July 11, 2010
Hello from Mt Gambier!
Elder Lowry has 9 days before he goes home. Even with our trio companionship we are being fed very well by the members. I am writing to you from Murray Bridge. We have a zone conference this week so we drove down on Sunday after church. I saw the largest Red kangarroo jump in front of the road as I was driving. It took like three jumps across the road and it was gone, it was quick as. It definitely made me drive more cautiously the whole way there so no worries. I am going to try and visit some of my old investigators and recent converts today.
Not much update on the woman named Emma who had a brain aneaurysm. I know she received a preisthood blessing from her cousin who is an Elders quorm president in a congregation in Adelaide. Her three children are potential baptisms. Their names are Shannon, Tyson and Sharie. They are all under the age of 12.
Because it is school holidays we havent been able to visit Debbie and her family. If they do not come to church this next Sunday we will postpone the proposed baptism on August first to another later date. They must show a commitment to come to church. It is no use in baptizing someone if they will not make a habit of worshipping god. We are going to pop in on the way home to Mt Gambier later this week and give them the run down. If they are not ready to keep commitments they are not ready to make covenants.
It seems our top prospects for baptism is children at the moment. We found other children of less active members and ex communicated members that are not baptized. The worth of every soul is great in the sight of god. An investigator named Collen is going in for surgery on her knee soon. So that will delay her progression for while.
Also Sister Jones broke her foot. So that might delay her progression as well. Also a reactivated Sister who recently moved to Whyalla suffered a brain aneaurysm. I have known multiple people now who have suffered threw those afflictions. Smoking is terrible in this country. But fortunately the price of tobacco is increasing very quickly. Everyone is trying to quit smoking, it is amazing, people just cant afford it. There is this medication going around which is the real deal. It is called “Champix” and it destroys your crazing for nicotene. Heaps of people are on it. Threwout my time as a missionary I have commited many people to take that medication to quit smoking.
Man I am in the last half of my mission. This mission will be very different in four and half months. Like half the mission will go home. The mission is very old. We will have big as missionary intakes I reckon when they leave to replace them, everyone will be training!
Well I am going to go. We are going to go bowling and play Aussie rules football. So it should be a fun day. Love you all heaps
-Elder Montgomery
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Anniversary
July 8, 2010
Note from Mom: One year ago today Braden left for his mission. I remember all too well watching and helping him pack up his luggage, checking the lists, ironing his freshly washed and dried brand new white shirt. Watching him put on his Australian tie that Brother Groggett (who served in this same mission almost 20 years earlier) let him borrow. I watched my boy say his goodbyes, with tears in his eyes, to his nieces and nephews as well as to his siblings. I heard him call his friends for the last time to tell them goodbye. I watched him turn off his cell phone and hand it to me. I watched him gather his books and supplies and pack them neatly in his luggage. We checked the list again. Made sure he had his passport, his flight itinerary, his immunization record all in his suit pocket for easy access. I remember hugging him again and again and just looking at him trying to memorize his face, his walk, and his laugh. We went over his flight itinerary and asked him to call us, if possible, to let us know he had arrived safely in Utah. I remember our family prayer before we left for the airport. I remember Braden telling our dog, Martha, goodbye, and she just wagged her tail and loved him like nothing was any different. I remember how ready Braden was for this new adventure in his life, the opportunity to serve a mission and to serve our Heavenly Father. He was excited and ready to go.
When we arrived at the "Braden International Airport" in Yuma, we made sure to make him stand underneath the word, "Braden" with his luggage and took a picture -- we thought that was kind of cool. He always liked that the airport was "named after him." I remember looking at all the people arriving from their flight and seeing them hug their loved ones. I was about to tell my son good-bye for 2 years and he was about to leave for one of the most memorable and amazing 2 years of his life. It almost seemed surreal. Darryl helped Braden get checked in and get in line. I saw a friend, Sara Rosevear, who was flying out to see her daughter in Utah. I was there to send my son on his mission and she was so excited for him.
Then it was time for the good-bye. He was in line and people were behind him. Darryl and the boys hugged him first. Darryl let me be the final one to say my good-bye. I think he was worried that I might take too long and he wouldn't have a chance! I really couldn't take too long, but I hugged him as long as I could with tears streaming and told him how much I loved him and how proud I was. He was smiling and excited! The only tears were mine, and I knew right then that my boy was ready. I let him go and we all watched him walk onto his airplane. We waited to see his airplane take off and right then, his mission began, one year ago today.
Note from Mom: One year ago today Braden left for his mission. I remember all too well watching and helping him pack up his luggage, checking the lists, ironing his freshly washed and dried brand new white shirt. Watching him put on his Australian tie that Brother Groggett (who served in this same mission almost 20 years earlier) let him borrow. I watched my boy say his goodbyes, with tears in his eyes, to his nieces and nephews as well as to his siblings. I heard him call his friends for the last time to tell them goodbye. I watched him turn off his cell phone and hand it to me. I watched him gather his books and supplies and pack them neatly in his luggage. We checked the list again. Made sure he had his passport, his flight itinerary, his immunization record all in his suit pocket for easy access. I remember hugging him again and again and just looking at him trying to memorize his face, his walk, and his laugh. We went over his flight itinerary and asked him to call us, if possible, to let us know he had arrived safely in Utah. I remember our family prayer before we left for the airport. I remember Braden telling our dog, Martha, goodbye, and she just wagged her tail and loved him like nothing was any different. I remember how ready Braden was for this new adventure in his life, the opportunity to serve a mission and to serve our Heavenly Father. He was excited and ready to go.
When we arrived at the "Braden International Airport" in Yuma, we made sure to make him stand underneath the word, "Braden" with his luggage and took a picture -- we thought that was kind of cool. He always liked that the airport was "named after him." I remember looking at all the people arriving from their flight and seeing them hug their loved ones. I was about to tell my son good-bye for 2 years and he was about to leave for one of the most memorable and amazing 2 years of his life. It almost seemed surreal. Darryl helped Braden get checked in and get in line. I saw a friend, Sara Rosevear, who was flying out to see her daughter in Utah. I was there to send my son on his mission and she was so excited for him.
Then it was time for the good-bye. He was in line and people were behind him. Darryl and the boys hugged him first. Darryl let me be the final one to say my good-bye. I think he was worried that I might take too long and he wouldn't have a chance! I really couldn't take too long, but I hugged him as long as I could with tears streaming and told him how much I loved him and how proud I was. He was smiling and excited! The only tears were mine, and I knew right then that my boy was ready. I let him go and we all watched him walk onto his airplane. We waited to see his airplane take off and right then, his mission began, one year ago today.
"Charity never faileth and it really is the pure love of Christ."
July 5, 2010
Hello from Mt Gambier!
My previous companion Elder Williams has been transfered to Broken Hill in New South Wales. I am now in a trio in a surprising turn of events. There is an odd number of missionaries in the field, because an American was having Visa problems and got delayed. So Mt Gambier got the lucky odd number of missionaries. I have Elder Lowrie from the Cook islands, he is also part Canadian blood. He goes home in two weeks. Also i have Elder Jensen from Brisbane, Queensland. He has about 4 months left in his mission. President Poulton must really want to keep a close eye on me or something. This is not the first time I have been in a trio, my first transfer I had Elder Munk emergency transfered into my companionship. I have had ten companions so far in my mission all from around the world. Two Austrailians, a Samoan, Tongan, Maori, Canadian/Cook islander and Americans. It is a bit ackward going into peoples houses, it is like a mob of us coming in since there is three of us. We seem to be getting fed more as well and people giving us more food. For that reason I like being in a trio. But otherwise I rather just be in a regular companionship.
This week i have been showing my companions around town meeting everyone. The members, less actives, and potential investigators and etc. We had a good planning session the other day. What this area needs is more charity. The members here at the moment are a bit disunified. We are going to teach some member missionary lessons focused on charity. We will commit them to doing two secret acts of service a week. One to someone in the ward. And the other act of service to someone outside the ward. Charity never faileth and it really is the pure love of Christ. It may be the uplifting ingredient these members need. We do not want to commit them because they feel oblidged because we told them to do it. We want them to commit because of their love for their Brothers and Sisters. We will commence these member lessons this week.
We had two investigators at church this week. A girl named Serena June came again. She can only progress as much as her Mom will allow her to progress. Which isn’t much at all unfortunately. Also a (Adam)member’s girlfriend (Eve) came to church for the first time this year. She was taught one lesson by the missionary previous to me in this area last months ago. He was a bit too full on and pushed her interests in the church the wrong direction. So we have to be careful with her. But it was good to see her. Her name is Eve, I like how her boyfriend’s name is Adam. I was talking to Adam a bit at church and he is thinking of proposing marriage to her.
Debbie and her family couldn’t make it to church this week. The baptism is still scheduled for August 1st. Which is a while away but at the same time it is not. The 3 potenial investigator’s, who are cousins to Mitchell, Mother had a brain aneurysm this week. I really hope she pulls through. How grateful I am for the Word of Wisdom.
We got another handful of less actives at church yesterday, i imagine if they come again next week they will no longer be considered less active. Nobody mentioned the 4th of July to me yesterday at church, afterall Australia is part of the commonwealth. That is not the most exciting holiday for them. But my companions sang me the American National Anthem yesterday and America the beautiful. So that was nice. Well i am going to go show my companions the lakes today and other things around town. Maybe play some frisbee and clean the flat. Good to hear from you all, thank you for the packages. Love you heaps
-Elder Montgomery
Hello from Mt Gambier!
My previous companion Elder Williams has been transfered to Broken Hill in New South Wales. I am now in a trio in a surprising turn of events. There is an odd number of missionaries in the field, because an American was having Visa problems and got delayed. So Mt Gambier got the lucky odd number of missionaries. I have Elder Lowrie from the Cook islands, he is also part Canadian blood. He goes home in two weeks. Also i have Elder Jensen from Brisbane, Queensland. He has about 4 months left in his mission. President Poulton must really want to keep a close eye on me or something. This is not the first time I have been in a trio, my first transfer I had Elder Munk emergency transfered into my companionship. I have had ten companions so far in my mission all from around the world. Two Austrailians, a Samoan, Tongan, Maori, Canadian/Cook islander and Americans. It is a bit ackward going into peoples houses, it is like a mob of us coming in since there is three of us. We seem to be getting fed more as well and people giving us more food. For that reason I like being in a trio. But otherwise I rather just be in a regular companionship.
This week i have been showing my companions around town meeting everyone. The members, less actives, and potential investigators and etc. We had a good planning session the other day. What this area needs is more charity. The members here at the moment are a bit disunified. We are going to teach some member missionary lessons focused on charity. We will commit them to doing two secret acts of service a week. One to someone in the ward. And the other act of service to someone outside the ward. Charity never faileth and it really is the pure love of Christ. It may be the uplifting ingredient these members need. We do not want to commit them because they feel oblidged because we told them to do it. We want them to commit because of their love for their Brothers and Sisters. We will commence these member lessons this week.
We had two investigators at church this week. A girl named Serena June came again. She can only progress as much as her Mom will allow her to progress. Which isn’t much at all unfortunately. Also a (Adam)member’s girlfriend (Eve) came to church for the first time this year. She was taught one lesson by the missionary previous to me in this area last months ago. He was a bit too full on and pushed her interests in the church the wrong direction. So we have to be careful with her. But it was good to see her. Her name is Eve, I like how her boyfriend’s name is Adam. I was talking to Adam a bit at church and he is thinking of proposing marriage to her.
Debbie and her family couldn’t make it to church this week. The baptism is still scheduled for August 1st. Which is a while away but at the same time it is not. The 3 potenial investigator’s, who are cousins to Mitchell, Mother had a brain aneurysm this week. I really hope she pulls through. How grateful I am for the Word of Wisdom.
We got another handful of less actives at church yesterday, i imagine if they come again next week they will no longer be considered less active. Nobody mentioned the 4th of July to me yesterday at church, afterall Australia is part of the commonwealth. That is not the most exciting holiday for them. But my companions sang me the American National Anthem yesterday and America the beautiful. So that was nice. Well i am going to go show my companions the lakes today and other things around town. Maybe play some frisbee and clean the flat. Good to hear from you all, thank you for the packages. Love you heaps
-Elder Montgomery
Monday, June 28, 2010
"My Companion, Elder Williams is being transfered. I am taking over the area."
June 28, 2010
Hello from Mt Gambier!
My Companion, Elder Williams is being transfered. I am taking over the area. We will be driving back to Adelaide for Transfer meeting this Tuesday. Today Elder Williams is going to pack, and i am going to clean the flat. I do not want to come home to a dirty flat.
Probably the most exciting thing that happened this week is we finnally set a baptism date with the two kids from Naracoorte. Daishun and Taila will be baptized on August 1st. They want thier grandma who lives in Perth to be at the baptisms. We pretty much went threw all of the commandments again. Hopefully we can help out their mom Debbie with her smoking. And also get her married to her partner Rewi.
Mitchell was unable to go to church this week as expected because his great grandmother is on holiday. I am working with our Ward Mission Leader to see if we can organize someone to pickup Mitchell for church so he is not so dependent on his Great Grandmother. She will not be here forever. It is a good thing that this town is small enough that our Ward Mission Leader knows Mitchell’s dad so they have a bit of a foundation we can work with.
We got a handful of Less Actives at church yesterday. Three from what I can recollect were first timers since i have been here. So that was good to see them at church. We only got one nonmember to church this Sunday, her name was Serena. She is living with her Father for School holidays, she lives with her Less active Mother in Melbourne, she is not keen to allow her daughter to be baptized so we can not do much in teaching and committing her to anything.
It is good to hear from you. Love you all heaps.
-Elder Montgomery
Hello from Mt Gambier!
My Companion, Elder Williams is being transfered. I am taking over the area. We will be driving back to Adelaide for Transfer meeting this Tuesday. Today Elder Williams is going to pack, and i am going to clean the flat. I do not want to come home to a dirty flat.
Probably the most exciting thing that happened this week is we finnally set a baptism date with the two kids from Naracoorte. Daishun and Taila will be baptized on August 1st. They want thier grandma who lives in Perth to be at the baptisms. We pretty much went threw all of the commandments again. Hopefully we can help out their mom Debbie with her smoking. And also get her married to her partner Rewi.
Mitchell was unable to go to church this week as expected because his great grandmother is on holiday. I am working with our Ward Mission Leader to see if we can organize someone to pickup Mitchell for church so he is not so dependent on his Great Grandmother. She will not be here forever. It is a good thing that this town is small enough that our Ward Mission Leader knows Mitchell’s dad so they have a bit of a foundation we can work with.
We got a handful of Less Actives at church yesterday. Three from what I can recollect were first timers since i have been here. So that was good to see them at church. We only got one nonmember to church this Sunday, her name was Serena. She is living with her Father for School holidays, she lives with her Less active Mother in Melbourne, she is not keen to allow her daughter to be baptized so we can not do much in teaching and committing her to anything.
It is good to hear from you. Love you all heaps.
-Elder Montgomery
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
"Mitchell was baptized yesterday!"
June 21, 2010
Hello from Mt Gambier!
Mitchell was baptized yesterday! It was a really good service. His two non-member cousins came to church. And Mitchell’s father came to the luncheon after church and attended the baptism. A Sister in the primary presidency gave a talk on baptism and rocked the house. She wasn’t an eloquent speaker but what she was saying was authentic and sincere. Then I and Elder Williams showed some “Mormon Messages” while Mitchell was getting dressed. Those are excellent two minute videos you can find on the internet either on YouTube or LDS.org. We just burned some videos onto a DVD. We had a councillor in the stake presidency here in MT Gambier so he was quite pleased as he stuck around to witness the baptism. Those two cousins that came to church yesterday will probably be baptized. I and Elder Williams will not have to do much but to just teach those two cousins of Mitchells. But neither of their parents are members so they will be convert baptisms.
We have taught Tayla and Dayshun, the New Zealander family’s kids from Naracoorte every lesson they need to know to be baptized. They will be interviewed for their baptism next Sunday when they come to church. Probably on the Fast-Sunday they will be baptized. Debbie really enjoyed church when they went last week. But because of the distance they live in they will come to church every two weeks.
There is only one more week this transfer. This past transfer has gone by twice as fast as the previous one. Last transfer seemed to take awhile. We will find out who stays or leaves this coming weekend.
We have no plans for P-day today. We were going to play golf with our Ward Mission Leader but he had to cancel. But we will come up with something. It is good to hear from you all. Love you all heaps.
-Elder Montgomery
Hello from Mt Gambier!
Mitchell was baptized yesterday! It was a really good service. His two non-member cousins came to church. And Mitchell’s father came to the luncheon after church and attended the baptism. A Sister in the primary presidency gave a talk on baptism and rocked the house. She wasn’t an eloquent speaker but what she was saying was authentic and sincere. Then I and Elder Williams showed some “Mormon Messages” while Mitchell was getting dressed. Those are excellent two minute videos you can find on the internet either on YouTube or LDS.org. We just burned some videos onto a DVD. We had a councillor in the stake presidency here in MT Gambier so he was quite pleased as he stuck around to witness the baptism. Those two cousins that came to church yesterday will probably be baptized. I and Elder Williams will not have to do much but to just teach those two cousins of Mitchells. But neither of their parents are members so they will be convert baptisms.
We have taught Tayla and Dayshun, the New Zealander family’s kids from Naracoorte every lesson they need to know to be baptized. They will be interviewed for their baptism next Sunday when they come to church. Probably on the Fast-Sunday they will be baptized. Debbie really enjoyed church when they went last week. But because of the distance they live in they will come to church every two weeks.
There is only one more week this transfer. This past transfer has gone by twice as fast as the previous one. Last transfer seemed to take awhile. We will find out who stays or leaves this coming weekend.
We have no plans for P-day today. We were going to play golf with our Ward Mission Leader but he had to cancel. But we will come up with something. It is good to hear from you all. Love you all heaps.
-Elder Montgomery
"I can't believe I am almost out one year..."
June 15, 2010
Hello from Mt Gambier!
We had our most successful day on Sunday at church the other day. We had 5 less actives at church as well as 4 investigators. We set a baptism date this last week with Mitchel for the 20th of June so that is very exciting. Also something exciting is that the family from Naracoorte attended church for the first time since they have been in contact with missionaries. The two kids Dayshun and Tayla want to be baptized, i reckon in two weeks at the end of this transfer, we have taught them everything except the Law of Tithing. We taught a lesson in the gosple principles class and i can quote Debbie, the less active mother from Naracoorte saying after class, “Thanks Elder that gave me a lot to think about, i need to come to church more often.” I am really glad they enjoyed church, they had to travel one hour to church, they only know us and one other family, and they were even away this long weekend in Geelong. It took a lot of courage and faith for them to come to church, a good sacrifice. Also the bishops 14 year old daughter brought her best friend Niki to church.
I can't beleive I am almost out one year, I think back what I was doing two years ago today and it feels like that wasn’t too long ago. At first sacrificing two years to do missionary work seemed daunting. But now that i am in full force engaged to it, it is going by too fast! This is nothing, but everything. It really is the climax of my life.
Have to go now. Love you all heaps
-Elder Montgomery
Hello from Mt Gambier!
We had our most successful day on Sunday at church the other day. We had 5 less actives at church as well as 4 investigators. We set a baptism date this last week with Mitchel for the 20th of June so that is very exciting. Also something exciting is that the family from Naracoorte attended church for the first time since they have been in contact with missionaries. The two kids Dayshun and Tayla want to be baptized, i reckon in two weeks at the end of this transfer, we have taught them everything except the Law of Tithing. We taught a lesson in the gosple principles class and i can quote Debbie, the less active mother from Naracoorte saying after class, “Thanks Elder that gave me a lot to think about, i need to come to church more often.” I am really glad they enjoyed church, they had to travel one hour to church, they only know us and one other family, and they were even away this long weekend in Geelong. It took a lot of courage and faith for them to come to church, a good sacrifice. Also the bishops 14 year old daughter brought her best friend Niki to church.
I can't beleive I am almost out one year, I think back what I was doing two years ago today and it feels like that wasn’t too long ago. At first sacrificing two years to do missionary work seemed daunting. But now that i am in full force engaged to it, it is going by too fast! This is nothing, but everything. It really is the climax of my life.
Have to go now. Love you all heaps
-Elder Montgomery
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
"It will not be long before Mitchel is in the water."
June 7, 2010
Hello from Mt Gambier!
It is good to hear from you all. Things are good hear. We had fast and testimony meeting this week, It was good we had a man who was less active go up and bear his testimony. He has never been to the temple and now he is feeling prompted to prepare to go there. That was probably the highlight of church.
We taught a New Zealander Family in the city of Naracoorte the Word of Wisdom. The two kids Tayla and Dayshun are not baptized but they both want to be. Because they live an hour away from church it is difficult to get them there. That is the only thing keeping them from progressing. Hopefully they will be able to make it to church this Sunday. A member has offered the family of four their home to stay the Saturday night before church. In due time they will be members of the church.
We have another appointment today with Mitchel, we have now taught him everything. All what needs to happen is for Mitchel’s father, who is not a member to talk to Mitchel’s great grandma, who is a member of the church, about a baptism date. It will not be long before Mitchel is in the water.
Love you all heaps
Elder Montgomery
Hello from Mt Gambier!
It is good to hear from you all. Things are good hear. We had fast and testimony meeting this week, It was good we had a man who was less active go up and bear his testimony. He has never been to the temple and now he is feeling prompted to prepare to go there. That was probably the highlight of church.
We taught a New Zealander Family in the city of Naracoorte the Word of Wisdom. The two kids Tayla and Dayshun are not baptized but they both want to be. Because they live an hour away from church it is difficult to get them there. That is the only thing keeping them from progressing. Hopefully they will be able to make it to church this Sunday. A member has offered the family of four their home to stay the Saturday night before church. In due time they will be members of the church.
We have another appointment today with Mitchel, we have now taught him everything. All what needs to happen is for Mitchel’s father, who is not a member to talk to Mitchel’s great grandma, who is a member of the church, about a baptism date. It will not be long before Mitchel is in the water.
Love you all heaps
Elder Montgomery
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