Malo e lelei!

I first want to thank everyone for all of the kind birthday wishes. It made my whole week so thank you! This week was a good week! A busy week getting ready for transfers and everything next week but a good week! Last week we had the opportunity to watch conference and I cant even begin to explain how grateful I am for the leaders in the church who are so  inspired by the spirit to help guide us each and every day. Im sure you have all seen conference by now...we are a little late to watch here in the islands but its so cool that no matter where you are in the world the gospel is the same. :) 

A couple things I learned from conference.  First is the importance of service. Not only serving others but focusing on those around you. I don't have my notes with me but someone shared how important it is to look out for those around you. Heavenly Father puts them close by you because they are the ones who need you the most. So serve those around you! Not for praise but for joy and happiness. When we serve and strive to be like our savior we will understand his plan and everlasting atonement for us.  

I also loved how much they addressed the Book of Mormon and the importance of reading it everyday. Again, I dont have my notes and im not sure who said this, but a quote I loved is.... "If you read the Book of Mormon everyday, you will make better choices everyday." And I can testify that that is so true! Continue to read the Book of Mormon everyday! Also if you are not already doing it read the Book of Mormon as a family. Looking back as much as I didn't really enjoy taking time to read as a family I am SO grateful for what it prepared me for!  Im grateful for the spirit that was felt in our family and home and the things I was able to learn from reading together. 

Quick story....The other day me and my companion just got home after a long day and we were getting ready for bed and I walked into the bathroom and there was a HUGE spider probably the size of the palm of my hand and it was just just chillin in our shower!  Man i screamed so loud hahah because it was just sitting there staring at me. My comp came running in and then ran right back out  when she saw the spider. We both hate spiders especially
BIG ones. Anyways I sat there with a shoe in my hand with my comp behind me holding bug spray and for 30 min I told her "Okay I'm gonna do it" but I was too scared I wouldn't hit it. Finally I hit the spider and it didn't die, so i hit it again and it just kept running towards me and finally the third time it died. After screaming and running around with the bug spray me and my comp finally were able to kill the spider!  After I said my comp "man its crazy how something so small can have so much control over us."  I wanted to share this story because we all have those little things in life that hold us back because we feel like they have so much power over us. Maybe we have tried before to kill it off, and maybe it didn't "Die". Sometimes it takes 2, or 3 times to finally overcome it and have faith and trust in the lord to help us with what ever is holding us back. Since that day we have had 5 of the same spiders and although I'm a little hesitant at first to kill it, I just remember that I've already done it before so I can do it again. Keep working hard, keep trusting in the lord. He will bless you I know he will. He loves you and trusts you. Continue to read the Book of Mormon and serve and love those around you. Have a great week! Ofa lahi atu! 

Sista Silivesita

Mission Leaders at the Nuku alofa Temple! ❤️