Malo soifua

Lo'u Aiga,

I feel like I just wrote you yesterday... Is it already Monday again? I don't see how that can be possible...

Anyways, it's transfer week this week and no one knows whats happening! We got an email saying that there will be no transfer meeting in Hamilton, so people being transferred will take the bus (rather than being driven by their companion to the meeting). Transferring missionaries will not be able to take their bikes or blankets on the bus with them  :'(  They will need to use the ones at the flat in their new area. .... Hopefully I'm not being transferred ;) Optimally that will never happen because all the Samoan wards are in South Auckland... 

Other than that I'm trying to think of new news to share... It seriously feels like I just wrote yesterday.

Our Relief Society 2nd counselor came with us this week, but since there are 3 of us we had to split up (its rude to go to house with 4 people). So I went with her and Sister Ulu and Sister Tai went together. That day it was POURING RAIN. And when I say pouring I mean POURING rain. SO I was thinking that Tai and ULU would be sopping wet because they were walking and we would stay dry because of the car. NOPE. ONLY 3 PEOPLE LET US IN ALL DAY!!! 7 hours!!!!! ONLY 3 PEOPLE!!! We were drenched! One of our less active members gave us towels to sit on in the car (Mara... bless her!!)!! So we go pick up the other two and they are DRY AS!!!!! YOU ARE JOKING!!! Everyone except 3 people let them in!! What the heck!! LOL!!!! 

We got a new investigator! We were contacting a referral and Sister Taituuga and I turn around and a house jumps out to us! She points at it and says we need to go to that one! We were halfway across the street before Ulu noticed what was happening! LOL!  Her name is Mercy! She is way cool! We had a SUPER long first lesson where she agreed to read the Book of Mormon and pray about its truthfulness. She told us to come back Sunday  night because all of her cousins we be over and they would want to talk to us. So we went last night With Vaai (YSA who always comes with us) (Its Vaai's birthday today... Happy birthday Vaai), her cousins talked to us and asked us tons of questions but have a firm belief in their own faith. One of the questions they asked was why was Joseph Smith so special that he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ when the other prophets weren't able to see them? The closest prophet was Moses. Interesting question! And he also asked how Joseph Smith was able to see God when in the bible it says that no man can see God. That makes it seem like they were bible bashing... They weren't! They were just curious on our views. They invited us back next weekend to discuss it more!

Wow. That was a long one! Sorry about that! I love you all! Heavenly Father loves you the most! Look for miracles! 

Alofa tele atu,

Sista Peo

It was raining so please excuse my crazy hair... No amount of hairspray can tame the mane (there's not a lion emoji...)

Extra photos that have been posted on the mission facebook page

These are from Sister Peo's first moments in New Zealand, 

fresh off the plane where she had asthma troubles almost the entire flight :(

 Everyone kept getting these two mixed up.  The other sister is serving in the visitors center at the temple.

Picture of Sister Peo and Sister Taituuga at the font for Fagamanu's baptism

 After a mission conference--in the van

In December 2015, the New Zealand Hamilton Mission did a mission Haka.  Here they are performing it.  Sister Peo is right behind the last row of Elders in a dress with black and white triangles.  

The Missionary Haka which is called “Tiororangi” meaning the piercing cry from heaven.

   Here are the words and meaning (in Maori and English).    When I asked Sister Peo about hakas in general, here is what she said, "They are used to unify the members and intimidate everyone else. It is disrespectful to smile during a haka. Boys make their eyes big and stick out their tongues, girls make their eyes go wide and do a dramatic frown. We do it in pictures all the time so if i sent you a picture and we were doing that, that's what it is! It is called pukanah (spelled wrong! Sorry!)"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

Here is a youtube link to 2 missionaries performing it for their families on Christmas Day, there is supposed to be a professional video coming out and I'll post that when I find it. 

Elder Egbert and Timu performing the Hamilton Mission Haka 

New Zealand Christmas Day 2015

Preparing for the barbecue at a members house

 Skype photos of our Christmas Day 2015, Sista Peo's Boxing Day

Such a happy time!!

Sister Sogialofa posted this picture on facebook, my favorite surprise of today! Jan 2016

"Love her smile"

 Sister Tuimalatu posted this picture--Jan 2016

The new Trio, Sistas Taituuga, Ulu and Peo

Whazzzzzzzzz uuuuuuuuuuuuuuupp?

Lo'u Aiga,

Very exciting news!! WE ARE A TRIO!!!!!!!!!!! 

I had a feeling last transfer that we'd be in a trio! Nailed it!! ;) 

I know what your thinking: was it transfers already?

Nope! Transfer is on the 14th!

Our third soa (companion) is sister Ulu from the MTC we went on splits with them a few weeks ago! She finished her six weeks in the mtc and is in a trio with us until she gets her trainer at transfers!! Exciting stuff! So we've had fun guessing who her trainer could be (she is called to the Samoan program, so we have a 1 in 6 chance of getting it right ;))

We SMASHED it this week numbers wise!! We had Sister Tui (member from the ward) come with us, so Sister Tai and Ulu would go together and I would go with Sister Tui! It was so effective! We got so much done!! Sister Tui and I visited lots of less actives! It was so good! Sister Tui doesn't really speak english... I mean she does... but doesn't..

So initially I was a little worried. But my Samoan has vastly improved!! We were chatting away the whole time! Yay!!! Mind you there were lots of hand signals involved, and we could only talk about little things, but still! It was good!! I imagine from her perspective it was probably like talking to a giant toddler BAHAHA!! ;) 

Miracles happen EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!!!! Don't forget to look for them!! Follow the spirit! Remember who you are and what you stand for! Thank you for your prayers and love!! 

Alofa atu,

Sister Peo

PS from Delise: I don't know how to turn these upside down pictures around, sorry!!  :(

l to r: Sistas Tai, Peo and Ulu

sooo...fleas are a thing

Aiga (family, because we're all family right??)

How are yous??

Just forewarning: this keyboard has no letters on it... so we are relying on Sista Peo's memory... we all know how that is ;)

I bet you're all thinking this email will be boring because we just skyped on Saturday... WRONG!!!!

When we came home for the day on Saturday night Disaster struck!! I was wearing a bright yellow skirt that I got for Christmas, and I was preparing to get in the shower when I saw a black dot on my leg.... FLEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I quickly caught it with my ninja powers and killed it in the sink. Then I actually looked at my skirt.. FLEAS EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH!!! 

There was like 5 but i only caught and killed 3.... Sister Taituuga found 1 and disposed of it...

I am sure there are lots of others... I can feel them,,, with my flea senses...

So today we are de-fleaing everything... yay!

In actual news we have a new investigator: Alietta!! She is so good!! We are just doing how to begin teaching but she texts US first almost everyday!! We are so excited!! 

Love you all!!  Hope you had an awesome Christmas!!! If there is snow on the ground where you are, play in it for me ;)

Alofa tele atu!!

Sista Peo

 In Christmas Eve Pajamas

During Mission Conference

After Mission Conference

Pinata they made for the District

Photo Sister Taituuga sent but I don't know who is in it 

Dead flea

5am Christmas morning (Alley told us when we skyped with her that they woke up to open their gifts at 5am so they could still go play basketball with the Tongan Sisters)

Santa Tai

District in matching outfits

faifeautala'i fou

Lo'u Aiga ma uo (my family and friends)

O a mai? (how are you)

This week started off awesome; lessons, inviting people for our activities this weekend (we had volleyball and basketball on Saturday and a devotional on Sunday), service, but then everyone seemed to realize it was almost Christmas ;P Around Thursday everyone got too busy to talk to us or just weren't home. In fact none of our investigators came to any of our activities this weekend even though they said they would...FAANOANOA (sad)!! Fia tagi :'( (want to cry). haha!! That's okay, they have their agency! We did our job by inviting them! :)

On Wednesday we had splits with the Missionaries in the MTC again! The Sisters from Samoa came with Sister Taituuga and me!! The one that came on splits with me, Sister Fata is going to Sydney North, and the Sister who split with Sister Taituuga, Sister Ulu, is coming HERE!!! IN THE SAMOAN PROGRAM!! Whaaaat? so then we had fun trying to guess who Sister Ulu's trainer would be!! Hahah! she is coming in the middle of the transfer so she will be in a trio for a few weeks before she knows who it is! I hope she will be in a trio with us! That would be so fun!!

There are only 6 sisters in the program, 4 of them were called to it, 2 of them are visitor center sisters (Sister Taituuga and Sister Poina- Sister Corrigan's trainer). 

We had lessons with Nortia this week (our investigator who was supposed to be baptized with Caroline). Hopefully we will get a date pinned down for her this week... we will see! I will keep you posted!

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!! I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he has made for us. He has paid the price for my sins, and asks for nothing in return except to follow his example and come unto him.

Alofa tele atu,

Sista Peo

After playing basketball with the Tongan Sisters.

Tagata sailiili fou

If anyone would like to send Sister Peo an email for Christmas, I know she'd love to hear from you!!  Her p-day's are on our Sunday (US)--her Monday.

alley.peo@myldsmail.net


Loved ones,

Last week was hot as! We were melting into puddles! But this week was cold!!!! What gives?? I thought it was summer ;) it was dark and rainy all week, so cold at night and humid and muggy during the day. Just picture my hair... it was not to be controlled this week ;)

Did I tell yous that we have friends now?? WE HAVE TOGAN SISTERS IN OUR DISTRICT!!! YAY!!! We have been waking up early and meeting them at the chapel at 6am and playing sports!! Sister Puhulu and I got a little aggressive... fouling each other... all in good fun though!! But we accidentally smashed my watch..  Don't worry, I taped it back together 

Sister Taituuga and I felt like we needed to meet new faces this week. We went back through the area book and a bunch of names and went and contacted them!! LOTS INVITED US BACK!! YAY!!! Thus the Tagata sailiili fou (new investigators).

Also this week I was reading my Tusi a Mamona and thinking "when on earth am I going to finish this thing??"  It is so long. So I made a goal!! I am going to finish it by the 16th of march!! In order to do that I have to read 6 pages every day! Bring it on!! ;) So far so good!! Yesterday I only read 3 pages but earlier this week I read 10 so it's alright!! Right now it takes me 15 minutes per page (I'm reading in Samoan and English so I for sure understand), it will be fun to see how fast I am improving on my language ;)

We watched the Christmas conference last night!! SOO GOOD!!! I loved all the talks!! Especially Elder Bednar's talk about how Christ is the light, and how we should steadfastly look to him. In Samoan the word for understanding and light are the same (malamalama). I know that as we steadfastly look towards the light of Christ and strive to stay in the light, we will receive further light and knowledge about the gospel. Heavenly Father is never too far away, he is never too busy to talk to you, and he desperately wants to hear from you. Miracles happen everyday. Look for them and Heavenly Father will send even more your way!! 

Have an amazing week!!

Alofa atu,

Sista Peo

This is a pic of the Samoan faifeautalai 

Elder Maiava on the left

Elder Ngungutau (still here) in between Sister Taituuga and I

It's December!! WHAAAT!?!?!

Family, Friends, Faifeautalai,

Sister Taituuga is still my companion!! Transfers came and went! *whew*!! Elder Moea'i was transferred though (he was sent to the palagi program. Moment of silence please....thank you ;)) Elder Fametau (our district leader) was also transferred! So Elder Ngungutau (Moea'i's companion) is our new district leader!!

I lost my planner this week! CRY!!! Sister Taituuga Lost her Tusi a Mamona (Book of Mormon in Samoan). They are gone, gone, gone... We have no idea where to find them!!! oh well. life goes on!!

Our mission conference is on December 23rd (Joseph Smith's birthday!!!!)!!!! They wrote a Hamilton mission haka!!! We have been working on learning it so that we will be ready to learn the actions at mission conference!! Also Sista Taituuga and I have been preparing a Christmas song to sing to everyone... :) its tracting in a winter wonderland. We are the coolest...Jacob 6:12 oh be wise... what can I say more? ;)

We have been taking members with us to lessons like crazy this week!! But lots of our lessons drop last minute... so that's interesting. Everyone is getting really busy and forgetting about our appointments!! And I think half of everyone in New Zealand is going to Sa (Samoa) for Christmas!! LOL!! 

OH THE MOST EXCITING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!! Sista Taituuga and I got permission to go down and see the temple lights with our ward, recent converts and investigators!! WHOOP WHOOP!! President made an announcement saying only Hamilton missionaries could go see the lights, but our bishop (Bishop Sioli) called and asked for permission for us!! PRESIDENT SAID YES!!! YAY!!! but the Elders aren't allowed to come... shhhhhh don't tell them we're going ;)

I hope everyone has a great week!! Look for people to serve!! They are everywhere!! Heavenly Father will point them out to you if you are willing to listen!!

Alofa Tele Atu!!!

Sista Peo

Got the package and decorated the flat!

 Sista Taituuga and Sista Peo in Santa Hats (not sure how to turn this one, sorry!)

 The flat decorations

 Ute Fans in NZ

 They get fed so much that this is what their fridge and pantry look like after not grocery shopping for 3 weeks!