Last week Sister Holmes sent this to me in a personal email. It touched me so much to hear her testimony of missionary work and how greatly it has affected her. I would like to add my testimony to hers. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I know that He knows/loves each one of us personally. I know that He came to Earth and suffered beyond belief because He knew that it was the only way to save us. I know that without Him, we would be lost. I know that He atoned for MY sins and would've suffered for ME and me alone if that's what it took. I know that He would've done it for YOU. You are important to Him. I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of even the little things in our lives that we think are unimportant. I know that He is always there & that we have the ability to talk with Him every moment of every day. I know that He is listening. I know that President Thomas S Monson is a true and living Prophet of God. I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Book of Mormon is true and that the ancient words of the prophets included therein are true. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that He lives. I know that the love He has for each and every one of us is everlasting and that there is nothing we can do to make that love go away.
From Sister Holmes:
Sometimes it seems fast...sometimes it seems slow...mission time is a time warp like no other! But I am soooooo incredibly grateful for this time. Words really cant do it justice. It has been really hard but man I have never learned so much or had so much love for these people. I have learned so much about the importance of knowing where we came from and where are going. That we lived with God and we loved him and chose to come here and we KNEW what we had to do. We understood the plan. I watched Jesus Christ suffer for my sins. I am sure I sat and cried with Him. Know He was the only way we could come back. I love My Savior and my Heavenly Father. Its unfathomable that He can love us so much. Not matter what. Not matter what mistakes we make, He is there for us. Also that missionary work never ends. haha never
Sister Melissa Holmes has been called to serve in the New Zealand Auckland Mission. She reported to the Provo MTC on May 15, 2013 and headed to New Zealand June 3, 2013. She is going to be an incredible Missionary. Sister Holmes' letters, photos, and emails will be posted to this blog throughout the course of her 18 month service to the Lord. :) Enjoy! Jessika (Her sister)
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Sunday, March 9, 2014
I got hit in the head with a pigeon
What a great email! She provided some very spiritual insights along with some funny stories. I love seeing her grow through her stories and experiences. It's pretty awesome!
It seems like even if its a hard week Heavenly Father always gives me millions of reasons to smile. Which is nice, because I love to smile and I smile thinking about how much He loves me! Oh and yous haha
I crazy as pigeon flew into my head the other day. It was sick as....also I screamed pretty loud. Normally I dont scream but man I just dont like birds!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
You Sisters are Not Allowed to Leave
So Sister Holmes and I have decided that we have the same brain. This week the title of my email was 'Tap Tap' and it turns out that this week she randomly said 'tap tap' to someone & thought of me. Back when we were growing up, there was this ridiculous show on Cartoon Network called The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack and in one of the episodes he says 'tap tap' in this weird and annoying voice. For YEARS she would come up to me and say 'tap tap' and it would bug me so bad. Probably the most annoying thing in my life. Now it's just a fun memory. Anyway, she sent lots of pictures & even shared a recipe! She is so loved here at home & by those whose lives she touches every day in New Zealand.
Enjoy :)
Our ward mission leader Brother Aupouri is great, in MCM-missionary correlation meeting- he said "You sisters are not allowed to leave" He loves us. haha Elders Hester's response was "Fine we will leave!" hahaha poor elders.
Recipe of the week:Sister Wikiria's Cauliflower salad:
We also did some service with Sister Anna Howard. She is so sweet! We cleaned the cob webs off the front porch. New Zealand has sooooooo many spiders! Most of them are harmless....but still haha so we cleaned them all up. She gave us some easy how to learn Maori books so that was sweet as. I am practicing how to say 'nek minit' in Maori.
haha she is great!
I read these verses this wek and thought they were mean as. Mosiah 2:21-22
21 I say unto you that if ye should aserve him who has created you from the beginning, and is bpreserving you from day to day, by lending you cbreath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own dwill, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your ewhole souls yet ye would be funprofitable servants.
22 And behold, all that he arequires of you is to bkeep his commandments; and he has cpromised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth dvary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do ekeep hisfcommandments he doth bless you and prosper you.
I just thought about it and was like man o man. TRUTH! God created us and grants us daily breath. That we my come to earth and have agency, that we can choose for ourselves. All He requires of us is to keep His commandments and then He blesses us when we do! Its crazy if you think about it. He gives us commandments which bless us and allow us to have happy lives..then when we keep those commandments..He blesses us more! He blesses us when we live in such a way that we can be happy! It amazes me!
Well I hope yous all have a great week! I love you heaps and heaps! and heaps and heaps!
Live long and prosper...in the land... by keeping His commandments :)
Sister Holmes
I just thought about it and was like man o man. TRUTH! God created us and grants us daily breath. That we my come to earth and have agency, that we can choose for ourselves. All He requires of us is to keep His commandments and then He blesses us when we do! Its crazy if you think about it. He gives us commandments which bless us and allow us to have happy lives..then when we keep those commandments..He blesses us more! He blesses us when we live in such a way that we can be happy! It amazes me!
Well I hope yous all have a great week! I love you heaps and heaps! and heaps and heaps!
Live long and prosper...in the land... by keeping His commandments :)
Sister Holmes
My sister is gorgeous |
Sister Wikaria's cape thing |
Sunday, February 23, 2014
They taught me a hand shake...pretty sure its a gang sign....
Email and pictures from Sister Holmes! So fun to hear from her. She is doing so AWESOME! I love it. I really loved all the comments the ward members make about the missionaries! (particularly the Sisters) It's cute. Enjoy :)
Man o Man this week may have been the best week ever. I am pretty sure. It also my have been the most humid ever. Like really. It was really hot which I feel like I can deal with the heat...but humidity. Ah nah. Its terrible! But it cooled down heaps yesterday and today. Its been beautiful! And I got my New Zealand Drivers license today! Woo hoo! Well I got my temporary one. You know, it too like 10 minutes to get it. I was worried that is was going to take ages..you know like the dmv in Nevada..nah. It was so quick and fast and the lady helping me was lovely! So nice. Go New Zealand.
We helped a lady in our ward mow her lawn and do a bit of gardening. Man (sorry if this is TMI) But we were sweating bullets! With the humidity it felt like I just hoped out of the shower! It was insane!
Also the little neighborhood kids run around saying "What up holmes!" "Sista holmies!" all kinds of things! All day everyday. Everywhere we go someone is yelling to me haha its great. They taught me a hand shake...pretty sure its a gang sign....they are sweet kids haha
Have a good one :)
Sista Holmes! |
Making doughboys! |
Their Meal Calendar |
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Flippin Days!
Email from Sister Holmes! :D I loved this one, it was good! She got to meet Elder Russel M Nelson and his wife. Lucky Duck!
She only has EIGHT months to go! It has gone by so slow, it seems, but then again how quickly the time has gone. She's doing awesome things in New Zealand! Anyway, enjoy.
Wow. This week was soooo awesome!!!!
I wish I had time to write all the things! But this will have to do for now! haha
Love yous all and hope you had a great week and have an even better one!!
Kia Kaha!
Sister Holmes
Such a lovely photo! Love everything about it. |
Holding a cute puppy! |
Meditating! |
Sunday, February 9, 2014
"You Got What the Maoris call..."
Woo hoo! Email from Sister Holmes! This is a good one. I loved that her prank backfired. She's almost at her 9 month mark which means she's halfway done! It's gone by so slowly, it seems, but then again it's gone rather quickly. She's doing an amazing job and is touching so many lives with her personality and spirit. I LOVE IT! Enjoy the email, it's a good one! No pictures this week, unfortunately.
We watched a Mormon Message at Zone meeting this week and It was by President Utchdorf. He said " We will be able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us"
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their aweakness. I bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my cgrace is sufficient for all men that dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make eweak things become strong unto them.
He gives us weakness so we can be humble! But we can be made strong! We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us :)
Speaking of Zone meeting....I thought I was going to be funny right. I love to think I am funny haha so for Zone meeting I had brought this dress from the opp shop (thrift store) It was $2 and worth every penny. Anyway it looks like it is from the 80s or something (Not super sure on the time era..) It goes down to my ankles is blue and white checked, buttons up the front and there is a tie in the back. Its just really old school. So got it as kind of a joke for Zone meeting. Then Sister Miggin got one as well! We thought we would be so funny. I even wore a cardigan! That plus my glasses I looked like a old school librarian. Guess how many people thought it was funny. 2. Sister Miggin and I hahahaha everyone else loved my dress. We has comments such as "You look so beautiful! I love your dress" From one of the sisters and "that's a mean dress sister Holmes!" From one of the Elders. All goods. Have to think of a better prank next time haha
This week was good though. Heaps of miracles! Its been hot as however! Sooo Flippin hot. It was Waitangi day on Thursday. All I know is that Waitangi day is in celebration of the signing of the treaty of Waitangi between the Pakeha (white people) and the Maoris.
Sister Miggin has been a tad on the sick side. We went and saw Teno and Sister Miggin made mention that she was not feeling well and told Teno her symptoms. Teno diagnosed her(....hopefully no one is offended by this...haha) she says "You got what the Maori call the runs!" We has another lesson with her and her partner Garrison (the one read the Book of Mormon) Sat in the whole time and asked heaps of questions. She keeps saying how much she just wants to plant the seed in him so he can grow his faith. Her Sister in law is also investigating in the other ward. Teno went to one of the lessons and told the missionaries where to read about the fall in the Book of Mormon! We had talked about it before and she remembered where it was! haha Crack up! She is sharing the gospel with all the people! Its that best!
Man so mission gossip is a pretty big thing. Everyone wants to know all the things about all the people. Its nuts really. I think its becoming a really big problem. And I can see how devastatingly negative it can be to a companionship, to a district, zone and even a mission. Its nuts! My companion and I decided that no more! We would not instigate or participate in any gossip. With others and even in our companionship. It was hard at first. BUT I can see how much our companionship has grown and even just how much it benefits those around us. Repent and move forward everyday! I am exceedingly joyful that we have the opportunity to learn and grow. Repent and move forward. That we can learn from mistakes and become better.
Valentines Day is this Friday so I wanted to just express my love for all of yous! Man yous are da best! I have come to learn on my mission that it is all about LOVE and Charity. Which is the pure love of Christ. Cheesy aye? Its all about love! God loves us so He sent us here so we can become like Him. He loves us so He gave us a plan to follow and a way to return.
He sent His son to die for us as apart of that plan. Christ suffered and died for us why? Because He loves us and God. We keeps the commandments and make promises with God because we love Him! When we follow God and keep His commandments we show our love. We have love in our families and for our friends. Our lives are so much more fulfilling when motivated by love and charity. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care!
I love yous all and I hope you know that!
Have a wonderful week!
LOVE
Sister Holmes :)
1 John 4:1010 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
He sent His son to die for us as apart of that plan. Christ suffered and died for us why? Because He loves us and God. We keeps the commandments and make promises with God because we love Him! When we follow God and keep His commandments we show our love. We have love in our families and for our friends. Our lives are so much more fulfilling when motivated by love and charity. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care!
I love yous all and I hope you know that!
Have a wonderful week!
LOVE
Sister Holmes :)
Sunday, February 2, 2014
"No I want to watch this on TV"
Well this Christmas was AWESOME! Talking to Sister Holmes was one of the best gifts I've ever received. We skyped with her, except somehow something wasn't working on her end so we could hear her but couldn't see her! But she could see us. I think she preferred it that way though. What a blessing modern technology is! I'm excited that she'll be here to celebrate next Christmas with us :) here's her email and some pictures.
The Subject line is a rejection we got from tracking...we asked a lady if we could share a message with her about Jesus Christ and She says "No, I want to watch this on TV" then she walked away. It was funny as. Then we were talking with this young guy and he was like aw you are bad as but I dont want any Jesus Pamphlets. haha at least he was nice about it!
I know that Heavenly Father has helped me. Helped us. I was able to turn my thoughts toward the Saviour. In Luke 9:23
(not a very touchy feely person...but sometimes people need hugs) and ask Him for guidance. I need to have HOPE and FAITH in a better tomorrow and trust in Heavenly Father to guide me. CHARITY and LOVE for my sisters. KNOWLEDGE that Heavenly Father loves me enough to help me. I have learned to be DILIGENT in finding ways to help my sisters and myself grow. All of these things would have been impossible without OBEDIENCE to Heavenly Father and the mission rules.
I am amazed with how much Heavenly Father could help me learn in just 3 days. I have come to love Sister Pearce and Sister Miggin so much. I have learned so much from each of them. They are amazing and we will have much success and all be better because of our service together.
In other news. I am a Grandma..That escalated quickly. I don't get all this mission family stuff.. but here it the run down of my family tree
2 Daughters -Pearce
- Miggin
1 Adopted Daughter -AhQuin
2 Sons -Brann
-Otto
1 Grandson -Branns Son whom I have never met.
Maybe one day I will understand this whole mission family tree stuff. Maybe not haha
One last thing before I stop pestering yous with my words. I have been thinking about The Innkeeper and how he said that there was no room in the Inn. Then I think do I have room in the Inn of my life for the Saviour? Do I leave a place for Him in my heart? I hope we can all focus on the Saviour a little more this season and remember all that He has done for US and all that we are grateful for.
I am grateful for all of yous and all that yous do for me :) I am grateful for My Heavenly Father and how much He loves me even when I make silly mistakes. That He forgives me and still wants me to be happy. I am grateful for the most wonderful family ever I think Heavenly Father knew I would need heaps of help so He had to give me the best :)
I am grateful for the knowledge and faith I have in the gospel and in the atonement of Jesus Christ. And much much more.
I am grateful for the knowledge and faith I have in the gospel and in the atonement of Jesus Christ. And much much more.
I wish you all a Very Very Merry Christmas! I will be sweating on Christmas so if you are cold right now be jealous! haha jokes. LOVE YOUS ALL!!!!
:) :) Sister Holmes :) :)
day before Transfers |
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