Aloha from the Big Island

Another week has come and gone and I loved every minute of it. Things here in Waikoloa have been starting to pick up a bit. More people are answering their doors and we are finding more and more opportunities to teach investigators and help those members who are less active. My love for the people here on the Big Island is growing rapidly. It has such a different feel than being on Oahu.

This week we picked up another Elder and this area. Elder Freeman (from Lehi) has joined us and we now cover Waimea as well. We will be in a threesome until the end of the transfer which is in a week and a half, so not to long.

As far as investigators, we have picked up two just this week alone. We have begun teaching a lady whose husband is a less active RM so we are killing two birds with one stone. She is really interested in the church and loves the environment and feel of being with the members here. He seems willing to come back but I think he just needs a little bit of a push. She is getting ready to have a baby so that will slow us down a bit but we'll get right back at it ASAP.

Our second investigator is another 13-year-old Marshallese boy. He loves all the people in the ward and he really likes being with us. He is really smart and loves listening to what we have to say. As of right now he really wants to get baptized. We have set a date set for Oct. 12th!

My testimony has continued to grow and I have really felt the Lord using me while I teach. I don't think about what to say anymore, I just open my mouth and the Lord fills it with words. It has been an awesome thing to feel his presence so often. I also have a strong testimony that when we are obedient the Lord is willing to do anything for us.

Thank you for all the loving words of encouragement from home. I love you all and I'm very grateful for the support. The Lord is providing everything I need out here so there's really no need for any of you to send me anything - except maybe the occasional treat :-)

Boys - Listen to mom and dad. Listen to general conference closely. The words from the talks that I have read have been more helpful than I ever would have imagined. I highly recommend that you start every day with some kind of personal study. You never know when you can/will have an opportunity to teach and you won't be able to take advantage of those opportunities if you don't have any knowledge of the gospel. The Lord can provide the opportunity and do the teaching, but you need to prepare and be open to his spirit. Plus you study for several hours a day while you're on your mission so its good to get used to it now.


Love you all so much!
Elder Matua