Last week!‏

Hey everyone!

What a great week to end on!  So many revelatory moments this week.  We had an amazing Zone Meeting on Tuesday.  President Lindsay came and gave training.  We were pretty sure it was going to be on obedience but it was on our divine nature as children of God.  We talked about the best ways to receive personal revelation.  The thing that hit me the most was about how in order to receive revelation we have to act.  Joseph Smith didn't ask which church is true he asked which church he should join.  He also studied it out before he acted.  If you want to receive revelation then you need to prepare yourself for it.
 

It's been an incredible week to reflect on the last year and a half of life.   We talked about who we see in the mirror when we get up in the morning.  I'm excited to see how much you all think I have changed when you see me this week.  I don't feel any different but I know that so much has changed within me.  It's been amazing to look back on.  We studied with the Sisters in Kwinana this week.  That made me realize how much I've learned and grown.  I felt so humbled to have them just soaking in whatever Sister Faiva and I said.  They wrote a lot of what we said in their Preach My Gospels and notebooks.  I can't say it enough but this whole journey has been incredibly humbling.  You never know who is looking up to you and what you do.

The young men have had all of the missionaries at youth activites for the last few weeks. One week we just shared why we served and gave advice on how to prepare to serve.  The next week we did a relay race where we had them search the scriptures, do push-ups, tie a tie, and take/put on bike tires.  This week was great!  We went and were the team captains of the red team.  Each team was given certain food items to cook up.  Well our team was definitely super unified.  Each boy actually helped cut and cook up amazing pasta and hand made garlic bread.  I thought we did pretty good.  We had ripped up a tank top and gave each boy a red strip of fabric to tie around their heads.  We had the best team outfit for sure.  haha  Those young men are amazing.  They will all make amazing missionaries.

Saturday was the best day ever.  We woke up super early and got ready for a mission devotional.  We took the train with our Elders from Mandurah up to the Perth Underground station then took the bus to the temple for a 9am start.  We were assigned to be there at 8:15 to be studying by 8:30.  Elder S. Gifford Neilsen of the First Quorum of the Seventy came and visited Perth.  He has been recently assigned as the 2nd counselor of the Pacific Area Presidency.  President Lindsay had asked Elder Neilsen if he would come speak to all of the missionaries.  He was hilarious!  He was so down to earth.  We all walked through and shook his hand and then he stood up and said, "I'm so privileged to be here with all of you.  I may never shake this hand again."  He started off by asking what the Spirit had already told us this morning.  He said that if we have been on our knees in prayer that morning that the Spirit should have whispered something to us.  That had me really think back over my morning and the way I go about my morning prayers.  I've been very guilty of being that missionary that rolls out of bed onto the floor and usually struggles to keep my head off of the edge of the bed while I pray.  Sister Faiva is one of the missionaries that hears the alarm and get on her knees in her bed and prayers that way.  He told us that we should learn and grow wherever we go.  He asked us a lot of rhetorical questions that made us think heaps.  Questions like, "What do I have within me?"  "What can I become with the Lord's help?"  "Why are you here?"  That last question he actually opened up and asked us why we decided to serve.  Many answers were like, "To share the gospel with others."  "Because I know God love me and I want others to know that too."  "Because I want everyone to be in eternal families."  "Because Christ died for me and this is my way of living for Him."  There were many many answers and after every one Elder Nielsen would say, "That's right!" He spent a long time listening to everyone's answers and then he said, "I want you all to write this down.  All of your answers are correct but you are on a mission to become an amazing mother or father.  You are becoming cemented into the gospel now because you will need to live the gospel and how your children the way to receive the blessings of Salvation.  This is the only time you have to become that person under such intense circumstances as a mission.  You need to be the best missionary God knows you can be so that you can become the amazing mothers and fathers that God needs and intends you to be."  It was amazing to feel like a successful missionary. 

The whole meeting was exactly what I needed.  It was also so nice to see all of the missionaries.  Sister Tomaki nearly knocked me off me off my feet when we gave me a hug.  She is the best.  We were given specific instructions to not take photos or linger after the meeting so we weren't able to get any photos.  I was able to see Elder Wihongi, Elder Teuira, Elder Maughan, Elder Eti, Sister Tomaki and countless others.  It made my day!  Then that night Jordy and Sione took us to a buffet called the Atrium in the city.  It is part of a huge hotel called the Crown Hotel.  It was amazing!  We had so much fun with them this whole week.  Those two and Ina, Siones little brother, were like our best friends this week.  I love that family.  

Sunday was weird.  I still don't quite know how to feel about the fact that next Sunday I won't be at the Mandurah Ward.  The whole day was kind of like being in a twilight zone.  Bishop had Sister Faiva and I give final testimonies.  All of the members came up and said the nicest things to us.  I was offered rooms at like 3 different houses for when I come back and visit.  I love these people so much.  I'm going to miss them more then they know.  

I can't wait to see all of you.  I'm excited to see the boys play football, watch Josh in action with his running, and just spend time with Soph.  I look forward to seeing you all in just a few days!  Can't wait to get hugs from you all.  Have a great couple of days and I'll see you soon!               

Much love, 

Sister Shayne

Pictures:

Me and Faiva

My tired companion.  We've endured to the end!

We had an investigator in the Elders Area that Sister Faiva used to teach take us all out to dinner.  Elder Hereaka was eating a stake and is to strong for the cutlery.  He broke it and looked down at the plate and said, "What the heck!  These stupid pakia knifes!"  When the lady came to pick up our plates he said, "I'm sorry I broke your knife."  She just looked down at the knife and said, "Well I've never seen that before."  We all got a great laugh out of it.  This was another dinner with Sione, Ina, and Jordy.  So many fun memories with these three :) 

The Day family

The Waihi's  Who are coming to the states only a few days after me!  I'm excited to see them.  

Bishop Thane and Andrea

 

18 months :)‏

Hey everyone!
 
This week was again gone in the blink of an eye.  I feel like last
monday was forever ago though!  Saturday marked me being out for
exactly 18 months :)  What a crazy realization that was.   Well last
Monday we went and hung out with our zone.  We won a mission wide
challenge so the Assistants came and threw a zone p-day for us.  It
was kinda lame but the best part was a massive game of tug-a-war.
They brought this huge rope and we lined up.  We ended up doing the
Mandurah District plus Nikau and the Assistants vs the other 2
districts in our zone.  We won.  We were pretty stoked haha.  We
aren't competitive at all. :)

This week we went and studied with the Sisters in Waikiki.  It was
great.  We all did our own thing for personal study and then when it
came to companionship study it was just opened up for everyone to
share what they learned.  Then we asked them about the people in their
area.  They shared with us their concerns and the trials they are
facing with getting the work moving there.  We went through nearly all
of their people and gave suggestions and left them with commitments
to do with these people.  It was so fun to see the two sisters just
absorbing each and every word that came out of our mouths.  I don't
feel worthy to have that kind of admiration but it's cool to be the
senior sisters of the mission.  I feel like in many ways I've just got
the hang of it all but then seeing these new sisters just helps me see
that I've become someone far greater than I ever imagined I would.

We joined the Mutu painting crew this week and helped paint Ally's new
house.  Brother Mutu has his own painting business that Jordy and
Sione both work for.  Sione will probably take it over when dad
retires.  We all went to Ally's new house and got to work.  Manaia
gave us each a small bucket of paint and told us what to do.  I was in
charge of painting the bottom of all of the walls throughout the
house.  I just started and then Manaia brought me kneepads so that I
didn't kill my knees.  Later when mum showed up she looked at me and
said, "where did you get the kneepads?"  I told her that Manaia gave
them to me and she said, "He's never given me the kneepads!"  I just
smiled and said, "I'm telling you, secretly I'm his favourite!"  :)

Saturday was a day full of service!   We woke up and met the Elders at
a less active lady's home in Mandurah to help her move.  It was a
pretty easy move.  Since we were down those ways Aeronny took us out
for lunch and then we went and did some spring cleaning at her house.
Grandma was saying that Aeronny was supposed to clean out the garage
but took us to lunch instead.  I jumped up and headed straight for the
garage.  One hour later we had a very clean and organized garage, a
freshly mowed lawn and no weeds along the edges!  I felt pretty useful.
Then we headed to the Mutu's.  We helped mum plant a veggie garden in
the back.  While we were out there with Ally she said, "The
landscapers are coming to my house this next week.  I need to get rid
of the weeds before they come."  I just looked at her and said, "Let's
go!"  and we did!  haha I love being able to serve!  That's what I was
called to do!  Called to Serve :)

Sunday was great.  Church was fantastic.  Our speakers in sacrament
meeting bore powerful testimonies about the Book of Mormon.  We had
dinner at the Mutu's.  Mum and dad left this morning to go on a cruise
and won't be back until the 25th.  We just enjoyed each others company
and had a good night.  When it was time for us to go there were a lot
of tears shed.   We got photos of course.  I was picked to say the
closing prayer and struggled to not let tears fall.  Sister Mutu gave
me a big long hug and we just cried.  I'm going to miss her.  Trips
are being planned to see each other soon!  Then I went back into the
lounge to shake Manaia's hand.  I had tears running down my face and
he got up and gave me a big hug too.  So much love in that home.  It's
going to be hard to say good-bye to the rest of them next week.  I
know I'll always have a home here in Perth to come to.

I hope this is a good week for everyone!  Know that I am praying for
you always and I'm super excited to see you all next week!  :)  Keep
smiling.

Much love,
Sister Shayne
 
3 Nephi
26:10 Tia Greentree once told me that you must believe to receive.
How true is that here.
26:19-21 Wouldn't that be nice?
27:5 The name of Christ.  The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
27:20-21 Repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost.  That is the
gospel.  We just need to do it and then endure to the end!
All of chapter 27 actually is great!
Chapter 28.  I admire the dedication and diligence of the 3 Nephites
to want to continue the Lord's work always.
Chapter 30 speaks a commandment for all of us
 
4 Nephi
1:15 Love can overcome anything
1:35 In just one chapter a lot happens.  It covers many hundreds of
years but look how quickly they fell away just because they gave in to
whatever Satan dropped in their path.  I've seen this happen to too
many members and return missionaries.  The answer to anything that
ails you is Jesus Christ and His gospel.
 
 Photos :)
 
                              Me and the Mutus

Faiva, me, and the Mutus

Funny face.  Just cuz we could :)

       

Fullfilling the assignment‏

Hey everyone!

This week went by was too fast. I usually have a sticky note of things I want to tell you about but this week snuck away from me and I woke up this morning thinking, "Man what am I going to tell them about?" Just a blink and another week gone.

Well this week was pretty full-on by fulfilling our assignment as Sister Training Leaders. We gave training at Zone Meeting again on Tuesday. This week we gave more than half of the training. The Zone Leaders had us train on the importance of using the scriptures and teaching for understanding. You can't effectively teach someone if you are teaching them without the scriptures. My favourite thing that I've noticed about myself throughout my mission is the growth of my knowledge of the scriptures. If you had asked me about a specific story in the Book of Mormon that didn't involve Nephi or Abinadi then I wouldn't have known what you were talking about. My scriptural knowledge was very poor. I always said I would marry a scriptural giant because someone would need to teach the scriptures to our kids.  Sister Faiva in the middle of Zone Meeting complimented me on the fact that I don't just share a scripture with people but that I give a great detailed background of the scripture so that they understand why the scripture I am sharing is important and how it applies to them. I LOVE the scriptures. Especially the Book of Mormon. It amazes me that no matter how many times I read it I learn something different. When you study the scriptures with a prayer that you will learn something that you can apply to your life, the answer always comes. 

 This fast Sunday I did a lot of thinking about the next step in life and how I'll know what to do next. Later in  the day I was reading in the Book of Mormon and came across 3 Nephi 18:20. I use this scripture all the time when we teach people prayer but it hit me to the very core when I read it this time. The scriptures are amazing. We talk to God through prayer and I firmly believe He answers us through His written word. All commandments, guidance, comfort, etc that we could ever need in life are in the scriptures. If you doubt that, put it up to the challenge. I guarantee that the answer to any of life's problems or questions can be answered with the word of God. If you can't find an answer challenge me to find an answer :) I love studying to find answers. We had a less-active family that has made it a goal to try and stump me haha It's fun.

We did exchanges with the Sisters in our zone this week. Tuesday we exchanged with the Sisters in Waikiki. Sister Faiva went to Waikiki with Sister Pongi from Tonga. They had a blast together. I got to spend the day with Sister Allen from Portland. We had a bunch of lessons together. We also had a miracle! We have been trying to get into a less-actives home since I got into this area but she has either not been there or has been busy. Well Wednesday morning we went by and her husband answered the door. He said she was on the phone but that we could come in. We had a great chat with her and committed her to read from the Book of Mormon daily. She agreed and we have been sending her scriptures of the day every couple of days to keep her going. Good things are happening. Then on Saturday we did exchanges with Kwinana. Sister Philips from Escalante went to Golden Bay with Sister Faiva and I went to Kwinana with Sister Reynolds from Mona. She has only been out for 4 weeks. It was great to have her lead her area and see how much she has learned in just 4 weeks. We are by far the oldest Sisters in the zone. The other three sisters have been out for 6 months and then Sister Reynolds is brand new. Needless to say they look up to us in every way possible. It's weird having them ask me questions like, "How do you feel?" "What is your dying advice for us?" I don't feel like I'm that close to the end but they keep reminding me that it's just around the corner haha.

This was probably the best week for us this transfer work wise. Time flies when you are lost in the work. There is soo much left to do and soo little time to make it happen. I hope you are all having a fantastic week. Remember the little things make the biggest differnce. Love you all!

Much love,
Sister Shayne

Pictures
Ava always wears my shoes. It doesn't matter what pair I wear every
single time I take them off I have to tract them to make sure I know
where they end up haha. This picture she has my shoes and her mums
phone. She was super cute.

 

 

This is me and Sister Reynolds :)

 

 

It was Elder Battye Juniors birthday on Friday so Sister Faive baked him a cake and we went to lunch as a district with them and the other Elders.

Elder Battye Senior on the left served with me out in Kalgoorlie for the 3 months I was there. His cousin Battye Junior just turned 20.   They are an amazing duo.

 This photo was taken just after Nikau received the priesthood :) 

 He and Elder Teuira walked out and Ally caught this priceless moment.       Me and Nikau :)

 

Nikau and Elder Teuira - my brothers

Mutu family :)

3 Nephi
17:8 Do you ahve sufficient faith?
18:5 Our church has the authoity given from the Lord
18:25 He denied none to come unto HIm
19:20 I feel like the people we are blessed to teach and baptize are
those that are chosen from the world to have the gospel. This also
shows me the importace of why we close are prayers in the name of
Jesus Christ.
20:31 This book is another testament of Jesus Christ
I'm a little behind on my reading because we are doing another Book of
Mormon challenge as a mission and I've been trying to tackle both. I
promise that I will have finished it before I land home though. Keep
reading and building that testimony!

Such an incredible week‏!

Hey everyone!

This has been an incredibly crazy week.  Full of trials, celebrations, emotions, and fun.  The two main things that happened this week was our Missionary Leadership Meeting and Stake Conference. On Friday Sister Faivakimoana and I drove up to the mission home to join all of the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders for a monthly meeting to discuss the work in the mission.  I've had a lot of time to reflect this week. MLC was incredible. The last time I was at one of those meetings was nearly a year ago. It was amazing to look back and see what has changed in me and in the mission. I'm so grateful for the chances I have had to help so many people move forward in the gospel. The Greentree kids are so excited to go to the temple. They are keeping on to us to get their interviews with Bishop so they can go. It's amazing to see the change in people. I've deeply come to love the people of WA and especially here in Golden Bay.  At MLC they had me, Sister Faiva, and Sister Ensign all give our last testimonies.  It was super emotional.  I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to serve with both of them.  It was amazing to have a super charge of my purpose as a missionary.  We invite and help people get closer to God.  No better example of that this week then having Nikau get the Melchezidek Priesthood.  The atonement amazes me. I love seeing it change my life. I love seeing others change. This week Satan worked as hard as he could on Nikau.  On Wednesday we went over to the Mutu's to study with Nikau.  We got there and he just broke down to us about the struggles he has been going through.  He knew the adversary was going to work hard on him but he didn't realise how hard.  We had this saying all week that we just needed to make it to Sunday.  Once we make it to Sunday all will be good.  I wish you could see the change that I've seen in him in the last 8 months or so. Throughout the whole week we kept in contact with him mum and him to make sure that he was going to stay strong and receive the priesthood on Sunday. The change in him in the last 8 months is remarkable. Hearing his mum talk about his change always brings me to tears. I'm so grateful I was able to be a part of it all.  I'll come back to this story in a minute.  

 

Saturday night Sister Faiva and I along with our Zone Leaders gave a training at the adult session of Stake Conference.  President Johnson told us Tuesday that we would be giving training in front of all of the stake.   We were training on how members can be better missionaries.  We used quotes from Elder Bednar and Elder Ballard.  Elder Bednar said, "We properly pray for the safety and success of the full-time missionaries throughout the world. And a common element in many of our prayers is a request that the missionaries will be led to individuals and families who are prepared to receive the message of the Restoration. But ultimately it is my responsibility and your responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach. Missionaries are full-time teachers; you and I are full-time finders. And you and I as lifelong missionaries should not be praying for the full-time missionaries to do our work!"  We talked about every member can invite someone to hear the gospel.  We talked about living the gospel out loud.  When someone asks you how you are instead of just saying, "I'm tired." say, "I'm tired because I had a privilege of waking up at 5am to take my kids to seminary." By using what the Elders called "Mormon words" it opens doors for people to ask about the gospel and for us to testify.  Elder Ballard in the last conference invited all of us to invite our friends to learn and to deepen our own conversion by studying Preach My Gospel.  He said, "May I suggest that we can all be more consistently involved in missionary work by replacing our fear with real faith, inviting someone at least once a quarter—or four times every year—to be taught by the full-time missionaries. They are prepared to teach by the Spirit, with sincere and heartfelt inspiration from the Lord. Together we can follow up on our invitations, take others by the hand, lift them up, and walk with them on their spiritual journey.  To help you in this process, I invite all members, regardless of your current calling or level of activity in the Church, to obtain a copy of Preach My Gospel. It is available through our distribution centers and also online. The online version can be read or downloaded at no cost. It is a guidebook for missionary work—which means it is a guidebook for all of us. Read it, study it, and then apply what you learn to help you understand how to bring souls to Christ through invitation and follow-up. As President Thomas S. Monson has said, “Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto Him.”  We had a lot of members come up to us after and tell us we did a great job and how much they appreciated our training.  It wasn't half bad for less then a weeks notice. 

Sunday morning I was incredibly excited and nervous all at the same time.  Brother Light was bringing Aaron with his family.  Aaron loved conference.  Each person who came to conference was given a CD of songs that some missionaries compiled with the Stake President.  Aaron texted us later last night and said, "I have a new favourite CD.  I've been playing it all day! It's beautiful."  I teared up when I read that.  The gospel is so perfect.  I LOVE IT!  About 9:30 Sunday morning I was pacing the floor of the Performing Arts Centre where conference is held.   I texted Mum Mutu and asked her how Nikau was going.  She said, " He's good :) I'm so excited and sooky it's the best day ever :)  xxx see you soon."  When Nikau, mum and dad walked in I couldn't help just just smile from ear to ear.  They all looked so happy.  Dad was even in slacks and a button-up shirt!  For those of you who don't remember Manaia is not a member. He has come to church 5 times since I've been here. He went from not wanting to have anything to do with the church to coming to baptisms and church because he has seen the change in his son. Nikau's example is what will bring his dad into the gospel. It was a beautiful sight.  When they had those who were getting the priesthood stand up I teared up.  We were on the stand singing with the choir and I had a direct view of Nikau.  I just cried.  It was amazing to be there and be able to just think, "He did it.  He made it.  All of the tears, all the hard work, all of the turns and dips along the crazy roller coaster of a journey it was to get here, he made it."  It was an overwhelming feeling.  My heart was full of admiration.  When the conference ended we all made our way to a different room to see Nikau get the priesthood.  I'm not even going to try and explain the feeling in that room and Nikau walked up and sat in the chair to have the priesthood conferred upon him.  I was in tears.  I love this family.  I love that I have family here in WA.  They've taken part of my heart and I won't ever get it back.  I love this gospel.  I love being a missionary.  My prayers are with you all and I hope all is going well with yous.  Miss you and love you heaps! 

Much love, 

Sister Shayne

Pics:

Nikau and Elder Teuira.  He gave him the priesthood.  It was a really special moment for both of them.  They are like my brothers.  I love these two so much.  I don't they understand how much they mean to me.  They gave each other the biggest hug after and I just smiled because I was so proud of Nikau and just so happy that Elder Tueira had the opportunity to give him the priesthood.  

Mum, dad, and Nikau

 

Me and my mission sons Elder Maughan and Elder Daniel :)  These two are great! 

Look who was serving in Rockingham when Nikau was baptized!!!!
Someone please forward this to Ryan!
We had a freak out this week at the Mutu's when we pulled up this
photo and I saw that it was Ryan. Cool aye! :)  -Penny note - Ryan and Shayne are cousins!

 

More pictures to come next week after Ally edits and emails them to me :) 

3rd Nephi

10:6 he will always welcome us back as we are humble enough to repent and return to Him

11:7, 10-11 Imagine how amazing it would be to hear these verses in person.

11:15 Put yourself in their shoes.  One by one. 

11:22-28 The last thing He told the apostles was to baptise in Matthew 28:18-20 and here it is the first thing He tells them when He returns. 

11:39 We must know, understand, and apply the doctrine to be saved. 

13:8,32 Heavenly Father knows. 

13:22 See footnote to D&C 88:67-68

14:13-14 One of my favourite scriptures

15:9 The law and light = eternal life

15:212 These are them!  John 10:16