This has been a great week, as we've really gotten into the Christmas spirit. You'd never believe it, but I found "Mr. Krueger's Christmas" dvd in our flat! So we've been watching it at almost every member appointment we have. It's been really fun to watch the same movie we've watched every year since.. well since forever!
On Thursday we went to a Christmas party with a ward member, Richard Callcott. He was baptised about 5 years ago, and lives in a nursing home just up from the church. It was a party with all the old folks in his home, and it was a blast! We sang carols and ate pre-digested food (to help the older people swallow), but still very fun. He gets a bit lonely sometimes so it was really good to go and visit with him. He's a crackup!
On Sunday, Elder Han and I also got to sing in the Institute Choir because they "toured" over to our ward. We sounded pretty terrible, but still so great to get to sing. Everyone in the ward is really getting into the spirit of giving, and I love it because it means I get to be the recipient! Haha, looks like even in Australia, I still get a Christmas! ;)
Saturday we had our ward party. It started in the Afternoon with caroling at Richard's nursing home, after which we went to a park for a barbeque. It was so fun, heaps of food and good company. While "Santa" was getting dressed and grabbing the presents for the kids, the bishop asked Elder Han and I to play some games with the children to distract them. I decided to teach them "Mingle, Mingle, Mingle"! Uncle Jon, I'm proud to report that your game has made it all the way over to Australia! Haha, the little kids loved it- so much that even on Sunday they kept chasing me around to play it with them in the gym. So that was fun!
Our recent convert, Harry, brought his non-member friend, Letitia (pronounced Latisha- yes, she's Chinese) to the party. On a whim we invited them to go to the Temple Lights up in Carlingford afterwards, and they agreed! Together with a member and her daughter, the 6 of us drove up to the Temple and took a look at the lights and displays. We watched a movie about Christ and then looked at a gallery of art depicting Christ's birth, life, and resurrection. It was a really spiritual experience- Letitia loved it, and even told us her favorite picture was Jesus getting baptised! At the end of the night we went up to the temple and looked at it while we talked about the Church and how we can feel so much peace, calm and comfort from it. Letitia expressed how she had a wonderful experience and just felt so much peace from going, and the best part being that she wanted to learn more! It was definitely a Christmas Miracle, because she was able to feel the spirit so strongly that she had a desire to meet with us again. We're meeting up with her on Wednesday, hopefully she'll become a new investigator!
As for our other investigators, unfortunately they've been dodgy this past week and we haven't gotten ahold of any of them... but of course we'll keep trying and hopefully see a few more Christmas Miracles leading up to the big day!
As for the "Aussie-isms" for this week: I'll share with you some speech patterns Aussies have. For one, they love to shorten words and add "ie" to the end. For example, Australians become "Aussies", Mosquitoes become "Mossies", and even Missionaries become "Mishies". Also, they love to say "aye" at the end of a sentence, such as "It's hot today, aye" or "Don't you love the gospel, aye!". The difference between Aussies and New Zealander's is that the NZ's say "Haye" instead of "Aye". Funny little things.
And finally, for the spiritual thought of the week: When you get a chance, read 2 Nephi 4. It's sometimes called "Nephi's Psalm", and is a beautiful chapter all about Nephi's testimony and growing in the gospel. My favorite verse in the chapter is 18- "Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin." I think Christmas time is as good as any to re-evaluate where we are with the Savior and to recommit ourselves to wake up a little and be more proactive in fostering our testimonies. I know I definitely can!
Well folks, love you heaps and hope you have a great week! Talk to you soon,
Elder Easton
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