Another Week (Friends) 8-28-16

Hello all!! Transfers happened this week, and I stayed! YAY! I do love this area so much, I wouldn't mind a change soon though, and for saying that I will probably die here in this area... haha! Well, Craige GOT BAPTIZED!! It was seriously the most beautiful day!! President Cummings was able to come and after he said "This is the perfect example of teaching repentance and baptizing converts" We know that because Craige has truly repented he will stay converted to this gospel!! 

The other day we felt prompted to sing Whaka Ra Mai for Craige's Baptism which is How Great Thou Art in Maori, and so we practiced it and finally sang it at the baptism, and Craige said "When you two sang that I looked up and I didn't see Sister Missionaries, I saw two angels" It was seriously so sweet! He and all other Maori's there couldn't thank us enough for bringing their culture into his baptism, they are so proud to be Maori!! 

Well this week I finally FINISHED the Book of Mormon for my first time as a Full-Time Missionary, it was amazing, I know it took me a while, but I studied it really deeply and got SO MUCH out of it. The day I finished I prayed so hard that I could have the opportunity to share  my testimony about it with someone, that day this nonmember came to the Visitors Center, we took him to the Book of Mormon stand and each bore our testimony about the truthfulness of the Book, and he said "When you two said that I could receive my own witness that it's true, I felt it, I KNOW THE BOOK IS TRUE." The spirit was so strong and I was so so grateful that Heavenly Father answered my prayers. I know the Book of Mormon is true, if you have read it 100 times or read it 0 times, I promise the answers are in there, I mean that as a genuine friend, if you are struggling, please turn to the book you will find peace in your soul. 

I love you each, hope if you are in school that you are enjoying it, I hope you each know I pray for you daily, and I am so grateful for the influence you have each played in my life, keep the faith! 

Arohanui, 

Sister DeLoach 

p.s... between the 4 companionships here at the VC we have 106 progressing investigators, that is 106 SOULS that are learning more about Jesus Christ!!!! WHAT A MIRACLE!

Hi Family 8-28-16

What a week! This week started out with Craige's Interview for his baptism that he was sooo nervous about.. President Cummings interviewed him, and Craige was seriously so scared. When the two of them came out of the room they were just all smiles, and Craige had tears in his eyes and held President Cummings and said "This is a beautiful Man" hahah it was so wonderful to hear and to see Craige change. He came out smiling, with a bright light around him and said "For the first time in my life, I feel worthy of Baptism" What a thing to hear, I was so proud of him!

Well, I know it's taken me a few months, but I wanted to study it deeply, and I can say I FINALLY FINISHED THE BOOK OF MORMON from Cover to Cover while being set apart as a full-time missionary! I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon, that book has all the answers in it, it truly is the word of God. I prayed after I finished that I would have the opportunity to bare my testimony to someone that day about the truthfulness of it, and that same day this non-member came into the VC, when we got to the Book of Mormon stand, Sister Gurney and I just each bore a testimony of the Book of Mormon, the spirit was SO strong, he then said "When you two said that I could receive my own witness, right then I just knew, the Book of Mormon, IS TRUE" I was eternally grateful for Heavenly Father allowing me that opportunity to bare my testimony and to allow the spirit to be so strong. I can never deny the power that comes from the Book of Mormon! 

Well transfers happened, and I am still here! YAY! I do love this area, but I wouldn't mind a change pretty soon!! So grateful I stayed though, it was Craige's Baptism, and it was seriously the most beautiful thing ever, Sister Gurney and I felt prompted a few weeks ago to sing How Great thou Art and Whaka Ra Mi which is Maori how great thou art, and we did that for Craige. He just sobbed, there wasn't a dry eye in there, it was pretty special to him and all people who are of his culture that we would do that. He told us when he looked up at us singing that he didn't see two sister missionaries, he literally saw to angels. None of his family came to his baptism, so he said when we sang that he felt his family and culture around him and at that exact moment he forgave them for not coming. I was so grateful we did that! Craige after he was baptized just sat in the water with his eyes closed, he didn't move a muscle, he just sat there smiling, later he told us he had a LOTTT of sins and wanted them ALL gone.. hahaha he is so crack up! 

What a beautiful week, I hope you all know how much I love you! I really felt your prayers this week, there was one day specifically I literally felt added strength and I knew someone or maybe all of you had just said a prayer for me. That meant the world to me. We really felt Satan working on us the day of Craige's baptism, we had about 4 people yell at us or tell us to leave or give us false information, but it was a testimony that what Craige was about to do was right!! :) I was so happy :) 

I love you each so much, I am so grateful for the prayers you give on my behalf, I literally pray for each of you by name each day so I hope you draw strength from that as well. I know that I am in the right place, I am grateful to be here.

I forgot to tell you! The Bishop of our ward has only been a member for 7 years and has been bishop for 2, he is like 400+ lbs, and this big friendly giant, well I don't know why but all of a sudden he loves us SO much everytime he see's us he moves our hand shake out of the way and hugs us, and So Sister Thomsen came up to me and asked if we were allowed to hug, we told her no she said we needed to tell bishop, SOO AWKWARD, he walks into church, I put my arm out as straight as it possibly goes he moves my arm, I am like turned side ways in a ball and he hugs me hahahah I then say Bishop I am so sorry we can't actually hug males, then Sister Gurney gets a handshake.. SOOOO AWKWARD 

Arohanui, I LOVE YOU HEAPS

Sister Maddie DeLoach 

What a Week (Friends) 8-21-16

Spiritually, physically and emotionally drained. 

School starts this week! Can't believe it! I am so excited to hear about all of your wonderful experiences! This week has really been a challenging one, I can understand a little more why some people in the scriptures took a long rest, or a long pass out after certain experiences.

I believe after having this badge, I should be a certified therapist, bishop, marriage councilor, and financial adviser, hahaha kidding, KINDA! 

Craige is scheduled to be baptized on Saturday, and I know he can make it! I am so excited for him to be cleansed from his past life, to just have a fresh start, a fresh view of himself, the world, and God. I know that we don't have to get baptized again to have this, if you want a fresh view of yourself, God and the world around you, pray to father in heaven... HE LOVES YOU!

This week was rather hard, I feel like Satan is really trying to pull me down, but I know that means something great will eventually happen, please keep praying for those in this area! We had a lesson with Micheal (our golden investigator) the other day and he said "Sisters you would be so proud of me, I was offered a coke the other day and turned it down because it has caffeine in it" AHAHAH We didn't know whether to laugh or what, but we then explained the word of wisdom again.. haha it was so cute to see how hard he was trying though! I LOVE HIM! Also we had a fireside last night that we have been planning since June, and it was AMAZING! 100+ people showed up and 5 or 6 non members! It was wonderful!

I had the worst headache I have ever had the other day as we got to a lesson, before we went in we said a prayer and I asked if during the lesson I could please not have this headache, literally the whole time while we taught I didn't have one. THE SECOND we said amen after the closing prayer it rushed back on. I know that he answered my prayer though. I know he can make the bad times better. If you are struggling I challenge you to pray to him, he is there for each and EVERYONE of you. It doesn't matter where you have been, he only cares about where you can go and who you can become! 

The average man runs until 

The breath in him is gone,

But the champion has the iron will

That makes him carry on

For rest the average runner begs,

When limp his muscles grow, 

But the champion runs on leaden legs,

His courage makes him go

The average man's complacent when

He's done his best to score

But the champion does his best and then

HE DOES A LITTLE MORE 

Arohanui, Sister DeLoach!

AH! What a week... 8-21-16

I am physically emotionally and SPIRITUALLY drained. I now understand why everyone in the scriptures has these long times of passing out after spiritual experiences! I can truly say I love these people here, I feel their pains, their happiness, and their insecurities. Transfers are this week, and I reckon I will be staying! 

This week was full of lessons, we had a wonderful lesson with Micheal (our golden investigator) HE IS SO CRACK UP. He said "Sisters you would be so proud of me, the other day my friend offered me a coke, and I turned it down since it has caffeine in it." HAHAHA I didn't know whether to laugh or to be stoked that he was so obedient, we then explained the word of wisdom again to him.. haha that was so cute. He told us he had a friend ask, "If it came down to you losing friends over joining the church, what would you do?" Micheal said I looked at him and said, "I can never deny the witness I received that the Book of Mormon is true." I AM SO GRATEFUL to my Heavenly Father for giving Micheal such a beautiful witness that the Book of Mormon is TRUE!

I've been kind of down this week, I can really feel Satan working really hard on me, I am sure that means something great is coming, but it's been a rather hard week! One day I had a headache really really bad and we had a lesson, in the car before the lesson, I prayed that I could please just not have a headache while we taught. While we taught I didn't have one, and literally AS SOON as we finished the closing prayer, it rushed back. HAHA I guess I got what I prayed for, but it really was amazing to see that Heavenly Father is aware of me, he does answer my prayers, and he does care about me! 

Can't believe this week will mark 7 months! Only 11 months till I am home, time really is flying! I miss you all like crazy and cannot believe school is already starting back up!! We had a fireside this week, that we have been planning since about June, and it was amazing!!!!!!! We had about 100+ people from our ward show up and we had about 5 or 6 nonmembers. It was such a surreal experience to see the fruits of your efforts. I was so grateful we put so much work into this, I just sat at the back and cried, looking at the refection of christ, the temple and these 100 people that I have come to love so much. I really feel so blessed to be serving in the New Zealand Hamilton Mission, it's proof that Father in Heaven knows us, he truly has sent me to the best ward, and the most beautiful country! 

I love you each, SO much. I miss you all, more than you could imagine. I feel so grateful to be a DeLoach. Whakapapa (where you came from or like your geneolgy) is so important to these islanders, they ask me daily and I am so grateful to know that my ancestors long ago paved the way for me to be right where I am today! I feel so grateful for each of you! Never forget how much I love you!!! 

The average man runs until 

The breath in him is gone,

But the champion has the iron will

That makes him carry on

For rest the average runner begs,

When limp his muscles grow, 

But the champion runs on leaden legs,

His courage makes him go

The average man's complacent when

He's done his best to score

But the champion does his best and then

HE DOES A LITTLE MORE 

Arohanui, 

Sister Maddie DeLoach 

Kia Ora (friends)... 8-14-16

What a beautiful week full of MIRACLES. "I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES....." (finish how you'd like)

I will add to the excitement of last weeks email, and tell you more about Micheal, the one who just showed up at church. He ended up going to an Elders Quorum activity, and we had another lesson with him, and at the lesson he told us " I asked my mates at work what Mormons couldn't do and they mentioned mormons don't drink coffee, so I stopped drinking coffee." UHHH WOW!! He then told us, He received the STRONGEST witness that the Book of Mormon is true, and that he can never deny it. We set him for September 10 for baptism, and I know he can make it!!! He showed up to church yesterday in a brand new suit, he was soo stoked to be there!! He is kind as and is literally such a choice guy!! 

Keep praying for Craige please! He is scheduled for the 27th to be baptized! He is having a hard time knowing that his family isn't accepting of his choice, but he knows that it is the right choice. He is so crack up and always says things like "It's not like I'm going to the bar, or a club or in prison, I just thought they would be happy for me" HAHA it's true though. 

God does not cease to be a God of miracles. Expect miracles daily. "The only difference between a miracle and a coincidence is one you forgot to give God the credit." YOU can see miracles in your life. I know that this is the true church!!! Keep going, don't give up! I am so grateful for EVERY single one of you. I think about you all, and truly pray for you daily!

I am always here for any of you, and I hope you know YOU ARE WORTH IT! 

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach 

decided to be elders for a night 

What a WEEK... 8-14-16

Miracles, miracles, miracles. 

Sister Fuggle got a new companion, her name is Sister Taufete'e. It's sooo much easier just with Sister Gurney and I, it's just easier to teach just with 2 people. This week was full of miracles. 

This is for you Mom, if I were in the Olympics I would be a..... RUGBY STAR for obvious reasons

First off, Last Monday after emailing we went up to the Rudd's to see them at the camp and we ate lunch with them and then played games. I LOVE THEM. They are truly like my parents on the mission, I am glad they are here even though president rudd and his wife are gone. I felt just like I was playing games with my family! After that we had a dinner appointment scheduled with our neighbors upstairs, he is a less active member and she is a non-member. It was so sweet, they told us for 3 years of having missionary sisters, they have never invited them over for dinner, but something is different about us, he thanked us for being obedient, he says that they notice more than we could imagine, and they were really impressed, so that was SO nice to hear!!! 

So last week at church we had a man named Micheal show up. We could tell he was a nonmember, but we didn't know him. After he came up and talked to us and invited us to his house, he really was interested in learning more. We went over and he expressed to us how he received the STRONGEST witness that the Book of Mormon is true. He said he cannot deny that it is. We were so excited to teach him more, this week he went to an Elders Quorum activity, he bought a new suit for church stayed for all 3 hours AGAIN, and we met with him and he said he asked some work mates what mormons can't do and they told him drink coffee, and so he said I have the worst headache ever, but I stopped drinking coffee. HE IS GOLDEN. We set him for baptism on September 10. I am so excited for him, and truly feel so grateful to witness this miracle. It's been such a blessing to see that when we try our best Heavenly Father truly does bless us. 

Craige is still doing awesome, and set for baptism on the 27th. Please pray for him, his family has now deserted him because of him joining the church. He is pretty sad about it, but knows that baptism is the right thing for him. He is so crack up, he always says "You think they'd be happy I'm not out in bars drinking or in the clubs, or in prison." hahah so true, he is doing something righteous and it's hard that they won't support him. So please pray for he and Micheal to have this support in their righteous endeavors. 

It's kinda hard with all my friends starting school, I know I will miss it, but this is where I need to be right now. Transfers are next week, and I have no idea if I will get shifted or not, chances are pretty great that I will stay here one more transfer and then head out to the real world! This is such a beautiful work to be apart of, I love seeing peoples lives change with hope. THIS CHURCH IS TRUE, follow the teachings, "I'd rather get to the other side of the veil and find out it's not true, then to get over there and find out it is." Prepare yourself for the second coming of Christ, be obedient, do righteous things. You can overcome anything with the Atonement of Jesus Christ!!

This is a gospel of HOPE!

AROHANUI!!

Sister Maddie DeLoach 

p.s.. decided to be an elder for the night 

USED TO BE... (friends) 8-7-16

KIA ORA!

What an interesting week! It's freezing here in NZ! Well our investigator Craige, is now set!! YAY! He is planning on getting baptized on August 27, he has such great fellowship in our ward, and I know he can truly make that date! Please pray for him! 

This week we had Zone Meeting and we heard a story of a young adult who played rugby and turned down 1.5 million dollars to serve, and while he was serving a mission he was asked to give a talk, while giving a talk he said "I am a full time missionary who used to play rugby" he didn't say, "I am a rugby player who is also a missionary". I loved this. We had a training and had to put a piece of paper on the board of what we used to be. "I am a missionary who used to be a cheerleader" is what I put. I know I did many things other than this and that is who I used to be, I am so grateful for my past, it really has brought me here, but I believe in being in 100% in whatever you are doing, so I can truly say I want to say when someone asks that I AM A FULL TIME MISSIONARY :) You can do this in your life too, whatever you are, be in 100% give your all. If that's in school, work, sports, or your relationship. I know that as we give our all the Lord is then able to bless us, he blesses those who help themselves, those who sincerely give an effort! 

We had the TYPICAL missionary day that you all hear about this week, the one that every single appointment cancels that day and you question what you are doing!! BUT we decided to trust in the Lord. We are told if we are obedient, he will bless us. We found this out as we showed up to church yesterday and this keen as guy walked up to us and said he is investigating the church, has a testimony of the Book of Mormon, stayed for all 3 hours of church and wants us to stop by this week. If we do all we can in our power to do what is right, God will bless us. He placed an investigator in our paths, not because we are great teachers, or the best missionaries, but because he can trust us. Let him trust you. I love you all heaps, I am so grateful for YOU!

Arohanui, 

Sister Maddie DeLoach 

USED TO BE... 8-7-16

What an interesting, yet wonderful week!! On Monday we were able to set our investigator Craige Williams with a BAPTISM DATE! He seems really serious this time and he has great fellowship (Thomsens) and he is set for August 27! He is a 54 year old Maori man, and dresses like a 16 year old hipster, hahah he is really awesome! 

Well, I had the amazing opportunity this week to go back to the hospital and see the nurse, Rebecca who helped me. I took her a gift and even wrote my testimony in the Book of Mormon for her. I haven't heard back from her yet, but wrote her a letter and thanked her for all she did for me. While I took it there, she was in shock, she just cried as I handed her the gift, I think she felt really grateful that I did that, but I felt even more grateful for how she treated me! I know that we are placed in situations for a reason, truly if I had to get surgery for her to receive the gospel or to at least hear about Jesus Christ, it was worth it to me! I feel grateful! I am sure you have all seen the funny video we made about the hospital and my experience! Hope that made you laugh! We had a good time making it:) 

We had a lesson again with that man who I was able to talk to at VC a few weeks ago to tell him I enjoyed writing as well, remember him? His name is Luke, he was telling us he wanted proof of the Book of Mormon in the Bible, we turned to Ezekiel 37, and read the proof. That one stick will be given to Judah and another to Joseph, then he was like wait... The people in the Book of Mormon are the descendants of Joseph, we were like YES they are and he then was like wow! that is the only evidence I needed, he had a change of heart, he was so willing to learn after that, he even found more scriptures in the bible that talk about Joseph so that he could share with us more proof that the Book of Mormon is true... hahah!!   

Well this week I had one of those MISSIONARY days that you hear all missionaries talk about. The day where you had multiple set appointments and EVERY single one of them cancelled. Yeah, it was quite challenging but I had to learn to trust that Heavenly Father will place us in the right place at the right time with the right people. How grateful we are for that! We were able to go see this old man named Des, he is a heavy smoker and drinker, and we saw him outside, we were able to share a short message with him, and he even invited us back. He is really amazing!! I hope that we can help him and someday invite him to taste of the goodness of the gospel!!! 

We had Zone meeting this week and got news from President Cummings that starting next transfer we are allowed to go to the temple once a transfer! I am sooo excited for this!! Also we had a training, they told us a story of a famous rugby player who was serving a mission and turned down a 1.5 million dollar contract to serve. He gave a speech while a missionary and he said "I am a full time missionary WHO USED TO play rugby" I loved this. It's hard for me to put things in the past, or to put them on hold, but right now, I truly want to give 100% to being what I am right now which is a full time missionary. So I am a missionary who USED TO BE a cheerleader, dancer, soccer player, pageant girl and so forth. I can do this. I am the same person, but will give 100% to who I am now! 

Grateful to be a missionary at this time. It's not easy,we had to drop quite a few people this week who just use us to talk and don't want to progress, it's hard, we had soooo many anti's on chat this week, but it has really strengthened my testimony of the basics of the gospel. If your testimony is shaken or not there, go back to the basics. The basics are to pray if Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, if he is then the whole church is TRUE. He is and so we do know that the church is true. I LOVE YOU ALL!!! 

Arohanui! 

Sister Maddie DeLoach