Kiwi Life!

Kia Ora from your (adorable) Kiwi Missionary! —Ha, so humble, I know ;) 

You are all beautiful. And I love your messages and happiness and QUOTES. ALL the quotes you've found and that others have found are WONDERFUL.  I love them all so much! I'm also laughing at the amount of people that were searching for this little quote for me! Haha. So much love ;) 

The Kiwi life is splendid. Though - I think I forgot to mention to you last week that my dreams of ever seeing an actual Kiwi Bird were shattered when Elder Blandford (who is from New Zealand) said to me, "Ha! Yeah right! I've even only seen like 5 in my lifetime!" ...So - this resulted in the true hunt of "finding a Kiwi" - a stuffed one that is. So, you now get to meet "Kaikohe" the Kiwi Bird! - Yes, named after my Zone :) I found him on Saturday in a super tourist-y shop during our lunch break.  Good times :) And he now sits on my bed and keeps me company :)

Has it truly really already been another week though? Each week I'm amazed by how fast time flies, and how much more we wish we could do each day! But the Lord's timing is the right timing, and He leads us where we need to be.

This week, while yes- fast, was also kind of slow... I know. Oxymoron-ish. But Sister O'Reilly and I have struggled a bit in both of our areas in trying to find people, having the faith to walk up to people on the street and just talk (Yes. This is definitely still a difficult concept in my mind.), and finding things to do as it gets later in the night. "Why later in the night," you ask? Because people here actually sleep! — I know, a super foreign (Ha. Haha.... I'm funny) concept to our family. But not only do they sleep, but a lot of people go to bed WITH THE SUN. Aka: 6pm it gets dark, which is the end of our Dinner break. ....Struggles. But! All is well. We're going to be looking for more people that are available at night - other than members (cause we know they're open to us coming) - but hopefully some less actives.

Which brings me to things I've come to realize this week.
There's actually kind of a lot of people in our Branches - but, they're mostly less actives. Thus, our wards only being 20-40 people. And this makes me sad. So: Question time for ya'lls. What are the best ways you can think of to help us get MEMBERS INVOLVED in ACTIVATING THE LESS ACTIVE?? Other hard things this week:  Daniel has been gone, so we haven't been able to see him this week. (But THANK YOU for prayers - I KNOW they help, and hopefully we'll get to see him this week to catch up and see how he's doing.) And then - another one of our investigators, Nazarene, is now moving :( She's moving to Auckland with her mum so she has some help with the baby that's on it's way. This is...another reason why I think this week has been a struggle. They were kind of our main progressing people we were teaching.  And now there's been times when we feel a bit like we've lost them. But - I can feel that it's going to be okay. I know it. The Lord has planted us here to plant seeds, and that's what we're going to do for now.
Lets see.... what else.
MONDAY. (Last week) ZONE Nerf war.  Hahaha... so many good times, and our district is the BEST - playing in onesies.  Cause we're adorable.

Nerf War District Onesies

Another great thing this week was going to the "2$ shop" as Sister O'Reilly calls it - to find costume pieces for the Cultural Night the Stake Relief Society put on this weekend. Each ward/branch represented a different country/place of the world - our Branches did Japan (Paihia branch) and Brazil (Matauri Branch) - so, we found chopsticks and fans for Paihia, and masks and beads for Brazil! This resulted in much excitement and joy for the two of us!
Thursday - we had Zone Training. Have I mentioned how much I love my zone?  "Choose This Day" - I think that may be the title of the talk our meeting was based off of? It's a talk by President Eyring. And it's wonderful. And... something I think we can all put a little more into practice. I KNOW I can!

ART PROJECT.  Yessssss. Win win. Thursday night I got to relive a little of how my life used to be spent. Staying up late to do an ART PROJECT. One of the sisters in our district (Sister Johnson) left is this morning for home after a beautiful 18 months was served on her part :). Therefore, this past Friday morning we had a "district companion study" — aka: a farewell for our dear sister. And a Sister O'Reilly and I put together a little book for her that all of us signed and put pictures in and happiness - because, clearly we're her favorite district ;) But really. All the happiness. I miss art life. So much!
And last, but not least - of course - a miracle moment of the week: JEMMEKA CAME TO CHURCH. Sister O'Reilly and I had to walk from the church to go pick her up — but she CAME.  Jemmeka is a recent convert in the Matauri Bay branch who turned into a "less-active" not too long after being baptized.  She's 12 years old and truly does understand things of faith, and we know she sees the blessings the Church has brought into her life. It's just hard for her to get to church. - Cause, ya know, all the peer pressure and whatnot at that age.  But she came. And sat with us, and she's wonderful. We're also fortunate enough to get to do Personal Progress with her when we visit in the week — which makes me want to do it all over again. (Something I probably never would have said before. But definitely true now.) There's some great things in this program.
QUESTIONS:
1. Is there any way that maybe someone would want to find me a Plan of Salvation print out that I could color and cut out and laminate to share with people? Sister O'Reilly has a little kit and I'm going to be sad the day that I dont' have a visual.... one thing her kit has that I especially like is a spirit and a human body that goes on top, to show how/when our spirit and bodies are separated...
2. Can someone tell me more about the Anglican religion (and others...)?
3. Is there some sort of chart that shows the "genealogy" of Nephi/his family/book of Mormon peeps in general?
I CAN'T BELIEVE I FORGOT THIS LAST WEEK. And..... the fact that I still haven't taken a picture of it.  (That's just pathetic.)  But BROTHER TUA (the member family that feeds us SO WELL in the Matauri Branch) MADE ME A NECKLACE. Did I tell you about the one he made Sister O'Reilly?? Well- they're beautiful. And mine is made out of a cow bone. It's the shape of a hook, representing me as a "provider" - for now on the mission, as well in my future life in my family he said.  And then within the hook there are four little circles of energy shell. One to represent each of the four Standard Works.  IT'S BEAUTIFUL. And I'm obsessed.

I thought about you all on the 24th as I told Sister O'Reilly that it was another holiday for me! And thank you for saving my poor neglected little bike! I'm sure it'll be much more comfortable at your house where it may at least be moved around a bit, making it seem a little less dusty!

Anyhoo. Life is beautiful. The gospel is true. And it's been interesting for me throughout the different teaching I've been doing, as well as the personal study I've had each morning to realize the simpleness of this gospel. I've started breaking it down more in my study - doing lesson plans - because that's all people need in the beginning. Main points and not a ton of detail. But our Gospel really is simple. If we follow the Lord, keep his commandments, and show our faith in Him, He will guide us home. How could it get any more simple than that????  STRENGTH comes from the SCRIPTURES. And not just reading them - but truly STUDYING.  And PONDERING. And PRAYING before and after. I am honestly understanding and getting more out of the Book of Mormon this time through, than I ever have in my life. PRAYER IS ESSENTIAL - none of us should ever forget that!
Life is wonderful - and I hope you all have beautiful weeks of joy and happiness!!
And I HOPE YOU HAVE A FANTASTICAL WEEK!!!!
MUCH LOVE!!!

Our District—Haruru Falls

Cool Tree Pic

Love, 

Sister Mckenzie Ottley

Life is BEAUTIFUL

Mom, you are SO right. LOVE is DEFINITELY the answer. Something I have learned a lot about this week. And it all begins with the love our Heavenly Father and Saviour have for us. A love that I don't think I'll ever be able to comprehend, but I know is there.

One of the things the Church has given us as missionaries is a booklet called, the "12 Week Program,"  using different ways to study and whatnot during your first 12 weeks in the field. It follows along with Preach My Gospel and eight main principles. One of the video clips Sister O'Reilly and I watched this week was of Elder Holland, and a quote he gave to "teach with love."  It's really a true testimony to me that the only way we can truly teach is through the spirit. As missionaries, WE are not the teachers — the SPIRIT is. He is what guides us on what to say, 

and we have to have faith that He will put those words into our mouths. Therefore, by having love and charity for all those around us, we are able to teach with that spirit, and fill them with the things they need to hear.

Paihia and Matauri Bay are truly the places I NEEDED to begin my mission.  While it is difficult because there really aren't a ton of people out here - which makes it difficult to find people - it's helped me to realize how important the work is, that we have to love the people we do have, to help them along.

LIFE MOVES TOO FAST!! How has it already been a month?? I don't even know! (Well, over a month now... technically. crazy things!) 17 months left! Wha?

LAST Monday. P-Day.  What did Sister O'Reilly and I do with our district you ask??  We went to HARURU FALLS. (OH THE BEAUTY) and then....

NERF WARS!! With little tiny guns like these...  Haha.

My District (composed of myself, Sister O'Reilly, 3 other sisters, and 2 elders), is literally the best ever. Truly. And even more so after this day.  Not only was it exciting - it gave us a chance to get to know one another a bit better, as well as excite us for the week ahead. Oh- and exercise. It was DEFINITELY a workout. Sister O'Reilly and I were sore the next day and the day after that! Just from playing different games involving shooting each other!

And what are we doing today now? Nerf War with the ZONE! Yup. All of the Kaikohe Zone (our two zone leaders and two districts combined). And my district has all purchased "onesies" to wear together. We're pretty cute!

Anyhoo. Moving onto more important things...

DANIEL. Will you all pray for Daniel? He has so much WANT for learning of the gospel, AND to be baptized - but we just don't know how to truly help him with kicking this smoking habit. It's a struggle.  But it's also okay, because we know that as we keep contact with him that he will gain more of a knowledge of his Father and Saviour that are here to help him and guide him - whenever he may be ready to make the next step into the gate of baptism.

Have I mentioned that Sister O'Reilly is wonderful? And that we "sing" at a resthome each Wednesday in Paihia? How are these two things related you ask? -Well, Sister O'Reilly is always wonderful, but she has helped me SO much in gaining confidence - one of the ways being with my singing voice. We all know that Kenzie -- er, Sister Ottley - doesn't like to be heard. But, when there's only 2 of you......well, clearly I will be heard. And not only that, but it's helped me in developing my ALTO SINGING. Oh it's lovely, and makes me so happy and feel so accomplished.  Because acapellla has never been my strong suit - but it's getting there more and more each day! ;)

This week we also had the lovely opportunity to meet with President and Sister Balli for interviews. They are wonderful. And I truly know that I was sent to this mission at this time to be under their direction specifically. They have so much insight into the things this mission needs, as well as what we need as individuals. Sister Balli shared with me the word "assurance" — And I want to challenge you all to go study more on it.  It's a great word, and has much more of a meaning than I've thought before. It also pops up at GREAT times in the scriptures, (i.e. 1 John 3:19-24). All about assurance and looking to God, because he will never let us down - EVEN WHEN WE FEEL LIKE OUR HEART HAS. He will NEVER let us go.

I would also like to announce that Aunty Lydia has invited me *and my spouse* to one day come back and live with her while I *and my spouse* build a house there in Paihia. Hahaha. She is the cutest. And I'll definitely have to get a picture with her one day to show you how sweet of a lady she is. ;)

Sister O'Reilly and I were also the luckiest of luckies (slight sarcasm) to give talks in the Paihia branch this week (last week Matauri Bay, this week Paihia!). But - our wonderful Branch President told us we could speak on the same topic... cause he's great. Ha. But I was able to learn even more. Our talks were on our "Favorite Book of Mormon Missionaries" - I chose Lehi. Because, he's wonderful. And had SO MUCH FAITH.  And had the beautiful vision of the Tree of Life, which I have studied so many different times in my life, and done multiple art projects on. But I came to know more, because when you ask - you receive! And I found/Sister Balli was inspired in sharing a bit of this talk with me — Elder Pearson from this last General Conference, called, "Stay by the Tree" Beautiful. You should read it. ;)

Anyhoo. Life IS beautiful. The work IS hastening - we just have to look to the Lord and ACCEPT the strength and confidence He willingly gives to us. —Something I'm definitely working on.  Cause, well - confidence in talking to people has never been a super strong point in my life (ha).   But it's getting better each and every day.  And even with the doors we get shut in our face - it just makes the ones that don't, that much more precious and special.  (Yes, yes, there have been many doors slowly but SURELY closed in our faces.) But life is beautiful, the GOSPEL IS TRUE.  Sometimes - the people within our church say things that may confuse, offend, or bring about doubt - but the thing we have to realize is this: Our Heavenly Father LOVES us. And what He needs from us is to continuously go back to what we KNOW.

I love you all!! I can't believe it's already been a MONTH that I've been in this BEAUTIFUL land of New Zealand. ISN'T IT INSANE!!!??? On the 14th I was thinking "weird, I gave my farewell talk a month ago..." It seems like yesterday! And also.... a long time ago at the same time. Weird how that happens. It's insane how fast life goes when you're on the Lord's time.  ...Something to think about! ;)

Thank you for your prayers — I definitely feel them each and every day. I pray for you all at home as well! I know that it is at this time that the Lord wanted me to be here - and specifically in this mission as well. Life is just...interesting that way, isn't it?

And last — but never least: The other morning I was listening to my music and stumbled upon a BEAUTIFUL rendition of "Goodnight Sweetheart!" :) Basically — you all are the cutest ever.  And I'm so crazy lucky to have a family that puts little "treasures" on my iPod like that for me to find! ;)

LOVE YOU ALL!

Much love!!!
Sister Mckenzie Ann Ottley

Other Pictures:

"Makikenehi" (Mauk - ee - ken - eh - he)

Yay for Mauri! This phrase I have decided to coin as my official "Mauri Motto" for the mission. I believe I've already taught "Kia Kaha" which is "Be Strong" - but I've now added "Harikoa" (Har-dee-quoa) which is the equivalent of "Happy/Cheerful/Excited." So: "Be Strong and Be Excited!" ("e" is "and").

I can't believe that another week has FLOWN BY. I don't know what it's like back home, but minutes and days seem to go shooting past here. But life is grand, the work is BRILLIANT, and I have the best trainer/"mom" in the world.

Like I said, the work is brilliant - even when it's a bit slow. This week brought up a few moments of feeling like we weren't quite filling our time as effectively as we could have. This is due to the fact that there have been a lot of people not home, because it's currently Holiday from school.  So - people have gone down to Auckland, or just on day trips, which makes it difficult to find people to teach!  Including the ones that we teach normally - meaning set appointments fell through a lot this week. But it's "all goods." (As the New Zealanders/my dear Sister O'Reilly say).  We know the work will move on, and we continue to learn as we go about this work together.

One really happy moment this week is that we were able to find a new potential investigator! Sister O'Reilly and I were moving along our way, looking for a couple that had been written down on a list a couple months ago.  However, when we got to the address they had moved... :(  But the good thing is that it led us to Tenisia - as well as her rather drunk sister and cousin... (ha).

Tenisia is a young expectant mother, who just so happens to have gone on maternity leave from work. As we talked with her, Donella her cousin, and Rae her sister, we ended up teaching the Plan of Salvation - which they all seemed pretty keen to. Well- Donella and Tenisia. Rae was a little more difficult.  But the cool thing about it was how many questions they asked. Regardless of their beer-drinking and smoking (none for the pregnant mom, no worries) there was a Spirit there that touched them and got them thinking. We're definitely excited to go back this week to find and teach more - because life is beautiful and we want them to know of this life we live!

Now Daniel. He's great. And also struggling. It's been interesting to be a part of teaching him and watching him as we teach. Yesterday we stopped by his house to teach him after church (because we weren't able to find him a ride to sacrament meeting, and we're not allowed to pick him up...) :(  Which is mostly sad because of the fact that he always tells us he was up and ready to go - but no one showed up. Argh. It's frustrating. Anyhoo.  We got to teach him the *drum roll please* grand Law of Chastity yesterday. Ha! See, here's the funny thing about it. At the end of our last lesson, we introduced chastity a bit - to which he said, "Well, it's a little late for that one, isn't it?"  Because- he has a 5-year-old son. Haha.  We had a good laugh over that one, but we explained that it's the reason we have repentance. So - actually teaching it yesterday was a new experience for both Sister O'Reilly and me together. But we think it went over okay. At first he straight out said to us, "I don't know if I can do this one. I thought it was just going to be giving up drinking and smoking and things."  But- by the end of the lesson, after explaining the blessings that come from living this way, we asked him again if he could live the law of chastity. And he paused, and said, "Yeah. Yeah I think I could." Ahhh!! So - he's still with us. He WANTS blessings, and he WANTS to be a better person. We're excited to keep teaching him, and he's constantly excited to learn.

I've learned a few things about New Zealand. Mainly, that "stain sticks" - like, for laundry - don't exist. Or I'm just really bad at finding them. But Sister O'Reilly also had no idea what I was talking about when I said that - so maybe it really is just an America thing!

I also don't know that I'll be able to actually see Liz when she comes... :/ For a few reasons. 1) Mission President/rules. She really will have to talk to him about it. 2) I'm in the SUPER far north, and I don't know that she'll want to come this far from Auckland... I donno. I guess we'll just have to see! But life is good with whatever may come or happen. :)

One of the things I love about this mission is the closeness of the small branches that are here. There's quite a few of the sisters in our wards that we refer to as "Aunty" - and it just makes me so happy. :)

One of the Aunties I met this week is Aunty Apiata. She's one that's seen the difference between having and not having the gospel in her life, and it's truly just a testimony to me of the truth we are able to live in. One of the things she said to Sister O'Reilly and me this week that really stuck was, "You don't really know what it's like to be a member, until you've been to the temple." - Which, now that I hear it again, can sound a little harsh. But it's not meant in that way.  Her saying that just made me really think, and made me realize how perfect that moment of going through the temple was. It brought such peace and assurance into my life — that we truly are here for a purpose, and that purpose is to live a life that Christ would want us to live. I don't know. It just kind of opened my eyes a bit I suppose.

So - the other thing about Aunty Apiata, is that she's Mauri. And she GAVE ME A MAURI NAME. "Mckenzie" in Mauri translates to "Makikenehi" (Mauk - ee - ken - eh - he). OH, I LOVE IT. Thus: An answer to one of your questions.  Haha. The little pieces I've picked up of Mauri so far are from members, as well as Sister O'Reilly and this little Mauri book we have. We occasionally have "Mauri Minute" at night, teaching ourselves new words and phrases. It's pretty great.

Sister O'Reilly and I are working with Aunty Gloria in the Matauri Bay Branch - she's the YW leader, and struggles because the girls don't want to come to anything, and there's drama between all of them and all this stuff. Soo - we're setting up an activity. A spa day, and hopefully it all goes well and we can get the girls loving each other again!  We're excited for it.

And in answer to your questions... Yes, we put ties on my luggage! Haha. That day/night/day leaving was definitely a blur. No - to multiple missionary companions in our areas :) It's all US! We switch off weeks as to which branch we go to - Paihia is about 40 people, Matauri Bay is about 20 people.  Very small and very different from what we're used to back home! But it's great.  And with investigators, we just have to have faith that they go — ha. And we try to set up rides, as well as fellowshippers to help the investigators out when they get to church.

Oh - one more thing I remembered about this week. The Tua family. They are wonderful. Brother and Sister Tua are an older couple who have taken in a lot of their grandchildren after two of their daughters passed away in an accident.  I'm not sure what the accident was - but they are possibly the most loving family I've met, and have the most adorable grandchildren ever. (1 girl, 5 boys). The Tuas fed us dinner this last Wednesday, and we were oh, so grateful.  Brother Tua also taught me a little Mauri! And this — this is how I'm realizing I can get to the people.  Learning and retaining more of the culture and language.  Brother Tua by the end of the night, with my use of the the phrase "Kia Ora" (which, by the way - can be used for almost anything — hello, thank you, I agree, etc.) was saying, "Ooh! I like this one!" Hahaha.  I'm excited to get to know more :)

And I've acclamated to the temperatures here... haha. Which means I'll probably be really wussy when I come home to the snow... But just a funny thing from yesterday when leaving the flat - The ground was covered with frost and Sister O'Reilly got really excited and started taking pictures of the ground! Haha... Things I apparently take for granted! ;)

Also, we got to give talks and teach Sunday School in the Matauri Branch yesterday! So lucky of us!

MY WEEKLY QUOTES...
"God does notice us, and He watches over us. But it is usually through another person that He meets our needs." —Spencer W. Kimball

"I promise that because of your faithful response to the call to spread the gospel, He will bind up your broken hearts, dry your tears, and set you and your families free. That is my missionary promise to you and your missionary message to the world." —Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Life is good. God is good. And Christ is our forever and always happy Redeemer :)

Life is wonderful. Keep up the happy moments at home, and know that I'm thinking and praying for you all daily!

I LOVE you all! The gospel is true, I'm excited each and every day for it and I'm ready to teach more people (hopefully they'll be getting back from the holiday soon!)

MUCH LOVE! MISS YOU ALL! (My Whanau!)
Sister Makikenehi Ottley ;)

PICTURES:

Check out her new pictures on the Gallery page at the top of the blog! 

KIA ORA FROM KIAKOHE!!

WHANAU!! (Fa-nu) Aka: FAMILY! — The first "a" actually has the flat line accent over it, however, I don't know how to do that on these computers.... So, that's what you get!

I'm trying something new this week. Telling you about things, and THEN I'll read the rest of your emails. I think it'll be easier.

I'M OUT IN THE MISSION FIELD!
I've been assigned to the Kiakohe zone, which is the FARTHEST NORTH sister missionaries are allowed to go!!!! It was about a 4-hour drive from Auckland - but also possibly the most BEAUTIFUL drive I have ever been on! – Sister missionaries aren't allowed to go out to the Cook Islanda or places like that, for safety and what not... which is a little sad, but I also understand because - well, President doesn't want us all alone and secluded on an island or whatever. ;) Haha.

Wednesday began with being picked up from the MTC by the AP Elders and President and Sister Balli (our mission president/wife) and they are WONDERFUL.  Definitely a cute little mum and pop for while we're out here in New Zealand. This past week also was the aniversary of their first year completed out here in the mission field! So exciting for them! After we were picked up, they brought us around to do a little sight seeing. Our first stop was ONE TREE HILL. LOOK UP PICTURES (memorable volcanic mountain peak). Oh, the beauty! And SHEEP!! Up until now we've only seen cows. But we have finally found the cute little sheep, who have all just been shaved! (Another reason why winter here is VERY different from back home). We were then brought to the mission office for some orientation, thinking "ooh- maybe we'll be getting our new companions!" Nope. Not true. We had to wait a WHOLE day. Haha. But it's okay.  It gave Sister Lott, Christensen, Nakibae and me another night in a motel to say our goodbyes.

Thursday morning was the transfer meeting. My new companion and TRAINER? SISTER O'REILLY! Oh, she's adorable. She's 19, from Brisbane, Australia, and is READY for it! And the crazy thing? She's only been out here for six weeks! Yup. She's a smart one. And I love her already.

Within our zone, Kiakohe, (Kee - a - kway), we cover two different areas. Matauri Bay (Ma - toad - ee Bay) and Paihia (Pie - he - a) And "r" is kinda rolled... IT'S BEAUTIFUL. And all the people are just amazing. We switch off days as to where we go - starting in Matauri on Friday. The people are so kind and loving and happy. We only have a few investigators right now, but the ones I met seem to be positive and excited for the teachings of the gospel. Paihia is a little more sparse in the area of investigators, but still wonderful. We went tracting yesterday after church, which was kind of a struggle because people are very set in their own religions, and some seemed a bit offended that we would "try and change it"... nope. Not our purpose. But we still offer service :) Also: Atheists. They seem to be abundant here.

...And the time on my computer is going to run out. I'll try and get more time and continue on!

The gospel is true. I'm loving and getting more excited by the work each day, and I'm so very grateful for the strength that I feel here in the members of the Church. ...

[More computer time] ... We're in a DRIVING area [no bikes], because Kerikeri (the Bay area where our flat is) is about half an hour away from the two areas... so driving it is! And it's also not bad because it's about the same distance I was driving back home everyday, going to and from BYU to work... Haha. :)

[No worries about the crazy driving you may have heard about.] Luckily I'm not the one driving - or it WOULD be. But Sister O'Reilly is great. It's definitely different driving on the "wrong" side of the road - but something I know I'll get used to.

Also: Sadly, I have no way to get pictures to you once again.. :(
As, the Library computers were packed and the church computer doesn't have an SD card slot - and I didn't bring my camera cord [with me today]..... Next week though (ALL the pictures)!

The area I live in is quite a nice little area! It's just a struggle to find a place for Internet. We get two hours, but the library is packed (because of children being on holiday from school at the moment). Oh- and we get kicked off the computers at the library every half hour.  So maybe longer stories should be snail-mail. However, I also only get mail every two weeks—and that's if it has come in. Because our ZL's have to go get it from the mission office and they only go every other week.

ALSO: RLS = Restless Leg Syndrome
hahaha. It was just difficult in the MTC sitting. ALL THE TIME. ;) Love you all.  And all your crazy ideas of what that stood for!

OH! And one more thing. The first person I met upon coming here to Kiakohe. [We call her] Aunty Lydia. She's a part of the Piahia Ward, and the most adorable woman you'll ever meet. She ended her testimony yesterday in church with, "Feed the missionaries! They're TOO SKINNY!" Haha... Love her so much!

Another member I've met is Katrina: She makes the BEST Hot Cocoa ever - with cream and all! She joined the Church almost four years ago and has a lovely spirit - which definitely helped Sister O'Reilly and me on Saturday night after a long day of everyone being gone, dropped appointments, or just straight up no one wanting to listen.  She's wonderful, and so kind and loving.

We're also teaching a man named Daniel in Matauri Bay who's set for baptism on the 18th of this month—hopefully it works out!  He's a super major smoker, but we were able to teach the Word of Wisdom to him my first day and he seemed to take it well enough. Hopefully we'll get to go see him tonight!

We've also met with some lovely ladies who strengthen me each day with how much they know and understand.

Also. Artists: "Mark Mabry" — he's a BEAUTIFUL photographer. He does creations of Christ's life. My favorite of the ones i've seen is Christ being baptized.... SO MUCH LOVE! And the artist, "MJ Deas" —also gorgeous! :)

Anyhoo. That's really all I have time for —but I love you all, and I hope all is well back home!!

Life is beautiful. The gospel is true! I have felt it here on this mission more than I have ever felt it in my life. But I have also ALWAYS known it to be true. It's kind of an amazing thing, isn't it? That we have a Father in Heaven who looks down on us each day, rooting for us to do His will. I know He has a BEAUTIFUL plan for each of us—all resulting in being able to live with Him and Jesus Christ again.  We can all do this! We can endure to the end! I know Joseph Smith was called on at that specific time to bring the Gospel back to this Earth for a reason. And the realization of that perfect timing has made me see how perfect this time has been for me to come on a mission now, rather than when I could have originally, two years ago. The Lord has a plan for each of us. His plan is perfect. We have to put our faith in that!

Kia Kaha! (Be Strong) (Key - uh- ka-ha)
Aroha, (Love) (Uh-ro-ha - "r" rolled)

I LOVE YOU!!!

Sister Mckenzie Ottley :)

Mission Field-Pictures

The mission president's wife wrote and sent some pictures of our favorite sister! She's in the mission field now and he humidity is loving her. :) 

We should here from her tomorrow on what the first week was like!