Have Faith

Hi, I love you all.

We had a pretty good week here in the Popondetta area. We went on trade offs again this week with Sister Knight and, oh my, I just love trade offs because so many amazing things just happen.

Friday we went to go visit Rebecca again and almost missed her. We left a Book of Mormon at her door and walked back to the car and as soon as we were about to drive away she pulled up to her house, so we went back and she was so happy to see us. She even let us into her house this time to teach her a lesson. It went so well, and our prayers were answered. She and her daughter are doing so well. I know that God answers our prayers. I have seen so many prayers answered as I have been out on my mission. I have a testimony that as we pray for specific things we will receive specific answers. She invited us over again the next day and we were able to help her study the Book of Mormon and, WOW, the spirit lead the whole thing. God provides us with the words and thoughts we need when we are in certain situations. 

Also crazy news!! While we were in a dinner appointment on Friday night, we got a call from this Fijian man, Emos. We have been trying to visit him ever since I got here. We called him back and he told us that he wants us over to share the gospel with him. We went on Saturday and had a really good lesson about the Book of Mormon and then, on Sunday, Emos talked to bishop and said he wants to get baptized this Saturday, LIKE WHAT! We are going to have to sort out some things and we might have to move the date back, but this was such exciting news. Emos has such a willing heart and he knows the Book of Mormon is true. He told us that he has been to other churches, but this is the only true church. He wants to get baptized, and set the example for the rest of his family back in Fiji. His faith and desire to follow Jesus Christ, strengthens me and my testimony!

As my companions and I have been exercising faith in Jesus Christ, we have seen doors open up. Faith in Jesus Christ brings more power than we know. Faith in Jesus Christ works miracles, and I have seen this on my mission, more than ever before. I love faith!!! What a blessing it is to be able to exercise faith everyday in this lifetime.

I LOVE YOUS. Please email me if you are in need of anything. I care about you guys so much and you all are always on my mind. Thank you for the never-ending love and support. x 

The Trio.

Christmas morning.  Notice the Canadian t-shirt and socks.

Australia Sydney Mission 2019 Christmas Luau.

CHRISTMASTIME AS A MISSIONARY IS THE BEST!

MERRY CHRISTMAS🎄❤ 

We had transfers this week so it has been so fun. Being in a trio has been awesome. Sister Tematuanui who is from Tahiti is so sweet. She's helping me with my French, and we are helping her with her English. 

This week we weren't allowed to leave home for a couple of days because of the fires, the smoke and the heat, so the work was slower. We were at least able to send some messages over the phone though, and we had lots of time to study and bake. 😄 

Yesterday we got to go to the hospital to sing to some people in our ward and it was such a spiritual/special/beautiful experience. We sang Christmas songs and, "I feel my Savior's love." The spirit was so strong, and I just felt so much gratitude for my life, my surroundings, and my Savior. Christmas can be a hard time for some people but in those few short moments, while singing to those families who had loved ones in the hospital, I was reminded of how beautiful this gospel of Jesus Christ really is. Christ is the only one who can bring peace into our lives when our situations seem hopeless. I would invite you all to look to your Savior, especially this Christmas. Turn your heart over to Him, because He is the only one who can heal, uplift, and bring peace. I have seen it in my own life, and I have seen it in the lives of the people I am serving. I love my life because it is centered around Jesus Christ. Make Him your focus, and everything will work out! 

(sorry I haven't been able to send personal emails lately. Know that I read yours to me and that I am so grateful for them.) I love you all with my whole heart and wish you the best during this Christmas season. I pray for you all often. PLEASE email me and let me know if there is anything I can do for you (even if it is just an extra prayer for you or for someone you know)

 LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Singing at the hospital.

My district

Sister Tematuanui made sushi!

Miracles Everyday

Hi everyone! 😊

This week has been filled with caroling AND we set up our Christmas tree!🎄 Sister Marsden and I are staying in the Popondetta ward for another transfer together but we are also getting another sister so we will be in a trio. We will pick up Sister Tematuanui tomorrow!! (She's from Tahiti yay) This week we also had our stake Christmas activity which was so fun because these Islanders know how to have a party, and on Sunday Sister Marsden and I gave talks in Sacrament meeting :) I felt guided by the Spirit during my talk, and my love for this ward just grew even more. I love these people so much!!

Good news!!! Jenny is reading the Book of Mormon! I love that lady. We also found out that her nephew is a member back in Fiji and the missionaries actually live in their granny flat. We got to sing to her and her family this week in their home and it was so sweet. We sang, "I am a child of God" and, "I'm trying to be like Jesus."

We had some pretty miraculous experiences this week and we were able to meet some new friends who just seem so prepared, it's crazy!

So a few weeks ago while on trade offs with Sister Fukofuka we met this lady on the bus but only got her name, Rebecca Olsen!! Turns out she has been inactive member of the church for around 10 years and she knew that God sent us along her path at this time of her life. We found her address and we were able to catch her again. We were both on that bus at that same time cause God needed us to remind her that He is there for her ALWAYS.

Okay and then on Thursday we got some gas and the cashier at the gas station asked if Sister Marsden and I were best friends cause we were always together and we like "uh yes, but we are also missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" haha! She asked if we had 5 minutes to talk to her. She gave us her number and name and we were able to meet back up with her on Saturday. We gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and she was so excited to read it.

THEN we went door knocking and met this Samoan lady, Touila. She was busy at the time but told us to come back, so we did and one of the first things she asked was for something to read. We gave her the Book of Mormon as well but she also wanted all the pamphlets we had. Wow! We found out that her grandparents are members. She told us she was going to read it all.

God put so many people along our path this week. I have learned the importance of talking with everyone. Everyone needs this good news of Jesus Christ. It is only Jesus Christ that can bring us lasting happiness. I hope that you all can remember Him this Christmas season. Turn your hearts upward. Christ is the Gift that never stops giving. I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and I LOVE YOU ALL! ❤❤❤

  

Cute kangaroo.

Sister Marsden and I.  :)

Our Christmas tree

A lizard and a cat, haha, weird

Sister Sam is in the middle. She's from Cambodia and is an Olympic Ping-Pong player.  She's amazing.  I love her.

Because He Came

Hi miss you all ❤

This week has been crazy busy. Tuesday we had tradeoffs! I got to stay in my area, and I got to be with Sister Fokofuka. She is probably one of the strongest people I've ever met. She has been through so much but still continues onward with so much faith in Christ. She is such an example to me and I'm grateful we got to spend the day together:) We saw more miracles of timing that day. We finally got to meet the Iakopo family. We have been trying to catch them this entire transfer, and our connecting bus ride that day just happened to be right across the street from their house so we decided we would go try and catch them one more time before the next bus. We got there during the mom’s short lunch break. Her and her son let us in and were soooooo kind and we connected with them so well. Her son, Princeton, who is 12 is not baptized so we are going to try and work with them!! SO EXCITING. I am a witness of God's perfect timing and His miracles.

We had a great lesson with this man named Steve. He had been visited by other missionaries once before we visited him. He says that missionaries are just so happy all the time and he doesn't know why. He told us that he doesn't believe in God and that he never will. I was able to testify to him that God IS our loving Heavenly Father, that He lives, and knows us perfectly. I felt so much love for Steve and knew Heavenly Father loved him too. The Spirit was so strong. He told us we could come over anytime. This visit brightened my entire week.

Wednesday we had our mission Christmas conference which was super fun. We had a very spiritual morning and a fun afternoon playing sports in a huge field with the nice and heavy bushfire smoke. Haha. (Hopefully it gets better soon cause boy of boy the smoke is badddd) This weekend we had our ward games night, (didn't really go cause island time is real and they don’t start till late and so we had to go home), our ward Christmas party (we could go for a little bit cause island time again lol) and we went to the temple lights last night with some of our YSA!

My love and appreciation for the Spirit increased this week. In certain lessons I noticed the Spirit working through me. As soon as I opened my mouth and started talking the Spirit brought things to my mind and I was able to share those thoughts with the people we were teaching. I am beyond grateful for these moments, and I'm grateful I can recognize these moments. The Spirit is a gift from God!

I hope we can all see the good in each day. I'm grateful for my family and friends who are supporting me through this journey. I'm grateful for the harder weeks because they allow me to grow and draw nearer to my Savior. I know that true happiness comes only when we choose to forget ourselves, serve others, and follow Christ. I'm grateful for this Christmas season and for the time we get to reflect on why we truly celebrate Christmas. I know that because He came, we get second chances. I know that because He came, we can find peace in this life, and I know that because He came, and I can be happy now and for eternity. I love my life because of Him. 

Sister Marsden and I drinking our koko samoa.

We made loads of cookies for our ward families.

Bushfire smoke.

Our district matching, haha.

Sister Marsden and I again.

Sister Fukofuka and I dying in the hear!!!

Happy December!

Hi everyone! ❤❤❤

My comp and I had a pretty great week. Missionary life is the best. We met four new friends! What a miracle. We met Jenny door knocking! As soon as we introduced ourselves, she asked if we wanted to come in and talk. She told us she has three kids. One in NZ (where my comp is from) one in Canada (where I am from, AGH!) and one in Australia. Having connections make things so much better. She was so sweet and so willing to hear what we had to say. She told us that she believed in God and in Jesus Christ and was interested in learning more about Christ and His teachings. We had just the right book for her, haha. We gave her a Book of Mormon and testified of its truthfulness. She asked us how much it would cost! When we told her it was free, and she was so grateful. God had prepared her for us, and I am so excited to get to know her better. God guided us to her, and it was so beautiful. 

We went and visited some friends, Byran and Jennifer. Byran is 10 and he hasn't been baptized yet. When we went and visited and one of the first things that Byran said to us was, "I can't believe I'm 10 and not baptized yet." That took us by surprise. We are going to start teaching him and Jennifer, his mom, the lessons so that they can be baptized in the upcoming year. This experience was also a testimony to me that God is preparing people. 

We went and saw the Pule's, an inactive family! They have been inactive for over 10 years. They had been thinking about coming back to church for the past three weeks. With certain family situations going on they have felt promptings to return. They told us that our visit was the confirmation they needed, and they came to church!!! We also had this other older Samoan man in our ward who has been inactive come to church for the first time in almost a year. He is the best and I absolutely love talking with him. He brings so much joy into my day!

I love this work and I know God is guiding me every day. Life is so beautiful :)) I hope all is well at home. I pray for you all often. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you, and HAPPY DECEMBER! 🌲 (the best time of the year) Love you all loads!!!