Second Chances

Aloha everyone! #TeamNori here, with TRANSFER NEWS!

The news: I will be staying here in the Palehua ward in the Makakilo zone! Hermana Castaneda is returning to the Visitors Center, so my new companion is Sister Mitchell! My former compa, Harris, trained Mitchell. I am so excited for this new change! We have had a rough few transfers here, and the new changes are very welcome. I love this ward, and am grateful for this 2nd chance in this ward. 

This week has been pretty crazy. For good and bad. 

Our car has had multiple issues, and we finally had to take it in. Our car was stalling, and we were in danger. We live up a very large mountain, and so it's pretty hard on our car. The brakes were nearly out, and we needed to take our car to Waipahu... and when we did this, they immediately took our car and we were stranded in a ghetto area. It was sketch, but the Lord protects His missionaries (: We had 2, nearly 3 days without a car. And of course, summer just started and whatever... #sweat #gross

The Maili Kai Samoan ward has been killing it lately. We have kept up the district floods each week, and we finally had 2 sisters come out with us! Cas and I were able to go on splits. I was with an 18 year old girl named Ella. She's amazing! Her Dad is pressuring her to go on a mission, and this was her first experience with the missionaries. Our district leader specifically asked me to go with Ella, to help her feel more open to the idea of serving. Let me tell you, Ella is already a missionary! She's fearless and bold, like you need to be on the mission field. She knocked on the doors, testified as the Spirit directed. We walked up back Makakilo Drive back to the chapel, and we were able to have a long talk about missionary work. The Spirit was strong with us, and we were able to clear up any false ideas she had of missions. She told me:

"Sister Noriega, when I first met you, I knew you were special. Thank you, for your testimony and service. I am now going to start my mission papers, and going to mission prep. I love you, and love your testimony. Thank you, for everything."

I cried, she's amazing. Watch out mission field, here comes Sister Kekiva! <3

We also had a different youth named Saini come with us Friday. She just moved here about a year ago, from Samoa. She has struggled. She's the only active one in her family, and has a lot of opposition in her life. Saini was so perfect with me, we have extremely similar stories. She is now starting her mission process. What an amazing few miracles, with active members. I LOVE being a missionary!

We also had another HUGE miracle... A family we've been trying to visit for 12 WEEKS. 12 WEEKS, every other day, trying to visit. We got a very strong prompting to visit this particular family. Luckily, we followed it. AND THEY WERE ALL HOME. ALL 7 KIDS AND THE MOM. We were able to share a message about Jesus Christ and the Atonement, and how we can overcome trials. This family is so special. The Mom and Dad have divorced, and suddenly the Dad is about to pass away in ICU. They need all the prayers they can get. We have another appointment with them this coming Saturday <3

I have seen so many miracles this week, especially these past few weeks. I love my Heavenly Father, and all He has provided for me. I'm grateful for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, chances. I am grateful for the power of prayer, and the prompting of the Spirit. I look forward to beginning this 7th transfer of mine. AHH! Time is flying (:

ALSO THANKS FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY EMAILS! I can't believe I'm 20 on Sunday... How did that happen? Wasn't I like, just born or something? Love you all! Be safe this 4th of July weekend! (:

'Ofa atu,
Sister Noriega

Friday's District Flood!

My ukulele, Pele (pay-lay), and I (:

Press Forward with Faith‏

Malo e lelei and alooooo-ha! #TeamNori here, reporting from Kapolei library with the latest and greatest. Oh, and how great it's been (: 

We have had some really great and meaningful lessons this week. Quite a few of our investigators went out of town this week, to various places like Samoa and the main land. We weren't able to have our usual lessons with Noe, Xavier, and a few others. BUT, we continued on.

We had our usual district floods, and we have 5 new investigators because of it! Hermana Castaneda and I have tried very hard to pray for our area, and focus on finding families to teach. The Lord has answered our prayers! This family is a military family. They've lived in various places of the world, including Germany several times. They are so much fun to talk to!

It was so funny, we went to their house to contact them. We were having car issues at the time, so we were delayed in walking over. We were frustrated, and said a prayer for our car, and then suddenly the entire family we were coming to visit pulls up. The Dad comes out with choke pizza, and says "Hey Sisters! Come join us for lunch!". Now, an average day for us in Kapolei is "GO AWAY" with a door slammed in our face. So the invite was music to our ears (: Such a kind family, and they believe in Jesus Christ. They are non-practicing Catholic, but say we can teach their two daughters, who are 9 and 17. Such a miracle!

Our ward is super supportive now. We have been in daily contact with our ward mission leader, and the work is moving forward with a positive tone. I love this ward, and the Kapolei area. I know Heavenly Father assigned me here for a bigger purpose than I will ever know. I love the people of Hawaii! My companion is heading back to the Visitors Center next week, and I will most likely stay here in Palehua. I am excited for a new start, and a new Sister to bond with. 

Big highlight of my week: I was able to have dinner with the zone leaders and with one of my favorite members from the Kaneohe 1st ward. What a blessing it was to serve in beautiful Kaneohe for 6 months. No matter what, K-town will always have a special place in my heart <3

I love you all very much, and bless yous for the support. Feel free to write me anytime! 

Mahalo nui loa,
Sister Noriega

Holstein family, we missed them so much while they were in Cali!!!

Look who I ran into at the mission office (: Miss her! Can't believe she goes home in August

It's always darkest before the dawn‏

Malo e lelei and alooooooo-ha! 

I am very happy to report that this week was a truly wonderful week (:

Trials come, but so do the blessings. After a very rough transfer, my companion and I have made a few big changes. We have talked about how we can better work with our ward, and our ward mission leader. We've been much more in contact with our ward leaders, and truly prayed for the Lord's assistance. Diligence is a word I have come to know and love. I have seen the blessings that come from diligence. We have found many less active members we never came in contact with when we first arrived here, and helping them return to church.

We also have weekly district floods! It's basically where all the missionaries in our district come into our area, and tract for an hour. It covers more ground quicker, and we are able to come in contact with more people who've been prepared to hear the gospel. 

Kelliann, our 9 year old investigator, is progressing quickly. We have taught her the plan of salvation, and the restoration. She and her Mom are keeping all of their commitments, and you can feel the Spirit changing in their home! Unfortunately the Dad is still not on board with baptism, but we're praying the miracles keep coming (:

We've had some great lessons with our 3 recent converts, Reyhania, Keanu and Xavier. How amazing it is, to watch these children of God progress from investigators, to with dates, and then to recent converts! I love doing the Lord's work, and watching how the gospel truly changes lives. What an amazing opportunity, to be apart of the most important work :D

Today was our preparation day, because we had TEMPLE TRIP! :D

I absolutely love the peace and comfort I feel inside the Temple. It came at the perfect time for my companion and I, who have had very difficult issues lately. I love the Laie temple for many reasons, including the fact that it is the Mesa temple's "sister" temple!

I'm sorry this isn't longer, I promise next week will be longer and more detailed. Know that I love you all very much, and please feel free to send me letters! I love yous!

Aloha nui loa,

Sister Noriega

District at Temple

We're traaaa-aaaacting in the rain!

Remember that one time our week was blah?‏

Malo e lelei and aloooo-ha!

This week has been one of those blah weeks. Sister Castaneda was sick for 2 days, so she needed her rest. I did my best to entertain her while we were stuck inside. Our new district leader is pretty awesome, so they took care of all of our needs! Plus, our new district leader is Elder Bergman, who was my district leader for a while in Kaneohe. I've got connections :P

On top of that, nobody was home this weekend once we were able to go out. Curse you Memorial Day weekend!

We did the best we could, though. We have a lot of less-active members who are older, so we were able to focus on them more this weekend.

There really isn't much to report from this week. Not too many people were out and about, so even while we went tracting we didn't have much success. We are not discouraged, though, we know that things will get better! We have interviews with President Warner on Wednesday, and we are going on exchanges with our Sister Training Leaders that night. Then we have zone meeting Thursday, and Saturday Martha Turner is getting baptized! I am not going to be able to attend the baptism, but I know that it is only important that she is getting baptized. There is much joy in my heart for her and the Turner family, and I am so grateful I was apart of their journey.

I love you all very much,  and appreciate the love and support you all offer me. I hope you all are able to see God's hand in your lives, for He is with us all day everyday. Remember you are loved (:

Ofa atu,

Sister Noriega

Transfer number WHAT!?‏

Alooooo-ha! 

The new transfer starts this Wednesday, and I began using my new planner today. 

Remember that one time that sisters serve for 13 transfers, and this marks the beginning of my 6th transfer?
WHERE IN THE WORLD DID THE FIRST 5 TRANSFERS GO?!

Okay. Back to my week. (:

Every single day this week we met with Xavier, to finish teaching him all the required lessons before his baptism. Teaching Xavier has been a joy, I have never taught someone who is so inquisitive and interested in EVERYTHING we say. For the first lesson of the week, we had his friend Marley come with us. You think your life is awkward? Try teaching the Law of Chastity to two 9 year old boys who have no idea what chastity is :P We then taught tithing, which was much easier. To explain tithing, I tried to think of how to explain in an easier way that it is giving 10% of your income back to the Lord. I was hungry in that moment, and I came up with this:

It may not be perfect, but Xavier understood! :D
(awkward moment I just realized I gave God the smallest piece sorry about that)

Over the next few days, we also taught him the Word of Wisdom, and went over the baptism questions. His interview for baptism with our District Leader was about 45 minutes. The average interview is maybe 15 minutes. Needless to say we were a little nervous, but when they finally came out he was ready (: On Saturday he was baptized, and Sunday he was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! My companion is sending me pics from the baptism, so those will come later!

We saw many miracles this week, as always. 

We had another super spiritual lesson with Kainoa and ''the army'' of boys that come with to his lessons. We teach a class basically, consisting of 1 investigator, 2 super active members, and 4 less active members. I am grateful for the Spirit guiding us through lessons with them. A bunch of boys under the age of 20 can be hard to keep focused, but we handle them just fine! It was cool, we followed up on if Kainoa had prayed about the Plan of Salvation. He said "I did actually, and I fell asleep a lot quicker". Funny how the Spirit works with each of us (: We know he felt the Spirit as we taught the Restoration, unlike any time before!

My companion and I, we both have different strengths is lessons. Her favorite lesson is the Plan of Salvation, and she's super good at it. My favorite lesson is the Restoration, and apparently I'm a spiritual powerhouse when I recite the First Vision. What a difference, compared to the first time I taught the Resto! I seriously have that lesson memorized through and through, and I'm grateful for that. Now to work on the Plan of Salvation :P haha!

We visited a lot of less active members this week, all who were very receptive to our message. Sister Castaneda and I will be staying in the Palehua ward one more transfer together! :D So blessed to be in such an amazing ward, with members who are so dedicated and passionate about the work. 

OH I FORGOT THE BEST PART ABOUT THIS WEEK (BESIDES XAVIER'S BAPTISM)

Guess who agreed to baptism on the 30th of May!? MARTHA TURNER. MY MARTHA IS GETTING BAPTIZED IN KANEOHE ON MAY 30TH.
Sister Harris called me while we were in the store, and when she told me, literally everything stopped around me. The Spirit filled my soul, and it testified that she was truly going to be baptized. I cried of joy. My Martha is getting baptized, and has requested I be there for it <3
Sister Harris has told me she's going to do all she can to get me over to Kaneohe that day. I remember when I left Kaneohe for Makakilo, the very night before I was transferred, Martha told me "Sister Noriega, I need you to know before you go that I will be baptized. It may not be on April 25th as planned, but it will happen. I needed you to know this before you left." I'm crying right now just typing this out, how much love I have for my Grandma here in Hawaii. I am her hanai-ed Granddaughter, and I KNOW I was sent to Hawaii to find her. I love her with all my heart, and I pray I will be able to go and witness her baptism. Watching her be baptized will mean I will no longer be the only member in my family. She is my family, along with Jackie and Dale Turner. I'M JUST SUPER HAPPY OKAY? (:

I have so much love for the Savior, and all that He has done for us. Please keep not only me, but Martha, in your prayers.

I love you all so much, and please, write me! :D

Love,
Sister Noriega

My Martha, the night before I left Kaneohe

The Plan of Happiness

Malo e lelei and aloooo-ha!

Been a very good week here in Makakilo, working hard and trying to better myself as a missionary each day. We've had a meaningful week with quite a few of our investigators. 

The 'theme' for the lessons has been The Plan of Salvation, or, the Plan of Happiness. I remember when Elder Laititi and Elder Murdock taught me this lesson on a Magnadoodle over at the Reay's home! That is the one lesson I can remember them teaching me specifically, and I've never forgotten it. We taught the POS to an 8 year old, 23 year old, and an 18 year old. It's funny, because the message and lesson is always the same, but we have to teach it differently for each investigator.

The Palehua ward is amazing, we were able to have to Toilolo brothers come and teach the POS to Xavier, our young investigator who is being baptized THIS SATURDAY. Xavier is FULL of crazy questions, and we sometimes have a hard time keeping him focused. With the help of the Toilolo team, though, it was much easier and the Spirit was much stronger. We are so grateful for our ward mission team! It was cute, at the end Xavier prayed, and he said:

Thank you for having the sisters teach me that I want to go to the sun, not the moon or the stars. Help me to go to the sun kingdom so I can ask God all my questions.

(:

Teaching the Plan of Salvation is my favorite. Teaching those that we can live with our families forever, and that all who have died will have a chance to hear the gospel. God is a God of 2nd chances, and I am forever grateful for that. He doesn't promise less blessings to one person, we all have the same equal potential for blessings. It is up to us if we follow His commandments and receive the blessings, though. The Plan of Salvation is truly a plan of happiness. Knowing I can live not only with my family, but with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, forever. That is a priceless gift (:

Yesterday, Sister Castaneda and I volunteered to teach Relief Society to give all the Mother's a break. Last week there were 10 ladies in RS. With all the Mother's getting a break, though, there was a full classroom! Cas and I had prepared though, and we taught lesson #10: Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon. What a fitting lesson for us to teach! :D It went so well, and we had a lot of Sisters participate.

Then, we went to a member's home and we were able to see our families!!!!! I am so blessed with a beautiful and supportive family. It's crazy, there are missionaries who have families who are all members, but never write them. Then there's me, getting weekly emails, and cards often (: I LOVE MY FAMILY! I miss them like crazy, but I felt so at peace after saying goodbye. The next time I skype them is the last time I skype them! I go home in less than a year now. WHAT EVEN? Didn't I start my mission like yesterday?

To top off the wonderful day, we had dinner with Brother and Sister Holstein, and guess what I ate and devoured?

ALASKAN KING CRAB. IT WAS AMAZING. JUST LOOK AT ME GO.

After dinner, Castaneda had a prompting to go wash our windows really quick at the gas station. As we did this, we ran into a homeless man named Larry. He was very kind, and told us his story. Lost everything in a divorce, lives in Nanakuli in an area with a few of his homeless friends. Cas and I decided we needed to serve him. I gave him the remainder of my crab (which was a huge sacrifice honestly, that stuff was amazing), and we got him a blanket, and some food from our pad. He was in tears as he thanked us, and told us he was going to share and that his "friends would flip when they see this crab!". I love serving (:

I love you all SO MUCH! Please write me. (: Here's my address!

92-1230 Makakilo Dr. APT 18

Makakilo, HI 96707

'Ofa atu,
Sister Noriega

May the 4th be with You, Tokos!‏

Aloooooooo-HA! 

#teamNori here, to update everyone on the happenings in the Palehua ward!

We will just start with the biggest event of this week: KEANU WAS BAPTIZED! 

He is officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints :D He was confirmed yesterday, given the gift of the Holy Ghost, and also the Aaronic Priesthood. 

It was a joyous Saturday for all of us, but especially for Keanu and his family. As I mentioned before, his parents just joined about a year ago. At that baptism, Keanu was watching via Facetime. At his baptism, the Bishop made a comment: "Keanu, when you were watching your parents be baptized this time last year, did you have any idea you'd be next?" Keanu replied no. Crazy how much a year can change things. The Lord prepares us, and when the time is right, we can have a mighty change of heart (:

Keanu's Baptism

Xavier, a child we just began teaching, came to Keanu's baptism. Xavier is about to turn 9 on May 17th, and he wants to be baptized on the 16th! At first he was terrified of baptism, and going under water. We showed him the Restoration video, where Joseph Smith's Father is baptized in the lake, and Xavier suddenly wanted to be baptized THAT VERY night! We were like noooo, not tonight, but SOON! He's super cute, we love teaching him (:

We did a lot of work this week, and had quite a few trials. Some I cannot mention, because it is personal information involving a few of our investigators, but know this: The Lord can do all things. 

I can see the Lord's hand in my life, as well as all of those around me.
​I know that Christ died for us, and that He lives today. That no matter how many times we may feel we've hit rock bottom, messed up, ruined our lives, we can ALWAYS turn to Him and START AGAIN. It is NEVER too late to start. Or restart. I love my Father in Heaven, and specifically this week I am more grateful for the power of prayer, and the role the Atonement plays in my life.

No, this wasn't my best week of my mission. I know I did the best that I could though, despite all that was happening to us and to those around us. I know that this is the true church, and that this is the most important work I could be doing in my life. I love you all SO MUCH. Please write me, if anyone gets the chance. I love getting letters so much. (:

'Ofa atu,
Sister Noriega

Look who came to visit me from Kaneohe