The Book of Mormon Can Speak for Itself

It seems like this week just flew by, and I hope that you feel the same about it.  This week we had Zone Conference, which I absolutely loved.  The days leading up to Zone Conference was like the days leading up to Christmas, or another big holiday.  :)  It was full of excited anticipation as we thought of what counsel we would hear, and the training that we would practice on.  :)  One of the things that we've been asked to do is to show up early so that we have time to study and review our past conference notes.  It really helps us be settled in and ready to learn by the time that we actually start.  We focused on keeping the spirit with us, the Book of Mormon, and specific prayers. 

As we work on keeping the spirit with us, missionary work becomes easier because we don't have to worry about convincing them.  The Spirit will do that for us, all we have to do is invite Him in.  Teaching others about the Book of Mormon is interesting as well, because the best teaching that they can get is by reading it and feeling of the power they experience.  We don't need to add words, the Book of Mormon can speak for itself.  And the specific prayers counsel is making sure that we aren't just generally asking for things in our prayers.  If we want a specific answer, we need to pray specifically.  We might not be answered in the way that we are expecting, but we can get an answer to a specific question like "Is the Book of Mormon true?" or "Is the Prophet called of God?"  We can receive revelation to gain the answers to our questions. 

Something else that we were able to do this week was zone service!  It was a community event planting trees in a park.  They probably planted over 100 trees, and our entire zone was there to help out!  It really felt good to have service to do, it just lifts your spirits when you lose yourself like that.  Afterwards, there was a sausage sizzle for those who helped, which really opened up the opportunity for us as a zone to talk to the people around us.  We talked to a girl who does like every service event she hears about on Facebook, I guess it's pretty common on her feed.  :) 

Aussie terms:  Trolley (Shopping cart), star jumps (jumping jacks) and Petrol (Gas, like for a car.) 

The power of Girl's camp:  This weekend our ward had Girl's camp, and even though we didn't go or stop by, we know that it really effected the girls that attended because you could see it in the way they interacted with one another in Church yesterday.  The daughter of one of our investigators went, even though she wasn't interested in the church.  She made a ton of friends, and was actually keen to hear more about the church afterwards.  Even if someone isn't a member, please reach out to them this (summer for you guys) winter.  You never know what kind of impact it will have on them as they learn and feel the spirit there.  For all of you who are planning camp, keep going, you're doing great!  I absolutely love all my memories of camp, and know that those that I was with can say the same. 

Scripture of the week:  Mosiah 10:10. "And it came to pass that we did go up to battle against the Lamanites; and I, even I, in my old age, did go up to battle against the Lamanites. And it came to pass that we did go up in the strength of the Lord to battle."  This is talking about bringing the strength of the Lord with us into battle.  We aren't fighting physical battles, but every battle we face, no matter how different it is to those around us, can be won with the right strength getting us through.  Afraid of something?  Bring the right strength with you.  Struggling with something that takes a lot of effort? Bring the strength of the Lord to help you win the battles that you are facing.  Our Saviour has felt everything that we are going through.  He is the best strength, companion, and protector to have with us.  I invite you to pick a battle this week, and pray specifically for help with it.  Then fight with all your heart, might, mind and strength.  You'll go far. 

Love you all, have a great week! 

Zone Conference

Chatting in the corner

Spiritual Sunscreen

So this week has been really wet, and so it's been pretty interesting to be out in the rain.    We just bundle up, put our shoulders to the wheel, and push along.  It's been about every other day with rain, but we've been able to talk to some really cool people while we've been about.  One guy was in his garage when we were walking by, and after a minute or two of talking to him, he invited us to stand in the garage with him to avoid the storm.  He has read the bible, but wasn't religious at all, so when we offered him the Book of Mormon to read, he seemed really interested in what it had to say. 

The 4th of July came and went without too much fuss... It was rather odd to want to celebrate something that doesn't matter to Australia... I wore red, white and blue for it, and sang the Star Spangled Banner for companion study. :)  I might be in another country, but I still can celebrate in little ways.  What's one of your favourite ways to celebrate the fourth?

On the first Saturday of each transfer, we get together as sisters of the zone, and study together.  It's really cool to be able to get together with everyone and meet those who are new to the zone.  We got two new goldens to the area!  We talked about what we had learnt so far on our missions, and all of the advice that was given was really cool.  We talked about how our Home base should always be the Saviour, that we should chill out and be comfortable with the work, and that we should make sure that we're 'enjoying to the end' instead of 'enduring to the end.'  It was really good advice to hear. 

Shout out to my mission, who made it into the June Ensign!  It talks about Elder and Sister Millar about Self reliance and being prepared for education after our missions. 

Aussie terms:  Jelly ( Jell-O.), learnt (learned), and Tablet (My name, but not... quite there... Sister Tablet) :)

The Scripture this week is Mosiah 4:2. 

"And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men."

 I love the way that it talks about applying the atoning blood of Christ.  I've put a focus on the Atonement of Jesus Christ this week, and this scripture helped me think of it at a different angle.  I've been working on learning how to better use it in my life, and how I can apply it to me.  I thought of it like this:  It's like sunscreen.  We can use sunscreen before we're burnt to help prevent us from burning.  If we are burnt, we can apply it to prevent it from getting worse.  The same can be said about the Atonement and sins.  We can apply it to help us repent of our sins, and improve our lives that way.  Repenting doesn't even have to be from sinning.  If we have a desire to change something about our lives, the change is a way of repenting. :) We can also apply this 'sunscreen' before we sin, in order to help us grow strong and avoid sin.  It can be used in both ways.  I'd invite everyone to read that scripture and to think of ways that you can apply this 'spiritual sunscreen' into your life. 

Have a great week!

Pictures: All the sisters in my zone, and Sister Severson, who is one of the new goldens!

Sister Hollee Talbot

 Sister Talbot and Sister Severson

Temple!!!

It's always interesting when we move a P-day one week, and then have it back on Monday the following week.  It throws me off as to what day it is. 

I got to go to the PERTH TEMPLE!!!  Oh my goodness, after such a long time of being away, it just felt like I was coming home again.  I love the feeling that is inside the temple.  No matter how much of the spirit you feel outside of the temple, it's always stronger inside the temple.  To all of those who hold current temple recommends: I encourage you to go this week, and spend some time just pondering things that you feel you are struggling with while you're in there.  It will make a world of difference, I promise.  It reminds me of the Reno temple, which was cool, because I thought of my Grandma and Grandpa Talbot while we were there.

One of the fun things that happened there is that we ran into my Trainer's Trainer!  So we took a three generation photo while we had the chance!  Her name is Sister Ricks, and she just finished her mission this week. :) 

Also!  It's been really cold here this week, (like 14 degrees Celsius, 57 F. I know, I'm a wuss now.)  :)  And it's been raining solid since Friday, which makes it even colder at night.  At one point while we were tracting on Saturday, one person told us we have more faith than sense.  We just laughed and said that we hope so! 

I just finished my first transfer.  Can you believe that?  Time flies while you're on a mission, because I don't think it feels like I've been here that long yet.  So as we did weekly planning this week, we made our normal weekly goals, but we also made goals for the transfer.  It's great to have a larger view of a whole transfer instead of just the little weekly one.  It's almost like a New Year every six weeks!  And you can evaluate and see what works, what doesn't, and how to make those changes in your life.  :) I love that Sister Perkins helps me see that and encourages me in those goals.  She is an amazing trainer, I'm really lucky that I have her for 6 more weeks! 

Aussie terms:  Overtake (like passing in a car), Jandals (funny word for sandals), and Chilly bin (a Cooler.) 

As for the scripture this week: Enos 1:2, and 7.  

2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.

7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?

This scripture is talked about a lot when it comes to prayer, because it is very powerful in showing that it needs to be an earnest prayer in assisting us in obtaining that remission of our sins.  But I would also point out that our actions, including prayer, must happen before we can receive that remission.  If there is something that we need to stop doing, stop it.  If it's something that we haven't been doing, do it.  :)  Prayer is open communication with our Heavenly Father! As we pray to Him, we will be able to strengthen our Faith, and as we exercise that faith, it will bring us to that remission of our sins.  It doesn't matter how small the sin is, I'd encourage you to do it. 

Love you all! 

  

Sister Hollee Talbot

Sister Perkins and Sister Talbot

Sister Ricks, Sister Perkins, and Sister Talbot

Perth Australia Temple

Her cousin, Olivia Nordhoff, sent her a letter!

Exchanges, Interviews, and Aussieversary!!

Hey All!

This week marked a month since I arrived in Australia!  Can you believe that?  I can't, it seems that I haven't been out that long, but I have.  It's been a great experience so far, and I know that as long as I'm working hard, it will get better!  I called it my 'Aussieversary,' just because I thought it was a fun word to use.  :)  This week started off with a fun Zone P-day, which was just a bunch of games and a cook off, but we were able to get to know each other a little better, which makes us feel more supportive of one another.  Then on Tuesday we had district meeting combined with another district in our zone, so I've seen my zone a lot this week.  Everyone here are amazing missionaries, so it's cool to be surrounded by so many powerful spirits. 

Interviews happen once a transfer for us, which basically is an opportunity to have 10 minutes to just talk with President Fife.  Going into it, I thought that it was just going to be him asking me questions, but when I got in there he immediately had me look up Matthew 5:48 and 3 Nephi 12:48, and compare the two.  

Matthew 5:48:

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

3 Nephi 12:48:

Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

It was amazing how relatable that was for me.  He was talking about perfectionism, and how that isn't a way that our Heavenly Father wants us to be.  Yes, we can have things look nice, but to hold ourselves to standards that He isn't even holding us to is not part of His plan.  If you think that you're a perfectionist, please look at those two scriptures.  It will help you balance between excelling to a reachable goal, and hurting yourself.  We then talked about a goal that I want to work on for the next transfer.  We always have little goals that we work on week to week, but having a medium goal to work on for 6 weeks really helps change it up a little.  I'd suggest that to anyone who's working on something to have short week goals, and then one 6 week goal.  :) 

While our companions were in interviews, Sister Fife had us watch a video of a speech that a Marine gave at a graduation ceremony a while back.  It talks about how if we want to change the world, we need to do specific things.  If you can find it on that tiny amount of information, then I'd suggest you watch it.  :)  It's really encouraging, especially when you're facing a lot of changes in your life. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxBQLFLei70)

I also got to go on exchanges this week with Sister Aperaamo!  She's from Queensland, and absolutely amazing.  It was cool to work with her and get to know her, too.  She's got an amazing testimony, and the quiet way that she goes about sharing it was really cool to see.  We were able to visit with some of her investigators, and it was interesting to be in someone else's area. 

Aussie terms:  Carpark (parking lot), footpath (Sidewalk), boot (trunk of a car), and Done and Dusted (Finished, completed, etc.) 

And as for the thought of the week, I would say Ether 12:27, compared to Phillippians 4:13. 

Ether 12:27:

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. 

Phillippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

We all have weaknesses, and as we ask to see them, Heavenly Father will show us them.  But it doesn't stop at us being weak.  We can work on them, improve them, and strengthen them.  It's gonna take heaps of effort, but if we are willing to do it, and trust in our Saviour for His help, then we can do all things.  To that mountain that you've been asked to climb, tell it to "Bring it on!"  Have confidence and Faith in our Saviour, and you'll go far. 

Love you all, thank you so much for the love and support! 

(Pictures didn't work this week... sorry!)

 

Sister Hollee Talbot

(Sister Talbot's pictures didn't make it to us this week, but we recently received these pictures of her Zone Conference from the Australia Perth Mission blog.)

North Coast Zone

Zone Conference Lunch

Koalas, Driving Tests, and Investigators :)

Hi there! 

This week was kind of interesting because our schedule was packed, and everything kept needing to be rescheduled, cancelled, or took a different amount of time than anticipated.  It was cool though to see what we were able to accomplish as our schedule would change, and to see the lives that we were able to impact. 

First off, we got two new investigators!  One came from tracting and a referral at the same time... Renata took a pamphlet from the sisters one day, and set it on her counter, not really interested.  That night, she had a birthday party for one of her kids, and a friend came over who knew what that pamphlet was, and was able to discuss what was in it a little.  She then invited her to church, and she has been going to the other ward for about 4 times now!  She met with us last week, and is actually pretty interested, along with her daughter. I'm so excited to teach them! 

The second one has been going to church off and on for about 6 years, but hasn't really been interested until this year.  So she basically told a ward member that she wants to meet with us now, and we just started teaching her this week.  Her name is Alexis, and she's interesting to teach, because she already knows a lot about the church.  She still asks questions during the lessons, but sometimes it's to connect things to what we are teaching, or to clarify something that still doesn't make sense.  It's kind of funny to watch the ward work with her, because so many of them already know her, that there's basically a fellowshipping war over her.  Two families really want to be involved with her lessons, but they didn't know the other family was doing it... I had a good laugh trying to get them to work out an arrangement for the fellowshipping.  Both of them can do it, so it's not really a war even.  Haha :) 

I had follow up training, which was basically a check up for all the Goldens (not greenies, goldens.) that came to the mission at the same time as me.  We were able to go over the same stuff in the first training meeting, but then President taught us more on those same topics.  It was pretty cool.  Probably one of my favourite parts was talking about crossing the Great Sandy Desert.  That is the name of the desert in the middle of Australia. Really Creative.  Haha :)  After training ended, the missionaries in charge of transportation needed a few forms, so I went into the office to give them those, and they decided that I needed to take my driving test that day so that they could check everything off.  So I got to drive the car!  Everything is reversed in cars here.  Like the indicator is on the right side, and the windshield wipers were on the left. The only thing that was the same was the gas and brake pedals.  It was super weird, and took some getting used to, but I passed, so I can drive once I get told to do so.  :) 

Aussie terms: Lollies (Candy), click (snap), pumpkin (any kind of squash), and pardon (Instead of saying "what?" which I guess is rude, they say pardon.) 

So back to the Desert. As you cross a desert, you look for little Oasis's and work towards them.  They're nice and you enjoy it there, but if you want to cross the desert, you will have to eventually leave that nice place and go back into the desert.  But you will find another Oasis along the way that you can stop at, and you notice that it is better than the first, and worth the long trek across the Sandy Desert.  The traveling from one Oasis to another is what we call Divine Unrest (Which is quoting someone I forgot to write down the name of.)  This is where our spiritual growth happens.  It isn't comfortable, and often takes a lot of effort on our part.  Our prayers become more sincere, and our Faith is strengthened.  1 Nephi 13:37. "And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be."

 If we keep on working and going to the next Oasis, we will be blessed for it.  I know that it will be hard, but know that I believe in you and support you. 

Love you all!  Have a great week! ​​

Sister Hollee Talbot

Pictures:  A Koala!!!  I got to see a ton of them, but this one was awake!!!!   Then some more Kangaroos, and a road that we drove, and thought was pretty.

                                 

Pretty drive, opposite side of the road...

Koalas!

G'day Mate!

Hello from the Land Down Under! 

So this week has been pretty interesting. With P-day last week being on a different day, and then Sister Perkins getting sick the following day, I've been all confused about what day it really was all week.  Let me tell you, sick days aren't fun on a mission, especially when it's your companion who is sick.  But, we had some old Missionary Broadcasts that we could watch, that took up about 4 hours, and then we filled the rest of the time with the 30 minute videos that we have on church history.  The schedule that we go off of feels really short when you're working the whole time, but when you try to fill it with videos when you're sick... It makes for a really long day.  But we survived! 

This week we had a District Blitz in our area, which I thought was pretty special.  We all worked on different streets, but it felt different, like there was more prayers and spirit at work with all of us there.  Each companionship found some people for us to visit, so I'm excited to see where those visits and follow ups will go!  It also meant a lot to me that each companionship was willing to spend some of their time in our area to help us with the work. I really want to do the same for them, which we will here in the next couple of weeks. 

Aussie terms:  Sweet as (As sweet as... But they never finish it. It also is used with other words, but most commonly sweet.), Heaps (a lot), you's (Multiple people), and mate.  :)  They've really enjoyed talking to me, and watching my expression as I try to figure out what they are saying... Also!  Timtams are amazing cookies, but mix them with hot chocolate, and it's called a Timtam Slam, very yummy, but kind of messy. 

I think it's interesting as a missionary that as we walk into a home, people always comment that we bring a special spirit and feeling into their home, and that's why they invite us over so often.  Everyone here is so supportive of the missionaries, even if they don't have someone for us to work with.  The ward is very willing to help, and so we've been trying to visit with them to help them think of people we could visit with.  We've been able to meet with some people that felt really disconnected with the missionaries, and it's been good to talk to them again.  One recent convert that we met with yesterday has had a really hard time medically since her baptism, and it was perfect timing for us to visit and share a message of encouragement during this time of trial.  Heavenly Father is really aware of all his children, and will care for them in their time of need.  If you need help, don't be afraid to ask Him.  Fear cannot be in the same place as Faith, and through faith He will be able to answer our prayers. 

2 Nephi 2:27: Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

The middle part is something that stuck out to me this week.  Agency is a gift that has been given to everyone, and we are able to choose what to do with our lives.  How are we using that gift?  Is it for the best for us and others?  Are we choosing to follow our Creator, and our Saviour, who gave us everything?  Though following the commandments may be hard sometimes, they are enabling us to have liberty and eternal life.  I invite all you's to think of the choices that you make, and see if they are in harmony with Heavenly Father's teachings.  Change what isn't matching up, and watch as the blessings come. 

Love you all! 

Sister Hollee Talbot

Sad sick day for Sister Perkins

A random selfie

s

TimTam Slam!

Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree

Hi there! 

I'm writing on a Tuesday because it was Western Australia day yesterday.  I think it's when WA became a state, but it didn't seem like too big of a deal. 

Kookaburras are here, and there really are gum trees, but I don't know what they sound like, so I don't know if I'm able to identify if I've seen one. haha But I have seen many Gum Trees, they're everywhere here. 

This week has been... Winter?  I don't really think so, it's kind of like spring in Utah, so I've been wearing shortsleeves and a sweater if I get too cold.  I'm really close to the ocean here, but I've only seen it at a distance, we don't really get too close to it.  With it being against the rules and all, we can't really do anything anyways.  We have been doing visits with a lot of members, getting them to pray about friends they could invite to church, and streets for us to tract.  I really like tracting the streets they pray for, because they always seem more willing to talk to us there.  Yesterday we got a call from a member of a different ward, saying that there was a lady who took a pamphlet from the sisters a few weeks ago, read it, and wanted to know more!  So we've set up an appointment to meet with her next week, I'm really excited about that! 

We were also able to have Zone conference last week!  It was soo cool, because not only did they talk about how to find people, but they also took time to teach us things too.  It started off with a "What stuck out to you in previous conferences?" and I'll be honest when I was a little disappointed that I couldn't contribute.  But it was cool the way that President kept talking about how we need to be nicer to ourselves.  I've been here two weeks, it's not fair to expect myself to have too many experiences to talk about just yet.  I'm helping myself by thinking positive, that I will be able to say that I've had those soon enough.  One thought that was given to us, is that Patience is the willingness to do what God commands, and also to trust in His timing.  I know we all want something to happen immediately for us, but I would challenge you guys this week to trust that Heavenly Father knows what's best for us.  Even if we don't want to wait, just trust Him. 

And for the scripture this week:  Enos 1:4.  It says:

And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

This is talking about prayer, and there has been an emphasis on it during our meetings.  We will be so much better off if we talk to Him, and to be able to do that with a sincere heart.  Pleading, hungering, crying, mighty prayer does not happen if we are not sincere and having real intent.  He will guide you, and answer YOU.  Try to add more time for prayer in your lives this week.

Thank you all for the support! 

Love you all, Have a great week! 

Sister Hollee Talbot

Kangaroos!  They were just hanging out in a cemetery, no big deal... haha :) 

Me on my bike, because I really do ride it in a skirt.