ANZAC

ANZAC. No, it's not medication. It's a biscuit (really). But most importantly of all, it's Australia's very important veterans day.

President Smibert explained it, and I got some other info about it from a member; "Anzac Day is this coming Wednesday. Anzac stands for "Australia and New Zealand Army Corp". It is a national holiday to show respect and reverence to those who fought, and to the many who died to defend our freedom." There will be lots of memorial services Wednesday, and we've been encouraged to attend one :) Cool.

So! The week! It rained. And rained. And then, for a change, it got sunny. And then rained anyway. But hey! It isn't so hot you feel like your eyeballs aren't melting! I thought it was awesome. Except on Wednesday. Wednesday we had a "Blitz" in another area in the district. A blitz is where all the companionships in a district go to one area to get the work moving, because the elders need help, etc. So we spent the day tracting, working through a list of former investigators, less-active members, etc. I was with Elder Butts, whose area it is. We were both silly and left our rainjackets at his flat, because it didn't really look like it'd rain. BUT IT POURED. Like seriously, miniature flash floods in the gutter. It was nuts. But we had fun. Elder Kerr got 15 goatheads (those little thorny things) in his tire. He used up all his patches and ended up buying a new tire anyway. Oops.

During that fun-ness, Elder Butts and I had probably one of the most unnerving/disturbing street contacting experiences ever. We met a 16-year old girl, and started talking with her. She did not believe in God, or a higher power, or anything. She was horrified at the thought of life after death, and she believes that pretty much anyone who is religious actually has a mental illness/is hallucinating, and she "can accurately pinpoint what it is." We ended up leaving her with a passalong card with the mission number on it. I felt really sorry for her.

We met with Dale again, to continue to teach him. I guess it was just beginning to sink in that he'd have to leave the Salvation Army church when he was baptized. He has a very deep emotional attachment with it. He told us that he'd pray about it, and talk with his minister. Cool.

Friday/Saturday, we did exchanges. (Two companionships exchange companions for a day, work in each other's area). It was good. When I got back, Elder Kerr had some bad news. Dale is no longer investigating the church. When they knocked on his door to see how he was doing, he was incredibly short with them, rude, gave back the Book of Mormon, and basically told them to go away. We were shocked. And disappointed...

On a lighter note, Daniel, the less-active we've been seeing, came to church for the first time in a long time! It was great to see him there. He's come so far from where we first met. He REALLY wants to be able to go to the temple, and get married. I like him. Also, last night he had us over for dinner, and we had Spaghetti Bolognese. (Spaghetti. With another word on the end.) IT WAS AWESOME. The first spaghetti I've had since... since... Forever! :D Anyway.

Sister Murray was back Sunday as well! Elder Miller and I got our packages from our families. You guys are seriously awesome, I love you! Everyone loves the cookies, and Elder Taumalolo is keeping a watchful eye for when I open the fudge (Thanks Grandma Roberts!). Also, thanks for the recipes! Now we have something complicated to cook :D By the way, mom, Sister Morrison was right, things are nearly 2x as expensive here. Food-wise, at least.

Oh! Mothers Day! It's close! I don't have 100% details yet, but here's what I have so far: Monday here (sunday for you) at some point, we will be able to go to a member's house and either make a Phone call, or a Skype call (depending on what's available). And, uh, yeah! So that's all I know right now. I'll try and figure out more before the day :)

All right! Have a good week!

Elder Reeder

Missionaries Ho!

Hello, all you americans! :D Another week passed.

So we actually did go to the koala park! IT WAS SO AWESOME. Also, besides koalas, were Emus, Dingos (YES KRIS, DINGOS.), and Kangaroos! No Way! And not just like a zoo, they were walking around the park! We got to pet and feed said kangaroos, and I paid to Hold a Koala. Yes, I Held it. and it ate leaves from my hand. Sweet. I took lots of pictures. Boo yah.

Wednesday we had some specialized training with the assistants and the mission president! All of my MTC district were there with their trainers as well. It was great to see them again. Elder Anderson's bike got stolen already. And we learned the importance of helmets. Elder Iomalu is learning how to ride a bike here. He has crashed twice, and broken his helmet. He's very lucky. The training itself was great, and we got some great tips from all the other companionships/President Smibert.

I had a really cool experience on Thursday. We had a lesson with one of our investigators, Dale. Dale has been with the Salvation Army church (Salvos) for many years. They really helped him put his life back together, and really taught him and prepared him for the gospel. The lesson was very spiritual, and we bore our testimonies to him. We talked about following the example of Jesus, and he agreed that it was something he really wanted to do. So then, I committed him to baptism :D Hooray hooray! He made our night! Dale is going to be baptized on May 12th.

Also, other things that happened over the week:
One night, we were biking towards another appointment, and apparently some guy set his dog on us. It was a bit unnerving. And then I almost ran said dog over on my bike. The dog went home.

Another investigator, Leone, always offers us a drink when we go to her house. Lemonade soda stuff with a few drops of something called "bitters." It tastes amazing. Elder Kerr and his previous companion have been having it for quite a while. I had no idea what bitters was, so this week I asked him what was in it. Stuff, stuff, 44.7% Alcohol.

WHUT.

We don't put the bitters in anymore. Leone was shocked when she read the bottle. Oops.

General conference was Great! We watched at the stake center with our stake. I Loved elder Holland and elder Uchtdorf, especially.
Here's how conference works here:

Saturday, some people come and watch the sessions. A lot of the priesthood comes and watches priesthood session.

Then we set up 400 chairs in the hall. Sunday morning, nearly everyone comes and watches the session. Then we put away all the chairs and some people stay to watch the afternoon session.

But seriously, conference rocked. I found a lot of things that might help some of our investigators/less active members.

So, all in all, a good week. ;)

Until next time,

Elder Reeder