Mothers Day Talk

Mothers Day Sacrament Talk

Lake Rotoroa Ward

5/8/16

(I just wrote bullet points for my real talk so I will try to type out as much as I remember saying!)

Hello brothers and Sisters, I feel so grateful to be here today. I am Sister DeLoach, and I am from Utah. I am new to this ward so some of you know me, and some of you don’t. I do have to say to Bishop that is was very cruel of you to make the new missionary get up here on Mother’s Day and talk about her mom. I do however feel very grateful that I get to talk about her, because I love her. 

When I think of how my mom helped me get on my mission, three words come to mind. These three words are: example, drive and dedication. 

My Mom is the best example I know. She was never a missionary with a name tag, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t a missionary. My mom is the best missionary I know. She at a young age led by example as she helped convert my dad to the gospel. My parents fell in love the American way of the cheerleader and football player fantasy. My mom cheered for Utah State and my Dad played football there and they were offered the opportunity to go to Japan to teach the Japanese football and cheer. Not knowing each other before and knowing it was quite a long plane ride, my Dad saw this cute small girl and asked her to sit by him. I know my mom led by example, because somehow on this plane ride she managed to bring up the gospel and she managed to tell my Dad about her brother who was serving his mission at the time. My Dad got to meet my uncle when they got off the plane, and was later baptized by that Uncle. I find it amazing that none of this would have happened if my mom hadn’t led by her great example and opened her mouth and spoke about the truths of which she knew. My mom is the best example I know. Many times growing up we had people living with us or around our family that were homeless, had no family, foreign students, and anyone else you could think of. I learned from my mom to never judge anyone. I learned that every person is a child of God and they are to be respected and loved. I love my mom for her perfect example.

My mom has the most amazing drive out of anyone I know. Many people don’t know, but my mom is a 9-time World Marital Arts Champion, and you wouldn’t want to meet her on a back alley. That’s all I’m saying. She has such a drive that she recently created an exercise program which enables those overweight or those who maybe can’t afford to exercise to get fit to find self-confidence and to overcome their challenges. (I promoted 130 Strong for you mom ;) HAHA). She is a fitness fanatic, but I love that she uses it to better the lives of everyone else. She is truly the most amazing woman that I know. The thing I think is most important that my mom has taught me is this story she told me of one of her dear friends. One of her dear friends was innocently placed into prison. While in prison she pleaded with her Heavenly Father that he could help her, he could heal her, and that he could know she was innocent. She prayed so hard to just fall asleep. As she looked around this empty jail cell she saw vulgar words and nasty cuss words, as she lay in bed and looked above her head she saw the words, JESUS LOVES YOU. She then fell asleep instantly. (Insert me crying here). I love that my mom has taught me from a young age that Jesus Christ loves me. This is the message I want you all to know, that Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world knows YOU, he LOVES you, and he is waiting for you. That is the most important thing I could have ever learned from her. 

My mom has the strongest testimony. This one particular story pops up in my mom of the first time I entered the temple. My mom recently had a lady she knew treat her unfair, and speak badly of her and I saw the way that it hurt and confused my mom. As I peeked over to see who’s names my mom was writing on her prayer list in the temple, the first name I saw was that ladies. I instantly and from that moment have had a new found respect for my mom. Her testimony completely blew me away that day and I know that is because she is the perfect mom for me. 

As I read in the Ensign lately I came across a story of a recently divorced woman who was talking to her friend and told her that she felt like she was doing all that she could, she was going to the temple, wearing her garments, teaching her kids righteous things, and attending church, but still felt like her Heavenly Father wasn’t proud of her. Her friend said, “I just wanted to scream at my friend, YOU ARE DOING IT! YOU ARE DOING ALL THAT HEAVENLY FATHER WANTS AND HOPES YOU WILL DO.”

Brothers and Sisters, this is the message I want to leave with you. You are doing it! You are doing all that your Heavenly Father wants and hopes you will do, and Jesus Christ loves you. I feel so fortunate and eternally grateful for the mother I am blessed with. Even though I can’t physically see her for the next 16 months, I know she is with me because I carry her example, drive and testimony with me wherever I go. I am the luckiest girl in the whole world.

I would just like to bare my testimony of how grateful I am to be here. I am in New Zealand, I am seriously so lucky. I love this ward and thank you so much for welcoming me with open arms, I feel so blessed this is my first area, I don’t want to leave Lake Ward. I’m going to put word in with President that I want to stay here for all 18 months, so I hope you don’t get sick of me!! I am eternally grateful for my mom, and for her example that she sets for me even miles and miles away. I know this church is true. I testify that Jesus Christ loves and knows you. I am so grateful to be here with Sister Chudleigh, we love each and every one of you so much. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

I LOVE YOU MOMMA!! I meant every single word. I hope you have the most amazing Mother’s Day. I can’t express how grateful I am for you and the example you have set for me. It’s a hard day being away from you, but it’s the truth when they say that distance makes the heart grow fonder. I love you so much, and I am grateful I get to share your stories and example with these choice people here in New Zealand. I can’t wait till you can meet them all someday! They are taking such great care of me, and I do love it here. Nothing is quite like being home, but this place is starting to become my second home. You will always hold the biggest place in my heart Mom. I am so grateful for you in my life. I hope your Mother’s Day was amazing!!! Thank you for your selfless act of choosing to be my Mom!! “One cannot remember God and forget Mother, and one cannot remember Mother and forget God. They are one in a divine purpose.” I LOVE YOU!

Kia Ora Whanau 5-1-16

Whanau= Family and Friends

How is everyone? I know this is probably just another group email you get from a missionary, but I just wanted to let each of you know how grateful I am for you. This past week, It hit me. I AM HOMESICK. I miss everything, and I wake up feeling like someone just kicked me in the stomach. It hurts, but it doesn't kill me. I realized this week after asking for a blessing that these growing pains are necessary for the growth of which I am receiving. I know I'm homesick, and I know 18 months feels like an eternity, but somehow everytime I pray I feel God's love, and I feel all of your love. It's hard to ask this, but if you would please pray for me this next week, I feel your prayers and I know this will give me the strength I need to continue on!! This week was still amazing though. Yesterday we got a referral from someone at church and we decided to go over to their house. We went and the lady named Loni, she seemed so uninterested. I liked her though because she had a raiders hat on!! (OH YEAH DAD!) She told us she didn't want to be a mormon, she didn't want to stop marijuana, smoking or drinking, but that she would listen.. HAHAH it was interesting. We started talking to her, and I soon came to a loss of words. I literally could not say anything, no words or thoughts were coming to my mind, and I said a silent prayer, and I did this I heard the words in my head, "Open your mouth and I will speak through you". I know that Jesus Christ lives, I know he is the teacher and I am the messenger. I know this mission is hard, but it's supposed to be that way. As we kept talking to Loni, and after I spoke and Sister Chudleigh spoke, she had a change of heart. She still didn't want to meet with us again, but she said she wanted to be our friend, she liked what we had, and she accepted the invitation to Pray to God to see if he was really there for her. That is CHANGE! I love witnessing people speaking with God for the first time, we are so grateful that we know God and that we know we are his children. We all have a sense of worth because we are children of a divine being.

I would please ask if you would all watch the mormon message "Hope of God's Light" It's changed my life and I hope it can help you with where ever you are on your relationship scale with God. 

God Speed my beautiful friends!! 

Sister Madeline DeLoach

Another Week 5-1-16

Another week!! YAY!! This week has been really challenging for me. I wake up daily feeling like I've been kicked in the stomach, I feel so homesick. I know that it's part of the journey, but it's been a long hard week. I felt really down one day so I asked one of the senior couples here at the VC to give me a blessing. He gave me about a ten minute blessing and in it shared that I would experience ten years of growth in a year and a half, so growing pains were necessary. He also said that just at Joseph Smith was told, that this should all be for my experience and for my good. He then said about Alma that he could feel the prayers of the righteous and of his family and that as I did my best I could feel the love and prayers of my family. He said I was the fresh air and bright smile that New Zealand needed, and that I was already changing lives." I just cried as he said this blessing, it didn't make my homesickness go away, but it made it easier to bare. I'm still trying to figure out how 18 months can not seem like my whole life, but I am grateful to have this time to find myself and to give back to the Lord. 

The people here in NZ are amazing. Their faith is absolutely unreal. They talk about the Holy Ghost like he is there BFF. They'll be like, "And the Holy Ghost told me to do this, so I did it" Honestly, they are a very choice, and righteous people! One day as I was feeling down, I just decided to pray, as I decided to pray the thought of Grandpa Meyer came to mind and I realized that he is here with me, I feel his love, and I know he is walking the streets of NZ with me, he never leaves me comfortless, he is always with me. It was quite a random thought to have, but I know that he is truly with me, I feel his love and his warm arms surrounding me. 

It's funny here in NZ people are so laid back, our bishop wears flip flops.. HAHAH It throws me off, I could not see Layne wearing those HAHAHA thats actually a funny sight.. The other day Sister Chudleigh and I were in charge of a primary group here at the VC and we had them looking at the temple singing I love to see the temple, it was so special. Yesterday we got a referral at church and we went and visited her. Her name is Loni, and she is Maori. She really didn't want to meet with us but her flat mate's little brother just returned from his mission and he was in town and had her meet with us. It was going good, but I literally could have no idea what to say. It was like my brain was blank, almost like the Holy Ghost was telling me it wasn't my turn. I said a silent prayer and then heard the words, "Open your mouth and I will speak through you".. I did just that, and I don't remember what I said or what Sister Chudleigh said, but Loni had softened her heart. She before hand told us she didn't want to be Mormon, she like Marijuana, and drinking and smoking and had no desire to give them up and by this time she accepted to pray to God and to ask if he was really there. We showed her a mormon message called the: Hope of God's Light, PLEASE WATCH IT. It's unreal and has strengthened so many people including myself. She didn't want to meet again, but she said she would pray to God, and that was good enough for us. 

I feel my Saviors love, I feel your love, and I know we are all on the winning team. 18 Months is long, but these people being lost forever is even longer. I am happy here, and I do love the people, I am just experiencing growing pains, but I am more than willing to experience them!! 

I love you all, I pray for you multiple times a day, and I think about you always!!! 

God Speed!! 

4-24-16 (to friends)

I'm in New Zealand!! I love it here!! I had the longest plane ride ever but it's amazing here!! My Mission President is the best in the whole wide world, and his wife is too!! She sounds and acts just like Pam Piacitelli!!! HAHA! Well, I got my trainer her name is Sister Chudleigh, she is unreal! I feel so blessed to have her! Everyone that knows I got her told me I was so lucky, she is basically famous in this mission! We got assigned to Lake Rotoroa, here in Hamiltion. We have a gorgeous place and view every day! I got attacked by fleas... SO yeah it's pretty great here HAHA!!! We white washed our area which means it's a new area for the two of us, and we are really excited about it. She only has 2 months left. While we were looking through old records to try and figure out where to start, We saw a progressive investigators records named Alan! We kept reading and then got a call, HE called US!! He called and asked if we could come over! We did!!! We went over and met with him. It was super amazing. He has been doing discussions for 4 months but can't stop smoking. As we read the Book of Mormon with him and as we were talking he said "WOW WOW WOW i just can't get enough, I just love this so much" He is truly unreal. He is a big huge scary looking guy, but he is such a softy, he cries all the time and we always give him a hard time. Anyways, as we were reading and it was my first day here I felt prompted to invite him to baptism, SO I did!! and he said YES!!!!!!! Alan is getting baptized on May 14 and confirmed May 15 which is the day Joseph Smith received the Aronic Priesthood. I am so happy for Alan. He's been in and out of Prison, he has 2 children, he has schizophrenia, super bad smoking problems but when asked to be baptized his life made sense. He gave us all of his smokes, and hasn't smoked since then. His body even went into shock the next day and he ended up in the hospital, but he said he STILL won't smoke. I feel so grateful that he was given a fresh start with fresh new missionaries, it's so good for him. You should here him pray!! He says the cutest prayers "Thank you for the missionaries, Thank you for Me, and myself, Jesus you're the most awesomest man in the world and I love you so much" What innocence and pure joy to hear those words. I love him. He showed up at church yesterday and I just wept. As he walked in we were singing I stand all amazed, I do stand all amazed, and I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I am homesick, and I think the people here talk crazy and say heaps, and sweet as, and chur bruh and drive on the wrong side of the road, but I love seeing people change. I have NEVER in my life experienced more joy than to see him realize his worth. I love it here, and I love and miss you ALL!!! Jesus Loves you! 

Love, Sister Madeline Cleone DeLoach

Hello From NZ!!! 4-24-16

Hello from NZ!!! I made it on the LONG as plane ride. It was SOO long HAHA but it was really awesome. I wasn't able to sleep as much as I wanted to, so I paid for that the next day when I got here!! I felt kinda sad on the plane ride here, knowing I wouldn't see you guys for 18 months, and as I got off the plane in New Zealand a Maori woman walked up to me, she had tattoo's and piercings and gave me a kiss on the cheek and said welcome to NZ Sweetie. It was such a tender mercy and I instantly felt loved. One couple came up to me they're not LDS either, but they asked where I was going and they said "We live in North Aukland, we don't have a big house and we don't have much money.. But, if you ever need a place to stay or some food let us give you our email and number and you can reach out to us" PEOPLE HERE ARE SO KIND. There have been SO many instances of this. It's unreal. We got picked up from the Airport by the AP's they're super awesome. We then went to the NZ MTC and picked up everyone else. Needless to say, I am the only white person in my intake. They were Samoan, Kiribati, Tongan, and Cambodian. There were 9 Elders and me and one other sister. This Sister is Cambodian, and she could hardly speak English. She told me, "I prayed so hard last night I would have an American Companion, NZ and Aussies are too hard for me to understand" I felt so happy to be an answer to her prayers. She didn't have hardly anything, I gave her a few skirts and even my small carry on luggage, I had too much luggage anyways and she only had one thing that was TORN and so old. I felt so bad, sorry mom.. I had to.. I know that luggage was knew but she really needed it. The first night here we had dinner and testimony meeting at Presidents house. IT IS GORGEOUS!!! We had dinner catered and I felt so blessed as I watched all these people look at this as though it was the nicest most fanciest meal they had ever had. I felt so lucky to have the circumstances I had. They ate so slow and Sister Meas (cambodian girl) Couldn't believe we got a dessert with our meal too. SOOO I got my comp!! Her name is Sister Chudleigh, She is from Lindon, UT!!! She is AMAZING. Everyone that saw I got her as a companion told me I am the luckiest missionary to get her as a trainer. She is famous in this mission I swear. We are serving in the Lake Rotoroa Ward in the Glenview Stake. We live in this beat down apartment but love it there. I actually get eaten by fleas every night so thats pretty wonderful HAHA. I'm also at the Visitors Center half the day, I love it here. It's so peaceful. The Maori and NZ are so faithful, they as youth go to the temple every Saturday, they bring their WHOLE family though and they just come chill with us at the VC if they don't go in the temple. 

Well this is the most important part of the whole email. Sister Chudleigh and I white washed this area which means were both new to it. She is going home in 2 months, so she's been out a while, but President felt prompted for us to take over here. We were looking through records other missionaries left and as we went through we saw they had a progressive investigator named Alan. We kept reading on him and then moved on to keep reading other peoples profiles, as we were doing this our phone rang, and it was Alan!!!! He said Sisters can you come over at 1:30 today? Of course we said yes!! We went over and Alan is 6'6'' BIG ole scary looking friendly looking giant. He has been taking the missionary discussions for 4 months, he is having a hard time to quit smoking, he's had 3 or 4 baptismal dates. As we talked with him we instantly clicked we felt so comfortable and so did he. We read the Book of Mormon with him and it was so special to hear him "WOW I just can't get enough of this Gospel, WOW WOW WOW. I love Jesus" HAHA as we were reading with him in Alma 36, which is where he is at in his reading I got the impression to invite him to baptism again.. I followed it and asked him and he said YES!!!!!! We set him for May 14, and get confirmed May 15 which is the day Joseph Smith received the priesthood!!  I know he has had so many dates before but something is different this time, he gave up smoking he even ended up in the hospital that night because his body went into shock, but he said HE will NOT smoke!!!! I am so proud of him, he even gave us his cigarettes!! I think it was a blessing for him to get a fresh start with a fresh start of missionaries. He is struggling, this addiction is real, please please pray for him. We were sitting at church and he said he would be there but we didn't see him yet, and all of a sudden he walked in dressed sooo cute in his church clothes he is so funny hahah and I couldn't help but weep at the sight of this man trying SO hard to come unto Jesus Christ. As he walked in we were singing the hymn I stand all amazed and I couldn't have felt more grateful. We talked to Alan about his life and turns out he has 2 sons, he's been in prison 2 times, he was in a mental hospital for schizophrenia, was in 2 gangs, and NOW finally knows who he truly is and is excited for nothing more than to be cleansed from his sins. He is unreal. You would love him!!!! He loves you all and has seen pictures and just goes WOW WOW WOW gorgeous family mate!! HAHAH I love him so much. 

So I guess breastfeeding is okay here? So many people just free the nipple and let their child eat wherever they are. Most awkward when I was giving someone a tour in the VC and I saw her boobs the whole time HAHAH. I start driving next week!! Pray for me haha it's super crazy on the other side of the road!! Well, this is all that has happened, oh one more thing!! One lady was supposed to feed us last night and she forgot, so at 9 o'clock at night when she remembered she showed up at our house with HEAPS of food. She has two LARGE grocery bags full of food and home cooked pans of food. People here sure love their missionaries... Plus they think they get double the blessings when they feed us, so that's why they feed us!! HAHAHA 

Well family, I love it here! Nothing to worry about, the gospel is so true, it makes me so so happy! I love you all so much!!!!! Jesus Loves you!!! 

Love Sister DeLoach!!!

Sister Rudd made up these words for our mission, the tune is to Hark All Ye Nations, I will sing for you on mothers day, the words are so great :)

Hark, Aotearoa! Tena Koe

Kiwi our prophets hastened our day

Elders and Sisters Shouting Aloud

Land of the Long white cloud

chorus: 

KIA KAHA! SAVING SOULS TODAY

HAE-RE MAI E HOA HE'S THE WAY

INVITING ALL AROHANUI, 

AND KIA NGAWARI

Preach my gospel, Doctrine of Christ

Faith and Repentance, Come unto Christ 

Water and Fire our hearts will mend

Enduring to the End

CHORUS

Kia Ora, Maori, and Pakeha

Tumuaki teaches what Joseph saw, 

Respect, Obedience Discipline,

Talking with everyone!!! 

The words mean, be strong, be humble and Pakeha means white person HAHAHAH

Welcome to New Zealand

Kia ora!  Greetings from the New Zealand Hamilton Mission.

Sister De Loach arrived safely to Hamilton, and is already labouring in her new area. Her companion is Sister Chudleigh.  They will be serving in the Glenview Zone right here in Hamilton, as well as serving in the Visitor's Centre.   I have enclosed a picture of them, one of the entire group that arrived the same day, as well as a picture with us.  We love Sister De Loach already!

We look forward to serving with Sister De Loach in this wonderful work as the missionary wave floods this great country of New Zealand!  We need her and are excited to serve together!  Her testimony will grow as she helps others receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.

Arohanui,

President and Sister Rudd​

MTC PICS