Weekly Update July 1, 2013

G'day everybody!

 

I'm really not too sure what to mention this week. Elder Sualevai and I have been hard at work trying to follow-up with referrals and potential investigators that we've met while tracting and street contacting. This week was feeling rather fruitless up until the latter part of the week. Friday was especially good. We taught the first discussion to a boy named Chris that is the son of a potential investigator that we've tried to set appointments up with on a number of occasions. This was the last time we were going to come and see them. The son was outside when we rocked up, and when talking with him he was asking a lot of questions about why there were so many Christian churches. He converted from Hindu to Christianity a few years ago, but says a lot of his questions still remain unanswered. We meet with him again on Saturday.

 

The world-wide missionary broadcast was awesome, wasn't it? I can really feel the excitement for missionary work right now! I am excited to be in the field at such a time to experience these changes first-hand. There is so much potential for missionary work to skyrocket through the efforts of members! I cannot wait to see what happens over the next year.

 

Sorry to make this so brief. I love you all! Happy Independence day!

 

Elder Rosier

Weekly Update June 24, 2013

Just a few quick notes before Ross' letter. Last week Ross attached a picture to his letter, but didn't identify it.  Ross said, "The photo was from the big artificial lake in the North Lakes suburb in my area.  Elder Sualevai and I go there to try to meet people walking around the lake.  The lake, the North Lakes bus stop, and the boardwalk up by the bay are the places we go to look for people to talk to."

Also, Ross did not see today's special broadcast, that is why there is no reference to it.

Kathy

G'day!

This was a pretty busy week for Elder Saulevai and myself. We've made it a point to visit members' homes and less-active members everyday for the last couple of weeks, and it has been paying off for us big-time! We received 7 referrals from members in just this week alone. Looking forward to seeing how that works out for us. We've also been focusing on praying for specific goals to be achieved when we are out proselyting, and have been fortunate to see how those prayers have been answered.

This week we met this Baptist fella (I think his name is Ari) who invited us into his home. He said he's always wondered how our beliefs would differ from the beliefs of a Baptist or a Catholic. One of the things we talked about with him was how we believe in the Godhead as opposed to the Trinity. We gave him a quick explaination of what the Godhead is, Heavenly Father (God), Jesus Christ his Son, and the Holy Spirit being 3 separate beings. He sat back for a moment and then said "I don't disagree with you. The bible is pretty specific about Jesus being God's son doing God's will. That makes a lot of sense." We then talked with him about the Book of Mormon. He thought it was interesting, and we offered him one. He said "I won't read it. You can leave it but I won't read it. I'll read one of your pamphlets though. I'll read one of them." We then said a prayer, which he offered to give. In it he mentioned that he was going through some struggles, so when the prayer was over, I asked if I could have him read a scripture from the Book of Mormon. Ether 12:27. When he finished reading it, you could tell his attitude toward the Book of Mormon had changed. He told us he might read it. I really hope he does. I really felt that he would recognize its truth if he does. Sualevai and I are looking forward to following up with him on Friday.

Sorry to keep this short, but I've run out of time on the computer today! Love you all!

Elder Rosier

Weekly Update June 19, 2013

Hello again, Friends and Family!

I apologize for how late this is. Today (Wednesday) was our zone's day to go to the temple, so P-day was moved to today. I cannot begin to describe how happy I was to be able to attend the temple. After 4 transfers of not being able to attend, I was very excited to go. It was nice to be able to partake of the peace and tranquility of the temple. The cherry on top was just as I was leaving, I went into the sitting room where I had checked my camera, and I ran into Sister Glass from Springwood ward (my first area). Her husband, President Glass, is a member of the temple presidency, and she is an assistant matron. I was very excited to see her, and we had a good chat. She then told me I needed to go to the president's office and she Pres. Glass. I had a great time catching up with him! I really missed the Glasses when I was up in Mount Isa. They were a big help to me and Elder Stevenson when I was in Springwood. President Glass was able to give me an update on a couple investigators that I had in Springwood who still have yet to get baptized, and let me know how the ward is doing.

This week was a good one for Elder Sualevai and myself. On Friday night, our investigator Naomi was baptized along with her 8 -year-old son Siliva. Naomi is 8 1/2 months pregnant, and it took her husband 3 attempts to baptize her (her belly was sticking out of the water)! It was a great experience for everyone who attended. We were then able to participate in their confirmations on Sunday. I believe that was the first time I have participated in a confirmation, but I'm not 100%.

Along with the baptism, Elder Sualevai and I were able to go and find a number of potential investigators we've spent this week trying to follow-up with. I'll report more on that in the future as things develop.

I would like to thank my father and my grandfather for the wonderful examples that they have set for me as I have grown up! Happy Father's Day! I love you both very much!

Until next week,

Elder Rosier

Weekly Update June 11, 2013

G'day!

I'm shocked at how quickly this week has gone by! Elder Sualevai and I are getting along quite well, and we're working hard. We led the zone as far as number of hours finding and number of potential investigators is concerned. We're excited to follow-up with all those whom we found this week.

On Friday evening we will be having a baptism. The woman's name is Naomi. She was taught by Elders Sualevai and Malifa. Her husband is a member of the church, and she will be baptized along with her 8-year old son. Our district leader interviewed her this week, and commented that she has a very strong testimony. Very excited for Friday since this will be the fist baptism that has taken place in the area I am serving in. Elder Sualevai and I are hoping for one more baptism this month, so we're working hard and praying harder that we may accomplish this goal.

Deception Bay is lovely. Too populated, but lovely. We live about a kilometer from the bay itself. Deception Bay's name comes from the extreme tide in the bay. During the day, the tide goes out about 200-300 meters from the coast, but in the evening it comes in all the way up to the coast, and is quite deep.

Sunday was strange. It felt weird to be in a ward with hundreds of members attending, instead of a tiny branch where maybe 70 people showed up, and you knew all of them. I really miss the Isa, but I am glad to be here in D-Bay. D-Bay is part of Redcliffe ward, and there are 4 elders serving in the ward. The ward is on fire as far as missionary work is concerned. I am excited to see success here.

Elder Sualevai and I have been having some really awesome experiences together. We pray sincerely for our daily goals to be accomplished, and then have seen it happen day after day. I'm glad to be with a companion who I get along with and who is a hard worker. He's also trying to teach me to speak Samoan. We'll see how that goes!

Yesterday was a public holiday (not sure what for. Queen's birthday, I believe), so Pday was moved to today. Yesterday was also the Samoan flag day, so there was a big celebration in one of the parks in our area. What a blast! Elder Sualevai and I took advantage to talk to people at the park, and also partake of some wonderful food (we were being given food left and right! Gotta love being a missionary!). We were given so much food that we came home with 5 containers full of it! We will be feeding the zone at our pday activity....

That's it for this week. Love you all!

Elder Rosier

Weekly Update June 4, 2013

Hello again!

This has been a very sad weekend for me. On Saturday night I received a phone call from the APs that I was to be transferred back down to Brisbane on Monday night. I have been very sad to leave the tiny Mount Isa branch. I don't think I've ever loved a ward/branch of the church like I have the members of Mount Isa. I am grateful that I received 2 days notice that I was to be transferred. It allowed me to pack and see all the people who I wanted to see before I went back to the city. 

Sunday night, the families we hold FHE with--the Mayors/Matekeitis and Tuwairuas--gave me a really good send-off. I was able to get photos with many of the branch members. On Monday evening, the Mayors, Sister Tuwairua, and some of our investigators all came to the airport to see me off. It took all I had in me to not breakdown in tears when I left them. I am really going to miss Mount Isa. Hopefully I'll be able to return one day.

Monday night, around 930, the plane landed in Brisbane. I was picked up by the APs, Elders Hapoate and Elder Caby. It was an interesting night staying with them. Elder Hapoate is a professional (and rather famous) rugby league player from New South Wales, and Elder Caby is a Frenchman who is good at being French. I admit I don't know much about Elder Caby. I knew Elder Hapoate when he was the ZL in Logan Zone. 

Despite being sad that I have left Mount Isa, I am excited to start here in Deception Bay. The ward, Redcliffe Ward, I am told is the best ward in the mission for missionary work. My companion told me we do trade-offs 3 nights a week. President Langeland told me that the ward has 90% home teaching, which is amazing. Unfortunately, Australian wards aren't known for having the highest home teaching. There are 4 of us in Redcliffe ward; 2 missionaries in the Redcliffe area, and 2 in Deception Bay.

Well, that's all for this week. I hope all is well with you back home. Thank you for all you support.

Love,

Elder Rosier

In his email to his mom, Ross said:

"I am back in Brisbane now. I am in an area north of the city called Deception Bay. My companion's name is Elder Sualevai. He is from American Samoa. However, he lived in Utah for a number of years, so he's my first comp that actually knows where Kaysville is! 

Last night at the airport the Mayors and Sister Tuwairua showed up to see me off. It really made my day that they did that, but it also made it harder to leave. It took all my strength to not start bawling in front of them. I spent the night with the APs at their flat, and went to the transfer meeting this morning. I was happy to see the missionaries I am close to again! And President and Sister Langeland. I am grateful that I will be here to see them off."

Ross also expressed: "I am very much at peace with what has happened. I know I'm where I'm supposed to be."

Weekly Update 26 May 2013

G'day everybody

Another week has flown by here in the Isa. On Saturday I hit my 10-months mark. I didn't even realize it until somebody I met asked me how long I have been on my mission. Crazy how fast time goes when you aren't paying attention to it. 

This week was full of ups and downs. I had a couple of bad days this week, but I won't bore you with the details. I feel very blessed that there are members here in the branch that we missionaries can turn to when we need some support. I would just like to express my thanks and gratitude to those branch members who were there for me. What a blessing.

Despite how slowly our efforts seem to be producing results, I am very optimistic about what will be occurring here in Mount Isa over the next couple of months. Our teaching pool is starting to slowly expand, but those who we are teaching the gospel to I feel are quite genuine about it. These are people whom the Lord has prepared to accept the gospel. The one thing that they all have in common is that they were all found by the efforts of the branch members, which just goes to show that we all know someone who will be receptive of the gospel, we just need to have the courage to say something. One of these is a girl named Hannah. She is the fiance of a less-active branch member. She has already made up her mind that she will be baptized when she and her fiance, Marley, get married. In her case, her fellowship from Marley and his family has been the biggest influence on her. We just recently began meeting with her, but over the last 4-5 weeks has come to church each week, and participated in activities.

This week we plan to challenge the 9 year-old boy we're teaching to be baptized. Fingers crossed!

I hope everybody has a good week. Thank you for your support!

Love,

Elder Rosier

Weekly Update 20 May 2013

G'day everybody! 

What a week! What a looooooong week! Elder T and I have been busy as this week! All very positive experiences, however.

During our Tuesday night trade-offs, Elder T and a brother in our branch went to go meet with a less-active member. He was not home, but his fiance was. They had a good conversation with her where they discovered that she has been wanting him to bring her to his church for a while. We're unsure why he is inactive. Apparently he was pretty active in the branch for quite a while. She asked if Elder T and I could come around and teach her about the church. We're following that up this week. He came home during the meeting, and he is apparently supportive of us teaching his fiance.

While Elder T was off on his adventure, I went with Brother J (don't know if I've mentioned him by name before or not. He's the 1st counselor in the branch presidency/young men's leader) to knock the doors of a couple different people. The first place we went, the man we came to see was not home. Our second visit was to a former investigator I was told we ought to go visit. He was home, and invited us in. He's an old bloke from Melbourne, England. He's lived in Mount Isa for quite a long time. He has a daughter who live is Cardston, Canada who is a strong member of the church. He was taught by the missionaries quite a bit over the last number of years. He was supposed to go to Canada last August to be baptized by his grandson who recently returned home from the Sydney mission. We are the first missionaries to meet with him since that was supposed to happen. He was unable to make the trip, most likely due to his health. He is a story teller, and reminds me a lot of Grandpa, particularly in the way he tells stories. Elder T and I mowed his lawn for him on Thursday. We hope to start meeting with him regularly.

To top off our week, Brother J took us out to Cloncurry so we could have to opportunity to look up the less-active members on the list that live out there. None of them live there any more. I am glad that Brother J was going to Cloncurry for a land auction because I would feel bad about wasting his time for the 240Km round-trip. We did have the opportunity to meet with the tenants of the house he owns out there. It was a really good visit. It's unfortunate we cannot meet with that family regularly, because I reckon they would be very receptive to the gospel.

Lately we have been receiving heaps of referrals from branch members, more than I've ever had in the entire 10 months I've been on the mission. I cannot begin to express my gratitude toward the Mount Isa branch for it's assistance in missionary work here. It is very difficult to be a missionary in Mount Isa, mostly because of the mines. We can only proselyte around the shiftworkers' schedules, which is very challenging. I am grateful that the branch is so willing to give us the hand that we need.

This morning Brother H (2nd counselor in the presidency. Former branch president) took us out on another 4wd adventure. This time around he took us out to Lake Julius, which is the largest body of fresh water in Queensland (or maybe just north west Queensland). It is a large man-made lake that is as large as the Sydney harbour. After checking out the lake, he took us to a little town called Kajabbi. The population in Kajabbi is roughly 15-20. It was a nice little bush town, but I'd never want to live there! Too remote! I'm really becoming a big fan of Land Rovers.

Anyway, that sums up the week quite nicely I believe. I hope everybody has a great week. Thank you once again for your love and support!

Elder Rosier