21 August 2013

G'day everyone!
I can't believe it! Another transfer come and gone! We'll be finding
out what happens this Sunday night. Most likely my companion and I
will both stay at least another transfer. But I guess you never know
what's going to happen for sure. Elder Christensen has learned the
area real fast, and I feel he could take it over if needed.
 
I can't believe that the kids will be going back to school soon. It
seems like their summer break just started! Man, B! You can have
everyone at school sign your cast! I remember when I was in school my
friends would do that when they had a broken arm or wrist or
something. I always wanted to do it too but I never managed to injure
myself well enough to merit a cast.
 
We are just coming into "spring" here. They don't really have much of
a spring here. It's more like two seasons; summer and then winter. I
think winter is supposed to be ending soon and it is going to start
warming up. I'm not too excited for the hot weather.
 
We rode the bikes for the first time since I've been in this area on
Monday. We were just going down the road so we thought we'd bust out
the push bikes. They were useless! I wonder when the last time was
that the missionaries had used them. My rear wheel was bent and  it
rubbed on the frame, acting as a constant braking system. My
companion's pedal fell off halfway to our appointment. We called the
vehicle coordinator (who also looks after the bikes) and he picked
them up yesterday to get them serviced (and possibly replaced).
 
We went to the temple this morning. We woke up at four am to catch the
train in Rosewood, a half hour's drive from our flat, in order to make
the eight 'o clock session. It's always a good day when I
get to go to the temple. Even if I have to wake up at four in the
morning.
 
Last week was a bit of a rough one. Benny was sick all of last week
and he's been dodging us this week. He is hard to teach too. It is
difficult to get understanding across the language barrier. If he does
get baptized it will probably be a ways down the road. Since he was
our only investigator, we didn't get to do much teaching last week.
We've been trying to turn some of the potential investigators we've
found into new investigators, without success so far.
 
We had a little miracle last week. We were tracting and knocked into a
young Sudanese guy. He told us he already had a Book of Mormon and he
was learning from missionaries in New South Wales and was even going
to church there. He is keen to keep learning, so we'll start teaching
him this weekend. It was just a witness that there are people out
there ready to listen, and the Lord will either lead us to them or He
will lead them to us.
 
We also had a young man come to church  who hadn't attended in the six
months simce he moved into the area with his mum. He is a cool kid,
but pretty quiet and a bit shy. I think that's partly what has kept
him from coming. That plus he'd been playing rugby on Sundays. But now
that rugby season ended we committed him to come to church. The ward
did such a great job of welcoming him with open arms. He didn't have a
white shirt or ties, so one member gave him a shirt and we were able
to give him a few ties that missionaries had left behind in our flat.
The young men's president did such a good job of making him feel
welcome and wanted and involved. The Priest's quorum doubled in size
this last week (it went from 1 to 2) with him there.
 
So overall it was a rough week, but it ended well. And this week is
already half gone! Today went by pretty quick. Temple P-day usually
does. It was pretty much wake up, drive, train, train, walk, temple
session, walk, train, train, more train, more driving, Macca's for a
late lunch, then emails. We'll do our shopping afterwards and then go
home to get ready for splits tonight with the members.
 
I haven't gotten any new mail yet and our zone leaders told us we
would get it after transfers. I am looking forward to getting some
letters and pictures from you!
 

Good luck with inviting the neighbors! I will pray that it goes well. I know that when we're doing
what's right the Holy Ghost will guide us to say what needs to be
said, as long as we open our mouths! I also know that missionary work
is most effective when the members find and the missionaries teach
with the member's help. As members and missionaries our goal is
exactly the same.
 
I am so grateful for the things that I have learned on my mission. I
am excited for all the things that I have yet to learn (and I know
it's a lot!). I am so grateful to have you all in my family. You are
the best brothers, sisters, and parents (and friends) I've ever had!
You mean the world to me!
 
Have a great week! I love you all! Love,
 
Elder Thieme