Special Times in the Past Weeks

Some of the most special times in the past few weeks. We enjoy days filled with visits with great people young and old. They lift our spirits and feed our souls. We have been given far more then we give in return.

Our great young Korean friend Chris has returned to Korea. We have watched the Lord mold Chris into a confident, testimony bearing young man. He came to Australia to improve his English after serving in the military in Korea for two years and three years of University. His home stay was with a sister in our ward. She introduced him to the Gospel and the Elders continued from there. We have known him from the beginning. He has grown so much during these months. He said one time that he never liked himself, but now he does because he knows God loves him. His English improved and his spirit came alive. We took him out to dinner before he left to a wonderful Korean restaurant. He visited Hong Kong on his way home and sent us this picture of himself in front of the Temple.



Another special day was going with Yu Ching to the emigration office for her health assessment. She needed someone to help with the baby while she was having the assessment. Yu Ching is married to Martin Side. She is not a member and we have become good friends. We pray that one day soon she will desire to know more about the Gospel so that this sweet little baby with be in a forever family. Right now she is being a first time mom to a little one who does not sleep well at night.


We have started a Temple Preparation class. There are five young women attending and one fiancee who has received his Endowment. Abby is our wonderful young friend that we met as we arrived. She has been a member for more then 3 years. Lucy is a nurse and has been a member just over one year. Huan works in accounting and has been a member for 2 years. Emily and Teresa are preparing for marriage. Theresa is marrying Allan Sailor. We were able to go to the Temple when he went the first time. The class has been wonderful. Lots of questions and we see great desire to participate in this beautiful ordinance. Bishop Smith came last week to share about the interview process. We also were able to attend the Temple with our zone. What a great pleasure it is to sit and watch 14 young elders enter and take their places. Almost as good as when we are able to go to the Temple as a family. We look forward to that.

One of the new converts Mike spoke in Sacrament meeting. He did a wonderful job. He touched my heart. So very humble and sincere in what he had to say. I love how very simple these talks are, yet to the point. He spoke of how he overcame drinking coffee. As we listen to these wonderful young converts speak of their faith is Jesus Christ and that they know all will be well we marvel at how the Lord works his miracles. Mike is studying to be a mechanic. He received his degree in Physics in China. His desire now is to become a master mechanic and have his own shop

We have one of our young women who is struggling with what she should be doing. We have suggested a mission. She has thought of that. So we decided to have an Evening with the Sister Missionaries. We have four Sister Missionaries English speaking in the Caulfield Ward. One is from America, Sister Price, one from Tahiti, Sister Chong, one from China, Sister Jiang, and Sister Taukafa is from Sydney and is Tongan. We also invited Sis. Lai from Fairfield Ward. She is married and has two children. She served a mission in Hong Kong. I asked them to share how they felt about serving a mission, how they decided to go and what they have gained from the experience. So made some cute invitations and some really good refreshments and hoped they would come. Twelve came. We invited the Australian and Chinese young adult women. One Australian new convert and 11 Chinese, 3 were investigators. It turned out to be a good evening. The Sisters did a great job and there was good fellowship.

Two beautiful young women were baptized this weekend. One is a student and the other has been in Australia for 12 years. Both shared their testimonies at the baptisms. We are so touched by their deep belief and humbleness. They strengthen us as we associate with them. Both mentioned their great feeling of peace as they read the Book of Mormon and came to church.

We love what we are doing and feel we have been greatly blessed by the experiences we are having. When we see lives changed for the good through the acceptance of the Gospel our testimonies grow stronger. We know God lives and loves us. We know his church has been restored to the earth. We know the Book of Morman convinces people of this. We have seen it happen. Thanks for your prayers on our behalf. We love you.