Monday, September 23, 2013

Gorgeous view!

Me and Sister Agavale on transfer day. 



My new companion, Sister Mataoa.

This week was really busy.  We had alot of extra things going on.  The ztm on Tuesday went well.  I prepared a doctrinal insight on the atonement and how it covers more than sin.  I really enjoyed hearing from the missionaries who are new to the zone, they had some really good insights.  We had a district inventory, discussed some key indicators we felt like we could do better on, and made some goals for the district.  Last, we talked about the importance of testimonies and had a testimony meeting.  The leaders are really thinking outside the box and it makes the meetings more effective.
Friday night, we had a ward missionary fireside.  It was the first one theyve had, so it was a little haphazard, but turned out well.  The theme was finding the lost sheep.  We asked a family to speak and they did a wonderful job.  One daughter talked about the attitude of the members and how we need to be more welcoming and willing to help out.  It's exactly what everyone needed.  We had planned an activity to do after the speakers, but somehow there was some miscommunication and Bishop Buresova never got permission to use the gym so we had to cancel the activity.  But we can save it for the next time.  Not too many people came, but its a start and we had a good time.  We learned from our mistakes and are sure the next one will be even better.

Friday night, the bishopric invited us to speak in sacrament meeting, with the topics of obedience and  the blessings we receive.  Sister Mataoa did a wonderful job and didn't seem nervous at all.  I spoke on why we have commandments and why we should obey.  At first I wasn't sure what to speak on and I was struggling to prepare, so I did my best and prepared what I could.  As usual, help came in the very moment I needed it.  During the beginning of sacrament I got some wonderful ideas and rewrote my talk.  It reminded me how the lord is always there for us.  If we do our part and  act on our faith, he will help us. (During my talk it was pouring rain!  The roof is metal and it was really loud, so I'm pretty sure the congregation had no idea what I was saying! :P )

We have started teaching a new family from last week and they are progressing very well.  Finding them was a very spiritual experience.  This week we finished lesson one.  They were very receptive of what we shared, attended sacrament meeting, and even invited some friends and family over for lessons.  Last time, we committed them to pray about the truth of the book of mormon and Joseph Smith.  We plan on following up this Tuesday.  They have been very sincere thus far and we are excited to see how they progress.  I found out that one of the relatives they invited over has family who are members back in Salt Lake, and one of my close friends from home knows them!  I'm hoping they will encourage him to continue with lessons and be a source of support for him.
Well, this is a very long letter, I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Love always, Sister Pyne


Monday, September 16, 2013

This is our district before the transfers. The one to my right is the one who went home last week, from Australia. The Kai Valagai on my right is my district leader, he just got transferred to Savusavu. He was at Snow College with me! 

Random double banana.


BTW, my new companion is sister mataoa from tahiti. speaks french
 

                 I was on the porch reading when "Cat" surprised me by dropping a brand new
                                      kitten in my lap, probably just an hour old! 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Hey everyone!!
 
This week was crazy, as usual.  Tuesday we had our zone conference at the mission home so we spent the whole day doing trainings, going over our areas, and doing interviews with the president. Loved it!  It's so fun to see all the missionaries and we always learn a lot.  We also got to hear some departing tesimonies!  That was a little sad. my zone leader from the whole time I've been here is finishing his mission this week.  That night, we were up for exchanges so I went to the sister leaders flat in Samabula and her companion went to my flat in Tamavua.  I spent the night, then Wednesday we went around her area and saw her investigators and stuff.  It was really fun. we were both a little sick and it was raining all day, but we made the most of it.  (i.e singing disney songs and splashing in the puddles when no one was looking  )  As soon as I got back to Tamavua I passed out, woke up the next morning and was super sick!!  No fun.  I tried to tough it out, (I'm still a Brighton PD at heart  ) but by Friday morning  I couldnt take it any more, so we went to the hospital get it checked out.  Turns out it was a bad case of tonsilitis!! Fun huh?!  No worries, I didnt have to go in for surgery or anything.  Meds and a bunch of Benadryl did the trick. and now I'm back to normal. :D
Big news of the week,  I'm getting a new companion! Again!!  There was a crazy huge transfer this week and everyone's been mixed up with the new areas, districts and callings.  It's weird.  I'm staying in Tamavua (booo!) but I get to train a new missionary!!  No idea who it will be yet.  They just flew in this morning and they don't get they're assignments until tomorrow night.  I'll give you the scoop next week.
That's it for now!!
Lots of love from Fiji
Sister Pyne

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Hooray for baptisms!!  From right to left: Elder Andrews my district leader,  
his companion Elder Moantew, Lillian, Milika and Apisai Bavadra, me and my companion. 



Bula Vinaka to all my lovely family and friends!!
I hope school is going well for all of you and you're making the most of the labor day weekend.
This week was interesting.  School was still on break, so almost all of our regular visits got cancelled and we had a lot of fall-threws.  Luckily that left us with more time to prep for the Bavadras baptism!  Between lessons, interviews, and clothes fittings we were at their house every day, so that was really nice. They're such an amazing family and I'm excited to see how they progress in the church.  Prep for the baptism was crazy as usual.  Late Monday night we found out that the stake was having a huge party at the same time as our baptism! So Tuesday we changed to another building, but when we called to let everyone know, they said it was too far and they would all be at the party!  Geeze!  So Wednesday night we finally settled on the first building and changed the time.  We thought the troubles would end there, but we were wrong.  We went to fill up the font, and it was super dirty so we had to find some stuff and clean it before we could fill it.  Then once we turned the water on, the kids from the party kept throwing stuff in! LOL!  I almost went swimming trying to get a ball out :D  All in all, it was an exciting day.  The baptism went wonderfully.  The elders took turns baptizing because it was Elder Moantewa's first time, so we wanted to give him the opportunity, but the mom is bigger than him, so Elder Andrews had to help out LOL!  They're the best.  Some of the Bavadras family attended and they're interested in learning more, so we may have the chance to teach her parents and sister. Yay!!
That's the biggest thing for the week.  Other than that, it was lots and lots of rain.  Our usual Sunday dinner appointment invited the senior sisters from our ward, so that was fun.
 
I'm out of time, so ill talk to you next week. Love you all!! 
Sister Pyne