So Much Joy!

 These girls are so sweet.

 From the baptism

Sorry there are so many pictures. We decided Samoans just love photos. It's good for us though. Then we get lost of pics!

 This is Brooklyn. She wanted a pic with me. She's so sweet. I LOVE my Samoan children!

 My comp and me. Just happy after our manaia Saturday. Do you like my eighties hair, Dad? 

 Our last day with Losi. I will miss her but she will be such a good missionary.

 This was Tuesday, the night of their baptismal interview. I think I'm breaking the white handbook. 

 Five way splits! How cool is that. One returned missionary and then four who either have their call or are preparing. And then us five missionaries.

 More pics with Los.

 Sorry these are out of order. This is from the Samoan wedding.

 This is from last week's p-day.

 Baptism.

 From the baptism. Sister O'Brien and the girls.

 This is Sister Timoteo on one end and Sister Ilaoa on the other. They are so helpful in our work and just so sweet. They love us and we love them! 

 This is Brother Ilaoa on the end. He's so funny. He's the one who gave me the Priesthood blessing.

 My lovely Seka. 

Paul Toala from the ward opened his mission call this week. Mexico! So happy for him.

TALOFA FAMILY!!!!

This week was one of the greatest weeks ever. Wow. There's so much to say. But let's start with the greatest thing that's happened on my mission so far: 

VALERIE AND RONA WERE BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!!!!!! 

Oh my goodness. I can't even express to you the joy that was felt. I just love them so much. I can't even believe how much I love them. I'm so happy for them. They made such a special covenant with their Father in Heaven this weekend. Watching them enter the waters of baptism and start tearing up because they were so happy--it was the best thing ever. Afterwards they bore their testimonies in Samoan. I was able to pick out a few words I know but I didn't understand what they were saying. But the Spirit was so strong. I couldn't believe how strong the Spirit was. It was so manaia (beautiful.) They were just so happy and then the next day they were confirmed and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. I'm so happy for them. This gospel is the best thing in the world. I love it so much and I love God so much. I'm so grateful that He loves enough to pour out all these blessings on us. Saturday was just the best day on my mission so far. One of the best days of my life. So good. So manaia. Sek ia(Awesome) Just every good adjective ever that you can think of--that was Saturday. The girls are so sweet and they're so happy. They love this gospel and they have such simple, pure, and sweet testimonies. They were so prepared for it. Heavenly Father was with them preparing them. It's just amazing. Such a miracle. Did I mention that I just absolutely love them? haha.

 

After the baptism they had "light refreshments." Those were the words of Sister O'Brien--the girl's aunt. Anyway, she had told us that there would be light refreshments. That translates into a take out box of meat for each person, oranges, otai (this drink that Samoans love) and cornbread muffin things. Oh and sandwiches and Little Caesar's pizza. Oh my. Light refreshments in my mind is a cookie for everyone. haha. But the ward was so great. There was so much support from everyone. So many ward members came out. I absolutely love my ward. I think this is the greatest ward I've ever been in. The members were so happy about the baptism. 

This week was just all around good. We started teaching Mile and Kaika. They're cousins--fourteen and eleven. They're our ward mission leader's niece and nephew. They're so great. We had two really good lessons with them. Well one with Kaika, two with Mile. Mile loves what we're teaching her. Her parents haven't given her permission though to be baptized. They said no a couple months ago when the elders were teaching them. Really pray for her. Pray that her parents' hearts will be softened. She's so sweet and is gaining a testimony. She loves this gospel. Like Bruce said: We just have to kick family opposition in the teeth. It's a good motto. That, and kick Satan in the teeth. He's stupid. 

Losi left on her mission this morning. She's my age and is in the ward. She came out with us pretty often. Her family is taking her to the MTC this Wednesday. She's going to the Houston Texas mission. She will be an amazing missionary. I feel blessed that I've been able to know her and become her friend. Also Elder Keung is leaving for home next week. I'm sad about that too. It will be weird to have him gone. The ward just loves him. He's served here for a year. Everyone is leaving.

This week I had my first Zone Meeting. It was good. I just really felt the Spirit. I know this is where I'm supposed to be--serving a mission. I love it so much and I am so happy. SO HAPPY. 

This week we finally got in contact with Nena. She has two kids that were baptized. Her third just turned eight. She was going to be baptized but she couldn't quit smoking. Anyway, this all happened a couple years ago in the Beverly Park ward. They're Samoan though so we've been going over there lots but we never catch her or she's busy. We finally sat down with her and talked though. It was good. She was supposed to come to church yesterday but they didn't make it. We're not sure why. We're going to go over there today. Pray for their family. Her little eight year old really wants to start coming to church because she wants to be baptized. 

Last P day we went to Seahurst Park again. It was lots of fun. The YSA and youth in this ward are great. Today we're doing another activity since it's Elder Keung's last P day. I'm not exactly sure what. 

WE got a new mission vehicle .It had eleven miles on it when we got it. IT's nice. but I will never buy a brand new vehicle. And guess what? Like three days after having it it got keyed. Can you believe that? So lame. We weren't even in that sketchy of a neighborhood. IT's one of the nicest that we go to. Anyway, dumb.

Anyway, I've got to hurry and try and send pics in my last minutes. I love you all so much! This gospel is the best. Read your scriptures. My heart is just overflowing with JOY and LOVE. I love all the people I work with so much. Heavenly Father is really blessing me with a special love. I love this gospel. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ, with all my  heart. Sorry this is long. Have a good week. choose the right.
Love, Sister Veronica White