no time, sorry.

Here is a scripture for everyone and here are some pictures. thanks mom for the cute little package :). Moroni 10:32 (Book of Mormon)

p.s. the green thing is guava

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Sister Emily Bever

Tonga Nuku'alofa Mission

The Lord works in mysterious ways

This weeks email is just going to be a collection of stories to show how the Lord is working in all kinds of ways here in Kolovai and Fo'ui :) 

- I think last week I mentioned that we planned to teach an English class... yeah we announced it and invited tons of people, but no one showed up. Surprise. It ended up being a blessing though, because we didn't have time to eat that day, so we got our food, sat in the empty classroom, and ate. BUT the other blessing is that we were able to go a little early to our next teaching for that night- a lady named Siueli who is an inactive member because her husband is from a different church and he won't let her go back to church, but she really wants to anyway and she wants her kids to have the gospel. None of her 4 kids are baptized. So, we went to her house and started teaching her and 3 of her kids, and all of a sudden all these people start coming into the house and sitting down to join us! They were all non-members, and I think they were just coming to visit Siueli, but they got a lesson with the sisters as a bonus! Even though none of them want to become investigators, I think their hearts were softened by that little experience. 

- Thursday, we did an exchange with the sisters in our Zone, so I got to be companions with Sister Emch again! Remember?  My blonde companion from Navutoka? Anyway, it was fun. BUT, the best part was thursday evening when non of my plans worked out, and after going to the plan C, i looked across the street and saw a house I had never been to. we were like 10 ft from the door when I felt like i should back up, go behind the nearby bush, and say a prayer first. so we did that. I just asked that we would have a good experience by going to this house. We went to the door, some little kid ran away to hide and tell his mom to get the door, and then i was surprised by the happy voice and the face I saw- Fusi. First of all, fusi is cousins with the bishop and does not like the church, but that night she felt differently about us... why? because about 2 months ago, she was trimming a lot of bushes all by herself and sister mo'unga and I stopped to help her. She did not accept our help, but we ignored her and did it anyway. We talked to her about her family that day, but did not invite her to be taught. I always wondered if I would ever have a chance to teach her, but I never saw her again until that night. We talked with her for a while about her home and her upbringing and she shared with us about her mother who recently passed away. We shared a part  of the Plan of Salvation with her, and I know she felt the spirit. She didn't accept another set appointment, but she said we can come over anytime :) I am thankful for that answered prayer, and for that random opportunity for service all those weeks ago.

- Saturday, we were also contacting another back up plan, and the 2 girls in the house were asleep. We didn't want to wake them up,so we turned to leave, but just then, the dogs saw us and came running! Lots of dogs here really bite... so we were kinda scared. Instead of running to our car parked nearby, we both decided to run into the house even though we were sure they were non-members, and they were sleeping. So we did, and we woke them up, and they weren't mad, and one of them was a member, and we escaped the dogs! :) We ended up teaching the other girl (non-member) and getting a new investigator :) We will teach her again the week.

Last story. we met this palangi dude on the road on Saturday. He was walking from one of the resorts at the beach. He is from Israel. We chatted for a bit and he told us he wants to go to church on Sunday, so we invited him to our ward. Then he said how he wanted to experience real Tongan life and food, so we invited him to have dinner with us at our members house on Sunday. He didn't come to church. But, to my surprise, we got a call from him on Sunday, and he and his girlfriend were able to join us for our meal at our member's home. We taught them a quick little message in English and Tongan, so everyone could understand, and then we ate and talked with them about the church and about missionary work. They were fascinated. They loved the experience, and even though they will go back to their country this week, I know a seed was planted. 

Last thing- Kalolo (our new convert) usually gets a ride from his sister to church, but she went to vava'u for vacation. We asked his sister's husband to please give him a ride. He forgot. Kalolo walked more than 30 minutes to get to church because he really wanted to sacrament. True conversion. The end. Love you all. Have a terrific week!! 

-Sister Bever

P.s. i trimmed my hair on the full moon day to make it grow longer... all the Tongans swear it works.

 

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Sister Emily Bever

Tonga Nuku'alofa Mission

P.s. i trimmed my hair on the full moon day to make it grow longer... all the Tongans swear it works.

Lose yourself in the work.

Reflections from this week:

I found out I would be training on Sunday, and since then, I have focused on making sure I am exactly obedient, because maybe I don't always know the right thing to say or the right thing to do to be the best trainer/ missionary ever, but the Lord does. I need to be obedient to have his spirit guiding me all the time. I have also made it my goal to witness a real miracle every day, and I happened!

Here is one of the miracles from this week-

On Tuesday, we went to visit this man who we taught before, and even though he seemed hard-hearted, he agreed to have us come back at a set day and time. We went back, and he wasn't there... surprise, surprise. BUT, his wife was there, and I heard she was a member before she married, but I never got the chance to talk to her. She wasn't that welcoming, but we just started talking to her on her porch. I was doing a lot of talking just trying to be friendly and get her to open up... and we talked about the Book of Mormon, but the conversation was pretty one sided... then I just stopped talking realizing I was wasting breath and the spirit gave me the words I needed. I said: "can I ask you one last question?" she said yes. then I said: "Do you believe?" and even though that was no creative question, it was what she needed to hear. She paused for a long time. I thought she wasn't going to answer, but then she opened her mouth and began sharing with us all about her life and her faith and how she really does want to come back to the church and she will encourage her husband to continue speaking with us. 

This was just one tiny miracle I experienced this week, and to some of you who read it, it may seem like nothing special, but I KNOW sometimes the simplest moments and the simplest words change hearts. That's what we are all about in this missionary work- changing hearts to turn to Christ.

I love you all, have a week full or miracles and I will do the same. Stay tuned for next week <3.

-Sister Bever 

Me and my new, fresh-from-the-MTC companion!!! Her name is Sister Ramsay. I know she looks palangi and her name is Palangi, but she is actually Tongan! born and raised. She is amazing!!!! She is sooo prepared. She was like the valedictorian for Liahona High School, and the student body president, and she studied at BYU Hawaii for two years before coming on a mission. I learn a lot from her, and I am humbled that the Lord chose me to be her first companion.

burning something on my 1 year mark! I guess its a thing and an old companion left me with a bag of old clothes that I needed to get rid of anyway... 

the consequence of following a dumb tradition... apparently the fabric is not organic at all, so it left this black sticky stuff on the pavement. We have been spending 10 mintues each day scraping it off. 

transfer #5 in Kolovai and Fo'ui... and I'm training!!

Hello Everyone,

Yes, I am finally going to have a brand new missionary to train! I talked to someone at the office and apparently all the Americans are training the Tongan missionaries from Tonga, so I don't know who it is yet, but I think my little trainee will help me learn a lot. I have not yet been companions with a Tongan who completely grew up here. As long as she doesn't try to hold my hand and touch me 24/7, I'm gonna love it :) (yes, idk why they do it, but tongan girls are VERY touchy... Audrey is laughing at the irony of this right now as she reads). 

Honestly, i am shocked to know that I will be spending another 6 weeks here in this area. It's a great area, but i have been here for a while and mentally prepared to move on after almost 6 months here, but the Lord has other plans. My work is not yet finished here. There are people who still need me, so maybe i need to work a little harder in this area than I have before if I will ever get out of here... hahaha :).

This week I learned about the power of sacrifice. We are starting a program with our members here related to the meals we eat with them every day. It is a program our mission president suggested. The members are supposed to have someone at their home for us to teach when we come to eat- a less-active member, or a non-member. If there is no one there, we don't eat their food, we say a prayer and bless their family for preparing food, but we begin a fast instead. The program was just announced yesterday at church, and for the first time, i actually saw the members motivated! they we all checking their calendars and looking for people to invite! Tonight will be the first experience with the new program. lets hope we won't be fasting. I am excited about this program because A) i know it will really motivate the members, because lets be honest this country runs on food and making the missionaries go hungry is NOT okay... B) i think some of the missionaries around here might lose some weight ;) and C) i know that the Lord will bless us and the members with miracles because of our sacrifices. 

One other experience- we had to postpone a baptism because our investigator was still smoking and did not tell us, BUT Kalolo, our investigator, is coming along sooo well :) We taught him about tithing and fast offerings this week, and even though he is not baptized yet, I saw him dilligently filling out his tithing slip yesterday at church. He is committed to quit smoking in 5 days even though he has been smoking for YEARS... so we are praying for him, and i really believe his desire is strong enough, so i am not worried about his baptism happening next week. I guess I am excited to stay here and see more of the fruits from months and months of our efforts. 

Challenge for this week- sacrifice a little more of your time for the Lord. Call the ward mission leader, or talk to the missionaries in your ward and ask them how you can help..... then FOLLOW THROUGH. 

Love you all <3

-Sister Bever

a picture from a resort where we had a zone pday activity last week. i just though it was pretty.

Sister Betteridge and I at the airport as she got ready to go to Vava'u. I guess Tonga couldn't handle the twins for too long.

Not much time, but here is a thought :)

No time to write another email, but this is a message i wrote to a friend this week, maybe it will help you all too. name has been changed. ooh and a few pictures attached... random one of our house.

Dear Jane,

I ran out of time last week and i have been pondering for the last 7 days over what i would say to you in reply to your email, and i pray that the spirit has guided my thoughts. 

I know this is a dark time for you, where you are tired of waiting miserably for things to get better, especially when they only seem to be getting worse. My thoughts go straight to another person in the scriptures who felt very much like you at a dark time in his life. Joseph Smith. While he stayed in Liberty Jail, he received revelation for sections 121-123 in the Doctrine and Covenants. I encourage you to read 122:7 and apply it to yourself. There is a phrase used in that verse that is used in almost identical wording 4 times in the scriptures- "all things shall work together for your good." (for more enlightenment on the subject, see Neil F. Marriott's coference talk from Oct. 2015.) Heavenly Father promises you and me and all of us, that ALL THINGS, the good/bad/everything in-between will work together for our good. Heavenly Father DOES NOT say it will all be good NOW, or next week, but he does say it will, in the future, be good for us. He knows exactly how strong you are. Honestly, sometimes when i am really challenged with disappointing weeks in the mission field, i take them as a compliment from Heavenly Father. If he gives you something really hard, it just means that there is great spiritual strength inside of you that will be accessed as you endure your trial well by combining your best effort with the Lord's power. In verse 9 of the same section, the Lord says, "for God shall be with you forever and ever." Turn to him through heartfelt prayer/ scripture study and look for ways to serve others every day, and this dark time will pass with the blink of an eye. It won't be like this for long. The sun always rises. Even after the darkest nights. Here is a picture of a sunrise a few days ago. I took it from my little missionary house. I hope it brightens your life a little. 

I hope you know that I love you and you will continue to be in my prayers for the weeks to come. Keep me updated on how you are doing. 

Love you always,

Sister Bever

Another Beautiful Sunset!

Emily's Remodeled Missionary Quarters

Nofo ma'u i hihifo

Everyone seems to think I will be staying in my area forever because 3 companions of mine have come and gone in this area, but i don't mind :) i love my area, and I am happy I stayed. Being companions with Sister Betteridge is great! we went to the storage unit in Liahona today to grab my old shoes so she can run with me this week! She left her shoes in 'Eua on accident. 

I have a good feeling about the upcoming week. we have lots of good appointments already set up, and we are having stake conference!! i expect a lot of investigators will come... for some reason it is easy for them to say yes to an invite to a conference, but normal church is a NO WAY! ugh... anyway, highlights of the last week:

1. Sina Loni's baptism!! She really did not like the church about 2 months ago. She was strong in the Wesleyan Church, and for a long time I thought she would NEVER open up to us! but, miracles happen :) she gave a powerful, faithfilled testimony after her baptism, and even though her mother is angry with her for getting baptized, she believes and knows it is the right thing to do, and she is looking forward to going to the temple as soon as possible. 

2. We have a new investigator named Ema who is very promising. We are teaching her again tomorrow. Her sister just passed away suddenly and she really likes what we have taught her about the plan of salvation. 

3. We FINALLY taught a guy names 'Uasi this week. We have been trying to teach him for months!! it was really good. He accepted the invitation to come and see the temple with us. His wife is a return missionary, but he has never really opened his heart to learning about the gospel before.

I don't have much time, so all i ask is that you all pray for these people to progress this week, and know that I love you all!!! <3

-Sister Bever

Us and out car washing helpers from earlier today!

sister betteridge and I jumping at the beach 

our cool scenic shot with the coral

our vahe! we played volleyball today at the beach! it wasn't allowed before but now it is :)

Sina Loni got baptized!! and her new husband who was less active was able to baptize her! he was wearing sunglasses in the picture because he was in a rugby game earlier that day and got hit and had a HUGE swollen black eye.

Sister Mo'unga and I on our last day before she went to 'Eua. we are at the beach but you can't tell, because that is the gross swampy side of the island.

fetongi palesiteni, fetongi hoa

We met with the new mission president and his wife (Pres. and Sis. Tui'one) on Wednesday and Friday. They are adorable. I am excited to work with them. Yesterday, we were shocked with a call from the zone leaders saying that sister Mo'unga will be tranferring to 'Eua and I will be staying in Kolovai. Sister Mo'unga just got here, so we expected her to stay for sure. I am sad to see her go. She is an AMAZING missionary, and can't begin to list all i have learned from her. My new companion will be Sister Betteridge! A palangi sister from Washington! :) I took a class with her at BYU before the mission, so we are already friends! She came in to the mission with Sister Mo'unga, and I have heard great things about her in her missionary service. I am excited to work with her.

I definitely witnessed a miracle this week. I don't have time to explain the whole thing, but lets just say we somehow got permission to drive into town to look for an old investigator. We had no phone number, no contact for 2 months, and a vague idea of where she lived. We found her after 5 minutes of looking and praying in perfect 20 minute window of free time that she had all week. The Lord guides this work., and he guides each of us when we make sacrifices to be closer to him. I know it. 

Invite him more into your life this week. He is always a prayer away :) 

-Sister Bever

1st- my favorite coconut tree field that we drive by on the way to liahona

2nd- viloahoa again with sis. emch and sis. faux as they visited the island from vava'u for our meeting.

3rd- my cute companion opening a coconut with our kitchen knife so i could drink it! 

4th- the new mission president, his wife, and all the sister training leaders and zone leaders.