The New Comp!

This week has been pretty exciting! I enjoyed the last few days working with Elder Lamipeti as we tried to visit as many people as we could, teach them, and offer our service.  We had a fun four months serving together and definitely learned a ton. 

We got to visit a number of less actives and investigators before he left, and even saw a miracle as well.  On Australia Day, we had to go to the office for my drivers test, so we planned for a pretty long travel due to less bus services on holidays.  So we had started walking towards the bus stop when a taxi driver honked.  We thought he was just picking up a person, so we kept walking, but he pulled up to us again and honked.  This time he goes: "Hey! Elders! Get in, where you going?"

The taxi driver happened to be one of our less active members' husband, who is not a member.  He drove us all the way to the train station (a good 50 minute bus ride) and refused to let us pay for the ride.  Suuuch a blessing.  

Thursday was a big day, we got to meet our new companions!  My new companion is Elder Flake, from Arizona!  Seriously so exciting to be serving with an American.  We've had some fun the past few days, getting to know each other, and feasting on the two boxes of brownies his family sent him in the MTC.  

It's been a pretty humbling experience to have the opportunity to train a new missionary, especially since I'm a fairly new missionary myself.  I have definitely been able to feel the trust that not only President Checketts has put in me, but the Lord as well.  It has been really cool to look back and see how much progress I've made in these 4-5 months, and the growth that is still in store.  Elder Flake and I look forward to improving our companionship unity and becoming more powerful teachers and effective disciples in the upcoming week!  

Sending my love from Australia,

Elder Muh

Word of the Week

- Whipper Snipper, Weed Wacker

Ponderize 

- Romans 8:29-30

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren.  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

Paul teaches the doctrine of foreordination simply: God knew each and every one of us personally before we received our bodies and came down to this earth.  Every single calling or responsibility we'll have on this earth, we already accepted in heaven and are just confirming it upon the earth. 

The New Comp:  Elder Flake from Snowflake, Arizona

Just a water dragon chilling on the side of the road

The Space Mountain Escalator at Epping Train Station

Biked over to lookout for morning exercise

Finally gave in a bought some frosted flakes

#FourMonths

This week, we've been trying to help our investigators progress in the Gospel by focusing on the Book of Mormon.  Basically everything we teach as missionaries depends on that Book.  If the reader prays and receives a witness that it is true, then they also come to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that he restored the Church of Jesus Christ back to the earth.  

It is a little frustrating sometimes when you know something is true and you just want to share it so bad with everybody, but they don't believe you.  Yet.  Always remember that progression, and understanding, comes over time! 

This Thursday we had the incredible opportunity to hear from members of the Quorum of the Twelve and Missionary Department in a Worldwide Missionary Broadcast.  Just a quick update before I begin, there are currently over 75,000 missionaries serving in 418 different missions, which is pretty cool.  

The theme of the broadcast was Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts, mainly focusing on the fact that we need to ALWAYS remember that faith and repentance are necessary steps needed before the ordinance of baptism can occur.  

Elder Andersen taught that we always need to have Christ on our lips, which means being prepared to testify of Him at all times and in all places.  Elder Oaks taught that the fullness of the Gospel, paired with the Authority of God, is the only way by which we can return to live with our Father in Heaven again.  The Missionary Department helped to provide unique ways we can teach members, less actives, and investigators, all while seeking others to teach the message of the Restoration to.  Finally, Elder Bednar taught us something very important.  As missionaries, we need to teach by the Spirit.  Sometimes, the things we say don't even matter if the person feels the Spirit.  However, (!) we must always remember that we are here to take the Spirit to their heart.  After that, it is up to the investigator if they will allow that Spirit, that truth, and the Gospel to enter their hearts. 

Yesterday marked four months in the field and four months serving with Elder Lamipeti.  It's been a great four months, and I know that he has done heaps to prepare me for the future of my mission.  I have been called as District Leader, and I'll also have the opportunity to train a new missionary.  These past four months have been incredible.  I've truly understood the importance of the Atonement, the power of prayer, the purpose of missionary work, and the value of hard work.  Elder Lamipeti and I have seen heaps of progression as what I like to say, brothers in the Gospel.  

We have the privilege to work here in Harbord until Thursday, when we will each meet our new companions and then he will head off to Doonside where he will continue as District Leader and train his new son (brand new missionary).  I've learned so much from him and I'm so grateful for the time that we've had to serve together.  

The Church Is True!

Love,

Elder Muh

Ponderize

- Romans 3:23 

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

This is a short, but very powerful scripture that emphasizes the importance of the Atonement.  Nobody on this earth is perfect, no matter how hard we try.  Despite that, by doing all that we can, it becomes possible to make it back.  I like to describe this as a ladder.  Life is like a ladder that leads to salvation.  When we do all that we can, and climb as high as we can go, (2 Nephi 25:23) the Lord will reach down and pulls us to the top.  And what a joyful moment that will be.

The Komene's hooked us up!  #boiz

Inspiration

Happy Australia Day from the American!

(January 26)

Week # 17

This week was a little slow, not too many appointments, but not many people at home either.  It's weeks like these that can be discouraging: not very many lessons taught and no fruits to show from your efforts.  However, it is also during these weeks that you need to focus on the little things.  

Alma 37:6 describes this perfectly in saying that by small and simple things, great things shall come to pass.  Heaps of appointments won't happen all at once.  It is only by the small and simple things that we can build up our teaching pool in order for something great to come to pass.  

Yesterday, our sacrament meeting talks were focused on some of the small and simple commandments that are sometimes overlooked: dress and appearance as well as Sabbath day observance.  The Apostles have really been making a push on keeping the Sabbath day holy, and I've tried to ponder about how I could truly make the Sabbath a delight as a missionary.  

I'll be honest, sometimes every day feels like a Sunday: we get up, put on our white shirts and ties, and study the scriptures. Unlike members of the church, for missionaries, Sunday isn't a day of rest, making it almost feel like any other day.  However, it's the Lord's day.  And it is the day that we can begin to feel joy in our labors when we see those we teach attend Sacrament Meeting.   

For those of you who can use the Sabbath as a day of rest, I invite you to do so.  Spend as much time as you can with your family.  I'm pretty sure every missionary says this, but I wish I spent more time doing my homework earlier in the weekend, so that on Sunday, I could watch a church movie or play games with my family.  

The Lord blesses those who keep His commandments.  As we learned in General Conference, He gives us these commandments because He loves us.  By keeping them, we can show our love for Him.  

May He continue to pour out blessings through His great love as you do so,
Elder Muh

Ponderize
- Acts 2:38
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Throughout the scriptures, we learn that God commands us to repent and be baptized.  And this is the Gospel!

Taronga Zoo:  This is what kangaroos really do all day

Got up only to dig another hole and lay down again

On the way to the zoo we saw this in the sky

Hawaiian Winter, Aussie Summer

This week was definitely an interesting one.  The first half of the week, it poured for about three days straight.  It kind of actually felt like Winter in Hawai'i! But, I spoke to soon.  I think summer has fully arrived, the heat is out!

Something a little different happened this week.  We had a few appointments scheduled this week, and as the week went on, more were scheduled.  We tried to visit as many less actives and former investigators as possible, and by doing so, we did hardly any tracting at all.

Early in the week, we visited one of the less active families in the ward, a Tongan family.  The lesson started off in English, but eventually Tongan needed to be used so the father could understand.  I have close to no idea what was said in that lesson, but towards the end, Elder Lamipeti asked me to bear my testimony in Tongan, which I did.  Words cannot explain how strong the Spirit was during that time, and I'm very grateful that Elder Lamipeti has helped me to learn how to bear my testimony for moments like that on my mission.

This week was filled with numerous small and simple miracles.  Another less active family we've been working with (the one with a few young kids) came to church yesterday!  The joy I felt yesterday was amazing.  We also had a part member less active family call us one morning and invite us over for dinner that evening.  Finally, we ran into one of our investigators and his friend walking home one night, and he told his friend that he should meet with us some time.

I think a lot of times, we want to see huge miracles as the fruits of our labors.  However, it is by small and simple things that great things come to pass.  As much as I would love to see someone that my companion and I taught get baptized, these small miracles are huge blessings in itself.

Love you heaps,
Elder Muh

Ponderize
- Luke 4:43 (Last Week)
"And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent."

Where are those other cities, those other sheep?  Welcome to the Book of Mormon, mate!
- John 14:26 (This Week)
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things,and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

Before He left, Christ promised that He would send the Holy Ghost to teach us all things.  Although none of us have ever seen Christ ourselves, the Holy Ghost testifies that He Lives and that His Gospel has been restored to the earth today! 

Words of the Week 

- Straightaway, Immediately - It's cool because this is kinda like a scriptural term, but many people use it just when they're casually speaking 

- Fizzy, Soda

- Rock Melon, Cantaloupe 

- Sultanas, Raisins

- Mozzies, Mosquitoes

This stuff is the best!! #mooo

(It's one of the milk brands they have here.  One of the ward members works there, so he'll give us heaps of strawberry/chocolate milk along with a few gallons of white too.)

Never thought I'd use a heater during the summer!

Welcome to 2016!

This week has been an interesting one, but it's been pretty good nonetheless.  

On Tuesday, we had a trade-off with the Zone Leaders.  I got to work with Elder Brown (who was our District Leader my first transfer) which was so awesome.  He's in his last transfer, so it's really cool to be able to learn from his example and all the strengths he's gained over the course of his mission.  

We've been doing a lot of tracting recently, and it's always fun to guess what type of people we'll answer the door.  Elder Lamipeti's favorite one is always: "Yup. This one's a Tongan house".  

With all the tracting being done, it's really helped me to understand that we are all children of our Heavenly Father.  He loves us heaps, so he's blessed us with this Gospel, and that's why we as missionaries are here, to spread those glad tidings to all people.  

I've also been able to understand more fully the true purpose of the Book of Mormon.  The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to this earth.  I know it.  The simple evidence for this truth is the Book of Mormon.  If you read The Book and pray about it, you'll receive that answer as well.  Anybody who is searching for truth can read the Book of Mormon and know it is true, if they do so according to Moroni's promise, found in Moroni 10:3-5.  

Happy New Year to all!  May God help you accomplish all the goals you've set for you and your family! 

Love you heaps,

Elder Muh

- Ponderize

I starting reading the New Testament at the beginning of December, and am now studying in the book of Luke.  I finished the Book of Mormon last week, so I chose a scripture in Luke to ponderize this week.  Unfortunately, I can't remember what it is at the moment, so I'll send it over next week! 

New Year's Eve.  We caught a little of the fireworks show above the trees.

Newest Proselyting Attire  :)

My First Aussie Christmas

This week was pretty awesome! 

The Christmas season always puts everyone in a good mood and it's great to meet with so many people excited to celebrate the birth of Christ.   Luke 2:7 describes the birth of Christ and closes by saying "there was no room for them in the inn".  With that being said, I think this year was the first year I was ever solely focused on the birth of Christ this season.  Christmas provided such a great missionary opportunity and it really helped to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Tuesday was our Christmas Conference which was awesome because I got to see some of my MTC Zone and roommates! 

We celebrated Christmas with some of our members and had fun singing some Aussie Christmas songs like the Australian version of Jingle Bells, which is pretty funny! 

Yesterday, we taught Lynn some of the commandments and she responded really well to them.  We hope to finish up the lessons in preparation for her baptism scheduled for this Saturday! 

I would like to close with an update on a huge miracle that has taken place over the last couple months.  

Some of you may remember our investigator, Edmur. Unfortunately he moved to the Central Coast, so we had planned to refer him to the missionaries up there.  The thing is, we never got to send the referral.  He saw the missionaries when they were doing some tracting in his neighborhood and they began teaching him again.  A couple of weeks ago, he called us and told us about how he knew the Book of Mormon was true and that he had a baptismal date!  Long story short, Edmur was baptized last Sunday and he came to church with us yesterday! 

I love this Gospel.  I know it is true, and this work is the greatest on earth.  I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve the Lord.  I look forward to the upcoming year and the future opportunities to set and accomplish goals.  

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year! 

Love you heaps,

Elder Muh

Words of the Week:

- Lollies, Any kind of candy

Ponderize

-"But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."

The Holy Ghost will teach us all things and testify of truthfulness! 

MTC Zone at Christmas Conference

MTC Roomies at Christmas Conference

This is what happens when you wait at a bus stop

Our Great Friend, Edmur

Christmas Donuts!