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August Newsletter 2018

Greetings

 Greetings my Ohana, From the island where the sun always shines (and right now it shines a bit too much, it's darn hot hot here). First of all I guess you are wondering if I got transferred. Well I did. I got sent to the makakilo zone, the wards I was assigned to serve in are the kalailoa ward (which is a white ward) and the Mali Kai Samoan ward. So I got to attempt to learn Samoan real quick!!!
Coming here has been a long needed change of scenery. I loved my old area and the people in it, but I was getting pretty sick of tracting the only 4 neighborhoods in the area everyday. But here it will be a bit different. I have two wards and my area covers a huge chunk of the Southwest..? Part of the island, from the outskirts of Ewa (Eh-vah) beach to waianie (why-ah-nie). It is absolutely huge. We have more members than we could ever possibly visit! On the downside this area is hot. Which combined with the high humidity it is a formula for sweating like there is no tommorow!!!
Now time for an experience I had this week: one of the investigators I have met got baptized last Sunday. Her name is Kenzie. For the last 3 years Kenzie has been living with her boyfriend and his family. His parents are active in the ward. But her boyfriend (named Buba) and his siblings are not. Just a month and a half ago Kenzie or Buba had no interest attending church. They would go when asked, but they had no desire to be a part of the gospel or even get married. Then one day Buba's father felt prompted to invite them to a temple prep class. They went and when they came back home she asked to speak with the father in private. She told him she wanted to be with Buba and their daughter forever. Since then they have both been working to get their lives on track with the gospel. So this Saturday they were married, and Sunday she was baptized. It was a very cool experience watching Buba baptize his newly married wife. Now their goal is to be sealed in the temple as a family.
This was probably the biggest highlight of my week, I thought it was cool that all of took was an one hour lesson to totally change her families life. When Kenzie heard the message, she desired that for herself, and she accepted it! People like Kenzie and her family are the kinds of people that we as missionaries are here to find. They are out there. All our job is, is to make this message known to those that are around us. Then the spirit does the rest. It will speak to their hearts. Then if they will listen, they will unite themselves with this cause of truth. I can testify that this work is for more then set apart missionaries. It is for all of us that are members of the church of Jesus Christ. Is it not? I have seem so many mericles brought about through member missionary work. Just like Buba's dad we can be the conduit which God can use to bring another one of our spiritual brothers or sisters unto salvation.
This is my rant for the week. I unfortunately used up all of my email time writing this, my goal is to try to include a little more meat from the week in my letters home as well as a spiritual interpretation where applicable. Sorry this is the only thing I have to write home this week. I have read everyone's letters I just don't have time to reply. Love you mi Ohana!

From the Hawaii Honolulu Mission

Elder

Jared Packer Esplin 

Ka'au

These last two weeks have been very humbling time. Me and my companion have been to the hospital almost every day to visit people. Unfortunately we got a call on Friday that a returned missionary in our ward got into a car accident and they had pulled the plug. We rushed to the hospital as quickly as we could. When we walked into the room we could not recognize the person on the bed his face was so swollen. The only thing I could recognize was his hair.

He was long gone when we got there. We comforted the family the best we could then, when they left we made some other visits at the hospital.

This thing didn't sink in when I saw the body. I had just seen him the Sunday before. But this Saturday and Sunday I thought a lot about him and the life he lived 

His name was ka'au Moana zoller. He didn't think he would go on a mission when he was a teenager. His life was not on track to do so, he had a lot of friends who he said were not really the best influence for him. He eventually took mission prep and decided he wanted to serve a mission. He got called to California to serve in a Tongan ward. He served for six months when he realized there were some things he needed to repent of. So he was sent home. That's when me and my first companion had the pleasure to meet him. He came with us to go do teaching appointments. He was an amazing teacher and he believed entirely what he taught. He also was so willing to give to others. He literally gave us one of his shirts and ties so an investigator would feel more comfortable going to church. He always invited us over for dinner as well anytime we did not have a dinner he would provide us with a meal. 

It was so hard for me and my companion to realize he was gone it felt like there was a hole in our lives we had gotten to know him so well as he came to teach with us. But I take infinate comfort in the fact that there is a life after death. I firmly believe ka'au is now a missionary for those on the other side. Looking back I think I had a feeling when I first met him that our time with him would be short. But it was an experience I will never forget. He may have, as Moroni states gone the way of all the earth (Alma 62:37) but "he had been a man who had fought valiantly for his [God]" and "he had been a true friend". He will be missed. But I dont think we should mourn because we cannot see him. He has taken the next step in his journey. He has lived his life righteously and he has entered into the rest of his God who has created him.  

I am so thankful for ka'au and the example he was while he was on this earth. This may be a sad time for us because of the loss of his presence among us. But I know death is not the end and he will live once again.

I hope this letter does not seem sad. Ka'au has passed his test on the earth. I am happy for the time I had to know him and I am happy that he now has the chance to be a missionary on the other side of the veil. I know the plan of salvation is real. I am so grateful to call all of you my Ohana (family). I know death is not the end. It is only the beginning to the rest of our eternity.

I love you all so much! 

Elder Esplin 

Aloha

 we had  a really good experience this week. We got a call on Thursday? That there was a boy who was in intensive care. They were not sure if he was going to make it. So we rushed to the hospital to give him a blessing. Long story short we have been checking up on the family daily. We have recently found out Saturday that he has too much brain damage to function on his own. 

His family has had a long journey coping with this situation. But it amazes me the about the faith they have had during this time. They are taking a lot of comfort in knowing he is in God's hands. 

One thing that happened in particular was the mom and the dad received another blessing yesterday. we got to stand in the circle. The dad gave the mother a heartfelt blessing of comfort. Then the bishop gave one to the father. The bishop spoke with great power and gentleness yet he seemed to speak exactly to the fathers needs. 

What stuck out to me was the amount of faith the whole family has had during this time. They have relied so much on their faith for comfort. So while others would feel like this would be the end of the world they simply hope for the best but trust in God's will. Whatever that may be. 

That was the highlight of our week we have spent a lot of time with them and we have become very close to the family 

If you want to include them in your prayers they are the Carleani family their sons name is conner.

mom, I just want to take some time and say that I love you, this day is just as much yours as it is mine. I appreciate everything you have done for me it must have been a hard time and very scary 

Giving birth 20 years ago not knowing what would happen. I am so grateful to be born in such a loving family, I love you so much!

Ps I loved the video of Trixie I forgot how cute she was!

Elder Llidang and myself with Aron  Carleani ( whose son

passed away.

Eventful Week

So on my side of things I did not get transferred. I am kind of glad I get to stay in this area for 6 more weeks. But after that I'm probably going to be sent somewhere else. This week has been quite eventful. This Friday we went to the temple visitor center with one of our investigators. He is the bishop's son-in-law. He has recently showed an interest and desire to be with his family forever. So we've been teaching him the lessons but he wants to know more before he commits to being baptized. He is a really nice guy, doesn't talk too much at most probably 5 or 6 words. So we toured the visitors center (which is really really nice) and at one exhibit he asked us a question. What is your favorite scripture. We were so excited to have him ask us a question because usually he is too shy. We are really excited to meet with him again this week we feel that being at the temple was good for him. Now he has an idea of how he can be with his family forever. 

Another experience we have this week:

Was we met with in Asian man who was 92 years old walking around punch bowl (the cemetery) he told us where he lived and said we could visit him sometime. So on Saturday we went to go see him. But we could not find the road where he lived. We decided we might as well just start walking be we could find his house but all the house number were not even close to his number he gave us. After walking about a block we reach the same spot we had met him earlier. We did not think we would be able to find his home. So I suggested we stay or prayer and keep walking maybe we could find him or someone else in our path. There was a member that the down the hill so I thought maybe we should go visit her. But she was gone. Then it that intersection my companion chose to go right which brought us into a neighborhood with similar house numbers to the old man's. So we kept looking. We eventually walked a little ways but decided we would find his house another day because of time. So we could another right which led us to our car. As we were at the intersection we saw an old man that looked like him but we weren't sure if it was him. So we decided to find out so we went chasing after this man. He has a really fast Walker for a 92 year old man and we ended up falling him for 3 blocks. It probably looked kind of funny two missionaries stocking an old man. But we finally caught up with him and it was him! It was a miracle that that that specific time we reach the same spot he was there it was a really cool spiritual experience for me. So we basically went  in a big circle and got back to where we began the exact moment to cross paths with him.

Those are two experiences I have had this week. And today I am really excited I'm going to tour Euolani Palace. Which me and Elder Lidang just took pictures in front of last week. Now we are going to go inside! This is the place where aloha oi was written. I would like to encourage you to read the history of that song. We sing it all the time here. It's a little bit of a sad story, but the major part of the history of Hawaii. 

Your son 

- Elder E

7/9/18...

This has been quite a week! 

I have one experience in particular I would like to share. we have had a referral from a month or so ago we have been trying to get in contact with. Which we finally were able to have an appointment with her this Sunday. They're both amazing people. They have had hard lives. They were addicted to drugs and living on the street when they met each other. The husband was born a member in our Ward but stopped going, and his wife has lived on her own since she was 14.

They have one of the nicer homes that I've seen in Hawaii. Even though it isn't super big, they told us they emphasize "having a place to call home" having it be a nice place to live which really impressed me. (because most houses are very run down in Hawaii, while theirs felt like a mainland home). 

Their story begins when things started spinning in their house like a bowl or a chair Which they blew off as nothing, but then one night their daughter woke up with 2 letters cut into her body. Because of that they decided it was time they get their home blessed, and because of the husband's Mormon upbringing he went to his auntie's house (mother's house). As he was trying to drive up there his phone started to glitch which was starting to worry him, but then as he looked to his out of his window he saw a bus which had a picture Jesus's face in one of the windows, and his phone typed in a text with a bunch of letters then the word "believe". He had his home blessed after. Which forbade spirits to enter except the holy spirit. Since then they have been getting their lives in line to make it to the temple. She is not a member yet but is very determined to be baptized and he wants be able to baptize her. The wife's goal is to be baptized on her husband's birthday, which is in August. 

 They're both really amazing people. He talked about how he wants to be worthy of the priesthood. He also

said that he hardly swears anymore in comparison to before. On top of that he wants to get his temper in control and smoking in check before he feels he is worthy of the priesthood. They are such an amazing couple, they have been through a lot, and me and my companion both feel they were prepared to receive the gospel.

I'm not sure  how to feel about their experiences. But it does help me remember that there is a opposition in all things. 

I hope this story isn't too creepy I was not totally sure if I would write it. But it is a helpful reminder that we must live righteously in order to protect ourselves. 

 That has been the highlight of the week.

 we also met with the bishop's son. He is progressing. In his prayers it is evident they are becoming more real. 

We are going to continue to teach him. All he is waiting for is a confirmation (of what I think he already knows is true).

Those cabinets look good! Will you send me a picture when they are finished and upstairs? I love seeing all the improvements to the house. 

I can't think of anything else that I need in the package. If there is room maybe some more Annie's mac and cheese. I will be sending a package of my own home soon with a few souvenirs from Hawaii.

Love you, 

Your son 

- Elder E

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