14 Day/3 Gratitude Things Challenge

Each day for 7 days; I thought about 3 things that I am grateful for. x 2. I put 2 Challenges together which makes Each day for 14 days; I thought about 3 things that I am grateful for. Thanks to Jalisa L for the Challenge, and thanks to Shelbi V for the same Challenge but one day after I got challenged by Jalisa L.

Day 1: Wednesday, 17th September
I am grateful for being challenged to do this Challenge, I am grateful for trails. I am grateful for tribulations.

Day 2: Thursday, 18th September
I am grateful for having a Latter Day Saint Temple close to home, I am grateful for learning something new everyday. I am grateful for being me.

Day 3: Friday, 19th September
I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for having close friends. I am grateful for having friends.

Day 4: Saturday, 20th September
I am grateful for having talents. I am grateful for able to read. I am grateful for able to write.

Day 5: Sunday, 21st September
I am grateful for able to attend my previous ward. I am grateful for able to attend the CES Devotional YSA Fireside, I am grateful for able to drive a car.

Day 6: Monday, 22nd September
I am grateful for having a monthly budget. I am grateful for sacrificing my time to help and get some house chores done. I am grateful for emailing friends who are on their missions.

Day 7: Tuesday, 23rd September
I am grateful for having a life. I am grateful for not complaining. I am grateful for uplifting songs.

Day 8: Wednesday, 24th September
I am grateful for having my own set of scriptures, I am grateful for how personal prayers has helped me throughout my day. I am grateful for able to talk.

Day 9: Thursday, 25th September
I am grateful for going to Brisbane Temple tonight. I am grateful for knowing the true Church. I am grateful for being a Latter Day Saint/Mormon.

Day 10: Friday, 26th September
I am grateful for not being ashamed about the true gospel. I am grateful for seeking out Missionary experiences. I am grateful for able to read New Era's Articles.

Day 11: Saturday, 27th September
I am grateful for knowing what to be grateful for. I am grateful for relatives. I am grateful for reading letters from friends who are on their missions.

Day 12: Sunday, 28th September
I am grateful for making new friends. I am grateful for having a camera to capture memories. I am grateful for having a phone to contact people.

Day 13: Monday, 29th September
I am grateful for making dinner for my family. I am grateful for able to sing. I am grateful for knowing my strengths.

Day 14: Tuesday, 30th September 
I am grateful for knowing a few of my weaknesses, I am grateful for reading encouraging quotes and I am grateful for many other things!! 

I've met Whitney B via Skype

I don't have much to say. I felt so privileged to meet my friend Whitney Barlow via Skype early this morning. It was great, we both was talking to each other for 1 hour and a bit. I was grateful that I got to meet her via Skype. She asked me if I had Skype and of course I have said "Yes."

We are following each other on Instagram, I always love to see song covers that she does, I love her Youtube Channel that has wonderful songs covers. There isn't much I could say about her, I am grateful that she is one of my friends. I enjoyed the Skype Call and I hope that her and I get to Skype each other often.

Whitney, if you see this blog post, you are amazing friend!!

Happy 18th Birthday Camilla!!

I find it fun sometimes to do blog posts about wishing someone a Happy Birthday!

I absolutely love the great friendship that I have with my friend Camilla Flock Santos. I don't think not many people would understand how great it is. We became friends the day after my Birthday but it was my Birthday for her because of the time zone difference. 

We were sharing each other about some great ideas of what we could do together while she was in Australia, but things has changed. She wouldn't be going to Australia this year but that's alright. There might be other times to do it. We even spoken to each other over the phone about her coming to Australia even though the connection wasn't great. We saw each other a bit over Skype and that was fun. 

{Phone Call back in May this year}

I didn't have her address, otherwise I would have sent her a letter for her Birthday so instead she could read this blog post.

"Dear Camilla,

Happy 18th Birthday and I hoped you have a great Birthday. I can't believe you are an adult now. I absolutely love the great friendship that we have and I hope it will always be great. I am grateful for the phone call conversations and talking to each other over Skype.

I love talking to you about anything and I love your seriousness towards that you want to see me everyday. It would be so great! I know eventually we could see each other everyday if you aren't busy. 

I hope the Young Single Adults over there, makes you feel welcome in Young Single Adults. If they don't, let me come over there and tell them to make you feel welcome. I see as Young Single Adults a big step from Young Women's Program but that could be just me.

We could attend Young Single Adults Activities together, well eventually we will. It would be heaps of fun. Are you missing Young Women's Program? I have been missing Young Women's Program since I moved up to Young Single Adults but that's alright. I had heaps of fun and enjoyed my time in Young Women's Program. 

You are a great friend to me, don't ever forget that. I will see you when I see you next and most likely that will be over Skype for the time being. 

Take care, Stay safe. 

From your Australian Friend,

Megan Green." 

I described her as each letter for Happy Birthday, however I have noticed that I have put Yourself twice, I couldn't think of any good "Y" words to describe her. 

Happy

Agreeable 

Pretty

Polite 

Yourself
~

Beautiful 

Intelligent 

Reliable 

Terrific

Helpful

Determined 

Ambitious  

Yourself

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad's Birthday. Happy Birthday to my Dad. I am grateful for everything that my Dad has done for my family including every sacrifice that he has done so far. I am happy that he is my father for time and eternity. I am grateful for receiving blessings from him. I love his support and love towards my family.

Here is a photo below that I still remember being that age with my parents. I was 6 or 7 years old when the photo was taken with my parents.

I always have heaps of fun when I go family outings and my Dad always be the driver. It's always great times when we spending time together as a family. I really don't know what else to say. All I could say to my Dad is "Thank you for everything that you have done to the family and me." 

A Wonderful Day Out with Mum

I had a wonderful day out with my Mum yesterday. We left home around 8am to go to the Temple. When we arrived at the Temple, I was filled so much happiness and peace. I was so excited to use my brand new camera that I have bought the previous day. About 10 photos was taken at the Temple. We attended the 10am Baptistery Session. Mum and me got mistaken as Sisters. It was so funny.

I made a new friend when we were at the Temple, I always making new friends! It's so much fun and brings me happiness. After the Baptistery Session, I had my phone on for a GPS for saying the directions of how to get to one of our friend's house since it has been 1 year since we last went to her place. It took us 1 hour to get there.

On our way getting there, we went and saw where we used to live before my family moved into our current Ward. I thought I was going to cry, but I didn't. We talked about a few memories while we were in the area. I remembered, while we were going pass a primary school that I used to go for either 2 to 3 years, I said to Mum "I used to go to that school Mum." It was very great to see our friend again. We had lunch at her place and we had a nice conversation while we were there.

After visiting one of our friends, I suggested to my Mum that we could go and visit a family from our previous ward. Well they were apart our stake for a short time. It took us around 20 to 25 minutes drive. It was great seeing a few family members. It was a nice conversation while we were there. Around 4pm, we left there and started our way home. I kept thinking about most memories that I had while we were going past another Primary school that I used to go to. I attended that primary school for 4 years. We arrived home safely.

The photos are taken on my new camera. 

See You in 18 Months Sister Hillier

I last saw Leah at YSA {Young Single Adults} Ball which was 3 weeks ago. I'm very grateful that I was privileged to be in a photo with her and her boyfriend Dwayne on the same night when I last saw Leah. Thank you Luke Reynolds for taking the photo. I will always remember this photo because it's the only photo that I ever got with Leah. 

I remembered sometime during the process for Leah waiting to leave to go to the Missionary Training Centre {MTC}, her and I had a conversation about if I could do a blog for her while she was serving her mission. She was happy for me to do a blog for her and she even helped me of what she would like the blog to look like. It was a great time for setting up and creating her blog. It will look better when I start adding posts about her experiences during the MTC and her mission as well as photos. Leah will be emailing me every week and I will be updating her blog which is the link as below. 

www.called2servetahitipapeete.blogspot.com

I'm really grateful when I first met Leah at EFY {Especially for Youth} in 2012. She is so lucky that she got called to serve in Tahiti Papeete Mission. It's a very beautiful place to get called to serve. Each blog post, I will be tagging her with me as my status so that everyone could see the updates. Stay Tuned. I miss her so much already. SEE YOU IN 18 MONTHS SISTER HILLIER!

5 Day/3 Things Gratitude Challenge

Each day for 5 days; I thought about 3 things that I am grateful for. It was a Challenge that I got given by Eliza M.

Day 1: Wednesday, 16th

I am grateful for having friends who cares about me. I am grateful for enjoying Photography. I am grateful for having relatives.

Day 2: Thursday, 17th
I am grateful for going with the Missionaries for a discussion. I am grateful for technology. I am grateful for life.

Day 3: Friday, 18th
I am grateful for being a Latter Day Saint/Mormon. I am grateful for staying up to what I believe in. I am grateful for being inspirational to some of my friends.

Day 4: Saturday, 19th
I am grateful for receiving a talk based on The Power of Preach My Gospel. I am grateful for Temple Work. I am grateful for receiving letters from a few friends who are serving their missions.

Day 5: Sunday, 20th
I am grateful for having my Patriarchal Blessing. I am grateful for having some of my friends who are serving their missions. I am grateful for making new friends.

Check out: www.onestoplds.com

My Talk Based on The Power of Preach My Gospel

Thanks to four people who are both of my Ward Missionaries, my younger sister Emma and my friend Emily Lane to help me with my talk.

"Good morning Brothers and Sisters. I have been given a talk based on The Power of Preach My Gospel. Most Sundays afternoons, I go to Mission Preparation. In Mission Prep, we recite the Missionary's purpose which is to “Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.” The contents then suggest how to achieve that purpose as led by the Spirit.

Preach My Gospel teaches us about wise time management, Christ Like Attributes, learning to recognise the promptings of the Holy Ghost and basic doctrines of principles of the gospel with lessons and discussions.

It's not only missionaries in the field that use Preach My Gospel, us as members can use it too as a useful tool and to prepare a habit of studying lesson structures before serving a mission. We can also understand the purpose of Preach My Gospel through reading the introduction.

Preach My Gospel applies to both members and missionaries. Applies to members by drawing closer to preach of Christ to nonmember friends and it will also helps the members to gain confidence in what they could say for situations that their nonmember friend could be going through. It applies to the Missionaries because they use it as a teaching tool." I shared my experience with that I had with the Missionaries and my Testimony. If you haven't read my experience with the Missionaries, it's under the blog post 1st Lesson with The Missionaries.

I received a few feedback from the members in my Ward; both of the Missionaries said "I really liked it. It was good." My Mum said "That was good, you led by the Spirit." A few other members mentions that they liked my talk. Although it was short; I am so grateful that I shared my talk. It was one week notice and it was worth of asking a lot for the Ward Missionaries for assistance.

I was going to video record me saying the talk when I get home and  it was very noisy for the background. What do you think? 

1st Lesson with The Missionaries

I didn't get to go on a Mini Mission this week. On Sunday, I told the Missionaries that I will be available this Tuesday and this Thursday. One of the Missionaries text messaged me last night and I wouldn't mentioned the whole text message says. I will be mention the highlights of the text message that I received which was "Hey Megan we were hoping that you would be able to come with us to a lesson Thursday tomorrow at 1pm to teach a lady named Eden. We may be teaching either Plan of Salvation or Restoration to her, so try to read Preach My Gospel about them before the lesson. ~ missionaries." I was so happy!

I replied to them and some reason my text message didn't seem clear so I called them. One of the Missionaries and I talked about what I need to prepare myself other than just both Plan of Salvation and Restoration. I found out that I need to prepare myself by reading Restoration, Plan of Salvation, prepare to share a testimony and prepare to answer some questions.

So the next day came which was today, I texted them and mentioned to them "Hi. I thought to let you both know that I definitely coming and have prepared." I arrived to Eden's place about 10 minutes early. I ended up having to answer some questions from the Missionaries and got given to say the closing prayer. I was so glad that I came for the first lesson. I really enjoyed it. It was my first time to be with the Missionaries with the 1st lesson. I would really have opportunities like I did today again!

The weather was so beautiful today!

Any questions about Latter Day Saints/Mormons;

www.lds.org

www.mormon.org

Overview of a Recent YSA Ball

I went to a most recent Annual YSA Ball which was 4 days ago and it was great. I had so much fun. I spent some of my time at the Ball by spending time with some of my friends. I spent most of my time at the ball by spending time with some of my new friends.  There are total of 3 videos of the Floor Show Items and I thought you may be interested of watching it. If you can't see the videos, click on the names of the videos.

 Donna and I 

YSA stands for Young Single Adults and ages from 18 years to 30 years old. The Ball started from 8PM and finished at 1AM next day. The Theme for the Ball was Old Hollywood.

As far as I know, there is two different albums of photos during the night.

One page is called Au Photography and it's under Old Hollywood Ball 2014 album.

The other is Luke Reynolds Photography and it's under Brisbane MSYSA Ball - July, 2014 album.

2014 Brisbane Region YSA Ball Floor Show Item #1

2014 Brisbane Region YSA Floor show item #2 

2014 Brisbane Region YSA Ball Floor Show item #3

Julia F and I. 

No Chest Infection But Close to Having One

The moment that you may have been waiting for and that you were waiting for the results of if I have a Chest Infection or not. I told a few close friends then a few others for the results.

Today, I went to see a doctor about a issue of me coughing a lot and wheezing a lot for the last 10 days. I was taking my asthma inhaler a lot and it didn't seem to calm down the coughing and wheezing a lot. My Mum thought that I have a Chest Infection. The results by a doctor was I didn't have a Chest Infection but it was close of having one. After seeing the doctor, I was thinking about who would have prayed for me, who put me in the Temple Prayers Roll and who would have been thinking about me. I prayed so much as well.

I would like to say "thank you to those who thought about me, thank you for praying for me and thank you for putting me in the Temple Prayers Roll if you did. I really did appreciated that."

I don't want to go through a Chest Infection at my current age and I am still young. I am so glad that I trusted in Heavenly Father so much. I have take amoxycillin antibiotics TWICE a day.

2 Suggestions from me:

1. Always trust in Heavenly Father with everything, regardless what it is, still trust in him.

2. If you have the Holy Ghost with you, always listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

18 Months in Philippines Baguio (Tiffany Olive)

Aaah! My friend Tiffany Olive who is a convert to the same religion as me and her Mission Call arrived last Friday. She skyped me and I heard from her as she was reading out her Mission Call.

She got called to serve in Philippines Baguio Mission and she reports to the Philippines Missionary Training Center on Friday, November 7, 2014 which is in 123 days to go. She will be prepare to preach the Gospel in Taglog language.

How exciting is that? I am so happy for her. I am so glad that I have met Tiffany during SMYC {Special Multistake Youth Conference} and now knowing that she got her Mission Call, has been great! People in Philippines better look after her! Well I hope so anyway! She is an awesome friend to have.

Here's the link below of when I first written a blog post about her.

http://holdontothisjourney.blogspot.com/2014/01/after-months-and-months.html

Thought About My Last P & L's Ball

P & L's stands for Priest and Laurel's.

I have been thinking about my last Priest and Laurel's Ball which was last year for the last few days. I missed it so much and I'm in Young Single Adults this year, so I wouldn't be going to the Priest and Laurels Ball this year. Tonight, I will be looking after my two younger siblings which is my brother and my other sister while my sister Emma gets to go to her first Priest and Laurel's Ball this year. I hope Emma will have a great time and I am sure that she will have a great time because I had a great time at my last Priest and Laurel's Ball.

I wasn't sure what I could make just the three of us for dinner tonight. When I suggested pizza for dinner, my sister seems interested and it will be a late dinner than usual. My brother is already sleeping which makes the looking after my siblings easier. 

I still remembered having a great time at my last Priest and Laurel's Ball. I really had a great time with my date that I had for the Ball. My Date for the Ball is now currently serving a Full Time Mission and I am sure that he has been enjoying his Mission. The first two photos was taken start of this year; Photo 1: My other sister and I. Photo 2: My brother. The last photo was taken outside of my last Priest and Laurel's Ball while waiting to go inside.

Our Prayers Again Will Be Needed

Well, I saw a post from Sister Chantal Pitman about Elder Kendall Pitman again. Our prayers again will be needed. I thought to do a blog post about it because not everyone from EFY Brisbane in 2012 and from SMYC Brisbane in this year are friends with Sister Pitman. This week's email from her and she mentioned the following;

"HELLO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ! WE ARE VERY SORRY TO TELL YOU ALL THAT ELDER PITMAN IS REQUIRES AN IMPORTANT SURGERY ! HE HAS A BLOCKAGE IN ONE OF THE ARTERIES IN THE LIVER WHICH MAKES HIM LOSE WEIGHT 15 KGS AND TIRED !
SO WE ARE WAITING FOR THE SPECIALIST TO TELL US WHEN BUT IT IS GOING TO BE VERY SOON ! SO YOUR PRAYERS AGAIN WILL BE NEEDED ! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR LOVE ! WE KNOW OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS WITH US IN EVERY STEP AND TRIALS IN OUR LIFE ! WE WILL KEEP YOU ALL INFORM ! LOVE YOU EVERYONE TAKE CARE AND THANK YOU !

SISTER AND ELDER PITMAN"

Even if you don't know them, it would be nice for you to pray for them and it will be greatly appreciated. Someone suggested to Fast and Pray for Elder Pitman on the upcoming Sunday because it's a Fast Sunday. If you haven't seen the other blog post about Elder Pitman, here's the link below as provided. 

http://holdontothisjourney.blogspot.com/2014/06/im-sure-we-can-do-it.html 

1st Group Date Ever!

Today was my first experience of Group Dating and it was also my sister Emma's first experience of Group Dating too. If you don't know what Group Dating means, Group Dating means that everyone in the group is paired up for an activity. Hanging out in a group means that you’re just a group of friends doing things together. It is involved more than 4 people. I wouldn't mentioned the whole story and I will just share the highlights.

It was so much fun! It was awesome walking around in the Zoo, and walking around in the Japanese Gardens and having great conversations. For lunch; we had 3 Pizzas that I ordered and we had Apple and Blackberry Turnovers that I have made last night. 11 out of 12 Turnovers was eaten before I got home.

At the start, there was 6 people, 3 girls and 3 guys. 2 girls which was Emma and I are Latter Day Saints, 2 guys which was Andrew B who was my date and Jarom C who was Emma's date are also Latter Day Saints. Emma invited 2 non-member friends to come along for the date. Unfortunately those 2 non-member friends didn't stay for the whole group date. It was great to have 4 Latter Day Saints going on a Group Date. I enjoyed it!

Emma with her date Jarom, her friend Talisha and I done some service by helping a woman by carrying some bags, tables and chairs for setting up a Party. It was lovely of us to do that. It was so unexpected to been asked if we could help and I am so glad that we did helped!

Above: Left to Right {Andrew B as for my date, Me, Emma as my sister and Jarom C as for her date}

If you would like to know what the guidelines or answers to questions about Group Dating that Latter Day Saints have, click on the link below. Enjoy reading that! Thank you Andrew, Emma, Jarom, Talisha, Shaun and a lady that we helped to make this day a wonderful time.

www.lds.org/new-era/2010/04/dating-faqs

The Story of My Last Date

One of my friends requested for me to have a blog post; that will explains about who I dated last, how him and I met, and about the last date. I'm sorry Elijah that you might read this post sometime when you come home on your mission.

I don't remember meeting Elijah during EFY 2012. He doesn't remember either. We didn't become "official" friends until after EFY 2012. I was texting some of my friends including Elijah to see who would be interested to go to the Temple because I was at the Temple in early June last year. Elijah and I stayed contact since then.

There was a Priest and Laurels Ball coming up in July last year and he ended up being my date for the night. 

2 days later after the date; he told me that he liked the photo that he took of just me out of all the photos. Which is the photo above. 

About 2 months later after he left to go on his mission; I decided to start emailing Elijah. It was one of good decisions that I ever decided to do! He emailed me and I was so happy. Out of all my other friends who emails me {other than Elder Pinyon, Elder Lawrence, Sister Bawden and some others with weekly emails},

The last time that I heard from him through emails was this week! He still has another 16 months left of his mission. He still have ages to go. Oh well.

I'm Sure We Can Do It

For the youth who has attended SMYC, do you remember we fasted for Sister Pitman so she can be well enough and her to able to serve a mission? Well for those youth didn't know, Elder Pitman isn't doing so well and he is in the Hospital at the moment. Belinda who was one of the SMYC Counsellors mentioned

"Hi guys! Our SMYC dad isn't doing so well in France. He is in hospital at the moment and is in need of our love, support and thoughts. Tomorrow, I am going to be fasting for the two most amazing missionaries out in the field. I would like to ask all who are able to fast with me tomorrow for the Pitmans. Thank you." on Brisbane 2014 SMYC/EFY Group.

I would like you to be mindful about that please; and if you are able to fast with Belinda tomorrow, it would be great. I know when we do fast, we receive blessings for the right reasons.

Sister Pitman mentioned "HELLO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ANOTHER TRIAL FOR US ! WELL IT IS TIME TO TELL YOU A BAD NEWS ! ELDER PITMAN HAS TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL WEDNESDAY ! THE DOCTORS FOUND THAT HIS LIVER IS NOT FUNCTIONING VERY WELL AND SOMETHING IS BLOCKED INSIDE AND ALSO HE HAS A BIG GALLSTONES TO REMOVE ! ONE THING THAT WE NEED IS OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO BE WITH US ! SO WE NEED ALL OF YOU WITH YOUR PRAYERS PLEASE ! FOR OUR FRIENDS WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN PRAYERS JUST A GOOD THOUGHT WILL DO BECAUSE WE KNOW OUR FATHER IS LISTENING TO YOU TO I NEED HIM TO BE WELL QUICKLY BECAUSE IF ELDER PITMAN IS NOT WELL SISTER PITMAN CANNOT DO MUCH WITHOUT HIM BY HER SIDE ! THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOU! WE LOVE YOU AND KEEP YOU IN TOUCH IN THE FUTURE ! WE HAVE OUR SAVIOR AND YOU BEHIND US ! I REMEMBERS EVERY DAY THAT ALL THE YOUTH FASTED AND PRAYED FOR ME AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE ON OUR MISSION BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH ! THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

LOVE SISTER PITMAN"

{Elder Pitman and Sister Pitman}

We Should Pray When We Fast; Prayer is a necessary part of fasting. Throughout the scriptures, prayer and fasting are mentioned together. Our fasting should be accompanied by sincere prayer, and we should begin and end our fasting with prayer

We Should Fast with a Purpose; Fasting can have many purposes. We can overcome weaknesses or problems by fasting and praying. Sometimes we may wish to fast and pray for help or guidance for others, such as a family member who is ill and needs a blessing (see Mosiah 27:22–23). Through fasting we can come to know the truth of things just as did the prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon. He said: “I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit” (Alma 5:46). We can fast to help others embrace the truth. Fasting can help comfort us in times of sorrow and mourning (see Alma 28:4–6).

In closing is a video, and if you don't see it; it's called "LDS (Mormon) Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin - Law of the Fast 2/2"

I Don't Always Prepare

I spoke with my Stake President to hear what he thinks about the decision of me serving a mission or not. I wasn't sure at the time. He said "Give it 8 to 9 months to decide about serving a mission or not." I was like "that is the month when my next Birthday is." I have been deciding a lot lately and thinking if the mission is really for me or not.

I like how the missions are optional for the girls, they can serve from 4 months as minimum to 18 months as maximum. I thought about serving a mission for around 6 to 8 months. I kept changing my mind and I will stick with 6 months at the moment. I said to a friend who is currently serving his mission, "I don't always prepare," which is true. I don't always go to Institute every week, I don't always go to Mission Prep every week and I don't study Preach My Gospel everyday. I love making a goal to go to the Temple as much as I can. 

I love looking out for opportunities to share the gospel. I love how I have been getting constantly asked by non-member friends about the gospel. I really liked how one of my non-member friends wants to become a member already, she has been to Young Women's a few times when I was in Young Women's and she haven't got discussions from the Missionaries yet.

Sometimes we may think when we talk to our non-member friends at school is going nowhere. I felt I have done as much as I can to be an example to my non-member friends. One of Church friends who is a convert to the Church, became a member by seeing my happiness that I have with the gospel and she attended SMYC. I told the Elder who she used to get discussions with, "She became a Church member last year and she got baptised last year in March." The look of his expression was priceless. It was like "is this real?" He was so happy.

If you have time, I suggest to you to have a look at www.onestoplds.com

Appreciation Matters

I'm so grateful when some of my friends who are currently serving their missions, appreciates their emails from me. I always try to keep them updated about what I was doing for the week, share any of my missionary opportunities and always try to share encouraging words that will help them to continue serving their missions. Sometimes, I get emails as replies that is totally not relevant of what I have said to them but nevertheless, I always happy to receive replies back from them. Sometimes, I don't realised of how much I can mean to someone until they tell me.

One of my friends who is currently serving her mission in Australia Melbourne Mission has emailed me two weeks ago and her email meant so much to me. It was an amazing email that I have received. She mentioned  through the email to me;

"hey Megan.

thank you so much for your uplifting emails I really really appreciate them :D.. thank you for your courage and your uplifting experiences :D..

you are such a wonderful example, especially to me. thank you for being someone that I can learn from and being a wonderful daughter of God.

take care. Sister Wirihana"

I thought it was nice for you to able to see it yourself of what she said to me. Well for 2 years of being friends with her, we haven't talked to each other much at all. It was so amazing for me to know that I am someone who can learn from and a wonderful example to a friend who is older than me. I really appreciated that email so much and it has bought me so much happiness!

If you have spare time; check out Anita Richter Photography please - here's the link below. If you do check it out; please like the Page and see the work Anita does. www.facebook.com/anitarichterphotography

Better Luck Next Time

Today, it was my first day to do a driving test and I failed. I wasn't nervous at all and I kept calm through the whole driving test. I was disappointed that I have failed. I wouldn't mention of what went wrong but at least I know what I could improve on for next time. 

I love this scripture which is found in Proverbs 3:5-6

I really am grateful that I have given it a go for the Driving Test. I really appreciated to some friends who said "Good Luck" to me. This week, I received total of 16 different emails from 14 different friends, a new friend and 1 friend's companions who all are serving their Full Time Missions. About 80% wished me good luck for the Driving Test, 10% with weekly updates and 10% general conversations through emails. I was so happy when I received those emails.

So I will try again to do the Driving Test again and it would be a long wait for it. It wouldn't be until July to do it again. I will continue practicing while waiting. I have become more understanding that everything doesn't always go right for the first time, we can choose to do it again and try again. 

Lastly, here's a short video called "Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them" and it talks about Elder Russell M. Nelson shares a personal story to give encouragement for when we feel "weak in the heart." I love when he mentions "Don't let your heart fail you. Be strong. Have faith. "Demand of yourself improvement. As you let the Lord help you, He will make the difference!"

My Parent's 20th Wedding Anniversary

20 Years ago,  my parents got sealed in Sydney Temple for time and eternity. So in other words, my parents got married 20 years ago. They are great teachers and examples to me. I really am grateful of the things that they have taught me. The simple things that they taught me was how to drive. I like being independent and knowing it can be challenging. Little things that I do is simple, I have rely on myself to get my studies done up to date, etc.

One day, I will get married in a Latter Day Saint Temple for time and eternity. Each time I go to the Temple, makes me feel so much happy, finding peace easily, feeling comfort and feeling Heavenly Father's (God's) love for me.

Sydney LDS Temple

I have moved 11 times throughout life, with 3 different primary schools and 1 high school. I have made so many friends that has either helped me or encouraged me to become an example to other people or to be my friend when I need someone to talk to or when I am feeling, they cheer me up. I am grateful that I have friends who I can trust, friends who cares about me, friends who I can say that I miss them, friends who I can say that I love them and many more. They mean so much to me.

I know that at times we all go through hardships, misunderstandings, confusions about something has said and other times. I leave with you a video at the end and it's called Families Can Be Together Forever. Enjoy.

Happy Mother's Day

We may not understand what our Mums/Moms does for us. I would love to say "Happy Mother's Day" to all those mothers. I really hope you will have a great Mother's Day. 

I am so grateful about everything that my Mum has done for me, I am glad that she has tries her best to achieved her achievements, I am glad that she has put up with me driving to places, I am glad that she takes some of her time to volunteer in a Nursing Home, I am glad that she taught me some chores to do while I am at home and I am glad she is my Mum.

We go through up's and down's. I am sure that is normal for a mother to go through. My mother has inspired me of what she does around the house for being a mother. I really don't know how she does it, but she does a great job. I hope you will enjoy the video below. If you can't see the video, the video is called "It Was Mom: A Mother's Day Tribute To Moms #itwasmom" 

Mother's Day celebrates mothers who gave us life and taught us how to live. This Mother's Day and every day after let's remember it was Mum/Mom that brought us into this world, it was Mum/Mom that cared for us and it was Mum/Mom who showed us what love is and can be. Motherhood truly is a gift. Both to those who have the privilege of being Mothers and to those who have the privilege of having Mums/Moms.

Celebrate Mother's Day and visit www.motherhood.mormon.org to see why motherhood has been deemed the highest, holiest calling in the world.

"It’s the highest, holiest service assumed by humankind. It’s the definition of selfless service. It’s both a daunting responsibility and a glorious opportunity."

Ask yourself these following questions,
How has your mother inspired you?
What’s an important lesson your mother taught you?
How do you show your mother gratitude?

Case Studied (a year ago)

Are you prepare to cry or be happy for me or both? The photos was taken on the day. I would like to celebrate that it has been 1 year since I got case studied.

On Friday, 10th of May last year, I was at Ipswich Hospital and not to worry, it was my decision to go to Ipswich Hospital. It was because I got an offer to either get case studied on or not. I accepted the offer and I got case studied on about the condition that I have. I was really excited and looking forward to the day.

Tammy and I.










Well, while I was at Ipswich Hospital, I saw other people who decided to get case studied on too. I only made one friend during the day. I met a woman named Tammy and Tammy who used to have the similar condition as me when her and I met. Between after I met her to now, she doesn't have a similar condition to me any more and I still have the condition that I have.

The day was awesome! I enjoyed my day and I got case studied more than once on that day. There was some doctors who was case studying me, there was some doctors who was amazed that I have the condition and there was other doctors. I got to keep a Hospital shorts that I was even borrowing for the day. Some people asked me questions such as "Do you have scoliosis?" "What condition do you have?" "What is it like to be you to have the condition that you have?"

To inform you, that I don't have scoliosis. I have a different condition.



I was 8 years when I was diagnosed the Condition that I have.


To find out information about the Condition that I have, here's the link below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_dysplasia_(human)

Goodbye to Elder "Bennett" Aue

I know Bennett has recently left to go to the Philippines Missionary Training Center today and I already miss him. He is going to be a great Missionary for the next 2 years. The conversations isn't going to be the same way for the next 2 years. I am writing post because I am grateful that Bennett is one of my friends.

I met Bennett at a Youth Dance when I was still in Youth but it wasn't official met. I officially met him at SMYC (in other words, Special Multistake Youth Conference or EFY) on Day 1 this year and he was one of the counsellors of my Company #ServiceB.O.M which was a great Company. 

After SMYC, a few members of the company including myself saw Bennett again at Southbank. It was an awesome day! I enjoyed the day out and there was a few highlights throughout the day. I saw 7 News Car including 7 NEWS filming and showing LIVE! I decided to be in a photo with the 7 NEWS Car behind me in the background and it was at SOUTHBANK! 

Here's a few photos at the Company Meet Up below;

Bennett and I at Southbank, behind 7 NEWS car.

{Photo 1}

At Lehi's Tent {Photo 2}

After the Company Meet Up, I decided to do a Skype Video Call with Bennett for when he was opening his Mission Call. I saw Bennett opening his Mission Call through Skype Video Call. It was an amazing experience and it was my first time to see one of my friend's opening their Mission Call through Skype Video Call. I was so happy for Bennett! 

After the Mission Call Opening, I saw Bennett the last time for the next 2 years at a YSA {in other words, Young Single Adult} Dance. It was great to see him again. I was so looking forward to see him again sometime before he left but it didn't ended up happening. 

Yesterday, I kept calling and calling his phone. It made me worry when he wasn't answering and I knew I wouldn't give up hanging up the phone. Eventually, his brother answered his phone and his brother handed the phone to Bennett. It was so awesome to have the last phone call to say the last goodbye for 2 years and it was one of the hardest goodbyes.

Philippines better look after Bennett for the next 2 years.

A Power of Fasting

I know sometimes I get asked by some people "What is your reason for fasting?" Well I fast for different reasons. I recently fasted for one of my cousins {who isn't a member of the Church, she is a toddler} and she wasn't eating at all. I saw my Aunty posting a status mentioned "I'm worried because she is not getting better" and I thought about it of what I can do to help or do something about it.

So on Saturday night around 10pm, I started fasting and I fasted so my cousin could get better and start eating before Tuesday. Otherwise, if my cousin wasn't eating and getting better, my Aunty would have taken her back to the doctor. I fasted for 21 hours and 30 minutes with no food and drink {not including Sacrament}. I felt Satan's Power to encourage me to stop fasting. I kept reminding myself what is it that I am fasting for and will it be worth it at the end of the fast. 

Today would have marked 5 days of my cousin for not eating. When my Aunty posted 2 photos, she mentioned "Yay she is finally eating again" that was when I find out that my cousin was eating again. I was so filled with happiness, joy and amazed that my cousin is eating again. It was so worth of sacrifice for not eating and drinking {not including Sacrament} for 21 hours and 30 minutes. I trusted in the Lord to get through the Fast.

For Fasting, it can be little things and little things does make a huge difference sometimes. 

Super Member Missionary

Around July last year, I keep up to date with one of the Ward Missionaries who was serving in my Ward. He emailed home and he mentioned in his email "We had to push our baptismal date back but we set another one with a young girl who is friends with a member of the ward. The member friend's name is Megan and she is like super member missionary. She is always sharing the Gospel with her friends and inviting them to church. She is an example of how we all should be."

It makes me feel great to know that a Missionary say about me to his family. It was really nice of him to that. I love seeing people's reactions of my happiness and knowing that I am a Latter Day Saint (known as Mormon). It always makes me grateful. Lately, I received messages from a few non-member friends and a few members friends to say that one of my blogs and I am inspirational for them which I thought that was nice of them to say that.

Happy Easter (2014)

I would like to wish you all Happy and Safe Easter. I hope you all have lots of fun and remembered the reason why we celebrate Easter.

"Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer. Because of Him, death is not the end, and life takes on new meaning. We can change, we can start over—and we can live again with God. This Easter, celebrate His life and discover all that’s possible because of Him."

I love a video that shows a short message, I hope that you will love the video and it's called #BecauseofHim

Overall, my Easter was good. 

Exciting Times

I recently sent a few letters away. I was filled with happiness and joy. I really enjoyed writing letters and sending the letters away. As for me, I always love receiving letters and I always get excited to read the letters that I receive. It always makes me happy.

I recently received an email from one of my friends who is currently serving her Mission, she mentioned to me, "I just finished your letter today, and I'll be sending that as soon as I am done emailing!!" I was so excited! I will be receiving a letter from my only friend who is serving in Idaho Boise Mission (in other words, I will be receiving a letter from Idaho). I always receive emails from her every week regardless what the circumstances are unless she misses the chance to email on her Preparation Day. I am looking forward to receive a letter from her.

                                 

It will make 2 letters from 2 different friends who are serving different missions to send me letters. It will be very exciting! The last letter that I received was back in January. I am really excited to receive letters again. The photos was taken by my Mum, thanks for my Mum to taking those photos for me. I finally able to share photos of showing that I am sending letters away. I don't remember what I was looking at when the photos taken. 

Forgiveness

I was thinking for the past few weeks about Forgiveness and I didn't understand why. I was thinking about having a post about it a few weeks ago but I didn't ended up posting it. So here it is the post. Take around 10 minutes out of your time, to read it.

Forgiveness means to me is to able to forgive someone, I mean it and try not doing that same mistake again. I know it can be hard for forgiving others especially to those people to hurts you the most. Sometimes, I try to understand what people situations are. As the way that I think about it, for one of the examples:

What would I do when someone hurt my feelings, I will tell him or/and her how I felt, ask him or/and her to apologise me, forgive him or/and her and ask Heavenly Father for to able to soften his or/and her heart. It helps to overcome of what has happened. I learnt at Institute, to always think about the Christ-like attributes and think about what we do if we were like the Saviour.

I always try to stay strong about anything that can let me down. Always keep our head up, and always learn to forgive. It doesn't hurt unless you keep putting forgiveness off. It will be hard to take that heavy burden away. So start FORGIVIVING today!

Sunday Morning Session GC

GC stands for General Conference. You may ask "What is General Conference?"

Well, General Conference is a semiannual gathering of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church), held every April and October to listen and watch from Church Leaders.

Please take around 10 to 20 minutes out of your time to read what I learnt if you want. This is what I learnt during General Conference for Sunday Morning Session, and here's the notes that I took, minus the photos.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf mentioned  "Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, even joyful, and even glorious. We can be grateful. I'm suggesting that instead of being ‘thankful for things’ we focus on being ‘thankful in our circumstances’ whatever they may be.

Commandments are opportunities to exercise our agency and to receive blessings. Our loving Heavenly Father knows that choosing to develop a spirit of gratitude will bring us true joy and great happiness. We can choose to be grateful, no matter what. When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation. In grief we can still lift up our hearts in praise.

Being grateful in times of distress does not mean we are pleased with our circumstances. It does many that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges. It requires that we trust God and hope for things that we may not see but which are true.

True gratitude is an express of hope and testimony, he added. It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life but trusting that one day we will."

Elder M Russell Ballard mentioned "Preach my Gospel teaches everyone how to not only invite but also how to follow up on invitations. The purpose of Missionary Work is defined as inviting others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.

He suggested members could be more consistently involved in missionary work if they would invite someone once a quarter to be taught by the full-time missionaries. To help members achieve this goal, Elder Ballard extended an invitation to all members, regardless of current calling, to obtain a copy of Preach My Gospel.

Read it, study it and then apply what you learn to help you understand how to bring souls to Christ through invitation and follow up."

I really loved what Sister Jean A. Stevens said in her talk. Her talk was my favourite talk out of General Conference for Sunday Morning Session. She mentioned, "Wherever we find ourselves on the path of discipleship, whatever our worries and challenges may be, we are not alone,  You are not forgotten, ... we can choose to reach for God’s hand in our need. We can face our challenges with prayer and trust in the Lord. And in the process we become more like Him."

Dear Sister Green

Everyone who has said "Congratulations" and other comments, I would love say thank you so much. It meant too much for me. Another 105 days to go.

"Dear Sister Green, 

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Arizona Tempe Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. 

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, July 16, 2014. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president." 

WARNING: Please don't get disappointed.

Readers, to let you all know that I don't have my Mission Call and I am not going to Arizona Tempe Mission. It was definitely a April Fools that I decided to do on most of my friends. If I really got my Mission Call, I would have organised something regarding about me opening my Mission Call.

Readers who don't know what is a April Fools, well April Fools is a person who is the victim of a trick or hoax on April Fool's Day which is 1st of April. I wasn't expecting that it would be a major hit. I have decided to become a YCSM which is Young Church Service Missionary next year.

I am currently busy on updating about 4 Blogs for my friends because they have gave me permission and a few friends assigned me to do their blogs during their Missions. I am waiting for my friend Leah Hillier to go on her mission to do her blog and she is also the last friend who I will be doing a blog for.

If I do go on my Mission, it would be until after my friend Elder Lawrence comes home from his Mission. I no longer take requests of doing blogs unless you go on your Mission and get back before March 2016. It might able to do it. I would rather keep up to date the blogs that I currently do. 

I thought that I can be funny this time, some people say that I am funny when I really don't think I am. However what do you think? Was it good April Fools?