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
