O TE ALOFA LAVA O LEA TAMA FA'ALALAGI

Family and Friends, Talofa!

I cannot even believe we're already on to week three of the transfer. It has been super busy "white-washing" the area while there were no previous investigators for us to teach! SO, we've been doing a lot tracting, a lot referall seeking from other missionaries, and especially from the members! The members are always your best source in seeking referrals; especially the recent converts! All of our miracles came from our recent convert, Victoria. Victoria was baptized about 2 weeks ago, and she is already one of the strongest members I know. She is 16 year old and ready to be a missionary! That being said:

Miracle #1: 

Like I said before, Victoria is AMAZING! She knows literally every single one of our investigators, and is good friends with every one as well. Having her at our appointments has been such a blessing. Victoria moved from Samoa just recently, and attended her church "religiously." When she came here, her auntie introduced the LDS church to her. She was very hesitant for many reasons, the biggest being her family back home who would disown her if she joined. She began taking the lessons and could not deny that this was God's true church on the earth today. She knew that she didn't know everything, but she knew enough to know that it was true. She began to realized the commitment this would be, especially knowing that her family, especially her father, would completely shut her out. But in every one of our appointments she was able to testify that it was worth it, and God continues to show her the blessing from her decision to follow Jesus Christ in being baptized by someone who holds the priesthood authority of God. We were able to commit two of those investigators to a baptismal date, and pray to have one more by tomorrow! Only 16, and already making a difference in people's lives.

Miracle#2 : SO, last Tuesday our ward mission leader informed Sister Saena and me that  the "missionary program" was on Sunday in Sacrament meeting. Well, we both knew what that meant....we were speaking! Yikes! So, last week I mentioned how hardly anyone speaks English to you, yeah....so then Brother Neria turns to me and says, "Sister Moe," ...by the way, my knew name in Samoan is Sister Moe, haha. When I introduce myself they all think I'm saying Sister Moe, which is a Samoan last name, and I guess it's caught on now ;) Anyway, "Sister Moe, you will be preparing your talk in Samoan, correct?" Uhhhh, was that a question or a statement?!? Haha, I of course smiled at him and said, "I oe (yes)." So, the whole week I have been writing a talk on missionary work, and thanks to the awesome members, at every dinner appointment they help me out, fixing my grammar, telling me how to say pretty much everything, haha! Then Sunday came along, and it happened! I'm pretty sure the whole congregation could hear my knees shaking. I told them that I had prayed for the gift of tongues as I spoke, and prayed that they would have the gift of interpretation of tongues ;) They thought it was pretty funny, so that's good. And then I began. It was a bitter sweet moment after Sacrament meeting when everyone started speaking even more Samoan to me, telling me how well I did, but then saying to me that when I keep it up I should be fluent in no time! Bah, no pressure, haha. I love the Samoan language, though, it is so beautiful. I feel so overwhelmed with love for this ward. I know that Heavenly Father has sent Sister Saena and me to this ward for a reason.

O te alofa lava o lea Tama Fa'alalagi - I love my Heavenly Father SO much!! 
I know this gospel is true, and I know that if we act on it's precepts we will see nothing but blessings from Heavenly Father. We need not ever have fear, because Christ will always lift our burdens, and Heavenly Father will always stretch forth His hand to pull us back to the straight and narrow. I love knowing that there is a plan of happiness for us, and I know that all those who read the Book of Mormon, and pray, with a sincere heart, WILL feel God's love for them, and will know the truth that has been restored upon the earth again. God loves us so much, and I pray that I will prove my love to Him by serving Him each and every day! I love you all!!!

 Fa Soifua,

 Sister Moyes

*FA'AFETAI MOLE MEA AI = )

Family and Friends, Talofa!

O' a' mai oe! How are you doing?

I am in Honolulu, and it is so crazy how different it is here than in Maui or Laie! We live in the dead center of the city, and I have never seen such traffic in my life, haha. It makes getting to appointments real exciting ;) SO, my baby/greenie/trainee/companion, haha, is Sister Saena!!! I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE HER! She is Samoan, and is such a solid missionary!! I feel so blessed getting to be her trainer, because she has so many qualities that I know will not only bless me, but the work especially. Serving in the Samoan ward is a lot different than in Laie. Here, hardly anyone will speak English to you. Hah, yay!! So, Sister Saena and I have our missionary learning Samoan book out at every chance that we get! It's definitely hard, but I feel confident that if I at least learn to pray in Samoan and bare my testimony it should be okay. They just like knowing that at least your trying to learn the language! Sister Saena speaks Samoan, so she helps me a lot and does a lot of translating for me! Well, our area covers three zones, so it's crazy how much we have to drive, but we have already seen so many miracles!!

Miracle #1:

On our second day here we were able to commit three former investigators, from about two years ago, to baptism for the month of March!! We pray for them like crazy, and hope that we will be able to do everything it takes to help them gain a testimony of this gospel so that they can enter into the gate by baptism!

Miracle #2: 

Our investigator from last week who we committed to being baptized the day before I left was baptized!!! It was such an awesome baptism!! We all sang, their family with SIster Barnes and I, "When I am Baptized," while I played the Ukalele. It was such a powerful moment that will be hard to forget!

Unfortunately, the computer is about to kick me off, but know that I am doing well! I know that this is where I am supposed to be, and that the Lord has a lot in store for Sister Saena and I. When life ever goes where you didn't expect it to, don't forget to have faith to know that it will only bring you happiness if it is the Lord's will. I know this to be true, and I know that God has a plan of happiness for His children. I love sharing that message of joy every day!! I love you all, and hope you have a great week!!

Love,

Sister Moyes

PS  *Fa'afetai mole mea ai   means= thank you for the food = )

TALOFA LAVA!!!!!!!

Family and Friends Talofa!!!

We just received transfer news and I will be serving in the Samoan Moanalua 2nd ward in the Honolulu-West Zone!!! Not only that, but I will be training a brand new missionary!! It's been such a bittersweet couple of days. I have been so sad leaving Maui, and saying goodbye to the Lahaina first ward. They have truly become my Ohana, my family, but I know that I am on the Lord's errand and not my own.

On that note, my last week here in Lahaina has been so amazing! I could not have asked for a more miraculous week.

Miracle #1 

Oliver our investigator commited to being baptized tomorrow before I go home!!!! Whoot!! He is so amazing, and he is the last one in his family to be baptized. I cannot wait for the day that they will all be ready to be sealed together as a family for all eternity in the temple. 

His daughters will be speaking at the baptism, and I know it's going to be absolutely perfect.

Miracle #2 

Although our investigator Nick (the 16-year-old) was super bummed I won't be at his baptism, he was so amazing at church on Sunday. We got him a shirt, pants, and a tie for church and he looked SO good!!! We couldn't stop smiling. And when we got to church (from a ride with a member) with him, everyone was talking to him as if he had been their friend for years. Then Sister Barnes and I went to take pictures for my last Sunday, and when we're finished we walk back inside and find Nick passing out the programs to everyone walking in to the chapel!! We started tearing up so bad. It was such a tender mercy to see him progress so well into the gospel, and to have the ward fellowship him so well. I know he is in good hands.

After church I was "Aloha Oe'd" where the members bring lei's to put around your neck as a goodbye gift as they sing "Aloha Oe." I was bawling in front of the whole ward, and it was really hard, but it was a moment I will never forget. I will take the Aloha spirit with me every where I go for the rest of my life. I am so grateful to be serving here in Maui, and especially the Hawaii Honolulu Mission.

I feel so blessed every day  I walk outside and every time I am greeted with a smile from a stranger on the street. Everyone is so loving here, no matter who you are or where you come from, they love you. I know that as we truly love our neighbors we will be able to bring peace and happiness to others. Just as my favorite scripture says, "And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people." 4 Nephi 1: 15. I know this to be true. I know that when we put our hearts and our trust in God we will be so much happier! I love you all, and pray for you continually. Until next week!

Love Always, 

Sister Moyes

WHEN ONE WINDOW CLOSES, ANOTHER DOOR OPENS!

Family and Friends ALOHA!!

I cannot believe it is already the last week of this transfer. Every transfer goes by faster and faster!! I guess it doesn't help that last transfer was 8 weeks, compared to this one's 6. That being said, Sister Barnes and I have no idea what is going to happen next transfer. We'll find out Sunday night if we are staying together or not. We had interviews with President Dalton this past week, and he informed us that there will be 11 new full-field sisters coming into the mission, and another three going to the VC. That being said, anything could happen; especially with five new areas being opened in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission!! I love getting to see Heavenly Father's army of missionaries becoming stronger and stronger. So this week started out as a tough one. Our appointments kept falling through, we had to drop three investigators who we thought would be golden, we're still trying to figure out my health...needless to say, it was tough. BUT, one thing is for sure, as Sister Barnes and I have been working our hardest Heavenly Father has once again shown us the way.

Miracle #1
We had a set appointment with our deaf investigator, but his wife came to the door (whom is also deaf). I asked if her husband was home, and she, very nicely, but sharply, said that they were not interested, they are catholic, will always be catholic, go to church, and so her husband cannot meet with us anymore!! Bahhhh!! I just wanted to cry. He was so awesome, and seemed so prepared. Then a couple days later we go to visit another investigator who has been investigating for a really long time. She finally tells us that now is just not the time.Yup! THEn, so when Sister Barnes and I first got into this area, there was an investigator who had a baptismal date. Unfortunately there were some things that he didn't fully understand that had to be done in order for him to be baptized. Well, ever since we explained we had to postpone the baptism, he hasn't returned our calls. HAH, I promise it gets happy =) Well, of course Sister Barnes and I are devastated. All three were so close, but we knew that we had to focus on those who ARE progressing. Well, just yesterday at church, being fast and testimony meeting, a sister bares her testimony in Relief Society. She mentioned that this was her first time back to church in a really really really long time! She talked about how she felt like a terrible mother for keeping her sons away from the gospel, but is grateful that she is back, because she knows it is true. Well as soon as Relief Society was over I went to go thank her for  her strong testimony and to see if there was anything we could do for her, being that she just lost her husband. She responded in telling us that we could help her by coming and teaching her boys the lessons to be baptized! Our jaws just dropped. It was so amazing to truly see that if we put our trust in the Lord he will truly open doors for us. And he has!!

Miracle #2 
Sister Barnes and I have gotten super close with one of our members (Trixy)! She is a return missionary and does anything and everything for us. Well, as every family is in Hawaii, her's is super close and consists of a lot of aunties and uncles! We didn't have dinner one night and so she told us to come with her to a party for her cousins birthday. We get there and see choke members from our ward and others as well, and as always, just felt super welcomed as if we were family. When it's time for us to go Trixy tells us how a particular uncle never talks to the missionaries. He's not a member, and just doesn't talk to the missionaries even if they're around. But, cool thing was, he was talking to us and getting to know us and making sure we had enough to eat, etc. We didn't think anything of it until she told us this!! She said that maybe he is finally ready. Well, just yesterday she talked to her auntie, and her auntie said that he is ready to learn from the missionaries!! Whoo-hoo!!

Miracle #3 
Our 16-year-old investigator is still as solid as ever!!! 

Being a missionary is seriously the best. It's so hard, haha, and sometimes you wonder if you can do it, but when you keep going even during those times, Heavenly Father always shows us the way. I am so grateful to be a part of this work. It is true. I know that we are on this earth to learn how to rely upon our Savior Jesus Christ. When we do that, we can do anything; even when we think the windows are closing, there is always a door opening! Never be discouraged. As we keep the commandments and continually build our relationship with God, He will give us more than we will even have room for. Keeping looking up, because Heavenly Father is always there. Have another fabulous week.

Sending all my love and sun,
Sister Moyes

HIS HANDS

Friends and Family, Aloha!!

What a week this has been! Just when you don't think it could get any better (or worse), it does. So, Tuesday afternoon I received these sharp shooting pains in my ribs on my left side. It was pretty scary, and we didn't know what to do. We called the mission office immediately to get a hold of a doctor, and was then told that I might have something called "The Devil's Grip," which I thought was quite ironic. This work is true, it brings SO much happiness into our lives and for the rest of eternity, and Satan tries to get in the way of that. I was told by the doctor and reassured through a Priesthood blessing that I needed to rest, and to not worry, which was really hard. I began worrying about the work, our investigators, our appointments, EVERYTHING!! I was then overcome with such peace in knowing that as I put my faith in Heavenly Father, that he would help us do this work. How true is that about the gospel? When we are weak, He is there to stretch forth His hands and rescue us from Satan's grasp. 

That being said, our biggest miracle is that two of our investigators with baptismal dates, one being the 16-year-old that I mentioned last week, both attended sacrament meeting for all three hours and loved it! The ward took them under their wings and fellowshipped them as if they had been best friends their whole lives!! It was so awesome.

Miracle #1 

One of the investigators speaks Spanish and little English! We've been trying to get him to church since I've been here, but struggles with getting enough sleep at night, so when we go to get him for church, he doesn't wake up. He goes to bed really late, and always has, so he has gotten into a really bad sleeping pattern. He said that even when he tries to go to sleep early, he can't. We invited him to pray for help, and promised him that Heavenly Father would help. We get a call earlier last week, and he tells us that he got another job in addition to the one he has. This new job is in the morning and has forced him to get on a new sleeping schedule!! CHEE-HOO!!! Not only that, but his days off with the morning job are on Saturdays and Sundays! Everything was so perfect. Well, we knock on his door Sunday morning, and he finally arrives to the door, and agrees to coming to church!!! We were so happy! When get to church we feel bad because we can't translate or anything =/ Well, sitting right beside him is a man and his wife visiting from Utah, who served his mission in a Spanish speaking place. He is able to translate for him. THEN, one of our members finds a young couple who just barely moved into the ward, and the husband served his mission in Peru. He came to our lesson with us and translated anything that our investigator didn't understand, and it was all too perfect. Heavenly Father loves His children so much, and wants us to have the truth. He will provide the way if we are willing to accept His guidance!

Miracle #2 

Our 16-year-old friend (We'll call him Nick) is so awesome!! We thought for our lesson on the gospel of Jesus Christ, we would take him to the church gym and do an activity with him. We wrote each step on a piece of paper: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. We gave him the basketball and told him to stand at the other side of the gym and try to shoot the ball into the basket! The basket representing our home in Heaven; the Celestial Kingdom. He immediately said that he couldn't, and that there was no way. We told him he should be able to if he just believed, right? Isn't that what the world says is all it takes? Haha, he is so great, so he chucks that ball saying, "I BELIEVE!!!!" Haha. And of course, it was an air-ball. So then we teach him that Heavenly Father has provided us steps to make it back to His presence. After each step that we give him and teach him about, he tries and shoots the ball from that step. Still missing, we give him the last step, Enduring to the End. This piece of paper still being more than half court away from the basket. He gets worried knowing that that is the last one, and will be the closest shot he will get. He shoots, shoots again, and again, still missing. He said He didn't want to give up, but didn't know how it was possible. We asked if he wanted help, and he said yes. So, we had a member with us, who has been coming to our appointments who just got home from his mission. He stepped in and said, "Try shooting it again, Nick." He shoots the ball, misses, but our member catches it and rebounds it into the basket!!! Nick has this HUGE grin on his face, and is so happy, that he finally made it!! We told him, that when we do all that we can, even when it seems like it will never be enough, Christ will step in a make up for the rest. You could just see the light in Him as he realized how important Jesus Christ is in our lives. He then said the closing prayer and mentioned that he would be back in the Lord's church on Sunday!!

I am so grateful for Heavenly Father and the love we can feel from Him in our lives every day. If we sincerely pray to Him, and have the desire to do His will, He will make himself known unto us. We will see Him stretching forth his hands for us to lead us back home. I am so grateful for this knowledge. I know God lives, and I know that it is never too late to take a hold on His hands. As we endure to the end, and continue moving forward with faith, He will always be there to show us the way. I love you all, and pray for you continually!! Have a week full of blessings and miracles.

                                                  Love you always,

                                                   Sister Moyes

PICKING MANGOS

Cousins and Friends,

Hola, Kumusta Po, and ALOHAAA!!

This letter is going to be pretty fast because of time, but I could not be happier with how this work is going!! There is nothing like it. I think if I had to put a theme to this week it would be 'picking mangos'. Sister Barnes and I were tracting and we walked by these ladies who were picking mangos with this pull stick (because they are so high) and we offered to help. Well, let me just tell you, it's harder than it looks. The fruit is ridiculously high, the pole or stick is heavy, and half the time when you put all your effort into getting the ripe mango, you only get the little baby one's that aren't even ready. But, when you finally do get the big and ripe mango it makes everything worth it!!

The past couple of days, we didn't really see much success in tracting, and almost all of our appointments fell through, someone was sick, or working, so on and so forth. It's so easy to get sad or disappointed, but Sister Barnes and I knew that we were doing everything we could and that Heavenly Father would make it all worth it in the end in letting us finally pick a ripe mango. Which he did.

After none of our investigators came to church, and every appointment fell through for the day, we had one last appointment with a 16-year-old boy who's mom was a former investigator, and the Sisters before us had tracted him out. We were there for the follow-up appointment, and we taught him about the 2,000 stripling warriors. We taught about faith and willingness these young men had to be exactly obedient! He loved the story! At the end of the lesson we invited him to put his faith in Heavenly Father by following the example of Jesus Christ and being baptized!! He accepted and we set a date for the 29th of March!! He is the sweetest boy ever, and we can just see him on a mission in a couple of years. We now have 4 investigators with date! It was the best way to end our week and our day. 

I am so grateful for the challenges that Heavenly Father gives us. I know I say that a lot, but it's so true. I am grateful for my trials that help me grow stronger and help me appreciate the good things so much more. I love mangos, I love serving Heavenly Father in the beautiful state of Hawaii, and I love this gospel!! I send all the sunshine I can, and hope everyone has the best week!!

Love you,

Sister Moyes

p.s. I'm having to learn Spanish, too!! Oi, should have paid more attention to my companions from Philippines and Guatemala!! 

IMUA MAUI

ALOHAAA friends and family!

Yeah, not really sure where to begin!!! SO much has happened and it's been less than a week!! Well, first off, I am in LOVE with MAUI!! IMUA (forward, in Hawaiian) MAUI !!My ward is amazing, my companion is amazing, our area is amazing, our investigators are amazing...everything is just perfect! I have never felt so blessed in my whole entire life. Looking at so many blessings you can't help but be so excited to go tracting and share the message of the gospel.

In the words of my Dad, here is some "House Keeping" business:

• Guess what? We see whales and dolphins on a daily basis from the ocean. Did I mention this is the most beauitful place I have ever been in in my life...?

• Our zone covers the islands of Maui, Molokai' i and Lanai, with I think about 20 Elders (four on Molokai'i) and 6 Sisters (two on Lanai). The zone is so awesome, and although there are a lot of Elders in our Zone going home within the next couple of transfers, we're excited to hit our high water mark in getting 23 baptisms.

• My companion is Sister Barnes! She is from Tennessee, has been out 6 months, was transferred from Hilo on the big Island, is a big ball of energy, and we work SO well together! She's super cute, makes me laugh every day. She always appologizes for how awkward she is, haha. But she is awesome, and her testimony just illuminates a room.
• Sister Barnes and I are WHITE WASHING!!....uhhh, what? We were both so shocked to find that out, and sometimes we still wonder why "us," but we know that the Lord put us there for a reason.....

HALEKAHALA HIKE, 10,0000 feet up!

• So in our area, Lahaina, there is a large portion of it that is nick-named as "mini Manilla"...as in a mini Philippines! So yes, pretty much everyone in our area speaks Tagalog. I've started studying up, and am beginning to read the Book of Mormon in Tagalog. We'll see how it goes. When I asked our investigator ( whom speaks hardly any English) if she would teach me, she just laughed! I told her I was serious and wanted to learn. So I pulled out the MTC learning Tagalog book and she helped me pronounce words and begin my training. I'll probably only be here for two transfers, but anything is better than nothing!!

• The ward is SO missionary minded!!! Our ward mission leader, Uncle Joe, he calls us every single morning to check up on our appoinments to make sure we are able to find a member to go with us or to fellowship. If we don't, he finds someone in about 5 minutes! He pretty much rocks.

Of course I want to share our miracles, because we definitely had choke!

Miracle #1: 
Sister Barnes and I were able to find 3 new investigators!!! CHEE-HOO!! Agh, it made us so happy!! We know that it was all through Heavenly Father's help. One of our ward missionaries told us that he felt very impressed for us to tract a specific street. Sister Barnes and I went to go tract it and we were trying to find where it was...well, we looked down a street and we both looked at each other and said, yup this is it!! Turns out, it was the wrong road, but we found Nelson, a new investigator! THEN the next day, when we were tracting we remembered that we still hadn't gone down the street he intended, so we went down it and found not only a less-active member who agreed to going with us to Tagalog and Ilikano speaking appointments, but another investigator! He is 19, from the Philippines, but speaks really good English, and is living with his grandparents. We used what is called the prayer approach that President has asked us to use (and we are seeing why), and after we prayed with him, we asked how he felt. He said that it was really nice and that he wants to draw closer to God, and really wants to know how he can do that. SO we set up a day and time to begin teaching him!! It was PERFECT! I'm so grateful for Heavenly Father for blessing us with the Holy Ghost that leads us and guides us so that we can be His hands in bringing His children back to Him. There are so many out there ready to hear the gospel, we just have be worthy to have the Spirit guide us, and willing to act upon his guidance.

Miracle #2: 
A couple of days ago we went to go meet our investigators in the ward and we were so happy that one in particular was home! She was really sad when Sister Christensen and Sister Patlingrau left the area (both went back to the VC), and was really worried, and told us she almost didn't want to learn from anyone else because of how awesome they were for her. She has been through a couple of sets, but these two were so patient with her. Well, we knock on her door, she realizes that we're the new missionaries, and lets us sit down. We end up sharing Helaman 5:12 with her, and she said that she loved the scripture because that is exactly what she wants. She wants that foundation, she wants to know for herself, and wants to know that she can be steadfast and immovable when trials come her way. We talked just trying to get to know each other and getting to know her expectations in learning the gospel. It was so good, and by the end we were all laughing together! It was such a blessing. Before we left she made sure that we knew that her son's third birthday party was on Saturday and would love for us to go. We were so grateful that she has opened up to us, and we cannot wait to begin teaching her as well.

Miracle #3: 
Last, but DEFINITELY not least. WE HAVE A DEAF INVESTIGATOR!!!!!!! Ah, I could not be happier! I had needed to call Sister Christensen the day before the transfer, and when we spoke on the phone she mentioned that they had tracted a man and his family, and that he was deaf! She was so nervous because she didn't know if anyone would be able to contact him again after she left if no one in the area spoke sign language. Yesterday Sister Barnes and I had about a half an hour before our dinner appointment and so we decided to go check the family out! We get to the house, unsure which was their's (in Hawaii there are probably 5 doors to a house, each leading to a different family). But we knocked on the right one. A little boy comes to the door and we ask if we can speak with his dad. Jose came outside and we immediately began signing! He is so sweet and just so kind. His sign is different than American Sign Language because he is from the Philippines, but it didn't really become a problem! I introduced myself and Sister Barnes and asked if he belonged to a church. He said no, and I asked that if he had time I would love to teach him more about the gospel of Jesus Christ! He said sure, and led us to some chairs just right outside where we were. We (well, I, but with Sister Barnes amazing spirit there) taught him the restoration of the first vision to introduce the Book of Mormon. After teaching him that it was a testament of Jesus Christ I explained that God loves us. He wants us to be happy, but not just for this life, but for all eternity. I asked if he wanted that...he said yes. I then invited him to follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized so that he could enter into the gate of eternal happiness. He said YES!!! We gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and he committed to reading it. It was SO cool!!! Sister Barnes kept saying how amazing it was that even though she couldn't understand, the spirit was so strong.

I am so grateful to be here. There are so many times we ask Heavenly Father why, or don't understand, or can't see the purpose in our trials or changes, but I can testify that He loves us. He sees who we can become and the trials and circumstances that will help guide our way if we let them. I know that as I have trust Him and put all of my faith in Him, I have seen miracles, I have seen him lead me in every aspect of my life and especially this work! It doesn't matter where we are in this world, or how much money we have, or what positions we have. What matters is that we are willing to be an instrument for God. I know that as we are, he will bless us with more than we have room to receive (Malachi 3:8-10). I love you all, and hope that you know that, and pray that you will always see the hand of God in your life. He loves each and every one of us!! Have another miraculous week, and I'll be back next week =)

Mahal Kita (I love you...tagalog)

 Kasama (Sister) Moyes