"Maddie Fattie" (Miryka's Ward)

Maddie sent me this from someone in Mirykas ward. I just thought it was so nice of him. Words Matter!

Hi Maddie,

Or I guess I should say Sister DeLoach!  My name is Rob Judson.  I got your e-mail address from Miryka Garner who lives in my ward in Pleasant View, UT.  I hope you are loving and killing it on your mission!  Sorry for the subject line, but your story of "Maddie Fattie" has really made an impact on me since I listened to you talk about your life, story and platform when you came out and talked to the Young Women in our ward--probably a year and a half ago or so for our ward's Young Women in Excellence night or whatever they call it.  I had a 12 year old daughter at the time and went that night because my wife told me that's what I was supposed to do. :)  I remember walking into the Relief Society room that night to find and seat and seeing you standing in the other doorway.  For a split second I seriously thought I was looking at an angel sent from above or some other heavenly being.  I'm sure that is coming across as totally creepy--sorry about that..what I mean by that is that you were literally oozing with the spirit. You are obviously a beautiful girl, but the spirit was just radiating from you.  And you weren't even saying a word at that point.

And then you did.  I absolutely loved everything you had to say that night to these girls.  The love you have for the Savior and the love you were extending to the girls in that room was so powerful.  I loved your B.R.A.V.E. platform.  And probably most of all, I loved the Maddie Fattie story.  I know that was obviously a very painful period in your life, but I loved the fact that you were willing to share it in hopes of preventing girls in that room from doing the same thing to other kids, and also that what something that someone else does or says to these girls, doesn't define who they are.  That they are daughters of God and that he loves them and that THAT is what defines who and what they are.  

I coach my daughter's fastpitch softball team which is made up of 12 fourteen year old girls.  We practice/play year round, so I get to spend a lot of time with these girls.  I've used your Maddie Fattie story multiple times with these girls--sometimes when talking to the entire team, and sometimes in one on one meetings with them.  It usually goes something like this--Our ward once had this girl come talk to our Young Women.  She was a beautiful girl, competed in several contests/pageants, was well spoken, intelligent, and had an amazing spirit about her.  She is the kind of girl who has everything in the world going for her.  You would think she never had to deal with anything difficult in her life. Then I tell them the Maddie Fattie story.  I don't remember the exact details, but I tell them that it takes 13 compliments to outweigh one negative comment.  Sometimes I change the # to 50.  I don't remember what exactly it is, but they get the point.  I encourage them to always be positive to each other whether they are on or off the field.  Our team "motto" for this year is 12 United.  I try to help them understand how powerful their words can be for good or for bad.  That you can't take back or "un say" something after it's been said.  And that the damage from their words sometimes can't be undone.  I'm now a 41 year old man, and I still remember hurtful things that were said to me from 30 years ago.  People have said a lot of good things about me as well, but it's funny/sad how our human nature is to remember the negative things.  I still occasionally find myself struggling with my own insecurities and self worth.  And I'm 41.  I know these girls are living that struggle x 100 every day.  

I don't know if your message impacted them as much as it impacted me, but I just wanted to let you know that you did make a meaningful impression on me that night.  And now I'm trying to do my best to pass that message along to the girls on my team, to the 14 year olds in my Sunday School class, and now to the Young Men that I am working with in our ward.  I wish I would have said something to you that night, or that I would have sent this e-mail to you a year ago.  I'm sorry for that.  I hope you are absolutely loving your mission and the people you are serving.  I'm sure you are an incredible missionary.  I know you are doing what the Lord wants you to do, and you are setting an amazing example to all of the Young Women groups and anyone else you have interacted with in the past.  Keep up the good work.  You have done and are going to continue to do amazing things in life!

Thanks,

Rob Judson  

Friends 3-5-17

(MARCH)ONE YEAR?!? Seriously never thought this would come.

This week was incredible. Sister Kafoa and I were able to go every single day to the hospital to visit an investigator who is living in an area near by. The hospital is in our district, and a lady in our ward care gives for a man in a wheel chair who is the Investigators fellowship in his ward. I have NOT fully understood the Atonement until this week. This man has been in prison 2 times in his life, in and out of police stations, and he has been an alcoholic his whole life and he is 57. He met the missionaries and they told Him he cannot get baptized if he doesn't quite drinking, so he put himself into  the Henry Bennet section of the hospital which is the Alcohol recovery section, and he is staying for a week, so far he has been sober all week, and we have seen him every single day. He said he has never felt love or hope ever in his entire life until he met the missionaries and the members of the church. This week we tried helping him learn to pray because we knew that was the only thing that could help him through, and we followed up and he didn't pray, followed up again and he didn't pray, he said it was too awkward, then we followed up the next night, and he said he prayed TWICE. He said he just cried, this man is NOT a softy, and he said he felt humbled to the dust of the Earth, as he prayed. He said that he felt "marshmellowy" inside and that he KNEW that Heavenly Father was listening to Him. He is incredible, and I am so sad that he is leaving tomorrow back to His area, who knows maybe that will be my next area, he has influenced me a lot, and I sure love him so much. He is the definition of the Atonement! I KNOW people can change!!! 

If you remember that family we helped on the side of the road last week, well anyways if you remember the Dad said he would find us and thank us, and this week sure enough he came to the Visitors Centre TWICE!! But the most incredible thing happened, our Relief Society President has been dropping off food daily at their house, given them a lot of money, and asked our ward if we will be willing to help a refugee family. Well anywho our Relief Society president, Sister Wairepo had us for dinner on Saturday, and we walked in and GUESS WHO WAS SITTING AT THE TABLE?? YES, she invited the family for dinner and we were able to teach them the first lesson. It was incredible, and we were so grateful for the compassion she has shown them, it is true that Charity never faileth!!!! 

I love you all heaps, and I hope you have the best week ever. Thank you for  your love and your support continually throughout my mission. I can't believe how fast it has gone. I love you!! 

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach 

Family 3-5-17

MARCH-ONE YEAR?!? Seriously never thought this would come.

This week was incredible. Sister Kafoa and I were able to go every single day to the hospital to visit an investigator who is living in an area near by. The hospital is in our district, and a lady in our ward care gives for a man in a wheel chair who is the Investigators fellowship in his ward. I have NOT fully understood the Atonement until this week. This man has been in prison 2 times in his life, in and out of police stations, and he has been an alcoholic his whole life and he is 57. He met the missionaries and they told Him he cannot get baptized if he doesn't quite drinking, so he put himself into  the Henry Bennet section of the hospital which is the Alcohol recovery section, and he is staying for a week, so far he has been sober all week, and we have seen him every single day. He said he has never felt love or hope ever in his entire life until he met the missionaries and the members of the church. This week we tried helping him learn to pray because we knew that was the only thing that could help him through, and we followed up and he didn't pray, followed up again and he didn't pray, he said it was too awkward, then we followed up the next night, and he said he prayed TWICE. He said he just cried, this man is NOT a softy, and he said he felt humbled to the dust of the Earth, as he prayed. He said that he felt "marshmellowy" inside and that he KNEW that Heavenly Father was listening to Him. He is incredible, and I am so sad that he is leaving tomorrow back to His area, who knows maybe that will be my next area, he has influenced me a lot, and I sure love him so much. He is the definition of the Atonement! I know people can change!!! 

The coolest thing is one day we went to see Berry, that is his name, and while we were there, this other guy in the hospital was like are you Mormons? We said yes and he said his family was mormon and he was less active and wondered if we could come visit him too, haha it was so cool. We may as well just proselyte in the hospital!! We were able to invite him into our discussion, and something I learned from both of them, is no matter how low you get, or how lost you get, you will NEVER forget the way you were raised or the things that you learned. It was incredible, especially to see how Jesus Christ really is the only way to get better from dark times.

We had this EVIL man stop us on the side of the road, haha and he was like bashing us as hard as he could, and right then this lady in our ward ran by, just on her evening run. We waved and she kept going, and then up the hill you saw her turn around, and she came back and stood as a member present. It was so cool because she was able to give her witness that she too knows what we are sharing is true, she then told us after how when she ran up the hill, she literally felt the spirit stop her  and say "TURN AROUND" that is when she ran back and came to us. :) 

We have a new investigator, her name is Lachey  (la-shay) and she is 14. Her Auntie is in our ward, and we had a lesson with her the other day and it was incredible. We were talking about prayer, and Lachey shared that she only prays on her own, and has never said one out loud. We invited her to say the closing prayer, and it was incredible, the spirit was so relevant. She prayed out loud, and she couldn't even muster the words to get through the whole thing. After she expressed that how she was feeling right now, was a feeling she has never ever felt. We were then able to bare testimony that is the spirit, and that what we share with her is true. It was incredible, and she came to church on sunday so YAY!!! 

If you remember that family we helped on the side of the road last week, well anyways if you remember the Dad said he would find us and thank us, and this week sure enough he came to the Visitors Centre TWICE!! But the most incredible thing happened, our Relief Society President has been dropping off food daily at their house, given them a lot of money, and asked our ward if we will be willing to help a refugee family. Well anywho our Relief Society president, Sister Wairepo had us for dinner on Saturday, and we walked in and GUESS WHO WAS SITTING AT THE TABLE?? YES, she invited the family for dinner and we were able to teach them the first lesson. It was incredible, and we were so grateful for the compassion she has shown them, it is true that Charity never faileth!!!! 

I have been so blessed this week, and the best blessing is having a companion like I have. I am so grateful for Sister Kafoa, she is someone who constantly wants to do and become her best, she has been such an example for me, and I love her heaps. I assume she will be training in a few weeks, and I know that I will be heading out into the field. It will be quite a change for me, but I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for me!!! I love the Sunnyhills Ward, and I love the people here. This week we had 11 member present lessons, and 8 of them were members coming out with us. They are incredible here, and I love them so much.

I hope you have the best week, I am so happy I received multiple letters from Delta Seminary, I think it is missionary week. So weird to be a part of that now, as a missionary!! I love you all heaps, and heaps, hope you are doing well and HAPPY :))) 

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach 

No Words (friends) 2-26-17

I cannot really describe this week. I have been in the presence of an Apostle of the Lord, and it was absolutely incredible. Elder Dale G. Renlund is called of God, and I fully sustain Him. I felt his power and authority this week. As Visitors Centre sisters we had the opportunity to one on one meet elder renlund and he grabbed my hand, asked where I was from, I said Delta UT and he grabbed my hand with both of his and said "Go Rabbits" HAHAHA I about died, and then he said "You think that is good, hold on, he still held my hand and said to his wife, what is Delta UT's mascot, and she said the Rabbits of course" haha it was hilarious! We shook the hands of the whole area presidency, and Elder Hallstrom. 

Elder Renlund gave us 3 things to share. 

1- On Behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church, THANK YOU. Thank you for being a full-time missionary, thank you.

2- Because you have been called by prophesy you have the RIGHT and OBLIGATION to plead with Heavenly Father and find out why you are called here, and when you know, write it down. 

3- Your mission president has been called by revelation, HE IS CALLED FOR YOU!! 

There was a crazy experience that happened he allowed us to ask questions, and Sister Kafoa asked "How can I be a more consecrated missionary?" He looked down at the front row at us, and as an apostle of the Lord said "Don't worry about it. You already are." He then shared how when he was called into the 12 He felt so inadequate, and he felt like such an imposer to the work, he said he was talking to Elder Cook about his inadequacies, and in His words he said "The Lord rebuked me and said DON'T talk to your inadequacies to anyone but me or your wife. I called you already knowing your weaknesses and inadequacies." He then looked at us and said with tears in His eyes he read allowed the words to Hymn 60 verse 3,

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me. As he died to make men holy let us live to make men free While God is marching on. 

Yesterday we were able to help this family on the side of the road, they were refugees from Sri Lanka and when we stopped the Dad said "You are Jesus" we corrected him haha and said no, just representatives of Him. He then said "Everyone else say they love Jesus, but you stop and help, you act like Jesus" That sentence really made me think, do people only know we love Jesus because we say we do, and go to church and post cute photos of the temple? Or do they know you love Jesus by your actions, your example, and your words? I hope and pray we may all become a little more like our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He lives, I have literally felt His hand in my life, and I know that His work is continuing on. I love you all so much, hope you have the best week!!!

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach 

NO WORDS 2-26-17

I cannot really describe this week. I have been in the presence of an Apostle of the Lord, and it was absolutely incredible. Elder Dale G. Renlund is called of God, and I fully sustain Him. I felt his power and authority this week. As Visitors Centre sisters we had the opportunity to one on one meet elder renlund and he grabbed my hand, asked where I was from, I said Delta UT and he grabbed my hand with both of his and said "Go Rabbits" HAHAHA I about died, and then he said "You think that is good, hold on, he still held my hand and said to his wife, what is Delta UT's mascot, and she said the Rabbits of course" haha it was hilarious! We shook the hands of the whole area presidency, and Elder Hallstrom. 

Tuesday we had the privilege of having Mark Lusvardi of the Mission Department come and do a training with us VC sisters and President Cummings came too. We had a CRAZY experience, and it was amazing. We were asked to role play and Sister Kafoa and I volunteered to be the missionaries and Sister Taula and Sister Hagerty were the people. We just began to get to know them, and it was honestly the MOST SPIRIT filled Sister Kafoa and I have ever been. We were able to help these people so much, and Brother Lusvardi stopped us in the middle, and he said "Wow, I truly cannot give corrections, WOW, please continue." Then the craziest thing happened, we were evaluating the Role Play and Sister Taula was supposed to share how she felt acting as a person, and she just started crying and said "I haven't told anyone but I found out Monday that my Sister had a still born baby, and I have been praying about what to share with her, and I didn't feel like a person in the role play, I felt like it was for me, I now know what I need to share with my sister". Brother Lusvardi stood up and looked at Elder Zundel, and said "Please tell us what just happened" And Elder Zundel said "That is an everyday occurrence here in NZ Temple VC." Bro. Lusvardi with tears in His eyes, said to all of us sisters "You sisters are exceptional, I have never seen anything like this anywhere else." Wow, we were so grateful that the spirit directed that conversation and that we allowed ourselves to get out of the way and to let it teach. 

Elder Renlund gave us 3 things to share. 

1- On Behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church, THANK YOU. Thank you for being a full-time missionary, thank you.

2- Because you have been called by prophesy you have the RIGHT and OBLIGATION to plead with Heavenly Father and find out why you are called here, and when you know, write it down. 

3- Your mission president has been called by revelation, HE IS CALLED FOR YOU!! 

There was a crazy experience that happened he allowed us to ask questions, and Sister Kafoa asked "How can I be a more consecrated missionary?" He looked down at the front row at us, and as an apostle of the Lord said "Don't worry about it. You already are." He then shared how when he was called into the 12 He felt so inadequate, and he felt like such an imposer to the work, he said he was talking to Elder Cook about his inadequacies, and in His words he said "The Lord rebuked me and said DON'T talk to your inadequacies to anyone but me or your wife. I called you already knowing your weaknesses and inadequacies." He then looked at us and said with tears in His eyes he read allowed the words to Hymn 60 verse 3,

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me. As he died to make men holy let us live to make men free While God is marching on. 

He gave us 3 Apostolic blessings and the first was to feel the Lords love for us, that as we serve him we will truly feel that love.

The second was that as we served the Lord we would have a Bubble of Safety round about us, and the Lord will bear us up.

The third was that our families were being blessed by Him who called me, He blessed us to not worry about them, they are well and guarded, that through my service there will be miracles in my home, and through my family they will see miracles. 

My week ended with Interviews with President Cummings, and I will say it again, I LOVE THAT MAN. I know that I was called to serve with him. I know that he is called of God. Sitting in His office looking across to Him, I imagine How I feel in that moment is a lot how I will feel in the presence of the Savior. I know that this church is true, I know that I am supposed to be here right now, I know that the Lord understands us perfectly, and because of that he allows us to meet and be surrounded by those will uphold and help us. I know that is why you are my family!!! 

Yesterday we were able to help this family on the side of the road, they were refugees from Sri Lanka and when we stopped the Dad said "You are Jesus" we corrected him haha and said no, just representatives of Him. He then said "Everyone else say they love Jesus, but you stop and help, you act like Jesus" That sentence really made me think, do people only know we love Jesus because we say we do, and go to church and post cute photos of the temple? Or do they know you love Jesus by your actions, your example, and your words? I hope and pray we may all become a little more like our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He lives, I have literally felt His hand in my life, and I know that His work is continuing on. I love you all so much, hope you have the best week!!!

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach 

HELLO (friends) 2-19-17

Rainy RAINY week here in NZ! It was a great week though. Something I always ask return missionaries when I see them, is what lesson they still apply today that they learned on their missions, and I had one ask it back to me, weird hey? They asked what are a few of the greatest lessons I have learned on my mission, and so I thought I would share a few with you today!!! 

One lesson I have learned is the lesson of perspective. I think that we can grow so one sided our whole lives, for instance, I feel as though I only grew up thinking that driving on that side of the road was correct, or that there is only one right way to do things, but I think I have learned that if you just listen to someone, you can see their perspective, it doesn't mean you have to change your views, but it's nice to see the world as it really is sometimes, and I am grateful I have been able to see more perspectives on my mission, it's made me more humble I believe, and for sure more kind.

Another lesson I have learned is that EVERYONE is going through SOMETHING! No matter who you look at, they are struggling with something. I have learned that we are all a bunch of ducks, and when you see ducks sitting on water all you see is this peaceful little animal with a beautiful view, but if you could look under the water you would see that the duck is kicking very hard to stay afloat. Another lesson I have learned is to love everyone. I hope and pray the rest of my life I can see people how I see them now. I feel as though it's such a blessing to see people this way. I have strived my whole life to see people this way, but I now fully can. I truly believe that everyone is SO loved, I know that we are all children of God, and I love seeing people who need help either physically, spiritually, or mentally, because I KNOW they can receive that help. 

This week Sister Kafoa gifted me with a Kiekie which is a Tongan traditional belt. This is the belt her great grandmother hand weaved, and when she died, left it for her. Sister Kafoa said her whole life she knew she would give it to someone who has changed her, and I FEEL so privileged that she gave it to me, it's gorgeous!!! I LOVE HER!

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach 

Hello Fam 2-19-17

Rainy RAINY week here in NZ! It was a great week though. Something I always ask return missionaries when I see them, is what lesson they still apply today that they learned on their missions, and I had one ask it back to me, they asked what are a few of the greatest lessons I have learned on my mission, and so I thought I would share a few with you today!!! 

One lesson I have learned is the lesson of perspective. I think that we can grow so one sided our whole lives, for instance, I feel as though I only grew up thinking that driving on that side of the road was correct, or that only republicans were normal people, but I think I have learned that if you just listen to someone, you can see their perspective, it doesn't mean you have to change your views, but it's nice to see the world as it really is sometimes, and I am grateful I have been able to see more perspectives on my mission, it's made me more humble I believe, and for sure more kind.

Another lesson I have learned is that EVERYONE is going through SOMETHING! No matter who you look at, they are struggling with something. I have learned that we are all a bunch of ducks, and when you see ducks sitting on water all you see is this peaceful little animal with a beautiful view, but if you could look under the water you would see that the duck is kicking very hard to stay afloat. Another lesson I have learned is to love everyone. I hope and pray the rest of my life I can see people how I see them now. I feel as though it's such a blessing to see people this way. I have strived my whole life to see people this way, but I now fully can. I truly believe that everyone is SO loved, I know that we are all children of God, and I love seeing people who need help either physically, spiritually, or mentally, because I KNOW they can receive that help. 

This week it seemed like everyone we met was struggling with something. We went to our Less Actives house, and she has been struggling with depression, and then we went to our part member families and she too has been struggling, this alone caused me to study in 2 Nephi 2, which talks about opposition. I learned this week something that is so obvious, but really stood out to me, which is "Unless we had more than one choice we couldn't choose." I truly understood opposition in that moment. We HAVE to have more than one choice in all things. I love too how if we didn't have any bad things we would NEVER have any good things. This morning I studied Moroni 7 which is about having charity, but it's also about evil and good works. Something that stood out to me was that evil things cannot give good gifts, and good things cannot give evil gifts. I know that as both evil and good are required in our day to day lives, that we must see we can't have one without the other. I know that life is hard, I also know it's hard to have good and bad things in life, it would be so much easier to just have the good, but I have really learned this week that we would never appreciate the good if we didn't have the bad. This is why I think my mission has helped me so much, I think that I never appreciated things (my family) as much as I should have, but being away has truly touched my heart on the small and simple things I need to be grateful for. 

This week Sister Kafoa and I set a goal to give a service every single day, it was incredible how when we prayed about it instantly we were able to give. One that stood out to me, and it's become my new favorite hobby is giving away umbrellas. I encourage you all to keep an extra in your car, and when it's raining to see someone on the side of the road, and give it to them, you have NO idea the way their face lights up. Anywho we were in like a tropical storm the other day, and we saw our Less Active with her two little girls walking home, so we pulled over the car, sprinted to them, gave them our umbrellas and coats. We ran back to the car, and saw a man in a wheel chair so we grabbed another umbrella and walked him home, getting like 5 steps away from our car we saw ANOTHER man in a wheel chair, so we walked him home also, we were SOAKED, yet it was so worth it. We got to meet people, who were struggling, yet sons and daughters of God. We got to give charity-which to me is doing something for someone who can do nothing for you in return. We then got back to the car and we were going to wish this single lady in our ward a happy birthday and went to her house and she wasn't home, so we got back in our warm car, and said a prayer of where the Lord would like us to be at this time specifically, and immediately of opening our eyes we saw this woman down the road struggling, walking bare foot in the pouring rain, and I mean pouring, the fastest windshield wiper was slow, and so we decided to run to her and help her, when we got there we realized it was the member whom we were going to see. We were able to carry her home, and it was such an incredible day. We froze to death almost, but the lady who we originally let borrow our coats and umbrellas for her kids, when we went to pick them up made us a warm milo, gave us her warm clothes, and it was incredible to see that the Lord really is in charge, he knew that is what we needed to do that day! 

Really looking forward to Elder Renlund coming this week, this is supposed to be top secret, but between us, we found out he is coming to the Visitors Centre and would like a tour by 2 companionships, AHHH should be crazy. Really looking forward to it. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

This week Sister Kafoa gifted me with a Kiekie which is a Tongan traditional belt. This is the belt her great grandmother hand weaved, and when she died, left it for her. Sister Kafoa said her whole life she knew she would give it to someone who has changed her, and I FEEL so privileged that she gave it to me, it's gorgeous!!! I love her!

Arohanui,

Sister DeLoach