The best society = Relief Society

For my first year in this class I never thought it would be this great. But as time went by and I attended most of the classes and activities I grew to love it.

Flashback to my first relief society activity it was indeed the most refreshing and most joyful dance activity where I made new friends in mothers and grandmothers. Even though my mother couldn't join me that time I felt surrounded by so many mothers!  Their love and support to me in preparation for that island dance occasion was full of love.

Watching how they cared so much and rejoiced in each other's effort to help out it was indeed like living in another heaven on earth full of loving mothers and sisters.

By the way, Relief society is a special society for women ages 18 upwards where we gather as one to learn, grow and support each other in the church and provide service for our men in the church.  It is the best society of all !

I am indeed grateful for Heavenly father's mindful heart for women.
This society is indeed another mother for the motherless and I hope that all the women out will one day be a part of this joyful society like me. For in it they will find many true sisters and motherly figures who can really be amazing influences in their lives like I have.

The first time I learned how to make a garland using this huge fruit from my island thanks to these amazing new sisterens of mine. 

What a joy it is to be a part of this relief society!  :D 

That incompleteness

Have you ever felt so incomplete like there's a huge piece of you missing?
Well, I have but now I've found that missing piece through the knowledge of knowing who I am and why I am here. All thanks to the missionaries!  :D

Through countless years of feeling different and incomplete I finally met the two guys who could answer my deepest questions with the most meaningful answers. The best part though is that they confirmed those answers with the scriptures; something I never thought about till then.

Knowing who I really am as a child,  as a daughter and as a sister really made an amazing impact in my life. And it made me realize that there is so much more than just following along in life because we have a living prophet to guide us and the scriptures to enlighten the dark corners of our lives.

Before I met the missionaries of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints I had absolutely no idea what this life was all about and of my part in it. But meeting them and receiving great lessons on the Plan of Salvation really changed my whole perspective of life and also my goals.  I used to think drinking was okay but then I saw how it destroyed my family and learned from them that my body is a temple and it is my duty to cherish it.

Receiving the gospel of Jesus Christ and living by those guidelines have really made me truly complete with joy and peace like no other,  that lasts longer than worldly pleasures. For sure it may seem silly but doesn't knowing and living the truth make you feel so happy inside?

Take it from me , the missionaries are young men and women who left their homes for 18 months and two years not to share a lie to the world but the joyful message from our Savior who loves each and every one of us so much. I know that the church of Jesus Christ has been restored on earth once again and I promise you if you just listen to the missionaries and give heed to their message , you will indeed find that one thing that you've been looking for to complete that incompleteness in your heart. This I share in the sacred name of Jesus Christ , Amen :)

My conversion through missionaries

It was back in 2007 when my family was in deep chaos and sorrows. Daddy drank all day long while mom awaited his return with deep concern. I would always argue with my sister just for their thoughts of divorce.  There was no way I would let that happen! But the one thing that helped me through was prayer which wasn't perfect at the time but always heartfelt. Until one day my father's sister introduced me to the Mormon missionaries who became one of the best friends I ever had : Elder Watts (from Australia) and Elder Wabol (From Guam). Meeting them was the best memories of my life as their sincere care and patience with me really changed my life and gave me the strength to overcome my sorrows at home. As days grew into weeks and months I learned a great deal about who I am and of how heavenly father has a plan of happiness for us all. The missionaries' kindness and teachings really taught me a lot and made me stronger for my family situation until I got baptized. I can never forget the strong and sweet feelings of assurance that the Holy Ghost gave me as they taught me reminding me of who I am as a daughter of God and of how my faith can really help my family.

I was blessed with the knowledge of my Savior's love for me and my family through the missionaries who really touched me with their unfailing desire for me to know the truth and the way to overcome my sorrows as a young child. After my baptism I became a really faithful member of the church and dealt better with my family situation.  I became a light in my family and after a few years later my family joined the church and going to church as a family as well as church activities was one of the best moments in my life. They were the most peaceful and joyful family moments we ever had.

Later on, the missionaries became a big part of our lives and we would always invite them over for family dinner as I loved the spiritual thoughts and the joyful spirit they always brought with them. The missionaries played a very big part in my life because if it weren't for them I wouldn't have been able to cope with my family situation as a kid and would have  never known who I really am and why I'm here with my family.

Now it's been like 10 years as a latter day saint and I've been living my best to my baptismal covenant to always follow Christ's example and it is indeed a great challenge but the most joyful path. Even when others treat me indiffrrent I am grateful that I know who I am and that no matter what others say living the gospel is more important to me.
As of now I have been called to serve as a missionary in Guam (my eldsr wabol's country) which is the greatest blessing I've ever been given.

I am ever grateful to the missionaries who reached out to me in my darkest days because now I know how to deal with life and  have been blessed by so many opportunities to learn and grow.  I finally know how to turn to the Lord instead of to the world when I face devastating dilemmas. Heavenly father loves us all deeply much more than we can ever imagine . I know for a fact that he gave us his missionaries to help us know his plan of happiness for us and our families so that we may know how to return to him. I bear you my witness that these things are true. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ , amen.

A poem for the Openshaws

Just when I was starting to lose hope for my mission and kept searching for that inspiration you came along out of the blue.

Looking back on those good old days I can never compare it with today.
To be introduced to a whole new life, it is simply just another strife
Staring aimlessly at the sky without a solution but to cry.
Then, as I pray I see hope in the gospel's ray
That far outweighs anything else that just makes me melt
I see a sweet smile from someone who walks the mile
With a helpful hand reaching out for me as kind as can be

As I make a new friend who cares without end
I start to feel a delightful change in me that you made me see
It's confirmed I'm not alone and I can always find a place to belong
To someone and to something that I can be freely me it's all in the possibilities
To have you as my inspiration I can get through any devastation.
A friend like no other who stands out because he lives his faith without a doubt
You know his pain but see his joy even through hard times his wings are still deployed
You can only imagine how well he was raised enough to give him so much of a praise.

Oh how amazing you are to have traveled this far just by knowing who you really are
Through a mother's love and a father's guidance you know what it means to have patience
What a blessing it is to know of your family that stands strong even through tragedy
With the kindness and love you share to others I really wish you were my brothers
As I kneel to pray I know it's true that Heavenly father really does love you.

(Dedicated to the Elder Openshaw (served in Kiribati) and to the Openshaw brothers ) - Zane, Porter and Max  :)