April 17- The Week I Ate Raw Fish

I knew I would have experiences eating strange things, and I was excited for it, but no one in America had ever told me about raw fish being a part of the culture. But of course, there's a great story to share with it :)

Our mission is putting a big focus on biking everywhere, and I love riding the bikes! (Next week I'll share a picture) By being on the bikes, we can talk with all the people we see. Anyways, as we were riding down this road, a lady pushing a stroller steps aside and said, "Let the elders through. Oh wait, I mean sister!" Haha so we stopped and asked her 1-why she called us elders :) and 2-how well did she know the missionaries? Turns out, she used to have lots of contact with missionaries last year, but for some reason we had no idea who she was. But she invited us to her place to have lunch. When we got there, you should have seen how much food she cooked! My companion and I looked at each other in shock, there was enough there for at least 10 people! Heaps of fish, KFC (standard Polynesian fare) and raw fish soup, a traditional dish. I looked at it, and knew I'd have to eat it...So I scooped some into my bowl. It's not just fish, it's in this milky liquid, with tomatoes, cucumbers, spring onion, lime, all the god stuff :) and I ate it, and it wasn't that bad!

My spiritual thought for the week comes from Mosiah 3:19, from the Book of Mormon. It says, "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural manand becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

I LOVE this scripture. It has had a lot of relevance this week. I know that deep down, we all have strong desires to do that which is good, to follow the example of Jesus Christ. But quite honestly, it's hard sometimes! There's so much we have to get done, and sometimes we can be distracted. That's part of life, the "natural man". But I know that God wants to help us overcome our weaknesses, and develop those qualities mentioned above :) I have seen it time and again, especially in my own life, as I pray and ask my Heavenly Father to elp me overcome my weaknesses. He will help you! Hopefully this week we can all try a little harder to put God first in our lives. I know that when we do, we WILL be happier, and have greater strength to do all that needs to be done. 

I love you all, have a marvelous week!

Sister Townsend