Maddie's Mission: January 2017

Monday, January 30, 2017

SUMMER in NZ 1-29-17

KIA ORA!!!

How are you all doing?? We had a crazy week, but it was AMAZING!!!

This past week I had a crazy experience. At the beginning of my mission, Sister Gurney and I were street contacting and met a girl named Tilly, she was only 15. We got her info, but she lived in Sunnyhills so we sent it to the missionaries there. Not sure they ever did anything with it. Well this past week about 7 months later, we were planning, and I had the strongest voice in my head say "Tilly- 6 Gwendolin Place" It wouldn't go away so I told Sister Kafoa that I have no idea if that is her address, but I feel we should go. I knew that I wrote it down about 7 months ago, but there was NO way possible, that I remembered that. The spirit literally brought back to my remembrance her name and address. ONE PERSON IS THAT IMPORTANT. Anyways, we went to see, AND SHE LIVES THERE!!!! She was SO interested, and she said that she has really been reading a lot about Jesus Christ lately, we offered her a Book of Mormon, and she said she has ALWAYS wanted one to learn more about Jesus Christ, she said we should come back in a few days when her WHOLE family is there because she said they would all love our message.... WELL it gets better. On Sunday, we went to church, and this lady in our ward came up to us and said "Sisters I have had the strongest impressions lately, multiple times that I need to have you over and that I need to invite our family friends for a FHE." I have no idea why but I felt to ask Sister Smith if she knew Tilly. I said Sister Smith would you happen to know a Tilly? and she said "Tilly Pihama?" I said YES!! she said "SISTER DELOACH THAT IS THE FAMILY I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!" Wow. What a tender mercy, what a special experience to have, and especially being able to share that with a member. It's incredible what the spirit can do!!!

I know that as you keep doing all that you can the Spirit really will bring all things to your remembrance. I know that you are loved, and I know that you are important to our Heavenly Father. If he allows someone like me to be on the front line of his army, I am POSITIVE that he sees you with infinite worth. YOU ARE AMAZING!! I am eternally grateful to know someone like each of you!

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach

FAMILY!!!! 1-29-17

Another great week!! This week was interesting!! Sister Kafoa and I had a lot of different experineces!!

This week it FINALLY feels like summer, and when everyone says you instantly get burnt when you walk outside, they were right!! Haha I learned that the hard way, but it was gone the next day anyways :( Yay for tan lines!!

This week we had two full days back to back in our area, and they were both AMAZING!!! One thing is so hard is our Ward Mission Leader is MIA, he doesn't want to help us at all so we are basically having to use the resources we have to run the missionary work, and the ward doing missionary work also. It got so bad and hard that we are starting to do MCM with the Bishop, hopefully Bishop see's that it's a hassel to not have a dedicated Ward mission Leader and calls someone new.

This past week I had a crazy experience. At the beginning of my mission, Sister Gurney and I were street contacting and met a girl named Tilly, she was only 15. We got her info, but she lived in Sunnyhills so we sent it to the missionaries there. Not sure they ever did anything with it. Well this past week about 7 months later, we were planning, and I had the strongest voice in my head say "Tilly- 6 Gwendolin Place" It wouldn't go away so I told Sister Kafoa that I have no idea if that is her address, but I feel we should go. I knew that I wrote it down about 7 months ago, but there was NO way possible, that I remembered that. The spirit literally brought back to my remembrance her name and address. ONE PERSON IS THAT IMPORTANT. Anyways, we went to see, AND SHE LIVES THERE!!!! She was SO interested, and she said that she has really been reading a lot about Jesus Christ lately, we offered her a Book of Mormon, and she said she has ALWAYS wanted one to learn more about Jesus Christ, she said we should come back in a few days when her WHOLE family is there because she said they would all love our message.... WELL it gets better. On Sunday, we went to church, and this lady in our ward came up to us and said "Sister I have had the strongest impressions lately, multiple times that I need to have you over and that I need to invite our family friends for a FHE." I have no idea why but I felt to ask Sister Smith if she knew Tilly. I said Sister Smith would you happen to know a Tilly? and she said "Tilly Pihama?" I said YES!! she said "SISTER DELOACH THAT IS THE FAMILY I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!" Wow. What a tender mercy, what a special experience to have, and especially being able to share that with a member. It's incredible what the spirit can do!!!

I know that the spirit will bring things to your remembrance also, I know that he loves and cares about each of you. Lately I have found it hard. I feel like it's hard to progress spiritually and physically here, today I decided to read Alma 26, it always gives me hope. Something that stood out to me in the very beginning is how Ammon and them counted their blessings. Sometimes life gets hard, sometimes we feel we aren't progressing, we are almost numb and standing still, but today as I wrote a list of things I am grateful for, the peace came once again into my heart. I know as each you make a list of blessings you see in your life, you too can feel that peace come into your heart.

I invite you each to read the words to the hymn "Count your many blessings" a few words I love from that are:

When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed when you are discouraged thinking all is lost, count your many blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the lord has done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care, does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings every doubt will fly and you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at other with their lands and gold, think that Christ has promised you his weath untold, count your many blessings Money cannot buy, your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

So amid the conflict whether great or small, DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED GOD IS OVERALL!!! Count your many blessings angels will attend help and comfort give you to your journeys end.

I LOVE you all so much. I hope that these words help and inspire you to be grateful wherever you are in life, and I hope and pray that I may continue to count my many blessings, and continue to share them with others. I believe it's a miracle that Heavenly Father allows such person as me to be here in New Zealand at the front line of His Army. I am so grateful and forever indebted to Him. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach

Monday, January 23, 2017

WHANAU 1-22-17

Kia Ora Whanau!!! What a wonderful week! This week started off with having a lesson with Luke on Monday night. Luke is the minister of the Protestant church, and he is "interested" in learning more. He told us he prayed and received revelation that the Book of Mormon is true, unfortunately he hasn't even been reading it. We had such an AMAZING lesson with him, Sister Kafoa and I really felt the spirit lead the lesson and we kept asking some BOLD questions, but it was perfect. One question we shared with him that we felt inspired to was "If you know that your church is true, why do you have desires to learn more about the Mormon faith?" He couldn't answer and we were then able to testify of the truthfulness of the gospel. It's so true though, so many people are searching, but as members of the church, we don't need to search, we truly have the full truth.

This week we went to contact a referral, and when we left his house, instead of walking to our car, we kept walking the completely other way. We weren't sure why but we both felt like we needed to. We walked by this house and sister kafoa looked at it, and I felt too like we needed to go there. We went and knocked so excited, and NO one answered, not a soul... We decided to keep walking anyways, ran into a man with a dog, he didn't want to talk, and so we decided to KEEP going. We walked down a little further and looked over and through a house, through the window a man was waving us down. Not just a friendly wave, like waving like he knew us. We ran over and he just moved in, he is African American, he went to school in England, and then in Dubai, and now lives here. We asked if he knew who we were and he said he had no idea, we asked why he was waving at us, and he said I just felt like I needed to. It was CRAZY!!! He literally is so interested, he invited us back another day, and we are so excited to meet him again!! So grateful that sometimes the spirit tests us to see if we are listening, we HAD to knock on that house to show the Lord we were in tune, and then he led us to where he really needed us to be. I know the spirit really does lead and guide us.

ATAWHAI GOT BAPTIZED. It was the most spiritual experience I have had. It was unreal. She was literally glowing and could have been celestialized I think. She looked like an angel, and she was sooo touched by the spirit. She bore her sweet testimony while sobbing and said "I love Jesus, I love the Sister missionaries, I love my primary class (then named them one by one hahahah) I loved being baptized I was so happy. It was so special, her Dad stood up and bore his testimony and said "Atawhai, not only did you get baptized, but you literally saved your family, your decision brought your family back to church, you saved us." It was so special. Smallest world. Craige from my last area is BFF's with Atawahis Dad, so Craige was in the Melchizedek Priesthood circle that gave her the Holy Ghost, what a tender mercy to see that sight. I asked Atawhai how she felt when she was baptized, and she just touched her heart, and said this warmest feeling, all she could do was cry and touch her heart.

We had the best Zone Conference with Elder Cardon. He really is so amazing. The spirit is so strong around him. It was quite intense, he looked at us all in the face, and said "The Lord loves each of you, BUT REPENT." WOAHHHHH... haha it was quite intense, he told us about how we are authorized to share the gospel, but not authorized to change it. We are called here to preach repentance. I think that is something I really need to work on, I feel as though I try my best to make all people feel the Saviors love for them, but sometimes miss the opportunity to share with them, that even though he loves us and is ALWAYS there for us, he does get displeased with us when we sin. I think sometimes we think that repentance is an option when in reality it's not. It's the only way we can truly live with heavenly father again. I want to share with each of you how much your Heavenly Father truly does love you, I also want you to know that he expects of you to repent, and return to what you once knew. I know he loves you regardless of the decisions you make, but in saying that, don't let his Atonement be in vain. USE IT. He already suffered, you don't need to, turn to him and I promise he will heal you.

I just want to leave my testimony that I know that this church is true. I know that it is only through my Savior Jesus Christ that I have been able to overcome my trials, my sins and temptations. I still have so much to work on and repent of, but I am trying my best daily to become more like him and to show my love more fully for my Savior. I am eternally grateful for the spirit and the guidance it gives us. Sometimes we wonder "was it me, or was it the spirit?" stop worrying and just act on the good feelings and promptings you receive. I testify that the Lord, the Savior of the world he does know you by name, and he did think you worthy of his blood. He knows your struggles, your silent pleadings, your thoughts, and most importantly your heart. I LOVE YOU more than words, and I want to be with you all for ETERNITY. I miss you so much, but I know we can each try every day to be a little better so that we might truly be together forever. I love you and leave these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

AROHANUI,

Sister Maddie DeLoach

KIA ORA (friends) 1-22-17

WHAT A GREAT WEEK!!!

We had the best Zone Conference with Elder Cardon. He really is so amazing. The spirit is so strong around him. It was quite intense, he looked at us all in the face, and said "The Lord loves each of you, BUT REPENT." I know that our Father in Heaven truly does love each of us, BUT he does get displeased with us when we sin. I know that repentance isn't an option, it is a requirement. I am so grateful for the many lessons I have learned about Repentance and that I continue to learn. I know that this gospel is a gospel of hope and happiness, I know you are loved. I love you each so much, and wish you the best week ever! Remember to repent just means to change, and we can all do a little better at that every single day. I LOVE YOU!!

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

WEIRD WEEK (friends) 1-16-17

HAHAHAH is all I can say about this week. This week I saw that our Less Active is growing weed in her backyard, and I also saw a tranny in the shortest robe..HAHAH. This week we were trying to contact a referral and when we got to her house the doors were all opened, no one was home, but a 3 year old. We felt wrong leaving the 3 year old alone, so we sat there with her for like 20 min, yelling in the house that if someone was home to come out and be with the child, no one came and so we decided to say a prayer and possibly call the cops soon. We prayed and waited for like 10 more min, decided to ask the neighbor if they knew where the parents were, the neighbor was a tranny who came out in a mini pink robe, and he is quite a big man, it was such a serious moment that we didn't even notice. We later found the little girls mom sleeping inside, we didn't call the cops. The next day, sister Kafoa said, "I know that was a really serious moment, so we didn't say anything, but did you notice the tranny in a robe?" hahahah we just died laughing, it was so funny.

This week is Atawhai's baptism on Friday!!!! YAY!! Her dad is going to baptize and confirm her, I am soooo excited for them. He came in a suit to church yesterday, and he looked so nice.

The other day we had a full day in our area, we decided that day we would seek to help and talk to as many people as possible. It was getting around 8:15 p.m and we weren't quite sure where we needed to be. We were on bikes the whole day and we decided/felt that we needed to go to the other side of our area, we went over there and in front of this house, got off our bikes and wondered, and talked about where we needed to be, but we almost missed it. This house we stopped in front of, outside were two fijian indians who were planting flowers, we looked over and said hi and asked if we could help, they said they were okay. We asked again and he said "come in" We went in and helped them finish their whole garden and we became such great friends with them. He tried paying us, we wouldn't take it, and then he said "I don't know why you came, but before you did, I prayed to God that he would help us to finish this tonight because it was getting late, right then you two came." He said, in fiji most peple would stop and help but I didn't expect that here. It was such a tender mercy to give of service to someone who really needed it. He then gave us his number and said "here is the code to our house, come whenever, if you ever need anything or anyone give you hassle, here is my number." Seriously the best night ever. We left with our dresses covered in mud, our nails black as, BUT that is what the Lord would have done.

"Unless you lose yourself in the service of others, there is very little purpose to your own life."

-Thomas S. Monson

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach

Weird but GREAT! 1-16-17

HAHAHAH is all I can say about this week. This week I saw that our Less Active is growing weed in her backyard, and I also saw a tranny in a robe that barely covered everything... HAHAH. This week we were trying to contact a referral and when we got to her house the doors were all opened, no one was home, but a 3 year old. We felt wrong leaving the 3 year old alone, so we sat there with her for like 20 min, yelling in the house that if someone was home to come out and be with the child, no one came and so we decided to say a prayer and possibly call the cops soon. We prayed and waited for like 10 more min, decided to ask the neighbor if they knew where the parents were, the neighbor was a tranny who came out in a mini pink robe, and he is quite a big man, it was such a serious moment that we didn't even notice. We later found the little girls mom sleeping inside, we didn't call the cops. The next day, sister Kafoa said, "I know that was a really serious moment, so we didn't say anything, but did you notice the tranny in a robe?" hahahah we just died laughing, it was so funny.

This week is Atawhai's baptism and it's also Elder Cardon coming to our mission to do a mission conference. It should be a wonderful week! This week we were able to see Christy, she is the one who has the two little girls we have been helping, the girls are in America visiting their dad, but Christy is home. Christy has some things in her past that really had bothered her, and when we came around she gained the hope to go and talk to bishop. She told us she would be most likely excommunicated and we helped her see the peace in that. She was really nervous but is SO strong and went anyways, as she left, she told us to come over. We went over and she was crying so hard, we thought she was excommunicated, she looked at us and said "Bishop said, Christy, you have hurt yourself enough, take the sacrament on Sunday, and we will get you into the temple at the end of the year, you aren't getting excommunicated. I would feel comfortable saying to anyone that asked, first presidency included that Christy is clean and forgiven." WOAH, the biggest shock of my entire life, she sat there sobbing wondering how in the world the Lord could be that merciful and that forgiving. I truly know he can be, whatever it is you need to fix in your life, whether big or small, I promise the Lord is merciful.

We had a lesson with Margaret the other night, she is one of our investigators, and it was really amazing, we planned to talk about The Restoration, and right when we got in her house the only words that kept coming out of our mouths talked about Repentance and Forgiveness. It was crazy to leave the lesson neither of us remembering what was said, but knowing that the spirit truly taught the lesson. We were both so grateful to have that experience. Sister Kafoa is doing amazing, I love her a lot. I felt like a personal trainer this week riding bikes, I would yell from the top of the hill 'YOU CAN DO IT, DON'T YOU QUIT." She always made it, and I know we all can too. DON'T YOU QUIT. I LOVE YOU!!!

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach

Monday, January 9, 2017

What a WEEK (friends) 1-8-17

HELLO FRIENDS!!! Another amazing week here in NZ! This week was exhausting!!! BUT really great. This week Sister Kafoa and I were MIRACULOUSLY able to set FOUR of our investigators with a baptismal date. It was absolutely crazy. Three of them happened in one day, and I have NEVER been more exhausted. I am so physically, and spiritually drained.

This week we had a crazy man come on chat who asked us to call Him. We called him and he said he wanted to know more about why the curse of dark skin was given, and when the curse was lifted. We gave him the best answers that we could but we honestly didn't know much to give him, so we told him that we would study that question and call him back. I felt quite sad after we talked because I felt like he was trying to shake my testimony of everything that I had ever known. Well, we studied our little tails off and we both received some AMAZING revelation and answers. We did get our question answered. We went to call him back and he NEVER answered, but it was a testimony to me, when we have questions about the gospel, or questions about anything if we Honesty put in the time to study and seek for the answers and pray until we can't pray anymore, that the Lord will help us. He will inspire our minds. I am so grateful for this experience, that I had to study for someone else, yet to learn SO much in return. I do know that this gospel is true. I feel like this week, so many people or different things tried to shake my testimony but I ultimately realized that when we have our foundation built on Jesus Christ, nothing can shake us.

I hope you know how important you each are to me, I look through your names each week and think about what each of you have done for me. I am so blessed to have friends like you! I cannot wait to see you all soon, I LOVE YOU. Hope each of you make it back to school, work and/or family safe.

AROHANUI,

Sister Maddie DeLoach

p.s.. she rided on a donkey (watch childrens bible video about the birth of Jesus to know what I mean hahaha)

What a WEEK 1-8-17

This week was exhausting!!! BUT really great. I can finally say that when you hang on through hard times the Lord truly will bless you. This week Sister Kafoa and I were MIRACULOUSLY able to set FOUR of our investigators with a baptismal date. It was absolutely crazy. Three of them happened in one day, and I have NEVER been more exhausted. I have really never been so physically, and spiritually drained.

We have Atawahi Tumai getting baptized on January 20, and her Dad IS going to baptize her!!!! They are seriously so amazing, and I love them so much. They are a family that means so much to me. I believe they are one of the main reasons I am called to serve in the Sunnyhills Ward. Craziest thing, Brother Tumai growing up was BEST friends with Craige Williams. When Craige found out we were the missionaries helping Bro Tumai, he just got tears in His eyes, and said he knew I wasn't only here for him, but his friends too. It is crazy the places Heavenly Father places us.

I was asked by my District Leader, Elder Winter to do a 45-60 min training at District Meeting tomorrow on Charity. I have no idea why he asked me.. It's been a humbling thing to study and to think of those in my life who have shown me so much Charity and my mind keeps thinking of my family. Charity to me is doing something for someone who can do nothing for you in return. You have all done things for me that I can never fully repay you for. In the Bible Dictionary it says under Charity that it is the highest or most noblest kindd of love a person can have. Thank you for all that you have all done for me. I have been humbled of reading about our Saviors Charity, but also what I wanted to focus on was seeing charity in ourselves. I invite you each to write down your name on a paper, and on the back have someone you are around, husband or wife or kids, or girlfriend to write what they love about you, or Christlike attributes they see in you. I know as you do this, you will see the gifts others see in you, and pretty soon you will see them in you. :) I love you so much family. I am loving my mission, it's seriously the hardest thing I have ever done, somedays I feel like I might die, but I never do... haha! Sister Kafoa and I made eggplant the other day and we also got coconuts from a Tongan family in our ward!! HAHA I love my mission, I have some weird experiences, but I know I will love them forever.

I LOVE AND MISS YOU!!!

“Obedience is not so much the process of bending, twisting and pounding our souls INTO something we are not. Instead it is the process by which we DISCOVER what we are truly made of.”

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach

p.s.. SHE RIDED ON A DONKEY (watch the childrens bible video -The birth of Jesus- you'll know what I am talking about)

“Obedience is not so much the process of bending, twisting and pounding our souls INTO something we are not. Instead it is the process by which we DISCOVER what we are truly made of.”

Elder Peterson took these photos on His camera during Christmas Lights, NO edit. New Zealand is STUNNING!!!! You should all move here ;)

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Kia Ora (Friends) 1-3-17

Malo e Lelei!! I am training Sister Kafoa, she is from Sydney Australia, and is Tongan. I LOVE HER TO DEATH!!!!! She seriously came so pre-trained, and we have the best time together!! I am still in the Sunnyhills Ward and still in the Visitors Centre, it's very strange for one sister to stay here at the Visitors Centre so long, but I hope it's not a bad thing that they are keeping me around!!! hahah I love it here and the miracles that we witness daily!!!!

Lights ended this week, and the total amount of people that came on temple grounds was around 40,000. We were lucky enough to get about 8,000 of them on tours, and we got 600+ referrals from the whole 21 days. IT WAS AMAZING! Sister Kafoa had to jump right into giving tours her first day here, she was SO natural!! We had a Tongan Man on tour, who was a non-member. Sister Kafoa after began to teach him in Tongan and it was the most beautiful thing!! I loved seeing her use her language, and I also felt the spirit so strong even though I had no idea what was being said. After she bore testimony I bore mine in English, and after she told me that we basically bore the exact same testimony even though we didn't understand each other. It was such a testimony builder that the Spirit is the true teacher!!!!

Everyone has been asking for my goals, so here is me publically announcing them, so that I have to do them!!! (haven't had time to think about these yet, so making them up on the spot, likely to change)

Physical: I will exercise every day, and I will follow the word of wisdom with exactness!!!

Spiritual: I will study for others, I want to read the old and new testament, I will give at least one service to someone every single day.

Mentally: I will trust my Savior, I with every bad thought, or negative thought try to replace it with three positive things, and I will memorize hymns to help me do this.

Socially: I will try to find common ground with everyone, I will NOT judge people based off of their looks, and I will try my best to talk with everyone that I meet.

Hope that each of you know how much I love you, I know that 2017 will be the best year ever, I CANT BELIEVE I WILL SEE YOU THIS YEAR!!! 2016 was full of sooo many laughs, trials, tears, good times, and PEACE. I am so grateful to be where I am, at this time. I love and miss you each and hope that wherever you are right now, you'll include coming closer to the Savior in your New Years Goals, I know he is the only way to TRUE happiness. I LOVE YOU!!!

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach

Kia Ora 2017 1-3-17

Malo e Lelei!! Can't believe I will see you all THIS year!!!! I really can't believe it's already 2017. I HAVE THE BEST COMPANION!!! She is amazing. I am training her, Sister Kafoa is her name. She is from Sydney Australia, and she is Tongan. She came pre-trained I swear. She has such a desire to share the gospel, her family was converts except her because she was 7, so she got to be baptized at 8, but she only grew up having a mom, and so she is very hard working. Both of her older siblings also served missions, and taught her that obedience is the KEY! She is lovely!!

Physical: I will exercise every day, and I will follow the word of wisdom with exactness!!!

Spiritual: I will study for others, I want to read the old and new testament, I will give at least one service to someone every single day.

Mentally: I will trust my Savior, I with every bad thought, or negative thought try to replace it with three positive things, and I will memorize hymns to help me do this.

Socially: I will try to find common ground with everyone, I will NOT judge people based off of their looks, and I will try my best to talk with everyone that I meet.

I really am so grateful for all 2016 brought me, I had so many changes, left my family to come to a new country, found myself, and found multiple friends. I am FOREVER grateful for 2016, and the choices I was able to make, but I believe nothing will be better than 2017!!! I was able to start off the new year with a companion that I love, family that I love and a country that I love. I am so grateful, nothing better than feeling like you are living with your best friend, yet being able to help others find happiness too. I really am so grateful for the experiences I have had.

I know that I can say this now that it is over, but we truly have to experience darkness to know LIGHT. I can say how grateful I am for my HARD companion because I love her. I don't know how, but I truly did love her. I am so grateful that I had that darkness because it helped me understand that when we righteously hang on through hard times the Lord will allow us to experience light. I am so grateful that there is a Rainbow after every SINGLE storm.

I invite each of you to read 1 Cor. 13 and substitute the word Charity for the word CHRIST. It will bring a whole new meaning into your life, and you will see that without Christ we really are noting. He can truly make of us a better us than we can EVER make of ourselves. I LOVE YOU EACH SO MUCH. You individually all saved my life in 2016, It was amazing talking to you all, and I love you each sooo much. NEVER QUIT!!!!

"Unless we lose ourselves in the Service of others, there is very little purpose to our lives."

-Thomas S. Monson

Forgot to tell you, she was in President Cummings Son's Seminary Class, so when he asked me to train her he said "Sister DeLoach, I know this Sister and I need her to be trained really well, are you willing to do that?" SCARY!!! YES President I will try my very best!!!!

AROHANUI,

Sister Maddie DeLoach