I'm sorry I've been slacking with posting Elder Stringfellow's letters! Here's about 4 in a bundle! Enjoy reading :D
MARCH 1, 2011:
Tell everyone thanks for the empathy. I have tried not to stress about it, because the most important thing is that i'm still working, and that the drama is not going to stop the work, no matter how much Satan wants it to. Brother Burnett hasn't called us back about needing a replacement or the money (and i dont know if he will, because he is getting released soon so he is pretty relaxed right now) but until i get a call or somehow it comes up, im just going to continue in the way things have been going. If i get a call or something i'll let you know, but dont worry about the money right now, im not. So just put it in the back of the brain for now....
Ok fun stuff now :) Im glad everyone is enjoying the pictures.
How is everyone? whats everyone up to? We havent taught Jodie again yet, but she is still interested. Hopefully she will be ready soon. We found two cute kids to teach, a boy named Harley(10) and a girl Tayla(12). They are way excited and have heaps of questions. The only possible concern we have is that their biological mother might not be supportive, and thats one of the biggest concerns they can have. Anyone under 18 has to have permission by parents to be baptized, and if they dont give permission, we have a big problem. We also have some more potential investigators, once we contact them i'll tell you more about them.
Jade is not progressing. He doesnt want to come to church; "its too early" or "its too loud with the kids" or just plain "no". Well, then Jade, you arent going to find out if our church is true if you are attending a Born Again Christian Church up in Southport. Ugh, we dont know what to do with him. One of the hardest things to do is to drop an investigator because they aren't keeping commitments and progressing. . .
The Brisbane Temple was nice today. Its the cutest little temple. . . it's tiny. room for 20 men and 20 women. There isnt even a chapel!!! its pretty though, just a minature version. Same feeling inside, other than its small-as. ("as" or "az" added on to a sentence is only expressive, it has no technical meaning.) Small-as, big-as, hot-as, all just added on for extra expression. Anyway, there is your Aussie lesson for the week. . . Aussie is pronounced Auzzie. ( i got torn apart my first week by elder prina about that lol)
Tell Whit happy birthday from me and i love her and miss her! Im thinking about her all the time today!!! I cant believe she turns 24 this year and i turn 20. She really isnt that much older than me, and the twenty part makes it seem even smaller. Far out! (thats another expression that you might like to know) :) Hope she has a wonderful day! Tell her that we have a washer and dryer in our flat(so no worries about laundry) and that the cloths are so much more practical and that i love them!!!
This afternoon we might go to Q1 (the tallest building in Queensland and is on the Gold Coast!) Its not set in stone, but i'll send pictures if we go. If we do go, i'll wait until i can print them, and then i'll send them with the other prints i have made, so that will be next week. if not, i'll get them off today or tomorrow.
Tell everyone hi and and love them and want to hear from them. I might not always have time to reply but i always make time to read!!! Love you all sooo much! Have fun, be safe and talk to you soon :)
Love Elder Stringfellow
MARCH 13, 2011:
Ooo Moab and Amarillo Texas eh? I'd like to see Texas someday, maybe when I get back we can take a trip to Barbara's so i can see Okie, Texas and Arkansas. I'd love to see the southern US. There is some unique scenery and landscape down there, you make it sound like there will be nothing to see. There will be plenty to see, but just not as much as here ;) JK There is some pretty rich Civil War History down there that would be neat to see as well look for it and send pictures!
There is good news this week. We taught Jodie again and we set a Baptismal Date with her for the 27th of March! She exclaimed; "i wanna get dunked!" she is a little different but extremely nice. We might have some trouble with her with the Word of Wisdom because she is a drinker, but i think if she wants to change enough, she might be alright with it. Pray for her and us! We also started teaching a Part-member family from New Zealand. The non-member's name is Ayla, and her hubby is a less-active member and their 1 yr old son was blessed in the church. She is what we call a "dry mormon". She comes to church to support her son and hubby, but hasn't really thought about becoming a member herself. The reason she is a "dry mormon" is because she comes to church and does basically everything a mormon does, except she isn't baptized. So she allowed usd to come and teach her about the Restoration, and she said she'd like to hear more, and that she will get baptized if she finds out it's all true. So in theory she should be an easy Baptism, but she is a little less keen than Jodie, and unless we really catch her interest with Eternal Families and Exaltation she could slip away. But she is super nice and fun to talk to.
Today we are going to Natural Bridge, which is kind of by Springbrook (where we saw the big waterfall). I'll take tons of pictures, and you will see them when i send the card :)
We are approaching the end of the transfer. And because Elder Prina is going home, I will for sure be getting a new companion, but im not sure if I will be staying in Mudgeeraba or if I will be transferred to a new area as well. Here's the deal, if i am being transferred up north (north being defined as any mission area farther north than the Sunshine Coast) then i will find out on Friday the 25th of March, and will be travelling to my new area during the weekend. But if i am going anywhere from the Sunshine Coast or south of there, I will have to attend the transfer meeting on the 29th of March. That is a Tuesday, so my P-Day will be on that day (the 29th). But no matter where i go or what happens I will tell you where i am as soon as i know lol.
I feel bad about the recent Earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand. It makes me think of you often. Please keep yourselves safe, GET 72 HOUR KITS NOW!!!!!!! im dead serious about that!! Be prepared for whatever disasters are on their way. You never know when you will be struck unprepared. Be safe, and take care of yourselves physically, but more importantly spiritually. No matter what happens to either me, or you all (in any circumstance) if WE as a whole family are prepared spiritually and live worthy of the temple covenants that bind us, we shall not fear death and separation. I'm not prophesying the worst, i'm giving fair warning and comfort. Being so far away from you right now makes me uneasy enough, but knowing you are prepared physically and spiritually will bring me comfort. Encourage other family members to be prepared in all aspects as well. It is our duty as a family in God's eternal plan for us to lift and inspire one another. We will conquer together, or we will fail together. Let nothing come bring between ourselves and exaltation. I love each of you way too much, and give me comfort to know that you are alright, prepared and fearless before God. I'm trying my hardest to be the best i can. I'm alright, and healthy and well taken care of, and i hope you are as well. I'll talk to you soon. Love you and God be with you! Tell everyone hi for me!
-Elder Stringy
MARCH 20, 2011:
Hey Everyone! I know you are travelling right now, please be safe. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM! I wanted to get a nice card, i knew you would cry, but im glad you are alright now lol. I thought about you all day! I hope you enjoyed it and i hope the party was fun with all the family there :) Deb's birthday is tomorrow (tuesday) I hope she enjoys the card. Mum, if you call her, tell her loves from her missionary and Happy Kangaroo/Birthday! Oh, im sending a picture in my package that i want you to show Lindsey. As you know, transfers is next week and we get a new set of missionaries fresh from the MTC. An Elder Forman is coming from Riverton UT, and i wondered if she went to school with him, or if he went to Bingham or something. . . Show her the picture and see if she recognizes him. Tell grandma hi from me. I hope she got her letter as well, i hoped it would be home waiting for her. Did she survive the trip alright? has she fattened up since being at Barbara's? I'm sending my package this week that has my photo prints, a note and Carver's birthday card in it. I'll let you know when i get the package you send. Thanks a bunch!!!
Nevermind on the Baptismal Date with Jodie. We lost it again, this time because she has to go back to Drug Rehab for 9 months. She can't quit smoking pot. We told her that we as missionaries we teach a 15 Step/Quit in 7 Days program that she can do, she liked the idea but she had already registered for the Rehab Centre. She is still excited about the Gospel, so she will give us(or the missionaries in the area at the time) a call in 9 months.
Anyway, at least she recognises her problem and wants to fix it.
I now have custody of the keys to the flat, because this transfer alone, not including last transfer, Elder Prina has locked us out with the keys inside 4 TIMES. The landlords have gotten quite shocked at our track record. Suzy (the landlady) says she loves the Mormons, and they pay their rent on time, but they lock the keys inside way too often LOL. So now i hold the keys so we won't get locked out.
I got Nash's email and letter. Tell her good on her for doing missionary work. Help her find the missionaries that proselyte in our area, and invite them to go over with her to Joanna's house one Sunday. I think having the missionaries there to help her and her family make and keep commitments will play a huge role in their conversion. If they accept to hear from the missionaries, ideally the lessons should be taught not only with Nash and Dalene there, but in their home as well (the spirit is felt much stronger in a member's home). Im excited to hear about my little sister's missionary work! ;) A saying in our mission is: "Every Missionary a Member, and Every Member a Missionary". It is true. Elder Prina and I had dinner last night at the Hapi's house. Sister Hapi made a really interesting comment. She said: "You as missionaries don't come on your missions to tract around and set up appointments to teach, you come to teach the lessons at appointments that we, the members, have set up." Every member should be looking for opportunities to invite their non-member friends to be taught by the missionaries. Even though yes we tract to look for investigators as missionaries, ideally we should be teaching those whom the members have reffered us too. The statistics say that 1/1000 doors that are tracted into will get Baptised, but 2/5 referrals taught with a member present will get baptised. It is a better use for the missionaries time to teach a member referral with that member present than to knock doors. The leaders of the church are emphazising missionary work, because it is a commandment required for our salvation. Even if we dont serve full-time missions, we are still commanded to spread the word. Again I ask you and the whole family to help the missionaries in their respective areas. You will recieve the blessings that come from helping another individual or family recieve the gospel. Why should i be the only one to convert someone during the next two years. . .? lol
Next week expect to hear from me on Tuesday, not Monday. Transfers are on the 29th, so i'll let you know whether im staying here or going somewhere else. I love you all so much. I'm alright, it's just so bloody humid right now its not even funny. Ugh. Back out into the sauna. I miss you all. Love you sooo much! Take care!
Love, Elder Stringfellow
MARCH 28, 2011:
I'm glad the trip was alright. Tell shelby and grandma sorry, those letters i wrote two weeks ago i just barely found in the flat and sent them off today. I thought i had sent them off, but i was wrong. Sorry :(
Anyway Elder Prina is in Brisbane right now at the mission home getting interviewed, staying the night and then flying home tomorrow morning. He was trying to be excited to go home because he loves being a missionary, but he's got family back home and a new neice to meet (like i'm going to have a new baby to meet when i return ;) ) so its good that he is going.
I'm still in the Mudgeeraba Area on the Gold Coast, but my new companions name is Elder Higham. He is from Shelley, Idaho and has been on his mission almost eight months. So he has been out only four months longer than i have been out! Anyway he is super cool, he is (like Elder Prina was) taller than me, and he's skinny. You will see the picture of him when i send the SD card back home.
I'm glad Everett likes Mickey. He must be more like me than we ever thought. So fun. don't worry too much if he pulls the tags off, i'm not gonna freak out if he does :).
Yeah everything is going well so far. All i have to do is get to know my new companion a bit better, but at least i'm still in a familiar area. Everyone thinks that we will get along very well, and i think so too! :)
Spiritual thought for the week: Sometimes my zone leader (Elder Hogg who went home as well) would bother me because he would come and eat all our food because he would spend all his money on other things and not on food for himself. I still think that it is a legitimate reason to be upset, but hear the rest of this out. When he came over yesterday, he and his comp. came at lunch time and started to ask what we had to eat (also we didnt have very much either because we haven't done shopping yet this week). I didn't handle the situation very well, i told him he could go to the shops, buy his own food and make it himself. He walked off not feeling very offended because he is kind of weird like that. But while i was eating my lunch (while he was still here) i was listening to the primary song "I'm Trying to be like Jesus" on a cd. Of course i felt bad because i had been so rude, especially in denying them food because they had none and we didnt have much more. The more i listened to the words and pondered them i realized that even though he was making the bad choices, i had not been like Jesus in telling him to get his own food. Even though we didn't have much, i decided to do what Jesus would do and give him the rest of the food we had so that he could eat lunch.
Just think about your daily actions and don't justify them just because you aren't in a better situation than they might be. Even though they aren't doing the right thing, still give selflessly, and you will find joy and blessings, because Jesus loved everyone no matter what they did (good or bad).
Thanks for the brownie mix!! We made them this weekend and they tasted yummy! Loved them!
Tell everyone hi, give them loves and tell them i miss them (even baby #3!!!) I'm looking for the package you sent, and look for mine that i sent as well!!! Love you all so much!!!!!
Love Elder Stringfellow
APRIL 3, 2011:
Hey Everyone! Yeah, i just looked on my Utah time clock and i saw that the afternoon session ended not too long ago. It is so weird not being there to watch conference live. Because of the time difference, it still isn't practical to have a live satellite broadcast to Australia. So what happens is next week, they will rebroadcast the sessions at the Stake Center respectively on Saturday and Sunday. It will be interesting to view conference in such a way. I am not used to being so far away, and i kind of feel out of the loop by not being able to watch conference as it is happening. But i guess i'm actually in the norm, because most of the members of the church live in other parts of the world than Utah, so it's actually a rarity to watch conference live. I miss Utah so much, you don't realize how much of being in Utah you take for granted, until you live out of the country :) I'm so glad that my home is so close to church headquarters that i could drive to conference quicker than i can drive to the closest temple here in Australia.
I got my package this week! Thanks for all the candy and stuff! The Journal is exactly what i needed, the songbook will be very handy, and the oil vial is perfect. Thanks also for the Priesthood line of Authority! Its the perfect size for my quad! The problem is i dont always take my quad with me wherever i go, but obviously i have to keep my ministerial certificate with me all the time (the certificate allows me to legally proselyte for the church), so if you could make another pocket sized one that i can stick with that (3 inches by 4 1/2 inches) that would be spectacular. I love the design on it! it looks very nice, thanks dad! It was surprising to see how short my line of Authority was compared to Elder Prina's. He had quite a few more names than i did. :)
I enjoyed the picture book! Everett and Carver are growing up too fast. . . before we know it they will have a brand new sibling to mess around with. They will be the troublesome trio, especially if it is another boy :) But i hope to have a niece somewhere in the mix soon ;)
Oh my gosh Shelby your hair is so cute!!!! why did you not tell me you got an a-line cut? You look so grown up! you look like you're 30 years old! (in a good way) lol Mum and Lindsey, your hair looks good as well. And Deb's still looks good, but it hasn't changed since, so good on ya anyway lol :) Tell grandma and barbara and the rest of the family hi as well! I enjoyed the pictures :)
I'll continue to send pictures as i take them. in the next couple of weeks i'll send my sd card back with captions and everything again. So everett can see "more Parker". I'm so proud that he loves church and wants to go. Tell whitney and chris "good-on them" for instilling a love for the gospel in their children early. And thanks to you for doing the same for us ;)
Just ponder for a moment how lucky we really are to be members of the church. out of the billions of people on the earth, we are out of 13.5 million members who are lucky enough to partake of the blessings and peace and comfort from knowing that no matter what happens the Lord is on our side because we are righteous. Being with people who don't understand the truth really builds my faith and my gratitude for the Lord for placing me in the path of righteousness. We all should NOT take that for granted and remember who we are and why we are members of the church. The Lord has a purpose for placing us in the gospel, and i think it is to share it with as many people as we can. How dare we be selfish and not make an effort to share the blessings that we so dearly treasure? I love you all so much and I love the gospel. Save me a piece of the oreo dessert for when i get back (lol) not. Enjoy the rest of your sunday. Tell everyone hi. I love you all sooooo much!!! I miss you!!!!! Take good care and "have luck". Happy Kangaroo Cranneys!!!
Elder Stringy
APRIL 11, 2011:
Conference was wonderful! I recieved some great revelation for myself and also for my investigators. It is a funny feeling having stewardship over someone else, because i am entitled to revelation for them. It was so fun to see a familiar scene all the way around the world. And yes i enjoyed the talks concerning marriage! The talks don't apply to me, but just not yet. I still payed attention because I am moving into that stage of my life, and it won't be long until i'm in that situation. But for now, i'm receiving the counsel for a different purpose, because of my full-time calling. I hope you and dad, and Whit and Chris saw the talks as well, because there was some great counsel for married couples in there, even in President Monson's Priesthood Session Address talked about marriage. Look it up on the internet or read it in the Ensign next month :) The General Authorities know exactly what we as the members need to hear, as Jeffery R. Holland testified of in his talk Sunday Afternoon. We all should heed the counsel with the highest degree of priority, i know i will :)
I'm glad the boys liked the pictures! I'll send more when i send my other SD card back.
I'll try the trick with the ties. Do hold off with getting anything just yet, because my pants are deteriorating rather quickly, and it won't be but maybe a couple of months before i need them. And one of my white shirts is out of order already because of a stubborn stain on the back of it that even bleaching (diluted or straight) didn't phase. So if im gonna need more things in the next couple of months, just hold off until i tell you i need more, because everything might as well just be sent all at once instead of something this month and something three or four weeks later- you know what i mean?
I'm glad that Shelby and Lindsey are moving in together, it will be a great thing. Hopefully they will both attend the ward, enjoy it and enjoy institute as well. It would be refreshing for both of them to be able to go to all of their church meetings and live worthy of temple recommends (as was also taught in conference). Do everything you can to help them, and also everyone else who doesn't have a recommend to remember what is most important (the work that is required to be done of us (baptisms) and covenant making (endowments and sealings)) and strive to find again the joy that comes from temple work. Set an example for them, and tell them of your joyful experiences. I know that as you all strive to do what the Lord has asked us to do at this conference, no matter what is holding us back can be healed and eliminated through the power of prayer and enduring to the end, and the atonement. The Lord does not and will not condemn us. We only do that ourselves. I pray for your safety and well-being every personal prayer i say. Tell everyone hi! I miss you all so much!!! I love you all soooooo much!!! Have a good day and i'll talk to you soon!
Elder Stringy
