Led by the Spirit

So I was on trade-offs with a pretty new missionary, Elder W.  He's so good though for how young he is in the mission (plus he's 18).. We set goals that we were going to find 2 New Investigators, give out 5 Books of Mormon all by doing this survey that we're doing in the mission. We were walking the whole day cause neither of us could drive and we were getting shut down the whole morning.. we were talking to every one and not one person listened... We kept on going and talked to this one guy on the way to lunch and he wasn't interested at all.. but we kept persisting and it turned out.. he agreed to take the 2 minute survey... but soon after we realized he loved talking :) .. 30 minutes later haha as we have discussed heaps of gospel topics.. he smiled and then chuckled a bit and said 'Ya know... me and my partner have been searching for a church to go to for about 12 months.. and we just barely moved here and you guys show up... I'll come to your church!"....Sometimes we are led by the spirit... not even knowing that we are being placed in the path of others lives that we can change.. But we earn these such tender mercies by our obedience to previous promptings which we follow, no matter how big or small they are.... And so we taught him a bit and set a return appointment to meet up again... BOOM! 1st New Investigator... 

So after lunch we continued talking with every one and come the time of the end of our trade off... we were walking home.. we had added 1 New Investigator.. gave out 4 Books of Mormon... and we were about 500 meters away from home so we could evaluate the day... when we saw this kid in the distance walking his dog.. We both looked at each other and were like.. We are giving this kid a Book of Mormon no matter what!.. Even if we give it to his dog, we wanted to accomplish our goal!... So he's walking by us and has headphones in.. and we stop and wave him down.. but he keeps walking... so we were like... faiirdinkum... then after he walks past us about 2 feet... he takes out his headphones and says.. "I'm sorry, did you say something to me?".. We were like, Yeah! We're missionaries just going around the area here doing a quick survey... And we asked him the first question.. "Is a close, strong family important to you?"... And he replies- "Yeah it really is! My brother died 2 years ago... so I don't know if I'll ever see him again but my family means every thing!"... And just from that we were able to have the most legit lesson right there on this street... I pulled open the Book of Mormon and taught him where his brother is right now... and testified that he will see him again... and then Elder W bore his testimony as well.. and through it all, this kid in Year 8 started crying and invited us back over to his house next week!.... I know with a surety that God hears our prayers.. and knows our thoughts and innermost desires.. This kid had been asking himself every day 'What's the point of life if we come here to live and then just die.. never to live again?'... And he was walking his dog listening to his music pondering that same question when he met us... the last person we spoke with that day.. was an answer to his prayer and also ours. 

What my mission has meant to me thus far:

My mission has meant EVERYTHING to me... From what I've observed and come to a realization of... is the reason why so many people miss their mission so much... is not because they miss the culture, or the people, or wearing proselyting clothes every day, or getting feeds from members. Although they play a significant role for certain missionaries... but no it's not any of that. It's because... they will not experience the huge capacity in which they were able to feel the spirit as much as they felt it when being a full-time missionary. When you have your own Sacred Grove experiences... when you see miracles, when you teach and testify and feel the gospel... I mean really feel the gospel for the first time working in you as if it were your own DNA... when you gain a rock solid testimony.. when you make eternal friendships with the people whom you will dedicate your full-time service to.. when you forget yourself and give every thing you have to God.... when you come to the point where nothing else matters... where you can never go back to being the same.. you answer just as Peter answers when Jesus asks "Will ye also go away?".... "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life" ... And when you realize that... is when you now understand what God has sent us on this earth for... There is no other way to live... at least not happily... but by serving God and being a Disciple of Christ... forever.... For this is what the mission has made me become... Living every day... by the words of eternal life.. I still remember in the MTC... Elder Pearson of the Seventy... said "The first miracle you will see... will be the miracle of your own conversion"... And I thought to myself... that's rubbish.. Witnessing someone else's conversion is why we're coming on missions..... 

Now I know what he means... This mission... is not 100% intended to convert others... it is to convert the missionary.... the Lord is investing these 18-24 months in you... so that you may be a Kingdom builder.. And that's exactly what it's done for me.... 

A Testimony of Fasting

#1- So my companion and I have been working heaps hard in finding new investigators.. We've really been working with the branch to help them be missionary minded and make it a #1 priority!.. And along with that we've been doing our own work in finding, through formers, unknowns, less actives etc. And so this past Saturday night approaching Fast Sunday.. we started fasting for the sole purpose to find new investigators so we can baptize each month.. And we really wanted to be an example to our zone so we can uplift and motivate them.. So we had this purpose in mind and we just finished our Personal Study on Sunday morning.. when our District President calls up and says "Elders.. There will be 10 women from Vanuatu at church today.. 2 are Returned Missionaries... 8 are non-members.. prepare a lesson and teach them."... WHATTTT?!?!?...  So we get to church and meet them all and they were sweet as! They were so humble.. they all left their families so they can send money back to provide.. So we taught them all a lesson and had dinner with them later and we are now going to be teaching them this Wednesday!.. All of them in one time or another have seen or met missionaries as well!.. So in a way better than we ever could've accomplished.. It was through MEMBER missionaries who helped us add 8 new investigators in one day! Members are essential in this work..This is the prime example, when we combine in effort.. miracles happen... And I already had a testimony of fasting but my goodness.. It just keeps increasing.. the Lord indeed knows all... and responds to our cry when we act out of faith.. And when it is needful.

#2- We were having a lesson with this Less Active member and our investigator S.. And we were teaching about Light and Truth.. When you are obedient.. you receive more light and understand more truth.. And we were trying to commit S to be baptized.. so we were trying to set up a good question.. so we asked.. "What are some things you can do.. to receive more light?".. The Less Active member said.. 'go to church!'... ding ding.. there's one answer.. then S goes.. 'I wanna get baptized man..' #BEAST!!!... Hahaha. So good! So we set a date for him to be baptized Nov.30th.. the spirit not only works through us.. it works through investigators so they can blurt random stuff out like that! haha. And to add onto that gloriousness.. After interviews with our Mission President.. He bought us all Banana Splits! Yeee-yaaa!

Oh. My. Miracles.

#1- That investigator we found last week in between the General Conference sessions... so we had a lesson with him this past week..and we're sitting there having a good discussion... Nek minut... His wife walks in and says.. "I watch a TV program about your Mormons and your Polygamy... I don't think it's bad... as long as your treat your wives properly.."... Hahaha. I just laughed and said-" Please.. I don't think many of us could handle one spouse... why would I want 7?".. And we told her that wasn't our church but a branch off of it... And that led her to the perfect question... "So if you profess to be the Church of Jesus Christ... why is there yet ANOTHER branch off of it... WHY ARE THERE SO MANY CHURCHES?".... (Cha-Ching)... We were like... welllll if you'd grab a chair we'd love to tell you... Haha. She then sat and listened to our message.... MY GOODNESS!... She accepted every thing soooooo easily... She was raised in Church of England.. didn't agree with it and left.. and ever since has been wondering the question of what happened to prophets... where's the authority.. etc... And they willingly accepted a Book of Mormon and committed to read it!... LEGIT!...

#2- Today... I called up my trainee Elder O... And I was seeing how he was doing (I hadn't talked to him in agessss) And then finally... He said.. "Do you remember A?"... (If you remember a whileeeee back.. she was the golden family in Kariong we tracted into and she was excited to learn more but after a while things fizzled out and we didn't hear from her)... So I replied.. "Of course, why?"... He then told me... "She's getting baptized next month!".... #jawdrop..... WHAT?!?!?.... He then told me all the details of what happened and I was dumbfounded... Time after time after time... The Lord always surprises me... of hearing people that I had found and taught.. then later were baptized... The Lord works in mysterious ways. I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven.. who pours out His tender mercies upon those who are waiting for them... and for those who thought they were long gone... I now have a solidified testimony... that they are never too far gone... and they will come... Just as Elder Holland says.. "Hope on... keep trying... things will improve..".. with the grace of God.. all things will improve.. 

#3 I will continue with The Asian Invasion.. So get this!.. Obviously starting out in the City on my mission.. It was asian central.. that's who I'm accustomed to teaching.. We've been seeing HEAPS of them here in Coffs Harbour.. but unfortunately they are super hard to talk to.. When you talk to them in the city with 500 people beside you.. it's not that odd... But when you're the only person on the street with them.. They think they're going to get mugged.... So we've been trying to figure out how to talk to them... And so one day we were driving around trying to find these unknown less actives.. Then the impression came to visit this particular one.. I heard my previous companion tell me this family was  not interested... but I felt the need to go there... so after putting the prompting off a bit.. it kept persisting.. So I finally told my companion to turn the car around so we can see the family... We go and knock on the door... NEK MINIT.... A korean answered the door..  WOOOO!.. The family we were looking for had moved 1 month ago and now 7 ASIANS WERE LIVING THERE! We told them who we are and what we do and they invited us to come back!! AND.... the same thing happened to us the next day... we came back to the SAME suburb.. had the SAME prompting to visit another family... and turns out they moved as well and now, like 8 Taiwanese people lived there.. one who we met at the door.. (his name was 'ICE') was a major in philosophy and loved studying about religion... and invited us to come back... Oh. My. Miracles. It was too legit. It's amazing how Heavenly Father works.. I've had so many promptings that amount to nothing to my knowledge... and then there's others that amount to this... 15 new investigators in the course of 2 days.. I've learned with a surety that He gives us these promptings.. some.. to test us to see if he can trust us... and then others with greater promptings of greater consequences in the future.. If we follow the small simple promptings such as 'Talk to that person'.. or 'Give that person a pass along card'... He will absolutely know He can trust us with greater things.. 

Conference...was...wow!

Faiiirrrrrr didily dinkum... Conference...was... wow.... Worth the wait for sure!-Agreed. My companion and I wrote down some questions we wanted answers to during the sessions.. And seriously.. within the FIRST session... Amen.. checked off heaps of them haha.. And then within the very last address... my last question was answered...I add my voice to the simple quote- "God speaketh... not spaketh... He Is... not was."
We had about 2 hours to go finding in between the Saturday Afternoon session and Priesthood and this one particular man was telling us "I don't believe God speaks to just ONE man.. He speaks to all".. Then after we helped him understand the bold statement of God continuing to speak, if very much backing up what he just said.. that he can indeed receive revelation.. but the role of a prophets revelation is for the world.. God wouldn't speak to him to warn the world of floods... no he does that through his prophets, like Noah of old.. Then it clicked and he was dumbfounded... Then said... "Well... I don't need a prophet.. I'm close ENOUGH to God"..  so I said- "if you think you are close enough.. chances will be that there are things that will bring you closer to God and make you happier.. one of them being the restored gospel.. So if you wanna say you are close enough.. good on ya.. but you are living wayyy lower than your potential happiness that God intends you to have."... I then read this morning.. a quote by one the prophets.. He was saying in essence.. I know when I am speaking by the spirit.. when I finish talking and learn something from what I said.. When I finished talking to that man.. I think I learned more than he did.. The spirit testified to me as we were walking off his doorstep.. That God loves us enough to give us continuing guidance.. After all He gave us His Only Begotten Son to show us the way.. And then every one says it's over after that?.. No more prophets?.. To me that seems like a contradiction of God's love.. Here's the Atonement.. and now go live with the bible.. it's all you need...And with all of His infinite love and wisdom.. I don't think He would limit Himself to 1590 pages.. of the Old and New Testament.. and not even to 531 pages of the Book of Mormon etc... no it's beyond that.. They still speak!. In a world ever more dangerous.. and with rapidly declining morals.... If we think we can get through it on our own... good luck.. we saw how that turned out.. It's called the Great Apostasy haha.. we NEED God's words and direction still... And it's because someone actually understood that... is the reason why we achieved our goal that afternoon... We were looking to find 1 new investigator in those 2 hours.. and we accomplished it through sharing the Restoration with him....and this man was like "Yeahhh!! That makes so much sense!".. It does make sense... Because it's true... =D

There's this Less Active in our branch... and she used to be really strong..  strong family in the gospel... but she hasn't been active for ages... In my 3 transfers here so far I've never seen her at church...And been to their house once... But we had dinner with them and had a really good lesson in preparation to... (drumroll)... INVITE THEM TO GENERAL CONFERENCE.. yayyyy!... And as we committed them.. the wife said.. "I'll consider it..".. And so we left her be.. we didn't want to be too pushy and be like "COME TO CHURCH!!".. so we arrived at church... and we were printing out the conference talks so we could read along with the addresses.. and BOOM!... She walked in with her family!!.. And first thing she did.. was give us a dirty look and said.. What'd you bribe him with?... Hahaha. So supposedly.. Her son kept pestering her to come to General Conference and she thought we promised him lollies or something hahaha. We assured her we didn't do anything and she lightened up.. And turned out she really loved the session!.. But I now learned my lesson... If you get the child to do something... he will drag along 2 with them.. (their parents).. It twas legit indeed... 

Another experience.. We went to this Less Active families home (There's too many Less Active people).. And they're from New Zealand.. WOO!.. And with my Kiwiness we get along real well with them.. I just talk in my Maori accent and say "I'm beached as bro... Want some plankton?"... and they love me.. But we went over for an FHE  and the father proceeded to ask that we gave all of them blessings... (Just a side note.. That's something I'm so grateful for in the misison... it prepares you for the most unexpected situations and teaches you the importance of worthiness.) So we then gave them blessings and shared a FHE lesson with them. It was a really great experience to be able to help that family.. to be instruments in God's hands to simply make them happier.. And to top it off.. They've been coming to church 3 weeks in a row! WOO!.. 

I felt like CIA this week though.. It was legit. We were doing some unknowns on the branch list and we were trying to track down this certain member.. And so we knocked on what we had his address to be on the sheet of paper.. And the guy who answered immediately was like "NOPE! NOPE! LEAVE! And was about to slam the door.. and I was like "Wait wait! Do you happen to know A?!".. And he turned back and then talked to us to see if he knew him.. Then I introduced ourselves.. that we were from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he flipped a switch like in a second.. And his whole countenance changed and he went.. "Awesome!! :) Sorry I thought you were Jehovah's Witnesses... I just have some personal problems with them".. And then he invited us back to share a message with him hahaha. Every one is interested.. they just don't know it yet.. and you have to find a way to get an in with them.. So that guy then directed us to where he thinks A moved.. and we knocked on that address and it was his parents.. And they then said he moved to Newcastle.. in which we got the address and gave it to the Newcastle elders hahah. And as we were walking out of the complex.. I was backing up my companion (reversing him driving).. And this lady approached me! And she poured out all these problems she had.. like her 2 husbands died of cancer etc. And wanted us to teach her! #miracles. And that was all in the space of 30 minutes haha. It was so legit!

A Humbling Experience

B'S BAPTISM!!! WOOOO!!!!! My goodness... it was such an awesome experience.. I wish I could tell you it all in detail now but I'll have to write it out.. but in a nutshell.. So first off he texted us the morning of his baptism and was like "How can I know I'm worthy to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ... when he was so perfect and when I have been so far from perfect?" .. So we went to his house and shared a lesson with him.. and answered his question.. that really set the tone for the day.. Then we left to fill up the font.. And it's supposed to take 3 hours.. 3 hours comes.. and its so shallow... and his baptism was just in an hour... so we were freaking out.. then to make matters worse... the water was scolding hot!!... I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THAT!... The water is usually always always freezing.. but for some reason we couldn't get cold water... so we were like firemen.. frenzying around chucking buckets of cold water in hahaha... fast forward... we got it up to a reasonable level... and he was baptized! It was such an amazing experience... it definitely taught me a lot as well about the Holy Spirit of Promise.. Elder O baptised him at first.. and his pants had an air pocket and it came up... so they did it the second time and that's when it hit me... Not the first time.. because it wasn't performed properly... but the second time I had the strongest confirmation and burning in my bosom that it was performed properly and by correct priesthood authority! And I was then able to confirm him the following day.. and it was my first time.. I was nervous as.. in the circle my legs were shaking and stuff haha, but it was such a humbling experience... to give a human being.. the gift of the third member of the Godhead!.. The Holy Ghost!.. It was sooooo legit! And he already got interviewed for the priesthood so next week he's going to get that! WOOP WOOP! Good things happening in Coffs Harbour.

Surfest

But this week was LEGIT! haha, we had the coolest opportunity that I don't think ANY missionary has had anywhere else in the world... we went to SURFEST! haha. And no it's not apostate.. we got permission from our Mission President.. and missionaries have been helping for years... It's a competition that was started by members.. because Surf competitions are always on Sunday.. so this one is Thursday-Saturday.. My companion was manning the grill the whole time.. and I got to judge a couple surfers and tallied up the scores so I was the one who placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the event... no pressure... haha. It was definitely not your normal missionary week.. but it was service nevertheless. And it doesn't sound spiritual at all right? Beach..Surfers.. BBQ... yeah... But I actually did have the absolute solidification.. of the love I have for His mission.. All of this stuff... it brought me heaps of FUN... but it didn't not bring me any JOY... And it brought me back to the fact that I do not miss my old hobbies.. nor worldly things.. nor my old life.. I simply just love being a missionary... for this is the time where I experienced what true JOY was.. and that is putting Jesus first... Others second.. and Yourself third.. that is JOY  .. and it's when you realize these things.. is when your NATURE has changed.. some people on the mission... they wake up at 6:30am... because they have to... not because they want to.. that simply is saying their BEHAVIOUR has changed.. but when you desire and want to do things that are good.. that you normally wouldn't of otherwise.. that is when you experience the change of NATURE for the better.. and it is like that for every one.. they don't need to be on a mission to experience this!

The Spell Has Been Broken

My goodness... so to kick off the week... we got a text from B our investigator.. "We need to talk. Come see me today." ... And when I first read it I was like... He's breaking up with us... haha. But I kept my optimism and was like.. maybe satan just took his phone.. its not him...  :) .. So we went and saw him that night and we had some small talk... and then he was like... "So yous are probably wondering what I wanted to talk about... so I took your invitation to pray about baptism.. and I prayed and had the feeling to read the promise in the Book of Mormon.. so I read it and... it just made sense... so then I was talking to me mum this morning and she was telling me like 'you've already been baptized, you don't need to!'"... Then his wife cut in and was like.. "He just wants his mum's approval.." And so I was trying to prepare myself for a resolve concern-fest... and in the midst of my thoughts there was a pause and silence in the room... and B looked at us and said... "I think I'd like to be baptized....nah... no.. I know I want to be baptized!"... I was just filled with so much joy.. I felt like I was in the celestial kingdom.. no joke.. and then we went over the qualifications for him to be baptized and we set the date for the 28th of September! And after all the amazingness... I turned to his wife and asked "How do you feel about B being baptized?"... She then replied- "I'm fine about it.. I'm happy for him!.. But we talked about it this morning and he's already basically living baptism standards.. so he's not too worried about that.. But his main goal is getting sealed in the Temple."...WOOOOO! It truly is amazing.. That there are people out there.. just like B... who have been steadily prepared throughout their life... only to finally meet their true desire... and that is the restored gospel.. And it all starts with God's love.. "When filled with God's love, we can do and see and understand things that we could not otherwise do or see or understand. Filled with His love, we can endure pain, dispel fear, forgive freely, avoid contention, renew strength, and bless and help others in ways surprising even to us."-Elder John H. Groberg... B understood this... that's why he was able to embrace the gospel as quickly as he did.. he didn't understand everything.. I don't even.. but just like Nephi.. I may not understand every thing in this world.. but I know one thing.. God loves us.. and we just need to share that with others... for when we show our love.. we are merely imparting the love God has for them.. Only then.. they will be able to conquer their problems.. 

So yeah... Coffs Harbour hasn't seen a baptism.. since.... (drumroll).... wait for it.... 2009!!!! The spell has been broken... So it's exciting! A lot of good things are happening! WOO!

This next story also shows the huge value of giving a talk in sacrament... so we were teaching B the 10 commandments and at the end.. then at the end he was like.. "yeah none of these are a problem for me.. even like the Words of Wisdom (we haven't even taught him that yet)... I heard that talk in Sacrament about it and I didn't know we couldn't drink coffee or tea.. but I was fine with that.. I only drank it once in a while.. and my co-worker gave me some tea.. and I took it to be polite... then when they walked away I poured it down the drain."... WOOOOOOO!!!! Hahaha he's so legit! So when you give talks in Sacrament.. make it meaningful.. because they can indeed affect others for good! 

Righteous Desires

For this week!.. My goodness.. It was fairdinkum busy!! It was another week of trade-offs/trainings/travel/zone conferences haha, heaapssss. There's 1 miracle that I want to share though.. and the reason we also weren't able to email on Monday.. So we were having our normal P-Day as usual.. until we got a call from this random lady in Western Australia.. who told us her friends got into a car accident and are in Coffs Hospital with no belongings, nothing, and they were all shaken up and need to get home to Brisbane somehow... So we were able to go and see them.. And the moment they saw us they started crying.. partly because of trauma.. and partly because of relief that someone they knew came.. missionaries... So there was 4 in the family. The mother, 2 daughters, (1RM and 1 prospective missionary).. and a little boy... They were driving at 5am and a kangaroo hopped out in the road and they tried to swerve and dodge it, but the car rolled several times ... they were all pretty shaken up but no life-threatening injuries.. We then gave them all blessings in the midst of their confusion and trauma... and by the time we gave the very last blessing... I remember blessing the older sister.. who was the most shocked out of them all... I remember the exact words the spirit prompted me to say... "We bless you as if the Saviour were here himself... and say... 'Peace be unto you'..".. at that instant....  peace just filled the room... no body was crying any more.. just peace and a sense that Heavenly Father was looking out for each of His beloved children.. and after some small talk afterwards we left that hospital... leaving smiles on all of their faces... It was the biggest testimony to me.. What I got out of this experience.. is #1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has indeed been restored... It has the most organization and order I have ever seen than any other religious institution.. I know of no other church where you can call from across the country.. to a missionary serving in that area.. where a person is in need of help.. and give them a priesthood blessing by the laying on a hands by proper authority.. That is not a statement of boasting.. but indeed a testimony.. That God's true church is on the earth today and is being led by a prophet who receives direction from Him... the right path to follow... the other thing I am grateful for is the Holy Ghost.. or the Comforter.. because it was not us... Elder O and I that were able to give them that peace.. it was the third member of the Godhead... we were simply instruments to convey the love that God has for them.. and a reassurance that He is looking out for them...  I do know it is that way for all of us as well! 

This week I was learning about desire... and I went through the scriptures.. there's 3 examples..

 #1- 1Ne 11:1-3... Nephi desired to see the dream his father Lehi saw... 

#2- Enos 1:12... Enos desired to have a remission of his sins... 

#3-Ether 3:4... The brother of Jared (me lolz).. desired the Lord to touch the stones and make them light up.. 

Now #1. Nephi was granted his desire...#2. Enos was granted his desire... #3. The brother of Jared was granted his desire.. (and might I add... I bet the Lord was thinking... well I could've just made electricity.. but whatever you ask.. I'll grant your desire)... Why were all of their desires granted?.... All because of one factor... They are righteous desires!!.. Helaman 10:5.. "all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will" The Lord promised those words to Nephi.. all because he had righteous desires! So what are your desires... for you SB... It is D&C 4:3 at this time... "Therefore if ye have DESIRES to serve God... ye are called to the work."... If you have a desire to do missionary work... to share the gospel.. to baptize... it will be granted if it is filtered in our mind.. day in and day out... likewise with anything else in life... you can apply that!.. If we want it enough... God will give it to us... but it is according to our diligence and faith as the Lord said to Enos in vs12... So I will leave that with you.. to ponder in your heart.. what your desires are!.. I know that this is true... to show you an example.. I was on a trade-off with a new missionary... I asked him what he wanted to do... "I want to give out a Book of Mormon tomorrow"... I said "sweet.. let's do it"... But it didn't come easy... we talked to every one we saw on the street and nobody wanted one.. but we finally talked to this Malaysian woman and she actually asked us for one! And she wanted to pay for it but obviously it's free... so we were granted that because of our righteous desires... depending on our diligence and faith.

The Essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

 This week was fair dinkum aussie mate.. It first kicked off with thee most legit thing I've ever heard in my life!! So once again... our awesome investigator B... bless his soul... He's making our mission so awesome with the experiences we share with him!... He is seriously the definition of gold.... So we shared with him the 20min Restoration DVD and invited him to pray about it... and he expressed to us he was finding a little difficulty of recognizing his answers.. So the next lesson we're starting to share ways we can recognize the spirit... And before we even start he goes... "I'll tell yous this experience I had... the night you left after sharing with me the movie about Joseph Smith.. I had a dream.. and it was so surreal... It was like I was a spirit looking at me... and I could see the back of this other person talking to me... And he asked me 'If you believe Jesus Christ is your Saviour and he was resurrected... Why is it hard to believe Joseph Smith is a prophet?'... And I just replied.. 'Nah it's not hard to believe'..... Then the guy asked me.. 'So what's the problem here?'... And I just replied 'There's no problem'... then the dream ended"............. I was BEYOND blown away.. And I felt the spirit so strong as he shared that so I knew it wasn't something he just made up... And then I asked him.. "So do you believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God?".. And B just replied.. "Yeah!"... . MY GOODNESS!!! I couldn't help but smile and hold back my laughing from the magnitude of legitness! And we set the vision for them in that lesson that baptism isn't the end.. That this will go into being sealed as a family in the Temple.. and they both agreed... And I'm so grateful for this restored knowledge we have about this.. "Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven..." (Helaman 10:7)... This is the vision I had when I came on my mission.. to help other families so they can be eternal... so many people look at missions as merely just baptisms... No it's Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the Endowment.. Helping them get to the Temple to make those covenants and ultimately be sealed for time and all eternity... This is the essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

 So that potential that we found at the baptism.. we taught her 2 days ago... And she didn't have a male in her home so we went to this park near the Jetty <-- Popular as beach... So we were sitting at a picnic table teaching her the Restoration.. and mind you.. there are speed boat races going on just behind us.. but it was the coolest thing.. I started quoting Joseph Smiths first vision... "I saw a pillar of light.." (VVVVVRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!! VRRRRRROOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!! These speed boats were LOUD AS!) But as I quoted that... It was one of those surreal moments as if time just stood still... and just the 3 of us on that little park bench... by the moment I finished saying it.. She had this huge smile beaming across her face and felt that it was right... It was so awesome! Then afterwards... it was funny as.. she kept mentioning this "admirer" that she has that makes her cheesecakes... And then she was like.. do you elders want some?... I was like HECK YEAH! So she went to her house and brought us this fair dinkum legit cheesecake.. Twas a blessed day... 

And this is a weird type of miracle... but nonetheless.. a miracle haha.. We were doing service for our investigator... the mormon.org referral... And we were shovelling mushroom manure compost stuff into her garden and this box thingy.. and we were filthy as... and a little side story.. I was chopping the compost down cause it was a bit tough... and I smacked something and heard a (POP)... Then the most putrid smell engulfed my nostrils and I seriously almost threw up in my mouth... I fair dinkum saw this 'century egg' we'll call it... It was this black egg that was under the dirt for who knows how long.. it was NASTY! haha... anyways.. shortly after that life changing experience that my nose will never forget.... our investigator.. BROUGHT 4 POTENTIALS TO HER HOME!... So we were able to meet all of them and they were interested in meeting again... I <3 referrals so much.. zay za best... And I also built my first pop up pool thing for a less active... so yeah... twas quite the week!.

BOOM! Faith In Yo Face!

 Welllllllllllllllllllllllll for this week!... My goodness it was fair dinkum busy!! So first of all... We were on Trade-offs the WHOLE week... just training up other missionaries. We were trying to find these unknown people on their Ward list and the person wasn't home.. So we went to the neighbors house to see if they knew them... they had no clue.. But we started talking to this lady some more and she opened up saying her 2 children a 17 and 20 year old both died recently... and we were able to teach her right then! And she invited us back to talk some more!! And I was with this pretty new missionary and I told him right before we left the flat.. "Elder... we're gonna find a new investigator today!"... And their area is pretty tough and he kinda looked at me like... "Uh huh.. Elder Ball.. whatever you say." haha. BOOM! Faith in yo face! It was definitely heaven sent that we were directed to that lady's door that morning though.. she had been searching for answers for a while and was actually just thinking about it before we knocked on her door! And then all we had to do was testify of God's perfect plan for us and the Holy Ghost did the rest ;)
I even went with one Elder to this far out place in their area... like 1hr30mins away.. And we went farm tracting!! hahaha it was so legit! There were 5 houses and we banged down each one.. It was the definition of BUSH!... Then after we finished the trade-offs we went down to Sydney for MLC (Mission Leadership Council).. And here's the miraculous part of the week... MLC is ALWAYS from the meridian of times haha... held on Mondays.... this past week was held on a Friday... the following day.. (Saturday)... an investigator was being baptized in which my companion who found her 6 months ago... was able to baptize her! And in that service alone 7 people were baptized! It was miracle as! And then the following morning we woke up on Sunday at 5am and drove all the way back home to Coffs... So the whole week totalled up... We drove the equivalent of driving from Arizona to California... and then driving all the way back haha. It was so fun though we saw heaps of miracles! In which when we arrived at church.. right after it finished there was another baptismal service.. (a child of record) but we were praying to find new investigators and the members brought their Filipino friend who wants to learn with us now! WOO! And the mormon.org referral... She was in Queensland for 2 weeks and she finally got back yesterday... We had a lesson with her and she notices the positive impact we have on her and she wants all her kids to have that as well!! So exciting stuff happening!

Fair Dinkum

As for this week! WooooooWeeeeeeeeeeee! We had a fair dinkum miraculous week in Coffs Harbour... So we kicked off the week with that FHE with the Mexican family! In that tiny room in Australia.. I felt like I was in Arizona haha... MEXICANS!!! The goal of the FHE was to establish a relationship with them, not necessarily teaching them continually.. And so we hardcore achieved that.. They really felt comfortable with us and we taught a short lesson and sung mexican songs the whole evening and had mexican food.. And I commited them to make some Horchata and Jamaica... best drinks ever haha. So in September we have an acitivity called Surf Fest and they'll be coming to that so.. step by step =D 

Next... this week we had interviews with our Mission President... and he called us a couple days before and was like I'm going to come out teaching with you afterwards.. Find someone at 4pm to teach... So we were stressing out who we were going to teach haha, but we taught our golden as investigator B... my goodness... I can't even convey the magnitude of his legitness... He. is. the. most sincere/humble investigator I have ever met/taught! He said to us after dinner and after we taught the Plan of Salvation... "Ya know I was just thinking today... When I left for work, my daughter was yelling out 'I want my daddy!'.. And I was thinking if I passed away... and when she's 12 or 35.. she's still going to want her father.. And I want her to be brought up with this belief... that she'll see me again.. Like.. I know when you come over it's not about the pizza or drinking fizzy.. yous are here to impact my life.".... Like no joke he's one of the biggest miracles I've seen on my mission... We started out not even teaching.. just loving and serving him and then we became friends discussing religion.. we've grown with him these past months and it puts in perspective what missionary work should be like.. It shouldn't be.. Alright. You're the investigator. I'm the missionary. But it's just that we're friends... and he recognizes us as representatives of Jesus Christ.. GAHHH it's too awesome to put into words! And to add onto that... his whole family came to church this sunday!!! His wife who's less active... I asked other members the last time she came to church and they couldn't remember... AND SHE CAME... Things are looking up heaps! All I can say... is fair dinkum.... 

 

So we were just out teaching having a normal missionary day... And we had a few more people we planned to see but I just felt a strong impression to go tracting.. So I told my companion and we prayed about a street... I had 3 streets in my mind after... one of them being Aston... I waited and asked my companion and one of his possibilities was Aston as well.. so BOOM! We went there.... When we got close we realized it was just around the corner from the chapel... so it had prob been tracted on heaps.. So we were a little hesitant but I was like nah let's do it! The first door that opened was a single mum who just moved in weeks ago!! And we had a legit conversation and she invited us to come back!! WOO! So we'e going back today so we'll see how it goes! But fair dinkum.. it was awesome just getting that impression out of the blue and then boom! Someone that's interested from tracting! That doesn't happen that often!... 

Another miracle is just this area alone... When I got here there was absolutely NOTHING to do in the evenings... not many member feeds, the town basically goes dead... So we've been trying hard to change that... and we've seen it these past weeks... this week alone was a testimony to me that any area can change with some hard work... We had double member feeds just in one evening and people inviting us over without us even asking and even just last night, we organized a fireside.... a Member Missionary fireside ;)... Because as I thought back before my mission.. I was not taught anything whatsoever... on how to do missionary work.. So we had some speakers and gave a presentation... it was SO GOOD! And the members got pumped as! And so now instead of going to their houses and sharing 'spiritual thoughts' or a gospel message... pfftt... WE'RE GONNA BE ROLE PLAYING! They're excited for it too! So It's going to awesome! And no joke.. right after we finished the fireside... a 16 yr old young man came up to me and gave us a referral and wants us to visit his friend... WOOO! Twas a very very.... inspiring week.

No Greater Joy

We had an awesome as week! I'll tell you 2 experiences!

 

#1- We were teaching the 1st counselor of the Branch Presidency in his home one evening and we were discussing their missionary efforts and how we could help them... They then said they wanted to have a Family Home Evening with us and a MEXICAN FAMILY! WOOOOOOO!!! (I've never taught a single mexican on my mission).. They're catholics but are willing to come over.. And so we were stoked as and were thanking them for this opportunity.. and they then gave us one of the best compliments I've received on my mission... they said "We want to thank you for your dedication! We have met a lot of missionaries and we can tell you are dedicated! That's why we trust you with our friends.. Otherwise we would wait for better missionaries... but no.. we trust you!".... I was just speechless after that... I couldn't stop smiling haha. That just goes to show.. if you do your best and work hard.. people will recognize it! And so this evening we're going to be teaching that Mexican family! This is like the 1st referral this area has received in AGES! Miracles indeed!

 

#2- We were teaching our investigator B and we just finished sharing with him the First Vision and after I bore my testimony to him.. I asked "How do you feel about what we've shared with you?".. And he responded.. "What yous are tellin me now... I wouldn't of believed it a couple years ago.. But I believe you guys! It's just little things that are makin me believe.. Like just the other night I was stressed out of my mind and woke up in the middle of the night and started watching tv and I thought... This isn't going to help me... so I knelt down and prayed and I just felt this immediate calmness! I was even at this funeral and every one was crying.. But I just remembered what you guys have been teaching me and I was just calm..".... Me and my companion just looked at each other and were like FAIRDINKUM!! He's been so prepared it's unreal.. And it makes it that much more miraculous when we're in an area that's not particularly referred to as the "garden spot" of the mission.. yet we've been smashing it..

 

I've experienced no greater joy than sharing the gospel and feeling the spirit that comes with it.. And especially seeing strong and faithful members live the gospel! It's like what Joseph Smith once said- "Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and it will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness and keeping the commandments.".. All the things listed there... all points to the fact that the path that leads to happiness... is the gospel!

Missionary Work at its Finest

As for this week.. It's been a pretty crazy one! The Lord has poured out like countless tender mercies on us though! We've been having like some of the best weeks this area has seen in ages and finally the adversary is trying to shut us down.. we had like 15 lessons cancel like all in perfect harmony.. as if Satan told them all to do it at once hahah. But as we know.. the good always wins if we put in the hard work.. so we kept working.. And in one day when 7 lessons cancelled.. we were able to make up for 4 of those lessons unexpectedly... 2 of them being on the doorstep! And as we bore our testimonies of the Book of Mormon on this Less actives doorstep.. She began to weep and committed to start reading it again! And that same evening we felt prompted to visit this other family right before we went home... and it was SMASH AS!!!... Like no joke.. I've come to realize I'm an addict.. It's become the best problem that any one could ever have haha. I'm always looking for my next 'fix' as to when I can feel the spirit next... And constantly wanting that... you find yourself doing and saying things you could never think of on your own... and this particular lesson this father of this family was expressing this concern... and after he talked for ages... I was like.. "How would you feel... if I told you... every thing you said just now... can be resolved in the scriptures?"... And he didn't believe me one bit... And I was like.. (open scriptures...) BOOM!... And he was dumbfounded... He read it over and over like 10 times and was like... #mindblown... The spirit was so strong for real... and I was able to walk out there with my companion feeling the essence of missionary work at it's finest.. teaching with power and authority... resolving concerns... feeling the spirit... it doesn't get much better than that... So it was a really good week indeed!

A Place of Refuge

 So this week was AWESOME! We got this mormon.org referral which are usually dodgy as... and we were talking to our District President (dropping off some buckeyes...nbd..).. And we told him about it.. and where this referral lived... he said "Well... that's the richest neighborhood in all of Coffs Harbour"... So we were like... well fair dinkum... that's not good haha, that means they're prideful as haha. But we still kept some hope and knocked on their mansion vault door... no joke.. biggest door I've seen in my life... and this lady answers and goes 'MORMONS!!!'..... 'COME IN =D'.... We were just like o.O.... Whaaaa?.... But she didn't have a male inside so we just talked on the doorstep and long story short... she's interested!... WOO!! And we took our District President to go teach with us and we taught in her back porch... it was legit... I felt like I was on MTV Cribs.. I was just waiting for Lil Jon' or Will Smith to walk out any time... she had this legit pool and crystals every where and this ridiculous mansion landscaped backyard and her daughter was bringing us out muffins and cookies the whole time... WOOO!! hahhaha. Any ways they are keen as and we're excited for them! The members are just doing so much good here... we had this rapid increase of enthusiasm from them and so everything is pumping! Which is unusual for Coffs Harbour... every one thinks of it as slow.... but Nay... tis ballin!!

 

Here's an update on our Investigator B... So the same lesson we gave him a blessing... we watched the mormon message "Mountains to Climb"... The next time we saw him he just opened up to us like "Hey you know that video you showed me?.. I've watched that thing like 45 times!.. And that would be an understatement!... I just had it on replay the whole time.. every thing that man was saying I just felt was true! I cried like 3 times listening to it.. And I looked it up the whole talk and read it and sent it to my mum (who belongs to Church of England).. And she hung up the phone on me... then I called her back later and she answered crying... and she was saying how true it was as well!"..... MIRACLE!! Hahaha it was so cool.. Me and my companion just looked at each other and we were both thinking... 'he's getting baptized'... Then we had this super powerful lesson with him.. he never knew he could be forgiven and thought there weren't any good enough people on the earth anymore to be prophets... So we taught the Restoration mixed in with the Atonement... and after explaining the Savior's Earthly Ministry and everything he performed (baptism, atonement etc.)... We invited him to be baptized.... AND HE AGREED!!!!!!!! WOOOO!!!... This area hasn't seen a baptism in at least 18-24 months.. It's been such a miracle! The Lord has been pouring out His tender mercies upon us! 

 

 We taught this lesson in at this Less Active members home.. and their neighbors were partying and were rioting hardcore (one of our cars actually got dented in a result of it).. But as we were teaching this lesson amongst these circumstances... Time seemed to just stand still for a moment... As we taught this family... just for a moment... all the loud ruckus that was going on.. The screaming.. the swearing.. the sound of bottles breaking..... just seemed to disappear... and the Spirit filled the room... and it was just perfect.... The less active woman then started to bear her testimony to all of us and it was SO POWERFUL!!!... And from this experience I actually received revelation!.. Usually I used to think of church or your home as a place of refuge.. just distinct places..... But I realized... it's where the spirit is... when the spirit is present... whatever location you're at... can be your place of refuge... And in that strangers home... in between those walls... inside from the worldly immorality... was my momentary place of refuge!

Leave it to the Lord

Let me share with you some of the miracles... MY GOODNESS!

Miracle #1. We had this lesson with this lady in her 50's named R.. She's had a pretty tough life and has been Less Active for AGESSSS.... she hadn't even seen missionaries for about 30 years until we knocked on her door... We then taught her a lesson and she felt like she was worthless and unworthy of receiving blessings... and we felt prompted to share 3Ne 9:14 "Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me. " And she just began to weep and committed to come back to church for the first time in forever! It was miracle as! 

Miracle #2. My trainer Elder A found this Thai guy named 'N' on the train like 3 weeks before I came into the mission... When I was with Elder A for about 2 weeks.. N came for the first time to meet with us... we taught him as long as I was in the City.. so like 7 1/2 months.. And he was going super good, baptismal date and every thing.. then he had struggles with commandments and decided it wasn't for him.. it was truly heartbreaking because he was so keen and sensitive to the spirit!....And I never knew what happened to him.. I thought he just got dropped and moved on with life.... but... Just today!.... I found out on July 20th, 2013... almost 1 year later from his beginning of learning with us.... N GOT BAPTIZED!!!!  WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! My old Zone Leader called me up and told me and I was completely speechless! This just adds even stronger to the strength of my testimony before hahah, that NO. EFFORT. IS. WASTED!... And we just have to trust God with His timing... these are HIS children.. He knows what they need and when they need it...

Miracle #3. We have this Part Member family here.. The wife is Less Active and the Husband is a non-member... They are like the most awesome, sweetest family I've met! They have the cutest little kids as well! So we started teaching the husband super recently and he's been warming up to us... we were asked to help them move and right before we got there like an hour earlier.. he dropped this lifting dock from the moving truck onto his foot and broke his toes! It looked disgusting as! So we went over to see how he was doing a day later and as we were sitting there we asked if there's anything we can do... And he goes "Yeah I don't know if you can cause I'm not a member.. but could you give me a blessing?"... And so we were happy as, we were like "Yeah of course we can give you one!!" So we first shared with them this powerful message and then gave him the blessing.. My companion anointed and I sealed.. And as I was giving the blessing.. The words just flowed out of my mouth like nothing I'd experienced before... And at the end of the blessing when we said 'Amen'... He was just in the chair weeping... And I was shocked as first... cause he looks like this pretty tough guy... but the spirit was so strong in that room it just went to show that no matter how macho-guy you are.. the spirit softens peoples hearts! And it was just a crazy powerful experience!! And right after we left their house both my companion and I just looked at each other and said "He's gonna get baptized"... 

Miracle #4. There was this Thai guy named 'P' in the city... He was a referral from one of our golden investigators. We lost contact with her in Thailand so we never knew what happened to her.. but P stayed in Australia and we kept teaching him... as long as N.. like 7 1/2 months.. and he just wasn't progressing and kept dodging appointments.. and he was just that type of guy who was wasting life away doing stupid things... sleeping, video games, drinking.. and I even remember getting angry at him one time for cancelling like the 7th time in a row for a lesson and I yelled at him on the phone (which I shouldn't have).. Then we dropped him as an investigator afterwards... I just found out today as well.... HE'S GETTING BAPTIZED IN 2 WEEKS!!!! This experience especially impacted me because you care so much about your investigators and you want them to progress so much and sometimes on your own time and you get frustrated in that sense.... But once again... if you leave it to the Lord and just love the people... something's bound to happen..

So there's some spiritually uplifting experiences for you!

Good Stuff

Well well well... The Lord blessed me with correct revelation haha. So the transfer calls didn't come for agessss.. So we were freaking out a bit.. It was like almost 6pm and we were doing a Preach My Gospel study at this park with one of our YSA when we got the call.. And obviously I was getting transferred... So we went and had dinner at their house when my pocket started buzzing... and I look at the caller ID: Pres. Howes :O.... I already knew what was gonna happen so I was like NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Hahaha... So yeah I got called to be a Zone Leader... And the crazy thing is.. When I got to transfer meeting they said... Elder Ball... You're going to Coffs Harbour... Your companion is..... ELDER O!!!! WOOOOOOO!!!! He was my companion in the City! hahaha, so I'm excited as! And my dream is slowly coming true.. I wanted to baptize someone in a river/beach and Coffs is the only area that it's possible! hahah. But we're the furthest north in the mission... just an hour ahead of us is the borders of the Brisbane mission haha. Exciting stuff happening.  We got asked to teach Elders Quorum last minute and our topic: RELIEF SOCIETY!... I thought I was prepared to teach absolutely any lesson... until I received this one hahaha. But anyways.. I was so so so happy though... I left Gosford Ward the best way I could have imagined.. I got to give a talk and thank every one in the ward. Good stuff.

Hit the Year Mark!

But that's really true about the bad days... I've already come to learn what "success" is as a missionary though... your commitment... not your increase... such as baptisms etc. So the only bad days that I'm usually prone to is when I'm not committed... and if that's the case... it's my own darn fault I'm having a bad day... so I toughen up and put on a smile haha. But anywhooooo

This week was legen wait for it..... and I hope you're not lactose intolerant cause the next part of that word is DARY!!!!! So #1.. Hit the year mark... it really wasn't that big of a deal to be honest haha... It was kinda scary cause of how fast it went... but we had a little celebration of MadMex (the best mexican in the Central Coast for Australia... doesn't compare with Taco Bell though -_-)... It was sweet too cause 2 other Elders in my district.. we came in together.. so we had that... And we didn't burn anything, that's banned in our misison haha. And then to top off my year mark day... We taught a Seventh Day Adventist preacher... like this guy was no joke.. He's preached in Phoenix to Fiji... So we went into the Lion's Den.. The only reason I wanted to go back there is because he was baptized LDS when he was 18... then changed religions... so I wanted to know why... And during the lesson he was being super condescending and trying to rip our religion apart... But I just smiled and told him "I'll tell you one thing you can't criticize or deny... And that's my testimony...".. Then bore my testimony and then we left haha. It was pretty dang legit. 

Another legitamusness... this member in our ward... GAVE US A REFERRAL!!!!! No joke that's like rare as here... the members are all so great and want to do missionary work but very few turn into referrals... so we went to the members house for lunch on Saturday and the investigator was there and we taught them a lesson using an object lesson... so I'll try to explain... so first we got legos and constructed 2 bridges over lava..  then we told a story of how you want to go to disneyland but theres 2 roads washed out... luckily you have a bridgebuilder... and he builds them for you etc..... And each pitfall where the bridge covered represented something... so the first pitfall represented physical death... but Jesus Christ overcame that through his death and resurrection... the second pitfall was sin... and Jesus Christ overcame that through his Atonement and providing us the 5 steps the gospel of Jesus Christ... so then we had the 5 steps of legos... and at the very end we had the gatorade bottle inside a lego temple... and we did the egg thing... where you put rubbing alcohol and a match and it sucks the egg in... well we did that and the egg went BOOM!!! Hahah, it splattered like all over the table... and our little lego God got thrusted across the table as well.... And the egg going in the bottle was to represent us going into heaven and this one guy was like.. "you can get into heaven but you'll lose your skin and a couple arms" hahaha.

Good, Better, Best!

This week was pretty swell, we went to teach Seminary and we're about to teach and they are doing a review of what they learned yesterday and turns out.... the lesson we were given to teach that day... was given the day before hahaha. But it's algood, we put a missionary spice on it and made it a little different. But here's one of my fav. sayings I heard this past week . "Good, better, best... Never let me rest until my good is better and my better is best."... Diligence is the key to success... But with that being said.. always keep in mind Mosiah 4:27.. it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength.. You don't have to be 100% awesomeness all the time... there's the parable of the saw... this man is sawing a tree down and a bystander says... 'You should probably take some time to sharpen your saw'.. but instead he replies 'No I gotta get it down now, fast, fast, fast!' And finally after a long time he finishes... but if he took some time out to stop... sharpen his saw... he would've finished LONG BEFORE he ever would've if he just kept working... Likewise with us... amidst our work we have... we need to take some time out to sharpen ourselves... So that we may become more effective tools in the Lord's hands ;) there's something to think about =D

We got to teach that Part Member family I've been talking about.. the K's... We had a super good lesson with them and invited them to pray individually and as a family about what we taught that night (the restoration).. So we're hoping to see some progress with them!

And this less active we've been trying to see... I met him my first week here (5 months ago now)... And he rocked up to church yesterday out of nowhere! And he was sitting down.. and one of his good friends came over and hugged him.. and he just started crying hardcore... It made me happy to see reunions like that... and the misconception less active's have that when they go back to church they'll be judged.. but in reality.. it's just like the prodigal son... it's nothing but rejoicing... everyone in the ward is getting more open and being more member missionaries! Tis an awesome thing to witness! So do the same in Ashburton! Keep it up with fellowshipping and SWAG- Sanctification Will Allow Godliness....#yolo.

Instruments in His Hands

We had a super legit experience this week! So Elder C and I were on trade-offs that day and had only 40 minutes left to do tracting before we finished our trade-off... So we prayed and asked the Lord to lead us to those who have been prepared... The prompting came to us to go to a certain street... And we had never tracted the suburb before either so we went excited! The first door.... no answer.... second door... bunch of drunk party guys all screaming.... but the third door.... this mother answered the door with her 3 year old daughter... and it turns out her friend gave her a Book of Mormon almost 2 years ago... and from what she read.. she really liked it! So we talked on her doorstep for about 30 minutes... and she said jokingly... "Why on earth did you come to Kariong?!<-- (the suburb we never go to)... And then she added... "Obviously someone knew we were looking for something more.".... At that instant I knew that prompting to tract there was to find this family... who, little did they know, had been searching for this restored gospel!.. And as she said that, her sister with her own kids came walking up... and at first I was thinking... "Oh no... they're gonna start bashing and tell us to go away now".. But instead they were all SUPER friendly and joined in our conversation! Even as we set the appointment to come back... all her kids protested- "NO! NO! Make it a time when we'll be home... we want to be here when they come!!"... At that time it was just another reassurance that God is mindful of ALL his children.. and we were able to be used as instruments in His hands that evening.

We've been working with this YSA (Z) in our ward, preparing for his mission! And we planned to take him out to teach a member to get him some teaching experience.. and the members cancelled 2 hours before... so we called quickly to find someone to teach... and then this other member told us to come to her work.... so we get there and she goes... Elders... meet J... she's a non-member... teach her... and basically left... hahaha, so we got to teach her the restoration with Z... and at the very end Z bore his testimony about the Book of Mormon and she hardcore felt the spirit... she even looked like she was going to cry at one point! Then afterwards... the member gave us these HUGE family boxes of cereal, BEST. DAY. EVER! Hahaha. Twas pretty sweet! 

Spiritual Uppercut

Miracle #1- On September 4th, 2012... I met this small Japanese woman .. it was the 2nd transfer of my mission in the City... We had just finished finding and were heading back to the Teaching Center and we were like 10feet from going in when I saw one last lady walking past... So something told me to go and talk to her (obviously it was the Spirit).. So I stopped her to talk, she didn't have much english so I gave her a free english flyer and got her contact information.... over the course of her coming it was just for activities... But after a long time she finally started learning about the gospel... but had no progression whatsoever....I taught her for a little bit and shame on me... I didn't see much hope to be honest. And then I was transferred so I never knew what happened to her.... But let me ask... do miracles cease?....I just received a call just this past weekend to let me know... June 15, 2013... she was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! No effort is wasted! I never would've thought she would be baptized, let alone progress in the gospel learning.... I add my voice to Ammon's in which he says-"Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen."

 It was such a crazy miracle... That strengthened my testimony... That all the people we've ever invited... all the ones we never thought would've joined the church... could indeed be members at this very moment... I would not know she is a member if it wasn't for the mission being so small and all the missionaries knowing each other somewhat... So my message is to never lose faith in anyone! There is always hope! :D

Miracle #2.  This last week I had an experience which is very unlike me... we approached the door of this Less Active and immediately you could see she was not impressed by seeing us at her doorstep... she politely declined and tried to shut the door... but for some reason... which I don't usually do... I stopped her and kept being persistent asking her questions like how long she had been a member... when she had last seen missionaries?? Why she isn't interested anymore?... she then opened up and shared her dad passed away 6 months ago and she was meeting with Jehovah witnesses.... I shared her a scripture of where her dad is and taught her right there on her doorstep... Right there on her front door it seemed like time just stood still and you could see the spirit working on her.... After much silence she said she was busy now but we could come back and share a message!... In my mind I was like.... (WOOOOOOO! SPIRITUAL UPPERCUT!).... And the next time we went round she even said to us she told the Jehovah witnesses to stop coming around! Relying on the Spirit works wonders!!

 

Miracle #3. We went and taught this Part-Member family... The wife is inactive... and the rest of the family is non-members... So we had a super good visit with them and then we asked to share a message just before we left... So we read this scripture to them and instantly.... waterworks.... The mum started crying hard out... We were kinda taken back by surprise but... hey... It does hurt when the spirit punches people so many times so you cant help but cry hahaha. They then agreed for us to come back as well! And from both of those experience this week... it reminded me of the power of teaching from the scriptures! Just as it says in Alma 31:5- "therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God."

 

The Bike Story

So it was pretty late in the evening... Around 7-8pm... And it was dark as and we were biking to see this Part-Member family just before we went home and had dinner... So we were coming close to their house and my companion was in front of me... and we were cookin it down this hill... no joke I was in full speeding stance.. got my head down my butt off the seat... I was goin at least 30k's... And I come cruising by.. right about to overtake my companion... at that instant... he turns and we smash into each other... So he flips and eats it on the gravel... meanwhile... morelike... conveniently... there was this huge ditch next to me with all this muddy water... and so my companion described my fall as... my bike flew out from under me and if you have ever seen someone jump out of an airplane with their feet behind their head... that was me... and I eat it into all this muddy water... my bike smashed against the hill and my bent vertical handlebar jammed right into my thigh.... And after all this... my helmet was covering me like a mask with all this water running down it and I just got up and starting running and screaming out of pure pain like "GAHHHHHHHHHAHDFHGHFGDFHVDAFJC" And then this was the result when I got home... I just laid down dead and some elders came over and took pictures#famous.... Amen to my bike as well.

Pumped and Excited!

So this whole week was pretty normal... It was the average week of missionary work... Taught some people... went tracting... did some service... Didn't have too much excitement going on... But due to our hard work we were able to see a tender mercy of the Lord yesterday on the Sabbath! So if you recall... the story of how we met the Less Active Filipino on a bike who approached us on the street.... so we went to visit her once this week and she wasn't home... so we tried later in the week and we caught her home and she told us not this Sunday but next Sunday they would come to church! So we were pretty pumped and excited! Then late Saturday night when we were about to finish planning we got a call from her... And she asked when church started cause she wanted to come tomorrow! WOOOOOOOOO! And so they came to church and she brought her non-member husband... And he is LEGIT!... He loved Sacrament, Gospel Essentials class and even in Elders Quorum we were discussing the blessings of the Temple... And he stops the whole class and says "I just wanted to say... this is my first time ever coming to a church... but don't think for a second I don't believe in God... I do very much... and I want to experience this feeling you all have when you go to the Temple... my wife has been telling me we need to get re-married in the Temple and during this learning process if something happened to me... It's comforting to know that she won't be punished... that through the Temple we can still be sealed forever as a family.."..... My companion and I looked at each other like..... WHAT?!?!?!?! Hahaha it was so insane... and that was the first time in AGES a new family came to the ward so the whole ward got excited as and fellowshipped them hardcore.. and it was just a really good Sunday! So we're going to be having dinner with them this Tuesday... so everything is looking up! Tender Mercies of the Lord... they happen.
 *(To add a little note as well in the story.... The night we were going to visit them... The husband stopped at Woolworths and was putting groceries in his car and saw us ride past... and he felt the impression to stop us... but didn't know what to say and by the time he thought of something we rode past.... and then when he got home he fell asleep and when he woke up his wife told him the Elders came by... and he got a shock of realization that we were biking to his house to see him hahah, so then he felt the need to come to church! Pretty awesome!) 

Oh and you remember "Pedophile van"?... P.... He told us to come around and see him... well my 2nd week we tried finding him and couldn't... then we had the incident of him stopping us in his van... then we tried finding him AGAIN!.... but couldn't... he lives 94a... but all we could find was 94.... but this morning... he stopped us AGAIN!... and he gave us his phone number and gave directions... his house is actually around the back down this side street... but he is keen as to learn!! MIRACLE!

Training

This week was super awesome though!!! So as you know I worked in the city from Monday-Wednesday which was HEAVEN!... Then we went to Carlingford Wednesday to meet all the new missionaries... We walked in and there were 6 elders and 11 sisters and we had orientation and got to know them.... We then sat in a circle... and they started assigning companions one by one.... then it came down to 2 last people.... and 1 got assigned and so me being the last I obviously knew who it was... So I ran across and hugged him hahaha, then President Howes was like... "Now now... don't jump to conlcusions...."... So I went and sat back down.... "Elder Ball... You will be training.... wait for it...... Elder O!".... Then we went and reenacted scene 1 hahaha. It was such a cool experience going through the new missionary meetings... It's gross though thinking about 10 1/2 months ago I was sitting in their shoes.... (throwup). So after we got our new companions we went to a random families house in Baulkham Hills Stake to have dinner and have the new missionary teach them! Twas really nice! Then after some more meetings for all of Thursday we finally got back to our area about 9pm haha. But here's where the miracles come in... There's this special assignment we got from our Ward Mission Leader... this Part Member family.... They had been Less Active for about 3 years... and the 3 months I've been in this area we met them only twice and the mum was never home... and so we took a member to go visit them after I felt a prompting to go.... lo and behold... THEY WERE HOME!... And we hit it off really well and she said to us... "You know it's funny you came by... Just on Monday I was thinking we needed to go back to church"... And she has 2 un-baptized children... one of them that wants to serve a mission...and so she finally committed to let them go to church and then we're going over next week to have FHE with them and teach the kids! It was indeed a tender mercy from the Lord! There's a lot of progress going on so we'll see what happens in the future!

Life is Good Indeed

 But I will tell you one really awesome story... So Elder U and I were having dinner at this Less Actives house.. and one of our investigators lives with them so we were hoping to see her there but she was hanging out with friends... but her Less Active boyfriend was there and he had really shown no interest in coming back... he was just.... very less active as haha. But we taught them a message after (using the mormon messages you sent, WOOP!) And he was like "Awh I love these videos ae... They make you feel good and uplifted!"... And so we left them the DVD so him and out investigator are going to watch them... And he even wanted to come to some YSA activities! So from out of nowhere he's just been creeping out of less activity so it was miracle as!

 

But twill be exciting to talk to you on Sunday! You'll get to talk to my son as well ^_^... I got called to train a new missionary (<-- the story of how I got called to train is the funny part) so we go to the mission home tomorrow to meet all the new missionaries and then we'll be assigned companions! It's exciting as but it's nerve racking too.
This week has been AWESOME so far!!... So when I got to transfer meeting I was told Elder D was training as well... so guess what that meansss.... I'M IN THE CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I get to work with him til' Wednesday.... It's so awesome/sad being here... cause I just have to say bye again to people... But it was so cool seeing people.. they made me feel special... I walked in the Teaching Center and some people were like "ELDER BALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!".. #sweethearts.... But life is good indeed... a lot of exciting things ahead.... except one thing.... I don't know if I told you this?.. I feel like I have.. but I'll tell you anyways.. because of the mission splitting we lose 2 weeks... and this transfer basically decided the split.. so I'm in the North... And so this means I'm coming home June instead of July </3... They jipped me 3 weeks off my mission.... :'(

Man of God

Well for this week... My companion's back was still broken... so week 2 of studying my brains out was completed... He's now actually better so we'll be working for sure this week... But we did have miracles still happen which added to the miraculousness of them because the 2 times we left the flat this week... we had them happen haha.

 

#1. We went on Tuesday to a Physio to see what's wrong with his back (turns out it was a slipped-disc) but we walk into the waiting room and this old guy looks at me and says "man of God".... I just laughed and said "that's right"... Then he went on to say his best friend for 68 years was a mormon and he lived with him when missionaries came over all the time.. So he knew quite a bit about our religion... And we had a good chat and as he was leaving I asked if we could come over to his house and share a message with him and he accepted!... I was like "YESSSSSSS!" Cause obviously it was the first missionary work I've done in like a week haha. Then the receptionist over heard and was looking at me... I just said "you wanna hear a message too?" She was like nah hahaha. 

 

Miracle #2... The 2nd time we left the flat we were going to a dinner appointment... And another side-story... we were on the bus and we hopped on last minute while the bus was at a stoplight... so it was red as we were buying the tickets... then I'm waiting for change as it turns green then he told me to go sit down real quick and get it later... and so me and my companion go to sit down and he takes off and we both go flying down the aisle of the bus and smack into this pole hahahah, and my companion's week of recovery just went down the drain lolz. But at least people will remember missionaries.. those ones that fell on the bus :)... Well anyways... after we got off the bus we went to our dinner appointment... and we were 15 minutes early... so we went to walk around and talk to some people... And then I look at this lady on this bike and she stops... and is just staring at me... I was like.. "What. the. awkward."... Then she says "Hey Elder!"... So I go over to talk to her and it turns out she's been living in AUS for 2 years and she's a less active from the Philippines.. she also has a non-member husband and she asked us where church is so they can come!! So we got her details and she's going to come! WOO HOOO!!! (once again I was very excited due to the lack of work we've done) hahaha. 

 

And for my birthday! It was S-W-E-E-T... That stands for Some White Elephants Eat Turkey.... My Bishop threw me a little birthday party and invited a bunch of families over for dinner, it was indeed awesome! I haven't had home-made mexican food since like... in Christchurch... Then on my actual birthday this other family invited families over as well and one of them actually had come to Bishops too and I was just thinking... "I hope they like mexican".. Cause I requested that again hahah #Mexicanblood. So overall it was a pretty good birthday... Got to take the sacrament... best present everrrrr...

Crazy Miracles!

I shallst share with you one crazy miracle though!! So when I first arrived in the area.. obviously we knew nothing about it so we searched through our area book and found this guy "P"... He had a baptismal date and his teaching record had no indication that he'd been dropped or anything.... So we knocked on his door and no answer... and looked like he didn't live there anymore.... Then a couple months pass... and this past tuesday... we were walking down the street and this white van beeps at us and then pulls over and stops.... first thing I thought... "White van... pedophile... kidnap.. dead".... So the guy gets out and he's like "MISSIONARIES!!! HOW ARE YOU?!?!"... We were like... who in the heck is this guy.... he's being real friendly though... (as kidnappers do)... I was just waiting for him to ask me to come in the van to look for his puppy but he told us something even better!.... "come round my house at -------- and have a feed sometime!" And missionaries never refuse food... I don't care if I get kidnapped I was like "YEAH SWEET! FOOD!" hahah, and then he leaves and we think not much of it... we were just wondering... who the heck was that guy... then later that day it hit me.... the address... THAT'S WHERE "P" LIVES! We were shocked as, and we go back through our area book and he lived with his wife who had a baptismal date as well!! And I don't know how contact was lost but they were both still keen!... I knew Heavenly Father placed us in P's path that day as he was driving so we could get in contact again! He is mindful of ALL his children.
But I shallst tell you about this sweet old lady we tracted into! Her name is Granny S! Hahah, she turned 91 the next day from when we met her! But she's as energetic as a teenager haha. But what was crazy she told us she had been wondering the past 3 years where missionaries had been because she used to see us walking around all the time. But because they gave this area a car she never saw them since... so that day we decided to walk and boom, we found her! And before we talked to her she was wondering that day again where the missionaries were.... And so we're going to go visit her and teach her!! The Lord doesn't care what age you areeeee, he wants you to be dippin in them waters of repentance! hahaha. No but seriously it was awesome!

A Good Name

Welllll this week was awesome blossom! We had some awesome experiences!! So we've been going around trying to meet everyone on the Ward List.... but the Ward List is pretty out of date so we go visit Less Active people and they'll turn out to actually be active hahah vice versa. We actually had  an exerience like that.... but it was pretty miracle!! We were trying to find this family, the N's, the ward list said they were active but we never saw them and we could never find them... so we were intending to find this other L.A. family ... and we met them and they were super cold and didn't talk to us hahaha, but then out of the same house comes this guy and is like "Hey Elders come in!" And we've never met this guy but we were like... welp... yeah lets go! haha. And we didn't want to be rude like... "so who are you?" So we start visiting with them as if we knew them hahaha and he started talking about his mission etc... and he showed us his badge.... "Elder N" and in my mind I was like... (WHAAAAAT?!?!?!) Hahaha and we had a SUPER good visit with them and they said they haven't been to church in a while but they were planning to come back next week and they told us we inspired them to stay strong in the gospel! It was sooooo coool!!! The Lord knows his children and we were able to cross paths by his mercy! 

 

I was on trade offs with the AP, Elder R, he and I set the goal of getting 2 new investigators and so we started at 10am and were finishing at 6pm.... so we worked hard the whole day.. talking to everyone visiting less actives and members trying to find referrals and it came to 5pm and we prayed to find 2 more souls to teach.... so we go to our last teaching appointment and lo and behold.... our prayers were answered! Our investigator brought 2 of his friends to sit in on the discussion with us!! And there was a super favorite of mine.... his name..... get this.... right.. get this... his name... was.... Caleb.... ^_^.... So I was like "I like you... that's a good name... you know what else is a good name? Jesus Christ... now take upon yourself his name and be baptized..." Hahaha and so MIRACLESSS we added 2 more precious souls to teach.... Twas swell.... Faith can do anything.

 

Another insight I've found this week.... Before my mission I remember always hearing RM's share an experience and say "This was 'THEE' reason why I was sent here".... And it always seems like there's that 'one' reason.... that 'one' person waiting for you..... But something I've greatly realized.... It may sound harsh... but it's true.... If you can only find that 'one' reason why you were sent on your mission.... you didn't work hard enough... Now I'm not saying I've worked the hardest compared to other beast missionaries... but as I've been giving my best effort and my heart to the Lord.... He's revealed to me countless reasons of why I'm here on a mission... Like when I first came out the question I constantly pondered was "What is 'THEE' reason that I'm here for?... Why Sydney?".... And as I seeked for it everyday.... I realized I was asking the wrong question.... The correct question was.... "what are the 'REASONS' that I'm here for?" After asking that..... countless reasons and experiences were given to me... All you have to do is give your best and keep your eyes open.... Something I've been doing is what President Henry B. Eyring suggested.... write in your journal everyday.... and ask yourself the question... "How have I seen the hand of God in my life today?".... And in result.... I'm no longer searching for security of why I'm on my mission.... I've already had many.... and know there are only many more to come! I thought that was something interesting so I thought I'd share it with you.

Missionary Work is the Absolute Best!

Nowwww for this week! This week included all phases of missionary work, tracting/member work/service/rejection.... but most importantly.... MIRACLES!!! WOOOO!

First miracle.... so we have this Less Active named Sister T. she has been less active most of her life and her son is less active AND has a non-member girlfriend. We went to see the girlfriend this past week ... she looked down as! And she told us she barely just got back from work and was so tired.... so we just had a good casual chat on how she was doing, then we started to share a message... and we felt impressed to share Alma 58:9-13.... And the moral of the story is.... in times of fear and need.... Pray! We shared that with her and she started crying and opened up to us saying she's been having this guy at work hassle her and being very threatening to her safety and she said, the last thing I thought to do was pray..... and she said... quote... "I know for a fact that this message was for me.... whenever I need help in life... you know what Heavenly Father does?.... He sends the Elders to always knock on my door when I need His help! The Elders are always there for me!"...... I was so humbled when she said that.... It just brought a huge realization of the sacred power of our calling... to be an instrument in the Lord's hands... being guided to the right people in the right time.... And what is even cooler!!! We had dinner at their house last night! And Sis.T has been exposing her son's girlfriend to the gospel this past week... and she asked us HEAPS of questions at dinner and so we set up a return appointment to have the discussions with her! Now here's what the crazy part of the story is.... She's met missionaries in this ward from Me (current).... to Elder Menzie (served here 2 years ago)... And they all have planted seeds... but now finally after so long... she's been prepared... and we're the lucky ones that are able to harvest! WOOOOOO!

Soo this week... for the first time.... I taught...... CHILDREN!!!! WOOOO!!!! Oh.my.goodness. They are SO EASY to teach! Compared to like bashy evangelists and stubborn english people (no offense mum)... But they are just so precious and absorb everything so easy! This Less Active lady, Sis. E.. she has two kids ages 9 and 10. She wants both of them baptized... so we taught them and as we did so... their mum sat in on the lesson and we could tell she was feeling the spirit big time! So it was a double whammy! It was just super humbling though being able to teach children! Their childlike mind is so funny! I was teaching about the priesthood... comparing the authority the prophet has like the authority of a drivers license... without the drivers license.... the person can't drive.... it's like the prophet... without the priesthood... he can't speak to god and guide the church! Then one of the kids goes "So the cops uniform gives them authority to shoot people?" Hahahaha, I was like..... yes.... yes it does... hahha jk. So they are super cool! And we did heaps of service.... just to give you an idea of what went down... shoveled like 1,000lbs  of compost across this garden...Set up a billion games and tents for this country fair at a public school... and last but not least.... went to a sketch house and mowed half a lawn before we had to leave due to domestic violence and cops showing up... how lovely... But this week was legit! As every week is! Missionary work is the absolute best! There's nothing better anyone could ever be doing, not school, their dream career or anything...

Tender Mercies

We had so many tender mercies of the Lord this week! We're really striving to do our best in this area and we've been seeing some results now! I'll give you some examples... This guy  has been coming to church and we had a lesson with him and it turns out... he actually knows this is true... but he just doesn't know it yet... he came to church by himself... and is real into everything! He's reading the Book of Mormon and even one of the members invited him over for dinner with us on Wednesday... and he was like "nah I cant... I'm going to Institute" hahaha. So we're going to have dinner with him on Thursday instead... And this other kid is preparing for a mission... he brought his brother who's a nonmember to church! And his brother hasn't been to church in 1.5 years since his brother was baptized! So that was a huge miracle! And this lady  pulled us aside and wanted us to teach this 10 year old who wants to be baptized!! ANDDDDDDDDDDD to top it off..... We had one of the biggest miracles since I've been here.... mabye even in my whole mission.... We were tracting and tracted into this elderly lady and we didn't get to know her a lot while we talked but surprisingly she invited us back!! So we went back just on Saturday and we asked her why she invited us back.... And she told us "I had a dream that I was talking to 2 young men and I yelled at them.... then God told me to talk to them and I yelled at Him to go away.  Ever since that dream I feel like God hasn't been near me or loves me... and when I saw you 2 young men... and I saw your bright smiling faces, I knew that I couldn't turn you away.. and I knew God was trying to speak to me!" Take in mind she told us this as she was crying... and the spirit was just so strong and we assured her that God loves her and this was not a coincidence that we knocked on her door that day! And then she went on to say she had never shared that dream she had with ANYONE... so we asked why share it with us... and she said again crying "Because you two are so pure.... you're the truth!!!" ....... o.O ..... :O ..... We were seriously so shocked..... when we got into the car after the lesson we just drove back to our flat just smiling and didn't even say a word to each other.... It was..... ridonkulous...! This increased my testimony of Doctrine and Covenants 123, the last verse..... It says "... let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God and for his arm to be revealed".... If we do all we can... which isn't much... God will grant us miracles.... just because we are trying, means everything to him.
I went on another trade-off with my zone leader Elder A... my same zone leader from the city... so it was awesome! We went from going on trade-offs in the city teaching in this building and street contacting to tracting and teaching in people's homes! We taught this awesome guy (we found him a couple weeks ago) and he's so good! He'll get baptized... he told me "You have no idea what you've done to me 'all'! <-- (he cant pronounce my name right so he calls me "all") Ever since you've knocked on my door, I've been searching high and low in my garage for that Book of Mormon I owned! I've been dying to read it!!" And so we gave him one and asked if he would read it and hahahaha he looks at us stern -_- "Are you joking!? Will I read it?! you think I wouldn't read it?!" then he goes on sarcastically - "Yeah just searched my garage for 2 weeks... YES I'LL READ IT!" Hahaha, he's so cool! 
 So this week.... yup... it was insane!