WEEK 3

Aliese's trainer, Sister Curtis

Moroni 7:48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

I've been out for a month! It feels like I just barely left yesterday! Oh my goodness everyone I love Australia so much! It is absolutely gorgeous here but very bipolar haha it will be so hot one minute and then pour rain for 10 minutes. The city at night is so beautiful I almost started crying one night when we were there because I loved it so much hahah. Here are some of the interesting Australian things  I've learned: the different ways to say "mate", they call candy  lolli's here, a bogo is a redneck, KFC really is so much better here it's ridiculous. 

This week was great! We are teaching a couple from China, Eric and Hannah. Eric was baptized a few years ago but Hannah is not a member. We have been teaching her since I got here! She has a baptismal date set for April! 

We were having a little bit of a hard time with a member in our ward and some things were said that made both Sister Curtis and I feel badly. So we were praying a lot yesterday for strength and go see her as Christ sees her. That same day we received a text from her asking if we could come over and help her neighbor. When we went over she opened up to us and told us about some of the things she has been struggling with. It was amazing to me to see how God works. Instead of taking away the situation He gave us an opportunity to serve her and be there for her, which in turn bettered our relationship with her because she could feel Christs love for her through us. 

We had the chance to visit with the SWEETEST older couple in our ward this week. The wife is still very active but the husband isn't. It was a huge blessing because the husband Ray sat in on the lesson with us, last time he left. As we were talking he began to talk about his conversion story. He remembered every single detail of his conversion moment and as he was telling us it was so powerful and I could see that he still had a testimony. We promised him that as he would remember back on that time that he would remember how he felt and that Christ knows him and loves him.

A really powerful lesson that I have learned this week is promised blessings. As part of our calling as missionaries we have the authority to promise blessings and the Lord will honor them. I have been able to see that so many times this week and feel the power of those promised blessings. Christ is laboring alongside us and is magnifying our work! 

A thought that I shared during district council this week was: In an orchestra, there are many different instruments that play different harmonies, tunes and melodies, with each having a different sound. That is what makes an orchestra beautiful! Heavenly Father refers to us many times as instruments in His hands. As His instruments, each of us has a different tune and a different role to play. As we realize our different melody, we will contribute to Heavenly Fathers symphony in our own unique and powerful way. 

Always remember that we each have a place in Heavenly Fathers symphony and that we can contribute something great. He needs each one of us to find purpose in being one of His disciples and then Come and See, Come and Help and Come and Stay. 

I love all of you and I pray for you daily!