Sister Kayla Bowen: Aloha from the beautiful place we call a Mission field

Just in response to those who I want at the airport I most definitely want Nana and Papa at the airport for my homecomings well as the Pidcocks, Madison and them. 😊

This week was busy with exchanges, there are 3 sets of Kaneohe sisters but I only went to their area once, the other times I stayed in Honolulu with the new greenies to train them. I couldnt believe the house that 4 of the sisters get to stay in Kaneohe, I was in heaven, it was cabin style in the middle of what felt like Jurassic Park, give or take a few dinosaurs. I fell asleep listening to a river running nearby and could help but feel so much overwhelming gratitude for all that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with, boy am I blessed.

But there was also a lot of time to for me and Sister Paletasala to enjoy each other and visit people. We were just yesterday at one of the giant housing complexes trying to knock doors to find people interested in our message. The kids here in Hawaii are taught to lie to missionaries so every time we ask if a certain person is home they always give us a confused face and say "who is that? Nobody with that name lives here." Well we went to a door where we know two girls, Norma and Alma lives. We asked the little kid who answered the door if they were home and we could hear them inside talking very loudly. He goes "Whos that? They dont live here." Then Sister Paletasala just stands there and looks at the kid for a real long time and says, "then who's that in there?" The kid stands there silent for a few seconds and then he darts inside and Alma comes to the door a few seconds later. I cant even tell you how frustrating that is. 😬 But for the most part the kids here love us and we are constantly teaching impromptu lessons on the sidewalks, hallways of apartments, and in the parks to big groups of kids. It's a dream for me. 😁 I think thats why it makes me so sad when kids are taught to lie and avoid us 😔 BUT the work goes on, rapidly I might add. We have 2 more with dates this week, Brizelle (Lucys daughter) and Clairence!! Clairence is awesome, he still loves his pamphlets and its actually because of them that he now is preparing to be baptized! We went for a lesson and right when we started he said, "On the back of my pamphlets it always says "What Should I Do Now?" And it says I need to repent, go to church, and be baptized, so I guess I better do those things in order to change. We then had a great discussion about how being baptized now by someone holding the priesthood authority of God is what God wants, even if hes been baptized before. Im excited for him and all of those that have baptism dates to start their path to church membership, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and eventually going to the temple. 😊

Speaking of those with a baptism date, the Thomas family is doing great. We had a lesson on Saturday with them and played Gospel Jeopardy, and they are so smart, it makes me so proud. We are still trying to get their parents more involved (we want the whole family ti be baptized not just all the siblings) and this last lesson the mom and grandma sat in and Facebook Lived the whole game haha. Im famous now. Sister Plaetasala was also so sweet and took some pictures while we were playing. 😊 We have 2 - 3 lessons with them a week and at one of our other lessons the 6 year old, Daverlyn, was sitting next to me and staring at me for a while as I was teaching so after I finished what I was saying I turned and looked at her and she says in all seriousness, "You are so white." Then I just sat and looked at her and she looked at me and everybody just sat and stared at us and nobody said anything for a good 20 seconds, then her older sister Atsy reaches over and slaps her arms "Daverlyn you cant just say that!" Hahahaha I thought it was so funny. I really dont blame her, there are hardly any white people where she lives in Palolo. 😂

Sister Paletasala also cracked me up this week when her Samoan came out and she pointed to a big group of houses on a mountain and says, "whats the name of that village?" Haha so Samoan 😂❤ She is also teaching me how to hula and we Hula for morning excersize,kinda funny.

I love this work and all that I am learning. I love you all and would love to share with you a quote that Nana and Papa sent to me this week: "If you think you've blown God's plan for your life, rest assured my friend, you are not that powerful." Repentance is real, Jesus Christ is our Savior and missionary work is the greatest work for me and for you at home 😊

Aloha,

Sister Bowen