March 2013

Hello from South Queensland.

This week was transfers and I got transferred to a small town called Warwick about a 3 and 1/2 hour drive from Brisbane. We are working here after Sisters so it's something new and it will be interesting. Sending two completely new missionaries into an area is known as 'whitewashing'. My companion is one of the Elders from my last flat.  It was a big surprise when President announced transfers.  This area seems to be nice. The town seems to be about half the size of Alnwick, but the town centre is about the same size. There quite a few more members in this Branch (about 50 every week). The Branch members are really nice - they gave us a lovely welcome (I love Branches) The work will probs be fairly slow to start off with but the sisters have given us a good grounding - we just need to get to know the members and the area. We are full time walk at the moment as we have no bikes, we wont be able to go to outlying towns in the Branch unless we get a lift with the members, It will be hard but I'm excited I kind of needed a challenge like this, I was kind of comfortable in Redcliffe, especially with a companion I got along with so well. I hope we can follow on from the sisters. 

Warwick is country as it has like rodeos and stuff!!The work just started off slow but the sisters must have done wonders because we had heaps of referrals this week.. We now have bikes ... next  minute... my companion gets a flat, he fixed it today, then it went flat again!!!! aaarrrgh  We found a few potential investigators last week but a lot of people here seem to be busy during the day :/ We'll see what we can do. Half the branch members live miles away from Warwick itself. The members are awesome but I'm still trying to get my bearings to get them to come to lessons and stuff to have people fellowship. We are working hard. Send my best to everyone 

Talofa,

How are you all today? hello from a very humid Warwick, we had a storm yesterday evening; we were just sitting at a members eating pizzas watching the storm pass over - it was pretty awesome. Sorry I didn't get any pictures but it was so beautiful after it passed over the sunset was shining on the cloud bank and you could see the lightning inside the clouds :P.

The work is picking up here,  we've had a few referrals and we are trying to get to do some service because I think that is how we will get through to the people, I think they've had some 'pushy'  missionaries so we are just loving and nice to people. We were invited to a Christian fundraiser by some  people we met and it was nice, we were able to talk to a lot of people. A new door approach I want to try is "we have prayerfully selected you to hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ, is there a time we can come and share it with you?"  I think I'm really learning in this area, 'whitewashing' stretches you but it is good.

I sort of wish I could have stayed in Redcliffe but the Lord obviously wants me here and I love it here, we just can't go to the Temple... again. C'est la Vie.

Take care.

Elder Kay 

 

Working hard and teaching some great people

On 18^th Feb Elder Kay wrote

That’s awesome that the missionaries are in Alnwick. That area will be truly blessed especially through all your hard work.

Things are going good for Elder O'Connor and I - he's the best, we have such a good time and we work hard, we can always improve though and that is something we help each other with.

Our investigator didn't come to church but we met her friend and he's cool; he wants to be baptised and when we gave him the Book of Mormon and asked him to read he said "yes, and I'll have to come to church if I read this I feel as though they go hand in hand" Man the Lord really opens the door if you ask and are faithful. I'm so grateful for all the many blessings I have.

Anyhoo give my best to everyone.

And 25^th Feb

Things are going OK here, we had a lot of lessons fall through last week, but we have heaps planned for this coming week. While on a “Trade-Off” with the Zone leaders my companion found a former investigator who wants to hear the lessons again. We're teaching him tomorrow so I'm excited to meet him, he just had open heart surgery so is bed bound which is sad, but we can pretty much teach him whenever we want - obviously being considerate to his rest and stuff. We are working well with the ward also and I'm starting to get to know more people. We got 12 people to teach this week!!! It's amazing, we are also teaching this awesome girl who is very accepting of what we teach and she will hopefully come to church on Sunday. We had someone at church this week who we are starting to teach but she is hardly ever available because of work.

It's so crazy Michael is on his mission in Manchester. Something I was thinking was that I think I was sent to Australia because I reckon I would find it hard being a missionary so close to home.

I miss the Branch, I was thinking recently about how much they were a part of my life and I need to write to everyone.

Be strong. Keep the Faith.

Work, study and testimony

I can't believe Michael is on his mission already.

The work here is picking up. We came across a less active guy and we left the lesson with a brother hug and he read us his testimony, it was awesome and the spirit was so strong. He just finds it hard  to get to church because his work takes up so much time so he wants to spend his spare time with family, so we are praying that their hearts will be softened and that they will come to church together. We are going to help him come to church. We've also been finding some good potential members and the teaching of one investigator is going well. I hope she comes to church next week and we may be able to set a date for the March miracle, her name is Vidie and she's so nice, hopefully we can get her son to join in with the lessons too. There is a lot we are doing, we want to try and mix up our method of finding as we've been doing a lot of tracting (i.e. knocking on doors to speak to people) recently and we've got  better at GQing ('Golden Questions'  - i.e. What do you know about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Would you like to know more?) people on the way to appointments. It's just a little frustrating sometimes when we have to bike 20 minutes into our area and we don't see any people to GQ on the way.

I am enjoying my studies I found a scripture in 1 Chronicles 29:29, it talks about the reign of David being written in books not found in the Bible today. Many people do not realise really how many scriptural writings there are in the world. Why would God not speak to his children in other parts of the world than what we know as the Holy Land? I solemnly testify that the Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ and that it is inspired scripture for our time, it will never be discredited by the workings of men because it's writings are divine in origin and as Moroni instructs all those who pray for a knowledge of it's truthfulness, with real intent and a faith in Christ will receive.  Christ really did save us of our sins when he performed the Atonement and we can be cleansed through obedience to the Laws and Ordinances of the Gospel. In the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Oops! Long time no posts

Happy (not so) New Year. I just realised I haven't updated this blog since the beginning of December so sorry to all those who have checked in several times to find nothing new! Now the decision to start with the most recent email and work backwards or start with the oldest and work forwards! I suppose the latter would make more sense, so here goes

10th December 2012

This week has been pretty good although our car is out of action; the other missionaries had an accident that wasn't their fault. It's gonna be hard without the car as it's getting pretty hot. The cop that took their details was a less active member from Logan (south side of Brisbane) so it was good for him to be able to make contact with church members. To be honest I need to lose weight anyway so walking will be good. Transfers are this week, I'm pretty sure I'll move. I'm gonna miss the people here a lot. It's going to be weird going to a new area,  just when things were starting to pick up for real here.  

17th December 2012

                                            The above photo was taken at Townsville airport.

I have left Townsville and at nearly a year on my mission went to my first transfer meeting. I flew down on Saturday and stayed with the Holland Park Elders (near the city in the Brisbane Zone). Elder Greenfield in Holland Park is none other than Robert Greenfield from Sheffield who incidentally was in my counsellor group at the 2009 EFY in York... It's funny cos when I first came to the mission people asked do you know Elder Greenfield and I always said probably not there are a lot of people in England HAHAHAHAHA! It was  fun to reminisce  about home and the things that aren't in Australia (like Greggs!)

I'm now in Redcliffe area (I'm in Brisbane North Zone again) I'm just a little south of where I was a few months ago. My new companion's name is Elder Forman, from Utah.  I think I'll like working with him, we are both ready to work and we seem pretty well matched in personality too :) I'm also a District leader again - it should be a good experience to be District leader down here where I get a packet of instruction and everything. A lot of the responsibility is now on the Zone leaders now though as we just meet as a Zone now. One of the Elders that were in Townsville (Elder Latu) is now one of the Zone Leaders


24th December 2012

MEEERRRY CHRISTMASSSS!!!!!

It feels weird, there's Christmas music blaring all over but it doesn't really feel like Christmas. The mission Christmas party was AWESOME. It's good to back down with the rest of the mission.

We're actually having Christmas lunch with members tomorrow so that will be good. The ward members here are awesome and there will be some good work to do. Anyway I hope you are all well and have a wonderful (cold) Christmas :P I'll try to Skype tomorrow.


(Elder Kay was able to talk with us on Skype on Christmas Day so we could see how much weight he has put on (but he looks very well for it!) and hear how Australian his accent is!)

2nd January 2013

Hello all!,

It was great to  talk with you guys on Skype.  Things have been OK  here, a little slow for the Christmas period but we're going to pick it up. The mission achieved  450+ Baptisms this year which is the best in a while. We're going to focus on finding ( Tracting/GQing) as in this mission a third of baptisms come from finding so we're going to try to do 14 hours a week, we might do more depending on the heat because we also have the bike ride into our area.

 

I made waffles last week (we have an electric waffle iron) oh and we have maple syrup extract to make syrup it was yummylicious. Members give us so many canned foods and stuff, I swear we could live for two months - Heinz tinned stews and lots of baked beans, we also have sooooooo many kidney beans. Food tastes very different here especially from the bakeries and also the sausages; I was just thinking of Cumberland sausages a while ago mmmmmmm. The beef also tastes different here as the cows have a different diet.

The gospel is true and so is the Church. I forgot to tell you  it was temple day today (first time in like 8 months) it was great.


7th January 2013

Happy new year. Hope you're all well, I'm brilliant. It is a little warm but I'm kinda used to it by now.  It's been about 39 a couple of times but it's nice here because we're on a peninsula and so there is a really good sea breeze.

The work at the moment is picking up, we have lots of people who will hopefully progress as we work with them now that the Holiday season is over. 

This week I got to go on trade-off with the Burpengary Elders (it was interesting to be in familiar territory again) We taught some good lessons. .

The Gospel is true;  Joseph Smith was a True Prophet.

14th January

This week has been good. The Ward Mission Leader has some great plans for the ward missionaries We are going to start teaching this awesome family as they are now available.  I'm also planning to set up a Zone service project with the Help of the Zone Leaders which will be exciting. I'm not sure how many non-members use the family history centre but maybe we could check that out for potential people to teach.

Bush fires aren't really that close; we're not at risk but it's been pretty smoky around cos there was this big one on Bribie Island which isn't really that far as the crow flies.


21st January 2013

Another good week! We now have 2 new investigators and hopefully will have more this week as we have just started teaching a large family, they are great and I hope they will accept the gospel it will be so special to baptise a family.

It's crazy to hear about all this snow you have while it's boiling here. We had our first torrential rain in ages yesterday; it rained like a monsoon for half an hour and then this morning it's bone dry, it just evaporates so fast.

This Sunday we had a great Gospel Essentials class, we talked about Faith in Jesus Christ and we discussed how if we don't think we can get to the Celestial Kingdom it's like we are doubting Christ's capacity in the Atonement not just our own ability, it is truly incredible to think that Christ has paid the Price, all we have to do is keep the commandments. the Gospel is so simple. Ether 12 

I love you all, the Gospel is true and I'm so grateful for all Heavenly Father has given us.

Stay Valiant, Stay Strong and Endure.


28th January 2013

Elder Forman was transferred so I have a new companion by the name of Elder O'Connel from Idaho  we are quite alike in many ways so we get along great. Can you believe it there are going to be 34 new missionaries next transfer? That's almost a quarter of the current mission, heaps of missionaries will be training.

We've had a lot of storms recently so we weren't able to get he 15 hours finding we hoped for (on Sunday we even had to stay inside because of Cyclone warning) The weather has been crazy but it's blazing sunshine today. I'm no longer District leader,  never mind upwards and onwards. We weren't too badly affected by flooding. I don't even know if they need a clean up in Redcliffe but we will strive to try and serve the people and hopefully touch their hearts with the light of Christ.

I can't believe Michael will be on his mission soon.

The Church is true, Joseph Smith truly did restore the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ with the correct authority to the earth, I'm so grateful for that. I love you all. Keep Calm and Carry on :D

NEVER STOP BEING AWESOME!!!

Last but not least 6th February 2913

Today was temple day  so I'm emailing late. I've had a great week and a half though, me and Elder O'Connor work well together, we work really hard and we're always tired.  Our finding has gone up as has our potential investigator to hour finding. We are hoping to achieve our goal.

Dad I know what you mean by loving the people. One time someone came to the door with a really rude attitude and we were just polite and happy and we asked if there was anything we could do for him and he seemed to feel a bit bad as we went away cos he apologised to us. I know that even if people do not accept our message then we can touch their lives and help people in other ways.

 

I am loving my studies. 

3rd December 2012 Christmas is coming

There is hope for photos yet :-) Here's this week's email

One of the Townsville members bought me a camera,  she'll be blessed and I am grateful.

 

Transfers is in 2 weeks. I really don't reckon President will keep me up here for another transfer. The work is going well but a lot of appointments seem to fall through. We just referred a pretty solid investigator to Cairns after only teaching them for a week. It's the District Young Women's president’s sister (who is less active) and her husband (who is the non member) they are great but were only down here to recover after a car accident (which is what made them decide to look to the Gospel again) so good things are happening. It's hard to tract a lot in this heat but tract we must; our teaching pool is kinda low. We are going to push for referrals as well though as that is the best missionary work, when the members are involved.

I think I want to go to the temple a lot when I go home, a 2 and a half hour drive isn't that bad compared to people in Townsville, some people can only go once a year and then they have to go to Sydney cos the Brisbane temple has no accommodation  It's going to be so bizarre at home after being here, anyway that's a long way off and there is still a lot to be done here.

The Brisbane mission might breach 200 with the big influx of missionaries, its already up to 180 and nearly half the mission is training new missionaries, I'll probs go down south and either train or be in leadership. Anyway I'll love you and leave you thanks for all your support with everything and your prayers.

Heaps of love Elder John Kay xxx

P.S no I didn't see the eclipse, I would have to wake up at 5 am so I was like BEAT IT!! hahahaha.

26th November

As the Adversary tries to thwart the Lord's work, often a good week is followed by a not-so-good one. Everyone has ups and downs - the downs help us to appreciate the ups.  Here's his email

Hello.

How is everyone?  Last week was OK. We did a lot of tracting (i.e. going door to door telling people about the church) though because the people we are teaching were either busy or away (it's summer now so many people will be going on holiday), but we got heaps of potential investigators. Things are going to be good although there's some bad news, we got robbed, my bag got stolen and it had my scriptures and my camera in :( so I'm not sure what to do. I'll have to borrow some scriptures. Elder Powelson's wallet got stolen as well so we'll probably be on bikes the whole week because it had his driving licence in. I hope the things can be found. We filed a police report but I'm doubtful. It will be weird being a missionary without any scriptures. anyhoo I think that's about it, I don't really have anything else to say. I love you all 

Elder Kay

So there will probably not be any more photos to add to this blog unless he can download photos from his companion's camera and email them. We'll have to wait and see.

Two months catching up

After 25 years of being a stay-at-home mum, now that I'm going out to work I'm having an interesting time trying to get the work/ home balance right, and this blog has been one of the things that has suffered, so rather than post all 10 of Elder Kay's emails I shall just pick out a few things that have happened since I last posted on 10th September. Sorry there are no photos - he hasn't sent any in absolutely ages

17th Sep
I was on a trade off with the district leader Elder fox, the other two Elders were in Bowen for a few days. Elder Fox and I were riding the bikes for ages as this area is massive, but we got a less active and her husband to come to a cottage evening we held. That was great. I taught a lesson on the Book of Mormon, we are so blessed to have the Book of Mormon, it is an inspired book and it testifies beautifully of Christ.

It's starting to get really hot now. The Branch did a clean up on Australia day for Helping Hands - we picked litter from a road and it was hot as! The Branch Presidency want us to really encourage the young men to serve missions (which I am only too willing to do) :P there are some good young men here.

25th Sep
I'm emailing a day late because it was transfers.  Elder Abel and I will be staying together, it's crazy cos I'll be sitting at 10 months of my mission with only two companions and two areas. The new missionary we have is called Elder Field (Elder Latu was transferred); he's the youngest missionary I've served around and it's weird to be on the other end of the stick.

8th October - at the general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 6th and 7th October President Thomas S Monson announced that the young men of the Church will be able to leave for their missions at 18 instead of 19 and the young women can serve at 19 instead of 21. Here is Elder Kay's reaction: -

About conference that everyone's been talking about, because we are ahead we don't get it shown at church till the week after but in a meeting President Ferguson told us about the age change for missionaries... AWSOME OR WHAT?!!!  I think the change is particularly good for sisters and I think that there will be an increase of missionaries in the Field.

15th October
This Sunday we went up to Ingham with Branch President and it was great. Ingham is a small town about 100 k's from here but they have no Branch and many of the members aren't able to come down every Sunday, but there is this couple who go round visiting old members and keeping the work alive. We are starting to have a sacrament meeting with them once a month of which this was the first. Not everyone we hoped turned up but it was great and the spirit was there, many of the people will have to be completely re taught, but we actually had a little Sunday School lesson and it went really well, so I'm glad we could end the week on a high note.

29th October

We are teaching someone who is awesome; he's a friend of one of the members and we teach him in their house, they are great fellowship. WOO HOO FOR MEMBER REFERRALS!!  That's how missionary work is supposed to work :D. Man I'm so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel I have and for this opportunity to serve for two years. I'm going to be a different person when I get back. I'm learning a lot about myself especially.

5th November

This week has been pretty good. I'm still in Townsville, but Elder Abel was Transferred. My new companion is Elder Powelson. I've also been made the district leader. We're planning to get this area alive again. We set a baptismal date of 17th November for Sarah, one of the people we are teaching. I'm excited about the work up here.

The weather is getting hot now so work will be harder. Apparently in a month there will be days when it's like 48 degrees and 100% humidity.

19th November

On Saturday I Baptised a Filipino lady called Sarah. Her daughter really felt the spirit at the baptism service then came to church the day after. After the Baptism we had to bucket the water out of the font cos the pump is broken and the font is built under ground. man I was stiff yesterday. Have you heard about the two new stakes in Queensland? The church is growing here so much. They adjusted the Brisbane, Brisbane North, Eight Mile Plains, Centenary and Gold Coast stakes to create two new ones. It's about time - the Gold Coast and EMP stakes were massive.

We had our First District meeting last week, which went pretty good. We're getting a new senior couple this week, which is exciting. The Miles from Idaho. There are good things happening here. Me and Elder Powelson are excited; he's great by the way, he's just the companion I needed :D. The weather is getting hotter!! It was sooo humid on Sunday and it nearly stormed at one point. Man we're really gonna have to drink a lot of water. Pres Ferguson told us about a guy that died and his friend that nearly died in the interior. They got bogged 16 k's from their homestead, so left the 4x4 with all the water and everything and started walking, one was dead by 3 k's and one was picked up and is still in intensive care.