Week 21 Auckland NZ: Nobody Wants to Let Us In

Kia Ora 大家!

It's the last week of this transfer! (It's normally 6 weeks, but it was off because of Christmas). We should be getting a call today to tell us who's going to be follow-up training Sister Young, so I'm excited to know who I'm with and where I'm going to be for the next 6 weeks. I try my best not to test God's will with predictions aha. I will most likely be with someone new on Wednesday though!

This is how my latest week in the South-half of Auckland went,

Positives:

• We were invited over to eat at a member's house and it was so fun. The members are really truly "couple goals", and they made such good food. Although they are a bit older, they are still doing their best to stay active and lively. They are both super good at English as well! Basically I just love them and I'm really grateful for the opportunity to talk with them outside of church. Photo of dinner with Harry and Mary below:

• One of the women we are kinda teaching is an old Cantonese speaker. Our lessons usually consist of coming and saying hi, and then showing her Book of Mormon videos in Cantonese. She thinks we understand her when she speaks Cantonese, just that we can't speak it, but we don't understand her at all. She likes to try her best in English, but it's really not good ahha. She loves the videos, especially the Christmas ones about Jesus. Our favorite phrases from her include "I'm liking looking!" (While watching the videos/reading stuff) and "She good mommy" (Mother Mary). This last week she invited us in to show us some Christian paintings(?) she bought that week. It was like those pictures where when you stand to the left of it it's one image, but when you stand to the right of it it's another image- you know the type of image you wanted on your notebook in 3rd grade because it would make you seem cooler? She said it had good mommy and baby on it, which she seemed excited about haha. Apparently she bought them to give to other "churchy" people- yeah she's probably getting visited by a couple different churches right now. It's always a good time with her, we just try our best to make her feel loved and visit her when we can since she lives right next to a chapel.

• We had MTC exchanges this week! Since New Zealand has its own MTC, all the missionaries there have an opportunity to come on exchanges with those already out in the field here. So Ren Jiemei and I were split up for a day to do studies and tracting with two sisters who were in their last week at the MTC. That means I was this Sister's first impression of mission life- that's wack! But also it was really cool. I was with Sister Naea who will be serving in the Hawaiian Visitor's Center- she is such a light! She has such a strong testimony and I saw a lot of my own newbie tendencies in her, which was kinda cool because it means I've grown a lot. I somehow was able to lead her as we went door knocking and testified of Christ to people. It was a testament to me of my own influence on others and my potential for good. I'm also just excited for her to continue killing it in the field (Go Sister Naea!! ♡)
  

• This week someone the other Sisters were teaching accepted baptism! It's been really cool to see Lily change and develop a love of God. I've been able to feel how special the Spirit really feels at baptisms over the past couple months. As part of the program, we sang a song, "Peace in Christ" in Mandarin, and I honestly was so close to tears, looking at her sitting there with such a bright light. After the ordinance was performed Sister Rich and I were asked to do a little message about the church as Lily got changed. It went really well, and it was good because two people who are interested in being taught came. Basically the spirit was strong, and Lily was awesome. I love this Church and the Spirit at each baptism I've attended confirms of its truth.
  

Negatives:

• This week was a tough week in the Chinese Branch. The Coronavirus hasn't reached New Zealand yet, but the Chinese people are really freaked out about it- understandably so. Our church got canceled for two weeks and most of the people we are teaching don't want to meet with us until the virus is no longer an issue. At least, we've had a good opportunity to find :)

Food: 
After Lily's baptism we went to Osaka, a Japanese food place, and we got Donburi- it was sooo good! 
  77/100 :))

Simple Truths:

This Gospel Blesses Individuals and Familiesd:  God established families to give us a loving environment to learn and grow- they are a central part of God's plan for us. He wants us to be with those we love forever. This is why as we learn more about God's plan for us we can strengthen our family relationships.

As individuals, God wants to help each one of us grow and improve as our actions are up to individual choice. I know that the truths found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives us greater understanding of how to find joy not only in the long run, but in our every-day lives.

That is something I've really learned in the last year- how to find joy and peace in everyday life. The answer has always been found in the hope of Jesus Christ.  I  know as each of you come closer to Jesus Christ you will be able to see an outpouring of blessings in your life. 

I pray you all stay safe and healthy!

Love, 
马姐妹  
Sister Martinez

All mission photos:https://photos.app.goo.gl/sgY95kdCHMzp7BqHA