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

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

#malitemipalekiai

Malo lelei family & friends!

I hope you are all doing great! :)

Today I went to the temple. I know it is the house of God. I love the Plan of Salvation. I love learning everything I can about it. I know that it is what's real. It is true. I know it's true because it is us. It's our story. He's our Saviour. 

What I am learning right now is that opposition is so important. Remember how last week I wrote how we can always choose to be happy? This week my companion and I were humbled haha. We had some hard days. But oh how they taught us! Oh how they brought us to our knees. Oh how they sweetened the miracles we saw. I am so grateful for opposition. Even if it sometimes seems unrelenting. I know that when I am experiencing opposition, I'm getting the most out of my Earthly experience! Opposition is central to our Plan. It's only through opposition that we came into this world, and it's only through opposition that we'll make it to our Father's presence again. If you are struggling, I invite you to look heavenward and smile. Pass through this trial. Rely on the Saviour and not your own strength. If we do it with Him, we will grow. 

I am reminded of when I used to take ballet lessons from Marina Medvetskya. A lovely but harsh Russian woman who often visited my dance studio. I used to tell my mom "She picks on me! She's always correcting me. She singles me out and makes me work harder then everyone else!" And my mom would say "She wouldn't do that unless she saw potential for you to become better." I feel something similar sometimes happens with our Heavenly Father. But in a more loving, less Russian kind of way.1 Nephi 20:10.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!

-Trade off with Sister Wilson. She is AMAZING! She makes me laugh, her testimony makes me cry. She can talk to everyone. She speaks 4 going on 5 languages. She is so dear to me! I learned so much with her. "You get out of life what you put into it."

my comp teaching the exotic bird who
landed during studies

-My companion is a gift. She is helping me and this area so much! I have a strong testimony that when missionary companionships are aligned with each other and with the Saviour, hell shakes. Relationships take work but we truly need each other. 

#fakasiosio

-The work can be frustrating, but we have seen so many miracles. Just when we feel like giving up the miracles come. And when I step back and look at how blessed I am, I realise that miracles are truly EVERYWHERE! 

-We had an amazing lesson on the Book of Mormon with a GENUINELY INTERESTED PREPARED PERSON! Wow. It was amazing. He is moving to Queensland in a few days, but it was still such a miracle. I have just really been savouring teaching the gospel lately. It is a privilege. 

-I love being alive, I love being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I hope you all have a fantastic 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

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

Toukley Kiai

Sawadeeka family & friends!

I hope you've had a fantastic week! I'm happy to report that Sister Panmongkol and I will be staying in Charlestown together for another transfer! I love my companion, and I love this area! :)

This week, I was asked to speak in sacrament meeting. I shared with the ward some of the things that I've learned from the mission. I would like to share them with ya'll too.

1. God loves us a lot more than we realize. We cannot comprehend it. It's unending. It's unconditional. Honestly, it's inescapable. He always has and always will love us. And He loves us with a love so much more pure and intense than our human limitations can produce or even fathom. He loves the sinner just as he loves the saint, and He's provided a way for all of us to be clean and healed.

2. It's real. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is real. It is necessary for our exaltation. It is cleansing, enabling, and changing. I know that the Plan of Salvation is real and in motion. We truly did participate in the councils of Heaven and we chose to follow our Saviour Jesus Christ to be here on this Earth. Everyone who has ever lived or ever will, will die and live again. We are eternal beings. We will meet God one day and be judged. Jesus Christ truly has Atoned. It is real and I know it.

3.Covenants are a gift from a loving Heavenly Father, desperate to guide us home. Covenants tether us to the Saviour, Jesus Christ. They allow His sacrifice to pour into our lives. They invite divine power into our very being. Heavenly Father makes covenants with those He loves, and they are available to all.

I love this Gospel. I know it works. I hope we all can try to be a little closer to Heaven this week.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS! 

-TOUKLEY TRADE OFF!!!!! I went back to Toukley and I went with my toko Sister Koi! We had a fantastic day. Catching up, learning from how our missionary skills have developed, and building our testimonies. The best part was a fantastic lesson with Susan (my Filipina BFF who is coming back to church) and her husband! He's not a member and he normally doesn't participate in lessons, but during our lesson he stayed engaged and tears filled his eyes as he talked about his family. It was amazing! 

Also we went to see my dear Lisa! She's still progressing towards baptism. So many circumstances are trying to hold her back but she knows it is true and is doing all she can to be baptized! Her faith is incredible. She also may have given me heaps of curry & chocolate but I can't remember.... ;)

-While I was on trade off with Sister Nelson, we opened the gate of a less actives house and I see a giant dog slowly preying toward us. Sister Nelson had already started to walk in, and I just go "Sister Nelson. Slowly walk towards me." She looks behind her and sees this giant dog and runs out and closes the gate. The dog continued to stalk over to us slowly and we were kinda freaked out, but next minute he's chilling at the door and we're petting him. Hahah, false alarm! The best part was having a funny ice breaker story when we met his owner for the first time! :) 

Milk and Honey Without Price

Sawadeeka family & friends!

Hope you have all had a wonderful week! It's been great here in Charlestown. Time is flying!

This week my heart is full. How grateful I am for opposition. After a challenging week, I have even deeper feelings of gratitude for the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. There were so many times this week when I, of my own strength, had nothing left. There were so many times this week when discouragement and darkness threatened to creep in. I felt a bit like Moses after his experience seeing the power of Satan and the matchless power of the Saviour when he said "I know that man is nothing, which thing I had never supposed." (Moses 1:10)

I know I talk about it frequently, but it's because I have learned that this enabling power is real, and accessible to all. "Behold doth he cry unto any saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price." -2 Nephi 26:25. 

I know that divine grace is real. It is for us. It is for tired mothers, for youth making tough choices, for those battling addiction, for those who struggle to forgive, for those who feel their life has gotten out of control. It's for young and old, black and white, bond and free. All we need to do to receive this blessing is believe and act. Just trust Him enough to keep going and call upon Him for strength. I've found that sometimes all He requires of me is to hope and to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I pray that you all will have an opportunity this week to experience this power. We all need it, all the time. I know that the Lord has given us this blessing so that we can have the strength we need to make it back to Him. We don't need to do it alone.

I love you all. 

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS!

-Jason! We had an opportunity to teach him yesterday and he is planning on coming to church. 

-We were able to go do some visits with Sister Osmotherly this week. She always brightens up our day. :) We never stop laughing and never stop eating cadbury.

-Interviews with President & Sister Checketts were so lovely! They are starting to feel like family. I love them dearly. 

-I'm so Thai. I eat chillies on everything now.

-We had a district lunch because our district is so multicultural and it was so fun! Asian, mexican, and polynesian food and they had me bring brownies because I'm white and no one cares what I can cook lol. (Sister Panmongkol made Thai food from a box because she doesn't know how to cook Thai food lol)