Logan's pics of the week!

Eating crab!
Logan overlooking Brisbane at night.
Cooking - he's the cook nominated by his flat-mates! Guess I taught him well! ;)
Money.
Southern Zone Conference.

Week 3 - He's 'Growing'!

Quote of the week: "Growing is a process of stretching and stretching and at times brings pain. You'll never see the rainbow until you have the rain."

 

May 23rd

 

Some great things have happened. We had mission orientation/training and that was awesome. I am so spiritually charged. I need to be alligned with faith, Christ, God, scripture, and love to recieve the richness of his blessings. After a few trainings we walked to dinner. I got 11 contacts along the way! We had burgers and chips. Then we headed back for another training. Then it was off to bed in a decent hotel. When we woke up we started the "PERFECT MORNING". For a perfect morning on a mission you wake up, go for a jog, do a round of "Snap Gravity" then eat breakfast. After a cool shower and a change of clothes, we went back to Kangaroo Point chapel for more training. Then it was time to go back to the flat as my trainer came and picked me up. I have a whole new look on obedience, diligence, and faith. Now hopefully my knee gets better.

 

May 25th

 

I love the sabbath day. It's such a relaxing day. A day to refuel myself spiritually. Definitely not physically though haha. Since I'm up at 5:30 to be ready for meetings. I know what I'm gonna send home for presents! Lava lavas!!! They are awesome! Look forward to them Mom Dad Madi and Carter :)

 

May 26th

 

So I'm currently emailing and Sunny, the ward mission leader, walks in with Will Hopawati! A big time rugby player who served his mission here. Crazy stuff!!!!

Random Pics

My Desk

The rooms

Killing cockroaches

Leaving MTC

Saying goodbye

LA

Week 2

May 13th 2014

So I had trade-offs for the first time yesterday/today. They were awesome. I went with Elder Kisner, one of the zone leaders, to his area. It was a solid day. Heaps of potentials and heaps of lessons. Kisner is pretty cool.

May 16th 2014

What an amazing day! First it started with an amazing study were I found out a lot about weakness becoming strength. Then a day filled with some really good appointments. Me and Elder Motuliki went to the Liufau's for dinner tonight and man was it ever perfect. Things went so well. We got to know them really well then something amazing happened. As Sister Liufau passed out desert, I realized it was getting kind of late. So I grabbed my scriptures to share a spiritual message. D&C 38:24. It was perfect. I testified and the spirit used me as it's mouth piece. I then asked them to come to chrurch. Elder Motuliki just looks at me and goes "Elder, isn't that your first invitation?!" I of course said "Yes it is!" I explained my happiness and excitement to them. They then told me that they haven't been to church in 1.5 YEARS!!!! And that so many missionaries have asked the to come back but they never wanted to. This time they promised me they would come. That completely solidified my testimony that there are specific people I am here to save.

May 17th 2014

Another day of miracles! So there's this family that the Elders have been trying to teach for about 6 months. And never once even seen the dad as he always hid from the missionaries. But he came out to talk to us! It was awesome! And now he wants to take the disccusions. Then we went for a couple of great lessons. Then it was about 8:00 PM so we were heading back to the flat but we had a prompting to go to a potential investigators house. We got there but no one was home. So we stuck a note in the door. As soon as we were about to leave, they drove up. We had the best talk with them. Now we definitely have two new investigators! This truly is Miracle May! The work of the Lord is incredible and it's hastening. I tristed my knew so hopefully I get the miracle of healing. Two quotes of the day: "You are the author of your own fate" "A coincedence is when you fail to recognize God's hand in your life."

May 18th 2014

Another amazing day! The Liufau's followed up and came to church!!! YESSSS!!! We have another appointment with them this Friday so we have the chance to invite them again. They are gonna be active members again. I'll make sure of it :) They are my first "family"! The Manuel's came as well! They are a family who is commited to baptism and have a date. They even moved up their wedding to June 14th from March of next year! And now they are making it non-alchoholic!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited for their baptism! Elder Hansen and Elder Motuliki also had heaps of people come to church. Then we went to the Stehlin's for our regular Sunday lunch. They are such a great family. Now it's time to "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow IT'S P-DAY!!!!"

May 19th 2014

Mom you'll be happy to hear that I am losing weight haha. When i got here I was 235 and now I'm 230. So it's about a half pound a day. Even with the heaps of food people feed us over the weekend.

MTC Pics

First Week In Aussie Land

May 7th 2014

 

14000 is a big number. That flight was brutal. Totally smashed me. But it's over now. So first thing first, driving on the left side of the road is nuts. I couldn't even keep track of what was going on. It is so beautiful here. Trees, bushes and all sorts of greenery everywhere. My companion, trainer, and "dad" (missionary talk) is Elder Kreth.He is awesome. Everything I was hoping for in a trainer. After the orientation we headed to the flat. I am currently serving in Eight Mile Plain Zone; Waterford District, in Logan City. I think they sent me here as a joke. A flat is kinda like a two floor apartment that's completely opened up. After I unpacked we biked straight to a lesson. Elder Kreth had me take the lead and it went alright. The Arthur family is awesome. After the lesson we took off and went to a member's home. It kinda seemed like we went in a circle. Eventually we got to the home of.. the Arthurs... I WAS TRICKED! But it was all good. They gave lots of praise which was nice to hear. Then on the way back we started to bike through a park. The tropics of South Queensland are amazing. These 3 HUGE BATS flew right in front of me! These things are the size of eagles. It's insane.

 

May 9th 2014

 

So a little-big miracle happened today. Earlier in the morning we were making appointments then the Manuel's called and canceled their's. So we went to bike to the rest of our appointments a little discouraged. My bike tire popped on the way and the closest house was... the Manuel's. So because of my tire, we got into the house of the Manuel's and the commited to baptism! How awesome!! After some visits, tracting, and street contacting today, we started to take our bikes back to the flat. It gets dark here at around 6:15and people start going to bed at 8:00 PM. Seems crazy to me. On the way home we got yelled at heaps. People swearing and telling us Mormons to get the heck out of their city. It made the long walk home way more entertaining!

 

May 12th 2014

 

PDAYYYYYY!!! What a glorious word haha. Today so far I've gotten to skype home and do some service work at an investigators. She needed a heap of rubbish off of her lawn by the end of today so we got a trailer from Brother Wakalahi and cleaned it up for her. We punched the address of the tip into the GPS and it started taking us into Brisbane. Which is wayyy out of zone. So we flipped a U-turn and eventually found the tip. We dumped the rubbish and headed back to the flat after dropping off the trailer. Then Elder Mululiki gave me a haircut haha. It looks good. Now I'm emailing and then I'm headed to the shops. Should be a fun day.

Teaching JS Style!

MTC Life

Soooo before I get to the heavy stuff I'll open up with a fun little miracle. This morning when I woke up and got my shower stuff, I saw my room key on the desk. I didn't know why but I felt I should take it. Low and behold by the time I was out of the shower all of my roommates were locked out of the room. So listen to your promptings no matter how weird it seems :)

MTC Day 4

Sister Thompson left tonight. Man was it ever rough. I felt like I had completely failed. Like I didn't do enough. I was mad and upset. On the way back from saying goodbye to her I bumped into Wyatt. I explained what happened and how I felt. I ensured me that it wasn't my fault and that I could do nothing about it. He made me realize how important it was just to trust the Lord.

I got a letter from Karl :) Man did that ever make my day. But I was still not at peace with what had happened with Sis Thompson. So I prayed and felt prompted to ask Elder Haycock for a blessing. So him, Palakiko, and Price did so. I felt totally in-tune with the spirit again after wards.

MTC Day 6

Sunday here is awesome. The managing director of the missionary department spoke to us tonight! Brother Allen. It was a good talk. After that I watched a movie by Elder Bednar about being Christ-like and acting outwards.

MTC Day7

So last night/really early this morning, The other district left for the NY, NY mission. I'm gonna miss Haycock soooo much. That man is seriously my brother.

On Tuesday night there is a devotional. THE SPEAKER WAS ELDER CHRISTOFFERSON!!!!!!!!!!

That was the coolest thing ever. This is what I took from it:

"It's greater to be trusted than loved" - Pres. McKay

"I see a smile on his (Heavenly Father) face, a look of pleasure, and his arms out stretched" - Christofferson Apr. 29th 2014 MTC Devotional

"He (Christ) approves of your service. There is no greater respect than his approval" - Christofferson Apr. 29th 2014 MTC Devotional

MTC Day 9

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR THE CHERRY DR. PEPPER!!!!!! That and Kim sent me brownies :P man am I ever blessed haha. I traded ties with one of my teachers Bro. Belliston today as well. So much fun.

Day 9 pt. 2

Today was in field training. I learned so much about raising the bar. So the new district is great but there are two Elders that stand out. Elder Hickey and his companion, Elder Parkinson. Hickey decided to go home. Even though the MTC is holy ground, it appears that Satan is as strong as ever. After our class ended at 9:30 PM, Wheeler felt that we should have a quick zone meeting. He started to talk about how he felt that God didn't need him here or something. I wasn't really paying that much attention. But guess who decided to walk out? My amazing companion Elder Price. I followed him, naturally. He explained that he didn't feel well with what Wheeler was saying. So he prayed, and felt sick to his stomach. He said that the call of a Prophet, of Christ, and of God, WAS NOT A MISTAKE. There is such a fine line in between comforting and justifying. It was so similar to Sis Thompsons case. So much is starting to make sense now. But during all of this I was more concerned for Elder Parkinson. Earlier at lunch I pulled him aside and talked to him, making sure he was okay. I felt prompted to tell him to be self-less and Christ-like. Later that night in the dorm after everything had happened, I felt that I should talk to him again. I bore the most powerful and inspired testimony I've ever born. And without saying what was said, I now know the true meaning of being Christ-like. I have once again been converted even further. Parkinson is like my brother. Just like Haycock was an example to me, I am an example to him. He told me "without a doubt, I am doing the right thing. I will give my all in the field, because of you". I told him of course that it was the Lord and the Holy Ghost, not just me. I can't express in words how I feel now. I WILL SAVE PEOPLES ETERNAL LIVES. That is my true purpose as a representative of my Savior, my Redeemer, my Brother, Jesus Christ. In his name, Amen.

MTC Life

Day 2

We received our assignments today. I am the online coordinator. Elder Price my companion and is the sacrament leader. Elder Carter is the district leader, and Elder Wheeler is the next zone leader. I am also the senior companion. I took so many notes today that my hand is sore. I look forward to teaching my investigators. 3 Nephi 11:41, 2 Nephi 32:3, 3 Nephi 9:20-22, D&C 11:21, 3 Nephi 27:13-14     LOVE LOVE LOVE is the key to doing anything here in the MTC.

Day 3

Last night something major happened. I noticed Elder Wheeler kneeling in prayer late last night. I could also hear him crying. Being me, I was concerned so I approached him and asked him whats up. He told me he just prayed to know who to give him a blessing of comfort, then he asked me to do it. So we took a chair and headed out of the room. He told me his concerns about his new assignment and then his full name. I gave him the blessing. It was my first blessing but I knew it wasn't me blessing him, it was Heavenly Father. I was just the messenger. I just spoke and spoke and can hardly remember what was said, but man, was it ever powerful. I have never felt closer to Jesus Christ than that time. Later that day we talked with the sisters about that experience and about priesthood blessings. We continued with personal study. The about an hour later the three of them enter the class room again after leaving. Sister Sullivan asked me for a priesthood blessing of comfort. She also asked Elder Wheeler to participate. After the blessing she told us that she was ready to go home, but that blessing from Heavenly Father changed that.