Raining on April

This week was cool. Especially Thursday and Friday. Rockingham Zone is doing well right now. We were getting ready for the Calder's baptism on Friday, organising clothing, programs, etc. We also found out that there is only One key in existence for the cupboard to the baptismal clothing. Why that is, I do not know. But we got that sorted out. I think we rode about 40 kms that day.

Thursday was ANZAC Day. We had permission from President Lindsay to attend a Dawn Service, at 6AM. There were about 1000 people gathered around the armed forces memorial, to remember those who served and gave their lives for the country. It was a nice service.

Friday was the baptism! It was good to be there, and we were so happy for the Calders. Orlando and Mohia were both excited for it. Rachel was still a bit nervous. The whole family came. There weren't too many of the ward there, because the younger two were nervous about doing it in front of a whole bunch of people. Elder Moore got to baptise them.

Brother and Sister Calder were so happy for them! They've been making a lot of big steps, in getting back into church. Their eldest son, Sonnee, has been talking with his dad, and mentioned that he might quit playing basketball and be baptised himself! He's considering going on a mission. That is so cool. They're really hopeful that their whole family will be a part of it.

I had the privilege of confirming the three of them on Sunday, in Sacrament Meeting.

That sacrament meeting was cool, too, because our ward mission leader, brought someone to church! His name is Tico. Brother Cotterell met him at the shops a week ago, and just invited him to come! Tico told us that he had been impressed with the service, especially the last talk (A missionary just returned home), he'd be there next week as well, and he'd like us to come by after that to meet with him! How cool is that? I was excited.

This week will be great as well, because the other elders in Rockingham ward will be having a baptism this weekend. The work is truly hastening! I love you all, and I hope you're all doing well.

Love,

Elder Reeder

Nearly There

Hi there! How's it goin'?

Plans have been made, lessons have been taught, and discussions have been had. Elder Moore and I are really happy for this coming weekend! Orlando, and most likely Mohia Calder will be having their baptism this Friday! We went by yesterday, to sort out some details, make sure they were still for it. Orlando's ready. Mohia still wants to see what it's all about first. There's a stake baptism happening the day before, that they're planning on viewing.

So it's going to be a very busy week for us, getting everything ready. But worth it! Sister Calder is awesome, she's been getting right back into church, going visiting teaching, helping out with different events. The whole family is being positively affected, I think.

Friday was really great as well. We travelled up to the Warwick Chapel for a mission-wide conference. The country areas (Karratha, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, etc.) weren't able to attend, but they were on a conference call so they could still hear. We got to meet with Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Michael F. Watson, (Area Presidency) Bishop Gerald Causse, and Elder Peter Mears (Area Seventy). They shared their testimonies with us, and it was a wonderful meeting. Elder Rasband, at the end, opened it up to questions from the missionaries, too! We got some good council from him and his wife.

It's been a good week for finding. Elder Moore and I tracted into a few people who said that we could come back and share our message with them. We gave a book of mormon to one of them. Also, there is a lady from Africa who showed up at church a few months back. We found out that she's not actually a member, but she's really been enjoying coming to church each week. We went by and asked if we could teach her a bit about the church, and she said yes. Cool!

We're hoping for a good week this week, and I think we'll get it. I can't believe it's already week 5 of the transfer! It's flying by.

The season is finally changing, as well! I actually wore a jacket yesterday, partly because it started raining. A lot.

I love you all!

Elder Reeder

Conference week review

Hi Fambly!

This weekend was awesome.

Friday, we had our Zone Conference. We all got some really cool training from President Lindsay, helping us to be more effective at talking With people, rather than To them. :) Also, we'll be working with members more on inviting their friends- not to meet with the missionaries, right at first, but to ask questions, or just talk with them.

I thought it was a great idea, and then we got a second confirmation of it, during General Conference!

I thought conference was Amazing. However, the chapel here needs some repair work done on it's sound system. We spent the first half-hour of the broadcast trying to get the sound working. So none of the missionaries know what Elder Packer and President Monson said that morning. We're downloading it so we can watch it.

I think some of my favorite talks were by President Uchtdorf, during Priesthood Session, President Monson on Sunday Morning, and Elder Holland on Sunday Afternoon. I took lots of notes :) The Carters really enjoyed it as well. There were so many good messages! I think a lot of them were focusing on serving one another, and on Families.

So we're still working with Orlando and Mohia, preparing them for their baptism! Wednesday we went over and taught them about the Restoration. We were hoping to focus on the Book of Mormon, and commit them to begin reading it and praying together. It went over pretty well- The kids committed their family to read every morning and night, together. We talked to their mum on Sunday, and they've been doing it, too! They are awesome. And very excited. This weekend we're going to take them to another baptism thats happening so that they know what will happen at theirs.

It's definitely starting to cool down here. It's been sprinkling rain the past couple of days. :)

Yep, so it's been pretty good this week. This weekend we will be going up to Warwick, in Perth, to have a Mission Conference with Elder Ronald A. Rasband, of the Seventy. Cool.

I love you all!

Elder Reeder

Conference Week

Hello, everybody! Bit of a short week here :)

Elder Moore and I have been having some good opportunities in teaching in the last few days. Wednesday night, we went over to the Calder family's home, to continue teaching their children. We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a good lesson, and the kids really paid good attention. We committed two of them to baptism! Orlando, who is 11, is very eager to be baptised. Mohia, who is 10, was a little bit shy, but he said yes. there is another baptism happening in the stake this weekend, and they're going to go see it. Bro. and Sis. Calder are sure that once they see one, they'll understand it more. We're excited! Their date is set for the 27th of April. Bro. Calder wants to do the baptisms, which would be a great example for the whole family.

Sunday night, we had a missionary fireside! Rockingham Stake gathered together for an Easter fireside, and there were a lot of non-members that came as well! It was an amazing night. Mandurah ward (South of Rockingham) was in charge. They have an AMAZING ward choir.

I'm excited for this week for two reasons, First of all- Zone Conference is coming up! It's always great to receive training from the Mission President. I always feel inspired after them.

Also, General Conference! The Carter family, who were baptised just a few months ago, are very excited to see the prophet for the first time. We've been helping them prepare for it.

Also, this sunday, we received news that we have a new ward mission leader! This is great news. His name is Brother Cotterell. We've only met him twice, and he's only been in Rockingham about two weeks, but I already like him. The first time he met us, he told us he was working on some referrals for us. The second time, he asked us if we could get him a Box of Books of Mormon!

By the way; How's everyone's member-missionary work going? :) That is truly The Best way to find and teach. Sharing the gospel with friends and aquaintences. I can testify of the blessings that it brings, to both you and your friend.

I love you all!

Elder Reeder

Rocking(ham) around the Easter Tree (In the West)

See what I did there ;)

So, Hi, everybody! Today is Wednesday! Since it was Easter weekend, our P-Day got moved from Monday to today.

So, it's the start of a new transfer! And guess where I am?

Back in the same district I left before Karratha! I'm serving in Rockingham West, right up against the coast. It's really nice. I got off the plane Tuesday and the weather was AWESOME. Somewhere in the vicinity of 26C :) I felt sorry for Elder Richmond, still up in Karratha. He was going to wait at the airport for his new companion, Elder Shin. But Elder Shin missed his first flight, and had to get one 2 hours later.

So my new companion's name is Elder Moore! Elder Moore is from New Zealand. He's pretty cool, and we get along really well. The district is great, too! The other missionaries are Elder Hall and Elder Quaresima, in Kwinana, and Elder Bennion and Elder Iumalo in Rockingham East.

We've been having some good opportunities to teach this week, too. Last night, we stopped by a potential he and his previous companion had found. Her name is Aleda. We had a good chat with her, and found out a little about her and her family. She told us that she's really going through a hard time right now, feeling a bit like she's stuck between a rock and a hard place. We were able to teach her about God, and how He has a plan for all of us, and that he really does care about us. She was interested, and said that we could come back in a couple of days, to tell her more.

We're also in the midst of teaching a family! The parents are members, but their younger kids are not. They've been less-active for some time, but they're starting to come back again. Cooler still, the oldest son told his dad that he wants to serve a mission! We're excited. We had a lesson with them last week, and tonight we're going to meet with them again, and commit them to baptism.

Easter Sunday was nice. We had some really good talks in Sacrament meeting. This coming sunday, we'll be having an Easter musical fireside.

We're all eager for the rest of the month, as well! Next Friday is a Zone Conference, with President Lindsay. Then Saturday and Sunday, we'll get to watch General Conference. Then the following Friday, there is a special Mission Conference planned. Elder Rasband will be visiting us and giving training.

Well, I'm excited for this week! I think we'll be getting some good things happening shortly.

Love you all :)

Elder Reeder