A Week of MADNESS (March 1)

yad'g lla! Siht keew sah neeb emosewa!!!

G'day all! This week has been awesome!!!

I'll just jump straight into it since I don't have much time. 

First of all, thank you for all the prayers on behalf of our investigators. You can see the amazing impact it is having on them and helping us to find more people to be taught! Loia and Clem didn't come to church again, but it's because their family is in town and it's the last week before the family returns home to NZ. They will be coming and enjoying the blessings waiting for them.

Loia has been reading the Book of Mormon and has a sincere desire to learn more. YOu can see it every time we come by that he yearns for the Spirit. I'm not sure if he realizes it or not but he does. You can see it in his eyes as he listens, speaks, and asks us questions. He's a cool Samoan man.

So, the highlight of the week was when we were able to have Elder Bednar come to speak to us as a mission!!! Goodness me the spirit was strong as and I was personally able to learn a thing or two. My favourite part was just at the end when he said "I love you all." 

Those words seemed to enter into our hearts and minds with a power that only comes from sincerity. Love is a powerful feeling, and an even more powerful motivation. I love feeling love!

I wish I could go into detail about what went down at the conference, but let I'll let you know the key players involved.

Elder David A. Bednar and his wife. Elder Robbins of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, and Elder Halek and his wife of the Area Presidency.

They all asked us questions, answered our questions, and just made it all down to earth. Two of my favourite parts are these quotes that we heard:

1) " A person rarely rises above the stature he/she carves out for him/herself as a missionary on his/her mission." -Elder Robbins.

2) Elder Bednar said, " You don't have to have an Apostle of the Lord come for you to have experiences like this. You have the Holy Ghost and the Scriptures. That's all you need. I have the same scriptures as you. I wasn't given one with a cheat sheet in the back when I was called."

^ I thought this one was particularly good. He's a funny man. He understands how people feel, and he addresses it really well.

Well, time is far spent. It was a great week. Keep Loia and Clem in your prayers please! They need all the faith and prayers possible. They're so close!!

With Love,

Elder Sargeant

HERE COMES THE BOOM (Feb 22)

I'm not sure where I put this title, but it's what came to my mind as I read Elder Chase Gish's email to me. He brings the BOOM every where he goes, but mainly because his feet are massive. Love you man.

This week went by way to fast and had way too much epicness. Let's start with some exciting news.

I'm sorry these letters get progressively less interesting. So much happens that I can't even keep track and I forget, but just know that awesome things happen. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO WRITE IN MY JOURNAL FOR 2 WEEKS NOW!!!!!!

Anyway, Brother Tommy Va'a who got baptised received the Priesthood yesterday. What an amazing experience. He is such a gun. He texts us daily and reminds us how much we admires us and wants to come out teaching with us! We took him out 3 times this past week and his testimony has shook the house! <--- He's also spoken in 3 different wards the past 3 weeks since he's been baptised. 

So, we had an appointment with a girl we met the other week named Ellen. She is from American Samoa but recently started going back to church. I am amazed at how humble and kind she is. She invited us over and we brought Bro Va'a. So, we talked to her and her friends came over as well. They go to the 7th Day Adventist. We decided to teach the Restoration from the Bible and the Spirit was so strong. Ellen asked for a Book of Mormon the second we brought it up. She just wants to know what's right. I was so happy for this experience because we almost didn't bring anyone with us because she didn't respond to our calls or texts. She just trusted we'd show up.

A mini miracle happened on Sunday as well! We've been teaching a young couple in the ward named Rachel and Jase Howe. They are some of the only Australians that we teach here haha. We love them.

We have been teaching them for about 2 months now. Little by little we've seen the light grow in them. Starting with reading the scriptures with them, praying with them, and going through their concerns, we have seen the Lord's hand help them progress.

Jase had a hard time praying because of his feeling inadequate and unworthy. We reassured him it was not the case! We invited him and he said he would in his own time. 4 days ago we had dinner with the Howes and another family in the ward! JASE SAID THE CLOSING PRAYER ON HIS KNEES DESPITE HAVING A HORRIBLE KNEE THAT DOESN'T BEND VERY WELL!!! Faith in action BOOM!

Then, on Sunday, Rachel Howe was at church! I was happy as for her and she seemed to enjoy it! Jase was at work, but he's getting a promotion that'll give him Sunday's off. BOOM!

BOOM!! We had pancakes for our Preparation Day tradition as we've been craving some. They were good as! I have missed them!!!!!

Last but not least, we're working with a part member family called the Loia family. They have 4 children ages 5 and younger, and Loia, the father (same first and last name), was taught previously. We've been able to help him see that the Book of Mormon is the key to knowing that the church is true. His motivation is being sealed as a family which I was just humbled by. That's the key. WE DO EVERYTHING FOR THAT REASON AND HE GETS IT!!!!! We saw him yesterday after church, because they were supposed to come but last minute work opportunity came up so he took it. He is keen to see us again and has been reading the Book of Mormon.

Please please pray for Loia that he can 1) Gain a testimony because he wants to be baptised when he knows it's true. 2) for him to get a Job that will help him support his family! He had to quit his old job because it was too far away.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. your mail has been such a boost to me!!!

I'll attach a photo to show you of all the "love" I've been sent!

Much love,

Elder Sargeant

ENJOY THE SNOW! HA

A Day in the Life of Elder Sargeant (Feb 15)

G'day to all my lovely blokes and shelas out there across the world! I hope you had as wonderful of a week as I have had this past week!

It truly has been one of my favourite weeks as a missionary. There is something very interesting that happens when change takes place around you, and that's this motivating feeling inside to change who you are a little bit inside! You want to do better and be better. You want to make things that were wrong right! That's how I felt this last week as I got my new companion Elder Orrego! He is the MAN!

He's 19 and is from Vancouver, Canada. He's been serving for about 15 months now and came in originally with my son Elder Worsencroft. They were companions in the MTC. HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!? As we got back home, we dropped off all the luggage for the other missionaries and then were heading to our next appointment in a place called Koo Wee Rup. WE met up with this man named Mitch who had met missionaries in the past. They helped change his life and get him off serious drugs. When we chatted with him, he was drunk but he was receptive to us! The funny thing is that his youngest son is named Dane as well! I was KEEN AS! He said "My name is Spiderman.... and sometimes Dane too." He was cute as. 

Another experience that we had was this, and I DO believe in the saying that the people are looking for the truth. God is preparing people to come to us for what we have to share!

Tuesday came and in the morning we had district meeting with the missionaries. As an Elder was giving a training, a knock was heard on the door behind us. Since I was closest to the door I opened it to find a plump man, about 5'6, wearing dark framed glasses, a white shirt and black tie who looked nervous and sweaty. My mind was completely open as to who this man was and what he desired. I stuck out my hand and introduced myself and beckoned for another missionary to come with me, named Elder Kent. As we shook hands he explained he was looking for a Bishop or set of missionaries to teach him more about the Mormon faith. He had been doing his own research and wanted to learn more. I was taken back a little by this man. Not every day does this kind of stuff happen... but in reality, it does. We asked him some questions and invited him to let us teach him there and then.

Something to know about Glen... well first of all Glen is his name. He also drove an HOUR to the temple in Wantirna South, and then another half hour to Cranbourne. We sat down and I asked to offer the opening prayer. I remember a thought coming into my mind and I decided to act on it. I said, "...and we invite thy Spirit to be here now." 

Those simple words, as spoken by a man who spoke to us 2 weeks previously, brought forth a feeling and power that I had felt previously but that I had never knew I could ask for in such a manner. I loved it, and I knew Glen could feel it.

We taught him a basic overview of the Message of the Restoration of the Gospel and we prayed at the end to know if he needed to be baptised. It was such a cool experience. He'll be coming to church next weekend!

Another thing. We were driving home from the District meeting and noticed a woman who was crying on the side of a BP petrol station. I thought she was just sweating heaps, but then a closer observation revealed tears and sobbing. We decided to park the car and ask her what was wrong.

I was filled with love and compassion for this woman, named Tabby, who had just been beaten by her husband and had her children taken from her. She was desperate, and in need, and I felt a love that filled me deep within. We talked to her and simply offered our service to talk if she needed us as her Sister pulled up. We gave her a card with our number on it and she drove away.

I don't know if I'll ever see her again, but I'll never forget that thought to go talk to her. I'll never forget the feelings I felt as I offered her something... anything... and that was something that was given to me from Heaven.

I LOVE MY MISSION!!!!!

48 seconds.

Got to go!

Love you all!

-Elder Sargeant OUT!

The finish line is in sight (Feb 8)

I LOVE MY MISSION! I don't say it enough but it's the greatest. I've been blessed this past week with many wonderful experiences and things I'd like to share but the time is short so I can't get to all of them.

FIRST AND FOREMOST TOMMY VA'A GOT BAPTISED!!!! We didn't do it because he went back to NZ to be baptized with his wife. I was extremely happy for him and he even spoke the Sunday following. They said he sounded like he'd been a member for years.

Just goes to show... we all know it's true... we just have to remember it. 
I'm grateful for that knowledge myself! 

So this week was a week of meetings... traveling... and GASTRO!?!?
My companion got hit with gastro for 3 days so we didn't get to go out very much. It was all good though because we split off. I went out with a missionary named Elder Kent and we came across some very interesting people.... one day before church we were dropping off some missionaries and this man was walking down the street. I waved to him and said hello. He turned to us and began to speak some of the funniest and most offensive things possible... but we just cracked up! I had studied charity that morning and man of man was I blessed with an extra amount for him! He was definitely on drugs for sure... he could barely walk or speak properly! It was funny though.

We found out transfer news and turns out I'll be dying [Gabe here--the term dying in this context is missionary jargon for the last area that he will serve in for his mission] in Cranbourne! YES! My companion will be leaving to go back down to TASMANIA WOO!!!!!!! I'm a little jealous but he'll do great.

There is a family we are working with called the Howes. Rachel and Jase. They are less active but returning members and they are some of my favorite people. We went over there and just sat and read some scriptures with them that they had read during the week. The Spirit was so strong and we learned together. We went through the Restoration with them again and talked about Priesthood. I was grateful for that because I learned HEAPS! We have a God of order and Love, and that's something priceless.
At the end, we told them how Elder Richey was leaving. They got a bit teary eyed and told us that they had been praying for anyone... someone... something to come and help them get back on track and that we had been prompted to go. It's amazing to me to have people in our lives that need us. Often we don't even know it, but we can do it.
Mosiah 4:16-20 ^^^ Are we not all beggars??

Love you all! Have a great week... hopefully not too much snow. It's been like 32C here, or 90-95F. BE JEALOUS! 
-Elder Sargeant

The MLC at the mission home

I cut my own hair...it didn't work out well. 

Week of weeks that lead to another week (Feb 1)

G'day g'day all!

Wow, what a cool week it's been. Ups, downs, roller coaster rides... interesting people... fun adventures, and heaps of good food.

First of all SHOUT TO MY BOY ELDER GISH IN NZ! That object lesson was so impressive to me. I may use that in the future to show how we need to change so we don't keep making not only ourselves suffer, our families suffer, but the Saviour. That was a great lesson to me and an answer to a prayer. Thank you my brother. I feel a bit of love swelling in my heart for you right now and I hope you know that I think of you often.

So, one of our investigators named Brother Tommy Va'a, has completely astounded me with his humility, thirst for the gospel, and his faith in Jesus Christ. To let you know about Tommy, he has been smashing through the scriptures and is up to the end of Mosiah already. Every day on his way home from work he reads a chapter...or two... or more... and listens to "Nearer My God to Thee" on his phone. He is engulfed and surrounded by the "fountains of living water," like the flower in a vase. He is flourishing and it's been the coolest journey for us to be apart of. He and his wife are getting baptised together back in NZ, which is sad for us because we miss it, but he gets to be with his wife and kids... THE most important thing.

He shared with us last night, after we broke our fast with him for him to get his permanent employment here, that he knows the gospel is true. He's felt to sing the song of redeeming love. He has been praying and searching for this path to be the right one, and he has humbly accepted that God has placed him here for a reason. It blows my mind how mature he is, and he is only 28.

A funny experience that happened... oh gosh.... well we took a prospective missionary out with us named Des Zinck. He's a humble, shy, but powerful 18 year old and we had some fun out tracting. As we were tracting we saw these two younger girls (probably 7-10) cutting the lawn... with a pair of scissors?? We talked to them for a moment just to ask what they were doing and to ask them if they knew each other. One of the girls replied. "This is my house right here, and hers is over there, so we're just cutting my grass." We asked, "are you friends from school?" and she replied promptly, "No, we are friends from the streets."

It was the most crack up thing to hear from the mouth of a 7 year old. She owned that street. YEAH! I wish you could have been there to experience it.

My experience has been awesome serving out here in Australia... I wish I could put into words the things I feel and find each day. My life has changed from these past months, and I'm grateful to be able to go out each day!

I had a cool experience the other day where I learned that simply manifesting love can bring some cool blessings. My companion and I came home from a long day with little success. Frustrated, fatigued, and ready for some food, we planned with a tense atmosphere. After we finished, one the other missionaries said "Don't you guys like... hug or high five after you're done? Come on bro..."

That was a humbling experience. I've done it in the past but forgot how much those moments matter. My fellow missionary and I put aside our frustrations and embraced with a bro hug. I'll tell you... it's quite strange how much that can take away from anger. DO THE LITTLE THINGS TO SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION FOR THOSE YOU LOVE MOST!!! THEY NEED IT!

Well, that's about the extent of it. WE GET TO WATCH THE SUPER BOWL TODAY WOO!!!!!

GO PATRIOTS!

Love you all!

-Elder Sargeant

Photo is of Tommy, Me, and Elder Richey at our fast breaker last night.

PS--- you may say to yourselves... Has he gained weight? I reply to you this---- My chin may have  extra skin... but so does a Banana.....

No, but in all seriousness I'm in a Samoan Ward... cut me some slack here.

What a hectic week!! (Jan 27)

G'day g'day all! 

Glad to be back to share the adventures of Cranbourne Victoria!!! It was a crazy week with many interesting things that happened... good things of course.

You'll have to forgive me, as this day has been a day of interviews with the missionaries and we're pretty smashed after giving heaps of people rides. Here is the craziness of the week.

Well, to start out, one of my favourite things about my mission has been the chance to pray SO often. What a blessing! I've never really been good at them but this past week was a monumental one for me and prayers. I was able to go on exchanges with my old companion from Tasmania, Elder Cavanaugh. I love that man, I really do. I was nervous to go because it'd been a while and Tasmania was an interesting experience for both of us together, but with faith we went forward. Things moved in accordance with how they'd always go. Morning time, brekky, studies, comp study, and finally some daily smashing. We went out and I remember specifically praying for the strength to go out and speak calmly to people, and that Elder Cavanaugh and I would have a fun day. 

The first person we talked to was a nice old lady from the Czech Republic! She was nice as to us and we had a great discussion with her, but the best part was the flow that took place from our mouths. I remember just asking questions that I had no idea were there. I remember speaking and feeling assurance and confidence spread through my heart and mind like the warm breeze in the dusk of a Summer day. We left the doorway, leaving a good impression with a daughter of God, and feeling ready for the day.

It was HOT AS here. We were walking around and decided to GQ some people.... that turned into 6 hours of GQing (randomly walking up and talking to people) broken up with some tracting. I was so happy to go out and work so hard that day with my old companion. I learned a bit from him and we had a great day. To celebrate... what did we do?? GET SOME SOFT SERVE AT MACCAS---HECK YEAH!

So an update on our investigators:

We are currently teaching a family of Sue, Mikayla (daughter) and Raquel (friend of Mikayla who is 16 and so is she). They were GQ'd a week or so ago.

On exchanges, my companion and another missionary were able to have a POWERFUL lesson talking about who God is and what it means for us!!!!

SICK AS!!!!! 

It's for 28th of February. Legit.

Sorry about this but it was a great week. I'm almost out of time! SOrry!!! LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!

-Elder Sargeant

The work continues... (Jan 18)

G;day all! 

What a glorious week it was to be alive. Nothing beats waking up each day awaiting the new experiences that are waiting to take place. I'm keen as to share some experiences had this week with you all!

Things are going well here in Cranbourne. The feeds continue to take place, but more importantly the members are EXTREMELY HELPFUL in missionary work! My goodness. We have a 18 year guy in our ward named Lanza. He's the man and works in a warehouse saving up for his mission. He and a friend from work have been talking and discussing religion and the gospel and now he is interested in learning. We're going to teach him this week but it's amazing how people are anxiously searching and are curious about what truth is out there and how to find it.

Next, Elder Pearson came to visit our mission. He taught us of our divine identity, of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, of Faith to Succeed, and how to pray with Faith. He explained to us about BOLD and AMBITIOUS goals. Definitely made me think about the future and what it holds for me. What are my goals?! Are they bold? Do I want to push through and make them happen??

He showed us a cool trick as well. He called one of the missionaries up and told me to "Try to grab the Marker" from off the pulpit. The Elder was confused.... so he "tried" and lifted up the marker. Elder Pearson said "No no... don't do it. TRY"

So he continued. Next thing we know, we learned a pretty cool principle. "Do or do not, there is no try." Struggle is simply being caught between a commitment. If we want to succeed then we BE successful until we are. If we want to grow in our faith, we BE faithful until that gift comes.

So yeah.... church was awesome. We're rebuilding our teaching pool and man oh man are we seeing some cool and small miracles. We've been so blessed to talk to some amazing people who are genuinely searching. I love being able to help them!

That's about it for this week. Remember, I love you all!!

-Elder Sargeant