Staying Put

First things is first. For those of you who may be concerned with my health, well I still have no idea what is wrong with my back. I went to the Doctor on Friday thinking I would have my solution and would be able to start moving forward to a pain-free life, but the doctor just told me that yes, I do have two rather large kidney stones, but right now they are not in a spot would be causing pain--in the future they'll be a problem, but right now, not the problem. The doctor took another look at my CT scan and said there is something wrong there and refferred me to a back specialist. I have filled out the application to the back specialist and am just waiting on a call from them. I am back where I started, except this time around no pain medications are working and I just have to pray extra hard to make it through each day. I am definitely getting closer to my Savior though. Always a thing to be grateful for in each trial!

Transfers have come and gone and it looks like Sister Ng and I will be staying another transfer together in the city. Our third transfer together and Sister Ng's seventh transfer in the city! She is such a trooper. It isn't even possible for me to stay here that long. We are both very excited to be staying because we have a lot of really solid investigators right now who have accepted the invitation to be baptized this transfer! Always exciting to see the fruit of our labors as Ammon said in Alma 26: 30-31: " And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some. Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us."Saturday was a glorious day! Sister Ng and I were able to watch our investigator, Atticus, enter the waters of baptism and promise Heavenly Father to always remember Him. It was pretty awesome because a man I taught in SunnyBank,George Chen, then referred to city where he was baptized, was the one to baptize Atticus. It was George's first opportunity to baptize someone! It was sweet to watch George carefully dip Atticus into the water. The first time he did it so carefully that Atticus's hand didn't make it into the water and so they had to do it twice. It was a great teaching opportunity after because we were able to remind George and Atticus of just how important it is to be fully immersed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Sunday was awesome as well. Atticus received the Gift of the Holy Ghost, the greatest gift anyone can receive from our loving Heavenly Father! However, that wasn't my favorite part. Friday night I had texted Ayako to remind her about church. Usually she quickly replies, but we had received no confirming text. Sister Ng and prayed fervently that she would show up. Church started and no Ayako. Then after the opening prayer in walked Ayako in her new pink dress and pretty high heels WITH three of her friends! She is not even a member yet, and she is already doing missionary work! It just strengthens my testimony that this church is true and when people come to that knowledge they can't help but want to share it with their friends and family!Monday was full of lessons. Sister Ng and I were positive she'd be transferred because no one in mission history has stayed in one area longer than 6 transfers, so we invited as many people as we could to meet with us on Monday so Sister Ng could say goodbye. Well late Sunday night we got the transfer call and nobody was leaving, so we clapped our hands for joy and went to bed happy that the next day was not going to be full of goodbyes. Our first lesson was with a man named Tony, and no he is not the same person that I taught in SunnyBank. Tony has expressed in multiple lessons how difficult it is for him to feel love and to love others. His parents left him to be raised by Tony's aunt and uncle, who both worked a lot and taught Tony that charity is bad because it only comes back to hurt you. Tony's only desire in life is to be happy, he just doesn't know how. After much prayer and consideration, Sister Ng and I finally decided to veer off the usual path and teach Tony all about Charity. We invited a recently baptized member, Warren--who also had problems with being happy prior to his baptism-- to join us. As we began to teach Tony about Charity I could feel the Spirit enter my heart and fill my soul with warmth. At one point I felt prompted to ask Tony, "Tony, do you feel that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you?" He went on to explain that he'd never felt God or Christ's love before, but when he started meeting with the missionaries he started to feel a little bit happier. Tony started to cry a little bit as I testified that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do in fact love Tony and want nothing more for him than for him to have happiness in life here on earth and in the life to come. Warren was great! He shared his testimony about how once he joined the church he had a lot more friends and was as happy as he'd ever been his whole life. At the end of the lesson Sister Ng invited Tony to be baptized and to start coming to church. He said yes to both! Warren got his phone number and offered to go to church with him this Sunday. When we said our closing prayer Tony prayed that he would get passing marks on the test he was about to go pick up. An hour later when we were teaching another investigator, Tony interrupts our lesson to tell us that he passed! He had the biggest smile on his face and I could see the Light of Christ glowing from within Tony's smile! Our investigator was also very impressed that God would answer prayers so quickly, so it was a good interruption. It was truly a great first day of the transfer. I can tell Sister Ng and I are going to see miracles unfold before our eyes this transfer as we do our best to invite others to repent and be baptized so that they may have the FULL JOY that comes from living Heavenly Father's commandments.I testify that God lives. Jesus the Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. They love each and everyone of us and will help us through any trial we may be going through. I can see the hand of the Lord in my family's life back home, and I can see it ever to clearly in my life here in Australia. I bear witness that the Holy Ghost can help us know truth, can help us know what to do to help others, and can help us keep pushing forward even if we are in the same setting. These things I bear humble witness of in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

1) Atticus's Baptism

Atticus, George and Me

Doctors and Miracles

Well it has been an extremely long week, 10 days to be exact! We didn't have P-day until Thursday this week because earlier this morning we had the privilege of going to the temple! Which was much needed after all that has happened the past ten days.

Doctors. The past few weeks I have been all over Brisbane visiting doctors trying to figure out what in the world is wrong with my back. I got a CT scan done and there was nothing really wrong with my back, just a small bulging disc, but turns out everyone's disc are bulging a little bit. However, when the doctor was looking at my CT scans he noticed some odd junk in my kidney. He sent me to go have an Ultra Sound done ASAP.

After the ultra sound Sister Ng and I came home straight away and handed the written report to Sister Chen to translate into simple English--luckily Sister Chen almost finished her medical degree before coming out on her mission! After translating I discovered that my left kidney is just full of junk right now. I have 2-3 large kidney stones and 3 large cysts taking up space in my kidney. Thus the explanation for the intense back pain the past five weeks now! I am going to the doctor tomorrow to find out what we can do to solve my kidney issue and then hopefully I will be pain free in no time. It has been hard not sleeping at night because of the pain and then having to get up and go walk around the city. However, the Lord is very aware of me, His daughter, and has blessed Sister Ng and I immensely.

Miracles. All week we were able to have at least one or more lessons during the day so that I didn't have to walk around so much. Then on Tuesday night a huge miracle was Sister Chen and Cabamongan's investigator, Kelsey, asked to see me because Sister Chen had told her about the side affects I was having after taking the medicine the doctor prescribed me. So I went over with Sister Cabamongan and sat down in Kelsey's flat and handed over the medication I had been taking that left me loopy as a fruit loop necklace. Kelsey pulled out her laptop and called up her doctor friend and together they asked me questions about my side effects and in the end decided that I was having every negative side effect except hives and should stop taking the medicine immediately. Sure the pain was stronger, but I had my head back and was able to talk to people more effectively and help move the work in our area along more fully, rather than putting most of the weight on Sister Ng's shoulders.

Back in working condition Sister Ng and I were able to help our investigator Atticus get ready for baptism! I haven't mentioned him a whole lot in past letters because we haven't been teaching Atticus very long, but miraculously he is getting baptized this Saturday right before transfers next week! He is so ready and eager to follow Jesus Christ. It is pretty amazing how fast Atticus has been willing to change his life in order come closer to Christ, including paying tithing and giving up tea! I am very excited to see him enter the waters of BAPTISM! Which is the end result of many miracles and the beginning of Atticus's journey to returning to live with Heavenly Father again.

I also went on trade-offs with Sister Lai this week. It was fun to be her companion again for a day. She helped me realize that it is okay that I am in pain and it is okay that I am feeling weak because I am still working hard. In fact she told me I was working too hard and that I should take more time to relax because my health is not super great right now. I told her I needed to work hard because I only have so much time left in my mission, plus I really want the blessings for my family. At that moment I began to cry a little bit (I've been quite an emotional mess without sleep and a lot of pain) and just curled into my lap in frustration. Sister Lai came over and lifted my face out of my lap and told me boldly and lovingly, "Sister Jensen, you are trooper #1. I can tell you love the Lord because you are not using your pain as an excuse to work less, rather you are using it as a reason to work harder. You are crazy, but I love you and so does Heavenly Father." I love Sister Lai. I love that my Heavenly Father has placed in my path two amazing STL's who always are in tune with the Holy Ghost and know what to say to help me relax and appreciate the work I am able to do and appreciate the love of the Lord.

Another miracle that just occurred over and over agian this week was our members! They are getting the feel of the hastening of the work. One Sister in Relief  Society said to me, "I can really feel the hastening. Even at uni my friends are asking me more and more about my church." Then this week we have been able to have multiple members come to our lessons. Not only are they coming to the lessons but they are starting to go the extra mile and invite the investigators to do stuff with them! Ben, a recent convert, willingly brings Atticus to church every week and offered to bring him to the baptism as well! Phil, a recent Japanese convert, has taken Ayako under his wing and walks with her to church is at every lesson to make sure she understands what we are teaching and is encouraging her to be baptized on June 28th. At church the members are eager to sit by investigators and welcome them to the ward. My testimony of member missionary work is growing stronger and stronger as I see members eagerly engage the investigators who are at church. It is a miracle for sure!

I know this church is true! I am a living modern day witness that the Atonement can not only help us receive the loving forgiveness of our Heavenly Father, but can also enable us to do more than others think we are capable. Such has been the case with my pain. This past Tuesday we took the ferry to English class, and I had Sister Ng curled up trying to escape the cold on my left and Ayako curled up on my right. I looked around at all our investigators on the ferry and all the other Asian faces and I just felt love. Love for the people I have been called to serve and the Holy Ghost let me know right then and there that that love I was feeling was the reason I have been able to push through the pain and the fears about what might happen at the next doctor's appointment. Love can conquer anything. It was love that caused Heavenly Father to send Jesus Christ to the earth and it was Christ's love for his fellow man that caused him to "drink the bitter cup." I invite everyone to put aside any feelings that are not love and to love those around you. I love you all and am grateful for your prayers. I can feel myself gaining strength from them each and every day. Thank you.

1) Sister Ng and I being very mature as we pick the crocodile's nose
2) My loveyly x-companion and current STL Sister Lai and I at the end of trade-offs
3) Another sister in my zone did hair before her mission and gave me a free cut today! Thanks Sister Bailey

Trial of My Faith

There is a saying in the sporting world that I have grown up hearing, starting with my Mom and enforced by my beloved volleyball coaches Cindy Elder and Janie, "No pain, no gain." This week I have felt multiple forms of 'pain' and have been able to 'gain' much from the week Sister Ng and I were blessed to experience.

Tuesday I went to a Physio Therapist and it was just...awkward and terrible. First of all he had me change into short short and a tank top! I had no idea that this was going to be happening and was in no way prepared. I had to roll up my underwear and then for the first time in eleven months I wore short shorts! I felt so naked as I sat in the office in nothing but short short and a tank top. Then the Physio started poking me trying to figure out what was wrong. He did some weird "all natural" treatments with his hands that just felt like he was taking a knife to my back. He then told me I would need 8 more sessions of this insane treatment. I left feeling quite uneasy and in even more pain that I had started out with. I called Sister Henderson that night and told I just wasn't feeling the Physio and asked if there was another route we could take. She gave me the number to a doctor who happens to be a member. Right away I felt peace. I called to see when I could schedule an appointment. Nothing was open until Friday. My heart sunk just a little bit, knowing that I would have to endure the pain for the rest of the week, but I took the appointment and got down on my knees to pray. At that time I thought we had a week full of lessons, so there wouldn't be that much walking around anyways.

Wednesday. Every single appointment we had cancelled. Luckily we had District Meeting to take a chunk out of our day. After District Meeting our District Leaders (we have two since they are also the Chinese training Leaders) came over to our flat while we were eating lunch to drop off the chapel keys. I was sprawled out on my bed which is in the living room, trying to find some bit of comfort. They gave us the key and left. Not five minutes later there was a knock on our door. Elder Anderson and Low asked if they could give me a blessing. Of course Sister Chen, Cabamongan, and Ng all said yes! before I could even answer. Since Elders aren't allowed in Sister's flat while we are in the flat we pulled a chair over to the door and they stood outside and I sat inside on the chair. Then they gave me a blessing from my Heavenly Father in which I was instructed to keep on being diligent and to use this trail as an opportunity to come closer to my Savior. Afterwards Sister Ng and I went out to walk and talk to people for 5 1/2 hours. My pain was not completely gone, but it was decreased and when I felt like it was too much, I would say a prayer and I could literally feel my Saviors hand touching the part of my back that hurt most and giving me a push forward. Miracles happened this day. I listened to the promptings of the Spirit to talk to a Japanese girl instead of a Chinese girl. The girl's name is Ayako and she is amazing. We were able to teach her with a recently baptized member from Japan. Then she came to church on Sunday and said she had a great time and is excited to learn more. I know that the Lord blessed me with miracles because I was willing to put my pain in His hands and push through the discomfort in order to bring souls unto Christ.

Thursday was much like Wednesday, except this time around we had an appointment all set up and President Henderson said he was going to join us. I was so excited to be able to witness President teach and to learn from him. However, Sister Ng and I were not meant to learn from President this past week. Our investigator who had confirmed that same morning cancelled right as President Henderson showed up. We got to shake his hand and then leave because we had no one to teach. However, that day I met a very nice girl from Taiwan and was able to just joke around and talk to her in complete Chinese. Then as I was getting ready to go she asked, "Can I draw you?" How did she know that one of the things I love is to be someone's subject, whether it is a picture or a drawing? I know it was Heavenly Father saying,"I see you, I know you are in pain, here relax, I love you."

Friday Sister Ng and I woke up early to make the long bus ride to the doctor's office. It was an hour and half bus ride there and once we got there the doctor simply "pounded" each knee. My left knee reacted as it should have, bouncing up the moment it was hit. However, when the doctor hit my right knee nothing happened. He hit it again a little harder and there was slight movement. He gave me a prescription for some pain killers and told me to do some certain exercises, but if the pain continues I need to get a CT scan done. The drugs are pretty strong and have caused me to have some funny moments and the pain is still there, so once I Sister Henderson picks up her phone I am going to go get that CT scan. Luckily Friday was a great day when nobody cancelled their appointments and so I didn't have to walk very much!  Sister Ng and I also got on the wrong bus by accident on the way home and ended up being able to see the ocean in a place called Capalaba! It was beautiful!

The rest of the week was and continues to be a bit hazy. I am on drugs to lessen the pain and they make me feel "high" like after I got my wisdom teeth taken out. However, I continue to do the work I have been called to do because I know that I am not alone. Sister Ng is so supportive and loving as is Sister Cabamongan and Chen; most importantly is that the blessing I was given on Wednesday is coming forth. I am closer to my Savior now than I ever have been in my life. I am feeling the enabling power of the Atonement in my everyday life, because I literally can't work without the help of my Savior. I just move my body unsure exactly what I am doing and an unseen force leads me onward ever onward.

I know this church is true. I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is by my side now and will be as long as I need Him. I am grateful for the Atonement that not only cleanses, but enables the children of Heavenly Father. I thank you all for you prayers and support. May God bless you and may you all have a desire to come closer to the Father who awaits your return to His presence above. I love you all!

1st picture: Our wrong bus took us to the ocean! My first time seeing the ocean since landing in Australia!

2nd picture: Sister Chen was playing with bubbles this morning and so I joined her!

 

 

Intricate Designs

This picture is from Saturday after an early lesson. Sister Ng and I were headed to lunch in the city when this chic started doing tricks and such. It reminded me of my Falkner family! It also was really cool to see a girl "doing hard things"as my Mom often pins it. However, the longer I look at this picture, the more I realize how much it relates to the week I have just had and the impact of the Lord's hand I have felt in my life the past seven days.

I am the motor bike and my Heavenly Father is the girl riding the bike. From the outside many people look at me in the Chinese program and wonder what in the world I am doing here. I have asked myself the same question at least once every week of my mission. I am tall. I am athletic. I am not the smartest person in my family. I am energetic. I am a hugger. I am an American girl born in Utah and raised in the blessed Southern States. Why was I sent to Australia to speak an almost impossible language and teach an extremely foreign culture/cultures with other missionaries who understand it? I am the motor bike. Heavenly Father is the driver.

When I look at that motorcycle I think of it going down a nice straight path with no bumps or distractions. That is the only way I can imagine riding a motor bike. However, when that girl looks at this bike she sees much more potential and she uses that bike for far greater things that the average person could imagine. Part of it is her love for the sport, the other part is because she understands the mechanics of the bike and knows how far she can stretch it.

This week Heavenly Father pushed me and stretched me, and there were days that I didn't think I was going to make it, but alas here I am writing to you all at the start of a new week. I have been suffering from severe back pain lately and it has really been a challenge to go out everyday and walk the streets with the knowledge that by the end of the night I am going to come back with pain I don't know how to describe. "The Lord is my strength" (2 Nephi 22:2) has been a true principle this week, as I have looked forward to the relief of teaching a lesson and then it cancels and I have to go back out on the streets talking to people. I changed my attitude, and instead of focusing on the loss of an appointment, I said to myself, "There must be someone the Lord needs us to find this hour instead of teach." The Lord has definitely blessed me! He has strengthened my faith in a new culture! This week I GQ'd a lot of Japanese people during those cancelled appointments. I usually get frustrated when that happens because they usually have no interest, but this week Sister Ng and I set two new baptismal dates with two guys from Japan; Yuki and Hey! They are both miracles and blessings from the Lord for putting forth the effort to talk to all the Asian people I see, whether they are Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, or Japanese.

There was one day when we had a full day of walking in the city talking to people and it was getting towards the end of the day. We had 2 hours to go and my back was just killing me. Then our phone buzzed and I looked down to a text from Tintin: Hi, Sister J, just let you know that I get used to pray everyday now, I even pray for my tenant, feel so good, thanks!

My Spirit was lifted and I followed the example of our investigator and said a prayer of my own asking Heavenly Father for strength to go forward. The Lord answers our prayers, and I was able to work hard until it was time to go home.

Thursday was trade-offs with my beloved STL Sister Fau (pronounced Fo). It was a sincere blessing from Heavenly Father. Like always the couple of days leading up to trade-offs I hit my knees in sincere prayer asking Heavenly Father to open up my heart to the things He would have me learn from my leaders. This time when the night came to leave, I was not dreading it, but was a little excited and full of peace. Sister Fau is the sister missionary that changed my perspective about being able to speak powerfully in Chinese back in January at Sister's Conference when we did role plays. I knew that I would be able to learn a lot from being her companion for the day.

I was blessed to leave the city for a day and go be part of the English Program. I hadn't realized how much I missed teaching in quiet secluded places until I was teaching a lesson with Sister Fau and the Spirit just hit me so strong and powerful. I don't feel that very often in the city because of all the chaos and noise that is going around us as we teach our investigators. We also had the opportunity to teach a man from Iran and it brought back memories of teaching Arash. The Spirit was so strong and we put this man on date to be baptized next month!

The whole day I just felt full of light. Even when we were tracting and it was pouring down rain and people shut the door in our faces. Then at the end of the night, while we were eating some yummy mango chicken and garlic nan at an Indian restaurant Sister Fau asked the question, "How are you doing Sister Jensen?" I told her I was fine, but as we talked more and more I opened up and told her some of my concerns. Nothing major, just the day to day struggles of being a missionary and trying to understand the Chinese culture that belongs to not only my companion, but to the people we teach as well. Sister Fau just listened. At first I wondered why, but the Spirit told me that He needed time to communicate to her what I needed to hear. Once we were home and doing evaluations she opened her mouth and spoke. The things she said I do not remember exactly, but I can never forget the feelings I experienced. It was something along the lines of how she admired the way I was handling the mission life I have been dealt. She assured me that although I may be completely different from all the sisters in the Chinese program, Heavenly Father knows that I am needed to help these sisters, to help the Chinese investigators and to be a leader among them. She told me Heavenly Father was preparing me to be one of the great "Mother's in Zion." Sister Fau then asked me to bear my testimony. As I looked at her and bore my testimony, I felt overcome by the Spirit. I felt my Savior's arms wrap around me and I felt the strength of the Lord fill my bosom until it could not be consumed any longer and leaked out in the form of quiet tears. I could feel the Lord's approval of my efforts. What a glorious trade-off it was!

I am amazed at how intricate the Lord knows each and everyone of us. He has a plan for us that will help Him fulfill a greater plan. Heavenly Father's hand is in our everyday lives and He is the master of Intricate Designs. Much like the building of a motor bike is a bit complex, so was our creation, but with that complexity comes great potential and only Heavenly Father knows what we are capable of. It is our job to let him direct our lives so that we may live more meaningful and fulfilling lives. I know this church is Jesus Christ's church. It was restored by the prophet Joseph Smith. We have a living prophet today, Thomas S. Monson, who leads and guides all who will listen. I love you all and appreciate your prayers and support!

Something

Something.
Always going,
Here or there.
On the street
Or in the mind.
Something.
Yes, something
Is always there.

This week our mission had the sincere pleasure and revelatory experience of having Elder Hamula and his wife come and talk to us and give us counsel and wisdom as to what it is we, as missionaries, need to take not only our missions to the next level but our personal spirituality as well.

My favorite part was when Elder Hamula, who spent 2 hours teaching us out of the five hour conference, taught the "Doctrine of You." I really needed to hear this because sometimes I am so focused on all that I must do to be a great missionary that I often forget that my Heavenly Father has given me talents and abilities that the Chinese need, and try to just coy what the natives do. I am not a native Chinese girl, nor will I ever be, so why has God called me to serve a people I have had no connection with until coming on my mission?

As I went home and reflected on the words of Elder Hamula I came to discover that though I may not be as smart as a Chinese person, nor as nonathletic, I am a hard worker. I am determined to accomplish the goals I have set in my life, whether it is being the best on the volleyball team, or getting into a good school, I have set the goals and accomplished them. Chinese people are the same in that regard. The better I understand myself the better I can serve the people around me. I also came to realize that whenever I belittle myself and call myself "stupid" or "fat" I am being selfish and am focusing on things that do not pertain to my missionary purpose and I am belittling a creation of my Heavenly Father. I need to love myself and then I can more fully love those around me.

Aside from our conference with Elder Hamula, we also had a meeting with all the ward mission leaders on a different date. At that meeting during President Henderson's talk he called me and Sister Peterson up to the pulpit. I had no idea what he was going to ask us to do. Then, placing one hand on my shoulder and another on Sister Peterson's he asked us to lead the missionaries in reciting "My Missionary Commission." My heart about dropped. That is our longest memorization, but I love it and I know it. So I squared back my shoulders and recited the commission with all the resolve I could muster. It felt great.

Now as for missionary work...Miracles continue to occur. We continue to teach Tintin! This week she attempted to read all of the Book of Mormon and when we met with her she had made it all the way to 1 Nephi Chapter 16! She said she tried to finish it, but that it was a little harder to understand than she expected. This was the first time at the end of a lesson that I have had to challenge an investigator to SLOW down when reading the Book of Mormon. Sister Ng and I also committed her to completely follow the Word of Wisdom and as she did that we would forgo chocolate for one week with her. Anything to help someone open the door to the path to Salvation!

Sister Ng and I also had the neat experience of teaching three Chinese people up North in Emerald. How you may ask? Well they didn't fly us up there for the night, although would have been really cool! We used skype! It definitely reminded me that I am a missionary in the 21st Century. It was cool though to see these three people huddled together anxious to learn about the Plan of Salvation.

Something is always in motion when you are a missionary. I have really come to learn that this past week. Sister Ng and I have been sacrificing more and more and we are seeing the miracles unfold. It is a blessing to share this happy message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love what I do. I love it! I love my Savior Jesus Christ and am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost which leads and guides me each and everyday of my mission. Thanks for y'alls support! I really appreciate it. Love you all!

Funny side note: Sister Chen's clothes were stolen from our wash room. Apparently there is an underwear theif roaming around our flat complex because all of our neighbors have had stuff stolen in the past two months. Weirdo.

​Just a little selfie from today! Love you all and pray for you!

It Must Be Miracle May

I just finished talking to these wonderful three people for the last time until I arrive home in December. How crazy is that? Yet my mission does not seem to slow down but the rate at which I see miracles speeds up and I am blessed more and more each and every day of my life.

Miracle #1

This picture actually has two miracles. The first is the Sister Ng is wearing pink, which never happens, but because it was Mother's Day and she talked to her mom right after this picture she wore a nice pink sweater!

The second miracle is the cute Taiwanese people. They texted us Tuesday in the middle of our P-day and they asked to come to English Class. We met them at Hungry Jacks and then rode with them on the ferry to English Class. After English Class we stayed and talked for a bit and found out that Rosa (aqua pants) worked as a nurse at a Christian hospital in Taiwan and was willing to learn more about our church.

We were able to meet them two more times during the week to share about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, they left this morning to go work on the farms, where there are no Chinese missionaries, but we told them to call us whenever they needed help with English and that when their 100 days of farm work were done that we would love to meet up with them again. 100 days is only three transfers after all. We gave them a Book of Mormon and encouraged them to read and pray together. Before they left we said a prayer and Rosa and Kangaroo (the guy in black who picked his English name after going to a zoo) said a prayer together. Rosa would say something and Kangaroo would repeat it. It was so sweet my heart just melted. I sure pray they will meet with missionaries again.

Miracle #2

I really love the Korean people, especially their food, but Thursday all I seemed to be able to find were Koreans who didn't want to talk about religion (unlike my two friends from English class above).

It was ten minutes before we had to go catch a bus home and I was wondering where in the world my miracle for the day was. Hadn't President Henderson promised us that this month of MAY was going to be FULL of MIRACLES? In my head asked Heavenly Father, "Where is my miracle?"

Then I looked left to a spot where Sister Ng and I usually pass by because it is full of smokers and it is thick with the stench of tobacco. However, as I looked at this spot I saw only one girl. She looked slightly Korean to me, but I took a chance and followed my Spirit which was telling me "go talk to her." Alice was there and as we talked I had the opportunity to teach about prayer. We prayed together and I asked if she'd be willing to learn more. She flipped out her iPad Mini and looked at her schedule and pointed to a date and said this would work. She proceeded to get my details and then enter me into her calendar. I got her information and then as Sister Ng and I rushed to the bus stop I thought, "Thank you for my daily miracle Heavenly Father." It strengthened my testimony that miracles are all around me, I just have to be patient--and sometimes that means waiting until the 11th hour.

Miracle #3

So, if you haven't figured it out yet President Henderson has termed this month Miracle May and with that he wants every companionship to have a baptism this month. I have been a little worried about that because the couple dates we do have this month are no longer solid. I have been fervently praying for a true miracle to come forth that would be ready for baptism this month.

Well last week I told you all about Tintin. Well this week before church she came for a lesson. We were able to teach her on the temple grounds right beside our chapel and it was a lovely environment for the Spirit to come and settle in on our lesson with us. As we taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Word of Wisdom I felt complete peace. Then we introduced the Book of Mormon and Tintin just soaked it up. We were blessed with the opportunity to resolve her concern about stopping her consumption of green tea and to really expound on the power to repentance in each and everyone of our lives. Then as the lesson was drawing to a close I invited Tintin to be baptized on May 31st. She said yes with a smile on her face.

The miracle within this miracle is that Tintin just had her last exam for the month of May and so she'll have time to meet with us so that we can teach all of the lessons before her baptism and get her involved with the ward so that she really feels welcomed and part of the ward family.

It has been a wonderful week. I love the Lord with all my heart and I feel so privileged to give him my all. I pray that all of you who read this will search your daily lives for the miracles around you. I know that they are there, whether big or small. As you recognize these miracles recognize that they are from God and He gives them to us because He loves us. I love you all. Thank you for your support, prayers, and love!

Joel 3:10 "...let the weak say, I am strong."

The weather in Australia has finally snapped! We are finally in the midst of fall/winter in which I can wear leggings, sweaters, scarfs, and sleep in the comfort of my bed snuggled in my blankets. If that isn't a miracle I don't know what is! Thankfully the Lord loves us even more than I can comprehend and He blessed Sister Ng and me with more miracles outside of the weather.

Something President Henderson has coined this month "Miracle May" and has asked for greater faith from all of us missionaries in the mighty ABM. There are new things to tighten up our obedience and to prepare us to better receive the miracles the Lord wants to bestow upon us. We are also preparing for a mission tour, which means one of the Seventy is coming to visit the mission.

With all this in mind Sister Ng and I have been praying more diligently and putting forth our best to receive all that the Lord wants us to take on. I have also been praying in my personal prayers to be led to one who has been prepared to hear the gospel. I have been on my mission 10 months now and I think it is high time I found a person who is prepared by the Lord. I met some in SunnyBank, but I am no longer there. So this week in my prayers I asked my heavenly Father to lead me to one of His children He has been preparing.

Saturday I was GQ'ing when I walked around the bend and saw 6 Asians. Usually when this happens I look for the Chinese Asian and start there because that's the language I speak after all! However, this time, from what I could tell, they were all Chinese. I had the feeling that one of these 6 people was prepared to receive the gospel, I just had no idea who. I quickly said a most sincere prayer, pleading with Heavenly Father asking Him to lead me to the one who was prepared. As I lifted up my head and looked at the six people it was as if my whole body was being drawn towards the girl sitting farthest away (which is weird because if you have been reading my blog for a while you know I usually only teach boys). I followed the promptings of the Spirit and went to go talk to this girl, Tintin.

As we began talking I quickly followed the Spirit's direction and told Tintin I was a missionary who shared a message about God and Jesus Christ and how they can help us in our lives. Tintin said, "Good because I need help." We continued talking and I discovered Tintin was struggling with a housemate who gets drunk a lot and has really been a challenge in her life lately because she works and studies. I taught her about the nature of God and Jesus Christ and the power of prayer. I then said a prayer with Tintin. Amongst all the noise and the band playing just a couple meters away, I could feel the Spirit enter my soul and exemplify my simple Chinese spoken prayer. Afterwards I asked Tintin how she felt and she replied, "Peaceful." I then invited her to pray that night and I would pray for her as well. I promised her that could would hear her prayer and help her have the same peace tonight. She then asked me, "Do you have church tomorrow?" Shocked I said, "Yes!" She got the church address, entered my number into her phone, and gave me her details.

That night I prayed fervently that Tintin would have a good night and that she would come to church on Sunday. At church there was no sign of her. Then right before they started singing the sacrament hymn in walked Tintin. She looked a little nervous and I suddenly realized how much courage it took for her to come to church all by herself having never stepped foot in a Christian church before. She seemed to find peace as the meetings went on. Then after Sunday school I asked her how her night had gone. She told me she prayed a little bit and that the guy hadn't drunken anything the night before. I told her that God answered her prayer and she nodded in agreement.

I am very excited to see where this miracle goes. We are meeting Tintin later this week and I pray and hope that things continue to progress. I pray that I remain worthy of the Lord's trust and of His protection over Tintin. It's "Miracle May" indeed. I know I am weak, but with God's help I can be strong.

Just a funny little side-note, I had just gotten off the phone with an investigator who called while we were GQ'ing in the city when a very attractive, tall, blond haired, green-eyed man with a lovely New Zealand accent approached me and said, "So are Mormons allowed to date non-Mormons?"

My mind went blank for about three seconds while I looked this attractive man up and down wandering what in the world was going to happen once I answered truthfully, "Yes we have free agency to date anyone we want."

"Interesting. So do you have some time to talk about Joseph Smith?"

"Of course..."

This attractive man then continued to ask me questions about the church, mostly about the history (thankfully I have been reading "Our Heritage" lately which is all about the early history of the church). He said he wasn't interested too much in religion. When I asked him why he had chosen to talk to me he said, "Because I was bored." In which I replied, "For a man who isn't very interested in religion, but chooses to talk to a missionary in the middle of the city when he is bored, must be more interested than he realizes." He smiled and then got a phone call and had to leave, but not before I gave him a mormon.org card and invited him to meet with missionaries. Such an attractive and intelligent man should be a member of the church, just my personal opinion.

Well that was my week! Transfers came and Sister Ng and I are still together in the city. Sister Peterson left Sister Chen and Sister Cabamongan will be taking her place so now I will be living with both of my "x-companions." The Chinese Sister's program is such a small world!

Loves!