Skip 3 months

A friend messaged me on facebook to say she checked in on this blog and it hadn't been updated since July. Sorry to anyone who was following. Here is an excerpt from Elder Kay's latest email. He is now in a small area between Brisbane and Ipswich which has a large Samoan population. If anyone wants to catch up on the bit in between please let me know and I will update you in an email or facebook message. We haven't had any photos since July. Elder Kay will be leaving Australia on January 1st 2014, but we are not sure what time and which way he will fly home (via the Far East or via the USA) so he could arrive home on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd January - Elder Kay's mum

28th October 2013

Hey all you wonderful people, Brothers and Sisters.

This week has been such a blessing. A wonderful sister came to the waters of baptism this week and we are meeting many wonderful people, hopefully planting the seeds of the Gospel in their hearts. We have two more baptisms coming up this Saturday with 4 more from the other Elders area, some of the children of a family coming back to activity from the Aiga Samoa. [This was a breakaway church that formed due to misunderstanding and has now disbanded] They are both wonderful families. I am really learning how to love people whatever their situations, of course I'm not perfect yet but I am getting better, the key is listening. you realise that most people in this world nowadays don't REALLY listen and this is something the gospel teaches us to do because that is what the Saviour did. When we listen with love, we can really discern peoples'  problems and characters and are able to have a deeper understanding of who they really are, of course remembering that they are our Brother or Sister. We also had interviews training this week and it was great to be with President Henderson and receive instruction from our Assistants and leaders. We have some really great Assistants in the mission at the moment who really have a love for the missionaries and for the Lord. I am so grateful to be serving the Lord at this time, at the time where the Lord is hastening his work, and although my time here is growing short I am preparing for a life of service in the Gospel, I hope I can help the work move along when I return.

 

I must admit. at the start of this week, we struggled, it is getting really hot and humid here, and it's so important for us to drink LOTS of water. Isn't water incredible?!! it sustains life and gives our bodies so much. I think it incredible that such a simple molecule of Hydrogen and oxygen does so much. I marvel at what our Heavenly Father has given us. I am grateful for the mission at this time, there is exciting change happening, let me share a part of President Henderson's weekly email to illustrate our culture of Faith:

 

"We are creating a culture of faith in this mission. We know that faith comes by. . . . hearing . . the word of God (Romans 10:17). We are adding fuel to our faith every morning when we have focused and inspired personal and companion study. During this sacred time we are able to read inspired writings and have the Holy Ghost build our spirits. The Holy Scriptures strengthen our faith. In Helaman we read, “ . . . ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth, . . . are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart” (Helaman 15: 7,8). It is this mighty change of heart that is the focus of who we are becoming. When the change is permanent, all things around us begin to change. When things change because of faith, requests from God come with power to accomplish His designs. We find power to complete all that He requires of us." 

He is such an inspired man.

 

I love you all and hope you are all well. Keep Calm and Carry On!

 

LDK xxx