I don't want to write much today. I'm not bringing many things home, mostly treats. That way they won't become more stuff in the house, and food is more memorable anyway :)
We ran into this beautiful girl our age by her car who told us she's Muslim but her brother would want to talk to us, so we went and met him in the house, and he brought out this stack of books two feet high he's received from various people who have come proselyting--he has a Book of Mormon, good news Bible, a big red Bible, several other Bibles, a Bahai publication, etc. He gave each of us a Qu'ran, which I was really excited about because I've been wanting one for a few years now, and I was very inspired by his passion and reverence for his scripture. I think all missionaries should have such an experience near the start of their mission so they can incorporate such excitement into their speaking of the Book of Mormon.
Catherine told us this week she didn't want us to come anymore :( and John didn't come to church like he said, but he's still in the game.
People say that if you just say do it quickly like ripping off a band-aid, saying goodbye is easier. But this hurts a lot more than pulling off a band-aid. One less-active lady we've been visiting said she feels like she's losing a daughter, and Garren and John wanted hugs and I had to tell them no, and after my talk on Sunday Bishop Skibbe thanked me and my companions and told everyone we've been very committed sisters. (I sometimes wish I could see this myself; we often feel acutely our weaknesses and mistakes more frequently than what good we've done...) This beautiful little 3-year-old girl, daughter in a family we're teaching that is returning to church, the one who called me Mr. Mousen, glued some feathers and puffball things onto a page for me.
We've found a LOT of new investigators this week, which is what I wanted so I could leave the new sister that's coming in with lots of appointments and things to do so she'll be happy in the beginning of her mission (Sister Fangupo is training someone new). One is Anne, a lady from Vanuatu. When I saw her walking down the road I wasn't sure whether she was an Indian man, hehe, and it was tough to grab her, but we got an appointment and had a great lesson with a member on Friday night. The member was perfect--she's just what we've been hoping for. She invited Anne to church, and said she wanted her to come over for dinner, and asked if she could just stop by sometimes, and shared a very personal testimony of the Book of Mormon. Another new investigator is Daniel, son of Julie, the lady who believes Christ has visited other people around the world and who fought against our church being built here.
We're going to play roller hockey again (it was great fun... ummm... I'm not going to claim that I've discovered a hidden talent) today so it's time to go. I do want to say though my gratitude is bubbling over for this strange wonderful enchanting agonizing enabling experience I've had for the past year and a half in the Australia Melbourne (East) mission. My trainer, Sister Wang, wrote me from China last week and reminded me that I'll be connected to these people eternally. Having responsibility for their welfare has etched them into my heart... I guess I know a little what Christ meant when he said "I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hands" because I can feel that too. I know a little more how it works. I feel that I know my Saviour much better, and I know how to serve Him. I have received knowledge that no man can dispute about the truths of eternity, about the way God chooses prophets and gives them authority to teach us and allow us to make covenants. The prophets God calls, from Joseph Smith to Thomas Monson now, hold the key of power from God. God is our Father, our Heavenly Father, and there is no selfishness in him. He wants our happiness. These holy truths comfort the soul.
I'll see you in Denver on Wednesday afternoon!
I love you.
Sister Nilsen
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
see you at the airport!
I don't want to write much today. I'm not bringing many things home, mostly treats. That way they won't become more stuff in the house, and food is more memorable anyway :)
We ran into this beautiful girl our age by her car who told us she's Muslim but her brother would want to talk to us, so we went and met him in the house, and he brought out this stack of books two feet high he's received from various people who have come proselyting--he has a Book of Mormon, good news Bible, a big red Bible, several other Bibles, a Bahai publication, etc. He gave each of us a Qu'ran, which I was really excited about because I've been wanting one for a few years now, and I was very inspired by his passion and reverence for his scripture. I think all missionaries should have such an experience near the start of their mission so they can incorporate such excitement into their speaking of the Book of Mormon.
Catherine told us this week she didn't want us to come anymore :( and John didn't come to church like he said, but he's still in the game.
People say that if you just say do it quickly like ripping off a band-aid, saying goodbye is easier. But this hurts a lot more than pulling off a band-aid. One less-active lady we've been visiting said she feels like she's losing a daughter, and Garren and John wanted hugs and I had to tell them no, and after my talk on Sunday Bishop Skibbe thanked me and my companions and told everyone we've been very committed sisters. (I sometimes wish I could see this myself; we often feel acutely our weaknesses and mistakes more frequently than what good we've done...) This beautiful little 3-year-old girl, daughter in a family we're teaching that is returning to church, the one who called me Mr. Mousen, glued some feathers and puffball things onto a page for me.
We've found a LOT of new investigators this week, which is what I wanted so I could leave the new sister that's coming in with lots of appointments and things to do so she'll be happy in the beginning of her mission (Sister Fangupo is training someone new). One is Anne, a lady from Vanuatu. When I saw her walking down the road I wasn't sure whether she was an Indian man, hehe, and it was tough to grab her, but we got an appointment and had a great lesson with a member on Friday night. The member was perfect--she's just what we've been hoping for. She invited Anne to church, and said she wanted her to come over for dinner, and asked if she could just stop by sometimes, and shared a very personal testimony of the Book of Mormon. Another new investigator is Daniel, son of Julie Fraser, the lady who believes Christ has visited other people around the world and who fought against our church being built here.
We're going to play roller hockey again (it was great fun... ummm... I'm not going to claim that I've discovered a hidden talent) today so it's time to go. I do want to say though my gratitude is bubbling over for this strange wonderful enchanting agonizing enabling experience I've had for the past year and a half in the Australia Melbourne (East) mission. My trainer, Sister Wang, wrote me from China last week and reminded me that I'll be connected to these people eternally. Having responsibility for their welfare has etched them into my heart... I guess I know a little what Christ meant when he said "I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hands" because I can feel that too. I know a little more how it works. I feel that I know my Saviour much better, and I know how to serve Him. I have received knowledge that no man can dispute about the truths of eternity, about the way God chooses prophets and gives them authority to teach us and allow us to make covenants. The prophets God calls, from Joseph Smith to Thomas Monson now, hold the key of power from God. God is our Father, our Heavenly Father, and there is no selfishness in him. He wants our happiness. These holy truths comfort the soul.
I'll see you in Denver on Wednesday afternoon!
I love you.
Sister Nilsen
We ran into this beautiful girl our age by her car who told us she's Muslim but her brother would want to talk to us, so we went and met him in the house, and he brought out this stack of books two feet high he's received from various people who have come proselyting--he has a Book of Mormon, good news Bible, a big red Bible, several other Bibles, a Bahai publication, etc. He gave each of us a Qu'ran, which I was really excited about because I've been wanting one for a few years now, and I was very inspired by his passion and reverence for his scripture. I think all missionaries should have such an experience near the start of their mission so they can incorporate such excitement into their speaking of the Book of Mormon.
Catherine told us this week she didn't want us to come anymore :( and John didn't come to church like he said, but he's still in the game.
People say that if you just say do it quickly like ripping off a band-aid, saying goodbye is easier. But this hurts a lot more than pulling off a band-aid. One less-active lady we've been visiting said she feels like she's losing a daughter, and Garren and John wanted hugs and I had to tell them no, and after my talk on Sunday Bishop Skibbe thanked me and my companions and told everyone we've been very committed sisters. (I sometimes wish I could see this myself; we often feel acutely our weaknesses and mistakes more frequently than what good we've done...) This beautiful little 3-year-old girl, daughter in a family we're teaching that is returning to church, the one who called me Mr. Mousen, glued some feathers and puffball things onto a page for me.
We've found a LOT of new investigators this week, which is what I wanted so I could leave the new sister that's coming in with lots of appointments and things to do so she'll be happy in the beginning of her mission (Sister Fangupo is training someone new). One is Anne, a lady from Vanuatu. When I saw her walking down the road I wasn't sure whether she was an Indian man, hehe, and it was tough to grab her, but we got an appointment and had a great lesson with a member on Friday night. The member was perfect--she's just what we've been hoping for. She invited Anne to church, and said she wanted her to come over for dinner, and asked if she could just stop by sometimes, and shared a very personal testimony of the Book of Mormon. Another new investigator is Daniel, son of Julie Fraser, the lady who believes Christ has visited other people around the world and who fought against our church being built here.
We're going to play roller hockey again (it was great fun... ummm... I'm not going to claim that I've discovered a hidden talent) today so it's time to go. I do want to say though my gratitude is bubbling over for this strange wonderful enchanting agonizing enabling experience I've had for the past year and a half in the Australia Melbourne (East) mission. My trainer, Sister Wang, wrote me from China last week and reminded me that I'll be connected to these people eternally. Having responsibility for their welfare has etched them into my heart... I guess I know a little what Christ meant when he said "I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hands" because I can feel that too. I know a little more how it works. I feel that I know my Saviour much better, and I know how to serve Him. I have received knowledge that no man can dispute about the truths of eternity, about the way God chooses prophets and gives them authority to teach us and allow us to make covenants. The prophets God calls, from Joseph Smith to Thomas Monson now, hold the key of power from God. God is our Father, our Heavenly Father, and there is no selfishness in him. He wants our happiness. These holy truths comfort the soul.
I'll see you in Denver on Wednesday afternoon!
I love you.
Sister Nilsen
Monday, April 14, 2008
one last week
I just found out I'll be speaking in church, reporting on my mission, in Longmont at 9 AM on 27 April, the building at the intersection of Alpine St and 17th Avenue, on Sunlight Dr or Red Cloud Rd or wherever it is. Come and see! :) :)
Hi, I'm going to write this fast because I just found out we're going to Dandenong to go roller skating, roller hockey to be specific. Ha, I had a dream a couple of days ago that I went roller skating. I'm preparing to be embarrassed. That's not new by now.
My last zone conference was so nice. Someone from the Church missionary department visited our mission recently and saw that we need more practice crying repentance. Our zone leaders, Elder Standley and Elder Levin, did a training and I was captivated. I didn't want them to stop talking. They did a role play where Elder Levin was the investigator, a man, Catholic, devoted to his family, and Elder Standley explained that what keeps families from being together forever is sin. It was so powerful because usually missionaries sit with the investigator and explain the steps of repentance, but this time there was some actual spiritual work going on because Elder Levin, even as a posing investigator, was actually making decisions to change. It was sooooo powerful and made me want to have an intense, deeply personal lesson with the people we're teaching. I also had to do my departing testimony, which took me by surprise. I knew I would do it, but when it was time, it felt so foreign.
Later that day we ran into a Swedish-Australian girl and I was looking forward to hearing a good Swedish name (because I feel part Swedish), but she said her name is really personal to her and she wouldn't tell us. Just after that we met Kim, an Aussie with an American accent, a mother with two small boys who's going through a divorce. Her husband moved in with someone else... she said she's at a time in her life when she'd be receptive to the message, so we're excited to get to know her.
We didn't get to teach John this week because his wife didn't want us to when her dad was staying with them. Arrrgh.
General Conference. I hope I will always remember standing with the Australian saints to sustain President Monson and the other General Authorities. Elder Holland fulfills my ultimate image of what a prophet is, and it was so nice to see Elder Bednar speak after meeting him last month and knowing him a little more personally. He repeated teachings I'd thought he'd told only to us. :) . General Conference always refreshes my spirit. I wish it happened every three months. Nikki, Nakia, and Hailey came to the Sunday afternoon session. We didn't think we'd had any investigators attend, which was really disappointing since there were 4 sessions we could have had people at, but as we walked out, a cheerful little blonde person with two long braids had her little arms around me. It was such a happy moment.
So, that's it for now. I will probably write again next Monday for my last time.
See you next week!
Sister Nilsen
Hi, I'm going to write this fast because I just found out we're going to Dandenong to go roller skating, roller hockey to be specific. Ha, I had a dream a couple of days ago that I went roller skating. I'm preparing to be embarrassed. That's not new by now.
My last zone conference was so nice. Someone from the Church missionary department visited our mission recently and saw that we need more practice crying repentance. Our zone leaders, Elder Standley and Elder Levin, did a training and I was captivated. I didn't want them to stop talking. They did a role play where Elder Levin was the investigator, a man, Catholic, devoted to his family, and Elder Standley explained that what keeps families from being together forever is sin. It was so powerful because usually missionaries sit with the investigator and explain the steps of repentance, but this time there was some actual spiritual work going on because Elder Levin, even as a posing investigator, was actually making decisions to change. It was sooooo powerful and made me want to have an intense, deeply personal lesson with the people we're teaching. I also had to do my departing testimony, which took me by surprise. I knew I would do it, but when it was time, it felt so foreign.
Later that day we ran into a Swedish-Australian girl and I was looking forward to hearing a good Swedish name (because I feel part Swedish), but she said her name is really personal to her and she wouldn't tell us. Just after that we met Kim, an Aussie with an American accent, a mother with two small boys who's going through a divorce. Her husband moved in with someone else... she said she's at a time in her life when she'd be receptive to the message, so we're excited to get to know her.
We didn't get to teach John this week because his wife didn't want us to when her dad was staying with them. Arrrgh.
General Conference. I hope I will always remember standing with the Australian saints to sustain President Monson and the other General Authorities. Elder Holland fulfills my ultimate image of what a prophet is, and it was so nice to see Elder Bednar speak after meeting him last month and knowing him a little more personally. He repeated teachings I'd thought he'd told only to us. :) . General Conference always refreshes my spirit. I wish it happened every three months. Nikki, Nakia, and Hailey came to the Sunday afternoon session. We didn't think we'd had any investigators attend, which was really disappointing since there were 4 sessions we could have had people at, but as we walked out, a cheerful little blonde person with two long braids had her little arms around me. It was such a happy moment.
So, that's it for now. I will probably write again next Monday for my last time.
See you next week!
Sister Nilsen
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
sometimes the ups outnumber the downs
On a mission you don't have time to breathe, by the way.
I appreciate so much the responses I get to what I write. My emails are so personal and often revealing and sometimes I feel hesitant to share things that may not mean as much to someone else as they do to me. So thanks.
Let's just walk through the week.
Thursday we watched the Finding Faith in Christ DVD with Catherine--from Chile but verrrrry Australianised--and her four children. Children are so lovely and trusting. I think I'll need to watch that DVD every week for the next 40 years. It's so comforting.
If all Church members were like Dieter Lawrenz, an old German convert in the ward, every member and most nonmembers would be looked after. He came with us to visit Steve Farrell, the recovering alcoholic who lives in a shed in someone's backyard and plays the limbo song, who wasn't up to a lesson, and who hadn't read his chapters. But that didn't deter Dieter; he proclaimed we must keep working with him and he is a child of God with a few problems. It was such a relief... sometimes I get protective of my investigators because of some peoples' reactions to them, but I don't need to worry about that with Brother Lawrenz!
Thursday we were meant to have dinner with an American couple who moved to Australia soon after their marriage 50 years ago. She's a member; he's not. She wasn't feeling well so he wanted to meet us at Hungry Jack's (this means Burger King). He'd made it clear that he didn't require a lesson at every visit so we just sat and talked to him about his life and experience as a peacetime naval radio operator, and I tried to remember anything about the battle of Coral Sea that I did a paper on a few year ago so we'd have more to talk about. On Saturday we learned from Joy, the wife, that he'd had a great time--he's terrified of missionaries, and this visit helped soothe his fears.
Did I mention that I saw some camels in a field, as well as my first wild kangaroo, a couple of weeks ago? Oh, and we met a less-active member with some Scottish deerhounds, these beautiful, gentle, mystical-looking dogs. Their uncle was in the latest Harry Potter movie. I don't know what's wrong with me. I used to not like dogs at all but now I would kind of like one. The only problem is all the breeds I like happen to be Australian rancher herding dogs and they would be bored in suburbia. (I don't blame them.) Anyway.
Funny quote of the week: "I thought Canada was like on top of Russia." --a teenage less-active girl after I drew her a map of the US to show her where I live :)
We taught John Romero on Friday night, FINALLY, and brought up some questions of the soul--does God answer prayers? What does God expect of us? and tried to help him recognise the answers he's already received, and invited him, again, to be baptised, to take a leap of faith like in Indiana Jones when Indie thinks he's going to fall into that crevasse but the pathway is there. We think he'll have stronger spiritual experiences and really feel his answer once he makes a decision and takes a step toward it. John said "no, not yet," and assured us he'd be at church but he WASN'T. Sunday was a hard day. We'll get to that.
On Saturday the ward had an activity for the whole family called "afternoon tea with a bushranger" about family history with ancestors' food and costume, and it was a little disappointing because 1) not many members came 2) the Steele family didn't come, but Russ came (that American man discussed earlier) and we felt like we were there for him. We ate Joy's amazing peanut butter brown sugar fudge. We watched a video presentation about the new familysearch.org and I am feeling SO inspired and excited about family history...haha. Really though, the new system is powerful and I'm beginning to understand what that guy meant a couple months ago who said "Mormons are the most powerful people in the world... because of their family history database. Knowledge is power." I laughed a little but now I think so too. I think it would be a cool profession to specialise in a certain type of family history, like Scandanavian or African-American. Detective work + travel + making people happy. Sounds nice, but I don't know if I could do it.
We saw Jay Pilai and his wife on Saturday evening. Usually our visits are pretty dramatic and frustrating, with him asking us seemingly innocent questions but then citing scripture theatrically to illustrate our error. This visit was nice though, and I have a new strategy to avoid conflict: "oh, good question, you should look for the answer in the Bible." Last night he asked some questions, and listened, and found that he is theatrical in other ways, like in imitating a black preacher he once saw. Anyway, we hope he comes to Conference this weekend. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!
So, Sunday was hard. It was April 6 and fast Sunday and we were expecting big things, but then George Steele, father of our dream family, called to cancel our appointment for that day and future visits, and we felt so devastated. They might still come to conference though and want to see the chapel. Huge disappointment. Then throughout the day we ran into people and had unpleasant experiences, like this lady explaining what she believes about reincarnation then suddenly going into a storm: "why are you looking at me like that? that's really annoying!" and stomped off. I felt so bad because I was just trying to listen to her. John didn't come to church. Then for the beginning of the testimony part Bishop spoke and I noticed tears coming out of MY eyes unexpectedly, and they didn't stop, and Sister Carabajal hugged me and gave me a tissue, and made it worse. I didn't expect to get so emotional for my second-to-last sacrament meeting. Then we didn't have an invite for dinner. Again. :)
Monday was GREAT though. We took the Pereira girls with us to an appointment with Kodge, and we had so much fun. We went to contact a different new investigator, but she wasn't there, but this intelligent funny vibrant 22-year-old Philipina was there and invited herself to be taught.
gotta go!
Savanna
I appreciate so much the responses I get to what I write. My emails are so personal and often revealing and sometimes I feel hesitant to share things that may not mean as much to someone else as they do to me. So thanks.
Let's just walk through the week.
Thursday we watched the Finding Faith in Christ DVD with Catherine--from Chile but verrrrry Australianised--and her four children. Children are so lovely and trusting. I think I'll need to watch that DVD every week for the next 40 years. It's so comforting.
If all Church members were like Dieter Lawrenz, an old German convert in the ward, every member and most nonmembers would be looked after. He came with us to visit Steve Farrell, the recovering alcoholic who lives in a shed in someone's backyard and plays the limbo song, who wasn't up to a lesson, and who hadn't read his chapters. But that didn't deter Dieter; he proclaimed we must keep working with him and he is a child of God with a few problems. It was such a relief... sometimes I get protective of my investigators because of some peoples' reactions to them, but I don't need to worry about that with Brother Lawrenz!
Thursday we were meant to have dinner with an American couple who moved to Australia soon after their marriage 50 years ago. She's a member; he's not. She wasn't feeling well so he wanted to meet us at Hungry Jack's (this means Burger King). He'd made it clear that he didn't require a lesson at every visit so we just sat and talked to him about his life and experience as a peacetime naval radio operator, and I tried to remember anything about the battle of Coral Sea that I did a paper on a few year ago so we'd have more to talk about. On Saturday we learned from Joy, the wife, that he'd had a great time--he's terrified of missionaries, and this visit helped soothe his fears.
Did I mention that I saw some camels in a field, as well as my first wild kangaroo, a couple of weeks ago? Oh, and we met a less-active member with some Scottish deerhounds, these beautiful, gentle, mystical-looking dogs. Their uncle was in the latest Harry Potter movie. I don't know what's wrong with me. I used to not like dogs at all but now I would kind of like one. The only problem is all the breeds I like happen to be Australian rancher herding dogs and they would be bored in suburbia. (I don't blame them.) Anyway.
Funny quote of the week: "I thought Canada was like on top of Russia." --a teenage less-active girl after I drew her a map of the US to show her where I live :)
We taught John Romero on Friday night, FINALLY, and brought up some questions of the soul--does God answer prayers? What does God expect of us? and tried to help him recognise the answers he's already received, and invited him, again, to be baptised, to take a leap of faith like in Indiana Jones when Indie thinks he's going to fall into that crevasse but the pathway is there. We think he'll have stronger spiritual experiences and really feel his answer once he makes a decision and takes a step toward it. John said "no, not yet," and assured us he'd be at church but he WASN'T. Sunday was a hard day. We'll get to that.
On Saturday the ward had an activity for the whole family called "afternoon tea with a bushranger" about family history with ancestors' food and costume, and it was a little disappointing because 1) not many members came 2) the Steele family didn't come, but Russ came (that American man discussed earlier) and we felt like we were there for him. We ate Joy's amazing peanut butter brown sugar fudge. We watched a video presentation about the new familysearch.org and I am feeling SO inspired and excited about family history...haha. Really though, the new system is powerful and I'm beginning to understand what that guy meant a couple months ago who said "Mormons are the most powerful people in the world... because of their family history database. Knowledge is power." I laughed a little but now I think so too. I think it would be a cool profession to specialise in a certain type of family history, like Scandanavian or African-American. Detective work + travel + making people happy. Sounds nice, but I don't know if I could do it.
We saw Jay Pilai and his wife on Saturday evening. Usually our visits are pretty dramatic and frustrating, with him asking us seemingly innocent questions but then citing scripture theatrically to illustrate our error. This visit was nice though, and I have a new strategy to avoid conflict: "oh, good question, you should look for the answer in the Bible." Last night he asked some questions, and listened, and found that he is theatrical in other ways, like in imitating a black preacher he once saw. Anyway, we hope he comes to Conference this weekend. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!
So, Sunday was hard. It was April 6 and fast Sunday and we were expecting big things, but then George Steele, father of our dream family, called to cancel our appointment for that day and future visits, and we felt so devastated. They might still come to conference though and want to see the chapel. Huge disappointment. Then throughout the day we ran into people and had unpleasant experiences, like this lady explaining what she believes about reincarnation then suddenly going into a storm: "why are you looking at me like that? that's really annoying!" and stomped off. I felt so bad because I was just trying to listen to her. John didn't come to church. Then for the beginning of the testimony part Bishop spoke and I noticed tears coming out of MY eyes unexpectedly, and they didn't stop, and Sister Carabajal hugged me and gave me a tissue, and made it worse. I didn't expect to get so emotional for my second-to-last sacrament meeting. Then we didn't have an invite for dinner. Again. :)
Monday was GREAT though. We took the Pereira girls with us to an appointment with Kodge, and we had so much fun. We went to contact a different new investigator, but she wasn't there, but this intelligent funny vibrant 22-year-old Philipina was there and invited herself to be taught.
gotta go!
Savanna
Thursday, April 3, 2008
there's a storm a-brewin
The weather is so weird today. So windy. We've seen tree branches everywhere on the road. The power went out in Moorabbin and this factory outlet I've been planning to go to there for months, and finally got permission to go there, was closed and a bunch of unhappy women were sitting in the chairs just inside the entry. :)
Today we and the Dandenong sisters, Sister Wakeley my old companion and Sister Melendez from the Phillipines went to have lunch with Richard and Jackie and say "see ya sometime" to them. It was so sad. I was doing fine but then Jackie had to go and he asked me for a hug and I couldn't give him one and then I realised that saying goodbye to everyone and this mission and this land is going to be really difficult. I hope to see them again in China or in America someday soon-ish. They make the best food, by the way. Wow.
We found this wonderful family--I think I may have written about them last week. The Steele family. The father, George, requested a Lamb of God DVD for his children and we had a great conversation with them. They have this amazing, beautiful 9-year-old daughter Stephanie. She's just enchanting. We brought over a children's Book of Mormon stories and she read aloud to us the first chapter, the story of Joseph Smith and how we got the Book of Mormon. I asked her to tell the story to us in her own words and she gave this beautiful, detailed recitation of the whole thing. Her father was astonished. I then asked her how she felt while she was telling me the story and she said simply "I feel that it is true." How powerful is that, for a father who's just being introduced to these ideas to see his daughter do that.
There's this less-active family here who once were very strong members but some tragic things happened to them and they didn't do very well in coping with it all and they feel unwanted and jaded... they have three children who haven't been baptised yet. We were assigned by the ward leadership to visit her and just help her find strength, so we gave her a project, to read 10 chapters of the Book of Mormon we selected for her and then write a one-page summary on the Atonement. I wish I could express how I feel toward her, but I can't. I just want for her to find the healing she's looking for. Our next project for her is going to be to make a scrapbook page of her testimony, because she's a super-scrapbooker and we think that would be the most personalised way for her to review who she is and what means the most to her.
John Romero came to church on Sunday with his son Adrian, so things are looking up for them again. We went and saw Steve on Tuesday and gave him a Book of Mormon (Steve is the alcoholic man who lives in a shed in a guy's backyard) and he is so cool. He's like "Maaaaaaate, you can't go! You have to stay in Australia." I'm glad at least someone wants me to stay.
Yesterday we were walking around in Pakenham and ran into this lady. She's between 18 and 27. Vague, I know. Rachel. She was wearing a purple beanie and purple pants. It was a pretty cool day. She'd heard about our church and our book from her church. It was evident that she was very nervous to be talking to us because her voice was just shaking, but she was doing well at still being confident. It was also evident that she thought we were very mistaken and very misled, because she asked to pray for us. Just before she did, I shared with her my personal experience of seeing one of the original copies of the Book of Mormon and how I knew so deeply that it was true, and there is only goodness in its pages. (this was strategic) She prayed right there with us, and it was actually quite sweet. She felt responsibility for us as we did for her. The whole conversation I had a prayer in my heart that she would feel our love for her and that she wouldn't feel the need to be so nervous. After her prayer she said, I asked if I could give her a hug, and I did and Sister Fangupo did. Rachel took a Book of Mormon and walked away. Sister Fangupo told me she'd had the same idea, to give her a hug, so I know it was inspired. I just wanted her to feel loved, and not intimidated, and that she didn't have to be scared. It is a strange story to relate, but it was a powerful experience for me. I can't believe still that I can have feelings of love for people whom I don't even know, or even for people who are rude to me, or for people that mock us. It's hard sometimes but sometimes it works.
Another small victory yesterday: we ran into this proclaimed atheist, and I perceived throughout our conversation, which was mostly him acting as if we are fools for believing something we can't see, that he really wanted to believe in God but just couldn't find it within himself to believe. He did finally listen to one of my explanations: you are a physical person, and you are a spiritual person. You need physical evidence to learn physical things. You learn by sight, touch, hearing, by reading, by someone else who knows. You learn spiritual information only in spiritual ways. It was another conversation that would have been very difficult without the gift of charity which I know didn't come from me, but which was actually rewarding and easy when accompanied by concern for his welfare and peace.
It's time to go.
thanks for reading.
I look forward to seeing you!!!!!
Love
Sister Savanna
Today we and the Dandenong sisters, Sister Wakeley my old companion and Sister Melendez from the Phillipines went to have lunch with Richard and Jackie and say "see ya sometime" to them. It was so sad. I was doing fine but then Jackie had to go and he asked me for a hug and I couldn't give him one and then I realised that saying goodbye to everyone and this mission and this land is going to be really difficult. I hope to see them again in China or in America someday soon-ish. They make the best food, by the way. Wow.
We found this wonderful family--I think I may have written about them last week. The Steele family. The father, George, requested a Lamb of God DVD for his children and we had a great conversation with them. They have this amazing, beautiful 9-year-old daughter Stephanie. She's just enchanting. We brought over a children's Book of Mormon stories and she read aloud to us the first chapter, the story of Joseph Smith and how we got the Book of Mormon. I asked her to tell the story to us in her own words and she gave this beautiful, detailed recitation of the whole thing. Her father was astonished. I then asked her how she felt while she was telling me the story and she said simply "I feel that it is true." How powerful is that, for a father who's just being introduced to these ideas to see his daughter do that.
There's this less-active family here who once were very strong members but some tragic things happened to them and they didn't do very well in coping with it all and they feel unwanted and jaded... they have three children who haven't been baptised yet. We were assigned by the ward leadership to visit her and just help her find strength, so we gave her a project, to read 10 chapters of the Book of Mormon we selected for her and then write a one-page summary on the Atonement. I wish I could express how I feel toward her, but I can't. I just want for her to find the healing she's looking for. Our next project for her is going to be to make a scrapbook page of her testimony, because she's a super-scrapbooker and we think that would be the most personalised way for her to review who she is and what means the most to her.
John Romero came to church on Sunday with his son Adrian, so things are looking up for them again. We went and saw Steve on Tuesday and gave him a Book of Mormon (Steve is the alcoholic man who lives in a shed in a guy's backyard) and he is so cool. He's like "Maaaaaaate, you can't go! You have to stay in Australia." I'm glad at least someone wants me to stay.
Yesterday we were walking around in Pakenham and ran into this lady. She's between 18 and 27. Vague, I know. Rachel. She was wearing a purple beanie and purple pants. It was a pretty cool day. She'd heard about our church and our book from her church. It was evident that she was very nervous to be talking to us because her voice was just shaking, but she was doing well at still being confident. It was also evident that she thought we were very mistaken and very misled, because she asked to pray for us. Just before she did, I shared with her my personal experience of seeing one of the original copies of the Book of Mormon and how I knew so deeply that it was true, and there is only goodness in its pages. (this was strategic) She prayed right there with us, and it was actually quite sweet. She felt responsibility for us as we did for her. The whole conversation I had a prayer in my heart that she would feel our love for her and that she wouldn't feel the need to be so nervous. After her prayer she said, I asked if I could give her a hug, and I did and Sister Fangupo did. Rachel took a Book of Mormon and walked away. Sister Fangupo told me she'd had the same idea, to give her a hug, so I know it was inspired. I just wanted her to feel loved, and not intimidated, and that she didn't have to be scared. It is a strange story to relate, but it was a powerful experience for me. I can't believe still that I can have feelings of love for people whom I don't even know, or even for people who are rude to me, or for people that mock us. It's hard sometimes but sometimes it works.
Another small victory yesterday: we ran into this proclaimed atheist, and I perceived throughout our conversation, which was mostly him acting as if we are fools for believing something we can't see, that he really wanted to believe in God but just couldn't find it within himself to believe. He did finally listen to one of my explanations: you are a physical person, and you are a spiritual person. You need physical evidence to learn physical things. You learn by sight, touch, hearing, by reading, by someone else who knows. You learn spiritual information only in spiritual ways. It was another conversation that would have been very difficult without the gift of charity which I know didn't come from me, but which was actually rewarding and easy when accompanied by concern for his welfare and peace.
It's time to go.
thanks for reading.
I look forward to seeing you!!!!!
Love
Sister Savanna
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