Spring Has Sprung

...well I think it's sprung. We had beautiful weather this week. I feel like I'm giddy like it's Christmas time. It's weird though, I feel like the weather hasn't changed that much in the past year which is why I think it's so hard to realize how long I've been out. 

This week was pretty good. We've been able to find people to teach and it's felt SO good. Like I was talking to my District Leader, I don't feel like I did anything different, I just felt like it was the Lord's timing...and I definitely have learned somethings in the process.

Highlights of the week:
-At dinner with a family last week, it came up that I'm studying ME, so then the jokes went on and on (what's new) and I had it re-confirmed to me how much of I nerd I am. He was showing me the calculator on his iPhone and how when you turn it sideways, it becomes a scientific calculator, and I just realized how long it's been since I've held/used a calculator...and I kind of miss it. I admitted that I know that it is one of the most socially awkward majors out there.
-Things went so well this week that we actually went on splits so that we could be at 2 wards that met at the same time (woot woot!). Anyway, we had just pulled up to the chapel and one ward was coming out, and I hear my temporary companion say, "Oh my gosh, the little boy is peeing." And I look up and see a 2 or 3 year old with his pants down peeing on the flower bed. It was actually the stake president's son. I DIED laughing. Seriously.

Highlight of the week was definitely mission conference. It just feels so good to be around so many missionaries, even though I hardly know anyone. You live in a bubble when you serve at the VC, and all the other missionaries I have served with have gone home. Anyway, we had Elder Christiansen (Seventy...presidency of the seventy...somesing like that) and Elder Pearson (in the area presidency) and they're wives for 4 whole hours and it was the best! I couldn't write fast enough. They talked a lot about becoming a true disciple of Christ (3 Nephi 5:13) and letting these experiences becoming you and a part of you, or just going through the motions. I feel like I was really able to reflect on how much I've needed these experiences as a missionary. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I also had no idea how much I needed this. I don't know how I would have been able to face the rest of my life without being here. They also talked about how you find yourself when you lose yourself in the service of others, and it's so true. And the hardest times are when I'm thinking too much about myself. I guess I just realized how much my mission means to me, and I just can't put it into words. I'll be honest, I feel like an email home once a week is just not doing justice of the experiences I've had...but at the same time, you just wouldn't understand unless you were here.

It was a great week and we've got some great potential investigators coming our way. Like a boy we met who has been coming to church every other week with his friends, but the member dad didn't know how to introduce the missionaries to them (beat them to it!), but I just feel like I can't put into words what happened this week and I feel like I don't know what to share. Learning heaps ever week. Trying to take it all in because it's going by so fast. I feel like I'm just speechless at this point. The end. 

Love y'all heaps!
      Sister Mullen

Wet, wet, wet...as

Hey, did you know it rains a lot in New Zealand? Let's be honest, I feel like I just type to a computer screen and it gets sent to a black hole. And then I freak out sometimes thinking of the things I said in a letter when I think of people actually reading it. Like how I felt like my letters at the beginning were all about food...it's obviously called the 40 kg mission for a reason....

Hmm...it was a long week. Obviously Heavenly Father has lots for me to learn right now. I thought I was doing a good job at staying happy even though things aren't so great, but then we had a companion study with some elders and they said they could feel the load we have as we started telling them how we hardly have anyone to teach. Dang it. I hate how I feel like some people can read me like a book. Still more to learn little Sister Mullen.

Obviously the best thing about the week was Zone Conference. Started off with a musical number...performed by yours truly. Ugh. I rememberd I'm not a performer. Anywho, that was painfully over soon enough. President Lekias was pretty cheeky at this conference and was making jokes all over the place, it was pretty funny. A cool experience he helped us to have was that he was talking about the Atonement and then towards the end of it, he asked us all to notice the Spirit that was there, and obviously it was pretty nice and he just mentioned the Spirit that comes as we talk about the Atonement. And I, once again, had the reminder of how important it is to not lose sight of the Atonement and how we should never leave a situation without mentioning Jesus Christ. I feel like I learned how the Atonement can really turn our weaknesses into strengths and how thinking of Christ and trying to be like Him really is the answer for everything. I had some questions of how to handle situations differently or other things I'm working on, I just feel like Christ was the answer for everything. He also talked about how if we are motivated by Christ, then our leaders won't have to be on us to do certain things and to talk to more people during the week...we'll just do it. Which is so important to remember because sometimes I just get too caught up thinking about having to talk to my district leader at night and tell him what we did or didn't do, but just as we keep our thoughts focused on the Savior, it really will help so much.

Oh, good news, our new VC director's will FINALLY be coming in two weeks. They were supposed to be here in January after the old ones left, but they've had serious visa problems. Perfect timing because the fulltime couple, the Hardys,  that was asked to step up to the job (they were just called to be a fulltime VC couple), they're finishing in about 3 weeks. I'm going to miss the Hardy's so ridiculously much. I definitely needed them here to help me through some times. They live in Clinton, so thankfully I know I'll see them again. Funny to think of the people I had to come meet in New Zealand.

I watched a video about Matthew Cowley and it is amazing to hear stories of when he was hear as a missionary and as a mission president. One time he just got in a car and started driving, not knowing where he was going, and he met two ladies at a shop and when he got there, one of them said, "See, I told you he'd come if we waited here." And it was a couple hour drive to get to were those ladies were. Craziness.

Well that's it folks. I can't believe it's the end of August. I can't believe I've been out this long. Where is my life going?!

Love,
     Sister Mullen

Just a Crazy, But Entertaining Week

Talofa Lava!

Hmm, an interesting week, lots of funny stories, but to be honest, not a whole lot of "spiritual missionary" stories. Ha. One thing I do love about being at the VC is being able to see people from Tauranga. I saw this member, Sister Rudo, I'm sure no one remembers her, but she's the old lady who saved my life as a new missionary. Fed us dinner the first night we got there because we didn't have any food in the new flat that the sisters just moved into and she bought my sheets and blanket, besides the fact that she came out with us several times a week for lessons. She's the best. I actually wrote her a letter last week and was ecstatic to see her at the VC on Saturday, and she was definitely excited to see me, I felt special. She misses the sisters so so much (they put elders in when I left. That's happened in 3 of my areas...is that supposed to mean something?) She said the elders are just so...young! Haha, she's the best. Who knew I had a best friend to come find in NZ who's 60 years older than me?

Saturday, a family of 2 brothers & 2 sisters came in. They live in Rotorua, but they're dad is having surgery at the hospital here and they could see the temple from his hospital room, so they decided to come out here! Yay! I wasn't able to give them a whole tour, but talked to them about the history of the church in New Zealand, building the temple and church college and what goes on in the temple and it was just SO refreshing being able to teach someone who was so accepting and willing to listen. They didn't want to get baptized (even though i just want them to and know that they're ready and want and need this) but they just found it all so interesting and I'm just praying they'll meet missionaries at home. It's such a blessing to be at the VC and have sincerely interested people come to us and to take a break from the rejection.

On to the funny stories:
-Witnessed a proposal at the VC this week. So presh.
-Remember the adopted daughter that got baptized a couple weeks ago? Well the dad still wants us to teach her everything, so I was calling to set up an appointment, and he of course knew it was us right away (it's like I have an accent or something...everyone ALWAYS knows it's the missionaries when I call) & he said, "What do you pesky mormons want? ...I've got to mean to you, it makes you stronger. What's that scripture? 'Blessed are the persecuted...' " & then I asked to talk to his son who's in the YSA ward (because we wanted his help with an investigator) & the dad said , "No, you can't date my son!" I think he said something about permission from the mission president, but I just DIED laughing because it was awkward as a missionary and just awkward for Ally. Doubly awkward. But that's what you do as a missionary. Awkwardness. It took me a while to gain composure to actually be able to talk to him. Thankfully I understand that family's sense of humor.
-Got chased by a dog. Almost felt good actually. Haven't done that since I got to Hamilton.
-A member thought my italian companion sounded like TI & Rihanna and like she's from Atlanta....uh, what?
-Went to the YSA ward we cover for the first time since I've been here in this area. It was weird at first being a missionary and feeling like I was back at BYU. But then I remembered how I definitely prefer YSA over family wards. Let's be honest, RS in family wards is all about being a mom.
-Dinner with this intense, but good member. She loves saying phrases in maori and then saying, "What I said in maori is..." Showed us where she hides the spare key so we can come get some kai (food) if we want.

I've been studying grace a lot lately and as I've been reading scriptures about how Christ came to save us from our sins, not in our sins, it just doesn't make sense to me how people think we don't have to work towards the privilege and honor of being able to live with our Heavenly Father. But also have re-realized that if we don't repent, we won't want to live in God's presence. It won't be enjoyable for us. It really is a choice. So let's make good choices. :)

Like I said...interesting week. Love yous!

Love,
    Sister Mullen

Wet New Zealand Winter

Kia Ora!

 

    I feel like the beginning of the transfer was going so slow, but now things are starting to pick up again. We had a good chat this week, don't know how it all started or anything, but we go into being saved by grace or by works. I've studied this so much and still don't have an answer that satisfies anyone, but at the same time, they have to be willing to receive the answer. So we got into judgement and all that stuff, and I spent a while trying to find a scripture in the Bible to satisfy her, but as I was looking through PMG, realized that almost all the scriptures for the Plan of Salvation were in the Book of Mormon. Realized how important the Book of Mormon is to teach us this plan, and I knew the Plan was important to teach to help the investigators understand why we need to be baptized and what we're working for, but I felt like it was the least important of them all because none of the Baptismal Interview Questions come directly from that lesson, but having this chat I realized why really do need to teach it...to clear things like being saved purely by grace up. Also, how important the Book of Mormon is. I finally started using scriptures from the Book of Mormon because that's what I'm here to do, to teach her the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon...not so much the Bible.

 

Saw the YSA from the Tongan ward and realized how much I miss them. Especially when they sang at the fireside last night. We sang a hymng from the Tongan hymnbook today for comp study and I said, "Why do we ever sing from the english hymnbook? They're so boring!" haha, I met a YSA from the Tongan ward for the first time last night. I knew who he was, but never officially met and he was trying to give me hard time for not knowing his name. Cheeky. And I asked why he goes to the Tongan ward because I remember him getting up to speak one time and he said, "I'm Tongan...but my Tongan is not so good." So he gave his talk in English. He said the Bishop is his Uncle. And then he said he should probably go to the English ward because he can't understand anything, but he loves the singing. I completely agree!

 

So we have this recent convert, Silvana, she's from Belgium and is the best. She got baptized when I was in the trio in march, so I was at her baptism. She was a miracle, got baptized 3 weeks after meeting the missionaries and is a dream come true of an investigator. She had surgery on her back and for a couple weeks she couldn't sit down for more than 20 minutes, she missed the first week of church after her surgery, but she was there the next week even though she had to stand for almost all of church and she said, "My Sunday just doesn't feel complete without church!" Oh my, we need her attitude to rub off onto the members. She was asking if there's anything she can do to help others without having a calling...I've been asking the ward mission leader every week to make sure she gets a calling & I'm frustrated with how nothing has happened yet. She's practically begging for a calling!!

 

So I was talking to an investigator and I asked how old she is, she's 20, and then I realized how old 22 is. That's a legit adult...which I am far from being. I'm the baby in the family and always will be...I still think I'm 19 or something sometimes. It was a sad realization yesterday how old I really am.

 

Those are my tales of the week. As I was flipping through our "Miracle Book" that we all got at Christmas (where everyone wrote in a miracle they've had) & realized how this really is a mission of miracles. Love it. Especially since it's so hard for Americans to get here now. What a blessing to be here! Love it. Love you all!

 

Ofa atu,

      Sister Mullen

I'm On A Mission. I've Been on a Mission for Ages Now and I'm One of the Old Ones. Weird.

Drum roll for transfers...still in Temple View, like I knew I was going to be. Took the Tongan Ward away. It was so SAD being in only palagi wards this week...the singing is pathetic! And the Tongan hymns are just more fun anyway. My companion is Sister Somma, she's from Italy. She's already been here 2 1/2 transfers, so I know her and it's been fun. Funny how with some companions you have more awkward/funny moments than with others. I think we're going to have lots of awkward/funny moments. We're doing this traning in all of our wards for the RS & priesthood about helping the members see how they can do missionary work and to get them excited, and we do a role play with a couple in the ward and when we were practicing with one couple...I said we were going to try to make this be natural & he said, "I've never seen a missionary be natural." I just DIED laughing because I've talking with these elders a lot about how awkward we are as misisonaries and how many awkward things you have to do. Speaking off...we were planning on using this sister who works at the Distribution Centre and we see all the time, I was planning on using her and her husband (or who I thought was her husband) because I ALWAYS see her with him. I saw on the ward roster that it didn't say she had a spouse, but I just thought the records were messed up, I knew he was a member, anyway, didn't think of all the options, so we caught her at the Distribution Centre and asked her if her and her husband could help us out & he said, "I don't have one of those!" Thankfully she was laughing, and I just said, "Oh whoops, sorry! Okay....bye! See you later!" There was NOTHING I could have said...so we just left. Oh my.

 

So we did that training in 2 wards yesterday, oh my...RS & priesthood can be a tough crowd! I've never taught any sort of a lesson before besides seminary & it just reminded me how I don't want to be a teacher...but I felt more comfortable doing it than I thought I would.

 

Interesting week with transfers. I really didn't want things to change, but once they did, I remembered that everything was going to be fine and I'll just go on being a missionary.

 

I had a really good study the other day where I really understood what it meant that the Book of Mormon really is evidence that we have a prophet today. It sounds dumb. And I already believed it before, but it was just made extra clear to me reading D&C 20: 10-12," Which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them- Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old; Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.:" I'm still struggling to be able to explain what I learned, and what the difference was of what I thought before and after...but all I know is that I know it without a doubt. I guess I just understand how important it was that we have the Book of Mormon as evidence today. Joseph Smith would still be a prophet without the Book of Mormon, but Heavenly Father knew how much the world today would need evidence. And how that is one of the main purposes of the Book of Mormon is to prove the "divinty of the latter-day work," but thankfully we can learn heaps from reading it too!

 

Lately I've done a lot of reflecting, maybe because Sister Perry went home last week, which was one of the saddest days of my mission, thank goodness she was in Hamilton so the Elders let us pick her up and take her to the bus stop (to go up to Auckland), and the way things worked out, we were able to talk for like half an hour. The mission is just over so fast! I've been thinking about how I came our here looking for no personal gain, but I am the one who has gained the most. I've also been able to see my patriarchal blessing take place in my life as a missionary in more ways than I even thought possible. I've been able to see how Heavenly Father needed me to come on a mission to become who I need to be. One kind of lame thing to admit is, as a missionary I've finally come to love the Ensign. I'll be honest, I don't think I've opened an Ensign besides for Conference. But now I can't get enough. July is about overcoming trials, being patient, trusting the Lord's will, and I just love it all! So much to read, and never enough time!

 

Uh-oh, did'nt even mention our baptism yesterday. So this girl has been living with this family for 4 years, and she is finally adopted and so she could finally get baptized. And I definitely felt the spirit there and could tell how long she had been waiting for this and it was finally possible! It was so fun to see it finally happen. We had so many people there we had to move it to the chapel. Loved it.

 

Ofa atu,

     Sister Mullen

 

PS Welcome to the family Sydney, even if you are a little one. Haha