Another great week. Shocking right? Didn't see that one coming now did you?
Tuesday: P-day. While our spare tire got fixed we killed time at the mall in parramatta, first time having a soft pretzel in about a year. Sis Davis and I downed about 3 in under one minute (some thing will NEVER change) and we had a great conversation with the guy at the tire place and got to leave him with a pamphlet even! Then back to Fairfield just to go back up that night for exchanges with Oatlands C Sisters!
Sister Elliot and Sister Rushing
Wednesday: I brought Sister Elliot back to our area and we had a power packed day focusing on chapter 10 Teaching Skills, with special focus on short powerful statement and pauses to let the spirit testify and to gather our thoughts. We contacted Adam (the Iraqi that we contacted super fast last week that kissed our pass-along card of Jesus and gave us an appt) and it was great. His whole family was there and maybe some family friends. It was so good. Taught about the restoration and Book of Mormon but then it got a little weird... the main lady that was talking to us went off into all this exorcism sort of stuff and looked at me all weird and said, "I sense you perceive pain in your right shoulder... Is that true?" Nope, but now I do! haha Oh and we went to street contact in China Town in Cabramatta since she is speaking Mandarin but all we found were people that speak Vietnamese but regardless we found a few potentials to teach. The day flew by! After going back to their area to close exchange we drove by our mission's side of the temple on the way home. I am so temple trunky, I can't wait to go on our zone trip next month. I have missed the temple so much and even just stepping on its grounds to take a quick pic, the spirit there was so strong. It is a peace out of this world.
So close, yet so far away!
Thursday: Remember how we literally chased that 70 year old last sunday to tell her that her ride was on the way to take her to church? Welp, I ran after her again this week. We had an appt at 10:30 and on the way to her house we saw her walking towards the shops. So she was still keen to meet, she just needed to buy cigarettes. The issue was is that her watch was telling her it was only 8:00 haha But after a full day of no one home, no one interested and fall through appointments we had a last house miracle. Grace (a referral from a potential investigator) let us in straightaway. She is from Italy and her husband Eddie is from Assyria, they are both Catholic and so nice. It was the best lesson ever! The flow was so natural from introducing ourselves to our purpose, to the nickname of our church, into the Book of Mormon, How to Begin Teaching (see P.M.G. which you all should be studying anyways right... haha) and a strong commitment and invitation to read it, ponder the message in their hearts and find out for themselves if it is true. Grace was keen as. "This sounds like the word of God to me, even Ezekiel mentions the other book!" Then Eddie on the other hand was not so much, he was willing but had a lot of questions really good questions which I LOVE. It means he is sincere and I know without a doubt he will get an answer and when he does he will be so solid. On the way out we exchanged information and Grace said "I WILL call yous next week." #daymade
Friday: Another day with everything falling through but then another last house miracle. We stopped by Amanda, the previous sisters taught her maybe once? twice at the most? She is a busy young mum of 4 kids and is always stressed and hard to get in touch with but this night we did. It was still a little chaotic but her concerns were so sincere. She is searching. She grew up with a Christian foundation and wants that again, for her and for her family. She has doubts with paid ministries, and man made churches for their own gain, so our church clicked well with her. She said she has heard all sorts of things about the mormons but wants to know for herself. She then asked, "Is investigating and looking into this sincerely and for real, really worth my time? Is this what I could be looking for?" At that moment, the blaring TV, the screaming kids, and everything went silent. And my companion and I both bore powerful and sincere testimony that it was. I can't wait to meet with her again.
Saturday: I was Hermana Rushing! Exchanges with the espanol sisters, the only ones in the whole mission and the North mission as well so I even got to leave mission boundaries. It was such a great day and I felt like I was called to speak spanish! Mum and Dad you'd be so proud. But the gift of tongues is REAL. And I just experienced it for a day! I was the worst in highschool spanish, I took the bear minimum and it was my lowest grade (despite all my AP classes hah) but I could understand everything they were talking about. At least the main subject and concerns. My speaking wasn't so good but way better than I expected and all these cute people from El Salvador, Uruguay, Peru, etc etc etc (SO diverse) loved my attempts! We even made Pup-poo-sas for lunch :) We also had a last house miracle this week with a lady from El Salvador and her family and now they have a return appointment to do a service project and then have lunch and a lesson after! Loved Hermana Morales as well. She is actually now serving with Sister Perez who is now also called to be the first Spanish speaking sisters in this mission!
Hermana Morales and Hermana Rushing
So this week was great. As always. I also finished the New Testament- so so good. Especially Revelations! I also loved that I got to work in our area a lot with Sister Davis and see heaps of miracles. I might be bias but I think we make quite the powerhouse team! We also had 2 great exchanges! But overall I love the concept behind the last house. 3 nights in a row, the biggest miracle was the very last house. I think about life and it kinda relates. When we think we are never going to pull out of some of the rough patches we go through, or when you think you can't push along anymore, that is when the biggest blessings come. This is why we have a trial of our faith, this is how we gain patience, diligence and trust in the Lord.
I love this work, I love being a missionary. It has been the best experience and decision I have ever made and I'm stubborn, so admitting that after years of "I'm never going to serve a mission" mean something. I haven't regretted serving for a minute. I love how strong I feel the spirit, I love the way I have grown and I love seeing the lives of others be blessed and see how much the Atonement changes all of us. Have the best week ever, and don't give up. Trial, trial, trial really is just preparing you for blessing, blessing, blessing.
Love you all truck loads!
Sister Rushing
p.s. thank you to all the Americans for reminded me it is father's day... I never forget these things.... right? It is different in Australia ok?! hah But for the record. I have the best Dad ever. Thank you for teaching me so much, thank you for making me be the best me and helping me achieve my potential. Thanks for your example of complete consecration to the Lord, our family and hard work. And of course all the laughs and teaching me how to dance.... haha I love you so much! Because of the example I have had through an amazing earthly Father, I have such a strong testimony of the relationship I have with my Father in Heaven. Love you Daddy!
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