Faith Precedes the Miracle

Congratulations to Carrie and Ralph. I know that they understand Faith Precedes the Miracle. So very happy that they have found each other and that they were able to go to the Temple to be sealed forever. We were sorry we could not be there with you. We were there in spirit.

Miracles do happen. We have been working very hard. Our time is spent teaching new member lessons. About 17 a week. We have been praying for an investigator to teach. Along came Shu. I have shared with you the story of Shu. What a wonderful experience it is to see a person desire to follow the Savior's teachings and change her life. Shu has great faith in the Savior and believes that if she lives the commandments that the Lord will bless her. She was so excited about her Baptism. She invited two of her friends and Bro. and Sis Blanchard from Ballarat came also. After she was Baptized, still in the font, she turned to us and waved with a beautiful smile. We know our prayers were answered, such a wonderful blessing for us all. Now we must press forward and keep working hard, so we will see other miracles. We see them every week as the Elders exercise their faith.

We had a really fun experience. I have wanted to see some Kangaroos in the wild. Elder Farmer who is a part time missionary told us he could show us some. So we went. The first place we stopped they were quite a distance away. We took Jane and Abby with us because they have not seen them. When we finally saw them moving the three of us all let out some excitement and they all hopped out of site. So off we went to find some more. We ended up at a golf course. As we started walking out on the course Elder Farmer pointed in some trees. There were at least twenty kangaroos. We walked slowly and they were very aware of us. The interesting thing was that the golfers with their carts could walk right by them and they didn't move, but when we came up they were frightened. It was a great experience. We took many pictures. One little roo was trying to get in its mothers pouch and the mother was not happy about that. It was getting a little to big. There were probably 50 0r 60.

Our friend Yu Ching invited us to come for a Chinese dinner. She married Martin Side and has been spending a lot of time cooking. She used Sister Fulmize's kitchen and cooked a beautiful meal. Their was enough food for about thirty people and there were only about ten of us their.

We went to see the Docklands one p-day. It is a new area that they are trying to promote. Will have many outlet stores and the new Costco will be there. Right now it is not very busy. Everyone is very excited about the Costco. It will be interesting to see how it goes over. The Safeway and Coles seem to have a monopoly on groceries here. Very few independent grocery stores. They have very high prices. There is good view of the city from that area.

Who do you think this little guy is. He looks very much like a few of the Urmston grandsons. This is Jack. Katy and Julians little boy. Just heard she is at the beginning of a pregnancy.

Well that is it for now. We are happy, tired, blessed, hopeful, prayerful, enthusiastic, and eager to do all that we can to share our testimony with those we teach and those we meet.

We hope that Halloween was great, that all the football players are having a wonderful season, the cross country runners are faster then last year, you are all happy with prop 8's victory, your looking forward to Thanksgiving, and that your testimonies are growing as you study the gospel, serve in callings, have family home evening and attend church. We love you all. A young man asked me tonight after I told him how many people are in our family, if I could love that many people. Such an easy answer. OF COURSE. Such an amazing experience.

You are all wonderful. Thanks for all you do. Stay close, be aware of each other.

Love, Mom and Dad Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister Urmston