MISSION MIRACLES: ALL IN THE FAMILY

What a remarkable journey for this wonderful family who have blessed each other in discovering the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  There have been so many who have been a part of each member's conversion:  wonderful members and friends, great missionaries, embracing ward.....it takes everyone!  

  “Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together … [and] labor in the Lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto Him. He has prepared the means for us to share the gospel in a multitude of ways, and He will assist us in our labors if we will act in faith to fulfill His work” 

“Faith in the Work of Salvation" June 2013 

It all started with the beautiful daughter of God (second from the right), which led to her Mother, Auntie, brother, nieces and nephews and finally her Grandparents.  

CHEERS to our WONDERFUL SLEMBOSKI'S: APRIL 2016

It seems we have had to say farewell to so many of our Senior Couples.... but we knew that would happen when they were called to serve, as all missions come to an end. 
We were so blessed to have Elder & Sister Slemboski serve in the Australia Brisbane Mission; their great abilities and life experiences served them well to do all they were called to do for the Saints in Bowen/Whitsunday and for a time in several of the stakes in the Brisbane area.  We love their zest for life and their beautiful testimonies that they shared with love to the people they served.  
Thank you Slemboski's~~

  

WE LOVE THE HILLIER'S

For the past three years we have had the beautiful experience of being with Neville & Hazel Hillier for Passover dinner; we love that they include us in this special night with family & friends.  

Thank You Hillier family!  

Neville & Hazel prepare a delicious seder meal....we have come to appreciate Hazel's great Jewish heritage and how the Hillier's have preserved this wonderful heritage for their family and friends.  

 A Passover seder is a service held at home as part of the Passover celebration. It is always observed on the first night of Passover. Participants use a book called a haggadah to lead the service, which consists of storytelling, a seder meal, and concluding prayers and songs.
The word haggadah (הַגָּדָה) comes from a Hebrew word meaning "tale" or "parable," and it contains a sort of outline or choreography for the seder. The word seder (סֵדֶר) literally means "order" in Hebrew, and there's a very specific "order" to the seder service and meal.

WELCOME: ELDER & SISTER FA'APUNA

We are thrilled to have Elder & Sister Fa'apuna arrive to the mission....they are wonderful and will be outstanding missionaries as they serve.  They come with gifts, talents and abilities to do many things and we know that God will use every bit of them.  They have barely had time to adjust to the driving here in Australia before jumping right in to the Chinese Branch, Samoan Branches and working with the missionaries. 
Welcome to the AUSTRALIA BRISBANE MISSION!

  

DEPARTING MISSIONARIES MARCH 2016

It is always with such mixed emotions that we say FAREWELL to another group of amazing, dedicated, valiant MISSIONARIES who blessed the Australia Brisbane Mission with their service to the Lord.  We love the two days we spend with these Elders & Sisters before we take them to the airport....we enjoy a beautiful session in the Brisbane Temple (heartfelt Thanks to our wonderful Temple President & Matron), President Henderson has departing interviews, we enjoy a delicious Australian dinner (prepared by the incredible Hazel Hillier & friends), and then we finish the evening with Final Counsel and a special ABM Family Home Evening and Testimonies.  The next morning there is usually an early departure beginning at 4:00 a.m. and then trips to the airport throughout the day as the missionaries are all are flying out to many countries around the world. 

FAMILY VISIT FROM IDAHO: ELDER ERIKSON APRIL 2016

We were excited to have Elder Erikson back in the mission with his parents (The hail from Rexburg, Idaho... we know this family comes from a great place).....we loved meeting them and sharing how wonderful their son served while here as a missionary.    He is truly one that changed lives!  We appreciate his diligence, patience and leadership in the mission.....always to be remembered Elder Erikson!  

WE LOVE YOU!

 

FAMILY VISIT TO THE ABM: Elder Hatch from Canada

After an interesting trip to get back to the ABM, Elder Hatch and his parents finally made it; what wonderful people!  He was welcomed by all who knew him and loved him.  He touched many, he taught many, and he brought many into the waters of baptism.  
His gentle, powerful influence will be felt in Australia forever! 
We love you Elder Hatch!!

MISSION VISIT: ELDER BARRIANTOS & HIS MOTHER

We had a lovely visit from an Australia Brisbane Mission Great:  Elder Barrientos and his beautiful mother!   
Thanks for stopping by and visiting...we sure love YOU! 

 

VISIT TO THE MISSION HOME: ELDER AKROYD!!

WE LOVE HAVING VISITORS.....

and the best kind are those who bring a "special friend".  

We loved seeing you Elder Akroyd.

WELCOME TO THE MISSION: ELDER DALINGAY

A wonderful missionary arrived to our mission from the Philippines....so happy to have you in the Australia Brisbane Mission
ELDER DALINGAY

 

FUN VISIT WITH TIM & PATCEE POWERS: APRIL 2016

We enjoyed having a visit from Tim & Patcee Powers.

 ...it all happened in a most unique way:

There have been so many wonderful families we have met in Queensland and one of the ways that we stay connected with the people in the wards and branches is through social media.  There is a beautiful couple who were getting married in the Sunshine Coast and I enjoyed seeing the pictures of them posted by the family.  In one of the pictures I saw some faces from the past, Tim & Patcee Powers who my family knew from BYU swimming and diving coaching days.  I sent out a message to invite them to come and visit us if they were going to be in the Brisbane area and we managed to connect for a visit.  They told us how they both served in the same London South Mission as this young couple getting married and came here for their marriage in the Brisbane Temple.    We continued to talk and made more connections:  a past Assistant to the President married another great Sister from the same mission, our son, Kurt, baptized a young girl from Helsinki Finland and she was serving in the same mission, one of our valiant Elders was from that same area and was taught by these two Sisters who had served in that mission.....so many interesting connections.  We were most excited to find out that as they were visiting in Brisbane, they had another mission call waiting for them back home:  they were called to serve in the London Mission and are excited to be back in a country they love serving the people they love.  We can tell from our visit with them that they were a dynamic missionary couple and will be a great blessing the the London Mission.  

We wish you well Elder & Sister Powers!  

MISSION MIRACLE: MARCH 2016

There is nothing more wonderful than seeing someone enter the  
WATERS OF BAPTISM!  The smile on this beautiful new convert's face was priceless; she had such peace and contentment.   We were grateful to be a part of her story and are so happy for her new life in the Gospel. 

SPECIAL VISIT: CARTERS WITH ELDER RENGUUL MARCH 2016

We loved seeing the beautiful reunion of this great Elder and this wonderful couple who served as a Senior Missionary Couple in his 
country a couple of years ago.  They were very influential in his life back home and prepared him well to come and serve in the Australia Brisbane Mission.  They were able to come to Brisbane and share some time together before his departure home after a valiant two year missionary service.  We love this great Elder and we love the Carter's!

 ....we have a special connection with the Carter's from St. George, Utah; we were neighbors with Brother Carter's parents for many years. 

WE LOVE YOU ELDER & SISTER WALDEN: MARCH 2016

It has been a blessing to the Australia Brisbane Mission having ELDER & SISTER WALDEN
serving as Senior Missionary MLS Couple.  They gave their all and fulfilled every responsibility with hard work, enthusiasm and love.  
We know that Atherton, Rockhampton and Mackay will never be the same as they worked so many miracles with the missionaries and the members.  Loving hands were offered to help, cookies were delivered to enjoy and testimonies were shared for all to feel.  
WE LOVE YOU ELDER & SISTER WALDEN! Till we meet again.....

Fun connection with Elder Johnson serving in the Australia Brisbane Mission and returning home the same time.....his parents had moved into the Walden's home in St. George to live while he has been serving his mission. 

   

OUR DEAR ELDER & SISTER MIZUKAWA....

We bid another wonderful Senior Missionary Couple farewell and will dearly miss Elder & Sister Mizukawa.  They had a huge impact in this mission helping with our Chinese program; they were a great assistance in helping establish the first Chinese Branch in Queensland many nights a week they would host Chinese members, investigators and missionaries for Family Home Evening, Game Night, Firesides and lessons.  They helped to coordinate the needs in the Branch and worked hard with the Chinese Missionaries.    The Mizukawa's were also very instrumental in the organizing and promoting the Voices of Brisbane, a beautiful choir that has performed throughout Queensland and are spreading the Gospel with their excellent music.  These were just a few of the things that Elder & Sister Mizukawa did as Senior missionaries in the Australia Brisbane Mission.  
WE WILL MISS YOU!  
Much love as you return home to continue being missionaries!  

 

INTERVIEWS & FLAT INSPECTIONS: COOMERA FEB 2016

Our travels in the mission van took us to Coomera to meet with the great Elders and Sisters in the Coomera zone. 
Overall.......the
Flats were organized. 
Kitchens were cleaned.
Shoes were polished.  
Planners were thorough. 
Study journals were filled.  
Area books were up-to-date. 
Interviews were great.  
 And smiles were on President and Sister Henderson's faces.  Great job....we loved being with you~~