I just want you to know, I found my faith! I was a little
bit worried about it to be honest. I was doing what I was supposed to: being
obedient, reading my scriptures, praying, etc., and I was still having some
struggles. So Monday was only a half p-day, and I decided I was going to give
my all and make sure that the half work day really counted! And so we went
tracting and we found FOURTEEN potential investigators! Which meets the
standards of excellence for a whole week. Woo! My faith is back! We also had
some unsuccessful tracting.... We tracted into a Uni party and that was
awkward... We were definitely not the type of girls those blokes wanted hanging
around.... We also tracted into two guys who seemed really keen! So we asked,
"Can we share a message with you about Jesus Christ?" And one guy
said, "By what means will you be sharing this message?" And needless
to say, a discussion wasn't the message he wanted... Awkward as... Some of the
potentials we found all belong to the same family. They're from Libya and I really
think they're beautiful, and I hope we can get permission needed to teach them
(their lives and our lives could be in danger if they convert to
Christianity).
Tuesday Sister Moon was really sick so the only time we left
the flat was to cancel an appointment and to go to the doctor.When I was
talking to Teresa to cancel the service we had planned she grabs my arm and
says, "Sister Stott, how do I know you are actually who you say you are?
I've seen a lot of American movies." Hahaha. So I told her that if my
integrity wasn't enough, I carry a ministerial certificate around with me as
well. It was pretty funny. I am obviously CIA.... Watch out Aussies.
Wednesday we went and visited Alison, a potential
investigator we found a few weeks ago! And she let us share a short message
with her and said we could come back next week. Woo! A new investigator! She's
lovely and is the mum of three boys, so she is obviously very patient and
Christ-like. We had dinner with Katrina and it was heaps of fun. I really love
her, her family, and the members of this ward. I really don't want to leave,
but I fear that it could happen sooner than I'd like.
Thursday was fun. I decided that if being a teacher doesn't
work out, I'm going to start my own painting business. Haha. We painted
Katrina's wardrobe gold, and it was fantastic. Everyone needs a gold wall in
their home... We also went and had a lesson with Ann! She's a potential that we
met a few weeks ago and everytime we try to see her, she is just putting her
son down for a nap. But we finally caught her at a good time and taught the
Restoration! She is going to start reading the Book of Mormon and when we go
back this week she'll let us know if she wants to keep learning about the
church. Sweet as! I'm stoked! We had dinner and MCM with the Hardwicks and it
was a fun time. I'm telling you, Wollongong will forever have a chunk of my
heart.
Friday was the start of a double cheeseburger weekend. It's
this rare occasion where as a missionary, you actually kind of get a weekend. Monday
was a half p-day so that Friday we could have a zone p-day! So we were all at
the beach and the elo Elders weer playing Rugby and us Sisters (there's 6 of
us) were bored, and some of the Sisters wanted to go shopping... But the Nowra
Sisters' car had a broken headlight, so we dropped it off to get fixed when we
were shopping... Important detail: The Nowra Sisters are both Tahitian and
English is not their first language.... Anyways, we went shopping and when we
went back to pick up the car, the shop was closed... Well, since it was P-day
and we had just been at the beach, the Nowra and Narooma Sisters were all just
in jeans, didn't have any other clothes, and didn't have any scriptures or
other necessities.... So yea, that was interesting trying to get two tall
Tahitians and a tiny little Filipina to fit into our clothes (the other Sister
had bought a new dress). But we successful clothed all of the sisters and found
sleeping arrangements for them in our flat! It was an adventure for sure.
Saturday was fantastic! Time Out For Women was in Sydney and
the church let all of the Sister Missionaries within driving distance go. Woo!
David Archuleta sang with the tongue of a thousand angels. (I'm not saying my
husband needs to sound like Josh Groban or David Archuleta, but I'm not saying
that it wouldn't hurt either...) Elaine S. Dalton gave a great speech and
afterwards Sister Moon and I got to meet her and have a little chat, just the
three of us. That was super neat. Then Sandra Turley, Cosette in Les Miserables
on Broadway, sang and talked about her life. That was awesome. Then Heidi S.
Swinton, Lisa King, and Brad Wilcox all spoke. We got to chat with Brad Wilcox
for a little bit as well, and he is a really nice guy! I was afraid he was
going to hug me though. haha. We also spend a few seconds with David Archuleta,
but a swarm of mums whose daughters are apparently perfect for him practically
attacked the poor boy... After Time Out for Women we went to Katrina's and
picked up the Nowra Sisters' car from her, because she's a saint and got it
from the shop while we were in Sydney.
Sunday was wonderful! I love church! It just makes me so
happy. Sister Moon and I taught Gospel Principles and CTR 7. That was an
adventure. Hence where the title of this email came from. "Could you die
on your mission if you serve in a super dangerous place with heaps of
Nephites?" is one of the questions dear little Ryan asked us. He's
hilarious. We also caught little Lily drawing on the wall and her excuse was,
"Sometimes I forget the wall isn't paper..." Hahaha. Little kids kill
me, and make me realize it's totally okay I'm single and on a mission. After
church we went to a mission conference with Brad Wilcox and Sandra Turley. It
was fantastic and if I hadn't already found my faith earlier in the week, I
would have there.
It was a great week, and I'm so grateful to be a missionary.
The church is true and this is the Lord's work. I'm so grateful I have a year
left to serve in this beautiful land and to share the simple truths that I know
with the people here.
The church is true,
The Book is blue,
That's my weekly thought,
Sister Danielle Laree Stott
Picture: Sister Dalton after she melted our hearts.
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