This week I had my last interview with my mission president and my last Zone Conference. In the Hawaii Honolulu Mission, at a missionaries last Zone Conference, they give their "dying" testimony and all the missionaries sing 'Aloha Oe'. Aloha Oe is a song that was written by one of the past Queens of Hawaii and its a goodbye song, in fact its sung in the movie "Lilo and Stitch" when the the sisters have to part ways. Ive watched missionaries my whole mission stand in front before they go home and everyone sang to them, but this last Friday it was my turn. It made me sad to see all these wonderful missionaries sing goodbye to me. I guess its really my time to go. I cried, President and Sister Bekker cried, my companions cried, Sister Satame refused to come up afterward and hug me along with everyone else because she didnt want to cry. It was a great to shake hands with and hug all the missionaries one by one afterwards and tell them how much I love them. In part of my dying testimony I said, "18 months ago I gave my greenie testimony at this exact same pulpit and I said 'Im Sister Bowen and Im a greenie!! And I hope I stay green my whole mission!' Im here to report that I am still green. I learn so much everyday, Im still blown away at my calling, and feel so grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending me to the Hawaii Honolulu Mission, under the direction of President and Sister Bekker. They have taught me so much. They taught me that its okay to be blonde and from Salt Lake City Utah!! Im a child of God! And all of us have individual gifts and talents that are needed here in Hawaii." I have such a strong testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ and The Book of Mormon. I know they are true and nothing can ever take away my testimony of that.
As for the ridiculous side of things, Ill update you on my return home. Lets just say its a miracle both me and my companion are still here in Hawaii.
This week we traveled to Waipahu, my old greenie area, and visited a couple of Chuukese. The Chuukese all live in an area called "Poop Town" (yes that is really what its called). Poop town scares Sister Satame (dont get me wrong it scares me too) because the last time we came here, a drunk Chuukese man grabbed her head haha. We met a few people and talked to lots of Chuukese and luckily were able to avoid the drunk men.
Friday was Sister Bendixens birthday and they invite us and one of our neighbors, Christine, who isnt a member of the church over for dinner and a lesson. We all arrive at the Bendixens apartment at the same time and when Sister Bendixen opened the door and welcomed us in she said something along the lines of "Chris what did you bring? You didnt have to bring anything!" Chris responded, "Its a birthday cake, because today is my birthday!" We couldnt believe it!! Sister Bendixen responded, "Today is my birthday!!" And we all laughed about that for a while. I am so grateful for how involved they are in my life I love them so much.
This week a good friend of mine made me think a lot when he said, "Have an awesome Sabbath... Eye single to the Glory of God! Think about this... Define the Glory of God?" I had a great Sunday study with that writing prompt and found some great articles and quotes I would like to share:
As for the ridiculous side of things, Ill update you on my return home. Lets just say its a miracle both me and my companion are still here in Hawaii.
This week we traveled to Waipahu, my old greenie area, and visited a couple of Chuukese. The Chuukese all live in an area called "Poop Town" (yes that is really what its called). Poop town scares Sister Satame (dont get me wrong it scares me too) because the last time we came here, a drunk Chuukese man grabbed her head haha. We met a few people and talked to lots of Chuukese and luckily were able to avoid the drunk men.
Friday was Sister Bendixens birthday and they invite us and one of our neighbors, Christine, who isnt a member of the church over for dinner and a lesson. We all arrive at the Bendixens apartment at the same time and when Sister Bendixen opened the door and welcomed us in she said something along the lines of "Chris what did you bring? You didnt have to bring anything!" Chris responded, "Its a birthday cake, because today is my birthday!" We couldnt believe it!! Sister Bendixen responded, "Today is my birthday!!" And we all laughed about that for a while. I am so grateful for how involved they are in my life I love them so much.
This week a good friend of mine made me think a lot when he said, "Have an awesome Sabbath... Eye single to the Glory of God! Think about this... Define the Glory of God?" I had a great Sunday study with that writing prompt and found some great articles and quotes I would like to share:
Avoiding Unrighteous Dominion - Sept. 1990
By James S. and Jeanne N. Jardine
"The work and glory of our Father in Heaven is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39.) He glories in his children, in the process of their perfection, and in their progress on the path to exaltation. That glory is to be our single and principal focus on earth. The Lord has said that every man is to seek “the interest of his neighbor, and [do] all things with an eye single to the glory of God.” (D&C 82:19.)"
Author C. S. Lewis reminds us of the eternal importance of the people around us:
“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. … Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.” (The Weight of Glory, New York: Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Co., 1980, pp. 18–19.)
The glory of god is us, his children. And if we want to someday to become like God we need to learn to love his children too. President David O. McKay said, "True Christianity is love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for your fellow men. This is the spirit of missionary work” (Gospel Ideals [1954], 129).
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “We are here to assist our Father in His work and His glory, ‘to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man’ (Moses 1:39). Your obligation is as serious as in you sphere of responsibility as is my obligation in my sphere” (“This is the Work of the Master,” Ensign, May 1995, 71).
In a way, the glory of god is missionary work. John L. Lund said, "We are on this earth to learn to love what God loves" which is eachother.
God puts specific people in our lives so we can help eachother progress and return to him. He does that ON PURPOSE because that is his purpose, love, and glory. That is his whole goal and it should be our whole goal, for ourselves and those around us. To return to him. Its why the gospel was restored, why we have the scriptures, the Plan of Salvation, everything! Because we are his everything and when we have an eye single to the glory of god, we show him that he is our everything.
Called to Serve
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Forward, pressing forward, as a triumph song we sing.
God our strength will be; press forward ever,
Called to serve our King.
By James S. and Jeanne N. Jardine
"The work and glory of our Father in Heaven is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39.) He glories in his children, in the process of their perfection, and in their progress on the path to exaltation. That glory is to be our single and principal focus on earth. The Lord has said that every man is to seek “the interest of his neighbor, and [do] all things with an eye single to the glory of God.” (D&C 82:19.)"
Author C. S. Lewis reminds us of the eternal importance of the people around us:
“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. … Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.” (The Weight of Glory, New York: Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Co., 1980, pp. 18–19.)
The glory of god is us, his children. And if we want to someday to become like God we need to learn to love his children too. President David O. McKay said, "True Christianity is love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for your fellow men. This is the spirit of missionary work” (Gospel Ideals [1954], 129).
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “We are here to assist our Father in His work and His glory, ‘to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man’ (Moses 1:39). Your obligation is as serious as in you sphere of responsibility as is my obligation in my sphere” (“This is the Work of the Master,” Ensign, May 1995, 71).
In a way, the glory of god is missionary work. John L. Lund said, "We are on this earth to learn to love what God loves" which is eachother.
God puts specific people in our lives so we can help eachother progress and return to him. He does that ON PURPOSE because that is his purpose, love, and glory. That is his whole goal and it should be our whole goal, for ourselves and those around us. To return to him. Its why the gospel was restored, why we have the scriptures, the Plan of Salvation, everything! Because we are his everything and when we have an eye single to the glory of god, we show him that he is our everything.
Called to Serve
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Forward, pressing forward, as a triumph song we sing.
God our strength will be; press forward ever,
Called to serve our King.
I love this work and I love Hawaii, but I also love my family and Utah, "Come what may and love it" right? 😊 Have another wonderful week and remember that you are so loved by me and by your Heavenly Father, I know he answers prayers and loves us more than we can comprehend. Until next week, (which will come very soon, they seem to go faster and faster😉)
Aloha,
Sista Bowen
Sista Bowen
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