August 2014 Pictures

1 September 2014

It was an amazing week.

I would first like to say thank you for all the love and support you've given me. Especially for all your prayers for the people we are teaching. I know more than anything that prayer is real.

The Leos were baptized on Sunday. Honestly, I couldn't believe it. Not that they weren't ready but just the fact of having the opportunity to be a part of their conversion. It was amazing. In their confirmations it was clearly stated that their dad would follow them. :) I hugged Carol afterwards and she was like "I'm so glad its over" haha i was just happy i could carry the burden of stress with her. We almost both sighed out of relief after the program was finished haha. 5 souls. 5 souls of a family were brought closer to returning their heavenly home. It was amazing. So many people came. I will send pictures next week hopefully.

I witnessed so much how much Satan works on us before the miracles. It was definitely a trying week but I'm grateful for a wonderful companion and for the Atonement especially.

I'm grateful for the softening of hearts and for promptings and the WAY promptings are given. I love mistakes and I love that i'm learning to GET over things.

I know more than ever that Heavenly Father loves me and that He always will no matter how many times I drop the ball. I'm so lucky.

Thank you for the pictures. Thanks for your email i loved it!

"thank you for your comings. yous brings us the blessings." (what poly families say when we come over for dinner)

ofa atu!
:)

sister mullen

p.s. im SO TERRIFIED. it is september again and that means its bird swooping season :(

pray for me! haha

25 August 2014

Hello! Its been a wonderful week :) 

A long, stressful week but a good week. We have been trying to figure out how we could help the Leo family more and then at our training, DUH. I was called to repentance. We were so focused on getting her over smoking and helping them learn all 5 lessons that we didn't focus as much as we should have on the Book of Mormon. I felt so dumb. But it was a good experience, we had an opportunity to do "Hard Yakka" with President and Sister Henderson. Thats where they come and teach our investigators with us. Sister Henderson came to ours. She was so great. She said we were allowed to go to the Leos dance show this weekend. We're going to double check but yeah i'm excited! Honestly I've been so stressed about Carol. I don't know if she realizes she can't get baptized if she smokes. I know I've told it to her a thousand times and now I can't tell if the spirit is warning me or if the adversary is trying to knock my faith. I was stressed all day yesterday. But our President has encouraged each of the leaders to study a Book of Mormon missionary and develop a certain attribute about them. After praying, I chose Mormon and his faith. How PERFECT was that for me, especially in this trying week. So I was able to be at peace after I read about Mormon. And I've also been really tired lately, not going to lie, I love it! I love saying that I've done my best, but yeah sometimes I feel like I'm doing this area alone. BUT again! reading about Mormon. HE was completely alone and he STILL had faith and he used every bit of energy he had. And I'm not even close to being alone as him. So I'm grateful for studies this week. Because they saved me. I'm learning how to deal with elders still. Haha. I'm grateful though that i'm confident enough to voice my opinion, I'm still trying to be humble though when we disagree :) We took some young women out with us this week that were amazing! They have such a Christ like spirit and taught ME so much. I love taking them out. One experience we had, we were about to go into a lesson where they like talking about deep doctrine. And we just blanked, we had no idea what we were going to teach. And my comp and i were trying to talk it out  and figure out what to do, and finally this girl Maddie said, I think that it will all be okay, we've prepared and the spirit will tell us what to do now. Oh my goodness I almost cried. Sometimes we can lose the real spirit of this wonderful work. It is always wonderful, no matter how long we've been doing it and no matter how "good" we get at it. There are always miracles happening and they are PRECIOUS. I'm so grateful for this trying week and all that its taught me.

"I love tough things." :)

Sister Mullen

Ofa atu!

18 August 2014

Hello wonderful dearest family of mine!

Thank you so much for the pictures! You all look so cute. :) I was excited to see shayla! I love that we all have friends like that, where things just "don't change." we can leave for a year and a half and still be best friends. Is rachel good at cooking thai food?

Thats so funny she walked home from the stake center! street contacting on the way probs. This week was actually really good. We were able to go on trade offs to Toowoomba and Darling Heights. It was so much fun! Its soo cold and windy there and the poor sisters are all sick. But they're soldiers. There was one sister that had a death back home in her family and it was really hard on her. A lot of the sisters actually struggle with language. They are all AMAZING but they are just frustrated with themselves that they're not "better" than they already are. I don't know they're amazing to me. But yeah, i love having the opportunity to serve as STL for another transfer because the first transfer i was kinda like "whats going on" and now I actually sort of know what to do, and I can start focusing on the QUALITY of trade offs now. So yeah when we talked before we were done planning she said that she wants to go and serve in Tonga. She said President called and asked her to pray about it and he'd call her again to ask. And I couldn't understand. But then I related it to me deciding to stay at school or to go on a mission. Whether she goes to Tonga or stays here, it doesn't matter its not like one is a wicked desire and one is righteous. Its BOTH TO SERVE THE LORD. Thats where agency comes in. He lets us choose. And it just depends on what we're going to regret. She pondered on it that night. And the night before our trade off day I was on my knees for I don't know how long. I plead so hard that God would bless us with miracles that she needed. AND GUESS WHAT. We saw so many miracles that day and she was actually running to talk to people. I was just so thankful that the Lord allowed me to serve, anonymously. I didn't want the miracles to come because of me. I wanted her to see it was because of her. And she did see it :) Now i just hope she stays. But yeah that was an amazing experience with those sisters out there. I also got to be with my old companion Sister Hwang. That was so fun :) She goes home next transfer! So weird.

We had amazing experiences with 2 sisters who are preparing for their missions. I don't know if i told you but my comp and i took advantage of the fact that we're the only sisters in the stake. We put our avalability sheet out to all the wards and now we have heaps of people who actually WANT to come out with us. They call us! Seriously. One in particular, Sandra, She's amazing and she's so willing to serve. I'm grateful that somehow we are blessed to be answers to other people's prayers. But yeah we taught another lady named Carol and she is just SO open. She's been prepared. We invited her to be baptized and she sad she already has but we asked her to pray and she said she would! She's so nice. She posts about us on FB she said haha.

Carol Leo and her family are doing good. They're a bit shy so its hard to tell sometimes. We've been specifically praying that she'd have a desire to give up smoking. She told us thats what she's struggling with most but yeah, she needs to give it up on Sunday. They're amazing though. I still can't believe how we met her. MIRACLES!

Another miracle. It was pouring rain all day on Saturday and its not our car day. We were trying to go on splits because we missed out on two days in our area. Sadly the girls had something come up. But it was all good, nothing really happened at all that day and then we were following up with potentials around our house. and we were trying to find this one street but we walked to far and came to Arosa street, And i was like there's someone who lives here so we can just go to them, because it was like 8:50. It was funny though because I specifically saw her name but saw she was Aussie and thought, she might get upset because its so late. But "no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing, THANKFULLY its His work, not mine. But yeah we show up at her house and she was so nice! We made an appointment with her for the following day. PAUSE.

Then sunday, we had three young women come out with us. Its usually our busiest day because everyone we teach is at home and expect us to come. 

NO ONE LET US IN. And we took out 14 year old girls so we weren't allowed to door knock with them. So pretty much me and this girl were walking around for 3 hours haha. She was such a soldier about it though. We kept saying, we're just putting miralces in our miracle meter! Haha. So she was excited to come out with us this upcoming Sunday to see what miracles will happen. BUT. It happened later that day, A YSA called us with a solid referral of her family saying they want to be taught! And then We taught that lady from the previous story and she was AMAZING! So humble and she's been through so much. We'll be teaching her slowly but I know she's ready for the Book of Mormon.

But yeah! Its been a great week! I love it here. I love my companion. We're very different but she's amazing. 

Have fun reading the Book of Mormon!

Ofa atu!

Sister Mullen

11 August 2014

Wellp. My week was a roller coaster. I have some weird news and I hope it doesn't offend anyone. One of my best friends on the mission went home early. She's been suffering from an illness for a really long time. She called me to let me know that she was going home. I cried forever. I felt so bad, we started out together and now she didn't get to finish. But I know that the Lord has a different plan for her. BUT the point is, her going home was somehow a tender mercy for me. I knew that with Rachel going home, that would be a real easy way to get distracted. But since my friend went home, I feel even more urgent. So I still have a desire to serve the Lord but Sister Jenkins has added this huge push for me to be diligent for her. I love her heaps and I'm going to miss her.

BUT! This week has been greeeeeeeeeat. I'm grateful for that mini trial at the beginning of my week. To make me try even harder.

I sure do love my companion. We get along well. Haha.  But her stories are great and its good because all I have to do is listen.

I'm really grateful that the region I look over is mostly my companions. It makes it so much easier for me to discern with the spirit of what they need. Most of our sisters struggle with confidence in one form or another. So we are trying our best to uplift and help them! So Rachel, if you have any ideas, PLEASE tell me. :)

I have been stressing all week because for some reason I feel like I'm always behind. My stuff isn't even really unpacked and its my 8th week here. But its all good i guess. We do our best and the Lord makes it up. Right? thats how it works? haha. But in particular i was stressed about our family getting baptized on the 31st of August. There are so many little concerns to help them with. She smokes but honestly they are such a golden family that I always forget when we are teaching them?! Haha but when we went over yesterday we were able to talk and she was like "yeah i was wondering when you were going to talk to me about that. haha. I love them. they are island dancers did i tell you? I'll send you a video home on a usb. They are SO GOOD! It makes me want to learn it.

This ward is great. The members are so loving and everyone just does their best with what they know and have. I'm learning a lot about not just going to an area and demanding but working WITH everyone.

I'm so excited that Rachel is home. Its so weird because I'm always telling people my sister is serving a mission in thailand! I'm so grateful for her example to me. And for the first time, I'D LIKE TO LEAVE A COMMITMENT! I would like to invite you three, to speak thai in the house ALWAYS. Will you do that? Yes? Well! I can promise you that when I come home I will be able to pick it up haha ;) I always laugh about that thought that you guys will be saying secrets about me and i'll never know.

Wellp! I think thats it for now! Oh except i forgot to tell you we got sprayed with a hose on saturday. What a classy man.

Malo aupito!

Ofa atu!

Sister Mullen

4 August 2014

Sister Rachel Mullen This is surreal. Last emailing session. I really am so excited to see everyone... But here's the thing: God is whipping out all the miracles my last days here in Kamphaengphet and it's making it painfully hard to leave. We had wonderful potentials at church, have started teaching great people, and the members progress everyday. But I guess that is how I would want to leave an area regardless, so I guess I'm ok. This last week we had MLC and president gave me the opportunity to 'speak my mind' for a second and nobody tore me down haha. It was really good training and it's still interesting to me that he had us all go down there for it when many of the sisters are going to be ending their missions within the next week. Another part of being a leader for the zone is after you receive the training from president, you go out to the areas in your zone and have trainings with them. So that was about 3 days out of our area my last week, but it was such a blessing to go out and the the sisters in the zone. We had planned on one baptism this week, a 17 year old girl, whose been ready from the get-go. But then an older man who passed his interview but went away for some time, came back. AH! He caused us so much emotional mess haha. But he was baptized also. Brother Dotcom, always doing missionary work, even with 'aquaintances' not friends. He brought this 16 year old kid, that has learned almost everything within the past 2 days. And Brother Dotcom is finding success in his crazy amounts of effort in spreading the Gospel. I HAVE to do the same. He's such an example. Last Sunday was so happy. Sad also, but happy. We had two baptisms, and our three daters came to church and loved it, and a;dlkfna;woeljfnasdfn;alskdjf Thank you. Really. This experience has changed everything. Love, Sister Mullen

Sister Jasmine Mullen I KNOW RIGHT? oh my goodness. im so happy though. i feel selfish because i had a dream last night she got called to hawaii and she was leaving october 31st. so im really happy i get to see her before she leaves. i know! i wrote her but i didn't even know what to say, in the package im sending home for you guys it'll have some "home" stuff for rachel. it'll be kinda weird. i felt like sorta secure having her out too? i don't know i don't think it'll hit me because I won't actually be seeing her. Sister Wulfenstein is great. She's such a blessing to me and to the ward. I actually don't like living with people from my intake. I love these to sisters to death and i don't mean for that to sound mean but yeah. Its like really distracting? Especially because we're all from America, they always want to talk about home. But they are solid sisters and they teach me quite a lot, i'm glad i get to live with sister allen again.I always feel like I could have done more to serve her when we were companions and i get to try again now! The Lord is full of second chances. I think thats His favorite blessing to give. Which makes me happy :) This week has been such a miracle week. We have taken out the key indicator of finding hours and we're focusing on teaching. Everywhere and Anywhere! Its been AMAZING! I love it so much. There is so much more faith involved. We have our new name for this month! Its called Ascension August. Cool huh? A sister in our mission came up with it. At first when we started the goal of having a repeat of June, there was a very relaxed feeling, no one really felt the urgency i guess. But then we had a conference call and it was SO good! One of our APs told us it is the Point of no return. OH my goodness. It just changed the spirit of everything. The Leos texted us and said that they're busy August 30th and to move it to September. Ahh i died But then sister Wulfenstein and I prayed to make sure this was their date and not just the date we want them to be baptized on so we can contribute to a "number" but yeah we felt to ask them for August 31st. When she texted back I was so nervous to open it, so we said a prayer and then read it and it said YES! :) Now I know that the text was already written but I know that our prayer contributed. Faith needs to be shown. Gratitude needs to be shown. He deserves everything we have especially for the blessings He's been giving us every day. Yeah other than that! Things are great! Thank you so much for your support. I'm excited for 3/4 of our family to be reunited! I would love to see TONS of pictures :)  Also if you could record her homecoming talk. I just know thats going to be amazing. Ofa atu :) Sister Mullen

28 July 2014

Sister Rachel Mullen We taught, we biked, and we prayed.  2 investigators interviewed and did not pass. I chose to be happy, but then the tears just came. It's supposed to be hard. Our agency is what our Heavenly Father has to deal with too, so this is just helping us become more like Him.  I got to go on switch offs this week also. It was great to get the know the sisters in the zone a little bit more. They were open about their concerns to me and it's so amazing their strength amidst all the challenges and struggles. Sometimes we break down, but when we have the choice to keep working and expecting miracles, we empower ourselves. I can't tell you the strength I feel AFTER the trial when I had just chosen to keep going. That's all we have to decide and then heaven helps us. MLC is this week. I'm planning on what I am going to say on notecards so I don't chicken out and I participate! haha Rough week, but I trust that God knows me Perfectly. I have different lessons to learn from other missionaries. I'm ok with that. Sister Mullen #1

Sister Jasmine Mullen Hello! WELLP. yes. its happened again. Transferss. brrrrrrrrrrrrrup! And guess what. no i didn't not get to keep my beloved Sister Tautuiaki :( she is actually dying in my last area, Maryborough! But i'm doing okay because i get to see her at the mission home. We were so close. I know I say this a lot but she was my favorite companion. Everyone could see it. Presdient said that we were two peas in a pod, haha and then he said, "and i love peas!" haha. But yeah guess what! I now have my beloved Sister Wulfenstein. We were in the MTC together. She's the one that does Kirsten Wiig impersonations. We both laughed. I'm so excited. She's amazing. And she just came from where a huge piece of my heart is, Centenary Lakes. So yes. We have heaps to catch up on. So yeah we had a mission wide full day pday. I love this mission. Its a huge family. I loved South Carolina, but this is definitely where I was called to serve. It was so fun. We got mission wide shirts that say The 105 :) to represent the first time ever that this mission has gotten over 100 baptisms. In the last leadership council I finally said my first thing. oh my goodness. i was sweating the whole time haha. i dont know when i will get used to talking in front of people. i can teach lessons and say prayers on the side of the street, in the mall, at the bus stop like nothing. but when i'm in a room full of missionaries in front of a whiteboard, i've got a red face and sweaty hands. haha. but yeah president had inspiration to have every companionship baptize int he month of august. And you could just feel the load instantly because there are some zones that struggle to baptize even 3. I know that we'll be able to do it soon but the bar was just lowered a little to instead having a repeat of june. Which i'm so excited for. We've been dealing with some pretty dramatic sisters in a region but i feel more confident now and feel like i know how to listen to the spirit better to know how to handle all these situations.  I get to go on trade offs in one of my old areas and the farthest we travel is 2 hours to toowoomba. Its funny because i've had so many companions i get to see them a lot because most are in my region haha! Its funny. I don't know if i've told you about the Leo family. But they are amazing. a family of 5, the dad is nice but not interested but all the kids and the mom are getting baptized. Trying to finalize the date but yeah we set it with them last night. they literally just came one sunday and we started teaching them two weeks ago. She just rocked up and asked us to come. She's had a testimony for so long and is already raising her family in such a righteous way with the standard of the church being her guide. I know i'm not telling this story how it should be told. but just know that they are amazing. Its my second "Maria". I just feel so humbled to know that Heavenly Father trusts me with these amazing souls. i love you! thank you for everything that you are sacrificing for me. This area is taking care of me, we often tell them that they are an answer to our parents' prayers :) love you heaps. sister mullen.