Greetings loved ones!
Another week has been upon us here in New Zealand and the work of the Lord moves forward! :)
Hope you all liked the formal introduction, it is true though! The work does move forward! :)
Monday: For Pday, we went to One Tree Hill and wrote things in the rocks. (see attached pictures.) There are rocks at the bottom on 'a' hill at One Tree Hill, and people write things with them, then when you get to the top, you can read the word or whatever you made! Its really fun! We wrote: PLAN OF SAVATION then put the Hamilton NZ temple beneath it. :) I know, I know.... so missionary of me to do that. :) We're just spreading the gospel any way that we can! ;) Also.... sheep poop EVERYWHERE on those hill. had to be careful what "rocks" we picked up. ew!
Tuesday: Before Trade-off we were door knocking in an area and ended up talking with this old lady, a Jehovah's Witness, she was very sweet, but she kept trying to bible bash us, so we bore our testimony and moved on. Trade-off with the Sister Training Leaders was great! I stayed in Roskill with Sister Toutaiolefue (say that one five times fast) and Sister Hengehenga went to Otara with Sister Aisa. It was good, I learned heaps for the trade off and miracle always happen. Sister T is a afatasi (or half palagi, half sa) so she is also learning the language. She is super bubly, and with her help we were able to get into doors we haven't had luck with yet, so that was a blessing! Mostly from trade off I learned how to have more confidence in myself.
Wednesday: After we Traded back soas, we went back to work. Not much happened, But we ended the night at Sister Tiatia's house. She is great, and always feeds us mint chocolate chip ice cream. :) i love it, and sis h hates it haha!
Thrusday: We met with Fealofani, a 70+ yr old lady. she is a crack up! she thinks she is a member already, but we are just waiting for the record check to see... otherwise she will be our new investigator! The cool thing about meeting with her was that i was able to follow and participate in the conversation! yippee!! we invited her to the ward party for friday and she was excited to go.
Friday: We met with Tupu! She is our new investigator! She is Methodist, but is familiar with the church, and she seems to us that she has been prepared her whole life for meeting with us. :) Its funny, when we pray with her she will say "amen" and "thank you jesus" when she likes what we pray for. sometimes hard to focus haha.... then came my most Near Death Experience so far on my mission.... Sister H and I were walking to Val's house for fafaga, when we saw a chinese man in his yard, so we said hello and tried talking to him. the following occured"
(me) "Hi! How are you today?"
(man) "NO!" (without looking up from edging his grass, but put up his hand at us as to say, stop)
(sister H) "okay, bye."
(me) "That's okay sir! But quick question, do you know any Samoan families in the area??"
(man) "Don't you know NO MEANS NO!!!!!!!!!?? GET OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY! LEAVE! AND IF YOU COME BACK, YOU'LL GET THIS TO THE HEAD!!!" (walks towards us and holds up his giant scissor things/yard tool)
then sister H and I walked away quickly. :)
not gonna lie, i wasn't expecting that. shook me up for a little bit... mostly just confused as to how people get THAT angry over missionaries. its sad, but his heart will be softened one day. :) until then, i have charity and love for him, my brother, and pray for him to be happy in life.
friday night was our ward activity. (see pictures) it was the Au Alofa (Relief Socity) birthday party! woop woop! let me tell you, these samoans go hard out for parties. they had heaps of food (usual/normal), then the Au Alofa had their visiting teaching groups do a talent, which was either a dance (siva samoa) or a song. it was so fun to watch ALL AGES of women in the ward dance and sing. Samoans are NOT shy. they love the stage! very entertaining! Even bishop interupted the dances so he could do one. hilarious! hopefully in the next few weeks i'll be able to upload the videos from the whole night on to the google drive. our investigator Fealofani was there and even did a surprise dance! then they had a full on dance for about 30 minutes where the WHOLE WARD, so everyone that was there, danced. it looked so fun... it was so difficult to stay seated with the other sisters.... so much temptation with the fun samoan music! don't worry mom, i was a good sister missionary. :)
saturday: CYCLONE! well.... just the effects of the one covering Vanuatu. It was VERY RAINY and WINDY all day, but somehow we had a good day with success! it was pepa's 18th birthday so we brought her cupcakes and sang to her! :)
sunday: sunday was a sunday, but we did have the Come and See Fireside again! it was in Otara this time, and we took Kristy, a 21 yr old, half samoan half tongan. she is super outgoing, and is really keen to learn more about the gospel. she enjoyed it and i know she felt the spirit. the last talk at the fireside was about "What lack I yet?" watch this viedo: https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/christ-and-the-rich-young-ruler?cid=HPFR031414568&im=true&lang=eng So here is a thought for you all back home: What do you lack? What are you willing to do or give up to show your love to the Savior? If you live a good life, honest, loving, and faithful life like the rich man in the video.... then are you willing to give your all to follow our Loving Savior Jesus Christ?? Are you willing to take that step of faith and follow his example and be baptized so that YOU can return to live with our father in heaven one day? I encourage you all, this week to ponder on that, evaluate, then make the needed changes. :)
this morning we had a Zone devotional focusing on LOYALTY. Loyalty to the Savior. we ended by watching this conference talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/the-first-great-commandment?lang=eng WATCH IT! I really needed it today, and I'm so grateful for the words Elder Holland spoke.
Today i will close with my testimony.
I know God lives. I know he goes before my face each and every day. I know that Jesus Christ has a love for each one of us that we can only begin to comprehend. I know Christ is the light of this world, that all good things come from Him. I know this gospel is the true and fully restored gospel on the Earth today because I feel it in my heart and in the work I am blessed to be a part of. I know that through the Atoning blood of the Savior, we are made clean, and we can live with God in the next life. I know that when we make sacrifices for the Lord, that we can see miracles, and blessings in our life. It is our duty to Love the Lord, with all our heart, might, mind and strength. As we do this we are blessed beyond anything we can imagine. It is important to know that it isn't until AFTER the TRIAL/Experiment of our FAITH that we receive the miracles/blessings. I know Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. I know God speaks to his children, especially his prophets today. I know these things because I've sought to know them. I've found the truth for myself, and I know all can know it for their-selves according to their desires. it is a blessing to me to be a representative of Christ, it is a privilege I hope to use for good. I know and testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
I love you, my family and my friends! Have a great week, I know I will! :)
Alofa Fa'avavau,
Sista Camilletti
No comments:
Post a Comment