A God of Miracles

Hey, I miss you guys! 

This week flew by! Soooooo much happened. So many emotions. 

Jesse was baptized and received the Holy Ghost this weekend, along with Taena Tapu, which was super last minute but so amazing. Taena was just getting re-baptized because they lost her records in Samoa, but even then, it was still a special day for her and I could still feel Heavenly Father's love for her so strongly. Seeing Jesse in white brought me an indescribable joy. It has been a blessing to see and help Jesse along this whole journey. Seeing his heart changed through Christ, and knowing that he is headed in the right direction is just so beautiful. So much more happiness awaits him and his faith and courage is an example to me! The adversary was definitely working on us a little extra to try and stop this big day from happening for both of them, but it all worked out. We were able to keep pushing forward! Angels were put along our path this week during some of the low moments. God is always near :)

We met a new friend, Ami! She met with missionaries a few years ago and was taught all the lessons but her parents didn't let her get baptized. She is at an accountable age now and she is wanting to get baptized so we are going to try and start reteaching her all the lessons. HOW COOL? God sent another one of his children along our path and it is humbling to be apart of it all.

Another highlight this week was teaching Jenny! We finally caught her at home and we got to teach the Restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was probably one of the most spiritual lessons I have taught on the mission. When I recited the First Vision, the Spirit testified to me once again, of the truthfulness of this event. How lucky are we to have this knowledge. I just want to share it with everyone!! Jenny promised us that she would study the Book of Mormon everyday. She is so prepared and I just have so much love for that lady. She believes everything we are telling her and she wants to know for herself. So amazing.

OK AND LAST THING, this week we had to get our car serviced in Parramatta and we just did our studies in a quiet room while waiting and man oh man, I had probably one of the best personal studies that day in that little Toyota waiting room, hahaha.

God knew our generation would lack faith. God knew our generation would not believe in God and His miracles. God knew our generation would need direction and joy.. and so, He preserved and provided the Book of Mormon for US, right now! In the scriptures we learn through the prophets that these plates (the Book of Mormon) were preserved for a WISE purpose. A purpose that only God knew at the time because He councils in wisdom over all His work. (Alma 37:12) That purpose is to show forth His power to future generations. We are that future generation and the plates have been preserved for US. For our learning and benefit. So that we can feel His love, have a direction, and know how to bring salvation to our souls. They have been preserved so that we can know that God is STILL a God of miracles and that He has never changed.

I love you all so much and I think and pray for you guys all of the time. I am only an email away if you guys ever need anything, haha! :) Keep on keeping on! Enjoy your week and don't forget to make time for the Lord. :) I LOVE YOUS 

Jesse's baptism.

Taena's baptism. 

Reunited with Sister Marsden for the baptism... I cried.

We made sooo many sandwiches for a stake activity.

Fun dress.

Hebershem district activity... Bowling on Pday.

The Heavens are Open!

Hi friends and family ❤

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have been focusing a lot of our studies on the restoration and I JUST LOVE IT. I can say without a doubt that God is constantly reaching out to us in a pattern of love and concern and that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever and because He is the same yesterday, today and forever THE HEAVENS ARE STILL OPEN!! We are receiving revelation from our loving Heavenly Father today, through a living prophet, Russel M. Nelson. God has never left us alone, and He never will because He cares so much about us.

My love for the Book of Mormon also grew even more this week. I know this book really is a book of power. It has changed my life, and it continues to improve my life every single day. For me, it is a book of love, inspiration, concern, guidance, direction, comfort, peace, happiness, assurance, wisdom, care, mercy, and justice. The Book of Mormon teaches us about God's plan for us and it shows us once more that God has never left us alone and that He really is reaching out in a pattern of love and concern ALL of the time. I love sharing this message with my whole heart.

We have Jesse's baptism this Saturday. It is all starting to fall into place. God has the power to work miracles. It is still so humbling to know that God trusts my companion and I to help in His work progress. I pray everyday that I will be able to remain worthy of His trust. Through Christ we can do anything. I am so proud I get to walk around with His name on my badge. He is my light and I can testify with joy that HE LIVES.

Ok and just a short experience for this week.. while on trade offs with Sister Fagg (from England, so cool) we went and visited the Pule family. They have been less active for a couple years now and we have been trying to catch them for a couple weeks now. We felt inspired to share a message about the importance of going to the temple, and being worthy to enter the temple. We had an extremely spiritual lesson with them, and the husband told us near the end that this message was the answer to their prayers. They have been wanting to change some things in their lives to enter the temple again and they just needed this little push to help them get started. They came to church and it was so beautiful to see.

Missionary work is the best and I love the Popondetta area. It really is poppin'. HAHA I hope you all the best week ever. Life is so much better when we put God first. Let me know if I can do anything to help you or someone you know. Sending so much love from down under.

Cute little Jana

Love day with my sisters!! (Sister Simpson's sister served with my sister in the Montreal Canada Mission and now we are in the same district here in Australia.. amazing)

Part of the Tapu family! We are teaching Taena (in the white shirt) and she should be getting baptized in two weeks! 

'A i ai i le Aiga le Alofa

Heyooo 

It has been POURING rain non-stop for the past three days and it shouldn't be stopping for another week. This will hopefully help with all the fires cause oh man I've never seen this much rain 😂 Just a bit of flash flooding going on now. Crazy to think that just a few weeks ago we were praying and fasting for rain.. now it won't stop hahahaha!

Last week we had a lesson with Jesse near the end of the day and I was just exhausted with a headache. Before going into the lesson, I prayed for strength that I would make it through the lesson. I left that visit smiling. As soon as I entered their home my headache left, and I felt an increased strength and love from my Heavenly Father. Two of his younger cousins sang, "I'll believe what I believe" and the Spirit brought me so much peace. In that lesson Jesse told us that he felt like his life was falling into place. Jesse had some problems with the Word of Wisdom, but he told us that he doesn't feel tempted to do any of that stuff anymore. How amazing is that? I am literally witnessing the Atonement of Jesus Christ work within Jesse's life right now. I know that as we commit ourselves completely to Jesus Christ we will receive the strength, peace and enabling power to change for the better. His baptism has been moved to Feb 22nd so his uncle can attend! We are all so excited for him. Ohhhhh my! Yippee 

Lately we have been singing "'A i ai i le Aiga le Alofa" which is "Love at Home" in Samoan with the families in our ward. It invites the Spirit and the members love it💛

We didn’t have any of our friends come to church this week and so I was a bit discouraged. (I know... not good... lacking faith :-/) but perfectly enough, our lesson in class was about discouragement. This is one of the best ways that the adversary can get to me haha. As soon as I realized that this feeling was coming from the adversary I was able to quickly push it off and look for the good. I know that God knows what is happening in our ward, and although we sometimes can't see the blessings from our efforts right now, I know that He knows. I know that His timing is perfect. I know that He works in mysterious ways, and I know that He recognizes our efforts. I am learning so much about how I can become more like Christ every day. The Lord is my light! ☀️

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK and remember to always seek for the good!! 💛 Life is easier that way. 

Last PDay as Hebershem District, Three Sister - Blue Mountains National Park

 

Exploring at Blue Mountains National Park

Past PDay with Sister Marsden

The new Hebershem District - February 2020

Life is Beautiful

I'm staying another transfer here in the Popondetta ward! Sister Marsden is leaving us. I'm going to miss her soooooo much. She has taught me so much in just the past 12 weeks. If there is one thing I've learned from being with her it would definitely be humility. She exemplifies humility. She radiates with humility! Humility is not a sign of weakness or timidity, but a source of strength that helps us rely on the goodness of God. I am so grateful for her and her example. I know God put us together for a reason. 

Just yesterday we went around to some families so Sister Marsden could say goodbye, and one of the little girls had a shirt on that said, "life is beautiful" and I couldn't agree more. God is so good, and I am so blessed to be here in Australia. 

A miracle this week was with our friend Touila! We haven't been able to catch her or contact her. We went by her house and all her stuff was out of the house. Her neighbors said that she had moved out and so we were really not sure how we would ever contact her again, but just this week we got a text from another set of sisters who are serving more south. They said that Touila tried calling them because she wants to see us missionaries again! This was such good news cause first of all, she's ok, and second of all she is reaching out to us missionaries. All our prayers for her each night were answered. There is power in prayer. Specific prayers can bring specific answers! 

I hope you all have a wonderful week. I think about you all often. TAKE CARE AND REMEMBER.. LIFE REALLY IS BEAUTIFUL! Love youuuuuuu all 

Went to the blue mountains today with my favorite people💙 It doesn't get much better than this!

Sister Marsden will be transferring this week.

Sister Louder and Sister Tamatuanui will carry on in Popendetta.

 

The Sisters of Hebershem District.

In front of the Three Sisters - Blue Mountains, NSW.