OUI!!! TODO BEM!!!
Hey
family! So nice to hear from you guys! It feels like its been ages since I seen
and heard from you guys even though I know its only been a few days. The MTC
has a way of stretching time, haha. We are kept so busy its hard to keep
track.
Portuguese
has been awesome! I love how the words flow of your tongue. So different from
Hawaiian. Its been difficult, but I'm definitely improving daily. My teachers
name is Irmao Staples (Bro. Staples) and he is awesome! I love him so much. He
is really nice and personable. He served in Sao Paulo. I've memorized the missionary
purpose in Portuguese; I can say a prayer and bear my testimony in Portuguese
as well. Its amazing how we've progressed in so short a time. I know that the
gift of tongues is true!!!
We
do get to exercise. We get an hour of gym time every day, and me and my
companion wake up early to work out as well. My room is nice. It can get a
little cold but its been nice. Make sure to let Aunty Lu know that I have been
using her kiheipili. I love it! I was able to see it snow! It only sprinkled
but it was nice, magical even, haha. Oh Elder Wanlass is cool. He is from New
Jersey, 19 and was attending BYU. I will be honest, its taken some getting used
to. He is super enthusiastic, and loves the gospel. He heart is in the right
place; he definitely wants what is best for our companionship, and for our
investigator.
We
have one investigator right now. Her name is Amanda. From what we have heard
from our zone leaders and stuff, she'll eventually become our next Portuguese
teacher. We have been teaching her that Gods loves us, and that he wants us to
learn and grow, and that He gives us commandments to keep us safe and happy.
One of those commandments is prayer. We invited her to pray but she turned us
down, the second time though she felt the spirit from our lesson and she
prayed. The next lesson we are going to try and teach is the opportunity to
repent. We'll see how it goes. I really enjoy having the opportunity to
practice teaching and to share the gospel with others. I love it! Sadly, our Portuguese
is pretty terrible, but we've been able to convey our thought so far.
Our
district is made of 8 members. 4 Elders and 4 Sisters. I love them. They are
awesome. Elder Cannon is our District Leader.
Today
is my p-days. So every Monday I'll get to email you guys again. We actually got
to go to the temple this morning. Was super cold walking over but it was nice
to be able to go with the zone. The temple is super nice, and big! We did an
endowment session, and while going thru it I had some thoughts. That Satan is
an imitation of things good and offers no good of himself, he truly is that
father of all lies. Two, repentance is a turning from the natural man to God
and coming unto Christ. It is an opportunity to change and become better.
Three, when we ask with faith our prayers can be answered, but that if we seek
revelation, we also tell the Lord our thoughts on the matter. It shows God that
your making an effort to seek revelation. After, read the scriptures, He will
answer you. Some of these were my own thoughts, but some were from a talk we
heard from Elder Bednar last night (it was a recording) about going unto Christ.
I think its entitled "Character of Christ" by Elder Bednar. Its pretty
long but its awesome!
Sundays are
awesome! Its a nice break from the normal classes and stuff. Its basically a
day with God. We have meals, a sacrament meeting, a priesthood meeting, a
devotional, choir then a church movie. It was really nice. Me and my companion
have been called to be Sacrament Coordinators, which means that were in charge
of sacrament. I love Sundays.
Know
that I love you guys too. I really miss you guys. But as I serve my heart is
full with joy for this work and being able to teach this restored gospel. I am
sorry I am not able to write more. There is just soooo much to tell. Like the
prophets of the Book of Mormon say, I could not write down the hundredth part
of what has been happening/happened. Can you guys write in Hawaiian too if can?
That would be great. I have been doing my best to use Hawaiian so I do not
loose it.
In
essence, its been great! It has not been easy, and its been tough with trying
to get over culture shock and stuff, but its been great. The spirit is super
strong here and I appreciate the opportunities to learn and grow in whatever
direction God needs me too. I know that the gospel is true. I know that thru
the atonement of Christ that we can be saved. I know that you need to have
charity and the spirit when you teach or you wont have success. I love you
guys!
Me
ke aloha,
Elder
Kim
