Its been another great week here in Laie. Everyday I get more and more appreciative of where I am and how blessed I am to be serving here. I just wanted to let you know that I have officially adopted some Tongan Table Etiquette as I have been trying to build relationships of trust within my area. For example, I don't really use utensils anymore, fingers are the recommended way to get your food into your mouth (or onto your plate from the serving dishes). The object of the game is to stuff as much food into your mouth as you can and then start conversing with those you are eating with. My food is your food, and your food is mine. Don't worry about spilling or making a mess, just be sure to eat as much as you possibly can. Even if your plate is still full of food, it is time to get seconds and thirds. Don't forget to save room for 2 or 3 different types of desserts and under no circumstances is it okay to tell them you can't eat anymore. I'm getting pretty good at the game haha. Just kidding - I'm actually terrible at the Tongan Table Etiquette game. You know me, one of my biggest pet peeves is when people talk with their mouths full and pick food up with their fingers. It especially bothers me when people eat food off of my plate while I'm still eating it. But for now I can deal with it and dinner with the members is always an exciting adventure!
I want you to know how grateful I am to be serving in the Visitors' Center. Yesterday I was taking a tram tour from the PCC to the Temple and it was full of people from around the whole world and it finally dawned on me that my dream has come true. When I decided to serve a mission, I wanted to preach to the whole world and share my testimony with everyone. I literally get to preach to the world as I serve here. I've been given the opportunity to teach the simple truths of the gospel to people from Jerusalem, Iraq, Germany, Alaska, Brazil, Nigeria, India, Australia, etc, etc, etc. AWESOME!!!! I had an amazing experience the other day. A family from mainland China came to the VC and Sister Latu and I were able to give them a tour. They were so excited about the gospel and wanted to learn more. We played the Christus' Narration for them and as they sat at the foot of the beautiful statue of the Savior, they had tears running down their cheeks as they expressed their appreciation and gratitude to be at the temple and to feel of the spirit. There wasn't a dry eye in the visitors center. I was crying, my companion was crying, the Sr. couple was crying. We left them with a Book of Mormon and some pamphlets and they gave us hugs and kisses and left. My heart broke as they walked away because that was all we could do for them. There are no missionaries allowed in China at this time and so they couldn't leave us with their address or phone number to learn more. I want so much for the gospel to be spread throughout the entire world, but I am so grateful to know that there is now one more family in China who knows the truth and will accept it when they are allowed the opportunity.
We are all called to preach the gospel and I will ever thank the Lord for allowing me to be a part of His great work. I hope that you will do all that you can to appreciate the truth that you have and show the Lord your gratitude by being obedient and then helping those who are lost find their way. Do everything you can to help those around you and know that I will be doing the same thing here in Hawaii. The Lord is on your side!
Much Love and Aloha,
Sister Stringer
I want you to know how grateful I am to be serving in the Visitors' Center. Yesterday I was taking a tram tour from the PCC to the Temple and it was full of people from around the whole world and it finally dawned on me that my dream has come true. When I decided to serve a mission, I wanted to preach to the whole world and share my testimony with everyone. I literally get to preach to the world as I serve here. I've been given the opportunity to teach the simple truths of the gospel to people from Jerusalem, Iraq, Germany, Alaska, Brazil, Nigeria, India, Australia, etc, etc, etc. AWESOME!!!! I had an amazing experience the other day. A family from mainland China came to the VC and Sister Latu and I were able to give them a tour. They were so excited about the gospel and wanted to learn more. We played the Christus' Narration for them and as they sat at the foot of the beautiful statue of the Savior, they had tears running down their cheeks as they expressed their appreciation and gratitude to be at the temple and to feel of the spirit. There wasn't a dry eye in the visitors center. I was crying, my companion was crying, the Sr. couple was crying. We left them with a Book of Mormon and some pamphlets and they gave us hugs and kisses and left. My heart broke as they walked away because that was all we could do for them. There are no missionaries allowed in China at this time and so they couldn't leave us with their address or phone number to learn more. I want so much for the gospel to be spread throughout the entire world, but I am so grateful to know that there is now one more family in China who knows the truth and will accept it when they are allowed the opportunity.
We are all called to preach the gospel and I will ever thank the Lord for allowing me to be a part of His great work. I hope that you will do all that you can to appreciate the truth that you have and show the Lord your gratitude by being obedient and then helping those who are lost find their way. Do everything you can to help those around you and know that I will be doing the same thing here in Hawaii. The Lord is on your side!
Much Love and Aloha,
Sister Stringer
