Stacey's Baptism!

Belconnen week 20

Hey yous!

BEST WEEK EVER. STACEY'S BAPTISM. It was beautiful. 

We got to stand on the side of the font and witness her husband baptize her and the spirit was so strong, we got all emotional and it was great. Then she got the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday. Beautiful. She was sent here for me, to increase my faith. I am so blessed to be able to play a small part in her conversion. Baby will be here so soon and she is temple bound. That’s what makes it extra special, baptism is just the start. Can't wait for her cute little new family to be eternal :)

Today we are going up to a mountain with the less active family whose husband is not a member and verrrrry atheist. 

 (Mt. Coree)

(Mt. Coree fire tower)

 (Mt. Franklin- cool tree at summit which made me feel all in the outback)

(See this wild kanga? Well it came up to us as we had lunch. Then I chased/hopped away with it. Caught on video.)

Then after the kanga i really wanted to see a koala in the wild as well. Didn't happen so I climbed a tree and became the koala

I have shared about them before I believe. He actually emailed our mission president and said all these very nice things about Sis. Holtz and I, including a request for us to stay together and in this ward for..... the remainder of our missions haha But due to heading out soon I will be on tomorrow afternoon my time to at least post some pictures of the baptism and all that and chat a bit more and reply to emails. Because considering I am on the only computers at a little office store, and don't want to disgrace this badge I am wearing (which I forgot to wear to one dinner appointment this week #awkward) here are some cool highlights!

-Last pday, I held some snakes. Pretty cool eh? Yah reptile zoo!

(baby alligator)

-We rearranged the flat since there is just two of us. Personal letter writing tables and then own study tables with the comfy chairs and now have own bathrooms and own closets :)

- We attacked all the mirrors and showers in the other sisters flat with dry erase markers, including writing our full names and the dates we were baptized on their whiteboard under bap.dates

-They came back and attacked our flat. Including a note on my mirror asking to be my bridesmaid (cuz duh I ask everyone if I can be theirs) and a note on the toilet seat saying "if you potty while you study, study while you potty. Don't waste time!"

-We saw one of the sisters investigators whose mom said no to baptism (Sudanese) so we went and straightway went back to talk to Mom, invited her to listen to the lesson (which she hasn't before) and now she is warming up to give permission.

-Another new investigator they worked with had a baptismal date and then said no. But after meeting with her she wants to set a new date. She is super cool and spiritual. Like to a whole new level haha

-I won a scripture chase sort of game at district meeting. Finally starting to become all scriptorian... #fingerscrossed

-Members took us on a macaroon date. It was so tender.

-Christmas party.... wow. So cool. A night in Jerusalem. All the islanders made the gym look like the marketplace and it was incredible. 

Then different rooms were scenes from the nativity. We were the angels with the other ward's sisters. It was really hot in there, we sang nonstop Hark the Herald Angels sing and it was reeeeeeeally high. But heaps of very inactive members came, heaps of nonmembers, and even a lady that hooked me up with a sweet deal at the post office was there so I chatted with her and we are gonna have dinner over there now :)

-Also, a member had the game Settlers. Sis Holtz and I connected we both love that game (you think after 15 weeks together we knew everything about each other) so let us borrow it to play on Christmas ever or new years eve when we are in the flat by 5 haha

-Sudanese braided my hair. Obviously highlight.

Love yous! So excited for Christmas! Again, will be tomorrow afternoon. Won't be emailing next week since I will be skyping my immediate family that day (SO EXCITED) but to everyone else, I love you and wish you the merriest Christmas ever. It is the best time to focus on the true meaning. He lives, he is my Savior and I love sharing that he is everyone else's too. Merry Christmas, remember the true meaning and have the spirit of Christmas throughout the rest of the year.

Love,  Sister Rushing