Transfer Week

Villawood #6

Hey yous! So a few highlights from this week and then mostly just updates on my new companion, new flat and new mission president! 

We had our exchange this week and I got to serve with Sister Ma'asi, she is from Tonga! 

Highlights were probably teaching our investigator Jeany from Iraqi. We love teaching her, it is always great. But when we said the closing prayer she did the whole cross thing which our recent Catholic convert, Mele, didn't do at all. Sister Ma'asi full on went for it, and then there is me casually sweeping my hand just across my shoulders haha playing it safe in the middle aye? But then we found a woman from Armenia. Major language barrier. Like standing behind the door and slapping it? Welp, we took that as either she was scared of us or to come in. So we came in and through hand motions and 3 words of English #nojokes, taught her about the Armenic Book of Mormon she had, how it compares to the Bible and about prophets, and using the big clock on the wall, got a return appt for when her son who speaks better English is home (at least that is what we think happened haha).

We then covered a sister who has been psychological sick for the last couple of weeks so we had an emergency exchange in their area for a couple of days so their teaching pool can be worked in. But when I was staying with her we had a great talk about how some missionaries who are so good and "exactly obedient" actually are miserable. It was a great conversation how you can be exactly obedient but for the wrong reasons (the 3rd missionary) and be miserable, whether it is serving out of duty, or for the rewards/success. But you can also be exactly obedient for the right reason, serving out of the love for your Heavenly Father and others, you are still yourself, you still will think like you did before about other things but at the same time you aren't dwelling on them. And that truly is the easiest and the happiest (which is the 4th missionary). And if you don't know what I'm talking about google Elder Corbridges the Fourth Missionary. It is a great description of 3 different types of missionaries that I think apply very well to life in general and which approach you take.

Oh and then worst day of my mission food wise.  TOO MUCH!  We felt so sick. We had heaps of unavoidable feeds. We made ourselves a big Mexican fiesta for lunch (our bad), then everyone fed us, including Maria (another investigator from Iraq) and heads up, I’m not the biggest fan of flower water (safron) either.  Oh and of course Tongan/Samoan feeds. So maybe that is why Sister Davis was sick on Sunday. right as she had to pack and say goodbye. Poor Sister Davis.

But Sis Davis as well as all the other STL senior companions were released this transfer with a handful of zone leaders too so they can really lift up struggling missionaries and for a few sisters, open the country areas back up for sisters! So excited! I want to die in the outback and my dream might just come true now that they are releasing leadership and opened up those areas!

But it was sad to see Sister Davis go, and all the sisters in my flat, we are now the only set of sisters in our area (still 4 sets total though) and have moved to the old Tongan elders flat (right after we fixed up and cleaned the previous elders flat right?) and are living with the Tongan sisters. 

Transfer meeting was great. I am now serving with Sister Pagnin, from Italy! She was in the neighboring ward in Canberra for a few months when I was down there and it so great. Both of her parents are converts to the church and she is also the oldest of 5 and I'm so excited to work with her. I love her so much already and she has the biggest heart for someone so small! :) I think she is going to be the one training me to better fulfill my calling!

President and Sister Back are here though and are great! Cracked heaps of jokes, admitted they know absolutely nothing, but at the same time stressed obedience and hard work. I feel like they will be perfect for this mission, oh wait, I know they will be! I like them a lot. But I do love and miss President and Sister Palmer dearly! Even though they weren't here very long they made a huge difference. And how blessed am I to have the opportunity to work under 3 incredible mission presidents and their wives!

It was a crazy transfer though. Most of the Polynesian’s have palangi companions, and if they are part of the language program they are living with palangi's. But I think that will be really good for this mission! And President and the Assistants all mentioned how inspired every companionship is.

But it is off to a good start, just crazy still having to pack my bags and move. I feel like I got transferred but I have to keep reminding myself I’m in the same ward! haha But I love it so much! Happy to be here still with the beautiful sister Pagnin! I love this gospel, know this church is true and love sharing that everyday! Have the best week ever!

Love, Sister Rushing 

Kookaburras!