on top of the world

rain and cold, but still smiling

This week we met a girl and her boyfriend and taught them the restoration discussion.  I have never met anyone, or seen anyone, who is longing for the gospel so much, but doesn't even know it.  It really opened my eyes.  People need this, that is why I am out here on my mission.  The Lord is truly preparing people for the word, but I still need to labor diligently to find those people, even when it's pouring rain and cold!   People listen a little better when it's cold and rainy because they feel bad for you! 

I really love all the letters that everyone sends me.  They make me so happy and give me extra strength!  All the mail gets me so happy and helps me keep moving along strong!

This is what I need to be doing right now, serving the Lord.  Going on a full time mission is going to help me so much in life, it's a small sacrifice.  I love New Zealand.  It's the best mission in the world!

connor being connor

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falling in love with the island

Today we drove to the beach that was right by where we were tracting.  We went to Waikuku, it's a tiny little beach town and we went to Waikuku beach.  When we pulled up I could just feel the ocean, and the beach aroma just filled my nose and I got so excited!  There is a sand hill you have to climb up before the beach, so I ran up to see the most beautiful sight in the world, the beautiful New Zealand beach and ocean with mountains on the left and the right that went out a little bit, then all ocean.  It was so absolutely breath taking. I felt the most love and appreciation for the Island.  I felt spiritually connected with the island of New Zealand.  I took some pictures of the beach and also me at the beach.  Probably the best photos that I have taken this whole time since I've been on my mission.  I really can't wait till you can come to this Island dream with me.  Mom, you are seriously gonna love it here, no joke.  You're gonna absolutely freak!  The people are so nice, it's a completely different country, everything is just so much different then we are used to.  There is no place that I would rather be!

If we reach our goal as a mission at reaching 300 baptisms this year, then President Jolliffe is renting a big bus during Christmas time and taking all of the mission (40 companionships) on a big Matthew Cowley historical church sight seeing road trip.  He did a lot for the church here in NZ.  That would be really fun.  Stay safe.  God be with you till we meet again. 

singing in the streets

Today was the most productive day we have had here.  The first street we did, we knocked on this door and an 80 year old lady and a guy in his 30's answered and the guy said, "hey we were just talking about you."  And we said, "huh?"  He said "I'm from Hamilton HZ, then I moved to Utah on a tennis scholarship to BYU, then became converted and got married in the temple to my wife who I met there.  Now I live in Mapleton, Utah.  I'm just down here visiting my grandparents and teaching them more about the gospel.  Do you want to come in?"  We said for sure!  I seriously couldn't believe that I met a member from tracting, it was so cool.  We went in and talked with the guy and his grandparents.  He wants us to come back another day and maybe teach them a lesson.  It was really so good to meet an active member.

 

It was a blessing and it totally boosted my spirits for the day.  

On Wednesday the whole zone went into the middle of Christchurch and we all sang hymns while a few of us contacted the people around watching.  I saw a girl sitting on a bench watching us all sing and so I started talking to her and it turns out she is from England just visiting for a couple of weeks.  So I gave her a pamphlet and bore testimony then began contacting other people.  Elder Tinker was watching the girl and said that she read the pamphlet cover to cover.  Then I noticed a guy with the same kind of bike that I have so I went over and started taking to him.  It turns out he is from California doing study abroad in NZ.  We talked about snowboarding for a while and then I started to talk to him about the Bible and the Book of Mormon and I pretty much gave him the first lesson about the restoration in the middle of Christchurch.  I really like street contacting after that day. 

We went over to the Samoan family's house today and boy am I stuffed!  They sure do like to feed you.  They go over to a fish 'n chips shop and bring back this HUGE bag of them and also have sausages, bread, eggs, and all of this food for us.  So we ate tons until I was about to pop!  Then there was one more piece of fish left and I was so stuffed and then Sana says, "Elder Rawle have some more fish" and I said that I was far too full.  Then she says, "RAWLE, I said eat the fish!" really boldly, so I said ok and ate the fish.  They really want you to eat, eat, eat! 

inviting people to come unto christ

I've been keeping track of how many doors we've knocked on this week and it's around 396 and not one person has let us in!  Only one person ever has said anything more then, "I'm not interested", and it was a 16 year old and we gave him a restoration pamphlet and that's it.  

But in preach my gospel it says, "your purpose as a missionary is to invite people to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the restored gospel of Christ through faith in the lord Jesus Christ."  So all I can do is invite people to come unto Christ, and that's what I'm doing out here.  Whether people accept it or not is their decision, so as long as I'm trying my hardest to invite people to come unto Christ, I'm happy.   

We are still teaching Grant and Carolynn, and this week started teaching a  family from Texas, a single mom with 2 teenagers, and another single lady. 

Our neighbor is funny, he's always drunk and happy!  One time he called us, "God Squad!"

It was my first fast Sunday out here in New Zealand today.  I bore my testimony, the spirit was so strong there.  I love my area more and more everyday. We get rejected all day and everyday, but we have fun getting rejected and we look forward to the next house.  I love New Zealand, it is seriously the best place to serve! 

I work so hard out here it's absolutely crazy.  I'm so tired by the end of the night!  People say you'll never sleep on your mission till the plane ride home, which is so true!  My testimony grows so much, my faith in the Savior is so big.  I know this church is true.  Everything makes so much sense.  I love you all and I love New Zealand!  I'm gonna learn so much out here, but I'm the same old Connor! 

write to connor

Connor would love to hear from you!  Mailed letters are his favorite.  

Write to him at:

Elder Connor Rawle

New Zealand Wellington Mission

6 Hagley Street, level 1

Porirua, 5022

New Zealand

Cost is $.98 for an average size letter.  We usually just put 3  $.44 stamps on letters.