Tales of the Train--When Your Companion Makes It and You Don't

Hi guys!  I have a story to tell you!  (As always, but ya know, that's okay.)

This week is a story about obeying the rules of the mission.  Strictly.  haha :)

This Tuesday, we had our normal District Meeting, and then following that we had our interviews with President Fife. So Sister Orro and I planned ahead, packed lunch and our studies, and planned to go straight from our chapel where District Meeting was held to the Chapel where our interviews were going to be.  We would then use the extra time that we had to eat lunch and to study.  District Meeting was awesome!  We had tons to talk about in the training, we had a lovely little role play that Sister Orro read, and the spirit was super strong.  (Side note- for all those who are musical, Sister O sang soprano, I sang alto, Elder Dearden sang bass, and the rest of the elders sang tenor, it was amazing!) 

So District Meeting ends, and knowing that we have plenty of time between it and the interviews, we're walking relaxed and just enjoying the nice warm weather.  We catch the bus to the train station, and have just tapped our travel cards when Sister Orro points to the platform we need and yells "Train!" I'm still rather relaxed from the meeting, and look to where she's pointing, noticing that the train had just pulled in and was about to leave again.  My thoughts were "Oh man, we're gonna miss it. Oh well, we'll just have to wait until the next one comes."  I look back to where Sister Orro was to continue talking to her, only to realize that she's not where I anticipated her to be.  After yelling, she had started to run to catch the train, and I didn't notice! haha :)  I start chasing her across the platform, down the escalator and back across to the train.  She makes it on while the doors are open, and I arrived just in time for the doors to close... Without me on the train.  Both of us start pressing the buttons to make the doors open, but they don't, and the train pulls out of the station.  Both of us just shrug our shoulders and wave as the other one goes out of sight. 

Now, one of the biggest rules in the mission is to keep your companion in sight and sound.  By this time both had been broken, and I was freaking out!  I step away from the departing train, and go to wait for the next one.  As I'm walking over to a bench, a worker notices me and my badge and asks: "You're a missionary.  Where's your companion?"  After explaining to him that she was on the train that just left, he says "Well, have fun figuring that out," and walks away. :)  I sit down, just praying for two things to happen: 1) that I could find someone to pretend to be my companion for the next 15 minutes while waiting for the train, and 2) that Sister Orro would get off at the next train station so that I could find her when the train does come.  Both were answered, and this lady sits down next to me.  I start talking to her, and after two questions she starts telling me her whole life story. 

As I'm talking to her, I look up to where the busses drop off, and see Elders Dearden and Soko looking for me at the top of the escalators.  I wave at them, and they come and wait out the remaining time with me.  Sister Orro had called them in the same panic I was going through and told them to go find me. So when they found me, they gave me the phone so that I would be able to talk to her. :)  The next train came and we met up at the next station in a huge happy reunion.  We linked arms and travelled the rest of the way to the interviews like that.  The strangest thing about all this is that we're both really good at traveling alone when we aren't missionaries, but when we have our tags on, it becomes frightening when we are alone.  Plus, our badges turned ice cold and weightless until we were reunited.  It was truly terrifying how the power of our calls went away.  So, to those who are on missions, or anticipate going on one: don't lose your companion. 

Aussie terms: Garbo (garbage man and garbage truck), and arvo (afternoon.) 

Scripture for the week: Alma 24:14:And the great God has had mercy on us, and made these things known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and he has made these things known unto us beforehand, because he loveth our souls as well as he loveth our children; therefore, in his mercy he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us as well as unto future generations.

 I love this whole verse, but I'm going to break it into two parts.  1) He loves us, and has mercy on us, so He warns us of things to come.  We still have our agency to heed those warnings, but wow, He gives us plenty of warning of days to come.  2) He loves our souls just as much as little children.  We are His Jewels, we are His treasures.  Little children gain so much favour in His sight

, and He loves our souls just as much as them.  We have to work for it, because we are accountable, but we can do it.  :)  I love you all, and Heavenly Father loves you more.  See your divine nature, reach out and take it. 

Have a great week!

Sister Orro's version of the story...

Just thought you would want Sister Orro's side of the story too. :)

Note: The no. 1 rule of missionaries is always be within sight and sound of each other... never be alone except in the bathroom or interviews with the mission president.

We catch public transport when we travel to our meetings on a Tuesday morning just for fun and to meet people as we go. And this last Tuesday we were traveling on our way after the meeting to have interviews with the mission president. We had given ourselves a bit of buffer time and get off the bus and tag on to the trains. As we are walking I look down and see that the train is in at the platform and the light is flashing meaning it is departing any second. So I point at it and thinking I said "RUN!!" accidently said "TRAIN"... So I start running down the escalator and am making very good time. Actually pretty proud of my running in a skirt thing that I had going on there. So I get to the bottom run onto the train just in time to turn around and see the doors close and Sister Talbot on the other side... She did not make it on the train... so I am madly pressing buttons and it didn't work. The train takes off and we sort of throw our hands in the air and wave goodbye to each other.

I immediately called the Elders and told them they have to get to Sister Talbot sort of thing and they were so reliable. The most reliable young men I have ever worked with. They said "we got you" and hung up the phone. So I get off at the next station and sit down and just wait. Finally the Elders text and say they are at the station so I call them and who should speak on the other end but Sister Talbot. I just about died of happiness and relief. The funny thing is that we are both very capable human beings who can catch public transport by ourselves but in that moment we were both terrified. We are very capable people but we really panicked. We crack up laughing whenever we tell this tory and the first person we told when we made it on time and together was the mission president's wife and she just laughed at us in hysterics the whole time.

But the good news is that we have successfully caught the train... together...  and not lost each other since.  I would say we are doing well! Yay for public transport and events that bring you closer together as friends and also make you really paranoid about the fact that at any moment circumstances outside of your control can cause some issues...

Also you will notice that yes in the photos this week I do have a very long gash up my forehead it was an accident and yet another story for another day. Maybe never...

The comedy of errors strike again. A member we are working with called us that I think the second week we were together. We truly are embracing it. Also embracing the concept of being a little bolder (boulder) in life. Lovingly bold my friends.

​H​

ave a great week and always make sure you have your exit buddy!!

Sister Hollee Talbot

Pcitures: A Sabbath day selfie, heart attacking our ward mission leader, and us cleaning out all the plastic bags we have.  :)

Sabbath day selfie

"Heart Attacking" the ward mission leader

Sister Orro and Sister Talbot cleaning out all the plastic bags from their flat.

Stake Conference and Hospital Visits

G'day mates! 

Because I know that some of you may be worried about the title of my email, I'll start with that.  I was not visiting the hospital because of me or my companion.  We had a less active in our ward go in for a planned surgery, and she wasn't anticipating how painful it would be.  She texted us asking for a priesthood blessing, and that we come and spend some time with her.  We, of course, were willing to do all of that. :)  The visit was super cool, yet draining at the same time, because we read scriptures to her (at her request) for over an hour.  We really just sat there the whole time, but the spirit was so strong the entire time that we left and were both terribly exhausted.  She's still there, but she has been requesting that we go read to her some more, which really makes us excited.  :)  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Other than that we had Stake Conference this weekend! Oh, how much I love both sessions.  :)  I thought when I was younger that the Sunday one was always best, but when you get older and find time to attend the Saturday session, it really adds to the power that Conference holds.  For all those who are able to attend the Saturday session, I would highly encourage you to do so.  :)  My favourite part of the conference was probably the ways that they emphasized us evaluating our missionary efforts while also making sure that we help ourselves as well.  Like in order to reach out, you have to make sure you are on solid ground first. 

Guys!  I was able to play Sequence at Family home Evening this week!  It's one of my favourite card games, and we got to play it with some less actives.  Which was a super cool tender mercy, because those less actives were not too happy to have us there, but the game and the food really broke the ice and they had already started to plan the next time that this would happen.  :)  The competition of the game and being in teams with us missionaries really helped it all work out.  Even Bishop and his wife were talking about how different it was to have us over that time.  :) 

Aussie phrase:  She'll be right.  It's like "everything will work out," or "it's all good."  I guess if you say it in an American accent it doesn't quite flow like an Aussie, so Sister Orro has been trying to get me to say it right.  haha

And the scripture of the week is Alma 19:33.  And it came to pass that when Ammon arose he also administered unto them, and also did all the servants of Lamoni; and they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing—that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil.

We have been learning and focusing on what it means to be truly converted to the gospel, and how that can impact you and the way you do things.  If you are only slightly converted, your heart and desires won't change.  But if you are truly converted, then your heart and desires will change.  It will be a genuine effort to follow the gospel instead of actions out of duty.  If you think that you have started to slip into actions by duty, I'd invite you to be a missionary for yourself and help strengthen your conversion to the gospel again. 

Love you all, hope you have a fabulous week! 

Pictures: These are all from our District P-day last week.  :)  We weren't on the beach, we found some rocks that jutted out so that we could fish without touching beach. Which is against the rules!

Sister Hollee Talbot

The elders caught a fish off the jetty!

District P-day on the Jetty!

Sister Talbot is getting good at driving on the other side of the car!

Mayday! Mayday! Aussie Down!

Now, no reason to panic, all Aussies are now okay.  :)  This was just a line that Elder Soko said to us when we told him that Sister Orro was sick. 

Like I said in last week's emails, together Sister Orro and I are a comedy of errors.  Thankfully we are able to laugh at them, but it does make for some very interesting weeks.  :)  This week we have had to take two sick days.... One for me and one for Sister Orro.  As some of you might know, I'm allergic to bugs.  While we were tracting one day I got bit on my ankle and a few days later it had swollen enough that we decided to take a day so that I could keep it elevated enough for the swelling to go down.  I also started wearing my slacks in order to prevent it from happening again... Sort of.  Wearing pants now is really weird, so I'm still trying to decide how much I should wear them.  One of the less active families that we visit, the Wilcox, gave me a bottle of bug spray, which is in a photo below.  :) 

The other sick day was Sunday, and it was because Sister Orro caught a fever.  We went through all the processes that we need to go through to have a sick day, and then we asked our district leader if he would look out to see how many of our investigators were at church.  He called just to make sure we didn't need anything, and said "Mayday! Mayday!  Aussie down!"  haha :)  Spending a day inside isn't the best, but at least she was able to recover, and now we're going strong once again!

On Monday last week, we had a family home evening with our Relief Society President, and she invited anyone who doesn't feel like they can have FHE in their own home.  It was super cool to be there, because everyone was so different from one another, but we all had a marvellous time.  It is amazing how the spirit can make sure that we all have a good time even if we aren't alike in personalities.  Plus, they had a violin that I was able to play!!!!

We also had exchanges this week, and I was with our new Sister Training Leader, Sister Murnighan!  It was cool to be with her, because we had a teaching appointment with one of their investigators, causing me to teach without knowing who the investigator is or what their concern is.  I was super nervous at first, but after we said the prayer and started the lesson, I was fine.  I love that I was able to share with their investigator the Plan of Salvation, and help in that way. 

Aussie Terms: Peg (Clothes pin*), push bike (bike) , and tomato sauce (ketchup). 

*Funny story about pegs... We don't have a clothes dryer in our flat, so all of our clothing has to be hung to dry.... Turns out that's the normal thing here. 

The scripture of the week:  Alma 12:34. It says:  Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.

 I love that it talks about us having a claim on the mercy.  We can have possession of the mercy and remission of our sins as long as we follow the "terms and conditions" that are put before us.  We have access to the most powerful thing on earth, and all we need to do is to take hold of it for ourselves.  Follow the steps that you need to, reach out and take what is there for you.  Claim that mercy.

Love you all!  Have a great week!

Pictures: Koala Fart: the bug spray that I was given. :)  All the Sisters last week at Sisters' P-day, a Koala posing for me, and a violin!!!

Sister Talbot found a violin!

Sisters P-day

Koala Fart Insect Repellent, All Natural Ingredients!

And a few more pictures Sister Talbot requested be put on the blog:

Sister Orro and Sister Talbot

Kangaroo and her baby joey!

Happy koala

Sleepy koala

Comedy of...Errors. :)

Hello all!  How was your week? 

Mine was just dandy, and has been a rather quick week!  I love having temple P-days, and the blessings that I'm able to see there both during the session, and while we're in the other rooms at the temple too.  :)  I highly suggest that anyone who can should try to go this week when they have a chance.  If you're struggling with anything just take it to the temple, and you will be able to find the answers you need. 

So we had the Temple on Wednesday, and then we had Zone conference on Thursday!  I just love being there and listening to the things that the Fifes and the Assistants have prepared for us.  This time they focused more on what it means to be truly converted, and how it's a life long process to remain converted to the gospel.  If you stop for a while then you've lost ground that you've already worked so hard to gain.  Keep going in the fight, and know that you're doing an awesome job!  They also focused on making sure that we are in tune with Heavenly Father's plan so that we are best able to reflect Christ in our lives.  It was super cool to listen to them.  :) 

Sister Orro and I get along just fine, and we're always finding something to laugh about.  Besides trying out toilet tracting for the first time last week, we've also asked a guy where he lives... on his driveway.  haha :)  Probably the day that I've laughed the hardest was when we biking on our way to a street to tract.  We started up and all was going smoothly, until there was a car coming so we moved to the footpath. Well, Sister Orro didn't quite make it to the footpath before her tire slid out from under her, and she crashed.  Thankfully the car saw and went around her, and all she got was a scrapped knee.  But we did have a good laugh that all she did in reaction was "Ooh!" haha :)  We made sure she was alright and then we headed off again.  We made it to the place that we wanted to go, and they weren't home, so we were heading off to another area, we start going and all we hear is "Pppsssshhh" Turns out Sister Orro's bike tire popped... so we walked our bikes everywhere the rest of the time we were out that day.  :)  It was really funny that it all happened within a little bit, and we were able to laugh about it. :)  All is good, we're all safe and sound. 

Aussie terms:  Postbox (mailbox), Postman (mailman), and que (line, like for a bus or checkout spot.) 

This week's scripture is in Alma 8:18:  Now it came to pass that after Alma had received his message from the angel of the Lord he returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah. And he entered the city by another way, yea, by the way which is on the south of the city of Ammonihah.

When we receive a commandment to do something, do we go back to it speedily?  Even if it's something that we don't want to do?  When we are making sure that we are diligent in all of our efforts, we will gain all that we need and more in return.  How are you showing our Heavenly Father that you want to gain His guidance?  By "returning speedily"? Obedience brings blessings, and being diligent in our obedience brings more blessings too. 

Keep up the great work, love you all! 

Have a great week!  

Pictures: A sunset while we were tracting, the sunset with the temple, and Sister Orro and I at the temple! 

Sister Talbot and Sister Orro

Perth Australia Temple, Sister Talbot's happy place

Burns Beach at Sunset

Oreo and Tablet

Well hello there my friends! 

This week has been amazing, hard, and exciting all at the same time.  :)  To start off, it was transfers on Wednesday, and I stayed but Sister Perkins left.  She's going to become the new Sister Training Leader in Dianella Zone, which fits her perfectly.  She's been an amazing trainer, and is super kind.  I know that she will have a great impact on the sisters that she will be watching over, because she's already done a fabulous job watching over me.  :)  I miss her, but I also am really excited to be with Sister Orro, so it's not too hard of a change. 

One of our Sister Training Leaders ended her mission on Sunday, so for the first part of last week we were in a trio.  If there's anything to say about being in a trio, is that it makes time move faster, and there is never a dull or quiet moment.  :)  It really helped to be with both of them, because they gave me tons of insights about how to lead an area. 

My new companion is Sister Orro!  She's from Townsville, Queensland, and has been out on her mission for 14 months.  She's got heaps of stories and it's been really cool to hear about them.  :)  She's also rather blunt, so if she sees something that shouldn't be happening then she'll tell me.  She's been rather quick to point out that I'm too hard on myself.  :)  She's a really powerful missionary, and it's exciting to see how the ward has already accepted her with open arms. At a member's house, while we were introducing her, a young women called us Oreo and Tablet.... So that's basically what our object names are now.  :) 

Other than that, we've just been doing the normal tracting and visiting that we do. :)  The weather has been really nice here recently, so we've been able to ride our bikes and walk around our area instead of using the car.  :)  I just love the nice warm weather. Everyone has been super nice too, with smiles and apologizing that they aren't interested in the message that we're sharing.  Oh!  Embarrassing story of the week:  I couldn't find a toilet to use while we were tracting, and so we had to do what we call "toilet tracting."  Basically picking a house and asking to use their toilet.  Which is super awkward for both missionaries, because while one is in the toilet, the other has to make small talk with the people in the house.  First time I've had to do it, and I honestly hope it's the last. 

Aussie terms: Porridge (Oatmeal), stack it (biff it), and muesli bar (granola bar.)

And for the thought this week:  Moroni 10:27:  And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust?  

How are we using the scriptures that we have been given?  I thought that it was interesting that I found this scripture in the Preach My Gospel chapter about the Book of Mormon.  It talks about having us as missionaries gain a vision of how to better use the Book of Mormon in our proselyting efforts.  Am I using it enough, or could I be using it more?  It also goes along with being back home.  Are you still interacting with the Book of Mormon, or have you put it off to the side?  What are some ways that you could be in the scriptures more?  How can you benefit from adding more of that in your life? 

Love you all, have a great week! 

Pictures: Sister Orro and I, the sisters in our zone, and the trio!

Sister Hollee Talbot

Sister Orro and Sister Talbot

Zone Sisters!

The Trio, Sister Seau, Sister Perkins, and Sister Talbot

Hear That? It's the Winds of Change!

Alrighty my friends!  What shall I tell you today? 

Oh I know!  All of it. haha :)

So this week was really fun, because we as a Zone had a competition all week with small challenges each day to win points to win a meal with the Zone Leader or the Sister Training Leaders (Depending on if you were a Sister or an Elder :) )  Tuesday was to tract 40 doors, which sounds easy, until they add the fact that you have to have 40 doors open to you.  We won that one!  It was pouring rain the entire time, and we probably had to knock about 80 doors in order for 40 to open to us, but we got 3 potential investigators from it.  One little miracle that happened as well is that one of the last doors we knocked opened and actually let us inside and gave us some water!  That doesn't happen too often, but man, it was cool to see that happen. 

The other challenge that we won was Thursday where the challenge was to give away 30 pass along cards.  We were tracting that morning, so if they weren't too interested in our message, we would just ask them if we could leave a small card with them.  It's amazing how many people who aren't interested will take the card, which will lead them to the gospel a little later on, I'm sure of it.  :)  We had more energy towards the work than normal, which has been a super cool blessing for this week. 

As for the title of this email, it's end of transfers!  I just finished my 12 weeks of training here in the field, and so Sister Perkins and I were really expecting a phone call for transfers.  We did get one like we were expecting!  I'm staying here to lead the area with a new companion (Who I know her name, but I'm not sure how to spell it, so I'll just wait til next week.) and the Amazing Sister Perkins is going to be a SISTER TRAINING LEADER!!!!!  Oh my goodness we're so excited for her!  I'm excited to stay here and lead, though I'm a little nervous.  It'll be good to find out why I'm here in this area, and to keep working as hard as I can to prove that I have my testimony of this gospel and the work that I'm in. 

Aussie terms:  Full Stop (period, like the punctuation), biscuits (cookies) and diary (planner, schedule, etc...) 

As for the scripture this week, I'm going to use Alma 2: 28 which says:  Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall before them.  

We trust in Heavenly Father to answer our prayers, and to help us in what we are currently facing in 'battle.' I know that Heavenly Father does answer our prayers, and He will strengthen us for the things that He has given us for our benefit.  Answers don't always come immediately, but they will come. Full stop.  It's for our benefit if we have to wait for our answers.  Don't give up hope.  Keep praying, keep working, keep your testimony.  Answers will come, and He loves you, so He will strengthen you. 

Love you all!  Have a great week!

Pictures: Another sick day, a street sign I rather enjoy, and all of the Sisters' name tags.  :)

Sister Hollee Talbot

Sister Hollee Talbot and her kangaroo sign :)

A sick day for Sister Perkins and Sister Talbot

Looks like the sister's tags went to the beach!

Just Another Day in Paradise :)

​​​​​​​​​​​​Hello there!  Fine day, isn't it? 

It has been a super great and busy week!  Just the way we like it as missionaries.  :)  We had FHE with an investigator on Monday, District meeting on Tuesday, a Stake wide leadership training on Wednesday, exchanges on Thursday, an All Sisters Conference on Friday, along with a Relief Society activity on Friday night, and a potluck activity to go to on Saturday night.  This week has been so full on, but man, has it been a good one.  :) 

The Stake wide leadership training was held by Elder Lekias of the 70, and it was talking about aligning the keys of leadership with missionary work.  It was super cool, because he had the Fifes speak, and also had videos to watch as well.  It's important that as a ward we are united in missionary work, otherwise our efforts are not as effective.  At one point Elder Lekias asked a missionary if he would like the leaders of his ward to fill appointments in his planner for him.  The elder quickly responded, "Yes, please!"  haha :) 

The exchanges were great!  My companion was Sister Aperaamo again.  :)  She's amazing! We were able to practice for Sisters' Conference, where we decided to sing hymn #117, "Come unto Jesus."  It was really cool to practice with all of the zone sisters, and sounded amazing too!  When we broke into our alto and soprano groups, all the sisters slid in to be really close to me to hear the notes... I guess I need to sing louder.  :)  We also were able to do a District Blitz for the Sister Training Leader's District.  When we were tracting, we were given specific streets to tract, and a few formers to look for that they didn't have an address for.  At the end of one of those streets, one of the formers that we were looking for answers the door, and immediately lets us come in and talk with her!  It was super cool!  This is Sister Aperaamo's last transfer, so it was really cool to hear some of her stories, and gain some of her perspective on things coming up for me. 

The All Sisters Conference is similar to a Zone conference, except that it was only the sisters there.  Total, I think there were around 50 Sisters, which was cool to see all of us in one room.  We got a lot of training on how to manage our thoughts so that we aren't thinking negatively about ourselves.  There are ways to improve us without thinking negatively about ourselves. I really want to try the ideas that they gave me so that I can do better at that.   They also had the Stake Relief Society President (who lives in our ward) come and talk to us.  She talked about why there is opposition, and how our focus majorly impacts the way that we think about ourselves. 

Aussie terms: Rubbish bins (garbage can), bin bags (garbage bags), and bench (island counter area).  I guess it's really hard to find the bin bags in America... haha :)

And the scripture goes right along with the All Sister's Conference: 3 Nephi 24:17 "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him."  It's kind of a simple one, but I like it.  Our Father in Heaven and our Saviour love us, and know we have great value and worth.  Just like we don't diminish the value of any gem that we wear, we shouldn't diminish the value of the precious jewels that we are.  Believe in Heavenly Father, and believe that he loves and values all of us individually. 

Love you all! Have a great week!

Pictures:  Sister Aperaamo and I, a lot of sisters in one little car, and the district trying to look cool... haha :) 

Sister Talbot and Sister Aperaamo

Lots of sisters in one little car!

The district trying to look cool!