It was a slow week with appointments falling through left and right. The investigator list is still pretty empty. We were able to get one last lesson last night with a young man named Joey and his family. The lesson was all over the place but the spirit was there and the family is pretty solid. Joey really wants to help with the sacrament and be a part of the young men. So now we are just working on getting his family to come along too.
We did have a good return appointment with a family that we tracted into. They invited us back and fed us dinner. The wife was the only one that stayed around to listen but it was still good. She really wants to get involved with family history so that is a good start.
It rained non stop for the past 4 or 5 days but now it is drying up. A ward in another part of our zone just got dissolved so we are struggling here with member attendance - lots of in-actives. I hope that changes.
I'm doing good, lovin the work, stayin strong.
Love
Elder Matua
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Aloha from Kaneohe
Aloha family and friends!!
I have been getting a lot of complaints about short vague emails. Sorry about that. Usually by the time Monday comes around I forget almost everything that happened throughout the week. I will try to do better.
We have been having to drop a lot of our investigators because they are not progressing which really stinks. The area is struggling right now. We are doing a lot of tracting and finding some success but everyone that we have made appointments with cancels for one reason or another. I guess that is missionary work. We keep trying. We did get to meet a really nice Samoan family who agreed to have us come back and they said they'd make us dinner!! Yay!
On Saturday I went on an exchange with Elder Uaisele. I had a great time and learned a lot. We have been living with him and Elder Wahlberg while they finish some remodeling our place. My comp is black dotted so I am still stuck driving..
My ward is great they take really good care of us and help us out a lot. I miss the Big Island though. We get choke rain in Kaneohe but I like it. My shoes get really muddy and my planner is warped.
I'll try and remember to write down stories and bring them with me to email. Oh we did make a homeless friend at the bus stop by our house. He always comes and prays for us.
Love you all!
Elder Kingston Matua
I have been getting a lot of complaints about short vague emails. Sorry about that. Usually by the time Monday comes around I forget almost everything that happened throughout the week. I will try to do better.
We have been having to drop a lot of our investigators because they are not progressing which really stinks. The area is struggling right now. We are doing a lot of tracting and finding some success but everyone that we have made appointments with cancels for one reason or another. I guess that is missionary work. We keep trying. We did get to meet a really nice Samoan family who agreed to have us come back and they said they'd make us dinner!! Yay!
On Saturday I went on an exchange with Elder Uaisele. I had a great time and learned a lot. We have been living with him and Elder Wahlberg while they finish some remodeling our place. My comp is black dotted so I am still stuck driving..
My ward is great they take really good care of us and help us out a lot. I miss the Big Island though. We get choke rain in Kaneohe but I like it. My shoes get really muddy and my planner is warped.
I'll try and remember to write down stories and bring them with me to email. Oh we did make a homeless friend at the bus stop by our house. He always comes and prays for us.
Love you all!
Elder Kingston Matua
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Letters from Paradise
Dear Family,
If it makes you feel any better it has pretty much rained non-stop here in Kaneohe since I arrived but I love it! New area and new comp. It's beautiful here - super green. It feels like I'm at Jurassic Park LOL! My comp (Elder Velma from Idaho) and I have been working really hard since I got here. I think the next six weeks are gonna fly by.
Dad - yeah, I think we need to switch allegiance and become Springbok fans. It stinks to support and love a team but constantly see it fall short of it's full potential. I hope Samoa does better soon.
It sounds like Lehi Fa-Taha is pumping out the missionaries. I met Kai Raass' sister. She is in my ward here. Small world huh?
Here's a small, funny story for you guys from my days in Kona involving our Area Seventy Elder Ahuna:
My companion and I were leaving dinner and on our way out we were stopped by a guy who was very drunk. Scary but we stuck around to hear what he had to say. In about 15-minutes he had taught us the entire Restoration lesson. We were very surprised. We left him our number but he said that he was moving soon. We told him that we would stop by anyway to check on him. His name was Scott.
The next day at church we heard that Bro. Casuga had received a referral from Elder Ahuna for a guy named Scott who seemed to match the description of the Scott we had met the previous night.
Long story short - they were two different Scott's but we were able to make contact with the referral from Elder Ahuna. The one we met on the road that night really did move down south so we gave his name and number to the Elder's in that area. They are now teaching him the lessons. I was able to teach Elder Ahuna's referral, Scott Carter, who is a very smart guy who is ready for the gospel.
The Lord prepared two hearts to receive the gospel message. We just had to listen to the spirit. I have another really cool story about another investigator that I worked with in Kona and reconnected with here in Kaneohe but I'll have to tell you that one later.
I'm loving my new Ward. We have Samoan Bishop (Steve Laulu) who works at the PCC in Laie. He reminds me of a possible character for Laughing Samoans! He's hilarious. There are a lot of Samoans in this area so my language learning efforts have doubled. I'm getting the hang of it. Reading the B.O.M. helps me most. I'm picking on Samoan and also a bit of Tongan. I hope to be speaking both languages by the time I get home!
Recently I've really noticed that I have been able to see people as Christ sees them not as the world sees them. I love having that ability here in the field. I hope that I can continue to grow in that aspect and also keep doing so when my mission is over. I hate that being judgmental is a defining characteristic of the natural man, which is an enemy to God. We need to put off the natural man and become as a child (Mosiah 3:19).
Being out here in the service of the Lord has really shown me that simplicity is the way of the Lord. Complicating thins is the devils way of confusing people and dulls the Spirit.
Mom, I love you so much. I don't know what I would do without having the most amazing woman in the world as my mom.
'O le Atua o lo tatou Tama Fa'alelelagi alofa. 'O Iesu Keriso o le Fa'aola o le lalolagi.
'Oute alofa tele ia te 'oe
Elder Matua
If it makes you feel any better it has pretty much rained non-stop here in Kaneohe since I arrived but I love it! New area and new comp. It's beautiful here - super green. It feels like I'm at Jurassic Park LOL! My comp (Elder Velma from Idaho) and I have been working really hard since I got here. I think the next six weeks are gonna fly by.
Dad - yeah, I think we need to switch allegiance and become Springbok fans. It stinks to support and love a team but constantly see it fall short of it's full potential. I hope Samoa does better soon.
It sounds like Lehi Fa-Taha is pumping out the missionaries. I met Kai Raass' sister. She is in my ward here. Small world huh?
Here's a small, funny story for you guys from my days in Kona involving our Area Seventy Elder Ahuna:
My companion and I were leaving dinner and on our way out we were stopped by a guy who was very drunk. Scary but we stuck around to hear what he had to say. In about 15-minutes he had taught us the entire Restoration lesson. We were very surprised. We left him our number but he said that he was moving soon. We told him that we would stop by anyway to check on him. His name was Scott.
The next day at church we heard that Bro. Casuga had received a referral from Elder Ahuna for a guy named Scott who seemed to match the description of the Scott we had met the previous night.
Long story short - they were two different Scott's but we were able to make contact with the referral from Elder Ahuna. The one we met on the road that night really did move down south so we gave his name and number to the Elder's in that area. They are now teaching him the lessons. I was able to teach Elder Ahuna's referral, Scott Carter, who is a very smart guy who is ready for the gospel.
The Lord prepared two hearts to receive the gospel message. We just had to listen to the spirit. I have another really cool story about another investigator that I worked with in Kona and reconnected with here in Kaneohe but I'll have to tell you that one later.
I'm loving my new Ward. We have Samoan Bishop (Steve Laulu) who works at the PCC in Laie. He reminds me of a possible character for Laughing Samoans! He's hilarious. There are a lot of Samoans in this area so my language learning efforts have doubled. I'm getting the hang of it. Reading the B.O.M. helps me most. I'm picking on Samoan and also a bit of Tongan. I hope to be speaking both languages by the time I get home!
Recently I've really noticed that I have been able to see people as Christ sees them not as the world sees them. I love having that ability here in the field. I hope that I can continue to grow in that aspect and also keep doing so when my mission is over. I hate that being judgmental is a defining characteristic of the natural man, which is an enemy to God. We need to put off the natural man and become as a child (Mosiah 3:19).
Being out here in the service of the Lord has really shown me that simplicity is the way of the Lord. Complicating thins is the devils way of confusing people and dulls the Spirit.
Mom, I love you so much. I don't know what I would do without having the most amazing woman in the world as my mom.
'O le Atua o lo tatou Tama Fa'alelelagi alofa. 'O Iesu Keriso o le Fa'aola o le lalolagi.
'Oute alofa tele ia te 'oe
Elder Matua
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
New area, new opportunities
I just got into my new area in Kaneohe.
The area is awesome and I love it so far. Me and my new companion are working super hard and have something going on every minute. Still learning a lot and loving the work. The pace here is very different for the big island but I'm adjusting pretty good.
Sorry for the short update running low on time!
Love you all
Elder Matua
The area is awesome and I love it so far. Me and my new companion are working super hard and have something going on every minute. Still learning a lot and loving the work. The pace here is very different for the big island but I'm adjusting pretty good.
Sorry for the short update running low on time!
Love you all
Elder Matua
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Changes comin'
Dear Family,
I've been struggling with the work the past couple of weeks to be completely honest, but it all got better this weekend when I found out that I will be transferring. I will miss all the people of Waikoloa but it will be so nice to have a bit of change. I'll get a fresh start in a new ward on Oahu with a good, hardworking companion. I leave for Oahu on Wednesday for Oahu.
I will be in the Kaneohe 2nd Ward with elder Vehlma as my companion! He is a super hard working missionary and I will be learning a lot from him. Elder Seremai will be staying here in Waikoloa. His new companion is good so the work will move on regardless. My first six months on the mission here has flown by and everyone said time goes even faster when you leave your greenie area.
I'm doing awesome otherwise! I'm happy! It kinda feels like I'll be starting a whole new mission with a fresh start. It will be nice. I got both packages from you and auntie Kara. Please keep the healthy bars and treats coming. It is good for my weight. I've been trying to only have one helping at dinner but it is so hard in Hawaii. It just never stops coming. I'm doing great though.
Dad, I never really thought about all the Deacon's you started with at Lehi 41st becoming priests now. That's crazy!
Joe [Pikula] and Cody [Thompson] as props for BYU Rugby? Both of those guys are super fast as forwards! It sounds like the BYU roster is a good one this year. I miss watching the Whippy boys play. I miss watching and playing rugby, period! I don't remember if I told you this last week or not but President Warner has banned missionaries from all rugby and football. No more of either of them. It's gonna be tough not playing rugby but I guess he's gotta do what he's gotta do and he has the inspiration for us missionaries.
Love you guys,
Elder Matua
I've been struggling with the work the past couple of weeks to be completely honest, but it all got better this weekend when I found out that I will be transferring. I will miss all the people of Waikoloa but it will be so nice to have a bit of change. I'll get a fresh start in a new ward on Oahu with a good, hardworking companion. I leave for Oahu on Wednesday for Oahu.
I will be in the Kaneohe 2nd Ward with elder Vehlma as my companion! He is a super hard working missionary and I will be learning a lot from him. Elder Seremai will be staying here in Waikoloa. His new companion is good so the work will move on regardless. My first six months on the mission here has flown by and everyone said time goes even faster when you leave your greenie area.
I'm doing awesome otherwise! I'm happy! It kinda feels like I'll be starting a whole new mission with a fresh start. It will be nice. I got both packages from you and auntie Kara. Please keep the healthy bars and treats coming. It is good for my weight. I've been trying to only have one helping at dinner but it is so hard in Hawaii. It just never stops coming. I'm doing great though.
Dad, I never really thought about all the Deacon's you started with at Lehi 41st becoming priests now. That's crazy!
Joe [Pikula] and Cody [Thompson] as props for BYU Rugby? Both of those guys are super fast as forwards! It sounds like the BYU roster is a good one this year. I miss watching the Whippy boys play. I miss watching and playing rugby, period! I don't remember if I told you this last week or not but President Warner has banned missionaries from all rugby and football. No more of either of them. It's gonna be tough not playing rugby but I guess he's gotta do what he's gotta do and he has the inspiration for us missionaries.
Love you guys,
Elder Matua
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