Sunday, November 13, 2016

11-13-16 So what's gonna happen now, we ALL move somewhere or you all move here??

NAMASTE hamar bahut BAHUT julum aur pyaari priwaar!

What a fantastic and refreshing week it has been! We got some great work in this week, got around to talking to heaps of people, and found some who we could potentially start teaching!

SO, recap of the week.

Monday we had a special district-vs-district qito, and every district was supposed to show up in some kind of team uniform. Obviously, as you will see in the pictures I attached, we won by miles. When our district leader (Elder Paki) revealed the uniform that morning, we went nuts haha we thought it was wayy cool. We joked about going on the road right next to the chapel, where there were county workers at work, and telling them that their shift was over and it's our turn. No worries, we didn't. ANYWAYS, we ended up winning the games as well! Navatuyaba district sa na vinaka duadua saraga. 

Man, Thursday was a crazy day. Elder Mo'unga and I had to get some things from Nausori town, and as we strode through, something caught my eye. Newspaper stands. Everywhere. With Donald Trump's face on it. My first initial thought was "Oh no..." I read the heading of the front page and was greeted rather impolitely with big, bold, white letters reading "TRUMP IT IS!"
And a picture of a cabbage yelling at a group of people. I am aware of the large protests going on all over America right now, there's no escaping American politics apparently. HOWEVER, it is prophesied that the promised land would deteriorate and fall before the second coming so I take this as a definite sign. Important time to be a missionary, for sure. Vinaka, President Trump, and vinaka America. 
But other than that, Thursday was awesome. When we got back home, we went on splits with the district leader. Elder Mo'unga took Elder Paki to Baulevu in the Nausori North Zone, and Elder Lemusu stayed with me in the South. I'm sooo glad he's good at OYMing. As we walked and talked, he shared his discomfort in finding and approaching people. BUT, as we all know, you just gotta do it. As we stood at the end of the road, we noticed a Rotuman girl sitting on the curb by a school nearby. We approached her and asked her if she knew a Sera in the area (we were looking for Sera, who told Mong Yen and I we could teach her but she never gave her address and we haven't seen her since), but she said no. Slowly, we transitioned into sharing our purpose as missionaries, and we were able to get a return appointment! We'll be checking up on her this week, I'm excited to see her interest level! As we were walking away from her, I felt really good. After that, Elder Lemusu was on fire. We also got a return appointment for a Fijian family, whom we will differ to the Fijian missionaries in our area. It really made me see how OYMing is like a lot of things I actually tend to enjoy and are good for me, but getting started is hard and uncomfortable. I like to run, but building the motivation to get off the couch and get dressed and leave the house is so exhausting. I happen to find mowing the lawn relaxing, which I can tell yous now because you can't make me mow the lawn here, but the thought of getting geared up and out is tiring. VERY much the same with OYMing. Once I get started, I get used to it and it becomes fun and exciting. But yeah, awesome day!

OH, I also got a tattoo! More on that later though. 

Friday was good, Elder Mo'unga and I OYM'd several more people. One Hindu family invited us to teach and help some kids that live with them who have parental problems. I think it's important for those kids to know at this time that they have a father in heaven who loves them very much, and is ALWAYS there when they need love, guidance, and support. We'll also be checking up on them. 
Friday night, I decided that I need to take in as much curry as possible over the next two years because it truly is a precious, precious gem of Fiji. As I ate the Pumpkin chicken curry and whole wheat rotis that were prepared for us by a member, I realized how different and unique real Indian curry is. I also got several recipes for Indian cuisine from some awesome members so we're having Indian when I come home!! 

We spent Saturday visiting some families in Baulevu, and got caught up in a volleyball game on the side. it was pretty awesome. As were walking when we saw four kids playing volleyball with their makeshift net, two on each side. Elder Mo'unga looked at me and said "Oi. Qito mada." as he slipped off his bag. The kids were way cool and let us jump right in. Not long after, a few more kids ran up and joined in. Within an hour, there were heeaaps of people all around! Easily about 20 kids, a good handful of YSA aged men and women and several older men and women all engaged in the game, whether playing or watching. As we switched teams, Elder Mo'unga and I got a good number of the kids to sit on the side with us and we shared a quick something about our purpose as missionaries and the importance of faith. They all seemed to understand well what was said! A little sketchy that right across the road was a church, but the adults didn't seem to mind at all. We said a little prayer with the kids, pulled a taxi off the road, and were vakamoce'd by everyone with such love. I love how easy it is to get along with Fijians, it really is something new and precious to me. 

Yesterday was an awesome sabbath! Heaps of people we're working with showed up to sacrament in Nausori ward. One awesome family that showed up, and have been coming consistently, was Christina and Shivani! They're sisters, and Shivani has recently been coming back to church after a period of inactivity and bringing Christina! Christina is 10, and has suuch a sweet spirit. The language barrier is a bit difficult to cross, given that she's currently learning English and I'm currently learning Hindi, but what I do say she seems to understand and accept. We'll be extending a baptismal invitation soon! Always awesome to see them at church. Following sacrament, Elder Mo'unga and I headed out to Waila ward, where we were greeted by the Naiaga family (who remains strong, active, and amazing). After church, we had lunch with the Maiwiriwiri family, and I met aunty Alofa! She's wayy cool and way funny. She and Aunty Sia remind me so much of you, mom! In that they're so sweet and loving and gentle, but there's also a tinge of fear that I'll say or do something dumb and receive a bear slap on the neck. Must be that Samoan mother vibe. Anyways, they're wonderful as well. 

Welp, it's transfer week! And according to President Layton, I will be receiving a new companion this week! Goodness gracious. I make six months out in two weeks, and I'm going on my fifth companion. I will have never spent more than one transfer with one companion. Several missionaries predict one of two things. One, I get on of two companions: Elder Toni or Elder Hari Prasad. For this or that reason, those are the only two missionaries I could possibly be paired with. Other prediction, I will be motherless in the mission and will instead receive a son! Both, I'm actually okay with. IF I am called to train, it's important to remember that the Lord calls those who are unqualified to an important work, so that they can exercise their faith in Him and rely on Him to progress. Rereading the letter just now, I will not be training, as President Layton clearly stated that I will be receiving a followup trainer. Bit of a relief, biiiit disappointing BUT the Lord will call me at the time he sees fit. 

Also given that it's transfer week, we have combined qito today! The Nausori North Zone, as well as the STL's and AP's, will be joining our zone in a mass qito today! Normally, combined qito is held at a beach in Nakelo, but there was another accident within the zone which left our zone with one truck. It's okay though, still looking forward to it and should be fun. That was pretty much my week!

NOW, to address 
the
letters:

First things first, HAAPPY BIIIRTHDAYY TOOO YOOUUU GORGEOUS GIRL!
MAN, I can't believe you're already 8 years old! I'm preeetty sure you were six when I left, but time goes by so fast when you're having fun I suppose. I can't wait to see those baptism pictures!! Penina, I know dad told you this already, but know that baptism is super SUPER important. That's what 'Io and I are going around and telling people right now. You'll find out more about baptism when it comes around, but our job as missionaries is to make sure people know how important baptism is and how it can bless their lives. I know, Penina, that baptism will bless you in ways you cannot imagine! Just remember to always be a great daughter, sister, aunty, and friend to everyone around you! I love you so much, happy birthday Nina!!

Second things next, that's two so far. Two new babies I'll be coming home to, that is. WOOOOO!! I'm sooo excited for U'i them!! Holy smokes, I cannot wait to meet the new Watson pepe. U'i just sent heaps of pictures, they're getting TOO big TOO fast! I can't believe how much change I'm coming home to already, and I've only been out six months! Undoubtedly Herb them will have popped one out by the time I come home so there's that as well. MAN, all great great news!!! Glad everyone's doing well in body and spirits! 

Welp, better head out to qito soon! 
Thank yous so much for all the love and support, and for always letting me know how well everyone is doing! It makes my week, really. I love you all so much, know I'm in great health and spirits! 

Au lomani kemudou sara valevu!
Ham aaplog bahut bahut pyaar karta hai!!
I love you folks so much! Moce!

Elder Ishibashi 

Sidenotes: I have fallen in love with the new mango flavored Fanta, try it if you haven't already. Sooo good! Also, I've been hearing some of Bruno Mars' new stuff on the buses and in the markets. It sounds wayyy sick, way oldschool! The guy's a genius man. 

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