Mate ma'a Tonga (Week 84)

Hello there!

Hope you've all been able to feel the hand of the Lord in your life. He is there; just open your eyes and heart and pray to see Him in your everyday life and you will. 

The past couple of weeks have been awesome. Zone conferences and all that good stuff. 

We had a cool experience where we went to someone's house who we've been trying to set up a lesson with and his neighbor was outside so we started talking with him. He invited us to sit down and share our message. He said he had been waiting for missionaries to come by for the last 15 years. We had a good lesson and though he had some disagreements on a couple of things, the Lord definitely prepared us both for the lesson and guided us both to be in the right place at the right time doing the right thing. God works miracles.

Hurrah for Israel! 

- Elder Shockley 

Ara's Baptism (Week 82)

Aloha my dear people! This last week was exciting! The highlight of it all was Ara was baptized and confirmed this past weekend! It was one of the coolest baptisms I've been too! 

There were so many people there. They filled the entire chapel and there wasn't enough room so people were standing outside of the chapel as well. Ara bore her testimony and it was so strong and sweet. She's one of the coolest and we connected so well over rugby, haha. I knew I would be able to connect over rugby with someone, haha. The next day I got to stand in the circle as Ara was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and it was amazing! 

The joy that comes from the work of the Lord and seeing someone repent and come unto Christ and be cleansed through the Savior’s Atonement is the most beautiful thing. The Savior is there for all of you, I testify of that. Time and time again He is there! 

Hurrah for Israel!

-Elder Shockley

Another Transfer, haha (Week 81)

Malo e lelei my friends! Things have been so good here! Scattered Israel is indeed being gathered all over the earth! God lives, Jesus is the Christ! 

I got transferred to a different Tongan Ward and I'm with Elder Kunz. He's a stud from Seattle. His testimony slaps people, Hah. Our friend, Ara, who we've been teaching for about a month is getting baptized this Saturday and Confirmed on Sunday! I'll be able to attend even though I got transferred. The gospel of Jesus Christ brings so much joy! Love it!