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

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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 :)
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