Are You Arguing With the Spirit?

Malo lelei family!

What a wonderful week with my lovely new companion! Sister Eteaki is so wonderful. She is so sassy and funny and sweet. She has a powerhouse testimony. When she speaks, she speaks by the spirit and you feel what she says. I have so much to learn from her! She is always willing to try her best and she is so humble. I'm so grateful to have her as my companion. Her only flaw is that she cannot cook Tongan food which is GREATLY disappointing. But she's teaching me Tongan while I help with her English so I will deal. 

Sister Froemming and Sister Eteaki

So many miracles this week. The work was a little tougher than usual as we had to kind of break the area back in after my time in Claremont Meadows, but we pushed through this week and Heavenly Father blessed us with so many tender mercies.

I want to share one of my favorite experiences this week.

On Thursday, Sister Eteaki and I walked onto the train excited to share the gospel with someone. There were no seats together so I sat down next to a kind looking man and tried talking with him. He politely shut me down and I felt prompted to go and sit next to a much less friendly looking man. I fought it for a minute or two until I eventually got the courage to get up and go sit with him.

He was ICE cold. He wouldn't so much look at me. I'll be honest, I was a little scared. I knew I needed to talk to him but I didn't know how. As I stared out the train window, an Australian flag caught my eye. Suddenly the thought came to mind "Ask him if he was in the army."

I, being as imperfect as I am, began an argument with the spirit. 

"That's such a random question. How do I even ask that?" I looked him up and down desperate for any sort of sign from his clothing that he was in the army. Nothing. 

"What if he says no? That will be so awkward!"

This went on for a few minutes until I could no longer deny the feelings I had. 

"Excuse me sir?"

"Yes?"

"I'm a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And I just feel like I need to ask you if you were in the army?" (Smooth right?)

He gave me a very confused look. "Yes....I was."

I WAS IN SHOCK!!!!! I could not believe my ears. I'm not sure why, I know that Heavenly Father works miracles. But I did not know that I myself could have my own Alma & Amulek / Zeezrom experience. 

"Oh." lol I had not thought far enough in advance to know where I was going with that.

I ended up asking him about how that experience was for him and it initiated a conversation about the restoration of the Gospel. He turned out to be an incredibly lovely and funny man.

This moment of inspiration was an incredibly eye opening experience for me. I receive revelation for people everyday,  but never like that. How much more am I capable of if I keep myself worthy and seek for the spirit? How much more can I accomplish if I simply increase my faith and trust in the Lord? How many times have I argued with the spirit and missed an opportunity to see a miracle?

Am I living beneath my potential?

When President first came to the mission, he shared with us.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightening about shrinking 
so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone
And as we let our own light shine we unconsciously 
give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, 
Our presence automatically liberates others."
Mariane Williamson 

Are we guilty of allowing our fears to undermine our potential as Children of God? How many times would Heavenly Father have done amazing things in our lives if we would have asked and sought for the spirit?

I know that as Children of God, we are capable of accomplishing so much. We simply need to be worthy of the spirit, and willing to act. We must give heed and diligence to each promptings and Heavenly Father will trust us with more knowledge and light. 

I know that obedience and trust in Heavenly Father brings miracles. I have watched my amazing companion trust the Lord each time she teaches. English is her second language and each lesson we walk out of she says "what did I say?" or "I didn't even know I knew how to say that". Every time she opens her mouth she trusts the Lord and He works through her. 

Trust in the Lord. Seek the spirit. Watch the miracles that come as we seek to reach our full potential.

Weekly Highlights!

-I saw my mum (Sis Hosea) and Sister Conference! I love her so much she kills me and she is smashing as a STL.

-Sister Eteaki is so dang funny and she has like 7 boyfriends in Tonga lol I love her.

-We cried laughing at the Hamanns house. The Hamanns remind me so much of our family they are so hilarious. Sister Hamann called me an idiot because she was like "If your mom is anything like me than you will miss being called that." Love them.

-I learned how to pray in Tongan.

Well I hope you all have a great week! Love you all HEAPS!

Ofa atu,

SF

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Somoan Food, Flat Tires and Utah Accents

Hello Family & Friends!

This week was an amazing opportunity grow! I have truly been stretched and developed in these past weeks. 

As I was struggling to continue to serve and really push myself this week I had a realization that changed my heart. At a moment when I really needed it, the thought came to my mind "I cannot withhold my service because it is not mine to give." I realized that the spirit brought this to my mind and it is true. When I am frustrated, tired, when I feel I am being used, I do not get to stop serving. I do not get to choose when I will or will not give of myself, because I am not my own. Thankfully, I am His. I am His instrument, I am His servant, and I am His daughter. I know that as I push myself to do everything that He asks me to do, I will be able to accomplish what He needs of me. I know that I can do amazing things only with and through Him. He can make so much of someone as imperfect as me. As Sister Hosea says "I am clay in His hands as he molds me into what He sees fit." 

Weekly Highlights!

-Getting to be with the amazing Claremont Meadows sisters. These girls are amazing, hilarious, and wonderful! So blessed to be with them. They are truly sisters to me.

-Getting a flat tire........ hahah I'm already killing driving in Aussie.

-These two just CRACK me up. Dying Sister Ah Fua's hair was quite the adventure. 

#THOSEEYESTHO

-Getting to work in Claremont Meadows has been heaps of fun.  I love all their investigators, less actives, and members. Such a wonderful ward! And so much teaching which is my favourite.

-The wonderful moments spent in Emu Plains. I miss it so much and I can't wait to get back to work.

-I'm picking up a bunch of Aussie slang because Sis Ah Fua is from Melbourne

-Samoan food is the best. Green banana, mackerel, and coconut cream.

Well I love you all! Please pray for Sister Eteake to be comforted and have strength as she enters the mission field on Wednesday.

Love you HEAPS! Have a great week.

Love, SF

My Daughter

Hello wonderful family & friends!
This week has been wonderful. I have had so many opportunities to grow and develop as a missionary.
Tuesday as we sat in the Train the Trainers meeting, I looked around the room at all those incredible missionaries and could not understand why I was sitting there.  As we sat in that meeting and talked about the great responsibility it is to train, I couldn't help but feel inadequate.
But the more we talked about what is expected of a trainer, the more I thought "Hey, I think I can do that." I can WORK as hard as I can to always have those Christlike attributes needed to be a trainer. I can to be humble enough to learn from them and not exercise hypocrisy. I can show them unconditional love. I can be an example of exact obedience. I can pass on the knowledge and passion I have for this work. If I lean on the Saviour, I can do this.
Then as we sat in that meeting, President said these words: "The Lord trusts you, and we trust you." These words struck my heart and I knew they were true. I knew at that moment that the Lord really does trust me. That means so much to me. I will put forth all the energy of my heart not to ever break His trust.

So I'm sure you're all wondering: WHO IS MY COMPANION?!?!?!

Hmmmm, let's see how dramatic I can make this.

On Wednesday, President had all of the trainers stand in a line and then he called us by Zone and assigned a trainee.

When he finally called "Penrith Zone!" Sister Ah Fua grabbed my hand and we looked at each other nervously.

"Sister Ah Fua will be training Sister Nelson." They ran and hugged each other.

"Elder Lynch will be training Elder Sribunruang"

"Sister Froemming will be training......"

I looked around the room and I could absolutely NOT tell who I was going to be training. I thought I would have an idea but I was completely at a loss. I was looking at a room full of Visa waiters who I was terrified of because some of them have been out as long as I have. I was so nervous, but I had a little prayer in my heart for extra strength and I told Heavenly Father I trusted him.

"Guess what?" President said looking at me. "You're companion isn't here!" Everyone laughed as shrugged and went and stood by one of the Elders who was in the same position. He had to pick his companion up at 6:00 that night.

"And guess what else? You're companion won't get here for another two weeks."

WHHHHHHAATTTTTTT?!

So it turns out, my companion had some trouble getting to the MTC in time and she was almost going to have to come next transfer. But President decided to let her come mid transfer. So I will get her not this Wednesday, but next Wednesday. Her name is Sister Eteake and she is from Tonga. I love her already!

Weekly highlights really quick because I have 4 minutes on this timed library computer.

-Elder Sribunruang. I met him on insta before the mission lol and he's been talking to my mom so we freaked out when we saw each other. He's in my zone and he's the funniest Elder ever. Pictures to come.

-I'm in a trio with Sister Ah Fua and Sister Nelson. So grateful I get to practice training and gain more experience!

-Sis Hosea's RC (recent convert) went to the temple this week! I was so happy because the night before I was praying that I would know what I could do to get her there and the next day she texted me saying she went and loved it! True joy. #4timesinwhite #2timestogo

I love the mission so much. I've never been so happy in my life. I have so much I want to share with you all that I am learning. Please nourish your spirit with the word of God each day. We need it to reach our full potential. Lean on the Savior and never forget you have a Father in Heaven who loves you. I know these things are true. I love you all! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you.

Love you HEAPS

SF

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Hello friends & family!

The Dream Team

I hope you all had a fantastic week! This week was amazing and we saw so many miracles. Sister Hosea and I finished out our time together strong. Now, I'm sure by now you've realized that this means that Sister Hosea and I are no longer together. I am a little sad but she is serving the Lord as a Sister Training Leader now & I could not be more happy for her! I have LOVED the time I've had with her and I'm so grateful I had her as a trainer. She is like family to me. No seriously like she can't get rid of me. #missionfriends4eternity.

Maddy gave us a Polaroid

Saying Goodbye This Morning

And in other news - I'm eating Tim Tams for two. (Please don't freak out we're talking mission terms here lol) That's right I'm training! I'll be a mum on Wednesday. As of right now, I'm working in an area called Claremont Meadows with Sister Ah Fua. We're both training so we'll be going down to the city to pick up our trainees together.

I'm so excited to meet my trainee/daughter. I just am so excited to love her and help her grow as we continue to smash Emu Plains. Please keep both of us in your prayers. I still feel like a baby myself but I also feel like I have so much I have to share. Taking over the area is intimidating but I know that I have the Savior by my side. I have felt Him helping me as I continue to really try to purify and sanctify myself. I am so grateful to be in this refiner's fire.

Weekly Highlights!

Geeeeez there are so many this week.

-I think the most amazing one HAS to be getting to hear from Elaine S. Dalton, Sherri Dew, Sandra Turley (google her if you don't know her she's incredible. Cosette in Les Mis on broadway & a member), Heidi Swinston (wrote the biography on President Thomas S. Monson), David Archuleta, and my main man Brad WIlcox. We were lucky enough to be able to attend Time Out For Women this year and hear from those AMAZING speakers. It was an incredibly uplifting and revelatory experience. The best part was that we were able to go with Sis Hosea's recent convert, Maddy. She is so lovely and intelligent and has lots of questions. It was amazing to see her be so uplifted by Time Out For Women. I watched as she got answers to questions and felt promptings from the Holy Ghost. It was incredible!

-We also got to go to another Fireside on Sunday where the same speakers spoke to us as well as our Mission President and Elder Leota (who is my favourite!) of the Quorum of the Seventy. It was equally amazing and I loved each of the speakers passion for missionary work.

-Dinner with Barbara. She was our 'last supper' together.

  

-Maddy made us delicious caramel slices.

-I'm now in a 4 man flat #roommates. Should be fun, right? (Sis Piatau is from NZ and is Tongan, Sis Salvador is from the Philippines. They are both amazing!)

-WE GOT A CAR TODAY!!!!!!!! YAY. Finally. Driving in Aussie is horrifying but I love it.

Wish I had time to share more but it's a crunch today. More next week since I have no time! I will send pics/vids of David Archuleta & Brad Wilcox.

Love you all heaps. Remember WHO you are!

SF

Some Pics from Sister Froemming

I Love to See the Temple

The Gospel Flows Like Flowers from our Mouths

Do Not Ring

Beautiful Australia

Sister Pearse is Going Home!!!!

Sister Froemming and Sister Pearse

Yay For Ugly Closed Eye Pics With the Zone

Pioneer Children Sang as They WALKED AND WALKED AND WALKED

Hello, hello, hello!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful week. I can't believe how time is flying here! This week has been amazing. Sister Hosea and I have been blessed to be able to see so many miracles once again. I'm starting to feel a bit like Ammon. I wouldn't mind serving these people until the day that I die (Unlike Ammon, I mean in mission terms though. Still trying to get on Ammon's level. Not quite there yet lol) 

Something that I absolutely love about being a missionary, is that it gives me an opportunity to refine my ability to be "others focused". It's amazing that during the most self-centered part of our lives, missions give young men and women an opportunity to turn outwards in love to others. 

One day this week as Sister Hosea and I were walking and walking and walking, I thought about the pioneers. I thought about how they had so much further to walk in weather that was so much harsher. I thought of how they would've done anything to be able to wear my flimsy payless shoes, and they would've jumped for joy if they only had to carry my bag full of pamphlets and Book of Mormons. As I groaned under the weight of my "heavy" bag and shook the rocks out of my shoes, I couldn't get them out of my mind. Here I was, exhausted by the thought of walking from Winmalee to Springwood, when they had the task of sailing across oceans and crossing the country.

What could possibly be driving them? Singing "Ye Elders of Israel" 24/7 surely couldn't have been enough to keep them pressing forward day in and day out. I didn't find my answer until today as I was in the temple.

As I sat in the Celestial room of the Sydney Temple, my heart was filled with joy that could hardly be contained. My testimony was renewed and my soul was refreshed. I know without a doubt that these lessons that I teach, The Restoration, The Plan of Salvation, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, are all 100% true. They are each a part of a merciful message given to us by a tender, loving, Heavenly Parent. Our Heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to have only the best. He wants us to be able to live with Him again, with our families for time and all eternity. I cannot deny the spirit that I feel in the temple. I know, with a surety, that there is life Eternal. I know that we can be with our families forever. I know that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven.

My previously mentioned joy filled heart ached for just a moment as I worried that I might fall short. I mean, I do fall short all the time. Having seen a glimpse of what Heavenly Father has in store for us, I worried that I would not be able to obtain it. Then, an even more frightening though came into my mind: what about my family? I have to get them there too! I began going through a list in my head of everyone I loved so dearly. It went on and on and on. What a task! I need to make sure I do everything I can to help them make it to end so that we can all be together. 

Then, it clicked and I realized - If I spend my whole life trying to help my family, friends, and others in general reach the highest degree of glory so that we can be together forever, then I will never have to worry about myself. If I'm worried about serving, helping, loving, and being an example to others, I know I will be able to stay the course. 

As we focus on OTHERS and do all we can to help them reach their potential as sons and daughters of God, we will never have to worry about our own salvation. If those pioneers were focused on themselves, they never would've made it to Zion. Each footstep would've been in vain. It is only because those Saints cared so deeply about the Lord and about their families that they could keep pressing forward day in and day out. Their journey would have been impossible if they were only focused on the hunger in their stomachs and the wind on their face. But it was the duty to the Lord and family that caused them to be able to accomplish something so amazing. 

The same goes for us, Brothers and Sisters. This life might seem daunting and impossible sometimes. But if we take our focus off of ourselves, and turn it towards others we will soon realize that there is much to be done and little time to be wasted. If we are always worried about ourselves, we can feel hopelessly inadequate. But I promise, that a life focused on others is a life that can be proudly offered up to the Lord at the last day. Eternal families are real. Please do everything you can to keep your eyes on Zion bringing everyone you can with you.

Weekly Highlights!

-This week Sister Hosea and I were able to do a lot of finding. We made an effort to go to the more untouched parts of our area and saw success! We found so many new people to teach and we are so excited. 

 

Australians putting frosty in their backyard to taunt me. I am not a fan of this whole winter without Christmas thing.

-Taking ugly pictures with my girl Sister Pearse. She goes home so soon and I'm sure gonna miss her. 

-Sis Hosea and I always go to the same Turkish Kebab place in one of our areas and the Turkish guys who work there love us. We got free Baklava this week from one of our Turkish bffs. So sweet!

-MIRACLE ALERT!!!!!!! We finally got to teach Miyoko who was a referral. She is so  hard to get a hold of but one day we were by her house and one of our appointments fell through so we dropped by. SHE WAS HOME!!!! YAY! She let us in and we taught her and her cutie lil son the Restoration. She is so humble. She said we answered so many of her questions. She has been being prepared and we feel so blessed we get to teach her. Please pray for her!

-Our BEAUTIFUL area.

Aussie Wilderness

-One of our members came up to me this week just to let me know how much my talk from a couple weeks ago influenced him. He told me it caused him to be more Christlike in a time where he usually would have been focused on himself. It was so nice to hear and so sweet of him to share with me. 

-Learning to drive. It's actually the worst but Elder Finch (one of our senior missionaries in charge of cars) said I'm  the best American he's tested. Whoo! Prayers that we'll get a car soon would be greatly appreciated. Also prayers that these Australians will have extra patience with my Grandma driving wouldn't hurt.

Have a great week!

Love you all HEAPS!

SF
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