You Found Yourself A Good One!

Hello loved ones!!

This week has been hectic. Sister Lavaka finished her mission and headed home this past Thursday. So I got to spend a few days with Sister Lott and Sister Soderberg. I was expecting to receive a sister from the Philippines. She wasnt able to get her visa so I was companionless. On Friday president called and told me that I will be going to pick up Sister Thompson from another zone. She was in a trio. She is actually heading over to the New Mexico Farmington Mission... So Kylie when she is your companion be ready for some good Maori fun!!!

She is wonderful though. We are cracking up about whitewashing because aint nobody got any idea what is going on. Sister Thompson is pretty much related to the entire ward so you could say its inspired that she is here. 

Yesterday was Fathers Day in this country. We went and had dinner at a members house and their dad said "if every missionary would pray in unison about fathers day, the prophet would hear and receive revelation." So sorry that we couldnt get everyone together and call home. But happy fathers day round two everyone!!!

My message today is on the power of prayer. Sometimes I reckon we all feel like we are talking to a wall. That we can pray and pray but God wont answer us. Or that we are just talking to nothing. I know that God does hear us and does answer us in his time and in his way. Sometimes we are just too prideful to be able to hear the answer he gives us. We dont intend to be (hopefully) It just happens. As a missionary we pray heaps. Something I have grown more comfortable doing and my testimony truly has grown on it. The way we receive personal revelation is through prayer. Because God is our loving Heavenly Father he wants us to communicate with Him so He can communicate with us. Prayer is one of the greatest gifts we have been given. So if you are struggling even if you are not plea to Heavenly Father to help you. My companion was reading this morning in Enos about how he wrestled with God and that for the most part he prayed for people other than himself. Then she said how she hasnt really wrestled with God. I reflected and couldnt really think of many times when I prayed my heart out to Him. Every major decision we make should be taken to the Lord. Why? Because He knows all and He is here to help us. 

I love you all and hope you have a great week and feel of the wonderful spirit that comes with communicating with our Father in Heaven.

Love,

Sister Boiteux

pictures!

Spending some time with these beauties. #provobuddies

Tama got baptized on Saturday!!

The RMs in our ward happen to be the best :) 

Sister stop its a hedgehog!!!!

The second first Sunday!!

Breakfast of champions!!

Saw my sweet Sister Trull today :)

It's Sister Missionaries!!!

Kia Ora mi familia,

This week was full of craziness. SO looks like I actually did get transferred I am now in Panmure, serving in the Howick Ward. Everyone is so young its crazy and its a nice as area too. So definitely different work than west auckland but still good, loving it thus far.

My companion is Sister Lavaka (served with her in Tamaki) She actually goes home in 2 days haha so I will be getting another companion this week.. they still dont know who she is but they know she is coming. We took over an elders area.The ward hasnt had sisters in at least 10 years. Everyone is pretty excited but their expectations are up there. It is fun though they help out a lot with the work and do their home and visiting teaching! We stopped by a members the other night and he was watching the all blacks game.. He asked if we wanted to come in and we asked if he was busy and he said "no just watching rugby" Lol we have learned not to interrupt rugby in this country. So we said oh sorry to interrupt and he said "no worries, the Lords work is more important!" We couldnt go in cause his wife wasnt going to be with us so we let him carry on. It was a funny little moment but really nice to hear members understanding how important the work is.

Seriously so excited to get the work moving here. A few girls are ready to come out with us and we just want to find, teach, and baptize!! It will be wonderful!!!! 

Dont really know what to share with you all rather than I know God is real. I know that we are his children. That we cant comprehend what he can. He just works through us to fulfill his will. Sometimes in the mission I wish things would go a different way or other things would happen. And because God loves me the opposite happens. Quite annoying sometimes haha but I know it is for my good and for my growth. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and is currently being led by Thomas S Monson. How lucky are we to be part of this church. So a few questions I will let all of you ponder on this week.. Why are you a member? and what does the restoration mean to you? 

Love you all heaps! Have a great week,

Sister Boiteux

Pictures! 

Picture overload of Avondale. Love all my peoples! 

look at Brother Eterus sweats... LOL

Crying cause saying bye to these guys was the hardest thing ever!

The amount of stuff I have gathered over the 6 months in Waterview. Made transfers real hard.

My crazy samoan sisters!

the last episode of #keepingupwiththehalavakas

Starting a trend with Sister Soderberg that she will always be my companion on transfer day

Sister Lott is definitely companions with Sister Soderberg (called it) So i got to go with her to pick her up from the bus stop. Felt like I was picking up my sister after her mission, but we are still on it. May or may not have cried!

(yes I cry a lot)

My lunch... Tongan companion!

#forkendal

Sister Lavaka

When our Relief Society President asks us if we want to go for a drive... Its a Mercedes Benz! Howick Ward for ya

Avondale Sisters

This week has been super busy. I wish we could have recorded every day so you could relive it with us. I cant tell you all that happened but will share a few fond memories. We got bashed every. single. morning. My goodness we have no idea what happened. God was either testing our patience or wanted us to share our testimonies. Maybe both. Don't worry we did well with not smashing them, we just testified and walked away. We had heaps of appointments this week and not all of them fell through! That never happens in this area!! Saw a few of our investigators that we haven't seen in ages and it was nice to see them and see what they are still learning. 

This week I wanted to share the love that I have for my sweet Avondale ward. Been here for just a few months and probably a few more to come but they are just wonderful people. I cant really state what has happened but because of events my love for them has grown. I was able to testify of the love that God has for all of us. That yes we could be doing better with missionary work. It would be nice for our planners to be full of appointments, for members to help our every day. In reality that doesn't happen, but that doesn't make them bad or evil. It makes us human. I know that each person in this area was here for a reason, I am here in West Auckland for a reason. I reckon this area has taught me the most about how the church works, about the role of leaders in the ward, the priesthood, and how challenging missionary work actually is. Sometimes I do get down. Its hard to see people not helping or people not progressing. Struggles with everything. Being in an area for 6 months and feeling like I havent accomplished anything. The typical missionary things. But yesterday at our come and see it was down in Otara. My last area. Where Sister Hobbs and I both served (just a fun fact). We sat in the back and we turned around and saw Joy. One of the less actives in Tangaroa ward. Then saw my two favs run in. They saw me and waved hard out and ran to me and said "SISTER BOITEUX SISTER BOITEUX!!!" In the middle of a fireside lol. Dont worry not many heard. I wanted to cry, I was in that area 6 months ago and two 9 year old girls still remember me. It felt good to know that I did help someone even if it was the primary kids it was someone. Not trying to be all wo is me, but it was a humbling moment when I really felt the spirit of the Lord strengthening me and helping me know that I am doing alright and that I help people even when I dont realize it. So same goes for all of you. You never know who you impact. It could be an older person or a little child or someone around your age. Just small simple acts of service can really change someone's life. I am so grateful for my areas and all the people I have come to love so much.

I hope you are all having a great Sabbath day and are enjoying the peacefulness that comes with it! 

Kia Kaha,

Sister Boiteux

pictures!

Last P-day we went and played pool. Definitely went against Elder Murdock So Jo vs Herriman.. I may or may not have lost. He was supposed to play the sister card ;) 

Waterview Zone!!

Dont mind my frumpy missionary clothes.. We had a zone blitz in the elders area so I got to knock on the Wisharts old house. It was a sweet moment for me :)

The Nocks moved down from Keri Keri so we called the troops in to help unpack. May or may not have gotten some kettle corn and we were a wee bit happy! While the Elders had some fun time playing darts. We are real productive people.

Also definitely didnt plan this.. But Sister Liki and I matched again!! :)

Please Plan Your Journey

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a great week filled with tender mercies from the Lord!

We had a good week. A pattern I noticed was the awesome power of the priesthood!!!  

On Saturday Sister Hobbs and I were walking around Avondale. A man stopped us and said "Oh it's the Mormon sisters! I have a few questions for yous!!" Wonderful! We stopped to talk to him and he asked if we had a restoration book. So we gave him a pamphlet and he started asking us if we believe the restoration is like when a car breaks down and you have to bring it back. So yes we agreed. He then asked if we believe in the Bible. As long as it is translated correctly, then we do. So he said "okay get out your bible and turn to 1 cor." Talked about how the gospel is the scriptures. Then asked us to turn to Hebrews 7. Which talks about the priesthood. Now this man was really pushing our buttons. He said the gospel was never lost and didnt need to be restored, and Christ has the priesthood so no one else does. I have no idea what he was on about but it was so frustrating because he would not let us talk. It was crack up cause I totally studied about the priesthood that morning. So we just testified of the need for the restoration and I couldnt help but think of my daddy and the priesthood he holds and how grateful I am for it. 

We also had an investigator who is struggling hard out right now. We stopped by her house and she told us how she is pregnant again. She already has two kids and now another on a way. She also isnt married. She expressed her sorrow on not being married and how hard it will be. When we left Sister Hobbs looked at me and said "Its so sad that having a child to the world is a burden, but for us in the gospel it is such a blessing." The eternal view of things. So grateful for the gospel and for the priesthood. We have been studying heaps on women and the priesthood because we were unsure of what we actually can do. So Sister Balli gave us a few talks to study. Today they taught me of the importance of the man and women in the church and in the home. That we are equal but not the same. Men hold the priesthood but they are not the priesthood. It was cool to remember the covenants made in the temple and when we are endowed we are literally endowed with the same power as the brethren. That the priesthood is used for blessing others not themselves. Elder Ballard gave a talk a few years back talking about the different responsibilities of men and women and the priesthood. A paragraph I really enjoyed says 

"Surely, if our eventual exaltation is Their essential goal and purpose, and if They are omniscient and perfect, then They understand best how to prepare, teach, and lead us so that we have the greatest chance to qualify for exaltation. Our Father in Heaven knows all, foresees all, and understands all.His comprehension, His wisdom, and His love for us are perfect. Surely we must agree that our Heavenly Father and His Son know which opportunities the sons and daughters of God need to best prepare the human family for eternal life.

Each of us has the privilege of choosing whether we will believe that God is our Father, that Jesus is the Christ, and that They have a plan designed to help us return home to Them.This, of course, requires faith. Our testimonies, our peace of mind, and our well-being begin with the willingness to believe that our Father in Heaven does indeed know best."

 My testimony grew on the role of men and women in the church. That men cant fully establish an eternal family without a women. Both are necessary to create a family. I know that the teachings and ordinances in the church are so important for families to go to the eternities. I am grateful for my own family and that my parents understand each of their roles and what they are to do. And one day (not trunky) for me to have my own family too and be able to help my husband equally fulfil his priesthood duties. I know Gods plan is perfect. That he gives us things that help us grow because he knows us best and knows what we need.

I love you all heaps and hope you have a great week!

Ofa Atu,

Sister Boiteux

pictures:

Had FHE with Trent on Monday. Couldnt go inside so we definitely had a camp out in the drive way. 

Bishop and Sister Hobbs cheat. Can't play anything with them. Shame.

Sister Liki and I matched. Great minds think alike :)

Living with Samoan sisters results in chicken nibbles and chips for breakfast! 

We helped Anne Marie move some stuff around this week and I was helping Jess..  I asked her to get some stuffed animals and she looks at me and says "You are so American!! I cant understand anything you are saying." Lol. Sorry i meant soft toys... 

A sign that describes my life

My sacrament buddy. Love this little girl to the moon and back!

Living Below Your Privileges

This week was fast, cold, and wonderful.

We had interviews!!!! Where I completely got smashed by the spirit by President Balli. He is just great and I love him so darn much. A question he asked is "what am I going to accomplish the last 6 months of my mission?" Lol cause I have no idea. I have been thinking heaps and heaps about that and I want to cry every time thinking about how much longer I have left but also how short it is. He talked a lot about me seeing my privileges and not comparing myself because I am me and no one else is. 

My companion reminded me of the wonderful Mormon Message "your potential your privileges" Its about the man who goes on a cruise and only eats beans and crackers because he didnt know he could eat the food on the ship. He misses out on everything and just stays in his room and enjoys the view from the porthole. The Lord greatly rebuked me this week and taught me so much about myself and I am grateful for it. President committed me to setting personal goals on what I want to accomplish and I encourage all of you to do the same. Let Heavenly Father help you know what you can do. I was studying in 2 Nephi when I came across this scripture..

" 4:29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions."

Sometimes it is really easy to be down on ourselves. Especially when things dont go our way. We just dont understand Gods will for us. As missionaries we have things we struggle with baptisms not happening, no progress with investigators, the ward may be struggling, companion is struggling, we personally arent where we wish to be. Or at home with figuring out where to go to school, what to study, problems at work, problems at home, who will you end up with, where is life going to take you. There are so many things that we fill on our plate that we let weigh us down. When they should actually do the opposite. God is preparing us for something so great and so wonderful. I have had a bit of time this week to just reflect. Reflect on what I have accomplished in this year and what I get to accomplish in the years to come. Its exciting and scary, but so wonderful. When we let disappointment or frustration over take us we are literally giving in or giving up. When we should be reaching up for that divine help to help us reach our full potential. I was studying a talk by Elder Hales. One of my favourite from the October General Conference. It's called "meeting the challenges of todays world." I would encourage you all to read it and ponder on it too if you need some help with todays trials. My testimony of Gods love for me personally grew so much. I know I am a daughter of God with so much potential. With Gods help I can accomplish heaps. I learned from Elder Hales that taking time to come to ourselves is okay and its needed. That if we let Him, God will counsel us and guide us home.

I love you all and pray for you always. Have a great week and continue to find out your true potential. 

Love,

Sister Boiteux

Pictures:

So the fleas decided to attack us this week. We went to our Bishops and were scratching hard out and they asked what was going on. When they saw all our bites they freaked. It was so funny. So Sister Houma got me some lovely ointment that my body hates, but it helps the itching :) Go New Zealand!!

Dont scream. It's just a baby rat 

 I promise Sister Hobbs did enjoy holding these creatures. (Dont tell her I sent this home)

Brother Hall provided my new tracting shoes. These are comfortable and attractive right?

More from the Hankins. They had the cutest little furry animals!!!