Cleaning, Studying, and Train Rides....

    This week was good. It was more work than last week, but Elder Oakes was sick again this week and so we missed a few days of work... I still kinda made him go out and work, Just not very hard, and we kept it slow. I was just tired of sitting in the flat... I'm ready to get a good hard week of work in! Although I was a bit more productive this week. I washed the car with a mop in the drive way. Then I did some cleaning in the flat. It was a bit more productive! Everything is clean and tidy! Just keep our health in your prayers please so that we can stay out!

     One big step that was made this week was with Grace! Although she was sick all week also and we didn't get to see her until Sunday, we got to have a good talk with her on Sunday! It wasn't a real lesson or anything, but it was just a good talk. So Grace's hold up is her Dad... He is a JW and doesn't want her to be baptized. He is happy for her to come to church and youth and Seminary, but not to be baptized. So she is just waiting... Just waiting for permission to be baptized and finally be a real member! She goes to everything already, she completely qualifies for baptism, she is so ready! Its so hard. So we talked to her and she was just saying that we need to just fill up the font and she will accidentally trip into it and we will just dunk her right there! So it was funny, but it also showed us that she really does want it. She is waiting for it. I had a study this week devoted to her and what we needed to do to help her. I studied Alma 12 when Alma speaks to Zeezrom and basically rebukes him for what he is doing. Well the thing that stuck out to me came when Alma was talking about agency. I realized that we need to make sure that its really what Grace wants. We need to make sure that she is doing this cuz its what she knows is right, not cuz its just a fun thing to do for now.

     Dora is slowly fading away... Its so hard to see where she is now and know where she came from... She is still good to see us and for us to come over... Its just so freaking hard to see the desire going away... When we first met her she loved learning! She loved feeling the spirit and she wanted it! She wanted to go to youth! She wanted to come to church! She wanted it all. Now she isn't showing it. She just kinda sits there while we are teaching, She is having a hard time remembering what we have taught her. She was so golden... She was so close.... Satan is so real. He knows the work that we are doing and knows how much its going to bless these people... Its so hard to see others making these choices when we just want them to be happy! We know that the spirit is more powerful than Satan, but everyone has to choose... the Spirit cannot force anything upon anyone... Its all about agency. We have to choose to be happy.

      There have been some Disappointments this week with our Investigators but its all going to change this week! Elder Oakes and I are ready and Going HARD this week! We are going to switch things up and get things moving!

       One really fun thing this week though! I was on Trade off with Elder Maughan on Tuesday. So we had about 30 minutes until Ward Council started. So we decided to just go to the mall and talk to people. Well this lead us to the Train Station. At the train station we both said that we hadn't ever ridden the train. We both had always wanted to, we just never had. So we ran to the car and we got our suits and our papers and then we ran to the train.... Right as it left... So we missed it. But! We waited. The next one was 5 minutes away. So we waited and we got on the train and then we got off on the next stop. Now this is where our Eternal Mission story comes in. It started to rain... Then we walked faster. So in a few minutes we were running through the rain in our suits to ward council! We made it and had a great ward council. Then we walked back to the train and got on and went back to our car! It was just overall a good fun time! 

     Thanks for everything!

             Love Elder Seelos!

KireKire Falls

our amazing train ride adventure

My sicky companion.....

     Overall this week was extremely slow! Elder Oaks woke up on Tuesday and was really sick. He was super weak! He could barely walk on his own. He basically just laid in bed Tuesday and Wednesday. Then he was feeling a bit better on Thursday and was planning on going out. Then Sister Bath (The mission Nurse) called and said that we were going to the doctor in an hour. Well the doctor told him that he had Strep and he had to stay inside so he didn't spread it. We then stayed inside on Thursday and Friday. So we didn't really get a day of work until Saturday. 

     We had some appointments basically every night that Elder Oaks was sick. So I got to do Trade-Off's every evening. That helped keep me sane! I spent a good amount of time reading. I have a MASSIVE book called "Church History In The Fullness Of Times" Its basically a Church History textbook. So I read heaps of that. It was actually really interesting! I honestly learned heaps from it! It showed me that this church really had no standing ground... like if this wasn't the true church,  it would have fallen already. But it stayed up though! So that in itself is proof that The Lord is behind it!

      So one of the biggest movements this week was with Grace. Grace is one of our 16 year old Investigators. She is honestly awesome!!! She has been an investigator for like 8 months now. She is coming to church with her auntie and cousin. Her only hold up is her dad! He is a JW and is fine with her coming to church, but does not want her to be baptized! Her Mum is great about it! We have met her a few times now and she is nice as! We have no contact with the dad, but she has asked him if she can be baptized but he isn't budging right now. We had 2 lessons with her this week. The first was about Tithing and Fast Offerings. That one went great. She has been coming to church, youth, and seminary for long enough now that she knows everything! The second lesson was on The Law of Chastity, and The Word of Wisdom. We were a bit nervous about this lesson just considering she is a 16 year old girl in High School. Overall it went awesome though! She had no issues with it and already knew the basics of it all! She is so prepared!

       One let down this week was Dora. We didn't get to see her at all this week. We were sick all week and so didn't get to catch her! She also didn't come to church this week. It has been a while since we got to have a real lesson with her, so she has basically forgotten everything. We are going to have to start over and teach everything again. So we are going to see how that goes! She's still awesome though!

     

     We actually had a baptism on Sunday!  His name is Lorenzo and he just turned 8. His mum asked us to teach him a bit before his baptism. So we had a few lessons with him. He is a great kid! Well his mum and dad are divorced and I don't think the dads a member. So he asked me to baptize him!  I was happy I got to do it!

       We got a New investigator on Saturday! Another youth investigator for us to teach! His name is Steven, he is 15. Its actually a funny story. We were talking to one of our members, Brother Frost, who works at a Trampoline place. Well like 2 months ago he told us about a kid who broke his leg at the trampoline place. Well... a few days later we knocked on Steven's door randomly.  Steven was the only one home because he had a broken leg. We didn't think anything of it when we met him. A few days later when we went back and saw him he told us how he broke it, he was the same kid! Our member was working that day and was helping him out when he broke his leg! How funny is that!

    Thanks for everything! 

             Love Elder Seelos

Lorenzo's baptism

Lorenzo and his family

                                     

Muriwai Beach!  Thanks for the sweet shirt Ally!

Rugby on the beach for P-day

Me and Elder Oaks

Neighbors, goodbyes, and roosters....

 This week was to be honest very off. Elder Boyack left on Saturday. So that meant that basically all week was spent getting him ready to go home. We did shopping, and packing, and goodbye's, and more packing. It was a good week, it was just not a normal missionary week.

     Probably the best part of the week was the day that I had trade off with the Assistants. If you didnt know my old Companion, Elder Bass, is the new Assistant. It was heaps of fun. So I was with Elder Bass on Wednesday for the day. We went up to The Shore into his area. It really just felt like old times! Its funny to see how your view of the Mission Leaders changes. When I started I thought that the Zone Leaders and the Assistants were like the most perfect best missionaries. Now I am a Zone Leader, and am Far AS from Perfect. And Elder Bass is the Assistant and I am good friends with him and know that he isn't perfect either. Like its just funny to see how that perspective changes and you come to realize that everyone is just faking it until they make it. 

      I was able to see the Alba's on Saturday. It was awesome to see them! We just met at the chapel real fast after a Baptism in the Zone. So it was nothing spectacular. It was really great to get to catch up with them about the ward and how they were finding NZ! It was really weird to see them and think about Elder Boyack going home that day and how different he will be to his family. Brother and Sister Alba commented on my accent and how I was sounding different. Which is honestly really good! Anything to set me apart from all of those other RM's in Utah! ;)

     The Mafi's texted me on Saturday also and said that they had some extra time since Mafi got off of work early. So they came out and took Elder Oakes and I out to Dinner! I completely love that family! It was just a great visit! I have missed that family! Its funny to see how much they just love the missionaries and all that they will do for the missionaries! They are my NZ family!

     It was very hard to say goodbye to Elder Boyack. President Balli picked him up from the Baptism on Saturday Morning, then took him to the airport that night! It honestly made me feel really lost. I wasn't sure if I would be able to pick up everything that he had left or started. It was a bit overwhelming. I feel like I have really started to realize that I can do it. Its not about me, its about Heavenly Father using me to keep all of these things going! 

       Love yous heaps! 

           Love Elder Seelos!

P.S. So we got pranked again...

This time it was a full grown Rooster and a chicken that were in our kitchen... We found out that the Samoan Elders were the ones doing it. Elder Neilson and Elder Ualesi...maybe we need to retaliate with a sheep! 

Kissing usually isn't allowed on missions....

My neighbors the Albas brought me a package! It was so good to see some faces from home!

Dinner with the Mafi's, just what I needed!

Mom asked for pictures of NZ...it is honestly heaven here.

Piha Beach

Elder Boyack and Elder Oaks

3 studs

Elder Ualesi getting attacked!

Early Thanksgiving!

Conference weekend and S'mores night.....

 So this week we had HEAPS going on. It was crazy to see all that was going on, and we were still able to get heaps done! So Elder Boyack had a outgoing missionary training on Tuesday, then we had transfers on Wednesday, then we had nothing on Thursday, then Weekly Planning on Friday, Lastly General Conference all weekend! So very little time for actual missionary work!

      So Tuesday was really fun! I dropped Elder Boyack off at the Mission Home in the Shore (about 30 minutes away) we then had District meeting and then I went and picked up one of the Youth in our ward at about 1:00.  I went with him for the day. So we had a lesson and were able to just go and talk to people. We did a lot of tracting. It was fun to see how crazy he thought everything we do is! Then we picked up Elder Boyack at 4:00. Then this was probably the most fun night of my mission. We had set up with the youth for a S'mores night. We got one of the members in the ward to go and get things from the American store. He got some Gram Crackers, and some Hersheys Chocolate. This ended up costing about $100. Good thing it was covered in the budget! Then we had to get NZ marshmallows cuz apparently its not marshmallow season at the American store! Like what the Heck?! So it was an extremely fun night! We just got to talk to the youth and just have some fun! And yes, they tasted awesome!!!

      My new Companion is Elder Oaks from Ohio. He just came down from Kaikohe. He was up there for like 6 months! He has been out for 16 months. So one transfer longer than me.  We get along really well, I like him a ton!  Elder Boyack, Elder Oaks and I will be in a trio until Saturday when Elder Boyack leaves. Then we will be here on our own figuring it all out on our own! I am pretty excited!

       I LOVED Conference! It was overall just awesome! I loved Elder Hollands Talk in priesthood about Home Teaching and how important it really is. It made me really want to be the Home Teacher that my families will know that I am always there to help and serve. That is something that this country really needs! It was hard to see President Monson struggling so much, it just increased my faith that he is a Prophet of God and His message is Important, and that God is strengthening him every step that he takes!

       Sorry not heaps of time today. Elder Boyack is planning some final P-day activities!

           Love Elder Seelos

Elder Boyack and Elder Oaks, we are a 3-some this week!

Elder Maughan and me

P day Muddy Bubble Soccer!  It was a BLAST!!!

Sister Bates and Sister Graffe

Muddy elders!

Conference weekend and S'mores night.....

 So this week we had HEAPS going on. It was crazy to see all that was going on, and we were still able to get heaps done! So Elder Boyack had a outgoing missionary training on Tuesday, then we had transfers on Wednesday, then we had nothing on Thursday, then Weekly Planning on Friday, Lastly General Conference all weekend! So very little time for actual missionary work!

      So Tuesday was really fun! I dropped Elder Boyack off at the Mission Home in the Shore (about 30 minutes away) we then had District meeting and then I went and picked up one of the Youth in our ward at about 1:00.  I went with him for the day. So we had a lesson and were able to just go and talk to people. We did a lot of tracting. It was fun to see how crazy he thought everything we do is! Then we picked up Elder Boyack at 4:00. Then this was probably the most fun night of my mission. We had set up with the youth for a S'mores night. We got one of the members in the ward to go and get things from the American store. He got some Gram Crackers, and some Hersheys Chocolate. This ended up costing about $100. Good thing it was covered in the budget! Then we had to get NZ marshmallows cuz apparently its not marshmallow season at the American store! Like what the Heck?! So it was an extremely fun night! We just got to talk to the youth and just have some fun! And yes, they tasted awesome!!!

      My new Companion is Elder Oaks from Ohio. He just came down from Kaikohe. He was up there for like 6 months! He has been out for 16 months. So one transfer longer than me.  We get along really well, I like him a ton!  Elder Boyack, Elder Oaks and I will be in a trio until Saturday when Elder Boyack leaves. Then we will be here on our own figuring it all out on our own! I am pretty excited!

       I LOVED Conference! It was overall just awesome! I loved Elder Hollands Talk in priesthood about Home Teaching and how important it really is. It made me really want to be the Home Teacher that my families will know that I am always there to help and serve. That is something that this country really needs! It was hard to see President Monson struggling so much, it just increased my faith that he is a Prophet of God and His message is Important, and that God is strengthening him every step that he takes!

       Sorry not heaps of time today. Elder Boyack is planning some final P-day activities!

           Love Elder Seelos

Elder Boyack and I got pretty muddy after "Mud Bubble Soccer!"  It was a blast!!

Elder Boyack, my new comp Elder Oaks, and I.  We are a trio for a week or so!

Elder Maughan and I....and my sweet new red tie.  I took my old red tie, cut it down into a skinny tie, and re-sewed it back up!  

Sister Bates and Sister Graffe at Zone Devotional

Muddy Bubble
Soccer!!!

Book of Mormon lessons, playing rugby one handed, and our duck zoo.....

Good Morning! 

       To be honest I cannot even think about what happened this week. Like it all just blurrs together. It all just goes into one big long blur and Idk what actually happened! So I guess to start off we had MLC this week and so we got to go up to the Shore at the mission office on Wednesday! So that was over all fun! We talked about the mission and what we as leaders need to be doing. We have had a few changes to a few things in the mission mainly around the leaders and what we need to be doing better.  We talked about meetings and how its our responsibility to make them great and effective. It's a lot to think about, and I am still figuring out how I, personally, need to improve!

       We were able to have an awesome lesson with Roko and Timothy! We went over and started to just play sport with them and played some Volleyball and Basketball. It was actually quite amazing watching Roko play all of these! That is because of the fact that he only has one and a half arms. So his left arm is missing just under his elbow. So watching him play these sports with no issues and having fun was really cool! But our lesson was on the Book Of Mormon. We just talked to them about the Book Of Mormon Challenge that we are doing in the ward. (Reading the B of M in 90 days, finishing on Christmas!) They are both joining us in the Challenge and are reading. So we just mainly helped them to understand what The Book Of Mormon really is, and how it can help them in their own lives. They really understood it and were really taking it in! Remember they are 12 and 13. It was cool! Then they were also at Church yesterday! They are honestly really great! Huge Miracle!

       With Dora this week it has been a bit disappointing! We saw her on Tuesday for a lesson. That went well, we talked about how important going to Church, Praying, and Reading our Scriptures are for us. We were trying to focus on how she needs to come to church so that she can be baptized. So we talked and taught and then she said she might be able to come... Well she didn't. Its hard with Dora because her Nan is pushing her to go to her church and she is doing practices for White Sunday next week, Which is kinda like the Primary Presentation with the Youth involved. So that's basically everyday. We tried to have a lesson with her on Friday and Saturday but she was with her Nan so we were not able to do that... We actually got to meet the Nan on Saturday... She didn't seem the happiest to see us, but she wasn't really rude... So idk what will really be happening with her. 

       Now, if y'all remember the CRAZY once in a life time story from last week! Its no longer a once in a life time story. BECAUSE it happened again! Except this time it was worse... So last week the Duck that was in the bathroom was 1. A small Female duck 2. Tied up 3. Stuck in the Bathtub 4. Didn't do anything. So all of these things were not true about this new duck this week... We got home and planned and talked for a minute when I realized I needed to go to the Bathroom. So I turned on the lights and then opened the door and then saw a duck and slammed the door... Well Elder Boyack didn't believe me when I told him, but there was actually a duck in the bathroom, again. So after some.... to be honest.... freaking out and some phone calls we decided to get the duck out with a blanket. Every time that we tried to get closer to the duck it would start to honk at us and get down ready to run. But eventually we got the duck under the blanket and Elder Boyack picked it up (I was manning the Video Camera) and then ran it outside and let it go. So 2 ducks in a row... We will just have to keep the next one for dinner next week!

          Thanks for everything! 

                Love Elder Seelos

Our pet duck

DLC Henderson Zone

Book of Mormon lessons, playing rugby one handed, and our duck zoo.....

Good Morning! 

       To be honest I cannot even think about what happened this week. Like it all just blurrs together. It all just goes into one big long blur and Idk what actually happened! So I guess to start off we had MLC this week and so we got to go up to the Shore at the mission office on Wednesday! So that was over all fun! We talked about the mission and what we as leaders need to be doing. We have had a few changes to a few things in the mission mainly around the leaders and what we need to be doing better.  We talked about meetings and how its our responsibility to make them great and effective. It's a lot to think about, and I am still figuring out how I, personally, need to improve!

       We were able to have an awesome lesson with Roko and Timothy! We went over and started to just play sport with them and played some Volleyball and Basketball. It was actually quite amazing watching Roko play all of these! That is because of the fact that he only has one and a half arms. So his left arm is missing just under his elbow. So watching him play these sports with no issues and having fun was really cool! But our lesson was on the Book Of Mormon. We just talked to them about the Book Of Mormon Challenge that we are doing in the ward. (Reading the B of M in 90 days, finishing on Christmas!) They are both joining us in the Challenge and are reading. So we just mainly helped them to understand what The Book Of Mormon really is, and how it can help them in their own lives. They really understood it and were really taking it in! Remember they are 12 and 13. It was cool! Then they were also at Church yesterday! They are honestly really great! Huge Miracle!

       With Dora this week it has been a bit disappointing! We saw her on Tuesday for a lesson. That went well, we talked about how important going to Church, Praying, and Reading our Scriptures are for us. We were trying to focus on how she needs to come to church so that she can be baptized. So we talked and taught and then she said she might be able to come... Well she didn't. Its hard with Dora because her Nan is pushing her to go to her church and she is doing practices for White Sunday next week, Which is kinda like the Primary Presentation with the Youth involved. So that's basically everyday. We tried to have a lesson with her on Friday and Saturday but she was with her Nan so we were not able to do that... We actually got to meet the Nan on Saturday... She didn't seem the happiest to see us, but she wasn't really rude... So idk what will really be happening with her. 

       Now, if y'all remember the CRAZY once in a life time story from last week! Its no longer a once in a life time story. BECAUSE it happened again! Except this time it was worse... So last week the Duck that was in the bathroom was 1. A small Female duck 2. Tied up 3. Stuck in the Bathtub 4. Didn't do anything. So all of these things were not true about this new duck this week... We got home and planned and talked for a minute when I realized I needed to go to the Bathroom. So I turned on the lights and then opened the door and then saw a duck and slammed the door... Well Elder Boyack didn't believe me when I told him, but there was actually a duck in the bathroom, again. So after some.... to be honest.... freaking out and some phone calls we decided to get the duck out with a blanket. Every time that we tried to get closer to the duck it would start to honk at us and get down ready to run. But eventually we got the duck under the blanket and Elder Boyack picked it up (I was manning the Video Camera) and then ran it outside and let it go. So 2 ducks in a row... We will just have to keep the next one for dinner next week!

          Thanks for everything! 

                Love Elder Seelos

Our pet duck

DLC Henderson Zone