Week 31

Tarneit and Werribee: Aug 8-14, 2016


A visit to Serendip Sanctuary, my first 7-hour drive to Griffith, tracting in Leeton, overnight with the Hewlett senior couple in Wangaratta, Edward's baptism, Elder Concardas is dying on Aug. 22, and many more..!!

Aug 8, Monday - Visited Cecil and her family, though she gave us opportunity to share the lesson on Restoration, she said she preferred her kids to decide for their religion when they get older. We then went to the library for emails, then shopping, then to Geelong for the zone P-Day at Serendip Sanctuary. This was my first time to see kangaroos up close. The animals were everywhere, it was like walking with them though they hop away if you go near them. We also had BBQ and some sausages.

Afterwards, we had a lesson with Line and kids Jordan, Vivian and Christine. Line said they would come to church. then, we met Sister Vahai who just returned from her mission. i learned that she was a companion to Sister Blaize Gulay..small world!  We also visited the Jenti family, sang the song "I am a child of God" to them and taught them about fasting. Then we dropped by Hungry Jacks and rewarded ourselves with 4 soft cones.

Elder Sellers and Elder Carey from Point Cook Ward played chess at the library..

With the Griffith Sisters

Aug. 9, Tuesday - We did service (weeding) at Nan's place; also shared with Nan and Donna 1 Ne 7:12.  We then went to Holden Service to have our right headlight fixed but since we did not make any appointment, we needed to wait for 2 hours before we can get the service. KMart was also busy so we decided to proceed to Griffith and have our headlight checked there. We left Tarneit at 1:40 pm and arrived Griifith at 8:10 pm, had 5-min stop to take shots at the big strawberry, toilet and petrol.  That was my first long drive, did not feel tired but had a sore neck; blessed that there were no kangaroos on the road.

 Sis. Falani and Sister Faiga played while waiting for us finish our service

 Bye Werribee and house for now...traveling to Griffith

On the way, finally got a pic with this big strawberry

The man was thinking who could be this cute lady..haha..

Bugs yuck..hehe..

Aug. 10, Wednesday - Exercise Morning. 

We had exchanges, Sister Paulo and Sister Faiga, Sister Falani and Me. We worked in Leeton, 58 kms away from Griffith, and luckily met Kevin Marks and his fiancee Robin. Brother Marks was the branch president until the branch was dissolved when members moved out. We tracted on a country road, Kathryne Rd where houses were 5 acre lots, one companionship on each side of the road. A bit of a walk. Met Shelby and kid Cadell, then Elisa.  

With Brother Kevin Marks who used to be branch president of Leeton..

We returned to Griffith where Sister Falani cooked stir-fried noodles. We left Griffith at 6:30pm, arrived in Wangaratta at 10 pm, spent the night with the senior couple, Brother and Sister Hewlett.  They treated us to a bed and breakfast!

Showing the teabag trick, Dead Roo..it's sad, Signing one of the flags, Stayed at the Hewlett's for the night

Aug 11, Thursday - Left Wangaratta at 5:30 am, sky was full of stars; role-played our training on planning.  On our way back to Tarneit, Koala signs..watch out..

Arrived 9 am for the 10 am Zone meeting, this is a training that demonstrates how unity can be attained.  Zone leaders were Elder Bennion and Elder Togia (new leader). Elder Whiting returned home yesterday. We, sisters, also gave training about planning, scripture references used were in the Book of Mormon when Nephi and his brothers obtained the brass plates.

Aug 12, Friday - Cleaned the chapel at 9:30 am, vacuumed floors, then back home in time for Brother and Sister Parton to inspect the house at 10 am. Sister Parton said house was clean. Then we received a call from Elder Steele (AP) asking my comp for a musical number for Edward's baptism tomorrow. Sister Paulo met and taught Edward while she was still assigned in the city with Sister Murphy. We went back to the chapel in the afternoon, just in time to answer the RS sisters prayer for someone to come to close the chapel, in which our purpose was to practice the musical piece "I'm Trying to be like Jesus" for Edward's baptism on Saturday.

Visited the Phillips family and shared the Word of Wisdom using the teabag.

With the Philips family, L-R: Sister Paulo, Me, Shakayla, Sis Katrina, Shaquille and Shelton

Shelton is excited for his baptism; the family was moving to Point Cook so Shelton would continue lessons with the elders of Point Cook.

Sister Nisi brought us to Dumpling Story restaurant.  She shared her family's story, how her husband quit a good earning job when he was assigned to manage an alcohol section.  He found another job with Brother Reynolds.

Aug. 13, Saturday - Helped Nan weed in the front of the house; had the chance to talk more to Donna and met her 2 kids. Also visited Jenti and saw the kids, Daniel and Noah. Jacob's baptism is moved to Aug. 27.

Took the train to Edward's baptism at Heidelberg chapel, saved 100kms on our car, left with 1000kms, though we can ask for more due to exchanges and trainings, but I want to keep within limits as possible. At Heidelberg chapel, I met Mario Kriska and Connie Constanzo from Footscray Ward who did a Family Search activity, also met Elder Howell and his new zone leader companion, Elder Mahendran who used to be my District Leader.  Elder Rands was home now.  I also met Elder Concardas who was dying on Aug. 22, the Golden Sister Aalto from Finland being trained by Sister Murphy, while my comp, Sister Paulo, trained Sister Murphy.

I was happy I did not make a mistake in playing the music.  The Lord gives you strength when you ask for it.

On the train back to Werribee, we met Peter (accepted Book of Mormon and P.S pamphlet) and Ryan (accepted Restoration pamphlet) and both gave us their phone numbers.  Ryan was willing to be taught so we referred him to Sisters Murphy and Aalto.  Werribee is the end of the line, me, my comp and an old man. The old man accepted a pass-along card though not willing to be visited.  The train ride was 2 hours one way, seemed a waste of time but I was happy to meet Peter, Ryan and the old man.  I love this work.  I was happy to be able to serve.

Aug. 14, Sunday - 

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Week 30

Tarneit and Werribee: Aug 1-7, 2016

Conference, training, teaching, exchange, driving..another busy week. My 8th month in the mission field begins!

Aug 1, Monday - We went for a haircut today to that salon which Nan recommended. I had my hair shortened by 2 inches only and still layered. I shared a bit about missionary work with the Filipina hairdresser. Afterwards, we picked up the Tasmania Sisters and ate dinner in a Taiwanese place. It was raining so hard. 

When we got to the Mission Home, President and Sister Vidmar were so bright and cheery in the "celestial home." President Vidmar showed us the quilts that Sister Vidmar made. She did them by hand and they were so beautiful. We then gathered around the fireplace (6 of us) talking about their Tasmania experience. President also shared that there would be a big mid-transfer next week - 24 leaving and 26 coming, 4 Sisters each. President also said that we could have anything we wanted to eat and didn't bother to ask..mmm..hehe..We had ice cream, after which, we read books in one of the rooms.  I am really grateful that we got here safe.  The rain was so heavy, big raindrops that we ran 50 on a 100 kmh road.  There is really power in prayer, just like in Lehi's dream in 1Ne 8:8-9.  Nephi traveled in darkness for many hours and the moment he prayed, he began to see.

            Photo: in the Mission Home

Aug 2, Tuesday - We ran to the Temple and back for our morning exercise.  Then we ate avocados and cereals for breakfast. 

Today was Elder Babneau's birthday. 

During MLC, we discussed about Doctrine and Covenants 121. We shared about how we can be choose to be CHOSEN D&C 121:34 by focusing on D&C 121:42 by kindness and pure knowledge. We started our morning by showing kindness to ourselves and companion. CHOSEN= Charity, Humility, Obedience, Service, Exhort, Nature.
We counseled as well on 10 or 'most violated' White Handbook Rules and no need for more rules than these. We were also given 15 minutes more email time to update referrals online and to email President. The departing missionaries bore their testimonies. Sisters Lee and Chen, Elder Ferris, Fioui, Whiting, Rands and Steele.

With Sister Tupou (STL Eastside)

With city STLs, Sister Chen and Sister Lee.  Sister Chen would leave for home next week. For Sister Lee, this was her last transfer and leave for home on Aug 22.  I would miss them all.

Aug 3, Wednesday - Emergency exchange with Footscray sisters. I worked with Sister Santos and did a lesson with Stephen and Uncle Bob about Lehi's dream with emphasis on prayer, study and church.

After lunch, we went to visit Barry with his wife (non-LDS) and son; we shared Helaman 5:12. Barry had a concern (he said that he might have lost his faith), unfortunately, they needed to go so our meeting was about 15 minutes only. (They told us that their daughter lives nearby as well)  Then we went to Muhammad's place for our appointment, but he was not home so we left a note. Next was Patrick, a referral, he said he was not interested but accepted the pamphlet on Restoration. Then, next was Yvonne. Her friend, Monica, joined and listened well to the lesson about Restoration. Yvonne shared that she enjoyed the roadshow; Monica had been visited but would not commit.

Reunion and dinner with Delos Santos Family

Aug. 4, Thursday - Zone conference.  

Elder Steele photobombing..haha.. Sister Wora Anu, Sister King, Sister Vidmar, Sister Paulo and Me

          President Vidmar joined us.

Feast..








Thinking...do I need more food?

Elder Ferris and Pres. Vidmar handstand challenge. President Vidmar won!

After training...got to improve my drawing skills.

Found this in our house..weird, where did it come from? Got rid of it, we vacuumed it!

Teaching file - Teabag trick

Aug 6, Saturday - With Arwin

Aug 7, Sunday - After church, we had dinner with Sister Nisi.  She shared spiritual experiences and funny stories when her husband was on his mission in Tacloban.  Then we visited the Kuri family and shared with them 2Ne 2:27, the Plan of Salvation and about our choices on earth. 

Then we went to Donna Vai and we're glad the family was around.  Lehi (10), Malu (11) and Richard (21) joined the lesson.  We shared the Restoration lesson using the cups. Donna told us again that the message we shared was just what she needed. Lehi got a new keyboard so we asked if we could sing a song to them.  I played the keyboard and Sister Paulo sang "Teach Me to Walk in the Light".

Then we picked up the Griffith Sisters from the train station.

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Young taro leaves baked in coconut cream and corned beef