You are the kindest, most patient family ever and I loved your emails!

Ahh I really just love you all so much.

Mom, I am the same as Adam and Mckay with being corrected... (I commented on how they hate to be corrected - they act like they should already know everything).  I've been trying to work on it for a really long time haha. Hopefully it's getting better. I don't think it's anything you taught us, just the natural man in us ha. 

Have an FHE lesson on being chastened...I heard a definition of being chastened that I really like...to be chastened is to free from fault through teaching. I think that was the gist of it at least...Read either Jacob 4 vs 9 and 10; Hebrews 12 vs. 11-13 (not the ones before it necessarily haha); and Ether 2:14-15 along with the next chapter where he sees the hand of the Lord vs 9--Because The Bro of Jared accepted the Lord's chastening (for 3 hours--danggg) and humbled himself and repented, he grew and progressed to the point where he was able to see the finger of the Lord and was told that no man has come before the Lord with greater faith...where a chapter ago He hadn't prayed to the Lord in a while.  Now you aren't the Lord, but He has commanded us to honor our father and mother. And I guess you and dad are pretty wise sometimes.

Wow, that was not supposed to be so long...  haha sorry about all of that, doesn't have to be for the blog, but I really love this subject ha. Something I'm working on is being more humble and teachable.

So transfers...Sister Iosua-Fiu is going down south, and I am staying in Ellenbrook! I'm excited to stay, but I'm sad that she has to leave. I so don't feel like I know what I'm doing yet haha. Probably should...oh well.

But you are never going to guess who my companion is going to be!!! SISTER VEA!!!!!! Yeah...you read that right. Crazy huh?! Companions in the MTC, visa waited in AZ, in the same district for 2 transfers here and now we are companions! And for Christmas!

Sad news is that she scratched up her leg pretty badly in a biking accident. But she is tough.

Oh and Sister Jardine is coming to the Dianella Zone!

Coolest idea ever...making quiet bags. You guys rock.

This week was pretty eventful. Theresa finally moved out! She's the one who was in a really bad situation at home. She is now living with some members in the ward and doing really well!! She came to the ward Christmas party Saturday, church on Sunday and the broadcast of the Christmas devotional Sunday night! It was down at the chapel by the temple, so she got to see the temple, and she loved it!! She said now another reason she wants to be baptized is so she can go into the temple. She described it as the spirit at the temple jumped over the fence and into her haha. Made me laugh a bit.

Our ward Christmas party was great! One of our investigators made it, and a ton of less active and part member families came - everyone enjoyed it! The theme was Jerusalem markets, and it looked legit. I'll have to send pictures next week when I find my camera cord.

Ok, I am so sorry, but I have to go. I really really love you all and hope you have the best week ever. You are the best family ever. Don't hate me for my bad emails!

Love,

Me

Here are some pictures the mission sent us from the Newsletter.  Baptisms and temple trips.  :)

kangaroos, kangaroos, and more kangaroos...

Hey guys!!!

I am feeling a lot better. I went to the Dr and it was pretty pointless ha. He said that I have tonsillitis (the computer says that is how you spell it but it looks pretty weird, so I don't know), but that it is viral tonsillitis rather than bacterial or whatever. Basically it should go away on it's own, but I should rest my voice. But it was already feeling fine, so I didn't really think I needed to. It was all good for a week, but then we were singing a lot and it started hurting again, so I guess maybe I'll take him seriously now. Maybe he went to school for a reason haha.

Our 8 week transfer is almost over. One more week and we'll find out what's going on. I read in the email of one of the sisters that I came out with that she hit her 4 month mark, so apparently I've been out for 4 months. Time is such a funny thing. I can't believe it's December. It came so quickly!

Oh I got your Not for Christmas package with my camera!! Thank you so much, I loved it!!!! The advent calendar and my Christmas pillow case are wonderful!! And thank you for the camera! I promise to send pictures more frequently now.

Mom, I was reading your letter and wishing that I was there to help you. Busy day. You are incredible. It's so true--Heavenly Father wants us to be happy, and when we listen to promptings about the little things each day, our lives are so much smoother and happier.

There was a baptism in our ward this Saturday. It was beautiful! It was a woman the elders have been teaching. She was so ready to accept the gospel. She bore such a strong testimony of the gospel and the Book of Mormon. She has two sons, one wants to be baptized in a few months when he turns 8! The other is working on it. We sang at her baptism as well.

We had dinner with a member whose backyard attaches to a golf course. They took us out to the golf course to take pictures with the kangaroos! So that's the picture with me standing awkwardly in the corner haha.

The one of me and Elder Renner, the elder who waited for his visa in Park Hill, is for Grandma.

The sunsets here are gorgeous. You really can't capture it on camera, but I tried anyway. Sorry about the speed limit sign.

This last week we saw tons and tons of kangaroos. I really haven't seen any in the wild up close until this week, and then it was just crazy! They were waiting until I got a camera to come out ha.

The picture of the little pond is where we went to do our weekly planning. It's the most beautiful park. And we took a little break to feed the ducks the rest of our pizza rolls.

We taught the young women lesson this week, it was on the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is a beautiful group of young women, they are smart and sweet. Mom, we shared Because of Him and ended with He is the Gift. Crazy. (crazy because this is what I emailed her about my lesson the same day: I want to show a video at the end, not sure if I'll show "He is the Gift" or "Because of Him".  Kind of cool how the lessons are the same across the world).

Dad, yeah a lot of missionaries live in houses, at least where I am. No they aren't cheap, but we are so spread out that we need to be in this area, and this is the best deal they could find. I never showed you the house, did I? I'll have to take a picture this week.

We get to watch the Christmas devotional on the 14th of December. Man, I took living in America for granted. Everything is so much faster ha. You have to wait longer to get your patriarchal blessings, to watch conference, to do anything like that.  I love that story about President Grant. When you don't forgive someone, you are weighed down, and it is hurting yourself. You are so wise too.

I have the best family ever. I love you guys and am so grateful for you!

I learned how to make coconut buns this week! They are delicious, and I don't even like coconut ha. Crazy. I'll make them for you when I get home, or just send you the recipe next week.

I am so excited for the Christmas season, but at the same time, it is so busy that a lot of people don't want to listen. And sooo many people go out of town! A lot of the members and some of the people we are working with are going back home to New Zealand for the holidays, or even just moving back there.

We are sharing the He is the Gift initiative this Christmas, which is incredible! 
He is the Gift – Christmas Video – #ShareTheGift - YouTube  It's such a powerful message that Jesus Christ is the first gift, and He is the best gift I've ever received. I cannot comprehend the extent of Heavenly Father's love for us. And the love that our Savior had in order to accept Heavenly Father's will and sacrifice Himself for our sins is incredible to me.  (It's 2 minutes long and well worth the time).  

Tell Mckay and Adam that I love them!!  

Rach, email me! I love you so much!!

Hey you three, I love hearing your mission stories/experiences/whatever.

I got a package from Wendy and a letter from Marianne! They are both the sweetest!!! They both made me smile so much. I love you guys so much!!! Hope all is well! Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Me 

Forgot thanksgiving but it was Sister Iosua-Fiu's birthday!

 I forgot about Thanksgiving, but it was Sister Iosua-Fiu's birthday on Thursday!! I made crepes that were decent, no where near as good as our Sunday crepes though...

So I've been a bit sick lately, but nothing too bad, it was really just my throat. You know my tonsil that is usually a bit swollen? It was massive haha. I'm feeling a lot better today, but I'm going to go to the Dr. today just because Sister L wants me to, just to be safe. But I really am all good, I'm not just saying that. I have a bit of a headache, and also since I was sick this week, this email will be a shorter one, sorry! I just can't think about what happened right now.

Sister Iosua-Fiu was soo patient and took really good care of me this week.

Unfortunately, not as many people as we were expecting came to Invitation Sunday, which was a bit sad, but the talks were wonderful! And those who did come, as well as the members we've talked to, were touched by them. One recent convert spoke about her conversion story. She shared how Heavenly Father transformed her and how the gospel has brought her so much joy and how it has healed her. It was beautiful!

Cool thing, a few of the less active members we are working with shared with us that they are considering/have considered going on missions! I am so excited because I can just see how they would bless those around them and how much it would bless them!

I am so sorry about this email, but just know how much I love you and how grateful I am for yoU!!!!!!! I love your perspective on things! You are so wise!

Love,

Me  

(This is mom:  I always have a hard time writing to "Sister Formica" instead of her first name.  I think she may feel the same way with signing her name.  Maybe closing with "Me" is her way of avoiding that whole thing.  It makes me smile.)  

(We asked her what she wanted for Christmas -- this was her answer).  

things I need: lozenges--the throat numbing ones