Astonished beyond Measure

Astonished beyond measure (Helaman 3:25)



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Robert Angelo Prina
Apr 6 2010

Oy! How ya goin mates? Aloha Matt.
Today is Wednesday the 7th of April. I believe that when you get this it will still be April 6th, the Lords Birthday, back there in the states. Monday was a public holiday (Easter Monday) here so we are having Pday today on Wednesday, because Tuesday was already full of appointments. We had Good Friday, and then you have Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. The Aussies will come up with any excuse they can think of to have a holiday. For real though, they don't like going to work.

So today is PDAY! It was good to hear from everyone. Matt its good to hear you are enjoying it back on Oahu, and that you are at Pearl Harbor! Why are there Japanese there? Aren't they the ones that bombed it? You think they'd make it a rule that they cant come back ever again, eh? haha. Whatever.

HAPPY EASTER!!! I love Easter and we were able to have a lesson on the Atonement, including the resurrection, of our savior in our Gospel Essentials class that I taught on Sunday. We are in 2nd Nephi 9 (we're going through the Book of Mormon with the class), and that chapter is all about the atonement, which happened to make the perfect lesson for an Easter Sunday. It was also a very touching fast and testimony meeting. Two of our investigators got up and bore there... Whoops! THEIR testimonies. Cloie 9, and then Amelia 11, both kids in the Polizzi family. Also their friend Annie and her 9 year old son Michael came to church with them again. We were able to give Annie a blessing after church that she requested because the doctors have told her that she has terminal cancer and she only has a few months to live. We taught Annie the Restoration (the 2nd formal lesson we've had with her [not including gospel essentials class]) yesterday at the Polizzis home out in Mt. Morgan. She is very positive and she wants to be baptized! The Lord is blessing us with success here in Rockhampton and it is a joyous time to be here and be a part of it all.
The next cool news is that We have a new companion! Well... kind of (in Nacho's voice). We have a mini Missionary staying with us for a week. His name is Teru Paia'aua. He is the oldest boy in the one islander family we have in the ward (Samoans). He came with us after church on Easter Sunday and has been with us ever since. It is so fun having him! He is crack up! We were boys before, but we've grown really close just in the past 3 days together. He is really quiet, as most young Samoan boys are here. But its fun to see him open up when we come back to the flat at night and he expresses his feelings about the day and about how he looks forward to his mission. He is 17 years old. His family isn't the always active, so I really hope he makes it onto his mission in a few years. I consider it part of the reason I am here in Rockhampton. He said that when we made him fast on Sunday that it was his first time fasting in his whole life. He said it was hard at first but after we started praying and doing weekly planning, and talking to each other that he forgot he was hungry. We continued to tell him that the Lord would bless him if he didn't give in and go to the fridge. He pulled through, and last night after our dinner apt. at a members house they told Teru to go down stairs and grab 2 of his favorite brekky cereals and 2 2 Liter things of Milk. It was good to see him recognize the real, tangible blessings that actually come from fasting. You just 'gotta have faith'! We love having him with us! (even though he ate my whole packet of ham and my whole loaf of bread in one day... Samoans for you).
Happy Birthday Pete! How was it? I'd like to hear how you're doing once in a while, you know, some genuine aussie mateship - one bloke to another. haha, knowwhattamean?
Happy birthday Mum! I love and miss you and gee mothers day is coming up fast. I look forward to talking to you again then. Mom, thanks heaps for Alex Ramsay's addy! By the way did you ever get that package from Davis leather with the gifts for the grand kids? It should be there by now.
I'm so excited that you've all seen general conference and I don't get to see it for 2 more weeks!!! I cant stand the wait!
Matt! fill me in on more info about gen conf. Did Elder Holland have any more jaw droppers this time? Matt, I agree with you, I am also realizing lately that I am learning heaps at this time on my mission. Matt I haven't seen it yet, but I already know what you are describing with Ukdorf's talk (less condemning more condoning, less renouncing more rescuing) - I love his style of speaking. It kind of reminds me of Talib Kweli's song on his ear drum album (More or Less) haha.
Your comp doesn't want to tract in the rain? You know what the promised blessings are for that don't you? Who is your new companion, and where is he from, and how long has he been out? Are you in leadership right now, and whats the name of your area? Didn't you say you sent me a package?
Matt - God bless with that 15 steps program on John, your investigator. I've seen how hard it is for some people to stop smoking on my mission, and on the other hand, I've seen how easy it was for those who had the will to do it (even the chain smokers). Matt now you know how I feel in a Palongi ward with only one semi active Islander family. (we also have a few less active Kiwi families). I do like how the Tongan lady thought you were part Tongan though bro. You'll have to send me a tape with you sounding like your Tongan self. I'll have a tape in the mail for you soon. Plus the one mom sent for you ages ago. sorry 'bout that! Yes, Matt that picture (25 of mar) is a license plate or number plate as we say here. I saw that BMW in front of us when I was driving to our dinner appointment on the 25th of March (my year mark) I figure it must have been some sort of good omen! I was like AHHHHHH take a picture! I actually took the picture while I was driving! Kids don't try this at home.
Val, thanks for the letter and article of faith cards! We don't get those over here! I've already given half of them away.
We get the conference sessions sent up here on the DVDs 2 weeks late. I could miss priesthood session because the branch is playing it the Tuesday night after transfers (I will probably get transferred back down to Brisbane this next transfer, where they will have already watched it).
Dad, thank you for your spiritual insights they always strengthen my own testimony. I should have listened to you more when I was at home. haha. Dad, do people stay in my room when they come over? What is my room like? Did you take all my posters and stuff down? Mom, I had a nightmare that you threw away all my car magazine collection. Say it isn't so.
Its good to hear the family is watching conference and eating together on Easter Sunday. I miss seeing all of you.
Mum, and Dad, I have been praying constantly for you. Good for ya for never giving up and working diligently through the hard times.
I love and miss you all. Happy Easter again.
Love, Elder Prina.