A week after the rest of us Lyndsi got to watch general conference.

Dearest Family~

This week has been full of all kinds of things! I am glad to hear everyone is doing good back home! First I would like to brag about my sweet Shanti! She is amazing! She has not missed one Sunday of church since we met her and she is a full blown member. She is almost 58 years old now and she is still working Monday-Saturday about 13 hour days. Sunday is her only day off and even if she nods off a couple times in sacrament meeting she is always there ten minutes early for 9am meetings. She is trying to keep the Sabbath day holy better. Instead of shopping on Sunday she walks into town on Saturday night after she finishes work at 8pm to do her shopping. She also is super excited about family history work. She is planning on going to the temple next month to do her parents work. I wish that I had her faith and strength! We are now teaching her daughter and niece and they are both planning on coming to church this upcoming Sunday for Easter. I am super excited!

In other big news TENO texted us this week! She texted us Saturday night and said that she misses and needs the gospel in her life and that she wants to get together with us and talk. So many of my prayers were answered when she texted! I miss her so much and pray for her often. Her testimony is so strong but Satan is working on her so much. She has the power to influence so many people and she will someday make such a big difference in the lives of many. I know that someday when the timing is right she will join the church. I hope that I get to be there to witness it whenever that may be!

Transfers are coming up next week. I am pretty sure I will be getting moved and it is kind of bitter sweet. I will be excited to continue my journey here in New Zealand but the family I have here in this area mean so much to me. Maybe President will feel inspired to leave me here for just one more transfer! The ward is starting to think that I am a permanent fixture though! Sister Isnard and I have officially been called to the Primary. Not really but they don’t have enough people to help so Bishop (Duane 'the Rock' Johnson) pulled us into the office and asked us to help ou. I am teaching Relief Society on Sunday.

I  learned so much from conference this week.  I don’t think I have ever taken so many notes in all my life! This week was one big revelation to me though. Sister Isnard and I watched a clip during study about Wilford Woodruff’s conversion and I was amazed by his faith and seeking for the truth! As I was reading in the book of Mormon in the Book of Mormon I came about many prophesies about the last days. I had this overwhelming feeling as I read and studied 'How do you save people that don't want to be saved?' I felt a minor peace of the sadness that Moroni must have felt when he watched all of his people be destroyed until he was the only one left because of their iniquity and unrighteousness. And now the same has been foretold of us, the same kind of destruction to all those who are unrighteous. Why do people feel as though they do not need God? In President Holland’s talk this week he said "Sadly enough, my young friends, it is a characteristic of our age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don’t rock the boat but don’t even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds" Do we realize what a great responsibility we have to spread the gospel as members of the church to try and convince people that don't feel that they need a God, to find those that are kept from the truth because they know not where to find it. We have been called to love our neighbor as Christ loves us. We are asked to share what we know and share with all those we meet as he did. To invite four people a year to be taught by the missionaries. In Mormon 8:38 it says " O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world?" As I read this scripture and truly reflected on where I am now and what I was doing before I came on my mission. Why are we ashamed to take upon us the name of Christ? Do we really have the conviction that this church is true and if we do can we feel the urgency to share it to those around us? Do we remember the covenant we made at baptism to remember him always and be a disciple of Christ at all times? I know that I have often failed at this many times especially which standing for what I know is right and sharing what I know. But we should not wait to change, now is the time to start walking forward. To decide like the Prophet said to be better today than we were before. To move forward with faith and strength and a conviction of the truth that will lead us to save our Brothers and Sisters.

 

I love you all so much and hope you have a great week!

 

Love Sister Miggin

Breaking out of church!

Kia Ora Family!

It has been another full week out on the mission! We have some really amazing investigators right now we are just struggling to get them to come to church. We asked two people to get baptized this week, neither of them set dates but we will hopefully set them this week. One is named Darryl he is eleven years old and so funny! He came to Ammon's baptism this week a little eight year old in the ward and he thought it was really cool! He missed church on Sunday because of his Asthma, but his mom is pretty excited to get him baptized so hopefully we can get him set before I leave in two weeks! The other one is named Lena, I LOVE HER! She is from California and her dad is a preacher there. Her brother is Mormon though and lives in Salt Lake, and her husband is a less active so she knows quite a bit about the church. She is really open to everything and said she will probably be able to come to church this week. We have taught her most of the Lessons now she is progressing really well! We are teaching about six other people but they are a little more slow in progression in most part because they are hard to get a hold of but don't worry I plan on baptizing all of them haha.

I have a couple funny stories this week the first happened last night. It was about eight thirty and we were walking back towards the flat and we saw all the missionary cars at the chapel. We were like what the heck no one invited us to the party!!! But then we realized it was the leadership meeting so we ran over and put pass along cards under all their windshield wipers. Mid putting them on all the cars we heard them come out of their room and so Sister Isnard and I ran and hid in the bushes. Well we stayed there hidden until they all left but they locked the gate so we had no option but to climb the fence. I was half way over when all the sudden I heard a rip and a bang as Sister Isnard fell off the fence and ate it on the ground. No worries she is all good just has one little bruise but I almost died laughing, I was hauled over crying I was laughing so hard it was hilarious!!

The other funny thing we did this week was build a dog ramp for our next door neighbors dog haha Her name is Chloe and when we were over visiting them the other day we saw her try and go out the back door and since she has arthritis in her back legs she just like flopped out the door and landed on her back. I just thought of poor little deet dee having to throw himself out the door and I couldn't have anything to do with that so we built her a ramp and she LOVES it!!!

Womens conference was amazing on Saturday and we don't get to watch General Conference until next week at the chapel! So excited I love conference! I hope all is well back home I love and miss you all!

Love Sister Miggin

 

“Howdy Neighbor!" Our cute backdoor neighbor Amber. And Sister Samataua
and I:) She is Samoan from Austrailia

Sister Isnard eating the Candy from the package

Sister Wikaira and I and her son Matia and me when we were over for womens conference

Sister Davis and her famous Pinapple Pie she made us for dinner last night with her kids.

Sister Isnard by the fence she biffed it on last night

March 30, 2014

March 30, 2014

The first story of the week Elder Hester broke his wrist riding his bike.

Sister Isnard has been out of money for the last two weeks so consequently I have been paying for her now too so I have been broke. She doesn’t budget at all.  She spent all her money on her silly boyfriend.  I have so much to tell you so I think I am going to pass up the big letter this week and just send pictures for that.  I am being very frugal and the members feed us a lot! I only buy food and pay for emails and we get paid next week and I am helping her set up a budget plan! Thanks for teaching me how.

You would be so proud of me because my patience is exceptional now. Sister Isnard has a hot quick temper but I am being a champion I think I can get along with anyone now after Sister Pearce, she was a blessing in disguise!

I don’t even know why she gets mad but most of  the time but she marches around the house not saying anything until I get her to tell me what’s wrong and then I apologize and then she is good for another ten minutes. The last one was because I whistled at her to get her attention that one was hilarious I totally pulled a dad. She gets mad because I didn’t buy enough food for her and me.  She just eats it anyway so now I don’t have any more because she eats HEAPS! It’s crazy; she just eats and eats and eats? When I offer to buy her some to she gets all mad at me and goes nope, I’m fine, I’m fine with a nasty little scowl on her face and then all week she is like can I eat this or this or this and I did get mad once and said, what happened, you didn’t want me to buy you any? I never say much though when she takes my shoes without asking, interrupts me when I am talking, changes the subject when I am having a conversation with people and they look at me like what the flip? I constantly have to keep my mouth shut or say things in a very calm collected way, otherwise she calls the mission president’s wife for everything? I don’t get it but I know that it is only four more weeks so a great opportunity to learn patience. Ha ha. I am going to need it when I become a wife and mother anyway

We have three progressing investigators now too! And one said she will consider baptism I am so stoked!  Rose our one thinking about baptism she is amazing! I am so excited for her!

We have not been back to see that guy but we didn’t I keep running into his wife and she is like, why haven’t you been over and inviting us for dinner and stuff it’s getting kind of awkward but that’s ok. That is a good idea to send the Elders. We will probably do that.

The little kids in the neighborhood all know me by name and I gave them some apples out of my bag the other day they were so happy!

We have the flashiest mission flat but in the scariest neighborhood.  The cops pull over and talk to us almost every day to make sure were ok because they patrol our neighborhood every hour. So we know most of them by name now.

I feel like a hundred times a week I want to call and tell you all the things happening and then I always forget when I sit down at the computer? Things are good though! I love New Zealand and the people and the work. I am becoming a professional gardener. I have been pulling out corn and cumaras (like potatoes but better) and turning over soil with a shovel and edging lawns with a shovel and weeding. My favorite is weeding. It is mindless and easy! I am going to get you a really great vegetable garden going when I get home! Yes, I eat vegetables now.   I eat peas, tomatoes, carrots and zucchini now like a champion! You wouldn’t believe how I can down a plate of peas when the members heap it on now. I make a gorgeous cauliflower salad I can’t wait for you to try it is so yummy!!

And how many kids in the tree???

Believe it or not this is after I ate my dinner! Tongans feed us HEAPS!!!

Our member Ruta from Kitibati moved this week:( so sad she helps us so much and she is so funny!!!

Jacob 2:35

This is a really difficult post to read. Lyndsi ran into some trouble with a less active member being inappropriate towards her and her companion. Please pray for her and her companions safety. -Nicole 

Kia Ora Family!

It was so good to read your letters this week! It was a long but successful week out here on the mission. We are teaching lots of people and doing lots of service! The best story this week was probably with this little old lady named Gayle. She is 75 years old and we have talked to her a few times and has never been interested. We saw her working in her garden a couple weeks ago though and basically begged to come help. So finally this Tuesday Sister Isnard the Elders and I went over and helped her for two hours clean up her yard. After she asked us all why we would do such a crazy things such as to help clean a yard for free. We all got to bear our testimony to her and we gave her a Book of Mormon to read. We haven't been able to see her since but I hope she reads it!

We had exchanges with the Sister Training leader this week which was lots of fun and a much needed break for Sister Isnard and I. We are getting along ok but still adjusting to the different cultures. I have been praying for a lot of humility and patience this week!

We also had our first interviews with President Rudd since I have been here. It was pretty short and sweet but it was good.

I often feel as though I will never be a good enough missionary and our zone leaders act as if we make one mistake were going straight to you know where (..I think it was cause he was raised as a military brat!lol) But I think I am doing the best I can and it is just Satan hoping for me to get discouraged and fail. Which is about how I felt on Saturday.

One of our less actives this week did something that really disturbed me though.  He is in his forties is married with four kids and we have been working with their family quite a bit. They have come back to church the last couple of weeks but this week we got a surprise text from him to come meet with his less active brother so we ran over to meet with him and got a surprise when we arrived. They were both drinking and we found ourselves in a very uncomfortable situation. He kept saying this is the side of me you have never got to see, and he was being flirty and it took us about ten minutes to talk our way into getting out of there but when we went to leave he took my hand and wouldn't let go and said some stupid things. He later kept texting stupid things like "only God can judge me." I didn't say anything to him in the situation because it would have been dangerous to make them mad we were behind a house with them by ourselves, but I had a lot I wish I could have told him. But the thing that really kept running through my head was this scripture in Jacob 2:35  "Behold, ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites, our brethren. Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you. And because of the strictness of the word of God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds." If only he knew how much his stupid actions were hurting his wife and children at home. If he would stop being so selfish and just do the things that he knows is right and let God change and heal his heart. He may not think that his actions effect anyone but himself but I know that they hurt his family and they hurt me too. In the Proclamation to the World it says:

“… By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. …

“We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.”

 

I really do love this work and I know that no matter what Satan tries he will not be able to stop it from moving forward. It is so important to choose whose side you are on because if you have not chosen the Lords side you are automatically on the other team.

 I know that when the people we are teaching are ready for the gospel that God will make up for what we as missionaries lack as long as we try to be better and work a little bit harder every day! I love you all!

Love, Sister Miggin

New Companion and Slugs be like huge around here!

 Hola Family!

Things are really good here this week! I am still in Pukekohe but I have a new companion named Sister Isnard. She is half French and half Tahitian. She is from the little island of Bora Bora off of Tahiti. I was so comfortable with Sister Holmes that it is taking a little getting used to and there are A LOT of cultural differences but things are good. I had heard that the islanders were super laid back and man were they right! I am trying to be exactly obedient but I am mostly just learning patience for my new companion who has a very laid back attitude about everything! She was a chef at a resort in Bora Bora before she came out so I have been eating really good... I even ate tomatoes! But all our investigators are kind of freaking out! She talks a lot... not just a lot... like an abnormal amount and her English is kind of broken so she never makes a whole lot of sense. I am trying to work with her on listening a little bit but in lessons she mostly just talks about herself, her culture, her family, her entire life story to everyone we meet! I hardly get a word in edge wise and when I do she usually cuts me off mid-sentence. It’s going to be an interesting six weeks! If she is going to talk so much I really wish she would actually do language study but she thinks her English is perfect so she mostly dorks off during that time while I study. She also texts and calls all the people all the time and last night she almost picked a fight with our Sister Training Leader Sister Bird.

 

 

Most the time I figure just do the best I can and the Lord will make up the rest. And then the other half I try not to laugh because I just think she is crazy and her French accent is funny. 

 

In other news Shanti's daughter Kavita and her roommate Jessie have started taking the Lessons though! I am so excited they seem really interested! Kavita promised to come to church next week and Jessie took a Book of Mormon. Rose also took her first Book of Mormon last night! She is so funny because she is like dragging Oakley back into his own religion I just loveher! Teno seems to be doing ok this week but she has to move now because her landlord sold their house! We got a bunch of really awesome referrals this week from the ward! Three lessons scheduled in member’s homes with their referrals! I am super stoked about it go Puke 2nd, best members ever!

 

Other than that it was kind of a blah week because we had transfers. Sister Holmes had to say goodbye to everyone on Wednesday, Thursday I was in Papakura waiting for my new companion and then Friday and Saturday we mostly introduced Sister Isnard to everyone and had a few lessons. Things are great though learning and growing everyday just trying to do the Lords work!

Love and miss you!

 

Love,

Sister Miggin

 

PS Happy Birthday Patty!

 Ruta and Anna they are from Kitibati we have an English class with them every Tuesday night

Brother and Sister Aupouri the Ward Mission Leader and his wife, they are my adopted parents I love them so much!

This is the Wikaira Family! I just can't get enough of them.. They are some of the most amazing people I have ever met and I feel like they are one of the families I had to come to New Zealand to meet!

This is the last District picture before transfers

This is the Thompson family! Love them they are less active but have recently started coming to church again!

 

Heather Williams the one that lost their partner last week.

         This is Ofa one of our less active members she is wonderful! And then me with her oldest son Leka.

 

Missionaries in Puke 2nd ward

               Shanti and Kavita! I cant express how much I love these two in words they are wonderful!

Slugs be like huge around here!

TRANSFERS!!

Kia Ora Family!!

Things in New Zealand are wonderful!! I LOVE IT! I must have made it sound like transfers were last week but I won’t find out until tonight or tomorrow they are this week! Sorry! A lot happened in the ward this week though. We got all kinds of bad news but despite all the sadness around us Sister Holmes and I had a really good week!

We found out that our next door neighbor’s partner passed away. We have been reading the Book of Mormon with her and her daughter, they are members but her partner that passed away was not. His name was Kenny and he was always really nice he was a crazy Irish Catholic and he always used to tease us and call us the nuns. We have his funeral tomorrow.

Also one of the sweet sisters in the ward found out this week that she cannot have children and she confided in Sister Holmes and I. I wish there was more we could do but we had lunch with her on Saturday and she seemed to be doing a bit better.

Our investigator Teno is really, really struggling! She has been drinking again and she turned us away again. I know that she knows the church is true so hopefully she will come back around. It is so hard to love these people so much and then watch them choose a different path after they know the truth!

We have been teaching lots of people though and things have been going really good! Shanti's daughter Kavita has been sitting in on all our discussions now to and she got every Sunday off so I think she will start coming to church! I am so excited! We told Shanti yesterday that transfers were this week and we were all a crying mess together. She said the sweetest prayer before we left asking God to watch over us wherever we go, and then we were really a mess! I am still hoping to stay in this area!! It feels like home now!

Sister Wikaira who gave us those beautiful green stones had another visit with us this week. She sang Mauri songs with us and we did "Tim Tam Slams" She is so sweet and so motivated to help with the missionary work! I think she was one of my friends before this life we always have such a good time! There are so many people in this area I just can't imagine life without anymore. I had no idea my heart could be so full!

I hope all is well at home!

I love you and miss you!

Love, Sister Miggin

This is Phillip and Tonia Hadley they are a really nice recent convert family!

This is two of the Jones girls Daysha and Bri we made cookies with last Monday they are the best!!

Sister Wikaira's Kids they are the sweetest kids ever!

Green stones.

Hello Family!!

I miss you all so much and had a fantastic week! Lots of investigators and Lots of service this week! Things are crazy, crazy here, but I absolutely love Pukekohe and am dreading transfers next week! TRANSFERS...BLAHHHHH!!! I don't really have that many stories I can think of this week that I didn't take pictures of though so I will just caption my Pictures really well! I hope you all have a great week! LOVE YOU!!

Love, Sister Miggin

This week we went to one of our member’s house, Anna Howard and cleaned up heaps of spider webs! She then taught us some more Mauri and gave us some books to learn Mauri. We are going over there tomorrow to learn how to make Mauri bread for lunch to!

We went back out to Clarks Beach to meet with some investigators it is seriously just so beautiful!

 I am back to climbing trees! It was such a perfect little one I had to do it!

We had a Relief Society Activity on Wednesday. Sister Holmes and I taught about visiting teaching.

We came home and Elder Hester and Elder Otto left us secret messages on trash and pass along cards. Silly Elders, tricks are for kids

I got Nicole’s card! It made me cry!! I literally have the coolest sister in the whole world! And huge thanks to her FHE group for the words of encouragement! I really appreciate all the thought they put into it and the things that were said! It was awesome!!

The best thing of all this week was at Sister Rosalyn Wikira's house to do some service and she let us try on her Mauri ceremonial capes and look at all her Wakaama paddles. She and her husband both compete in the Wakaama boat races!

 

 

Then after Sister Wikira let us try on all of her capes, she gave us each a green stone necklace. I teared up!! In the Mauri culture, green stones are a HUGE deal! They are a sign of love and you cannot buy them for yourself. They have to be given you as a gift! They are super expensive and they have such a deep meaning that I never thought I would get one. And for a Mauri to give us one was a really heart touching thing. I still am so happy! She let us hold the two necklaces and feel which one was warmer to us. They believe that green stones choose the owner so if it doesn't feel warm to you then it is not really yours and should be gifted again. We both held them and felt the same about whose green stone was whose and Sister Wikira said that is exactly who she would have picked for each of them! Mine has the three lines through it which symbolize three baskets of knowledge. I think that it is really cool because I feel like I am learning so much here on my mission!