09/07/09

Aloha

So, I think a lot of people have heard the rumor that in Hawaii, whenever someone begins to talk, they say "Aloha" and everyone responds "Aloha" back. Well, that is true. Sometimes we switch it up and say "Malo e lele" or "Talofo lava" or "Good Morning", but whatever is said, everyone responds back.

We had a good last week though. Elder Call is continuing to improve and progress. He is still scared out of his wits, but not nearly as much anymore. We actually had one of our bishops keep us behind after a meeting yesterday to talk to us (well, mostly him) and say not to be scared.

I think the coolest experience this week happened on Tuesday. Or rather started on Tuesday. We were tracting out a street fairly late at night, and were about done. Well, we looked up to a house, and it looked like there might be someone home, so we figured we would try it. So, we walked to the door, and heard the clattering of dishes and the TV. Let me just say, people don't like to be interupted during dinner and watching TV. Still, we decided to try, so we knocked:

"Who is it?"
"Missionaries."
"We'll be right there!"

The first thought that pops into my head is either: 1) a very mad person, or 2) a member. Well, the door flies open and John Thiele (pronounced Tee-Lee) from Idaho opens the door and invites us in. He was visiting his non-member step-sister because his step-mother is about to pass. So, he invited us in, we shared a message, he shared about the gospel, we left a plan of salvation pamphlet, and left with an assignment to find a member to go with him to give his step-mother a blessing. Well, we found the member, who couldn't go, so a member of our bishoprich ended up going instead. Well, Brother Thiele got up yesterday during sacrament meeting and praised us during his testimony, so now all of the members are impressed (always a good thing) and we are looking forward to going to see his step-sister again soon.

This week we also began teaching a couple of grandsons of a member in our ward, and their non-member mother decided she wants to sit in as well. They have been coming to church for a while now, so we should be able to help them get baptized very soon.

On the subject of kids getting baptized, it doesn't make sense to baptize a child who has no support from home, or has a strong enough testimony to make it happen on their own. Doing so just puts a huge burden on the ward, and may prevent them from coming to the gospel fully later in life.

So things are going very well, and we are looking forward to having a great week. I found a scripture this week that I love. In 3 Nephi 9:14, we hear the voice of Christ. At the time, all of the destruction after Christ's death had happened in the America's (tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, etc.) and hundreds of thousands of people were killed. Then, a mist of darkness fell upon the people. This darkness was so thick that no one could start a fire, or see any type of light. It seems that Satan was showing his power and declaring his victory over the world. He had gotten the Savior's own people to kill their Messiah, and Satan was showing his power. Yet, in the darkness, the voice of Christ comes to the people and says: "Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me."

The voice of Christ calls the people, and invites them to come unto Him. If they will come unto him, they can have eternal life. His arm of mercy was still extended to them.

So, to apply this to us, sometimes we reach dark points in our life where is seems all is going wrong and Satan has complete power. At those times, that same invitation can echo clear: "Come unto me, and ye shall have eternal life." The Savior's arm of mercy is extended to one and all, and He has promised us eternal life is we will but turn to Him.

I love you all. Thank you for your continued support and love. I hope everyone is doing well. Keep up the good work and remember to smile!
Elder Kidd