TRANSFERRED TO THE HARBOUR CITY!

ELLO BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!

MALO E LEI LEI!!!

I'M IN MANLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From Newcastle, the farthest north of the mission, to the farthest south! It’s about 30 minutes out of the city, but I can see the Harbour Bridge! I thought that Toronto was beautiful but this place is unreal -- and there are people here! Hahahaha! Like, businesses and LOTS of people! I am in a bit of shock with how much is going on.

IS THIS REAL?!! I AM SO HAPPY!

I'm not leaving!

That being said, I have never cried harder than when I had to leave my home in Toronto but know that I will be friends with those people forever.

I feel so sad that I was only with Sister McKinnon for one transfer and we didn't really even get to work together much, but again, we’re foreva Sistas! My new companion is from British Columbia - another Canadiannnn eh!! :)

We are ready and excited and my faith is bursting. Greenie fire from Sister Lloyd here! I’m just so excited to get to work. 

I would love to share a miracle that happened while serving w Sis U. We planned to visit many people, we set appointments, prayed and acted upon the inspiration to go to finding in certain areas. The entire day, we were not having success. No one would talk to us! We kept evaluating, and trying and NO ONE would talk to us, and we discussed what God wanted us to learn in each of the areas and homes we visited. Sis U's goal for the day was to find a family to teach, and we both had the faith that it could happen. 

Scarves & Jammies will bond us foreva!

We felt prompted to tract a street that she has  been  hesitant to go down before. We knocked on the door, and immediately a sweet woman rushed us in because of the cold. We had a transformational, tear-filled lesson with this woman and her husband, who graciously accepted the message, the Book of Mormon and welcomed us back to learn more. The entire day we had worked hard and faced opposition, and at the very end, we were blessed with an incredible miracle and answer to our prayers; a keen and prepared family for the Sisters to teach.

My core experience with God this week came from a “real” conversation that I had with the Lord. The night that I found out about transfers, I will admit, I was heartbroken, yet excited and a little nervous to know what the Lord had in store for me. I offered a prayer to Him, and told Him exactly how I was feeling, and prayed for peace that I had done all that I could in Toronto and as a Traveling Sister. I was so overwhelmed, and heard words in my mind that He had accepted my service. I feel completely at peace with the work that the Lord guided and allowed me to do during my time in Newcastle. It was the most joyous, peaceful feeling, knowing that I now could leave, and devote everything I had been blessed with to learn and go and serve with all of my soul. Toronto meant everything to me because of the transformation that I saw in that ward, and also how much I transformed during that time. As Elder J spoke yesterday, I realized that Toronto has been my "sacred grove" where I came to know God and the Savior, and love them, more than ever before. I've learned what it means to consecrate everything to serve them. I have never felt the Spirit guide, prompt and comfort me more, and I have never had such a real and personal relationship with my Father in Heaven and my Saviour. 

Teaching as Jesus Taught came from a miracle lesson with an investigator who met with the missionaries to learn English. I was with a companion who didn't speak English very well herself, and as always, I had to completely seek for guidance from the spirit to know what to do. She wanted to learn directions so we decided to teach her the Plan of Salvation, and use the purpose of life, and direction of where we came from, what our purpose is and where we will go after this life. It was unlike any lesson I have ever had on my mission. She was speaking in Chinese, but I felt our spirits connect and testify to each other. It was so powerful and I know that we understood each other.  Even though I was only there for a day, I know that we were supposed to meet each other.  She touched my heart in so many ways through her humility, faith and love and desire to know the Saviour.

First AU baptism and Ward Mission Leader

Speaking about how I have been spiritually fulfilled is a hard, but wonderful question. Although I have been "fulfilled" I am left wanting more and more – the more I am filled with the Spirit, the greater my capacity to receive and want more. I can never “settle” as far as my spirit learning goes. 

I  have truly come to "delight in the scriptures" as Nephi states. Over the last couple of transfers, I have found complete guidance from the words of God. I love the scriptures, and just wish that I could study all day, every day! I love the scriptures, and hearing God speak to me.  

In Phil 1:27, it reads:

 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

 Best Family Eva!

There are always at least two of us, wherever we go as missionaries.  The same applies to our families and friends. We are constantly surrounded with people who need to hear the doctrine of Christ, and need to be uplifted and edified by the words of Christ. I know that we hear the words of God by reading the scriptures, but it is our responsibility, because we have been taught, that we must share not only the spirit we carry, but also our understanding of the plan of happiness. 

Reunited Just for Lunch!

I am SO grateful to be here in Manly. I am so excited to get to work! I don't know what I am doing, or even where to start, but I have complete faith that as we are obedient and consecrate everything we have to this area, the Lord will help us be instruments in His hands to do His work. I know that he intends for this area to flourish, and I am so grateful to get to work and seek, and rely entirely on the Lord.

I love this work.  I love being a missionary. I love beaches! I am so grateful.

I love you to the moon and back!