...and i'ts because of this bloke...

I don't even know where to begin! This week has been incredible!

We have been teaching the members the lessons to help build their faith, and also to help them with missionary work! Well the Falkingham family was baptized 3 years ago and sealed in the temple 2 years ago, and they LOVE SHARING THE GOSPEL! We have been teaching them the lessons and working with them and their friend Matt! We have been praying and even fasting (all together to Matt to have his heart softened to hear the missionary discussions. Well this past week Brother Falkingham called to say that Matt miraculously moved in with their family and is keen for the missionary discussions! We went over the next day and taught about the Plan of Salvation but mainly the atonement because Matt has been through a lot! ...speechless I remain...the spirit was SO STRONG! He felt hope, and a greater love for the Savior, and as a result committed to be baptized on the 30th of August! Since that one lesson, we went back and he had repented...knelt, prayed, and poured out his heart to God with instant peace sent back his way. He went with Brother Falkingham to the addiction and recovery class, the ward activity, and all of church just within the past few days! He truly has been prepared by the Lord and now is his time to come to Christ! At the end of one of our lessons, Brother Falkingham (who is a tough guy;)) said to him, "Mate I'm tellin ya, this is the best thing you can do! This will bring you not temporary happiness, but eternal happiness. This is THE WAY! There is no other way! and i'ts because of this bloke (pointing to Jesus Christ) that you can do this!" Brother Falkingham spoke to Matt in his language and the spirit was so strong, I'm so excited for him! He has already made great changes just in this past week!

So earlier this week the stake president came out with us to visit 3 of our investigators...oh.my.goodness! The church is true, and our leaders truly are called of God! For example, it has taken Sister Tupuna and I about a month and a half to find out some of Adelle and Allisters concerns and do our best to address them...Well,  President Brodie goes right in there, no background on them, and begins to speak by the spirit...nearly everything he said addressed their concerns...it was so special! He finished by inviting them to fast to find out if this is really true or not. So president Brodie, Adelle and Allister, and my comp and I all fasted the 23rd-24th for Adelle and Allister to receive an answer! It was one of the most spiritual fasts I have even participated in! Well that day was great, but about an hour before we went into our lesson with Adelle and Allister, my comp and I had a really.......interesting experience that just hurt us a lot and broke us down/humbled us...we realized that it was the Lord trying to humble us even more so that we could fully rely on him for the extremely important lesson we were preparing for...we felt very sensitive and it truly helped us a lot in the lesson to just have the spirit with us! Backing up a bit, the night before we spent a good amount of time on our knees pleading with heavenly father to know what we needed to share with them the next night at the close of our fast...well without sharing any of this until the next morning in comp study with each other, my comp and I both had similar experiences...When she finished praying she opened her scriptures randomly to see what heavenly father needed her to hear...she opened to Alma 12:10 "He that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word,; and he that will not harden his word, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God" (Adelle and Allister SO NEED open hearts right now, so it was perfect!) Well she finished and got in bed, and fell asleep; meanwhile I finished my prayer later and then grabbed my iPod to listen to the scriptures on shuffle...the very first scripture it came up with was ALMA 12! In personal study we both were prompted to study recognizing the spirit, and so when we shared with each other in companion study, what we had learnt in personal study we knew it was from God and it was what we needed to share that night! We were prepared physically and spiritually to teach about recognizing answers and the importance of acting upon them and it turned out to be one of the most spiritual lessons on my mission! While fasting they felt peace, and felt that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter0day saints is one they need to continue to go to and learn about. They ALMOST COMMITTED TO BE BAPTISED, but still have a few more concerns, so please keep praying for them! but I do know for sure that fasting is so powerful! It helps us change, helps us have the spirit more, and helps us work in a way that heavenly Father needs us to! I was so grateful that  the spirit was able to guide my comp and I so much In preparation for that extremely important lesson!! (cool side note: Adelle opened the Book of Mormon 3x and every single time she did, it talked about baptism!!!! Pray that she will have the courage to act upon her answers! Their family soooo needs the gospel!)

Adam got baptised!!! ahhh ;) such a sweet experience! He is seriously solid as! He will make such a great missionary in just a years time! He shared the most beautiful testimony at his baptism and it was about his love for heavenly Father and Jesus Christ! All his member friends who have been with him growing up were there to support him, and it was just so good! Adam loves the gospel because he has seen how it has given him an actual purpose to being here, and he feels like he finally knows who Heavenly Father needs him to become. He has noticed how much it has helped him change for the better, which has brought so much happiness! He has got his temple recommend all ready for Saturday (when we are going to the temple for baptisms for the dead) and has been called as YSA Rep! He is seriously going to make such a great leader in the church! Thank goodness for members who opened their mouths and gave invitations...it's because of them that Adam will get to live with his Heavenly Father again if he remains faithful!                #Salvationisinthebalance

The apostles and prophets truly are called of God. Their words are his words and we must listen and act upon the counsel they give us! I love in lessons when we share a video of an apostle declaring their testimony, and the investigator says, "well that's very convincing!" I am so grateful for a living prophet and apostles, they are the Lord's servants!

I love being a missionary! I love knowing that heavenly Father is with us when we do things HIS way! The gospel is true, the Gift of the Holy Ghost will guide us safely in life, and JESUS CHRIST REALLY DOES LIVE! We took a picture in a frame of the Saviour to another investigating family this week and it brought the sweetest feeling into their home! He is the reason we can have hope! We truly do need to focus EVERYTHING on Him!

love always,

Sister Ensign

centered on the ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST!

Well this coming Saturday our friend Adam is being baptised! He is from Australia and is 21 yr old. (member referral, yay!!!) and has lived...a typical young adult, aussie life...if you know what i mean...but has had some amazing experiences that have led him to where he is at right now! He has truly repented, and has the most beautiful testimony, it's been the coolest thing to see him change! Well just yesterday we were talking to him on the phone when he was like, "sisters, i just want to finish reading the Book of Mormon before i am baptised"...and in our heads we were like 'noooooo Adam, you are not doing this right now!' haha. (concern!) well we met with him and a member a few hours later and had a really special lesson  where Alma's words brought the spirit so much when he says, "yes i say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing  to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with im to keep his commandment, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism"(alma 7:15)...my companion read this is so much conviction and the spirit had flooded the room. Later after the lesson Adam received a priesthood blessing, and left feeling "so much better, and excited for this weekend"! It's amazing what the scritpures, the spirit, and a priesthood blessing can truly help us find that lasting peace! It was a really sacred experience!  As a missionary  i have often had to ask myself 'what do i need to add or eliminate from my life that will bring me closer to my God?'..just as alma invites us to consider this, and as we surrender, giving up all bad habits or sins..we truly find HIS PATH! After the lesson the member texted us and said, "spirit present lesson" we think it needs to be a new key indicator haha!

Adelle and Allister (investigators) had a really good experience at the temple (in the waiting room) with their friend (bishops wife) and in there we were able to re-commit allister (the father) to pray about being baptised, and he accepted with a more willing heart this time!!!  he came to church yesterday without his wife (which is a big step because she is the one who was raised in the church (but never got baptised) and so we just always assumed it was her who was more keen) and he even brought his little daughter! He is really coming along and we are so grateful that Heavenly Father is working with their family so much, this Tuesday night president Brody (stake president) will be coming out with us to visit them, we are so excited! PLEASEEEEE pray for them! They are soooo close to just being baptised!!!

So on our way to return our mini missionaries, we are walking into the chapel just to see our two recent converts, Phill and Natalie coming to the temple totally on their own!!! They had family names they had found on their own as well! :) We were sooo happy:) They are truly converted and committed, we are so happy to see the strength behind their testiomonies! They both already have callings, and are just LOVING being members and learning more and more each day! They participate almost more than anyone else at church haha, sure love them!

 

On Friday we went to see Marisela, a members friend who is from Chile!!! horayyyy! :) (you know i love my spanish people;)) So about 2 weeks ago we had our first lesson with her after dinner, and it was really good! This week she invited US FOR DINNER (*sign she is on her way to membership in Jesus Christs church haha) and we were able to have a really good time with her and her sweet kids! (Time out, funny story: maybe don't put all the details in mum haha. We got To Marisela's house when her brother in law was just in the front driveway cleaning...wearing just house clothes, nothing nice. Well we got to talk to him a bit, and then we went inside and left him for a bit...Well...nek minute he comes in the kitchen where we were (keep in mind he just barely came from chile about 3 weeks ago, and he is in his late 20's unmarried) with a nice button plaid shirt, tucked into his pants, really nice tennis shoes, his shirt is unbuttoned about half way down with his hairy chest and beaded "cross" necklace hanging out hahah with like 6litres of Colone on hahahaha. Sister Tupuna and i were DYING inside haha. He tried to get all latino/handsome on us hahahahaha. Bless his heart! ha) Well after dinner we were able to teach them about the Restoration! Wow...the spirit was so strong!!! As we taught we would stop and ask how they felt and the Mum and the 8 yr. old son (who was listening so intently) would say, "really warm.and fuzzy...just good!:)" We invited them to be baptised and the sweet son said, "yes" but mum is praying about it! They will join! I feel it! they are just so ready, and i can't wait for them to recieve all the blessings that come from the gospel!

 

2 nights ago we were driving down the street when we felt prompted to stop at a house. knocked on it. introduced ourselves, just to hear the man say, " i know who you are! my uncle is the bishop of the dianella ward, i'm just less active!" Heavevnly father is 100% of all HIS CHILDREN! He loves us and will help us when we need it most! Nothing we can do will take us out of his reach, i am so grateful for that knowledge and so grateful that Heavenly Father is always aware of us and our circumstances!

 

We have chosen to center everything on the atonement for our zone this transfer...can't remember if we already explained that! But to finish off the transfer, Sister Tupuna and i have planned a musical fireside for our ward, where all the missionaries can bring their investigators to, and it is centered on the ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST! Each time we work on it, we get so exctied! It truly is amazing what jesus Christ can do in our lives, and we can't wait to share more about his atonement with members, and non members at the fireside! 3 weeks ago while praying before bed, Heavenly Father told me clearly to do this...i talked to my comp about it. then sunday the bishopric 2nd counselor came up to us and said, "this past week Heavenly father told me to put together a musical fireside, and i remember you two singing at the baptism...i want your help!" We all know that this is soemthign Heavenly Father needs us to do, and so it makes workign for it so much easier! When we are doing what the Lord needs, living the commandments, and following the spirit, regardless of how hard it may be, it is the most rewarding thing where the Lord truly is walking side by side with us! As we have testified of the atonement to everyone this week the spirit has been so strong and i have truly felt like a representative of Him...Jesus Christ! Through HIS atonement, Christ as changed my companion and i; he has strengthened us in our weaknesses, and given us physical and spiritual strength beyond our own!  I love Jesus Christ and will glory in Him forever!

 

Love always,

Sister Ensign

some of them have literally just cried in our arms..............

This week has been so good for me! Zone conference was just what I needed to have an additional boost to continue to give all my heart to our Lord and this work! As we left the zone meeting, all excited to begin working again and helping our Lord in hastening it we barely made it around the corner when we saw a lady walking...she was maybe 200 m from the chapel and we pulled over to talk to her! As we did, we were able to share about the Restoration and wow...the spirit was sooo strong as we were able to testify of our loving Heavenly Father and older brother Jeus Christ who were able to restore their pure teachings. She committed right then and there to learn more with her husband and to come to church! Miracles truly are wroght when we have faith, act, and expect them! As we have continuted to not only testify of the gospel but of our Savior Jesus Christ, I have been so overcome with emotion...I am soooo grateful for Him, and just honestly feel so blessed that I am able to testify of Him to the people here! 

 

This week the assistants asked me companion and I to host some more mini misionaries, and the one I have, Sister Pemberton is wonderful! :) She is just from another stake, here with me for 5 days, is 16 years old, and is EXTREMELY QUIET haha,  I love her! It was actually really cool, because just the day before I got her, I prayed for more charity and love, as well as patience, and serving with her has helped me grow in those areas in the past few days! From the beginning she was so quiet and didn't even want to tell people her name ;), but wow.... as we are able to strengthen our testimonies together and role play lots, we both have grown a lot and it's cool to see her change! She gets very emotional when she shares he testimony and from just the past 2 days, she has had some really special experiences! I felt like Heavenly Father needed me to help her how to turn to Him through prayer, and also through using the scriptures so we have been working on that! Yesterday, because it was such a nice day we went outside for our study! I invited her to think of a question she had, and she came up with this, "how can I not be so shy to talk to people?". She then randomly opened the Book of Mormon and we began to read together! The answers came like crazy and we just cried! After having the spirit with us we then role played...oh.man...it took my sweet companion a really long time (I  won't tell you how long haha) to gather her emotions to respond to the "investigator"...but when she did, the spirit was so strong that when she finished I just stood up and held open my eyes and we cried together! She has such an amazing testimony and yesterdays study cracked the ice to where now she feels so much better about sharing her testimony with those we talk to- I am so happy for her! As I thought about how happy I was for her when she was able to grow a lot, I caught a small glimpse of how happy our father in heaven is when we grow spiritually! Again, if we are not moving forward, we are moving backwards! This life is all about growing and becoming like the Savior!

 

Adam is doing sooo good! We taught him the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity this week (2 things pretty much everyone struggles with here in Australia!) but he has been doing amazing! He is repenting as we lives these commandment, and is having such spiritual experience throughout the week that is pushing him to keep moving forward! My favorite thing is to see people live the gospel and repent, and that is exactly what Adam is doing! He is so excited for his baptism in just over a week! He already wants to serve a mission like all his other mates who are already out serving,he is amazing!

 

We got to help Natalia take her Dad's name to the temple this week to be baptised for him!...It was one of the best experiences i have had at the temple! Her and Phill there, and I saw Brian there (another RC from my first area), and so was some of our ward to support Natalie and Phill! Seriously, nothing is better than seeing RC's in the temple! (p.s. I talked to the coyle family this week and Justin (the dad) told me about his experience of going to the temple for baptisms for the dead. He said, "I can't put words to it, but it was just really....special!" :) :) :) I love it! I love them and love hearing about their growth! Just this past Saturday Justin baptised his mates family! The mum, dad, and the daugther! Recent converts truly are the best missionaries!) But as Phill was baptised for Natalie's dad, I felt the spirit SO strongly and knew that Natalie's dad was with us, and was so happy! When Natalie was baptised 3 weeks ago, she not only got herself onto the path back to her Heavenly Father but she now is able to help her other family do the same! Last night at our potluck dinner, Natalie shared her testimony with us all and how happy she was that she was able to help her dad get baptised so that he can live with our Heavenly Father, and her again! I love this gospel! It truly is one that always remember the eternal perspective, and I love that!

 

The spirit has guided us so much this week! We randomly end up at peoples houses, just to hear them say, "this week has been so hard............, what you shared is just what I needed!" as some of them have literally just cried in our arms. It is the gospel that helps us through trials..it is our only hope, and I feel so grateful that my companion and I are able to stand in behalf of Jesus Christ, and remind people of that!  I, like the sons of mosiah have all reason to boast in my God. He is almighty, and the very reason we are able to see miracles and help his children, and I glory in him!

 

I am so grateful for the experiences I am havingt right now, and am grateful for the strengthening and enabeling power of the atonement! It has saved me  and will continue to carry me through everything throughout my life! Love you all!

 

Love,

Sister Ensign

.....all the answers we need are there.

This week we have really seen people repent, and it's been the most beautiful things to see!...I don't even know where to begin...

 

At the beginning of the week, I finished the Book of Mormon!!! (I challenged myself to finish it last transfer, 6 weeks) As I read the Book of Mormon over those 6 weeks, each day I felt the spirit as the words were directed perfectly to me and my needs and those were more indications of the truthfulness of the Book...but as I finished it and read Moroni 10, with Moroni's challenge to us all to read and pray about it...my heart was so overcome with the spirit! I sat in the car, with the rain pouring out around us when the warmth coming from within me, again taught me that , YES! THE BOOK OF MORMON IS THE WORD OF GOD! I am so grateful for the many times Heavenly Father builds my testimony, it pushes me each day to become more and more like Jesus Christ, and to sin less! I love the Book of Mormon!

 

Well for transfers another sister came with Sister Tupuna and I just for a day, while she waited for her new companion, and we had such incredible experiences as a companionship! Our trio was awesome with Sister Kennar, she is such a good missionary! We were driving to see some people that night, and Heavenly Father told us to go see a former investigator I had written in my planner a while ago...we knocked on the door and the mum (late 50's yr.) seemed kind of irritated, but after she remember who we were and we told her that Heavenly Father had told us come to their house, she said, "my son is actually really struggling right now, come in and talk to him". We sat down with her son (30's yr.) who told us of the trials he has recently been facing as he just lost custody of his 7 month old girl...We taught about the Plan of Salvation and the atonement...oh.my.goodness...one of the most powerful lessons! We finished by inviting him to pray to use the atonement to repent/and have his burdens lifted...as he said the closing prayer the spirit was so heavy and powerful! we were all in tears! This Sunday he came to church and had the greatest experience! He had the best fellowship who has been through like the exact same things, and come out on top and now is one of the greatest gospel dad's ever!

 

 

This week we had another lesson with Adam and first followed up by asking, "how did it go when you repented?" (as much as we shouldn't have we were a bit unsure if he would have repented because the lesson where we invited him to, he said he didn't know if he should do it again cause we was scared he would slip up again with the bigger mistakes...)....well he said..."I usually ask to be forgiven in all my prayers, but this one was a bit different...I was a lot more sincere..." and as he explained how he felt, he told us how he felt a lot of peace! He said Friday night he met up with his mates, and had this bad feeling like he should leave...he said he ignored it since he himself wasn't doing anything bad (only his friends), and then he said by the end of the night that warm peaceful feeling, had left him and he felt guilty....he told us how he thought it went away because he didn't obey it...(ok Adam...talk about so spiritually smart huh?) He was exactly right! The spirit is so sensitive, and it cannot dwell in unholy places! He is so onto it and is growing more and more each time! The lessons we have had with him have been so powerful and as we have asked inspired questions about why he wants to be baptized, he has been able to share his testimony of his pure love for Christ and desire to follow him! I am so excited for Adam!!!

 

I jut want you to know that I am so grateful for the scriptures, all the answers we need are there!

 

I love you all,

 

Sister Ensign