New Place, New Calling and 1st Baptism!

Family!

Okay so this week has been totally crazy.  I moved to a new area this last week.  On Monday night I got a call from President asking my to be a Sister Training Leader (basically a Sister Zone Leader).  He didn't tell me where I was going to serve but asked if I would accept the responsibility and set the example with my companion on what an obedient missionary is supposed to be and help uplift and support our Zone.  I happy agreed.  The next day I found out that I would be going to the Wanneroo area in the North Coast Zone. (same zone I was already in) My new companion isn't so new to me.  I am companions with Sister Ensign, my MTC companion!  Crazy right?  They put two sisters from Utah who have been in Australia for 2 months together to be the Sister Training Leaders of a zone.  It's terrifying but I guess the Lord has a lot of trust in us.  We are definitely going to relying on Him more than ever I reckon. 

This area is amazing.  We had a baptism of 3 wonderful children on Saturday.  I only met them a few times before they were baptized but I found an instant love for them. Bobkie is 16, Malad is 10, and Blessing is 11.  Bobkie and Malad are brothers and Blessing is their cousin.  The baptismal service was incredible.  I don't know if I have the words to describe it.  The spirit was remarkable.  Blessing and Malad bore their testimonies afterwards and brought the whole room to tears.  Malad had a simple testimony that he knows the church is true because he asked God if it and the Book of Mormon are true and God told him that they are.  He will be an apostle someday.  Blessing said, "Before I met the sisters I figured all there was to life was me listening to my music and just going by day to day.  I'm grateful that I met the sisters and that they were able to help me learn for myself that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and that there is more to life than just listening to my music."  The spirit was soo strong. 

We have several investigators that are super keen and ready to be baptized but we are awaiting permission from their parents.  I've really been opening my heart to have more charity and love for everyone around me.  I think it's something that I will always have to work on, it's slowing coming along.  At District meeting this last Tuesday we made a District goal to get 18 new investigators this week.  It's a very attainable goal but some missionaries have doubts and wouldn't take it seriously.  It broke my heart to see their faith in themselves and the areas that they are working in boil down to almost nothing.  It kept coming to mind so much that I asked Sister Ensign that night if she would fast with me for our District.  That they my be able to keep their fire burning and their desire and determination going strong.  We thought about them and prayed for them heaps yesterday.  I really want to see their confidence increase and to see them succeed.  We ended up having the Balcatta Sisters and the Zone Leaders call us with miracles that they had during the day.  Fasting and prayer works!  In the scriptures it says that "they did fast and pray oft".  It brings forth miracles if you work for them. 

 

I was able to go to the temple today with my Zone and President ans Sister Lindsay.  I cried the whole time I was there.  I couldn't help but think of baptisms with Sophie and Josh.  I thought about driving around town with Ben and David and all of the times that we would go get snow cones down at Harmon's.  I haven't had a snowcone here and I miss them.  I can't believe how awesome everyone's summers have bee so far.  I hope the little boys all have an awesome time in Lehi while everyone is at Girls Camp.  Can't wait to hear all of the stories.  Ben keep up the good work in swimming.  Pretty sure you will be faster than me by the time I get home.  David I hope you are having fun with all of your swim lessons and camps that you've been able to do.  You two are awesome!  I miss you tons.  Don't ever forget how much I love you.  Even though I am half way around the world I think about you every day.  Every boy I see kicking a soccer ball or just playing with their friends makes me think of you.  Sister Lindsay gave me a huge hug in the Celestial room today at the temple and I thought of the first time I went through and when we went for Jaden's endowment.  Mom gave me a huge hug and said, "This is what it is going to be like in the Celestial Kingdom." 

 I miss you all loads. I wish I had more time to write because this hour never does any justice.  Have an awesome week!  I love you all :)

All my love,
Sister Shayne

Sister Missionary Armour of God

There are a few things I wear everyday that I consider my armour as a Sister Missionary.

 

#1 My YW medallion.  I never leave the house without it.  It is my constant reminder that my body is a temple and a reminder of the covenants that I have made there.

 

#2 My name tag.  Not only do I carry my own name to let others know who I am but I also carry the Saviors name to remember who I am as a daughter of God, what Jesus Christ has done for me, and who I represent every day. 

 

 

 

#3 My CTR ring.  Choose the right at all times, and in all things, and in all places.

 

#4 Modest dress.  I show that I am a strong worthy daughter of God by the way I dress.  Encourage all of them to stick to the For the Strength of Youth guidlelines.  They will bless their lives. 

 

 

#5 My bike helmet.  It looks dorky but it is proof that I am obedient to all of the rules I've been given.  Never justify the commandents that Heavenly Father as given us.  They will bless us as we work to be strictly obedient to them.

 

Much love,
Sister Shayne

What A Week!

Family!!!

Wow this has been a great week in Clarkson!

Just some little stuff first. 1. I set you some pictures in the mail today. I figured out how to send them on here but I don't think I'll have enough time today because I have heaps to tell you. 2. My p-day next week will be on the 27th. We have been issued that day to go to the temple! So we will be moving p-day to that day so we don't miss out on opportunities to find, and teach. 3. Transfers are on Wednesday. We find out tomorrow at Zone Meeting who is going where and what not so I'll let you know when I email you next week.

One highlight from my week was the lesson we had with the Sam family. I think I've told you about them. The parents Mohi and Barbra are members as well as their 14 year old daughter Jai. Their sons Jason (25) and Zac (20) however are not members. Zac had a baptism date set but never followed through with it. We showed a video about how the gospel changed this kids life and then shared 1 Nephi 8 where Lehi partakes of the fruit of the tree of life and desires for his family to partake as well. We asked Brother Sam how he found the gospel, how he knew it was true, and how it has made a difference in his life since. It brought the spirit into the room soo quickly. Everyone could feel it. After he answered those questions I asked him what it would mean for him to have all of his family partake of the fruit that he has. The spirit couldn't have been more present. We then asked the boys what they have noticed about their dad since he joined the church and if it would be something they could see blessing their lives. I could see the spirit touch Jason's heart as he answered us. He has a lot of worldly things he will need to change before he gets to baptism but I know that we sparked something in his heart. I want so badly for their family to be able to go to the temple and be sealed together. I feel so at home when we visit them. We told them how much we love their family and love visiting them because we feel like we are at home. We said that we have nothing to give them in return but the opportunity for their family to be together with that love that they share for eternity. I was on cloud nine leaving their house that night.

Wednesday was the complete opposite of feelings. We did another day of tracting with the other sisters in our area. Sister Teriipaia and I walked up to a lady weeding in her front lawn and offered our help. She asked who we were and invited us inside to chat with her family. At first we were thinking, "Sweet! Meet the family, teach a lesson, this is good stuff!" Then we went inside and met her husband, daughter, and granddaughter. First words out of the husbands mouth was, "We are all Jehovah Witness here." We tried to just share a quick thought, bear testimony and get out but we had passed the point of no return. We were stuck in the house for a good 20 minutes just being bashed on. They didn't give us any opportunity to say our belief on anything, they just took the opportunity we had put ourselves in to tell us off about what they thought we believed. I tried soo hard to just bear testimony and leave but they wouldn't have it. I just sat there and smiled at them, staring them in the eye, as they talked and tried to tear me down. I couldn't help but think, "Some day after this life you and I will stand before the bar of God and you will wish you would have let me at least bear my testimony." We finally found the opportunity to get out. We met up with the other sisters and I felt like my soul had just been wrung dry. I am soo grateful for the Plan of Salvation. I know that God has a plan perfectly laid out for each and every one of us. "Adam fell that men might be, and men are, that they might have joy." Mom, I've never loved your favorite scripture more than I did that day. I know I'm hear on earth for a reason. God sent us here to learn, grow, and prepare ourselves to meet him again. I'm so grateful for the Book of Mormon. The bible has many great truths but like Joseph Smith said in the introduction of the Book of Mormon, "No man can get closer to God than by reading this book and abiding by it's precepts." I know that the fullness of the truth of Christ's gospel has been restored to the earth. Anyone who challenges that can just read the book for themselves and then pray to know. It's a simple method but if done with a sincere heart and real intent to act upon their answer the Holy Ghost will testify to them the truth. I know it.

I love you all so much. I love reading your emails every week. I'm sorry if I don't have time to reply to them all and if I do that the replies are short but know that I do love each of you soo much. It's a major boost to hear from you all every week. Keep the faith, share the hope. Have a sweet as summer :)

All my love,

Sister Shayne

Find A Change In You

Family!

Not much has happened in the last couple days since I last wrote you. We've been keeping busy but not any big major things have happened. The best thing that I've had happen to me in the last couple days is that I've noticed a change in myself. I am relying more and more on the Spirit every day. I'm pretty sure I've demolished chapter 4 in PMG. I've prayed harder and more sincere than I ever have before. I'm learning what it means to serve with your all your heart might mind and strength. Most missionaries serve with their whole might and strength. They strive to be diligent and obedient. They find success and make a difference in many peoples lives but they don't make a change in themselves. I've been trying to find the best way to serve with my heart and mind as well. I sing while I'm biking, I recite Scriptures that I want to share with people throughout the day, I think about my investigators entering the waters of baptisms in their all white clothing. I'm striving to find the change in my heart. Seeking for those virtuous, lovely and praiseworthy things at all times and in all things and in all places. It's one thing to say it and think you're doing it and it's another thing to look back at yourself and really evaluate your connection to Heavenly Father. I'm learning the absolute importance of subjecting yourself fully to the will of the Father. Agency is a wonderful thing. Some chose to accept what we have to give and others don't. I just have to keep focused, know that it's all in God's timing, and know that as long as I'm doing what I've been set apart to do in this part of the vineyard that the Lord will do the rest. Missionary work is a beautiful thing. I've learned more humility in 3 months than I have in the last 19.5 years of life. I wouldn't trade this opportunity to serve for anything else in the world. I continually encourage all to serve a mission. If you are worthy and willing the world needs us to share what we hold dear to our hearts. I'm so glad to hear that all is well at home. I've loved hearing about Youth Conference. Sophie's email made me cry. I love that the Spirit can be felt everywhere in the world. Utah, Australia, and everywhere in between. The gospel is true. We know it and we need to share it. I love you all and can't wait to hear more about summer activities. Keep the faith!

Much love,

Sister Shayne

PS. Mom that email about Chase was awesome! I'm so happy for him! That is the perfect thing for him to do. Let him know I'm stoked for him.

Finally a letter from the President.

 WOO HOO!  Look at Shayne hanging out with Bruce Lindsay and his wife!

 

This is Shayne's companion Sister Peivi.  We got to meet her via Skype on Mother's Day.  She was very nice.  They seem a lot alike so I hope they don't fight to much.

What a Week!

Family!!!

 

Man there has been so much that has happened this week.  I printed off Sophie's email to read later.  I had to do that with a couple and I'll respond next week.  I have a couple lessons that I've learned this week that I want to start with.

 

1. Trust your companion.  I've been getting frustrated because she can't read my mind while we are sharing lessons. Haha it's dumb I know but I realized what was wrong.  When we practice for lessons we teach to each other during comp study and then when we go to a lesson we teach together.  We are going to start teaching to pictures during comp study.  I was getting frustrated because I would want her to finish my thoughts but then she would go a different way.  Basically I'm just relying more on the spirit everyday.  If I'm doing what I'm supposed to and trusting that my comp is intune with the spirit as well then whatever we share with the person we are teaching is going to be exactly what they need to hear.

2. Follow spiritual promtings.  One day we had knocked on several doors with no success.  We had an appointment fall through and I could tell Sister Peivi was getting a little discouraged.  She wanted to go get something to eat to just take a break.  We were one street away from a super less active family and so I felt like we should visit them before we do anything else.  We did and it was a major blessing for the family.  The mom, Kelly, does antiquing on furniture and her person who helps her quit on her that morning.  She was actually on the phone crying to a friend about how she was ever going to finish the 5 projects that she had to take care of that day.  She was completely lost when low and behold the sisters knocked on her door :D We ended up painting a huge piece of furniture for her and it was a blast.  She was soo grateful that we stopped by and could help out.  It was awesome! I'm so glad I acted on that promting.

 

A couple things have happened this week that I want to tell you about as well. 

1. We are completeing a challenge from President Lindsay to read 5 pages of the Book of Mormon everyday and highlight everything that mentions Christ or his him speaking.  There are HEAPS of things.  There is no doubt that the Book of Mormon is really another testament of Jesus Christ!  I have learned soo much already from it.  I can't wait until we get to the end and I can look back on the whole book and really see how much I mark everyday.  Elder Cook one of our Zone Leaders called it our "BOM-a-thon". I thought it was a clever title. 

2. We take public transport everywhere! I've never been on a train or bus before coming here.  Even the trax in SLC I don't ever remember riding.  It's been fun.  We just have a card that we scan when we get on and off.  It's so great. 

3.  We were able to be part of a celebration this week called Matariki.  It is basically a Maori New Year.  It was incredibly fun to learn about and be a part of.  The Maori's have an incredible knowledge about their family history and we went around the room and shared somthing about our family history.  I never felt more at home with people that I barely know.  I felt like that hole I felt in my heart those months before I came out was filled.  I finally felt like I was at home.  There were tears as we all shared how much we felt like we really were family.  Bishop mentioned that we are literally family in God's Kindgom.  I loved every mintue of being there.  This ward is awesome and I am glad that I was assigned here first.  It's been a major blessing.

 

Again I'm coming to an end of time with this computer but I love you all.  I wish I could write more.  Good thing I'm keeping a journal as well as these emails, right?  Keep up the faith.  I  pray for you all daily.  I hope summer break is awesome and I can't wait to hear more about it!

 

Much love,

Sister Shayne! :)