Monday, March 21, 2011

Last email







Third John 1:13&14 (Look it up)

Rob

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

G'day family and good mates!
How ya goin'? Things have been pretty flat out here in Mudgee as usual.
I was just reading through all of Scoty's emails that Debbie has been sending me regularly this week. Debbie thanks for being faithful in keeping me updated with Scoty's emails. Its so cool to see him growing as a missionary and as an individual.
I have to inquire about the Summit ward boating accident. I know it happened ages ago - but i never really got any real details on what actually happened -
Val, i read in your letter the other day that Sara had to get some number of stitches in her eyebrow. what happened? why did she have to get stitches?

As i have said in recent emails there has been heaps of success on the Gold Coast lately and we have been able to attend several baptisms in the District. But for some reason there has seemed to be a drought here in the Mudgeeraba. As i read Heleman Ch. 1 in my personal study the other day it was obvious why. Because of the disputations and the lack of unity among the government The Lamanites were able to catch the Nephites off guard and strike at the heart of the land where it was never expected. Luckily the satellite cities "round about" were built up and fortified strong holds; and the armies of Lehi and Morianton (or something like that) were able to come in and surround them. So we had a really good comp inventory this week. Bottom line is we are more unified in the city of Zarahemla now. The week started out slow but we found a new part member family to teach and were able to catch up again with one of our potentials. So now we have some solid return appointments and a Baptismal date that we set yesterday with Jodie Eldridge for March 27th. Squeezing it in there :)
Last week the Ward did a special fast for Missionary work in the ward and Our district also had a fast for our "Faith to Find day" we had this past Wednesday. We were glad to report to Bishop yesterday in PEC that the work has increased and that we are teaching more lessons than we have in the last 3 weeks. Jodie has 2 sons: Shale 14 and Tye 13. She is a single mum. They are Aussies. We found them on Brier St. our bogan, humble, housing commission part of our area that i was so glad to find. So keep Jodie and her family, and Ayla and Ammon Daniels in your prayers. They are the Part member family. Can you guess which one is the member? Last week we went to the Q1 for Pday. It is the Tallest building in Queensland and the Tallest fully residential building in the world. You can go to the top and take photos of the view and stuff. I will try to add some pictures.
We had a great District meeting this week where we got everyone involved in some Real plays right off the bat and then we talked about our Mudgeeraba March Madness tournament i Invented. I just add up certain of their key indicators that relate to our district goals like: 100% member present lessons, or 14 hrs finding a week, or Investigators at church - and they get certain amount of points for each. Yesterday was a preseason game. Next Sunday (the 20th) will be a tournament game determining who goes to the finals, and the 27th is the Championship for all the Marbles.... (I'm still deciding what the Marbles are). 1st seed Tweedheads sisters went up against the 2nd seeded Nerang Elders and won. And us - Mudgeeraba went up against Lismore and we won. We have a lot of Basketball fans in the District and its a good fun way to get us all motivated in this March Madness season to reach our goals as a district. So we arent missing the March Madness action at all. We are dukeing it out in the Final Four right here in the Mudgeeraba District! I was thinking about getting our WML Jesse Bogaert to make us some legit Jerseys for it - but that might be going a bit over board.. I don't know. Matt did you add Jesse on face book yet?
Thanks for the Emails Mum and Matt its so good to hear from you. I'm enjoying being busy here whilst it sounds like Matt is dreading the 'drudgery' of boredom and idleness back there. Haha. I love being a missionary. This week on Thursday we have Elder Hamula of the Area 70 is coming for a mission tour. So we are all pretty pumped to go see him this week. A good way to end the mission.
Matt thanks for your FAF prayers - they're paying off. wanna hear something funny. Since we got here to the Robina Library i've had 2 former investigators sit down on the computer next to me. Its funny that you quoted that scripture from Alma in your email Matt - we have that written on a note card and blue tacked to our front door so we look at it every time before we pray and leave the flat. We didn't it put it there, it was there when i got there. That's good to hear that you made a profile on Mormon.org I'll see if i can get an investigator to log on and search for you. that would be crack up.
John wasn't able to hook you up at Myebiz? That's funny that the Cougs Lost the game that you had good seats for and smashed 'em at the game that you had stink seats for. Did you go to the game where Jimmer had like 50 something points? I get pretty regular updates from some cool guys in the ward. I just hear that they have the number 3 seed for the NCAA tourny. Go Cougs!
Matt i think my hotmail account may have been deleted since i haven't logged onto it in almost 2 years. Do they delete them after a while. Cause i tried logging on and it said that Robprinam2@hotmail.com wasn't a valid user name. dumb eh?
I don't know my UVU ID or anything like that. please do some research for me and maybe you might have to go through the files in my desk drawer.
Sounds like you are staying busy Mum and dad. Was it fun to be a full time Mum again for a week up in Twin falls?
Well i have to go before i get kicked off. I love you all and thank you for your prayers and continued support,it really helps. I know the Church is definitely True - Absolutely. I LOVE being a missionary.
Love, Elder R.A.Prina

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Rob

How ya going my yankee blokes and Sheilas?
How's your week been? We've been flat out like a lizard drinkin'. I've done more Baptismal interviews in the past week than I've done on my whole mission. There is a lot of success in the Mudgeeraba district and the Gold Coast zone right now. Its good to be in the middle of all of it, but i wish our area was contributing more.
Our teaching pool has dried up. We (along with the Mudgeeraba ward and our District) had a special fast yesterday for the Missionary work in our areas and for our "faith to find" day that we are all doing on Wednesday where we will go out in the morning and not come back until we have found someone to teach and Baptize! I have truly come to a greater light and knowledge over the past week of the importance of faith and sadly the lack of it here in the area where we live. No one wants to believe in anything. Faith has been lost... like Elder Stringy's bike.
We got to go down to Lismore (the bottom of the mission) on Friday. We had a leadership training meeting in Brisbane Friday morning and then as soon as we got back down to the gold coast, Elder Hogg and I packed a bag and drove down to Lismore (about an hour and a half drive plus we lost an hour because new south wales is on day light savings time). The Leadership training mtg. was in the morning at Kangaroo Pointe Chapel, next to the temple. When we got there i saw Steve and Toni Crane in the parking lot - they are the family in spent Christmas with in Rockhampton. I was so surprised to see them. I went and had a good chat to them. They had driven down to Brizzy with out the kids to go to a wedding of a friend, and to go to the temple. It was so cool to see them and have a chat about Rocky. I didn't think I would ever get a chance to see them again. What are the chances, eh. Then a missionary that went home two transfers ago rocked up at the end of the meeting- he lives in Darwin (northern Territory), but apparently he had come down to go to the temple too. I will put a picture up of him - Elder Tokaduadua.
I really enjoyed the trip down to Lismore! We got to go on trade offs with Elder Stowers and Elder Ebell - both from Utah. They are some of my favourite missionaries. Elder Stowers is the only other missionary in the mission that has served with both of the Elder Pakis. A woman named Mel and her 11 year old autistic boy named Seth got baptized on Saturday afternoon. On Saturday morning we participated in the "clean up Australia" service project that the Lismore ward had entered. The poster read "Sleep well tonight knowing that you helped in 'clean up Australia' day!" I slept very well that night. haha. The Baptism was a bit stressful to get prepared for with the pants for the person baptizing them, filling the font, the refreshments, and Seth Disappearing right before the Baptism started, but as usual it all fell into place in the end and, miraculously it all went very well. One of their recent converts from last November baptized her and elder Ebell baptized Seth. Elder Stowers did both of the confirmations the next day in Church - which he was pretty nervous about - because he had never done it before. I wish we could have stayed for the confirmations, but we had to go back up to the Gold Coast Saturday night.
Sometimes i wish i was dying in an area that had a bit more going on in it. I really love the members here in the Mudgeeraba ward; they are very supportive of us. I got to Bless the sacrament yesterday for the first time since I've left Rocky. I thanked the young men for the great opportunity.
I've had a bit of heart break on my mission lately with some of my favorite people making bad decisions, and with most of the work in the area falling through. It hurts, but i know that if i get things right with my self, and with my companion that things will look up and that i will be able to end my mission on a good note. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. The Prasads haven't been to church in two weeks now - and Neel is not answering our calls. Jade is also not answering our calls. I am really looking forward to finding a new family to teach this Wednesday.
Matt! good to hear from you mate. What have you been up to lately anyway? Did you get to go to a BYU game with dad? I heard that they lost again to New Mexico, but that they are rated like 3 or 4 in the nation. Make sure they are still in the Madness when I get home. Thanks for signing me up for UVU and BYU and Fafsa junx. I think I'll gets me a new gmail account when I get home. What happens to your myldsmail account when you finish Matt? Does it just shut down when you get released?
We had a less active guy named Mahu come to church this week. But no one else other than that. Mum - the guy that called you is Don Wards dad. He is a bishop in Sacramento. He is the father of the only American guy in our ward. I really liked him - he's about dad's age and he says he still likes to play basketball too. I'm so glad he called you. I really like his son and daughter in law - the Wards. He got up and bore his testimony yesterday for his 3 little daughters. He has a great testimony.
We played basketball this morning. My shot was off - and I was a bit had-it from a long hard week. I got an Elbow shot to the face after I rebounded over one of the tallest missionaries in the mission (Elder Baker - 6'7"). I was rebounding well. It swelled up in pain - but i kept my cool and just took a break till the next game. It doesn't hurt to bad anymore and its not a black eye or anything fortunately.
Matt, did you go with Mum up to Andrea's house? How was that? I'm so jealous you get to see the kids. Our WML Jesse Bogaert has 3 cute little kids that love playing with us. I've had some great fill-in Nieces and Nephews since I've been on my mission. Oh that reminds me Matt. I don't know if you get on face book much - but you should add Jesse Bogaert from Mudgeeraba. he's a sweet guy. He's the one that made your T-shirt.
Mum, I hope your shoulders heal up. I pray for you and Dad's health and well being every night. Hope you have a great stay with the Kids up in Twin. Oh, and thank you for the good advice. I always appreciate it and try to apply it.
Dad - I blamed my companions high school for Brandon Davies poor behavior. haha. Those shocking bull dogs. Thanks for the Cougar Blue updates. I hope James goes on a mission. He is a good kid, and he knows the church is true, hes just lazy. Dinners with dad, when mum is away are so fun. Well, I'm being Kicked off. Sorry I didn't have time to send pictures. Hope you have a great week.
The church is true, and prayers are always heard and answered. Love, R.A.Prina

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Rob

Hey Elder Prina! I mean MATT!! haha!
Hello everyone else,
How ya goin? I've had a really great week and a 1/2. This week we went to the temple on Wednesday (this morning) so our Pday is today. Thats why you didn't hear from me on Monday.
Stone the crows! I can't believe you're back Matt! I should of told you to go visit Sister Tupuola in Laie before you took off. She is a really cool Samoan sister that went home about a year ago from the ABM (Australia's best mission).
No huge break through's this week. I'm doing a few more Baptismal Interviews for people getting Baptized in the District so that is pretty exciting. No dates in our area yet though. I get to go down to the bottom of the mission - Lismore, New South Wales - on Friday with E. Hogg (my MTC comp. and current zone leader) to do 3 baptismal interviews. Its part of the district I've been in for the past 8 months - but I've never been down there because its so far. So we're really excited for that. We get to stay for the Baptisms the next day too. The Gold Coast zone is still on Track to Smash the record of Baptisms in a month in March. We've found a few new part member family kids and less actives to teach this week. Please pray for Harley(9) and Tayla(12) Farrell. They want to get baptized. Their Dad is very less active and was drinking when we walked up. Their Mum (who they usually live with) is not a member. So please pray that their hearts will be softened and that they will let them get Baptized, and also that they will come to Church.
Jade did not come to Church, and hasn't answered our calls this week so far. We aren't teaching anyone consistently on Brier Cres. yet. But we have a few potential investigators there. We have been praying for and expecting Miracles.
Struth! 5" of snow eh'? That's going to be interesting. I was just saying today that it is going to be weird to go home and not be constantly sweating next month. It has been killer lately, especially on the bikes. So your temps are up in the 30s usually. Matt, was it weird seeing the snow?
There will probably be about 10 Elders getting off the plane when I get home too. Only one sister is going home and shes from Tasmania so she'll have a much shorter flight. Matt did you get to like 'OYM' or Baptize anyone while you were on the flight home? What is the first thing you did when you got home?
I have some Menu requests: IN and OUT, Taco Bell, Wendys, and Cold Stone. I can't remember what we eat in the states either so just Throw anotha shrim on the barbi, eh. HAha they don't even say that here.
Mum, when do I get released?
Hey, you remember that Band that used to live right next door to us? Weren't they called Neon Trees?? Cause I was walking through Big W last Pday and I happened to see this new album for a band called NEON TREES. Mark, is that the same band. Who would've thought that we lived next door to someone and went to Halloween costume parties with people that were so famous... even in Australia mate.
hey... do I get to have a 'friends night' like Matt when I get home? I think I'll ease myself back into it... dont think i'll have any 'boy- girl parties' too soon. Haha, sorry Audrey. Matt try not to make me too trunky these last few weeks. Sometimes I find myself thinking... I wonder what Matt is doing right now. Haha. Keep me focused!
Matt you will have to give your home coming talk to me when I get home. When did you get released? what was your interview like? Do they tell you you have to get married within a year or something like that?
Matt that's cool that you got to go to the PCC and Pearl Harbor before you left. I hope you took some cool photos. I have a few cool Pday ideas before I take off. We might go to the Q1 today, which is the tallest building in Queensland and go to the top of it and get some photos so that should be fun.
It sounds like you had an Epic last week of your mission Matt. Thanks for continuing to keep in touch, sounds like hangin' out and kickin it is pretty stink for you eh? Well make sure you gotta Job waiting for me when I get off the plane. Thanks junx.
Its good to hear that you have at least some plans for the future. I'm still thinking of mine. But I agree that you shouldn't have other people try to make the decisions for you. stuff peer pressure that's like Lehonti. we all know what happened to him. ;)
Well my motto now is "sprint to the finish" and I am doing it whole heartedly. I've been running and biking a lot lately and I always sprint on the final stretch home. So that is to remind me to do that with my mission.
I got to go to the Brisbane temple for the last time this morning. we took the train up there early this morning. I love the Brisbane temple. It was actually Elder Stringfellows first time at the Brisbane temple. It was a lovely session, and I got to see both the Elder Pakis there too because the Brisbane zone was there this morning. It was great.
I love you all and hope to see you all there at the airport when I get home. Mark, I should just get you to fly me from salt lake down to Provo. Actually I would like my niece Audrey to drive me home from the airport. Well I guess we won't worry about it too much until it happens. Hope you all have a great week. Help Matt make that transition nice and smoothly. That's why I have the Ammon Attitude. I'm going to be a missionary forever... perhaps until the day I die.
Love you all Heaps,
Elder R.A.Prina