Aloha!

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, an apostle, came to visit BYU Hawaii to speak for commencement on Saturday! And Elder Swinton asked if he would visit us sisters at the VC for a little. So we were privileged to meet him in person and listen to his words. Sister Andrus is helping us prepare a few songs for the upcoming missionary musical fireside, and I've been playing accompaniment on the piano, so we sang for him as he walked in. 🤗 The Spirit just filled the room whenever we meet an apostle of the Lord! He shared a few experiences with us, and I learned from him that the Spirit is what makes our words perfect for the people we talk to. When we are led by the Spirit, it's not the words we say, but how the Spirit helps others to interpret those words to exactly what they need. God knows everyone perfectly, especially their needs, and desires. I know that Elder Oaks is a chosen apostle of the Lord, and he's expressed such great love for missionaries all over the world, as head of the missionary executive committee.

Elder Oaks also came with Elder Kim B. Clark, the commissioner of the Church Educational System, and previous Dean of the Harvard Business School. He happened to preside over our YSA Sacrament meeting yesterday morning too! And shared two experiences that his oldest daughter had. He talked about how God has been preparing people their whole lives to be answers to another person's prayer. It is no coincidence how people are placed in our lives, or how miracles are brought to pass. When we keep the commandments and place our trust in the Lord, He will always provide a way! Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives. 

VC:

1) Went on my last exchange ever with Sister De Leon last Tuesday! But this time I'm not the STL! Haha. It was a fun day and we met a really sweet Vietnamese couple from Australia who had many questions about the temple and our beliefs. They filled out a guest card and were really open to meeting missionaries!

2) On Saturday morning, we had five Chinese buses arrive at approximately the same time, so the VC was full of Chinese guests, probably about 70 people in total! It's a little rough when there's only 3 sisters who can speak to them, but at least they felt the peaceful spirit here. I talked to a few women who were really respectful of the Christus statue. We played the short narration and I shared my testimony of how Jesus Christ's Atonement is for every one of us! They took a Book of Mormon and took pictures with me :)

3) There's a girl named Naomi from Scotland who requested for missionaries on Feb 11, but due to the time difference between Hawaii and the UK, I never got ahold of her! But this week we did! We had a great conversation. When she was in high school, she went on an exchange program and lived with a host family(members of the church) in Utah, where she attended church and seminary and loved it! She's now a teacher for special needs children in Scotland, and her mom was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, and she wanted to feel peace and talk about God's plan again with someone. So we sent her the missionaries and they're teaching her now! Seeds of faith are planted and they sprout when life circumstances change. We testified to her that everything will be OK, because God has a plan so she can be with her family forever. And that she can experience peace through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love that the gospel reaches people all over the world!

4) We gave a tour at the Visitors Center to some elders and their investigator they brought in. Andrea and James are both in the military and have a cute 6-month old girl named Teagan. Sister Domingo and I played the narration for them, watched God's Plan video walk-through, and "The Horseman" video segment. It was just such a joy to see how James (preparing for baptism) has gained a testimony of the power of the Atonement, since it's helped him to overcome Word of Wisdom problems, and how they want to strengthen their family and prepare for temple sealing. Andrea was inactive for a few years, but now, they both have a vision to raise their family in the gospel!!! 

5) I shook Elder Oak's hands. TWICE. Once at the Visitors Center, and yesterday morning before he attended the sacrament meeting right beside our's ! 😎 He said, "Good morning sisters!"

6) Sister Domingo is such a fast learner! She has 3/4 of the tram tour script memorized! And we're working on continuing conversations on tours and being bold!

I know my mom's probably counting down days, but for reference, I have 4 weeks left on my mission. So unreal!

Scripture of the week: 1 Nephi 17:13

"And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led."

Just a cute picture of our name tags haha.

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The Moss's fed us lamb chops for dinner! We felt like we were at a restaurant! 👌

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​Our supply closet with the materials in different languages organized! Book of Mormon, pamphlets, etc.

​Sitting at the back of the tram after we've invited people to take the tram tour, pass out reminders for two hours! Called "tram scouts." Sister Domingo on the front right with Sister Allen (exchanges).

Aloha!

Sister Domingo is a great missionary! We have so many similarities and she's willing to work hard to improve her Korean, and other skills. I couldn't have asked for a better trainee! I'm so grateful that we're working as a team and always striving for improvement. We're having so much fun together and sometimes I feel like I need to stop talking so much! Hahahaha. She really is super cute and diligent. Her Korean is fluent, but she's working on teaching the gospel in Korean. 

Sister Lin, Sister Sicotte, and I, gave a short little training to the new Chinese sisters (Sister Lin2 and Sister Lam). But there's really no way of explaining the experience when Chinese tour buses come in. Later that day, we had a group of 30 Chinese guests that swarmed to the front desk for their own copy of the Book of Mormon. It's a rare occasion to see so my face was like this: 😁😯! The two sisters both received guest cards back! So fun. 

VC:

1) Training a new missionary is super fun, and it makes me really appreciate knowing little things. For example, how to call someone on the phone when we confirm their request for a free scripture, or how to continue a conversation from the temple grounds to inside the VC. I've loved sharing with Sister Domingo from my personal experience, but she has a powerful testimony of the Savior that is more important than anything else. 

2) I met a Chinese family from Markham! They came on the tram tour but didn't have any interest going inside the VC. Turns out the girl, about my age, is dating a guy who's an inactive member of the church. Her mom asked me how I joined the church, so I shared my testimony with her, but mostly talked to the girl my age. Hopefully her visit here to the temple will spark an interest both in her and her inactive boyfriend...

3) Elder Zwick and Sister Zwick, a General Authority Seventy, came to speak to our zone yesterday afternoon. "If you stay close to Jesus, He will stay close to you." "A new sense of commitment means more accountability." We can do hard things in life, with Heavenly Father's help, and I truly have a testimony of that! Elder Zwick 

4) We talked to a woman named Helen on chat on morning (evening in the UK though), and she asked us how she could overcome addiction. We taught her about the power of Christ's Atonement, and she knew that she was going on a wrong path. Turns out, some missionaries visited her home, but she wasn't comfortable talking to them because her housemates were there. That's why she came on chat, and we invited her to call those missionaries to learn more. She'll be meeting with them this week!  We're all in this work together, to bring others peace from the Atonement, but really help us change so we can have eternal happiness.

5) We also chatted with a member named Annabelle, who felt like her faith was stuck and she wasn't growing even though she was doing all the right things, like reading scriptures, listening to general conference talks, etc. She felt like she wasn't receiving the promises in her patriarchal blessing. We encouraged her to have faith and to serve others as Christ did, because that will help her find happiness when she doesn't know Heavenly Father's timing yet. This conversation taught me that as a member of the church, we may lose faith sometimes, but talking to good friends who will lift you, or missionaries, or your bishop, can always remind you that God really does have a perfect plan for you. 

4) Sister Domingo and I took a really intense tour with a couple from Vancouver and Australia. It was her first day being on shift at the VC! Sam (the woman) asked for our beliefs on same-sex marriage, church organization, and she had so many doubts about man REALLY knowing the will of God. We believe that the prophet receives direction from God to lead and guide the church, so that we can follow Jesus Christ better in our lives, but Sam popped one question after another! I taught and testified, and the miracle was, she really could believe in Joseph Smith's experience, and loved the symbolism of what we do in temples. I didn't feel overwhelmed at all with her challenging questions, because I knew in my heart and mind that what we believe are truths, given from God to modern prophets. And I knew the Spirit bore testimony of the things we've taught. At the end, they were really appreciative of the time we spent teaching them, and took a few pamphlets. I realized that there was no way I could've handled this situation without the Spirit's guidance!

5) We ate dinner with two married couples recently and they announced that they were both pregnant!!! We were also one of the first people they've revealed the news to. This is kind of irrelevant, but I loved hearing their testimonies of Heavenly Father's perfect timing, and showing their faith in Him. Sister Domingo is loving our area too haha.

6) Timothy, our investigator online, is progressing with the missionary lessons! He's a single dad with two young daughters, and is excited to bring them to church on Sunday. The more I do missionary work, the more I love these people, and know that we really are brothers and sisters in God's great family. It's easy to talk to others when you truly care, and it's easy to have confidence in the guidance of the Spirit when you do your best to live the gospel. I know that we interact with so many people each day, but what increases their desire to learn more is the special spirit they feel from our interactions. And that is from God. Not us!

7) Marshall, the super golden guy I met here at the VC with Sister Lor, has set an appointment with the local missionaries. :)

And other news! I got a haircut! I cut it short! Time for a change-up! (not in pictures) Some of the newer sisters are not used to seeing me leave leadership haha. I learned so much the last few transfers, and I know that it's prepared me to train and love Sister Domingo to the best I can. I think I'm ending my mission on a high, every day is a fresh day, to get down to work, and to love love love! Sister Domingo is a quick learner and I know she will blossom to be a wonderful missionary! :)

Scripture of the week: 1 Peter 1:7

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ"

​Sister Domingo and I in front of the temple :)

​A sweet sweet Vietnamese lady from Australia visited on the tram tours. She's been through a lot of trials in her life but had an unshaken faith in Jesus Christ. Always sweet to see that.

​Valentine's Day was transfer day, and Sister Domingo's first day! So we cooked kimchi fried rice together. :) So glad we both like Korean food!

Guess what?!

1) Tomorrow marks the first day of my last transfer on my mission, which means I only have 6 weeks left on my mission...

2) I've been released as a STL(sister training leader) and called as a trainer!!! The one and only time I'll train on my mission haha. My new companion will be Sister Domingo! She is Filipino, but called to serve here at the VC Korean speaking. I heard she's a big fan of Korean dramas and apparently fluent in Korean because of that, we'll find out I guess. But it's kind of funny that I like Korean dramas too hahaha. I'm super excited to train! But also be with a companion that is so excited to begin her mission and has no idea what she's getting herself into! Hahaha. I've never had a companion who was so new on her mission. I know I will be exhausted but I will have SO much fun loving and serving her. My last transfer to stretch and grow in the best way possible! 

We are receiving five new sisters tomorrow, and three sisters are departing. I'll see Sister Lee again soon, Sister Yeung was my companion in the beginning of my mission, and Sister Ng and I have served together in leadership for the last three transfers! 

VC(quick updates):

1) On Friday night, my voice was super sore. And on the weekend, it was dying, so with the help of much water, Halls, Nyquil, and medicine, my voice is now 90% full capacity. Yay! Probably many prayers too. Thank goodness. As a missionary, losing your voice is the worst! Nobody can hear you. :( And I can't sing.

2) We had cleaning checks last week and our pad won! We are "star cleaners." Yes!

3) I talked to a girl named Melissa, from Canada, on chat the other day. She asked me two questions. One was , "what is it like to be a Mormon?" and, "what is the Book of Mormon?" I shared with her basically my testimony and how my faith in God and Jesus Christ is the center of my life, affecting all my decisions and perspective. Then I taught her about the restoration of the gospel, and she seemed genuinely curious to know if it was true. She wasn't quite ready to read the Book of Mormon herself, but I still shared my testimony. Then she left the conversation and I had to go to prayer meeting (before our shift). I'll never know what she's going to do, but I'm glad I taught and testified of the truth, and now she can act on her curiosity if she chooses to. I found out later she replied to me 7 minutes after, but I was gone haha.

4) For transfer news (the big reveal if  you will switch companions or switch areas), we created a video of Sister Ng sketching out each new companionship, which was a lot of work! Last minute, they had to make some changes, and on the night of, we had technical difficulties, but it all worked out and it was miracle!

5) Joey is an investigator that we're keeping in touch with online, and he's preparing for baptism next month! He set that goal a few weeks ago, and loves what he's learning from the local missionaries.

6) On Thursday afternoon, Sister Lor and I had an empty tram tour, so we went online for that 20 minutes. Usually this time, it's unlikely we're taking live interactions even if we try to call them, because they may not pick up. But we called Rita, who requested for a Book of Mormon. And she told us her mom actually passed away a few days ago. We testified of God's perfect love for her, His plan of happiness, and she's being taught by the missionaries now. Every minute that we are anxiously engaged in missionary work, Heavenly Father gives us opportunities to bless the lives of others. It is so fun!

I love the First Presidency Message from this month's Ensign. President Uchtdorf says, "If we would keep the commandment to love one another, we must treat each other with compassion and respect, showing our love in day-to-day interactions. Love offers a kind word, a patient response, a selfless act, an understanding ear, a forgiving heart. In all our associations, these and other such acts help make evident the love in our hearts...Love is the very essence of the gospel, the noblest attribute of the human soul. Love is the remedy for ailing families, ill communities, and sick nations. Love is a smile, a wave, a kind comment, and a compliment. Love is sacrifice, service, and selflessness." Charity is the pure love of Christ, and I testify that life is so much more fulfilling and happy when you are developing that attribute. That's why missions are fun - we're putting others first and trying to figure out how we can serve them - by sharing the gospel.

Scripture: 3 Nephi 27:27

" And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am."

​Neat story here! This couple actually went inside the VC, didn't talk to any sisters, but Sister Chong at the front desk (senior sister) invited them to take the pamphlets and fill out a guest card, which this guy did! And when they walked outside, we took them up to the temple, and taught them the role of the Book of Mormon. When we offered the guest card, he said he already filled it out! And he took a Book of Mormon and everything else!

​This group of YSA are actually from Canada somewhere and met me and my trainer in the beginning of my mission. They came back a few days ago and wanted to say hi! So unexpected that they remembered us. 

​This is what accounting looks like here at the VC. Every week we add up the stats! Goals vs. actuals. Next transfer, I can just sit back and receive training from the new STLs hehe.

​We had lunch with Elder and Sister Chong today! They share funny travel experiences where they didn't listen to the Spirit, and when Heavenly Father answered their prayers. We love them!

I feel so blessed every week because we meet so many wonderful people here! Some are just curious, and some are super prepared to learn more from the local missionaries. And some experiences aren't very special or grand, but remind me of how much Heavenly Father loves His children. I can't believe this is the last week of the transfer! 

VC (so many miracles, I can't even write them all!):

1) Yesterday morning was super busy for a morning shift! Several Chinese buses came, and we met two walk-in couples who were visiting. Of the four of them, Marshall was the most interested in learning more about the temple and our beliefs. We taught him about the living prophet, revelation, and then I got pulled out front to greet Chinese guests. But I came back to finish our tour and basically taught the whole restoration lesson, and so much more, because he had so many questions! He was raised Catholic but never quite found a church that fit him. Sister Lor and I were so happy to share our testimonies and answer his questions. He was willing to read the Book of Mormon and learn more from missionaries in Ilinois! I was slightly worried when he read from the guest card, "you're sending representatives to my house?" "Yep, they're just like us! Missionaries!

2) Last week, a member, who also works as a tour guide on the side, brought in an Italian family. These women were friends of his, and all of us ended up watching the video, God's Plan, in Italian. One woman's husband passed away recently from cancer, so we testified of eternal families. And because of the member's testimony, they filled out a guest card and was willing to learn more from missionaries in Italy. And we invited them to check out the Rome Italy Temple when it's completed! Since they'll have an open house! It's such a blessing to meet families from all over the world, who can recognize the truths of the gospel because of the Spirit.

3) When I was on exchanges with Sister Furukawa last week (we were companions at the MTC), we took tram tours together. One our last one of the evening, ending at 7:15 pm, I saw a Chinese woman in the front row who just looked so frustrated/sad. I was so worried because we don't want anyone leaving the temple with those kind of feelings! Turns out her 2 year old son threw out her wooden-beaded bracelet out the tram window, and she was so stressed out because the bracelet was a gift from someone very special to her. Our wonderful tram driver, Lance, said she could hop back on the tram, and we'd drive slowly to look for it, on the path of the tour. She got off a little later to just look on her own, in the dark. And not too far after, we saw it! I picked it up and ran back to return it to her. She was so overjoyed and even cried a little. Sister Furukawa and I prayed that morning to give others hope or help them feel happy that day. And this tiny miracle, that this bracelet wasn't crushed by cars, or was found and returned to its owner, was an answer to our prayer and to her's! :)

5) On another evening, I began talking to a couple wearing matching Hawaii print outfits, and began telling them how I was introduced to the gospel, but Sister Lin asked if I could help give a tour to a Chinese man. I felt a a little torn because I couldn't keep talking to the couple, and the Chinese man didn't even want to learn much about anything... I was looking inside the VC to see if any other sisters talked to that couple, and I told Sister Lor what happened. The miracle was, they actually walked up the temple grounds, and down, didn't go inside the VC, Sister Lor took their pictures, and they were willing to meet with missionaries and learn more! Yay for companion unity! Heavenly Father truly knows every person who comes here, and allows us to connect somehow. So they can make a choice to learn more or not!

6) Sister Lor met a really excited woman named Mimo from Thornhill, Ontario. I was speaking to some Chinese guests and later joined her, when they were trying to look for the Toronto Temple on the little touchscreen. The funny thing was, Sister Lor was struggling because she had no idea where Toronto was hahaha. But I pointed it out! Mimo is Christian, and never heard of our religion, and was excited as ever to meet missionaries back home and keep in touch with us! It's so fun to see others so open to learn more! Especially Canadians! At the same time, her daughter Jessie was talking to Sister Sicotte and she wanted to learn more too! The power of working two by two is so real.

7) I met a super sweet couple from Shandong, China last week! She joined the church in 2007 when she visited Hong Kong, near the temple, and met missionaries. She felt a prompting in her head that she should listen to what they had to say. And her husband got baptized in 2015, and this was his first time seeing a temple! And a Visitors Center! I was so happy to show them around, hear their testimonies, and they're preparing to be sealed in the Hong Kong temple too. They asked me to write my testimony in the Simplied Book of Mormon so that was fun!

8) A few days ago, a Chinese tour came in, but they weren't the typical families, but a group of elementary children from Beijing. It is such a rare sight to see! I've only seen smaller groups of kids, staying here with host families, studying English. I had so much fun teaching them about God, Jesus Christ, temples, and learning from our mistakes in life. I don't know how much they'll remember from their short visit here, but I hope they will treasure the temple and Jesus Christ pass-along cards we gave them!

The closer I am to the end of the mission, the more unreal it feels that I've been here in Hawaii for more than a year even! We had Mission Leadership Council on Monday, and President Bekker trained us on developing/strengthening our own conversion. I loved the reminder that we have to rely on Heavenly Father every single day, and we have to be living in a way every single day, that shows our conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every day, I'm grateful for Heavenly Father for all the blessings I have, for all the opportunities I have to meet different people and to boldly share the truths I know, and invite them to learn more. I know that President Bekker, our mission president, and Elder Swinton, the Director at the VC, are both inspired and led by God to guide each of us. We cannot have the Spirit without trying to become more Christ-like ourselves. A process that takes our entire lives and more. But I've learned that although the process isn't easy, to chip away our pride, our will and desires, the results are always worth it. Our hearts are so much lighter and happier when we choose Christ, and follow His perfect example.

Scripture of the week: Moroni 7:5-8

" 5 For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.

 6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.

 7 For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.

 8 For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God."

​Sister Lor took this sneak shot! They were sooo cute! I felt like their teacher haha.

​The family from Italy! And Brother Furukawa on the right.

​This is real life behind doors, in the guide room. In the evening, sisters get drop-off dinners from members, and this is what dinner time looks like! Haha. 

​The sweet member couple from China! Their daughter is studying at BYUH. And she took a ton of material to share with the members in their district in Shandong!

Love,

Sister Wu