Aotearoa and Her Rainbows

This week has been crazy!! The weather especially! Everyday this week the weather has been as follows.
6:30-> Rainy as, windy as, cold as.
8:00-> Sunny, not a cloud in the sky.
10:00-> Rainy, windy, cold.
For the Rest of the day, it alternates sometimes in minutes between warm and freezing cold. And today we are in the middle of a cyclone...welcome to New Zealand. (:

On Tuesday this week, we had District Meeting and it was seriously the best District Meeting that I have had on my mission. Elder Roberts is our District Leader and he gives such inspired trainings. This week's was on faith. This area has been testing my faith and so the training was so inspired. Elder Roberts split us up into two groups and one of the groups talked about faith and my group talked about hope. It was so good. There are so many things that I need to work on and the longer I'm out here the more I realize that I do not have enough time of my mission left to learn and develop them all. But I have learnt so much and I am going to continue to learn until the very last second of it all. I will learn and grow and get better. (: I love it. I love feeling the Atonement working in my life. I love feeling the Spirit testifying to me that what I am teaching is truer than true. I love watching the light pop on in my investigators eyes when they feel the Spirit for the first time. It is such a beautiful thing and each and every time, it strengthens my own testimony of this Gospel and the many things that Heavenly Father has done for us to show us His love for us.

On Thursday, we went on exchanges. Our Sister Training Leader is Sister Mann and her companion is Sister Taiseni. Sister Taiseni has been sick for the past three weeks and Sister Mann just needed to get out of the flat. Sister Mauia went out with Sister Mann first and I stayed with Sister Taisnei. Then at 2ish they came with lunch. (: We ate and then I took Sister Mann out to Beachlands to proselyte out there. Beachlands is seriously so beautiful. All the people are rich as though and most of them don't want to listen to us. But we found a potential who seems pretty interested. We also met this really old man named Ron, who had really vivid blue eyes. We were standing in the doorway and we were talking and he kept getting really close to our faces and speaking really loud. It took a lot of self control not to laugh through the discussion. But seriously, his eyes were so blue! It was a lot of fun going on exchanges. I always learn so much and see so many miracles on exchanges. (:

Our ward is having a luau in October and they have asked the missionaries to do a Samoan dance. So, our ward mission leader's daughter in law is teaching us this dance. But my companion, who is Samoan, said that we are not doing a Samoan dance. It's like she's teaching us a dance for children. It's hilarious and kind of embarrassing while we're dancing. Plus the fact that in order to do Islander dancing, you have to be able to sway your hips and let's just say that dancing has never been my forte..(:

Well, I officially have had the most awkward moment on my mission. I won't give you details, but it involved a dinner appointment with a 26 year-old single adult who still lives with his mum, who is taking an eternal marriage class at institute. And let's just say that he has A LOT to learn about being a socially acceptable human. (: He has a special spirit!

Well, that's about it for this week! Pray for me. I am in need of some extra divine help. I feel the prayers you do offer on my behalf and than you for them. I am so grateful to be out here on a mission. This isn't my time that I am on, it is the Lord's and I am working as hard as I can to find everyone that the Lord has prepared for me at this time. And the longer I am out, the more I am learning that the Lord has prepared me. (;

Ofa Atu,
Sister Pearce

IMG_6072-> This is when we were on exchanges and Sister Mann and Sister Mauia brought us McDonald's (which is 20,000x better than in the States) and they gave them mustaches...so we wore them. (: Monopoly, much?

IMG_6081-> The Rainbow that answered my prayer. (: (:

IMG_6076-> This is us and the Tongan Elders, Mafi and Tatafu. They are the best!

IMG_6063-> This is the really beautiful sunset that we saw as we were waiting for our English Class to start. (: There is something about New Zealand and her sunsets. I just love looking at them!

IMG_6057-> The Elders gave us sidewalk chalk and so Sister Mauia had a lot of fun with it.

Four eyes, Four eyes, You need glasses to see!

So the whole week I was thinking of that quote, but for the whole week I was driving myself crazy because I couldn't remember what movie it was from! Then yesterday, I asked my District Leader, Elder Roberts, and he calmed my craziness. It's from Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs!! So, that is my subject line because of the annoying itch it caused me this whole week. (:

This week was...hard, but good. We have really been struggling to teach. More than ever in my entire mission, but Sister Mauia and I are motivated and our teaching pool is slowly, let me repeat, slowly growing. We have a pretty keen investigator named Helen and I am pretty sure that she will end up getting baptised. But she just opened up to us with probably the strangest concern...so we're going to try and resolve that the next lesson we have with her.

Well, last week Monday, we went to the beach as a district and it was a blast and a half. The elders made sandwiches and we got chicken nibbles and Mountain Dew. (: We had a picnic and then went and took heaps of photos! I absolutely love our district. (: Sister Mauia and I are the only sisters and I love it! There are two Tongan program elders, Elder Tatafu and Elder Mafi, our elders, Elder Mariner and Elder Au, and then the two Samoan program elders, Elder Roberts and Elder Komi Semu. Elder Roberts got called to the Samoan program, but he is a palangi form Arizona. He said that the language is really hard to learn! He is our district leader and he is probably the most spiritually strong elder I've met out here. He's the man!

Tuesday, we got to go to the temple! So all of the South Auckland Missionaries piled onto a bus and we drove down to Hamilton!! It made me so nostalgic...but anyway! The temple was amazing. The session was so good and it was a beautiful experience. (: We were asked to go fasting and the whole session you could hear the stomachs saying, "Feed me, feed me." But it was really good. We had a mean as feed afterwards and so it all made it worth it! I love this gospel. (:

On Wednesday nights, we teach an english class at the chapel. Only two people come, but they are the two coolest people ever. We have Ben Jin Wu, from China and Paul, from Korea. Paul is pretty good, but doesn't know how to write, or read, so that's our focus with him and Ben Jin can't speak at all, so we're starting at the basics with her. It's good that Elder Au is here because he can translate when she doesn't understand. It's so fun! Well, during our class, the Zone Leaders called and told us that we needed to drive our car down to Hamilton in the morning to trade it in for a brand new Corolla. (: The car we had was a hatch back, all the mission cars were hatchbacks, and with the bike rack on, you couldn't open the boot of the car, so Elder Marsden (who is in charge of vehicles) decided to get sedans instead. (: So, we got to drive down to Hamilton in a old new car and drive back in a new new car. (: It only had 11 k's on it when I turned it on. (: (:

Yesterday and Saturday were Stake Conference. I'm not going to say they were life changing, but they were pretty good. The Stake President is a Canadian and his accent is a weird hybrid of Canadian and New Zealand. It was good, but the best part about it were the choirs. For the adult session a choir from the Hill Park Ward sang and they did such an amazing job. It was absolutely beautiful! And then for the general session the Tongan Ward sang. The thing about Tongans is they have beautiful voices, but they like to sing really really loud. (: They have so much power! It's so great. And they wore their Touvalas which were beautiful! I'll attach photos!

Well, that's about all for this week. It was good. I am having a lot of fun with Sister Mauia! She's awesome. (:

IMG_5825-> The Three Non-Islanders in the District. (:

IMG_5836-> The District!

IMG_5839-> Elder Roberts and I!

IMG_5840-> Elder Au and I!

IMG_5959-> Us and the Tongans!

IMG_5980-> Elder Roberts parked his car in front of our flat and we had sticky notes...(:

IMG_5998-> We hung out with Tongans!

IMG_6041-> Us and the Tongans in their lovely garb!!

IMG_6042-> The Whole Choir!

IMG_6050-> SELFIE!!!

BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!

This week was golden! But before I go into that, I just want to tell you a little bit about this area...(:
1. It is the most hilly area I have served in. No where is flat, seriously everything is constantly on an incline or decline. (: It's good for the body!
2. Palangis or white people are in the minority in this area. In fact I don't think I've met another palangi other than myself. Okay, okay, that might be an exaggeration. Actually, no, it's not. In the majority are Asian, Islander, Indian, Iraqian, Asian, Islander, and Indians. Seriously. It's crazy.
3. The ward only feeds us 4 times a week. At first I was like a little complainy about it, but it's a good thing they don't feed us everyday. A feed in this area is more like a banquet for a king. The people make huge sacrifices to feed us. They are so giving.
4. I love my companion. Being out here in New Zealand has taught me that you truly can get along with anyone. And I have learned and am still learning how to do that. The world is so much happier when you get along with everyone!

Well, the week started out last Monday. I am in a district of 8 missionaries. 5 of those are either Tongan or Samoan...only two palangis, and one asian. But the other palangi, Elder Roberts, is in the Samoan program. So only Elder Au and I can't really understand what everyone is talking about. But it is so awesome! The Tongan missionaries are hilarious! Elder Mafi and Elder Tatafu. (: And I'm pretty sure they love me because I'm white! They are always talking to me and high fiving me even when I totally fail. (: Haha.

Tuesday rolled around and we had District Meeting. Elder Roberts is our District Leader and so this was his very first District Meeting. He did so well!! We talked about a really effective way to find people! There's this survey that we have come out with and it is really effective! It gets us in doors and resolves concerns straightaway! Sister Mauia and I had an awesome role play with our zone leader Elder Hillier. It was hilarious, but so good!(: After District Meeting, the zone leaders drove us down to Papakura where we picked up our brand new car!! It is so nice! A Toyota Corolla, brown, hatchback! It's adorable. (: We named her Laqueesha because she's brown. (: Driving here in NZ is totally different than in America, but I like it a lot more! There are no stop signs, just give way signs or yield signs. They are beautiful things! Haha. It's cool. (:

One of our keenest investigators, who was set for baptism this week, dropped us. We got this text on Tuesday afternoon, right after a mean lesson with our other investigator, and she said that she has decided not to meet with us anymore and that she doesn't want to get baptised. ): Both Sister Mauia and I had to develop testimonies of agency. It was good though. It taught us some really good lessons. We went over to her house a couple of days later and she said that she had been reading some stuff that put her off and now she just can't get over it. So we both bore our testimonies and encouraged her to listen to the next set of missionaries she comes across, but it was an official drop. Hard, but it was a really good learning experience. (:

Well, I officially left the world of teenagers this week! It's a little bit of a weird sensation, not saying, "I'm 19." I've been attaching "teen" to the end of my age for the past 7 years! Haha. (: I got spoiled on my birthday! 4 Cakes, Chicken Nibbles, Mashed Potatoes, Butter Chicken, Rice, Chocolate Milk, Whittaker's, French Toast, Eggs, and Fruit. It was so good! Probably the best birthday ever!

So there are like 4 beaches in our area and we went to one on my birthday and we're going to go out there again today for Preparation Day. (: I love New Zealand beaches, they are so nice!

Sunday was Father's Day, so HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO MY WONDERFUL FATHER! (:

I am doing so well! My companion is amazing and I love her so much!

Have a wonderful week!

Sister Pearce
I'll send some more photos in another email as well. (:

IMG_5680 -> Our District!

IMG_5712 -> A surprise visit from some of my old investigators!

IMG_5728 -> My Birthday Party. (:

IMG_5753 -> Me at the beach. (:

IMG_5762 -> The Missionaries of the Chapel Downs Ward. (:

IMG_5767 -> A New Zealand Beach. (:

IMG_5790 -> "NEAR FAR, WHEREVER YOU ARE!!!!"

IMG_5812 -> All of us. (:

It's Been A Week of Firsts

Well, this week was long. But it was good. It was full of >goodbyes >Lost Luggage >A CAR >Sister Mauia >Chapel Downs Ward and >South Auckland (again)!!

It started out this week really good. Sister Uele is so amazing. I think out of all of my companions she has been the one that really was my sister. We have such a good connection and I love her so much. (: We had District Meeting on Tuesday and as hard as the Zone Leaders tried, it was kind of just a waste of an hour...(: They're still little boys. Haha. Sister Uele and I were walking home with plans to make pancakes for lunch when Elder Faloon and Elder Napier invited us to come to get pizza with them and Elders Witt, Au, and Fonokalafi. So, we decided to go! So, we went and got pizza and then went to the skate park to eat with the Elders. (: I took some awesome videos of the Elders trying to conquer the bowl, but unfortunately I can't send videos. ): One day you'll see them. Then we got transfer calls! I am going to head up to the Redoubt Zone with Sister Mauia!! Back up to South Auckland, where I started my mission. I was pretty excited, but pretty nervous at the same time. But in the words of one of my great friends, "Heavenly Father knows you better than you know yourself." (: How true that is!

So, Sister Uele busied ourselves visiting members, investigators, and friends saying goodbye and taking photos with those who I have grown to love with all of my heart. It was so bittersweet saying goodbye to the Lake Rotoroa ward, knowing that I would grow in my next area, but knowing that I was leaving behind families who had become like my own family. I said goodbye to and took photos with everyone that I wanted to and I got packed all in the amount of time that I had. It was literally a miracle. (: Pictures to come. (:

Well, Thursday, Transfer Day, rolled around and I was rushing around packing my bedding and loose ends and at 8:15, Sister Heu came over and dropped off my birthday present. (: Chocolate, oh, how she knows me. (: Then at 8:30, Sister Hughes and Sister Mu'amoholeva came to our flat. Sister Hughes is getting transferred up to Manurewa, the zone just below Redoubt. So, we'll be companions and Sister Mu'amoholeva will stay with Sister Uele. (: The Zone Leaders came with the trailer and I packed all my stuff into it. Saying goodbye to Sister Uele was so hard. We hugged and suddenly my allergies acted up and my eyes watered uncontrollably. It's crazy how inconvenient allergies are, eh? Then we left. I left my heart, my sister, and my ward. But! On to bigger and better things!! South Auckland needs Sister Pearce and Sister Pearce needs South Auckland. (: So, we got to transfer meeting and moved what I thought was all of my stuff to my new zone's trailer. Had transfer meeting, learned about a temple trip on the 9th of September, what a nice birthday gift, and had lunch! After lunch, we shot off! An hour and a half in the car with Sister Taisnei, Elder Winter, and Elder Nelson. It was...interesting. Haha.

We arrived in Manakau at the Redoubt Road chapel and waited for our companions to arrive. They unloaded the trailer and as the trailer kept getting emptier and emptier I realised that one of my very important bags was missing. So, the Zone Leaders texted the Assistants and the Assistants said that the Glenview Zone had it. So, somewhere in translation, it got left in my old zone's trailer. WHOOPS!! So, the last little while I have gone without my bedding and some other things. Bedding in New Zealand in the winter is very important. So, it's been really cold these past couple of nights. Very. Cold. It's quite sad. But! Again, Heavenly Father knows me much better than I know myself. (:  Also, while waiting in the car park for Sister Mauia, I learned that WE ARE GETTING A CAR!!!!!!!!!!!! MY FIRST CAR ON THE MISSION!! I am very very very excited. (: But there's something wrong with it so we won't get it for a few days. But at least we get one! (:

Then Sister Mauia came to the chapel car park! The first thing I noticed was how tall she is. I think out of all my companions, she is the tallest. (: So, I am again the short one! Fun times. We got along right away! I am so excited to work with her. She has only been out for about 6 months, so I am the senior companion, another first of the mission. (: She is from American Samoa and both her English and her Samoan are really good. She is really loud and loves to laugh and just like my past three companions, struggles to be obedient. But that is what I am here to help her with. (: I think Heavenly Father trusts me. I'm starting to trust myself. It's a beautiful thing! (:

We are serving in the Chapel Downs Ward! It is a very small ward. Almost small enough to be considered a branch, but it is growing and I am excited to help it grow. The work is booming up here and we have over 20 investigators that all are begging to be baptised. Nah, haha, but they are all really interested to learn more about the Good News that we have. (: The ward is really good and the members love coming out with us. I know that I am going to love this area! (:

Well, I started in South Auckland and the Prodigal Daughter has returned once again to South Auckland. (: It is so busy and it is mostly Polynesians. I don't think I've seen more than 5 Palagis, or White People, since I've been up here. (: All good! I stand out. And I love Islander food. Taro and chop suey. (: The bomb!

Here are all the pictures that I have taken this week, if they don't all fit, I'll send them in two emails. (:

Sister Pearce. (: