Chillin' with Elder Duke at the clinic

I'm in a trio now! My Companion Elder Duke went home early for back surgery so now I'm with my Zone Leaders until I get a new companion...It's been a crazy week for us here.
Elder Duke had a doctors appointment on the South Side of the Mission on Tuesday to find out the results of his MRI. Ended up being that 12 of his vertebra were damaged, 3 prolapsed discs (Note: it's extremely painful) , and ruined lumbar spine. The doctors prescribed for him was 5 mg of morphine to stop the pain...Wow was he cranky.

Our Mission President was at our flat about four times this week speaking with Elder Duke about what was needing to be done. Felt like he was living with us for a good part of the week. But finally on Thursday, Elder Duke was off. We took him to the airport that night. Honestly it was the weirdest thing to be there especially as a missionary. For a few brief seconds I thought it was me coming home. I send the video I sent to my family. so you can see my reaction.
From then on I've been with the Zone Leaders going around their area..they cover the whole of Auckland City from the North Shore to Penrose. HUGE Area! We've been working a lot of their area this week. It's so pretty around here!  Honestly I wish you could see what is here! Heavenly Father did no go lightly on Making a Beautiful World! He went all out on New Zealand!

I finally know what's it's like to be in the YSA Ward. ( Zone Leaders Ward) I went with them this week! Oh my Goodness it is so different! I loved it! Where is the Singles Ward in West Jordan? Because I will for sure be going! I'm feeling much better and enjoying the work. Have a great week!

Hello Everyone,

 I thought I would just say that I am doing HEAPS better! For what I can handle on a day to day basis. We are only working about half a day. They have been pretty effective but personally I wish they were better.
I've been thinking a lot lately and I'm finding it really hard to keep my mind focused all the time. The time is slipping from my fingers.  It's hitting me harder and harder everyday! The lessons I've learned on my mission have really strengthened me and taught me a lot about who I am and learning about who you are. " It's easier for us to find because we have more of ourselves to find." - D. Todd Christofferson.
Or in what I see is this, the fact that we will always be finding ourselves in little instances. Only if we are paying attention we will see those things.
It's been a struggle here on a mission but from what I've seen, the thing that helps the most while on a mission is CHARITY!  Wow has this impacted me a lot. If we love the outcome will always be a positive. I have used this question quite a bit on my mission to help me see if I had a good day or a good week.
Did I love the people we met today? If I could answer yes then it was a success! I love my mission for all that it is!  Only 8 MORE WEEKS!!! WOW
Have a great week, love you all!!! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers

Here is just s short email Elder Matua sent us this week. He is still in a lot of pain but we're hoping with the help of the mission nurse and the Area physician (doctor that is assigned to oversee medical issues for the Church in that area for the Area authorities and the mission) that he'll finally be pain free and back to work. He's been frustrated by the whole situation but we assured him that all will be well and that this will just be another experience that will help him grow. We spoke again with President Balli and he said that he is confident that Elder Matua will heal and get back to work. He allowed Elder Matua a quick call home and we talked for a few minutes. Always good to hear his voice.

Had to take a picture of his scuffy face from the week

That was the longest week of my mission. But I finished the NEW TESTAMENT and DOCTRINE & COVENANTS!!! So that was a big accomplishment for myself this week! I'm still very sore and I think I might have to take it easy again this week. Transfer week and I highly doubt I will be moving anywhere. It would have to be a weird change in events that'd cause me to move. But don't worry I will live. Love you ALL!!!!