20 December 2010

Mele Kalikimaka Everyone,

Wow, thank you everyone for all the letters, packages, and Christmas cards I received these last 2 weeks. It means a lot and I appreciate it. Though I do feel bad for my companion every time we go to the mail box.

What a fantastic week it has been for us Elders here in Ka'u. My companion and I were sitting down talking last night about how much are area has changed. It really feels like night at day here. It's been great to see the result of hard work and diligence, as the area has become one of the most progressing area's. But it's all because of our Heavenly Father who has brought us here to do his work.

Last week on Monday as a zone we went to some more beautiful sights called rainbow falls, and Akaka Falls. It's something else to see these wonderful creations with the water falling hundreds of feet with green florishing around.

As missionaries we have a stop smoking program that i've come to see how wonderful it works. We have taught it to 3 of our investigators who are wanting to quit, and after we gave them the 15 steps program to a non-smoker they haven't smoked sense. It's great to hear how excited they are as they tell how wonderful they feel as they are able to breath and save all the money they spend. Which is usually around $200-$300 a month.

Big Island missionaries had there zone conference this week, and it's always delight to look forward to them. This one was definitely centered the meaning of Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Christ. But what was pretty amazing is that we all watch "the other side of heaven" for zone conference. That movie has a totally different meaning now that i'm on a mission but also on a island as i'm able to relate to the culture.

I like what my mission pres's wife said. that hero's have three things: Require little, Give thoughtfully, and Serve Faithfully.

Merry Christmas to all of you. May you remember the true meaning of christmas and how Christ has been that influence in our lives. I love you all so very much.

Mele Kalikimaka,

Elder Gardner

13 December 2010

Aloha Everyone,

Thank you for all the christmas cards and love!

The highlight of this week was my exchange with my trainer (Elder Salima) who's my new zone leader. So he was able to come back into his old area. It was a blast to bring back all our past memories! Plus the area had changed a lot sense he left, like now the grass is now green due to all the rain we've received the last month. But it was a blast to be back with my Samoan companion for a couple of days. It was priceless to see the members faces when they saw that Elder Salima was back for the day.

Exciting news is that one of our investigators has now completely stop smoking with the help of the smoking program that we have been teaching her. But the best part is hearing her excitement when she was telling us her wonderful news and how it was all because of her sencire prayers to our heavenly father. That she coudln't of done it with out his help and the atonement of our savior Jesus Christ. I couldn't help but have sore cheek muscles from smiling so much!

This week Hawaii got hammered by a huge lightning/thunder storm, and Hawaii supposedly never gets lightning. So that was pretty exciting as I was finally forced to use my umbrella for the first time. But we still got soaked to the bone haha. Yet the weather is gorgeous over here, it's hard to believe it's Christmas time with no snow on the ground.

I guess you could say we have a pet dog, not literally, but because every night it comes to our pad for some love.

The ward had it's annual Christmas party this week on saturday which in and of it's self was a blast with so much food that we had 14 gallon bags left over of just rice not mentioning the corn, and lbs. of meat. We cooked over 120+ lbs. of meet. But even with all that the best part was actually cooking the food with the Portuguese oven in our backyard. After the fire we made the oven got to 1100 degrees inside! We had to wait for hours to cool it down and then today 2 days latter we checked the oven and it's still got heat inside. What a crazy oven.

6 December 2010

Aloha Everyone,

I think the most important thing I have to say is that the temperature here is spectacular! I can't believe it's December, probably cause I see no snow. It's going to be different having Christmas with no snow. But I'm liking it better not worrying about the cold. I still don't own any jackets, just my missionary clothes short sleeves and some board shorts. What a life...! :)

My companion and I went to a place called pizzaria out in the middle of no where that makes unbelievable pizza, but they have this old time pinball machine where you pull a lever to hit the baseball and win cards. After a few quarters in the machine I hit a GRAND SLAM and won the card Roger Clemens! It was made in 1985 so it's got to be worth a few million...maybe...

This week was transfers again, I can't believe it's already another 6 weeks that have past, time is flying. But what's awesome is that my companion and I are still together, where as our whole zone had changed companions and one area was white washed. Then my dad (trainer) came back into the zone and is now my Zone leader. That was so awesome to see him again! My companion became the DL so it's cool to get the scoop on what's going on.

Can't wait for our ward Christmas party on Dec 11! the whole community comes and we light up the Portuguese oven in my backyard.

Well the work is progressing and I'm absolutely loving it. I love reading the scriptures as now everything that I've been taught is coming together. Then to be able to teach it to others...life can't get better then that.

I just wanted to share one quote from my study time while reading the general conference talks. Pres Uchtdorf said this, "We don't discover humility by thinking less of ourselves; we discover humility by thinking less about ourselves." So true, the times when I'm most happy and enjoying the work is when i'm in service of others and thinking zippo about myself. I love all of you and thank you for your prayers!

Love, Elder Gardner

29 November 2010

Aloha World,

I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving! This week has been a very successful, and exciting week!

We visited a less active member who hadn't been to church for sense high school, and she's around her mid 50's now. But she let us in and we were able to find her needs and teach her to what she needed in her life at this moment. She could only remember very little about the church and so we started from the beginning. We really focused on the book of Mormon, praying to know if it's true, and then coming to church. After our 2nd visit toward the end of our lesson she asked us when church started. It was a very exciting moment as we were able to see her desire grow and feel the spirit. By the third visit she shared her experience of how she came to know the Book of Mormon is true, by sincere prayer. She tried her hardest to express her feeling of joy and comfort when she prayed as her eyes filled with tears. It was definitely a tender moment as we felt the love from our Heavenly Father.

What's even more exciting about this news and her desire to come to church is that she became the transportation for our investigator who couldn't get a ride. It's was amazing to see how the Lord provides a way.

Thanksgiving this week was Cherry! We had one thanksgiving dinner with Lesli who is the recent convert whom we baptized last month. She couldn't help but share her excitement with us the day before thanksgiving. On thanksgiving day we had 3 more feasts. One was at noon, then at 2:00...long nap... then later that night. As missionaries we had the day off. One of our members fed us lamb instead so that was cool. I'm pretty sure I haven't had lamb before.

For Church this last Sunday our bishop had us give 15 min talks to get the member motivated and excited about member missionary work. It was fantastic because we had the most people come to church then I've seen the whole time I've been in this area. The whole chapel was filled as 4 of our investigators came to church and 2 less active members whom we have been teaching. It couldn't of been a more full filling day!

Some thing I learn that is interesting is the Hawaii imports 85%-90% of there food for the people to eat!

Thanks for all your prayers and support. I love the letters.

Love, Elder Gardner

22 November 2010

Aloha to the World,

First thing I wanted to share with all of you is Happy Thanksgiving. Especially being on a mission and seeing how lucky I am, and thankful I am for the things that I had in my life. The list can definitely go on and I'm sure all of yours can too. What a great Holiday to set a time to give thanks, and most importantly give thanks to the Lord.
Something interesting that I ate this week was rabbit. Sorry for all those who are rabbit lovers. But it actually tasted pretty good, a mix between beef and chicken.
This week we had what's called a mission tour where one of the General Authorities come and teach each zone to there needs. It's hard to explain what he taught us over email but I can tell you it was great inspiration. We've already put it into play and have seen results. Of course though, it's revelation from our Heavenly Father. The General Authorty and his wife who came were Elder & Sister Pipper. During this time it was next to the Kona temple so I was able to at least get to see it again and take some pictures.
For the Zone we had one big transfer where every companionship is broken up into different area's to build zone unity and learn from other missionaries. The zone leader Elder Condiff came with me as I stayed in my area. So I got to show him our area and how it is run. Although the coolest part is the Elder Condiff and I are the only 2 red heads in the mission and we were companions! (red heads United). It's always great to learn from other missionaries and see how they teach.
The most exciting thing that happened this week is the Laie Temple Dedication on Oahu. We were able to have it broadcasted to our chapel and I was able to be apart of it and see another temple dedication. Though this time it made a lot more sense as I was able to understand the meaning behind everything. Something I'll never forget.
That's about all the happened this week. I can't believe another week as gone by. The day's of the week just seem to blend together. But I can definitly see why everyone calls it the best two years. But rather I like to see it as the best two years for my life.

I love you all,
Elder Gardner

Pictures

Notice the cows and the farm land. This was his old truck.

Green Sands Beach, South ends of the Island

First companion, Flint and Bishop of the ward

15 November 2010

Aloha Everyone,

This week has been a lot different compared to the rest. But it first started off on last P-day where we went to the Black Sand Beach in Punalu'u. I've never seen black sand before and plus there were sea turtles the size of a large dog. I guess I can compare it to that. We took a hidden trail that had been covered up by tree's. It once was a trail but it hasn't been taken care of in years. But in doing so we saw awesome views of the ocean while it crashed upon the rock soaring pretty high into the air. Then we saw a random tiki/idol in the rocks just chillin. Not going to lie, it was pretty freaky and we could tell the atmosphere changed. So...we took some pics and went on our way.

Later this week starting on Thursday till Saturday night we went to Weimea on the other side of the island. The Mission President, his wife, and the AP's had a special training. We were the last Island they came to where they were to teach us. It's the new training for all missionaries in the world. Each day it was from 8:00 - 3:00 as we had an intensive meeting/training. It's all about asking inspired questions to everyone we come in contact with, but mostly as we teach our investigators. To allow who we teach to teach themselves. Also so we can help them recognize the spirit and when they had felt the spirit in the past. It's absolutely amazing and I love it! Just in these last few day's I've seen the difference it makes. It will definitely enhance Preach My Gospel.

Sadly this week we lost the truck and instead we got a 2010 Toyota Corolla (white) But it's still an awesome car, so I can't be sad, though the truck was awesome.

It's funny how every time we go in public stores or places people always come up to us and ask us questions, like what Isle can I find the Pillows. Everyone thinks we work there so now we just go with it ha.

Today we went to the Volcano and saw the huge Crater as well as a huge lava tube! One had lights in it and the other we used our flashes from our camera's to light the way as it was pitch black. It's was some sight to see!

So that's the run down of how my mission is going along, I'm absolutely loving it and I'm loving my companion as well. We are indeed a good companionship! Thanks for all the support!

Love Elder Gardner!!!