3 months!!! 6-4-16

I've been gone 3 months, can you believe it? This week was transfers, and I stayed with Sister Chudleigh in the Lake Ward. I am so happy about it too :) On Monday, since it was right before transfers, the Senior Couples in the VC put together something fun for all of us to do that are in the VC, and this week it was bowling!! We had so much fun, and they all laughed so hard at the way that I bowl, luckily it's fun to laugh at yourself sometimes HAHA. Well, we attended Family History with Alan, and can I just say that I have never felt the spirit so strong as I did while learning about my ancestors. I felt so grateful learning about them. I know that they are close, I know this because I feel them close. 

The other day we went back to the house where we got the door slammed in our faces, and we decided to try again, as we pulled up we both felt so scared, seeing how it was night time, and it's kind of down an alley... We said a prayer and then the story I heard from my Bishopric at USU came to mind of a girl who was on her mission, and everyday walked past gang members, and they never said a word, and one time she decided to ask them why they never noticed the Sisters when they walked by, and the man said "We do notice you, but we would never say a word to you when we see that man walking with you" I instantly knew that we could do this, because we weren't alone. We then got the courage and went to the door and had a really nice conversation with this woman named Shannon :)

Yesterday the Rudd's had their final Fireside for investigators and the public at the VC, they leave here June 30. It was so awesome, but the best part was seeing Alan there. He just makes me so happy, as he sat there alone in the congregation, I just saw his for who he truly is. I saw him as a Man who truly wants to do his best. I am so grateful to see him through God's eyes. I just had such a tender feeling come into my heart as I thought about all the changes he's been through, and all the trials he's faced along the way. Yesterday he received the Aaronic Priesthood, and he got his temple recommend. I have never seen anyone so happy. I truly love him, I am so grateful for him. 

We had a cool experience this week at an ex communicated members house, he is the big Maori guy in the photo, he is awesome and almost ready to be baptized again I think!! He has a flat mate, she was so rude when we walked in, we went to give her a hug and she just sat there like a board, it was so awkward, luckily Sis. Chudleigh hugged her first so I just patted her on the back hahah. As we just sat and talked to Aaron the EX member to catch up and see how he was she would add in randomly I go to church on Saturday, I'm not Mormon.. All of a sudden she was softening and we then shared a scripture in the New Testament and she listened and even prayed with us and Aaron. It was so cool, after she gave us each a big hug, and apologized and said she thought we came to preach but when she saw that we just came to see how Aaron was and when she felt how genuine we were that she really felt bad. She said she shouldn't have treated us that way and kept saying sorry. It was amazing to see her change of heart! I felt so grateful to witness this, and I know it was a testimony builder for him to see his flat mate change too!! 

This work isn't easy, somedays at 6:30 a.m I wonder what the heck I am doing, but then I meet people like this, and hear their amazing stories, and then somehow all the trials, and hard days make it worth it. I am so grateful to be a missionary, even though it's hard. 

I love yous, sooo much!!! 

LOVE Sister Maddie DeLoach 

Kia Ora Friends! 5-29-16

IT'S WINTER! Rainy days here every single day!! HAHA I love it here though!! 

This week was so wonderful. Our area seemed really slow, but online was so awesome!! We were able to answer this guy from Kansas who left us a message saying he was Christian and wanted to know more about Mormons. We kind of got the sense he wanted to bible bash, so we got our scriptures ready and called him. As we began talking to him, we got the vibe he wanted to prove us wrong. We kept teaching in a loving way and being kind to him, ALL of a sudden he had a major change of heart and you could instantly tell he wasn't there to bash, but to learn. It was unreal. Sister Chudleigh would spit out a scripture and then I would testify, I literally felt like I was a solider with my companion, we are war buddies. It was the best experience allowing the spirit to teach this man and soften his heart. His heart changed so much that we invited him when he knows these things are true to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized and he said YES! We just died, we were so excited!!! 

It's already transfer week, can you believe I have been in NZ for 6 weeks?! Sister Chudleigh and I are probably the only safe ones in this area since she is training me:) I am excited to stay with her!! 

Well, I got my first door slammed in my face.. I truly felt as though this man was possessed, and I just felt so frustrated I just wanted to beat him up. As we walked away Sister Chudleigh put her arm around me and we got in the car and said a prayer for this man. I never in my life have desired to pray for someone who was so rude to me until I became a missionary. It helped take away most of my anger and I strongly suggest praying for your enemies :) 

This week I had a change of heart. I realized that when I came on my mission I thought that everyone would change. I thought everyone back home would instantly just want to be so righteous (NOT that you aren't) But I just thought like me coming on a mission that like everyone would want to go to the temple every day and stuff like that, but this week as I pondered I realized I didn't come on my mission so that everyone back home would change. I realized that my mission will change me. It will change the way I view things, and the way that has happened is I have been able to JUST LOVE, love people who aren't nice to me, who aren't righteous. I love how I expected everyone else to change, but first, I had to. I am so grateful for every single one of you, you are such great examples to me!! 

"If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you!"

Love ALL of you!!

Sister DeLoach

Kia Ora! 5-29-16

It's WINTER! It's rainy as here, but it's definitely land of the long white cloud, it rains then it hails, then the sun shines!! HAHA also, TRANSFERS are this week, can you believe it's already been 6 weeks? Sister Chudleigh and I are for sure good, so we think, I guess you'll find out next week :) 

Well, this week in our area was pretty slow, but was FIRE online. We were able to teach people from ALL around the world. We know have an investigator in Kansas, Canada, Texas, and North Carolina. It's amazing seeing the gospel go throughout the world. The other day we had a message from a man named Brad saying he was very Christian and had some questions about the mormon religion... SO we called him. At first it seemed as though he was trying to bash, and sister chudleigh and I were ready for war. It's pretty amazing that as a companionship we literally go to battle fronts sometimes together. We had our scriptures out and we felt so excited to be kind to this man who would be rude to us. As the conversation went on, this man got EXTREMELY humbled when we could support all his questions with the bible, and the book of mormon, and he just was sincerely seeking to know answers not bash. He was so kind to us and was in awe of all that we knew (what the Lord knew;) and anyways, we kept talking to him and the spirit was so strong and we even felt prompted to tell him that when he comes to find out these things for himself if he will follow the example of his Savior and get baptized and HE SAID YES. WHAT THE HECK. It was unreal to experience this. I felt like a solider with my awesome comp!! It was so funny to look at each other when the other got done, and to testify and build off of their testimony :) Ah, such a sweet and spiritual experience.

Well, I had my first door slammed in my face. We were talking to this woman Kelly at her door, and asked if we could help her with anything and all of a sudden this mean scary guy came out of the back of the house and said "WE DON'T NEED YOUR HELP" and slammed the door. He then grabbed Kelly and like threw her. I yelled "Sir we were talking to her, not you" And he then said "GET" I almost felt as though the devil possessed him. He was so abusive we could tell, especially because she is 21, and he is 55 and they're dating. It's a weird as situation. I left feeling so fumed I wanted to fight that guy, and scream at him our message. But Sister Chudleigh just put her arm around me and walked with me to the car. When we got to the car, both with a few tears in our eyes for how sorry we felt for her, we said a prayer for this man. I won't say all my terrible feelings went away, I still wanted to beat him up, but Sister Chudleigh helped me realize that Jesus would pray for this man, and that he loves him regardless. I truly am at war with the best comp I could have ever had. I feel so grateful for the lessons she's taught me. She is leaving in 6 weeks, and I know that will be hard. She gave me one piece of advice that she said is the only thing I truly need my whole mission and it's two words. JUST LOVE

Well, Family I realized this week that I thought everyone and everything back home would change so much while I was gone, I thought all my friends would instantly become so righteous, I thought we would all have desires to go to the temple and church, but this week as I pondered, I realized I had it all wrong. I didn't come on my mission for you all to change, I came here so that I could change. I realized it's not a matter of everyone becoming more righteous and more perfect it's a matter of me becoming changed in the way I view those things. I truly can say that I could love anyone regardless of their past, future, or current state, and I truly feel as though this mission was to change me. I can now JUST LOVE as Sister Chudleigh has taught me. I am not perfect at it, but I am trying every day to do my best!! I hope you all can strive every day to become more like the savior!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! 

"The greatest gift of the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don't succeed."

"If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you"

Dad, I am literally in the seed planting business like you told me;) hahah we were doing service and it made me think of you!! I love you!! look how silly this mail box is!!

I LOVE MY WHANAU!!
I FORGOT TO TELL YOU!! A couple named Alex and Sarah came into the VC a while ago and the sisters before us taught them so when they got here we taught them and they are from Brazil and got baptized this week!!!!! I am so happy for them!!!
I forgot to tell you all, but I decided 18 months isn't long enough to wear this tag, so I decided to sleep with it on every night.. HAHA my next comps might make fun of me, but it's all worth it :

Love Sister DeLoach

From Jax 5-30-16

How's it?!

You sound and look good sista! How is everything going?! You are always so positive and faithful! Keep it up! I understand that it's still the beginning of everything and you're probably slowly getting over the whole homesick thing. Don't worry, we all have had to go through that exact same thing. Knowing that I'm not alone was comforting enough for me to get through it all. It sounds like you're staying very busy teaching and committing! As long as you focus on your goals and purpose that's all you will think about throughout your days, even if there's not people coming in the visiting center you'll think about your investigators and their needs. It's kinda fun looking out for people spiritually and relying on God to give you the revelation you and your people need to progress!

-How many people are you reaching?
-Do members bring none members to the temple grounds a lot?
-How's your companions? Can you relate to them? Or are they complete opposites like all of my companions were..? Haha

My buddy that lives near the temple is Davis Sutcliffe. I love that kid to death! I'll tell him to go visit you if he hasn't already haha

Hope you're doing well! Feel free to talk to me about everything and anything! You are really helping me in so many ways! I love your cheerful spirit! Keep smiling and looking beautiful as you always do!

2 Nephi 9:39
O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.

I don't know why, but this scripture has been on my mind lately. It helped me stay positive throughout some ruff times.. "Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal"
S.M.I.L.E.

Cheers mate!

Love Jax

Kia Ora Friends!!! 5-22-16

How are you all? This week seemed a little better :) 

Tuesday at District Meeting Homesickness hit pretty bad, and so I asked the District Leader for a blessing, he in the blessing said that my family would be watched over by angels, and that the Lord needed me here and this time for a specific reason. I have felt so much comfort since then. I know the Lord knows me and you and he loves US! 

Well, We finally met our investigator Craig, and he is 54, Maori, hipster as and is KEEN as in the gospel too! He lived barely outside of the ward boundaries, and didn't want to get special privileges to come to our ward, so he sold his house and moved down the road just to be in our ward, NEEDLESS to say We invited him to baptism, HE IS SO KEEN!!! He is getting baptized on June 25:) I am sooo excited for him. He had triple bypass surgery about a year ago and is still recovering, he has a check up this week, so please pray for him!!! 

Alan had his interview this week and gets ordained with the Aaronic Priesthood on SUNDAY! I am sooo happy for him!! I wish you could hear his accent!! HAHA He says "Wow this gospel is SO Awesome" HAHAH. He is the best. 

One day I was feeling kind of down, at the Visitors Center and this 20 ish year old guy walked in and asked for Sister DeLoach, I said that was me and turns out he had been in contact with some of you on my Instagram and is from Utah and came to say hello. Such an answer to my prayers that God knew I needed someone and literally sent them to me! I know he lives, and loves us. I felt it this week from a random boy from Utah. While that guy was here we took him on a tour and I felt impressed to show him Come Unto Christ, and as it finished he had tears in his eyes, I told him that the words that stuck out to me were "Once you feel Christs love you'll never be the same" He said he needed exactly those words, and he just wept. He said he came here to make my day, and he was leaving with my companion and I making his day and answering the questions in his heart. 

GOD LIVES, HE KNOWS YOU, and HE IS ANXIOUSLY AWAITING YOU!!! I testify of this!!! 

Love, Sister Maddie DeLoach

Kia Ora! 5-22-16

Hello Fam!!! 

This week started out great!! I was pretty homesick at district meeting and asked the District Leader for a blessing and he gave me one. It was such a beautiful blessing and in it he said that my family would be surrounded by angels why I am gone, and that they will be protected. It felt so comforting to know that the same angels that watch over me here are watching over you there. I love you all!! 

So one day I was feeling down, this random guy named Sam came in and said he was here to see me. He was from Utah, and said hello from my family!! He was such an answer to my prayers and really made me realize that God knows me, and loves me. I felt so grateful. As we were talking with him, he asked for a tour and I felt like we should show him Come Unto Christ, and after we did he was in tears. I told him as I watched that the words"Once you feel his love you'll never be the same" really stuck out, and he got more tears and said, He was so grateful he stopped by. He came to make my day, and that my companion and I really made his day, and answered questions he had. 

Well, we have this investigator named Craig, he is a total Maori hipster HAHA and we had a lesson with him, and HE IS GETTING BAPTIZED on June 25!!! He is unreal, and is so serious about it! He lived in our area, just moved to Hamilton East, but doesn't want special privileges to come to our ward, so he sold his house and is moving back into our area Wednesday just for the gospel!! He is so keen! He talks so much, it's hard to fit in words, he just had a triple heart by pass surgery, so he is getting better, but it makes him talk to much!! HAHA 

We had 2 miracles this week at the VC, two different days we had these keen as people come in and they were each super stoked about the gospel and so we invited them to meet with the local missionaries and they said YES!! As we put these referrals into the computer our phone started going off, and we looked at our phone and BEHOLD we HAD two referral texts!!! BOTH of these boys who are super keen about the gospel, live in our area, and our basically our neighbors. What a miracle that not one, but two of them are in our area. We felt so grateful. Everyone says that miracles happen around new missionaries, and I 100% believe it!!!! I am so grateful to be here!! 

One day at dinner we decided to walk around the lake and take pictures, look how gorgeous it is here!!!! Can't wait to share the beauty with you all someday!!!!!  Also, Alan got his Aaronic Priesthood interview and gets ordained next week, he says this gospel is "AWESOME" in his accent of course!! HAHA I love you all, and I will be online for about 30 more minutes, so please still write to me! I love you heaps!!

"You are doing better than you could ever imagine"

Love, Sister Maddie DeLoach 

Friends 5-15-16

Kia Ora, My people!!

How are you all? Alan GOT BAPTIZED!!!! It was unbelievable to see him become so pure in a matter of seconds. It was so awesome, because Alan is 6'6'' and the man that baptized him is shorter than my mom.. HAHA It looked impossible but it was accomplished. Alan just sat in the water after he was baptized, and sobbed. He was the happiest person I have ever seen. He bore his testimony after, and he said "It's the best day of my life" I was so proud of Alan. He is so cool, we even had 5 of our investigators there because they love him so much. It was awesome to see. I am so stinking proud of him!!!

After Alan's baptism we were able to attend a dinner appointment at a lady named Fran's house! She gave us a Maori lesson and I learned "Ko Sister DeLoach Tokau Ingoa" (My name is Sister DeLoach) HAHA i'm fluent right? It's a beautiful language with a beautiful culture. Fran was home alone, but has 4 children and a husband who were just away for a few hours. I could tell she seemed kind of down, and as we sat and talked to her, the scripture D&C 18:10 clear as day came into my mind. I know this scripture says "The Worth of Souls is great in the Sight of God." I told her I felt impressed to tell her that scripture and how important she was to God. She just started to weep. She has been going through a lot, and that was exactly what she needed to hear. I felt so much gratitude to be the servant to relay that message to her. This gospel is Happiness, and this church is TRUE. It's true because it's Jesus Christ Church. It's a perfect church with imperfect people. I love you all!!! 

"you were in the war in heaven and one day when you are in the spirit world you will be in thralled with those who you associated with. You asked someone in which time. They lived in, and you might hear, I was with Moses when he parted the Red Sea, or I help build the pyramids, or I fought with Captain Moroni. And while you are standing there in amazement someone will turn to you and ask, "which prophet time did you live in?" And when you say President Hinckley or President Monson a hush will fall in every hall and Corredor in heaven, and all in attendance will bow at your presence. You were held back 6000 years, because you were the most talented, most obedient, most courageous, and most righteous. Remember who you are!" -President Boyd k. Packer

Arohanui!!! XOXOX 

Sister DeLoach 

Stake President Thomas Sutcliffe
Brother Alan Kingi baptized 5-14-16