Kia Ora!
SO transfers happened and I got the boot (tears). My new area is the Otumoetai Ward in the Tauranga Stake, back to the beach yay!!!! My new companion, Sister Suk (pronounced sock), just hit her year mark two days ago and she's Korean! It's seriously the best. This area has been kind of down the past two transfers so I'm really excited to just go to work and get things done and Sister Suk is so onto it! So we're going to have a blast I'm pretty sure. :)
Leaving Hamilton was sad but leaving Sister Taylor was the worst! She has definitely become one of my best friends and those two transfers together were more fun than I deserved. But all things come to an end eventually.
Not much else to say except today we're going to hike a volcano and frolic on the white sand beach hahaha be jealous. I'm so happy to be by the beach!
Oh this morning I finished the Book of Mormon after reading it in two months and it was a really awesome experience for me. Reading it fast I was able to connect things from the beginning to the end and really deepen my understanding of the overall record. And even though I've read it lots before, it was like reading my favorite book for the first time again. I love it! But even more importantly I know that it is true. Without a doubt the Book of Mormon is the word of God. And if you're unsure or you need a deeper testimony, I encourage you to READ IT AGAIN.
Have a great week, love you all!
Sister Machen
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Week 38 - Hi Family!
Fam!
Well transfers are this week and we haven't gotten news yet but I will probably leaving the area in my very capable, trainee's hands. Some awesome mission miracles: Sister Taylor's brother got baptized last week back in Toluca Mexico (shout out to Aaron), and her other two siblings are going to be baptized this coming weekend and her mom is even progressing towards baptism!! So she is pretty much ecstatic and I have gained an even stronger testimony that the Lord takes care of our family while you are away serving Him. So I hope my family can recognize those blessings!
Well our Chinese family is going great, they are so excited for their baptism! Sadly I will probably miss it but its about them not me. Golden family. We taught Frank about the priesthood and how much he will be able to bless his family by being worthy to have it and exercising it properly. He was SO excited and kept asking how can he get it and when can he get it. Man it was a testimony builder to me of how special our message is, especially of the restoration of the Priesthood. I love it!
Another miracle this week was that we got a referral from the Visitors Centre and they said that this Brazilian couple would be coming to our ward on Sunday (we didn't believe it), but sure enough they showed up and were SO interested! We have been praying for weeks for new investigators with no success and then finally the Lord just drops them in our lap. So awesome. Anyway thats about it for the week, the gospel is true and missionary work is the best!
Arohanui,
Sister Machen
Well transfers are this week and we haven't gotten news yet but I will probably leaving the area in my very capable, trainee's hands. Some awesome mission miracles: Sister Taylor's brother got baptized last week back in Toluca Mexico (shout out to Aaron), and her other two siblings are going to be baptized this coming weekend and her mom is even progressing towards baptism!! So she is pretty much ecstatic and I have gained an even stronger testimony that the Lord takes care of our family while you are away serving Him. So I hope my family can recognize those blessings!
Well our Chinese family is going great, they are so excited for their baptism! Sadly I will probably miss it but its about them not me. Golden family. We taught Frank about the priesthood and how much he will be able to bless his family by being worthy to have it and exercising it properly. He was SO excited and kept asking how can he get it and when can he get it. Man it was a testimony builder to me of how special our message is, especially of the restoration of the Priesthood. I love it!
Another miracle this week was that we got a referral from the Visitors Centre and they said that this Brazilian couple would be coming to our ward on Sunday (we didn't believe it), but sure enough they showed up and were SO interested! We have been praying for weeks for new investigators with no success and then finally the Lord just drops them in our lap. So awesome. Anyway thats about it for the week, the gospel is true and missionary work is the best!
Arohanui,
Sister Machen
Hamilton East missionaries with The Captain (best WML ever)
Sister Taylor and Me at HAMILTON GARDENS
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Week 37 - Busy
Hey fam,
This week was another blur. Seriously I don't know where the time goes. The highlight of the week was definitely getting to watch conference finally!!! I love conference! I love the prophet and apostles! AHHHHH. So good. The talks were all really great but the ones that stood out to me were Elder Arnold's talk about finding the Lost Sheep. That guy is the man! Then President Uchtdorf's about obedience. Obedience is the first law of heaven so of course we need to hear about it over and over. And then Bonnie Oscarson's about how we have the truth and we don't need to go looking in the great and spacious building for it. Basically, the church is TRUE. The priesthood keys have been restored and the fulness of the gospel is once again on the earth. So go tell your neighbor :)
Anyway, we are struggling to find new people to teach as always but those that we have are solid and are so sincere about learning! I'm so glad to be serving these people.
Hope you all have a great week.
Arohanui,
Sister Machen
This week was another blur. Seriously I don't know where the time goes. The highlight of the week was definitely getting to watch conference finally!!! I love conference! I love the prophet and apostles! AHHHHH. So good. The talks were all really great but the ones that stood out to me were Elder Arnold's talk about finding the Lost Sheep. That guy is the man! Then President Uchtdorf's about obedience. Obedience is the first law of heaven so of course we need to hear about it over and over. And then Bonnie Oscarson's about how we have the truth and we don't need to go looking in the great and spacious building for it. Basically, the church is TRUE. The priesthood keys have been restored and the fulness of the gospel is once again on the earth. So go tell your neighbor :)
Anyway, we are struggling to find new people to teach as always but those that we have are solid and are so sincere about learning! I'm so glad to be serving these people.
Hope you all have a great week.
Arohanui,
Sister Machen
With our investigator, Peggy. I love her!
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Week 36 - TEMPLE TRIP
KIA ORA.
This week was seriously a blur. I can only remember the temple trip! Of course. I LOVE THE TEMPLE. It's absolutely the House of the Lord. I think most of all I just felt the love of my Savior for me and for the people I'm working with. Every soul is precious. Even when we don't feel good enough, we are loved. Got to see heaps of great missionaries there and then some who weren't able to go and that really opened my eyes. Even though we are full time missionaries we are still very susceptible to the attacks of the adversary. Everyday is a battle and we need our spiritual armor! (I've been studying Alma a lot lately.) When we put our trust in the Lord and do our part by keeping covenants, we are promised protection and strength. The gospel is so simple and perfect!
I watched the Women's session of conference and that was super awesome but I have to wait another week for the rest of it and I'm dying cause everyone else in the whole flippin' world has seen it. But patience.
Tender mercy this week was one of our recent converts inviting us over for homemade pizza and surprising us with a can of Dr. Pepper each hahaha. It's like 3 dollars a can here and you can almost never find it! But it was a great week! The gospel is the only way to true happiness! IT'S TRUE.
Arohanui,
Sister Machen
This week was seriously a blur. I can only remember the temple trip! Of course. I LOVE THE TEMPLE. It's absolutely the House of the Lord. I think most of all I just felt the love of my Savior for me and for the people I'm working with. Every soul is precious. Even when we don't feel good enough, we are loved. Got to see heaps of great missionaries there and then some who weren't able to go and that really opened my eyes. Even though we are full time missionaries we are still very susceptible to the attacks of the adversary. Everyday is a battle and we need our spiritual armor! (I've been studying Alma a lot lately.) When we put our trust in the Lord and do our part by keeping covenants, we are promised protection and strength. The gospel is so simple and perfect!
I watched the Women's session of conference and that was super awesome but I have to wait another week for the rest of it and I'm dying cause everyone else in the whole flippin' world has seen it. But patience.
Tender mercy this week was one of our recent converts inviting us over for homemade pizza and surprising us with a can of Dr. Pepper each hahaha. It's like 3 dollars a can here and you can almost never find it! But it was a great week! The gospel is the only way to true happiness! IT'S TRUE.
Arohanui,
Sister Machen
Temple Trip with Sister Taylor!
Saying bye to our favorite English senior couple, the Saunders (they do the mission FB page & more)
Dr. Pepper!!
Monday, March 28, 2016
Week 35 - Easters!!!
Happy Easter!!!
Thank you to those that sent packages for Easter and my birthday! Even though I don't even know some of you, I really appreciate it! So Easter in New Zealand is 100% about chocolate Cadbury eggs. So that gave us a great opportunity to share the true meaning of Easter with so many people! Yesterday we had a lesson with a part member family that we hadn't seen in a while and the 8 year old girl didn't even know who Jesus Christ is (tears). So we shared a bit about His life and then the reason for the season and then asked each family member what it means for them personally that Jesus Christ lives. The little girl replied, "I really love Jesus. Because He lives, He can help us with everything." I gave her a high five cause that was spot on. I love Easter, this year and, of course, I appreciate it so much more! We have been able to share the "Because He Lives" video from last Easter with a lot of people and I love it. I am so grateful for a knowledge of my Savior, and the understanding that because He lives today, I can live again with Him and with my family.
This week we went on exchanges yet again and I got to be with my old comp Sister Asiata! It was so cool to see how much we have both grown and changed since we were together 5 months ago. And I got to spend part of my Birthday with her! She goes home in three weeks and I think it was something we both needed. I am so grateful for all my companions and the things I've learned from them. I love her!
Had a great birthday! Our recent convert Aunty Alwyn from my last area came to visit and brought me a cake (LOVE HER). And an American family had us over for dinner on the day and made fajitas so it was preeeeettyyy great. Made me feel like I have family here! Hope everyone had a great Easter!
Arohanui,
Sister Machen
Thank you to those that sent packages for Easter and my birthday! Even though I don't even know some of you, I really appreciate it! So Easter in New Zealand is 100% about chocolate Cadbury eggs. So that gave us a great opportunity to share the true meaning of Easter with so many people! Yesterday we had a lesson with a part member family that we hadn't seen in a while and the 8 year old girl didn't even know who Jesus Christ is (tears). So we shared a bit about His life and then the reason for the season and then asked each family member what it means for them personally that Jesus Christ lives. The little girl replied, "I really love Jesus. Because He lives, He can help us with everything." I gave her a high five cause that was spot on. I love Easter, this year and, of course, I appreciate it so much more! We have been able to share the "Because He Lives" video from last Easter with a lot of people and I love it. I am so grateful for a knowledge of my Savior, and the understanding that because He lives today, I can live again with Him and with my family.
This week we went on exchanges yet again and I got to be with my old comp Sister Asiata! It was so cool to see how much we have both grown and changed since we were together 5 months ago. And I got to spend part of my Birthday with her! She goes home in three weeks and I think it was something we both needed. I am so grateful for all my companions and the things I've learned from them. I love her!
Had a great birthday! Our recent convert Aunty Alwyn from my last area came to visit and brought me a cake (LOVE HER). And an American family had us over for dinner on the day and made fajitas so it was preeeeettyyy great. Made me feel like I have family here! Hope everyone had a great Easter!
Arohanui,
Sister Machen
Happy 20th Birthday!
Aunty Alwyn brought me a cake!
Random Buddha?
Friday, March 25, 2016
Week 34 - My Baptism Wish
Kia Ora whanau,
This week was fabulous. We set our Chinese family with a date for baptism in April!!!! SO EXCITING!!! We were in the middle of teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and asked if everything made sense or if they had any questions and the wife, Ada, goes, "when can we be baptized?" Picture in the "Best Two Years" when all the elders are looking up to heaven when the phone rings during the prayer and angels sing Hallelujah... That was basically me and my comp. I couldn't help but just grin and laugh. They are just so prepared and humble! I love them.
We went on exchanges with the Tongan Sisters so I was walking all day in the glorious sun and brushing up on my Tongan... all I know how to say is "yes." But they were good and it's always a fun time with those sisters. We went to the Elders' baptism and sang another musical number but this time we made sure to get a pianist and practice before so it was MUCH better and nobody's ears were bleeding. (My ears are currently bleeding because someone is playing the bagpipes really bad right outside the chapel.)
Oh and one more fun thing is that we got rear ended on Saturday. But good thing we were in the Lord's car and didn't get hurt and the car has like one tiny scratch on it 'cause the bike hitch saved our tail and destroyed the other person's car. So it was a good time and the first crash Sister Taylor has been in so she was actually slightly in shock... but she recovered and just started laughing so that was good.
Anyway, I have one wish since my birthday is this week... I would really LOVE if I could hear some of your personal conversion stories. Just an experience or moment in which the spirit really testified of gospel truths and you felt you had a testimony. I would extra love it if my family could ALL do it:) Hearing members' conversion stories and testimonies is one of the best things about being on a mission and so I reckon it would be even better coming from people I love! Okay thanks, thanks, thanks, have a great week!
Arohanui,
Sister Machen
This week was fabulous. We set our Chinese family with a date for baptism in April!!!! SO EXCITING!!! We were in the middle of teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and asked if everything made sense or if they had any questions and the wife, Ada, goes, "when can we be baptized?" Picture in the "Best Two Years" when all the elders are looking up to heaven when the phone rings during the prayer and angels sing Hallelujah... That was basically me and my comp. I couldn't help but just grin and laugh. They are just so prepared and humble! I love them.
We went on exchanges with the Tongan Sisters so I was walking all day in the glorious sun and brushing up on my Tongan... all I know how to say is "yes." But they were good and it's always a fun time with those sisters. We went to the Elders' baptism and sang another musical number but this time we made sure to get a pianist and practice before so it was MUCH better and nobody's ears were bleeding. (My ears are currently bleeding because someone is playing the bagpipes really bad right outside the chapel.)
Oh and one more fun thing is that we got rear ended on Saturday. But good thing we were in the Lord's car and didn't get hurt and the car has like one tiny scratch on it 'cause the bike hitch saved our tail and destroyed the other person's car. So it was a good time and the first crash Sister Taylor has been in so she was actually slightly in shock... but she recovered and just started laughing so that was good.
Anyway, I have one wish since my birthday is this week... I would really LOVE if I could hear some of your personal conversion stories. Just an experience or moment in which the spirit really testified of gospel truths and you felt you had a testimony. I would extra love it if my family could ALL do it:) Hearing members' conversion stories and testimonies is one of the best things about being on a mission and so I reckon it would be even better coming from people I love! Okay thanks, thanks, thanks, have a great week!
Arohanui,
Sister Machen
Monday, March 14, 2016
Week 33 - BAPTISMS!!!!
WHAT AN AWESOME WEEK.
We had interviews with President Rudd on Thursday, which were great. He is truly inspired. And super funny. So that was a good time. Then we had all three baptisms happen on Saturday!!!! What an insane day but so full of the spirit! The first one was at 10 and that was the little Kiribati girls, Levinna and Rabi. They were so excited! Sad story about that baptism: we were supposed to sing a musical number with the Elders but we hadn't really practiced or anything so we were just gonna sing "I am a child of God," usually good, but last minute, the Elders walked out of the room to go check the font and then like 30 seconds later it's our turn to sing! So Sister Taylor and I just went up and started singing... acappella.... if you can only imagine. It was the worst singing I had ever heard and it was coming from my own mouth. The Elders walked back in half way through the song and were heavily growled afterward by our ward mission leader hahaha. Also I ended up having to play the piano for two of the baptisms and let me just say, I might be tad rusty... Wishing I had practiced more before coming out (yes mom, I really admitted it).
So then the next baptism was Nikki at 12 and that one was soooo good! Her whole family came!!! The YW sang a musical number so no disasters there, and she asked sister Taylor and me to speak so that was a really awesome opportunity. Definitely felt how ready she was. That one was followed directly after by a ward swim party, so everyone went over there afterwards. Man I have never been so tempted to swim in my life. I miss swimming!
The last baptism was at 6:30pm and that was Isaiah. His whole family came as well. His mom is currently less active but she just kept saying how crazy this all was 'cause she got baptized in the very same chapel in March when she was 14 and now her son was getting baptized under the same circumstances. Pretty cool. All the YM showed up for that one and were super welcoming!
Then yesterday they were all confirmed and the ward was again so welcoming. I love this ward!!
The church is true!!!! We are here to bring others unto Christ through baptism. I am so grateful for these saving ordinances and for the priesthood which makes them available to us.
Hope everyone has a great week!
Arohanui!
Sister Machen
Nikita<3
We had interviews with President Rudd on Thursday, which were great. He is truly inspired. And super funny. So that was a good time. Then we had all three baptisms happen on Saturday!!!! What an insane day but so full of the spirit! The first one was at 10 and that was the little Kiribati girls, Levinna and Rabi. They were so excited! Sad story about that baptism: we were supposed to sing a musical number with the Elders but we hadn't really practiced or anything so we were just gonna sing "I am a child of God," usually good, but last minute, the Elders walked out of the room to go check the font and then like 30 seconds later it's our turn to sing! So Sister Taylor and I just went up and started singing... acappella.... if you can only imagine. It was the worst singing I had ever heard and it was coming from my own mouth. The Elders walked back in half way through the song and were heavily growled afterward by our ward mission leader hahaha. Also I ended up having to play the piano for two of the baptisms and let me just say, I might be tad rusty... Wishing I had practiced more before coming out (yes mom, I really admitted it).
So then the next baptism was Nikki at 12 and that one was soooo good! Her whole family came!!! The YW sang a musical number so no disasters there, and she asked sister Taylor and me to speak so that was a really awesome opportunity. Definitely felt how ready she was. That one was followed directly after by a ward swim party, so everyone went over there afterwards. Man I have never been so tempted to swim in my life. I miss swimming!
The last baptism was at 6:30pm and that was Isaiah. His whole family came as well. His mom is currently less active but she just kept saying how crazy this all was 'cause she got baptized in the very same chapel in March when she was 14 and now her son was getting baptized under the same circumstances. Pretty cool. All the YM showed up for that one and were super welcoming!
Then yesterday they were all confirmed and the ward was again so welcoming. I love this ward!!
The church is true!!!! We are here to bring others unto Christ through baptism. I am so grateful for these saving ordinances and for the priesthood which makes them available to us.
Hope everyone has a great week!
Arohanui!
Sister Machen
Rabi and Levinna
Nikita<3
Isaiah!
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