December 2006

1st December 2006
Well the calling is going great takes up a bit of time and you have to priories or you never get things done. Well the city is going good we keep on running into people who want to bash. It’s a pain because you know what they are trying to do and I feel it’s pointless. Some come up all innocent and they start bashing about Joseph smith others just come up and tell you you’re wrong. I just don’t even want a bar of it. I just want to tell them straight up “o know what yours trying to do and its pointless”. On a brighter note we have been having a lot of fun. The Zone is doing well could be better but we need to get out there more and help. The Chinese elders make it really cool they are funny to be around. We had this peachy tournament of pool. It was dial vs. me and tong vs. nelson I went through to the final and nelson caused an upset. So it was nelson and I. I was winning by about 5 balls and then he makes the come back. Ends up sinking the black ball to win the game but sinks the white ball with it. So I won the peachy tournament. We has a game yesterday same thing happened he sunk the white with the black. We had a real good lesson with Annie and Lisa. Brought out a few concerns and they helped us understand more about them. They are really cool to be around and it’s hard for them but \I guess I want them to be happy. Stewardships were on Monday it was good. I need to apply the things that we learn it was really good president is awesome he gives you the boost that you need. The family is doing well Gareth is getting married soon Sarah is having the baby soon, Melissa’s basement is all done and mum is great. There is a lot of work to do in the area and I think we need to get onto it now because we need new investigators and the members are pretty comfortable at the moment so we need to help that area of the work other than that it’s all sweet.

9th December 2006
If my memory serves me right I have had some cool experiences this week 1. I felt so uncomfortable I was getting a picture at the big Christmas tree and these bladders came and I wanted them to be in the photo and this Elf cam up and hugged me, OH man it felt so weird. It was Elder Nelson’s Birthday yesterday and me and Tong gave them a surprise party so it was good and a lot of fun. On-day we went to the Masonic temple and it was interesting and we set a baptismal date with Lisa, she has got to be the coolest and I have felt the Lord helping, I feel overwhelmed by his blessing to help us out as leaders of our zone, I love him dearly and I need to be more humble and continue to give glary to him for what he has done. Remember I am only the mouthpiece. So Lisa is getting baptized next Saturday. We met some Lemons last night it was a little bit weird because one was like a mum and the other could have been her daughter. I can say that I am loving it in the city and the YSA ward because of the joy I am having being here. I have an awesome companion which I am grateful for. I am trying to finish our heritage by Sunday I would have read it in 4 or 5 days. I never would have thought I could read like that as it took me about a transfer last time anyway gotta go play touch.

16th December 2006
We had our ward Christmas party today and it was choice Elder Nelson tong dial and I sang far far away on Judea’s plains it was alright, Lisa and Annie brought all their Korean friends, man It was so cool we had a really good night with them, they are so much fun and really cool to be around. We went tracting today and bumped into Clare who had the most awesome questions. She decided that she needed to come to church first so we were like OK that fine so hopefully we will see her tomorrow. We had zone conference this week, it was a little bit different watching it form behind but it was fun. I like observing people in the crowd it is surprising how many of them look and who looks like they are paying attention I have been enjoying myself in the YSA ward \elder Nelson is an awesome elder lately I have been reading books in 1 and a half weeks I finished our heritage and our search for happiness and now I am on to true to the faith I am about a ¼ through Jesus the Christ so I am reading like mad but I really enjoy it. Lisa is getting baptized tomorrow so I am looking forward to that she is really excited and I can wait that’s about it for the moment. The church is true and I feel it and Know Jesus Christ lives because of the forgiveness I have felt.
17th December 2006
Kang Hyo-Joo (Lisa) was baptized and what a day it was. It was one where I have been apart of a baptism where they were around my age and it was really good. I spoke on faith and repentance. Elder Nelson spoke on baptism and the Holy Ghost. Now if you've ever been to a baptism you would know that the power of godliness is manifest. As we were singing the opening hymn “I am a child of god” the thought of the pre-earth life came and it was like we had sung this before. When I heard her sing it was very peaceful. I love hearing people who came from an Asian country sing it sounds so nice. She will be fine. Her excitement and joy make you want to be around her more. The photos turned out great and it was a wonderful day that will be remembered for the eternities. As for myself I feel lucky, humbled and blessed that the lord is blessing me with these blessings of joy and meeting people who are prepared to receive the gospel. I need to humbly thank God the Father and His son for the blessing of their trust and for this sacred calling. Annie will be baptized short after because of her sister’s example. Lisa’s family will be blessed also the legacy begins. I love the Korean program and I know the gospel is true. I feel it and as I live it. It has blessed me. The thought of not living the gospel is scary because I won’t be protected or safe or have the guidance I do. All of this because I love the lord I really do and he has given me these experiences so I can grow and share them with others. God has called me to his work. I pray I will continue to be an instrument in his hands in bringing to past Moses 1:39.

18th December 2006
On Friday we decided to eat fruit for 2 days and this is the last day of it. It feels funny because you’re full but want something else. We sang carols in the city today it was really good I enjoyed it. Something different and it softens hearts. We have been hanging out with the Chinese a lot. Elder tong reminds me of daisho just grown up. It’s pretty fun. That’s all that really happened today

19th December 2006
We had Zone Leader Council today it’s was good, interesting and great. I’m thinking about using my mind more. As in processing information and remembering the things taught. I tried it today so I’ll see how it goes. We taught Lisa today I’m seeing a little glow she is cool as I love teaching her. I saw elder Matthews today that elder is the man. Then we contacted 10 and loved it. Met some people from El Salvador and a group of people it felt good doing the lords work. It is so special and means a lot more as I move on in the mission.

21st December 2006
It is sneaking up on us but I’m not too worried. We walked into the office today to see who had packages and I had none, but I got my first present today so I was pretty stoked I guess my present is talking to my family. Anyways today was good. Elder Reeder’s district meeting was awesome he told us to write your testimony on the savior Jesus Christ and about the importance of my missionary service. I wrote some meaningful things in there. He told us to put it into an envelope and write mums address on it. My heart sunk a bit but then he said there will be no greater Christmas present than your testimony on the savior and she will keep it forever. Brilliant idea because I thought it would be for future generation but nope. I’m going to use that idea a bit I love it. Also today I just about burnt the flat down, playing with matches again. The smoke alarm goes off we go running into the bath room and then see this ball of fire is was pretty funny but yeah pretty stupid too.

23rd December 2006
Today was the Christmas party for the mission. We went out to capalaba to pick them up for it and ended up staying there for longer than expected because someone took off with the keys in their pocket. So we stayed back to play a game of cluedo. It was a really good game. We ended up getting out keys back so that was good. We got there just in time to watch over the hedge. It was pretty crack up. Then we opened presents and had lunch and had one of the ten tenors sing to us it was good he did a really great job. It was just good to see everyone too. After the party we went to capalaba to do an interview. Our Zone is on fire we have 4 baptisms on Sunday. They are going so well which is really good to see. We have some really good missionaries here. The Christmas period puts you into holiday mode which I hate because I’m here to work, work, work.

24th December 2006
I confirmed Lisa a member of the church today and she received a gift which will bless her forever. She will be blessed with what she stands in need of because she is obedient to the lord. I just feel that she was so gifted and blessed and will bless all people around her. She is awesome. I also found out today that I’m getting transferred and I am shocked. I really love the YSA ward and the Koreans we are teaching Annie and Lisa are the best. I rang Annie to tell her and she was completely shocked. I felt that I grew so close to them too and I love it how the gospel does that to you, makes you love people so easily. I’m bummed that I’m leaving cos elder nelson is really cool and he has been one of my favourite companions he is awesome. Ill miss the area, especially Annie and Lisa. We went caroling with elder and sister rawe & birkeland is was so good. I love singing to them it was great. Such and awesome experience. Good food too. Elder Rawe is awesome (hahahaha he was mad trying to ditch that lady remember nelson lol)

25th December Christmas Day 2006
I woke up today and tried calling everyone before we went to breakfast and I couldn’t get a hold of anyone because I was ringing the wrong number. I forgot their numbers but its was brought back to my remembrance. We went to breakfast with the bosses it was a great breakfast really nice and a great selection of fruit, ham, eggs, toast. Wasn’t to filling. Then we went to manly saw them and headed back home. Got a hold of mum and talked with her then went to lunch and that was really tasty too. With Brother Simpson and family and Chung Chung and Alex. Then went home and called my family it was a good day. Then we went to say bye to Lisa and Annie it was really hard to say bye because they are so cool. They brought me a tie that I will always cherish cos of my awesome memories of them. Ill keep in touch for sure. Then Casey, Kelly and chantell brought some food. Bevin seems to be doing well His testimony is strong and kicking