TONGAN SMASH!!!!! (April 20)

G'day all!!!

This past week was an amazing experience leading up to an even more incredible Easter Sunday. Nothing beats when the world, and all the nations that abide in it can take the take to remember the Lord, OUR Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It's cool to think about that... one day maybe that'll be what the ENTIRE WORLD will do Everyday! 

Anyway, this week was quite an adventure. I have to admit... we were use for heaps of good this week in more ways than just preaching the Good tidings of the Gospel. 

Monday we were called and told of a very unfortunate circumstance where the Chan family in our ward was getting removed from their house because of some crazy financial and contractual stuff. So, we were called to help move. We arrived, jeans and non pros. clothes on ready to move the stuff. I've never had such an intense work out! IT WAS GROUSE MATE!

We ended up being their for the next day and a half, doing a total of 17 hours of service for them. The best part was the summoning of the ward. They were incredible easy to entreat and seemed to just come in flocks. At about 7:30pm Monday night, 30+ people showed up with another 20+ YSA arriving after the 13 missionaries left to retire home. AMAZING. The hands of many make light work.

We were so blessed, and our backs, arms, and legs were sore from the heavy lifting. It was good for the love of the ward but bad for our goals. However, we were blessed anyway. 

So, to put things into perspective for those who haven't served a mission... you eat heaps. But for those who have never been to a Tongan feed... you have NO idea what it means to eat heaps of food. We visited the Mahina family, and were invited to a Hangi, or what we may know as an in ground oven where they cook meat, and veggies with taro leaves on top. SO GOOD. Never have I eaten so much meat (mainly because if you don't it's rude!)

Bro. Mahina is a big man and told us... "Eldas----Eat---more meat."

So fun 

Our Part member family, the Ball family (Finley, Hayden, and Lochlan) came to church for the first time on Sunday... in 10 years! What a good time to do it! EASTER SUNDAY WOO!

It was an amazing experience seeing the ward just scoop them up and take them in like brothers. It made me realise the kind of RM I want to be when I am off my mission, or rather the kind of disciple of Christ I want to become. 

Hayden is keen to be baptised!!!! 3rd of may!

KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS!!!! And thank you all for your prayers towards us as missionaries. We feel them. We receive that strengths when we are in our weakest moments, and they are seen even more in the miracles wrought by Heavenly Father.

ENJOY YOUR WEEK!!! LOVE YA HEAPS!!!

-Elder Sargeant 

PS---- I got my first speeding ticket of my life :( Australia doesn't go too cheap either... $180!!!!!

You see, here there really aren't many Police officers but what's called "Red light cameras" so if you are going even like 3 KPH our, they bust ya. Stank. Well, ya live and ya learn. No better time than on the mission.

This District:

Top-Elder Nicholson, Elder Matu'u, Elder Newell, and Me.

Bottom is Elder Hollist and Elder Cook.

'Our Four Minutes' (April 13)

G'day g'day!

What a powerhouse week of miracles and fun! We were blessed so much this week with people to teach and experiences to be had. To start, let's just get into Conference. MY GOODNESS HOW AMAZING WAS THAT?!?! I have to admit that I've never taken away so much from a conference in my LIFE. I love the prophet, the words they spoke, and I know they are true.

Anyway, I loved the quote "This is our Four minutes." from Gary E. Stevenson.

My goodness how true dinkum is that! FAIR DINKUM MATE! FAR OUT! Naw, but on a more serious note there are few things more important that this life. I loved the idea of knowing that we are able to improve and grow each day as that is something that I am doing heaps these past weeks in Waverly. Growing often comes with pain. Why complain? It means something is changing inside of us, hopefully, if we are doing what is right. I've come to love that growing pain of repentance that has been given to us as a gift from Jesus Christ because of His suffering and Atonement. It boggles my mind how it all works, but I know it does.

This week was full of RAIN. HEAPS of rain..  SO MUCH RAIN that it didn't stop for four days straight! luckily, there were no floods in these parts but up north was hit by a cyclone as bad as Hurricane Katrina. That's Bad.

Yesterday we had a cool experience after conference. We were going to visit some former investigators that had been taught about 1 year ago that lived a fair distance away. We drove to the curb of the street, said our prayer, got our copies of the Book of Mormon with pamphlets ready, and scurried out the door. We were shouted at by a lady across the street who seemed a bit flustered. We waved and she glided over to us and asked for directions to the Library. This was difficult for someone like me... who has a HORRIBLE sense of Direction when it comes to areas of the City, unless I actually go there frequently and Don't have a GPS. Anyway, we attempted to help her and found out some interesting things about this girl named Cassandra. 

1) She is a AVID fan of Twilight, vampires, and anything pertaining to it.

2) She didn't know that the author of Twilight is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

3) She just got out of jail.

4) She went to church in jail and found solace in and comfort from God.

5) She wanted us to come and teach her.

With these things in mind, we were so BLESSED. Someone came and sought US for something and in return we were able to fail at helping her but provide her with a copy of the Book of Mormon. Hopefully she'll see that that is a priceless gift from God.

Then, we rocked up to the house of the formers and they had JUST gotten home as we finished talking to Cassandra. Perfect timing, what up.

We talked to them, taught them about Jesus Christ and set a return appointment. One man, named Nelson was born Hindu. He quietly sat back and listened but as we handed him the Book of Mormon, we watched him start reading it to himself as he seemed to utter the words contained under his breath. Elder Newell and I have high hopes for this man who's stutter causes him insecurities. It's amazing to know that those insecurities can be cured through Christ!

I wish something funny happened that I could share, or some ridiculously amazing experience that would blow peoples minds! 

Unfortunately, this is something I did not have this week. However, I can say that this week was a blessing. That despite the rainy days... I found happiness in them. I didn't have to see the rainbow at the end to see the blessings. I'm grateful for this experience and I'm grateful for the love, prayers, and MANY letters I receive weekly from so many wonderful people. THANK YOU ALL. YOU ARE LOVED!

Enjoy your week! Enjoy your warmer weather! 

-Elder Sargeant

Gratitude is the Ultimate Sign of Humility (April 6)

G'day all,

What a week this has been... let's just get right into it.

You ever had one of those moments where a thought pops into your mind as you're thinking deeply about stuff? Me too! I had it folding laundry. <-- who would have thought you'd hear me say that?!?

Anyway, i was thinking about one of my past companions and how we used to do little acts of service for each other: ironing shirts, folding laundry, putting in each others laundry, making breakfast for each other, etc. and the thought came to my mind about how grateful I was. I then reflected on why I didn't always feel so grateful for the IMMENSE blessings I receive daily. Then it hit me... this thought came to my mind. "Gratitude is the ultimate sign of Humility." 

How true that is... Heavenly Father has given us heaps, and every blessing we receive is always for our progression and benefit to one day see HIM. Even if those blessings are trials, we should be grateful. 

It's amazing how much you learn from doing those little things.

Anyway, on to the next portion of my week! So, Elder Newell and I have been blessed HEAPS with miracles. Like, there are always little miracles but we've seen some serious ones.

There is a less active man named Finley Ball. He is about as Aussie as you can get mate. "G'day mate....ah fair dinkum... I'm good mate, thanks mate... mate...mate...mate... I was watching the tele...." etc

Just... yeah it's awesome. He has been less active for 10 years and was praying to God for guidance of what he needed to do in his life. Next day.. SISTER MISSIONARIES GO AND VISIT HIM!

They referred him to us and we visited him. We talked for ages about his life, the Book of Mormon, and he told us we answered his prayer. It's AMAZING. You just get these little ideas in your mind. Listen to them! If it's anything good just DO IT because it brings miracles.

His son, Hayden, isn't a member and is 17 years old. He joined in on our conversation, and the second time we saw him he asked us to be baptised. Apparently he's always wanted to be but was waiting for his chance to do it.

Just amazing.

So, I finally got my companion to join me in Choir! We have a Elder named Elder Hollist in our district that seriously blows my mind with how well he sings, so.. we're in stake choir, ward choir, etc. etc. What a blessing music is.

On P'day we went to the City for the first time! (At least for Elder Newell and me), and we went to this tower called 'Skydeck.' It's 88 floors high and you can see the entire city, and Tassie on a good clear day as well! That was heaps of fun and a thrill for me since it was the first time I road the train in Melbourne. It reminds me a little bit of Boston. Smaller, but still legit.

Good stuff. Well, I hope all is well with you all! This is short, and to the point but that's how the week went. Can't believe I've been out for a year already.

-Elder Sargeant

11 minutes (March 30)

G'day all!

I have 11 minutes left. Forgive me for my lack of timing skills as I am a man. In the words of Paul, rephrased for this time. "As in Adam man is made late, in Christ will all that be made up at the judgement bar."

Hopefully all those times I take for granted the time I can be forgiven! 

Anyway, this week was AH MA AAAAZING!!!!!!!! Not going to lie each day has been incredible. To start out with, being a district leader comes with many interesting responsibilities. One of those being that we are to go on exchanges with the other missionaries and help them grow and learn together. This is always my favourite opportunity because you learn HEAPS from other missionaries! You also have fun as well.

So, this week we went out with each companionship so we had about 3 days to do actual work in our area. However... with diligence, faith, and the grace of Heavenly Father we were able to reach EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR GOALS!!!!!! We even went beyond some! What a miracle. We were able to see Heavenly Father's hand just bless us. You want to know why??Because He loves His children, and that means you!

Miracle two! Today, I got a breathalyzer test... and I PASSED!!! Wooh, I was stressing it. ;) Cops here randomly do it at times so it was my first time. 

Miracle three: We were tracting on a street near a potential investigator and we were invited in by a 14 year old boy named James. He had some questions regarding his relationship with God, which church to go to, and wanting to be "nice to everyone." Sound a bit similar to anyone we know?? *COUGH JOSEPH SMITH!* 

We taught him the restoration of the gospel, invited him to be baptised, and the next day his dad dropped him off at work.What a cool chinese kid. MIRACLES!!!!!!!

Miracle four:

We got a referral from the sisters in our area. Sisters lemme say, are LEGIT. They are MIRACLE MACHINES!!! Anyway, I digress.. but we met with this man named Mehdi who was incredible. He wanted to learn about Jesus Christ, and we felt impressed to talk to him about the Plan of Salvation. What a powerful lesson. The spirit was SO strong. We invited him to be baptised on the 3rd of May and he accepted. What a wonderful opportunity. He said with tears in his eyes "I know that what you are telling me.... it is right."

He is from Persia so he's the MAN! His english is amazing as well.

I just love Heavenly Father and His blessings. I have no idea why we were given them, other than that we just worked hard, were obedient, and prayed for miracles.

On a funny note... at every supermarket this week we've been mistake for workers and were asked to lead people to certain foods... 

LOVE YOU ALL 50 seconds left!!

HUROO!!!!

-Elder Sargeant

Just keep finding...just keep finding... (March 23)

G'day g'day! How ya goin??

This week was awesome. It was filled with many opportunities to talk to wonderful people because... well... we don't know anyone!! The ward is awesome have taken us in straight away. So far, one of my favourite families is the Kwong family. They have 5 siblings who all served missions, and one of them is the Elder Quorum President. He served in a tiny island near Fiji where apparently he never had a solid toilet experience... poor guy. 

Elder Newell and I have had some fun times talking to various people and one of the biggest miracles we saw this week was how we would just go out with faith knowing that Heavenly Father would lead us where His prepared children were. 

Well... Thursday morning we decided to do some finding of potentials that the other missionaries gave us. Within 20 minutes we contacted 1 of those potentials and were able to get 3 return appointments. HOW LEGIT IS THAT!? It's amazing how exercising faith can bring those blessing.

We also found a Kiwi family where the husband was born into a half LDS family half Catholic family. His mum was less active but he grew up going to church. He said we could come back and see him and his family... with 7 kids! WHAT?!?!

AMAZING!!!!!

The best part of the week, in my opinion, was going to the Melbourne Temple for the first time, and it's been about 11 months since I last went in!

The spirit in that place just electrified me. My goodness, there is no greatest place on earth to be than the Temple of the Lord, His Holy House :)

I came out with a buzz to do missionary work like Never before! It's amazing.

I've learned heaps lately about Charity, and it's effects. To me, I learned from Paul in 1 cor 13:  

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor , and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Basically... without Charity in our hearts we profit nothing. As a missionary I've learned that really going out with the intent to serve and bring others to Christ helps my heart to change. That commitment to Him and His work has enabled me to put aside all fears, struggles, and problems and know that I can do it with His help.

Sorry for the bold...

Anyway, we get to go to the City for Zone P-day next week so I'll attach heaps of photos. So far... the only animals we've seen that are remotely interesting are possums! They crawl all over our fence at night and in the morning.

Shout out to my Brother ELDER C. GISH!!! Smashing it in NZ! Love ya heaps bro.

Well, that's it for the week. All is well and we're seeing miracles.

The Church is true. :)

-Elder Sargeant

The Bendigo Bros: Elders: Hirata, Tojong, Sargeant, Worsencroft

Waverly Week of Wicked Whacking...CULTURE SHOCK!

Well, G'day, Nihao!

 

I've been assigned to serve in the Waverly ward!! It's 10 minutes from the Melbourne Temple which is quite legit :)

 

Things have been hard to adjust to because literally my new companion and I are fresh to the area but we've been SMASHING through the lists and keeping ourselves busy as. We met a lot of the ward on Sunday and they are awesome. What's cool is that my ward is half Chinese and half English. There is a Chinese Translator that does every talk, testimony, and word spoken in Chinese for all those that can't speak English... yet. It's AWESOME TO BE HERE!!!

 

Well, some cool experiences we had so far this week were that.... It's FINALLY FALL!!!!! You know what that means?! Breaking out the sweater Vest! ;) Also, since we've been here we were able to meet with this awesome as Chinese guy named Wei (William) Chung. He's such a cool and humble guy. He is one of those people that is less active but doesn't realize it... so we invited him to come to church and he was excited as about it! Elder Gish... you watch out bro, I'm going to come home speaking some Chinese ;)

 

We've been able to see a few more less active and My companion Elder Newell is a solid as teacher. He's very precise, clear, and full on when it comes to going off the needs of those we teach. That's always good for a trainer to see. He's been out for almost two months so he's not quite as fresh as others which is good too! The best part is that we live in a flat that's close to everything! There are heaps of shops and malls and stuff so we can talk to a fair few people. Miracles will come, I can feel it ;)

 

 

Some insight on the new Comp. : He's from Alpine, Utah. He served in Houston South waiting for his Visa. His dad is a professor at BYU. He's the FLIPPIN MAN! He's extremely knowledgable about the Gospel, and his dad does the announcements from General Conference and Music and the Spoken word! "This is the 187th Semi-annual...." HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!?!?!

 

This one is a bit boring, but I'd like to say a special shout out to my wonderful third family in Bendigo!

 

Mumma Bowley, you have NO idea how hard it was to leave. I shed a tear or two on my way to transfers and I hope you know that you and your family have become like MY family. Never have I had an experience like that before and I think it's because I didn't let myself. KEEP BEING AWESOME AND MAKING THOSE MISSIONARIES IN THE BENDIGO AREA LOVE EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!!!!

 

 

Well...that's about all I can think of to say. Next week will be legit just you wait! >:)

 

The Gospel is true! Love every second of it, and the happy life it brings.

 

LOVE YA HEAPS, MATE!

 

-Elder Sargeant

THIS WILL BE SHORT!!!!!!!!!! (March 9th)

G'day all!!!

You're going to hate me but... THIS HAS TO BE SHORT! We had some unexpected visitors come into church while we were doing emails and we got caught off track and all that jazz.

Here is the news:

I'm being transferred AGAIN TO TRAIN!!! I'm keen as about that!!! :D Another son to add to my family tree.

This week was legit. We had some amazing miracles and experiences that I'll have to tell you about next week. 

However, one thing I'll say is I'm grateful for the truth. I'm grateful for that undeniable understanding that I have of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, and Christ's Church. We were able to teach a member lesson to the Rechter family, one of my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE FAMILIES, and they had a mate over named Gabbie. She is close with Kelsey, the daughter of the Rechter family, and we taught about how God is our Loving Heavenly Father. After, she asked heaps of good questions, we taught her the first lesson IN THEIR HOME, with 4 friends of hers there and Kelsey's dad to testify as well, and she accepted every commitment. SHE WANTS TO KNOW THE TRUTH adn WE HAVE IT.

I loved the way that Brother Rechter put it about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He said, "Other churches have 90% of the truth. They have 90% of what God wants and what Jesus Christ wants... we have that last 10% that makes up for the lack. We have the fullness, the last page of the book that puts everything together." That just hit me. 

Gabbie is GOLDEN AS! Stay tuned for what happens as I get upsets. LOVE YOU ALL HEAPS!!!!

Check out this blue tongued lizard we kept and named President Maxwell :)