MISSION MIRACLE

She is a miracle! On September 28th, when Elder Parsons and Elder S. Smith first knocked on her door, she said she was just not interested, but thank you. As we continued talking, her son said, "Will you guys come play Call of Duty with me?" she immediately replied, "They can't do that on their mission!" We asked how she knew that. Apparently twenty years ago some missionaries came around and helped her change her spark plugs in her car whiLe she was pregnant with her first child. As we continued talking, her mum, (who lives in Gladstone and was visiting Bundaberg at the time) came over to the front gate we stood behind with guns a'blazing, doctrinally. As we explained to her the fundamental beliefs of The Church, the Spirit touched her. She even said, "Oh! You're Mormons? I've been wanting to know what Mormons believe!" So they invited us in and we were able to teach the Restoration to her. Meanwhile,  her daughter is giving us a bit of a hard time;) She even posted a picture on Facebook in real-time as we taught the First Vision. We concluded after the first discussion and proceeded to leave, believing the the mum was a miracle find (which she was!) As we continued out the front gate,  she whispered to Elder Smith, "Come back and see her some time, just to check up on her." We agreed, and departed. The next week, we dropped by, and we found not too much change, but that she welcomed us warmly this time. From that point on, the rest is history! Elder Parsons was transferred and Elder Dangerfield took over, and continued to teach the decisions in faith. She quickly saw the light that the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings, and made miraculous changes in her life, in order to bring it into closer harmony with The Savior's. she was eventually baptized on February 7th, 2014, and was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on February 9th, 2014. Miracles continue within this story, though! Guess who continues to being taught.. You guessed it, her mum and her husband are being taught in Gladstone, and were able to attend the baptism and confirmation of her daughter). The effects of this wonderful convert's decision will continue to be far-reaching and eternal. Her children recognize the glow in her eyes and countenance. Her family on this side of the veil and on the other side will forever be changed because of her brave decision to follow The Lord. We are grateful to The Lord for His mercy in allowing us to play a small part in her eternal progression. We are proud of you and all that you continue to become every day, you are such a brave and righteous example to us! We know The Lord has long prepared you to accept this glorious Gospel! We love you and we thank you for letting us be a part of your incredible life! You will always be in our hearts:) Much love, Elders S. Smith and Dangerfield:) 

NEW MISSIONARIES

Fresh from the MTC in New Zealand and Provo, these missionaries arrived with enthusiasm and excitement to be in the Australia Brisbane Mission.  They are powerful missionary GOLDENS and we are so happy they are here.  They have arrived from Tonga, New Zealand, American Samoa, Arizona, Utah, Australia, Samoa, Kiribati, and Vanuatu bringing the number of countries represented by the missionaries to 32 and number of languages spoken to 23...

This is certainly a world wide church and and world wide mission!

Elder Fusitu'a, Sister Mwea, Elder Pongi, Sister Utai, Elder Wikaira, Elder Kuki, Elder Semo, Elder Chynoweth, Elder Coles Elder Jackson, and Elder Narramore

Our wonderful Elder Levuhi from Vanuatu who speaks Bislama, missed all the welcoming training and festivities because he had to fly in late in the evening from Port Villa Vanuatu. 

DEPARTING MISSIONARIES MARCH 2014

Really....
we have to say farewell to another group of wonderful, valiant, successful missionaries?  These are wonderful missionaries and this mission is going to miss them.  I am just amazed how fast the time goes!  Yes, it is true that it gets harder to say goodbye to the missionaries!  Yes, I am so proud of these missionaries and the great legacy they have left in this mission.  Yes, the Gospel is TRUE or this great work would have died long ago! 

Elder Ledesma, Elder Malifa, Elder Saaid, Elder Beveridge, Elder Palemene, Elder O'Connor, Sister Kolomalu, Elder Tobe, Elder Paia'aua, Sister Watson, Elder Dangerfield, Sister Hicks, Elder Patilano

ROCKHAMPTON DISTRICT CONFERENCE

We had a wonderful District Conference in Rockhampton March 15 & 16.  We love the Saints in this District and always enjoy our time with them.  They travel from Gladstone, MacKay, Emerald, Rockhampton and the outlying areas to come for the conference.  We also love to see our missionaries who are serving in these areas and cherish our time with them since we don't get to see them as often as they are so far away.

ROCKHAMPTON CHAPEL

OUR ROCKHAMPTON DISTRICT MISSIONARIES:  Elder & Sister Fenton, Sister Russell, Sister Harris, Sister Merrill, Sister Carter, Sister Lealii E'e, Sister Cummings, Elder Lowe, Elder Ta'ala.  We are also grateful for the marvelous work of our Northern Zone Leaders: Elder Nakato and Elder Ezekiela

What a great family....love those twins!

This amazing family is filled with the Spirit....all thirteen of them (a few are missing).  Love those triplets!

MISSION MIRACLE

THIS GREAT CONVERT lives out bush in a small town (population 500) and has had no connection to the church.  Then several months ago his sister was baptised by Elder Fa’oa, Bingham, and Ladd.  He came into Brisbane to visit his sister and there met the Elders and began to learn about the Church.  Unfortunately he left soon after and returned to his home but still had the desire to learn about the church.  For the next several months he was taught over the phone occasionally and then one day called and informed us that he would like to be baptized we he came back into Brisbane to visit.
He was again taught and was baptized by his brother in law who was only baptized a month ago.  His main goal in being baptized was so he could have the feelings of guilt and shame from his past and that he could have additional strength to forgive others and stay on the path that leads back to our Heavenly Father.
Taught by Elder Bingham, Fa’oa Baptized by Elder Ladd, Tino, Davis, Choi

THE FIRST PART OF THE STORY....

 Our recent convert has had a difficult upbringing and life.  At one point in his life he was involved in a serious accident that paralyzed his right arm and heavily damaged his right shoulder.  He felt that the only reason that kept him alive was that God saved him.  He continued on for several years lacking real direction and understanding of what he should do, until he was introduced to the Elder Fa’oa, Bingham and Ladd by his girlfriend who had recently joined the church.  Immediately he recognized the missionaries as an answer to his prayers and what the missionaries taught him was what he had been looking for all along.  He witnessed may miracles as he prepared for baptism including being able to quit smoking and drinking cold turkey.  Then Luke was baptised, received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the Aaronic Priesthood.  He has passed the sacrament for several weeks in a row and recently baptized his brother in law. He has learned how to recognize the spirit and loves to exercise his priesthood. He and his girlfriend are now preparing to go to the temple to participate in baptisms for the dead.   They are working toward bringing the names of those in their own immediate families that have passed away.

Taught by Elder Bingham, Fa’oa Baptized by Elder Ladd, Tino, Davis, Choi

MISSION MIRACLE

"She was a wonderful miracle that occured with the awesome Elders Wilding and Tobe. They were tracting and as they were a car pulled up opposite the house they were knocking Elder Wilding decided to go over as she got out of the car. After a brief introduction she said " i was just at sacrament meeting at brackenridge" Skeptical but determined Elder Wilding set up an appointment. From this they taught her telling us the wonderful progress she was making. She came to know the Gospel was true and through a helpful friend she has had for over 20 years in Northpine Ward she decided to get baptized. Before this happened Elder Wilding and Tobe were transferred and Elder To'omata and Elder Palmer got join in this wonderful miracle and help her along the way with her conversion. She was baptized on the 15.03.14 and confirmed a member the very next day and received the Holy Ghost."

MISSION MIRACLE

 March 1st 2014.

Missionaries:  Elders W. Davis, Emery, Fifita, Nelson, Beveridge, and Powelson

This new convert has been taught by missionaries for a while, and she was about to get baptized at one time, but then lost interest.  We kept on visiting her every week and as she felt the spirit influence her life, she decided to get baptized again.  This was a great miracle!  She said that as we were visiting her she started to feel the spirit again, and she said that she always heard this voice telling her that she needed to get baptized.  We helped her recognize this and helped her follow her promptings.  She has a great testimony and she loves feeling the Holy Ghost influence her life everyday!  She is an amazing convert to the church!

FINAL ZONE CONFERENCE MARCH 2014

We wrapped up our final ZONE CONFERENCE today with the 

BRISBANE NORTH & SUNSHINE COAST ZONES
...what great missionaries!  

It has truly been wonderful meeting with these amazing Elders & Sisters in the Australia Brisbane Mission; they are dedicated, obedient, full-purpose MISSIONARIES!!

SUNSHINE COAST ZONE

BRISBANE NORTH ZONE

ZONE CONFERENCE MARCH 2014

BRISBANE ZONE & CLEVELAND ZONE

....such GREAT MISSIONARIES!

CLEVELAND ZONE

BRISBANE ZONE

We are grateful for technology to connect us with our Northern Zone & Missionaries

Our MacKay Sisters

Our Emerald Sisters

Our Rockhampton Elders

Our Townsville Missionaries

MISSION MIRACLE

This beautiful member and her 9 year old son we tracted into on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. After our initial contact we asked for her name and it turns out that she was the cousin of one of the recent converts in our branch.  She recognized the spirit from our very first contact and followed that spirit all the way to the waters of baptism.
   She had support from her cousin and felt very welcomed, she had to overcome an addiction to smoking, but with faith and the love of everyone around her, she was able to keep her baptism date and make sacred covenants with the Lord.
   Since there is no font up here in Innisfail she choose to be baptized in one of the local streams. Since no one knew the proper name of the location it has been named by the members of our branch as "the waters of Mormon".

ZONE CONFERENCE MARCH 2014

GOLD COAST & COOMERA ZONES

FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2014

Such GREAT Missionaries!

WE ALSO WELCOME OUR GREAT MISSIONARIES IN THE NORTHERN ZONE via Skype:  

Cairns~Mt. Isa~Innesfail~Atherton