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