Week 12 Transfers! (3/18)

 July 29th 2014

 

Happy Birthday MOM! You're and old lady haha. I want you to know that a lot of who I am is because of you. Me and Elder Motuliki went on trade-offs a week ago and went to visit the Dunn family. Sister Dunn asked us a question that of course made me think of you. "How has your mother prepared you the most for your mission." There are heaps of things and I couldnt even come close to listing half of them so this was my answer. I think that the biggest thing is Christlike love. One of the most impactful things you have said to me is "Treat your sister the way you want her future husband to treat her." As I talked with Sister Dunn I started to realize how much that simple phrase really means. I've come to know many things on my mission so far but one of them is very key to this great and marvelous work. You CAN'T force anyone to do anything, but you can love them into doing it. I now know the way I want Madi, you, my family and friends, and everyone else to be treated,  is to be treated the way Christ treats us. If you can learn to not judge and love everyone no matter what, you will want to go and serve a mission. You will have the desire to help people by sharing with them the restored gospel. My testimony is built on a foundation of love. It continues to expound based on the strength of the growth of that foundation. Just like a seed, my desire to love and serve others has taken root and within me and is growing speedily. Mom I want to bear my testimony that this is the truth. I was "born of goodly parents" that have raised me well and shown me the greatness is following Christ. I love you and I love our family. I love these wonderful people in Australia. Most of all I love my Saviour and my Heavenly Father. In the beloved name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

TRANSFERS!!! I'M NOT IN TRAINING ANYMORE WOOT WOOT (Just kidding I'm always training for the next trial haha)

 

Motuliki, Herry, and myself are staying!

 

Elder Kreth is going to Brisbane Zone, Brackenridge.

 

My new companion is Elder Michael Layton, from Glenwood, Alberta! TEAM CANADA BABY

Lots of pics!

Brisbane

Brisbane

Boys!

Logan's new GPS

Dean, the mini-missionary for the week

P-Day Basketball

P-Day

Family Pics Day of Baptism

Flatmates, Mission President and Wife, Comp & Logan

New Pics w/ Week 11

Logan's still cooking for the flat. I told Logan to scrub that stove! Yuck!

Breakfast is ready!

3 months out! So handsome! 

Week 11

July 19th 2014 

 

My Testimony 

 

I have always been told and said it a few times myself, Satan works the hardest on you right before your mission. I can now say that is not entirely true. This has been the hardest 3 months of my life. But it's also been the best 3 months of my life. If you can win the battles you have with the adversary, you become so much stronger and more prepared for the next one. With the power of God flowing through your veins, no hill is too steep, no bike ride too long, no person too rude, and no opposition too great to drag you down to the point where you give up. So if you feel like giving up, don't. Pray, read the words of God, listen to your favourite hymn. Don't give up at any aspect of your life because Heavenly Father's love, and the Saviours as well, is the most powerful thing to ever exist. If you truly rely on Christ's Atonement nothing is impossible. The fight is hard. This life, the path to salvation, is never easy. But you can make it. I testify of the love of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

July 21st 2014

 

This week has been amazing! We have had so much success. We have 3 baptismal dates, 10 potentials, and 7 new investigators. Not only that but we had 3 less actives come to church on Sunday. We are teaching a a family of 8 now which is really fun and crazy. I was on trade off with Elder Herry and there were some teenagers hanging out at the park so I decided we should talk to them. As I said hello, they responded with "Hey Elders!" At first I was kind of confused but as I spoke more to them I learned that they were taught by the Sister Missionaries in Park Ridge ward. So I got there address and Elder Kreth and I went and followed up with their mother a few days later. She told us that her husband is a less active member that hasn't gone to church in over 20 years! So 

yesterday we were able to go and teach all 6 children, the mother and father, a very powerful restoration lesson. They also fed us so that's always appreciated. They are going to be great to teach.

 

I also hit my 3 month mark in two days... scary how fast time goes by.

Week 10 - idunnowhattocallthis1!

July 7th 2014

 

Today was amazing. After zone p-day we went to the Jackson's for dinner. They are a less active family. Sister Jackson, her two children Gavin and Felisha, and Gavin's daughter Gemma, and Felisha's son Zaviar. Gemma is not a member and hasn't been very keen on learning. After dinner, Elder Kreth started by reading 2NE 25:26 and then we talked about Joseph Smith and what he did and the blessings of the gospel. Then I shared the first vision and it was a pivitol point thus far. I have never been so in tune with the Spirit and Heavenly Father in my life. I have never taught someone that has been so prepared for the message. I felt that God and Christ were with me as I testified of the truthfulness of the gospel. It brought tears to mine, and Gemma's eyes as well. I know that this is the truth.

 

July 11th 2014

 

Miracle! So theres a family that was baptized just before I got here. The Stehlin family. They are really awesome and like to feed us every Sunday.  So "Uncle", everyone calls him that but his name is really Johan, had a really bad kidney stone that wasn't moving and causing him heaps of pain. So he asked me and Elder Kreth to give him a blessing. About 4-6 days later he was fine and didn't even need to take the medication he was given. It's gone! God's power is incredible.

 

July 12th 2014

 

"Sometimes the only way to get from A to C, is by way of B." -Elder Holland

Today was the Manuel's baptism!!! FINALLY!!! What an amazing experience. The spirit was there constantly. President and Sister Henderson even came! He always brings such an amazing testimony of the gospel wherever and whenever. I have accomplished what I set out to do on my mission. Guide at least one soul unto Christ. Anything from this is just extra :) Unfourtunately I am really sick... again. So after the baptism I was really fatigued. So after a few hours of rest and some light dinner, I 

went and asked Carpenter Tou, who lives in the same complex as us, to assist Elder Kreth in giving me a blessing. In Elder Kreth's blessing he said "...you will know the purpose of your trials." So after the blessing I decided to watch some Mormon Messages. And I came across the message with the quote from Elder Holland. So much of my life makes sense now. Sometimes Heavenly Father gives us a learning experience so that we might know that the path we are on is the correct one. I know that EVERYTHING we are given in life is for a reason. I know that despite my past trials I needed them to be sure and steadfast of the path I am currently on. So that without a fragment of doubt or misunderstanding or fear, I will be able to follow my Saviour and Master, Jesus Christ.

 

July 14th 2014

 

Faith without works is dead. And works without faith are pointless. Today is p-day :)

Yesterday was Paul, Sarah, and Tre's confirmation. It was such a blessing to stand around them with my hands on their heads. Following sacrament Paul and Tre got their Priesthood, and all three of 

them got their temple recommends. Which means we get to go to the temple with them soon! And President Henderson told me that in a year's time I would be allowed to go throught the temple with Paul and Sarah :) I cannot wait for that day. It will be awesome to see how much all of us have changed and grown since this day.

Week 9 - Malo e Lelei (Greetings!)

July 4th 2014

It's been a pretty boring few days. Elder Kreth got sick so we stayed home for two days. Then I got sick so that was another two. All goods though! Yesterday we went on splits with two of the young men and ended up with 6 hours of finding. I ended up with two potentials that seem really keen so I look forward to teaching them soon

July 6th 2014

So we got a mini missionary for the week! His name is Dean... or Elder Orth haha. He's a pretty cool kid with a good sense of humor. It'll be an interesting week with him. The quote of the week comes from my favourtie Mormon Message:

"The journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step. So, watch your step."

The Manuel's baptism got pushed back another week. :( Paul said he isn't waiting anymore so he and Tre are gonna get baptized this Saturday for sure. Sarah isn't sure anymore about the whole "church thing" because of some stuff that came up from the past. So President Henderson is going to come and teach a lesson with us. Which is a very, very good thing. Hopefully all goes well. We look forward to following up with lots of potentials this week. We also got a really awesome new investigator and her name is Hannah. She was taught a couple of years ago by the missionaries but felt to pressured and didn't want to get baptized. But we followed up with her yesterday and re-commited her to baptism! Really looking forward to Zone P-day tomorrow :) Unfourtunately I need new bike lights BUT I haven't popped a bike tyre all transfer! And yes, they spell "tire" "tyre" here....