June 29, 2015 - Short and Sweet

FAMILY

This week we had the opportunity to go to the temple with my zone and have training one last time with President and Sister Lindsay! They will be missed. We miss them already. I was able to sing one last time for them with my companions at the training meeting. Isreal Isreal God is Calling.. on the fourth verse everyone stood and sang. I loved hearing their final testimonies. They have influenced my life more than they could ever know. <3 

This week I also learned about Nephi, when Bishop spoke of His Psalm. 2 Nephi 4. I learned from him that yielding to Satan, or the adversary, means that we do not put our full or complete trust in Jesuis Christ, and allow Him to make us whole. Allowing Satan in our lives is more than just doing the wrong things, but not allowing ourselves to think or feel the right things. Not allowing God or others to help us, to lift us. Alma spoke of His conversion in Alma 36, and at the beginning briefly describes the horrible crimes he knew could not be compensated for by his personal right actions or personal worthiness,  but it could be made right through Christ's grace and mercy. We have to accept imperfection- but not let it overcome us. We have to trust God, do our best, accept Christ's atonement, and strive to live faithful to the promises we make when we are baptized and confirmed. THEN we are good enough. Nephi recognized this. Alma did. We can as well. 

This week we taught one of our new investigators the gospel of Jesus Christ and expressed the beautiful way we can be relieved of all our guilt and pain. You could almost feel her relief that there was something big enough to do that for her. That she could eventually feel right with God again. It was a beautiful thing to testify about it after the week I had and all I had learned. 

We did heaps of finding this week and I got to be with sister Tukuafu for a day as well!!

I have to go now. sorry it's so short. 

Miss and love you all

Siste Falter

June 22, 2015 - There is a fight going on outside the library in the mall!

You heard me. ALL I hear is a man hollering because there's two little ones on top and pinning down one big guy and all of the customers are just stopped watching it happen. Half of them are on the phone with the police and the other half are either laughing at how ridiculous it is, or anxiously looking up and down the mall for security. Nice. 

The police just arrived and everyone is still watching. I'm just very confused about the whole thing. 

Anyways, this week was so good. 

I went to the temple with Mya and Melissa for the first time. They LOVED it. They could not say enough about how beautiful it was inside, and how good it felt. Mya said it felt like she was in Heaven and Melissa couldn't stop smiling because of the spirit she felt. It was a blessing to be a part of that! All the youth were there and most of the leaders as well. Such a cool night. 

I learned this week about fasting. That is one of my new favourite commandments. 

Fasting is such a blessing. I am so excited to fast with greater faith and purpose for the rest of my life. (: We always teach people that fasting is an opportunity to be closer to the spirit as we focus more on the Spirit, and less on our own physical needs. As I fasted on Sunday I never felt fatigued or hungry, but all day I felt close to God. I felt the still small voice teach me and comfort me. Many questions I had were answered and I felt so loved. 

I read in one of my favourite talks of all time about how sometimes we feel like we're in spiritual prison, but in those times we can often create a refuge, a temple, a light that will penetrate the darkness and free us from the adversary. Joseph Smith was in his own Prison Temple in liberty jail, under the worst of conditions because of his willingness to seek the will of God, Listen to the Spirit, and have faith in His Saviour and Heavenly Father's promises to Him. I felt that way when I was fasting. I felt like I was close to God, even when the adversary was coming at us! What a blessing to feel that way. I recon most people don't have that blessing of knowing they can escape their own personal prison by seeking reverent guidance through the Holy Spirit as we make our ground sacred. 

My companions and I are having so much fun together, but part of the week was spent with other sisters. 

Sister Bisogno from NZ came to our area one day and I went with Sister DeVera in Melville one day. I LOVE these sisters. I've been on exchanges with both of them before and they teach me so much every time. We've all improved since last time, which was so good to see. Sister De Vera is from the Phillipines and she made me Pork Adobo and taught me how. I LOVE Adobo. Yummm. We had a pretty interesting day. Met some weird people and most people were VERY keen to talk but not very keen to listen.... Makes for an interesting day. Loved it though. We had so much fun! (: 

I'm learning so much and growing. 

It's very cold but so beautiful here in Australia. We live next to a beautiful fountain/lake and park and when we wake up, the sun Is JUST coming up. 

President and SIster Lindsey leave soon. Our goodbyes are on Wednesday. What will we do without them?! Probably work hard and do exactly what we're doing now... (: But the APM will miss them dearly. Especially President's Announcer voice and Sister Lindsay's tears when we sing. AND her cookies. (: I adore them. Cant' wait to meet president and Sister Fife!! 

Well the police came and everyone's cleared out so must be fine #likeitneverhappened

Lots of love, 

Sister Falter 

PS DAD IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!

Merry Christmas (in the words of Austin) 

Jokes. 

Happy Fathers Day. ILY! 

June 16, 2015 - Sorry about last week.

I am such a failure sometimes but THE emailing is the most stressful part of the week. I'll tell you why: 

1. There is a time limit at MOST libraries incliding this one. 

2. You barely remember what you have planned for the day let alone what happened 24 hours ago. 

3. too much to say but you don't want your family falling asleep. 

4. IT'S ALL EQUALLY IMPORTANT 

There are more but those are the main ones. 

Don't judge my emails ok fam?! 

Right. Now. Let's get started... 

This week I learned so much. I learned about the love of our Saviour. He just loves us unconditionally. I don't fully comprehend how the Atonement works or how someone unclean can be washed clean of the sins and mistakes and distortions in our minds and hearts and become like Him. How? I don't know. But I KNOW he can heal our spirits. Especially as we make and keep sacred covenants and use our experiences in life to learn right from wrong. I can't explain how or what happened this week as I went to church and the temple, but my spirit felt healed because of the pure love of Christ and my Father in heaven. I learned that the love of my companions is so essential in progress and healing. and that when we covenant to remember Christ at baptism, not only do we 'Remember, Remember' to keep the commandments, but we 'Remember, Remember' His love, sacrifice, and mercy! 

God loves us. All of us. He took us by the hand almost literally, it felt like, and lead us to meet so many precious people this week who we have shared the gospel with. I love being a missionary and talking with everyone because we give them the opportunity to learn about the saviours grace and mercy, and not only that but to access the blessings of His atonement by living the principles and ordinances of His gospel, Baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. In a time I have never felt the adversity and satan so close to me, I have also experienced the most love and beauty from His opposite. 

I am just so grateful. So So grateful. 

Our prayers this week have been literally answered as we worked hard and followed the small voice of the spirit. 

My companionS are angels. We sing to EVERYONE and it is SO MUCH FUN. Sister Vea cut my hair yesterday ... and she's teaching us to HULA. She gave me her lava-lava (bless her <3) and sister Leakehe is the least trunky missionary in the APM and she leaves in 3 weeks. So much focus. 

The members are SO PRECIOUS. They take care of us. Give us people to teach, and love to hear us sing. 

We had a Mexican fiest as a ward activity so my taco cravings were satisfied. 

Last night we visited a member who fed us the BEST chop sui. 

I love every minute. 

It's not for Him that he sends missionaries, it's for Us. 

But our humble contribution is enough. 

Thank you for your undying love and support. I felt it this week as I received letters and cards from those I love dearly back home and in far away places.  I love getting letters from my cousins on missions, family and friends and members of my ward family back home. 

I'm probably not the missionary you all expect me to be just yet but I'm working hard to get there. Some days are better than others. Please pray for me. (: 

Love you all!

xoxo Sister Falter

June 9, 2015 - The Queen's Birthday = another Monday Holiday!

Sorry I don't have time to write much this week. Monday was a holiday celebrating the Queen's birthday so our preparation day is on Tuesday this week.

I also had the flu this week, just a bad cold, but that's over now and I feel fine. 

The baptism was one of the most beautiful experiences I've had. Melissa and Mya bore such strong testimonies. You will meet them some day, they are some of my favourite people ever. 

Thanks for all the birthday gifts and birthday wishes! I felt very loved. I love all the clothes, jackets, scarf, food, cards, pictures, prints, music, etc.

It was so fun to see my old companions at the transfer meeting. Sister Drew is going to train this transfer. <3 Sister Leleiciauo made everyone sing to me!

 We had to get a selfie with Sister Lindsay at transfer meeting too! <3 

From a member. They spoiled me with cake, balloons and nutmeat (healthy).  I LOVE THEM

We LOVE Sister Brittig!

I have to go now. My companion is going to cut my hair. I love being in a trio.

I am so thankful for prayer.

It helps me feel the spirit. I am constantly praying.

I love you all!

xoxox

Sister Brooklyn Falter

June 2, 2015 - Transfers, Trios, Opening New Areas and more!

It's been a great week. Pretty full-on. There were some very stressful moments. I try to remind myself not to stress out completely, but it's just in my nature. There have been lots of prayers said this week regarding our investigators and members. But it's been a very very busy and wonderful week. There were miracles every day. I think people are starting to get over the flu... That helped a lot! 

Melissa and Mya are so excited for their baptisms. Melissa been reading her Book of Mormon every single day and says "the more I read about what Lehi is telling his sons, the more I think I believe him. Almost like I fully believed before he even says anything and once I read it, I just accept it.." She's up to 2 Nephi 3  now and helps her kids read often as well. I love them, and am so happy we get to continue teaching them as recent converts in the ward. (: CAN'T WAIT FOR SATURDAY!! 

Reading the Book of Mormon has strengthened my testimony of it a hundred fold and helped me feel encouraged and strengthened. I love reading it, it's been the biggest source of personal edification for me this transfer. (:

I loved reading about Moroni today. He is such a defensive leader. The first time they fought, he lead his armies relying on merely their faith in the Lord and their armour. The next time they went to battle, Moroni was preparing. He knew his enemies outnumbered his people, and he knew the weaknesses of His. Instead of increasing their strength in number, he focused on the weaknesses and made them strengths, so that the Lamanites could not come against them, saving his people and encouraging peace in the land. 

There are so many weaknesses I can turn into strengths if I truly follow the Holy Spirit's guidance. We all need help to defend ourselves from our adversaries. The Lord will always strengthen us, but we also must put forth that effort to be smart and defend ourselves against those negative influences. 

Transfer news. 

Sister Tukuafu is leaving. Going to miss her - she taught me a lot about diligence and humility this transfer. So blessed to have been with her. She's off to train a new missionary, but staying in the zone! (yay) 

The Young Women in our ward fixed us dinner! <3 #personalprogress

Zone P-Day Activity!

I'm ..... staying, kinda..... So right now my ward has 2 sets of missionaries. I am opening a new area called Byford with TWO other companions (both tongan - one from America and one from NZ) and we are the STL's for Southern River Zone. Not sure if that made sense at all. Basically my area now that I'm moving out of will become an elder's area, and we will have 3 sets of missionaries in the zone. I've served around / know all the missionaries coming into the ward and they're all awesome so I am SOOOO excited. (: (: So I'm opening a new area, and flat, so that means NO COCKROACHES. Yayyy. 

My companions are AWESOME. 

Sister Leakehe and Sister Vea. I've gone on exchanges with Sister L this transfer. She taught me so much. This will be her last transfer. 

So excited for this coming week. We don't have much time for emails today because we have heaps of things to do to get the flat all ready but I will send some pictures. (: I lost my camera all week but there's a few on there. (don't worry I found it) 

Love love LOVE you.

Sister Falter

PS I had so much to say but I've forgotten it all. I'm just thankful for so many things this week and my testimony has been strengthened through trials and experiences. So grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. <3