Teaching & more teaching....the Lord's work is progressing!!

September 24th, 2020

Our teaching pool has been enlarged so much in just the past couple of weeks! The Elder's found several new people by tracting & our newest converts, Josh/CeCe, who both work at the prison along w/another member of the ward, have been instrumental in reaching out & connecting w/people there. We are now teaching three from their workplace, two others from the ward who are unmarried w/member partners; & two families in the community the Elders tracted out.

Last night we met w/Elisa, a 26 yr. old gal from NZ who is very keen (excited) to learn more about the gospel. She came to Church last week w/her niece & had so many questions; was so happy to get the Library app on her phone & made another appt for later this week. Her older sister, Luisa & 11 yr. old daughter Seilo (the niece), also started lessons & are very excited. I wouldn't be surprised if they all commit to be baptized within the next few weeks. 

We had a wonderful fundraiser last weekend for the ward youth to attend FSY in Perth this January. They held a carwash, bake sale & sausage sizzle at the church's parking lot...it was very successful & they were able to raise the funds necessary to offset what parents put in. Everyone had a great time & fun was had by all that participated & we bought three dozen of Sister Papsin's fresh spring rolls...they are delicious!! 

               

We were surprised when a call came in Monday morning from President B telling us that all missionaries from Samoa w/less than six months left were going home. The Samoan government & the Church had worked out a chartered flight, sadly, this meant our dear Elder Loto was leaving on a jet plane, along w/60 other missionaries from all over Australia. He would finish serving in December, so he's just leaving a bit early...even though the shock of finding out & having less than 24 hrs to pack up & be gone is hard to deal with, he's excited to see his family. Many of the ward members came to the airport to see him off...bittersweet moments, for sure. Those missionaries are in lockdown until they fly out next week, then will go into quarantine when they arrive home.  He's the one in the suit...

This is one of our favorite ward families...the Sheck's. They are Maori from New Zealand & are very musical. I wish I could share the farewell song they sang in the airport...it was beautiful & if they sing it when we leave....we'll be such a mess!!

Randy's coaching an under 14 basketball team & his assistant is a young man of about 22 whose partner is a member, but he is not. Again, not married, but he really wants to be a good father to his little 2 yr. old boy & they are expecting a little girl in a few months, so we are hopeful that these two will tie the knot soon & move forward on the path to full activity. Her parents are wonderful people & very active in the gospel, so it's been hard for them to stand by & see the poor choices some of their children have made...however, they choose to have good relationships, love them & pray that the Lord will soften the hearts of their children to come back. We can see this happening & are so very grateful for their examples. Their daughter is one of those we are hoping will get married soon so her partner can be baptized. 

The other couple we're working with is Limbalan & James & they have four children, the oldest was baptized just a few weeks ago. I think I posted pictures of their family in my last post. Limba really wants to be baptized but they have to get married first...so please keep them in your prayers that these couples will tie the knot so parents can be baptized & the families receive the blessings the Lord has prepared for them. 

At the train station we picked up our new missionary...Elder Maguale from the Philippines! He's about 5' tall but filled w/the Spirit & loves teaching the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. He & his previous companion, Elder Fui Petelo, were together down south for almost 5 months & had more baptisms than any other companionship while there...8 convert baptisms!!  

You might remember us posting awhile back about our time down in Bunbury w/an Elder who had some issues w/obedience. We had been tasked by the President w/putting him to work cleaning out flats & spending time helping him became more focused on the work of salvation so he could remain on a mission. It wasn't us that got him there...it was the Spirit & this little companion he was assigned to be with that showed such an outpouring of love & support that really took Elder Fui Petelo to the next level & helped him w/his English so much that they took their area by storm & did amazing things. We're very grateful to have him here w/us now & look forward to the work moving forward even faster now.

Elder Loto & Elder Fui Petelo are now companions are doing great as they wait to return home. They are in the upper left hand square in this photo of our last District meeting w/President & Sister Bennallack & all the missionaries in our district. Elder Loto is still our District Leader until they leave next week & continues to do a great job. We will really miss his infectious smile & laughter...which he did around us lot w/Elder Tate's wacky sense of humor.

Earlier I wrote about Josh & CeCe & others who have been instrumental in bringing the gospel to others. Here is a picture of the regional Prison outside of Kalgoorlie. The officer in front is Bro. Mortley, who is in our ward & the #3 guy out there. He's a great missionary & is always looking for opportunities to teach & help others come unto Christ. Randy really enjoyed his tour of the Prison...brought back some memories of his experiences teaching the ADR program out at the Prison outside of Boise & the spiritual times he had there. I'm always glad when he gets to leave & return home!

It's impossible for me to imagine being confined to a cell...to life in prison. But in a very real way, we've all found ourselves confined, in darkness, imprisoned...by sin; bad choices we've made or those of others; addictions; poor habits & decisions that have either prevented the Spirit from being a part of our lives or has drawn us away from our Heavenly Father & the Light. There, but for the grace of God, go I....we are our brothers & sister's keepers. 

This virus has taught me many things, but one of the most obvious, is how much we really need one another. People are lost, alone & confused without hope or any idea where to turn for help or comfort. There are so many loud voices pulling in one direction or another; giving instructions that seem to change hourly or conflicting ideologies that seem fine one minute only to discover that they speak lies. Indeed, we live in interesting times. D&C 123:12

Peace comes to hearts & minds when we turn to the scriptures for answers, especially The Book of Mormon. It builds my faith to know these words were written & preserved for our days...these difficult, challenging times. I know the words, council & promised blessings of ancient prophets have not changed & I am encouraged & edified when I listen to or read the words of our living Prophets who teach that the Lord is in control & I have no need to fear. That there are great blessings ahead. I encourage everyone to re-read Pres. Nelson's last conference talk...'Hear Him' where he states, "Our Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainly & fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son." 

As we prepare to receive further instructions/promises in General Conference this coming weekend, let us look for opportunities to share the message of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ w/friends, family & even strangers who 'are kept from the truth only because they know not where to find it.' Let us share this Light so that prison doors will be open & our brothers & sisters can come out of darkness & feel our Father's love by learning of the Savior & Redeemer of the world. 

We miss & pray for you, our dear friends & family! May you remain faithful & fearless!! Love to you all...Hurrah for Israel!!  Elder & Sister Tate

Spring is in the air...in Kalgoorlie!

 Sept. 8, 2020

Here in WA it has been a ridiculously harsh winter! NOT!! It has been windy & wet at times...certainly not like winters back home in lovely Idaho. No frost, no snow, just red dirt. By the time we get home next summer, we'll be ready to celebrate a beautiful white Christmas... then perhaps go to Texas for awhile so we can feel like we're wintering back in Australia! 

We keep busy doing service activities, teaching English, child baptisms & missionary opportunities. We continue to teach our dear friend Bronwyn in Karratha over the internet & are hoping to meet up w/her in Perth the end of September when she has her baptismal interview w/President Bennallack. We are so looking forward to being able to watch her enter the waters of baptism before the end of the year...even if it is only by Zoom! 

A new first happened this past week...we were blessed to participate in a coast to coast Australia-wide Devotional w/Elder Gary Stephenson, Elder Davies of the Presiding Bishopric & Elder Nielsen of the Seventy with their wives. It was wonderful to feel of their love for missionaries, to hear of the amazing things that are occurring around the world because of technology & how it is helping the work of the Lord move forward. Because of COVID, the plans for in the Brethren to visit in person were altered & we watched everything via Zoom from SLC. There were about 600 missionaries in attendance from across several thousand miles & they could see each of us as our pictures flashed on huge screens in front of them. I guess our little group of four were seen a few times by others, but we didn't see ourselves at all, but it was fun to see so many missionaries from around Australia & know they are experiencing similar things & being creative in finding & teaching investigators & in assisting to reactivate less active members. This is our new normal in missionary work.

This wonderful devotional was followed the next two days by Zone Conferences. This was very different from earlier in the year also when we were able to gather together in our Zones for chapel meetings, luncheons & fun games/activities in a local park by the mission office. We didn't get to attend the temple or spend time together...which is probably what everyone misses most of all. But, like everyone else, we just keep doing our best to serve, be joyful & grateful for the opportunity to still be here in the great Australia Perth mission.

Unlike so many of you in America, we are able to get together in groups outdoors, in parks, for funerals & in sports venues. A couple weeks ago, we had a Family History ward activity in a beautiful park a few blocks from our flat. It is across the street from a HUGE cemetery where the majority of graves are partially above ground & massive. We did a cemetery scavenger hunt looking for names, dates, places of birth/death & other details; games & then an Aussie barbeque...minus the shrimp on the barbie! 

There was a great turnout w/many non-members, less actives & lots of ward families. Our RS President saw some Aboriginal children w/two community workers & invited them to join us...no coincidence as both adults were inactive members. One of the gals said the Lord must want her to come back cause we just keep finding her wherever she goes! Here are some pictures of that day.

                  

This is a baby kangaroo, or joey, whose mother was most likely shot. He was found dumped in the animal compound at the park several weeks ago & nearly died. There are several people who take in orphaned animals & help raise/rehabilitate them so they can be released into the wild. This little joey will grow up knowing it's name & answering to it. While at the park one day, Elder Tate met the keeper & she took us inside w/the two gals raising the joey to feed a large kangaroo they had raised. They came up to the women & ate bananas & apples from the hands & let them pet his head. The other kangaroos were having nothing to do with that & stared at us the whole time we were there.

 

          

Our Bishop brought a family who are from China to the activity & we are now helping his wife improve her English skills. They are lovely people & are working on their permanent citizenship & hoping they won't have to return to China. The ward has been very welcoming which makes all the difference for those looking to make changes/improvements to their lives. They came to church this past Sunday & I know she had absolutely no clue what was going on or being said. But she was still smiling!

We've come to know a member of the city council quite well who, by profession, is a trauma/crisis councilor & runs a women's refuge center. We met this week & discussed possible service opportunities & activities that would help build relationships between members of the community. Those of you who have participated in or grown up doing things like Rake Up Boise/Paint the Town & other fun services, don't realize how unique & special those opportunities are amongst Americans. When we mentioned it as being a city-wide project, she was very surprised & hadn't even considered that as a possibility, so we're very hopeful to get something wonderful & new started here.

This Sunday was Father's Day in Australia! We invited a gentleman who's been here without his wife for almost a year plus a family from the ward for a Father's Day lunch of baked french toast w/praline topping, ham/eggs & fresh fruit. The family remind us of our own kids & Elder Tate is going to work w/the dad, Daniel, to make a couple Murder Marble game boards. We bought the wood & marbles & Dan has about every tool one could imagine, so they are hoping to begin work on them this week. We also introduced them to the Name Game & they love it, too! The daughter, Melena, bottom left, taught all the YW how to play & now it's making the rounds of the ward. Hopefully we'll be able to get some game nights at the church going during the holidays this year like we do at home. 

Our Elders have both been sick for the past week, so we've been able to take over some of their teaching appts & meet w/people they were just getting to know. One of our favorite lessons was w/a family from NZ who have a mom/dad & four young children, the oldest of which will be getting baptized this coming Saturday. Unfortunately, we have the same issue w/this couple as w/so many... they are not yet married. The wife/mom really wants to get married, be baptized & prepare to go to the Temple. Her partner was baptized as a child, so he just needs to do the right thing & tie the knot so she can begin her personal journey & their family can progress together. We had a lovely discussion w/them last night on the Restoration & Joseph Smith's first vision. It was lovely & the Spirit was very strong. Their kids were so attentive & interested...filled w/questions & anxious to see the pictures on my phone of what Temples look like. 

Limba had tears in her eyes as we explained the purpose of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is to bring us back into our Father's presence & to seal families together as eternal units. We showed them pictures of a sealing room & explained the purpose of Temples & why thy are so essential to God's plan of happiness for His children. The Spirit was so strong & the children quiet as they listened. It was a beautiful experience & we are so very grateful for the opportunity to share our Savior's love w/others. 

Serving full-time & not being actively engaged in work, school or other interests of the world certainly brings blessings we wish everyone could experience! It's only when we go online to see pictures or catch up w/family & friends that we are once again reminded that we don't live a 'normal' life right now. We try not to pay too much attention to what is going on, but seeing FB posts that deal w/the craziness going on in America, it is hard to ignore the ugliness that people are capable of inflicting on one another. So many images of violence; horrible words screamed in the face's of innocent bystanders & assaults upon individuals whose only offence was being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Our police officers & first responders, who are so willing to put their lives on the line so other's can live in peace/safety, are finding it nearly impossible to enjoy those same freedoms

So, how do we find peace amid such turmoil & confusion? Where do we find the answers that will bring calm assurance that all will be well? It certainly isn't through government control or party affiliation. It won't come by looking through distorted, clouded lenses at problems we face or by seeking after the riches or vain imaginations of the world.

The answer to life's problems & numerous questions always has been & always will be... in & through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. He is the Light of the world; the Bread of Life. Those who partake of the Living Water will never thirst, but shall be filled. Just as in Lehi's dream of the Tree of Life, we must hold fast to the iron rod, keep our feet firmly planted upon the covenant path & turn away from the mocking crowds in the spacious buildings of the world. It is only then that we will navigate safely through the mists of darkness that can confuse & mislead us & we will find the fruit most delicious... even the Love of God.

We testify that our Father in Heaven sent His only Begotten Son because He loves us & would not leave us alone to face the trials & challenges of earth life without a perfect plan. We know Joseph Smith is a true Prophet & was the one called to bring about the restoration of the gospel in these latter days & that our beloved Pres. Nelson is God's chosen Prophet upon the earth today. We know that families can be together forever & that it is through priesthood power that all blessings come to God's children. We know our Savior will return in majesty & power in the not too distant future & are filled w/joy to be a part of the great army gathering His children. How grateful we are to know these things!

We love & miss you, our dear family & friends! May you turn to our Father in Heaven for comfort & peace in these troubled times. May you be blessed w/strength & courage to stand fast in the face of adversity & uncertainty; be humble & repentant that you may feel the Spirit bear witness of truth to your hearts & minds. We ever pray for you.....Hurrah for Israel!!   

Hugs & kisses....Elder & Sister Tate