Letter #14

Merry Christmas from Perth!

This has been the longest crazy week!  We had sister Myers with us for the first part which is a difficult thing to teach with 3 missionaries but she went back to her area after a couple days. on Monday I saw a guy out side the library and then he came into the library with a bike wheel i guess he didnt want his bike stolen. I was tempted to talk to him but I didn't.  Later that day the Elders wanted food so we went to a Pizza shop and low and behold the guy walked in and I could not miss the 3rd opportunity. We chatted with him and found out he had just moved in and was open to listening to what we had to say. He doesnt believe in God but he says there isn't anything to disprove it either.  It was quite a conversation. It wasn't an accident we ran into him. 
We planned a Baptism for a 12 yr old girl Tu'ua which turned out beautifully and we had a woman text us that had been coming to church and said she wanted to be Baptized but we found out she in not in our area but she wants to be baptized in our ward and its a whole event of its own we are working out but she is set for this friday.  Her family is not accepting of her choice so it will be difficult for her but she has had the most amazing spiritual experiences with the book of mormon.  At an event a while back a woman tried to pay for a Book of Mormon but she wouldnt take her money back when they tried to give it to her. She didnt intend to read it but she promised she would take one. She felt impressed to read it that night and and ever since, every time she opens the book she recieves and answer and she has been getting answers to her prayers.  She is Golden. She is already living the Gospel. She is an inspiration and we are so happy she wants to be baptized for Christmas.

The Mission was preparing for the Carols to the King event by the Temple in a park.  It was a huge event and we had a lot of responsiblities placed on us. Sister Vos had to organize a kid's corner and I had to help and I thought I was playing the piano for the Mission Presidents Solo but it turned out they wante me to be Mary. so I sat in a manger with Elder Simon, who played Joseph, all night. People who came in could dress up and take pictures with us in the manger set. It was a bit strange for us being Mary and Joseph. He had to pose with his hand on my shoulder and he was the only elder in the room most of the time with a bunch of Sister Missionaries.  He is from New Zealand and just got out here.  We then Had to go on stage in front of everyone outside at the end of the night.  It was quite the event.  We were all dressed up nicely and they had a professional make up artist do my make up and someone did my hair. Hardly anyone recognized me. It was quite a shock to most I think since i dont wear much make up.  It was definetly an odd night being with an elder instead of my companion.  We will surely never live it down in our mission...we got teased by other missionaries and I still get called Mary.  Appearently I made a good Mary.  What a crazy night! 

Thank you for all the letters and cards! Its a different kind of christmas without my family and friends.  Miss you all! Have a Merry Christmas!

Love yous,

Sister Haney

Letter #13

Bonjour!

Its been a rough week!  Sis. Vos was sick and lost her voice but managed to have it just so we could sing and loose it completely after. Because she was sick we got a poor start for the week on our goals but we somehow managed it.  We even set a record for us of 7 lessons in one day. We are preparing a 12 yr old girl Tu'ua to be baptized next weekend!  We are so excited! We have a goal of 1 baptism a month per companionship in the whole mission and we are working hard to keep it. So far so good!
We got a temporary 3rd companion this week. Sister Myers, my companion in the MTC, had her appendix out a couple weeks ago and was staying at the mission home. Because her area is a couple hours away and they dont have a car they put her with us for a short time. That means we get the car and not a limit on our Ks or mileage.  Thats nice for us but its hard to have a 3rd companion. We have only had her a short time but we feel bad that she doesnt know anyone or what we are doing in our area so she may feel left out. she is also tired a lot from the surgery and 3 is kind of hard in teaching situations. It hasn't been too bad though.  I have my Trainer and my MTC companion at once. The only companions that I have had so far.  Thats cool.
There was a cool lunar eclipse on saturday night. The moon was a bit red! The Mission president and his wife dropped off Sis Myers that night and we watched and then President killed our spider Sherman. He lived outside right about our garage like thing. he only came out at night and was bit big.  We saw him everynight as we drove through his web, eventually he learned not to put his web that far down.  He was a good spider but probably dangerous so President killed him.  We love our Mission President!
I gave a talk at a christmas devotional on sunday, and we sang. I actually ended up not even saying what I had prepared. I was asked what christmas means to me. I realized that all my life christmas has been about things or family and of course Christ at the center but not quite as emphasized as it should be.  This christmas I have nothing familiar about christmas. Its Hot and I have no family here.  I have made many new friends and we have a small christmas tree in our flat.  It doesnt feel exactly like christmas but with the loss of everything familiar I found I know what christmas really means.  Its about remembering our savior which means we are doing what he asks and keeping all his commandments and serving others. I can think of nothing better than to be serving my savior Jesus Christ at christmas time! I miss you all but I am quite happy and its amazing the peace you feel on your mission. I am not worried about anything except making sure I am doing what the Lord wants.  Remember the real meaning of Christmas this year! I promise you will feel more peace and joy this season and a greater abundance of that spirit of Christ(mas). Love you all! Happy Holidays!

Love yours truly,

Sister Haney

Letter #12

Hello!

Its been a hard week but thats a good thing because it means the Lord feels we are ready to grow.  We had to bike a lot and it was hot! Its strange going throught the Christmas season in Summer! We had a friend drive us one day but her car battery kept dying so we kept having to get a jump start but it gave me the opportunity to talk to one lady but she wasn't interested. They are like that though.  Its an immediate no when they see us.  We don't get a chance to say much.  We get very rude responses most of the time but for every no there is a closer chance for a yes.  They just don't like talking about God here. Its an australian thing I guess.  I had an embarrased moment on Sunday when I someone asked where my badge was and I had left it at home. I didn't know it was missing so all of church I felt like a normal person... Good thing I have long hair to cover the spot where it would be (:  If you havent seen any mormon messages lately look up spirit of Christmas on mormon.org. Its a good one.  Remember the Spirit of Christmas is really the Spirit of Christ.  

Love you all,
Have a Wonderful Christmas Season!
Love,
Sister Haney