23 June 2014

Sister Rachel Mullen So here is what the mission has. We have Balanced Key Indicators. They say then the next step is Better Balanced, which is just a few more new investigators each week and more lessons, and then Best. When they came out with Best, Sister Mullen over here got a little excited and thought it was ok to just skip getting better balanced. (shakes head) So. After much consideration a few weeks ok, we tried for better. Got it. Then that following week we had a baptism, with the 71 year old lady. She was a true blessing. That week we got better again. So... as He promises, we were blessed with not just one baptism this last week... but TWO. This man came to church on Sunday, we taught him twice and he is so strong and willing. And then Brother Dotcom, the 15 year old, got permission to be baptized. Wow. I can't talk of the blessings of this work and how God blesses us as we try. I feel like I've been trying my whole mission and I'm trying to put my finger on what changes the efforts we put forth to success. It is absolutely our faith and our humility to follow our leaders and our PATIENCE. I think I was always evaluating myself and being like, yeah. I've got no doubts, and expecting miracles in that way but the patience bit has been the hardest to recognize. It stinks it has taken me so long to learn these lessons. But I am so grateful for them. There is nothing better than the patterns in which God prepares us for life's experiences. It truly is perfect, this whole thing. Love, Sister Mullen

Sister Jasmine Mullen Its been a great first week. I'm so sorry, I always forget to bring my planner so I can never remember what actually happened. But this week was for sure filled with miracles. We're coming to an end of Joyful June and we only have 1 weekend left to baptize 100. We were doing weekly planning and my companion started telling me about a guy they had a date set with. His name is Kevin and they met him a few weeks ago. She said he has trouble learning and he speaks slow because of a stroke that he had. We decided to move his baptismal date from august 24th at 2:00 p.m. to this weekend. We prayed hard about it all day and then the next morning we had our lesson with him. I just knew that if he was supposed to get baptized, it would be easy. The spirit kept telling me that. So i was going to be satisfied with any answer he gave. We started talking about how much God loves him and then we just cut the fluff and just asked, "Do you want to be baptized this weekend instead?" oh my goodness. the next thing he said made me love him even more. "Yeah! What time? Like 2:00 p.m. again?" We just started laughing/crying. But wiping our tears away quick so that he wouldn't see. :) The rest of the day was amazing too. We went to a street we felt prompted to find on and found like 10 potentials, a part member family and a LA. Its funny because with islanders they just are "waiting to be found" and then they just come to church. haha. But yeah come to find out that the part of the street we were finding on was just out of our area. So we ended up getting very low numbers because we pretty much did "nothing" for a whole day. But as sister tautuiaki and i talked about it, we were really happy for our day. The numbers didn't really matter because we got to experience those numbers, that means a lot more to me. But i'm super pumped for the other sisters to follow up with them! My companion is amazing. we get along really well. She runs after everyone and the other day we were running from house to house. We go finding in the dark, and people don't get angry! YAY! I'm so excited about our four way. just to BE IN ONE is nice. Haha. I live with all islanders, and its an islander ward. So its a first. I'm trying really hard not to get fatter. Everyone keeps talking to me in Samoan, even though they know I'm American. Haha they just want me to learn i guess. We did some lightning visits and I sang in samoan! that was pretty fun. Being an STL is so normal except lots more phone calls and more meetings. I'm excited because I get to go on a trade off with sister hwang! I haven't seen her in ages. But yes we are both STLs which i'm SO grateful for. and we account to President our numbers. We're doing it next week so eeeekkkk!!! Probably won't have any ipads until after I leave. President was pushing hard for them at first but he hasn't mentioned them in a while. I love you all heaps. Thank you so much for everything. Sister Mullen

16 June 2014

Sister Rachel Mullen AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. so we have less than 2 weeks left of this transfer. this coming up week is our last FULL week, and I'm a hot mess. I really really don't want to leave. I'm feeling semi confident I will not leave. I've asked president to petition the lord so we will see. And I'm NOT getting area trunky, which is always a good sign. Usually when I leave an area, I feel antsy, like I need change. Seriously, there's nowhere else I want to be. So we had a goal for a baptism this passed week. We had taught the old woman, 71 year old Somjeet and when we taught her the 10 commandments, she got REALLY uncomfortable and kind of pretty much shut down. Worshiping idols and not believing in JUST God was a sin, but she wanted both. I don't really know how to explain it, but we kept going back and teaching her. And her prayers improved and her desire to be baptized never left, so in the end... Humility was shown and she was baptized yesterday. I can't believe it. God and His miracles NEVER cease. Dotcom, the 15 year old we have been teaching has been ready for quite some time. He comes to church every Sunday, even helps us teach, but his parents will NOT let him be Christian. We see his desire to be baptized so we prepared a lesson using the Liahona about courage... since we have pretty much taught him EVERYTHING AND MORE haha. Then, randomly it's time to give him a commitment, and rather than the whole... have courage, don't give up, keep going kind of commitment, I just randomly said... Will you ask your mom once every 2 weeks until you are 18 if you can be baptized? He left feeling good. He is SO ready and I cannot wait until he is baptized. He came to church this last Sunday, after sacrament meeting he comes up to me and says he can't come to church next week because he has a test. but then the next week he is going to be baptized. I think he thought I forgot Thai because I had to keep making sure I heard him right. Yup, his parents gave him permission. I believe in Never ever ever giving up. I am beginning to see things unfold here towards the "not end" of my mission. Never make excuses, none of us are the exception... EVERYONE gets miracles Sister Mullen

Sister Jasmine Mullen hellooooooooo. So i know you already know that i got transferred. Haha. it was hilarious because i knew that Brother Rostedt would be all over that. Yeah. Definitely was NOT expecting that at all. I sorta wanted to cry when i went to bed. But I didn't. I just did my fake cry that i usually do. I think its because I've moved enough now to know that change is always good. Change always helps. And change is always a new adventure. I wasn't expecting this much change though... We weren't even thinking about transfers and then my DL called and asked if I loved sister tama and told me to pack my bags. how harsh. Sister Tama and I had a really good last day together. I'm going to miss her very much. We were talking about all the things we never did in Maryborough...and I started to realize that all the things we were saying were the things we never did on Pday. Stuff that doesn't really matter. I was really happy to go, not to leave the people I love, but to leave with only regret of "things that don't really matter". I remember my zone leader one time asking me if i had any regrets on my mission, i just cried. i've had heaps of things that have weighed my heart down. But i'm grateful and happy to say that I do not feel that now. The Atonement is real and I'm so grateful for the continuing experience that I have with Christ. Sister Tama taught me a lot. I wish i could express to you how much i love her. We were happy all the time. Not one fight. I know she'll do great with my MTC companion Sister Crawford. But yeah. Not much to say except that we are continuing to move forward and create a Joyful June. We have 50 baptisms so far. So we have 50 to go with just 2 Sundays left. Last night after saying goodbye we went with the elders (yes we fit ALL my stuff. i'm planning to get rid of a few things this transfer...we'll see how it goes) to gympie to sleep for the night with the sisters there. It was really fun catching up with them. Driving to transfers was so nervewracking. I've been to every transfer meeting but one and i still get so nervous. I was actually sweating like the whole time. Haha. Awks. But yeah my new companion is Sister Tautuiaki from Sydney. I'm now an STL. It was funny because when President said that and I looked around at the other STLs, they all looked so different from me. As I sat with them I felt like I was playing dress up or something. It was strange. But then President said something "All the easy things are now done. Now its time for high adventure." I'm so grateful for the timing of it all for the companions that prepared me and for the trials that humbled me. And also for the spirit that stopped me from thinking of myself and comparing. I realized this isn't about me. It never has been and never will be. I'm now here to serve the other sisters and my Heavenly Father. It was an amazing moment with the spirit. I'm excited for this new adventure and for the many that lay ahead. I'm so sorry that my brain can't function right now because we woke up at 3:30 to leave for transfers so I really can't tell you many more stories from Maryborough. Everything just feels like a dream. I love you. Miss you more than heaps. Have a great week. :) Sister Mullen OH! and i got my package. Thank you thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou. <3 data-blogger-escaped-and="" data-blogger-escaped-area="" data-blogger-escaped-being="" data-blogger-escaped-br="" data-blogger-escaped-centenary="" data-blogger-escaped-for="" data-blogger-escaped-in="" data-blogger-escaped-is="" data-blogger-escaped-longer="" data-blogger-escaped-my="" data-blogger-escaped-no="" data-blogger-escaped-oh="" data-blogger-escaped-richlands="" data-blogger-escaped-stake.="" data-blogger-escaped-stranded="" data-blogger-escaped-yay="">

9 June 2014

Sister Rachel Mullen what a week. We got 7 new investigators this week and we are helping prepare them for baptism. We had awesome days where it was just... appointment after appointment. We have a 15 year old who does not have permission to be baptized by his parents. And at first he wanted to become Christian and learn all of this because Katy Perry was Christian... His name is Dotcom. yes .com. Anyways, he has the cutest testimony and talks about Mormons as he is one already. We have a new dater. It isn't him... but his friend. He is doing "member" missionary work without being a member yet. We thanked him for his efforts and related it back to the tree of life and him following Lehi's example in inviting others to the tree. What a great example this boy is. Really, it doesn't have to be as hard as we make it seem to be. We went to zone conference in Chiang Mai this week. It was amazing. We talked about the Godhead and Repentance and the purpose and importance of BOTH. Blows my mind sometimes the things that we learn everyday. Never gets old. My interview with President, he said... I'm not sure how much longer you're going to stay in Kamphaenphet. My heart dropped. I just assume I will stay because after this transfer in three weeks, I am going to have one more 6 week transfer. Why not just stay? He asked how I felt about it and I told him I want to stay. He said he will petition the Lord. Whether I stay or not, I would like to make the most and leave having tried my very best in ALL aspects of the work here. So I have asked you to follow up with all of the referrals given to the mission and ask them again if they would be willing to meet with missionaries. There have been SO many times (because of the size of Kamphaengphet) where we have asked people to wash their sins MORE than once... even in the very same day, and they have changed their mind. In fact, the Elders' baptism yesterday was first asked by Sister Ellis and then he said yes to learning when the Elders asked him later. It works. This last Sunday we went around 8:30 to go pick up a 71 year old lady we are teaching to walk her to church. The day before we taught her the 10 commandments and told her how her statues in her house are not a thing pretty much. Used words of faith and we will follow up. So the next day when we showed up to her house, she was still in her pajamas and said she wasn't going. She said it was too hard to give up Buddhism that was what she has had since she was little. Pleaded with the Lord to help me know what to say. We used words of faith again and she went ride inside to get ready. She was the CUTEST thing at church. Everyone thought I brought my grandma. When people prayed... she spoke up and was like, "I CANT HEAR YOU! SPEAK LOUDER!" haha SO funny. We keep reminding her of her baptism next week and she's constantly just talking about how she is NOT scared and that she can swim. Praying the Lord will help her change and she will be baptized this Sunday!!! Love you all, sister mullen

Sister Jasmine Mullen Hello! Its so strange to hear that its hot over there. But at the same time I'm really confused because its not december its june and i'm FREEZING. We don't go running in the morning anymore because its windy (i know what a baby right?) And i dont use my wheat pack for my back anymore, i use it to keep myself warm during studies. Imagine if i got sent somewhere thats ACTUALLY cold, haha. The Lord knows me. This week was really good. We had lots of lessons not too many new people to teach though. Well I'll start with last week. Not really sure what i was able to share with you but I learned that this month is not about actually getting 100 baptisms its about being converted enough to achieve great miracles, such as the inspired goal of 100 baptisms. Sister Tama and I have been trying really hard to be able to contribute with our faith and prayers as well as a baptism. We are really close i feel like. We taught a man named Joseph Lynch. And I have never prayed during a lesson so much in my life. It was good because it gave me a glimpse of how much harder i can and should be working. As my companion and I were teaching we came to a quick realization that WE wouldn't be able to convince him to get baptized again. I prayed so much and its funny because after sister tama and i talked about the lesson and we realized we were saying the exact same things in our prayers. We asked him to be baptized and he kept saying he already had been and then we invited him to pray with us to ask. And as we knelt oh my goodness. The spirit was THERE. I knew that even if he said no, the spirit was there and helping us. After a huge silence he just said "yes." AWKABELIEVEIT. We were so happy. and he continued to say "unless God tells me otherwise, I'll get baptized." Unfortuneately he didn't come to church so he can't get baptized June 22nd. But hopefully he'll come this week so he can get baptized June 28th. But yeah. we'll see. The main thing was that he felt the spirit. And even if he doesn't get baptized, he'll remember that experience. I know i will. We have also been teaching the Morris family. I love them a lot. Sister Morris is so close to coming back, I think she's just sooo terrified. She wants to have her family come. So we're inviting them to be baptized tonight. We had some really solid lessons this week. And now we're in week 6, again. I can't believe how fast its gone. But we're motivated to get 40 proselyting hours everyone seems to lose it week 6 but yeah our STLs are coming so hopefully we can do it. (also i should be getting my mail as well yay!) oh and our supplies haha. We haven't had any BOMs to hand out or pamphlets or cards. I've been making sticky notes. haha. Yesterday was really cool though. We were finding for an hour and a half and NO POTENTIALS. But we just kept trying to be positive. It was 12:30 and we were having lunch at 1. We really should've crossed the street earlier to not waste time walking home. But we crossed after the hospital and the first house that we went to was a Less Active that we didn't know about. WHAT. WHAT. Yeah it was great. The only reason she doesn't come to church is because she has no ride. She went through a lot before we came and her heart has softened a lot. It was a wonderful miracle. And then later that day when we were finding we taught 2 lessons. It was great! We have never taught lessons while finding yet. :) it was so exciting. Our mission president keeps raising the level of obedience :) hahaha. its so funny because i asked him to and he seriously is challenging me. First it was to only listen to hymns and then only to hymns sung by the mormon tabernacle choir. If that was brought up in the beginning of my mission, you definitely would've heard some complaints. But HOW LUCKY are we to know exactly how we can be blessed. The more obedience is raised the more we can know how to receive miracles. We don't have to guess anymore. God tells us. Any way, we've been listening to the same 2 songs because its the only hymns i have on my usb hahah. But yeah. thats it for me! I'm glad to hear you guys are fellowshippers. The sisters are lucky to have you, you are the type of couple that can fellowship anyone because you sacrifice. Its a wonderful attribute. love you lots. sister mullen ps. our mission president asked us at the beginning of this transfer to find our second booster to our rocket ship. to find what was going to help us rise to the next level. I think i found it. I decided that for the rest of my mission i won't be emailing boys. it seems like a simple thing but i know that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass. :) i'm so excited. my companion loves me enough to do it with my at least for a transfer. so yeah.

2 June 2014

Sister Rachel Mullen If I list off all the problems we are experiencing right now, that would not be following the talk given by President Uchtdorf where he said to have an attitude of gratitude always. So here we go: I am grateful for this trial. Haha I'm just kidding. I am grateful to be serving here in Kamphaengphet. This is a new area with all new members who don't quite understand the importance of keeping the commandments ALWAYS... but... nowhere else would you have experienced another fast and testimony meeting as we did yesterday. This church has changed their lives and they recognize that. Every single one of them have experienced it together and I'm grateful for their faith. As missionaries, we always talk about what awful members we were at home. It's true. We have relief society all together and the 16 year old in the room asked for their visiting teaching assignments for this month. What is that?! When analyzing the daily choices or their knowledge of gospel principles you can't see it, but if you look beyond that, you will see Giants of Faith here in Kamphaengphet. These people are amazing. I am grateful for teaching Relief Society on Sundays. Here we have the opportunity to organize an environment on Sundays for members and investigators here to worship and feel the Spirit. Not many missionaries have such a responsibility. We give talks, we do the music, we teach the classes. It's a lot to prepare but it has helped to me realize for myself the divine role we women have in the Gospel. Trying to help establish the impression that we as women have an influence for good and helping recognize how they can do that... it has caused me to strive to do better myself and appreciate what I can do even more. I am grateful for agency. We have had a LOT of investigators choose to not learn anymore, after our faithful invitation to them to be baptized. That's always hard. But then there are ALWAYS those who will choose the right, and those are the miracles that God is willing to grant us if we keep going. After church, there was no baptism, no investigators that stayed, so we went to Big C. Planned inviting from 1-6. Yay. We went, made some phone calls, a woman was able to meet right there so we took her to the church, taught her and she wants to be baptized in 2 weeks. So there. In your face Satan. We had switch offs this past week. I don't know what happened. There was no fear in inviting, just faith. I got 10 numbers! We had 44 other lessons this week, normally its 20 something. We got 7 new investigators, when normally its 3. June is going to be awesome, because May was... you know. Sister Mullen #1

Sister Jasmine Mullen Hello! So i had heaps to tell you but we had a pretty full on day so i don't have much time but i'll be sure to remember everything else and tell you next week. We went to the zoo today and it was so fun. so i'll send you al lthe pictures next week. But basically it was a great week. I learned that the goal for 100 baptisms is not really just to baptize people for a number but to creat a mission that is COMPLETLEY converted. Because there is no way on earth we could do this if we didn't have faith in the power of God. Right now we're really working with the Morris family. Not sure if i've said too much about her but she is a returned missionary. She's LA and her "atheist" husband told her to ask us to come over. She is wonderful. We have simply been going over to visit these first few times. She talk to us about her mission and it helps her to feel the spirit just on her own. This week we are starting to teach the lessons to her sons. I'm so sad i don't have more time because so many things happened this week. But just to tell you about last night. I have never gotten so angry in my life. Sister Tama and I felt like we experienced what that sister missionary did that Elder Holland was talking about. I felt like someone literally spit food on me. We took a LA sister with us to a lesson. And this guy smokes and she's been helping us with rides of our investigators. And she's never said anything and she's always offered to help. But as we were talking to her last night she was complaining and talking bad about them because they all smell bad. And yes true. they do. Some smoke and others don't take showers so they are very strong smelling but I don't like it when someone judges someone when they don't even bother to get to know them. They just label them as dangerous. But yeah i got pretty upset that she was saying that but as I was trying to explain that serving means that we sacrifice a little, her friend came out and started yelling at us saying that we should take them ourselves and not make her do all our "dirty work". I almost lost it. I just looked down so I wouldn't get up and start yelling back. It just hurt my heart to hear him say that this work was DIRTY. of all things he could say. As we got home I couldn't even calm down. But this morning I started thinking about why i was mad. Was I mad because he insulted me? or was i mad because he insulted my Savior? I learned a lot about godly sorrow. I did a lot of praying last night and this morning. But I'm grateful for that experience. I'm grateful for the 6 months I have left to continue to become perfected in Him. I'm so grateful to experience persecution to know what it feels like to be a disciple. Anyway one funny line from the week (as we were door knocking) "are you from the dentist?" love you sister mullen

26 May 2014

Sister Rachel Mullen I had a dream that Elder Hunsaker, the AP, called me and said I was moving. I cried and he was completely heartless and wouldn't change his mind. Everyday, I'm happy to be serving here in Kamphaengphet. This passed week we were able to meet with some great new potentials. The 2 baht miracle guy from last week, he came on Tuesday. We taught him Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity, normal intro lesson, including Keep the Sabbath Day, Prayer and Scripture Study. He is so funny. As we introduced everything, he was just laughing and like, That's too hard. About everything. But he is willing to keep investigating and trying. Another girl we met with, she is already Christian, so of course going into the baptismal commitment, it was not going to be a straight up yes. That is what is so awesome about the way we are teaching now. The FIRST thing we talk about is them being baptized, so after that we know what their concerns are and teach towards that.  So we planned on doing an Intro lesson, but God knows where to take things, so got the impression to just start a whole Restoration lesson. After THAT she said yes to baptism. She came to church and is SO SO SO amazing. She is not progressing towards baptism though, because HUGE story. But basically she lives with her boyfriend. They can't get married because he is a runaway soldier. He doesn't want to go back, so he can't do anything legal or else they will probably find him and stuff. Yeah it stinks, especially because she wants to be baptized so bad. AND especially she's not going to do anything else about it.  This passed week there is a peace thing happening, which also means the military is involved so there are soldiers all over Thailand. So President has wanted us to be on the down low, not make a scene. So inviting was forbidden for 2, 3 days! We were told to just sit at the church and make appointments. It definitely took a toll on lessons, and effectiveness, but then Saturday night, amazing miracles. Someone called and said they wanted to come to church. It was her birthday too, and she wanted to come to church!!! Turns out she is moving away tomorrow, haha but she came! And then Na Tuk, (my aunt) called and said, I want to go to church tomorrow. Sister Ellis said I've never smiled so big. We had 5 investigators at church!!! Dotcom, A (the 2 baht miracle man), Cat, Na Tuk, and Som (the already Christian). and 29 people at church! We had to get more chairs. We ALSO really really need to move buildings! 29 people, 3 fans, NO AC, one small church. We are growing and it's awesome. Na Tuk was sitting there taking notes all throughout too! I went back home with her to Grandma's. Seriously, people always ask if she still remembers me and Jasmine. SHE DOES! I go say hello to her and what does she say to me??? Fat. I say, Excuse me?? Fat. I'm fat? She says no. You used to be fat. SHE REMEMBERS ME!!!  But then there are times, where she just does the cutest old person stuff. Like use the blunt side of the knife to cut some fruit. AHH it was the cutest thing. I got to talk to Na Tuk about being baptized. We talked for a while, and she is way more open than I have ever thought! It's just amazing to finally share these things with her.  did I also say I got to teach plan of salvation in relief society (the 3rd hour of church). It was PERFECT having Na Tuk there. At the very end I expressed my gratitude for my own mother who followed Jesus Christ and was baptized. That's makes EVERYthing possible for me, for my sister. I can't express enough the joys and hope that this brings into my own life, every second of everyday.  We celebrated Elder Delagarza's birthday in our hallway because we live in the same hotel building. We decorated out door with a happy birthday banner, and balloons were everywhere :) We made them pasta, and I brought out my cut up carrots just in case he was wanting to be skinny and didn't want to eat the pasta late at night. Saturday night I also put in my to do list in my planner to go buy lamyay's because they are his favorite. When we planned that night, I saw a little blue pen check next to it... He claims as district leader he was just checking to see how our day was planned out!!! But anyways, when we got to the market, there WERE NO LAMYAYS... so we just bought lychees which are like 2nd or 3rd on his list and said to pretend they are lamyays.  Good week, the no inviting rule has been lifted! and we are back in business. June is going to be a CRAZY good month for Kamphaengphet. mark my words. Sister Mullen #1

Sister Jasmine Mullen OH MY GOSH!!!! Seriously. I cried. It truly does show how much the Lord will bless us if we align ourselves with him. That doesn't mean that He will give us everything we want if we just say we don't want it. But He does what will make us eternally happy.  Everything is WONDERFUL. I actually wanted to make sure I told you guys today that my companion is amazing. She helps me to be positive all the time. I don't think I've woken up in a good mood so many times in a long time. It just goes to show how much of an influence one person can be. I love her a lot. She is definitely one of my favorites. We always have a fun time together. oh and guess what? She fake cries like me! its great.  Wow okay. Turning 21 didn't feel like much but hearing that thomas is graduating makes me feel ancient! Hows amanda doing? I do miss that family.  Thats good that you guys are watching your health. I'm trying to also. President was telling us that thats too easy for Satan just to make us sick. Its like we just let him win! so we need to take care of ourselves.  Poor cat. I actually don't know if i want to be there when she dies. :(  Did you ask the manns about the turners? He is now our new ward mission leader. He's great. Really excited to get started. Hopefully we'll be able to help him know the ropes. Its good because I've had examples of a really good WML and a really bad one.  BUT! to let you know whats been happening this week. Well, again it was just full of miracles. And i couldn't be more grateful. It was kind of a stressful week. We don't have enough K's to get to the chapel (because we were saving them for church) and we skype at the chapel for district meetings. So we asked a member if we could come over and us theirs. They were like the only ones with a computer and internet. So we decided we'd ride our bikes there. Well me thinking i knew the area well rode to GAYNOR street instead of GAYLAND street. yeah. it was on the other side of town. So we rode around for an hour and then we found out that the only way to get to their house was to cross the high way. Sister Newton said there's no laws against it. So there we were. Two sister missionaries riding our humble mountain bikes on the side of the highway. I'm sure people started laughing at us. I'm just glad rocks didn't fall on me or hit me in the face. Anyway we finally got to their house and although we were sweaty we were able to have the meeting.  Another day this week i had made a promise to myself that I would talk to EVERYONE i felt prompted too. (i've started falling back on that skill) Sometimes i just get scared. But i was tired of it so i promised that  I would. Its hard when you start the day with a few bad attempts. But I kept going. So then as we were riding I saw this guy that looked okay. So i was like okay here we go. But then as I got closer he was playing this really scary screamo music. So i was like ahh maybe not. Its crazy how fast these arguments go in my head. But anyway we ended up gqing him and his name is Robert. He lives in boys shelter and he said he'd like to come to church. BUT THATS NOT THE END.  So i'm going to go to another story because it all connects.  A couple days later it was Peter's baptism. It had been really stressful trying to plan everything. Because no one seemed to know how baptisms worked. So we planned the best we could. But there were some bits and pieces that were left loose but luckily our kind members helped us out. It was a bit stressful for everyone and the baptism was kind of in pieces but the important thing was that Peter was happy and he was baptized. I cannot tell you how much the spirit changes when the ordinance is being performed. No matter what had happened that day, that moment was so peaceful. And obviously thats my favorite part about baptisms.  But yeah after that day we felt really bad because we made some members upset and everyone was stressed at the baptism and coordinating rides so when we got home we were just drained. After picking ourselves up we decided to call Robert^^. When we called him he hung up after we were talking for a bit. We were really confused but tried again and he ignored our call. After being disappointed we decided we'll just text him and that way he knows. So we just said "if you ever want to come to church let us know."  And we went out and worked. Sunday morning we received a text at 6:30. Guess who. It was robert asking if he could get a ride to church. OH MY GOODNESS. I screamed. Our wonderful less active, Sister Laycock offered to drive him and John (our wonderfully random investigator who came to church last week). Then we got a call saying Peter's dad was sick and they all needed a ride to church. AHHH! So we quickly called around and found a seat for everyone to get to church. YAY! And THEN AND THEN!  A member at church knew robert and turns out he's a member from NZ, his parents were members and his adoptive family here wasn't. What a miracle. Oh and sidenote a new less acitve came to church. She had a wonderful time.  Maryborough branch here we come! :) i can't wait to see it one day. "thats it".  :)  i love you heaps. thank you for everything.  As we end miracle may, 100 in june is awaiting us. Eeek!  sister mullen

19 May 2014

Sister Rachel Mullen Ok, here we go with this week. Ready? Go. So remember miracle guy named Goal? Well, his cousin he brought to church all of a sudden has to work everyday so she "can't" learn, and he won't answer our phone calls. What do we do when something goes completely wrong??? Find some more. That's all we can do. We had more inviting days, then we went to Big C one night and it was starting to rain. People just kind of stand under the shelter thing outside. But then it started to get windy so we were getting crazy wet. Just before it got too bad though, I got this guys number... as one side of my face is getting completely drenched. Long story short, we met with him the next day. and the next day. We just need to teach him one more time pretty much but he's amazing. BUT he did not show up to church so he will be baptized next month. We met with another new investigator this week. Her name is Mee. She is Hmong and only concern for her is if she can't participate in her family's rituals anymore once she is baptized. But she is SO open to the Gospel and to God. Just needs to keep learning, and she will be baptized next month hopefully on the 8th. We are going for baptism every week. The Elders said some things that kind of upset me yesterday and then they did something really way nice. They called us and asked if we wanted to teach one of their investigators that came to church that Sunday. We didn't have anyone come to church that could be baptized on the 25th, and that being the last Sunday of the month, we needed someone so that we could make our goal of 3 baptisms for MAYham. "Beware of pride, boy..." What's that from? The Restoration. It was very nice of them and she seems so wonderful. So one day this week, Elder Suki was behind me with scissors trying to fake cut my hair. I turn around and catch him doing it. I see he doesn't have that much and so I'm like... oh yeah. go for it. He grabs a bigger chunk and snips. WHAT?! So the next day after personal study, I remember what he did. So I went over to the garbage can with scissors. And I cut a bunch of my hair. Yup. We invited in front of Big C on Saturday (well really everyday) and there was this event where they were handing out free Mountain Dews to everyone. Crazy. So it was us four missionaries. Against them. You would think people would want some free cleansing of sins over a mountain dew, but no. We still got numbers though which was way cool :) We met with the cutest 15 year old kid. His name is Dotcom. Yeah, best name ever. After we taught him, he was really upset and told us his mom won't let him become a Christian. In helping people with concerns, we as missionaries have been taught to not make it a big deal. Have the most amazing amount of faith on the subject and they will receive strength from you. So after a crazy hard Sunday, where we ended up having no potentials come to church that week that could be baptized the 25th, and feeling bad that we were going to take pretty much the Elders' baptism for next week... We went looking for more. Big C was draining, so we went to the market. Inviting goes by so fast, people are giving us their numbers and it's amazing. I was walking across the street and I see a TWO BAHT COIN on the ground. So I start kicking it across the street so I can pick it up on the other side. A guy on a motorcycle slows down and laughs. We invite him and he's like, you can do that? you can really wash away your sins? Anyways... we've got an appointment with him on Tuesday at 3. We met with a new investigator also. This guy called US. He had gotten a baptism flier in front of Big C but didn't give his number to anyone. We prayed for the spirit before the lesson, but I know I was a little flustered because he was so awesome. We were just going to do an intro lesson but no. We taught him all the commandments and he is now committed to living all of them. He will be at church this coming Sunday and he will be baptized on the 1st of next month. WOW. Rededicating myself to God everyday, because he has Never left me. This last Sunday was a lot of hard realizations. In the fact that our 3rd baptism for the month wasn't at church... And just knowing that we had received AMAZING miracles within the passed two weeks, and couldn't hold on to them?? I wondered what we could have done differently, and I'm happy to know we did all we could. I was blessed to have that peace that it was their agency, not a lack in what we did. Sister Mullen still has got to improve loads though, so that's what today is for :) Love you all, Sister Mullen

Sister Jasmine Mullen Wow wow wow. I don't even know how to start off this email. This week has been amazing. Now I'm 100% sure that President listens to what we say. Haha. He is continually asking us to rise up higher and higher each week. Since the beginning of this month we have been preparing for Elder and Sister Hemula to come. It was actually pretty stressful haha. But I was grateful because we definitely received revelation as he spoke to us. He said lots of things that I can't wait to share with you but I'll just share a few points. The first was so cool. 1. He talked about how there was the 1/3 that went with satan. And if there was say 75 billion people. there would be around 37 billion spirits of satan. And if there are 15 million members and about half of them are active. Then its a ratio of about 1 of us against 5000 spirits. That just gave me chills. I needed to hear it especially because I really do feel like I'm just IN this now. I love it. But at the same time I am constantly being reminded in my thoughts of some of the mistakes I've made in my life. Things from such a long time ago. And it seems now that they just come into my memory. And its so hard to remember that I am no my mistakes. And so when Elder Hemula said that I just started sobbing. It was just so comforting to know that its not because Heavenly Father hasn't forgiven me and its not because I'm weak. Its because I and the missionaries I am serving with are all rising up and we are all being attacked in every way. 2. The other thing I wanted to say was that Elder Hemula made President cry. I know how much Presidents mean to missionaries now. Elder Hemula said that he has been looking for a mission that resembled his mission. That lived up to what their standards were and he said he found it. Presdient just burst into tears. It was such a tender moment to see him like that. He has worked so hard and has been pushing all of us so much. And Elder Hemula told us that as we continued to increase our faith and improve our planning that we would see things happen in this mission that has never been done before. So we are going to baptize 100 in june. Does it give you chills? It just makes me get so excited. Sister Tama and I could barely sleep. But we wanted to be obedient haha. Yeah so we're all rising up. We're all DOING. But aside from all of that spiritual upliftment haha. i mean what could be better... I just wanted to tell you guys a miracle! So its a lot different being stranded out here because I'm used to being able to just drive to the office and get as many supplies as i needed. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE BOOKS OF MORMON HERE. Grr. We will get them soon hopefully. but yeah so we met a less active her name is Sister Laycock and we invited her to church and she was like yeahh! Piece of cake. After the lesson we went finding on a street near her and we met a guy named John, he said we could come back but we didn't think much of it. Then when we were going to go back we realized we would probably need to bring a female with us. We couldn't think of anyone. So we prayed and thought of Sister Laycock. We called her and she just laughed and said she would come. She got all dressed up and was AMAZING. She was sharing her testimony and at the end of the lesson she invited him to church and gave him HER book of mormon. And then we went to church with them the next day. It was soooo cool. Everyone just needs to be needed. Thats it for me though. I love you guys and thank you for everything you do for me. love, sister mullen

12 May 2014

Sister Rachel Mullen This week was weird. We had a few days of 5-6-7 hours of inviting because of pitted appointments and just no investigators to teach. I feel blessed to be perfectly fine with it. My duties are not affected by my attitude. Something falls through... ok, let's go find another one. I know that faith and hard work can make anything happen. So then on Saturday, we taught an RC. He said the closing prayer and then bam. This guy is standing there at the front of the church, just watching us pray. He asks about English, I invite him in to learn about baptism. Long story short, he is committed to be baptized the 18th! That was on May 10th. Even when it's hard, we HAVE to keep the faith and moving forward. God literally did go before my face this week. Never give up, no matter what. This last Sunday was amazing. Beau, he got the priesthood a few weeks ago, he passed the sacrament about 2 weeks ago. Yesterday, he blessed it for the first time. Then after church... he baptized his twin brother. ahhh. that's all for today. no really. I'm crying and a hot mess right now. i love you all. sister mullen #1, the crier. no really. im dying right now haha

Sister Jasmine Mullen Hello! Oh my goodness. You sneaky sneaky parents. Haha thank you so much. they pulled out a cake and a card for me at the end of our dinner. Well the beginning because they couldn't wait but yeah haha. It was a wonderful surprise. Thank you so much for the pictures. This first week of the transfer has flown because mostly i have no idea what happened. But i'll update you the best i can. So Sister Tama and I were in Kawana Waters for 2 days with some other sisters and we were having too much fun so i think thats why they got our flat in order quickly haha so that we could leave. But yeah it was some hard yakka there. We went finding all day erry day. It was so fun being all together though. All the sisters in this zone are in 2 ways so we're always excited to see PEOPLE. But yeah we arrived here 3 days ago after a 6 hour drive. The elder THANKFULLY brought us food. Our flat is so cute! If you want to know what it looks like just open up your scriptures to the picture of Joseph Smith's house. Because its old and cute like that. Everything here is so little. Its like i live in old sacramento. I love it. Our ward has 3 youth from the same family and 4 primary children. The elders have been doing well though, they have had 3 baptisms in the past 2 weeks and "we have" one this friday. The people are so nice. We have been spoiled by our ward. They are ready to get us to work! :) which is great because i was scared of not knowing what to do with opening a new area! haha. Everyone is over the age of 60. We have 765 less actives in our area and 3 active members. So we definitely have a work on our hands but i'm so excited. Sister Tama is the best. I have never been so happy with a companion. I love all of my companions but she is just so loving. And everything she says is hilarious because its in a french accent. haha. It was so good to see you guys yesterday! My golden called me this morning to say happy birthday and she asked me if i cried haha. we were both so happy because we didn't cry. i'm really happy i got to talk to you though. it was just what i needed. I hope you get my card soon mommy. I love you lots and i know daddy made it a special day for you. Oh Brother Rosdedt started playing the video of everybody wants to be a santa haha. it was so funny. i was shocked when i heard it. such a blast from the past. I know that there is so much more but i just can't remember haha. I love you guys heaps. Thank you for making my birthday so special even from on the other side of the world. I love you. Sister Mullen