16 month recap....

 


For personal study I read (re read- this is one of my favorite talks) anz. Uchtdorf’s talk: Of Regrets & Resolutions as prep for a new year just reflecting (setting same goals for 2022. I come home this year in 60 days- that is INSANE! But there are so many habits I want to make goals to keep post mission. I loved when anziano Uchtdorf said, “We must not spoil sweet & joyful experiences by constantly anticipation the moment they will end. Discipleship cannot be achieved through “our feet, staring at our watch, complaining as we go” approach. LIFE IS NOT MEANT TO BE APPRECTIATED ONLY IN RETROSPECT!” With this new year providing me the last 2 months of my mission I want to find the joy in each day. For the last 60 days I want to write one thing I am grateful for that day. I have another new year’s resolution to read from the book of Mormon every single day. I don’t want to lose that habit. I want to exercise at least 4 times a week & stay healthy. Another goal is to reread the Book of Mormon in Italian again. I’m on date to finish the whole thing in Italian for the first time at the beginning of February. I’ve heard if you read the scriptures in your mission language & pray you won’t lose it. These are just some of the goals I have for 2022. I’m still brainstorming where I want to be by 2023 & what goals I need to set to get there. But with the new year, I love reflecting & reminiscing on the of the old. My google photos pulled up pictures form New year’s last year in Kaneone- so I want to go through each of the 16 months I’ve served with a little (I’ll be brief) recap.  

Starting way back in September 2020: the online mtc was such a blessing & seemed perfect for me. I got stitches from my avocado incident, mama busted up her knees & and had to be wheelchair bound for the rest of my mtc- it was hard to leave her like that. Dada had shoulder surgery, & I made more Italian flashcards than I can count. The timing was crazy though & it was an extra 6 weeks with my family.     Also, crazy internet problems made things exciting, but it was fun & neat now to have part of the cabin as my mtc- forever special-  

October 2020: My first general conference as a missionary! Receiving my reassignment to the Hawaii Honolulu mission (biggest blessing). Going through the temple- it was an interesting experience the first time. I didn’t want to & couldn’t go back super soon but now I’m excited to go again. LEAVING for Hawaii- feeling all the feels! Hawaii & quarantine- crazy changes from the very beginning. Sister Peterson. 

November 2020: Hawaiian hikes every morning (pali puka), meeting my Hoopii family. Auntie Jenn & Uncle Lopaka (sp) Sister Hart! 10,000 zoom lessons with Uncle Charlie. AUNTIE RENEE- Hawaiian thanksgiving with the Kanis (sp) & Hoopiis- making the ipu with banana leaves!! 

December 2020: Christmas tree with auntie Kathy & her xmas house :) The crazy centipede and spider fiasco in my sketchy house in Waimanalo. Conference (gingerbread & white elephant), sleepover with the kaiina sisters & makapu’u lighthouse on Christmas daySeeing aunt Nicole’s family leaning to Hula with Renee on New Year's Eve! KUUIPO         

January 2021: Meeting Charia on the military base, kaneone zone questival & challenges, so fun! Auntie Brenda & yard service- woah! Goal board/stand at makapu’n. CARWASHES every month every Saturday.  

February 2021: Going through the temple with the Kanis    Laie was the first (& only so far) temple I’ve done every ordinance so special to me. Valley of the temples, Puna in YSA! Anna & Robert, the coolest ward mission leaders- transferred to MONOA, Lusana  

March 2021: The literal peak of my mission, the start to many whitewashes! Young men mission prep- BISHOP WARD- brother Jardine ward mission leader. Found & taught JR! Miracle Theresa!! Exchanges with the Honolulu sisters twice a week! Lamprey. Pearl Harbor service. Basketball with all the elders- fishing & p-day at the zoo.  

April 2021: Bernadette Metzler (we still email, I love that crazy lady) Baptisms for the dead with Theresa & dinner in Waikiki. STEVE’S  baptism! First COVID shot in Laie. Sadie came home from her mission; it was really hard for me. 

May 2021: Koko head hike with Taylor. Sweet Gayiyn & chapel cleanup, second COVID shot, GAYLYN’S BAPTISM! Transferred to Maui (No Kaoi!) Sister Wilson- sister Hoy scripture studies 

June 2021: Cat sitting for the Demotroupolus (sp) family (He served in Italy & we are still in touch:) They fed me Italian when I got to Maui:) HALFWAY 9 months- note prank that was shared at zone conference- yikes! The sweet HanoHano family. Salt Lake CONSULATE (by this point I was pro at flying by myself) Wilsons family- transfer new to Hon west- Whitewashing Moanalua with Sanders! EFY group! 

July 2021: Returned with Knuipo! Pearl harbor adventure- food pantry service- sidewalk chalk, flat tire on the military base. HONWEST HONBEST, zone videos, tagolog ward in Kalihi- Italy news for august 1st. Lots of heartbreaking goodbyes, the powerful & needed blessing form bishop Ward & then president.  I miss manoa & bishop Ward & family Laie Temple with Aldreena 

August 2021: Hon west zone came to the airport at 5am to say goodbye:)     Longest flishts/layovers of my life, Italy! Orientation, meeting Demere & Lodi- crazy p-days, clueless with Italian. Biking on my mission. Youth activities- ferroagosto (sp) (aug 15th) ward activity in Brescia. #20 years old! Witnessed a baptism in Italy! Met my mtc comp sorella Growald! Gelato almost every day! 

September 2021: Loving Lodi- the hardest day of my entire mission with the Brownings- so close to come home- Minute to win it with the youth- ONE YEAR mark- tornado in Lodi - Milano days- it was so HOT & super slow with the holidays. Anziano Bednar! 

October 2021: General Conference! Session with the Brownings for conference- multa on the bus. Walking the entire city of Crema. Getting a car in Lodi! JR getting baptized! Sorella Howe. Demeure left for Lugano. McEachem 

November 2021: Makeovers with Adrianna- Como! Kuuipo (SP) got bapatized! Consnelo & Stefano- Monza. Cello viideo in Milano. Buying my red heels. Sweet manicoba family. Goodbyes in Lodi- the sweet doll from Elisa. Italian Burger King. Italian Thanksgiving with Vigneltos (sp). Manicobas & warers. Youth Party! 

December2021:

Vicenza!! Italina growth. The last supper. Monte Benco- Sorella Mclntyre- hard one- deciding to stay until march- maraele twins baptized! Verona & Venice. Christmas in Italy- Delaps & Parkers! Military ward! LUCA on New Year’s Eve! Sirmione. SADIE GOT ENGAGED!!  

It was definitely a year I will never forget- 2/3 of my mission -Hawaii & Italy all in one year! I’m really excited for this upcoming year- I'm sos excited to be home & spend time with my family. There will be lots of new things. Being home, getting a job, starting college. It all sounds exhausting but when I get home from this whole deal I can rest up & look at it with fresh eyes- 2022 will be an adventure! 

 

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