G’day everyone!

Sorry I’m emailing a day late… Since transfers were this week we pushed Preparation Day back to tuesday! Buuutttt….. we officially survived Transfers!! 🙂 Both Sister Stott and I get to stay here in Woden for 10 more weeks!!! WOOHOO! #wodenwarriors

So let me tell you.. Mission life is just full of miracles, mate! This week we’ve been working with the members more and more(: and we were able to get 6 lessons taught with a member present! it’s been awesome to see how much love some of the members have for the gospel here.
We went to see an older lady named Roslyn who is the definition of “eternigator” she’s been investigating for yeeaarrrssss… but our lesson was pretty funny. We were teaching the Plan of Salvation and the whole time she kept saying, “Where’s the part about reincarnation?!” Apparently she was a Native American Indian in her last life… 😉 Hahaha… After that our next appointment canceled lol so we went to knock some doors, and we went up to knock on this guy’s door but apparently he was standing on the other side (they have one way screen doors like one way mirrors here. Freaky) and he said, “How can I help you?” RIGHT as Sister Stott went to knock and it scared us both but she literally SCREAMED hahaha it was hilarious! Unfortunately the guy she screamed at wasn’t interested in learning more but he laughed and gave us a referral anyway! The Lord works in mysterious ways I suppose.

Also, we got word from President Back that I’m going to have to learn how to drive here by next transfer!! Mostly because sisters who drive are super scarce here in the mission (seeing as most come from the islander nations lol), so President told me he’s probably going to split Sister Stott and I up next transfer since we both drive (it was a close call this transfer haha).. 🙁 but it’ll be ok, we now have 10 whole weeks! 🙂 and so this week I started driving for the first time on the left side of the road for about a 1/2 hr a day so I can start getting used to it(: It’s super weird but not quite as weird as I expected… driving around as the passenger and soaking it all in for 6 weeks has helped heaps! I’m starting to feel like a true Aussie haha

Ugh I also forgot to write to y’all about Australia Day!! It was on 26 Jan.! Pretty neat(: lot’s of flags flying and drunk people out late.. but alas none of them wanted a Book of Mormon.. hmm maybe next year haha but it’s fun to get to know the culture here! We ran into the Prime Minister of Australia last Preparation Day when we went to go tour the National War Memorial! So that was kinda neat(: Maybe next time we go the Queen will be there 😉 haha

The War Memorial was super neat. They have a tomb for an unknown soldier too. I wanted to take pictures at first, but when we got there it just felt too sacred. It was really beautiful though! Maybe they’ll have pictures online(: And they had a Hall of Honors where all the names of those who died in the war were put on the wall and people could put poppies up to remember them. It was beautiful 🙂 And we got a great view of Capitol Hill as well from the memorial! I love Canberra! I think next on our list of sightseeing will be a zoo of aquarium or something haha who knows?!

Thank you for your prayers this week! I definitely felt them. I just wanted to end with my testimony of how mindful God is of each of us individually and personally! 🙂 I love my Father in Heaven but I know that He loves me infinitely more! The past few weeks have been hard adjusting but I have definitely seen the tender mercies of the Lord everyday! And I know He is so mindful of me and is always watching out for me. He’s given me so much and has let me love so many amazing people while I’ve been on my mission and I continue to meet more and more everyday! He’s given us the Priesthood, and I am forever grateful of that! Whenever I am discouraged or feeling down, I can feel god’s love when I read over my Patriarchal blessing and the notes of blessings I have gotten otherwise(: It’s incredible! I know the blessings my Father in Heaven has given me through the Priesthood are true and are the gifts that I need in my life to push me to greater heights! I’m so grateful for the knowledge that He loves me and will give me what I need to find happiness! And I know He can do the same for you! 🙂 Get your Patriarchal blessings if you haven’t already! (Or if you’re not a member yet, get baptized THEN get your Patriarchal blessing! 😉 lol) It will change your life! And enhance it every time you read it afterwards(:

​Love you all heaps!
Sister Swan