Happy Halloween everybody!

Not many here like celebrating Halloween because they consider it a pagan holiday, haha. I've learned to just not bring it up with people. It is starting to become a thing here though. We had a Joint ward Trunk of Treat at the church with the Woden ward, which was really fun! Felt like I was in America again! There was a potential investigator saved in our phone who we texted about it (because we texted everyone about it) and she said she wanted to go. We had a hard time finding a ride for her though because so many from our ward were not going. Very different from back home!

Another funny story from us texting everyone in our contacts was last weekend when the sisters in Belconnen ward had a baptism. Sister Haretuku sent out a mass text saying "Hey, would you like to come to a baptism today?". It was so funny because so many people thought that we were asking if they wanted to be baptized that day! The funniest response was a potential Paul, who asked "Can I get my two babies done?". We died laughing in personal study when we read that! But hey, it made me realize that a lot of people do have that desire, they just don't understand the commitment that baptism is and they amazing promised blessing that come as we keep that commitment.

But anyway, this week we were not able to meet with all the investigators we wanted to, but I still have hope for them, even if they don't have much for themselves right now. Simone came to our joint ward Halloween activity which was a miracle, and she brought her kids, and a friend who is struggling, and her daughter as well. She is already a great missionary and she's not a member yet! Unfortunately, she is having some doubts and uncertainty, especially because her husband doesn't like us doing the lessons and doesn't want her kids involved at all. She knows it is all true though, so she will get there.

We have also been realizing that there is a lot of strengthening we need to do for the Tuggeranong Ward too right now, as it seems like many are struggling spiritually. We have a few ideas for that, so we will let you know how it goes.

We have a new investigator named Christian, an Italian guy with a young family, who seems pretty serious about the lessons as well so fingers crossed! I really want to focus on finding new investigators this week too who are really prepared for the gospel at this time.

Have a wonderful week everyone one, and a happy Halloween!

Love,

Sister Pace

pics:

Above:  We are so used to seeing the signs that say "DO NOT KNOCK" on doors, so when we saw a broken doorbell with a "please knock" sign over it, I said "don't mind if I do!"

2- My new flat mate from Samoa, Sister Tupuola!

3 & 4 - Pics with the beautiful sky in Cooma this week (with companion, Sis. Haretuku):

23 October 2017 Letter

Hello!

This week has, once again, held so many miracles!

We have been able to meet with Simone and Melody, investigators who have been having difficult times, but are still striving to learn the gospel because they know it is what will help them most in life. We had church in Cooma on Sunday and investigators, Richard and Jim came, which was really exciting to see! We think that Richard will benefit more from the elders so they will be teaching him from now on. It is good that we have elders because I think we will be able to accomplish more of what Heavenly Father has planned for our area.

We had a miracle last night, when we taught an investigator, Evone, and her partner Kwadjo (Jo), who is now a new investigator too! Neither of them had a chance to read from the Book of Mormon over the past week, so we read with them, starting at the title page and introduction. Like our first visit with Jo, he was blown away at everything we read, especially the part in the introduction where Joseph Smith says it is the most correct of any book on Earth. Jo said that it was a huge statement but that it makes him want to know if it's true. He said he feels like this could be the answer he has been looking for to help him and his kids, like this is the missing puzzle piece! It was amazing because that is exactly what I have always hoped that investigators would realize more quickly about the Book of Mormon. We testified and promised that it really is what he has been searching for and the thing that will help him and his family the most in life. It was so cool! Evone was really involved too and wanted to know where the book tells about our day. We directed her to 2 Nephi 27 I think, so they are both excited to read. At the end we asked Jo if he would be baptized if he came to find it was true. He responded "well I wouldn't have a choice if I knew it was true". I thought that was awesome because he really understands and wants to follow Jesus Christ.

Sister Haretuku is from Whangarei, New Zealand, and is the 3^rd of 7 kids in her family.  She's 21 and been out just one transfer less than me.   I love teaching with Sister Haretuku because I feel like we are really able to invite the spirit together to have meaningful lessons, and she is good at asking inspired questions. She is also so fun and we laugh a lot. Things are good! I hope life is for you all as well!  Read from the Book of Mormon every day this week to bring God's guidance and help and light into your life!

Love you all!

Sister Pace

Photo above:  The East family (one of my favorite families in the ward) fed us kangaroo burgers last night! They were interesting, but not bad!

Photo below:  Headed to Cooma with Sister Tan, our favorite and only ward missionary:)

17 October 2017 Letter

 Hello!

I am still in Tuggeranong, but Sister Monilla left me:( We are the best of friends now, so I knew it was too good to be true to keep her for another transfer. Good thing that Heavenly Father has even better plans for me than I have for myself though, so I am always good with whatever transfers bring. I was a little apprehensive finding out who my new companion was because President is doing this new thing where he doesn't tell us until they basically get here. After spending most of yesterday in Belconnen (my mission birthplace!) with Sister Yuen, while we both awaited new companions, I found out that I am with Sister Haretuku!!! We were in Canberra Zone together last time too. Between the two of us, we have covered every ward/branch in Canberra (3 each!). Anyway, she is the coolest and most fun person, so I am so relieved and excited I get to work with her!

It's been a great week with many miracles!

One cool experience was going to Nimmitabel, about a half hour out of Cooma. We followed up on a potential investigator named Jessica. She miraculously let us in to share. She told us about her struggles with her two sons who have ADHD and are very full-on, how she struggles to have patience sometimes. We were able to help her understand how the gospel will benefit her in her situation right now. She has been turned off to religion in the past when it has been forced upon her, but she likes how our church encourages us to ask questions and find out the truth for ourselves. She is coming to Cooma Sacrament meeting this weekend! That was a big miracle. She is really sweet, hopefully we will continue teaching her and her little family this Friday.

That is just one of the many great things that happened and I am excited for another week of miracles with Sister Haretuku! I was sad to hear Sister Monilla was leaving me because we get along so well, but I was so happy to hear that I will be with Sister Haretuku because I have served around her before, and I know how great she is. It is going to be a good transfer, I can feel it!

We were not able to see Evone and Kwadjo this week, but hopefully  tonight!

Also, Simone's progress has been slow lately, so keep her in your prayers.

Have a miraculous week everyone!

Love you!

Sister Pace

Bye, Sister Monilla :(

Sister Burgess and I have decorated our daily planners with the same picture :)

Got to see the Whaites, a family I love in Belconnen, when we were waiting for our new companions!

Last DTM with the Relief Society District :(

I unexpectedly got to see my trainer this week!! She is visiting Australia from Tonga for about a month so Sister Loney took her to come see me; so cool!

9 October 2017 Letter

Hello familia and friends! Hope everyone had a great week! It was a wonderful one for us.

We got to visit an investigator, Evone, whom I hadn't met until this week because she wasn't responding to our calls/texts. We decided to drop in and had a wonderful visit where we talked about her desire for baptism and how ready she feels she is. She does have the desire and believes the Book of Mormon is true, which is awesome. We visited her again this week with the plan to set a baptismal date she can work towards. Our lesson didn't go to plan because her partner Kwadjo came in and asked if he could join. He has known a lot of Mormons over the years and wanted to know what makes us different from any other religion. So we taught about the restoration of the gospel and the Book of Mormon. Kwadjo was blown away be everything we were telling him because he is very knowledgeable about the Bible and historical events. He says that he completely believes that there needed to be a total restoration of the true gospel and that it makes sense that the BOM is to prepare us in these last days for the second coming of the Messiah! It was so cool to teach someone what it seems like they have been waiting to hear for a long time! After the lesson, Sister Monilla says: "Jo will be baptised!" and I agree.

That was the big miracle this week, besides conference which was, as always, a greatly needed feast of personal revelation. I can’t wait to go back and study the talks because I felt like I couldn't take it all in fast enough!

Simone is still facing random different trails and sicknesses that are making life difficult for her, but she is doing well and will get there soon.

One last funny thing that happened this week: On Wednesday, I did a trade-off with Sister Yuen, one of the Sister Training Leaders here. Sister Monilla and I had planned to sing at a nursing home that day. We decided that I would go with Sister Yuen. She plays the piano really well, which is great, but it meant that I would be singing by myself, which is fine because I was only expecting maybe 10 people in a small room. When we get there, they led us into a big room with 25 to 30 residents seated in rows, waiting for our performance. Then they hand me a microphone, so everyone can hear me. I was thinking, "I hope they aren't expecting me to be pro!" Despite my shakiness and our lack of preparation, it went pretty well just singing primary songs and hymns, the residents seemed to enjoy it anyway, haha. The whole thing was just so funny. Especially when they started requesting Irish folk songs at the end for us to prepare for next time. That should be interesting, haha.

Hope everyone has a great week! Love you all so much!

Love,

Sister Pace

Pictures:

 Trade-off with Sister Yuen from Hong Kong!  She is the best!

After General Conference with Elizabeth Litchwark and Ilene Bradford:

Us on the Ferris Wheel:

Last p-day we went to Floriade, a flower festival in Canberra! Not as good as the tulip gardens in Holland, but still beautiful! We rode on the Ferris Wheel and slid down a big slide in our skirts. So fun!

3 October 2017 Letter

Well, today is my sister Jessica's birthday if you didn't know, so go wish her a happy birthday!

I am so sad to hear about the shooting, but so relieved to hear that my family was not involved.  I was a little nervous when one of our investigators, cutting our hair this morning, told us how bad it was.  That is shocking, especially about the boy in the stake. I feel like I might recognize him, but I can't put a face to the name right now. His family and everyone is in my prayers.

I hope everyone enjoyed conference! The General Women's Session was great, so I'm so excited for the rest next weekend. I went to the women's session with the question of "how can  I keep my testimony strong and immovable when it is being attacked every day by people around me who seem well educated or well meaning?" I wasn't getting an answer until the very end of President Uchtdorf's talk where he talked about hanging on to the iron rod (the Book of Mormon) even when you have already partaken of the love of God, but the voices from the great and spacious building begin to sway you. It was the answer I already knew, but hearing it come from a prophet of God strengthened my testimony that these men really are called of God and that God knows me and has answers specifically for me. So cool! GO watch his talk if you haven't!

This week we have been visiting our investigator Simone every day to share lessons with her or just read the BOM with her while she is working to quit smoking. Unfortunately, she keeps facing different trials and sicknesses that are making her progression slow, probably because Satan doesn't want to her to make this wonderful step in her life of being baptized . She is progressing though, she has gotten down to one smoke a day, and I think she will be able to quit completely in no time! We are just going to keep loving her and praying for her.

We were a little sad to see that none of our investigators made it to church on Sunday, but there were still miracles because a couple in our ward, who is semi-active, but never comes to anything besides sacrament meeting, came to gospel doctrine class after we had a lesson with them this week and invited them to! That was a tender mercy.

Besides that, we are going to work harder to find new investigators this week, because we have not had many lately.

Sister Monilla feels back to normal this week which is also a huge blessing.  Thanks for your prayers! She says she loves you guys!

Well, I'm out of time, but I'm glad everyone is safe and hope everyone is well!  I am always praying for you guys!

Love,

Sister Pace

The bird pics are from Sister Frost's house. She is the stake relief society president and has cool pets.