Busy Week with Zone & District Conference

June 8, 2015

Hey Family and Friends,

I hope that all is well!!! Mission is the best!! We had a sweet Zone Conference. It was a great experience. The focus was on the Sabbath day. My companion and I had to present and it went well!! Preparing for zone conference made me learn so much this week!

I have not always understood the parable of the five talents, two talents and the one talent like I do after my study this week.  I’ve also been studying the concept “grace to grace” and it made me realize how important it is to be progressing—in fact, it’s a requirement to enter into our Father’s Kingdom. I hope that I will be able to let go of who I was, whatever I am holding onto and become exactly who my Father In Heaven wants me to be as a missionary. Being a missionary is literally the best decision I have ever made.

We also had a zone activity. It was way fun!! Best zone ever!!We went to the Zoomba Plateau. And, we also had District Conference. It is cool to see how the church is growing here. I don’t know how to explain it, but I felt like it gave me a vision of the church and how established it is becoming here in Malawi and that made me so happy!!

Well I love being a missionary; I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Love you,
Sister Falco

 Laughing missionaries!

 Zoomba Plateau with my companion!

Mission is the hardest thing you will ever love!

June 1, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

I love you all so very much!! I am so grateful to be a missionary!! It’s THE best!!! Literally THE best!!! I won't lie… I’m a pretty strong person; I don't really get homesick that easily. But still mission hasn't been the easiest. Mission is the "hardest" thing you will ever love. 

I don't know what else to write, I left my study journal and today has been crazy haha. Been running around all day so my brain is kind of scattered. We had baptisms in Ndirande!!! THE BEST!!!!!!!!!! I am so grateful to be apart of the celestial branch! haha I have never met a branch that is so involved. We have this sweet guy named Praise who just welcomes our recent converts like no one’s business. He finds them and sits with them during the meetings. This branch is the best!! I have never seen any thing like it. These people understand the gospel!!

Oh sad story, we met a former investigator from a year ago who visited the church once. He told us that his wife was traumatized at church. So we went and.. It took a while to figure out his concern but we just were quiet and did active listening. And he said he didn't like the church because there was NO LOVE. It is so sad. I wanted to die. And he is starting his own church and teaching the “Gospel of Love”. We as members of the church of Jesus Christ need to step it up and need to show more love to people. Ndirande is the best and most loving branch now so it’s possible to change!!

Someone asked me this question: What’s my favorite moment on mission? My answer…

It’s all the best. I don't know what my favorite part is. I love every moment. I love the hard moments. The moments when you feel like you can't do it or you feel like you are the worst missionary and you feel like you are so inadequate and then…when you pray, you feel Heavenly Father’s love. I love those moments. Those are the best moments I hope to never forget. The success is great, seeing investigator progress is great, seeing wards and branches participate is great. And they are all the best. But there is nothing like feeling Heavenly Father’s love when you know and feel you are inadequate, when you make mistakes and feel like Peter as he weeps after he denies Christ. I love being a missionary and all the things I’m learning. 

Love,

Sister Falco

 Baptisms in Ndirande Branch

 For all those people who think Africa is just villages! hahaha

 Ndirande Branch...the Celestial Branch!

 Our One Year Photo--Sister Dlamini is THE BEST!!

 The Girls' Baptism...cute, cute!!

 The one and only SUSAN!! Branch missionary who always works with us. She is THE BEST!!

 The view was spectacular...photo doesn't do it justice!

MLC & The Sabbath Day & LOTS of fun photos!

May 25, 2015

Hey Family and Friends,

This week was an incredible one. We got to go to MLC (Mission Leaders Council) in Zambia. MLC was from Tuesday morning at 4 am and we got back on Thursday at 9:30. These leadership councils are so great but I can never sleep during them because I’m in such deep thought. I love President and Sister Erickson! They are the best. I feel like they got to know me better this week. haha The person I gave 50 dollars to for my visa into Zambia didn’t give it back! So, Elder Sagers, our Zone Leader, had to use his own bank card to pay for my visa. It was so embarrassing…but I guess the mission is covering it. Haha!

I learned a lot at MLC. I am truly blessed to be a missionary that’s all I can say. I can't believe the blessings that it brings being a missionary, especially with the people you meet. I truly love every single missionary so much. I feel like on mission you just love people and I feel so much love for the other missionaries. I have never met such good young men and women. I look up to every single one of the people at MLC so much. Not to mention President and Sister Erickson! I love those two! I hope to be like them one day.

The number one thing I came away from MLC wanting to do differently or better when I go home is to keep the Sabbath day holy. I felt like I tried pretty hard in college, but was definitely not perfect especially during finals week or any week that I had a big test. Hah :) My goal is to never do my homework on a Sabbath day. And not only that but truly keep it a holy day. The time that we spend on mission is a privilege and I am so scared to go home and not feel this kind joy in the everyday activities. I realized something though in this MLC--when we accepted our call, we accepted to devote all your time and attention to the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs. I love this. And to be honest when I feel like I’m truly living a consecrated life is the time I have felt SO SO much joy on my mission. And it so scary that I won't have the time "to devote all my time and attention to the Lord." But at this MLC I realized that the Sabbath is kind of the same thing. It’s the day we can devote our time and attention to the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs. And the temple is another place where I can be totally focused on the things of God and leave the world behind. I can still have a taste of mission even when I am home; I can still have the joy that comes from consecration.

Well this week has been a fantastic one!! We didn't have much time in the area because of MLC, but it was still a good week! We had lots of investigators at church! I love being a missionary and am so grateful for this opportunity!!!

Love to all of you!

Sister Falco

 Chinese Restaurant with the Sisters @ MLC 

 I am totally grateful to be a missionary. This is the office that we do MLC in. Its the best! I don't want to wish away anyday. This is the best experience of my life. Not the easiest but the BEST!

 Ian, the one with the white hair, has been investigating the Church for over a year. He is the best! Evan--he is so cute, he can talk forever, also investigating the church.

 Sister Dlamini and I at Chinese Restaurant in Zambia

  Sister Quaye & I

 Sister Proctor and I with my companion, Sister Dlamini, who is the best!! . . .the most kind and loving person ever!

President and Sister Erickson. The Best!! President And Sister Erickson. Where do I even begin with these two people. They are literally the best people. They are in my opinion the perfect Mission President and wife. I have never met a couple who can have the perfect balance of compassion, but at the same time still holding the standard of obedience high. I love them. I look up to them a ton. I hope to be just like them someday. :) I am grateful to be a missionary under them. They always say part of the reason you get called to where you get called is because of your mission president, I don't know if its true, but they are the best. I love them.

 Sister Proctor: Probably one of the best people I have EVER met. She seriously she is an elect person. I have never met someone as good as she is. One in a million. This girl! Blessed to know her!

 Sister Dlamini--grateful to be her companion!

 Silly Sisters

 Sister Proctor and Sister Dlamini and I at MLC

 Great to see Sister Quaye again. Love this woman!!

 Sister Quaye is a babe!

 Beautiful Sisters--Quaye, Falco, Tuai Hirwa

 Some of the best missionaries!! Blantyre Zone Leaders and my companion, Sister Dlamini

 

We walk on this bridge to our area.

Zambia Mission Office

No showers for days!

May 18, 2015

FAMILY and FRIENDS!!

What an amazing week….

 
Well MLC (Mission Leader Council) is this week. We fly to Zambia for the meetings. The APS had us read 32 pages to prepare..... It was crazy. I am grateful to be a leader. I have learned a lot. I feel I will be released soon since I have been an STL since December. But it’s not a position to be aspired or denied. This calling has helped me a lot, helped me to build confidence--true confidence in the Lord. It has also helped me to focus on the Lord when I fall short.

We have not had water in our apartment 5 out of the 7 days this week! No showers for days. haha Just kidding—we’re taking bucket showers. Thanks to the zone leaders who bring us water.

We have a perfect investigator. She is a miracle! Chikondi. She asked us if she could pay for the Book of Mormon when we gave it to her. And then she showed up at church this week (for the second time) and when she arrived, the church was even open! J It is a blessing to have her as an investigator. The Lord is too good. Tears of joy only happen on mission. :)

I love being a missionary. I am grateful to be a missionary!!

Sister Falco

Photos Sent May 18th

 Hike on Preparation Day!

 Sister Mutungwa--"The Best Woman" (she finished up her mission this week)

 Journal...such great memories!

 Not sure where they are...

 Sister Falco loves to cook!  Teriyaki Chicken's for dinner!!

Sister Falco, Sister Browning, Sister Dlamini (her companion) & Sister Zohna

Just Photos This Week

We had a great call with Sister Falco!! So fun to hear her excitement, her laughter, her stories. She is one happy girl! She LOVES her companion and the other sisters she lives with. She was so excited to go on a hike today. "Blantyre is Beautiful!"

 Sister Falco's Companion - Sister Dlamini from South Africa

 Hiking for Pday - She's in Heaven!

 She loves this girl!!

 Flat-mate...loves the sisters she lives with!!

I am in Blantyre!

May 4, 2015

Hey Family and Friends,

I am in Blantyre!!! IT’S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE I HAVE EVER BEEN!!!! I am so very grateful to be a missionary!!! It’s the best!!! This place has a ton of mountains. Its green and its awesome!! I have been here before for the mission tour and the Christmas combined zone activity, but I never knew how beautiful it was until now!! There are hikes and there is everything here that makes me happy! Haha It’s the best!!!

In my area we hike everywhere! The houses are on hills. It’s so sweet!! I wish you could just be here!! I am very grateful for my area!! The area honestly has been dead for five months. They just had their first baptism in five months!! Hopefully we can find more people who are prepared and ready for the Gospel.

The sisters here are like perfect, celestial beings. haha I love them all. They are so NICE!--the epitome of nice. My companion is super sweet!!!!!!

So I studied an interesting thing this week. I’ve often wondered what causes people to rebel. I’ve always thought it was because of a lack of love or the obvious one—pride. But I’ve come to realize that another reason for rebellion is when someone is offended. I was studying the story in the Bible when Jesus Christ calls himself the “Bread of Life”. Many were offended by this statement and they “went away”. When we feel offended, we often want to leave and do our own thing. We become unteachable. Avoiding being offended is something we should work on. Human relationships are much like our relationship with our Father in Heaven. We need to work to not take offense with the requirements that come from God. We need to trust Him and seek to understand Him. I don’t know if this all makes sense. But I know that I need to be better and I know I want to be more like my Heavenly Father and be more swallowed up in His will.

I love being a missionary!

And, I love you!

Sister Falco