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.​

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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.

 

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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.

 

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  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!

 

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

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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!!!!!!

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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

IM SO SCARED!!!!!

May 26th 2014 to June 1st 2014

I AM SO SCARED!!!!!! So I cannot believe that I have been out for almost 3months and each 6weeks is a transfer and I would then call it a milestone!!!!! So I have come to the end of my second transfer and I am so SAD! I so not want this transfer to end... I want it to last forever! So this week is the big news week. I have a chance on leaving the beautiful area of Chapel Downs Ward In Auckland City! I DO NOT want to leave but there is a chance that I could be. I have been dreading this for the last couple of weeks now but I know that if I leave then its my time to leave. BUT I hope I don't leave. I do have a testimony that my Heavenly Father knows best. So heres hoping when tomorrow night when we get the calls of transfers that President says that I get to stay. Lately I have been like, okay I think Im going and then the next I will think that I am staying. Last night, I even had a dream that I was being transferred... THIS is ho wmuch it has bothered me but the dream said I was being transferred to Japan so who knows what is happening! I wont be getting transferred to Japan but I may be transferred to somewhere else.

I don't know how I deserved such a great start to the mission to be honest. I LOVE my companion and I don't know if we will have much more time together. Im sad about that because I love her so much but I know eventually the time is going to come. We have seriously been so blessed this transfer. We met Tessa and she is going to be baptised and married next transfer on July 4th and 5th and so that's one reason I want to be here for ONE more transfer. That is all Im asking for. And Keala we met this week and I love her so much! The Lord really does have people prepared to share the gospel with and that are redy to accept. Tessa and Keala are those two that were prepared. Keala is from Brisbane Australia and is staying with her grandfather and she want sto be baptised now. We ave met with her twice now and shes ready but she is going to wait for her family to fly back from Australia to come to her baptism. If I have the chance to witness her being baptised, then I will be over the moon because then when I go home from my mission eventually then I will be always able to hang out with her and help keep her on the path if there were ever any times of trouble because she is my recent convert! ahh like the sound of that. But really I am only an instrument in the Lords hand. I am His servant and here to do His work. I just don't know what Sister Davis and I done to deserve such blessings! If I have the privilege of being here for 1more transfer I will cry because next transfer is going to be AMAZING! It was a little bit of a sad morning today because elders napier and triffitt got the news that they are both being transferred this morning and its so sad. So argh transfers are pooooo. They really are but Im just so nervous for what this week is going to entail. 3baptisms and a wedding on the horizon for next transfer and Tessa is just amazing. She said she will cry when we leave and im like I will be too! I really have been a sook lately. I love my mission and I never want it to end. I love my family and friends for helping me to get her and if they hadn't, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I don't know where I would be and who I would be.

This is most likely my last transfer I will have with Sister Davis and this is the drawing that my recent convert Tamia drew for us one day. I hope I get to stay here!!!!! Amazing transfer in this ward coming up!!!!!! 3months down and 15months to go and time is going way too fast!

Love,

Sister McFlinn

Surprise!

May 19th to May 25th 2014

 

I didn't know how this week was going to turn out. I really didn't have too much of a positive attitude from finding out my dog and one of the family members had passed away but that's when I said that I was thankful for the plan of happiness and the plan of salvation. Our families really can be together forever through Gods plan. Not our plan. I think I am a little frustrated at the moment about that to be honest. I don't know why I am letting it get to me but I don't understand how people think they can get back to Heavenly Father their own way. How do you know the way back to heavenly father? That's what annoys me because we need to follow the Lords way and "lean not unto our own understanding". If you think you can go back to live in glory with our father by participating in things that He has said not to, then believe you me that its not the case. The first law in heaven is obedience. Obedience to His law and commandments. just this week has really gotten to me I think. More so last night during our lesson with what we would call eternigators. (people that have been investigating the Church for a very long time). I love that family so much, I just wish I knew what to say to help them realise what they need to do to making that next step. That is when Heavenly Father has been teaching me a whole lot of patience. Patience is so important on the mission. I totally beat myself up last night. I was just so frustrated. But I guess that's when we need to always be in tune with the spirit so we know through the holy ghost how to help those that are in need of the gospel. Which means listening and really  listening to the promptings of the holy ghost.

 

I have had an amazing experience though this week which really lifted my spirits. During my mission, Sister Davis and I had been praying that we wanted to find a family to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to and hopefully have a wedding. And so in the second week of the transfer, we met a couple on the street and we talked to them and they invited us back to their home the next night. and I had this amazing feeling about them. I said to my companion "instant love!" and I said "this is the family that we are taking to the temple!" I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!!!!!! The next night we went over and they were waiting for us. I can seriously testify that the Lord does have people waiting for us missionaries to share the gospel with but it takes courage to talk to people out of our comfort zone in order for us to see it. As we put our faith in the lord and act on the things which we are to do, Heavenly Father will bless us. Through obedience comes blessings! And it has now started the 5th week of the transfer out of six weeks and we have been teaching Tessa and Ata the gospel. Ata is a less active and Tessa is investigating and she came to church on Sunday! She absolutely loved it! She said "even if I'm sick I'm still going to come". She also said that as she stepped through the doors of the chapel she felt right at home. We invited her to baptism and getting married and she said YES!!! So we have a wedding on July 4th and Tessa's baptism on July 5th and this family is so ready! Tessa also sews and made her dress for Sunday, bought the kids all new clothes and shoes and her partner Ata asked for Sundays off at work and his boss was all good about it. See how the Lord provides as we show faith in Him and wanting to change our ways to doing the will of HIs?! I just love this family as they are so prepared. Transfers are next week on the 5th of June and I do not like the sound of transfers. I have a feeling that I will be leaving but I don't want to leave. I want to get out of South Auckland because this is where you gain all the weight but I don't feel like my purpose in Chapel Downs Ward has yet been fulfilled. Next transfer is when the wedding and baptism is for Tessa and I really don't want to not be here for it. I hope President doesn't send me somewhere else. I really want to stay at least for one more transfer. But if I do go and if it means I should, then I know that I am going where the Lord needs me at that time and He needs me in the place where He sends me. My President will send me where he I inspired to send me and I love my president so much and do follow his counsel and know that he is inspired to send me wherever I need to go. But, I hope I don't get sent away. We will find out Tuesday next week if we stay or if we go. I will go and do as the Lord commands. On Sunday night we received a random text from Tessa and she said "Thank you so much Sisters for teaching me all about the gospel and teaching me the lessons. I think this could be it for me :)" We are so excited for her and our hearts are so full of love for her. this is the family that sister Davis and I will be taking to the temple next year and its just so amazing that as we have been obedient to the lords commands, that we have been granted with the desires of our hearts to have a family taken to the temple that we have taught. Tessa is also going to make  me some dresses and skirts as yup getting fatter and fatter. Whoop whoop! haha but nah she is amazing! Sunday was amazing with her coming to Church for the first time and we had so many less actives come to Church on Sunday that it really was the best Sunday.

 

The mission life really is amazing! On random as days the Elders are so funny! One night we walked out of our recent converts home and we saw orange peels on our cars with them writing their names with the peels. Another set of elders drove past our car and left a can of coke and pizza for us on top of our car and played with our mirrors and windshield wipers. Its just so funny to get surprises and seriously you have to know how to have fun and to be able to laugh. That same night we got home and at our doorstep there was a pyramid of coke cans outside our front door. Even if we are sad the elders will buy us ice cream and drop it off or like fro my birthday made pudding and came and made some lunch for us. And elders with buying us more lunch too. Just we are so looked after on the mission! I love my experience and how we have so much fun fulfilling the Lords work.Yesterday we had a zone conference with Brother Herewini Jones and he is amazing and just the whole day was so good. It made me really appreciate the person that I am and where my family comes from. I didn't realise that I really am privileged to be a Maori and where my family comes from. I really want to get to know more about my history and learn the language and just be immersed in the culture again. I loved going on a marae yesterday and it made me want to get back into my heritage. We learnt how culture and religion really do compliment each other and it broadened our understanding with especially like working with Māori's and islander families because culture is so important to them. I believe this was one of the many reasons why I was sent here to New Zealand Hamilton mission. Oh and I learnt so much about Family History Work in the church! I love love love family history and history of the Church. I hope sometime in my life I can just be focused all on my family history and history of the Church. It is so interesting!

 

Overall, had a great week. I know that my Saviour lives and loves me and feel so privileged to be a servant of the Lord in this day and time. I know everything happens all in due time and all in the Lords timing and everything happens for a reason. We need to stop procrastinating our time of repentance. I just don't understand why people just keep putting it off and delaying it. What are people afraid of? Change? Do people not want to have the blessings that are rightfully theirs if they follow the Lord? I just do not understand. It takes effort on our part though. At times we say to ourselves, "when im ready to change or go to church, then I will go." What if when you're ready its too late? what then? That's why I get so annoyed because I have so much love for people that I know and have come across that I'm like "what are you really waiting for?" The time will come when Jesus Christ will come again and I can promise you it will be in this life time and don't we all want to be ready to see our Saviour and Redeemer again? To not stand in front of Him and know we procrastinated our day of repentance? We want to stand at that day and when Judgement day comes and our Heavenly Father says "well done my son, my daughter, I am well pleased with you? Oh it just gets me because this day is a time to prepare to meet God. If only we knew our potential and that we all truly believed that we are sons and daughters of an eternal being. Hence we are eternal beings in a mortal state. I just wish people could understand that one day its going to be too late. As missionaries we don't force, EVER, anyone to know about the gospel or to be baptized. Its a choice that we all must have the desire to make. Now persistence perhaps, is another thing. We are persistent because we know of the joys and blessings that you can receive from our Heavenly Father that you really should have. As a missionary, it doesn't change our lives if you get baptised or learn about the gospel or go to church. It changes YOUR life! We only teach and INVITE! I just hope we all can see that if our lives are n the downhill, it is through Christ we can find happiness. Even if our lives are going great, imagine the joy we can then feel we know we have the true gospel in our lives. Why not see how the gospel can change your life. Like I have said before, if it doesn't change a thing then it doesn't change a thing. But what if it does! you wont know until you experience. Make those changes in your life and see how the Lord can bless you!

 

Love Sister McFlinn :)

Appreciation

May 12th 2014 to May 18th 2104

 

To be honest I cant be bothered really writing much within these last two weeks. I have had so many miracles these past couple of weeks that I have the best weeks. Even though we have appointments that fall through and times where its a little discouraging; knowing that the Lord picks us up and helps us through it all is the most amazing thing that we can count on. He promises us that he will be there for us. John 14.18. He will comfort us, He will never leave us. It is the most amazing blessing. Last week I really had a scripture really hit me hard. It just, hit me so deep in my personal study that I began to cry. I don't understand where all the tears come from seriously I like never cry but seriously the mission is changing me and for the better. I am learning how to be compassionate and to really rely on the words in the scriptures and apply it to my own life and I have tried to. As I have done so, I have started to change and for the better. The scripture was found in Doctrine and Covenants 31:2-3,6 i think it was. I applied these scriptures to myself and An overwhelming feeling came upon me. The spirit has been working its ways lately and I know that I know this church is true! My testimony is so firm that no matter what happens in life and if I ever departed from the ways now, which i hope to never, but if I did, I KNOW I will never deny the church. Its a bold claim but that is the truth. I know without a doubt this church is true. My love for my Heavenly Father and Saviour Jesus Christ changed for me this week. It changed during my mission for a deeper love. But this week it just deepened so much that I know my heavenly father love me and why the things happen to me that they do. I cannot describe the feelings that I have with knowing that I have found the true gospel of Jesus Christ and that it is here for everyone! I am no longer in that state of confusion and I'm so glad. This gospel is for everyone. It really is. No matter if you're catholic or you're Muslim or whatever; it is there for everyone and we as missionaries invite everyone to come to find out for themselves the truthfulness of it. If it doesn't change your life then that's okay, because then your life isn't any different than what it was before. But what if it does. What if it changes your life in ways that you couldn't have imagined before? I love this gospel and I don't know where I would be without it. I cant even remember my life before the gospel. Everyone wants stories and I don't really have any. I just remember the feelings I had before I was baptised and when I was taking lessons from the missionaries 3years ago. They were of indescribable feelings but I know that no matter what trial comes my way, I am still happy. I have a lasting happiness and that is what I want to share with everyone and help them understand that they too can be happy. How would it make you feel to know that you go through these trials and still see the light at the end of the tunnel. To still be happy through them. That's why people think I'm weird because I have optimism because I see that light at the end of the tunnel. I know that no matter what happens in my journey in life that the greatest reward is in the next life which is why I am always happy. I received an email today and one of my grandfathers had passed away on my moms side. I cried and still want to cry because that is my family. My family is all together at this time whilst I am on my mission and cant be there at this time. And then my dog also passed away the next day after my grandfather did. I am so exhausted now because of all the tears but my first thought that came to my mind was, "Families can be together forever" and how grateful I am to have that knowledge. I know that I will see my grandfather again without a shadow of a doubt. And i know the Lord provides a way with everything and I am so grateful to know that my mom, who hasn't had the money to come back to New Zealand in the last 10years, is able to be here with her family at this time. Amazing how the Lord provides because she is now in New Zealand at this time. I love my Heavenly Father beyond words can describe. How lucky I am to grow closer to Him and to really know Him and what plans He has in store for us. If only everybody knew how lucky they truly are.

First Week of Transfer 2 :)

April 28th 2014 to May 4th 2014

 

I think I hit a turning point this week. It was amazing and seriously the best week ever. I feel like I am having a lot of those at the moment but it was the best week I believe where everything went so good and as we had planned. I don't know why but today I just feel so happy. These last few days I have been feeling so extremely happy that I cannot describe it. My heart feels full. It really does. I don't think my happiness has ever lasted this long before but I love the way I feel. Its just a happiness that I cannot describe. Great start to the day, Monday, I get to email and that is always a great start to the week. Last week my week flew by my eyes. I cant even at times comprehend how fast time is flying and I say that every week but it is and its freaky. it is so scary and I just don't like it. I am making the most of my time being out here on the mission.

 

Monday last week, my companion went shopping and bought me badges and banners for my birthday. BUT forgot to buy the birthday cake. Now my companion was absolutely bummed because she wanted to make my day special. I was like don't worry about it, I bet somebody is going to give us cake and seriously I love my companion, Sister Davis. She is absolutely a trooper. She always beats herself up when thing sdoesnt happen and I was able to cheer her up and it was just because of a cake. I felt really content that day. Peaceful and calm and I was wondering what was happening to me. I was truly happy and felt like it was my birthday that day. Not a happy like all excited lets get pumped, but a happiness where I felt like my life was full. I had everything I needed for a great birthday and it was just loving people to spend my day with. My companion especially on the one day where people get homesick because its their birthday and they want to spend it with their family. Im so lucky that I have my amazing companion. I wondered why my family said, lean on your companion she is your rock now that we aren't there, and I truly understand now why they said it whereas before I couldn't understand. But I was like at the time, allgoods, I will without even really meaning it I guess. We headed out to work after6pm bcause that is when our time ends and its back to work. And we popped over to this one home. Sister Meredith is a less active member of the church and I love her so much!!!!! She is simply so funny! Sassy nd crazy and everything about her and what she says just fills me with laughter and tears coming out of my eyes. We love being able to see her. She is a member of the Church but hasn't been coming in a while and so we pop by and see if there is anything that we can do for her and she always feeds us. That's why we getting fat! That's why missionaries get fat!!!!! We had a prompting to go to the Merediths home to see how they were. And we could see why our Heavenly Father prompted us to go there. Sister Merediths daughter was there and she isn't a member but its been hard to see her because shes so busy to meet with us to talk and everything. But there were 2girls there and they said that they have been waiting and wanting to find the answers to their questions for so long and finally they were. They felt so happy and asked us to come back the next day to teach them. One of the Lakita asked to be baptised and we hadn't even told her much. She just knew that what we shared with her was true. The Lord really comfirms to me and grows my testimony that as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost we will be blessed and I truly can see that the Lord really does prepare us for those that are ready for us to teach. That night they found out it was my birthday and they invited us back the next day. But we had to leave early because we had another appointment somewhere with another Less Active Family and ilove less actives because you have the opportunity to reignite the gospel in their lives. Apparently since I came they have been so diferent. They have become progressing back towards the gospel. Maybe its because Im maori I don't know but seriously they remembered it was my birthday from 2weeks before when they found out and they walked out into the sitting room with this gigantic cake!!!! I was like oh my goodness!!!!!!!! so so so much CAKE!!!! The mom Sister Taka was up at midnightbaking the cake when the got home from their holiday away. I love that family!!!

 

Tuesday came and it was my birthday! It was the BEST!!!! Sister Davis woke up and baked me pancakes and I had whipped cream and jam and bananas!!! So good!!!! Elders came over and had lunch. Elder Napier is from New Mexico, USA and he can make Mexican food. Obviously but hes aerican not Mexican. Anyway he made Mexican fried bread and my zone leaders bought me a happy meal with a girls toy. I specifically asked for a girl toy and they laughed. I seriously love my area that I am serving in. My recent converts drew me some pictures that they had been working on. Tamia had and I loved it. And the Merediths through me a surprise party that night. So blessed right. I loved my birthday and felt so special. I couldn't believe how great of a day I felt. Big 21 and on the mission. Lakita said to me that night, I felt like she was going to cry, and she sid, I feel so priveledged that you spent your big 21st with us. I was like I feel priveledged to be able to spend it with YOU!!!! I love my mission I can tell you that for sure!

 

So on Wednesday my companion went to Hamilton for training purposes as she is a sister training leader for the area and looks after all the sisters in our zone. Anyway I stayed in Auckland and lead the area where we serve. And so I was the one that lead the day. Who we were going to see, the lessons that were going to be taught was all up to me. Pressure pressure  pressure!!!! But no it was so much fun. We done service where trees had been cut down at a members home and we helped clean it up and it was one of the first times I took charge of one of the main lessons that we teach. I wanted it to go good because this was the first lesson. I wanted to be on my Agame because  you have to make the right first impression and I didn't want to stuff up the lesson or teach false things. But all went to plan. I forgot some of the things at the start but illed in the gaps at the end and explained that we aren't perfect teachers and neer will be but we can try our best to get across the message they we want to share. Wednesday night when my companion got home I could tell something was up and it wasn't until that night that we talked and I could feel something was up. She was alittle homesick I guess. I don't know what was wrong with me. She said a simple sentence and said, "do you ever have that feeling when you just want a blessing from your dad" and it hit me hard! I didn't know what had come over me. The spirit hit me so hard that I cried. I didn't know why I was crying and I didn't know how to tell my companion. The words weren't coming out of my mouth. But I finaylly leaned unto her and told her how I felt. I told her how I look to her as an example and how she has great faith and that she has so much faith in a priesthood blessing. Its something so intimate and loved that she just had that tender moment where she just wanted one from her dad. I told her that's what I loved about it and I said I don't know why Im saying this but its like the spirit has touched me and my body cannot handle it. My body just freaked out. I said though I think im crying bcause I wish I could have what she wanted and what she can get when she goes home. A priesthood blessing from her father. I cant get a priesthood blessing from my father because hes not a member but that's okay I said. It just makes me think about what I eventually want for my family that I am definitely making sure that when I have my own family that he is a wrhty holder of the priesthood and that my children will be able to turn to their father when they are in need of a blessing. I never really truly understood the importance of the priesthooduntil I came out on the mission. I was really sick and I had never had a priesthood blessing given to me before. I had the priveledge to receive my first priesthood blessing on the mission from Elder Triffitt. Its just a blessing of comfort and a blessing of health to help us get better. I love priesthood blessings now that I have come to realise and understand the importance. It took me 3years in the gospel to really truly understand the priesthood but I love it now and wish I could get one from my father but im okay with that. I cried because that night I truly felt the love of my lord and how as a missionary im not out here to baptise everyone but just to show them that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them and that they can gain gain the blessings that they are entitled to by believeing in His son Jesus Christ nd coming unto Him. I have growen so much this week and just spiritually. I want to be able to stand in front of my Father in Heaven and Him say "you have done well" because this time that we are on Earth is a time to prepare to meet God. Imagine feeling that way where we stand in front of our fathers andmothers and know that we have disappointed them. I hate that eeling and I know that I do not want to feel tht way when it comes to seeing my father in heaven again one day. I really felt my heavely fathers love for me that night and I just poured out everything that night to Hm and thanked him for all the miracles I have seen with serving Him and in myself and especially for my family. I always wonder, "what is my standing before the Lord?" its a question we should always ask ourselves and I never thought of this until I came on my mission. I wonder where I would have stood before my mission. I hope now I am more worthy as I have come to grow the relationship that I do have with Him.

 

On Thursday we had a general authority come and speak to us as a zone. His name is Elder Pearson and I love him!!! He is in the first quorum of the seventies and he is the first counsellor in the Area Presidency. He came and basically trained us and made us think about what we are doing and how we can improve and how we can grow. My love for my Saviour deepend that day and it is all thanks to the zone conference and what I was able to take from it. I at times felt like I couldn't look at him because I would start crying. The things he said were just so true. The spirit again touched me so bad I cried after wards. I understand that we truly do not understand how much the Lord does love us. Its beyond our capacity. I honestly know that Heavenly Father does love us and calls men to help and guide us. Elder Pearson is a man called of God and just everything he said just pierced me to the heart. He said at times we as missionaries feel that we are inadequate to do the work of our Lord, remember that He called you to do His work. To share the gospel with those around you. He has found you worthy. So anything that you may feel is holding you back from the past and before your mission, forget about it. Heavenly father had called you to do His work and go out there and DO IT! Don't say you are a missionary, be a missionary. This conference changed me. I gained a hole lot more courage and deeper understanding of my Heavenly Fatehrs love that day that I am so thankful and grateful. I even cried to my companion because I don't ever want to go home. The mission really is the good life. You have the best life as a missionary because you are not thinking of yourselves but of others. This time is not about me, it is about them. And that is the way that it is for the next 16months and Im glad it is that way.

 

I love my Father in Heaven so much and realise that things happen for a reason. We are stuchk with companions that you love and hate because you have something to learn from them. I am excited to be the best missionary I can be. And I know I am not perfect and never will be but as we give everything over to the Lord, our hearts desires, He will bless us beyond measure. It is an amazing feeling to be able to see the miracles and blessings in our lives. As we try and count our blessings, we cant, because there is just too many. I love my family and cant wait to see them eventually one day but for now, it is the Lords time not my own.

 

Love Sister McFlinn

x

A Week That I Can Not Even Remember!

April 21st to April 27th 2104

 

I definitely cannot remember this week. I swear that my weeks just truly roll into one! My sense of time is out of it because we just do so many things as missionaries that it is hard to remember. We did have a freaky experience though. I was on an exchange with another companionship and anyway there were 4 sisters at my flat because there were a couple that were flying back home the next day as their missions had finished. And anyways they woke up to the house being egged on the outside and apparently there was vanity on our fence. The neighbour came over to see what was happening and then he was like oh after work I will come over and clean it for you and he came and cleaned the outside of our house for us with the water blaster. The ratbags also egged our car and when I found out I was like what the heck! I don't know what was happening, I mean fair enough we are in south Auckland but we seriously are in such a safe neighbourhood. I just didn't get it and because we work and live in quite a nice area, its a rich area, and so people are at times just don't listen to our message that we share. There are so many hard hearted people where we serve but that okay. People that don't want to know about the gopel are everywhere I guess. And so yeah as I was saying, we are in such a nice area that I couldn't understand why we would be egged. Maybe we have some haters haha I don't know. And apparently we thing somebody had been trying to get into our flat too but we are safe though. We have the elders always seeing how we are and making sure we are okay and we are. We don't even take too much notice. Nothing has happened lately and we aren't worried. I can take them on with my kung fu panda karate skills :D just kidding but yeah we are fine!

 

I love my mission and I don't understand why but I was so emotional yesterday on Sunday. I wanted to cry. it was Sunday, the song we sag was "I Believe in Christ" and I love that hymn so much and its mother day next sunday and the fact that I just really realised and recognised how blessed I am just really touched me yesterday. And the fact that I am in my second transfer of the mission just really freaks me out!!!! I cant believe how fast this experience is going for me. 6sundays then transfer. 6sundays and then transfer. It legit freaks me out that before I know it im going to be home. I really have been pushing myself into the work lately that I have finished reading the Book of Mormon once since being on the mission and I done it in 6weeks. It really is the most amazing book that I have already restarted reading the book of Mormon and going through it for the second time on the mission and the 3rd time ever in reading it. Actually there was a survey that was done somewhere and it was something like "what is the most beneficial book to read and has changed your life" something like that and number 1 was actually The BookO f Mormon. It really does change your life and you really don't know or understand until you have gone through putting it to the test. you will never regret ever reading the book of Mormon I can promise you that. I have and now Im serving my mission. Crazy huh. The teachings in it really does change your life.

 

Its my birthday tomorrow also! 21 and on the mission. It really is just going to be a normal day and that is okay :) I love it that way, just going to be doing every day normal day missionary work and my zone leaders are buying me lunch. Love them so much! Having a little party at the park today haha not too sure but I m very priveledged to be on my mission and to have my birthday out here. There are at times some things that I don't understand like why things happen and why there are certain rules especially out here on the mission you know but what I have come to understand is that we didn't come to earth to know absolutely everything. We came to learn and despite us not understanding all things, we must live by faith that the rules that are in place are there for a reason and we should live by them. The commandments that the Lord gives us are not there to restrict us but they are there because He loves us so much and that He wants the best for us. he is the creator of all things, He knows what is best for s and what isn't. Should we not listen to the counsel if it is for our own benefit? I love learning and especially learning and growing each and every day and for me to know that I have a heavenly Father that knows me better than I know myself and that loves me and I know that I am never alone means the world to me. At times we feel that nobody understands what we are going through or how we feel. But we must all remember that our Heavenly Father knows exactly what we are going through and we just need to humble ourselves and turn to the Lord for guidance as he is the one that can give us the advice that is needed. I just wish everybody else could know the things that I know. The only way that I know though is by putting everything to the test. To follow his commandments and see the blessings. And when I don't I see the consequences.

 

I turn 21 tomorrow! I get to serve the Lord also. Once in a lifetime opportunity this really is. I hope one day that people that mean the world to me can one day see what has made me happy is because of the gospel and that they too can be happy.  

 

All my love,

Sister McFlinn

 

x

Baptisims It Was!

Monday 14th April 2014 to Sunday 20th April 2014

WE HAD 3 BAPTISMS! AND THATS ITS FOR THE WEEK REALLY! 

Just kidding. I had a great week this week but we really had such a stressful week trying to sort out the baptisms. My love for the gospel has growen so much and to be able to witness the baptisms of these three amazing people was an absolute priveledge. And its funny because they all wanted a change in their life and it was amazing to see them experience the change right after they were baptised. Noel was like I feel a calm peace in my life since the baptism. I have never felt like this since te day my wife passed on. He knows that what he done was indeed the right path and choice. he didn't think he would ever feel happiness again and yet he does. im so happy and excited for him as he has the priveledge to go to the temple and do the work for his sweet wife who has passed on and can eventually be sealed to her for all of time and eternity! The other two have seen the difference in their lives too. im just so glad that they can see the miraculous gift that is given them since baptism. They truly know who they are and what their purpose is. Had a marvellous feed after the baptisms and their was cheesecakes!!!!! I love cheesecake and definitely getting fatter and fatter each day! Better lose it all before I finish my mission. 16 months and it should be allgood.

I was at dinner last night and then I get this surprise  that the daughter was fully messaging my sister and I thought she was in Auckland. I was like ohmygoodness! I may have the chance to see her and I was going to get permission but then I decided I don't want to get distracted. Turns out she is here in auckalnd this weekend. Its my birthday next Tuesday and so shes bringing through a parcel for me. I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!!!!! Especially for all of the support that they have given me since being on the mission. Time is fying and I only have 16months left. first transfer is on Thursdaywith the possibility of moving but unlikely will I as Im new to this area. But everything happens all in the Lords time and that is what I have learnt. Since Sister Davis and I have baptised our Investigators and they are members of the church now, we have to go out and find more people that are ready to receive the gospel so that we may be able to teach them. I love this work. It brings me so much happiness. Even though I miss my life back home, no greater joy can be found unless we are in the service of our fellow beings!!! I have an amazing testimony in that. I have seen the changes in myself and on thing that president has told me is to remain teachable and that is what I am doing.

I didn't know why at first he told me this but I understand that now. If I don't remain teachable, then the Lord cannot work his wonderful miracles and change me into the person He wants me to be. HE cant use me to the fullest of my potential. I truly am just an instrument in the Lords hands and I know that we all are just that. My knowledge in this gospel is growing so fast and I have been able to witness he growth of so many people in this area. I went into the samoan programme for a day and it was so much fun! Seriously they feed you so much food. The thing that I learnt from the experience is that even though I couldn't understand a thing that was spoken, I truly felt the love of my saviour and these people as I know without a shadow of a doubt that no matter what language we speak, we both know the same things to be true. A nice compliment that I have received since going on exchanges was from other sister missionaries, "I wish you were my companion" and its nice to hear that and they said that all the families loved me because even though I didn't understand a word, I wasn't awkward and I tried to talk to them and the fact that I tried made them so happy. One family thought I was a palangi girl and I am, sort of, I guess, but yeah they were like to the other sisters oh no my house is a mess don't want to make her feel uncomfortable and that's probably why she is outside. And as soon as she had said that in samoan to them I stepped inside the home and she was like oh gosh couldn't believe her eyes. I didn't know what was said until they told me after when I left and I was like "I was only outside because I was playing with the kids" and so Im glad the members enjoyed having me in their home and exchanges are really fun and especially into the different cultures. But I understand why people who serve in the Samoan Programme or Tongan programme gain so much weight because I got fed at like every single house that we went to! Ice cream and cake, cocoa samoa and biscuits, fafaga which in English means feed so dinner. I just love the islanders a lot!

Hopefully this week will be full of miracles and blessings no doubt and I cant wait to see what the Lord had prepared instore for us.

P.S. My last email before my first transfer! We have 12 transfers and then we go home for us sister missionaries. I have 11 more ;)

All my love,

Sister McFlinn

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SUCH A SPIRITUAL WEEK!

Monday April 7th 2014 to Sunday April 13th 2014

As the heading of this letter goes... SUCH A SPIRITUAL WEEK! It really has been the most interesting weeks to date I think. Well to be honest, Every week is always jam packed full of experiences that its hard to remember them all. I guess as a missionary, it really does fly and your mission does go by in the blink of an eye. This week I was able to ponder on my thoughts and to be able to really and truly think about my purpose here as a missionary. We have to write a 3 to 5minute talk for may as an area presidency is coming to NZ and going to each of our zones and picking a few people to say their talks. We dont know who will speak so we have to all prepare. The talk is "What am I doing to become a more effective missionay?" I really had to ponder on that question and see what feelings and thoughts come to mind as I do so. But hey, I will know surely soon what to say.

I truly know without a shadow of a doubt that Heavenly Father does answer each and every one of our prayers. He showed me this week. I have been praying for the same things as I have really been needing the help on the same things. I have seen my conversion to the Lord and his gospel grow so much as I have put into practice His teachings. At times I have these moments, because I dont express how I feel, I feel it grow and grow and thats when it sort of boils over the top and is blown out of proportion. I have really learnt to serve my companion and my love for her has grown so much. I already loved her and it just grew even more. It was moreso not her but me needing to be able to adjust to having my companion with me at all times. I have come to love it now as I learn how to compromise and yeah I dont believe I was good on that before but I know my mission will teach me. Eventually. I said to Sister Davis, by the time the Lord has taught me all that I need to know and all that he has for me to learn and understand, I will be on that plane home as 18months of my mission life would have come to an end. I have growen so much this week as I have learnt to rely on the Lord and to not do the will of my own but to do the will of the Lord. .To turn my own hearts desires to the desires of the Lord and as I do so, I can see the blessings that he wants for me to gain. The knowledge I have had to gain. The teachings I have learnt to share. To find the true worth of mine as I yet had not known.

I love my ward, Chapel Downs Ward, they are seriously amazing. I love the families in them and I have loved getting to know them. SO we get fed like 3 or 4 times a week and getting to do this is so much fun because you grow this bond with them and they begin to trust you. They will be able to see that you truly are a missionary of the Lord. Thats the good thing... the bad thing is gaining weight :( oh the sad sob story that all missionaries give eventually as they gain weight no matter what mission in the world they are. But the families tell us to look at it this way, "its a good thing you all gain weight, it means you are BLESSED!" One family had said to us "hey just let it all go" and im like uhhh no way, i still have to get married after this! Like I said I love my ward. They have been an amazing blssing to me. I really have been priveledged to be in the area that I am in. I have great zone leaders who look after me; I have a great president, President Rudd; I have a great trainer, my companion Sister Davis; I have a great ward; and we have a CAR! I would prefer to rather use the bikes or walk a little more but i guess it really is a blessing to have a car :) There are so many great things about the families in my ward. The Wihongis are sooo funny! We laugh about everything! Turns out their son had served a mini mission in Ipswich Brisbane in Brassall Ward for 10days or so. I was like are you serious! That is my ward back in Brisbane! I cant believe I didnt recognise him but it seriously is a small world I have truly come to realise since being on my mission. My zone leader, he is from Las Vegas and his BEST friend, I met her when I was in Utah in April last year and then I was able to see her on her mission in Brisbane. Shes in brisbane, he is in New Zealand and they are both best friends in Las Vegas USA. We all flipped when we realised the connections. The Whaanga famly are simply amazing. We get fed all the time when we dont have food and just like all the families always open their homes if we have no food and its just so kind of them to do so. I really have been blessed.

We went to the Temple this week and it was amazing! All of Auckland went to the temple and to be able to go there was an absolute blessing. Many thoughts went through my head as i was walking through the temple. Thoughts that I dont think should have been going through my head as I am a missionary and I shouldnt be thinking about this until I finish my mission. The thoughts that ran through my head was marriage and family. And like Isaid Im on a mission! I shouldnt be thinking of this because i still have at least 16months until I am home. But basicaly as I sat in the temple, I just thought to myself, I cannot wait for the day that I am sitting inside the house of the Lord with the person I am going to be sealed to for ll of time and eternity. THe day when I can look to my right and see him sitting there, and knowng that this is the man I will be wih forever. The fatther of our children to come and to know that we have each other, not for just on this earth but for the eternities. And yes like I said, not the thoughts I should be thinking of considering Im supposed to be devoting my entire time to the lord. But I am devoting it all and crazy thing was was that I saw Te Awe Tahuri in the temple when us missionaries went to the temple. I saw him nside the temple when I went there with the MTC group as well and it like wasnt planned at all! I was pleased to be able to see him one last time before he flew out to Arizona America to start his 2year mission. He was with two other boys from Gisborne, Liam and Taina, and they too start their missions in australia this year. Those boys really made me happy seeing them in the temple even though I did not get to say a wod to them, I was blessed to be able to just see them one last time. My companion then went to say Eternal companion and i was like we are missionaries!!!!  General Conference was absolutely amazing!!!!!!! I was able to listen to the prophet Thomas S. Monson and his apostles speak to us. They give such amazing guidance like they seriously do. Heavenly Father answered my prayers through genearal conference and as you go with questions, they seriously become answered. Thats why i have a firm testimony that I know this gospel is true. I know that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and that he atoned for all of our sins so tht we can one day return back to heavenly father and be in His presence again. To know that we can recieve forgivenss for all that we do wrong is an amazing blessing and to know that we are children of God mans everything to me. We are eternal beings just in this mortal life for this short period of time. I know that families can be together forever through the right sealing ordinances through the temple and if we make our Heavenly Fatehr first in our lives, then He will pour out His blesings unto us as we live righteously. I have seen them personally in my own life. It is amazing. I learnt a couple things in General Conference. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf who is a counsellor to President Thomas S monson who is the prophet gave an amazing talk. To summarise it i wrote in my notes,"Be grateful nd full of thanks to God even through all our trials and burdens. In doing so, we can become humble and learn how to deal through it all. It can be a way of bringing happiness in your life. We need to count our many blessings through our trials and then we can see how blessed we really are. Seek grattitude as a disposition. Instead of only being thankful for things that we have, be thankful in the circumstances you are in. In them we learn so much from our father in heaven. Its all about choices we make. It is a chance to refine ourselves and the way we are." I just know that I am very thankful for my trials i have. I have many. I am not perfect. But I however do love them because I know that I have something to learn that heavenly father wants me to learn. I might be in the same trial because I have yet not learnt what He wants me to know and that why we must counsel with Him through prayer and ask Him to help us. One thing that gets me through the hardest trial of my life and especially before my mission, I truly believed and know wth all my heart that I am in this trial because Heavenly Father knows I can get through it. I wouldnt have been placed into a situation if He knew that I could not handle it. One other thing that I learnt that really hit me in General conference was a talk given by Jeffrey R Holland who is one of the twelve apostles. I learnt "you will come across persecution. DEFEND YOUR FAITH. Jesus Christ paid the price for us. We at times find it hard to talk to people about the ospl because it means something so dear and precious to our hearts that we dont want it to get trampled on. Let me tell you, IT IS WORTH IT! It is worth having our beliefs persecuted, if it means you are saving people from desolation." There are people out there in this world who are waiting for the gospel, we just need to put in the faith and effort to put ourselves out there and go and find those in need of the message we share. We do not push it on you, we merely just invite you to know what can be yours. People think we just merely do wrong in this world to end up going back to heaven and being with our familis forever. How do we though? I dont understand. This gospel can though as this is Jesus Christs gospel. It is perfect and it is simple. Keep his commandmets and we will be blessed. Through the temple we can be sealed to our families for time and all eternity.

Sister Davis and I were able to share our message with a lady called Janet. She is catholic and she is from like the middle east. She went from not wanting to change or know anything that we had to say but she just wanted to talk to us for some reason. She didnt know why. We were able to talk to her a little bit more and I gave her an arabic book of mormon and to be able to listen to her read it and see her face light up was amazing. She wants to see us away from her home though because she wants to know more but doesnt want to start anything with her family and neither do we and so hopefully we can see her again. Its just amazing that tis gospel is the same no matter where in the world you go. The same teachings and the same principles. It truly is Jesus Christs Church. I was able to meet Brother and Sister Teios grandson and he has cerebral paulsy? Im not too sure how to say that but when i saw him i instantly felt this amazingly love for him. As he sat in his wheelchair I went and played with him and we sang hymns. I really am forming love instantly with all those that I meet. And I know that he, Oshay, is a very special spirit, why he has this probem that has affected his whole life. Im so glad to know that when we all finish our time on this earth that we will all become perfect in the next life to come. WE will have perfect bodies and minds. All those that suffered physical or mental disabilities will be made right when we become resurrected. That is why the plan of salvation is amazing. Every thing can and will be made right through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Tamia and Tyson are brother and sister that are being baptised this weekend! I still remember my baptism and the way I felt. It was amazing. Best day of my life!  We had a lesson with them and it was funny because we couldnt go into the house because they had people at their home and it was 8pm t night and it was dark! We needed light so we could read some scriptures and just have light in general and so we ended up going to the park dow the road and brought our car up on the grass  on the kerb and taught our lesson by the headlights of the car. And also the member that came with us also did it too and so it was so much fun. Definately a fun experience indeed.

I really have learnt so much this week that im so excited to implement the things I have learnt into my teachings and to become the person that I wish to become. To be an obedient missionary of the Lord. To be humble, meek and submissive. To love, serve and be compassionate. All of these things I have trouble with but I know that with the help of my Heavenly Father I can do all things as with out Him I am nothing. We all have a purpose here and I know that Heavenly Father is an eternal being and that we are his sons and daughters. Therefore we too are eternal beings but in the life to come. I learnt to see my worth the way that the Saviour and Heavenly sees me. I realised I needed to see the potential that They saw in me. At times we all think we are nothing or that we are worthless, when we truly need to know that we mean absolutely EVERYTHING to Heavenly Fatehr and Jesus Christ. We are never alone. We must turn to counsel with our Heavenly Father in all that we do. He knows us so much better than we think we know ourselves. Remember hes our father and He wants the best for us and he knows what best is.

Excited for the challenges and learning experiences to come!

Bye for now, but not forever,

Love Sister McFlinn

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