A WEEK OF LEARNING!! (and burpee challenge)

Malo e le lei friends and family! 

This week was crazy as always, we didn't have as much success as expected but it was a good learning week! We worked hard and gave it our all so that's what is most important!

I know I always say this, but I LOVE the people here more than anything! Guys I am a Tongan at heart and some days I wish I could just be Tongan. These are my people and love them so much! I am trying so hard to learn the language and just dive into their culture. Learn all the slang and just embrace everything about this amazing place. I wish you all could experience the love I feel here and meet the amazing people I have met. I know I was sent to this country for a reason and especially to this area for a reason. MATE MA'A TONGA! 

I hope you all are doing so good and feeling Heavenly Fathers love! He is so aware of you and I promise you he hears your prayers. Alma 37:36-37 

Yeah and cry unto the God for all they support: yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Prayer is so powerful and it's how we grow closer to our Heavenly Father. He wants to hear from you and I promise he will answer your prayers! 

Have the best week ever I love you all so much!

Ofa lahi atu 

-sister beck 

PICS BELOW: Selfie time and the prettiest flower I got from a little girl who told me "I want to be a missionary just like you when I grow up"      - I'm not crying you're crying:')

Sweet flower from sweet girl

Beck and Uata (nice clean bathroom)

 FUN FACT: Beck in Tongan is PEK or PEKY –there are no Bs in Tongan so this is my Tongan name!! Sister PEKY

Sister Beck and her HOA (companion) Uata

Mom QOWs

1. Did you ever get my letter? NO I did not!!!  Come on postage system and Zone leaders

2. Describe New Zealand.... what do you think is same or different than Idaho? More humid, sticky, definitely greener, food is better and fresher (that’s why I’m gaining kilos), the ice cream is 8 million times better, more fleas and they are all biting me even when I use a lot of bug spray.  These are my people. I am suppose to be HERE.  My area is Polynesian and I love them and their culture. They are hilarious and crazy and the members are awesome and they enjoy having fun as they embrace the gospel.  They help us and feed us.  There other thing about NZ -  - there are no paper towels anywhere….only hand dryers….I miss my paper towels :)

3. Do you have a written out first discussions? Is that still a thing? No Mom, you are way behind the times and maybe it’s because you never served a mission….. ha ha.  We begin by talking about how HF loves us so much and he has a  plan….and HE sent us here to earth in families and through families we learn and grow … God loves us so much he sent us prophet…and the greatest prophet was Jesus Christ…. who came to earth and established the church…. and he gave power and authority to his apostles….He loved us so much he died for us and atoned for our sins and sorrows so He could truly know us. His gospel and priesthood authority was still on earth with His apostle….but when they died or were killed, the proper authority was taken off earth for long time. There were still good people on earth and they wanted to do what Jesus Christ taught but didn’t have whole authority.  This is why there are so many different churches.  A young man named Joseph Smith saw all churches around him and his family was split as to the churches they joined and he was confused as to what church he should join so he was reading in bible James 1:5 and he followed what it said there. If you lack wisdom, ask God.  So he asked…which church was true and which to join and when he prayed he experienced a divine visit from God and his Son Jesus  and Jesus said none of the churches were true but would be restored over time and not to join any of them. Through Joseph Smith and the book of Mormon was translated, and he recieved other instruction and the priesthood authority was restored back on earth through heavenly messengers.   (this is a brief summary of what the missionaries might say in the first discussion)

Sister Beck ended by saying....No one can force you to know if what we say is true but you can ask like Joseph Smith and by the power of the Holy Ghost you will know. If you ask sincerely, you will know for yourself.

4. Have you worn pants or do most the time you just wear dresses?

I’ve worn pants a couple of times but they are not that comfy so I just wear a dress.

 5.  Do you have any favorite New Zealand things already?  ICE CREAM!!!  Otai??  Some drink thing with fruit in it.

6. What do you know now that you didn’t know before serving in New Zealand?

Missionary work is a lot more tiring than I realized.  We go, go , go !! And I"m exhausted but in a good way.

I’ve learned more about the Book of Mormon and the people in the Book of Mormon.  I've also learned that it is really hot here and we DO NOT HAVE AC!! but I survive.  I pick up slang so quick (Tanglish?  Tongan with English) …..its a gift!! har har

7. Tell us about a member who has influenced you that lives in New Zealand.  There are so many……there is one sister who is like my mom and she remembers what I love the most and offers it to me.  She listens and loves me and gets to know me.  Our bishops are awesome and helpful. I really don’t think you understand how much people feed us.  Some people don’t have a lot but they still offer what they have.  Their hearts are good.

8.  What are you currently doing for exercise?  Same as I said last week with interval training, jump rope, running and body weight exercise.  I’m working on improving my burpees so here's my challenge to you.

CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK:

 - - - HOW MANY BURPEES CAN YOU DO IN ONE MINUTE?? (go and do and report)