Moving forward‏

Hey there!

I feel like the days of this week went by like weeks but that the week as a whole went by in a day.  It's a unique feeling.  We got a call from the office this week informing us of our flight plans.  That's an interesting phone call to receive.  I'm glad Sister Faivakimoana and I are finishing together.  It's been nice to have someone who understands.  We are helping each other stay focused.  It's been hard though.  Sister Faiva is ready to go.  She moved to a new area for her last transfer and hasn't unpacked.  She's just living out of her suitcases.  She's definitely in the 'enduring to the end' phase.  I'm still just trying to wrap my head around the fact that it's going to come to an end.  I love the people here and I'm so humbled to see the growth in the people that we work with.    

 

Tuesday Sister Faiva and I were able to give training at Zone Meeting.  It is part of being a Sister Training Leader now.  Back a year or so ago when I was SLT with Sister Terry we didn't have many responsibilities.  We were mainly just in charge of doing exchanges with the Sisters and that was it.  It was different being the one giving training.  We kept it really simple.  We were training on the importance of the Book of Mormon.  We had decided to have some of the new missionaries share with the zone how a story or teaching from the Book of Mormon helped their conversion to the gospel.  Sister Reynolds went first.  She is amazing.  She is the 10th of 13 kids from Utah but she is the only member in her family.  She has only been a member for about a year and a half.  Hearing her testimony was so powerful.  Next was Elder Collings from England.  He was born and raised in the church and testified that the Book of Mormon is the center of everything else in the gospel.  I was humbled to hear their testimonies.  I was glad that we were prompted to have them share.  

This week we had 2 really good lessons with Aaron.  He had definitely felt the Spirit and he knows he can't deny it.  He shared a really cool experience with us this week.  He has an hour long train ride every day up to the city for work and the same trip back at the end of the day.  He downloaded the gospel library onto his phone so that he can put in his headphones and listen to the scriptures as he reads on the train home each day.  He said that he was having a pretty down day and got on the train not really wanting to do anything.  He felt like he should listen and acted on the prompting.  He was really reflective and said, "Looking back on it that really did give me more peace then anything else could have."  He also expressed how he was on the train one other day sometime this last week and just felt like he should pray.  He said, "I probably looked dumb sitting there.  I just said it in my head but as I prayed I could feel myself smiling."  I love hearing stories like that from people.  I love seeing how Heavenly Father reach out and touch lives.  It puts a smile on my face. :)  Fun story about our lesson with him on Wednesday night.  We asked if he had extra speakers he didn't need and he took us into his spare room with just stuff in it and got side tract and opened this box and pulled out a lightsaber!   It was amazing.  We had way too much fun at the end of that lesson haha. Faiva and Alex took turns taking photos with it. 

 

Friday we took a temple trip with the Mutus.  We were so excited for Nikau to be able to go in a do baptisms.  It's been a couple of years since he had last gone in and done work for the dead. It was amazing to be there with them.  Mum, Jordy, and Sione took us with them.  When we got there Sister Tomaki and her companion Sister Tupuna also showed up!  It was so good to see her.  She ran up and gave me the biggest hug and just cried.  We got there just early enough to beat the traffic of youth and YSA that came at 7.   Sister Mutu has been doing amazing work with her mother-in-laws family line and they were able to take 30 names to the temple.  Jordy was baptized and confirmed for the females and Nikau for all the male names.  Sione was able to be there to perform the baptisms and confirmations.  It was a beautiful sight.  As Nikau left the font Elder Meredith the Temple President shook his hand and said, "Welcome back."  I was amazed at how strong the spirit was and I was just watching.  It was such a special experience to be a part of.  Sister Tomaki was also able to do baptisms for the dead.  That was a huge thing for her.  It was only her second time in her life.  She and Nikau were just beaming when they came out of the temple.  Moments to remember for a lifetime.  

 

 Scriptures of the week: D&C 138:1-4 and 2 Nephi 10:24-25.  Some of my best studies come while I'm sitting in sacrament meeting.  I'm so grateful for the atonement and my Savior.  

Hope you all have a fantastic week!  

 

Love you heaps, 

Sister Shayne 

 

Before photos!  

Nikau

 

 Me and Nikau

 

                                                              Me, Sister Tomaki, and Nikau :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After photos! 

Nikau

The three of us :) 

 

The whole gang!

 

 

 TOMAKI! :) 

After the temple

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the car on the way home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos:

Aaron and the lightsaber

 Faiva and the lightsaber :) 

 

Sunset at the foreshore.  I love this place.

 

3rd Nephi

6:14 No matter what is going on around us let us be like these Lamanite converts 

6:18 Not like these guys. . . 

7:16 This is how we feel most days

8:24-25 We can't procrastinate the day of our repentance.  We never know when our time here will be over. 

9:14-16  Wow. The light in all the darkness is Christ. 

9:20-22 Repent and be baptized.  That has always been the counsel and it always will be. 

     

Transfer #13 - Lucky last‏

G'day everyone!  

 

Well this was one interesting week.  The week of transfers is always exciting and sad at the same time.  We don't know what is going to happen until Monday morning and then we all get moved on Wednesday morning.  We made plans for Monday night and Tuesday night as if everyone was going to be transferred out of the ward.  Monday morning we got the call and 4 out of the 6 of us got the boot.  Elder Hereaka is staying and training a new missionary.  His trainee is Elder Daniel from North Carolina.  I'm staying here in Golden Bay. My new companion is Sister Faivakimoana.   She is from Sydney but was raised in New Zealand and her family is Tongan. She is the 6th of 12 kids.   Her oldest sister is adopted but the other 11 are all biological siblings.  All of her biological siblings have served missions.  There are 10 girls in her family and 2 boys.  In order of missionaries in her family they have served in Missouri, Hawaii, Philipines, Melbourne, Perth, Auckland, and England.  Her sister in Melbourne finishes next week, her sister in Auckland has been out for about 3 months and her sister in England just left for the MTC last week.  4 missionaries out at the same time!  She is amazing.  Another cool fact about her family is they have different tribes in their family.  Sister Faiva is from Joseph but some of her siblings are from Ephraim and others are from Manassah.  This was definitely an inspired companionship.  She came out with me so we will finish our missions serving together.  We are loving it.  Elder Maughan and Elder Teuria got put together down in Bussleton, Elder Wihongi got sent up to Gosnels in the same district as Sister Tomaki.  She got sent to the Thornlie area.  I was sooo gutted to have her leave.  She was ready to spread her wings though.  I had several members come up to me at church and tell me how they saw the inspiration of having her serve with me.  I was humbled to hear all of the nice compliments from the members on our companionship.  I was touched to see the change in Sister Tomaki over the last 4 and a half months.  She went from a little seedling to a massive tree.  I learned so much from her.  We will be friends for life.  No doubt about it.

 

Monday night we had a fantastic FHE with the Mutu family.  All of the missionaries came and the whole Mutu gang was there.  Elder Teuria and Elder Wihongi were in charge of our lesson.  They gave an incredible lesson on eternal families, temples, and the power of the sealing covenant.  The spirit was sooo strong throughout the whole lesson.  You could have cut it with a knife.  After the lesson and family council, which is actually like family testimony meeting in this family, we played games.  Everyone was supposed to bring a different game to play.  Oh man I have videos and pictures that will bring me to tears by laughter every time I watch them.  I'm excited to teach all of these new games to you all when I get back. 

 

Tuesday night we had a feed at the Mandin's.  It was fun to get together with all of them and just enjoy the night together.  We laughed, played games, and just relaxed.  No one was ready to have the district be split up.  We had to keep ourselves talking or doing something so that we wouldn't get sad.

 Sister Tomaki cried the whole way to the Mandin's house.  It was a hard night but great to have a last party all together.  

 

Wednesday was transfers.  The Elders came to our flat in the morning to drop off some luggage because it wouldn't all fit in their car with the 4 Elders in the car too.  Elder Wihongi said one last district prayer for us and made us all cry.  I'm going to miss these missionaries so much.  On to another chapter though.  We will still be in touch and friends for a lifetime. 

Wednesday night we went to the chapel to play games with the Young Women.  While we were there Nikau had an interview with Bishop.  When he came out he came right up to me and held up two pieces of paper.  In one hand he has his temple recommend and in the other hand he has his paperwork signed by Bishop in order to receive the Melchezidek Priesthood at Stake Conference in two weeks!   I let out a squeal and did a little happy dance.  We were like to the moon and back.  He went and showed Sione and Jordy who were there for youth and we all just had ear to ear grins across our faces.  Then we followed them back home so we could see mum, dad and Ally's reaction too.  Lots of tears of happiness.   We are soo stinkin proud of this kid.  I told him that I'll fly back for his mission farewell.  At church on Sunday we were out shaking hands with everyone and Mum came up behind me and said, "Look who is sitting on the stand!"  Nikau was up at the sacrament table with Sione and another priest to help bless the sacrament to the ward.  Nikau is my little brother.  We've decided that we are brother and sister.  We've already planned that we are going to Skype for his birthday because it's like 10 days after mine.  Man I can't express how much I love this family.  I'm so excited to be able to go to the temple with the Greentree kids and with Nikau soon.  I'm grateful that I got to stay here for my last transfer.  Sister Faiva and I have decided that we aren't going to let anything slow us down.  We are going to leave our mark here in a good way.  Golden Bay won't know what hit it :)  Scripture of the week is D&C 42:61.  

 

Hope you all have a fantastic week!  Love you all and I'll see yous before you know it! 

 

Much love, Sister Beckstrand          

Helaman 

8:15 Look upon Christ and live

9:2 What would it take for you to believe the prophet? 

10:4-5 I love that the comfort and advice in the scriptures fully applies to us today

11:4 Sometimes we are given trials because God can't get through to us any other way. 

11:37 The beginning of the chapter they were doing so well and by the end they were ripening for destruction. 

13:29 What are we choosing daily? 

14:30-32 Agency = greatest gift ever! 

16:4 Missionary work = Coming of Christ 

3 Nephi

1:24 Do you understand the scriptures?

1:30 We can change the raising generation from wickedness to righteousness.  It only takes one person to change a whole group. 

2:7 Within 9 years they began to forget and ignore the signs that made them believe.  It's been roughly 9 months since Christmas when most people think about Christ.  Is Christ a part of your everyday life?

4:33 Swollen hearts and gushing tears.  Mate I've felt that waaay too much the last couple of weeks. 

5:13 I am a disciple of Jesus Christ

5:24-26 The gathering of Isreal

 

 

Nikau!   We were just a little excited :)  Can you tell?

 

 

 

 

 Food at the Mutus

 

Elder Maughahs card tower

 

 

Me and Sister Tomaki at Breakfast on Tuesday at Brother Day's house. 

What A Week

Hey everyone!

Sorry for the late email this week.  We got to the library yesterday and the computers were down.  They didn't come back up while we were down in Mandurah so we got permission to email today instead.
 

This last week will be one that I won't soon forget.  Let me start on Wednesday.  Wednesday we went and saw the Greentree family.  We taught them about temples and family history work.  It was a great lesson and everyone participated.  After the lesson everyone had all kinds of questions about baptism.  Anything from how they are baptized to the white clothes they have to wear.  We addressed each concern and helped them feel confident about it all.  I was kind of surprised that they had so many questions about it.  At the end of every question answered I would say something like, "but we have another week to worry about that."  We finished their lesson and went to see Sister James and her lovely kids.  She had a friend over for dinner.  We taught all of them about the importance of following the prophet.  There were two 10 year olds, and two 6 year olds that each and every one of them wanted the attention so we played 'Thomas S. Monson says'  :)  I thought it was a clever game.  We watched the Mormon Message 'Dare to Stand Alone' and the mum's friend really felt the spirit.  It was really great to see.  We invited her to join us for our lessons with the James family every week.  :)  I love seeing members share what they know and not being afraid to let people know what they stand for.  When we left I checked our phone.  We missed a call from Brother Dean Timms.  Dean is the one who baptized Phil Greentree 17 years ago and was planning on baptizing all the children as well.  We drove down the street and called him back.  As soon as it started to ring I looked at Sister Tomaki and said, "We got the weekend wrong.  Brother Timms is back this weekend, not next weekend."  Sure enough Dean answered and said, "Hey Sisters it's Dean here.  I was just talking to Phil and we decided that the children's baptism will be on Saturday at 5pm."  Now you need to know something about Brother Timms, when he says "jump" he expects you to say, "how high?" I answered, "This Saturday or next Saturday?"  He said, "This Saturday! I'm back this weekend and I won't be back for about 3-4 more weekends after this one."  I just went silent and didn't really know what to say.  My head was spinning like a million and a half miles per hour. He asked if I was there and I said, "Yes we are here but Brother Timms they haven't had their baptismal interviews yet."  In this mission they have to have them done no later that Wednesday night in order to be baptized on the upcoming Saturday.  He had a lot of confidence in us.  He said, "Sisters you know how to make it happen!  You can do it.  If not we will have to wait 3-4 more weeks."  That was enough for me to freak out just a little.  I called Elder Hereaka and just vented all of what had just happened off to him.  After I finished my little freak out moment I asked, "What are you doing right now?"  He just laughed and said, "I'm coming to meet you at the Greentree's to give them their baptismal interviews."  Sure enough we went to our flat and grabbed the records to fill out and met him at the Greentree's house to give them their interviews.  The kids were really cool with the whole thing.  We started with a prayer and then Elder Hereaka interviewed one by one while mum and I filled out the records.  It was a crazy moment.  After the interviews were completed Phil opened up with us and shared the full story of his accident up in the mines.  Here is a picture of the accident.

 Insert from Penny - I found the story online...

Rio Tinto reprimanded after mine haul truck hits 4WD, drags it 40 metres in Pilbara

By Gian De Poloni

Updated 31 Jul 2014, 5:48pmThu 31 Jul 2014, 5:48pm

Photo: The driver had to be radioed to stop after hitting the four wheel drive.

Map: Tom Price 6751

Rio Tinto has been reprimanded after a serious safety incident at one of its iron ore mines in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

It is understood a collision occurred between a haul truck and a four-wheel drive during nightshift in the early hours of Saturday morning at Brockman 4 iron ore mine, near Tom Price.
The ABC has been told the truck driver was unaware the vehicle had been hit.
It was dragged 40 metres before the two occupants radioed the driver, who pulled to a stop.
The Department of Mines and Petroleum said the four-wheel drive entered the bulking-in work area in the stockyards, without following access procedures.
It said the accident happened when the vehicle collided with the truck on a single lane access ramp while trying to exit the area.

Photo: The four-wheel-drive was dragged 40 metres by the haul truck.

In a statement, Rio said all those involved were able to exit their vehicles safely, however the company was conducting an in-depth investigation.
It said the incident was extremely rare and it was taking it very seriously to ensure it does not happen again at any of its sites.
The company said it was working closely with the department.

The department said it had issued Rio with an improvement notice regarding traffic management at the mine.

Topics: road, mining-industry, tom-price-6751

First posted 31 Jul 2014, 1:06pmThu 31 Jul 2014, 1:06pm

More stories from Western Australia

He was in the ute that is under the wheel of that truck.  He was on the passenger side as well which means that he was right under that wheel.  He said that the ute had been moved in order to get them out and this picture was a set up of what had happened so they could put it in the paper.  I wanted to throw up actually hearing the whole story.  He shouldn't be alive but Heavenly Father has a much greater plan for him.

Friday we had another lesson with the Greentree family.  We taught about service and missionary work by sharing the story of Ammon in the Book of Mormon.  It's always a popular story that gets everyone's attention when you share it.  Tia melted my heart with her prayer where she asked that "Sister Beckstrand won't forget her after she finishes her mission." That girl has a mighty big place in my heart.  We got a little distracted during the lesson with the excitement for the next day.  I asked each of the kids how they felt and I could tell that Tia wasn't super thrilled but that she was doing it because she knows it's right.  I had no idea to what magnitude of that feeling until the next day.

Saturday morning I got a text from Aeronny asking me how Tia was feeling about her baptism.  I told her that I could tell something was up but didn't know what.  Well Aeronny being the incredible Young Womens leader she is she just talked with Tia over Facebook for a bit and then got back to us.  Aeronny felt that she really stood in need of a priesthood blessing for comfort if she was going to make it to her baptism that evening.  We texted Tash and asked if we could bring the Elders around to give them all a blessing of comfort and she readily accepted.  We called the Elders and set up a time to go around.  When we walked up we heard yelling inside and Phil stormed out of the house.  He said some choice words and said he was going for a walk.  The poor Elders and Aeronny were probably freaking out about what was going on.  Sister Tomaki and I walked right in the house and into Tia's room where she was in tears.  I just sat on the floor next to her and pulled her into a hug where she continued to cry it all out.  To make a long story short her friends at school have been making fun of her for joining the church.  She was bullied a lot growing up and having it all come back because of something she knew was right was really eating at her.  When dad found out he was mad.  Not at Tia but at her friends.  Since her friends weren't there his voice was raised at her.  Aeronny came into her room and we all had a nice chat.  When we got her calmed down we went out to meet the Elders to give the kids and Tash a blessing.  Aeronny opened with a beautiful prayer and Elder Teuira explained the priesthood a little bit and what a priesthood blessing is.  Then he proceeded to give Tia a blessing.  Phil came back from his walk right in the middle of Tia's prayer.  Just hearing him coming down the hall I knew he was mad.  He heard that we were praying and walked back out into the front room.  After Tia's blessing she gave me another huge hug.  Georgia went next.  We took a little break after Georgia and Tia turned to me and asked, "Will you stand up with me today as I bare my testimony at my baptism?"  I choked back tears and said, "Of course."  Tash came back into the room and asked Tia for her phone.  As Tia left the room Tash said, "I don't think she is going to be baptized tonight.  Phil is really mad."  I looked at her and said, "Can I go talk to him?"  She responded, "He is out in the front.  You are welcome if you like but I really don't think it's going to make a difference."  I stood straight away and walked into the front yard.  I pulled up a chair and faced Phil.   I started with, "What is going on?"  He just spilled everything out on the table and we talked about it all.  I have to admit that I came at him in the "you know you need to knock off that attitude and get your butt in gear" tactic but I didn't think anything else would work.  After about a 20 minute conversation with him he had finally cooled down and could see that he was actually being a big problem.  We talked about the adversary and how he will try to do literally everything in his power to bring us down.  Especially on days that are of utmost importance.  I told Phil that he needed to ask the Elders for a blessing as well.  We went inside and he excused us and sat and talked with the Elders.  I wish I had words to describe how much I love and appreciate having Elders who are always worthy and willing to help us in any way they can.  It's the greatest blessing to a sister missionary.  We left their house with just enough time to go get ready for the baptism and book it to the chapel to make sure that we had enough baptismal whites and what have you so that everything would run smoothly. 

Baptisms are really really stressful.  I went and saw Dr. Mutu on Friday and before she even started adjusting my back she said, "You are stressed aren't you?"  It's amazing what your body can tell you. Anyway about 10 minutes after we showed up so did the Greentrees.  We got them all changed.  Along with the Mandurah Elder's investigator Lesley and the Halls Head Elder's investigator Payam who were all baptized at the same service.  Of course we all got their early enough to take pictures.  I just want you to get an idea of how amazing the Mandurah ward is.  Our building is currently under construction and we don't have a baptismal font which means we all have to travel up to Rockingham chapel for a baptism.  We had easily 100+ members show up to this baptism.  It was absolutely incredible.  The YW did a musical item where Lesley sang her favorite hymn, I Know That my Redeemer Lives.  It was great.  The baptisms were beautiful.  I cried and cried through the whole thing.  This whole week has been emotionally draining.  After the baptisms Alex, Nikau, and Jordy sang a song.  I had heard the song the night before and I just bawled my eyes out when I first heard it.  It's one of my new favorite songs.  I've been singing it every day since.  Tia did go up and bare her testimony with me right by her side.  Moments like that shape my mission.  I just teared up in the library just thinking about it.  These children are remarkable!  I can't explain my love for each of them.  At church on Sunday all 5 new members were confirmed the newest members of the Mandurah Ward in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day  Saints :) What an incredible experience.  Kian met with Bishop Mandin before church on Sunday to be interviewed to receive the Aaronic Priesthood.  He was not only confirmed a member on Sunday but was also given the Priesthood.  Bishop told Phil that once he and Tash are married that he too can get the Aaronic Priesthood and then in turn baptize Tash :)  It just brings so much joy to my heart to be a small part of the change and blessings of this families life.  I'm incredible humbled to have met them.  There are definitely friendships that will last a lifetime.  Phil told me that he will purchase my ticket back here to see their family be sealed together in the temple.  That will be a day I will never forget.  Much like this last Saturday.  I'm grateful for the Spirit guiding Aeronny to have Tia and the others get a blessing.  Without that blessing her baptism wouldn't have happened.  Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways but His way is always the best.  I'm so grateful to be a missionary here in the Mandurah Ward. 

We just received transfer calls this week and I will be finishing my mission here in the Golden Bay area.  I'm so happy.  I'm absolutely gutted that I am losing Sister Tomaki.  I'm not coping very well with that but I know she is needed elsewhere and that she will be a spiritual powerhouse wherever the Lord needs her.  I'm also super sad that we are losing 3 of our Elders in our district.  This district really was like my family.  We were so unified we had prayer together every night via phone calls.  I'm going to miss them all heaps but I know I'll see them again.  That's the beautiful thing about technology :)  My new companion is Sister Faivakimoana.  I don't know much about her except that we go home together.  I'll have more info on her next week.  I hope you are all surviving your first week of school!   Work hard and remember to invite the Spirit to be with you always.  We need that constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in order to get by.  I love you all and miss you heaps! 

Much love,

Sister Shayne  

Kangaroo :)
 

Sunset


 
SHAYNE STREET!  My other happiest moment of the week was finding this street while tracting in the Elders area :)  

Family

 

 
Us

Brother Timms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elder Teuira baptized Lesley and Elder Wihongi made sure the baptism all ran smoothly!  These are the greatest Elders I've ever met.  I'm gutted that they are both being transferred.

 Us and Lesley 

Lesley, Tia, and Aeronny

Baptism selfies :)  haha

 A photo of people taking a baptism selfie :)

These are the lyrics to the song "He will carry you"  that the Mutu's sang.

There is no problem too big
God cannot solve it
There is no mountain too tall
God cannot move it

There is no storm too dark
God cannot calm it
There is no sorrow too deep
He cannot soothe it

Oh, if He carries the weight of the world upon His shoulders
I know my brother that He will carry you
Oh, if He carries the weight of the world upon His shoulders
I know my sister that He will carry you

He said, "Come on to me all who are weary
And I will give you rest, rest, rest, rest"

There is no problem too big
God cannot solve it
There is no mountain too tall
He cannot move it

There is no storm too dark
God cannot calm it
There is no sorrow too deep
He cannot soothe it

Oh, if He carries the weight of the world upon His shoulders
Oh, I know my brother that He will carry you
Oh, if He carries the weight of the world upon His shoulders
Oh, I know my sister that He will carry you
I know my brother and I know my sister that He will carry you

"I just want to punch Satan in the face!"‏

Hey everyone! 

I want to share a bunch of funny things to start this letter out and then I will get into what the title is all about.  My companion is hilarious.  There is never a dull moment in our flat.  Most of the laughter comes from the lack of English or the lack of understanding on my part.

#1 We have a less-active that just got a job in a night club.  When we got home later that night Sister Tomaki said, "I'm scared to work in a club." I didn't get what she was saying and made her say it two more times.  Finally she said, "Work. in. the. club. like what Keely does."  Then it clicked and I said, "Oooohh I thought you said 'walk in the could' and I was going to say I'm scared to die too Sister Tomaki!"  She laughed and laughed because it was my fault this time not understanding her English even though it was perfectly clear.  I was just tired I guess. 

#2 Sister Tomaki is reading the Book of Mormon daily to help with her understanding and English.  She has just reached the Isaiah chapters in 2nd Nephi.  Everyday when I ask her what she learned in her personal study she just stares at the chapter she read and says, "I don't like Isaiah."  Then we go over what she read and I try to explain Isaiah.  We got to chapter 16 and it talks about Isaiah having 'unclean lips' and how he received a remission of his sins.  When she realized that it was talking about Isaiah she said, "Oh he was the one with unclean lips.  No wonder his words make no sense!"  

#3 You know you are doing language study right when your companion goes from reading a General Conference talk to singing a song by Shakira.  The sentence went like this, "Being spiritually prepared means we have developed spiritual stamina mina aye aye waka waka aye aye!"  She didn't skip a beat.  I laughed so hard I cried and my stomach hurt.  Sister Tomaki is the greatest!  :)

#4  We were at choir practice on Thursday, Grandma was talking about transfers and Sister Tomaki started pointing to the missionaries and said, "Innie minnie miney mo, you're the one who's going to go!"  We all cracked up laughing!  She is determined that that is how President picks where people go sometimes. 

Its moments like this that helped us get through the week we just had.  We visited with the Greentree's on Friday.  We had a good lesson with them about the Priesthood.  After the lesson Phil excused his kids and we sat and talked with him and Tash for another good 30 minutes.  Phil found out that he has to undergo a operation in about 2 weeks time.  It doesn't have anything to do with the accident up in the mines.  It was just a little much to have to get that news along with going through the trauma of the accident and all.  We talked about relying on the Lord with everything.  They all fasted with us this week to help them get through their trials.  The kids are still progressing well but it is affecting everyone in a different way.  We left their house just so mad.  Not at anything in particular but just the fact that Satan is trying so hard to bring them down.  Once this family is in the gospel fully there is no taking them out.  They will be incredible missionaries to those around them that have already seen the changes within them.  They will be a mighty force in strengthening the Kingdom of God.  We drove home and I had a good little cry.  

 

We had got a text from Nikau just before we went into the Greentrees and I knew that something had happened to him just by the way his text was phrased.  I tried to call him back but he didn't answer.  I called his mum and talked with her.  I told her that we would be over to sort him out after we finished our lesson with the Greentrees.  Sure enough Satan was working really hard to bring Nikau down too.  Nikau is amazing.  I have no other words to describe him.  He has made amazing changes in the last 3 weeks.  He is happy and is moving forward in the gospel.  I found out this week that he is going to get the Melchezidik Priesthood on the 31st of this month at Stake Conference.  I flipped out just a little when I got that text message.  I feel like I am part of this family.  Nikaus is like my brother.  I cry when he cries.  I laugh when he laughs.  I love that kid and want only the very best for him.  He was going so well and then one little thing happened that could have turned into a major setback to his progression.  We pulled up to the Mutus that night and mum asked if she wanted us to go see if he would come out of his room.  I asked her if we could try and go talk to him.  She said we could and we went in and sat by his bed.  Sister Tomaki tried to talk to him and he just buried his face into his blanket.  I said, "Two can play that game Nikau and I'm prepared to stay here all night if I have to."  We eventually got him talking and discussed everything from deep concerns to really just over all wanting to punch Satan in the face.  I was able to share, through more tears, how Satan knows exactly how to get us down.  As we left the Greentree home and pit stopped at our house for a cry before going to Nikaus I couldn't help but have the thought come into my head that said, "If you were a little bit more obedient this week, if you were a harder working missionary, if you loved a little more, if you blah blah blah then these trials wouldn't have happened to these people."  I know that was a lie.  I know that that was just Satan's way of trying to bring me down so that I couldn't help those around me up to higher ground.  I was just mad that he would even try to bring me down.  These people mean sooooo much to me that even the thought that I couldn't help them made me completely forget my pity and move on to help the next person.  

 

When we are trying our hardest that is when our temptations and such get stronger and stronger.  We will come out on top.  This battle is already over.  Satan knows he is going to lose.  I don't know about you but I don't want to be doing anything that puts me on a losing team.  Fasting is amazing.  It brings spiritual strength that you can't get anywhere else.  Our fast and testimony meeting was incredibly powerful yesterday. I'm so grateful for the Spirit.  It only teaches us truth.  Truth is was we need to focus on.  It builds faith and solidifies the foundation we are building our lives upon.  I love this gospel.  Through the atonement and the principles of the gospel we can find happiness in even the darkest of times.  I hope you all have felt that.  If you are in a dark spot then turn on a light.  Bring some happiness into your life through something in the gospel.  Read a verse of scripture, sing a hymn, anything!  It will help.  I hope you all enjoy your last week of summer!  I love you all!

Much love,
Sister Shayne

Alma

57:36 Always thinking about others

59:9 It is better to prepare and prevent then to repair and repent

60:23 Cleaning the inward vessel first.  If we repent and put our life of the right path then we can easily reach out an help others. 

61:13 Trust in God

62:40 Prayer saves the day again.

62:49 Stay humble and remember God at all time.

Helaman

3:35 Stronger humility and firmer faith.  We all need that.

4:24-25 What can we do to have the Spirit more?

5:9 The only way back is through Jesus Christ

5:10-11 We are saved from sin, not in our sins.

5:30 The still small voice! 

5:47 Peace, peace be unto you

The wonderful Mandurah District :) 

E. Hereaka, E. Maughan, S. Tomaki, S. Beckstrand, E. Wihongi,

Nikau Mutu, E. Teuira. 

 This is what happen when your Vanuatu companion is missing home and you can't fall asleep.  She does your hair and you stay up talking for hours. haha :)  It was awesome!

More photos.   She is talented.  When I took it out this morning I looked like a lion :)