September 2015 - "This has been the best 18 months of my life"

7 September 2015

Happy Father's Day Dad!!! And everyone!!!

I attached an awesome video about fathers etc, I suggest you all watch it :)

So, another funny story. In Whangarei last Monday, we went on a hike to Abbey Cave.  Anyway, we didn't have a change of clothes, all we had was shoes, haha!  well.. of course I slipped in the mud! Awkward. But the caves were beautiful :) 

This week has been awesome. The last 2 days in Whangarei were great, it was hard to say goodbye though to a crowd of people I know I won't see in a while. So glad for them and the impact they have had on my life! 

I have reflected a lot over the past few days over the title of "father". Maybe, just maybe, because it was leading up to fathers day. But I was thinking about our Heavenly Father, aka God! He is someone who loves us so, so much, and I just want each of you to know that!

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-01-002-earthly-father-heavenly-father?lang=eng

We just did a training with the sisters in Whangarei.  I so love this group shot and how clear all our badges are!! And also just time spent with the sisters. A fun day :)

Sister Heal

14 September 2015

We went to President's house this morning for STLC. So all the Sister Training Leaders got together and had a meeting and a cute breakfast. We went 1.5 hours overtime, because as we know, sisters love to talk!

So this has been a GREAT week! Honestly, so, so good. Being a missionary is just so incredible. The highlight would be a new investigator we found. There's a man called Dave and he served his mission in the Philippines but upon returning home he struggled and fell off.  Many years later he and his wife have a 10 year old son. We found him by accident and he invited us back on Friday night. We went back (not sure if they would remember the appointment or not) and knocked on the door... they were all ready and set up for us. His wife starts asking us a million questions about the church and we had the opportunity to teach about 'the restoration'. He then shared a powerful testimony with his family and many tears were shed!!! We are now visiting her weekly and he have hopes that one day soon they can be sealed in the temple:)

Also we rode around on Saturday for hours and it was the BEST! I love biking.

We also had zone conference this week. It was awesome! Sorry there is only one photo, but we no longer trust these computers.

ALSO on Tuesday we had 'tradeoffs' and I WENT TO AVONDALE!!! MY HOME LAND!! Where I spent a massive 6 months of my mission. It was so, so incredible to visit people I haven't seen in around a year and see how they are. "The church is true, the book is blue, and Moroni is on the ball" ;)

Ofa atu!

21 September 2015

Well...

I come home in a few days! I always thought I would have nothing to say today, but actually I have a lot :) But just because everyone is asking again.... 

I leave Auckland Wednesday, 23rd at 8am so checking in 6am... and arrive in Adelaide at 10:35am

SO THIS WEEK was such an awesome week!!!!! 

Monday, I got to visit my old area West Harbour and visit recent converts of mine and also a less active who came back to church. We took photos but alas, alack, crickety crack... the viruses on these computers just aren't worth it!!

Tuesday we went on tradeoffs with the sisters in Penrose... sooo good! I was with Sister Palu (hey Sister Bonilla!!!) and we were at this house for dinner (RUSH, IT'S YOUR FAMILY.. I MET YOUR AUNTY) anyway, we were talking and they asked to hear my conversion story.. Well, I said about 3 sentences and they turned around and said "I've heard this before!" and it turns out, that they heard it from her sister who works in the MTC, she heard it a year and a half ago. Turns out I'm famous? Anyway it was a great day!

Wednesday we had a companion study with some other sisters who were struggling and there's an activity in 'Preach My Gospel' I felt inspired to do. Reflecting on why you came on a mission and how it meets your expectations so far and what you can do to achieve it more etc. Well many tears were shed and hearts were touched as we each remembered the joy we felt of becoming a missionary and what we need to change to fufil our purpose and dreams more. Whether you have a year left or 1 week you can make your dreams happen!

Thursday was a normal day but the BEST, I love being a 'normal' missionary!!

Friday was such a busy night. Appointments at 5pm, 6pm, 7pm and 8pm.... none of them fell through!!! All teaching appointments with investigators. I felt the spirit so strongly and I know it worked with me and I am just so grateful to be a missionary and see peoples lives change!!!

Saturday we had a dinner with this amazing family, they are from Indonesia. They are just so incredible and know someone in the Area Presidency. They know everything about our church and one of them asked "how do I register?" It reminds me of my famous line "how do I sign up?" It was so wonderful! Had dinner and then shared about the temple and the 'plan of salvation' etc. They want their kids to go on missions and go to BYU. Such a great family!!!!

Sunday was gooood!! I shared my testimony in sacrament meeting. Then we went out and just talked to people the whole day. A lovely South African lady randomly let us in which was an incredible experience!!!!! Then we had a 'come and see' fireside at night and saw all the missionaries and met their investigators, so great!!!

We also reached our goal of 141 'twe' (talk with everyone). My companion had never got it before and we were driving around at 8:40 Sunday night looking for people to talk to. We also rode bikes ALL week... and we barely visited members. I have decided that being 'trunkie' (wanting to come home and slacking at end of your mission) is a choice you make. I choose not to be trunkie and I had one of the best weeks I have had in months. We worked so hard and I'm grateful for that! And it's not over... door knocking today, teaching tonight, and tomorrow.  I'm being put with a companionship that's struggling to try and help them out. It's time to serve harder than I have ever served before. 

To all missionaries going home soon... one way I kept motivated was a goal to give out a Book of Mormon every day... and it motivated me to 'TWE' every single person and try to teach when you find and find when you teach :)

I JUST DONT WANT TO LEAVE! I love being a missionary. This has been the best 18 months of my life, nothing comes close in comparison.

I just want to say, I know this work is true! Jesus is the Christ" :)

Love Sister Heal

This photo is of STL breakfast at President's last Monday!

August 2015 - I love being a missionary!

3 August 2015

KIA ORRAAAAAA

Trade offs with the sisters from Kaikohe

So, this week we were up in Kaikohe for tradeoffs, man that place is so beautiful. We went to Matauri Bay and it was so stunning!!! Such a beautiful area..

Blessing Greenstones. Now before anyone freaks out, it turns out it's just a Maori myth about getting them blessed because you CAN do it yourself all you need is running pure water :) anyway, a beautiful place.

There is a sister here from Vanuatu and the way you say "I

Greenstones and pure water - so beautiful

love you" in her language is "mi likem you" haha! so good.

I'm just going to share one thing from the week :)

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you". 

That was from memory, I hope I spelt it right? BUT all we need to do to be happy is honestly, put God first in our lives.

My companion always uses a quote which is something like: "When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives". 
(I think from President Benson) It is so, so, so true!!!!

Sister Heal

10 August 2015

Sister Hauglid leaves tomorrow (devastating) and we have a few things to do and we are..... We are going door knocking today! What a boss companion, finishing strong, not even 'trunky' :)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:

Well we had our 'Lincoln Ward's Got Talent' event. Our Mission President and his wife came! It was incredible!! It was just a small ward activity but we did indeed have 150 non members and about 10 less actives come. The photo attatched... hardly any of them are from our ward as they are all backstage setting up things, etc!!! The highlight would for sure be the 'kapahaka' group. It's hard to tell how good it was from photos but they were amazing. 

An awkward moment was when they grabbed us missionaries onto the stage to do the Cook Island dance and we had to try shake our hips fast for a minute solid. We are both white as ghosts so that was embarrassing  but good fun :) also, after the 'kapahaka' we did the Haka, a group of 4 from the crowd stood up and did one back... apparently it's to challenge them or something. Pretty rad!

On Wednesday we went to the funeral of Phil Brown. He was only baptized in March/April and he had a very, very strong testimony. His service was beautiful. All I could think about was Nan! Death is sad but I can't wait to see all these people again when I pass over as well :) (hopefully not for 100 years though!)

FINDING…to the rescue

Something I have a testimony of is FINDING. It's the hardest and most rewarding thing in the mission. Our area is 'dead quiet' once the sun goes down but driving home my companion felt to go down a certain street and in the dark I saw a shadow moving, so we quickly pulled over and talked to him... his name is Zion and he is so, so, SO excited to meet us and learn about the gospel. Miracle!!!

ANY ADVICE ON 'FINISHING STRONG' ? This is my last 6 weeks :)

Sister Heal

17 August 2015

Well this has been an intense week!!!! Let's just take it one day at a time...

BUT FIRST!! I just lost all my pictures on my USB from Sister Bonilla (start of mission) down to Sister Allen........... over a year of photos gone.  :(

MONDAY: Sis Hauglid's last day. We got permission to go to Otahuhu and visit one of the families she taught called the TahiTahi family. They are straight up maori and the 'hori' of them all would be Elizabeth, honestly loved her!! We went to a couple of appointments, said a few goodbyes and that was it! A mission was closed just like that. Mind blown!

TUESDAY: Probably the most depressing day of my life. We dropped Sister Hauglid off at the mission home and I sobbed in the car the whole ride there! The atonement covers this as well right? I am so rediculously grateful for the people I have met on my mission! Nothing compares!!!! So we get to the mission home and I see a fellow Aussie and Sister Training Leader - Sister Fornaro. She was missing her companion as well, as she was also leaving, so we thought "what the heck, why don't we just be companions for 2 days?" SO I GOT TO ENJOY MY SOUTH AUCKLAND EXPERIENCE! it was the bomb. especially cos we had diner with Sis Dixon and Faiva and we entered into some of the most ghetto houses. I have an appreciation for the slums :) We also picked up Sis Van Zyl as she didn't fly out until Wednesday and we #yolo and went to Henderson (the area I am serving in now, she used to serve in).

WEDNESDAY: We dropped Sis Van Zyl off at the airport at a good 4:30 am.... Then we had a 4 hour meeting with some of the other sisters in the mission and it was exhausting. I fell asleep in our MCM meeting, hahahahaha! shame!

THURSDAY: Well we had a mission wide transfer meeting. I collected my new companion.. SISTER CLUFF!! A fellow Australian and she is a legend :) We had a couple of the speakers from TOFW come and talk to us missionaries. I also got to meet Elaine S Dalton, she was an inspiration to me in my early years in the church. I left feeling very empowered and motivated to be a more righteous woman and a better missionary. 

OH AWKWARD moment, President always gets 2 'finishing' missionaries to speak at a transfer meeting and 2 'new' ones. Well I sort of forgot it was my last transfer meeting so when he called my name I was a bit shell shocked. I got up there and spoke about the 3 biggest pieces of advice I can give to any missionary, new or old:

1 - LOVE YOUR COMPANION!!! If your companion is your best friend missionary work is easier, funner and just 100% better

2 - OBEDIENCE!!!! If your not obedient then what are you even doing out here? Obedience shows our love for the atonement

3 - SACRIFICE!!!!! Be prepared to give your all and to just sacrifice anything for anyone.

Well... I think I was a little bit too harsh as so many people came up after and did the whole "YOU SMASHED ME on this" or "rebuking with love" haha ummmmmmmmmmmmm not my intention but all goods :)

FRIDAY: A normal day introducing Sister Cluff to the area :) but at 9pm the sisters from Whangarei rocked up at our flat because....

SATURDAY: TOFW (Time Out For Women)!!!!!!!! yeah, yeah, we went to Time Out for Women! Oh my goodness, it was amazing!!!! I am pretty sure I can take on the world and change the world and myself all at the same time. Talk about feeling empowered?? Everyone needs to go, it's the best!! So much revelation received and prayers answered. I also got to spend the whole day with Sis Dixon so that's always an added bonus ;) But yes, best, best day!!!! Words can't even explain :)

SUNDAY: Stake Conference!!! I saw some old families from when I served in West Harbour which was excellent. Then we had a "Come and See" fireside. This time a whole family spoke. The spirit trully testified to me how a family is the best as they can all strengthen and uplift each other. It's then that we have those around us to build us rather then tear us down.

I love being a missionary :0 There were so many things this week, and now life will go back to normal!

Also, our areas got changed, so I no longer get to go to Kaikohe but I now get to visit South Auckland ;) ;) ;) Dreams CAN come true! haha!

Sister Heal

24 August 2015

Here are some photos from last week on PDAY on a wicked hike. We got to join the other district with the zone leaders so it was half our zone :)  Also a couple of photos from TOFW and tradeoffs!!!!

MY NEW COMPANION is the one in the pink jacket!!!!

This week we have seen SO many miracles with finding new people to teach!!! I have a strong, strong testimony that the work is hastened in Heavenly Father's time and not ours. We didn't do anything different, we just kept doing what we know we should and Heavenly Father is now providing us with a stronger area!!!

The highlight of the week was TRADEOFFS!! I went to the other area and was with Sister Blanchard. So here the story goes, our rebel crime story… 

The other month we borrowed bikes off the sisters, as ours are trashed and we wanted to be 'real' missionaries and ride around not just sit in a car. My new companion is always saying 'we should take them off the back if were not using it or they will get stolen". Well.... on tradeoffs we knew where the sisters would be, so after looking like ninjas and driving past 10 times, we stole the bikes!!! And then gave them to the district leader to look after.  They FREAKED OUT and it was basically the most genius thing ever. Everyone knows I suck at being sneaky as I always crack up laughing, so I got Sister Blanchard to talk to them on the phone the whole time, golden! So when we finished tradeoffs and we were all inside the same flat, they felt sooooooo bad. haha! and we messaged Elder Nonu to put the bikes back on the car. So we all walked outside together and the bikes were 'magically' there. Hope my new companion saw the funny side in it and still loves me? haha :)

We also broke into the Elders bathroom window and stole their toothbrushes and toilet paper. Dont worry we didnt go inside :) They thought it was the other Elders as they had pranked them the night before.. haah let the wars begin!!! We also had to break into our flat as we just simply forgot the key. But other than all the shenanigans, it was a great and spiritual day :)

Other than that, things are going great!!!!!!!!! Honestly, I just love simply being a missionary. When else in life can you walk up to strangers and talk about God and have them open up about their lives and tell you things their best friends don't even know!!! Seeing people change as they embrace Jesus Christ and his teachings, no greater reward then seeing that. 

Also seeing the changes in yourself. I probably sound the same to you all, but I swear I have changed... not just physically ;)

Well today we are in Mangere. Living the southside dream!! We are here for PDay with the sisters :) 

Sister Heal



31 August 2015

Well, I got my 'trunkie email'.  I get home 23rd September at 10:25am to terminal 1. So if you want to come see me then all goods. 

We are in WHANGAREI, so no time to email as always. But this week was amazing. Being a missionary is amazing. I learn't a lot this week about relying on Christ and not our own strength. You would think after all this time I would have learnt it, but sometimes I get a little prideful and think I can do things on my own, but Heavenly Father sure teaches me otherwise :)

Sister Heal

My companion, Sister Cluff & me

July 2015 - The Plan of Salvation

6 July 2015

Soooo, transfer week and.. I AM STAYING! And so is Sister Hauglid. It's true everyone, Heavenly Father does answer prayers ;)  There was a crazy spin on things, the 'Massey' sisters got double shifted out and so we are all alone in the flat. A 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom & 2 lounge room flat to ourselves. It's massive. It's not even a flat but a house. But it's the best and we inherited all their food so we won't starve anymore haha! And we can both shower at the same time. Finish in in luxury or? haha, anyway not that this is relevant to anything, but I am excited about it!

Anyway, this week was another pretty normal week. Which is AWESOME because being a missionary is the BEST!

(We are going up to Whangarei next week so I'm not sure how long ill have to email, probably even shorter!!!!)

Something that has scared me for a while is the prophecy in Doctrine & Covenants which talks about "in the last days mens hearts shall fail them".  On my mission I have met less active Bishops, Stake Presidents, returned missionaries etc and it breaks my heart. I have realised that no one is safe with their testimony. We need to work hard at it, very hard. I have learnt from 3 Nephi 13:19-21 how to solve that. Where do your treasures lie?? Do they lie in the things of the world, or the things that moth doth not corrupt??? 

Moral of the story is if you want to be happy, come unto Christ :)

Sister Heal :) 

20 July 2015 

Valerie Heal, AKA Nan, AKA best friend.. passed away on Sunday 12th July at night.

Nan, before I left on my mission

I got a call from my dad last week on Monday, hence not really emailing everyone last pday :)

This has probably been the hardest week of my mission for me. I have a strong testimony of the 'Plan of Salvation', and I don't doubt for one second that I will see Nan again. But the thought of not being with her in her final moments by her bedside, or at the funeral, or with the family whilst they mourn as well.. was something that was challenging to bear. There were many moments where the thought would catch my attention and I would pretty much break down into a ball and cry. I am so grateful for my companion. She wrote me a little note on Tuesday morning saying how my Nan was encirceled about in Heavenly Father arms. I guess He was too busy with my Nan so Sister Hauglid stepped in God's place and on many occasions literally encircled me about in her arms of love :)

Love her!

Most of you reading this are members of the Mormon faith and know the 'Plan of Salvation', but for my friends and family who arent let me share a little bit with you :)

-----------oooOooo-------------

Before we came down to earth, we lived with God. We were His spirit children, one big family, every single one of us! God had a perfected glorified body and we wanted to become like him. SO he set this plan for us to follow. A plan where we would come to earth, gain bodies, gain experiences and then return to live with Him again.

Honoured the 'Heal' name..

So one by one we all came down... Each one of us gaining our bodies and being born into families. Whilst on earth we are here to be tried and tested, here to have families, here to follow Jesus Christ's teachings and return back to God. There are 2 things that stop us from being with God... one of them is physical death, each one of us will eventually die. The other is sin. When we make a mistake (sin) we become unclean and no unclean thing can live with God. 

God provided a way for us to overcome these 2 obstacles, and that way was Jesus Christ.

The top of Mt Mania

Jesus Christ was many things, a great moral teacher, a prophet, a man who changed history. But the most important thing is he was, is our Redeemer. He performed something called the 'atonement', it's the process of becoming 'at one' with God. Firstly he took upon Him our sins. Every single mistake we have ever made he has paid that price. We can receive that forgiveness if we simply follow the steps of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end. Through these steps we can stand clean before God. The other thing Christ did was, he was killed on the cross but more importantly, he rose 3 days later. Because of that, each one of us will also 'rise' as well.

When we die, our bodies go into the ground and our spirits are taken to the spirit world. A scripture in the Book of Mormon explains the Spirit World better then I ever could.

(Alma 40:11,12)

11 "Now, concerning the state‍ of the soul between death‍ and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home‍ to that God who gave them life.

 12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow."

This scripture gives us in detail, exactly where my Nan, and your deceased ancestors, friends etc are at this time :)

The spirit world is just a waiting room. There will come a time when each of us are resurrected. Our bodies and our spirits will come back together in a perfect form, never to be separated again! Our bodies won't be weighed down by sickness or imperfections, but each of us will be perfect like Christ and God!

How great is that!!

After this we are each judged and placed into one of 3 kingdoms. We often hear of 'heaven and hell' but there's much more to it then that. Celestial kingdom, Terestial kingdom, Telestial kingdom. The Celestial kingdom is where we can live with God forever, our families and friends, and have a fullness of joy. There are things we must do to enter into this kingdom but it is possible.

https://www.lds.org/youth/video/because-of-him?lang=eng

—————oooOooo-------------

My lovely companion

THIS IS WHY I AM A MISSIONARY. To share thismessage with all my 'brothers and sisters' and help them see that this life is such a small small portion. There is a lot more that we don't see, but we will.

I know that the 'plan of salvation' is true and comes from a God who loves us and wants the best for us. I don't just hope for it but I know it without any doubts. 

I love you all. I love my family. I love my Nan. I miss her every single day, but no word of a lie, I feel her with me when I am out teaching and sharing the gospel. 

Til we meet again!

Sister Heal

27 July 2015

THANKYOU to everyone for all your kind words and wisdom over these past few weeks in regards to the passing of my Nan. I truly do appreciate it. I know she is safe now and looking over each of us :)

All right, so I am currently in Kaikohe.  

Here's some dot points for this week:

- There's this Samoan family we have been trying to contact for ages and everytime we go to the door a different person answers it.  Well this time one of the teenagers opened it and was like "do you wanna come in?" of course we said "yes", so we entered in the home and was lead to the loungeroom. One by one people came into the room and sat down... 12 kids later the Dad also joined us! 

We shared a short message about Christ and invited them to hear the missionary lessons and they said "yes"! They're also coming to our activity. So, we are now teaching a family of 12 and 8 are baptismal age! I love the NZAM :) 

We have a ward activity coming up, a simple talent night BUT we have a 'kapahaka' group performing from Pomaria Primary and a few other local performances .... it escalated really quickly and our chapel isn't big enough, so it's moved to the stake centre because we have guaranteed 150 non members attending, plus the ward, and others that people might bring. That's exciting :)

Sister Heal

June 2015 - "We literally have the power to do anything"

1 June 2015

I am always so, so excited to write this, but everytime I sit down I dont even know what happened??? 

OH, WAIT A SECOND! YES I DO!

Well, Remember how I told eveyone that Elder Bednar came to visit? We were told we would shake his hand but he was 20min late so we didnt get to? I remember as he walked out, I had a tear roll down my face because it has been a forever dream of mine to shake an apostles hand.  But anyway we got told 3 weeks ago that another one of the 12 apostles is coming... ELDER QUENTIN L. COOK! We were told he wouldn't have time to shake our hands (they always seem to get it wrong) but he came in and looked at all of us and then announces "I want to shake each and every hand here".  So I had another tear roll down my cheek of excitement and got to shake his hand. I felt like a kid in line at Disneyland.. so cool :) 

The whole mission was there with the Hamilton Mission, so that was cool, I got to see everyone!!! Especially Sister Dixon!! I also saw Sister Allen and Faiva etc etc. My companions are all over the place now!

My new companion Sister Haughlid (all good)

Can I just take a second to show a moment of appreciation for Sister Haughlid my new companion? She is the bomb! (She made me pancakes for beakfast. Anywho?) 

Lunch at President's home

Too be honest, not much to report on. We are slowly building up the new area. The members are amazing but not many people to teach atm… does anyone randomly have friends in Henderson they want us to visit? ;)

Also… THE WEEK AFTER NEXT, I GET TO GO BACK TO WHANGAREI!!! But only for 3 days. But I am so very excited I can barely control it. I love that place! But yes, also love this place!

Something I have learnt a lot about this week is repentance. We hear all the time people saying "I can just ask for forgiveness on my deathbed" and it's like 1. no and 2. no. You can't do that, sorry to burst anyone's bubble!!! But repenting isn't just about being forgiven, it's about change.  And asking for forgiveness once, doesn't mean you automatically change and are like Christ, it's the process of a life time. That's what this life is all about.... now is the time to prepare to meet God... so do not waste your time ;)

OFA ATU!!!

(Getting my tongan on again… oh, awkward story, I wore my 'pulitaha' to church on Sunday and everyone starts talking Samoan or Tongan to me, awkward.  I couldn't understand a word they said!)

Sister Heal

8 June 2015

This week was amazing. Actually every week is amazing, how blessed are we all to be alive? 

Anyway I went to the 'Massey' Sister's area for the day with Sister Freed. She's this cute little blondie who I was in the MTC with at the start of my mission. It was such a good day. 

I have thought a lot this week about goals. And setting plans to achieve your goals. Basically if you set a real goal and break it down on how to achieve that, then legit, you can do anything. Whether it's school, church, mentally, physically, spiritually.... everything really... we can achieve it. How powerful is that? We literally have the power to do anything. 

Anyway. The moral of every story is: the book is blue, the church is true, and Moroni is on the ball!!

Sister Heal

15 June 2015

KIA ORAAAAAAAAAAAA

So again, this week has been pretty awesome. 

Last P-day we had a 'classy nerf gun war'… very fun.

This is from when Elder Cook was visiting.
Elder Prasad, Sister Heal, Elder Adams and Sister Dixon

We had zone conference on Tuesday, we met with about 60 other missionaries. It was a great experience. I learnt a lot but the biggest thing I learnt is about doing things out of love. I then got rebuked by the spirit for not loving enough, but I'm working on that, improvement and progression ;)

Guess who is in WHANGAREI? That's right, I am!!! Happiest day of my life!!! We are climbing some huge mountain and then having a hangi. A smoked one in the ground. It can't get much more legit than that! I'M SO EXCITED to be back with what feels like 'my people'. I am a happy little choppy that's for sure!

Sister Heal

22 June 2015 

Whangarei was amazing.  It was good to be in my 'homeland' and leaving it again was very, very hard. It's crazy how much you can love people or a place. But I'm glad I got to go back!!! I got to be companions with Sister Allen also for a day which was lots of fun. And I saw everyone from my old area (like James, Tayla, the McGees, Crystal, Jenkins, etc) and I just LOVED it!!!

Also this week it was my beautiful companion's birthday. SO I got up super early to put balloons and love-hearts all over the house with the other sisters. Sometimes I take a step back and realise how much of a typical sister missionary I am! Anyway, it was great. We had about 5 birthday cakes over 2 days and the whole world knew and celebrated which was a lot of fun. My companion is amazing and wish I could have done more, but as a missionary time and funds are limited, haha.

I have had a harder time adjusting to this area more then most, I love Henderson, but I think the struggle lies in the fact I miss Whangarei. I honestly feel like that is my home now!!! But, the Lord needs me here.  Any advice about how to love an area you don't naturally love??? Lucky my companion is a legend and lucky I get to travel over the country, so that keeps me sane and keeps me fired up!!! but any tips??

I am still 100% happy. I'm just happy to be a missionary!!!!!!

Sister Heal

29 June 2015

Here's a crazy story for you all.

How many missionaries can decide to take a roadtrip cross country and just pack up and go? Well long story short, we had to change our plans of when to go to Kaikohe. We realised this on Wednesday night at 6:30pm. We left for Kaikohe Wednesday night at 8:30pm and stayed the night in Whangarei to split up the drive and then headed up Thursday morning. It was amazing. The sisters are so wonderful, the people are 'hori', the place is beautiful, life is happy!

We got back on Saturday in time for our ward carnival. I think the highlight was when our bishop got his face painted as a butterfly and danced around the hall pretending to be a butterfly - he's great! We had a few investigators come and it was a pretty rad time.

I have been studying a lot about consecration, sacrifice, dilligence etc. I hate saying this, it feels like a swear word haha, but I only have less then 3 months left. I truly want to finish strong and show Heavenly Father how much I love him and being a missionary. I am so insanely excited for the next 3 months and for whatever life brings!!!!

Sister Heal