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