Perfect Perfect

This is the perfect picture for any missionary. A beautiful young husband and wife being baptized. Introducing Ken and Grace.

Grace met the elders and started having the discussions. Ken was not involved. As time went by she invited him to church. He lasted for the first hour and then left because he needed a cigarette. Elder Shillig and Williamson followed him. Ken said he remembered Elder Shillig telling him he was a good man. He thought to himself "I want to be a good man"

Grace speaks English very well, Ken has very little English. He was working at a Bakery she is taking a Beautician course. Ken started having the lessons with the elders but did not really try to stop smoking. We became acquainted with first Grace and then Ken at Family Home Evening. As Ken became more and more interested he had some questions he felt the Elders could not answer. He asked if he could meet with us to clear some things up. We were happy to help. He came with the Elders and his computer with all of his questions. We were able to answer and he was quite content. He stated that was the first hour and a half that he had spent, when he did not think about smoking. The elders shared the churches stop smoking program. He came again in three days with a very positive attitude stating he had not smoked. There were a few other problems to overcome. The commitment was made and they have gone forward. In the meantime Ken had a job offered to him that doubles his salary. He has also been helpful in helping another Chinese member to find a job.

Saturday was a beautiful baptism. We were asked to speak. It was an honor for us. Grace asked Elder Urmston to confirm her. He gave a beautiful blessing to her. Everything is ready for them to succeed, to be strong members of the church, to be leaders of the young Chinese converts. Our prayer is that the Caulfield Ward does their part in being their friend and accepting them into their ward family. Caulfield has one very strong young couple and another do to marry in the Temple in August. Hopefully they will be like the good friends that accepted us in the Rosemead Ward so many many years ago. President Hinkley told us that every new member needs a friend, a calling and the good word of the Lord. We pray this will happen.

Next Saturday is another Baptism. We had the opportunity to teach Peter. He is a 50 year old very well educated Christian man. Another perfect missionary experience. This was a referral. We met Marian when we first arrived and she has been a good friend. She and Peter started dating and we were invited to teach him. The ward is going to really support this baptism. Marian and Peter will be married in August.

We know that the Lord performed many miracles as he walked the earth. In the last 18 months we have seen many, many of his miracles here in the Australia Melbourne West Mission