December 14, 2015 - The best part of Christmas...

HELLO SUNSHINES!

The earth looks a lot different over here, from the pictures I keep receiving but the holiday sales are the same, the colors are just as bright, the Christmas trees are covered in gold and red ornaments and the Christmas Hymns are sung just as loud. But the best part is the presents. Just kidding (;  The best part is the PRESENCE of the spirit in greater abundance as the world turns it's eyes and it's mind and heart to the Savior, the LIGHT of the world. 

The best way to celebrate Christ is to know Him, and serve Him, and give him our time, our gifts, our voices, everything. Like the wise men and the shepherds. IN relief society, we talked about the three stages of Christmas Celebration:

     1. santa, elves, baking, presents

     2. Christ's birth 

     3. Christ's LIFE, His Mission

We all want to be at stage 3, where we truly celebrate Him. His birth was a beautiful scene to reflect on and to remember, but His life, His mission, His love causes us to change and repent. Causes us to serve and get out of ourselves. I love Christ, and Heavenly Father. So thankful for that beautiful Christmas scene and for His life, which makes me better, which keeps me happy. 

I'm loving the area and my companion. We laughed a lot this week. mom will tell you why... TOOO TIRED TO FUNCTION. Gotta do what you gotta do though. Pray for us.
LOVE YOU ALL!!! 

PS.Trying not to let Austin's fame go to my head... haha 

November 23, 2015 - Dum-Dum-da-dummmmm *I can hear the bells*

Melissa is getting married. Can you believe that?! 

AHHHHHH I CANT ITS ALL A DREAM (literally). 

Every one of you, give her big hugs for me I can not believe I'm not there to catch the bouquet and hold her dress when she has to pee. 

honestly so happy for my best friend in the whole wide world. <3 

YOU CANT JUST RETIRE SALLY WITHOUT A CAR(e) IN THE WORLD. 

RIP Sally. you were a great car. Thanks for always taking me places and jammin on roadtrips. xxx

Mom sent me a quote I LOVE. Doesn't apply to me rn because life seems too good to be true but I feel the truth of what is said and have experienced this before.

 "Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Prov. 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain."

 In companionship study this morning we were talking about this. It's how we respond to opposition that shows how true our repentance is, and how sincere our heart is. We may feel weak, but we are strong, because it is our actions that determine our true discipleship, because it requires faith, and strengthens our determination to hope to receive the blessings. 

How is the city?

GORGEOUS ITS SO GOOD TO BE BACK. Sunsets by the beach. Long walks on the........... cemented pathway 100 feet from the sand.... CITY LIGHTS just coming on right when it's time to go back to the flat (; hahaha 

HONESTLY I love it here. The people are different. the feeling is different. Everything still closes at 5 on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays but it feels more like home. I love everywhere I go for different reasons. But happy I get to experience this area for longer. 

How is my comp?

Amazing. Sister Bisogno. 

Mum is half New Zealand, half Irish.

Dad is half Italian half Portuguese.

Born in south Africa, grew up in NZ.

She's a year older, and has been out a transfer shorter. 

we think alike, and it's awesome. :D :D Love her. 

idk what president was thinking putting us together. 

too much fun (: 

How is the area/ward?

So good. Most of the Americans have moved back home since last I was here but my favourite families are still AMAZINGGGG as always. 

Do I get to have thanksgiving this week?

thanksgiving? yes, 

dinner? no. lets not talk about it though

What do I want for Christmas?

your testimonies (; SEND THEM hehehe

also I would LOVE if you sent a little note to my previous companion pumping her up for her last transfer (Sapi Nansen) and something for SIster Bisogno. That's all thank you fam <3
     

Obedience and Diligence brings blessings, especially when you  get thrown into a new situation with NO map book, NO investigators, and NO idea what you're doing. 

It's my first time being a senior companion, everyone. Pray for me. 

But I have felt the spirit SO STRONGLY this week. Mostly because I'm letting HIM 

"lead me guide me walk beside me [and] help me find the way". 

My district leader is Elder Morris from Utah and his comp is Elder Roldan from the Philippines. 

:D

Love you all. 

I was showing sis B all my photos and just crying bc I am so blessed.

November 16, 2015 - TRANSFERS - lots of exclamation points and ALL CAPS. :)

I AM GETTING TRANSFERRED. It's actually too good to be true. EVERYTHING I wanted. I'm getting doubled in (YAY)I'm going BACK to doubleview ward in the city (YAYYY)to baptize HEAPS of people there. 
(Note: Sister Falter has been in Byford for 7.5 months!)

And I'm with SISTER BISOGNO, MY FAVORITE PERSON EVER!!!!!!!!!!!! We both kinda hinted to president ages a go but he rebuked us and told us to go read PRAYER in the bible dictionary but then OUR PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED!!!
Literally. I was SCREAMING when I found out. I'm still a Sister Training Leader (STL) but with the fresh area, it'll be good. 

Going to miss it here. so so much but it'll be good for me. I LOVE THE MEMBERS here. They feel like family. (Probs because they are- all of us are sons and daughters of Heavenly Father...- but still). Heaps of letters and thank you cards to write these amazing people who made such an impact on my life. 

Mostly I'm going to miss my companion. Literally been crying and screaming and laughing nonstop since we got the call. Barely slept last night, both of us. I've just learned so much from sister Nansen. She is my best friend over these ways and it's been amazing to experience growth together and individually. We have experienced so much craziness and challenges and honestly she's been the biggest blessing through it all. If her name wasn't Samoan Aussie I'd name my firstborn after her. I love her. That's all. 

On to the important stuff. There was a crazy lightning and thunderstorm here. CRAZY. It' was amazing. So here we were, taking videos in our car on our street when we saw some members come out of their house. So we went over to talk to them, and they said it was safe to come out of the car. SO we parked the car and watched the lights with them until it started getting a bit close. They invited us it (it was lateish and they were in their night clothes) and told us about the terrorist attacks in Paris that morning. Sitting in their comfortable home hearing the news with the lightening and thunder and rain surrounding us felt surreal. I felt so far away. I considered all the events and felt so hopeless and scared. I knew I could find comfort in the Book of  Mormon so as I sat and pondered the scriptures one of my favorite scriptures in Moroni 9 came into my mind. Mormon to his son Moroni, in a letter, wrote about evil and wicked people. HE wrote about all the scary and horrible things that were happening to innocent people. Thing's he could not control. Moroni felt like I did. Then, His father says:

25 My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever.

 26 And may the grace of God the Father, whose throne is high in the heavens, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who sitteth on the right hand of his power, until all things shall become subject unto him, be, and abide with you forever. Amen.

The Book of Mormon is written for our day. We can find comfort and counsel in it's words. As I shared this passage the spirit of Hope filled the room and I wasn't afraid. Okay, maybe a bit afraid of the lightning, even that passed. 

I fasted on Sunday for the people in Paris, for transfers and Yanni's Patriarchal blessing. It felt so good to fast by myself, for myself, and mostly to just express my gratitude. 

On Saturday we were on bikes (because we had no reason to use the car) and it was 39.4 C. IT WAS SO HOT I HAVE NEVER SWEAT SO MUCH IN MY LIFE but I didn't even care and we were just talking to everyone. 

I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK.
We had some cool experiences and miracles this week as well, but I'll save that for a later time. 

LOVE YOU ALL. been singing christmas songs all week. decorated a memebers christmas tree yesterdayI LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR. 

Enjoy the ugly swearers, boots, wool socks, gmas cookies, snow, leaves, or even chill breeeze.

Enjoy it for the both of us. xxxxxx LOVES!

Sister Falter

November 9, 2015 - "This week we were KISSin."

I love the church. Because the Prophets and Apostles help us understand and maintain and clarify the law of the Lord. The Lord has always helped us understand his doctrine, never left us questioning and apostatizing, when we are willing to receive His light and knowledge. That's pretty cool, I think.

WHO'S ON THE LORD'S SIDE, WHOOO?

I was reading over the conference talks that mum sent, especially the General Priesthood Session. I loved the talk on FAITH from Dieter F. Uchtdorf. I actually was lolling when I read it because he is so bold and I could hear his voice in my head as I read the words. If you haven't read it, I'd suggest picking it up.

IT'S SO EASY to be skeptical, to be cynical, but the way of The Lord is a journey that requires faith, and hope. Desire and LOVE.

I agree with what him and all the other Apostles and Prophets have said. I am thankful to live in a world of continued revelation. <3

This week we were KISSin.

don't worry everyone, it stands for: Keep It Simple Silly.

Well the week started with one of my rare but famous mental breakdowns. that was fun. but then we had to do some organizing and a bit of praying and it ended up being a revelatory experience for my companion (shes so patient) and I. YAY...

   THE REST OF THE WEEK WAS A BREEZE.

I love the Lord because he is SOOO patient with our faults but the spirit helps us be happy and hopeful. Helps us recognize positive growth and the potential of others. :D We taught so many people this week and our beautiful family came to church. YAYAYAY. We saw some awesome members and I just felt like a missionary. We testified everywhere we went and I just felt so good. Missionary work is so natural when you're happy and when you have awesome experiences living the gospel daily.

Mum was teaching me about gratitude this week. I think it's true, the more you think about your life and blessings, the more you're filled with the spirit, the more enlightenment and light you receive and the happier you are. It helps you to be positive, it helps to increase your hope and faith. The week wasn't perfect, but it felt so good because of our attitude, and because of our attitude, we saw more success. I'm thankful for you. I'm thankful for the experiences I've had before my mission and for all the memories I have. I'm thankful for my testimony and my knowledge of my saviour. I'm thankful I chose to serve, and the more I give, the more I receive back from Him. His promises are ALWAYS fulfilled!!!!

Another highlight of my week was getting an email from Bryden. Someone give him a hug for me please. Packages from Grandma and Yanni consisting of lollies and Halloween socks and all sorts. (: Letters from Barbi and Mum!

I BELIEVE IN CHRIST. (:

THE BOOK OF MORMON makes me happy.

PROPHETS lead us safely.

FAITH provides CLARITY.

I am a DAUGHTER of GOD.

Love, Sister Falter

aka brownie earthquake

aka mini pancakes

aka runt of the family

ps. I'm going to make yous some mean feeds when I get home.... #islandcompanions

Cinnamon Toast Crunch! Only $13 for a box but oh, so worth it!

 

November 2, 2015 - STOP overcomplicating things

I don't have time to write heaps. We're going to the foreshore today to play sport with my zone. But it's only been a few short days since I spoke to you all last.

What I've learned:

Keep It Simple. STOP overcomplicating everything. Life is confusing only if you let yourself get caught up in the little things and forget all about the bigger picture.

I went on exchanges with a new missionary. She's awesome- sooo natural and fun. from Utah as well (: We went to a baptism at her ward that morning. There were only a few people there, and the talks were extremely simple. The mum of the boy getting baptized barely spoke English, but her testimony and thoughts of Faith in the Saviour set the tone for the short and sweet ceremony. The act of baptism itself is so simple. The songs sung were so clear and the concepts were easy to understand "there is beauty all around when there's love at home" "if the Saviour stood beside me, would I say the things I say" "Lord, I would follow Thee". We don't need to make things more complex then they are. we miss the whole thing.

Write down Impressions

Fasting makes it easier to hear the still small voice

Christ is the head, and the church is lead through Authority of the priesthood and the Spirit. We got an AMAZING new bishopric in the ward where I serve. So grateful for these amazing leaders. The church is still true, and I'm so thankful nothing REALLY changes when leadership does.

I love you all. Thanks for the package Yanni and Grandma. I'm saving the chocolate. And I'm wearing the socks right now. (:

Sister Falter

My planner starring my parents. Old picture. LOL

October 26, 2015

October 19, 2015

October 12, 2015

October 5, 2015

September 28, 2015

September 21, 2015

September 14, 2015

August 31, 2015 - Pictures! More Pictures! And Mosiah 2.

This was my district before transfers. The only change is our district leader (far right) Elder Tramacchi. He will be missed. Gave the best District Meetings. 

We LOVE taking corny district photos. lolol

This week I have been studying

Gratitude 

True Happiness

Promised Blessings of Keeping the Commandments 

It's all related. 

When we keep His commandments, we are blessed. When we recognize those blessings and are grateful for them, our attitude towards the commandments change and it becomes easier and more desirable to live them. We receive more blessings, and become more grateful, and that is true happiness. Our trials are tailor made for us, and only our Heavenly Father and Christ can truly understand, but the Commandments enable us to stay on the path, despite of opposition To be confident in the direction we are headed, despite the clouded view, and with a perfect brightness of hope, accomplishing our righteous goals and receive Eternal Life. 

We all receive blessings from living righteously, but recognizing them for what they are, and having faith in The Lord's hand in our lives proves difficult if we do not open our hearts to the spirit. 

Mosiah 2 is when King Benjamin speaks to the people. It's a beautiful chapter and I've learned a lot from it this week. But I love this part: "I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

If we aren't finding the blessings of living the gospel, it's not because we aren't receiving them, but our heart is not in a position to recognize them. This happened to me this week, but as I counselled with my Heavenly Father, I realized honestly how much I'm blessed with and I haven't been this happy in months. Prayer Works. Notice the Blessings.

We got to go to the city this week for my chiropractor apt (surprise mom I went to the chiropractor but all is well) and we had a leadership meeting in the morning. In order to make everything work and not drive back and forth, we left the flat at 545am and got there early. Across the street from the chiro is Kings Park, the most famous park in Perth. So we went and took pictures. We got to the mission home early to make sure our hair and makeup looked decent before our meeting started and sister Fife fed us :D

Our bikes broke, so we took them to our investigators house that night and he fixed the tire. the next morning we got on them again and OOPS it broke again. Flat tire. So we went BACK to his house, and he ACTUALLY fixed it. In the mean time we were taking selfies next to his garage. :D #skyblue 

Sister Nansen is an amazing companion. She teaches me SO SO MUCH every day and is so much fun. She laughs at my horrible driving all the time and we love morning exercise together :D :D haha good times

This is me in the morning next to our amazing view of the sunrise 

THIS IS WHY I LOVE BYFORD!!! We wake up to this almost every morning but this one was especially colourful so I had to take a picture of it.

Her skirt got caught in the bike...... lolol luckily she had another one under it.... 

Right after I found out my tire was flat. 

NICE NOT EVEN OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. 

but we met some cool people on foot so all goods!

SERVICE!!! Is my favourite. We get to help sister penton in her amazing garden sometimes and it's the best

 

KEEP BEING AMAZING!

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. 

Love you all!! Miss you so much. :D :D :D Love seeing all the good things happening and how much different everyone is / looks. 

Sister Brooklyn Falter

August 24, 2015 - (Brief email, is an understatement!)

this week in a nut shell. 

I am staying in BYFORD YAY 

Best week of the transfer. So many miracles. the members are starting to not just love but TRUST us YAY

And I love Australia! 

unexpected challenges led to a sleepover and a totally candid prayer shot (we were posing)

August 17, 2015 - Kangaroos

Almost died when we were in the car on the way to the chapel because I saw some kangas in the distance and was definitely distancing myself from the lane in the process. My companion LOVES my driving LOL but she can't drive because she is basically blind. She's getting new glasses next week then we might call and try to switch drivers. :D :D (that's my idea but I haven't told her yet lol) 

Had interviews with our mission president and he is so awesome. We were discouraged because in Byford, everyone knows everyone. It's kinda out a ways, inland, and the people are friendly and the houses are just 3-5 years old so when we go tracting, they post on the "Byford" facebook group where we are and everyone closes their doors and windows and pretends that they're not home EVEN THOUGH WE CAN HEAR THEM. haha. Some members and random people have told us they see our names on their quite often. Usually tied words like "witches" or "mary poppins" or "school girls". So the people know OF us but they don't KNOW us. My first thought was "MARKETING YAY!!!" Growing up with dad as my father, of course I was excited about the free advertisement, but when you start noticing people literally running away from us it becomes a bit discouraging / frustrating. HAHA. 

It's also quite funny and we usually have a great time just laughing about it. 

He told us that if we pray for the people who see us on facebook, or close their doors on us, Heavenly Father will give us the opportunity to talk to them, the spirit will tell them to open their doors, and we will have greater opportunities to serve the people of Byford. 

That's exciting, right!!? 

LOVING my companion. We have too much fun together -mostly her laughing at me but she can we an egg sometimes too. :D 

Thankful for trials - they make me stronger. 

I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOOO MCUH. Congrats to my beautiful bestie who is getting married without me *cries* 

xxx

Sister Falter

PS convention sounds AMAZING <3 loved the pics

August 10, 2015 - scary angels turned pink, Melissa, Sister Book and MIRACLES

The first time I walked into their home, the first thing you noticed was a large scale wallpaper covering one entire wall. A picture of a dark angel with wings, praying with a cross with a scull at the bottom of it. Pictures of emo angels and small statues covered the house, leaving it feeling pretty dismal. Now, let me tell you about this amazing family. Mum and 6 kids, basically raising them on her own. The kids were pretty uninterested about church, missionaries, and anything we had to share the first time I went over there. Over the past few months, many trials have come down upon this little family. Things happened in her life that caused this sweet sister to feel like she hit rock bottom. Our heart went out to her in love as we visited. We knew only the gospel would help revive her from spiritual and emotional fatigue. One day we sang her a song, and asked what the spirit told her as we sang, and from that moment on, they kicked it in to gear. She's been coming to church every week for 3 months. Everything in the house that didn't invite the spirit was removed, walls were painted (pink - we helped) , pictures of Christ and the family were placed, and they spend their time listing to uplifting movies and music that fills the home with love and purpose. The physical changes are the least of the progression that this family has made. The kids are different. More loving, more kind, more involved. They feel the spirit more, they get excited to see us and when we are over, they are well behaved and love to give us hugs and high fives the minute we rock up to their door. I love this family. They've become so precious to me. They are so happy, so bright, so fun! One daughter of theirs was baptized this Sunday and confirmed. We were there to help prepare her for that special day. What a beautiful thing this gospel has done for that struggling family. That's what it's about. Bringing hope, purpose, and the love of our Heavenly Father into our lives. All we have to do is invite him in. 

I went on exchanges with Sister Tusi this week. She's in my intake and I've been DYING to go on exchanges with her, because she is just amazing. I kept telling her how utterly excited I was. Not sure she was as excited to come with me, but we ended up having such a fin time!!! That exchange was what I needed to get out of my head, get out of the car, and talk with everyone. She reminded me to not only tell people our purpose, but more importantly to show people our purpose by inviting them to keep commitments, being bold, and sharing gospel principles or scriptures with EVERYONE we meet. I loved feeling her testimony as she taught and testified. She's a powerhouse, and such a good friend. Love Sister Tusi (means book in Samoan). She also taught me some Samoan words so I'm going to probably come back fluent. LOVE MY SAMOANS!! (: 

A miracle happened. I was riding my bike and felt prompted to STOP. I ignored until it came again stronger so I obeyed straight away. Almost got thrown off my bike but I followed a prompting and we were able to provide comfort and support to a family in need.  The gospel blesses families. I KNOW IT. I've seen it so much, lately. Never ignore promptings.

Things are really starting to roll in Byford. We are starting to get member referrals, we are starting to get heaps more potentials, and we are meeting a lot of people. I am so excited for the coming weeks!! 

I LOVE YA!!! So much. Sending packages / letters today (once I finish them). 

Feels like Christmas here. Been singing my favourite CHRISTMAS songs ALL week. Enjoying the rain as well. GORGEOUS sunrises. 

That is all. 

Also I'm not really sure if my letters are any good so if I'm not answering the questions you really wanna know pls tell me or ask me bc honestly I could be completely useless and wouldn't even know it. I just write what comes. 

I need feedback lol. 

Love, Sister Falter

PS the suspense is killing me pls someone tell me is Melissa engaged yet #uselessbestfriend #inthedark 

August 3, 2015 - Reflections

It's amazing how much of a difference your week is when you have a minute to just take a step back and look at what's been accomplished. I moved my bed right by the window so I can look out every night. I love the Australian sunrises and the stars are amazing in Byford. I love writing in my journal and recognizing the hand of the Lord each day in my life and in the lives of all the people we meet and work with. Recognizing the moments when I truly was speaking as a representative of Christ and not just sister Falter or BK. 

I am thankful for a couple of main things:

1. Leadership - the amazing missionaries I work with, the assistants and President and SIster Fife. Amazing leadership. We feel their prayers and concern each day and every time we receive training. We feel the spirit of their own personal conversions and experiences each time they counsel with us. 

2. Repentance and Practice - that we sometimes are really bad at what we are required to do, but the more we work at it, the more we pray for it and study it and practice, the more effective we are at using that skill. I LOVE developing skills, even though it's a long process it's fun! 

3. The Sacrament and the Spirit - Saturday night and Sundays have become such a huge influence to the rest of my week. The way I prepare effects the way I feel when I partake of the sacrament. It allows me to receive more of the spirit because my heart is more broken or open and it influences every day afterwards. I had an amazing feeling, a beautiful experience last week during sacrament. I felt so enlightened and peaceful. The spirit was teaching me and helping me remember WHY the sacrament is so important, and why I need it, and how I can be more like Christ THIS week!! 

4. Prayer and Reflection - accounting to the Lord in prayer, the ups and downs of the day, helps a lot. Helps me understand my purpose, helps me recognize weaknesses and be humble, helps me feel the spirit and recognize answers, brings me peace and enables me to feel the love of God. 

Christ enables all of these blessings which is why I am so thankful and owe so much to Him. It reminds me of why I decided to come on my mission- because it is a way for me to acknowledge my Saviour and what he has done for me, as His sister, and to enable me to learn how to serve him more fully throughout my life. 

 I am trying to be a great missionary. Yoda was wrong, there definitely is a TRY when it comes to personal progression. Sometimes I fail, but then again I realize that once again Christ has got my back, and my front and both sides. Completely covering me with Grace and Love. 

My gratitude for Him grows as my understanding grows. Experiencing the atonement in my life through trials is one of the greatest gifts the mission has brought. 

I AM THANKFUL (can you tell). 

I am also thankful for Pday. it is part of the mission experience. (: I love learning more about the people you all are, and seeing the blessings of the gospel in each of your lives. Honestly, it is such a blessing. I feel the spirit as strongly during emails than during the rest of the week.

Thank you. Your examples give me a beacon to follow. 

I love you all<3  

July 27, 2015 - Lots of pictures of my friends

This is Naomi! I love her so much.

This is Jingle (: She's a recent convert and I LOVE HER SO MUCH... Cutest lady ever

"N" got baptized. She's the amazing lady I taught on exchanges with Sister parks. (: It was a beautiful baptism and I felt the spirit SOO strong. It was just what I needed to be reminded of my purpose as a missionary - to help people make sacred covenants with God that enable us to be with Him again. She is so beautiful. It's a silly picture but describes her lol.

"T" is getting baptized next week. Love her  Told her bling bling lol

Ward Activity!

District fun :)

What a week. 

Adjusting to new companions is so fun (: Sister Nansen is so funny becase she is Samoan but lived in Sydney most of her life so she is so AUSSIE. She's the whitest companion I've had and sometimes she think's I have more brown traits than she does (: 

We had Zone Conference and I got to see ALL MY FRIENDS from the river down so that was way fun! President Fife is an amazing teacher. I learned a lot about the Sacrament this week at Zone Conference. It's amazing how much we take for granted the sacrament, or at least I did. It was the last major event that happened before Christ suffered bled and died for all of mankind. 

I learned that as you reverently come to the sacrament hungry for help, you feel the atonement working in you and that ordinance becomes sacred and lasting. It's been something I've worked on my whole mission, trying to find more strength as I come to the sacrament with a more reverent and humble attitude and seeking the Lord's will. 

It is cold in the mornings and night so I'm always wearing my fuzzy socks. lol 

We excersize in the flat mostly because the cold is too unbearable. Probs not even that cold but it feels like it. I think the problem is that it's just as cold inside than outside....... #notevenrealwalls 

Australia is still gorgeous in the winter. WE have sunny days most days. and lots of amazing sunsets. It gets dark earlier now, so the cold can't be beat #bundleup 

This week we had a lot going on. Baptisms, Ward activities, service, teaching, exchanges and splits. It felt like a mad dash but we had a lot of fun. Again, it made me more thankful for the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ that comes as we invite the spirit into our lives. 

So grateful for all of you. Sorry it's so short today, it's sometimes hard to compose my thoughts and focus, but I loved to see all your pictures and updates. I feel the spirit when I read your emails. Got a letter from Kylee this week as well (: 

Just so happy to hear all that's going on back home. 

I'm more and more thankful for the relationships I'm making here in Australia. The people are so unique and fun, and I've come to absolutely love it here. I have some amazing friends. I am so blessed to meet and love and serve here. <3 

Keep doing missionary work - the elders and sisters in your wards  NEED you (:

I love you all. SOOO much!!! <3 <3 

Thanks for all your support, it means EVERYTHING. 

<3 SIster Falter

July 20, 2015 - It's a Kangaroo!

We were driving in Byford when all of a sudden my foot taps the brakes instinctively. "just a deer" I thought "wait a second, deers don't hop like that ITS A KANGAROO" 

My Companion and I FROZE THEN SCREAMED YAYYYY. 

I only saw their backsides but it was enough... it was enough. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to my Gorgeous Sister Emmalee, who I love with all my heart

and my equally beautiful Sister Melissa Kay whom I adore. I miss you two 

Celebrate HEAPS. 

It was so sad to say goodbye to a companion and friend that meant so much to me and taught me SO MUCH about becoming like Christ. Sister Leakehe was such an amazing missionary and so many people were touched by her service. I know she's become who she is by striving to be like Christ more, so that's what I want to do as well. 

This week was amazing. We taught heaps and found heaps of people to teach. We saw lots of miracles and got organized for the transfer. 

Sister Nansen is a good cook so I've been fed well. (: It's cold every night and morning but I'm getting used to it a bit more. Fuzzy socks and hoodies when we're in the flat is the only way I survive. 

This week I taught quite a few lessons, but one stands out. 

We taught a couple who were both baptized years ago, after they had been married, but in recent years, this brother lost his faith and now both he and his wife no longer come along to church. He claims to be atheist, although he never fully denies what he felt or knew at the time of his conversion. We were teaching about faith and repentance, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, something I have grown to love and appreciate so much. 

Often times, as missionaries, we are sent to teach people, but sometimes I think God, in His wisdom, sends people that we teach to us. That lesson was more for me, looking back, than for this man. It was amazing to share my personal witness of the Saviour Jesus Christ. Many times we share our testimonies to people who have similar feelings, and it allows for the spirit to testify to each of  us that WE KNOW it's true. But I didn't have that experience. His beliefs weren't there- which is usually when I draw back- but I felt so determined to make it known that I know that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world and the Son of God, so I did. A still, small voice in my head told me what to say, and I believed every word of it as I said it. Everyone felt it. 

I'd love to say he felt to his knees singing and praising God that instant, but he did not. Nor did it change his perspective of God, but it changed mine. I knew what I knew, and I left feeling so thankful for the spirit, and thankful for my own personal testimony. It is a gift!! 

Alma 37:44-46

For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.

I'm so thankful for the members. I love them a lot. Elder and Sister Cammock serve as missionaries here and they are helping us teach one of Elder Cammocks lifelong friends. Their testimonies are so strong and I am thankful to have the opportunity to work with such beautiful people. 

I miss home. I miss my family and friends. Miss Washington state and Summer. 

But I love the work!! I loveee being a missionary. 

I LOVE being Sister Falter. 

Time is flying by way too fast. 

I love you all. I pray for you, all the time. 

Seriously I do. 

Be safe and make good choices. 

Sister Falter

July 13, 2015 - Transfer news.

STAYING, but getting a Samoan sister, Sister Nansen, who has already served here before. Back to a normal companionship.. That'll be so good for me and I'm SOOO excited to be a sister training leader again!! The members are going to FLIP when they see sister Nansen again. She was here for 3 months just before I came into the ward. 

I felt at peace with the news. Excited to stay with the ward - I feel at home here. (:

Service at the Lee's

Me and Sister Leakehe

This week we saw the Lord's hand in the work. We had no idea how we could find new investigators, but we had faith and acted in obedience and the miracles happened. They all came from following promptings of the spirit and acting on impressions we received in the moment. It was wonderful to see! 

My anxiety has been better this week. Some days were really bad, I think because I was anxious about transfer news. But now I am so ready and excited to do the Lords work here in Armadale ward. I think I have unfinished business to attend to here, and I am so excited, and even more excited to be a sister training leader. I've been praying for the sisters already. I am grateful for the extra support of a third companion last transfer because I was forced to work out personal matters and couldn't focus on the other companionships of sisters as much as I wanted to, so I am blessed to have the opportunity to repent and do much better, and I already feel like I've received revelation for how to spiritually lift the sisters and motivate them.
I feel like this is a fresh start for me to turn out and utilize the tools and strengthened testimony of repentance this next transfer. We spent most of our days tracting and visiting members this week, so next week we will hopefully teach more investigators and help them progress. I love the people we found already and we are SO EXCITED for them.

We had a man at the ward activity and church who hasn't been in 3 years, we had a less active family (one of them inactive) come along as well to the ward activity and church, and the inactive youth is bringing her boyfriend to church next week, and her mum expressed desire to work towards going to the temple for the first time and doing baptisms! We met with another less active family and the woman expressed her concerns to us this week about feeling judged and condemned for being less active and stated she would ONLY be there when she felt ready, and she rocked up to church this Sunday and the ward fellowshipped her! And we had another less active we've been working with come with her son and stay for all 3 hours. 

The Sabbath day was a miracle and I got to watch MEET THE MORMONS on Saturday. I missed the first 3 stories but it was better than nothing. We had more people there than ever expected. 

This week I took the advise of my much wiser and more mature YOUNGER cousin, who is in Alabama, and I made plans with Heavenly Father in prayer. I set prayerful goals. And it helped my week. There were stressful times and really fun / goofy times, but I focused on Loving Christ More, and I felt lifted. 

 "My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever. And may the grace of God the Father, whose throne is high in the heavens, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who sitteth on the right hand of his power, until all things shall become subject unto him, be, and abide with you forever. Amen"

I love you.

July 6, 2015 - Raise your hand if...

...you didn't think I would have time for the family email again this week.

YOU LOSE!

HEY <33 

We've adopted a new "mission father", and we already LOVE President and Sister Fife. Poor things haven't slept since they got here (it's a miracle, because I remember how long that flight was). 

Honestly, they are awesome. It's a definite change, and they are very different from the Lindsay's, but they are loved and respected and supported among all the missionaries and we already feel the power of his prayers and leadership in our efforts. 

We had the chance to learn from him on Wednesday, when he introduced himself and trained us on doctrine. He's been a teacher for just about 30 years and I learned so much. At the missionary leadership training on Friday, we felt his concern and testimony burning as he gave us counsel and more training. And on Saturday, I had a personal interview with him, where he continued to teach and testify of Christ. We had so many opportunities this week to recognize faults and repent and re commit ourselves, and have seen the miracles already! 

This week was a miracle. Three of the people we've been working with, we decided to stop visiting. We LOVE them (I can't even describe how much I love them), but we recognized the true nature of their concerns, and there was nothing we could do to help them without their own personal desire, so we acted in faith and let them go. Out of the blue, we received a call from a member who's friend lives close to us. Her friend has been in need of some spiritual guidance so we set up an appointment to meet with her. When we met her for the first time, she welcomed us into her gorgeous home and gave us some slippers for our feet. She opened up to us and shared her desire to feel God's presence in her life. In her own words, despite going to church every week, she felt spiritually dry. We shared our testimonies of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation. We helped her recognize that God's influence in our lives comes in the form of the Holy Ghost, that it touches our hearts and minds and guides us through our life. At the beginning of the exchange, she looked so upset and tight, but by the end she was so excited and happy and energetic. She felt the spirit so strong, and so did we, so we invited her to follow Christ's example and be baptized, and she could not stop saying YES YES YES. I know that's the way she can feel God's influence in her life, by qualifying to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by being baptized. 

She could not stop thanking us, and calling us "beautiful angels" HAHAHA. (: She's a Filipino lady, and she's honestly a beautiful angel herself but I'm glad she already loves us. 

At the beginning of the week, we went on exchanges with the Murdock sisters (Sister Parks and Sister Allen-- both of them are American). I went with Sister Parks in Murdoch. We had an awesome exchange. I've worked with sister Parks in the past, and have heard her powerful testimony so seeing her in action was a gift. She taught me about following the spirit, and being convincing in lessons by simply testifying with power and authority. The lesson we taught was one of the best I've ever experienced, and I am so thankful for the Spirit's still small voice. The spirit, through us, resolved all her concerns, and she is prepared and excited to be baptized at the end of this month. What a beautiful experience for her, and for us!

I'm so grateful for the week I have had, for the miracles I've seen.
I love Armadale ward, and the members are getting excited about the work!!! We are having a ward activity on Friday and we're watching Meet The Mormons. (: CAN'T WAIT. All the members are bringing their friends. I love this ward and NEVER WANT TO LEAVE. (which means I'm probably getting transferred lol)

Heavenly Father is so good to us!! 

I love you all. Remember to let HIS light so shine THROUGH YOU. 

REMINDER: Email your favourite sister/daughter back. lol. <3

xxxooo Sister Falter