The Best 18 Months

G'day family & friends.

Here we are. It's been 18 months. 

This mission means everything to me. The people I've loved, the message I've shared, the miracles I've seen, and the changes Christ has helped me make are too much for me to express my gratitude. 

As a missionary I have felt discouragement, I have oft times been stressed, and I have reached a state of perpetual exhaustion, I have felt the eternal weight of this work on my shoulders. I have faced, rejection, doubts, and disappointments. But I can honestly say, I have never in my life felt this much pure joy. Labouring in the work of God Himself, with the Saviour, Jesus Christ, as my guide, and the Spirit as my companion. What an honour! I am not worthy of this work, but the Lord has called and qualified me to do it. I used to think I was making a sacrifice for Him by serving, but now I'm more inclined to believe that He made a sacrifice for me by letting me be a part of the sweetest work under the heavens. 

The love that I've felt for my God, my Saviour, and my brothers and sisters has changed me to my core. The experiences I've had have sealed a sure witness of the reality of the living Son of the living God. The trials have refined me. The work has strengthened me. The love I feel for the people has softened and transformed my heart. 

The blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are infinite and available to all who will come. And we must invite all to come. This is God's purpose and it needs to become ours. 

I can't believe my time to serve as a full time missionary is up in 2 short days. But I know I have no need to fear or to feel sad, because the same Saviour who got me on this mission and helped me for the last 18 months, will fly home by my side. He will continue to be my closest Friend and I will continue to labour with Him. 

I bear my witness that I know God lives. He is our Father. He hears our prayers and answers them in wisdom and love. I know our Saviour. You can know Him too. He is Jesus Christ. He has conquered all and lives this very day. I have seen Him heal and I know His Atonement is real and it is enough. I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been revealed by God to Prophets since the beginning and that God has never stopped reaching out to us in love. I know that Joseph Smith restored this Gospel, and that the Book of Mormon paired with the Spirit of God is tangible evidence of this. I believe in Priesthood power, temples, and families that last forever. 

Brothers and Sisters I love you and I am excited to continue to serve in this work with you.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!

-My last district P-day was last Monday. My district leader tore a ligament in his foot playing rugby and then was dying in pain for an hour while we waited for the mission nurse. We took turns eating, distracting him from the pain, SR & I sprinted to the store and back to by him some pain killers, we sang, and laughed a lot. It was an unforgettable pday! 

-Said goodbye to my new Grandpa Pip. He made me try to play Estonian songs to him on the piano lol. He is not a member and is the most stubborn, hilarious old man. I only had a few chances to be with the Kaimur family, but it was such a special experience to be in their home. I believe that Pip and Loris will be an eternal family one day. I know I will see them again! 

-Serving in a ward with 6 missionary companionships and another 2 working the Mandarin ward has been heaps of fun. It's been awesome to be in such a united team doing the work here in Greenwich. #EnglishClass

-The work was so awesome this week. So many great people to meet. So many miracles. I got to do some door knocking too, which was like Disney world for me. I love the people here so much! 

-Sister Ruengurai has become my little sister. It's official. There is no one else I would have rather spent these last 2 transfers with. She is a firecracker. She is a hard worker. She loves the people and they love her! So grateful to have a friend like her as my companion.

-Game night was SO fun this week. I got to see the elder's investigator from Florida again which was awesome. And it's so good to see all the missionaries, investigators, and members having fun together. 

-Sarah got a temple recommend this Sunday! She was so excited. She also started her family history and is preparing to go to the temple next week. So amazing to see her soak up the Gospel. 

-I taught Relief Society for the first time in my life. So scary but I'm so grateful to be in such a great ward.

-It's just been awesome. This whole thing. Some days were hard, some days were easy, but every day was an adventure. Every day I felt the Spirit of the Lord and got see the His work move forward. I have given my whole heart to this. I know Heavenly Father will sanctify my imperfect efforts to bless as many of His children as He can through the mission I've served. It is never over! 

I love you all so much. Thank you for all the support you have given me in different ways throughout my mission.

God be with you till we meet again.

Sister Froemming

Hi From Heaven aka Eastwood

Sawadeeka family & friends!

I hope you are all doing well and had a great week! Honestly, every week I just fall a little bit more in love with Greenwich. Work with the ward is getting better and better! We are starting to understand more where our help is most needed. Also Sister Ruengurai & I are really getting the hang of working with the Spirit and teaching more effectively in our finding. SO FUN to improve with the Saviour's help. 

This week we had interviews with President Checketts. He taught me a principle that I would like to share with all of you. 

He said something like "Sister Froemming, if you want to help the people, you need to focus on more effective prayers. I don't necessarily mean you need to pray longer. Think of when you were a kid, and this mostly applies to Elders, but let's say you broke something and you need to admit what you've done to your parents. You will ponder what you are going to say before you approach them. You will plan how you will tell them, how you will apologise, you will try to map out how they will react. In a way, a similar principle applies with prayer. A 2 minute prayer that you've thought about for 5 minutes can be much more powerful than a 5 minute prayer that you've thought about for 2 minutes." 

I listened to President's council and pondered. It seemed very simple. So I made a decision to make a conscious effort to really ponder my prayers and what I wanted to talk to God about before I said them. 

I have been amazed at the effect it has had on me. Each day, especially in my nightly prayer, I review in my mind what I have done, what I am grateful for, where I need to improve, and who I would like to bless. I have found myself in tears before I have even addressed my Heavenly Father. A deeper understanding of Who I am talking to has begun to sink in to my heart. When we pray, we are literally addressing our Creator, our Father, our greatest Friend. The love I have felt from Him and for Him has grown so much. 

As our faith and love for God increases, it changes the way we approach Him. We don't care so much for the blessings we need or the eloquence of our speech. Prayer becomes more about just being with Him. It's like just sitting before a fire and feeling the warmth. Sometimes you don't have to say anything at all. 

I know God loves us. Please consider what that actually means to you and please consider the effort you are putting into your prayers. 

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." - John 17:3

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!

-Last week when visiting a less active, we walked by a man doing yard work in his back yard. We  had a prompting to go back and talk to him. He was friendly and open. He is from Uganda and is Christian. He graciously allowed us to teach him a bit of the Restoration over his backyard fence. A few days later, we received a call from him (first time a potential has called us first on my whole mission lol) wanting to set an appointment with us! At our appointment we taught him the message of the Restoration and he accepted it so well! We are so excited to keep working with this miracle. Please keep David in your prayers. 

-My crazy, wonderful companion. So thankful for her. The happiest girl I know. We laugh together all day as we work. 

                   

 --The Partons! An amazing family in Penrith Stake that I briefly met a year ago in my Claremont Meadows trio. I've been hearing about this family from missionaries I love pretty much my whole mission, and I didn't realize that they've also been following my mission blog. I got to see them this weekend at a baptism and it was such a great experience! I know how much they have blessed and brightened the lives of so many missionaries, and I got to receive the same blessing from meeting them again! 

-Going to the temple. It was probably the best experience I have had in an endowment session. Our Heavenly Father's Plan of Love is more than I can express my gratitude for. 

                   

-So fun celebrating Sister Chen's birthday with her this week!

-Sister Chao is the little sister I never had. She absolutely loves bugging me but is also the cutest person I know so she gets away with it. 

Have a great week everyone!

Rak na,

SF

Sister Froemming's General Conference Address LOL

Sawadeeka family & friends! 

I hope you have all had a fantastic week! Another amazing one here in Greenwich. 

The work is moving forward. We are increasing in vision of what to do, and trusting the Saviour who goes before our faces to know how to do it. I love serving Him. When we serve for the Saviour, we are never alone!

I remember a time I watched a sad movie about someone who passed away. After I watched this movie, my emotions were raw and I couldn't stop crying! I thought of my own family and how devastated I would be if this situation were my own. To console myself, I decided to watch bible videos (while eating chocolate obviously). As I watched my heart burned and I continued to click, video after video, scene after scene, watching how the Saviour lived His life. And then finally, I clicked on a video portraying when the Resurrected Saviour appeared to His apostles. 

As I watched, I felt something like a lightning strike go through me! It was as if my chest was full of hot air and fire was running through my veins. Fresh tears overflowed from my eyes. 

"He lives!"

It was more than a thought, more than a feeling (don't you dare start singing that song ahah), it was a knowledge that pierced my very being. It went right through me. Of course I had already believed that Jesus Christ was my Saviour, of course I believed that He lived, died, and rose again. But for some reason as I sat watching this video in Spanish Fork, Utah, I was absolutely aware in every way that He was somewhere near right then. That He actually knew my name. That He truly understood my feelings. That He loved me. It was suddenly so much more real, suddenly so much more personal. I don't really know how to put it into words, but I cannot forget the feelings of that moment.  

I hope that we have all had similar feelings as we have watched General Conference. The theme I personally saw as I watched was knowing, feeling, and trusting the reality of Jesus Christ and His saving Gospel. We must be deeply converted to Him. We must recognise the battle we are fighting and Who's side we are on. We must allow the Gospel to become woven into who we are. The love we have for our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ should be an anchor to our souls and influence each decision we make. 

I testify that we are truly Children of God. That the Plan of Salvation is real. Each day we make choices that determine our destiny. As a missionary who lives each day to serve God, who has seemingly sacrificed (but really just received more in return) a worldly life to more perfectly represent Jesus Christ, I can testify to you that it is worth it. No matter how hard living the Gospel may seem, no matter how inadequate you may feel, no matter what you may be withholding at this time from giving your all, I invite you to put your soul into this. Sacrifice what you must, forsake what you may, nothing is more important than living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and allowing His Atonement to heal us.

He lives. The Spirit has witnessed to me that He is real, and I have witnessed His power changing me and others. He absolutely lives. I know it.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS! 

-FINDING! SR & I are getting soooo much more effective. We really gave our all to our finding efforts this week. We are seeing the work move much quicker as we are constantly seeking the Spirit. A lot of the time it's easy for us to pick and chose who we want to talk to, but only Heavenly Father knows who is actually prepared. Following His promptings has brought so much joy! 

-Last week I had trade off with Sister Spainhower. It was a dream. And it literally felt like a dream cause I was burning a low fever the whole time lol. But we went to all these beautiful places in Sydney and shared the Gospel with people. It was absolutely the coolest. We also had a sweet lesson with one of SR + I's investigators who we are referring to the City. They have this awesome set up in this big building right in the City where they converted a whole floor to be the chapel and a floor to be a teaching centre with fantastic reverent rooms. It was such a powerful lesson. We could see that David really understood and had desire to follow Jesus Christ. An experience I will never forget. 

-Watching everyone we meet who asks where I'm from as their face drops and they tell me about the hurricane. Everyone in Aussie thinks Florida was like wiped off the face of the planet! Sending prayers to those who lost their homes and their lives wherever they may be from. 

-GENERAL CONFERENCE! A real game changer. So much revelation was received! So much spirit was felt. It was an amazing experience and it just renewed over and over again my love and appreciation for the Saviour, Jesus Christ and His Gospel. We were also so happy that our investigator Andrew stayed for all 4 hours on Sunday! :) 

-Being a missionary is the greatest. And the best part is, we don't have to have a badge to live a consecrated life and to partake in the greatest work in the world! I hope you all are having meaningful experiences taking care of your Heavenly brothers and sisters (especially those in your family). It's truly the best!

I love you all heaps! Shout out to all of you who made it through this long email! #GeneralConferenceFinallyMadeItToAussie

Have a great week!

Rak na!

SF

Chocolate & Prayers: A Guide to Healing

Malo lelei family & friends!

I hope everyone is doing well! It has been another crazy, wonderful week in Winston Hills. I can't really explain how much I love missionary work.

Honestly, this has been a tough week. There have been a few unexpected trials popping up. But I felt Heavenly Father's love in abundance. There was a day this week where Sister Taholo and I were just overwhelmed. We felt like we had nothing to give anyone else. We were kind of off in our teaching and we knew that we needed to figure something out. 

We said a prayer and then decided to go to the park and finish our weekly planning (because the past few weeks we haven't time to have a good weekly plan). As we went to the park and started focusing on the people in our area, I could feel us being refreshed. I could feel the Saviour rejuvenating our spirits. We also found opportunities to teach as we spotted different people at this park that we could talk too. After we left, we had better plans and new determination. 

I know it's simple, but I don't really know how to put into words what a miracle this was. If it weren't for Christ, I would've have continued on with weary, half hearted efforts, or I would've given up on this day all together. But because of Christ, we were guided to know exactly where to go and what to do that would minister relief to our souls while allowing us to keep working. We really didn't know that weekly planning was the answer to our prayers for help, but He did. 

Hopefully this example is conveying some part of what I feel. Never give up. Work is never the enemy, it is the answer. Trials are not punishment, they are medicine for pride. Being broken is okay, because it means that we acknowledge that we need Christ to heal us.

I love the Gospel. I love all of you. Keep trying!  

 WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!!!!!

-This week Sister Taholo were tracting and it was just like not working lol. No one wanted to talk to us. We said a prayer and kept going and found a miracle door! A man answered and said "Hey come back in one hour, my wife will want to talk to you."

We were soooo happy! We knocked for a bit longer and met some more potentials, went to a members real quick and got a block of NZ chocolate that changed my life, and then returned to meet the wife. She was absolutely not at all interested in talking to us lol. But we kept sharing and showing respect and before we knew it, she was interested and asking questions. It was amazing to see the spirit soften her heart. 

-Before mentioned NZ chocolate. 

-trade off with Sister Tuala. She is the cutest lady from Samoa. She is so humble and quiet and surprisingly hilarious. Also such a testimony of someone sacrificing because they love the Lord.

-trade off with Sister Ceff. She is from Victoria, she is lovely. She is very soft spoken and quiet so I talked her ears off for 24 hours and we helped each other to use our strengths in missionary work! This is her first transfer so we had a great time learning more about pushing ourselves to talk to everyone! A fantastic sister.

-I can bear my testimony in Tongan now. #tryingtogototheTonganwardLOL

-Interviews with President are always a blessing! #SisterCheckettscookiesthough

-Celia came to church again this week!!!!! 

-Leilani (the 7 year old we were preparing for baptism) is now 8 and a baptised member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! It was a happy day. 

Have a great week everyone! 

Ofa at

You're Invited!!

Malo lelei family and friends!

How are you all? I hope and pray that you are all well and happy!

Winston Hills is doing well! We have been praying hard and realising that we are working hard, but not working smart enough. We have so much work to do. This area is absolutely amazing. Being some of the first missionaries to work it since the boundary change is such a blessing. But it's going to require not just a lot of physical work, but a lot of mental and spiritual work. Please, please keep Winston Hills in your prayers. This ward is fantastic! 

I just want you all to know that each day I come to believe more and more that we truly are all brothers and sisters. We are really family. We are really children of the almighty God. We have been created in His image, and His every breath is spent labouring for us. His work and His glory is you and me. How can we keep that to ourselves? 

I pray each of you will accept one of these invitations.

1. Pray for a name of a family member or friend who you can reach out to, serve, uplift, or share the gospel with.

2. Invite the missionaries to teach your family the message of the Restoration, and then ask them to help you with your missionary work. They are there to help!

3. Go out with the missionaries or invite them to teach someone if your home. 

4. Go and visit someone/give someone a call/give some service. Whether they be active, inactive, less active, or not a member. Either way, they are your brother or sister and if they need help, please give it to them.

I testify that this is true happiness. This kind of work is what heals us. You are not entirely too busy. I know it may feel like it but you are probably not the most tired person in the world. Maybe your screaming kids can help somehow! No excuses okay? I love you all. I hope you take this challenge, not because I like pressuring people, but because I want you to experience more joy.

"The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best medicine for despair is service. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired."- Gordon B Hinkley

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!

-We had an amazing lesson with Marilyn this week (Recent convert preparing for the temple). She had a really rough week. She knew God was trying to tell her something, she just didn't know what it was. We told her to keep a question in mind and that we would say a prayer, start reading the Book of Mormon from wherever she left off and then we would let the Spirit answer our questions. As we read from the scriptures, it was amazing to see her face light up and she received answers and guidance from the source. 

Sister Taholo and I both had ideas on how we could address her concerns, but we were so grateful we allowed her to read the scriptures and just guide her to find the answers for herself. Before we left her countenance completely changed. I'm so grateful for the Spirit and the Book of Mormon!

-HEAPS of Tongan food this week! #tapuaki #kaikemate

-One of our lovely sisters, Celia, who is less active came to church on Sunday! We were so excited to meet her there and spend sacrament meeting with her. (Luke 15:4-5)

-Instead of helping the 3 second language learners I live with to speak better English, my English is worsening each day ahahaha. 

-We're back in contact with Elizabeth!! YAY! She is the investigator from Iran. After weeks of not being able to contact her, we finally caught her at home. She was having a really hard day and recognised that we had been sent from God to help her. 

No pictures this week so here's some more shots from the temple!

Baulkham Hills Zone! (minus Quakers Hill elders)

 

Have a great week!

Ofa atu,

SF

Swee-eeee-eeeet Inspiration

Bonjour & Dia duit! 

I hope everyone is happy & healthy and doing great!

It has been a lovely week in Winston Hills. We met so many wonderful people. This ward is amazing. I love the work here! When I do this work, I feel cocooned by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is what motivates me to wake up every morning. It is what enables me, cleanses me, and changes me. It influences every action I make, the way I respond, the way I view life. I see the need for it in every single face I see and person I talk to. I get to watch it working in the lives of those we teach. I see it transforming them. 

I truly have a testimony of a Christ centred life. This is happiness. This is what's real. This is what matters. It's the simple things that transform us.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-08-012-daily-bread-pattern?lang=eng

Update, Sister Vaiho is getting transferred to the City, and Sister Dorman is getting transferred to one of the University's right outside the City with Sister Koi. I will miss these sisters dearly. It has been such a privilege to be companions with both of them. I have loved teaching with them, laughing with them, talking with them, and just doing this work with them! 

Also, I decided I'm going to be mean and tell you about my new companion next week. She comes to Winston Hills tomorrow. 

Weekly Highlights! 

-We had a great ward activity! Talent show!!!! :) Heaps of non members. Heaps of good food. A few of the less active members we're working with came! The elders performed, we performed. It was a great night!

-On pday, there was a lot of fourth of July celebrating even though there were only 4 Americans. We had a great pday together! Tongan BBQ, rugby, and soccer lol not very American but it's the thought that counts! 

Some of our Zone

- Also Sister Casperson and I realized that we were both wearing American socks at the Library.)  -->

-Sister Dorman has blessed my posterity infinitely as she gave me a pretty journal that motivated me to start writing again. 

-When you go drop by to visit someone and it's just the time when they need you. It's the best feeling ever. 

-I went on a trade with the lovely Sister Leaaemanu 

(I betcha can't pronounce that right!). She is honestly a joy to serve with. She loves the work, she knows why she's here, she one of the happiest people on the planet. I love this sister. 

(To continue the American theme, Sister Leaaemanu pictured with my American flag scarf.)

Have a great week everyone!

Je t'aime & is gra liom!

SF

The Hills ("Unwritten" Plays in the Background)

Bonjour family & friends! 

Hope you are all doing great!

Winston Hills is wonderful!!!! Physically, it is by far the least appealing area I have served in. But as far as the people go, it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. 

There are so many different kinds of people here, Indians, Italians, Middle Easterners, Asians, Polynesians, and heaps of Hispanics. It's incredible! 

The Winston Hills ward used to be pretty small, but the boundaries just changed and now there are so many big, wonderful families in the ward. It's such an exciting time! Everyone is trying to get to know each other and have unity. 

Our focus in this ward is to strengthen the members and create a culture of love, unity, and action. Hearts touched by the spirit and knit together. Hands ready to work. As we've discussed our work with our leaders we've been directed by the spirit to just keep it simple. Each of us can work on strengthening our own faith in our homes, and then reaching out to strengthen the faith of our brothers and sisters. In the Saviour's words "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." (Luke 22:32)

Weekly Highlights!!!!!!!!

-Not really a highlight but saying goodbye to Charlestown. I'm so excited for the work that will be done by the fantastic missionaries serving there. I'm grateful that I had something so wonderful that it made saying goodbye hard. Taken from the train right before the doors closed. 

Goodbye Charlestown

 -The 2 hour train ride. I got to be with Sister Koi & Sister Shen. Arguably two of my favourite people ever. We laughed and I learned some more Fijian and Chinese. When they got off together a few stops before me, I was a little bit stressed. But then I found another missionary who was by herself and we helped each other! (Sister Pongi who I came in with and who was Sister 'Ete'aki's last companion) Such a miracle! 

-My companion Sister Vaiho is amazing! She is so sweet. She is constantly smiling and making me laugh. She is hard worker and she has the best attitude! I am so blessed!

-The Caffarettas. An Argentine family that fed me more pizza than I've ever dreamed of eating. They are inactive, but randomly this week they just called us and asked if we would come over. We had such a great time with them, and they softened their hearts to allow us to share a message with them. 

-Teaching an 8 year old who's preparing for baptism. It was such a sweet experience. 

-Tahitian donuts. Tre bien.

-It's been pouring rain every day here, but we are so happy everyday! To quote Sister La'ulu "It's raining outside by it's sunny in my heart." :) 

-Elizabeth! She was a potential that we visited this week. She's from Iran and it was a huge, dangerous, life changing decision for her to make to become Christian, but she couldn't deny the experiences she had. She is brave and truly converted to the Saviour. We can't wait to share the Book of Mormon with her this week. 

-It's finally Winter and we're losing leaves! 

(Taken while dropping off the Baulkam Hills sisters.!)

Have a great week everyone!!! 

Je t'aime,

SF

The Parable of the Chocolate Croissants!!

Sawadeeka family & friends!

WHAT A WEEK! I hope you all had a great one too! :)

Every week, I find that there are brand new undiscovered challenges. And honestly, that can be kind of exhausting. I sometimes feel like my brain is constantly on alert for what's next. "Okay we're teaching this at 4, and we need to make sure we budget our kilometers for when we go here, and we need to make sure we update the progress record before this, and we still have to call these people.." and so on.

But I have seen time and time and time again that if we rely on Christ WE CAN DO IT! No matter what happens, no matter how impossible a task may seem, no matter how intimidating a new challenge, no matter how differently things go from our plan, we have Him. When we have good intentions and a pure heart, He stands by our side. 

Funnily enough, this lesson really hit home on Friday morning before studies. All of the sisters were making 5 star asian food, and I was baking chocolate croissants for our district lunch. I popped the nutella filled dough in the oven and hopped in the shower thinking they would be fine. When I got out, I asked Sister Panmongkol if she would check on them. 

After I got dressed, I came out to see how they turned out, hoping they wouldn't be a little too brown. Sister Panmongkol said "Sister Froemming, I don't think you're gonna like this." 

"Oh no, I hope they're okay. I really want to have something to bring to our lunch." I thought. 

And then I laid my eyes on what used to be croissants but now looked like black coals. I was pretty sad. Until me and my companion looked at each other, and burst into laughter. Suddenly the worry was gone and I knew everything was going to be okay. 

For some reason, this experience really solidified a principle that I've been learning.

Christ has come. He truly has atoned. He's broken the bands of death. He lives this day and wants to help us. How can anything really, truly go permanently wrong when we know this? There is always repentance, healing, or enabling. No matter which way the situation goes, it will always be okay if we look to Him. He's provided a happy ending for every situation. (D&C 6:34-37)

I hope that we can just trust Him a little bit more. That even when we're tired, we can keep going and trust that He'll help us. That when we're feeling discouraged, we can trust that "this too shall pass" and that He will help us. That when we've made a mistake, we will get back up again and trust that He'll heal us. That when we feel fear, we will trust Him enough to feel His love instead. 

Please, let's all try to take advantage of the time we have here on the Earth. Of course, we can choose to be sad. It's easy to look around and see unfairness and suffering in our lives and the lives of others. But what good does it do? Let's try our best to see the good! Let's laugh instead of feeling angry, let's receive comfort instead of getting bitter, let's make plans instead of wallowing, let's learn from and not dwell on our mistakes.

I love you all, and I know you are probably doing better than you think you are.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!!!!

-GRAFTON / COFF'S HARBOUR!

Have I mentioned how much I love it up there? We had the opportunity to be with the lovely Sister Lui & Sister Koi of Grafton, and the adorable Sister Lewis & Sister Denny of Coff's Harbour.

I went on trade off with Sister Koi in Grafton and we had an amazing day! I really learned so much about personal prayer from her. I can't believe how much she has grown. I love being her companion! I always learn so much and so deeply.

(picture taken going over the bridge from South Grafton to Grafton)

I also was blessed to go on trade off with Sister Denny! She is a ray of pure light! She is powerful because she loves everyone so much. She is such a joy!

(Alex who we had a wonderful lesson with about the Gospel of Jesus Christ! :) Two days later, after reading the pamphlet four times, he has a baptismal date!!!) 

-My favorite lil Thai chili turned 25 this week. 

-Ange dropped us because her husband doesn't believe in God and she wants to be aligned with him. It was a tough one, but we testified to Ange that He does live, and invited her to never close the door on Him. She hopes that one day her husband will soften his heart. We pray that he will. & we're grateful we can record her name for future missionaries. 

-Luke's little cousin was in town and he's so sweet and helped pick out Sister Panmongkol's birthday present. We can't wait for Jacob to come to church one day! :) Luke is also preparing himself to be called as the first Australian prophet so get ready everyone. 

-We ate heaps of authentic Italian food at the Nolan's :) #mamamia #besuperhappy&donicethings

Have a fantastic week everyone! 

Rak na! 

SF

Sermon on the Mount Pt 3

Sawadeeka family & friends!

Hope you've had a fantastic week! Charlestown is doing great! :)

This week has been such a gift. It's amazing how Heavenly Father will always make something extraordinary out of our imperfections. This week was full of ups and downs, but I am so grateful for them. I can honestly say that I know my Heavenly Father a little better & can recognize the voice of my Saviour a little clearer from the experiences over the last seven days. 

I know that God lives. He will always forgive us, He will always love us, but He does expect a lot from us. He expects everything. Our weaknesses & our strengths, our faith & our fears, our joys & our sorrows. He will take this offering, meager as it is, and in return give us His everything. His everything which is unimaginable and undeserved. I cannot understand it. But I know that this plan is only possible because of His pure love. I stand all amazed.

I'm so grateful to have a patient, loving Father in Heaven. This week, Sister Panmongkol were having "one of those days". One of the days when it feels like the work will never change no matter how much you work. We had faced more than a few rejections and a little disappointment. When we felt we were finally done with our seemingly unprofitable finding, we started to drive to our dinner appointment. 

"Pull over. Knock that door." 

I let out a big sigh. Another prompting. I really didn't feel like it. I let my companion know the feeling I had. She nodded her head and we pulled over. We felt a feeling of peace as we said a prayer (which included repenting for being ungrateful for a prompting lol) and began walking to this house. As we approached the door, we heard loud music, we could see that there was a pretty wild party going on at this house. We did not feel we should knock it as we could see that there were people drinking. Another disappointment.

But then we realized, it was a duplex! We excitedly headed for the other door on this house. When we knocked, a lovely woman named Ange opened the door. We started having a discussion about God, and her family. "Please come back. I want to hear more about this." We set a return appointment and she insisted on hugging us before we left. 

As we walked away, our hearts burned with the spirit and overflowed with gratitude. "DID WE JUST FIND A NEW INVESTIGATOR?!" It was like the first drops of rain after a drought haha, Such an amazing feeling. And the best part, is knowing that someone gets to hear the hopeful message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and experience God's love and light in their life. 

I urge you all to just do what you can. Give the most that you have. Heavenly Father doesn't expect you to be perfect. He'll take whatever you can give and make it wonderful! On that day, it felt like all I could give to get out of the car and knock one more door. And He accepted that small sacrifice and blessed us and Ange that day. 

I am reminded of the story of the widow's mite. 

"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and behold how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a fathing.

And he called unto him his disciples, and siath unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury:

For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. "

Mark 12: 41-44

I know we can look around and see others and become discouraged. Sometimes it looks like they have so much to give and all we have will never be enough. But I testify that I know that the Lord loves us as we are, and that no matter how much we have to give, if we give all, it will be pleasing to Him.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!!!!!

-This week, I was beyond blessed to go on trade of with Sister Tuigamala. She's from American Samoa and she is absolutely crack up. I had a day full of laughter, Samoan food, and deep doctrine discussions haha. She is amazing! I took her to all the Samoan families in Charlestown and she taught them in Samoan & I testified in English. There was such a special spirit about those lessons. Thankful for one of a kind sisters like this one! :) 

(from top left to right: Sister Taroca from Fiji, Sister Salvador from the Philippines, Sister Tuigamala from Samoa. Bottom left to right: me, Sis P, and Sister Shen from China)

-Sister 'Ete'aki celebrated her 9 month...I feel so old. My pepe is halfway. Can't believe were not the new ones anymore!

-Sister 'Ete'aki celebrated her 9 month...I feel so old. My pepe is halfway. Can't believe were not the new ones anymore!

-Mereweather! We were going to visit a less active and we parked our car next to this view and started FREAKING OUT! This is like a secret gem that we didn't really know about until our RS President asked us to visit someone here. #blessed

-I sat in dog poo while gardening in someone's yard this week. Not really a highlight but watching my companion laugh was. ("It's a good thing it's a little dog" -SP)

I hope you all have a great week! Please let me know if you need anything (besides ugg boots or a kangaroo skin)

Rak na,

SF

Family & Food LOL #outofemailtitles

Sawadeeka family & friends!

I hope you all have had a wonderful Mother's Day! We are all so blessed for the wonderful women in our lives. 

It was amazing to get to talk to my parents today. Yesterday in church as we sang the words to "Families Can Be Together Forever" the words pierced my heart. 

"I always want to be with my own family, and the Lord has shown me how I can"

I want to add my testimony, to the final testimony born at conference by our beloved Elder L. Tom Perry. He said: 

"Let me close by bearing witness (and my nine decades on this earth fully qualify me to say this) that the older I get, the more I realize that family is the center of life and is the key to eternal happiness."

The center of life and the key to eternal happiness. Wow. Although I am not nearly as qualified with a mere two decades on this earth, I truly believe the words Elder Perry shared with us. 

For those who know us closely, you are probably aware that the Froemming family is far from perfect. Let's be honest, we're still working towards normal - perfect isn't really on our radar yet. But the things that I have learned from my family have been essential to my mission and my life. I could not have learned the lessons that I've learned in my home any where else. Sure, I have grown and learned so much as a missionary. But really every principle that I've learned here is just a magnification of something that I initially learned in my home. I testify that the relationships we build in this life are precious. They are eternal, and their value is immeasurable. I know that the love we experience in this life, in these beautiful, wonderful, imperfect relationships is in similitude of the beautiful, wonderful, perfect love the Saviour has for us. 

As I ponder my incredible family, my heart swells with gratitude for the Saviour, Jesus Christ. I know that's it's through Him that everything we experience in our families can work together for our eternal good. I testify that through Him, wounds can be healed, faults can be forgiven, chaos can turn to peace, and families really can be together forever.

I encourage each of you to set goals to either 1. set goals to become an eternal family or 2. look within yourself to see how you can create more harmony within your home. 

I love you all so much. Thank you for being like family to me. 

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!!!!!!!! 

-Everyday, Sister Panmongkol & I have adventures. I love missionary work with her! #SoPMG

  -Heavenly Father is a master teacher. He taught me some pretty big lessons this week in a hilarious way that deeply impacted me. He truly knows us all so well.

-The view from our flat. I can't complain. #NewcastleNoHassle

-Trade off with Sister Bagnos! She is a gem. Honestly she is so amazing. Such a powerful sister. She's from the Philippines and she's so sweet. You constantly feel the spirit with her. (She reminds me so much of Sister Mapuhi! haha) We had an amazing miracle filled trade off. :) 

-Sister Salvador's birthday! Sister Panmongkol and I woke up early and decorated the flat. And then Sister Bagnos & I suprised her with Filipino food for dinner. (They fed me blood chicken btw but I loved it so it's all good). 

-Samoan feed. ("You're the first white person I've seen eat with their hands") 

The Samoan less active who always feeds us and shares her testimony with us came to church on Sunday!!! It was amazing to see her at church. Everything finally felt right with Sister Mose there :) Her husband has been coming back for a few weeks and seeing them together on Sunday was amazing. 

I love you all! Hope you have an AMAZING week! :)

Rak na,

SF