Mission Conference!!!

Longest email ever, now coming your way!! :)

Haha... I accidentally  wrote "weed" at first instead of "week" in the subject line. Although, there was also a rebellious/stubborn weed we worked on this week as well.

Kia Ora, my dear Whanau! (Clearly you can tell how the "learning Samoan" is going.... haha. I'm just stuck to my Maori forever!)

It's been a nice week. I still have moments of feeling like we're not as busy as we could be though... so there's that. But, regardless, it's still been a very good week :) Many miracles and fun things, and.... meetings of exciting people :D

MONDAY—P-day, began the week as a "day with the Butlers" – loveeeee. We went to Bethel's Beach, and I saw BLACK SAND. Cool? Yes. I don't really know why it's so cool to me, but it is! And Conan and I have become even more like siblings now, so that's great. And he's helping me to learn new things about lighting each time I see him. So that's lovely to keep my mind from forgetting! We also went back to their home at the end of Monday's P-day and had Family Home Evening with them, and watched The Best Two years. Fun fact: First time I"ve ever seen the whole movie all the way through in one sitting! It's a good one! Haha.

When we returned to our flat Monday night, we still hadn't heard from Elder Long (Zone Leader) about transfers—whether we were staying or whatnot. ...Guesses?

Haha. I started thinking, "Ah, we must just be safe since we haven't heard anything." ...And then the phone rang. "Zone Leaders" – And my stomach jumped a little.

"Sisters! Would you like transfer news? Well... You'll both be staying!" Ha. All that for telling us we're staying ;) But we're excited, and ready to continue in our lovely Henderson Valley area!

TUESDAY — Happy Australia Day! (And our dear Australian Sisters definitely let us know it was Australian day. Bashing on America included. Fun times? ...Sure? It's fine. Whatevers'.) However, Tuesday was definitely a bit of a testimony builder for me in losing myself in the work again. I was struggling that morning with... just thinking too much. Worrying too much, and not knowing how to truly focus my mind on anything. We had our last district meeting together as "that district" on Tuesday and it was good. It was sad, but good. I'll definitely miss the Elders who left us to go out into other parts of the land! We had a little testimony meeting and that was good. We had a training on TWE and "Finding People" (again — it's really being hit hard throughout the whole mission... apparently we're all struggling in finding new people and really teaching lately). But it's good to have these trainings. Building ourselves up and just... learning to rely more on the spirit, and focusing on the work instead of the "social" side of things. (There's was actually quite a bit of drama in the last mission transfer... a lot of Emergency transfers of missionaries in South Auckland and whatnot. So...
President's kind of seeming to be hard on us lately. But for good reasons. I've learned that Islanders really kind of like to party. Thus... why I feel like my companion, Sister Hobbs, may struggle with laziness sometimes – since most of her companions have been islanders! And so... that's how things have been for her.) Anyhoo. #TangentMuch? Testimony built of losing myself.

After district meeting we got back to the flat, had some lunch, and went out to work. I was honestly still a bit down – just trying to refocus my mind. We stopped by DORA'S house. I'm fairly certain I've talked about her before - when we first met her. We had knocked on her door, originally looking for someone else, but she said she was interested! We assumed she was older because she had a baby in her arms. Well – we all know what assuming does! We went back Tuesday, and found her at home again – with the baby. She invited us in and we started getting to know her. Fun fact: The baby is her LITTLE BROTHER. And she is 15. Yup. She's FIFTEEN years old. So... technically, in order to teach her, we need someone 18 or older and permission from her parents. But... she still had us stay and teach her about the Restoration. And she LOVED IT! She told us beforehand how she's really come to know how Christ has helped her in her life, and how she knows that she's alive today because of Him. (Why can't everyone be like her?) And then, as we told her about the First Vision, she was literally in awe. And THEN. She loved it even more when we brought out the Book of Mormon and told her she could have the copy we handed her. I've never seen someone SO EXCITED to read it! She kept saying how she wanted to read it "right then." TOO cute. So... we're hoping to go back and see her soon and meet her parents :)

After that lesson, we wanted to conquer the world!!! So we went to see Kathleen Va'a – who we had a scheduled appointment with. I hadn't officially met her yet, 'cause she's hard to catch – but Sisters Hobbs and Fornaro had finally caught her when they were on trade-offs and made an appointment. Unfortunately, when we went by she said it really wasn't actually a good time, but we still talked for a bit. Sweetest girl, and we're excited to get to know her better. We also stopped by Aroha Henare (less-active) before dinner with the Pauna's. I just love Aroha. She's so talkative and wonderful. And I have faith that she really will come back to church soon!

That night we stopped by Ivan's because... Elder Christiansen had to see him one more time before he was transferred to Whangarei on Wednesday morning :( (Gonna miss that Elder! – and so will Ivan!) So we went over as well. The Elders couldn't stay long, but we did get to share a little message and talk a bit with him and Grace! (Yes, she's finally home.) It's amazing how much Ivan opens up to us now. It's like there's no worry for him anymore. He just tells us all things. He's definitely had a life full of experience, that one! And: He spoils us. There was one day last week we stopped by his house to fill our water, 'cause, man, it's been hot lately. And he gave us an ice-pop (like an ottor pop) to go with it! So on Tuesday night he gave us our very own ice-pops to put in our freezer! Haha.  He's the best!

WEDNESDAY! Another struggle day for me. Just 'cause... we definitely didn't see as many people as we could have. But – still good. Emere and Arihia Joseph brought us out to lunch, and it was lovely to spend some time wtih them again. We did a bit more service in the Frost's garden – and I finally got the giant THISSLE out of the garden! I definitely got stabbed a few times, but it was exciting. Also: Amazing how easy the root comes out once you clear all the pokey stuff away!

After our afternoon service, we definitely had to go home and shower quickly... 'cause once again, hotness. And the Frost's invited us over for a quick dinner before Ward Council. We also got to witness Avery trying his first little bit of curry! Haha. It's hilarous watching babies faces trying real food. Brother Frost put a little bit on his binkie — and he was no longer fussy! He likes his food ;) Ah. Another thing I learned this day? It's amazing how fast you can feel the air get humid here. It rained for a bit – then suddenly stopped and the sun was out. And then: It was like you could feel the water evaporating around you. Crazy.

THURSDAY! (I really wish I could type faster than I already can...) "The BIG MOVE." So... once upon a time we found a little couple named Nellie and Richard. They live in a house on Newington Road. We had stopped by a couple weeks ago, and Richard mentioned they were moving – just down the street on Great North Road. So we offered our help. Wednesday night we brought it up in Ward Council, hoping we coudl get some of the ward involved to make Nellie and Richard known! But... alas, people really weren't available. So... we called upon the missionaries! And man, are we glad we did! It was a MUCH bigger move than we had anticipated. Why? Because apparently the house they live in is actually a house that belongs to an organization of sorts that houses people with disabilities (Nellie has Down Syndrome, and Richard... something else?) SO... there were actually about 4 other people also living in this house! Aka: HEAPS of stuff to move! A good portion of our Zone showed up, and it went much faster than the residents thought it would (it easily could have taken them two days...) and we had HEAPS of fun with service life :)

The exciting thing about this is: Through this service, Sister Hobbs and I were able to introduce the Book of Mormon to Richard, share a little more with Nellie, and share some with their care-takers as well! The sad part: Their new house is BARELY OUT OF OUR AREA. So.... at the end of the day, we very reluctantly handed them over to the Elders to teach :P But. We're also excited for them, and we've also been given permission to VISIT them. Not really teach... but visit. And the Elders said they'd let us know when they go over, so that's good :)

We also discovered on Thursday that our District's have been swapped around a bit! Elder Hunter is now our district leader, and we're in a district with the Samoan Sisters, rather than our Sister Training Leaders. In complete honesty: Sister Hobbs and I are rather excited about the change. We love (okay... well, I love) our Sister Training Leaders, but ... we do kind of feel like they look down on us a lot, rather than trying to build us up and help us to be better. So... I think it'll be a good change to be separated a bit more from them so when we have trade-offs it'll actually be telling them things they don't already know about our area (because they would hear about it all in district meeting every week...). And hopefully it'll be one of those "distance makes the heart grow fonder" types of relationships.

Later in that afternoon, we stopped by Julie's house. Julie is a ....sort of potential.  Haha. She always says that she's not interested, but we still go over just to talk, and to see all the new artsy things she's up to! She claims to not be an artsy person... but alas: She definitely is. She does MOSAICS. Like – brilliant things. She loves all things that are colorful, and her yard and home is FULL of it. — All things she's purchased and repainted and made her own. I love it. And I want to learn how to do mosaic tiling things when I get back now :) Anyhoo. She makes pots (as in flower pots) — mosaics them and makes them colourful and pretty. She had made one for Sister Hobbs to buy, and... now she's making me one too!!!! SUPER excited. Hopefully photos to come. ...Clearly we're still working out the glitches on that!

We were invited Thursday night to go over to the Butlers for one last night before school starts up again. We roasted marshmallows, and I tried to help Conan not be a teenager and not be mad at his mum for lame things. I'm hoping we figured it out a little? Who knows. And his mum Dani needed to talk too, so it was good for the family I think. They're all just wonderful.

FRIDAY we went to Marion's home (less-active). I talked about her in church last week. She's lovely, but ... it's interesting how much more you can see into a person's life when you actually visit their home. They struggle, they really do. And we found out her son was actually taken from her about a year ago – due to him being home alone too much I suppose (he was 6 at the time and turns 8 this year). We met her partner officially, and .... it just makes me sad when you feel like someone you know and love is with a partner who is clearly just taking advantage of her being there, and also that they don't feel like they're good enough to be with someone else. Aka: Her partner is just... not really there. Fairly certain he's always drunk, or looking for drugs. And she's been with him for 13 YEARS. Anyhoo. It was good to see different things we can help her with and whatnot. Ah:
Also, she has a dog... It's a Pitt Bull! His name is Broncs. And he's a little terrifying. :P

CAROLINE. Ohhhhh how I love Caroline.
She was actually one of the first people we met when we came out – a woman who's been investigating for... over a year now.
Haha. She knows lots of missionaries. But we actually got to have a real conversation and whatnot with her Friday evening, and it was lovely. She's the SWEETEST. She's partners with a less-active, and has an 18-year-old son. And man. We can tell that she really feels goodness from our Church — but, fun fact: she hasn't actually been to church yet. So, *crosses fingers* we're hoping that changes. She said she'll come this next week. So... we'll be working for that! And then to continue teaching lessons and whatnot :) Glorious. Little miracles.

Our Dinner appointment Friday night was supposed to be with the Pattersons, but they called us up and said, "Hey! We're going to the Halaapiapi's for dinner because they're having a High Priest's dinner with wives and family, and they said you could come!" Ha. Meaning: Island food! I love island food. And everything at the Halaapiapi's (or involving them in general) is going to be a party. Love them all so much. We also got to catch up with the Masiasomua's – who hopefully have someone for us to start teaching They're a crack-up. Ha. Also because they remind me of you, mum and dad, more and more each time I get to know them. This time? Learning Sister Masiasomua is super OCD, and President's favorite dessert is Apple Pie and Ice-Cream (HOT Apple Pie, he said).  Love it. :)

SATURDAY. Man. Saturday is the day to live for. Why? We had a MISSION CONFERENCE. And not only our mission, but with Hamilton Mission AND the MTC as well. "Why?" you ask? ...Well, ELDER CHRISTOFFERSON WAS THERE. AND Elder Pearson (South Pacific Area President) and their wives. So... we all (my mission) first met at Fergueson Chapel in Otara (the "dodgy" part of South Auckland)—we were told to "STAY IN YOUR CARS!" —unless you needed the toilet. Sister Hobbs and I did. And... during those few moments, I was lucky enough to get to see Sisters Pointer, Lott, Boiteux, Christiansen, AND O'REILLY!! [Sister O'Reilly was my trainer that I call, mum.] It's been too long, folks. I know the Mission isn't about the social life and about seeing other missionaires. But... it was good. Just to see, hug and say hello for a few minutes. I missed my Mum, HARDCORE. And guess what? She's a Sister Traiing Leader now! In Panmeur! (Or... maybe she said Penrose, actually...? Too many Zones that start with P. — Hey, Liz. Leesh. "P is yellow" Remember? Hahaha.) Anyhoo, so apparently it "runs in the family" — so I'm probably next! Terrifying. Ha. We'll see there.

After that, we all (the mission) went together to Redoubt Chapel (in Hamilton!  We got to be "REBELS" and leave the mission! Haha). #RebelliousMissionLife We settled in, were warned soundly by the Hamilton Mission President, and then Elder Christofferson came. Before we even started the meeting, he wanted to shake all of our hands! GAH! Excitement!! And then... we had much council and enlightenment from Sister and Elder Pearson, and Sister and Elder Christofferson. Heaps on "Focusing on the Work" and our purpose as missionaires. Good for all of us :) ...I'm hoping to write a letter with more things in it... so we'll see when that comes to you. But it was brilliant! And man. Elder Christofferson is one HAPPY person. Haha. Crack-up, he is!

After the mission conference, we went out. And we met the Samuelu's. :) A Less Active family that converted... I'm not sure when. But I assume sometime after the parent's first two children were born. 'Cause... all the rest are named after missionaries! Haha! So, they love the Church. They still follow everything as they should, they just struggle with actually coming to church lately. "Laziness" they say. But: Their son wants to go on a mission.
So, last week they decided to start coming again so that their son feels their support. (Amazing what missions can do, isn't' it?) So we decided to go over and properly meet them all. And they're the SWEETEST family ever. So super humble, and definitely the New Zealand way of relaxed life. Haha. We shared a message about church, and we know they know what they need to be doing (repetitive and redundant much?). We're excited to get to know them better. It'll be grand :)

After the Samuelu's, we were looking for another person on a potentials list... didn't find him, but found another! His name is Mata. And does he have some cool tattoos? Yes. Yes, he does. Including a giant one of Christ. So... ya know, it helped in bringing up gospel topics! Also the fact that he's talked to missionaries before. That helped. He also told us he wouldn't convert, but... we definitely see potential with different things that are going on in his life. He's grown up Catholic — but not currently going (that seems to be a trend among most Catholics I've met here in in Henderson!). But definitely believes Christ has done everything for him and helps him every day. We're excited to see him again. Also:  A little miracle that we even met him, 'cause... it was his ONE DAY of the week he has off! And the first day he's had off in a while. So... blessings :) Ah: And
HE has a dog... A Rottweiler! (Yup. A Rottweiler.) His name is Harley. And he is the NICEST ROTTWEILER I've ever met. I was a little terrified at first, and Sister Hobbs is still terrified. But... so cute. Weird to say that I petted and played with a Rottweiler without my hand being bitten off. Ah – he's also only a year old. So that helps, 'cause Mata has raised him to be a cuddle dog ;) Love it.

[Not sure what's with me and telling you about everyone's dogs this week too... apparently it's been a big thing. Haha.]

SUNDAY. We finally got to teach Liberty again! Woot woot! "How did we make it around him not wanting other people to come to lessons and trying to make us bend the rules of his partner not being there?" You ask? ...Well, we brought along Naynay Taumafai. Haha. She's about our age, and lovely. So she came to the lesson with us and we taught the Plan of Salvation. It was good. Though... as Sister Hobbs and I taught, we seemed to have different thoughts of who the people are that are able to be taught in the Spirit World........ #Awkward. But it's good, 'cause it's giving me something to study up more on now. Currently reading D&C 138.  Any other suggestions? :D  Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Church was lovely yesterday, we taught a primary class! A class full of BOYS, as... all the girls were on holiday. And come to think of it, I really don't think we have that many girls within that age group. Anyhoo— They're all a crack-up though—8-11 year olds. We taught about the Liahona, Nephi breaking his bow, and how prayer and faith help us to know where to go. Good times. We had them act out the story :) Love it.

TASH and MOTTI (Natasha and Mordihai)—the CUTEST little couple we met that lives on our street. We've talked with them a few times now, and we know they're going to make the cutest members one day... But it will also take some time. She used to be christian, and he's Isralie ...so Jewish? Jewish. But he's not practicing either. And they've both chose that keeping away from Religion is the better lifestyle for their marriage. (Yes: I repeat, they are indeed, actually MARRIED! When does that ever happen?) But they also tell us how they "look for our church" sometimes ....so we're hoping they decide to just show up one day. Haha. We got to teach them a little bit about what our church service is like – so that was fun. We'll just keep praying for little and subtle opportunities with them :)

So.... A lovely week. Many blessings, and many people. But.... I know there's still more. More we can still find, more we can help in different ways. We're excited for the less-actives that we've been meeting with, that are starting to come back though. So.... life is good :)

Missions are crazy. In a good way. I don't think life has EVER gone this fast before. Ha. Sometimes I truly wonder if someone has actually just moved the clock hands to make it a little faster because nothing is slow anymore. I mean – 7 months. I'm closer to half-way than not. Weird, yea? Yeah.

Life is good. Things continue to look up. I know through focus and diligence, miracles happen. And focus and diligence come through obedience and faith. It's great, isnt' it?  Ah – and studying and praying. Those both bring about amazing things!

I love and miss you all HEAPS, but... I know this is but a small moment for me to not be with you ;)

Arohanui,
Sister Mckenzie Ann Ottley