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