Kia Ora Friends! 5-29-16

IT'S WINTER! Rainy days here every single day!! HAHA I love it here though!! 

This week was so wonderful. Our area seemed really slow, but online was so awesome!! We were able to answer this guy from Kansas who left us a message saying he was Christian and wanted to know more about Mormons. We kind of got the sense he wanted to bible bash, so we got our scriptures ready and called him. As we began talking to him, we got the vibe he wanted to prove us wrong. We kept teaching in a loving way and being kind to him, ALL of a sudden he had a major change of heart and you could instantly tell he wasn't there to bash, but to learn. It was unreal. Sister Chudleigh would spit out a scripture and then I would testify, I literally felt like I was a solider with my companion, we are war buddies. It was the best experience allowing the spirit to teach this man and soften his heart. His heart changed so much that we invited him when he knows these things are true to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized and he said YES! We just died, we were so excited!!! 

It's already transfer week, can you believe I have been in NZ for 6 weeks?! Sister Chudleigh and I are probably the only safe ones in this area since she is training me:) I am excited to stay with her!! 

Well, I got my first door slammed in my face.. I truly felt as though this man was possessed, and I just felt so frustrated I just wanted to beat him up. As we walked away Sister Chudleigh put her arm around me and we got in the car and said a prayer for this man. I never in my life have desired to pray for someone who was so rude to me until I became a missionary. It helped take away most of my anger and I strongly suggest praying for your enemies :) 

This week I had a change of heart. I realized that when I came on my mission I thought that everyone would change. I thought everyone back home would instantly just want to be so righteous (NOT that you aren't) But I just thought like me coming on a mission that like everyone would want to go to the temple every day and stuff like that, but this week as I pondered I realized I didn't come on my mission so that everyone back home would change. I realized that my mission will change me. It will change the way I view things, and the way that has happened is I have been able to JUST LOVE, love people who aren't nice to me, who aren't righteous. I love how I expected everyone else to change, but first, I had to. I am so grateful for every single one of you, you are such great examples to me!! 

"If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you!"

Love ALL of you!!

Sister DeLoach

Kia Ora! 5-29-16

It's WINTER! It's rainy as here, but it's definitely land of the long white cloud, it rains then it hails, then the sun shines!! HAHA also, TRANSFERS are this week, can you believe it's already been 6 weeks? Sister Chudleigh and I are for sure good, so we think, I guess you'll find out next week :) 

Well, this week in our area was pretty slow, but was FIRE online. We were able to teach people from ALL around the world. We know have an investigator in Kansas, Canada, Texas, and North Carolina. It's amazing seeing the gospel go throughout the world. The other day we had a message from a man named Brad saying he was very Christian and had some questions about the mormon religion... SO we called him. At first it seemed as though he was trying to bash, and sister chudleigh and I were ready for war. It's pretty amazing that as a companionship we literally go to battle fronts sometimes together. We had our scriptures out and we felt so excited to be kind to this man who would be rude to us. As the conversation went on, this man got EXTREMELY humbled when we could support all his questions with the bible, and the book of mormon, and he just was sincerely seeking to know answers not bash. He was so kind to us and was in awe of all that we knew (what the Lord knew;) and anyways, we kept talking to him and the spirit was so strong and we even felt prompted to tell him that when he comes to find out these things for himself if he will follow the example of his Savior and get baptized and HE SAID YES. WHAT THE HECK. It was unreal to experience this. I felt like a solider with my awesome comp!! It was so funny to look at each other when the other got done, and to testify and build off of their testimony :) Ah, such a sweet and spiritual experience.

Well, I had my first door slammed in my face. We were talking to this woman Kelly at her door, and asked if we could help her with anything and all of a sudden this mean scary guy came out of the back of the house and said "WE DON'T NEED YOUR HELP" and slammed the door. He then grabbed Kelly and like threw her. I yelled "Sir we were talking to her, not you" And he then said "GET" I almost felt as though the devil possessed him. He was so abusive we could tell, especially because she is 21, and he is 55 and they're dating. It's a weird as situation. I left feeling so fumed I wanted to fight that guy, and scream at him our message. But Sister Chudleigh just put her arm around me and walked with me to the car. When we got to the car, both with a few tears in our eyes for how sorry we felt for her, we said a prayer for this man. I won't say all my terrible feelings went away, I still wanted to beat him up, but Sister Chudleigh helped me realize that Jesus would pray for this man, and that he loves him regardless. I truly am at war with the best comp I could have ever had. I feel so grateful for the lessons she's taught me. She is leaving in 6 weeks, and I know that will be hard. She gave me one piece of advice that she said is the only thing I truly need my whole mission and it's two words. JUST LOVE

Well, Family I realized this week that I thought everyone and everything back home would change so much while I was gone, I thought all my friends would instantly become so righteous, I thought we would all have desires to go to the temple and church, but this week as I pondered, I realized I had it all wrong. I didn't come on my mission for you all to change, I came here so that I could change. I realized it's not a matter of everyone becoming more righteous and more perfect it's a matter of me becoming changed in the way I view those things. I truly can say that I could love anyone regardless of their past, future, or current state, and I truly feel as though this mission was to change me. I can now JUST LOVE as Sister Chudleigh has taught me. I am not perfect at it, but I am trying every day to do my best!! I hope you all can strive every day to become more like the savior!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! 

"The greatest gift of the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don't succeed."

"If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you"

Dad, I am literally in the seed planting business like you told me;) hahah we were doing service and it made me think of you!! I love you!! look how silly this mail box is!!

I LOVE MY WHANAU!!
I FORGOT TO TELL YOU!! A couple named Alex and Sarah came into the VC a while ago and the sisters before us taught them so when they got here we taught them and they are from Brazil and got baptized this week!!!!! I am so happy for them!!!
I forgot to tell you all, but I decided 18 months isn't long enough to wear this tag, so I decided to sleep with it on every night.. HAHA my next comps might make fun of me, but it's all worth it :

Love Sister DeLoach

From Jax 5-30-16

How's it?!

You sound and look good sista! How is everything going?! You are always so positive and faithful! Keep it up! I understand that it's still the beginning of everything and you're probably slowly getting over the whole homesick thing. Don't worry, we all have had to go through that exact same thing. Knowing that I'm not alone was comforting enough for me to get through it all. It sounds like you're staying very busy teaching and committing! As long as you focus on your goals and purpose that's all you will think about throughout your days, even if there's not people coming in the visiting center you'll think about your investigators and their needs. It's kinda fun looking out for people spiritually and relying on God to give you the revelation you and your people need to progress!

-How many people are you reaching?
-Do members bring none members to the temple grounds a lot?
-How's your companions? Can you relate to them? Or are they complete opposites like all of my companions were..? Haha

My buddy that lives near the temple is Davis Sutcliffe. I love that kid to death! I'll tell him to go visit you if he hasn't already haha

Hope you're doing well! Feel free to talk to me about everything and anything! You are really helping me in so many ways! I love your cheerful spirit! Keep smiling and looking beautiful as you always do!

2 Nephi 9:39
O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.

I don't know why, but this scripture has been on my mind lately. It helped me stay positive throughout some ruff times.. "Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal"
S.M.I.L.E.

Cheers mate!

Love Jax

Kia Ora Friends!!! 5-22-16

How are you all? This week seemed a little better :) 

Tuesday at District Meeting Homesickness hit pretty bad, and so I asked the District Leader for a blessing, he in the blessing said that my family would be watched over by angels, and that the Lord needed me here and this time for a specific reason. I have felt so much comfort since then. I know the Lord knows me and you and he loves US! 

Well, We finally met our investigator Craig, and he is 54, Maori, hipster as and is KEEN as in the gospel too! He lived barely outside of the ward boundaries, and didn't want to get special privileges to come to our ward, so he sold his house and moved down the road just to be in our ward, NEEDLESS to say We invited him to baptism, HE IS SO KEEN!!! He is getting baptized on June 25:) I am sooo excited for him. He had triple bypass surgery about a year ago and is still recovering, he has a check up this week, so please pray for him!!! 

Alan had his interview this week and gets ordained with the Aaronic Priesthood on SUNDAY! I am sooo happy for him!! I wish you could hear his accent!! HAHA He says "Wow this gospel is SO Awesome" HAHAH. He is the best. 

One day I was feeling kind of down, at the Visitors Center and this 20 ish year old guy walked in and asked for Sister DeLoach, I said that was me and turns out he had been in contact with some of you on my Instagram and is from Utah and came to say hello. Such an answer to my prayers that God knew I needed someone and literally sent them to me! I know he lives, and loves us. I felt it this week from a random boy from Utah. While that guy was here we took him on a tour and I felt impressed to show him Come Unto Christ, and as it finished he had tears in his eyes, I told him that the words that stuck out to me were "Once you feel Christs love you'll never be the same" He said he needed exactly those words, and he just wept. He said he came here to make my day, and he was leaving with my companion and I making his day and answering the questions in his heart. 

GOD LIVES, HE KNOWS YOU, and HE IS ANXIOUSLY AWAITING YOU!!! I testify of this!!! 

Love, Sister Maddie DeLoach

Kia Ora! 5-22-16

Hello Fam!!! 

This week started out great!! I was pretty homesick at district meeting and asked the District Leader for a blessing and he gave me one. It was such a beautiful blessing and in it he said that my family would be surrounded by angels why I am gone, and that they will be protected. It felt so comforting to know that the same angels that watch over me here are watching over you there. I love you all!! 

So one day I was feeling down, this random guy named Sam came in and said he was here to see me. He was from Utah, and said hello from my family!! He was such an answer to my prayers and really made me realize that God knows me, and loves me. I felt so grateful. As we were talking with him, he asked for a tour and I felt like we should show him Come Unto Christ, and after we did he was in tears. I told him as I watched that the words"Once you feel his love you'll never be the same" really stuck out, and he got more tears and said, He was so grateful he stopped by. He came to make my day, and that my companion and I really made his day, and answered questions he had. 

Well, we have this investigator named Craig, he is a total Maori hipster HAHA and we had a lesson with him, and HE IS GETTING BAPTIZED on June 25!!! He is unreal, and is so serious about it! He lived in our area, just moved to Hamilton East, but doesn't want special privileges to come to our ward, so he sold his house and is moving back into our area Wednesday just for the gospel!! He is so keen! He talks so much, it's hard to fit in words, he just had a triple heart by pass surgery, so he is getting better, but it makes him talk to much!! HAHA 

We had 2 miracles this week at the VC, two different days we had these keen as people come in and they were each super stoked about the gospel and so we invited them to meet with the local missionaries and they said YES!! As we put these referrals into the computer our phone started going off, and we looked at our phone and BEHOLD we HAD two referral texts!!! BOTH of these boys who are super keen about the gospel, live in our area, and our basically our neighbors. What a miracle that not one, but two of them are in our area. We felt so grateful. Everyone says that miracles happen around new missionaries, and I 100% believe it!!!! I am so grateful to be here!! 

One day at dinner we decided to walk around the lake and take pictures, look how gorgeous it is here!!!! Can't wait to share the beauty with you all someday!!!!!  Also, Alan got his Aaronic Priesthood interview and gets ordained next week, he says this gospel is "AWESOME" in his accent of course!! HAHA I love you all, and I will be online for about 30 more minutes, so please still write to me! I love you heaps!!

"You are doing better than you could ever imagine"

Love, Sister Maddie DeLoach 

Friends 5-15-16

Kia Ora, My people!!

How are you all? Alan GOT BAPTIZED!!!! It was unbelievable to see him become so pure in a matter of seconds. It was so awesome, because Alan is 6'6'' and the man that baptized him is shorter than my mom.. HAHA It looked impossible but it was accomplished. Alan just sat in the water after he was baptized, and sobbed. He was the happiest person I have ever seen. He bore his testimony after, and he said "It's the best day of my life" I was so proud of Alan. He is so cool, we even had 5 of our investigators there because they love him so much. It was awesome to see. I am so stinking proud of him!!!

After Alan's baptism we were able to attend a dinner appointment at a lady named Fran's house! She gave us a Maori lesson and I learned "Ko Sister DeLoach Tokau Ingoa" (My name is Sister DeLoach) HAHA i'm fluent right? It's a beautiful language with a beautiful culture. Fran was home alone, but has 4 children and a husband who were just away for a few hours. I could tell she seemed kind of down, and as we sat and talked to her, the scripture D&C 18:10 clear as day came into my mind. I know this scripture says "The Worth of Souls is great in the Sight of God." I told her I felt impressed to tell her that scripture and how important she was to God. She just started to weep. She has been going through a lot, and that was exactly what she needed to hear. I felt so much gratitude to be the servant to relay that message to her. This gospel is Happiness, and this church is TRUE. It's true because it's Jesus Christ Church. It's a perfect church with imperfect people. I love you all!!! 

"you were in the war in heaven and one day when you are in the spirit world you will be in thralled with those who you associated with. You asked someone in which time. They lived in, and you might hear, I was with Moses when he parted the Red Sea, or I help build the pyramids, or I fought with Captain Moroni. And while you are standing there in amazement someone will turn to you and ask, "which prophet time did you live in?" And when you say President Hinckley or President Monson a hush will fall in every hall and Corredor in heaven, and all in attendance will bow at your presence. You were held back 6000 years, because you were the most talented, most obedient, most courageous, and most righteous. Remember who you are!" -President Boyd k. Packer

Arohanui!!! XOXOX 

Sister DeLoach 

Stake President Thomas Sutcliffe
Brother Alan Kingi baptized 5-14-16

FAMILY 5-15-16

Kia Ora Whanau,

How are you all?? Sounds like everyone is doing amazing!! I really love hearing from you all, and I heard news that Jaxon still loves me;) Just kidding. But really grateful to hear from you all. Quite a few amazing things happened this week. The first thing was our neighbor, Brother Brown is out of work for dislocating his knee and he was mowing his lawn so we went over and offered to help. He wouldn't let us, but he stopped his lawn mower and said, "Sister DeLoach... Thank you for your testimony in church on Mothers Day" I said oh You are welcome, and then he said how the day before church he was with his two daughters driving in a scary part of town and someone got a hammer and slammed his back window in and then ran away. He said he was on the verge of wanting to kill the man, he said he literally thought how he could find and kill that man. As he came to church and still had those thoughts he listened to us speak and it wasn't until I told the story of my Mom's "Friend" who was innocently placed into Prison that he heard the voice in his head "Did your girls get hurt" He answered to himself "NO" Don't you have insurance on your car, and that won't cost you anything to get it fixed "You're right" He thought. He said that because of that story the spirit was able to save him from making a terrible mistake that could have placed him into prison. He said he has felt so grateful since then. Thank you Mom, for sharing these stories with me, they truly convert people here, and you are saving lives!! I finally got my mail. Thank you for ALL the things you sent me. I feel so fortunate to be so blessed. Thank you again!! As I was kind of down this week, Sister Chudleigh made me read the words to Hymn 241 "Because I have been given much" I challenge you all to go and look through those words, I just wept as I realized I have so much to be grateful for!! 

ALAN GOT BAPTIZED!!!! It was such an unreal day. He looked so pure, and it was hilarious because he is 6'6'' and the man that baptized him is shorter than mom. Hahahah It was hilarious. He is so happy though, and he was able to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost on May 15, 2016 which is the same day the Aaronic Priesthood was restored to Joseph Smith. I was so stinking proud of Alan. Last night he came to the VC, and he just kept saying "I just want to talk about Jesus All day, I only want to be in places where people talk about Jesus" HAHA he has really changed, and i am so proud of him. Right as he was immersed in the water and rose, he gave Brother Halbert the biggest hug, and then sat in the water sobbing. He did it. Alan Kingi, a man in prison who didn't know God existed, now was the purest man in the room. I was so proud. I couldn't cry, but I couldn't wipe the smile off my face, I felt pure joy, as I saw how happy Alan was and as I knew the Savior was so happy too!!! 

I saw this quote and I it changed my life, I hope you love it too!!! 

"you were in the war in heaven and one day when you are in the spirit world you will be in thralled with those who you associated with. You asked someone in which time. They lived in, and you might hear, I was with Moses when he parted the Red Sea, or I help build the pyramids, or I fought with Captain Moroni. And while you are standing there in amazement someone will turn to you and ask, "which prophet time did you live in?" And when you say President Hinckley or President Monson a hush will fall in every hall and Corredor in heaven, and all in attendance will bow at your presence. You were held back 6000 years, because you were the most talented, most obedient, most courageous, and most righteous. Remember who you are!" -President Boyd k. Packer

I love you all, soooo much!!! Ko Sister DeLoach Tokau Ingoa (My name is Sister DeLoach) :)

That midget that we painted his house, we invited him up to the VC, and he came! We taught him the restoration, and I invited him to be baptized on June 25 (my half birthday) and he accepted and said YES!!!!! It was completely random and we were basically in shock, but the spirit testifies when the people are ready to receive it, and he was :) he even said "Do I stop drinking coffee now or when" HAHAHAHAH

Arohanui!!! xoxoxo

Sister DeLoach 

p.s... got my hair done mom :)

2 Months Down! 5/8/16

Well, kinda crazy... But, I already got my release date and it's September 5, 2017. I am excited for the time I get out here, but it's nice to have an end goal in mind. 

Well this week was much better. I had a beautiful week. This week we set another investigator with a baptismal DATE!!! Her name is Shayne, she is 12, her parents have been Less Active for about 13 years, but her friends are LDS and she loves to come to church, activities, and read the Book of Mormon. We had our first lesson, and she asked us, "When can I be baptized?" HAHA it's not typical for the investigator to ask.. We set her for May 28, and she seems so happy, her parents are okay with it too!! Alan gets baptized THIS weekend!! I am so excited for him. I can tell that Satan is working really hard on him right now, and it breaks my heart to see. But, He is so dedicated to the Lord, he can do it!!! Well, the beginning of this week I was still struggling pretty bad, so I decided to meet with President Rudd. It was the best thing I could have done. I know that man is called of God, he gave me some of the best advice, but the best thing he said is "No one in this mission has died of being homesick yet" HAHA,  I know that I can do this. It's by far the hardest thing I've done, but I am not alone, I can do this!!! As I was struggling one night, I decided to read in Alma 26 when Ammon is talking about how he overcame his weaknesses and struggles on his mission. THIS CHAPTER OF THE BOOK OF MORMON SAVED MY LIFE. Particularly this verse. 

16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.

No one can glory to much in God. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to give all that I have unto him. I know it will change me forever!! Yesterday after church we were on here at the Visitors Center, and this lady walked in all by her self on mothers day. She smelt of cigarettes, and was all by her self. We talked to her and took her to the Christus room, and she just sat there and stared at him. We played the message for her, and she just stared. When it finished she said play that again, I felt so amazing. So we played it again. It was so special to see the spirit work through this Catholic woman. We then took her into the Book of Mormon room and testified that it is another testament of Jesus Christ and that the gospel has been restored and she was like yeah this is for sure true. We were like blown away... HAHA As we were doing this I felt prompted to invite her to baptism when she got a confirmation that these things were true. She kinda just sat there, and I then invited her to meet with the local missionaries. She said she wanted to think about it. We then took her into the Theatre room and showed her a clip called "Come Unto Christ" It's only shown here in NZ, and it's UNREAL!!! She just sat there and said how beautiful it was. When it ended, she said "So can I leave you my address and number so that I can have missionaries come over?" It was so special. We then asked about her life and family, and she has a daughter whom she isn't close with. We told her we had a mom that wasn't close at this time and that we could be here daughters and she could be our mom. It was really special. She said we made her mothers day and she didn't know why she came up here, but now she did. As she walked out the door, she yelled "Bye Daughters" It was such a special moment to share with a child of God who was lost, yet who had just been found. 

This week went fast, and I know they're going to keep picking up. I kinda already want it to slow down!! I don't mean to boast at all, but we are just super excited... But Sister Chudleigh and I hit Standards of Excellence the last two weeks!! And we only get half time out there since we are in the VC, we are working so hard for the Lord, and it's paying off!! One night I felt kinda down, sister chudleigh pulled out some facemasks and we had a good time. I love her, she knows what to do always to make me feel better!! One last thing that meant a lot to me, after I spoke on Sunday a really old lady came up to me, and said, "I loved listening to you speak. You and that Sister are very special, but I must say as you spoke I realized you have a special spirit about you." I don't mean to share this with you to tell you I think I did a great job, I share it with you because I have been praying to make a difference, and to help others... AND my prayer was answered. I love it here, and I love it there. I feel so fortunate to be in the circumstances I am in. I love and miss you all and will SKYPE you today!!!!!!!!!! So excited!!! 

God Speed, I LOVE YOU... SO DOES JESES

Sister Maddie DeLoach