May Zone Conference

 We always receive a full day of really good training on the first day of Zone Conference.  The 2nd Day we go out and see some of the Perth area. 

In May our Zone Conference Training was to Help Missionaries extend spirit led baptismal invitations. We also learned abou the importance of planning, how to use social media to share the gospel and the importance of Obedience and Diligence.  Even though it is directed to the young missionaries I always come away uplifted and inspired to do better and be a better missionary. 

For this Zone Conference we had a senior activity with all the other Senior Missionaries.  We stayed at an Airbnb with 3 other senior couples.  It was a great time  We all shared what is working well in our area, where we needed help and ideas, and it is so great to spend time with these amazing missionary couples.  We learned how to play Hand and Foot and its quite fun. 

Giants of Perth:  We drove around Mandurah which is south of Perth and went to 4 of 6 Giant Sculptures.   (Thomas Dambo is the world’s leading recycle artist. He was taught from a young age about the value of recycling, sustainability, and unlimited imagination. And so to share that message and inspire people to get out into nature, Thomas creates larger-than-life sculptures from recycled wood, and places them all over the world. This is the first time his Giants have appeared in Australia though! )

Time is Flying

 I can't believe it has been 2 months since I posted.  I don't even know how to keep up, I guess I won't even try.  I will just start by explaining a mission 6 week cycle.  

Week 1 Transfer news comes on Tues. and the transfer itself happens Thurs and Fri. 

Week 2-6 Usually includes a zone conference 

Monday is P Day

All Tuesdays 11:30 - 1:00 we have a District Council Meeting.  We are in the Pilbara District. After the meeting is over the Elders stay for lunch. 

All Fridays (except the week of zone conference) at 10:00 am is Missionary Development Training

Zone Conference varies depending on a lot of other factors.  I will start updating this blog with posts from Zone Conferences.  Other than zone conference we spend all of our time, teaching with the Elders assigned to our area, picking up and delivering bread, meat pies and donuts and studying our scriptures, Preach my Gospel, Missionary Standards and Adjusting to Missionary Life.   We are also preparing and teaching Gospel Doctrine, Relief Society, Elders Quorum, Temple Prep and sometimes speaking in Sacrament Meeting.  One of my not so favorite things is "flat inspection". In Australia everything rules in favor of the landlord.  We have to maintain the rental house (called a flat) to perfection.  In return the landlord will not cancel the rental agreement.  They do not have to fix anything, keep appliances updated or basically anything.  Every 3 months we have an inspection.  We are lucky that the realtor that inspects for our landlord is really nice and very easy to work with.  

Our washer only has one water hose so if I want to wash in hot water, I hook it up to the hot water faucet/tap.  When I want to do a load in cold water I have to turn the water off, unscrew the hose and hook it up to the cold water.  We have to light our gas stove burners with a lighter.  There is no garbage disposal or dishwasher.  There are plenty of air conditioners and luckily they work well but we are only allowed to run the one in our bedroom and the kitchen/living area because it is too expensive to run all of them.  We have adapted and adjusted to this place but I will be so happy to sleep in my own bed.  

We'll Call Her Sally Get's Baptized!

 

We gathered around her bed and taught the commandments.

We taught of Jesus Christ and a loving Heavenly Father

Of the Atonement and the Plan. 

The Spirit was strong, her desire was strong.

 

We laughed and cried, well mostly me.

 

We faced challenges and triumphs. 

Two steps forward, one step back.

 

An Invitation was extended and accepted

with a huge smile on her face. . .  she counted the days.

 

Logistics were a concern but God Prevailed.

Brainstorming, Inspiration and an All-Terrain Wheelchair

that floats in water!

 

We’re ready!

 

Pneumonia, Influenza A and a hospital stay

delayed, but not deterred.

A Get well card, chicken noodle soup and texts to encourage her

while we needed to keep our distance.  

 

Lessons, discussions, tears, joy and always the spirit.

 

Always. . . the Spirit!

 

The interview, communication, one step back.

Everything is going to be ok!  "When you are on the covenant path, 

you are never alone."

The Chapel, prayers, songs and talks.

You know how it goes.

 

But then. . .

 

There were waves and wind

At Hearson’s Cove.

 The tide was high and waves crashing

5 men and Shirleen in the ocean

They braved the water, sea snakes, stone fish, sharks, and crocs.

 

Sally was nervous, brave and undaunted.

Once, Twice, Three times she went under.

An experience we will never forget.

 

She is now a member of the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

And tomorrow she will receive the

Gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

We love her

She loves us

And we know one reason we are serving

In Karratha Western Australia.

Elders: A missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who has been set apart and given the title of Elder as part of his full time Service.

 I don't like this part of being a senior missionary.  Elders come,  we work closely together and we get attached and then they leave fairly abruptly.  On Tuesday night about once every 6 weeks transfer news comes and by Thursday they are gone.  I get so close to them its hard to say good bye.  I would say we love them like our own children but we are old enough to be their grandparents. 

We started with Elder Johnson from Arizona and Elder Bicamong from Tonga

Then came Elder Meryhew from Layton and Elder Ah Soon from Brisbane

Taking Elder Ah Soon to the airport, he left way too soon.  We only got 1 transfer with him. 

Welcoming Elder Orth a brand new missionary from Brisbane. 

Now we say good bye to Elder Meryhew.  

Today, April 24th we welcome Elder Boulter from Wyoming.  

KANGAROOS

 I thought this one needed it's own post.  I have wanted to see a kangaroo in the wild since we got here.   I have seen the head of a mom and joey from a distance in a reserve, but I didn't count that one.  These pictures are not necessarily in the wild but they also are not closed in by a fence they can come and go at the will.  This is Pinaroo Valley Memorial Park, its actually a cemetary.   Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to post a video but I will at least share pictures.  

The Protective Dad - This one is Red Kangaroo they are harder to find.

The mom with her Joey in her pouch

Joey

Family Photo

What are we doing?

 Based on my facebook and blog posts it may appear that we just play and have fun.  We actually do very little of that but found out due to Australian Privacy Laws there is very little I can say about the actual work we do.  I can say we still pick up bread at the Bakehouse and deliver to shelters and food kitchen type places.  We have received a few callings in our branch, we both teach Gospel Doctrine, we are 2nd counselors in the Elders Quorum and Relief Society and we are going to start teaching temple preparation class.  We are currently working with 3 family units each with different dynamics.   We teach, minister and testify to the truths we know.  It is my favorite thing we do.  We got a new vehicle because of the territory we live in and travel the mission thought we needed a 4 wheel drive.  Parts of our branch are 5 hours away.  We hope to be able to go visit them soon. 

 

Zone Conference - February 2025

 Since I haven't been able to get the blog to work for awhile I am way behind.  I am going to go ahead and jump in with the zone conference we just had incase I don't ever catch up.  Sorry!  

Zone Conference is a wonderful time of renewal.  We live in a pretty hot desolate place and Perth is quite a bit cooler and a busy city.  We stayed in an Airbnb with 3 other senior couples.  This zone conference we were able to use one of the mission cars which was great because we could get around town without having to bother another couple.  We did a boat tour of the Swan River from Perth to Freemantle.  It was very interesting to hear some of the history/facts.  

Zone Conference Training is always so good.  Our Mission President does an excellent job and we always come away uplifted and motivated. 

This house sold for 56 million dollars!

zone conference training

WA Maritime Museum

Crawley Edge Boatshed first my picture then one a real photographer took.  I love this little scene and just wanted to see it in person. 

Bell Tower

Downtown Perth, the clouds were so cool that day.

Elizabth Quay Bridge

Fancy Boats