TRUST

This week in my mission, everything has changed because I decided to trust God. With everything! I will never look back because, with newfound, wholehearted trust in God, I will truly, truly love my mission.

I thought about the idea of trusting God at the beginning of this week, but I didn't really know why. Then we had a Zone Meeting. The topic was  - GIVE YOUR ALL. They Zone Leaders - Elder Liava'a and Elder Purevdorj - had us do an activity in which we wrote down the percentage of how much we were giving to the Lord. Some wrote down 50% some wrote 97%. I, of course, had my own percentage. They then told us that for every percent that was missing we had to write down one thing that was holding us back from giving our all. Whoa.

I started to write down things, but most of us didn't have time to finish in the time we were given. I remember looking at the list and thinking - I don't want these weaknesses anymore. So guess what I did?

I gave everything to Jesus Christ.

I told Him I would trust Him if He took the little anxieties away. We were walking down the street that day and I realized I was so happy. That I could give every worry to Him and He would talk care of it and allow me to accomplish my purpose.  In those little moments my mission changed - maybe my life if I allow it to. 
I wrote in my journal that night, "Today I gave my worries away and He took them from me. When I strove to be the best missionary I could and accomplish my purpose, His grace was sufficient. Today I testified simply of Jesus Christ. I asked for referrals. I worked hard. I loved. And... I'm happy."

I AM! I am SO happy!! :)

We may not all be on full-time missions, but we all have a purpose. What is yours? If you don't know - ask! He will answer you! Trusting in Him doesn't mean you will never have trials, but you will be blessed with a testimony of Jesus Christ. If you have that, hope and happiness come naturally. President Hinckley encouraged us to, "enjoy more fully the sunlight," and I would encourage you do do the same. This is the Good News [Gospel] of Jesus Christ! Everyone is welcome! There is no reason we should not be happy.

Love you all!

-Sister Lindsay Evans

Photo 1 - This was taken today. Us sisters had a potluck lunch and lots of fun. Love them!

Photo 2 - Meet my wonderful district! This was taken shortly after our temple trip. It was such a blessing to go through the temple with so many wonderful individuals. Each one of them has something to give.

Photo 3 - Yesterday I performed If The Savior Stood Beside Me in a Missionary Musical Fireside at the Temple Visitors' Center with this beautiful sister.  We sang a cappella and added one more verse before the last. It reads....
"If the Savior stood beside me, I would feel His warm embrace.
As the tears roll down my cheeks I'd see a smile upon His face.
"Child I am always near you, though you do not see me there.
Through every pain and joy you'll always be in my watchful care.""

​

This is Good News!

So this week in Hawaii has been RAINY. SO rainy and hot. It's pretty great actually because I feel like I am truly living on a tropical island.

So Visitor Centers need a little more appreciation. I mean, they are awesome! Fun Fact -  we get about 3,000 visitors per week! This is the second busiest VC [first being Temple Square] and people just love it. It introduces so many people to the gospel and gives them such a wonderful opportunity to feel the spirit.

Tongan Family
This week we did a lot of member visits and got to have dinner with a Tongan Family. When we walked yesterday in they were playing the ukulele and singing hymns. So cool. Then we ate dinner and one of the kids says to me, "Don't worry about being polite. This is a Tongan house." Something about it made me feel right at home. They had no worries! The casual, family-centered, loving nature of the home was refreshing. They served us Faikakai for dessert - flour dumplings baked in coconut milk and sugar. I love Polynesians.

Hearts That Are Prepared
We also met a lady this week who was SO prepared to hear the gospel. We gave her a Book of Mormon before she left the VC and she said, "I have been waiting for this!"  So wonderful

Spiritual Thought...
The same lady who we gave the Book of Mormon also said something SO interesting. She said, "My hairdresser is Mormon. I have known her for a few years. Thanksgiving rolled around, then Christmas, and she never gave me a Book of Mormon!" No need to be afraid to share this gospel. It's wonderful! It's GOOD NEWS! Great news! It is the greatest thing we have!

Love you all! Share goodness this week!

Sister Lindsay Evans

Photo 1 - A beautiful, windy, COOL, P-day.  We left the windows to our car cracked open last night and it rained all night. It even created a nice puddle in the cup holders! Impressive!

Photo 2 - Even 7 seconds in the rain will soak you. We just laugh and laugh. It is so much fun.

Photo 3 - Eighteen months in Hawaii and I will never be used to this beauty of this place.

​
​

J.O.Y.

So this week my funny and spiritual story are combined...

Yesterday was awesome. Stake Conference and then lesson with our [single] progressing investigator. If you remember, we are going over the baptismal interview questions this week with him and we are on question number 2. We got to answer the questions he had and explain the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He asked me my thoughts on the restoration. I told him, what I will tell you. I know that God and Jesus Christ did in reality appear to Joseph Smith. This IS God's restored gospel and I know that because I have experienced the joy for myself.  This was a precious moment. I honestly didn't know if he would say he believed, but to my astonishment, he did! It took a moment or two to sink in. He then told us that meeting with us is the best part of his week. It's one of our favorite times as well.

The funny part of the story is that when we went to get in our car afterwards my companion checked the phone. Apparently he had canceled the appointment and tried to reschedule. Haha whoops! Well... I guess it was meant to be because it was an awesome lesson. I just found it funny that we showed up and gave him a lesson anyway. He must have thought we were very determined. Haha.

Humility...
This week I have truly begun to learn about humility. Of course, there is always more to learn, but I am so thankful for what God is teaching me.
- Humility isn't thinking less of yourself, it is thinking less about yourself.

- Humility has a direct connection to JOY.

When I was discussing this with my companion I told her that I didn't quiet understand HOW losing your life in the service of God and others actually helped you to find it [and, of course, bring joy along with it]. How does that work? She told me that when you lose your life for God in order to find it, you begin to see AND become who GOD wants you to be.  And could it get any more joyful than that?!

JOY comes from putting

Jesus first, then

Other, then

Yourself.

Remember that this week.

I love you all! Much thanks and aloha!

- Sister Lindsay Evans

Photo 1 - Getting ready for Tram Tours and enjoying that natural Hawaiian air conditioning. Aloooha!

Photo 2 - We taught about Pharaoh, Moses, and the plagues during this weeks story time for young children. Scary story, but they seemed to enjoy it. The ones who were listening anyway... haha

Photo 3 - In Hawaii, when it rains it pours. Yet, it is still crazy hot. Luckily the members gave us ice-pops. So nice!

​

​

Planting Seeds

So not much happened this week missionary work wise. It was one of those "you show up and they don't" weeks, but that's okay because it's all in the Lord's timing and maybe last week prepared them for this week! I sure hope so!

Planting Seeds...

We didn't get many people who left their information at the VC, but it was such a cool week because we had so many good conversations about gospel topics. Many of the times, they were especially wonderful because we took the time to get to know them and be their friends. Genuinely!
Some sisters don't like that you can't see what happens to many of these people who we talk to, but I've never been that way. No because I am any better, but because I just LOVE planting seeds! Seriously! It's the best! Plus, I figure we will see each other in heaven right? That will be the greatest. (:

Also we got to have dinner with our progressing investigator and his family who are members. They are wonderful. I always learn something from them and it's always nice to see your investigator listening intently as you testify of Jesus Christ. Those are precious moments.

Spiritual Thought
God is always aware of us and He loves us and understands us more than we know. One of the best ways to become aware of His love is to become like Him. Reach out. What do the people around you need? How can you help? Trust me, whether you know it or not, you can help! It's wonderful! This link goes to one of my favorite songs called "Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?" if you are interested.

Alright everyone, time to follow President Hinckley's counsel - "Forget yourself and go to work."

Much love and thanks to everyone!
​

- Sister Lindsay Evans

Photo 1 - These are a few of all the missionaries who went bowling last Monday. So fun! It's always nice to have a break too. I'll just throw it out there... I also won the game which I was pretty proud of.  Don't ask for the score though.... haha.

Photo 2 - Lovely Sister Penales. I am staying with her for one for transfer!!! Woo-hoo!! We are staying in the same area as well! I cannot wait to continue to teach the wonderful people in the Laie stake. They are the best.

Photo 3 - Sister Jenkins is going home this week. I haven't said much about her, but all you have to know is that she is one of my angels. I love her to pieces and hate to see her go. Still, the Lord has good things in store. I just know it. Love her!!

​
​