Hey yous!
What
another beautiful week in Wollongong, and you better believe I am making the
most of being by the ocean. One day we even choose to walk everywhere even
though we have the beauty of a car. Smelling the ocean air, feeling the spirit,
it was a beautiful scene as I'm sure yous all would imagine... until I
remembered how dehydration and blisters feel.
But regardless, two Plan of
Salvation pamphlets later and meeting a less active member that talks for 2.5
hours despite trying to boldly (and lovingly) cut her off still made it all worth
it in my eyes.
So
besides the beach and more miracles to spill, I have been attacked by mossys
(American English translation- mosquitoes). One swelled up big enough I tried
to scare myself into thinking it was a spider bite. But don't worry, that is
false doctrine. But the bishop here is in hospital for a white tail spider
bite, and that is the truth. So it does happen!!!! I also ate some KANGAROO
finally. It was yum.
And try these.... fried chocolate sandwiches. You butter ‘em
up some bread like for grilled cheese, but melt pieces of chocolate inside
instead. Then once its all fried up, put cinnamon sugar on it and topped off
with ice-cream. You can thank me later ;)
We had
zone conference here as well. It was the same as the one I just had in my last
zone but I still got heaps out of it! I love President and Sister Lew so so so
much :) I have the best mission parents and real parents. Mom thanks for
sending the Lower Lights music (best indie/folk sounding group that sings
hymns- check them out!) And Dad thanks for sending our family history. I'm so
grateful for my ancestors that made so many sacrifices so I could have the
gospel in my life and all the blessings that come from that. It really is
everything.
Still
really trying to focus on meeting everyone, building up trust, and talking to
everyone the Lord puts in our path. For example, we went to pick up some fish
and chips one night. The guy saw our badges and asked if we recognized the
Christian fish symbol. It led to a conversation about our service and the
restoration of the gospel. We left him with our information and he gave us all
the info to talk to his daughter who is interested in religion and missionary
work and his son who he kept reminding us is "Available"! I think we will be getting some more fish and
chips in the near future for followup! Then heaps of service. Including this
lady who we think is just using us for service and isn't actually interested in
learning the gospel. But oh well, I'm still here to serve and she has the
cutest son with very severe autism. But we helped her put in a pond! The elders
were a late show, so Sister Hala and I carried all the concrete up her massive
hill of a driveway. Getting my deltoids back? haha
The
Nigerian investigator we found is progressing really well. He had really deep
sincere questions about the Book of Mormon but luckily, with the spirit, we
were able to address all of them. He accepts it and sees no problem with it and
is really enjoying it. We taught him plan of salvation yesterday and once again,
lots of deep (but sincere) questions, including pre-mortal life and the spin
that puts on us leaving him, if the fall was really part of the plan, and more
scriptures about the spirit world and levels of heaven. So excited to address
those this next week! He is so genuine in his search for truth, and I know
without a doubt he will find it in this gospel.
Then
yesterday the biggest miracle. I just LOVE less active and part member families
and I think I found my golden one here. It was one of those awkward, you pull
up to the curb and then they pull into their driveway 10 seconds later. But we
embraced it and approached #intense She turns out to have been less active for
about 20 years and was very standoffish. Normally I'd be like... "ok, well
nice to meet you enjoy the rest of your day" but something told me to not
give up so quick. But then her partner was quite firm and questioning, asking
how we knew his partner, what church we were from, and then started searching
our religion. Prime moment for a mormon.org pass along card haha. He was very
argumentative sounding and I was not in for another bible bash but again, the
spirit told me to not give up so easy. He wanted to know what makes us so different;
he said so many Christian sects teach that Christianity itself is really all
you can believe in. Well after the spirit answered all his stern questions, his
heart was softened. I was able to bear a strong, simple testimony and I think
it touched him. We didn't have a spare Book of Mormon on us but he gave us an
appt. on Wednesday to give him one and talk to him some more. Once again, a
genuine seeker for truth. He was a little rough around the edges with an
intimidating first impression but he genuinely wants to know. I was then able
to say my favorite little Sister Rushing-ism to him about how we aren't here to
force him to believe it because we believe it. But to invite him to learn a
truth that has blessed our lives and how he will get the answer if its true or
not on his own, and how we are confident he will because we have. He accepted
this and even asked about being able to attend church. YAY!
Just to
wrap it up, I read a scripture this morning I just thought was gorgeous (yes
they use that word here to describe anything positive, isn't that just great?
I'm starting to pick up on that too!) But I wanted to share it with all of
yous...
"Learn
in thy youth to keep the commandments of God. Yea, and cry unto God for all thy
support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and withersoever thou goest
let it be in the Lord; yea let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea
let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever, counsel with
the Lord in all thy doing, and he will direct thee for good." Alma 37:35-37
(Princess
Cailin with our matching princess skirts, this might violate white handbook
standards but this is the only way she will pose with me! sorry not sorry? She
is a member of the Stewart family that does dinner and FHE with all 12
missionaries every Monday night (and yes they come from the Scottish Stewart
clan so we are related somewhere more recent than Adam and Eve haha)
I know
this is true. Learn to be obedient from the start, repentance is a beautiful
thing but doing what is right in the first place is much better. Always know
God is your support, everything else might fail you but he NEVER will. Focus on
him, and put him first, NOTHING is more important than him. If you do this, I
know everything else will fall into place. We need to be his hands here on the
earth, pray for opportunities to serve and he will give them to you. It is
amazing. I love this gospel. It is the truth. Keep smiling and have a great
week! Love you all and don't worry about me, I am happy as down under and
loving every moment of this work. It's going by too fast.
Love you
all!
Sister
Rushing :)
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