We had another good week. Had many visits again. Many of our same people. That seems to be the way it is right now. Elder Urmston had an experience with a not very nice less active sister. He was polite but she really gave him the what for. The Elders say that's not unusual. I feel very sorry for her husband. We probably made for a very bad day for him. We also knocked on a persons door who was a DNC, We didn't know that until we got to the house, I did not want to go up and the Priesthood did. We went to the door, saw and cute little girl in a highchair and a man came to the door. We stated that we were new in the area and understood that this person did not want any contact, wanted to make sure that remained the same. He stated that he was sure she did not want contact. We said we would go by that. Thanked him and left. The poor Bishops wife got the blunt of that one. So that was not real great.
Wednesday I went at 9 am to get a perm. Abby the student gave it to me. She said it would take about 2 hours so I thought 3. We had plans to go with our District Putt Putt golfing for p-day. I arrived back at the flat at 2:30. I couldn't believe it. However I will say that it is a nice haircut and perm. I feel a lot better. No putt putt golfing.
We had another wonderful Baptism on Friday. Two young people. Albert who is Indonesian but has lived in Australia since he was 8. Great story. He has a degree in Marketing and a job. His company sent him here to get graduate studies and are paying him while here. He met the Elders three days after arriving. He said he was looking for some kind of change in his life. Julia is the young women. I don't know a lot about her, except that to get to church it takes her close to two hours. She has to leave early so she can get to work.It was
Elder Smiths first time to Baptize
The best day was Sunday. Both wards met together so they could show the Worldwide Leadership Conference. We were unable to see it before because the DVD was bad. Friday we visited Sariah. There has been talk of the Chinese members living out where she does, going to the Epping Ward. They have more members to fellowship and rides can be given. We needed to ask her how she felt. So I just told her what was happening and then asked her to be very honest with me and tell me why she doesn't go to church. Is it because your feelings were hurt. is it to far. are you not able to get up. She said she liked to go to church. Does not want to go to another ward. Then will you come to church on Sunday. She said yes. OK we think. On the way out just needed to confirm. Yes again. Saturday night I called her and told her that we would be waiting at the door. Again yes I will be there. She has to ride the tram about 45 minutes.
We went to Church early and meeting many people and then I look up and here she was. Such Joy and gratitude I haven't felt in a long time. She is really a wonderful young women and has a strong testimony.All the Elders and members were great to welcome her. It was so nice to see all these great young Chinese members, I looked around and there was Nell, Jane Sariah, Abby, Kyle, Michael, Kris. and at the last minute here came George and Surge and a new girl Lu, just returned from holiday in China for three months. It was a long two hour broadcast but they all stayed and were very social after. Tonight we went to Lisa and Steve Waycotts for dinner and to show our DVD of Elder Holland. Lisa had others there that we hadn't met yet, thought maybe she didn't want to show the DVD. After everyone left she said lets watch the DVD. So Steve the nonmember husband and the rest of us watched. Then said we had three more and he said well you will have to come back and show them to us. Lisa is my friend Erla Coulstons daughter.
This week we saw a Grenda Bus. That was good. Ken Grenda did call a while back and said he would be calling to get us out for dinner. ( for those non-family reading this, Grenda is Maryellen's mother's maiden name)
I have enclosed some pictures of the trams and also the streets with all the trees. We are going into Autumn now. Beautiful days.
So we saw the hand of the Lord in our life again this week. There is always a little tender mercy exactly when it is needed. We continue to try to fill our week with as many visits as we can. To see all of our new friends today at church touched our hearts. As Dean said on Thursday after Institute. Who would have thought that first we would have come to Australia and second that we would be sitting in our flat with six young people from China teaching them from the Book of Mormon.
Love you all and pray for your safety and good health and that your Testimonies will stay true and grow.
4 comments:
It's too bad that people can't just say, "no, thanks" without being crotchety about it. Makes it really hard on you, no doubt. Maybe they should get their names off the record and the nobody would bother then ever again!!?? All the rest was good and that lightens our hearts to read of your joy.
There is a picture that I saw for the first time in the MTC. It was of Christ and on one side it said, "I never said it would be easy", and one the other side "I only said it would be worth it." Your experiences remind me so much of my Mission. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. I finally realized though, that it was hard because I was thinking of my mission as "My" mission. "I" was trying to convert people. "I" was putting pressure on myself because "I" wasn't teaching as many people as I wanted, and therefore, wasn't baptizing.
When I remembered that it wasn't my mission at all, but that it was the Savior's, then I didn't take it so personal. You have been called to bring people to Christ. You do this by talking to as many people as you can and visiting everyone one of the new members and less actives as possible. You are not called to convert them, the spirit will do that. And the spirit will do that.
You are doing a great job. I know that the people in Melbourne are blessed to have you. We miss you very much, but know that we would rather you there doing what you have been waiting to do for many, many years, then here in Bakersfield. There will be many more Birthday Parties to attend, but your time in Australia, will soon end.
Work Hard and it will be worth it.
Your Favorite Son,
Nate
I am glad to read that all is well. I love seeing the pictures. I admire your courage to go out there and face those inactives that might slam the door in your face. Hugs and kisses from all of the Michael household!
Someone chewed you out? Now it's official, you're full time missionaries.
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