Living in the Shadow of the Temple

Aloha everyone!

How. Are. YOU?? I’m sorry it’s been so long since I last sent an email for everyone! There’s no excuse for it really. My email time was cut a little short last week because we hiked this sweet mountain called “Crouching Lion”. It was as cool as the name sounds :D It’s a hike where you have to use both arms and legs and don’t have arms or legs by the end. So choice! I’m definitely taking you here when we come to visit.

So this email is story time for you all! So sit back, relax, grab a fluffernutter, and listen to what I had the opportunity of listening to/experiencing this week.

There was a man who came through the temple gates the other day and immediately after taking a step in, he stopped. He took a step back, being sure he was outside the temple gates. He paused, and then took a step back in, back onto the temple grounds. He did this over and over again; Taking a step in, and then out. In, out. After a few minutes, we asked this man what he was doing. His response gave me goose bumps. He said, “Whenever I take a step inside these gates, I feel something. When I step outside, I don’t feel anything.” This man knew there was something special about the temple. It was such a wonderful reminder to me.

We got to watch a fireside by Michael Ballum who is serving a mission with his wife and son here in Laie. It was only one of the most amazing firesides I’ve ever seen! He talked about temples and the history of them, and his experiences with them and it was just jaw dropping. I had no idea there was so much temple history and so many incredible stories behind them! And I wish I had all the time in the world to tell you every single story! Once I’m home, I’ll tell you all of them. But for now, I want to tell you a story-true story, about the Laie temple. 

During the world war, a bomber plane was sent to destroy this big white rectangular building in Hawaii. They didn’t know what it was, but they figured it was an equipment storage unit. They couldn’t risk keeping this beautiful building intact and so the day came to bomb it. The pilot flew over the building, ready to drop the first bomb, but the bomb wouldn’t release. He turned his plane around and dropped the bomb again. No luck. He tried one more time, surely he could do it this time…nothing. “Why won’t they drop?” The man wondered. “What am I doing wrong?” He decided to drop one of them into the ocean, just to see if there was something wrong with the plane. The second he flew over the ocean and released the bomb, it fell and dropped perfectly. No problem. This building was more than just a building.

Years later, a missionary was teaching a lesson to a man about the importance of temples and brought up this story. As this elder told the man this story, tears flowed down this man’s face. This man later told the elder that He himself had been the very pilot who had tried to bomb the Laie temple. It was him, whose plane could not drop one single bomb on the Laie Hawaii Temple. Because of this experience, he knew there was something special about this building, he later became baptized, and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

How incredible is that?? And that’s just ONE of the miracles he told us! Ah, I love temples so much. They are literally the Houses of God. A heaven on Earth. Inside the temple is the only place in the world where the adversary CANNOT dwell. And think about this, there are about 140 of those spots in the earth today! And growing! Tell me THAT’S not evidence that Heavenly Father loves us! =D The Lord’s work is progressing. And WE get to witness it! How lucky we are. 

I’m so grateful to serve in the Visitor’s Center of one of God’s temples. I literally live in the shadow of the temple. I’m so blessed. I hope we can all live our lives in the shadow of the temple. Perhaps not literally. But I hope we do everything we can so that we can go often. It is there where Heavenly Father can bless us! It is there that He can clothe us with power, so that we may and will endure the trials of this life. It’s a promise He has given us. Let Him fulfill that promise. I remember Mom telling me that we don’t go to the temple to get away from real life, but to experience real life. I’ve come to know that’s true. I know we all can come to know that’s true too.

I love you all! Have a wonderful Easter! Oh! I just forgot that I won’t talk to you 'til after Easter! Goodness me, well, have the best Easter ever family! Remember why we celebrate it as you eat eggfulls of yummy candy. Heavenly Father loves you!

Give 'em Heaven!

Love always,

Sister Annen

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words . . .

Welcome to Hawaii bandwagon!
Our car my first day out in the field.

Reality

Dear Family,

I LOVE YOU!

I just had to get that out! I couldn't hold it in one more second. What's up my honey bunches?? How was your first week of March? Wow it's MARCH. Wow! This month has already been choice for me and for all of us actually. I can't wait to tell you about it!

SO, we just had a revolution at the Visitor's Center! Yep. Something that has never happened before. You ready for this? Are you on the edge of your chair? On March 1, 2013, our tours began counting as LESSONS! Chihu! Oh my lanta I wish I could describe to you what a BIG deal this is. If a tour comes in and self refers, WE become their missionaries! WE do! In the past, they would self refer, we did a little dance, and then we'd never really hear from them again (except on lucky occasions) But now, we get to be with them every step of the way to baptism! :D We will teach them by phone or email until they are successfully transferred to the local missionaries, and then after that, we become sort of their fellowshipper I guess you could say! We get to check up on them and share little messages and just be there for them. Can you see how inspired this is?? Wow, the Lord is just hastening His work. I see it everyday.

Which speaking of! We have our first 19-year-old Sister here! Ah! So cool. We were all so excited to see what a 19-yr-old sister looks like! When she first walked in, we all just stood there frozen and stared :) Welcome to Hawaii right? :) ha let me tell you, they look great! Just fantastic really :D I can just tell that the Lord has been preparing them because they are just as prepared as the older missionaries if not, MORE! We're all excited for next transfer (which is in less than a week already by the way!) because this is the transfer where they all start coming in!

We had a fireside on Sunday, where our Mission President spoke to all of us and our investigators and all of Laie practically. It was so so good! Guess who was also asked to speak at the fireside a couple hours before the fireside? This one. Yep :) And I wish I had more time to go in to detail! But know that I survived, and I totally learned that Heavenly Father totally has your back and will never let us down. It's just how He is; I love Him.

I went on exchange with Sister Christiansen the other day got to serve with her in her area! The whole day was awesome. The last family we visited was the Mapuhi family. They are a less active family. Sister Mapuhi answered the door and poor thing, she looked exhausted. She has been going through every trial you can think of, and I honestly can't imagine going through these kind of things. We talked with her for a very long time and didn't even know what to say. To not go into detail, let me put it this way. The commandments God has given us, Is. For. A. Reason. He wasn't just grumpy one day and decided to give His children a list of things they couldn't do. He gives us commandments because He knows who we are and who we can become. If we don't understand that yet, we need to see ourselves through His eyes to see what he is trying to make of us. The gospel of Jesus Christ will help us no matter what were going through. So even though we didn't know the little logistical things that would help her, we knew that the gospel would help her perfectly. This experience really helped me to realize what a reality the gospel is. And what a reality it SHOULD be in our lives.

Well, have a happy week my dearsies! I love you loads! Don't ever ever forget that okay? Keep smiling and know you have a number one fan here in Hawaii, and up in Heaven :)

Aloha!

Sister Annen

ps Look up the 2012 youth theme song/video! It's filmed right here in Laie where I'm serving! You can actually see my pad in one of the shots!
pps do any of you have some super yummy recipes you could send me? Being online, we make dinner each and every night, and I kind of need some ideas. (Mom: I know what you're going through :D You're a champ for doing this EVERY night!)

Hows it and Aloha Everybody?!

Hows it and Aloha Everybody?!

Well! Another week. I feel like I'm always saying, "It's P-day again??" ha it's crazy how time flies here. The days are busy and long, but the weeks just zip by. 
And what about the 58 new missions huh? Pretty sweet ya?? I'm am so excited. My mission president was asked if he wanted the Hawaii mission to be split, but he decided not to since it's kind of hard with all the different islands and such. But Elder Annen's mission is being split oh my! Wow, that will be quite the change. It's no understatement that the Lord is hastening His work. He knows what He's doing, that's what I've come to find out.

So, I'm online now! Okay, obviously right now I'm online as I'm emailing, but what I mean is that I'm an online sister now! Let you tell you something...it's spectacular! Absolutely terrific. And let me tell you why. I get to do the chats from mormon.org like I told you, and while I'm waiting, I teach lessons through email to our investigators and if I have spare time, I surf lds.org and mormon.org. I feel like I know those websites like the back of my nametag. I know every person on "I'm on Mormon" and love love LOVE mormon messages! Ah! Who knew they were so sick! Seriously, if you haven't seen one, take the challenge from a sister missionary to watch one after you're done reading this. Or watch one right now! For missionaries, mormon messages are like watching the newest grammy award-winning film! (grammy is for films right?) Shoots, I can't remember. Anyway, the newest mormon message I love is called "Mountains to Climb"! Have you seen it? Oh my... it's only amazing! Please watch it and tell me what you think. Keep some tissues handy. It's necessary :D
What's really cool, is that Sister M and I will pray with people on chat...didn't think that was possible huh? I didn't before I got online either! Here's how it works: after teaching them a doctrine and inviting them to do something, we will ask to pray with them. We kneel by our computers and invite the person on the other end to kneel if they would like. One of us says the prayer and the other types. I was really hesitant at first because really, how effective can a prayer be if it's only being typed? The answer is, extremely. As Sister M gave the prayer and I typed it, goosebumps shot down my arms and I could literally feel the spirit surrounding the us. I don't know how to describe it other than that. It was so strong in fact, that I could barely type! My heart just pumps out of my chest every time. From these experiences of teaching and praying online, I have learned that the spirit always speaks when truth is revealed. That sounds so simple and so obvious! But really think about that. No matter no what language you're speaking, no matter if it is spoken or written, the spirit teaches. It's evidence that the spirit is what does the converting. Not us. Thank goodness. 

I can't believe all of my friends are coming home from their missions already! I totally remember going to their farewells and seeing their great examples. Well I love you all! Never forget, but more importantly, never forget that your Heavenly Father loves you. Keep smiling! Aloha!

love always,
Sister Annen

World is Our Oyster

Aloha and Talofa!

This is after only 5 minutes of rain!
When it rains, it pours.....I always say! ha  :)

I say Talofa because Sister Mckeever and I got to go to the Samoan ward last Sunday and it was legit! Ah I love Polynesians! Most of it was in Samoan and even though I hardly understood what was being said, I understood that the spirit is universal. The spirit speaks when truth is spoken no matter if you can understand or not. I felt it so strongly as I sang the hymns in Samoan and listened to testimonies being born in Samoan. What a blessing.

We gave the tram tours on Thursday and Saturday, which now that I think about it, I can't remember if I've ever really talked how that all goes down! So first off, we get to wear another sick-looking muumuu with our brown Hawaiian slippers. I'm too lucky I tell ya. And then the tram takes us to the Polynesian Cultural Center where we invite everyone there to take the tram tour to the Temple Visitor's Center. Now it's so awesome because I meet people from literally ALL over the world. A huge chunk of them are Asians. Some of them have never seen a white girl or blonde hair before so they'll come up to me and just stare with their cute little eyes. It's adorable. And then they'll want a picture because they've never seen anything like it before! (As sisters, we are in so many random tourist pictures from all over the world. Most missionaries have doors slammed in their face...we have our pictures taken.)

There was a cute little old man who saw me and then went up to one of the Japanese sisters and said something to her in Japanese. She then turned to me and said, "He wants me to tell you, that you are one beautiful woman!" I looked at the cute old man and he just blushed and ran away. ha so cute. My mission guys...it's not even fair. 

Ah I have so much more to say and I have to go already, what happened?? Well, I'll type way faster next week and tell you more. For now, you guys have have HAVE to see the mormon message "Earthly Father, Heavenly Father"! It's incredible and can say things way better than I can. But watch it and report back on what you think. I know it's true.

Well I love you bunches my favorite family in the whole wide world! Know that you have a number one fan all away across the ocean!

Love and much aloha,
Sister Annen

It Bites Sometimes

Hey howdy heloha everyone!

Howz it?? Did you all have a super fantastic week? Sounds like it was kind of a crazy one with Jess's lil' accident. Which hey Jess, can you give you me a big thumbs up? ;D ha I'm just kidding. I hope you feel better soon sis! I'm sending get better kisses right now. And how is good ol Utah? Has it warmed up yet? I saw a picture and about died! It looks like the ice age over there holy smokes.

So I don't have ton's of time to write today, but I have to tell you about this week :D
First off, transfers are over! Wow I can't believe another transfer is pow! Done! Guess what that means? I'm done training and out of my diapers baby! Whoo! I'm all grown up now. It went by so fast! Sister Johnston was the best trainer in the world and I'm gonna miss her. To be honest, it's kind of been rough for us knowing we won't be together anymore. It's been so awesome with her! Quite the adventure :D We got the new transfer news (which is a big BIG deal for missionaries for those who don't know!) Sister J is going out full pros to Honolulu! Whoo! She's excited. And my fate is...... duh dun duh! Online Sister! Chihu!! So instead of having an area and serving in a ward, I'll be online doing the chats and calls for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Boom baby! So if you just happen to call our number, I may be on the other line! We could catch up! ha ha no don't do that :D Oh! And my new companion is...
Sister Mckeever! My MTC companion! Reunited again. It'll be be awesome. Apparently she is a bomb cook and flexes in the kitchen! Which is so lifesaving on my part because being an online sister, we don't have a ward to feed us. And I don't cook squat! Ramen and fluffernutters is as fancy as I get. So she's going to help me in that department. Maybe I'll lose a pound or two! haha that'll be the day. Anyway, all the news has been really exciting! Bittersweet definitely, but good. I know it was inspired for many many reasons :D

Now, get ready for what else happened this week. You won't believe this :D We got attacked by a dog this week!! ha yep! You heard right! On Thursday, we were walking to someone's house when a dog came out of no where. And not just any dog... a PIT BULL. Just our luck right? So we see the dog (and he doesn't look angry!) but he comes up to us, sniffs, and then takes a huge bite out of Sister Johnston! We realize this is no cute puppy with floppy ears so we turn around and head the other way, but then he starts charging us! He goes for me this time, but misses my leg and only gets my dress. By this time we're sprinting, and the pit bull keeps charging and bites Sister Johnston again! Oh my goodness, poor thing. A few words were coming out of our mouths that missionaries probably shouldn't say, or anyone for that matter. But besides the point! I have never ran off of so much adrenaline in my life. We ran to visitor's center without shoes (they must've fallen off at one point, but we didn't even notice) and fell on the grass because poor Sister Johnston's legs were so chewed up. I only got a scrape and wished I could've taken a bite for her! We got the car, and raced to the ER. Luckily, she didn't need stitches and luckily, there are no rabies on the island which is what we were really worried about. Blessings! She's healing really quickly so we're grateful. Lesson learned: Don't pet, touch, look at, or walk by a pit bull in Hawaii! Ah! Hopefully, I get over this soon, but I'm terrified of dogs! Sister J and I have always been dog lovers, but for the time being, we can't even look at a cute fluffy one without wondering if it's going to eat us :D It's always the missionary joke to be attacked by a dog, but what do you know, it actually happens! It's all good though because at this point, we just laugh at whatever happens to us. Who knows what will happen today! Bring it on :D 

So that was our week this week! Day one, Sister J and I start our transfer out with a big bang (no pun intended) and end it with a big bite (no pun intended again). I have learned being out here that everything happens for a reason. Everything. I can't think of ONE time where I haven't learned something from an experience. You learn from your experience and you learn to trust and rely on the Lord more than anything. What a blessing from our Heavenly Father don't you think? He gives us experiences or trials only so that if we only rely on Him, He will bless us! Have confidence. Have confidence not in yourself, but in your Savior. He'll never let you down I promise you that. 

I love you oh so much! Make this the best week yet and keep smiling! It catches on :D

Love always and much aloha,
Sister Annen

Our hammock...
just chillin' with my trainer in our backyard.

Ding Dong Ditching... Missionary Style!

Heyloha!

How's it fam?? Did you have a super duper week?! I sure hope so! I hear it's like below zero degrees over there! Holy Smokes dude. I hope you're not freezing too much! Just drink lots of hot chocolate. And don't worry! It's freezing over here too! I'm not going to say just how cold because I know you don't want to hear it :D 

Would you believe me if I told you this was my backyard??
Believe it! :) Gorgeous, huh??

I can't remember if I told you about the Marshallese people Sister J and I visit or not. Man they are awesome! They're from the Marshall Islands and all live in one house. They're on scholarship from their government back home and go to BYU here. We've been meeting with this sweet lady named Joana and this solid guy named Cooper. We went over to see Joana the other day and we asked how she's been doing. She told us that they get their money from their government back home, but they never send the money on time. So these poor things have no money for food and are so hungry! Can you imagine having to worry about that? I can't even fathom having to think about whether I'll have food the next day. As she was explaining the situation, Sister J and I knew exactly what to do. Over the past week, we were somehow blessed with way more food from the members in our ward than usual. We had so much left over food it wasn't even funny! Before, we had no idea what to do with it, but after our visit with Joana, we totally did. We hurried home and scavenged all the food we could find. Even our pad mates chipped in, it was awesome! Since we've also been in Honolulu so much with all of our doctor's appointments and such we ran into some very generous members down there. They gave each of us 20 dollars for food. People are too kind! Even though it was nice to have, we knew the Marshallese needed it more. We stuffed the money into the food bags and doorbell ditched the bags of food on their porch. We hurried as fast as sister missionaries can and hid behind some palm trees to see their reaction. Let me just say, that that was the best door bell ditch I've ever ditched before! ha I was smiling from ear to ear really, I couldn't have been happier. The Marshallese were so grateful. Even though they couldn't see us, they knew we must've been hiding somewhere because they yelled out, "Thank you so much! God bless you!" Tears filled my eyes. As Sister J and I were walking home, I remember having President Hinkley's words go through my head from his talk, "Lessons I learned as a Boy" when he says, "Now don't you just have a good feeling?" 

The next day, we had a lesson with Joana and she committed to be baptized! February 2 baby! Chihu! (In case you were wondering what chihu means, it's the Tongan word for 'heck ya!') Anyway, she is golden and ready. The only thing she needs to do is have the courage to ask her husband back in the Marshall Islands. We're praying hard that he's okay with it. 

Just a couple days ago, we were out proselyting and no one was home! Not one. We were trying to think if there was anything we could have done to make Heavenly Father upset with us, like forgetting to end our companionship study with a prayer or forgetting to write down a back up plan for one of our appointments. Anything! Maybe He was trying to teach us a lesson, we didn't know. So we knocked on Hei's door. Now, we have been trying to contact Hei ever since I've been here. And so far we've had no luck. Zip zero. But we knocked and guess who answered! Hei! (you say his name like 'hey' btw. ha kind of funny when you say "hey Hei!") Anyway, Hei answered and this is exactly to the T what he said, "Hi guys! I'm actually reading the Book of Mormon right now and I have a few questions. Would you mind helping me out?" No joke. Sister Johnston and I looked at each other, smiled, gave a resounding 'yes!'  and totally knew that was an answer to our silly worry prayer seconds before! It's okay when things don't work out exactly the way you plan because Heavenly Father ALWAYS has a plan! And it's even better than the one we have! I totally learned that this week. Everything will work out the way it's supposed to. 

Even with all the medical stuff going on, I can feel the love of my Father in Heaven so much. He is always aware. He is aware of each of you. More that we know. But we can come to know if we just give heed! 
I love you all! May the spirit be with you!

Love and much aloha,

Sister A