#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

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Aloha Family and Friends!

 This week was another semi-slow one for us, but it was great nonetheless!Being online has been a challenge because the work has really slowed down. Coming from YSA wards on BYUH campus to no social interaction has been an interesting experience.  However, I really do love it still. I love my companion Sister Kaufusi.  We have fun together trying to make it exciting. The construction is almost finished at the Visitors' Center, and with it we expect more guests and visitors! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, for sure.

I don't have much time but I just wanted to share a little lesson that I learned this last week from a man that we met outside the Visitors' Center. He was probably in his 50's, and in a wheelchair waiting for his ride to come. He didn't have legs and was missing a few fingers. We started talking to him a little because he was all alone and learned that he was a convert, had served a mission and right after his mission he got very sick. His health had declined extremely and he was in and out of the hospital for years and years. He explained that because of his illness, he was unable to attend the temple for 30 years, and that that night was his first time back. He had so much gratitude in his heart and said that he had never cried so much in his life. After being at death's door and feeling so alone and questioning God for His illnesses, the most tears he shed were in His Holy House. That really stuck with me. I think that a lot of times we feel far away from God a midst our trials and challenges, but this man was a powerful example of the redeeming and infinite love that God has for each of us, His children. I can't even imagine the day that I will have the opportunity to be in God's presence again -- the thought to me is so sweet, so sacred. Just as this man felt as He entered the Lord's House after years and years of being away.

I love you all. Make someone smile today!

Sister Willardson

Be of Good Cheer, I have overcome the world.

9 Months. How can I even describe how much I've learned and grown in 9 months? 

I think the greatest testimony that I've gained, the most sacred of all to me, is that Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. His mighty hand continues to stretch out to us and make us whole when we feel broken and incomplete.
https://www.lds.org/liahona/2015/03/encircled-in-his-gentle-arms?cid=HPSU030115727&lang=eng

This is one of my favorite paintings, and I am so grateful for the message President Uchtdorf shared about it. That has become true in my life. It has become a sacred fact for me. I know that my Redeemer Lives.

This last week was difficult, probably mostly because I've realized this monumental mark that I've hit here in Hawaii. Half-way. I am going to make it count. Each day is a blessing, wherever we are. Don't take it for granted for a second. 

I love you all, thank you for your prayers and support. :)

Love always

Sister Willardson