SOUTH AUCKLAND BABYYYY (friends) 3-26-17

I GOT TRANSFERRED!!!!!!! I am now serving in the Papakura Stake, Red Hill ward. I was assigned to be a Sister Training Leader, and my companion is the cutest, most humble, filipino Sister, Sister Ticong.  It was SO hard leaving Sister Kafoa, the Visitors Centre, and the MANY people in Hamilton. I left a part of my heart there, and it will always stay there. It was really hard as I boarded a bus by myself and saw everyone I loved, and everything I loved in the distance, I know I am supposed to be here though!! Already we have seen so many miracles. This area hasn't had a baptism or investigators to church in several months, and yesterday we had 3 investigators there, it was UNREAL. 

My first official day of working was Friday and we went hard out. We saw sooo many people, and first investigator we saw was named Leonie. Leonie in the past allowed her children to learn, but was never interested herself. We went on Friday, opened with an opening prayer, and then right after the opening prayer, she said "I would like to get married this weekend, and baptized soon, I know that this church is true." WHATTTT!!!!!!!!!!!  Long story short she had a crazy experience that this is the true church, she has a brain tumor and is getting surgery April 4th, and she is getting married Saturday by Bishop and she and her 2 children will get baptized April 15. WE LEFT IN SHOCK. Oh ye (or me) of little faith... It's sooo crazy you always hear of experiences like that happening to others but never expect it to happen to you. Sister Ticong was sooo excited she was sobbing because she had never in her 12 weeks invited someone to be baptized, she just kept thank me for letting her invite someone, she is seriously so cute.. Leonie, and her 5 children (3 are under 8) came to church, and it was amazing. Her kids are a little crazy so it was quite hecktic, but nonetheless, SHE CAME!!!! 

It's interesting, every day Sister Ticong does and hour of language study and I am her "english tutor" it's hilarious. She is such a humble, worker. She is sooo nice, and I am so grateful to have another great companion. She said to me, "Sister DeLoach I love to be exactly obedient, because I know that Heavenly Father wants to bless us, and when we are exactly obedient, he does bless us." After the lesson with Leonie, she said "I know Heavenly Father answers prayers, I have been fasting for Leonie every fast sunday and sometimes during the week because I love her." I learned sooo many lessons with her, and I am constantly learning patience with English not being her first language. I love her innocence, her testimony and her love for the Saviour. I want to become more like her. 

I hope we can each become a little more like her, humble full of love, and willing to thank Heavenly Father for everything. I love you each so much, grateful for each of your examples. I love you!!

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach

In the Ghetto... 3-26-17

Hello family!!!!! TRANSFERS actually happened. I am called to serve in the Papakura Stake (south auckland) Red Hill ward, and I am assigned to be a Sister Training Leader, and my companion is a cute, nice, humble, obedient Filipino sister named Sister Ticong. She just finished her 12 week training so she is pretty new and soooo keen on doing the work. We will work great together!!! It was SO hard leaving Sister Kafoa, the Visitors Centre, and the MANY people in Hamilton. I left a part of my heart there, and it will always stay there. It was really hard as I boarded a bus by myself and saw everyone I loved, and everything I loved in the distance, I know I am supposed to be here though!! This area has had dodgy missionaries in the past and the members are less than enthusiastic to work with us, so for now we know that our purpose is to gain the trust of the members. Already we have seen so many miracles. This area hasn't had a baptism or investigators to church in several months, and yesterday we had 3 investigators there, it was UNREAL. 

My first official day of working was Friday and we went hard out. We saw sooo many people, and first investigator we saw was named Leonie. Leonie in the past allowed her children to learn, but was never interested herself. We went on Friday, opened with an opening prayer, and then right after the opening prayer, she said "I would like to get married this weekend, and baptized soon, I know that this church is true." WHATTTT!!!!!!!!!!!  Long story short she had a crazy experience that this is the true church, she has a brain tumor and is getting surgery April 4th, and she is getting married Saturday by Bishop and she and her 2 children will get baptized April 15. WE LEFT IN SHOCK. Oh ye (or me) of little faith... It's sooo crazy you always hear of experiences like that happening to others but never expect it to happen to you. Sister Ticong was sooo excited she was sobbing because she had never in her 12 weeks invited someone to be baptized, she just kept thank me for letting her invite someone, she is seriously so cute.. Leonie, and her 5 children (3 are under 8) came to church, and it was amazing. Her kids are a little crazy so it was quite hecktic, but nonetheless, SHE CAME!!!! 

We were going to meet an investigator the other day, but came upon this woman mowing her lawn while walking there, she was CRACK UP. We asked if we could help, she said no. But she talked with us for a while, she reminded me so much of mom. She said that the area she lives, we shouldn't ever go around there at night time, but she told us every single night she stands outside because she wants to get attacked because she knows she could beat people up. HAHAH I swear mom has said those exact same words. She was so nice, and it was weird, she like didn't want us to leave, she really felt the spirit while we were there. 

It's interesting, every day Sister Ticong does and hour of language study and I am her "english tutor" it's hilarious. She is such a humble, worker. She is sooo nice, and I am so grateful to have another great companion. She said to me, "Sister DeLoach I love to be exactly obedient, because I know that Heavenly Father wants to bless us, and when we are exactly obedient, he does bless us." After the lesson with Leonie, she said "I know Heavenly Father answers prayers, I have been fasting for Leonie every fast sunday and sometimes during the week because I love her." I learned sooo many lessons with her, and I am constantly learning patience with English not being her first language. I love her innocence, her testimony and her love for the Saviour. I want to become more like her. 

I am so grateful to be in a new area, I am slowly coming to love it, and I know that the Lord is ALREADY blessing us so much for our exact obedience, I hope that we will each allow the Lord to bless us by being obedient. I know that I couldn't have made it this far without each of you, we are on the downward slope, and I love and cannot wait to see you all again..

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach 

Malo Aupito Ofa Atu Hamilton 3-20-17

Transfers are this week, so that means next week I will be somewhere around New Zealand other than here in the VC. I am getting excited, nervous, and anxious. I have seriously LOVED my time here in Hamilton it has been such a tender mercy to basically stay in one place for a whole year. It really helped me overcome being homesick because I was able to create family here, and now I have to leave them... It was incredible to see people full circle. I literally saw Alan re-enter the temple and do baptisms this week, I saw Craige get baptized, receive the Melchizedek priesthood, and also help (be in the circle) to give Atawhai the Holy Ghost. I feel SO grateful. We had a VC Sisters fireside last night, and it was incredible, as I looked around at these 10 sisters whom I have come to love from all around the world I think of how perfect Heavenly Fathers timing is, and the blessing it has been at the exact moments I need to be to be with those who he needs me to be with. I WILL MISS HAMILTON, and it will forever hold a dear dear place in my heart, these people are like our Saviour, they embody his example perfectly. I love it here!

We had another lesson with our Investigator Lachey, and she is progressing SO well. She honestly has the choicest spirit, I kid you not, this girl is going places. She 14 and she seriously just gets it. After the lesson she asked if she could read us what she wrote in her journal after we left last time, of course we said yes, and she read the most beautiful message. Something I have been praying about lately is WHY the Lord needed me here, and I know as Elder Renlund said I have the right and obligation to know so I have been praying so hard. This little 14 year old girl read in her journal, "when I see the Sisters and hear their message I know what they share is true, I hope the sister know that they are supposed to be here, that they have changed my life forever, and that they are such examples of Jesus Christ." We just sat there with tears in our eyes, that this 14 year old girl could simply answer our prayers, PROOF that the Lord knows us, he knows who we are, and he will use those close to us to answer our prayers! 

We went to the gas station the other day and while waiting in line to pay, I got this distinct prompting to say hello to the person behind me, I thought about it for a minute, and then decided to follow it. I turned around and he said "Oh are you missionaries?" We said yes and he said he was inactive member and that His whole family was active, we told him that the Lord knows him, and that he is aware of him. We kept talking to him, and then we asked if we could have his address to come visit, and HE GAVE IT TO US!! I am so grateful that we followed that prompting, even though it could have been so simple to ignore. 

Yesterday at the Fireside, I was asked to speak on diligence. We were each assigned a Christlike Attribute, and one thing I shared that I wanted to share with each of you was my experience for trying out for USU. I had been so diligent in practicing, I practiced every single day, because it was something I wanted, yet I learned that being diligent, we still cannot impose our will upon the Lords. I know that even though sometimes we do all that we can do, the Lord has different plans for us. Don't you quit, I know that he too has plans for you!! I know that as we strive to be diligent every single day we can more fully align our will with his. I love you each so much, please send extra prayers my way this week, it will be full of change, but I trust the Lord, and know that he will not give me something that I cannot handle. I LOVE YOU!!! 

Hey I am so sorry I hardly have anytime this week but I just wanted to send you a few photos, and a quick experience, I will have more time next week:) 

We had another lesson with our Investigator Lachey, and she is progressing SO well. She honestly has the choicest spirit, I kid you not, this girl is going places. She 14 and she seriously just gets it. After the lesson she asked if she could read us what she wrote in her journal after we left last time, of course we said yes, and she read the most beautiful message. Something I have been praying about lately is WHY the Lord needed me here, and I know as Elder Renlund said I have the right and obligation to know so I have been praying so hard. This little 14 year old girl read in her journal, "when I see the Sisters and hear their message I know what they share is true, I hope the sister know that they are supposed to be here, that they have changed my life forever, and that they are such examples of Jesus Christ." We just sat there with tears in our eyes, that this 14 year old girl could simply answer our prayers, PROOF that the Lord knows us, he knows who we are, and he will use those close to us to answer our prayers! We  then went to the gas station the other day and while waiting in line to pay, I got this distinct prompting to say hello to the person behind me, I thought about it for a minute, and then decided to follow it. I turned around and he said "Oh are you missionaries?" We said yes and he said he was inactive member and that His whole family was active, we told him that the Lord knows him, and that he is aware of him. We kept talking to him, and then we asked if we could have his address to come visit, and HE GAVE IT TO US!! I am so grateful that we followed that prompting, even though it could have been so simple to ignore. 

 

so grateful for the spirit it would be impossible without it. I hope that you know how incredible the lord thinks you are and I hope you had the best week, cannot wait to hear about your experiences!!!

Arohanui,

Sister DeLoach 

Malo Aupito Of a Atu (friends) 3-20-17

Malo e leilei!!!

Transfers are this week, so that means next week I will be somewhere around New Zealand other than here in the VC. I am getting excited, nervous, and anxious. I have seriously LOVED my time here in Hamilton it has been such a tender mercy to basically stay in one place for a whole year. It really helped me overcome being homesick because I was able to create family here, and now I have to leave them... It was incredible to see people full circle. I literally saw Alan re-enter the temple and do baptisms this week, I saw Craige get baptized, receive the Melchizedek priesthood, and also help (be in the circle) to give Atawhai the Holy Ghost. I feel SO grateful. We had a VC Sisters fireside last night, and it was incredible, as I looked around at these 10 sisters whom I have come to love from all around the world I think of how perfect Heavenly Fathers timing is, and the blessing it has been at the exact moments I need to be to be with those who he needs me to be with. I WILL MISS HAMILTON, and it will forever hold a dear dear place in my heart, these people are like our Saviour, they embody his example perfectly. I love it here!

We went to the gas station the other day and while waiting in line to pay, I got this distinct prompting to say hello to the person behind me, I thought about it for a minute, and then decided to follow it. I turned around and he said "Oh are you missionaries?" We said yes and he said he was inactive member and that His whole family was active, we told him that the Lord knows him, and that he is aware of him. We kept talking to him, and then we asked if we could have his address to come visit, and HE GAVE IT TO US!! I am so grateful that we followed that prompting, even though it could have been so simple to ignore. 

One thing that has been on my mind a lot lately is diligence, I know that even though sometimes we try our best we will have to allow Gods will. I know that as each of you continue to do our best the Lord really will bless us, BUT he does require us to work. I LOVE YOU EACH.

"God left the world unfinished for man to work his skill upon. He left the electricity in the clouds, the oil in the Earth. He left rivers unabridged and forests unfilled and the cities unbuilt. God gives man the challenge of raw materials, not the ease of finished things. He leaves pictures, unpainted, the music unsung, and the problems unsolved, that man might know the joys and glories of creation." -President Hinckley

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach 

Much Aroha (Friends) 3-12-17

Today Bishop James is teaching us how to throw down a hungi or an umu. YOU BETTER BELIEVE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THIS AT THE RES WHEN I AM HOME!!!!!! So excited. 

This week we had a BEAUTIFUL miracle. At the beginning of my mission I heard a story of multiple cars that were swerving in the road because there was something in the road, and once they passed it they didn't really think of the cars behind them. There was one car that stopped, moved what it was from the middle of the road, and then no other cars had to swerve around it. I loved this example of simple service, and every single day on my mission I have tried applying it. Moving things out of the road has been my thing!! On Friday it was like a hurricane, and we saw some bags it looked like rubbish in the middle of the road, so we stopped went to grab them, and they were bags full of food. We were so confused, like packaged food, almost like groceries, except it looked like charity food. We ran to the neighbors, and took the food, they said it wasn't theres, so we tried the next neighbors. THIS IS WHERE THE MIRACLE HAPPENED. She said it wasn't hers, but that we looked freezing so come on in, and she gave us towels, made us hot coco, and told us she isn't a Mormon, but that she went to church college when it was up and running on a swimming scholarship. She was soooo nice. She told us about how she is trying to find Jesus and how she really enjoys mormons. She then went on to tell us how she isn't good at making coco so apoligized if it wasn't good. She was so kind, we sat in her home for about an hour, her with her coffee, us with our coco, talking. It was INCREDIBLE. I learned so much about genuine kind people that day, she literally had no idea who we were, but she was Christlike and invited us in and from that we have a new potential Investigator. She was so kind that she even put all the food in her fridge and freezer and then said she would deliver it to the family! There are amazing people in the world! 

I read the best talk this morning in studies, it was called "Is it still wonderful to you?" by: Bishop Causse. It was incredible, it talked about how the things we know are SERIOUSLY incredible, and are they still wonderful to us, do we really believe and know that we have all the saving ordinances here on Earth? They talked about generations and generations have seen our day and hoped for it, and now we are living in it. I know that the world is wicked, I see it every single day, but I also know that the gospel is happiness. I have seen people change, I know that we all have that potential, I hope that none of us will sale ourselves short of the blessings Heavenly Father is WAITING to pour out upon us. Often when it rains we don't use an umbrella because we are allowing the blessings to pour upon us, I invite you to put down your umbrellas sometimes, and allow the blessings of the Lord to fall upon your head. I love you all heaps, and heaps. 

Arohanui, 

Sister Maddie DeLoach 

Rain Rain 3-12-17

Hello Whanau!!!TODAY I AM LEARNING how to do an umu/ hungi. You better prepare yourself, we are going to throw this down at the res when I get home!!! Also, I am making a public announcement so that I have to do it, I have signed up for the race in November with all of you, and I will probably die, but nonetheless I will do it:))) plus now I have to... Another week come and gone, it's really starting to freak me out how fast they are going!!! This week was a normal week, BUT full of rain. It rained soo bad that even our fasted windshield wipers were SO slow. It's amazing though because we know that a lot of the food that we eat is grown, and for it to grow, it needs rain... so we aren't complaining :) 

This week we had Nadia Katene come out with with us, she is RM who is like 27 and has two little kids. It was incredible having her with us. She told us that it's so hard to find time to do her scripture studies, so when we puts her kids down for a nap, rather than showering right then, she reads her scriptures, she is such a great example. We visited Sasha with Nadia, and it was amazing, they went to high School together, and really connected so well, after we felt we should visit this lady down the road that Nadia knew who is Less Active but recently moved in. We just walked by with Nadia and her baby, and right then her friend was walking outside, it was PERFECT timing. We knew that Heavenly Father set us up to be there right then, it was really the only way we could have probably got in her house. We were able to go in and talk for about an hour, and it was amazing. We shared a scripture in Mosiah 14:3-5 about our Saviour Jesus Christ. I love those scriptures especially when it shares that by His stripes we are healed. I truly am so grateful for all the Saviour has done for each of us, and that because of all that he went through, we truly can be healed. 

This week we had a BEAUTIFUL miracle. At the beginning of my mission I heard a story of multiple cars that were swerving in the road because there was something in the road, and once they passed it they didn't really think of the cars behind them. There was one car that stopped, moved what it was from the middle of the road, and then no other cars had to swerve around it. I loved this example of simple service, and every single day on my mission I have tried applying it. Moving things out of the road has been my thing!! On Friday it was like a hurricane, and we saw some bags it looked like rubbish in the middle of the road, so we stopped went to grab them, and they were bags full of food. We were so confused, like packaged food, almost like groceries, except it looked like charity food. We ran to the neighbors, and took the food, they said it wasn't theres, so we tried the next neighbors. THIS IS WHERE THE MIRACLE HAPPENED. She said it wasn't hers, but that we looked freezing so come on in, and she gave us towels, made us hot coco, and told us she isn't a Mormon, but that she went to church college when it was up and running on a swimming scholarship. She was soooo nice. She told us about how she is trying to find Jesus and how she really enjoys mormons. She then went on to tell us how she isn't good at making coco so apoligized if it wasn't good. She was so kind, we sat in her home for about an hour, her with her coffee, us with our coco, talking. It was INCREDIBLE. I learned so much about genuine kind people that day, she literally had no idea who we were, but she was Christlike and invited us in and from that we have a new potential Investigator. She was so kind that she even put all the food in her fridge and freezer and then said she would deliver it to the family! There are amazing people in the world! 

I read the best talk this morning in studies, it was called "Is it still wonderful to you?" by: Bishop Causse. It was incredible, it talked about how the things we know are SERIOUSLY incredible, and are they still wonderful to us, do we really believe and know that we have all the saving ordinances here on Earth? They talked about generations and generations have seen our day and hoped for it, and now we are living in it. I know that the world is wicked, I see it every single day, but I also know that the gospel is happiness. I have seen people change, I know that we all have that potential, I hope that none of us will sale ourselves short of the blessings Heavenly Father is WAITING to pour out upon us. Often when it rains we don't use an umbrella because we are allowing the blessings to pour upon us, I invite you to put down your umbrellas sometimes, and allow the blessings of the Lord to fall upon your head. I love you all heaps, and heaps. 

Arohanui,

Sister DeLoach