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

Week 58 - Earthquake?

On Sunday, September 4, 2016 6:33 PM, Elise Machen <elise.machen@myldsmail.net> wrote:


Hey hey hey!

This week we had some cool miracles happen! Well first another funeral happened. It was the brother of one of our members, who was actually a returning less-active back in my last area in Hamilton so I knew him! It was such a surprise to realize who he was and connect the dots but it's a small world, especially in the church! But we were asked to attend the service and basically mingle with the family (some less active, some nonmembers). It was really cool and the spirit is just so strong when members testify about the plan of salvation and the grace of our Saviour to their mourning family. We were also able to bring the spirit through song and of course that was a powerful moment for the spirit to touch hearts. So after all that, we went out to contact a referral we had received from some people there and it took us to a bunch of homes by the other Marae, with no addresses.. So we had to walk around asking people about this man we were trying to find and as we did, we had unplanned opportunities to talk with people and one in particular recognized us from the funeral, we had no idea who he was, but he remembered us! So we were able to share more about the Plan of salvation and plan to begin teaching him! I have a feeling a lot more instances like that will be happening as the hearts of the people are softened by the Lord!
Another lady we have been trying to teach was also there at the funeral and when we went by later in the week she told us she had begun to read the Book of Mormon (finally!) and asked of we could pray to help her understand it better. Anyway, there are lots more tender mercies and little miracles happening  here but honestly it's all a blur.

Arohanui,
Sister Machen

PS. The earthquake was about 5 hours south of me but people here felt it, I slept through it sadly so I have no idea what it was like. We had a tsunami warning and President told us to stay away from the beach but jokes because we live 2 minutes from the beach. But we only got a bit of rain and that was it!

Attempting pole vault drills on a fraying rope by a waterfall

Week 57 - new transfer, same place

Kia Ora.

Well I have been blessed to stay here in Tauranga for another six weeks, just as I anticipated. My new companion is Sister Kendall!!! She's from Australia but she's part Samoan. I was soooo excited when I heard because we served in Hamilton together and she was just companions with my baby, Sister Taylor! So I knew we were gonna get along great and have heaps of fun and I was right! Seriously, I love her. The first night she was here we chased a guy down in the rain at 8:57 at night just to find out he was really urgently looking for Pokemons... It was awesome but sadly he was not interested.

This past week has been crazy, I was with some other sisters for like three days in their area (which is pumping) but I missed my area so much! I really love the people that I serve and I know that I am where I am for a mighty purpose. We got to experience a full on Tangi this week. Our relief society counselor's young son passed away suddenly so the whole ward and most of investigators were at the marae for four days helping and supporting her and her family. We went a lot because everyone we visit was already there and it was actually a really great finding opportunity. I was able give a prayer for a service one night and I honestly have never been so nervous to say a prayer in my life! All these nonmember Maori people mourning their family and this white girl is giving the prayer, in their marae, in front of all the koumatuas (elders of the marae). Anyway it's hard to explain but the traditions are really cool and I learned so much! Just glad they didn't kick me out haha.

I learn so much everyday and feel the spirit so often it's incredible. I am so grateful for my understanding of a loving Heavenly Father's plan of happiness. We will see our loved ones again and we can have so much more joy in this life if we follow his commandments. I'm so grateful. The church is true. Ka Kite.

Arohanui,
Sister Machen

Week 56 - I Love Eliza MacCartney

Family!!!

Well this week has been sunny and beautiful so my attitude has taken an alarming turn for the better. Amazing what the sun can do for you. So in relation to my subject line, Eliza is the New Zealand pole vaulter that got bronze a few days ago and is now my new hero. Pretty much she is all anyone talks about here because it was such a surprise medal and anyone who knows I pole vault is just SO excited to talk about it haha.

Besides that, it was a pretty normal week! We had Stake Conference and our nonmember choir was asked to sing in the adult session on Saturday night and it was so awesome because all those nonmembers were pretty much forced to listen to the talks in between our singing. Awesome. The spirit was so strong as we sang "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul" in Maori. What an awesome language. Seriously. So that was probably the highlight! We also got to help with New Beginnings in our ward because one of our investigators came!

In the way of transfers, I will most likely be staying here in the blessed land of Tauranga another 6 weeks, and I will be receiving a new companion! I will miss Sister Mitchell and have learned SO MUCH the past few weeks.

One thing in particular stood out to me as I was reading D&C 105, mostly about being unified as a companionship, as a family, as a ward, a stake, and as a church as a whole. The only way we can succeed is if we build our lives, wards, the church, on celestial laws. Only in the Lord's way can we succeed in our endeavors! So may we ever be more unified in our duty to God, in our callings in the church, and in our efforts to support one another.

Love you all,
Sister Machen

Choir Girls

With our Ward Mission Leader and his Wife

New Beginnings - Smallest YW group ever!

Week 55 -

Kia Ora,

This week we taught a lady from Turkey who pretty much believes in Relativism and that we're all good people so we don't need Christ (WRONG). We had to drop a few people that are just not progressing and are eating up precious time. We helped another lady move, chopped fire wood for days (yes, sisters can chop wood), and taught numberless less-actives.

One less active in particular called us up after being missing in action for like a month. She told us where she has been staying, asked us to come over and asked for a ride to church. So we went over and just listened to all this crazy stuff that has been going on and she was able to find her own solutions to her problems without us really saying anything. It's awesome when people apply things and then see them work out for their good. Anyway the next day we went around to make sure she was awake for her ride to church. She wasn't and she said she was too sick but we were able to help her see why church was important for her to get back on the right path. I don't really know the end to this story yet but she came to church and she's excited for a FHE tonight so hopefully the little things pay off!

Not much else is happening but we're working hard with the ward to get them more involved in missionary work and were able to do some role plays in ward council with the auxiliaries so that was pretty awesome. Anyway, the Lord has His own timing and we just have to TRUST! The church is true, the work is moving, and Heavenly Father is aware of each of us!

Much AROHA,
Sister Machen

Week 54 - Congrats A & A!!!

Hey Whanau.

I don't even know what to tell you but it was another good week haha. We finally got one of our investigators to come to church yesterday and she loved it! It was exactly what she needed to help her feel at peace with the things we have been teaching her. Funny thing though, I bore my testimony (as a promise to her for coming), and might have shed a few tears about eternal families and the plan of salvation (shout out to Aaron and Amy, who were having their reception at about the same time!). But afterwards she gave me the biggest hug and asked, "when did your brother pass away?" LOL she thought Aaron DIED. Pretty funny cause she probably didn't understand the words "sealed in the temple." Anyway that made the day a whole lot better!

Some things from the week-Sister Mitchell witnessed a lady breast feeding her child right in front of us and freaked out; we helped two people move; had zone meeting; and found out Sister Mitchell is a very talkative sleeper-she also laughs and cries in her sleep. I am so entertained at night. I love being with a new missionary and re-experiencing all the wonders of missionary life!

We found some awesome new investigators this week, a couple from India (pray for them..) and a cool lady from Turkey!! We are seeing the miracles happen here, slowly but surely. and I can't emphasize enough how important it is for us as members to fulfill our missionary responsibilities. We can't do anything as missionaries if we don't have the help or support from the members we serve. So ask yourself, "am I a good member missionary?" And get back to me :) I love you all! Have a great week!

Arohanui,
Sister Machen

Felt like I was right there watching the happy couple come out of the temple!

Got the announcement two days before the wedding-that's why I couldn't make it...