Monday, May 25, 2015

THE planner.

Bula Vinaka! 

Today I am grateful. I'm grateful that I am still here in Fiji with a name tag over my heart. I'm grateful for these extra SIX weeks that my Heavenly Father has mercifully given me. I feel like Heavenly Father has wrapped up this last 6 week planner and given it to me as one very nice GIFT! I'm going to do all I can to make the most of it. My goal is to fill this extra planner with plenty MIRACLES. 

This week we were able to witness the beautiful Baptism of Nicky and Lex. They have been so much fun to teach and have become little brothers to me. And it was so rewarding to see them enter into such a sacred and life changing covenant with their Heavenly Father. I know they will be a light to their family and everyone they come in contact with! And someday they are going to be stellar missionaries. :) 

Also, shout out to the FABULOUS youth here in Suva 3rd. I am blown away with how much talent is in one group of youth. Last night they put on a beautiful Musical Fireside using the 2015 Youth songs. There were like 8 Solos and Duets and a whole choir full of brilliant youth. It was a powerful reminder to me of the power of the youth of the church. And also the power of music. And the power of the Holy Ghost. It was such an enlightening experience to sit and listen as the Holy Ghost highlighted certain lines of the music and taught me exactly what I needed to hear. Some of my most treasured truths learned on my mission have been taught through the quiet teachings of the Spirit. The Gospel is so beautiful. 

This week for my Christlike Attribute I studied Virtue. And I just really love virtue. It's Beautiful and so full of Power. And I also learned a ton. My favorite scripture is.... "..."virtue loveth virtue, light cleaveth unto light." (D&C 88:40)  How true saraga! I also loved a quote I read recently. It says.... "If every action is preceded by a thought, then every consecrated Missionary must first have a clean and consecrated mind." This week we had a tender experience as we were teaching one of our Golden investigators about the Law of Chastity. As we taught about our thoughts he had an "Ah Ha" moment as he realized for the first time that we truly do have control over our thoughts. I realized that that knowledge is something I have taken for granted my entire life. In the Gospel, we are blessed with tips and tools and righteous materials to fill our minds with and thus prevent bad thoughts. It is like a full soda can and an empty one. Just as you can easily crush the empty one, so can Satan easily crush us with temptation if we do not fill our lives and our minds with righteousness.  On this topic President Ezra Taft Benson said.....
"Fill your lives with positive sources of power. It is not enough simply to try to resist evil or empty our lives of sin.  We must also fill our lives with righteousness. We must engage in activities that bring spiritual power." 

This week it about broke my heart to say goodbye to my dear MTC sisters. I love each of them so much. They have all influenced my life for good and will always have a special place in my heart. :) I will miss them so much! 

Loloma Levu,

Sista Matheson :)

  
Last District Lunch at Damodar! Left to Right: Elder Gunderson (DL), Elder Davis, Me, Sister Kesa, Elder Vole and Elder Delfin! We are going to miss the ones that are leaving.
 My main girl Cataleya. :)
 Nicky and Lex's Baptism!
 Friends! :) 
Wacipo'i! It's been toooooooo long saraga since I've had this Taveuni delicacy!