Through Jesus Christ

Amongst the unloved and unwanted things, honestly the things you find...

TWO BELOVED MISSIONARIES! One is on the hunt for souls and one is just there relaxing away letting her companion do it all. That's what you call great missionary work... NOT!

Haha honestly we do so much more than this. We are hard working disciples of Christ that have been set apart from the world to declare the word of God for only a short amount of time in our lives. Without our families it could not be possible. Without our Saviour Jesus Christ, there would be no point in bringing about Salvation among the children of men and declaring repentance. It is all through Him that all is possible. The atonement is very real and it is there for us to use to our advantage. At times we think its easy to forgive others and its so hard to forgive ourselves. At times we cant ever forgive ourselves. If we don't forgive ourselves and use the atonement to our advantage then we are calling our Saviour a liar. We are saying that his atonement is for everyone else but ourselves. Sometimes we just don't think that we can use it but others can. Our Saviour is not a liar and that's something that I have learnt is that I need to forgive not only others but myself also. Its by far the hardest thing that we can do but if we go through true repentance then of course it is possible. I was reading in the ensign magazine that you know when Jesus Christ gave the sermons on the Mount he said in Matthew Chapter 5 of the New Testament "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." First thought as in perfect is... no mistakes? That's what I would think and so by that we cant fulfil the thing of which He has said because we are all imperfect right. In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior commands us: “Be ye therefore perfect” (Matthew 5:48). The Greek word for perfect can be translated as “complete, finished, fully developed” (in Matthew 5:48, footnote b). Our Savior asks us to become complete, finished, fully developed—to be perfected in the virtues and attributes He and our Father in Heaven exemplify. See how they differ from our understanding of things and through the Lords actual meaning. That is why we must not "trust in the lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the father. He is the one that pleads for us to our Heavenly Father that we may be forgiven and have that chance to come and live with Him again. We are our Saviours brothers and sisters and He loves us with an infinite love and willingly laid down His life for us. I he wanted he could have come off the cross on Calvary but he willingly let them crucify him in order for the plan to work. It is done all out of love. That is why we are here in this world is because of the love that heavenly father has for us. Do you think He is not sad that his children are away from him? Do you not think that it hurts Him when His children depart from the ways He has showed them to live? Do you not think he is heart broken to see His child deny Him and the blessings that He has given them? How would you feel if your children left the ways and standards you showed them and fell off the path and didn't even want to know you? That is how Heavenly Father feels but ten times fold... a million times fold because we are His children that are supposed to come back to Him. HE wants each and every one of His children to return back to Him but He knows that not all of us will come back. It brings deep sorrow to Him to know that there are some of His children that will never be with Him again. Living eternity without a child... without your children... would, I believe, be the worst feeling in the world for a parent. That's why the gospel is so necessary in all things. That's why we need it. When you LEARN THE GOSPEL you will want to LIVE THE GOSPEL and you will indeed LOVE THE GOSPEL. Its Jesus Christs Gospel. Change and become the person Heavenly Father needs you to be and be that example to others. Stop procrastinating. Stop living in denial. Just STOP!!!!! And look at your life. There is something missing in your life. Why do you want to be sad? Why do you want to live in misery for? I KNOW that you don't. I KNOW that you want to find happiness. I KNOW you want to fill the missing whole in your life. And iKNOW how you can find it if you just put yourself out there and learn of the teachings of Christ. TO study them and ponder the words in the scriptures. We each have things we need to learn and increase our own understanding whether we are not in the gospel or if we have been in our whole lives. We all need to improve. We are all tempted by Satan. He is very real Satan is. Heavenly father and Jesus Christ knows you by name, your hearts desires and your weaknesses and that's how through the atonement of Christ when He performed it in the Garden of Gethsemane He knows how to "succor his people" which means he knows how to bring them closer to Him. But Satan knows too. HE knows the same things and that's why we are always deceived. Satan is very patient and when he has a hold of you He takes you down and its so hard to get up and when you start to live the teachings of the gospel he works even harder because this is the true gospel. He doesn't want us to be happy and so he doesn't want us to be happy. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have in knowing that I can change through the atonement of Christ. That it is available for me. But not only me.. you also. It is through the Book Of Mormon that we can know of the fullness of this gospel. This is how we find everlasting happiness. This is how I have changed and am becoming the person that I absolutely love.

Dog sick!

Ohmygoodness it has been the worst week of my mission. I was just so sick and had no energy to do anything. Went into the hospital and then to the doctors 3more times this past week and im still sick. Frustrating thing in the world is that I never get sick! EVER! ALL you want to do is go out and work! But this week I have really come to understand how appreciative i am for the unique missionaries that I serve around. They have taken such good care of me and the elders that i double cover with have visited every single day since monday and bought me goody bags and lollies! Their goody bad made me laugh so hard which lead to a coughing attack. And then Elder Christensen thought he would bew funny and shaved all his hair of and put it in a plastic bag for me inside the goodie bag! Americans... honestly ;) I hope to get better this week and be able to get out of the four walls that i see everyday. So not much has really happened this week. I even didnt attend church this week. Thats really telling you something haha! 

A Challenge!

So hmmm yes performed the ice challenge alongside Elder Christensen and Elder Tatafu :) On missionary from each district. My Recent Convert was like nope "Elder Christensen youre doing it" and so we done it!

WE loved it and poor Elder Tatafu was shivering the whole time afterwards. This week first off i was not allowed to go to the Pacific Island Conference held in auckland but president then said i could go and i was like yaaaay! I get to be an islander tomorrow :) My companion then got annoyed and said "you know you dont want to be an islander but you are" and im like "im Maori, its different..." and shes llike nope. That day i was so grateful to be able to go and really see where my people come from. Us as islanders come from great people and do you know where our lineage come from. All the way back through to Jerusalem! Our forefathers were great people. Lehi and how he was so obedient and now we have the fulness of the gospel because he showed great faith! 

I cannot believe i have been out for 5months. I cannot believe i have been so priveledged to work around such great elders and missionaries. The work was hard this week and I was super lost honestly. It was hard! Its so hard to get people to progress but we have one family that is progressing and she cried when we popped over because she feels so loved. The only time she ever felt loved was from her mom and her mom is now passed away and so she cant believe how blessed she is. I dont think i will be here for her baptism as i think her baptism will be next transfer and we only have 6weeks in a transfer and we are in the 3rd week already! But ohmygoodness we are going to be throwing a LUAU!!!!!! Pig roast on that front table... YAY!!!!! Its all up to the missionaries but even that is next transfer and i have a feeling that i will be leaving next transfer! :( All is well, all is well.

IM STILL SAME OLD SAME OLD! :) People think im losing weight but i think im gaining!!!!! Sad life of a missionary... WEIGHT GAIN!

Love from me from down in the hood of South Auckland... Dodgy thats for sure!!!!!

Sister McFlinn xx

Weekly Update

So leading the area for the first time was chaotic! My new companion is Sister Mauia and she is from American Samoa! We actually came out of the MTC together so president must trust us thats for sure and we were intake #5 to the New Zealand Hamilton Mission as its a new mission and we actually hit our 5month mark together too on Sunday 27th of July! The move along with the work was all on me since im the only one that knows this area and it was hectic thats for sure... but hey it had to happen eventually i guess :( we had an okay week though. We on them bikes and feet now! BYE BYE CAR! I am so glad though becaus eits now time to get healthy... yeah right! haha honestly to not gain weight is the mission here ;) This week was sad becasue i had an unexpected surprise. My investigator Keala who i absolutely adore found out wednesday that she was going back to Brisbane the next day and she just found out that day. I was so sad but happy for her because she gets to go home and share what we taught her with her family and she wants to go and serve her mission and she is just a big part of this experience that I have had. Somebody who was so prepared to recieve the gospel and just goes to show that heavenly father is preparing the hearts of many that we cannot see. That was so hard to say goodbye to her. It really broke my heart. I was crying  and we broke down crying in the middle of the prayer and i was really saying goodbye to a sister. Thats how i felt. I am jst so glad that when my mission is over its not the end because i can still keep in contact with her and many other of my investigators. That Wednesday I found out she was leaving, and the same day we had another investigator drop us for no reason and i just was not having a good day. You have them as missionaries but relly htis week was a true test of my faith. Did I like it ...? uh no way! could not stand it but it was needed thats for sure as its all preperation for the things that will come my way soon. Do i kow what they are... uh ope but we can only prepare. But an exciting thing i found out at the end of the week that happened though was that my recent convert and her family most likey are moving to brisbane by the end of the year but  before i get home from my mission and so Tessa and Keala, the people that have made such an impact on my mision experience, will both be at the airport hopefully to welcome me home hopefully.

 

My testimony grows stronger and stronger each day and a lot of the times it is tested especially by jehovahs witness but the ones we come across really want a  bible bash but we dont want that at all because we respect what others believe i but it was funny because my companion was being tested with her patience haha! I cant believe how fast time is flying. I was reflecting on a lot about home this week because Keala was going back there and even though at times i want to go home just to do whatever i want, I am grateful for this experience because it has changed me for the better. Some of the members even said that they have noticed a great change from when i first got to their ward. Its a good thing. Not so loud anymore but i still know how to have fun ;) If it wasnt for my mission i wouldnt have met the mopst amazing people who will be a part of my life forever. "I have left my home and family for 18months so that others have the chance of being with theirs for eternity." Such a  small sacrifice for the blessings that come with it. Definately something worth investing in. A mission <3

JULY!!

It has been a long time since I have written anything. We have had new rules put in place where we only now have an hour and a half on emails and life has just been so crazy and hectic. Transfers are tomorrow. I feel as though I am staying. Who would have thought that I have been out here for four and a half months. I cant even believe it. Its CRAZY!! Life as a missionary flys by. I have had some of the roughest times of my life I feel in the last four and a half months. At my four month mark I got chased by a vicious dog as we were knocking at a members home and it was THEIR dog!!!! I ran into their house screaming and I swear the dog touched me. He is feisty! And it was on my four month mark! When I got inside I was in hysterics and laughing so hard because I could have DIED! Like legit! Probably exaggerating a little but he is one feisty guard dog that wasn't on his leash! I guess that's what you get when you go to their home at 8.40pm. At least you can say he is a good guard dog hey.

 

I wonder who my new companion will be on Thursday. I have only had my trainer as my companion so it will be interesting to see what happens. I will most likely be staying in Chapel Downs Ward but who knows. I love this area though I could honestly stay in this area for like half my mission. Within the last month we have had 3 baptisms and a wedding.​

​

Tessa got married and on Friday the 4th of july and married on the 5th of july and next year she will be getting sealed to her husband. And the two cute girls were a miracle baptism and we finally got their mom to come to church with us and she had a ball! She loved it as she hasn't been in a long time. There is so much potential in this area that its amazing! Never want to leave this area. We have the trust from the ward. From our bishop and as a missionary that is what you aim for. WE must always become as little children. Soften our hearts so that we are always learning and soaking in everything that our Heavenly Father wants us to learn and know. Obey all that He has asked of us so that we can live prosperous lives. Love Him and see what blessings our lives can receive as we put
Him at the fore front of our minds. I never done this before my mission. I am finding myself as I serve Him. As I pray to Him. As I just talk to my heavenly father. I am so grateful to have come and stayed.

 

I love my mission and I love my family and all my friends that are my family. Count your many blessings and you will see why.

 

Love Sister McFlinn,

 

always and forever x

humbling myself

This week was a little hard. I had to be taught a massive lesson with humbling myself and just really giving everything to the Lord. It was good though. I really love the fact that if we want to know who we are... SERVE A MISSION. If we want to know who the Lord wants us to be... SERVE A MISSION.

 

​

The Book of Mormon is one of the most precious things to me. It has changed my life. YAY! But what else is greatest was that I got a book of Mormon in Maori! YAY! Life is same old same old. Just a normal everyday missionary that has trials just like everyone else. Not exempt even though I wish ;) im still a normal human being. Missionary Life is the good life.,.. Best decision everrrrrrr! This week my companion was very sick and I had a massive headache too and so we didn't have such a great week but I introduced my companion to the McDonalds Frappes and she was against them before because she thought it was bad and then she had one right after the doctors and oh she is hooked! Last night we had a fireside and I got to see my beautiful President and his wife as they came and also got to listen to President Going and his wife talk as well as it was a missionary fireside! President Going is the temple president and he used to be an All Black but retired now obviously! But it was amazing just all being together and listening to their talks and then seeing Sister Tepa there! She came up behind and tapped me on the shoulder and I turned and freaked!!!!! We just started jumping up and down and hugging whilst still keeping control of ourselves and I just loved seeing her again. Sister Tepa is from Brisbane Australia from the Ipswich Australia Stake and so it was so much fun being with her again even if it was only talking to her for 2minutes. Her companion is Sister Prince and I love Sister Prince too. Im just so priveledge to have been here serving with these sisters in this time of my life. I really am surrounded by amazing missionaries.... elders and sisters that I dearly love and that's why heavenly father has called me to this place in this moment in time.

 

​

  Surprise letter in the mail from my MTC companion who is so thoughtful and I haven't written to her since we left the MTC in February and her name is Sister Travers from Tasmania, Australia. So precious isn't she. And I also got letters from my precious primary kids back in my home ward. Precious!

 

​

Oh and one even said to me if I liked McFlurrys!!!!! Probably because my last name is McFlinn!!!! Classic!

​

And then being able to be with Sister Simkins and Sister Clarke for a little while as they had to come up to Auckland and do some things. I cam out at the same time as Sister Clarke and so it was amazing to be able to get to know her a whole lot better and Sister Simkins also.

And My Third Transfer Has Begun!!!!

Get this!!!!!!

 

​

I WAS SOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!!!! Yesterday at Church and who do I seeeee........ popcorn popping on the apricot tree! Haha kidding... Mr and Mrs Nepe! I love these two so much! They had come for a baby blessing for the Ah-mu family in our ward and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw them in Church. I was like ohmygoodness!! Such an amazing feeling it really is to be able to see my family whilst im on this journey in my life as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And want to know what else happened... I gave my first talk in Sacrament yesterday. I f I had not of been chosen to speak on this sunday I most likely would not have seen them. Seriously, everything happens in the Lords timing. I couldn't believe I saw my cousin and his wife at church. Thought I might have gone out of missionary mode just for that slight second but I held it together. Never would I thought I would see any family member at Church so early on in my mission. To bad we cant go over for dinner because they live out of area but hopefully I get to see them again and we can hopefully go out for lunch or something. It was really the perfect way to end the rough week. It was only rough because we had transfers but that's okay, as it ended off on a high! I believe I know why Heavenly Father has sent me to the New Zealand Hamilton Mission and not any other mission in the world and I believe it has to do with me being that example in my family in sharing the gospel. It is honestly a privilege. I was SO nervous in giving my talk on "Called of God" and man it was a hard talk. And I had to talk for 10 minutes and I was like uh this is so hard! But as I said a little prayer in my heart to help me not be nervous, peace came unto me... and then nervous again when I got up on the pulpit to share my talk with the ward and boy was there a lot of people. But if it wasn't for the talk I most likely wouldn't have seen my cousin in the congregation. Im so blessed! Not many people would have that opportunity to really see family on the mission but I guess that's where I am very lucky :)

 

This week was a rough week!!!!!!! I got to stay in the Chapel Downs Ward for another transfer and that was a blessing!!!! I was so excited! There is so much happening in this ward that its crazy and amazing at the same time. Wedding and baptisms for our investigators and I cant believe I am going to be here for them! Ahhhhh! Pooper news was that the elders got transferred and wow I think during transfers you really go through like a mourning stage because we were quite sad that both the elders got transferred out to Hamilton... Elder Triffitt and Elder Napier... but it was good for them to go because their half of our area was soo hard. Full of Indians and Chinese! Two new elders came into the area and hope it all goes well for them. Its hard though. Missionary work is so much fun but it is one of the hardest things that you will ever do in your life.

 

​

 

​

And here we are! Chapel Downs Ward Missionaries for 3months! Sister Davis and I are still here and so that is still really cool! The hard thing about transfers that I have come to realise is that as missionaries, you are so far away from home and you are all in the same boat experiencing the same things like homesickness, and the work is hard, sudden changes all the time and that's why you like form these amazing friendships with missionaries and the ward because they become your family. They are the ones you lean on in times of need. but definitely heavenly father first and foremost but you really grow connections in the ward and area that you serve in.

 

​

I met Sister Iva before she went home from her mission! At the end of transfers, the sisters come and stay with us because we live the closest to Auckland Airport and ahhh soo cool she actually is from Brisbane Australia and in Marsden Ward! I actually cried when I said goodbye to her. I only knew her for that one night and I cried. Its so sad seeing sisters go home from their missions. That will be me one day and one day TOO soon but I try not to think about it. My mission really is everything that I wanted BUT more! I have learnt so much about myself and if I had fallen into temptation before my mission then I would not have found so many things out about myself that I absolutely love. I wouldn't have been able to find my weaknesses and able to make them my strengths. Honestly, a mission really and honestly prepares you for the rest of your life. Its not preparing you to be missionaries really but its preparing you for life afterwards and having your own families and being a wife or a husband. I never really understood that until I came and served my mission and I find myself a lot saying "this is changing me so much and that's what I want to do when I finish my mission, that's how I would want to raise my family" but that is a long time a way but a mission really is the way to go. At times I find myself getting excited for my mission and like "I cant wait for my mission!" and then have to rethink "ohhhh I already am on my mission" :) I realised that I didn't have to be home in Australia to be that example to my family and doing what the Lord wanted me to do. I realised that when you do the same thing all the time and youre not receiving different results then you have to change things! You have to spice things up and that's why I am so glad I am on my mission because I have seen the changes and blessings come to my family and its amazing! My family means the world to me and so does the gospel. I believe that before my mission, I was falling away. I had the right desires but I wasn't really putting action into everything that I wanted like for example my faith. At times I found myself saying "why cant I be on my mission already, because this is so hard" in the trials right before my mission. Then I got out on my mission and I was like "argh send me home" and now im saying "I want to stay forever!" Lets just say I am a typical girl. Cant make up my mind on what I want. As long as I give everything to my Heavenly Father and devote my entire time to Him whilst I am here then that's all that matters.

 

I am not perfect. Just because I made it on my mission doesn't make me perfect. It just really shows that anybody can make there hearts desires come true if they really want it to happen. you just need to put action in to your faith. there is a little saying that I love... "There is no growth in the comfort zone... there is no comfort in the growth zone!" Sure at times there are going to be moments where you are totally out of your comfort zone but that's where you need to be to grow. And I love it! I hated it at first but I knew if I wanted to grow spiritually or even accomplish my goals in life I have to do things that I am not comfortable with. Oh the joys of how life works huh! Live life to the fullest. Don't let it pass by you.

 

All my love,

Sister McFlinn

 

x