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

Mandarin + Miralces + Bday = WOW

Sawadeeka family & friends!

I hope you all are having a great week! 

It's been another FANTASTIC one here in Greenwich. Sister Ruengurai and I are enjoying every moment here. We have adventures and meet wonderful new people everyday! It's amazing to see how Heavenly Father is preparing people and putting us in each other's paths.

My heart feels so full being a part of this great work. The world would love to dim our feelings of love and gratitude and thwart our promise of the Spirit as our constant companion. But if we can remember who we really are, if we can trust God, if we can have faith in Jesus Christ, we can give our hearts to God and experience real happiness. That is what I know. Happiness, sacrifice, and service are eternally intertwined. The happiest moments of my life have been spent in the service of God and fellowmen. I have begun to cherish every opportunity I have to speak Christ's holy name and to testify of His reality and divinity. 

I invite you all to be a part of this in anyway you can. Please just look for someone to love and serve today. I know that God wants you to be His hands. For their gain and for yours. 

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!

-Sister Ruengurai's birthday was this week! It was super fun to surprise her with little things but the best part was the work! We set some really fun goals and just went for it! We talked to heaps of people and saw some awesome miracles: finding an investigator that the elders hadn't been able to contact in weeks and inviting her to come back to church, having TWO people ask US for OUR number. One even asked "Would it be okay for me to invite you to my house for dinner to teach me and my wife?" 

-Sister Ruengurai and I literally meet the world's best people everyday. We have too many funny, amazing, miraculous stories for emails. 

-I learned like two sentences in Mandarin and now when we meet Chinese people who speak no English, we teach them with Chinese pamphlets and these two sentences and they literally begin to glow and be the happiest people in the world. It is so fun! 

-Casually seeing the Harbour Bridge while visiting less actives. #impromtuphotoshoot 

-I SAW SISTER SPAINHOWER AND IT WAS THE BEST! Crazy miracle:

One year ago, in Emu Plains, I left my quad (scriptures) engraved with my name on the bus. I spent another 4 months in that area after losing them and never found them. When Sister Spainhower arrived to our flat for trade off, she whipped open her suitcase and pulled out what else but my QUAD FROM ONE YEAR AGO. I immediately fell to the ground in shock and starting laughing/crying. "HOW DID YOU GET THIS!!?!?!" 

She said that while she was on a trade off in Penrith, as she was getting off the bus, a bus driver pulled out my scriptures and said "These have been on my bus for one year, do you know who's they are?" It was the funniest, craziest miracle. Of all people, this bus driver gave it to Sister Spainhower....Heavenly Father has a sense of humour for sure. 

-We finally had a lesson with Daisy! She is an investigator who comes to church. She is so wonderful. Sister Ruengurai and I could feel so much love for her. Not quite a miracle but also worth mentioning, Daisy took us to get drinks and I accidentally ordered black tea. Good thing my comp is a convert and stopped me from drinking it after she tried it. But only after I also gave a sip to our investigator who is trying to keep the word of wisdom. Oh, Sister Froemming. #RepentanceisReal

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!

Rak na,

SF

Moon Cake 4Ever!

Sawadeeka family & friends!

I hope you had an amazing week wherever you are! It's been great here in Greenwich!

Sister Ruengurai & I are absolutely loving the work and seeing miracles! 

I am learning about the importance of keeping ourselves sanctified. As the Lord's servants and representatives (this applies to all of us who have made baptismal covenants, not just missionaries) we must be prepared at any time to be His hands. To call upon the powers of Heaven. To be divine instruments!  

I do not understand everything about sanctification. But what I do understand has deeply impacted me. I believe that sanctification is something like being continually completed by and cleansed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. A constant change of heart. A concerted effort to live according to the spiritual knowledge that we have, regardless of the circumstances. 

It may sound out of reach, but I know in my heart it is not far from us. I know our Saviour has provided every resource for us to be able to be in His constant care! He has taught us the Gospel, given us covenants that unite us with Him, given us the words of ancient and living Prophets, given us the bounteous gift of the Holy Ghost, and given us the sacred, renewing ordinance of the Sacrament. 

I know that if we simply give our all in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can become sanctified through our Saviour's Atonement. He's not asking for immediate perfection. Mistakes, trials, doubts, and fears are not what hinders our sanctification, but what makes it possible. 

I love the Gospel and how it changes us. I love our Saviour. And I know that He needs us to sanctify ourselves for His work. 

"We do not need to be perfect, but we need to be good and getting better." -Elder Kim B. Clark.

https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages-for-youth/sanctify-yourselves-2

weekly highlighs! 

-We gave talks yesterday at church. I had such a powerful experience during the Sacrament because I was so desperate for the Spirit! A good reminder that I should always be that dependent on the Sacrament. But the Spirit helped me so much! And my companion did a great job.

-David Li! We had another lesson with him this week. His real intent is so amazing! He definitely doesn't believe everything yet, but the faith he has is rock solid and growing fast! He kept his commitment to pray all last week and it was amazing to hear him pray with us after our lesson. He happily accepted to come with us to church next week. He is exercising his faith in big ways! 

-We went to Milson's Point on PDAY which is basically the side of the Harbour Bridge opposite the city, which luckily is in our area! YAY! It was soooo beautiful. I love Sydney with my whole heart. 

-We had our first dinner appointment here! Sister Brooks is this amazing french lady with beautiful kids and a wonderful testimony! It felt so good to be back in members homes! 

-My adorable companion who is constantly a ray of sunshine. #thaifood #toneslol

-Andrew Houseman is doing well! We had an awesome lessons with him this week about the First Vision and Book of Mormon. We had a little testimony meeting with his member friend, and the Spirit was so strong. Andrew said he's not ready for a specific date, but when he gets his answer, he will be baptized. Please keep him in your prayers! He is very busy/stressed with studies right now and it's difficult for him to read the Book of Mormon every day. 

-Sister Ruengurai is amazed because I can eat Durian. It is a Thai fruit that all the white people hate because it has a strong smell and taste. But I ate it and was like "yeah, pretty good." All day she tells me I'm an Asian born American LOL.

-The sisters had a beautiful baptism this weekend. Also after the baptism they had an activity and I was involved in teaching the members from the Chinese ward the Boot Scoot Boogie. It was a proud moment for Bay County. 

-Sister Money and Sister Chao scared the absolute tar out of me last night. They told us they were visiting someone far and would be home late. Then after Sister Ruengurai had been home for a few minutes, Sister Money came out from around the corner and scared me and I screamed for like a full 60 second without stopping. It was so funny, we were just looking at each other while I was screaming and she was like um when are you gonna stop. What lovely flat mates I have!

Hope you all 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

Baulko Kiai

Malo lelei family & friends!

How are all of you? I hope everyone is happy!

It has been an amazing week! Sister Taholo and I are really loving this area and figuring out what it needs. We have set stretching, achievable goals for this transfer. We are committed to these goals and we know why. Because we love the Saviour! Because we know that making and keeping covenants is necessary for salvation and it is the only way families can be together forever! Because we know that we all need to acknowledge and partake of the love of our Heavenly Father and the Atonement of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

Please, jump on every opportunity you have to do any kind of missionary work. The triage of a soul is found in helping others into eternity. The most peace for your own salvation comes when you are focused on that of others. The most closeness I have felt to Heavenly Father is while labouring for His children. Honestly, it's incredible. Please participate freely and frequently in the greatest work in the universe. 

I want to share with you one of the discoveries of my mission: we really can choose to be happy. I have realised just how powerful our agency is. I know we can choose to be happy or at least happier in any circumstance. My catch phrase has become "The Saviour has already come." That's what I remind myself when something goes seemingly wrong. Because of Him, there is always hope. I invite all of you to try it! Try to be happy even when you feel down. Sometimes we wake up in the morning and we don't know how we are going to get through another day full of work. But then we smile, sing a song, maybe do a little dance, read the scriptures, plead in prayer, and make a choice. Today I will follow the Saviour with a willing heart, and I will do it happily! 

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!

-Some of our eternigators (eternal investigators) are starting to progress! We are especially excited for Annie. She shared with us that she acknowledges the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and that she will be baptised when she feels she is ready. She still has so many concerns, but we are so excited for this huge progress!

-The Baulkham Hills sisters started driving, so now we share the and we are walking some days. Honestly it is so fun. Sister Taholo and I LOVE walking around and talking to people. Australia is so funny because some days it's like fully spring outside and then other days it's winter again. But we're up for it. :)

 

-Marilyn, Sister Vaiho's recent convert in our ward, is preparing names for the temple! We are so excited for her.

-I saw Sister Panmongkol twice this week! I loooooove seeing her sweet face and hearing her cute laugh! Made my week.

-Everyday is an adventure. 

-I'm obsessed with Baulkham Hills stake. This stake is so fantastic with missionary work. I'm so grateful to work with the leaders here. 

-I love my companion! The work is so fun with this one. We laugh all day long! 

Have a great week! Let me know if you need a boomerang or anything.

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

Luck of the Irish

Bonjour & Dia duit!

You might be wondering, why I am saying hello in French and Irish. The simple answer is I'm temporarily in a trio with the lovely Sister Dorman from Ireland. #TRIOLIFEISTHEBEST #Blessed 

(Sorry for the lack of Sister Vaiho, she's really popular and has heaps of emailing to do)

It has been a great week. I hope everyone is doing well and getting ready to celebrate the country of the Restoration! 

I have felt this new peace. Maybe it's not new at all, it's really always been there. But the effect it's having on my life feels new. It's not hard to recognise the source of this peace. I think we all know that it comes from Jesus Christ. From the Plan of Salvation. It is accessible to all of us as we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I wish I had the time and the words to share with you what I've observed from those we meet and their beliefs. But all I do have time to share is that I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is real. It requires faith, repentance, priesthood power, ordinances, and covenant keeping. It was established long ago. It is the same Gospel that was taught to Adam and revealed to Prophets called by God ever since. It truly is the pathway to peace.

I invite you all to renew your testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If your not sure if it's true, that's okay. Please evaluate your life, and say a heartfelt prayer to our God who loves you. If you feel you can declare with absolute conviction that it's true, that's okay too. Please humbly kneel before your Heavenly Father and ask Him to teach you something, to deepen your understanding, and to stir your heart to remembrance. 

I love you. I truly do love all of you. Whoever you are, you're my family. It's cheesy but I can't deny that it is true. I try to imagine the people we teach as my own blood. I try to imagine my Brother, Jesus Christ, wrapping them in His arms and wiping their tears. How can we love God and not love each other? 

I only preach to you each week because I want you to be happy. And the only way I know to be truly happy is to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Keep trying. You are infinitely loved by the Divine. In fact, you, yourself, are divine. 

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!

-I went on a trade off with my pepe. My precious, Sister 'Ete'aki! I feel like she is my actual child which is terrible unhealthy but I love it. She still calls me mama and speaks baby Tongan with me. She is companions with Sister Salvador. Way back in Emu Plains days, we all used to live together. She is an amazing missionary! She loves the people, loves the work. And it's amazing to see how she's grown.

-I got a fourth of July package which made me BEYOND happy! :)

-We are teaching this 7 year old who is getting baptised and it's a pretty amazing experience. I love seeing what she understands and the faith that she already has.

-We had an amazing conference this week with President and Sister Checketts. They are so inspired!

Have a great week!

Je t'aime & is gra liom!

SF

#westernSydneylife

Bonjour family & friends!

Life is great. Life is sometimes hard. Life is sometimes surreal. Life is sometimes really slow, but mostly way to quick. I love it.

I just want to testify of how precious this time is. Something we are encouraged to do as missionaries is account to the Lord the events of each day in prayer. To tell Someone who already knows exactly what we did all day (and how our decisions will ripple through this life and the next for that matter) what we have done. At the beginning of my mission, I wondered why I needed to tell Heavenly Father something He already knew. But as I have accounted to the Lord for my actions each day, I have developed a deep gratitude and respect for this opportunity. I have experienced how the Lord has shown me His hand, how He has helped me to repent, how He has encouraged me for the good I've done and brought to light where I could have improved.

This is my invitation to all of you. Account to the Lord the events of your day. How did you use the time you were given? I know that as we do this, making good choices will become even more appealing. I look forward to the time I have to talk to my Heavenly Father about my day. To receive His guidance, His help, and to feel His love. Please just savor the time that you have to spend with Him. Just feel the warmth of His love and renew your testimony that the Father of our Spirits really does hang on our every word as we pray. I love Him. And I know He loves us.

 

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!

-trade offs! with Sister Uitu and Sister Casperson. These sisters are both fantastic. Sister Uitu and I visited Samoan families and tried to improve our finding skills. We learned so much, especially about following the spirit. Sister Casperson and I were happy even when all our plans fell through. We found two miracle people! I had so much fun with these sisters this week. 

-Sister Vaiho and I are slowly becoming an old married couple who can finish each other's sentences and read each other's minds hahaha.

-There was such a sweet moment this week. Sister Casperson and I just came out of a great lessons and the Baulkham Hills sisters asked us to pick them up from the chapel. We went to go get them, and as they came out of the chapel they ran and hugged us. They were shouting "Peter is getting baptized!!!" Their investigator accepted a baptismal date. We were excited all the way home, and then we went inside and told Sister Vaiho (who had previously taught Peter and absolutely loves him) and Sister Wilson. They started jumping and dancing and we were all so happy. Being a missionary is the best. 

Sister Vaiho, Casperson, Wilson & Froemming

-I gave a talk on Sunday about service. :) 

-This week Sister Vaiho and I went to visit an elderly man in our ward (93 years old) who has been sick lately and unable to come to church. He is so sweet. When we entered into his little unit, he sat in a red sweater with his big scriptures open. We talked a little bit about life and the Gospel. He expressed His desire to be with his wife who has passed away again. The spirit was so strong. Before we left, this sweet man, concerned for us, insisted that we take 3 cans of soup because he wanted to feed us. For some reason this act of kindness absolutely touched our hearts. We burst into tears as we left his tiny home with 3 cans of soup. 

-Sister Tuala has a French/Tahitian hymn book. We decided to sing a Tahitian hymn for Sister Vaiho and she loved it. Then we tried to sing the same hymn in French and we were crying laughing because it was so bad. "You literally did not say one word I understood" -SV #FrenchIs2Fancy

-This morning, Sister Vaiho and I were able to take the lovely Sister Denny to her new area in the CITY! Her companion is going home mid transfer and so she came down from Coff's Harbour (which is like 7 hours north of the city) early. It was so cool to drive her through this beautiful place and see how excited she was. Missionary life is the best!

-I'm falling in love with the Winston Hills ward. I love the people here and I love the work ethic and vision this ward has. Also the stake is amazing. We had a meeting with President Checketts and some of the stake leaders and it was incredible. President's counsel was inspired and the stake has excitedly embraced it. We're not creating programs, we're developing a culture of devoted service. WOW! 

I hope you all are happy. There are heaps of reasons to be stressed or sad or dissatisfied. But what good does feeling that way do any of us? We're all going to struggle. We're all going to have hard times. Why not try smiling? We have to endure to the end anyway, why not enjoy the journey? There is so much more to happy for. 

Have a great week!

Je t'aime,

SF