Hey everyone! I got my package!!!! thanks a bunch! we will probably make the brownies soon and im already digging into the American candy. The only places you can buy American Candy in Australia is at an IGA convenience store, and there arent too many of those around, but they are around :) I am getting used to the Australian candy though, and its not bad. maybe my next package i'll send some back! Tell whit thanks for the dishcloths, i love them and use them everyday! Thanks also for the hot pads, they dont use hot pads over here, they just use hand drying towels and everything, so its nice to actually have hot pads! The cd's are awesome and if there are anymore like them there please send more! There is some good stuff on them, and you can also send more MOTAB as well, they never get old :)
We also have a bunch of more potential investigators, and a couple of them are really keen! Last night we attended a baptism for the Sister Missionaries in our district, they taught a young man named Peter and he was absolutely glowing after the baptism! he was so excited :) Hopefully we will have one of our own soon!
And now the bad news; and the fun begins of being a missionary. our bikes got stolen this last week. well its our own fault, we didnt lock them up, but there is a reason we didnt lock them up, we were dropping off an Arabic Book of Mormon for our investigator Jades' friend. We parked them just outside the front gate and we knocked on the door not expecting to stay. However he gave us some water and he asked us to stay and answer some of his questions and concerns, and naturally we were thrilled, and of course forgot all about the bikes until a girl knocked on the front door telling us that she just saw our bikes get taken from out in front of the house. Jade drove us around to look for them as we were calling the police to report it. Unfortunately we couldn't catch up with them. Our Zone Leaders gave us permission to drop proselyting and do everything we could to find the bikes, because if we couldnt get them back, it's $500 for each bike to be replaced. Friday, when we had the car we drove around the suburb Varsity Lakes to see what we could see when out of randomness we were driving past a dead grass patch in the corner where two fences meet, and there was Elder Prina's bike, just lying there. We picked it up and stuffed it in the car (that was a fun task) and continued to look for my bike without luck. We are still going to look around this week to try to find it, but if we cant find it, i have to pay $500 to replace it. So im still gonna hold off on my buying those things I asked about last week because im sure im going to need that to help pay for the bike. Im sorry, i hope that doesnt put us all in a hole. . . im guessing its Satans way of trying to stop the missionary work. I will keep you updated and you might get some contact from our vehicle coordinator Brother Burnett. I hate to tell you this but i have no other choice :( No worries though, because i still have a bike to ride, our Zone Leaders let us borrow their bikes because they dont use them because they have a car full time. Let me know what we can do. . . Keep praying that we might find mine!
Anyway we are going down to New South Wales today to visit Byron Bay. It's an area similar to Cape Cod in Massachusetts, but more tropical. There is a cool lighthouse there, and a few other things to see! Its about an hours drive south of here, but it should be way fun. I'll take tons of pictures. It's also our Zone Leaders birthday tomorrow and we are throwing a surprise party for him during the trip. My assignment was to make a cake. Sister Yost (in our district) had a good German Chocolate cake recipe that I used. Its layered and has two different frostings, the frostings i also made from scratch. the middle frosting had the coconut in it and the top frosting is chocolate and cream melted together. It should be good! We are excited to eat it. It was fun to make, and i got a picture of it that will be on the SD card when i send it.
Did you get the mini package yet? Hopefully because Whitney's B-day is coming up and her card is in it, along with yours, Deb's and Nash's. NO peeking till the 18th!!!! As soon as i get the SD card back from ya i'll send this other one and we will just cycle them back and forth.
We get to go Kangaroo Point (the chapel right next to the Temple in Brisbane) on wednesday for a new missionary meeting (since i missed mine last month because of the flooding. We also get to go to the Temple this transfer! we go to the temple on Wednesday March 2nd (Whit's Bday!), which means that that day is our pday for the week, so dont expect an email on monday of that week, but expect one on the 2nd. We go to the Temple in the morning so i'll tell you about the Brisbane Temple in that email :)
I love hearing about the boys playing and getting in trouble together. Its so cute! I wish i had a brother to get into mischief with :):) Tell Whitney and Chris and the boys and the cranneys and grandparents and everyone hi!!! i miss you all too much too! Sometimes its hard to not think about coming home, because i miss everyone so much, but i am thinking of how I would regret it; all the wonderful experiences that i would miss out on, the wonderful people i would never get to meet and the fun places i would never get to see, but most importantly the great joy i experience when i see someone who wants to change their life. I know that there are people out here that need me, and it would be selfish to put my joy (being with my family) ahead of their joy. I know that i will be with my family forever, and i would hate to see that someone else cant because i wasnt there to help them. My eternal joy wouldnt be complete with that hanging over my shoulder. I dont know how often you see the missionaries in Provo, but if you get the chance, invite the ones in your area over for dinner, give them a referral, and do everything you can to help them succeed in their missions. I love it when members are so active in missionary work and will do everything they can to help us succeed. Every member should be a missionary, because its what the lord has asked. Do your part :) :)
I love you all soooo much! I miss you terribly, but keep sending the support. I need it!
I love you all so much!
Elder Stringfellow
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
2/15/2011
Happy Valentines Day! Sorry I missed you, i told dad the reason why i'm a day late. Anyway, i got tons of business to ask and tell; ..........
................ Ok. Next, i am really thinking of how when i get home, i would like to attend a General Conference session with the whole family. We have never done that and i would love to have the whole family there. Not that you can do anything about it now, but maybe dad has some connections that we can get some tickets ahead of time so we can attend a session as a family (when i get back for April 2013).
Maybe you have seen in the Ensign this month an article talking about a Rangi Parker from New Zealand who is an expert Family History and Information for the Maori people. The Maoris are the native people who originated from New Zealand. Rangi Parker is the mother of two members of our ward. Scott and Moana. Scott is about 40 years old with a family and his sister, Moana, is single mom of about the same age. They are both awesome and are some of my favorite people in the ward. Anyway their mom, Rangi, is in the Enisign. Take a look if you havent already :)
We kind of set a baptismal date, with a lady we tracted into. She just got out of drug rehab and wants to change her life. We taught her the Plan of Salvation, and she loved it! We set a Baptismal date with her for the 5th of March, but the next day she said she wants drop the date for now. She wants to get a job and a car before she does anything else, but she says she still wants to hear more and to eventually get baptized. We are still gonna keep in touch with her for the next few weeks so we dont lose her, and so she doesnt lose the spirit that she has already felt.
I also met a Ballroom Dance Champion. There is an 80 year old man who lives in Burleigh Waters who was a champion and also did judging for a long time. He used to house missionaries back when he lived in Sydney and he loves to hear about our religion. He is from Malta (a mediterranean island) and has a thick accent, but is really nice and fun to be around. He is a strong catholic, but likes to hear what we have to say anyway. He is gonna make Spaghetti for us next week for dinner at his house, he invited us for that :) He is a sweet old man!
Transfers are this week, but Elder Prina and I are staying right here for the next six weeks. This is his last transfer and then he is going home. So i will definantly have a new companion next transfer, but im not sure if i'll stay in Mudgeeraba or go to a new area. I hope to stay on the Gold Coast a little longer anyway, because it is beautiful here:)
Anyway, thats it for now. I love you and miss you! Tell everyone Hi and tell them all the news ;) Love you!!!!!!!!
Elder Stringfellow
................ Ok. Next, i am really thinking of how when i get home, i would like to attend a General Conference session with the whole family. We have never done that and i would love to have the whole family there. Not that you can do anything about it now, but maybe dad has some connections that we can get some tickets ahead of time so we can attend a session as a family (when i get back for April 2013).
Maybe you have seen in the Ensign this month an article talking about a Rangi Parker from New Zealand who is an expert Family History and Information for the Maori people. The Maoris are the native people who originated from New Zealand. Rangi Parker is the mother of two members of our ward. Scott and Moana. Scott is about 40 years old with a family and his sister, Moana, is single mom of about the same age. They are both awesome and are some of my favorite people in the ward. Anyway their mom, Rangi, is in the Enisign. Take a look if you havent already :)
We kind of set a baptismal date, with a lady we tracted into. She just got out of drug rehab and wants to change her life. We taught her the Plan of Salvation, and she loved it! We set a Baptismal date with her for the 5th of March, but the next day she said she wants drop the date for now. She wants to get a job and a car before she does anything else, but she says she still wants to hear more and to eventually get baptized. We are still gonna keep in touch with her for the next few weeks so we dont lose her, and so she doesnt lose the spirit that she has already felt.
I also met a Ballroom Dance Champion. There is an 80 year old man who lives in Burleigh Waters who was a champion and also did judging for a long time. He used to house missionaries back when he lived in Sydney and he loves to hear about our religion. He is from Malta (a mediterranean island) and has a thick accent, but is really nice and fun to be around. He is a strong catholic, but likes to hear what we have to say anyway. He is gonna make Spaghetti for us next week for dinner at his house, he invited us for that :) He is a sweet old man!
Transfers are this week, but Elder Prina and I are staying right here for the next six weeks. This is his last transfer and then he is going home. So i will definantly have a new companion next transfer, but im not sure if i'll stay in Mudgeeraba or go to a new area. I hope to stay on the Gold Coast a little longer anyway, because it is beautiful here:)
Anyway, thats it for now. I love you and miss you! Tell everyone Hi and tell them all the news ;) Love you!!!!!!!!
Elder Stringfellow
Monday, February 7, 2011
2/6/2011
I'm glad the surgery went well. Send the Boyds my love :)
Expect a small package in the mail in about 1 1/2 or 2 weeks. I sent a big bunch of letters for you to dish out, March Birthday cards and my SD Picture card. Tell Grandma Stringfellow a letter is on its way to Arkansas, and tell Grandma Kendall that i got her letter as well and to expect an answer in a couple of weeks. I still havent received your package yet, hopefully soon. Tell everyone hi for me!
This morning, like really early this morning, like 2 am we got up, drove down to New South Wales to climb what is called Mt. Warning. At the top of the mtn is the first place in Australia to see the sun each morning, which is why we hiked it so early (to watch the sunrise). It is one of the tallest mountains in our area, and it is actually a Sacred mtn. to the Aboriginals. Apparently the Aboriginal Elders dont want people climbing it, because only people whom they select can climb it (it must have something to do with their religion). The government allows people to climb it, but they post signs asking whoever climbs it to remain dignified and respectful because it is sacred ground. Although we hiked it early, we were unable to see the sunrise because there were clouds at the top. I took pictures anyway, but we didnt get a good full view by any means. The roundtrip was about 5 hours, so it was long and tiring, but fun anyway.
We still dont have any baptismal dates yet, the work is really slow, but we are finding and contacting new people every week, so hopefully we will find someone who believes our message will change their life. Jade is still waiting for his answer that the Book of Mormon is true, but he isnt coming to church, so that is what is holding him back. Once we get him to make an effort to come to church, the Lord will bless him for that effort. We have another lesson with him this week at a members home, so we are praying that will go well.
Talk to you later! tell everyone hi and that i love them! LOVES!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!!!
Elder Stringfellow
Email #2:
Hey! Yep, Cyclone Yasi missed us, it didnt really rain or anything here, but it kind of is raining today. The missionaries in Cairns and Townsville stayed with members during the storms, but luckily the big cities didn't get smashed, unfortunately it was the small rural towns in between Cairns and Townsville that got wiped over. It looked like a tornado hit the area, not a cyclone. Luckily all the missionaries are safe.
The Gold Coast does get hit with cyclones, so if one heads our way, there is a possibility that we could get hit. But not to worry, President Langeland will do everything he can to make sure we stay safe!
Maybe you can find an older Bronco with an automatic in it, there are some nice looking ones. Just as long as the top can come off of whatever you get, because Moab with everyone piled in was so fun :)
How is the house work going? ready to sell yet? i hope so.
Love you!
Elder Stringfellow
Expect a small package in the mail in about 1 1/2 or 2 weeks. I sent a big bunch of letters for you to dish out, March Birthday cards and my SD Picture card. Tell Grandma Stringfellow a letter is on its way to Arkansas, and tell Grandma Kendall that i got her letter as well and to expect an answer in a couple of weeks. I still havent received your package yet, hopefully soon. Tell everyone hi for me!
This morning, like really early this morning, like 2 am we got up, drove down to New South Wales to climb what is called Mt. Warning. At the top of the mtn is the first place in Australia to see the sun each morning, which is why we hiked it so early (to watch the sunrise). It is one of the tallest mountains in our area, and it is actually a Sacred mtn. to the Aboriginals. Apparently the Aboriginal Elders dont want people climbing it, because only people whom they select can climb it (it must have something to do with their religion). The government allows people to climb it, but they post signs asking whoever climbs it to remain dignified and respectful because it is sacred ground. Although we hiked it early, we were unable to see the sunrise because there were clouds at the top. I took pictures anyway, but we didnt get a good full view by any means. The roundtrip was about 5 hours, so it was long and tiring, but fun anyway.
We still dont have any baptismal dates yet, the work is really slow, but we are finding and contacting new people every week, so hopefully we will find someone who believes our message will change their life. Jade is still waiting for his answer that the Book of Mormon is true, but he isnt coming to church, so that is what is holding him back. Once we get him to make an effort to come to church, the Lord will bless him for that effort. We have another lesson with him this week at a members home, so we are praying that will go well.
Talk to you later! tell everyone hi and that i love them! LOVES!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!!!
Elder Stringfellow
Email #2:
Hey! Yep, Cyclone Yasi missed us, it didnt really rain or anything here, but it kind of is raining today. The missionaries in Cairns and Townsville stayed with members during the storms, but luckily the big cities didn't get smashed, unfortunately it was the small rural towns in between Cairns and Townsville that got wiped over. It looked like a tornado hit the area, not a cyclone. Luckily all the missionaries are safe.
The Gold Coast does get hit with cyclones, so if one heads our way, there is a possibility that we could get hit. But not to worry, President Langeland will do everything he can to make sure we stay safe!
Maybe you can find an older Bronco with an automatic in it, there are some nice looking ones. Just as long as the top can come off of whatever you get, because Moab with everyone piled in was so fun :)
How is the house work going? ready to sell yet? i hope so.
Love you!
Elder Stringfellow
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