James 1:5

Malo e lelei!!

This week was a good week! We finished up zone conferences this week here in Tonga. I say it all the time but I love being a part of zone conferences. I learn so much from them! This week president gave all of the missionaries some commitments for them to take back with them to their areas. One of them being to put 4 Book of Mormons in their bag every single day. We usually keep one or two in our bags but we've made it a goal now to always have 4 Book of Mormons in our bag. Another commitment he gave us is at every members house and every less actives house we go to, role play our lessons with them. Although they are already members its a great way for us to practice and also a great way to invite the spirit into their homes. As you know the area I’m in they are all members and only a few of them are less active. We also cover a small little area down the road from where we live called Makapaeo. I consists of about 5 houses and they are non members. They all go to the Wesilian Church and their church is right in the middle of all of their houses. We go there at least once a week but no one will accept us into their homes and most of the time they are not home. The do have a missionary who runs their church and he lives their too, but does not like it when we come there. Anyway, we took up Presidents advice and yesterday we visited almost every house in our area. We taught a lesson at every house and it was awesome! We really had to listen to the spirit to know what things we could share with them. We also spent some time in Makapaeo the little area we cover down the road and yesterday we were able to give out 12 Book of Mormons!!!!!! Man it was so great! Every was willing to listen to our message and they all accepted to take a Book of Mormon and read it.  It was such a great experience and we can’t wait to go back and visit those who we were able to give a Book of Mormon to. We didn’t have a chance to go to the missionary's house but we have a Book of Mormon saved just for him :) 

This week I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and reading about Joseph Smiths First Vision and the Restoration of the Gospel. We are so lucky to have the restored gospel here on earth. If it wasn’t for him we would not have the blessings of the Book of Mormon. I challenge you all to read from Joseph Smith History this week and think about all of the blessings you have in your life because of the Gospel. 

I hope you all have a good week! I’m doing good and I just love being a missionary! Remember who you are and keep reading the Book of Mormon.

Ofa lahi atu :) 

-- 

Sista Silivesita

Kuli Fiekaia :)

Malo e lelei! 

This week was a good week! We had the opportunity to go to Ha'apai and Vava'u for zone conferences. We left for Ha'apai last Saturday so we were there for their stake conference. It was a really great conference! An area seventy came and joined in their conference. He taught some really great things and really brought the spirit to the island of Ha'apai. We also had the opportunity to take the elders back to Ha'afeva, a smaller island off of Ha'apai. Usually its like an hour and a half boat ride there and back but the water was so bad we were going so slow and getting soaked so it took like 3 hours instead. 
Tuesday we were planning on going straight to Vava'u but our flight got cancelled so we came back to Tonga. Tuesday evening my companion and I had the opportunity to go out and visit with our members in our area. The very first house we went to their dog bit me! Hahah I'm laughing now but in the moment it hurt so bad! The past couple of days I've been going around with a swollen ankle and so the nurse made me rest for a bit. I guess now I'll have a pretty cool scar and something to remind me of my time here in Tonga. :) haha 
Wednesday morning we flew to Vava'u to have zone conference and it was a really great conference! Im so grateful for the opportunity I have to go to the conferences with President and Sister Tuione because I learn so much every time. We also took the missionaries back to the islands but this time the water wasn't too bad. 

I want to share some things I learned this week from all of the conferences we went to. The area seventy shared with the members in Ha'apai the importance of repentance and the many steps of repentance. One thing I loved that he shared and its something that I've struggled with before is once you feel forgiven of your sins its important to forgive yourself :) I've never really thought of that before. When we do something maybe we shouldnt have done but we feel sorry and ask for forgiveness, if we truly repent with a sincere heart Heavenly Father has promised to forgive us if we make that change in our lives. We will be reminded of the things we've done in the past but when we forgive ourselves we are able to feel peace and comfort. We read in the book of Enos when Enos prayed to God and asked for forgiveness of his sins. Not only did he pray but he Prayed Mightly to God and was forgiven of his sins. Verse 5 and 6 Enos is told that his sins have been forgiven and he knew that God could not lie  and therefore his guilt was swept away. After learning this and then reading in Enos I can just feel Gods love for us when we repent. When we show God our desire to make a change he will bless us according to our faith. 

I hope you all have a great week! Keep reading your scriptures :) Ofa atu! 

-- 

Sista Silivesita

Cyclone Keni?

Malo e lelei! 

This week was a good week! I'm so happy that I finally had a chance to watch conference and I have to say it was one of the best conferences I have seen. I'm so grateful for a living prophet and with all of the changes hes made you can see the Lords hand in His work and how fast His work is going.

This week we had MLC haha and it was a different meeting. On Tuesday the missionaries from motu ( the smaller outer islands) came by boat so we could have our meeting on Wednesday. I forgot to mention this a couple of weeks ago but it has been raining like crazy here. So bad that the roads were flooding and some houses were flooded and destroyed from the rain. Well the rain finally stopped but then started up again this past weekend. By the time the missionaries got here on Tuesday there was another warning for a cyclone to hit early Wednesday morning. So, Tuesday evening we had to make sure all of the missionaries were at the chapels and everyone was safe. It was said to be a category 3 storm so smaller than the last cyclone but we still need to be ready. Wednesday morning the rain had picked up and the wind was pretty strong but people were still outside driving their cars and walking around hahah. We had planned to have MLC on Wednesday but president wasn't sure if we should have the missionaries drive to the office in the storm or not. When the wind slowed down we texted them to come meet at the office. Two seconds later the wind picked up and we had to text them again and tell them to stay hahah. I swear that happened like 3 times. Finally president told all the mission leaders to come to the office so we could have our meeting. Even though it was raining and the wind was picking up everyone made it safely and we were able to have our meeting in a category 1 cyclone hahaha. Thankfully the storm took a different course and we only got the outer edge of it. I say this all the time but I have one of the BEST mission presidents. He has such strong faith and trust in the Lord. I have learned so much from him and his testimony. I feel s blessed to work with him. 

Today we are headed to Ha'apai and then next week we will go to Vava'u and maybe Eua to have our zone conferences. I always get excited to go visit and see the missionaries in motu. 

I want to share something's I loved and learned from conference. One of my favorite talks was by Massimo De Feo. He talked about the pure love of Christ and how a true sign of a true disciple is the Pure  Love of Christ. I love the new changes with Visiting and home teaching. We now all have the opportunity to Minister just like the Savior did when he was here on the earth. It gives us a chance to pray more for the opportunities to serve others. It was a good week! I love being a missionary. Have a great week! Ofa lahi atu! 

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❤️Sista Silivesita

This is a picture I tried to get to show you the flooding hahah. This is someone's yard after the rain for 3 straight days. 

This is a car of one of our members hahah every weekend they go out to town and "Pisituki" which means they just go out and play their music really loud for everyone to hear. hahah but my comp was telling me how its like a completion who has the best pisistuki haha. Whats funny is they put the speakers on the outside of the car for everyone to hear. They put as many speakers as they can. So I took a picture with our members car because every Friday he just drives a round to play his music really loud haha. 

We thank thee oh God for a prophet

Malo e lelei!

Sorry this email will be short this week but I hope everyone had a great Easter and Conference week! I have only seen the Saturday morning session because weve been waiting for the conference to be translated in the Tongan language. Thats why my email is short because im going to see conference right now!  :) 

This week we had transfers and im staying here in the office and working in Matangiake  with sister Paletu'a :) I love being companions with her! Although Ive been in this area for 4 transfers already im ready for another transfer here! I know there is still work for me to do. 

We welcomed 9 new missionaries this week! And this intake had such a special spirit with hem. I always love welcoming the new missionaries and hearing their testimonies. They come with a big motivation to work and I learn so much from them. 

Picking up the new intakes from the airport :)

Introductions, early morning devotional and breakfast at the Mission Home

The new intakes  :)

Breakfast

                  AP's                                                                          STL's

Im grateful for the Saturday session of conference I have been able to watch and I cant wait to finish the rest. Im happy to say I sustain President Russell M. Nelson as a prophet. I know he has the keys to lead and guide us in these last days. Im grateful for his words and testimony and for the opportunity I had to stand and support him. I know if we listen to his words and follow his counsel we will be able to overcome the hardships we face in these last days. I love this gospel! Love being a missionary!!! Continually listen and read the words from conference and read your Book of Mormon!! Ofa lahi atu! 

-- 

Sista Silivesita

Always Remember Him :)

​​Malo e lelei!

This week was another good week! Another very busy week but it was fun! This week we had a program for the missionaries who finished on Friday. We went to dinner with them and the temple and then took them to the airport. It was sad to say goodbye to my trainer. I cant believe she is already finished! She lives in Eua which is another small island off of Tonga so I will be able to see her around. yay! 

It was a very busy week but nothing interesting happened haha. We did have a family home evening this week with our ward mission leader at the home of President and Sister Tuione. It was an awesome lesson! It was a family of 6 and the mom is a widow. We asked her if she had any questions for us and she told us she was very interested about being able to seal your family for time and all eternity. Her husband passed away last year and she found hope in hearing and learning that she will be able to see him again through the Plan of Salvation. It was an awesome lesson! One of my favorite lessons to teach because its so cool to see and hear peoples thoughts about being able to see their family again after this life. I love being able to share that I have the opportunity to be sealed with my family in the temple. That I will be able to live with them for forever and I have the opportunity to learn and grow with them each day. This weekend we have the opportunity to take the time to remember our Savior Jesus Christ and his sacrifice that he made for all of us, and because of his great atoning sacrifice we have this great plan to help us return to live with him again. I read a talk a couple of weeks ago and I often think about it especially as we Celebrate Easter and its called "Always remember him" By Henry B. Eyring.  Its a short little message but a great reminder of the importance of always remembering our Savior. Something he said in the talk that I love is "But no matter how well you keep your promise to always remember Him, He always remembers you."

The Savior knows your challenges. He knows what it is like 

to have the cares of life press upon you. He knows how 

urgently you need the blessing that comes from always 

remembering Him and obeying Him—“that [you] may always have his Spirit to be with [you]” (D&C 20:77; emphasis added).

So He welcomes you back to the sacrament table each 

week, once again offering you the chance to witness before Him that you will always remember Him.

Not only should we remember the savior on Easter Sunday but each week we have an opportunity to remember Him during sacrament. No matter how hard life can be he will always remember you and its important that we always remember him :) I know Jesus Christ lives and He is our Savior and redeemer. He loves us and he knows us. This is His gospel and His work and He invites us all to come unto Him. Work hard everyday to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ! Keep reading your scriptures and Remember to keep the Savior at the Center of your lives :) HAPPY EASTER!! Ofa lahi atu!!!!

--

Sista Silivesita

Sister Mathieson from Highland  (The two Palangis from Utah)  😉

Running errands with Sister Tuione

Me and my Comp Sister Paletu'a

Saying goodbye to the missionaries returning home.  :(

​

Repentance is a blessing

Malo e lelei!

This week was a good and busy week! We finished zone conferences here in Tonga this week. Monday to Friday we had a conference with the missionaries. It was really fun!  I learned A LOT this week and it was such an answer to my prayers. I can honestly say that I have been blessed with one of the BEST mission presidents. I have never met someone with so much love for others.  He has taught me to truly see others through the Lords eye's. I'm reminded everyday that we are not perfect. I am no where near to being perfect, but  we have the blessings of the atonement that gives us the opportunity to change :) Repentances is such a blessing! 

I'm sorry I  don't have much to say this week! We spent most if the week in conferences.

Thank you all for your sweet emails! I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to respond to all of them. But I just want to say thank you for your love and support! Have a great week! Read your Book of Mormon! Ofa lahi atu! 

-- 

Sista Silivesita

 My trainer Sister Palenapa's last Zone Conference :(

 

Amoni Zone conference




Harbour Zone conference






Capital Zone Conference

Faith is things which are hoped for, and not seen :)

Malo e lelei!

What a good week! Sorry I didnt get a chance to email last week. We got a call last minute from President that we were leaving for Vava'u for zone conference instead of going this week. But I wasnt complaining. hahah I always love going to see the missionaries for zone conference! Anyway, last Friday we left for Vava'u and when we got there we went straight to a baptism in Tefisi for the Fainu Family. My companion Sister Paletu'a just got transferred from Tefisi and this was a family she had been working with for a very long time so it was a really cool experience for her to be able to be there for their baptism. It was a really special baptism. The ward members were SO involved and what a testimony it was to see how important member missionary work is. 

The Fainu Families baptism ❤️






Saturday and Sunday in Vava'u we went to a stake conference with President and Sister Tuione. It was a really good conference. Because we were with President and sister Tuione we got to go with them everywhere. After the conference they had a big meal for the Stake president and President hahah so we got to go along with them. It was a really great weekend!





The sisters at stake conference❤️




On Monday we had our zone conference in Vava'u and it was a really spiritual conference. Every conference my companion and I are assigned to teach something so for two weeks of every transfer we get in front of every zone and teach. Before I came on my mission I would have never volunteered to speak/teach. haha  Maybe this is preparing me for something im not sure.. but now I can confidently stand up and speak in front of others. 🙌🏼

Zone conference in Vava'u :)













Tuesday morning we flew to Ha'apai to have our zone conference there. It was another great zone conference. Again my companion and I taught at this zone conference and although we taught the same thing it was a really cool experience to see the spirit work in our teaching. We shared things different from what we shared in Vava'u. It was a testimony to me that Heavenly Father is aware of his missionaries and knows what they need, and i am lucky enough to become and instrument in His hands and share a message with His missionaries. Tuesday evening we had the opportunity to ride the boat with President to go take two elders back to Haafeva (a little island in Ha'apai) Its like an hour and a half boat ride from the main island. Man you guys it was so pretty! Im just amazed every time we go on the boat to see these little islands in the middle of the ocean. 


Zone conference in Ha'apai




Taking the Elders back to Haafeva.

Wednesday morning we flew back to Tonga but before we came home we had the opportunity to go to a baptism. This was a really special baptism one because the baptism was performed in the ocean and two Elder Takelo one of the Ap's got to see his little brother be baptized. It was awesome!

Baptism in Ha'apai ❤️

Missionary work is amazing! This week I sat for a moment and thought about all of the things I have been able to learn while on my mission. I didnt have enough time to think of it all but I was so humbled to see Gods love for me in this past year that I have been here in Tonga. I remember first coming in and i just felt like everything was so hard. I honestly felt like I couldn't do it. But as I sat and thought about everything I've overcome and have come to learn, I was overcome with a heart of gratitude for my Heavenly Father. I have been given an opportunity to come to this island and preach the gospel to Gods children. Not only have I been able to gain a stronger testimony of this gospel but I have been able to learn and love a new culture. I have learned new traditions and new ways of working. There are so many things I have been able to learn and I would have never had the chance to if I didn't one, decide to go on a mission and two humble myself and love these people. I cant even express it in words how much 
 I love being a missionary!!😊

This week during my personal Study I was able to read in Ether 12 about Faith and Charity. Man I love this chapter. This chapter talks about the teachings from the prophet Ether. Ether explains that the people did not believe the great and marvelous things which Ether had prophesied about because they had not seen them. I challenge you all to read Ether 12 especially verses 5-9. We teach in the Gospel that Faith is the first principle. Without faith the works are dead. Heavenly Father can only work through us and with us if we have faith :) 

I love you all!! Have a great week! Oh here's something funny for you that I always forget to write about. I dont know why but EVERYONE here thinks im related to Sylvester Stallone 

HAHA!!

They always ask me if im related to the actor, even though his first name is Sylvester. I play along with it now and just tell them yes im related! :) Anyways Ofa lahi atu kia moutolu! 

Breakfast in Vava'u

Our view from Breakfast