Prepared by the Hand of the Lord!

Bula Vina'a!

We had an INCREDIBLE week! We worked really hard and truly saw the blessings! We had more lessons than we've had for a real long time. And 6 new wonderful investigators! I love each of them so much already and I'm excited to see them progress! :) 

We started teaching the Kumar family which is such a blessing! I've had my eye on them for a long time! They are an incredible part member family.  So prepared for the Gospel. 

For Service this week we ended up doing gardening for Sister Fisher and I fell in LOVE! Why have I never done gardening before? Man, it's so fun! I am so going to garden when I get home! I begged Sister Laru to let us plant a Moli tree in our yard but she says I have to wait till I get home :( I want one so bad! Even though I won't be here to use the moli's (lemons/oranges/limes). 

One major highlight of my week was FINALLY talking to one of our recent converts that I haven't heard from in over two months! Vuli! She called from Australia and completely made my day! And week! There's nothing like hearing that your recent convert has stayed strong and is living the Gospel! :) 

Other thoughts for the week....... we had PIZZA as a district for P-day. It's been so long! We payed way too much for it but it was delicious. I decided that I really really miss nice relaxing Sundays. Sundays here as a missionary are stressful sara ga. Also, I'm really scared to be transferred. They always say you get transferred right at the peak of the work. AH! 

I wanted to save the BEST FOR LAST!!!!!! This week my testimony was strengthened so much! I KNOW that this is the Lord's work and that he is truly preparing people for us to teach in this area. We have one new investigator named Biu. He is probably in his 40's or 50's and lives by himself. We met with him for the first time this week.  Then, Saturday night we taught him about the Restoration. It was probably the most powerful lesson I've ever had on my mission so far. I could literally see the light flooding into his mind as everything started to click for him. Prophets, the Priesthood, and the Restoration. He has such a sincere desire to learn. Golden Investigator Sara ga. We invited him to be baptized and he didn't answer for what seemed like 10 minutes. We were a little concerned until he looked up with tears in his eyes and answered YES! There is no feeling quite like that. After the lesson Sister Laru and I came home completely blown away. I KNOW that he will be a pillar of the church here.  It's so exciting to see things unfold! And it's humbling to know that the Lord is preparing people in very specific ways for us to teach and he is COUNTING on us. I'm so thankful to be a missionary! 

Loloma Levu,

Sister Matheson

Brother Kumar's Birthday! I LOVE this family! 

Our little village friends! Adorable eh?

Just another day in paradise.

Bula Vina'a!

Nothing super fancy or extraordinary happened this week, but every day was beautiful. 

Tuesday we had ZTM and we set some new goals as a district and a zone. The mission has a goal of continuing our success in the first quarter. We want to get 220 baptisms in the second quarter. Sister Laru and I want to get 6..... so 4 more. Or two per month. So we are going to start working on some serious baptismal dates for the  next little bit. 

Ozie is doing so well! He has been such a blessing in my life and mission. We watched two movies about the life of Christ with him this week and I think he was really touched by both of them. And he came to church! It's crazy to see that the Lord truly is preparing people for us to teach. 

I also started reading the Doctrine and Covenants this week because I've never read the whole thing straight through before. And it's AWESOME! I'm hoping to finish it in a week or two or three. There is so much about missionary work and the tips and blessing that go along with it.

One verse that I really liked was D&C 28:16....."And thou must open thy mouth at all times, declaring my gospel with the sound of REJOICING. Amen."  The word rejoicing really stuck out to me. I think sometimes it's easy as missionaries and members to just get stuck in a rut and not appreciate how miraculous and life changing this Gospel is! If we share this Gospel with enthusiasm and show people how wonderful it is, miracles will happen. 

Also..... HAPPY EASTER!!! Easter here is a 4 day public holiday. Everyone stays home and eats a ton! We have had so many dinner (and lunch and breakfast) appointments this week. I'm so full. But the members are sooo sweet. They always take really good care of us. And I'm so thankful for them. We also went to the McFadden's house for Easter dinner. They are the senior couple here.  It was delicious! And they had another couple there that has a second house here. They come diving a couple of times a year. They have some incredible experiences. Anyways, after dinner we read the Easter story.  It hit me so hard.  What an incredible sacrifice. And what a beautiful, perfect example of PURE LOVE. Both from our Savior, Jesus Christ AND our Heavenly Father.  I think sometimes we forget what a huge sacrifice it was for Heavenly Father as well. My companion and I read the story of the Bridge keeper and his son last night and we were both in tears of gratitude. 

I'm so grateful for this Easter season and my Savior Jesus Christ! I'm so grateful to be able to wear his name over my heart every day and share his glorious Gospel! :)

Loloma Levu,

Sister Matheson

Sister's Conference group photo

 Service! Scrubbing the footpath :)

 Rosi's  2nd Birthday Party! 

Sister Vereivalu and I making Masi's.  Au Kai Somosomo!

Sister Laru and I in front of the gorgeous sunset.