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