Welcome to the Land Down Under!

Hi there, everybody! 

I'm alive!  Even with the 30+ hours of travel that I had to do.  Sorry, no pictures this week, because I didn't bring the cord to connect my camera to the computer with me... So that'll have to wait until next week. 

Traveling wasn't too awesome, but in case you ever feel lonely, just know that a name badge immediately makes friends for you.  In the airport waiting for flight 1/3, I started talking to some people next to me about religion.  They teach the bible in China, and were interested in what LDS believe.  After they left, a person sitting across from me started up a conversation with me, telling me that he had eavesdropped on our conversation, and that I had done a good job explaining things.  He asked me where I was going, and after telling him, the conversation ended.  But an Australian couple sitting behind him was listening to that conversation, and got really excited when they heard that I was headed to Australia.  So they came over and talked to me too!  We had two flights together, which was a life saver, because the LAX airport is a mess to figure out, and they knew right where to go.  Great couple, both are RMs, and it was cool to meet them. 

After I got to the Great Australia Perth Mission, we went to the mission home, had some lunch, and a lot of training about the rules here.  We are a mission of exact obedience, and as such, President thought that we needed some more training on it.  I hope I retained what I needed to from that training, because jet lag was pretty strong, and I wasn't the sharpest that night. President Fife is awesome, very loud, blunt, and get to work kind of guy.  He wife is more quiet and gentle, but they work together very well. Sister Perkins is amazing, and is very cheerful and upbeat most of the time. She's from Las Vegas, and she's been in the mission for... 13 weeks.  She ended her training the Sunday before I came into the mission.  But I think that she's got the system down pretty good, so I'm not really worried. We are in the Joondalup Ward, and they are super friendly!  There was a ward party on Saturday, and there were tons of people there.  At one point that evening, Bishop and two others fire-knife danced for us.  The ward is a good mix of Australians, and Islanders.   They're super into talking to the Missionaries, so we don't get very far walking before a ward member stops us to talk to us.  They love feeding us, but the rule in our mission is that there needs to be a less active, investigator, or non-member there for us to eat dinner with them.  So they just shower us with food at the ward parties, and snacks when we visit.  Those who are from Australia have some of the thickest accents ever, and I think use it thicker when talking to me just to see my facial expressions.  They say stuff funny too, like gobsmacked (shocked), rubbish (Garbage), far out (still not quite sure what this means), and Macca's (McDonalds... They make fun of me for calling it McDonalds.)  I have had Vegemite, just not plain yet.  It's pretty good with chicken. 

I'm in a biking/car area, so we travel using both.  The bike is like a beach cruiser body, so it's pretty easy to mount and dismount while in a skirt.  It isn't as hard as I thought it was going to be.  The area is pretty flat, but there are hills that we have to go over in order to get to the areas that we need to tract.  We cover 4 neighborhoods in our area, and we share the ward with the elders.  Our flat (apartment) is the best in the mission, making it pretty nice to start with.  We currently have three investigators, and are working with a lot of less actives.  Izzy is the only investigator that I've met so far, and she wants to be baptized!  Her parents want her to wait a few more months, due to the stress of her schedule, but it's awesome to see her excited about being baptized. 

I'm so happy to be here, and am grateful for all of the love and support that you give me.  Love you all! 

Sister Hollee Talbot

Alrighty.... So I was able to get 2 photos off my camera via wifi.... so here's them! 

Also, I forgot to add a thought to my last email..... D&C  104:15.  "And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine." This one was given at church yesterday, talking about how self reliance, both spiritually and temporally, can really increase our quality of life while on this earth.  But I also thought of it in terms of that we will be taken care of if we trust in Heavenly Father, and move our feet.  1 Nephi 3:7 talks about how Heavenly Father will take care of us as we do what He has commanded us.  "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."  Think of all the commandments.  Which one is the most important?  Whichever one is the hardest for you to obey right now.  As we move our feet and act on what He has commanded us, we will be provided for. 

Love you all! 

Sister Hollee Talbot

Sister Perkins and Sister Talbot

She Made It!

After 3 flights, 22 hours in the air, two layovers, and 30 hours of total travel time, Sister Talbot made it to Perth.  Yes, it really does feel like the she is at the end of the earth.  Okay, maybe she doesn't feel that way, but her parents sure do.  We can't wait to hear from her this weekend.  But in the meantime, we received an email from her Mission President, President Fife, along with some pictures.

Among the notes, we found out that Sister Talbot was assigned to labor with her trainer, Sister Perkins, in the Currambine Area in the North Coast Stake.  This area is North of Perth.  President Fife said the following about Sister Talbot and her companion:

"Sister Perkins is a strong and faithful missionary.  She will play a vital role in the adjustments and training process your daughter will go through.  We encourage you to pray for her success and happiness and to write letters of encouragement and support."

He continued by saying, "It is our privilege to have Sister Talbot with us.  It is a great trust that you and Heavenly Father have placed in us to assist her in realizing her full potential as a servant of God.  We will assist in every opportunity to help her grow in the gospel, to bless others and to invite all to come unto Christ.  She will truly be an instrument in the hands of the Lord."

We were thrilled to receive this letter and pictures.  Now the work begins!

Sister Talbot with President and Sister Fife

Sister Talbot and Sister Perkins

New missionaries!

Miracles and Answered Prayers

Sister Talbot said goodbye to her new friends and companions on Monday, and set off for the airport for a very long adventure!  Sister Mohlman did not get her visa for Australia, so she had to stay in Salt Lake until it comes.  That meant that Sister Talbot would be traveling alone.  She would fly 2 hours from SLC to LAX, from there to an almost 15 hour flight to Sydney, and then 5 1/2 hours to Perth.  It would be 22 hours in the air, and 30 hours travel time.  She called home from a pay phone in SLC, and we were able to spend some time hearing more of her stories from the MTC.  She said goodbye, and told us she would call us from a pay phone when she got to LAX.  We prayed for her safety and that she would be comfortable.  She was sitting next to an older couple headed to teach the bible in China, and they were asking her questions about what she believes about God , Jesus Christ, and premortal life. Later, a young couple walked up to her and told her, "You did well, Sister!" They are both returned missionaries, and they had been sitting close by and had heard the questions and Sister Talbot's answers. They are from Australia, and they would be traveling to Sydney on the same flight.  They loaned her their phone so she could call home when no pay phone was found, they gave her money for food, and they sent us a cute picture with this sweet note: 

"Hey! Your daughter is so sweet, we are both RMs and we just want to help the missionaries in any way we can. 

Here is a photo we took in the airport. 

We hope you have a lovely evening, you and your daughter will be so blessed the next 18 months and beyond. 

Love, Jennadene and Elijah Williams."

And when we texted them to thank them for watching over our daughter, they said:

"Nah, all good. Happy to.  My wife and I both served missions!  We have given her money for some food too :) thank you for letting the Lord use your daughter for the people of Australia!"

We were thrilled Sister Talbot was being watched over by angels both seen and unseen! They were an answer to prayer, and we believe it was no coincidence that they found her and would travel together.  We wished them all safe travels to Australia and said goodbye again! 

Jennadene and Elijah Williams with Sister Talbot

Flight complete!

Musical Joy!

Sister Talbot had a very eventful last few days in the MTC!  She loved her Saturday night class, role playing with the other missionaries.  She and Sister Mohlman were asked to teach Relief Society on Sunday, so they spent some time preparing for that.  On Sunday, her Branch President asked her to speak in Sacrament Meeting on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Sister Talbot was also called to arrange for the music in their meetings, and her zone wanted to do a musical number of the EFY Medley.  They had planned to sing it, accompanied by the piano.  Her Branch President came to find her before Sacrament Meeting, and in his hands was a violin he had managed to sneak from the library she she could play.  She said she was so excited her companion thought she was hyperventilating! She played the musical number, doubling what the voices were singing or playing the alto part. She was so happy to have that experience in the MTC, along with all the other sweet learning experiences.

Australia or Bust!

This week has been another roller coaster of a week, but I really enjoyed it at the same time.  I heard someone say that we wouldn't pay a million dollars to trade away our MTC experience, but we wouldn't give a dime to do it again.  That is soo true!  The hardest days have some of the best endings, and the silver lining is always there. Also, I leave for Australia in a week!!! 

Happy Mother's Day to all of those who are mothers!  I was able to call home for 30 minutes, and was able to talk to Andrew! (Elder Talbot)  It was cool to be able to talk to my entire family even though we are far apart.  My favorite part of the phone call was having a family prayer while we were all there.  The spirit is so strong when we are united, and I love that we can feel it even if there are over 15 other phone calls happening in the same room.  If you get an opportunity to do that, I would encourage you to do so.  It will bless your life.  I love the fact that this gospel will help me be with them forever, and that's what I'm here teaching, too.  

This week we taught some more investigators, learned some more in our classes, and were able to do as most MTC missionaries do.  Haha :)  So our investigators, most of the time, are actual members who are acting out either their own conversion story, or a convert's that they met on their mission.  But we can't actually tell, so we just treat them like investigators.  It makes the TRC lessons much better that way.  TRC stands for Teaching Resource Center, at least, I think it does... haha :)  The best way I have to describe the TRC building is like the scare floor at Monster's university.  It has a million rooms, and we are assigned a specific room and time to go in and teach.  Last week I had one 45 minute lesson and a 25 minute lesson to teach everyday, but this week it has been increased to both 45 minute lessons to be taught every day this week.  To be honest, the time flies faster in the longer ones, and I enjoy them more because we are able to really teach to the investigator's needs.  

This week, we've been challenging the Elders to silly little challenges.  One elder is always referencing pop songs, so we challenged him to go a whole day only referencing Primary songs.  It took him two days to succeed, but once he did, the elders had a challenge for us sisters... To wear our hair in pigtails to gym.... And then we followed up with the challenge that they have to escort us back to our building after our last appointment for the day.  We're a really close district, which makes this entire experience much better.  :)  A picture at the bottom will have us in pigtails.  

Scripture and thought of this week:  D&C 4:2.  "Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day."  This scripture I've heard a lot growing up, but I guess I never internalized it before.  I am in the service of my God, and he has some expectations that I need to hold up to in order to be able to say that I have done the best that I can.  But it won't end for me when I go home.  All members are missionaries.  I challenge all those who read this to pick two things that they are going to do this week in order to serve him better.  I'll let you choose what, but at the end of the week, reflect back on how it affected your week.  I promise it will be for the better.  

Sister Hollee Talbot

The pigtail challenge.

Mission T-shirts

Banana bread feast! (Thanks, family!)

Moosibou

This is.... Sister Talbot!  And in case you're wondering what on earth that subject is, it's a mix between a moose and a caribou.  It doesn't exist, but if you think that a caribou grows up to be a moose, then it would be a transition stage.... And that's how I feel about the mission so far.  I'm not fully a missionary yet, so I'm not a moose, but I'm definitely not a civilian, so I'm somewhere in between.   

My Companion is Sister Mohlman, (Pronounced Moleman) and she's pretty awesome!  We get along pretty great.  Though she missed her flight on Wednesday, so she was about 3-4 hours late.  She's going to Perth, too! I'll have a travel buddy with me!!!  The MTC has been the most discouraging and encouraging thing a missionary can go through.  We can have the spirit guide us every step in one lesson, and then the next have to struggle through the whole time.  I love it here, and as much stress as it has caused me, it is probably for the best.  My district has 8 of us total, and we're going to either Australia, New Hampshire, or India.  We're an awesome group, and have been pretty close since day 2.  The zone is awesome, though not as awesome as my district.  haha :) We eat meals together, and have other events together like the temple walk.  Fast Sunday is the best kind of Sunday that you can experience here.  They cut down on the amount of meetings that you have, and give you a lot of time for reflection.  We do have the normal meetings, but also add some too!  Maybe I'll have more to comment on that next week after I've experienced a regular Sunday as well.  

My teachers are awesome! They are willing to work with us in a way that keeps us awake and learning.  They're awesome! Though they did make us teach an investigator our second day in the MTC.... That wasn't very nice of them.  haha Oh! Letters are awesome, and I can read them throughout the week.  If you want to send me one, I'l put my MTC address in here too.... I'm still trying to figure out gmail, so I hope you can all see the photos.  We took them on our temple walk on Sunday.  

Spiritual thought of the week.  D&C 100:1, warning: it made me cry when I read it the first time, so please don't blame me if you do, too. 

Doctrine and Covenants 100:1
 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my friends Sidney and Joseph, your families are well; they are in mine hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power.

The sisters in the zone left us that scripture on the first night of us reporting the the MTC.  And as much as it hurts to be away from my family, I know that I'm where I need to be.  Another little thought.  Christ turned out of himself in order to help those around him while he was on the earth.  What's one thing you can do this week to forget yourself and turn toward others?  

Sister Hollee Talbot
MAY24  AST-PER
2005 N 900 E Unit  21

Provo UT 84602

Sister Talbot and Sister Mohlman

Elders Bonnett, Warlaumont, Robertson, and Harper.  Then there's Sisters Harper, Terpening, Talbot and Mohlman :) 

Set Apart and Off To The Missionary Training Center!

After all the months of preparation, including weekly 'Mission Prep Fridays,' Hollee was ready to go!  We had the skirts, tops, dresses, cardigans, shoes, books and luggage.  On May 2, 2017, we had a family dinner and one last lawn game before going over to the church for Hollee to be set apart. President John Monson, Hollee's best friend's father, would be the one to set her apart because he was newly called as our Stake President.  Great Grandma Donna Marsden was there, along with Grandma and Grandpa Nordhoff, Heidee, Jonathan, Allison and Mom and Dad.  The grandparents were each asked to offer Hollee some advice and love, followed by the same from Mom and Dad.  It was a very tender time for Hollee and our family.  Hollee was given a beautiful blessing, and she officially became Sister Hollee Talbot!

Four generations!

Sisters!

On Wednesday, May 3, 2017 we finished packing and loaded everything into the car.  We went to Trellis Cafe at Thanksgiving Point for brunch before taking a quick trip to Provo City Center Temple for some pictures.  Then it was off to the MTC for a quick family picture, some tender hugs and goodbyes.

And there she goes! 

God be with you till we meet again!

Where in the World will Sister Talbot Serve?

After much study and prayer, Hollee Talbot decided she was going to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!  She waited longer than she wanted to get her papers in, and waited even longer for her call to come.  Because she was studying American Sign Language in college, almost everyone thought she would serve in the United States and would be teaching the gospel in ASL.  She also put her availability date as January 11th, wanting to go as soon as possible.  But there was a different plan for Hollee! She received her call in the mail on a very snowy January 12, 2017!  

Hollee was called to serve a mission, and assigned to labor in the Australia Perth Mission!  

She was to report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on May 3, 2017.

Lots of family and friends came to hear Hollee open her mission call.
Grandma and Grandpa Nordhoff were there, and were so excited for Hollee to serve, as we all were!

Hollee went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple for her own endowment on January 28, 2017, and was privileged to serve as an ordinance worker there for 2 months.  Hollee has a deep love of the temple. We were able to go to endowment sessions with family and friends, and had the chance to go to a couple of sealing sessions with family before Hollee left for her mission.

Hollee's ordinance worker badge with the Oquirrh Mountain Temple

The day Hollee opened her call, we left for a girls trip to Disneyland.  It was so fun to be together, laugh, and talk about AUSTRALIA!

 It really was magical!

Other things on the pre-mission bucket list included going to Lion King, wake boarding (thank goodness for Sand Hollow and the warm 62 degree water), the zoo, Living Planet Aquarium, Red Mango, and playing games with family and friends.  

Hollee spoke in the Glenmoor 5th ward on April 30, 2017.  She gave a wonderful talk. In one part, she said:  

"As we “Catch the Wave” of missionary service, we can stand as witnesses everywhere.  Either pinned to our clothes, or painted on our hearts, the Light of Christ can show through us.  “Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world.  Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do.  Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.” (3 Nephi 18:24)   In this scripture, it is Christ teaching the people of Nephi, and telling them that as we follow His example we will shine.  Russell M Nelson goes on to encourage us to “Be ready to give an answer to those who ask why you live as you do.  Be ready to give a reason for the hope and joy that they see in you.” I think that if we trust in Heavenly Father, He will help us explain why we are living the way that we are.  I know that as we strive to live righteously, we will attract attention and be able to simply explain what we believe.  How encouraging is that?!"

 Hollee had so many friends and family come to see her on the day of her farewell. It was so nice to have so many come to offer love and support.  

This is the relationship that is taking Hollee into the mission field.  She has always tried her best to stay
focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Sister Hollee Talbot is ready to serve!