Week 78 - Haere Ra Aotearoa!

Kia Ora!

Well this week has been crazy, wonderful, spirit-filled, and MEAN. We scrambled around all week planning and preparing for Ava Stone's baptism!! It was awesome. Her grandfather came and baptized her, half the ward showed up, and nonmembers were grinning the whole time. Ava has been ready for so long, and we have been having family home evenings nearly every week. I love their family! It was awesome to see her confident and so happy.

I don't really know how to wrap up 18 months into one email but it has been unreal. The time has gone faster than I could have imagined. I have learned how to love my Heavenly Father better, my Saviour deeper, myself, and others much more. Charity has probably been my biggest lesson. I'm far from charitable but I have gained a greater understanding of its importance. I have learned how the Spirit speaks to me. I have received a testimony of my Saviour's love, and of the trust I need to place in Him daily. I know without a doubt that this gospel is the true gospel of Jesus Christ restored by the prophet Joseph Smith. There is nothing more important than living the gospel. Everything else will fall into place!

The people of New Zealand will always have a special place in my heart.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OUT HERE!

Arohanui and Ka Kite ANO,
Sister Machen

Week 77 - Jan. 22, 2017 - Best Week Eva

Malo!!

Craziest week of my life. Well to start off, Monday we left for Hamilton to attend my last MLC. We had the opportunity of being taught by a visiting General authority, Elder Cardon of the Pacific Area Presidency. It was super cool. Like wow. He is SO IN TUNE. He would be talking about one thing and then all of a sudden stop and say no, let's actually talk about this complete opposite thing. It was funny seeing President Cummings so nervous and unsure about what was going to happen next haha. But the next day, Wednesday, we were met by the rest of our zone and 4 other zones in Tauranga for a zone conference where we were taught and edified and inspired for the WHOLE day. He had asked us to prepare a 3 min talk on what we have learned from PMG ch. 4 recognizing the spirit and be prepared to share. Of course he left it for the last thing so the whole conference everyone was squirming and nervous about who would be picked. But I felt the spirit so strongly as he taught and as he testified. He touched a little bit on repentance and this is what stood out most to me. That repentance is not just stopping bad behavior, it is seeing the Savior standing between us and impending justice. We have to recognize that without Him, we would be completely subject to the consequences of our sins. Thank goodness we are not.

We arrived home very late on Wednesday night and were full on the rest of the week, catching up with investigators, teaching lessons, and preparing for some very special upcoming events! Then to top it all off, we had a special zone fast yesterday for some of the missionaries in our zone who have been struggling with health problems and as we came together to close our fast on Sunday night, it was one of the most powerful experiences I have had with feeling the power of the spirit and the priesthood. After the prayer, the sick ones received blessings from a circle of Elders. I just had the thought of how special that moment was and how the opportunity to witness such an event doesn't come very often. I am so grateful to still be a missionary, to feel the spirit each and everyday and to watch the gospel change people. I know it is true and that it is the most important work upon the face of the earth!

Much AROHA.
Sister Machen

Reunited again with Sister Taylor and her new trainee sister Keaton! (my granddaughter who POLE VAULTS-so proud)

My favorite mission grandparents from Tauranga came to visit me at church

Gisborne zone in the middle of the gorge to sing HBD to sister Teihotu

Week 76 - Jan. 15, 2017 - Too Hot to Function

Tolaga Bay - Longest Wharf in the Southern Hemisphere

Hey fam.

This week was sooo hot. I don't know why but everything requires so much more strength when it's hot. But I like the heat more than the cold so it was alright. We had miracles this week!! We have been teaching this lady, Rhonda, for months and months with very slow progress. She has some memory loss problems that make it hard for her to remember the lessons. But we got her a BOM story book and she is more than halfway done, and she is remembering things and she shared that she is feeling really good lately and she has finally decided to fully keep the word of wisdom. She has been so much happier since she has decided to stop. It was good for me to see that the gospel truly is for everyone, that it can change anyone who lets it in.

Had a powerful lesson on families and temples with a PM family that I just LOVE and were able to set a date for their baptism. Man the spirit was so strong. Families are eternal. I was also able to go on exchanges to the other ward with a Canadian sister and that was fuuun! I gained a great love for my own area haha, but we were able to see great things happen for them by following the spirit! The last thing was my epiphany yesterday about life. "The easiest way to live is the gospel." Wise words to ponder this week!

I love you all and hope you are living to your fullest potential in the gospel.
Ofa lahi atu!
Sis.

These pics are from Tolaga Bay last pday, the longest wharf in the southern hemisphere (600 meters).

Wanted to jump off so bad. One day.

Week 75 - Jan. 8, 2017 - Another One Down

Hi FAM.

This week was good to get back into the normal swing of things - the holidays are over so people were back at home and more sober to talk to! We had a ton of miracles this week with finding new investigators, we just seem to be building our teaching pool like crazy but we now need to help these new people actually make changes and progress. The hard part. I have felt a great urgency this last week to just do my best and make every moment count and I think I ran my companion into the ground... She was super sick the past two days coughing and blah blah so I had to repent and let her rest. Ugh.

We had a great lesson with a new investigator on the restoration, she has been taught by a couple missionaries previously but something always came up and her mom threw out her Book of Mormon and all this drama. The lesson we had was super spiritual and she told us that she felt the spirit in that lesson more than she ever had before and that she was so happy we had decided to look her up and track her down. (This is the former that we caught right before she was moving to another house and would have been lost forever.) But she was so joyful about the message of the restoration and it was really refreshing for me. I also got to read a bit on church history this week and the enthusiasm of the early missionaries is so inspiring! Like guys, we really do have the greatest message of all time!

Anyway, hope you all are keeping up with your goals and making time each day for the Saviour!
Love you heaps!

Ofa atu,
Sister Machen

Week 74 - Jan. 1, 2017 - Happy New Year

Welcome 2017!

Kia Ora Fam,

Well this New years was pretty cool. We went to bed on time as we were directed, but we woke up early to watch the sunrise because - get this - Gisborne NZ is the first place to see the sun. Therefore, I saw the first light of 2017!!!! So cool. Pics to prove.

We ate a lot, talked to a lot of people, and didn't sleep enough this week. There was a massive music festival/rager here for 4 days called rhythm&vine, where people come from all over the world, so we met people from all over the place and the traffic was ridiculous for such a small town. But mostly we tried to stay out of the car so it was stinkin' hot!

We got a lot of new potentials/investigators this week, though, so I'm really excited for our teaching pool to grow. One sad/interesting story is our investigator that we've been working with since I got to this area dropped us. She is the one that prayed about the book of mormon and right then and there she felt warmth in her heart that she said felt like Jesus's hand. But in the past few months she has moved into a good place, gotten herself a job, been blessed with some family coming back into her life and so many other things. She had been realizing that all that was blessings for her obedience and finding God. But just like in the BoM, the pride cycle hit. She called us to come over and basically denied that any of her spiritual experiences were confirming truth of the BoM and Joseph Smith but they were just witnesses of Christ. It was really sad to see a precious soul turn away after all that but at the same time I felt such peace knowing I had done my very best studying, teaching and praying for her. Agency is sometimes a missionary's worst enemy haha. But I know one day she will come back when she gets a little humbling.

One last thing, I got bullied by our stake president into eating mussels yesterday for only the second time on my mission (i have avoided them like the plague). But they were actually bearable and now I'm the stake president's favorite missionary muahaha.

Okay bye!! The church is true! I love the mission! I love these crazy people and this beautiful country!

Sunrise 1-1-2017

First Sunrise of 2017

Week 73 - Dec. 24-25, 2016 - Christmas

Dec. 24, 2016

Hey, I can Skype now or whenever... is everyone there and ready or what?


[We were all here and got to Skype with Sister Machen!]



Dec. 25, 2016

Merry Christmas!!

Hope you all had a great one. Good to see the fam yesterday! My week in pictures:

The Zone

Caroling in front of a Stranger's House

reunited with sister taylor!!!:)))

Yay Christmas!

Week 72 - Dec. 18, 2016 - Merry Christmasssss

Sister Soane and ME! (Thanks, Mom)

Kia Ora Fam,

So, just a run down of the past two weeks, Theresa was baptized! She's so funny but the pictures are attached. It was really cool and the spirit was so strong when the actual ordinance was being performed. Such a sweet spirit.

The power cut had everyone panicking, we had another one yesterday for five hours so church was delayed until 3 and like no one showed up so that was weird. But we still had our investigators there and a miracle happened! So we went out for rescue night on Thursday and decided to do some Christmas caroling in honor of the Light the World campaign, we went to some less actives and some of our investigators and they LOVED it! Apparently caroling doesn't really happen around here. But everyone we went caroling to, came to church on Sunday!! That's the beauty of song. And one family of nine came and brought some of their nonmember family. So miracles! We sang at rest homes and special needs centers and everyone we sang to was so happy. So this week I encourage you all to go caroling. (Dad just don't take your trumpet, or the chimes mom).

Other miracles happened on Saturday when we contacted heaps of former investigators and found many prepared souls. One pretty keen girl was moving out just as we pulled up and if we hadn't gone right then, she would have been lost for a lot longer. Heavenly Father works in marvelous ways. Hope you all continue to Light the World this last week leading up to Christmas and do as much good as possible! The season is all about Christ our Savior. Not the presents or the chocolate, but about worshipping the Son of God. He Lives!!

Ofa atu, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sister Machen

The fun we have been having... good thing I brushed!

Our star fellow shippers who are both leaving to serve:(

THERESA'S BAPTISM!

Olaf the sandman

Week 71 - Dec. 13, 2016 - I'm Alive!

HI GUYS!

Just in case you we were wondering if I'm still alive... yes I am!
So there was a crazy plane crash outside of Gisborne city that took out 800 meters of power lines... so the whole place was out of power for like 34 hours. People were going crazy. And on top of that, some crazy guy predicted there was gonna be a massive earthquake yesterday. (It didn't happen.)

We had an amazing week, Theresa got baptized! I have no time today cause we need to go out and SAVE SOULS. But I will update you all next week!

Just know I'm alive and still grinding. And due to my great survival skills, my companion and I didn't go hungry.

The work is great.
God is real.

Ofa atu!
Sister Machen

Week 70 - Dec. 4, 2016 Don't Forget to EAT!

Sister Soane and Me loving the beach

Hello family!!

This week was interesting, I truly gained a testimony of the word of wisdom... The part about eating healthy haha. We only had two meals with members this week and were left up to ourselves the rest of the days. Usually we can get by on cereal and other quick foods but this week my energy was draining fast, then coming into fast Sunday without a proper meal the night before, I thought I was actually going to die. I was grumpy at church, impatient, and tired... aka hangry. I pretty much knew the reason behind my sour attitude but I couldn't (or wouldn't) change it until 5pm when I ate dinner. So when the time hit five, I put on a mean feed for my companion and myself. Pretty much the best meal I have ever cooked in my life and it was healthy too. The rest of the evening I was cheerful, enthusiastic and felt like the world was put right. Therefore, the word of wisdom. It's not just about staying away from bad things, but fueling your body with good things.

That's basically the most interesting thing that happened this week (it was a slow week), besides zone conference! We got taught about making decisions by the spirit and better following promptings, as well as sifting and sorting through God's eternal truths and Satan's lies. Satan wants us to believe we aren't good enough, we can't do it, it's okay to judge people, and other negative things that stop us from progressing. We need to focus on what is true from Heavenly Father, and then we will be better prepared to face the world's trials and temptations.

ALSO, the Christmas thing (#LighttheWorld) is awesome so I hope all of you are participating and sharing it all over social media and getting your friends to go to mormon.org!!!

Ko ilo oku mo'oni a siasi! OFA LAHI ATU!

Sister Machen

Gisborne Zone!

Week 69 - Nov. 27, 2016 Thanksgiving and Earthquakes

The newest hooligans

Malo e Lelei!

Well this week was not all about Thanksgiving. I made some pumpkin bars from a mix I got sent in a package from our ward (shout out to Mapleton 1st!). So I shared that with my district but the islanders all thought they were weird and gross and pumpkin should only be a vegetable haha. For thanksgiving I decided to have a feast... so I got a five dollar meal from KFC and was satisfied!

In other news, there was another earthquake here, and I FELT IT! It was crazy. We were sitting in someone's house and the lights were swinging and it was so strange. The locals keep saying that there is a big one coming really soon and probably a tsunami to follow. Yikes! Good thing the Lord protects His servants. It has been SO hot this week, we saw a house fire, and decided to eat lunch on the beach.

The highlight of the week has probably been working with our investigator, Theresa. She walks to church every Sunday, walks to BoM class, walks to sports night, walked to a baptism on Saturday. She carries her BoM everywhere, even into town when she goes shopping. She is so cool! One of those that does everything herself and just needs us to teach her the lessons. But I have learned a big lesson in humility from her. Despite having barely anything, she has the greatest faith in the Lord's promises. She has lost 8 children and is still so positive and excited for the day when she can have them all back. She not only believes in Christ, she BELIEVES Him. She knows the blessings WILL come if she is faithful. Love that lady.

Well as December 1st is just around the corner, I invite all of you to go to mormon.org and watch the Light the World message and DO IT! Everyday until Christmas you can be a light in some way. The 25 day challenge is on! Have a great week!

Ofa Atu!
Sister Machen

Happy days on the beach, summer is here!!

Crazy house fire

Week 68 - Nov. 20, 2016 Transfers!

Kitten that is named after me! (The owner described her as feisty.. s/o to my brothers haha)

Malo e Lelei!

Sooo yes I got a new companion! Sister Lavaka got transferred to South Auckland (tears) and I received Sister Soane (another Tongan). She came out with Sis Lavaka so it's like the same exact thing! Not really... But she is awesome and we get along great and miracles happen everyday.
Pretty much the only thing I can think of is how much I hate fleas. We got invaded and now I am constantly itchy and annoyed haha. But I think they will soon all be gone... The worst. Ever.

A recently returned missionary spoke in church yesterday about the many ways the gospel fulfills its purpose of bringing happiness to each of our lives. It was really powerful and you can tell this sister was truly changed by her mission. Even 4 weeks after getting home she is the same as when she first stepped off the plane. I understand more now how each spiritual experience we have or each moment the holy ghost touches our hearts is one that should add to our testimony and should be remembered with gratitude. That if we forget our experiences then our faith and testimony will weaken. As we keep our baptismal covenant to always remember the Savior we will never go astray. Well that's it. Hope you all are continually treasuring up the words of eternal life!!

Ka kite and ofa atu!
Sister Machen

I heart NZ

Sister Lavaka's last supper

Week 67 - Nov. 13, 2016 Earthquake?

Malo!

I'm alive! I slept through the earthquake... yet again. So yes, we're all fine and dandy. Just have to stay away from the beach.. it's practically our backyard but all good. This week we had SO much going on. Took another trip up to Hamilton at the beginning of the week, had a blast on exchanges, prepared for our baptism that we couldn't go to because it took place back in my last area (ironic), had three activities to coordinate/invite everyone to, got dropped and picked up again, etc.

So two main experiences, the first was on exchanges. I was in my area with Sister Clegg, and I have really been trying to focus on following the spirit better. So after about 15 minutes of trying to find a certain person's house I finally gave up and said well I guess we're not supposed to see her today. Then as I was trying to decide where to go instead, my companion suggested we pray. Right after the prayer a name came into my head, but I thought she was out of town. We went anyway and sure enough she was still away. So I kind of shook my fist at myself for not getting what Heavenly Father wanted us to do. So we decided to knock some doors around her house, and nothing. When we first pulled up, someone had pulled into a neighboring driveway and was sitting in their car. Now knocking on people's doors isn't fun, but knocking on people's cars is dreadful. But that was the only person we could see. So we went and talked to this couple. During our conversation the woman rolled her eyes and went inside the house, but by the end of the conversation this man was asking questions about prayer and setting up a return appointment for us. So cool! Anyway that was long for such a small miracle but it was big for me. The spirit leads you to places where people are not interested so God knows He can trust you to still follow Him when there are people ready.

The second thing was on Saturday our investigator, Mama called us and dropped us. She wanted to find out the truth about Joseph Smith and prophets but felt she needed to time on her own to do it. I left my witness of the BOM with her and our love and we hung up. About an hour later she texts us saying that as soon as she "let us go" she felt Jesus leave her. Then she asked for a ride to church because the only place she feels Jesus is in the Mormon church. I wanted to laugh and cry and punch something. Heavenly Father must have so much patience.

Well that's about it! This work is miraculous, life-changing, and so demanding. And it's true. I love it. I love you all, have a great week!

Ofa Atu,
Sister Machen

So much love in this home.

I'm serving in Paradise!

Nasya got baptized! (not that day)

Driving up the coast

Week 66 - Nov. 6, 2016 Miracles Galore

P-days at the beach!

Malo!

This week was so cool! We were like running from appointment to appointment. And then a miracle happened! So we have a Book of Mormon class every week and one of our recent converts brought her friend that had just moved in. He loved the class! SO we went to follow up a few days later and he opened the door and asked, "how do I become a member of your church?" (internal tears of joy). So we went in and taught him a first lesson with his member friend. He came to church on Sunday and BORE HIS TESTIMONY(his member friend was so scared of what he would say haha). Then after church we took a recently returned missionary sister to a lesson with him. It turned out to be one of the most powerful lessons I have been a part of. My companion has pretty broken English, but she recited the first vision perfectly and clearly and the spirit was palpable. The room was so silent. It was amazing! And so as he accepted a date for baptism, he turned to his friend and exclaimed, "YES!" with a fist pump. I've never seen someone so excited to be baptized so early on and it was definitely an experience to remember. Anyway, other than that there were many miracles that I can't even count. Our golden investigator, Mama, found out she won't be baptized for 6 more months, but it didn't stop her faith. She is already fellow shipping our other investigators and teaching her nonmember friends. Gisborne is the golden area. I love being a missionary and seeing wonderful changes take place in people's lives.

One last fun story, we went to lunch at a Tongan family's home in our ward and we had two big roasted pigs... Sadly I was given the chair right next next to where the pigs were being carved and got covered in blood and guts when the dad chopped the pig head off with the machete. Pretty gross. But the pork was delicious.

Have a great week, love you all!
Sister Machen

I ironed my companions hair... 

The District

Week 65 - Oct. 30, 2016

Hello hello!

Well just a follow up on last week, the temple was SOOO awesome and the next day we were exhausted but the week and the work didn't stop! We had exchanges this week, and I was able to learn a lot from Sister Teihotu. She came out with me and is from Tahiti and her english is sooo fluent now. It's so cool to see the gift of tongues in action. We had lots of lessons this week and had like 6 different members come out with us. Member missionary work IS possible people, I see it every day here. That's basically the biggest miracle lately, the members are amazing. Tradeoffs every week, referrals for people who area actually ready to receive the gospel. I love it!
I can't think of much else to write about, its been raining... But here're some pics of the temple last Monday!!!

Ofa atu,
Sister Machen

Aunty Alwyn and Marissa Falaniko!!

Add 

Her only missionaries left in the mission-Me and Elder Anhder (helped teach her)

Week 64 - Oct. 23, 2016 Temple with Aunty!

HI FAMILY!

SO I'm currently emailing in Hamilton because I just came out of the TEMPLE WITH AUNTY ALWYN!!! (remember from the beginning of my mission?) Well she received her endowment today and it was like top three most sweet experiences I have had on my mission. That's saying something. I think I can understand a bit more how my parents might have felt when I went through and that is pretty cool. And I got to see the mom of another little girl we baptized in my first area and she is now active and the relief society president and came as aunty's escort. Pretty amazing day. Another good thing this week was interviews! SO that's when I begged president to let me drive the 6 hours to Hamilton for this special day. He's a very generous mission president. :)

Well I don't have any time cause we have to drive back now but I had a cool experience with our investigator Mama this week. We came to teach her and prepare her for the baptismal interview and she had some concerns about Joseph Smith and the prophet today, she didn't quite know for sure that they were true prophets. So we said we would come back and teach her more. The next day we came and she tells us don't worry about it, she knows they are men of God and that this church is the true church, without a doubt. I was so shocked. But she told us she had been researching online (I freaked out inside) on the church website (phew) and she could not believe how much persecution the saints went through and still go through. She knew that only God's true church would have to wade through so much tribulation from the adversary. I thought that was such a good point. The saints went through so much to uphold their beliefs and fight for freedom that they truly testified in giving their lives for the cause. And these were people that had very close associate with Joseph Smith. Cool stuff. I agree with Mama, the church is SO legit. I love it. Have a great week!

Ofa atu,
Sister Machen

ps pics next week

Week 63 - Oct. 16, 2016 Transferred to Gisbourne!

Road Trippin' with Sister Teihotu

Malo e lelei!

Guys. I love Gizzy. It's a golden area! This week was great. Last Monday straight after emails we had to head up towards Hamilton for MLC on Tuesday. My companion was sick so I took up Sister Teihotu to stay the night in... Tauranga! I just left that place but got to go back for a bit, it was awesome. We stayed the night with the STL there, Sister Johnson, and early the next morning she and I made the rest of the trip to Hamilton. It's been a long time since I've been at MLC and all the mission leaders are like... so young! And I barely knew any of them, it was weird. But after a great meeting we got back to Tauranga too late to make the 5 hour trip back to Gisborne so we stayed another night and finally got home on Wednesday. I didn't like being away from my area so long, but the drive was gorgeous and the meeting was so good! So this week feels short. But Thursday we had zone meeting, Friday we sang at the rest home, Saturday we cut our investigator's lawn (& my finger) with a machete, had 7 investigators at church on Sunday and are preparing 4 FHE's today. Seriously. I love this place. I love being busy! I'm really never leaving. This week I've been studying a lot about Joseph Smith, it has been a humbling and sacred experience as I have seen my testimony transform. I'm SO grateful for Joseph Smith and the sacrifice

s he made to usher in the Restoration of the gospel. No wicked man could do it, and no good man would, unless he were commanded by God to do so. He was! Anyway I hope you all have a great week and enjoy fall while I enjoy the sun. SUMMER IS COMING!!

Ofa atu,
Sister Machen

Reppin' Gizzy

Week 62 - Oct. 2, 2016

Just Chillin' in Paradise

Heller heller (read in an Australian accent),

Well this week will be transfers but President likes to wait til the very last minute to tell us what's happening so you'll know if I'm here again or gone next week! But Sister Kendal only has 6 weeks left of her mission so if I stay I'll have stayed here for a total of 9 months... I don't know how I feel about that prospect haha. But this week was awesome!! We met with our investigator Katie for the second time and she was so excited to see us (rare) and it was just such a cool experience. There is such a difference between the sincere seekers of truth and people who just want to waste the Lord's time. And she also let us make noise on her drums which was cool.

The only session of conference I've seen is the women's session and it was AWESOME. Like most of my questions were already answered so I'll have to come up with some more for the rest of conference. I just love the gospel. I felt such an urgency from our leaders to have a better understanding of the doctrine of Christ and be bold in standing up for our beliefs. It is no longer the time to sit idly by, we must speak up and speak out!!

I played the piano in sacrament yesterday and came up with a bomb analogy for my terrible playing. If we only go to our piano lessons once a week with no practicing in between, we will make very slow progress if any. Just like the gospel, if we only go to church on Sunday but never put into practice the gospel throughout the week (ie. scripture study, prayer, home and visiting teaching, service, temple worship) then it will benefit us but little. The genius of this gospel is the personal application EVERYDAY. That's the key people. I love it. I know it's true.
I love you all!

Sister Machen

The District

That one time I actually won at bowling

Week 61 - Sept. 25, 2016

Hello family!

Daylight savings happened here in New Zealand so now I'm really confused about what time it is back home but I assume you are home from church and now have one hour to write me while I'm still emailing:) I expect to hear from all of you!!

This week went so fast. We went on exchanges and had some really cool experiences. We had a zone conference with President Cummings and got great training. And we did more service in the ward garden!
On exchanges I was with a new missionary who was leading her area and we had a lesson with a CRAZY lady. I went into this set appointment only knowing that she was "blunt and a little rude." She proceeded to smash us, the church, God, Jesus, and the BoM for nearly 40 minutes. Whatever we said she shot down, my favorite line was directed at me, "You will never know what I have been through little lady." The trainee I was with was awesome, she showed such love to this woman who really truly hated us. Finally Sister Welker spoke up and expressed her love for the lady, told her we would be here when she was ready and testified of God's love and concern for each of us. And then we left. I was so proud of this missionary! Afterwards I felt no unkind feelings for the lady, I just felt really sad for her. She doesn't see how much Our Father loves her, and all of His children. But we as missionaries can only help those who want to be helped. And pray for those with hard hearts.

Zone conference was cool! I was shocked at how many missionaries I didn't know... all the ones I know are home haha. But we were reminded of our commission to "teach Repentance, and Baptize Converts." I loved what we learned about repentance, that it is truly getting rid of the bad, and improving the good. We need that repentance everyday to become more and more like our Savior Jesus Christ. I know it is possible through His enabling power.
Hope everyone has a great week!

Arohanui,
Sister Machen

Week 60 - Write Me Family

I play the guitar now

Hello hello!

Another week that felt like a day. This week I was sick for the first time on my mission (I have been so blessed), but it wasn't even bad. Anyway, for like three days just ONE eye would randomly get all red and start leaking (thanks mom) and people would get all concerned that I was getting emotional and whatnot. It was just annoying. But I still saw many miracles with my one good eye.. aha so funny.

We found a new investigator couple, Kelly (male) and Katie, and we taught them the Restoration the very next day. It was one of the best lessons I have ever had on my mission. When we introduced the Book of Mormon, right away Kelly was like, "Oh I want to read that book!" And I was like wut. Speechless. It was so cool. And was an experience that I haven't had in a very long time.

We had an opportunity to be with a big less-active family that was remembering their sister that passed away two years ago, and the only active one (the grandfather) asked us to share some thoughts to his children and grandchildren about the plan of salvation. I was able to see the effects of straying from the gospel in a family that once knew the truth and I was just so grateful for my own family and the fact that we LIKE to be together and the principles of the gospel are a normal and daily thing. That family had forgotten and was treating lightly the precious truths of the gospel. It was a stark contrast to my own and I just hope those of us who do have the blessings of gospel in our families do not take it for granted!

Lastly, last week we taught primary about missionary work and invited them to share the gospel. We followed up yesterday and those kids are the bomb. One read the BoM with his friend at lunch, one invited and brought her friend to the Primary activity, and one actually brought her friend to church! Kids are the best and we can learn loads from their example!

Hope you all have a great week and write me next week family...

Sister Machen

Sister Kendall and Me

Week 59 - B Y Who?

Kia Ora!

This week honestly flew by. I don't even know what to tell you people. Sister Kendall gave a great talk in Sacrament meeting, we sang yet another musical number in Maori and the spirit was so strong, and we finally had people show up for church!! People have been asking about our investigators and how they are doing. They just change so quickly that it's hard to talk about them. But one lady we have been working with for sooo long, she's a hard case but she is the closest we have to a progressing investigator. Everyone else is part member families and less-actives. Our bishop is making a big push for the ward to reactivate their own families (everyone is related in this ward, not lying). So we work a lot with the members to try and help the less actives. One thing I've learned over and over is that you cannot do anything with out members. Seriously. And when the members are on to it, it's the best. They are great!

One cool experience we had was with a less active sister who has been wanting to come back to church but it's been hard because her partner was put off by missionaries trying to force them to get married. But we had a really awesome lesson and the spirit was so strong and at the end she told us that she is ready to get married and wants our help, etc. It was really great at the time, but doesn't sound so amazing right now as I'm writing haha.

We also got to go teach primary about being a missionary and those kids are crazy but awesome. The leaders of the future haha.

Anyway, life is great as always. Being a missionary is the best. I'm never coming home. The church is true.

Love you alll!!!!
Sister Machen