Sister Froemming's Heart Grew 3 Sizes That Day

Bula family & friends!

I sincerely hope each of you have had an amazing Christmas. Full of food, family, love, and remembrance. Christmas in Toukley was absolutely magical.

It was a very different Christmas this year.

Christmas without Santa.

Christmas without a big tree.

Christmas without traditions.

Christmas without my family.

Christmas without cold or snow.

Christmas without pie.

Christmas without Turkey.

Christmas without many lights.

There were a lot of things I missed from home this Christmas, but I have to say this one was my favourite yet. Without the distractions, without the traditions, without the movies, and without the hoard of presents, I was left more time than I ever before had to ponder the Saviour.

Now please don't be mistaken, I woke up to presents and was fed by the members all day long. They took such good care of us here. But this time it was different. I woke up on Christmas morning for the first time, without hopes for what I would get out of this day, but with hopes to help others enjoy it. 

My favorite part of the day was after having a HUGE breakfast with the members and a HUGE lunch with a less active/part member family we came home to rest. All the 4 sisters of the flat had our mattresses on the living room floor lined up in a row next to the tree. I drifted off for just a few minutes, but I just could not sleep away Christmas. So I got up and began studying. I spent time pondering what it must have been like on the first Christmas from many different perspectives. I thought of the shepherds, the Nephites in the Americas, the chorus of angels, and Mary. 

As I did so, I felt a warm feeling enter into my heart. Stripped of familiarity, on the other side of the world, the only one awake, I felt like I had my own precious time to approach the manger and adore the baby Jesus. The humble, meek, little child who would change my life forever. Who would change my families life forever. Who would change my investigators lives forever. Who would change the world. 

I'm so grateful for Jesus Christ. He is the Beginning and the End. He is the Light and the Life of the world. He is the Prince of Peace. He is our Saviour and Redeemer. He is our Friend and our Brother.

Long lay the world, in sin and error pining

Till He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.

#ASAVIOURISBORN

WEEKLY HIGHTLIGHTS!!

-Mattress surfing down the stairs princess diaries 2 style on "Christmas Adam" (which Sister Spainhower introduced us to. It's the night before Christmas Eve.) so we could all sleep next to the tree together. We liked it so much we slept there for 4 days haha.

-Contacting EVERYONE at all the shops on Christmas Eve morning. Everyone was crazy and busy and rushing around but so many people smiled and happily took our A Saviour is Born pass along cards. It was a wonderful way to share the spirit of Christmas! 

-Christmas Eve Barbi with the zone. We cooked up heaps of meat and played games (including the funniest game of soccer in recorded history. 4 sisters against 2 of the best elders hahaha).

-HEAPS of food on Christmas! Pancakes and ice cream, seafood, fruit, eggs, ham, tarro, NZ corn beef, roast pork, just everything a girl could ever want #missionweight

-One of our investigators had to go to the hospital this week. She is engaged to a less active member and really wants to be baptized but she is so busy and never has time for lessons. She normally works 12 hours a day 6 to 7 days a week. But since she was in hospital we were able to teach her and get her a blessing. She felt the spirit so much and immediately identified the feelings she had during the blessing as the spirit. The Lord works in mysterious ways and we hope and pray that we can help Lisa be prepared for baptism as she recovers from her illness. 

-SKYPING MY PARENTS! They'll probably tell you it was the worst because it was bad signal. But it was so amazing to just get to hear them and see their faces. I had so much fun laughing and talking with them. It felt like it'd been just a few days, not almost 8 months. I love and adore my family!

Well I love you all so much! I hope you can continue to keep the Christmas spirit in your heart as you look forward to partaking of the sacrament each week and continue to remember Him. Please set meaningful New Year's goals that are spirit-led and will increase faith in Jesus Christ for you and those around you.

Au lomani iko!

SF

The Light of the Year

Bula family & friends!

I hope everyone is enjoying Christmastime! We are having a wonderful time here in Toukley! This week has been full of miracles.

I have felt the TRUE spirit of Christmas as I have read, pondered, and prayed about the Book of Mormon daily. I have become more deeply rooted in the Doctrine of Christ as I have studied His words. I know that the Book of Mormon points us towards Christ. It points us towards His Gospel. It helps us feel, understand, and apply His love in our lives. Sister Koi and I have felt and seen so much success as we have made it a goal to teach and testify of the truthfulness and power of the Book of Mormon at every opportunity. We have seen hearts softened as they have been touched by the spirit of the Book of Mormon.

Christmas is not just a time of celebration it is a time for transformation. It is not designed for us to become better for a season, it is a stepping stone for us to become more Christlike for the rest of our lives. Christmas is a time for healing, a time for discovery, a time for learning. Christmas is a time for remembrance and deepening conversion. It's a time for love and forgiveness. It's a time for us to care for others and come together. Life is hard. We all have different trials, pains, and wounds, but we all have Christmas. We all have this time of year to minister to one another, to heal, and to grow. Please view this season as an opportunity to draw closer to the Saviour, not just for a month, but for eternity. May we all find ourselves more like Christ at the end of this Christmas season.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!!!!!!

-TRADE OFFS! I had the pleasure of going on trade offs with Sister Mapuhi, my favourite Tahitian. She is so amazing. I have never seen someone with such an intense glow in my life. I admire so many qualities about her, but I especially admire her humility. Everyone she meets just lights up around her. I was so grateful to be able to spend the day with this sister learning from her.

-THIS! Toukley is gorgeous.

-One day this week it was absolutely pouring rain. Coming down ridiculously hard. Sister Koi and I were driving and we saw a man and a little boy running in the rain with no umbrella. They were getting absolutely soaked. I pulled over, and Sister Koi and I got our umbrella out of the trunk and started chasing after them. The man was so grateful and told us that he lived just up ahead and that if we met him there that he would give us the umbrella back. After I few minutes and getting completely soaked from running in the rain, we met the man and his son by his house. He was smiling from ear to ear and he said "Thank you so much. My son said that you two must be the nicest girls in the world." We gave him a Christmas card and wished him a Merry Christmas. Unfortunately, that was all we had time to do as he ran into his house with his son to get inside from the rain. But we know we met these two for a reason. I was grateful for Heavenly Father placing people in our path and for the gift of the spirit to prompt us and give us the encouragement we need to do Heavenly Father's will.

-My two "daughters" are now companions! You all know Sister Eteaki, but do you remember Sister Nelson? I was in a trio with her for her first two weeks in the mission and every time she has seen me since she has run to me and yelled "MOTHER!". Haha, I was so happy when I found out they would be companions. So cute! They spent the night at our flat last night (they live far away and our zone went to Sydney) and they were being so annoying and making me get them blankets and food and wouldn't stop talking and I was cracking up because they literally feel like my kids. Love these sisters to death. Ofa lahi atu.

-F I A ! Haha, she made it into weekly highlights again. We took her out for the day this week and had so much fun and were able to learn so much with her.

Sister Hosea and Sister Froemming at Temple Lights

-TEMPLE LIGHTS!!!!! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! We went to the temple and there were HEAPS of missionaries being guides and hosts. We got to greet and talk to people and show them videos about Jesus Christ and bear our testimonies and take people's pictures and almost everyone that I love was there and this is a run on sentence but I don't care I'm too happy. I saw members from Emu Plains ward, I saw Sister Hosea, I saw Elder Sribunruang, I saw Sister Salvador, I saw missionaries that I haven't seen since I started, and I met so many new people, it was amazing! It was so nice to be reunited with people and meet new people! Heaps of members were there but there were also some non-members who just wanted to see what it was all about. It was a wonderful experience!

-Our flat is DECKED out with Christmas stuff. Shout out to my mom  and the sisters I live with who love Christmas too.

-Most importantly, our investigators are doing so well. There are bright things ahead for these people. People are coming to church and keeping commitments to read the Book of Mormon. It hasn't been an easy journey for them, but we are seeing progression!

I love being a missionary. I love my Heavenly Father. I love the Saviour, Jesus Christ. I love the people of Toukley. I love Christmas and celebrating it as a missionary has been eye opening. This Christmas, please prayerfully select a gift to give to Him who gave everything for you.

Have a great week everyone! Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

Au lomani iko!

SF

How to have a B.O.M. Christmas!

BULA family & friends!

I hope you have all had an absolutely wonderful week! It has been an incredible week here in Toukley. Full of fun, progress and surprises!

So this week was transfers and guess what? CHRISTMAS IN TOUKLEY WITH SISTER KOI!!!! What a dream! We are so happy to both be staying here for Christmas and to keep working with all the beautiful people that we are so blessed to get to know and love.

This week we had some amazing Conferences and trainings about the Book of Mormon. Honestly, this week was a total transformation for Sister Koi and I. From these conferences, we were able to see that we working hard but not as smart as we needed to.

Sister Koi and I were feeling so overwhelmed with all of the investigators we have. We have SO many people and they all require so much time and attention and none of them progressing the way we expected. We were feeling weighed down, and as the week went on and we approached our Zone Conference, we were yearning to be spiritually fed and to learn.

And that is exactly what happened. We received so much revelation and were able to get a much clearer vision of the role of the Book of Mormon in conversion. Something President Checketts said really struck me. He said: "Too many prophets have shed their blood and too many saints have suffered to defend and preserve this book, for us not to make it the heart of everything we do as missionaries."

This week, I have gained a new, and renewed love for the Book of Mormon. I know that it is a evidence of God's love for us. If you want to know if Jesus is the Christ, READ IT. If you want to know if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints contains the saving ordinances and principles necessary for exaltation, READ IT. If you want to feel comfort and healing in a world full of hate, sin, and fear, READ IT. If you want your friends and family to come unto Jesus Christ and be one with you in His church, READ IT AND THEN DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO GET THEM TO READ IT.

I received very clear revelation this week that has absolutely transformed me as a missionary and it is this: "Kirsten, you are making things too complicated. The book is true, use it."

I testify to you that I know that it is true. I know it contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel. I know that there is no other book that draws men and women closer to God. I know that this book testifies of Jesus Christ and His divine mission. I know that Joseph Smith was and is inspired of God. And I know he translated this record through the power of God. I know that there is no question or concern that cannot be resolved by praying and reading the Book of Mormon. I testify that it has power to soften hearts and heal wounded souls. I know that this book was designed not just to teach us, but to change us.

This Christmas I invite each of you to renew your testimony of the Book of Mormon and by so doing also renew your testimony of that baby born in Bethlehem whom we are celebrating. I love this book and I hope each of us can gain a greater vision of the important role it plays in our lives as we strive to prepare to meet our Heavenly Father and qualify for eternal life.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!

-Ham the dog. (LOL my poor companion.)

Alright, so one day as we were walking down the street visiting people, a dog ran up to us. It is this short FAT dog and Sister Koi freaked out but I started to be friends with him and he started walking along with us. We realized we had a problem when he started coming to our investigators doors with us and just making everything awkward. We couldn't get rid of him. We decided to go. So we walk back to our car with the dog by our side, and as I open the door to get in the car, this giant fat dog jumps inside and goes right to Sister Koi's seat in the car.

I am DYING laughing and Sister Koi is speaking angrily in Fijian. He is like drooling and shedding and making her seat all gross. And she keeps going "GET HIM OUT!! STOP LAUGHING!" But she is laughing a little bit too. Finally, I stop laughing and try to get him out. But he won't come out. We try everything. And eventually all three of us are sitting in the car (Sister Koi in the back seat lol) and saying a prayer that this dog will get out of our car. At some point I start teaching him the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the pamphlet and Sister Koi is laughing and saying that she has never seen anything so strange in her life, but ya gotta keep it light right? I ended up naming him Ham and after calling him by this name to get out of the car, he FINALLY comes.

But it doesn't end there, the seat was so gross and hairy and drool-y that Sister Koi wouldn't sit in her seat, so I drove her around in the back for two days until we finally had time to give it a proper clean. At dinner, I told one of the member families this story and then they came out to see us off and started cracking up seeing Sister Koi in the back seat. They had to take a picture.

#Thingsthatonlyhappentome

-CAN YOU SAY FOUR MAN FLAT?! YAY. Two lovely Sisters moved into our flat today because of transfers. Sister Spainhower (who was my insta BFF before the mission) and Sister Ah Hoy who I served around in Penrith zone. So lovely and so fun!

-Christmas EVERYTHING! I finally got in the Christmas spirit this week. We decorated the flat so nice and at Zone Conference we won a David Archuleta & MoTab Christmas album which I force my companion to listen too lol. Also the Christmas First Presidency message was wonderful!!

-Going out with Fia. She is CRACK UP and so spiritual and has an amazing testimony to share with our investigators! Love this girl.

Zone conference! 

-Who can find Sister Eteaki? #faceofpurejoy. Also the other blondie with the yellow skirt is my new flatmate Sister Spainhower!

-Here is the before mentioned picture of Sister Stigen and I on trade offs. We had dinner at this beautiful beach and had a mini-photo shoot. More pictures of us probably coming soon because she's coming tonight with Sister Mapuhi for trade offs again. #eternalmissionfriends

-I just love my companion. We have really clicked as a companionship, as weird as it is that we get along so well haha, we just do! We laugh, we work, we cry, we love. Noqu Companion!

-Miracle of the week: JASON! An investigator who dropped us. This week we felt prompted to text him and then next thing we know, he is saying he wants to meet with us and find out more about baptism. He found out that his dad studied with Mormons when he was younger and his dad encouraged him to learn more. Such a blessing. Please pray for him, we'll meet with him again tonight.

I love you all and I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas time! Please let go of any negativity this season and focus on the real reason we are celebrating. I know that Christmas can be a time of great growth and deepening conversion to our Saviour.

Au lomani iko, (I love you)

SF

Tan Lines & Trying Again

Bula family & friends!

I hope you all have had an amazing week! It was definitely a fantastic week in Toukley. The work kind of slowed a bit. We have so much potential in this area and we know it really does depend on our exertion as a companionship. We are trying are best to work with everyone we can but we found we have fallen short so many times.

This Sunday, as we evaluated our week, we were a little frustrated. We feel that we are doing a lot, but we can see we need to be doing SO much more. I keep telling Sister Koi "We're not working hard enough." and she keeps saying "Sister Froemming you're going to kill me." lol.

One of the testimonies shared this Sunday really brought peace to my heart. One of our members got up and began sharing the story of Jesus and the woman who committed adultery.

John chapter 8:  

 1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
 3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in themidst.
 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Brother Sita then explained how when he read this, he wondered: why did Jesus forgive her when she had committed a sin with specific consequences? Why wasn't she punished fairly?
And then he realized, that it was in that moment that he made a covenant with her. He essentially said without saying "You have sinned and you deserve to die. But I love you. So I will die for you. But you need to change. Go and sin no more. Go. Try again."
He then compared this to us. Each week, we come into the chapel and partake of the sacrament. We are forgiven. We are made clean. We are redeemed. We fall at the Saviour's feet and He has mercy upon us. He is our advocate with the Father and we are healed through Him.
But then we mess up. We say something unkind. We judge people unfairly. We hold grudges. We break commandments. We ignore spiritual promptings.
And then we come back to the chapel. With head's hanging low, we are presented in front of the Saviour again. We know what we deserve. We know that we have sinned. But just as He did with the woman, He does with us. He says "You have sinned. You deserve to be punished. But I see you are repentant. And I love you. Leave this chapel and try harder this week. Go. Try again."
Each week we are given a charge from the Saviour to "Go. Try again." We will never stop making mistakes. We will never be perfect, but we will improve. We will become more like Him. We will develop His qualities and become more prepared to meet Him one day. He will always forgive. Satan can try us and tempt us but he can only win if we let Him. Because we always have open arms and a fresh start waiting for us.
Go. Try again.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!!!!!!

-The dreaded mission tan lines have surfaced. Haha, we spent one morning walking to all of our appointments and I unfortunately had my hair in a bun. #baycountyredneck 

 

#baycountyredneck 

-Sister Koi is teaching me how to play soccer. She is ridiculously talented with sports. She can play everything at like pro level. So blessed to have a companion who is patient and hardly laughs at me ;)

-I love Filipinos! There are a few in the ward and WOW I have been missing out my whole life. Hilarious, adorable, and the best cooks. I love coming to the other side of the world and meeting all kind of new people.

-I accidently called one of the investigators from my last area lol. OKAY it's pretty funny how this happened. It was totally on accident. We were just calling heaps of people to invite them to the Christmas party, and I had this random number in my planner. Sister Koi and I were trying to figure out who it was. We eventually figured that it must be the recent convert who just moved in and we decided to call him. Next minute, DOREEN ANSWERS! I was cracking up and couldn't stop smiling. I forgot I wrote down her number in my planner because someone emailed it to me. The funniest thing was that when I explained to her why I accidently called she said "Oh well what time does the party start?" Haha, I had to then tell her that it started at 5:00 but it was two hours away from Emu Plains. I talked to her for a few minutes and she told me she is now taking the discussions from Sister Piutau and Sister Wilson because she wanted sisters to teach her. I wasn't able to say goodbye to her so it made me so happy. She told me how much she appreciated the time I spent with her and that she wanted me to come visit. It's so funny how much you come to love people as a missionary. Everyone you work with starts to feel like family. I can't wait to see the day Doreen gets baptised!

-I also got to call Sister Hosea this week because Saturday was her birthday! :)

(Our fav RM in the ward, Fia)

-The ward Christmas party was CRACK UP. So much 80's Christmas music. Haha, I love old wards!!!! Sister Koi and I were overjoyed when after dinner people started finally getting up to dance. It was so cute to see our ward having fun! Also it was a success because after a ridiculous amount of inviting, one of our investigators came and a less active came to the party and then church the next day!

Have a great week everyone! Please try to prepare yourself each day this week to partake of the sacrament on Sunday.

Au lomani iko!

SF

Hispanics + Polynesians = The Celestial Kingdom in Australia

Bula family & friends!

I hope you have all had a wonderful week! This has been a great week in Toukley. Seriously miracles everywhere! I'm amazed at what the Lord's perfect timing and planning.

I am also so grateful for this opportunity to love people. Some of the best advice I have gotten as a missionary is to just love the people. Just love them and be with them. Live in the moment. Focus on these people and just try to spend time with them.

I can testify that love is a principle of action. I can also testify that it is a principle of power. People can feel genuine love. They can see it in your eyes. They know when you really care about them. The pure love of Christ is radiant. It cannot be contained. It is love that doesn't have to be earned and isn't conditional. Love that drives you to do things you are terrified of because like the sons of Mosiah you become "desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble." 

I have come to truly understand as a missionary that the stakes are so high. This truly is the time to prepare to meet God. We will all stand before the Saviour one day to be judged. That is fact for me. Immortality is His free gift, but Eternal Life hangs in the balance as we excersize our agency for good and evil each day.

Each decision we make either brings us closer to the Saviour, or closer to Satan. It is as simple as that. President Monson has encouraged us to measure our progression by these questions: "Am Iwhat I want to be? Am I closer to the Savior today than I was yesterday? Will I be closer yet tomorrow? Do I have the courage to change for the better?"

I am so grateful for all those who labour with my Father and I in this work. I think of our dear Prophet. I think of how in His late years he continues to give of himself fully each day for this righteous cause. I think of all my loved ones on missions. I think of how they leave their families and everything they know so that they can spend this short time giving their whole hearts to the people they've been called to serve. I think of my friends and family at home, who are a light and example to many. Who are preparing to serve missions and to be married in the temple. I think of those who are raising children, and caring for grandchildren shaping them into future mothers, fathers, missionaries, and leaders. I think of how they share the gospel and do temple work. I think of how they boldly live the gospel each day. How they dare to stand alone and stick to their standards in an ever changing world.

I am so grateful for all the Saints. It is a privilege to labour with you all. Please never lose your eternal perspective. Hold fast to the covenants you have made. Seek the spirit each second of each minute of each hour of each day. Never forget that as members of the church, the companionship of the Spirit is your gift to claim at ALL times if you remain worthy. Reject the world and embrace the Saviour. Cultivate a love of all people. Set aside grudges and let go of sins that easily beset you. I can feel the world preparing for coming of our Saviour. I urge all of you to be ready. (Mark 13:34-37)

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!!!!!!

-Trade offs with Sister Stigen was a dream. She's so cute! She was a visa waiter in Cali but we came in together. I will never forget meeting her in the San Francisco airport.  She was contacting EVERYONE and just kept saying "The mission is the best you're going to LOVE it." And she gave me a talk to read on the plane ride from NZ to Sydney in the morning, ahah. Oh memories. This is a way old picture of us when we first came in. #missionweight (I will send more pictures of us next week because she took heaps on her camera.) She is this adorable little ball of energy. She's been a convert for two years and the gospel completely changed her life. She is living proof of the gospel of Jesus Christ! It was a delight to spend the day learning and growing with her.

-Benjamin is a less active that Sister Koi and I have been working with. He's been less active since about two weeks after his baptism in 2013. We had a really powerful lesson with him and he finally came back to church! He had tears in his eyes as we sang the sacrament hymn and he said it felt so good for him to finally renew that covenant. He was so happy all day. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints allows us to receive the covenants and ordinances necessary for salvation. Regardless of what ward you are in, who is in your ward, or what has happened in the past, please never lose sight of the real reason we go to church.

-H I S P A N I C S!!!!!!!! ?!?!! !!!!!! What da heck. Hispanics in Australia are so hard to find and next minute I meet 4 in one week. One potential investigator, Hector. From guess where?! ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!! And one man who just randomly walked up to our car as we were parked and about to go to an appointment. He asked us for directions and we gave him a Restoration pamphlet. He was visiting from another area but I was so grateful we got to meet him. And guess where he was from??? ARGEN-DANG-TINA!!!!!!!!!

And then we went to go visit a less active that Sister Koi said she thought might be Hispanic. And we go in and then it's a lady from guess where?!?! URUGUAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! She was this beautiful woman who loves the gospel but is struggling because she lost her husband. We had a wonderful lesson with her and I can't wait to see her back at church. She was so happy that I love her country.

Then we met a family from SPAIN!!!! We gave them a Spanish Book of Mormon and they were so happy!

WHAT THE HECK!!! This is such a miracle because I did not meet ONE Hispanic for 6 months in my last area. WOW MIRACLES!!!!

I would just like to thank all the Hispanic families in my life who have fed me delicious food, and taught me how to introduce myself in Spanish (That's you Brother Curapil), and have got me used to being kissed on my cheeks. Thank you to Naomi for always making me aware of when I was being too white and showing me Argentine food, thank you to Chelsea and Sister Wiser for all the Mexican food, thank you to Genia and Val and Augustin and your parents for making me fall in love with Uruguay and feeding me heaps.

If you haven't noticed, I'm a little excited that I get to work with some Hispanics....

-Lastly, we have so many promising people to work with right now. The Lord is opening so many doors and we are so excited for what is to come! I love this work.

I love you all so much. I hope you have an amazing week!!!!!

Au lomani iko!

SF

Dig A Little Deeper!!

Bula family & friends!

I hope you've had a fantastic week! So happy to hear that many of you made it to the temple this week. :)

Things are going great in Toukley! Sister Koi and I have received so much revelation on what we need to improve on. We have really sought miracles this week and we've been led to so many. We have definitely learned, miracles take WORK. Like sweating, limping, running from dogs, praying on the side of the road, kind of work. We are hilariously tired all the time. Being a missionary is the weirdest, most wonderful thing in the world.

I've learned that the Lord wants us to be happy. He wants us to smile, he wants us to laugh, he wants us to be cheerful to everyone we see. Even if they reject us, I can safely say that when we meet people, they cannot deny our joy. I know they see it. I know it softens hearts.

I've also learned that the Lord is merciful to us in our weakness. It is not a sin to be weak. It is a sin to sin, it is not a sin to struggle. (D&C 38:14)

This week I had a moment where I felt like I had nothing left in me. I felt like all of my enthusiasm had been wrung out. I was trying to find some source of strength. I was falling and flailing, looking for something to grab onto with nothing in sight.

Sister Koi was a little freaked out because her ever ecstatic companion had finally cracked haha. She told me that this was the first time she'd seen me stop pushing. She was used to me pushing her when things got tough but now that I was broken, there was no one to push us.

In this predicament, I quickly realized we were wasting time dragging our feet. Even feeling the way I felt, I could not tolerate that. So we stopped the car, said a prayer and got out.

"Let's knock. Let's just work until we have the spirit."

We knocked on one door, no one answered. I sighed. I could already feel it was going to be one of those days, but this time I didn't know if I had the strength to do it.

I wanted to get back I in the car and drive to our next appointment, but the spirit led my thoughts to the Saviour. I was able to think of Him. To think of His Atonement. To think of how He has already felt exactly how I was feeling. I knew He understood.

I knew He felt the emptiness in my chest. I knew He felt the exhaustion behind my eyes. I knew He felt the pit of disappointment in my stomach. These feelings seemed to be tearing away at me from the inside out. But in my falling and flailing, I had finally found something to grab onto. 

His hands.

I forgot for a moment that He was there. His always outstretched hands were pierced and scarred for moments like this. I took a second to just feel. I felt everything I had been feeling but this time it was different. Because this time, I realized He was by my side feeling it too.

We were led to knock another door. An older man answered it. He smiled and nodded at us. I began introducing myself but he walked away mid sentence. "Oh, okay then." I said laughing to Sister Koi. We both giggled and shrugged our shoulders ready to walk away.

But before I knew it a woman replaced him at the door. She invited us in right away. She was a beautiful Maori lady with flowers in her plaited hair. Sister Koi and I sat in shock on her back porch as she told us that she had many Mormon friends in her youth and had even visited the temple. We taught her a powerful Plan of Salvation lesson and invited her to church. She declined because she doesn't leave the house very often for heath reasons, but she thanked us for sharing our message and let us know we were welcome back in her home to share more.

We left her home beaming from ear to ear. I felt like my spirit had been refreshed. I was overjoyed at the opportunity to teach a beautiful child of God about the gospel. Sister Koi and I had hearts full of gratitude and our energy was restored. We were able to continue to work and taught many more people that day. We also found a miracle father and his young son who said he is "looking for a new direction" after the loss of his partner.

I felt so much gratitude to Heavenly Father after this experience. Brothers and Sisters, WE ARE DESIGNED TO FEEL. Not just happiness and joy and strength, but at times we need to feel despair and sorrow and weakness. "I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." -Ether 12:27.

If there is no struggle, there can be no strength.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!

-WE ARE TEACHING A FAMILY!!!!! A gorgeous family who are so prepared. Sue, Rebecca, and Daniel. Sue is the mom and her other daughter, Lauren already got baptised. Sue saw the huge change in Lauren's life and had a desire to learn more about the Gospel. She's been coming to church for a couple weeks and we were able to have our first lesson with her this week. She love the Gospel and is so keen to learn. She is reading like crazy. It's amazing to see the light that's come into her life in such a short amount of time.

-Sister Koi and I played Santa a few times this week and have been dropping off little notes and gifts for some of the members who are struggling. It's seriously so much fun! #TheDifferenceBetweenSisters&Elders

-THIS WARD! Man they are warm and friendly and I just adore them. You can tell these people live next to a beach. #Beachpeoplearethebestpeople

-Melvin! He's a less active member that Sister Koi had been working with for a while. I am so lucky that I got to be here for his first Sunday back on my first Sunday in Toukley. We were a little worried because he didn't come to Stake Conference last week and we didn't see him when we were greeting everyone on Sunday. But after sacrament meeting we turned around and who else was sitting there but Melvin! He is working on getting married to his partner so that she can get baptised! He has such a strong testimony.

-Sister Koi is seriously amazing! That girl is secretly hilarious and those who really get to know her are some pretty blessed people. One of these days I'll trick her into taking pictures with me so I can send some haha.

Three Generations. Sister Hosea, Sister Froemming, & Sister Eteaki. From Stake Conference last week.

-

German Chocolates

-German chocolates from an RM who just returned from the Berlin mission! She was nice enough to share these with me (they were supposed to be for her Grandparents but she gave them to me instead hahaha  #PerksofbeingGerman).

PCB YW - The Best

-I meant to send this a few weeks ago, but getting a package from the YW!!! I adore them and I'm so grateful that they do such kind things to brighten up my life! THANK YOU YOUNG WOMEN OF PCB!!!!!! :)

-Speaking of, I already have Christmas presents from my gorgeous family waiting to go under our Christmas tree that we will probably set up the day before Christmas.

-MY GRANDPA AND GRANDMA WENT TO DO WORK IN THE TEMPLE! I can't even believe it's true. Heavenly Father never gives up on any of us. I'm so grateful for their example of dedication and conversion! My Grandpa who is in a wheel chair who has only been baptised for a little over a month is already making the sacrifice to go to the temple.

Never give up on yourself or anyone else.

Have an AMAZING week everyone!

Au lomani iko!

SF

I Love to See the Temple Even When I am Stuck Outside!

Bula family & friends!

I hope you all have had an incredible week. What a week it has been here in Toukley! Sister Koi and I are continuing to see miracles daily, practically hourly! 

Each day we learn a new lesson. Each day we gain more trust and more faith. I'm so blessed to have a companion who listens to the spirit and supports me in listening to the spirit. We have seen the Lord's hand guiding us in the work here as we have submitted to promptings. It truly is His work. 

This week we were blessed to go to the historic first stake conference in Gosford Stake.  This stake is so focused on missionary work. The whole adult session of the conference was about Hastening the Work of Salvation. We were blessed to be able to hear from President and Sister Checketts as well as President and Sister Sheen of the Sydney Australia Temple Presidency. 

It was so amazing to hear from them both. Each of them spoke of the work of salvation. President and Sister Checketts spoke about hastening the work on this side of the veil, and President and Sister Sheen spoke about hastening the work on the other side of the veil. 

The temple is something that has been on my mind so much lately. I cannot stop thinking about it! I'm itching to go. I have been for weeks. I'm sitting in Sydney (I have to do annoying college stuff today) about a 3 minute walk away from the temple right now and it's killing me that it's closed for two weeks and I can't go in. But, as I have kept the temple in my thoughts, and not just for myself, but also for how to get others to obtain temple blessings, I have felt the spirit of the temple envelop me. 

The Saviour should be at the center of our lives and the temple is what realigns and focuses us. If we have our eye on the temple, we have our eye on the eternal life. I wish I had time to write a dramatic sermon as I usually do, but this will have to suffice.

I have a testimony that the temple is truly The House of the Lord. Please really consider the gravity of those words. Ponder the significance of what is done there. I know that the work that we do in the temple is real. It is the stuff of eternity. Those who you work for in the temple will be by your side throughout your life and will be anxiously waiting for the day they can thank you in the life to come. The temple is our refuge from the world. We need the spiritual protection that comes from temple attendance, and our family who has gone before us needs the saving ordinances that are found therein.

I invite each of you to focus on the temple. Try to get there as often as is possible. Make it your priority and the Lord will bless you and open doors for you. For those of you who cannot go, prepare yourself. Each of us needs to be actively engaged in preparing ourselves spiritually for the temple. We should ponder the covenants we have made daily, we should repent thoroughly and quickly, we should do family history work, and we should worthily and meaningfully partake of the sacrament each week.

I promise that as you make the temple a priority, you will feel a new spirit come into your life. It will follow you wherever you go. It will empower you to face the temptations of the world and it will buoy you up when adversity strikes. As you prepare and attend the temple you will find that your life will be centered on the Saviour, Jesus Christ and you will be prepared for the day you will stand before Him. (Alma 34:32) 

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!!!!!!!!!

-GETTING TO SEE SISTER HOSEA!!! I will send pictures but right now my SD reader is broken. But seriously it was the best to see my mum. I had no idea she was in our stake because she isn't in our zone, so when she walked in to stake conference we practically ran to each other. I love her so dang much!

-Seeing Sister Pearce! She was my first Travelling Sister that I ever had trade offs with. She already went home but she happened to come to stake conference in Toukley! What a blessing to see a beautiful RM like her!

-Spirit led finding miracles!!!!!

-Heaps of hilarious Aussie families in Toukley ward. 

Have a great week.

Love you HEAPS!

SF

sipi na'e he (He Hears Me)

Bula family & friends!

I hope you've had a fantastic week. It has been absolutely wonderful here in Toukley! It's been a week of work, work, and more work. Sister Koi and I have not slowed down. I know it was inspired for us to be companions because we really challenge and push one another.

This week has really humbled me. Leaving my first area was tough but an amazing experience. I have really relied more fully on my Heavenly Father. I felt my connection to heaven get stronger and more powerful. My relationship with Heavenly Father has grown deeper and more meaningful. I have felt a constant communication with Him in prayer as I have sought to tune my heart to the spirit. I listened in amazement as my prayers went from pleading for strength, to prayers filled with gratitude and appreciation.

One of the especially sweet moments this week came as Sister Koi and I walked from an appointment to the bus stop. It was dinner time, it was raining, and we had a bus to catch. But we kept feeling prompted to knock one more door. It seemed that these "one more door" promptings would never stop. When I could see the bus stop up ahead, I assumed that it was finally time for us to sit down and head home for dinner. I quickened my pace in anticipation of the wet, cold, metal bus stop bench. But I got the prompting once more "One more door."

I took a deep breath and told my companion. She nodded in agreement. We knocked and met a beautiful person and were able to share the gospel, but they didn't want us to come back. We continued on happily, nearing the bus stop.

"One more door." We repeated the process however this person was not quite as friendly.

"One more door." Bernie answered. A new potential investigator.

"One more door." Told us they weren't interested before we could get a word out.

After this door, I tried a new approach of keeping my eyes locked on the bus stop. Maybe if I couldn't see the doors, I wouldn't get promptings.

But to no avail, I once again received the prompting: "One more door."

In a moment of weakness,  I thought: "Heavenly Father, how many more? How much longer until we can go home?"

The words came into my mind forcefully and unmistakably clear.

"I'm sorry, Kirsten. I just love them all."

My heart softened and the rain on my face was joined by tears. Suddenly the houses looked new. Inside were people. People who had been valiant in the life before. People who had a desire to follow Jesus Christ. People who have experienced hard times and trials that I cannot imagine. People who my Father in Heaven loves and adores. Who are His children. Who He has held in His arms, who He has laboured, and toiled, and wept over. Who's salvation He works for each and every moment. He is actively involved in their lives and He knows what they need.

And then there I was. Blessed beyond comprehension with the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. In my mind, in my heart, and in the pamphlets in my bag, I held everything these people didn't know they were searching for. I held the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a little blue book that they could hold in their hands, read and pray about. A book that has the power to heal souls and change eternal destiny. And I was complaining because I had to knock one more door.

Brothers and Sisters, He has chosen us, as imperfect as we are to do this work. He didn't bless us with the Gospel because we are special or because He loves us more. He blessed us because He has called us to work. To work tirelessly. We are His tools, those He has chosen to help His lost sheep. He is trying to work through us to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Are we letting Him?

Do we realize how significant it is that we have the knowledge that we do? Do we realize how blessed we are to have the fullness of the Gospel and the saving ordinances that we need to have eternal life? Do we ponder the divine design of the relationships that we have in our life?

I think of how our Heavenly Father worked with each of us in the pre-mortal life. He counselled us and helped us prepare for the tests and challenges we would face in this life. I think of all those in our lives who don't have the gospel. I picture them before we came here as pure, and righteous spirits. They may have been anxious and even fearful as they received the news that they will not be born into a home that has the Gospel. But I picture our Father pulling them into His embrace, wiping a tear or two, and saying: "Don't worry, I will do everything I can to get you back."

"I will send my servant, Stephen Revell to find you. He will help you."

"One day you will go to work and meet my servant, Jennifer Combs. Her family will love you."

"You will meet my servants, the Grubbs. They will guide you."

"You will cross paths with my servant, John Harrison. He will share with you."

"Your children will go to school with my servants, the Riley family. They will care for you."

"I will send my servant, Kyle Wiser, to your door. He will teach you."

Please remember, that people need what you have. Please remember that every relationship that you have is precious and inspired of God. He has put you in these people's life for a very specific purpose.

I hope you feel it. I hope I can adequately put into words a portion of how I feel about this. This is the most eternally significant work in the universe. And each of us need to be engaged in it.

I love you all. Please do not delay. If you need help, ask the missionaries. #1moreyearofpreachyemails

WEEKLY HIGHTLIHGTS!!!!!!

-Seeing Sister Eteaki at district meeting and speaking Tongan to her.

-Making Sister Koi laugh so hard she cries. It's like too easy haha.

-Sister Koi thought all white people like country music and are lame so she is always like "What the heck you are practically Polynesian." (Trying to teach her that white people can be cool too but we're working on it.)

-HEAPS OF NEW INVESTIGATORS! To all my missionaries out there, please always talk to everyone. This used to be an area where they struggled with finding people and teaching but in one week of hard week, that has completely changed.

-The ward!!!! They are crazy sweet. So funny, so friendly, and so ready to do the work. It's a small, aging ward but they are pretty amazing. They are missionary minded and we are so excited to help them gain confidence in doing missionary work. Sister Koi and I have already presented to Bishop an idea for an activity to increase missionary work among the ward. Things move fast here!

-The water. It's so amazing to see water everywhere. Feels like home except for everyone is Aussie and no spring breakers.

-PACKAGES FROM THE YOUNG WOMEN!!!!!! Man, I love PCB ward. Thank you to everyone who takes such good care of us!!!! I love you all. (pictures to come, Jessie! haha)

I love you all HEAPS!!!! Stay strong & stay centered. Stick to Gospel basics!

 Have a great week.

SF