August 8, 2010
Hello from Mt Gambier!
Me and Elder Jensen are staying in Mt Gambier. By the end of this coming Transfer i will have done 6 months in Mt Gambier, the same amount of time i was in Murray Bridge.
Things are going well. The children we are teaching are progressing at the same amount of time. We have started to teach them. They are all at the same level. We are teaching them all the same lessons. We started off by building their foundation on Jesus Christ. We watched the movie, “Finding Faith in Christ”. They each have their own circumstances and challenges we will have to work with. One group of kid’s mother doesn't want her kids baptized unless they can feel and recognize the spirit. We are dealing with Shannon and Tyson who are 8 year old male twins who are usually off the walls. Nevertheless this can be achieved. Taila and Daishun’s challenge is the distance, its hard for us to get there and for them to come to church. Jordan we only teach when we are at her Grandma’a house. Her mom lives at her boyfriends 90% of the time and she will not tell us where that house is. Another kid we are teaching named Zion lives part time with his mother, the mother is too young for us to visit alone so we go to his Grandma’s house, the grandma is an excommunicated Aboriginal Elder but believes the church is true, she just felt guilty because she is unable to keep the Word of Wisdom and asked for her name removed, the father of Zion has joint custody. So those are the main dilemmas that we are working with. Some are easier than others. I ask you all for your prayers that God will provide a way for these kids to progress and come unto Christ.
Got to go. Love you all heaps
-Elder Montgomery
Sunday, August 8, 2010
"We have alot of children that we are working with, this transfer can be described as 'waiting for the dust to settle'."
August 1, 2010
Hello from Mt Gambier!
We finally got in contact with Debbie and her family! They just decided to do a random two week holiday to New Zealand. I was so relieved when she picked up the phone. I was just calling the house everyday. I was beginning to not even expect an answer. My companion was holding the mobile phone on loud speaker while i was driving and then she picked up. I quickly pulled over and took the phone, Debbie doesn't even know Elder Jensen so i grabbed it. We have an appointment with her this Thursday, we are going to get them on track.
We have alot of children that we are working with, this transfer can be described as “waiting for the dust to settle”. We have just been setting up things. We have return appointments this week for all of the 7 children we are working with. They are all at the same level and we are going to start teaching them with the same thing. We haven't begun to start teaching them but we will this week. We are going to just start off with a movie. Probably “finding faith in Christ”, or “The Testaments”. Probably will depend on how much time we have to spend with them. Children learn best by visuals and movies are incredible with keeping their attention. The parents, the bishopric, and us the missionaries want to make sure that these kids are truly converted, as much as children can be converted. We are not just going to baptize them just because they want to be baptized. Our job is to make sure they feel and recognize the spirit. So they can establish their faith and hold onto the iron rod. The older generations may be apostate, but there is still hope for the rising one.
Elder Jensen is a funny guy, he is from Queensland. He wants to go into the film industry. He wants to make movies. It is great because i feel like i can give some meaningful criticism and feedback on certain movies and philosophies. So now that i know him i can email him in the future and say, “what the heck are you doing!?”.
I was in contact with my two male adult recent converts from Murray Bridge recently. Bart and Kevin, they are still active and they will receive the Melchizedek Priesthood in November.
I have to go now. I reckon we will look at the “Cave Gardens” here in town. It is a collapsed cave or a sinkhole and they just made it into a garden. And maybe climb Mt Gambier to this lookout tower thing. I am lucky to be in an area where there are things to look at. Otherwise there wouldn't be much to do on P-days since they are no missionaries nearby. Got to go. Love you all heaps.
-Elder Montgomery
Hello from Mt Gambier!
We finally got in contact with Debbie and her family! They just decided to do a random two week holiday to New Zealand. I was so relieved when she picked up the phone. I was just calling the house everyday. I was beginning to not even expect an answer. My companion was holding the mobile phone on loud speaker while i was driving and then she picked up. I quickly pulled over and took the phone, Debbie doesn't even know Elder Jensen so i grabbed it. We have an appointment with her this Thursday, we are going to get them on track.
We have alot of children that we are working with, this transfer can be described as “waiting for the dust to settle”. We have just been setting up things. We have return appointments this week for all of the 7 children we are working with. They are all at the same level and we are going to start teaching them with the same thing. We haven't begun to start teaching them but we will this week. We are going to just start off with a movie. Probably “finding faith in Christ”, or “The Testaments”. Probably will depend on how much time we have to spend with them. Children learn best by visuals and movies are incredible with keeping their attention. The parents, the bishopric, and us the missionaries want to make sure that these kids are truly converted, as much as children can be converted. We are not just going to baptize them just because they want to be baptized. Our job is to make sure they feel and recognize the spirit. So they can establish their faith and hold onto the iron rod. The older generations may be apostate, but there is still hope for the rising one.
Elder Jensen is a funny guy, he is from Queensland. He wants to go into the film industry. He wants to make movies. It is great because i feel like i can give some meaningful criticism and feedback on certain movies and philosophies. So now that i know him i can email him in the future and say, “what the heck are you doing!?”.
I was in contact with my two male adult recent converts from Murray Bridge recently. Bart and Kevin, they are still active and they will receive the Melchizedek Priesthood in November.
I have to go now. I reckon we will look at the “Cave Gardens” here in town. It is a collapsed cave or a sinkhole and they just made it into a garden. And maybe climb Mt Gambier to this lookout tower thing. I am lucky to be in an area where there are things to look at. Otherwise there wouldn't be much to do on P-days since they are no missionaries nearby. Got to go. Love you all heaps.
-Elder Montgomery
Sunday, July 25, 2010
"We are going to continue to work and try and progress this area of the Lord's vineyard."
July 25, 2010
Hello from Mt Gambier
Things are good, we had a couple of unfamilar faces at church so that was exciting. We got two less actives at church who had not been to church ever since i have been in this town. Emma Bamford brought along her cousin Kristy to church, she has been twice since i have been here. One of the new less actives was great with her, she told a core experience of hers about prayer, she was a less active member even 20 years ago. She prayed to know which church she should get her children baptized in. The very next day the missionaries knocked on her door for the first time in years. She was living out in the country and missionaries never went by there. Until her answer to her prayer. Also she said she remembers her baptism and felt an actual "reborn" experience. She was baptized into a different church some years later and didnt feel a thing. It was good for this less active sister to share those experiences in class to Kristy who is investigating the church.
I am not sure what has happened to Debbie and her family. They have dissapeared off the face of the earth. I havent been able to get in contact with them for some time. Me and Elder Jensen did a quick run to Naracoorte to catch them but the house was dark and nobody home. They could be dead or something. Or on a extended holiday. I am worried about them. Keep them in your prayers.
We are going to continue to work and try and progress this area of the Lord's vineyard.
Sorry this is a short email but i got to go. Love you heaps
-Elder Montgomery
Hello from Mt Gambier
Things are good, we had a couple of unfamilar faces at church so that was exciting. We got two less actives at church who had not been to church ever since i have been in this town. Emma Bamford brought along her cousin Kristy to church, she has been twice since i have been here. One of the new less actives was great with her, she told a core experience of hers about prayer, she was a less active member even 20 years ago. She prayed to know which church she should get her children baptized in. The very next day the missionaries knocked on her door for the first time in years. She was living out in the country and missionaries never went by there. Until her answer to her prayer. Also she said she remembers her baptism and felt an actual "reborn" experience. She was baptized into a different church some years later and didnt feel a thing. It was good for this less active sister to share those experiences in class to Kristy who is investigating the church.
I am not sure what has happened to Debbie and her family. They have dissapeared off the face of the earth. I havent been able to get in contact with them for some time. Me and Elder Jensen did a quick run to Naracoorte to catch them but the house was dark and nobody home. They could be dead or something. Or on a extended holiday. I am worried about them. Keep them in your prayers.
We are going to continue to work and try and progress this area of the Lord's vineyard.
Sorry this is a short email but i got to go. Love you heaps
-Elder Montgomery
"One of my companions Elder Lowry, from the Cook Islands is going home in two days."
July 18, 2010
Hello from Mt Gambier!
We had four investigators at church yesterday. 3 of Mitchel’s cousins came to church. They all enjoyed it. During the week we went and visited thier Mother, Emma. She had suffered a brain Aneurism and just about almost died. She was touched about how many people fasted and prayed for her. She even is aware that her name was put forward to the temple so the saints can pray for her. She hasn’t smoked in 5 weeks. She has not been to church in 15 years. She would of came yesterday but she still needs to rest. But it is good that her three children were able to come to church. When we visited them during the week we committed the children to the missionary discussions.
The other nonmember that came to church was invited by a member. We do not know the level of her interest but we will look into it. We are going to try and start teaching a ten year old boy named Zion. Mt Gambier is too small of a town. Everyone is related to each other. Zion’s mother is a less active sister. The Father of Zion, i found out this week, and his seperate family are all forever investigators. Teaching Zion might be the key to finnally progressing his family. His Father has 6 kids. The main obstable is Zion plays Aussie Rules Football every Sunday. So after much planning and contemplating me and my companions decided to break his ankle so he could obey the Sabbath day and come to church. J/k, but it certainly would help. I do not know what we will do, perhaps just wait till the Season ends.
One of my companions Elder Lowry, from the Cook Islands is going home in two days. So it will be just me and Elder Jensen. Back to the normal two missionaries for a companionship. Right now i am high on “Mormon Messages”, we have a DVD of a couple choice videos. There are some very powerful ones that we are showing to members. The Naracoorte Family did not go to church yesterday. We havent been able to get ahold of them. I think they are on vacation during these school Holidays. We are going to call them today. We will most likely push the baptism date back from August 1st.
Today for P-day we are going to do a bit of shopping and make sure Elder Lowry is ready to go. He will be transfered to the Cook Islands without a companion. He will be looking for a eternal companion. It is good to hear from you all.
Got to go. Love you all heaps
-Elder Montgomery
Hello from Mt Gambier!
We had four investigators at church yesterday. 3 of Mitchel’s cousins came to church. They all enjoyed it. During the week we went and visited thier Mother, Emma. She had suffered a brain Aneurism and just about almost died. She was touched about how many people fasted and prayed for her. She even is aware that her name was put forward to the temple so the saints can pray for her. She hasn’t smoked in 5 weeks. She has not been to church in 15 years. She would of came yesterday but she still needs to rest. But it is good that her three children were able to come to church. When we visited them during the week we committed the children to the missionary discussions.
The other nonmember that came to church was invited by a member. We do not know the level of her interest but we will look into it. We are going to try and start teaching a ten year old boy named Zion. Mt Gambier is too small of a town. Everyone is related to each other. Zion’s mother is a less active sister. The Father of Zion, i found out this week, and his seperate family are all forever investigators. Teaching Zion might be the key to finnally progressing his family. His Father has 6 kids. The main obstable is Zion plays Aussie Rules Football every Sunday. So after much planning and contemplating me and my companions decided to break his ankle so he could obey the Sabbath day and come to church. J/k, but it certainly would help. I do not know what we will do, perhaps just wait till the Season ends.
One of my companions Elder Lowry, from the Cook Islands is going home in two days. So it will be just me and Elder Jensen. Back to the normal two missionaries for a companionship. Right now i am high on “Mormon Messages”, we have a DVD of a couple choice videos. There are some very powerful ones that we are showing to members. The Naracoorte Family did not go to church yesterday. We havent been able to get ahold of them. I think they are on vacation during these school Holidays. We are going to call them today. We will most likely push the baptism date back from August 1st.
Today for P-day we are going to do a bit of shopping and make sure Elder Lowry is ready to go. He will be transfered to the Cook Islands without a companion. He will be looking for a eternal companion. It is good to hear from you all.
Got to go. Love you all heaps
-Elder Montgomery
"I saw the largest Red kangarroo jump in front of the road as I was driving."
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
