I made it to New Zealand and I absolutely love it here!! My first week has been wild and I'm not really sure what to write about but I'll try to keep it relevant.
Leaving the MTC:
It was sad and busy!! I cried a ton last Sunday as we said our goodbyes because I just loved our district. On Monday I traveled with 4 Elders to New Zealand + some other missionaries who were laying over in the same flights on the way. They were awesome missionaries and I love that I can see them around and say hi. I had the opportunity to talk to an older man on the flight from Salt Lake to Houston. He was a faithful man, but did not have any desire to believe in the Book of Mormon. But I had the opportunity to have a pleasant conversation and be his first encounter with a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Then the flight from Houston to Auckland was 14 hours sitting in between 2 Elders- no "finding" opportunities there - but it was such a nice flight!! They gave us pillows and blankets and meals. If I weren't a missionary the on -flight entertainment would've been prime! (I'm no allowed to watch movies). I got some sleep and arrived in NZ at 6 am. This last week was tiring but the jet lag wasn't too bad.
About this Mission/Area:
- I am 1/5 Sisters in the Chinese Program in Auckland. The next transfer two Sisters are leaving and one is coming in, so it'll be just four Sisters (the usual) again
- The Chinese Program covers all of the Auckland mission and is the only Chinese program in NZ so with permission, on special occasions, I believe we would be allowed to travel down south, too. My companionship currently covers East, South, and West Areas of Auckland.
- We are blessed with our amenities here as Chinese Program Sister Missionaries. We use cars since we have to travel around our whole area every day, and will be staying in the same flat for most of our missions here.
- There is one single Chinese Branch (Ward) in New Zealand (here in the city), so it can be a bit of travel for those who want to attend.
- This mission includes English, Samoan, Tongan and soon Maori wards- I will almost for sure be assigned to an English area for a couple of transfers during my time here.
- I have two more moms!! My two trainers are Sister Rich and Sister Sparrow and I love them both so much!! I seriously think we were amazing friend before we came to Earth.
- We teach a lot of 老人 (older people) from both China and Taiwan. It is still so hard for me to understand the Taiwanese people's accent, but I love them!
- Chinese people here ask If I'm Chinese and it shakes me! HA
- I think everything here so far is better??? The birds, the chocolate, the desire to recycle, the weather, the acceptance of culture ... except, Chinese people don't give us napkins when they feed us! (But, that's alright).
What I Do Here:
My weeks from here on out will consist of a few things we do in order to find and teach people the gospel. One thing our mission does is TWE (Talk With Everyone). Our mission expects each missionary to talk with 10 new people a day, to at least offer them a chance to hear our message-that means 30 total within my companionship. That will include door-knocking, stopping people on the sidewalk of the city, or calling referrals. It also makes all the finding efforts worthwhile when we have appointments. These people are so sweet, and have a desire to learn! And they are so patient with my language. I love going to see people and sharing about Christ!!
We try our best to start our days off well with exercise, and so we Chinese Program sisters always do a Shaun T workout video, which I think is too funny!! I honestly love it.
My thoughts and feelings:
- I am in love with the area, the view, the culture, the languages and the people. I am so happy to be here!
- Some of the work I do is uncomfortable. I went street contacting my first day- it was hard! But it's getting easier and I'm finding fulfillment and purpose and joy in the work.
- I am so excited to keep working and serving here. It's been a bit of an adjustment, but I've been able to rely on the Lord greatly.
Simple Truth:
Families are ordained of God, and He placed us in families intentionally to give us an accepting and loving environment to help us learn and grow. Through following God's commandments and coming closer to Christ, we can strengthen our families.
Ephesians 6: 1-4
- Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
- Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
- That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
- And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Sending my love to all my friends in Taiwan, Australia, Canada, and The United States- I'm praying for you all ♡
馬姐妹
Sister Martinez
Photos:
If you would rather look at my emails at your leisure or after my wonderful mother has edited them, she has created and been posting on my mission blog. I sent an email to her last week when I couldn't send it to the group, and she posted it there!
Mission Address:
Letters:
Sister Carly Martinez
Sister Carly Martinez
PO Box 33-840
Takapuna 0740
New Zealand
Takapuna 0740
New Zealand
Packages:
Sister Carly Martinez
Sister Carly Martinez
7A Auburn Street
Takapuna 0622
New Zealand
Takapuna 0622
New Zealand
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