Allan Got Baptised Again!

Oh man, what a beautiful week to be a missionary.  A few months ago, Allan got baptised for himself, but this week he was able to be baptised for the dead!  As one of the missionaries that ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​taught him, the day of his baptism was filled with joy as we watched him be baptised.   But being there when he was able to enter into the temple and do baptisms was so much happier!  I'm sure my smile matched his, and now he's talking about getting his family history done so he can be baptised for his family now!  

Also!  Really cool miracle that happened this week:  We were on exchanges, and I was with Sister Monson and Sister Edmonds.  Sister Monson was my companion for exchanges last time, and I just kept thinking about the cool people that we met.  I asked her about them, and she decided that us thinking about them should be enough of a prompting to go follow up with them again.  :)  So we got on our bikes and headed to them.  None of them were home, and time had moved so it was time for lunch.  We mounted our bikes and started up the street.  As we passed a lady, she called out to us "I love your hair!"  In my mind, I was like 'smile and wave, I'm hungry!" But the other Sisters had more in mind than me.  We pulled over and started talking to her.  We talked to her for about 45 minutes, testifying that we all get second chances, and that it is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we get those extra chances.  :) She committed to come to church, and then gave us her address!  What made it even better was that she lives in our Ward boundaries, instead of the Sister Training Leaders, meaning that we'll be working with her!  I'm so excited to see her come to church this Sunday! 

Aussie thing:  Different spelling.  I keep trying to write baptized, but the computer thinks that it's spelled wrong.  Baptised is the way that they spell it here I guess. haha 

And for the Scripture... So many to choose from.  I think Ether 15:34--  

Now the last words which are written by Ether are these: Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen.

Ether had to watch a lot of destruction happen to his people, but he didn't lose his faith in the Lord.  He kept his faith and trusted in Him.  I don't want to see that much destruction in my life, but I do want to develop the faith enough to say like him "It doesn't matter what happens to me as long as I'm about to be saved in the kingdom of God." (My version of the end of that scripture.)  

Love you all!  Have a fantastic week!

Temple photos!

Sister Tyler, Allan, and Sister Talbot at the temple

Sister Talbot and Sister Tyler

Perth Australia Temple

Note by Note

Man!  Wasn't Conference AMAZING?  We watch it a week after Utah due to the time difference, and man, I loved this whole weekend.  It was just buzzing with the spirit, and full of insights that I want to add to my life.  One major thing that stood out to me was that many talked about the spirit being small and simple.  Which I agree with.  We think that the promptings that come need to be big, but really they're small, but they change our lives.  

Thinking about that this morning, it reminded me of when I was in College, and was taking violin lessons from one of the Professors.  She was a great teacher, and when we started a new piece, demanded that I took it as slow as possible, ignore any markings, and just play the notes until they were in tune.  We then slowly added in tempo, beats and more speed and flair.  I was able to play some incredible pieces during the three semesters I took lessons from her, but it all started note by note.  Heavenly Father has great plans ahead of you, and He knows that we need to work on the notes before we can start playing the whole piece.  What notes does He want you to work on right now? 

This past little bit we've been working on improving our visits with members.  With one member, we've been improving our visits with her for a while, but during one, we followed up with her about thinking about an activity to invite a non member to. She mentioned she was thinking about doing a Family Home evening, and then went on to talk about how she was making sure that she was living as the example for her less active and non member family. Her brother, who isn't a member, was listening too. He had done family home evenings with his family for a while, and thought that it was a great idea. He was the one that decided to make the planning, and put a date and time on the idea. :) It was great, and we're looking forward to having Family Home Evening with them now. :)  

Aussie thing:  The Common Wealth games.  I guess all those colonies (not America) who are still or used to be under the crown have something similar to the Olympics every 4 years or so.  It's on right now, and man, everyone is so excited about it! It's apparently been really good, and the opening ceremonies had a lot of cool performances in it.  :)  

And for the thought this week, I'm going to use the Saturday morning session of General Conference.  I talked about this with another missionary, and we realized that there have only been about 15 solemn assemblies in the history of this dispensation.  I love that we have been given the blessing, no matter where we are living, to be able to sustain the prophet, his councillors, and the twelve apostles.  Heavenly Father loves us so much that there isn't much time between our prophets.  He wants us to hear His word.  How are we going to change from the things that we have been taught in Conference? 

Love you all! 

Photos: Our silly District. :) 

Our Silly District

Our Silly District

Happy Easter!

Man, this week has been awesome!  So many people have been really happy because of Easter, and it made a big difference in their attitudes while greeting us tracting people at the door.  

Another thing that didn't happen this week was General Conference.  Since it's happening at like midnight over here, we watch it the week after.  But of course, so member watch it live, or just online, and then us missionaries have a week of spoiler alerts before we actually are able to fully watch conference.  :)  At one point I felt like saying "Stop spoiling Conference!" haha :)  

Oh!  Good Friday is a big thing to celebrate over here.  I felt a little funny going to one because I had never really celebrated it.  Along with Hot Cross Buns, which I have never tasted before.  A less active almost gave us one, but it was Fast Sunday... 

I got a hug from a stranger while tracting yesterday....  Unfortunately.  After having turned down a marriage proposal from him at the beginning, we went on to teach about the Book of Mormon and gave him one.  The whole time he kept calling us beautiful, which I know to be a sign of concern for me.... People don't normally call the strangers at their door beautiful, so I know from experience that you have to be on your toes when they do call you that. At the end, I go to shake his hand and he pushes past it and give me this big hug... And the same to Sister Tyler....  Yikes!  He told us we could come around any time to see what he thought about the book.... We're thinking we're going to send the Elders.  :)  

Tradie.  Someone who works a trade, like plumbing, tiling, etc. :)

Thought:  "Easter is the day that Changed Everything" ~President Utchdorf.  I think that this is so true!  Without Easter, we really wouldn't be celebrating much, or even have the hope that it gives us.  As you look back to your Easter Celebration, I'd invite you to make sure you tell Heavenly Father why you're grateful for our Saviour. 

Photos: Easter selfies, and bus stop selfies from last P-day. :) 

Sister Hollee Talbot

Mango Days

I love when I live in a place where like every other home has a mango tree, and after a visit people just hand us a bag full of mangoes!  The most we've had in the flat at once was 6 or 7, but we haven't been able ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​eat all of them before getting more.  :)  The good news is that I'm getting better at cutting mangoes, and really enjoy eating them.  :)  

So this week we had Zone conference, which was awesome!  I really enjoyed the things that were prepared for us.  It seemed like a day full of things that I really needed to know!  We talked about increasing the quality of our personal studies, and how to do more effective and uplifting member visits.  It was awesome!  

Other than that, I think the news is that I broke my front brakes this week biking, slightly took apart the bike to put it back together, and still rode some more.  :)  It was fun! And then I told the story to the Elders on Saturday, and they told me that they'll fix it for me.  It's going to be funny if I get my bike there and they tell me that it's not broken.  We'll see. 

Aussie terms:  Primary school (elementary school), tip (dump, like garbage dump) and "get on." This last one is really funny.  People talk about missionary work, and then the question: "So.... What happens if you and a companion don't get on?" Well, we stick it out and make it work. haha :)  In American, it'd probably be something like "So what happens if you and a companion don't get along?"  Don't worry though! Sister Tyler and I get along really well!  

For the scripture this week, I'm going to use Alma 31:35--Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee..  We've been using this one with our members a lot recently, especially because of how much it rings true.  Every soul is Precious.  Member, missionary, less active, non member.  We are all precious to him, and he wants us to live with him again.  What are you doing to show that every soul is precious?  Are you talking to the stranger on the bus that the spirit keeps telling you to talk to?  Are you lifting your family?  I'm not saying overwhelm yourself, just start something simple this week.  :) 

Silly selfies this week. :)  Enjoy! haha 

Sister Hollee Talbot

Sister Tyler and Sister Talbot

Sister Talbot and Sister Tyler 

Sister Tyler and Sister Talbot

Where Did This Week Go?

Man, this week was crazy!  

Normally, when you find out you're training, you have your same companion until Wednesday, then you work with another missionary for the Train the Trainers meeting, and then get your New Golden the next morning.  But with me finishing off a companion, and my golden already being in the mission, President decided that she was getting transferred into the area before all the meetings.  :)  So she came and worked with me on Monday and Tuesday, then went into the training together on Wednesday, split that night, and got back together on Thursday.  :)  

Each transfer, the new intake of missionaries goes through a training led by President, and it's on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It was cool to see this training again after 10+ months, and notice what was different about it.  He emphasized different things in this one than in mine, which is cool.  He might not know what each missionary is going to struggle with, but what he emphasized I think will help them as they reflect on what he talked about.  

Sister Tyler is the sweetest, and I know that she is going to do great things!  

Aussie Phrase: Boatie, a person who really likes to boat. :)  President told us that one. Also! There is a spider called a Guitar spider, or some name similar to that, and their webs are seriously thick like a guitar string.  Totally walked into one while tracting the other day, had to back up and duck in order to get past it.  Didn't see the spider, but man, that web is like fishing line.  

Scripture of the week:  3 Nephi 11:7-- "Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him."  This one is short and sweet, but it is awesome to think about.  Heavenly Father announces Jesus Christ, and then tells us to hear Him.  We need to listen to our Brother, our Savior, because it is through Him that we can get back to live with our Heavenly Father.  I'd invite you to look at ways that you are listen or not listening to our Savior.  Make sure that you can listen to Him, because it makes all the difference in this life.  :) 

​​​​​​​​​​Photos:  Us being silly with the flag we found in the flat, and a first day selfie! 

Have a great week!

Sister Hollee Talbot

First day selfie of Sister Tyler and Sister Talbot

Sister Talbot

Sister Tyler

End of a Mission, Start of a Mission!

Hello Hello!  

In case you haven't read the title, go back and read it.  :)  

Now I'll explain it.  This past week has been great!  Sister Tu'ifua finished off her mission very nicely, and it was awesome to see how much the members love her.  It was a tearful week, but it was good.  It was a great way to be with her and watch her as she finished her mission.  

Throughout this week, I thought that it would be really funny to finish off a missionary and then to get a brand new missionary.  Well, turns out those thoughts are actually happening to me, because I'm training now!  Heavenly Father and President trusts me enough to train, so here's to the next adventure of my mission!  Her name is Sister Tyler, and she's from Samoa!  More details to follow next week.  :)  I'm excited to start off her mission.  

Other than that, I can't think of too much that we've done.  :)  Love you all! haha 

Aussie Phrase: No worries.... You say that most of the time instead of you're welcome.  :)  

A scripture of the Week:  Alma 17:2-3.  Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

This one means a lot to me as I part with another companion.  I want to be able to be like Alma and rejoice when I see my companions and people from my mission, and have the same joy that he felt.  I also want to live in a way that others will get that same joy by seeing my testimony again.  I know that so far it's great to see people that were in my first area, so it'll be even better and more joyful the more we are standing strong in the faith.  

Have a great week!

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Photos: A spider, a random "Hey, try to be in!" photo, and the trio that I'm in today. (though that was taken on P-day)  

Sister Hollee Talbot

Hey, try to be in!

The Temporary Trio

Spider!

The Warm Fuzzies

Once upon a time, there was this town called Warm and Fuzzy. It was known for how sweet, happy and kind the people living there are. And it's true, they were happy. Every time a baby was born in this town was given a bag full of warm fuzzies. (See pictures at the bottom) Every time someone moves in, they are given a bag as well. All day long, if you saw someone who you thought needed some joy, you would give them one of your warm fuzzies. Everyone in this town gave them out constantly, but the bags never ran out because they gave just as much as they received.


One day a stranger came into town, and started handing out cold pricklies. These gave people angry and sad feelings, and they would stop giving out their warm fuzzies, but holding onto them. The town became a sad, dark and lonely place to live. The kids noticed this, and decided to put a stop to it, so they started giving out their warm fuzzies as much as they could. The town changed once again to it's beautiful ways once more. :)


I was told this story by Gayle Reynolds, a dear friend I worked in the temple with. She gave me a bag of Warm Fuzzies on my last shift before going on my mission, and I decided to carry it with me. This week, a cold prickly tried to join our companionship, but after discussing this story she got a warm fuzzy, and we made it all better. <3 It was so cool to see how to use that story in my mission.


Aussie Phrase: POME, this is short for Prisoner of Mother England. Aussies call all people from England Pome's, which sounds close to Palmes. haha :) It just shows what type of humor they have.


Scripture of the week is: Helaman 11:14. O Lord, thou didst hearken unto my words when I said, Let there be a famine, that the pestilence of the sword might cease; and I know that thou wilt, even at this time, hearken unto my words, for thou saidst that: If this people repent I will spare them. 

I love the end of this one. If we go to Heavenly Father with complete confidence that He will answer our questions when we need Him to, then we will be able to confidently say this in our prayers. With that confidence our faith grows, and with bigger faith comes those greater miracles that we are asking for. Don't doubt, but doubt your doubts if you need to. You'll make it through this is more power than you'll ever know.


Love you all!

Sister Talbot and Sister Tuifua and their warm fuzzies

Warm Fuzzies

Sisters P-day

Sisters P-day