Blessing and blessings. (July 13th)

Well, transfers have come again... I'm STAYING! Haha, no surprise. My companion and I will be getting a third one to stay with us while we wait 4weeks before Elder Harvey dies :( He's gutted as... and I reckon it's surreal as. He just went to the mainland to bear his testimony before he leaves. He had to pack already and man it's hitting him but he's handling it well.

Anywho, on to the week! What adventures came about? What fun things happened? Well, let's see... someone gratified our car! Not with paint... but it was basically attacked by dirt from our ride home through this place called the Highland lakes at the beginning of the month. Our car turned into a bird poop target as well... so we finally got it washed. I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN A PHOTO!

The rest of the week was just filled with the usual stuff. However, my favourite part was being able to give Priesthood blessings to some sick peple and some Sister Missionaries that were struggling. It's an amazing honour to serve and act on behalf of Jesus Christ. It's humbling and I LOVE IT >:) 

Hahaha, so we have this investigator named Brenton who is the biggest Tupac fan in the world. He also loves to play card games called Yu-gi-oh and Magic the Gathering. He told us to meet him at this comic book store in the city called Area 52. That place... is nerd heaven. Literally, they have every comic book around and cards up the Wazoo! Holy crud! Also, they have card game tournaments that last for ages on some new cards that come out. Basically, it's a pool of sweaty guys and girls playing against each other until their is 1 winner, who gets MORE cards and such. It was funny as! I reckon that it would be fun to just watch the intensity. We talked about it with a member from the ward and he said that when nerds get into cards, the sweat a different kind of sweat... "nerd" sweat. It was crack up.

We got a referral from our Bishop for a family that we had seen a while back, but didn't talk to them because they were screaming at each other. Turns out one of them is a Less active man who wants to come back to church with his non member partner named Deanne! We finally met with them and talked to them about their wants, fears and the Spirit was SO strong. They expressed their fear of losing those they love and disappointing people. They also said they wanted to be married together as a family and be sealed in the Temple. What a GREAT GOAL. We were ecstatic. Anyway, George, her partner who is returning to church, came on Sunday. He asked us for a blessing later that night and we went over and gave him one. In it, it talked about his conversion years before and how he needs to hold on to that. He said he felt so much peace after and that it really helped.

THIS MORNING WE WENT UP TO MT WELLINGTON FOR SOME LAST MINUTE SITE SEEING BEFORE EVERYONE LEFT! 

OUT OF TIME.

LOVE YOU HEAPS!!!

-Elder Sargeant 

Time is short! (July 7th)

G'day all!!!

This will have to be short unfortunately but that's all good! This last week we spent most of our time in Melbourne for a conference with the Mission Leaders. It was actually pretty cool. Listening to the different ideas and things that we need to do as leaders in the mission inspired me more to just help out others more. I reckon that's the best part about this new opportunity of being down in Tasmania... we are like the Zone dads. We went on exchanges after we got back from Melbourne on Wednesday and we balled HARD in the morning for our morning exercise! One of the missionaries named Elder Rowan is from Sydney, AU and he is flipping good at basketball. Makes me miss those days of church ball haha. 

We had some good experiences teaching Jeff and Ebbi, the best friends of Sam and Daniel who are two of our Recent converts! They have been progressing pretty slow but finally they we were able to get them to say yes to coming to Church! 9am is a big deal for some people... pfft ;) Naw, it was awesome! They are the best and Sam and Daniel were looking fresh in their new church attire. Daniel was rocking his new suit and Sam was looking good as well. Jeff really seemed to enjoy church and Ebbi said she was tired but that she enjoyed it as well. We'll see how they continue to go! Keep them in your prayers please! :)

We also did some service on a Sheep farm with one of the RC named Kylie Whakataka. We were able to take a tour of about 1/8 of the farm... it's 1600 ACRES! We then saw where they shear the sheep and that was pretty cool. They're some full on ladies... let me tell you. Then we helped them collect some MASSIVE as pine cones for their fire places.

I had an interesting feed yesterday at one of our Sudanese investigators homes. We came to share a message and they gave us some food, as they always do. This time however, I saw this massive triangular piece of meat. I thought nothing of it so when offered I grabbed a piece. Well... it turned out to be a FISH HEAD COVERED IN BREAD CRUMBS! When I first saw it and realized... I was a bit turned off but after some thoughts I figured hey... give it a go! 

IT WAS FLIPPIN GOOD! Fish brain is honestly delicious! :)

Today for P-day we went hiking up this massive trail which led to an overlook of one of the highest mountains in Tasmania. It overlooked what's called Cape Raul. It took about 1 hour or so to climb but we didn't do the whole thing. We went with one fo the members from church named Brother Rodney Wood and two other missionaries. What a champ. I'll send photos next week as... I forgot my camera.

LOVE YOU ALL!!! Enjoy your week!

Car Fasts---bring miracles! (July 1)

G'day all!!

This will be short... again... I'm sorry. We've had a hectic week as we went to Melbourne on Monday for an MLC meeting! (Mission Leadership Council). It was 6 hours long and pretty legit.

However, that's not what you wanted to hear! Last week was a good as week. It was cold, rainy, and windy too which made for some miracles to be abounding if we worked hard. I'd say we tried our best and had some cool experiences. For one, there was a time when we had to walk the entire day in our area because we had to save K's for our car. We did a "Car fast" for the whole day. It was good because we got to talk to some interesting people who had some interesting beliefs.

My personal favourite was one man who believed that we are all viruses living in a giant person's stomach and that person we call "God" is the stomach which we live in. He said "it's all in the Bible, you just have to read it!"

He then began to tell us that Jesus was a magician which was a bit irritating because, well... HE ISN'T! Don't be talking about the Saviour like that! He was a nice guy, just had some different... very different... beliefs.

Then, we had Daniel Fellowes baptism. His grandparents came down to see him and his g-pa baptized him. His dad is less active and decided to come to church AND the baptism, which was awesome because we've been working with him for ages. He cried the whole time, especially when his son Daniel was baptized. That was such a good experience. The Spirit radiated the room and Daniel was SO prepared. He told us that he felt that turning away from sin has built his understanding... where did he get that? Job 28:28. Home boy read the Bible! GOOD ON HIM (since he really doesn't like reading). Now he has a suit and looks fresh to death!

Then, Monday morning for our exercises we decided to run up this mountain that's called Mt. Wellington! IT WAS COVERED IN SNOW!!! but the gates were locked so we couldn't go the entire way. I didn't because one of the Elder's sprained his ankle the day before and didn't wanna walk the 7km to the top. It was beautiful and I took some photos. However... I forgot my camera. STINK.

LOVE YOU HEAPS. The gospel is TRUE! Share it with your friends, and just do things for other people. Too often we forget the importance of the words that show we care. Just say them because there is power in words.

-Elder Sargeant

"Aye, we feels it aye!" (June 22)

G'day!

What a week, what a WEEK! It was insane! Stupendous! Incredible! MIRACULOUS! 

Yeah, I'm just in one of those moods, so bear with me please. Honestly though, this past week was fun as and pretty dang good. I love my life as a missionary! Every day is filled with laughs, missionary work and the Spirit. 

So last monday we had ZONE PDAY! We went to the Hasting caves and tore it up with all the other missionaries for the FIRST TIME IN LIKE 3 YEARS. Tassie never has Zone P-days because frankly there is too much traveling involved. We have a limited amount of K's (kilometers) we can travel and so it just smashes it if we do. However, since everyone was meeting up for interviews with President, it was a perfect opportunity.

The week was basically the normal assortment of missionary related things, but we had some cool moments I'd love to share. Two of our investigators got baptized. One was on Thursday, and her name is Sam Pearce. It was a pretty small baptism because of the time and stuff but all goods, she loved it. Sam, being the amazing person she is has already read about 2/3 of the Book of Mormon in about 2 months. SHE'S LEGIT! She's 21 and loves the gospel. Her boyfriend is named Daniel. He is investigating the church and wasn't sure when he'd be baptized. We had tried to help him give up coffee but he just didn't want to. Last week, on Wednesday, we got a call from Sam. She was excited and told us about how DANIEL RECEIVED HIS ANSWER AND WANTED TO BE BAPTIZED NEXT WEEKEND!!! So he is! He gave up coffee that day and hasn't had any since. He doesn't swear anymore and we found out last night.... they are going to be married! DA HECK!? MIRACLES! I love it.Elder Harvey will leave the mission before he has a chance to see them, but I'll be (hopefully) still in Tas for it.

So, the other baptism we had was of a girl named Kylie! She had some crazy things happen the past 2 weeks before her baptism, but all was finally worked out. We were having a river baptism. It was incredible! The temperature outside was -1C Saturday morning at 8am as we made our way towards their house 50 minutes away. We made it, and the Bishop came with his ute all really to drive us down to the river.

It went well and the water wasn't terribly cold, at least from what Elder Harvey said. I'll send photos.

 Me, Sean, Sam, Daniel, Kylie, and Elder Harvey

Elder Harvey and Kylie

It was just an amazing week. However, one of our recent converts got in a car accident and fractured his neck. His name is Sean Emerson, the most gangsta'd man alive. However, he STILL CAME TO CHURCH THE DAY AFTER. "A fractured neck won't stop me! I'm a juggernaut." <--- His text to Daniel before church.

Life's good. 2 minutes left SORRY!

LOVE YOU HEAPS!!!!

-Elder Sargeant

What a week... (June 17th)

G'day cobs!

 

 

This past week was so insane. We had heaps of work to do and saw some pretty intense dramas and miracles at the same time!

 

To start, one of our baptismal dates named Kylie told us that she was super keen to be baptised in a river! Elder Harvey was pretty excited about the opportunity but... it's cold as down here. She is from New Zealand so she basically said she wants it done like Jesus Christ or nothing! It's interesting how circumstances can change.

We taught her and her Auntie last Friday night and the lesson went really well. We read the Book of Mormon and explained a bit about the importance of the Word of God. Kylie's uncle is a non member and he joined in on the lesson as well! He was extremely drunk though since he knocked back about 5 beers in a matter of 30 minutes or so... pretty full on.

 

He said he liked hearing from us as well so we gave me a Book of Mormon. Later that night though... he flipped out and kicked his wife out of the house and threatened Kylie if she were to get baptised. He wouldn't allow her to go to church any more.

 

Elder Harvey and I were GUTTED! However, we knew that it'd be okay. The next day we called Kylie up and asked her how things were going. She said that her Uncle was still pretty crazy but that they'd still come to church no matter what. We fasted with her and they were able to come to church! Then... later on Sunday she had some concerns with the Law of Chastity and said she didn't want to be baptised anymore... we were broken hearted and tried our best to help her understand. We prayed that night that she'd change her mind---well.... two days ago SHE DID! Now she is getting baptised in the font (because the river is cold as) on Saturday. :) Crazy.

 

 

At the same time we fasted with Kylie, we fasted as a mission the day before.

 

two days of Fasting... is good! However, when you catch a stomach bug... it's not at all. We managed though as we just pound heaps of tablets and don't eat much. We're recovering though!

 

 

Anyway, we had interviews yesterday and all went well with that. It's such a learning curve for me since becoming a new Zone Leader. I love the opportunity to have to care for so many missionaries. It's a bit overwhelming at times becaue you don't want to make mistakes, but that's all part of the fun. After interviews with the Mission President, Elder Harvey, the Assistants to the President, President and Sister Maxwell and I drove to the top of the biggest mountain in Tas called Mount Wellington! It was so windy but INCREDIBLY beautiful. I'll show some photos.

 

One of our recent converts got pooped on her head while we were teaching her ;) It was HILARIOUS. She was not happy... that's okay.

 

 

Love you all heaps. You're in my thoughts and prayers!

 

 

SHOUT OUT TO MY DADS FOR FATHER'S DAY!!!!!!!: DAD, DAD, and DAD!

 

You know who you are. You mean a lot to me. I hope you know that!

 

-Elder Sargeant

TASMANIA, round 2 *ding ding* (June 8th)

G'day from the coldest place stationed by missionaries!!

Well like I said last week I was transferred! Turns out the Lord needs me back in Tasmania to find, teach, baptize and LEARN MORE. My companion is named Elder Harvey from Bristles, England. He dies in about 3 months time so he'll be my second missionary that I get to kill. [Gabe, Elder Sargeant's sister here. Just to clarify in case you aren't familiar with these terms, when a missionary "dies" it means he has completed his mission and will return home. When Dane says he will "kill" him, he means he will be his last companion before Elder Harvey returns home]. >:) Anyway, a little bit about our area:

I'm serving in a place called Glenorchy. It's in the Southern bit of Tasmania near Hobart, which is the largest city in Tasmania. It's right on the Harbor/bay/river flowing through the city and it's BEAUTIFUL. We wake up to the freshest and coolest air I have ever breathed in and the hills roll with trees so thick you can't even see the ground. It reminds me of home to be honest, but with no colourful leaves.

So, being in this area is an awesome growing experience. It's weird NOT being doubled in with a new missionary and being the Juniour companion again. I've learned that being less dominate is better. Reverence is key. I'm observing and learning heaps from Elder Harvey as this dude is the bees knees!

So some logistics... we have 7 people on date to be baptized, and that... is incredible to me. I've never experienced so much work to be done in my life! Seeing the lives of these people change is AMAZING. We have a recent convert named Sean Emerson. Dudes straight up the chillest guy I've met. He's baout 6'5 and is just massive. He loves hip hop and he raps from his passion. He is studying at the moment and lives with two non members who are both getting baptized. Every time we see the dude he gives us a massive bear hug. We love each other. It's awesome.

Anyway, the ward is pretty legit as well. Around 85 people come every week and most are old but there are a couple young families. I was blessed to share my testimony on Sunday and that was good. I love being able to do that and see all the people in each ward. It's hard for me to remember names and such but... it's always that "I'm new" experience. It'll change but I feel that I've just dived right into the mix.

So one sad story that happened was one of the people we are teaching is named Jake. He is from Tongan and he wants to be baptized WICKED badly! (still got some New England in me ;) )

He broke down on Sunday with us and just started crying heaps as he told us his mum won't let him be baptized yet, and he wants to stop drinking. He's 17 and lives with 3 other Tongan boys in a caravan park. He plays rugby and footy down here for his living (they're basically young professionals who are sponsored) and he wants to follow Jesus Christ SO BADLY. He said "I can't wait" when we invited him to be baptised. We helped me understand that things will come and that if he prays, fasts, and continues to do right that Heavenly Father will make the way right for him to be baptised. Keep him in your prayers please!!!!!

Some updates from my last area: FINELY STOPPED SMOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now he can prepare for the temple with his family who just got baptized a couple weeks ago. :)

Things are going good as. I love the work, I love the gospel, and I'm TRYING to love the cold.

Thanks for all your prayers and your love. Keep sharing it, you have no idea how much it can change a person or their day.

LOVE YA HEAPS!!!!

-Elder Sargeant

-The photos are of Haedyne, Lachlan and myself and also the temperature outside today....

ATTENTION: T R A N S F E R R E D (June 1)

G'day g'day!

What a sweet as week it has been!! Let's start it off with some interesting experiences.

So to begin, Australia is got to be the most awesome place in the WORLD.... but it's expensive as. Here is an example for you:

This past Friday my companion and I went on exchanges with the Wantirna South Elders named Elder Petersen and Elder Hedin. To add some 'umph' to the story, Elder Petersen and I were on bikes in their area. We were biking to a part of town that has not been ventured to in AGES because it's about 30 minutes away on a bike. However, on our way we set a goal to talk to as many people as we could.

Some background: Elder Petersen is from the North Island of New Zealand. He is a convert of 4 years, and is Maori. He is the MAN. He has a heart of Gold, and that soft spoken nature that just invites the spirit.

With this in mind we peddled our way to see some people. We saw a rather rough around the edges kind of man walking down the street. We decided "well, we said we'd talk to everyone... let's do it." We pulled up and started to chat to this guy named Tobias, nick named Toby. He is about 22 years old and he is the nicest person I have met in my life. We talked to him about who we were and he immediately responded about how he had known some members of our church growing up in high school. We talked to him about how God speaks to us or lets us know He's there by His spirit, and then described how it feels. He was smiling from ear to ear despite this tattoos, gauges and inappropriately labeled hats and shirt. He was interested in learning more and being BAPTISED!!!! WHAT A MIRACLE.

What did we learn? Don't judge a book by it's cover. Also, when you feel impressed to talk to someone... just do it because you care about people. Miracles happen, even if you can't always share the gospel.

This led to a day filled with joy and excitement. Later that night we went to dinner as a district for Elder Hollist's birthday. We decided to go to a Chinese Buffet for dinner! (CAUTION: ME + BUFFET = NO CONTROL) The place was... $25 PER PERSON! DA HECK?!?! We decided that since we had skipped his b'day dinner before that we would do it anyway. It turned out to be an evening of laughing, fun and learning the art of making perfect Soft Serve Icecream cones. What a treat ;) The belly was filled... quite extensively. I feel no regrets for they are out weighed by my love for Elder Hollist.

That was a blast. Then we had no K's (miles) in our car to drive for the month so we had to take public transport! It was crazy to meet all the people we did. We were able to plant heaps of seeds in some very good people. Walking around is honestly such a blessing as a missionary.

Well, then Saturday came with the BAPTISM of LACHLAN BALL!!! He is the brother of Haedyne who got baptised 2 weeks ago! He was also privileged to baptise his brother. My goodness it was amazing. The funniest part was that the Chinese Sister's had a baptism of a Chinese guy named Dennis Jin! He is the MAN but he is really big. The Elder who came back to baptise him was a smaller, shorter white guy from Utah. He is about 6 inches shorter and probably like 20-30kgs lighter. So... Dennis had to be dunked 3 times before he was completely immersed. The funny part was he tried to kneel the second time but that didn't work so the third time Elder Johnson just thrust him down into the water as hard as he could. Dennis almost smashed his head on the tap which was scary... but man oh man it was a hilarious experience. Waves of the font just splashed against the glass. It was the best ordinance I've ever seen. 

Sunday was Fast and Testimony Meeting and EVERYONE was fasting for Missionary work. All the testimonies were centered on people's experiences lately and it was amazing!

Yesterday was sad because I found out that I was being transferred. To my amazement.... I was called to be a Zone Leader. Should be a good time! 

I'll let you know next week of what happens and where I am. 

LOVE YOU ALL. Thanks for your letters and your emails. Have a good week!

-Elder Sargeant