So many things happened this past week! We went to MLC (missionary leadership council) in town! It was like a zone conference, but with ZLs and STLs all over the mission(I'm not an STL though).
And Sister Leng and I met some really great people at the VC and online as well.

In our area:
1) MLC was a really unique experience because Brother Allen (Managing Director of the Missionary Department) gave us training on the doctrine of Christ, preparing others for the baptism invitation, and he also shared really funny experiences with us. What I really learned, or re-learned I guess, was the importance of living the doctrine of Christ as missionaries, and that our actions YESTERDAY should be evidence of our understanding of the doctrine of Christ. For example, yesterday, I invited a Chinese guest to read the Book of Mormon, to strengthen her faith in Jesus Christ. He was just hilarious, and we're so grateful we were able to go!
And it was really exciting to see some missionaries I served with previously, and a few elders who are Zone Leaders now, who came out to Hawaii with us back on November.

2) We've been visiting the freshman and sharing a scripture in Mosiah 2:7-9 so they can spiritually prepare for General Conference coming up! I'm super excited to learn from the prophet and apostles on my mission especially.

At the VC:
1) Last Tuesday, we had to cover for a sister who wasn't feeling too well, and took their tram shift. So on tram tours, we only stay at the VC for 20 minutes, then go back with our guests. A guy named Kevin talked to me in English first (I didn't know if he was Chinese or what), and was surprised to meet a Chinese Mormon, I had to go back on the tram, but asked Sister Smith (senior sister) to give him a tour, since he was curious. Basically, I wasn't expecting to see him again, but at the end of the evening (like 2 hours later), he was still at the VC! Sister Nielsen gave him a tour, and he had all the pamphlets laid out in his arms, and we talked probably for half an hour or so. He had a ton of questions about our beliefs, and about how my family joined the church. I think it was a miracle he stayed that long (since most people who walk in don't stay long), but the peace and Spirit he felt probably prompted him to wait. I shared my testimony and he agreed I could share more through email. He travels a lot so wouldn't be that available for missionaries, but I was just amazed at his willingness to learn. (that conversation was in Mandarin)

2) Feifei is Chinese, but working in Germany right now as an engineer. We met on the tram tour, and she was super down-to-earth and easy to talk to. Usually, to be honest, I don't get many quality gospel conversations with Chinese guests, but hers was one I'll always remember I think. She asked me how I deal with affliction or trials in life, and I was able to share about some of my experiences growing up, and how the gospel and the Atonement has been a huge blessing, giving me the perspective I need. And I testified how much our Heavenly Father loves all of His children, and it's because of Jesus Christ, we can overcome anything we face. She was willing to learn more from local missionaries and keep in touch! So fun.

3) Amelia is our online investigator, and she planned to get baptized in November but now she'll be baptized on October 8! A sweet sister in her ward is renting out her home to her, so it's a miracle. She's so so excited and wishes Sister Ting and I could both attend...we're planning to take a picture together and send it to her haha.

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Aloha!
Last week I hit my year mark on my mission, and I can hardly believe it. I was thinking about how unique my mission experience is because it is so different from your regular missionary work, where you're outside all day or you have teaching appointments. Here we get to do online teaching, have visitors come in to know about the temple, and we do these fun tram tours from the PCC. I was able to serve in the Toronto Mission for a bit, then here, then Kaneohe, and back here at the VC. The best part about our mission is there is ALWAYS something to do, someone to contact or talk to. But like any mission, we face different challenges as well.

Anyway, I'm trying to keep a better record of my experiences by writing in my journal and trying to capture more pictures haha. Vacation season is pretty much over, so less people are coming in, but that doesn't stop us from doing the work!

In our area:
- Ar Lon will be MIA until October because he has a friend visiting, so as of right now we have no investigators. Sister Leng and I decided to pray and fast yesterday to know how we can find more people to teach, and it was so obvious that God was already placing the right people in our path! There's a soccer player who we've been meaning to meet, but haven't yet, and Sister Bradley (in our married student ward) is actually really good friends with her, and has even Skyped her parents (you know you're close when you know the parents well haha). And Brother Bradley is actually our new ward mission leader, so now we have some connection! The power of fasting is so real, and we are so grateful, because this isn't our work, but God's work, and it will go forward, with or without us.
- Dwayne, a soccer player from England, isn't really investigating the church with missionaries per say, but he has been attending church with his two other soccer buddies (both served missions). We were so happy to see him in sacrament meeting! His friends are super great at helping him understand the things he learns at church
- as Sister Leng and I continue to serve in the married student ward, our desire to be in a ward like this one in the future increases hahahaha (it's just so convenient to be with people going through the same stage in life as you). We've learned so much from simply seeing their faith put into action, and the blessings Heavenly Father has bestowed upon them for their obedience and trust in Him.


At the VC:
- I got a member referral online and called Ana to get to know the situation about the person she referred. Turns out she was investigating with the missionaries as well! And she actually was super worried because of some harsh things the Christian pastor said about our church (her previous church), like how we believe Jesus Christ was just a prophet, not our Savior, and how we're not "real" Christians (pretty typical misconceptions). I was so happy to tell her the truth and bear my testimony that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and everything we learn is centered on Him and His gospel. It was a late call, but she was looking forward to the missionaries' visit the following day. It sure wasn't coincidence I called her that evening! We are literally the mouthpiece to help others resolve concerns, and to help them align their will with God's will.

- my investigator Tevyan got baptized on Saturday! She's 19 years old and from Texas. I've been keeping in touch with her since I've sent the local missionaries over, and I was so happy to hear her testimony, which grew over time. Basically she prayed to God for the first time, to know how she can find more happiness in her life, and felt prompted to learn about our church (she remembers her Mormons friends in high school were always happy), and since then has felt so much joy while she read the Book of Mormon. She received that answer to her prayer, and loves reading the Book of Mormon every day. It's so amazing to see others gain their own testimony of this restored gospel, and experience for themselves the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

- Samuel wants to learn more about the Book of Mormon. As I was talking to him about where his interest came from, he noted that " feel like I need a kind of compass, as does the rest of humankind, now more than ever...When I said the world needs a compass now more than ever, I'm saying that being aware of what's happening all around the world. People are being stripped of their identities (gender, religion, race) and forced towards a way of life that leaves very little freedom, hope or happiness in our lives. I think that humans need god if they want to live moral and productive lives and I've heard you guys fit both of those criterion." I was pretty impressed by that thought, and bore testimony of how much happiness this restored gospel gives us.

Fun times:
Last week, there were still many Chinese tour buses that came, but the highlight was a Chinese actor (the name I cannot read but will take a picture of his card to send to my mom) came to the Visitors Center and serenaded us with Christian songs! Like "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Hallelujah" by Handel. It was kind of bizarre because usually Chinese people don't know such music... but I was able to take some material back too! He also showed us an album full of pictures from the shows and movies he has filmed (the closest I'll get to any famous Chinese person). He told asked Sister Swinton (VC Director's wife) how old she was, she replied 60 years old, and he replied back he was 80 years old!

In closing, I just want to say how much I love sharing the gospel. I probably say that all the time. The more I study and testify each day to people I meet, the more my conversion to the Lord grows.

Scripture of the week: 2 Nephi 25:23
"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."

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​The inside of Island Buffet at the Polynesian Cultural Center. A senior couple who attends our married student ward signed up for dinner, and brought us here. The food is soo good. We only come here twice on our missions, at the beginning (as VC sisters) and in the end, when all the missionaries go to the PCC for a whole day. The artwork is amazing because it shows the Nephites from the Book of Mormon!

Love,
Sister Wu

This week we had two new sisters join us at the VC! Sister Tu'avao from California/Tonga, and Sister Pluim from Idaho. Sister Tu'avao is second cousins with my MTC companion Sister Tu'avao! (currently serving in the Denver Colorado Mission). This week two hurricanes passed by Hawaii, and we actually had a Red Cross Training call so we can be ready to volunteer if needed. Thankfully, it seems like the area we're living at hasn't been affected.

In our area:
1) So our phone line stopped working since last Friday night , so that was pretty rough. We just borrowed our padmates' phone when we needed to, and finally got a new number last night! Miracle that we survived haha. We met with one of our Ward Mission Leaders in the YSA wards and he has a lot of energy and vision to help share the gospel, even as students. We need to involve the bishopric in missionary work, working directly with less-actives and investigators.
2) Sister Leng and I also are meeting with the Relief Society Presidents of the YSA wards to get to know them, and let them know we're here to help :) Besides Ar Lon, we're not teaching anyone else on campus right now. But it's been so fun to get to know the girls and build friendships with them!

At the VC(so many miracles!):
1) So this miracle is kind of long but so crazy! It was like everyone was put in the right place at the right time, for a girl named Natalie from Texas. So the story is, her boyfriend Jarom actually came to the VC first, and I started talking with him, turns out he hasn't been to church since he was 15 (he's in late 20s now). Sister Evans & Sister Walker talked a little with Natalie when she came in, and eventually Sister Leng and I talked with both Natalie and Jarom. There was some contention there because Natalie asked us some intense questions about how a Mormon could mistreat a woman, etc. We invited them both to watch the video walk through presentation of God's Plan for His Family, and Jarom immediately came out because Natalie didn't want to be with him. I felt like she really needed a hug, so I gave her a huge hug and she just broke down crying. She wanted to know more about our beliefs and standards and was really struggling, and Sister Leng suggested a priesthood blessing, because we know the power of the priesthood can cast away anything bad. We invited both of them to watch the video, because we could feel that they both needed to learn something from that. And at the end we discussed the importance of Christ-like attributes in the home, and we challenged them both to act on what they've learned. As we walked out, the zone leaders just walked in (perfect timing, they don't usually come to the VC), and were able to give Natalie a priesthood blessing of comfort, but also of healing (her neck was in real pain).

She cried a lot during the blessing, and could definitely feel the Spirit. So could we! It was so strong. I know that the priesthood power is real, and it's direct authority from God, to serve His children. Another thing was, they were both at a chiropractor's office before coming, and met Sister Stinchfield (a member in our married student ward), and a senior couple that happened to be there, and they all shared with them what blessings come from marrying a member of the church. They recommended her to check out the temple so that's why they both came in the first place, to seek peace and guidance. She left her contact info so we could keep in touch, and even took a Book of Mormon. They both left in separate ways, but later Sister Stinchfield and her husband actually drove Natalie to town so she could stay with a friend. In the car, she was able to hear about the restoration and the gospel of Jesus Christ. We're looking forward to help her feel that Spirit even more, and from this experience, I've gained an even stronger testimony of how much God loves all of His children, that for Natalie, she was able to seek some answers, and feel the Spirit when she came here, and witness the power of the priesthood. It's so wonderful to be in instrument to help others feel of God's love for them, especially when they're going through a hard time.

2) This couple from Beijing came from the tram tour, and I was able to share a little about what makes our beliefs different from other Christian faiths, and it was cool because Chang Lu and his wife were really agreeing with everything I shared, and although I can't continue to share once they return to China, they left me their information anyway so we can keep in touch after my mission. Haha. Miracle! (most people from mainland China aren't super prepared or interested in the gospel).

3) Two of my online investigators, Maria and Tevyan, are preparing for baptism next Saturday!!! Tevyan's close to my age, and Maria is a mother of three kids, but it's amazing to support them on the journey to making a covenant with God. I know this gospel blesses families, and one of my favorite aspects of missionary work is seeing how the Spirit and fruits of the gospel blesses these individuals.

4) Wang Jue walked in to the VC last week too, and brought a friend visiting from Shanghai. Wang Jue is investigating the church in Makiki, because she lives with a friend who joined the church recently. She hasn't learned much from the sisters because they don't speak Chinese, but Sister Ng (from here) has been keeping in touch with her. What amazes me is although she's just learning, she already loves the principle of the eternal family, and family being central, and brought her friend and wants to share with other friends in China. Being a missionary already!

5) Willy from New Zealand is a high school teacher, and some of his students are Mormons. He's been learning for a few weeks now, and went to church yesterday. He really wants to gain his own testimony as he continues to experience church, scripture study, and praying for himself. I really admire that he wants to understand what his students love about this gospel. Will be calling him tomorrow probably. :)

Scripture of the week: Alma 26:37
"Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen"

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