GOODBYE MTC!!! 11/11/2016

Dearest Aiga & Friends, 

Can I just say I love you all. Like kind of a LOT! I am so thankful for the Love and Prayers I feel daily and This week has for sure been a bitter Sweet! Bitter to leave my sweet District who I have grown to love and all my amazing Teachers here and sweet because I get to go to Samoa!! ( And NZ for a little while) The spirit has become my greatest greatest Friend! I wish I knew before the Mission how much it influenced my life. I hope you all take a moment each day to make sure you have it with you! It is a something I look forward to everyday waking up and pleading to know what I need to do today to become the Missionary He needs me to be for the People of Samoa! Brothers and Family, What are you doing everyday to have the spirit with you? Imagine what life would be like if we all had the Spirit as our Companion, It's like having the Savior walk with us and show us how to be like Him. If you don't already pray to have it with you remember what we do each Sunday to be blessed with the spirit, Are we using our blessings fully before making a Negative thought toward our Heavenly Father who is the giver of the blessings? I have been thinking all week how I can better my sweet family from, soon to be, the other side of the world. And I found this:

 14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

 15 Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith,and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in in corruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?

 16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day:Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?

 17 Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say—Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth—and that he will save you?

 18 Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea,a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, are membrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God?

 19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you lookup, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have the great priviledge and Knowledge of Him who sent us to this Earth! We should be representing the Savior all the time, even in our homes behind closed doors, and as we talk to those around us and showing others we love them. Service! Family, if there is anything you can do for me, anything at ALL, serve those around you please. Even if you just smile and not say a word for the purpose of making someones day not any worse than it has been! I love you all and hope you can do that one thing for me! Look for ways to serve eachother. I have found that the one thing that keeps me from not yelling at curtain people is smiling, saying a quick prayer, and finding ways to serve them.  

Wow! I am such a missionary! I just know that as we come to know the Savior and become like Him, Life will become more bearable and more worthwhile. This week has been so fabulous! I am slightly obsessed with my District and Branch! We just party all the time, like I've said before and of course we party with the spirit! LOL I have seen Tasi!! We took a picture and he said he would make sure to get to his family to get it to you all! I am going to take a picture with him hopefully before I leave! My soa and I are known in the Branch as the Social Butterflies because we just love and talk to everyone. I'm still a social butterfly, some things never change! I am so thankful though that Socializing is one thing that I can for sure do! On Sunday we had our Mission Conference and listened to the words of our Mission presidency. I was reminded of keeping Thankfulness apart of the work and realizing that we are only the vessels that the work is done through! It is not our work, but the Lord's work and he will qualify us as we work diligently and humble ourselves. Later Sunday night for Devotional we had the priviledge of watching Jenny Oaks Baker and her talented family perform amazing musical numbers! If you can you all should try to see her family perform, you would all so love it. Than before that we also had our Departing Devotional. O le a Le Lalolagi?! ( What in the world?!) I cannot even believe how long it has been and yet it feels like I've been here my whole life. LOL It's all just happening and I love it. I have Incredible teachers here in the MTC and I am going to miss them! They have been almost like our MTC Mum and Dad(s)! (Sis Kamaleti, Uso Anesone, & Uso Kilisone) Love them! They tell us all the time that they wish we could put them in our pockets and take them with us! I too wish that. My Samoan is doing good! I am getting comfortable slowly with the language, it's become more simple the more I use it. I've only ever taught our investigators so far in Samoan! How wild is that? Talking about the Gospel in English seems somewhat strange to me now! I love it. Oh! And I almost forgot! I was a host this last Wednesday I was here! I loved it. ​

I am so very excited to speak with you all very soon! Manuia le Aso! Alofa LAVA atu! Toodles Loves! 

Alofa, 

Sister Finau

Coconuts & Palm Trees in Provo, UT 11/04/2016

Aiga, Malo Soifua!!

O a mai oe? How has this week been for all of you?

I hope everyone has had a safe and fun Halloween!! This week has been another one to remember! I realized this week that I can UNDERSTAND Samoan! I was sitting in class and everything i could hear I understood. It was amazing! I cried a little (a lot) inside! Tender Mercies of the week. On Sunday Elder Snuka, Elder Pauga, and I! I felt for a second like I was at home. And another tender mercy was singing "Praise To The Man" for our Amazing Tuesday devotional, And all week long all of the MTC was buzzing in anticipation on who this week would be coming!  Elder Russel M. Nelson walked into the conference room and it was silent. He is the sweetest person. He made sure to shake everyone on the stands hands and say Hello. So Christ-like and so sweet. He spoke about how we need to engrave our purpose on our hearts and for the rest of our lives.

Yesterday we had to memorize the " 'O Le Fa'ana I Le Fale" which is the "speech you do before entering someones property. I love this culture I love these people and I love this language! The language is coming slowly but surely! My favorite message of this week was given my one of my Favorite teachers, Sister Kamaleti, who went on her mission to New Zealand speaking Samoan. She shared a message of the Why of her mission. Her why and my why is right here: 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-00-1420-because-of-him?lang=eng 

Watch it and know that through Him i feel a love that doesn't come through anyone and anything else in this world. She said at times it was hard being in a place she didn't know, but that God helped her out. I know that Jesus Christ atoned my all of my pains and sins, He Lives and it's an absolute pleasure everyday to represent such an amazing person. This is His work. Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet and restore this church to the earth. I love you all very very much! I'm so excited to go out into the field! But also kinda really nervous.. You understand me. It's going to be here so soon! I can't believe it. Time in the MTC has really flown by fast, but The Lord hastens His work. And i am so glad to be apart of it and all of you are too! Remember who we are trying to become and he will help you. 

Ok I gotta go! I'll write you next week! ONE OF THE LAST TILL THE MISSION FIELD!! 

​

I Need Thee Every Hour 10/28/2016

Dearest Family & Friends!

What a week. The MTC is such an amazing thing! Thank you Mesake for your tips! I'm going to take those and RUN. The language is coming! I have felt a love for the people of Samoa and from them SO much this week. It might sound strange, but I love people I haven't even met yet. I love them and I get told all the days that the people of Samoa are just going to scoop me up. (And I can already feel their joy and light) I'll start where I left off last week! Saturday was TRC (Sake knows what that is) and my heart was slightly calmed as we taught a lesson to Samoan Speaking RMs. They were so patient with my Soa and I and the spirit is present when you are giving your all. Last Sunday you wouldn't believe who was only a few feet away from, talking about her beloved Father who happens to be the Prophet. . .  Sister Ann Monson Dibb!! She is just the sweetest. Her talk was about how we have all been asked to be like the Savior and that it is only through the Savior we can do so. Her talk was centered on her Father Prophet Thomas S. Monson. She listed a few of the characteristics that we can all attain:

"My Father:

Observes & Remembers 

Obeys the Commandments

Is a Loyal Friend

Scatters Sunshine

Is Happy 

Loves His Family

Prays

Is A Missionary 

Has Faith 

Is A Disciple 

She shared sweet and hilarious story about his growing up and his humorous and loving nature. Once again my heart was touched and I was reminded of what an amazing man the Prophet is. And we can all strive to develop the same attributes. She also added to her Quote: "I'm A Mormon. I Know it. I Live it. I Love it. I Share it!" Than Later that night Stephen B. Allen, who is the Missionary Manager. He is incredible. He started writing impressions for his talk in front of the entire MTC one hour before going on the stand. He decided to got solely on the spirit and it was definitely an inspired message. His main message was CHILL OUT! And I needed to hear that. Seriously. He spoke about Being a True Disciple of Christ, Loving those we serve, and Listening to the spirit. Also! Sake I read your email and nearly died. You know how the Pauga's cousin in here? We are singing together this Sunday for Sacrament! It'll actually be me E. Pauga, E. Snuka, and I singing "I Need Thee Every Hour." Oh! And Momma, I got a calling. I'm the Branch Music Coordinator! BEST. EVER. So, just thought you'd want to know that I am actually sharing my talents. LOL And I feel the spirit and "at home" most when I'm singing, especially with others who have amazing voices. That has probably been the most comforting times this week, just jamming out ( To Hymns!) with all the Polynesians here. 

Since my first week here I haven't missed a choir practice, since my soa and I are both the Music Coordinators its our calling to encourage and help our Zone go to choir. We sang "Jesus, Once of Humble Birth" for the Tuesday Devotional for Brother K. Brett Nattress. He shared with us (and once again I feel as if he answered all of my prayers. He let all the missionaries know: "Remember who you are! Remember who HE is. For fear has no lash on those who will just Remember!" Be Not Afraid, Only BELIEVE! It was fabulous. 

I just want you all to know I LOVE YOU. I think of your sweet and loving faces often and even more often than that I see my Saviors Face! Think of him family. Remember Him. For he is the way, the truth, and the light! Remember who we all need to be more like each day! He loves you and knows you. I know he lives! Have an amazing week Alofa Atu!!!

Alma 38:9 & John 14:6 

Love,

Sista Finau 

P.S. Welcoming new missionaries is the greatest! I just laugh thinking if I looked as terrified or happy as them! LOL So fun.

Choosing To Love 10/21/2016

Dear Family and Friends! 

Malo Soifua! This week has passed sooo quickly! I feel like I just messaged yall two days ago. This week has enlightened my mind so much. I have been uplifted over and over and over again. My purpose as a missionary is taking affect in every aspect of my time here in the MTC! The Language is so beautiful! I already get mistaken for the Sisters FROM Samoa, so I know that I'm going to LOVE the people of Samoa even more knowing that they are truly my people! (The LORDS people!) 

Brother Lynn G. Robbins spoke to all the missionaries this Tuesday! He is amazing. He talked about the 6th Chapter of PMG. Go and read it. The topic was one I needed to hear for sure! He refferred the MTC to the Lords University! I loved that. BUT the thing that I loved the most about what he said was that as we choose LOVE over all, it will always work out. Choosing LOVE means choosing the Savior, as we choose him we need to use his atonement as often as possible (Somtimes every hour, if you're like me!) and as we do so, our lives will become more simple and our hearts will become softened. He is incredible! If you want to know what the MTC is like, think of having Sunday school all day everyday, eating every 5 minutes, and than being thrown (gently) into those classes and feeling the spirit so strongly but not exactly knowing what is being said. There you go! The spirit here is something I have learned you need to WORK for! And you have to love the one whom you represent with all your heart, might, mind, and strength! (And than somehow you can teach a lesson in Samoan all of the Sudden!) Jokes, but not jokes! I experienced my first time that the Lord filled my mouth on Wednesday! We walked up to the door and knocked and all of the sudden after saying the most sincere prayer I've ever said. (My Soa and I had studied so hard to teach Faletui what he needed to hear.) And all that I had practiced saying, all that I wanted to say; I could. I can't explain why I was so blessed to have had a lesson of being able to speak my mind and not read my note card, but I felt the Savior in the room. I know he lives! He loves us so much and knows the deepest desires of our hearts! I have had to show Him first though how much I love him and am willing to do to make the most out of this time in the MTC for the people of Samoa. 

I attend the temple this morning like we do on our P-Days and have found that it is the most amazing thing to do as a Missionary. The work is moving along! 

This experience is not for me! I am only the very happy and excited Instrument in the Lord's hands. It's a pleasure to be here and to represent the most amazing Person to ever walk the earth! I love you all dearly and think of you often.         

3 Nephi 27:27   

Alofa,

Sister Finau

MTC ADRESS

Sister Mele'Ofa Louise Finau
NOV14  SAM-API
2005 N 900 E Unit   9
Provo UT 84602

Email Address:  meleofa.finau@myldsmail.net

TALOFA LAVA! 

What an amazing past few days this has been. I have never in my life felt so loved. It's amazing. Although I'm away from my comforts I feel your prayers and your love! Thank you all so much for your prayers and love! I will be emailing on Fridays! 

Where do I even begin? As soon as I was dropped off and said goodbye I was whist away into a place of such an amazing and strong spirit. The MTC has a beautiful energy! Seriously. The spirit is around every corner and every square inch of the grounds. After leaving you all I got my name tag, that I LOVE by the way! It is such an  honor and pleasure to represent Jesus Christ and do it right along side so many amazing people! Then we were taken to class where our teacher only spoke to us (Me being the ONLY Polynesians in the Samoan District) in Samoan. I maybe heard him speak four Palagi words. My companion is Sister Brown! She is so kind to me and so much fun! We are both extremely forgetful and we usually find ourselves laughing probably much too often. We are supposed to be teaching an investigator tonight so, I need your prayers now more than EVER! Please. This is our third day learning Samoan and we will be teaching. So, just a little overwhelmed, but we have so much faith! The first day I think it hit me what I was getting myself into. I felt overwhelmed but also so thankful I had been prepared for the days that lie ahead for me. 

Our Zone consists of Languages: Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Martialese, and ASL. So, it's basically a PARTY all the time. We room next the Tongan sisters, there are three of them and 6 Samoan sisters. The Tongan sisters are SO sweet! Sister Kunuch is from Saratoga Springs and is full Tongan, Sister Latu is full and then sister Bute is all white and going to San Jose unlike the other two Tongan sisters who are going Nuku'alofa. The rest of the Samoan sisters are from the US some are going to Niu Sila (New Zealand) and California. Most of the Tongan and Samoan Elders are from farming backgrounds in Utah and most of the Fijian District is from Niu Sila and Australia. It is such a fun group of people. The spirit that comes from being obedient and with such great people is incredible! I wish I could send you all a little piece of what I feel all the time. 

Upon arriving I met so many new Sisters and Elders and then just smashed my Comfort Zone to pieces! Man, I don't think I have ever felt so out of my comfort zone and LOVED it. Believe me it has been some of the hardest past few days, but I feel so much peace and comfort knowing that blessings will come and are coming so often from doing everything in my power to become the missionary that the Savior is needing to be. I have been even working out every morning with my Soa Sister Brown! We are learning to plan and turn to Lord in all that we have been doing. It's alot harder than I would have ever imagined, giving all of over doubt and worries to the Lord, but what an amazing difference it makes.

The food here is so great! But the OJ really is Toxic. It's good for some but not for most! We had an Elder Try to drink as much as he could and he wasn't seen the day after! So the rumors are true! Haha! You are treated like Kings and Queens here. And it is the sweetest thing to see and meet the Elders and Sister from places that don't have such luxuries. Our teacher Sista Kamaleti who is a Niu Sila RM who spoke Samoan, didn't even meet a Samoan till she came to the MTC, and is now an AMAZING teacher and she gives me so much hope! Although I am so blessed to have grown up in a house that learned to sing and read Tongan! Thank You Dadio! 

The sweetest tender mercy that I have had so far is knowing that without a doubt I am going EXACTLY where I need to go. To serve and serve with the exact people I need to serve with and at the right time. I have been able to help already so much in my district with the Language and am so very Excited to learn More (LOTS more!)

I love you all VERY much!!!! I would not be where I am without you all! Thank you.

I know that this is the only Church on the earth with the fullness of the Gospel. I know that we have a Loving Father in Heaven who loves us and wants the very best for us. We have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who knows our joys and sorrows. He lives!! And his love is REAL. Families are Eternal and for that I am FOREVER thankful. 

Have a fantastic week loves! Till next time. 

Alofa,

Sister Finau