Singing In The Rain!

Hello family & friends!I hope you all had a wonderful week.

This week was such a wonderful time to learn! 

I have been so inspired and and fed by the conferences we've had this week. Zone Conference was such a revelatory experience for me. Also, hearing from Brother Hallet of the Seventy was amazing!

I left those conferences with an increased understanding that the time is NOW for members and missionaries to work together. Neither of us can fulfil our callings if we do not work together. We are made to help one another. The missionaries aren't in our wards to do the missionary work for us. They are there to help us to fulfil our duty as members. Sister Eteaki and I have received so much inspiration on how we can help this ward become more missionary minded. 

It's so important that we as members understand this: the badge doesn't make you a missionary, the covenants make you a missionary. The knowledge you have makes you a missionary. As full time missionaries, we have been called on 18 month to 2 year missions. But each and every member of the church has a similar calling. I believe that each of us, before we came to the Earth, knew we would have the gospel. We also knew people in the pre-existence who we loved, and cared about deeply who would not have the gospel. I know, that we told those people we would labour diligently to find them. 

Think about that. What would that mean to you if you truly promised people who you love that you would find them and share the gospel with them so that you could rest together in the presence of God? I promise you that as you ponder that thought, the spirit will testify to you that you have made that promise to at least one soul, (maybe thousands). I know it is true because each time that thought enters my mind, my heart begins to burn. 

Now you might be wondering, how do I find these people? I may have made a promise, but where do I even begin to find them? LOOK AROUND YOU!!!! Your family, your friends, your neighbours, each person who passes you on the street. Do you think Heavenly Father makes mistakes? Do you think that in His perfect, eternal plan for you there is room for coincidence? These people are in your life for a very specific purpose. They are those who you said you would help. They are your brothers and sisters. They are those who, before we came to this earth, you comforted by saying "I will find you my friend."

I hope you know that I am only saying this because I am worried you are taking these things lightly. I'm worried that when the missionaries come into your home, you half heartedly accept their commitments with no intention to actually complete them. I'm worried that when they ask you who in your life is ready, you ignore the name that comes into your mind and you tell them "no one yet but I'll keep an eye out." I'm worried that you think that you are doing your missionary work by simply feeding the missionaries. Don't get me wrong, we love to eat with you. But a focused missionary cares much more about helping you fulfil the sacred calling you have as a member of the church to do missionary work than they do about casserole and apple crumble. 

Please Brothers and Sister, look at each person in your life who is not following the example of the Saviour, whatever step they may be in. Deepen your own conversion and please, strengthen your brethren. I'm not saying you need to baptise each of your friends within the month. (But if you can do that, than lol yeah please do that.) But I'm saying, just help move each of them forward. Your less active, struggling, and non member friends and family need your help. When you look at them, try to seem them in temple white. Try to point them towards covenant making & keeping, point them towards the temple, and most importantly point them towards the Saviour. 

When you feel fear, when you feel inadequacy about sharing the gospel, always remember who is the author of these feelings.  When you feel excitement and when you feel the gravity of your duty as a member sink into your heart, remember that this is the Spirit. Remember who you are. Remember what you have been called to do.

I have some commitments I would like to extend to you.

1. Go to Heavenly Father in prayer, and give your heart to Him. Let Him know you will trust Him to overcome fear and doubt. Let Him know you want to receive spiritual promptings that will allow you to help your family and friends. Promise Him to act on the promptings you receive. Lean on the enabling power of the Atonement and eagerly work to receive and act on these promptings.

2. Involve the missionaries. Invite them into your home, have them teach you, and then tell them the feelings in your heart about missionary work. Tell them your fears and tell them your hopes. Involve them in discussing and setting goals for the people in your life who you have been called to help. 

I love you all. You are amazing. Please decide today to do all you can to help those around you make it back to our Heavenly Father. I know that as you do, that peace will enter into your lives. That you will be given the strength to overcome the problems you face. I know that you will feel a closeness with your Heavenly Father and Saviour as you labour with them in the work of salvation.

"And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father." (D&C 15:6)

(WOW thank you for reading this far! ahaha)

WEEEEEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!

-I'm getting pretty dang good at Tongan if I do say so myself (yes I know I'm supposed to be teaching Sis E. English but both purposes are being accomplished lol) We sang to the Tongan family in our ward a Tongan song last night. It was so cool! 

-Conferences are the best! I also just love to see President and Sister Checketts. I feel the spirit so strongly around them. They are amazing. 

-Weekly lowlight: Elder Evans who has been my District Leader for my whole mission and Sister Phinney who is the only Canadian I've ever loved are both going home. Sad day. I will miss them dearly. Also transfers were just so sad because we lost heaps of people from our zone and even my adorable Filipino flatmate Sis Salvador. It's alright though, we're excited to see new faces!

-On Saturday it started POURING while we were in Springwood and we didn't have an umbrella. We were kind of bummed but I decided it was worth it to buy one for us so we didn't have to go home. Sis E and I huddled together under the umbrella and knocked doors one the way to visit a less active. It's so funny how the times when you should be completely miserable, (freezing and soaked) are some of the happiest times. We sang our favourite hymns as we walked from in the pouring rain and could not stop laughing and smiling. 

-It's getting hot. I'm so ready for this weather.

-GETTING A PACKAGE FROM MY MOM AND A LETTER FROM PRIMARY! #PUREJOY

-Our ward is just so funny and quirky. No matter what kind of week we have, when I go to church on Sunday, I am so refreshed and happy. I am so grateful for the sacrament. And I'm so grateful for a wonderful ward who are a pleasure to serve. 

-I'm just so dang happy. I love you all but I officially never want to leave.

I hope you all have an AMAZING week. 

Ofa atu,

SF

Who Doesn't Love Door Knocking

Malo family & friends! 

(Flatmates and STLS)

What a lovely week in Emu Plains! I had the privilege this week of getting to spend the day with Sister Mapuhi on trade offs. I am always so excited for a trade off because it's an opportunity to evaluate the goals that I have for the area and myself.  

Sister Mapuhi and I had a full day and we were so excited about the people we were going to see. But we had one of those days where EVERYTHING falls through. Lol, no really like I mean everything.When everything fell through, we felt prompted to knock a certain area. Each door we went to, the rejection was more harsh then the next. 

After each door, we laughed and talked and wondered "Why did Heavenly Father need us to knock that door?"

Then we realized it was time to go by and see one of our investigators. As we drove to her house, the GPS broke and took us the most ridiculous backwoods route. Again, we laughed and wondered why these things were happening.

When we arrived late at Nancy's house. It was clear that no one was home...again. But we decided we would get out of the car and show the faith to just try. Between the two of us, I think we rang the doorbell about 7 times. We just really wanted something to work out. We finally accepted that no one was home, and began to walk back to the car. When suddenly Nancy pulled up and ran out of the car to greet us.

She was so happy to see us and we ended up being there at the perfect time. We were able to help her pack up her car which she couldn't have done by herself and then she invited us in to share a message with her.

As we taught her about the restored gospel, tears filled her eyes. "I just can't believe how happy I feel when I talk to you girls. You have so much light."

She then went on to tell us all about how her husband had been reading the pamphlet we gave her last time we came and how he hasn't been to church in years but was asking Nancy if they could go to our church.

As Sister Mapuhi and I left Nancy's house, we couldn't express how joyful we felt! We were so grateful for Heavenly Father's timing. He had a purpose in having us face all that rejection, every door we knocked brought us closer to Nancy. 

At the end of the day, Sister Mapuhi asked me "How do you stay so happy even when you have a day like this morning?"

I shared with Sister Mapuhi that before I came on my mission, Heavenly Father had really prepared me to measure my success not by outward results, but by my sacrifice.

The joy that I feel from this work is not just in those sweet moments like with Nancy. It's every moment that I get to spend sacrificing side by side with the Savior of the world. I know that He cries for these people, that He worries for these people, and that He feels joy for these people just as Sister Eteaki and I do. 

"The greatest yardstick of success is to see how closely we can walk each moment in His steps." Ezra Taft Benson.

I know that this is true. I know because each day, as I strive to live like the Savior, no matter what happens, I feel joy. 

If the Creator of the Universe faced rejection, temptation, afflictions, and more than plenty of hard days, Then of course, while doing His work, I will face these things too. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? (D&C 122:8)

But I can testify to you Brothers and Sisters, that true joy comes only through living as closely to the Savior as you can. It is not always easy, but it is always worth it.

I invite you all to be prayerful as you try to keep the covenants you have made, especially to always remember Him. Please always remember what that means and I can promise you true peace will enter your lives as you strive to keep that covenant. 

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!!!!!!

Sister Froemming (mama) and Sister Eteaki (pepe)
Pepe is Tongan for baby!!

-I had a wonderful week with my pepe (Sis E.) We laugh together, we cry together, we eat heaps together. I love her.

-Spending the day with a Tahitian (Sis Mapuhi).

-Eating poly food thanks to Sister Eteaki, Brother Burgess, and Sister Piutau. Green banana and coconut cream for days.

-Success with contacting heaps of formers. YAY!

-Being in the most, wonderful, funniest flat in the mission. 

​hope you all have an AMAZING week!

Ofa atu

Love SF

#palangi4days

[note - palangi is a Samoan word for European or White]

Hello family & friends!

Another wonderful week in Emu Plains! This week the work has been slow and steady. My companion and I have had to put in a lot of work, but obedience and hope brought miracles! We were so blessed to meet some lovely people this week who are truly being prepared to recieve the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

HEAPS of rejection + not giving up = those glorious moments when you find a soul who is searching for truth. We are so excited about the work here. 

I don't know how to explain it, but I can literally feel that something incredible will happen here. I know that Emu Plains has been one of the slower areas for the work, but things are changing. Just typing this makes my heart race! It's like I can feel the tide rising here, the waves are about to come in and break along the shore. I know that people are being prepared. I know that people are prepared. I know that people are searching, and that they will receive us when we find them. I know that a lot depends on the missionaries and the members right now. This is a time for exact obedience. This is a time for hard work. This is a time for faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to glory of God.

I understand more than ever that our personal worthiness will greatly influence what happens over these next few months. I feel so strongly that if we are sanctified and consecrated, amazing things are about to happen. It is my prayer that I will be able to help Sister Eteaki feel the gravity of this. She has just come in, she has never worked so hard, and she wasn't expecting missionary work to be quite like this. But she is truly a disciple. She is so willing to give of herself. She is adjusting so well to this wonderful, trying, challenging, amazing work. I'm so grateful that I get to learn and grow with her.

"And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth" -John 17:19. 

I know that as we sacrifice and sanctify ourselves, others will be blessed. I know that exact obedience is true freedom. I know that yielding our hearts to Heavenly Father is the only way to truly change our nature. I know that as we align our will with His, true peace will enter into our lives. 

I love this work. I love these people. I know who they are. They are my family. They mean so much to my Father in Heaven & therefore they mean so much to me. I want them to know about Jesus Christ and what He's done for us. I want them to feel the joy of the gospel. I want them to have answers to their deepest questions of the soul. I want to sanctify myself so that I can give them the best opportunity, and the chance that they deserve, to hear the message of the Gospel.

"Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men, and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" ( -D&C 4:1, Eth 4:14, + Sister Conrad)

I love you all. Please never lose sight of what's really important. 

WEEKLY HIGHTLIGHTS!

-Finding Lisa Marie! Please keep her in your prayers.

-My companion is hilarious and tells me heaps of stories about Tonga and I can't wait to go visit her there. Also she's taught me heaps of words and it's my favorite when she's talking to Sis Piutau and I can understand her.

-Brother Burgess (our WML) is SMASHING the work with us. We got a weekly rescue nights started with the ward and it has been such a success!

-Penrith Sisters are such a joy to share a flat with. I love them.

-I was making Sis Eteaki make some phone calls and she was so nervous. She was calling one of the RM's from our ward and she started leaving him a voicemail and I was like "Um, what is she doing LOL he answered the phone" but I just let it happen because I was cracking up. And then after she finishes her little voicemail. Jayden goes "Um, Hi Sisters. This isn't a voicemail." And she freaks out. She was so embarrassed but it was so hilarious. We had a good laugh. 

Blue Mountains

Hiking in the blue mountains

Sister Eteaki was cracking up at me reading from a German B.O.M.

 

Sister Piutau (heart emojis)

Love you all so much! Have a great week.

Love you HEAPS! 

Ofa atu,

SF