你好 from Sydney! : Week 14 - Last week of my first transfer!

Ni Hao!

Wow...it's the last week of my first transfer in the field!!! Crazy! I already hit my three month mark earlier in the week.

This week was excellent. It started off with Special Training, going to the Temple, and ended with General Conference. I honestly don't think I could ask for a better spiritual week.

I'm starting to get over my fear of talking with everyone. Sometimes it's intimidating, but I've come to the realization that everyone needs the Gospel, and I'm not fulfilling my responsibility as a member and a missionary to invite others to come unto Christ if I don't open my mouth and teach.

One of my core experiences with God was during General Conference. Every single talk answered one of the questions I wrote down beforehand. I knew that these men and women are called of God. I built my testimony of prophets purely based on faith, but when I heard President Monson speak, it truly testified to me that he is a man called of God to lead His people.

Every day I learn more about how important it is to listen to the Spirit as we teach our investigators...let me correct myself, I've learned how important it is to allow the spirit to teach. I've really noticed a difference between just talking and then using the scriptures and testifying of Christ. I've come to love and trust my Heavenly Father in a way I never thought I could before.

So what else has happened this week...

We had a miracle! On Tuesday, we were running late for an appointment...well actually, she came early so then we were rushing back. She's Japanese and her English is isn't very good yet. She waited in the lobby and one of the members who speaks Japanese was there and then was able to help with our lesson when we got to the TC!! It was great because our original fellowship fell through right before the lesson and we weren't sure how we were going to communicate effectively with her.

Wednesday was mainly lessons with investigators, and it's been great to see how they've been building their faith in Christ. We have two baptismal dates for the 25th!! All of our investigators are really strong and I look up to them so much. Some of them are basically members, but aren't allowed to get baptized because of their parents :( So please pray that the parents hearts will be softened. Also...one of our investigators disappeared...so please pray that we can get a hold of him. He was so solid!!

We also celebrated Elder Ko's birthday on Wednesday. We had cheesecake, Sis. Cluff made green jello with carrots, and Sister Dick made an apple pie that was delicious!

We also sang the EFY medley as a goodbye to Sister Ho and that was a crying mess :(

Celebrating Elder Ko's birthday with cheesecake, jello w/carrots and apple pie!

Thursday and Friday were tradeoffs so I was with Sister Ho. I can't believe she goes home next week. It honestly has gone by SO fast and everyone says that the first transfer is the longest and hardest....I absolutely loved it! It scares me that the whole mission with fly by...

Anyways, We did 7 hours of finding and my legs were DEAD. I've never walked so much just to talk to people. It's amazing to see how many people are ready to hear the Gospel. Although we didn't get any return appointments, some people have major potential. It's really hard because it's exam season so everyone is too 'busy' studying...

I went to Macca's (McDonald's) here and they have sweet potato wedges...they're delicious.

I've actually been cooking..mostly noodles, stir fry, or rice and egg with oyster sauce...

good stuff though. We're usually too busy to do anything else.

My mini mooncake

And on Saturday, Ray took Elder White, Elder Hanema'u, Sis Kuo, Kat and I to YUM CHA :) so yummy!!! ahhhh I even ate chicken feet haha

Elders having chicken feet at dim sum.

General Conference was absolutely fantastic!!!! I actually stayed awake for all 4 sessions! Wow... it was just so inspiring. I especially loved President Monson and Elder Bednar's talk. Elder Bednar addressed perfectly why I'm on a mission. I couldn't have said it any better. Here's a link to his talk:

Come and See by David A. Bednar

This morning we ran to the Opera House to watch the sunrise and that was the most gorgeous thing I've seen..well actually second to the sunrise in South Africa. But this was pretty close. We were blessed because it was supposed to storm this morning, but it was so clear with just a few clouds. Ahhh It was like a dream...

It's been an amazing transfer, and I feel so blessed and privileged to serve in the Australia Sydney North Mission and in particular, the Harbour City Zone. This really is a special mission and I'm grateful for the opportunity my Heavenly Father has given me to be here.

Some random photos: