A Faith-Filled Week

Hey yous!

So this week was super speed FAITH week. We fasted to achieve all our weekly goals and really worked at it like I never have before and it was great. Unfortunately, we had to waste a lot of time helping all the sisters what I like to call their "pedo papers" haha  It’s a new law in New South Wales for all those that will be here post March 2015 to be certified by the government to work and interact with children. So think of spending a few hours each day in the DMV, and that has been my life. The best is when their passports and credit card names don't match up... haha  But, here's some highlights of what happened this week!

Our matching onesies! "Austraya mate!"

Tuesday: The Mataia's are the part member family where the mum is less active but still believes the church is true and all of her children do as well and want to be baptized but dad is hardcore assembly of god. But we committed their family to pray daily and gave them our handy dandy prayer chart with ice cream as a reward and they seemed keen. And they bought us a family box from Maccas... typical Samoans.

Wednesday: Mele, aka the best recent convert ever, is super awesome. And she mentioned to us how hard it has been to forgive her friend that was a member of the church and had "all the answers" to her problems when she was struggling, but wouldn't tell her. Don't withhold the gospel people! We need to share it. Others need what we have. Then we taught Helen the restoration and recommitted her to be baptized after explaining priesthood authority and she said YES. A solid commitment for August 23rd. And being a member referral, she has so much support and I know without a doubt her heart is so prepared. All her family, except her children are on the other side - all her siblings, parents and extended family died in the last 10 years and I know they are softening her heart to accept the gospel. No wonder why the plan of salvation rang so true for her! The spirit of Elijah is real! Oh and also, our member missionary kits are a hit!

Thursday: Exchange with Parramatta D Sisters. I went to their area and it was a typical “no one home day” but their sketchy less active bought us Nandos... #noshame. And Sis. Krzymowski did hair school so I shouted her (paid for... sorry I forget yous don't know all the slang here) Maccas (McDonalds... you know this one though right?!) for my first haircut in a year haha

Sis Krzymowski giving me my first haircut in a year, who also reminding me it was exactly one year of my mission on that day. I didn't even notice. Time freaking flies!

Friday: Our old catholic friend Ana that referred us to Grace and Eddie actually let us in and we were able to have a good chat about the gospel (thank you Sister Pagnin for being Italian). So that rocked. And just thought I'd let you know how obsessed the islanders are with KFry (KFC). The Tongan sisters have their members bring them it every night, without fail. And no, I am not over exaggerating. Oh and I lost my planner for like a total of 5 hours and almost flipped. But prayed. And found it. Hallelujah!  Still a little type A over here...

Saturday: Stayed in our area for exchange with Sister Parker from Canada! We contacted a referral, Ezra, from the Spanish elders that was way more keen then they led on. They are a Maori family, his nan passed away recently and was a Mormon and his whole family is interested to know more and has started reading the Book of Mormon. Such a miracle. Can't wait to see the gospel change their lives.

 (Our exchange with Sis Parker started with her dumpster diving because her companion accidentally threw away the bag she packed for our exchange.)

Sunday is then what I am going to call the "Sunday Sprint" to finish off our faith filled week and goals. It was an incredible day and we nearly accomplished every goal we set for the week, and even surpassed some! We were on fire!

-Contacted another referral from the elders, 19 year old Michael, Vietnamese, no religious background and curious about the afterlife. Taught him Plan of Salvation. GOLDEN.

-Got in touch with an old investigator Victoria, and you won't believe it... she is SUDANESE. And get this, we invited her to be baptized and she has "already been baptized" NOT AGAIN. haha But she sincerely wants to pray to know if this is the true church and then understands that will lead her to have that desire to be re-baptized in HIS church by HIS authority. 

-Ok sad moment... while going up to Grace and Eddies I was thinking, I have never been dropped by an investigator. Ever. And wondering if I would before going home and if so, how much that would stink. Nec minut Grace dropped us.  She and Eddie "talked about it" and think it is pretty much the same, they are comfortable and not willing to change and don't want us to waste our time, yet they love us and said we could come by to chat as just friends. Notice how they "talked about it" but never prayed about it. It killed. I feel so bad that we didn't fight for it, but if we did I might of just started crying because we had some of the most powerful lessons of my mission there and they KNOW it is true. They even said it. This is why missions are hard I guess. But maybe we will stop by next month or something or just write a letter. It just hard when you know they know and they are people you genuinely love. I don't want to see them on judgment day wishing they accepted it, but rather rejoicing together. But one day. I haven't lost faith in them.

-BUT all goods, shook it off with a miracle knock. Sister Pagnin felt to knock a door and a YSA aged Aussie looking guy opened the door and said, "Wait. My mum is super religious! She'll love you" Then I was thinking... uh, love us or absolutely hate us. Then she shows up... doesn't look Aussie, more middle eastern (yes! white people scare me. haha) Turns out she is from Egypt, met with JWs and Mormons before and bashed on them, then found out we were Mormons and then just bashed the JWs... Awkward. But at the end of the lesson she wanted a Book of Mormon and pamphlets in Arabic and her son who was not even all that religious was interested to know what the Mormons are all about. He is golden as well.

-Then a less active part member family miracle. He wants to come back to church but kind of doesn't know where to start. After our lesson we asked what we can do to help and he said to come visit every Sunday! Ah-mazing.

-Then the part member less active family we keep having random awkward drop-by's with finally let us in and we had a proper lesson. And now they too want us to come back regularly. 

So with faith, all things truly are possible. We want to fast every week and set faith filled goals weekly and daily that we can achieve. Heavenly Father is a funny one though, he likes to really test our faith and trust and a lot of our diligence but he ALWAYS keeps his end of the promise. We just have to keep ours. 

Love you all so much. It was days like yesterday were I just have to pause and realize how happy I am. How blessed I am to be able to serve my Father in this capacity and give back for all that I have been given. Because I have been given much, I too must give. Share the gospel with someone this week. And i promise you won't regret it! 

Love yous! Sister Rushing :)