Aloha Kakou! It's been a very exciting week!
Last p-day was really fun. Our original plan was to go to Schofield army base and go on a hike with the whole district. But when we got there, a soldier guarding the gate told us they were doing live drills at the firing ranges so it wasn't allowed. After that we decided that we would go bowling instead. I never imagined in my two years as a missionary that I would get to go bowling, but that's what happened. What happened after that, led to a miracle moment on my mission.
Elder Clapper's bishop from Wisconsin and his family met up with us to take us out to lunch. They took us to a really good place where I got a big plate of food, little did I remember that we had a dinner appointment that evening. Remember last week when I talked about the Kekoolani family and their sensitive family situation? Yeah, it was at their house. The dad, Newaii, is a PROFESSIONAL chef. And he told me, since I haven't really had Hawaiian food before, that he was going to make a HUGE meal for us. Right when I realized this, I started to freak. I was so full from the food that I started to feel kinda sick. As soon as we got there, I felt like it was too late. I was getting really nauseous and even asked to use the bathroom. Nothing happened, so I just splashed water on my face.
What was I supposed to do? If I was honest and told him that I shouldn't eat any, he would get really offended. But if I got sick while eating his food that would be even worse! But then a miracle happened. Nawaii, along with tons of other authentic Hawaiian food, made us poy. Poy is a plant based, pudding kind of thing that's really healthy and used for a lot of Hawaiian food. And that was the first thing I tried. By itself. I knew if I thought it was disgusting that I'd get really sick, but hilariously enough I loved it!
As soon as I ate it, I smiled and I didn't feel sick at all! If that wasn't a miracle then I don't know what is. We had a really profound lesson for their family, and the Lord knew it. We gave our lesson to help as much as we could with their situation and that was it.
I had another experience this week that taught me the same lesson. One day this past week, our companionships went on exchanges. This just means that for one day I would be with another Elder instead of Elder Clapper. I was with Elder Bang and serving with him in the Wahiawa and Mililani 1st area. We had some really good experiences and we even got to play the piano and violin together. Then we went street contacting and tried to use a new method of introducing the gospel from a book we've been reading. When we meet someone new, we give them a survey to see what they basically understand and believe.
We tried to meet with this one boy who's talked to missionaries before. Only his parents were home and the dad agreed to take the survey. He told us how he's a strong believer in the teachings of Jesus Christ. He also agreed that if there was another book about Jesus Christ, other than the Bible, than he would read it. Then we handed him the Book of Mormon. At first he laughed, then I bore my testimony about how the Book of Mormon has changed my life and why it's so important in the modern day. He took it and invited us back later. Since that was only an exchange, it's likely I will never get to see him again. Elder Bang and his companion are actually meeting with him soon to discuss what he's learned. I don't know why my first time giving someone a Book of Mormon was on an exchange. But all I know is that Mike, the dad, needed to be given the Book of Mormon that day. The Lord knew it, and that made it possible.
The Lord will always provide a way for us to accomplish what he asks. No matter how impossible a task may seem, if the Lord wants it done He will make it happen.
1 Nephi 3:7 "...I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that thay accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
The rest of the week was visiting members and shooting a brand new video! My first one on the mission! It will be on my Facebook by the end of the day so don't forget to share with a bunch of people!
I love you all so much and have a great week! Ke Akua Pu!
Love, Elder Nielsen
1. Cool sunset!
2. Weekly plan
3-4. More rainbows!
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