KA PAI

PONDERIZE:
"...O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt" —Matthew 14:31

"...Seek ye the kingdom of God. ... For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." —Luke 12:31,34

It's been a good lovely week. :) Feeling better, getting out more, and I know there are many miracles to come!

First: Does anyone have any guesses about TRANSFERS Yes. That happens this week! Whaaa? Insanity, right? It seems like each transfer just FLIES by faster and faster each time. 6 weeks is an insanely short amount of time. ESPECIALLY when you and your companion come in at the same time and know absolutely no one! Crazy. Anyhoo. Guesses? I'll find out tonight!

So—MONDAY. Monday began the week with a Zone P-day. We went bowling! Have I gotten any better at Bowling? No. No I definitely haven't. Hahaha. The Elders were all like, "Sister Ottley – have you never bowled before?" Well – it has been a good.... 3 years? At least. And I was also just really bad at it back then too. So... there's that. But I did get exciting little Dr. Who toy figurines afterward! Sister Hobbs, Elder Christiansen and I nerded out for a bit when we saw the toy machine... so that was fun times :) I got a little Adipose and K-9. I'm not sure I took a picture of them.... so that's sad. I'll fix that. (You may actually get pictures today! We're going to the Butler's for our P-day today and to have a little Family Home Evening with them... So I'm going to see if they'll upload my photos to dropbox for me!)

After time with the zone last Monday we went home, had a rest, and some dinner. We then went out to visit some recent converts – and on our way, met up with a most lovely Born Again Christian lady. Hahaha. What did she have to say to us, you ask? Well – after she saw our badges, this is how our "conversation" went:

Lady: "Oh! Are you Mormons?" *pause, with a disapproving look* "But girls, you're SO YOUNG."
Us: "Oh, Thank.."
Lady: "You should really do your research before you get into that church, because you've been deceived! It's a CULT!" *as she jumped up and down in a very dramatic fashion* "I've been healed and saved by the Lord and I know he's there for us!"
Us: "Yes! We.."
Lady: "No – you've been deceived! Please, please, PLEASE, do your research!"

...And then we realised we weren't going to get anywhere. We politely said "Thank you" and went on our way, as she continued to yell at us that we were part of a cult. Haha. It's honestly always an exciting and interesting time meeting with different Born Again Christians. I've met some lovely ones, and others that just decide to go off on why our church is so wrong and a cult. I can tell you this much though—I'm excited to meet up with some of them again in the Spirit World!

Anyhoo. Our night continued.  We had our bikes and we were going along.  Not many people were home – so all our plans fell through rather quickly. We still had an hour and decided to go down Henderson Valley road to visit a less-active we still haven't met. It had started raining, but we weren't letting that stop us! So on our bikes we went. And then... I realised why we generally don't ride in the rain. Sister Hobbs was in front of me, glanced back to make sure I was still there, and when she looked back the front wheel of her bike dropped off the footpath a bit — and in her attempt to get back on.... the bike came out from under her. For me, it was literally like "She's verti--nope. She's horizontal." She got some nice cuts, scrapes and bruises on her knees and toes... but luckily we had just passed the Falefatu's home a few houses before. So... we walked back, and they took care of us with some first-aid :) Adventures! But no worries – I've been bandaging her up, and she's on the mend. This did, however, put us off from biking this week... as her scraped and scabbed-over knees don't like to bend in the way of biking. We're hoping to get her to the Masiasomua's this week to see if President can have a look and make sure one of her knees isn't slightly out of place. 'Cause, well, it still doesn't look super normal. Fun biking times!

After getting all battered up, we had trade-offs on TUESDAY. I went with Sister Cluff into her area (Lincoln Ward) and Sister Hobbs stayed with Sister Fornaro in our area. Trade-offs are a blessing. Why? 'Cause both Sister Hobbs and I needed a different perspective after the last couple weeks had slowed down a bit. We needed that help to get up, get out, and DO SOME WORK. It helped heaps and we were ever so grateful.

I also got to meet some lovely people within the Sister's area and I am hoping that things go places with the new ones we met! We met a man named Raymond. He's the only non-member within his family (and the father as well), but the rest of the family is less-active. Ah – and I guess his youngest son isn't technically a member either. He just turned 9. But: We had a most lovely conversation with him. And: More blessings. I learned something about myself within this little mini message/lesson. He was talking about how he was at a point in his life where he was thinking about going back to school again, because they have the money and he just wants to be back in that mindset. He wants to be learning new things. But then there was a point where he said, "But – education's really a selfish thing, isnt' it? I mean – I want to go to learn... but it just seems selfish." (This was also right after he mentioned how much his two semesters would cost for his programme.. $64,000. Whew!) But then I had this thought come to my mind. And I said to him, "But – I think you need to think of it in a different way of rather – how will you be blessing other people by going to gain that knowledge and information?" —Also because he's going into a healthcare profession type of schooling. And then he paused, and realised that was true. We BLESS other people's lives by the amount of education we gain. We help others by striving to learn new things—not just in this life, but in the life to come! (That's just me talking now. We didnt' go quite that far with him. Haha.) But it was good. I love learning. And I realized it'll be something that I continue on with throughout my life. Forever and ever :)

So... Trade-offs were a blessing. Sister Hobbs and I both agreed on that together. She got some good TWE work in, and I got back my feeling of being constantly on the go—lesson to lesson and LOVING teaching. Good things!

WEDNESDAY was INTERVIEWS WITH PRESIDENT. ANOTHER BLESSING. Why?  Because he always says things that make me think. Also things that make me sad in a way – but not in a bad, sad way, if that makes sense. He was sad to find out that our area really hasn't been doing as well as he hoped it would be over the last couple weeks. And I was clearly sad about it too... (pointless to wear mascara this day? Yes, yes it was.) He told me that I have "great potential to become a great missionary." Potential. I have a love/hate relationship with this word, because this is another thing I've learned on the mission. It's GOOD to have potential to do things, but not when you feel like you progress and digress and progress and digress again. But –like I said. It makes me think. I've gained more in diligence since that moment, and Sister Balli was CLEARLY inspired in what she talked about with all of us as well—the Missionary Schedule. When to get up, when to leave, when to study, etc. Sister Hobbs the entire transfer has struggled in actually getting up in the morning, which makes it in turn hard for me, and then... we just get allllll thrown off for the whole day. I'm not saying it's just her – 'cause I haven't been much help in motivating her ('cause, I hate waking people up.  Always have.) But—like I said. It was inspired of Sister Balli. After that – our week was significantly better. Also because Sister Hobbs had to get up to re-bandage her knees every morning.... so, perks to sadness. We also had a wonderful training from President's Assistants and our Zone leaders, which also helped me to realize the things we need to be doing better. We went to the Butlers for dinner — aka: We bought them dinner and went to their house. I spent a bit of time with Conan—him showing me some new lighting things he'd discovered—moving lights and what not. (I'm loving this learning more about lighting while I'm here thing. Haha) I shared a little message, and it was Wonderful. Conan actually put down his tablet to listen this time, and I even got him to read another scripture :) We're making progress with the boy, and I'm excited. Scriptures of the night:

"And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will." —Words of Mormon 1:7

"Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. ... Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." —Alma 37:36-37

Is anyone surprised? You probably shouldn't be. Haha. They're words of my life!

After being at their home, Dani (the mom) dropped us to Garelja where we tried to see a few people — but alas, they weren't around or available. So, we ended up on Farquhar at the Kaipos! They're 'real a young member family who have been on holiday for most the time we've been here. So we haven't gotten to properly know them until now! They're adorable though—a young couple with 2 children—Sam and Indie. When we arrived Indie was supposed to be getting in bed... but with us at the door, they said "Ah—Indie, you're lucky. You're off the hook!" Indie and I became INSTANT friends (once again, she's 3). I love the 3-year-old life. She showed me all her legos, and told me colors of all things around us, and just talked and talked and talked. Haha. Sister Kaipo said, "She's usually talkative, but not this talkative!" Ever since then, and we've actually seen them a few times this week, Indie smiles and waves at me and talks whenever she gets close enough. LOVE IT.

THURSDAY was a good day! Out and about. Meeting people—slowly, but surely. Also: A bit more gardening :) — This time getting stabbed with a rather large thistle bush, and finding out that New Zealand does indeed have ONE snake-like-animal. It's like a mini weird grass snake-worm, about 2-3 (maybe even 4?) inches long, and slithers along like a snake mixed with a lizzard—but has no legs. It's weird. And creepy. Does anyone wanna see if they can find out what they are? 'Cause I definitely saw a LOT of them this morning. Haha. A lot.

We met with some less-actives in the afternoon, and went to Sister Jones' for dinner. We felt rather special going to her home – 'cause she told us she's never really had missionaries over to her house before! She usually would just drop something off to the Elders. But she's lovely. And we're spoiled by her. We also stopped by the Patterson's this night – as Felix leaves on his mission to Peru on TUESDAY. We shared a message with them and answered any questions that he had for us. He's going to be SO great and we're SO excited for him. Also: It was insanely hot on Thursday. Insanely. No clouds in the sky. Brilliantly beautiful blue skies! But: no cover. Haha. This is also how the rest of the week continued. (And I'm pretty sure how it is going to be today as well, unless it's changed in the last two hours!)

FRIDAY. MAN. Friday. First: My little BRODY BEAR'S BIRTHDAY! I can't even believe he's ONE! What is this life!?? Toooooo CUTE with those little blonde locks of hair he has! Also: This means it's the ONE-YEAR of when I opened my CALL! Crazy things? Yup. Wayyyyyy crazy. I still remember it like it was YESTERDAY. Literally yesterday. Sitting in the chair with everyone staring at me, wearing my grey shirt/sweater, and purple pants. Holding the call in my hand and bursting into tears so no one could hear what I said when I got to "New Zealand." Memories man. Life comes wayyyy too fast!

Anyhoo. Friday we had a WORLD-WIDE MISSION TRAINING BROADCAST. Aka: It was held in Salt Lake on... Wednesday? I think? And we watched it Friday. For ALL THE MISSIONARIES in the world. I think they said 75,000 of us? Something like that. It's the first time they've done a devotional like that in over 10 years! But it was so lovely and so fun and we received some wonderful council. Elder Neil Anderson is just wonderful. Yes? YES. And Elder Bednar. Just love them. Another fun little blessing for me, was getting to see some old missionary friends for a few minutes. Elder Summers, Clayton and Clark. "Why no Sisters, you ask?" —'Cause they were all at a different chapel. Haha. I just happened to be in the area with the Elders I know. So it was nice to say hello and know that they're all alive and well!

We also met a lady this night at a bus stop named, Teotima. She was indeed not in our area, but we're grateful that we could find such a wonderful referral for the missionaries up by Pah chapel!! Haha. She's ready, searching, and I hope I get to see her again one day!

FRIDAY was also Brother David Frost's birthday. Fun fact: On Christmas when we were at their house and we found out that "we're the same age!" I didn't realise that was a LITERALLY the same age! Kim and David are now both 25. (I'll be 25 by the time I come home!) WHA?  Weird things. They're adroable people though. And Avery is just getting bigger and cuter each and every day.

SATURDAY. YOUTH TRADE-OFFS. So, here's a cool thing our Stake does for the youth preparing for missions. A Mission Prep weekend! They do a whole bunch of workshops and testimony meetings and things to help the youth get more involved with missionary work. And the fun part for us? We got to go on trade-offs with them that morning. I got paired up with Sister Leina Tu'ivai! (Aka:  A girl in my ward!) The Lord truly knows us. Haha. It was so fun to go out with her though. We met a less-active woman named, Aroha, that neither of us knew (she's only been in the ward for about a year) and she's just WONDERFUL. I'm excited to go back and get to know her better. Sister Hobbs and I also agreed that we'll now be bringing youth out with us more often! It was so fun and great! (Also: Greatly helped us in the way of getting our "numbers" of the week up and meeting people!) We met with Colin again this afternoon – I honestly think he's kind of just a lonely man and likes to talk with us. Haha. But, I do have faith that one day he'll read the pamphlet and we'll get to start teaching him!

SUNDAY. We gave talks! Woot! It actually was really fun. Though: A bit more terrifying being in an actual church chapel with a legitimate amount of people to stare at me. So... that brought back memories of how I used to be! Haha. We'll see how I do when I come back home to a ward of 300! #DontKnowIfICanDoIt.

Miracles that happened on Sunday? No, we didnt' get to have a lesson with Liberty... he's actually starting to make us feel a little uncomfortable.  Continuously trying to convince us that it's "okay to have the lesson at his house without his partner there" and that "rules are meant to be bent." ...No, Liberty. No they're not. So.... we're still working to figure out how to best teach him. Hopefully at the Kaipo's home, since they live just a few houses down. But: The real miracles came from the LESS-ACTIVES that showed up to church! Aroha (who I saw with Leina) and a lady named Marion. We hadn't yet been to Marion's home – but she showed! And we got to know her and her needs a little better, and I'm excited to go by and help her out in any way that we can.

Fun fact: Over the last while, I've been having crazy amounts of dreams about less-actives. So.... I told Sister Hobbs and we both agree that it means we need to be working with them more. So: That's a focus this week!  Excitement!

After Church we went to the Leato's for dinner, and played a few church games with the kids.  One an "Armor of God" card game that's actually really quite fun! Haha. And–AND. They put on the Church video, Mountain of the Lord! And I laughed a little bit knowing my dad was in it, and then pointed him out when we got to that point in the film. (Heber J. Grant in his bow-tie and top hat.) Pretty sure Sister Leato took a picture with me pointing at the TV! :) Good times!

So.... That's been our week. It's been lovely. And I just love missionary work. It's amazing, really. Miracles happen each and every day.

I talk too much.  I just love words though! (Thanks Mum! Haha.) All the length of emails. I think they just get longer and longer each week.

I love you all HEAPS, and hope you have beautiful weeks of happiness and joy! :)

P.S. If you can – you may want to empty my Dropbox just because I know I have HEAPS of pics from the last....6 weeks. Haha. I'm just realising that you haven't even seen all the pictures I took from the end of last transfer with my dear Auntys and members and everyone!

Arohanui,
Sister Mckenzie Ann Ottley