Aloha from the beautiful island of O'ahu! I just have to rub it in a little bit because the weather here is perfect and I fall asleep to the sound of the ocean. This is not going to be an easy mission but I am definitely blessed to be here.
My new companion is Sister Smith from Pleasant Grove/ Orem, UT. We graduated from high school the same year...its a small world. Our District Leader, Elder Wooten, is also from Pleasant Grove and knows Kayci. PG represent!!
I am currently serving half days in the Laie Temple Visitors' Center and the Polynesian Culture Center. We live right next to the temple in a pretty decent size "pad" (apartment). I was able to street contact in Honolulu for a day and then we drove to the North Shore. I am being trained to be able to drive which is good because I guess that drivers are in short supply.
Well mom you'll be happy to know that the other half of my day is spent in my first proselyting area....the glamorous town of Kahuku, HI. I'm not gonna lie, parts of it are pretty ghetto and make me a little nervous but the ward there is strong and the members are great member missionaries. EVERY missionary in this mission gets fed dinner each night by the members which is actually pretty cool. They take great care of us.
I've already had some amazing experiences in the Visitor Center. We have thousands of people that visit each week, mostly non-members from that are spending the day at the PCC. The spirit is so strong here on the Temple grounds, making it the ideal teaching situation. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ can change lives and bring happiness. It has been reaffirmed to me so many times in these past couple of days.
I love you all and wish that I could talk to you each individually. Have a very Happy New Year!!
Sister Stringer
