28 April 2014

Hello from.... Raglan!  Sayyy whaaa??  Transfers.

Kia Ora, Family & Friends!

So much has happened, I don't know where to begin!  Well first, I was transferred last week. I thought I had another transfer left in me before I would be transferred from Katikati but it looks like Heavenly Father had a different plan in store for me. Goodbye Sister Holmes!  Goodbye comfort! Goodbye members that I love! :(   Now: Hello, Raglan and hello Sister Hansen!

Raglan is surf city! (Raglan is on the West side of New Zealand, the opposite side of the country as Katikati. Population is around 2700 and the median age is 37. It's described as a "Bohemian community"). Raglan is where all the young people migrate to and backpackers settle..... MUCH different from my retirement village of Katikati. We are surrounded by the beach on almost every side and very laid back people who don't ever work by the looks of it.  On my first day I found out my companion has lice, poor thing has had it for 12 weeks because it keeps coming back :(   I REALLY hope I don't get it!  Then I saw a less active (who is partners with his sister) try to kiss my companion on the mouth. Sounds pretty exciting, eh?  Everything is pretty lovey-dovey here.

...Word on the street is that Bethany Hamilton (that girl who had her arm bitten off by a shark) is in town surfing! ALSO: fun fact.... Anyone remember that Greenpeace Activist, Jay (Jason?) -something?, he made the youtube video about saving Africa from kony and he interviews his cute little blond boy about what is happening in the world today. Well, he's my neighbor. Whaaaaa?!  I thanked Heavenly Father for letting us meet him and giving us the opportunity to talk to him.  He's an amazing father and a very, very deep thinker. I'll bet we could give him some things to think about in the Book of Mormon! (Also, we didn't realize that it was him until we walked away.  Everyone in this town seems so familiar to me, like I've met all of them before.  It's kinda weird-ing me out, actually. But his situation makes sense because I have actually seen him before ....on youtube! ha).  Just watch, I'm going to become a hippy living here. ;)

So Elder Pearson and President Rudd came to our Branch on Sunday. Elder Pearson is General Authority.  It was freaking everyone out that they all seemed to just look through me and forget about introducing me into the new branch.  Alls well.  Can't say I blame 'em.  It was pretty special that this Area Authority decided to come to our Branch of all the places he could have gone! 

We didn't have p-day yesterday because Elder Kevin Pearson (Pacific Area Presidency) had a Multi-Zone conference with us that was from 10am-3:30pm which was chock full of awesome goodness.  He is so bold and powerful. He told the missionaries that who ever does not want to change or who has a hard heart to get up and move to the back so that he could see who they are..... no one of course got up so he said, "Really??! None of you are going to get up? I KNOW WHO YOU ARE. I could see you when I shook your hands and looked into your eyes.  Who will get up?"  No one moved, until my new companion got up and went to the back.  Then a small elder joined her later. He thanked her for her courage and by the time the whole conference was over he came and kissed her on her cheek.  She's a great companion. Very calm and laid back and natural.  She makes teaching very effortless and fun.  She stood up at the end of the conference when he was taking volunteers to say what they had learned. I cried.  She's one of those ones that feels like she is all alone with how she's feeling.  I know she has some struggles but I've been waiting until she wants help. Maybe I shouldn't wait, but let her know that I'm available to help. I'm glad I can be her companion.  My last companion reminded me of Brita. ....Which reminds me: Shout outs:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Brita!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kezia!!!!

Love you both heaps :)  Thanks for the letter Brita! I loved it!

Thank you to all those who do write me.  It REALLY MEANS the WORLD to me!

P.S.
I learned so much from Elder Pearson but the main takeaway is: We never actually gain a testimony. We all already have one, it is just about remembering it!   Every person in this life KNOWS that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true because they are here....also he talked about those that have known the truth and, for one reason or another, have fallen away.  Our area is FULL of less-actives so we will see what the Lord has to teach me about helping those that have fallen away. 

Everyone fill in the blanks for yourself:

Because I am a disciple of Jesus Christ I don't __________ (want to be selfish anymore) 

Because I am a disciple of Jesus Christ I am __________ (willing to share what I have been given and forget myself)

Love yous all!!

-Sister Moore

20 April 2014

Yolo, Family & Friends!

We had companionship exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders, which, in my opinion, always suck. It's when you change companions for the day and go around teaching your people with them. The purpose is so that you can learn from the Trainers and see how you can improve. But what I learn is that other missionaries never love the Katikati people as much as me and my companion do. I guess our town is just different because we have hardly any "normal" people with normal lessons.... Everyone is "special" or has to be taught in a certain way because they are either un-educated and don't understand anything you are talking about, have short attention spans, or are too unwilling to listen so you need to serve them and love them until their hearts soften. I guess you should know that Katikati is a very small town (for those in WA, it's about the size of Carnation) made up of 10 different churches and filled with 80% old people, heaps of Indians, Tongans, Maoris, Pakehas, traveling backpackers and SO MANY CATS! (They have this breed of cats here that have no tails... it looks like they all got cut off. It's odd.)

During exchanges we stayed in our area since we are too far away from everyone else. It just so happened to be pouring BUCKETS of rain on the day of exchanges and we had been running low on K's to drive our car and had hardly anyone for us to visit. So what did we do? We walked in the rain. Turns out umbrellas are useless. Ours turned inside out after 5 min of being outside and even with raincoats on we were completely soaking wet after 15 min. Anyways, we spent about 3 hours in the rain and found no one to speak to. The highlight of being outside though, was that a man we teach (Christopher, the Out-of-the-Box thinker) pulled us over and asked how we were but also told us how excited he was to have read the next chapter in the Book of Mormon! (We had previously taught him about the iron rod and he told us that he isn't to the tree yet but he's on the rod and he'll get there soon). After laughing at finding ourselves so wet and with no where to go, the Sister Training Leader made us drive all the way to her area and sleep there for the night because there was nothing to do in our area. It was sad but true. And kind of discouraging, too. (Lesson learned: great things come eventually to those who wait, especially when we can't understand why.)

Our Relief Society President's brother died this past Wednesday.  He was a cute old little man with a HUGE smile.  He was told he had 6 months left to live but died 2 weeks later from an unexpected heart attack. We went to the tungi and the funeral and saw our dear old little Relief Society President curled up in a ball trying to sleep and brush away her tears.  She somehow got a lot older this past week and more frail looking.  I hope she lives forever.  She's 80 but she has to live to be at least 100 I've decided, if not longer.  At the tangi all the men chiefs made us greet them and they all kissed us on the cheeks. Then one man did the hongi with us. I haven't had a man's face that close to me in long time and it felt like he was going to kiss my mouth.  So I did what any awkward white girl would do and touched only my forehead with his.... he pulled me back and said "No, we have to touch our noses".  Freaked out that I had to get even closer and sniff in his scent, I did it, least he'd have me try it again. I later saw him making fun of me to the other chiefs. I know I'm not making it up because he touched his forehead and laughed and laughed and pointed at me then his nose.  Turns out... he's a member of the Church!  Come on bro, making the sister missionaries do the hongi!

We had a very famous man named Herewini Jones come speak to us on Sunday.  He is known for his healing and knowledge of the Maori people in relation to the Book of Mormon.  Our Branch President made him come out with us after church and visit some people.  I'll tell you, that was a scary experience. He was actually really inspiring though. He is a man who knows exactly what kind of power and authority he holds and from whom it comes from. He made me want to use more confidently the power and authority I have as a missionary and teacher. One thing that's funny though, is that people everywhere around here do not use very professional language. You call everyone bro and cuz and it was no different for this High Council member.  He said bro at least 10 times to one of our less actives.  I'm going to come home and be all like, "Yeah, no bro.  Yous can all get yous own plate."

Brother Jones talked about keeping the Sabbath day Holy-- the WHOLE 24 HOURS.  I would encourage yous to do things that help you focus on the Savior for the WHOLE 24 HOURS. e.g., turn the TV and computers off.  I can promise you that your weeks will significantly improve and you will find greater peace in your homes.

Turns out the members love you more right before transfers. (transfers are this week) ....We normally don't do much for p-day but today we have a lady (Sister Wymer) invite us over so that she can teach us how to make pavlova (the secret is CUSTARD! so yum), and later a family is going to drive us out to meet the other missionaries so we can all play volley together.  We also went shopping with Sis Hona today. I love to feel loved. The trick is to love everyone how you want to be loved without any thought of return and then when it is returned, it is oh so great!!

Love yous all heaps n heaps!!

Sis Moore

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
N O T E : 
Hailey loves letters!  Her address:

     Sister Hailey Moore
     New Zealand Hamilton Mission
     PO Box 9542
     Hamilton  3240
     NEW ZEALAND

          ...just make sure you put $1.10 postage on it :)
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

13 April 2014

Too happy to say much at all :)

WOW times flies when you're loving those you're with. The days seem a bit long but the weeks fly by. Sis. Holmes and I have so much fun and share a similar sense of humor which makes everything seem 10 times funnier. 

In New Zealand it is a very great honor to receive a greenstone (jade) necklace or a bone carved necklace. You are never supposed to buy one for yourself (that is believed to bring you very bad luck), you're only supposed to get them as a gift  from another person who loves you and wants to give it to you. Sis. Holmes was given both a greenstone and a bone carved necklace. She was very loved by the members in her last area. ...But out of my complete shock and surprise I received a bone carved necklace yesterday!  It was a gift from a lady who I perceived to be indifferent towards me, if not slightly uninterested in me as a person.  I'm shocked and so happy!  It just goes to show you can never assume what people are thinking or feeling, nor should I try to interpret what the gift means exactly but I will love her and the necklace just the same! 

There is a woman here whose name is Paki- she came straight from Tonga and speaks absolutely no English.  She is a member and faithfully comes to church every week. Throughout the week she will go to the chapel, and with her handmade broom,  brush away all the leaves and rubbish that fall onto the lawn, making sure everything looks neat and tidy!  She came to conference this past weekend and stayed for the whole thing although she cannot understand anything being said!  What a faithful woman! I love her so much!  She has big hugs and wet kisses and after I let go of her hugs she always grabs me again and picks me up 3 times. It's weird but it makes me laugh. :)

General Conference was the greatest time ever. I couldn't believe how much they talked about faith, becoming a better disciple of Jesus Christ and learning to love one another. I learned heaps and was sad that it went by so fast, too fast!  I didn't get bored once and I couldn't write down their words fast enough. Well.... only 6 months till the next best conference in the history of the earth! :) 

Being happy sometimes means we don't have much to say because it's mostly how we feel.  You know you actually see that in the world a lot.  People are much more apt to listen or write about all the bad things than about all the good things.  I'll work on better expressing myself even in times of joy so that you can all know the source of my happiness. 

My personal goal these past couple of weeks has been to work on my trust in the Lord.  Because that is my goal, I have been given an opportunity for "trust exercises" every day.  When I recognize these moments for what they are I am given the choice to act or to not.  The moments when I don't are more "comfortable" but the quiet guilt and disappointment that follows is not.  When I recognize an opportunity to trust in the Lord and I open my mouth, I have never been disappointed. I may sound like a fool, or not make sense, or have the most wonderful, enlightening experience ever.  Either way I am never disappointed or full of regret when I open up my mouth. God blesses and protect those who sacrifice for him. 

I've heard mention that you want to know about a typical day in Katikati, well I'll have to write home about it 'cuz I'm out of time!

Love you all heaps and heaps!

kia kaha and carry on!

S. Moore 

[Note: Kia kaha is a Māori phrase used by both Māori and Pākehā (European) people of New Zealand meaning stay strong, used as an affirmation. The phrase has significant meaning for both the Māori and Pākehā people: popularized through its usage by the 28th Māori Battalion during World War II, it is found in titles of books and songs, as well as a motto.]

6 April 2014

Pretty awesome week. Check out the caterpillars they have here. (pic attached)

Sorry, I don't have much time today, so this will be short. But I'm very, VERY HAPPY!!   :) :) I'm loving my companion and things just seem to be going pretty well.  We get to go to the temple this week!  Which will be so nice.  I miss the temple.  And since we are always a bit behind here in New Zealand, we will get to watch General Conference this coming weekend.  Which we are also SOOOOooo excited for!

Sis. Holmes and I have been applying our scripture reading everyday.  We are in Alma and reading about Ammon (I just want to marry all of these awesome men, especially Nephi and Moroni!!) but, like Ammon, we have been trying to find new people through service.  It's funny how shocked people (who you don't know get when you turn up at their house in work clothes and ask to be put to work. People were telling us how awesome we are before we even started working.  And because we aren't pushy we have them dying to know what church we come from and why we only want to help people. "We should be part of your church" they say...... "truth." but really, it's true.  We are out there every day just to help people find happiness.  It's right there! Take it!  Why wouldn't they want to talk to us?? ;)  We just want everyone to be happy. 

People here are hilarious and I love them.  They just make us laugh. I just love the people of New Zealand!!!

Out here in the country the people are very simple and aren't as educated as perhaps the people in the larger cities, but it's these simple people that bring the greatest joy. Gosh, I love them!  It's funny because God always calls the humble to be the greatest leaders of them all. Joseph Smith was just 14, and he is known as the only human on earth to do more save Jesus Christ to establish and build up the kingdom of God on Earth. Moroni was 25 when he was called to direct the people in times of war, Nephi, Joseph of Egypt, etc. etc. And that is why the Lord calls young as missionaries today- he needs people that are not trained in the ways of the world but those that are humble and will rely on Him. These simpIe, wonderful people of Katykaty have so much potential and strength if they would just listen and obey. 

I learned in my studies this morning that sometimes it is a blessing to not be blessed with as much as you think you need or want because then it allows us to rely more on the Lord, which is the real thing we are needing. 

-Love yous all!  We are off to get some more service gear and go op-shoppin'. 

Sis Moore :)

p.s. I'll write more letters I just lost my stamps & envelopes. ha. Thank you HEAPS to the ones that do write! I love letters!!  :) 

p.s.s. NOTTS can I have Anna's email address?  Thank you for your letter! I have one to send off to you soon