center. Hearing from our prophet and apostles was so refreshing.  I went to conference with a few questions, and they were all answered within the first session. I can't pick a favorite talk, but Elder Holland's talk really stuck out to me because it was a firm reminder of why I am here serving a mission. Because all the human race is in free-fall. I have seen the hand of the Savior stretch out time and time again to catch others, including me, and lift them up. I think of Peter when he was walking on water. I think we all have times when we feel like we are walking on water, but eventually, begin to sink into the depths of despair. Christ is always there to catch us, to lift us out of the cold water if we just call to Him. That is why we have this church, this beautiful gospel. It is for saints and sinners alike, to help us overcome our weaknesses and imperfections and come to know Christ. I know that this church is the restored church of Jesus Christ, organized in the exact way He organized it when He was on the Earth. I know that President Monson is a prophet of God. I love President Monson with all my heart :)

With thoughts of Easter and general conference, let's all choose to start anew today and change one thing that is holding us back from being better :)
Sister Willardson

aloha!

Aloha, Ohana!

Well, another week has passed, and I am just so grateful to be here. Even when things get hard, it is not hard to think of something to be grateful for.

This last week Sister Kaufusi and I found a lot of success on chat! Because of the #becauseHelives video, we have been so busy answering questions about the church! In one day, I sent three sets of missionaries to meet with the people I chatted with! Hearts are especially soft this time of year as we remember Christ and His role in our lives.

With General Conference and Easter coming up, I just wanted to take the time to share a short testimony of my Savior. This morning, for part of our training in the Visitors' Center, we talked about our purpose. At the end of the training, we had the opportunity to climb a ladder and touch the hand of the Christus statue, which has been something I have wanted to do my whole mission. For me, it was very symbolic and the moment was sacred. I imagined touching the hand of Christ, and how amazing that day will be when it comes. I became overwhelmed by the desire to continue to give the Lord all that I have so that I can help others to "feel the prints of the nails in His hands and feet." That is my purpose. Literally to bring others to Christ -- the knowledge that we can be freed and lifted by His sacrifice and infinite love for us. No matter who you are, you can feel that love.

I love you all. And I pray that we might all be able to focus our thoughts on our Savior and Redeemer this Easter season and always <3

Aloha nui loa, Sister Willardson

#BecauseHeLives

Aloha Famiglia! 

This week was another quick one! It was basically full of paperwork and stuff. We had Zone interviews so mission president came to meet with all of us! That was awesome, and Sister Kaufusi and I checked planners and area books all day for those two days. I though my brain had melted by the end. haha!

 In other news we had to say aloha oe to our amazing senior couple, Elder and Sister Rose :( That was a sad day, but we also received a new senior couple to take their place, Elder and Sister Smith. They are soooo awesome and we are excited to serve more with them!! :) Goodbyes are hard...

Thursday and Friday we went on exchanges with the sister trainers, I was with Sister Na and Sister Jenkins. Both days were so amazing :) On Friday with Sister Jenkins, I got to go back to YSA wards, and we got to have a lesson with their investigator, Narayan. He is getting baptized next month. Oh my gosh, it was such a blessing to meet this man. He has so much faith and trust in the Lord. 

Besides that, Sister Kaufusi and I are currently helping Elder Priday (our VC director) and President Warner (our mission president) plan transfers. Never thought I would be a part of this! It is so weird, and it makes me appreciate the revelation and inspiration that our leaders receive on a daily basis. Something that I continue to learn is how truly inadequate and weak I am. I am such an imperfect being. I am grateful to my Savior for the grace, abilities and strength He gives me to overcome my weaknesses. He loves us all so much.

Keep an eye out on Friday for the new Easter video that is coming out! #BecauseHeLives. Share it with everyone! It is gonna be so cool!

I love you all! Eat a Cadbury Easter egg today!

Love always Sister Willardson

Tender Mercies

Aloha, Ohana!

This week was in deed full of tender mercies. Nothing super big or divine happened, but we had so many little miracles. One is that I started studying Italian again because I realized that I have basically forgotten everything. Like everything. And both days that I did, I met some Italians. They weren't major or extravagant experiences, but to me it showed how the Lord is aware of everything. He knows our desires and efforts. We also gave a tour to a big Academy here on the island, with 35 senior students. They are all Seventh Day Adventists, if I am not mistaken. I was pretty nervous for the day because you never know what to expect from high school seniors! haha (sorry Brooke) but with a prayer in our hearts, we taught the Restoration and some of our basic beliefs. Everyone was so kind. I even got to answer their teacher's questions about the Book of Mormon, which was terrifying but fulfilling! I continue to learn that it doesn't matter if I am not confident in myself as a missionary -- that doesn't matter-- what matters is that I place my confidence in the Lord. He is there every time. 

In celebration of grandma's birthday yesterday, I wanted to share one last experience. Yesterday, an older woman came in with her brother. Her name was Gloria :) She was from New Jersey, and right away she revealed that she lost her husband a year and a half ago. I could feel the spirit present the second we met, and I knew that she was searching for some peace. We talked to her about the Temple, about eternal families. Our time together was short, but I could feel an overwhelming sense of God's love for her. Of her worth. She left with a renewed commitment to turn her heart to Christ and share that light with others. She was a happy woman. I love meeting people because I always try to help them leave happier than I found them, and every time I feel the roles reversed, and they leave me happier than they found me. I love this gospel. I love the light that Christ has become in my life. He has led me countless times, and I know that He will never leave us if we strive to be worthy and keep our covenants that we have made with him through baptism and the Temple.

I love you all. Now go and make someone happy :)

Sister Willardson