Elder Satterthwaite in Australia: March 2018

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Week 20 District Conference!

March 27, 2018

What is up all it was a great week spreading the good word in the land of Australia.

Alrighty last Wednesday after we emailed we headed to Wang to meet up with the Elders there to Glenrowan to visit the Ned Kelly stuff. It so fun to hang with them. I got a #kellygang shirt.

So we did some service for one of our investigators and I think she is starting to progress finally, she is reading more in the Book of Mormon, so awesome! I am very excited for her and her future.

Friday we had exchanges with the ZL's, Elder Reid and Elder Lavaci. They are super cool. Our investigator Paul Taylor took all of us out to lunch! He is the MAN. Then Saturday we headed to Wangaratta for District Conference! (Stake Conference). We had about 6 hours of meetings but it was all great stuff, President Vidmar spoke at 2 of the sessions so we were very blessed with his words. That night the #WangGang (12 missionaries in the Wang zone) stayed in one flat, good times. That morning was The general session and it was so awesome. It was incredible to have all the branches and all the missionaries together in one place.

Monday was a good day, we hit the doors hard which i love. Some missionaries make knocking doors out to be a "time filler" or some thing they hate, but i really enjoy it and see a real need for it. Being able to share the BOM with others is a awesome. Every time we go out we meet some really cool people and i have wrote the name down of every person. If i didn't think the BOM could change lives, i wouldn't share it, simple. But it can, and thats why i am eager to spread it and give everyone a chance at least.

Yesterday we made REAL AUSSIE Boomerangs with Elder Ferris, the true and through aussie. We went to go test them out and the 2 aussie blokes (Elder Ferris and Elder Nettleton) broke theres and mine worked! USA BABY. Anyway hope you all are working hard if nothing else, thanks for all the love, I love you all.

-Elder Satterthwaite

KellyGang Shirt

The Boomarang I made!

District Conference

Sister Lee, Elder Lavaci & I

Sister Tangzipan, Elder Rodriguez and I

Random

Elder Reid, Me and Sister Lee

Week 19 Elder Neil Andersen!

March 20, 2018

Man this week was one of the best yet! Lets get to it.

So last Wednesday on pday The Elders from Wangaratta and Sheparton came into A-town (Albury) and we went bowling. Elder Knight spent like 60$ on and arcade game trying to win a rugby ball but he never got it it was hilarious.

Thursday we Traveled down to Melbourne with the Wang Elders to meet Elder Andersen! The meeting was at 9am Friday so we had to stay the night Thursday since it takes 4 hours to get there.

So Friday Morning the WHOLE mission went to the office for Elder Andersen to speak to us, this is very rare bc even the missionaries from Tasmania flew in. So anyway man Elder Andersen is THE MAN. He totally pumped us up and you can just feel when an Apostle of the Lord is speaking to you, the spirit was so strong. Also during the same meeting the former Prime Minister, Tony Abbott spoke to us. He isn't a member but has always admired us. Then after we just did some missionary work in the city till the fireside with Elder Andersen that evening. That was also so cool, it was a YSA fireside as well, so that was nice hah. Saturday we were able to go to the temple which was such a blessing! I haven't been in a few months. Then we were on the rode again back home. On the way we stopped at Glenrowan. This is a famous little town bc of a famous Aussie outlaw named Ned Kelly. Ned Kelly is a dope guy look him up if you want. Anyway.

Monday was also a great day! We did some door knocking in a very nice neighborhood, which is usually very low success but i think its fun. It was low success until we met a guy who had just watched the Book of Mormon play... which slightly makes fun of Mormons but, the guy said he learned a lot about us and we ended up talking to him for a while. His wife just passed away a few months ago so we were able to share a little bit about the Plan of Salvation. He also was excited to take a Book of Mormon, he said "Wait is this the real deal Book?" haha he also said "YOu know if i had not seen that play i wouldn't have talked to you guys, but here we are." This guy was totally prepared for us i am excited about this guy!

Anyway i love you all and appreciate the support! I will leave you with a short, but powerful quote from our Mission President, "Always say your prayers, never give up."

-Elder Satterthwaite

My MTC Comp Elder Midgley

Ned Kelly at Glenrowan!

Bowling in Albury with the Wang and Shep Elders!

Week 18 Anotha One

March 13, 2018

Alright this was a bit of a slower week, but still a good week. So #eskettit

So we finally got to meet with this investigator, Paul Taylor. He's not "new" but he has been traveling for so long i have never met him. So all i knew about him was that he has read the Book of Mormon 13 TIMES. THIRTEEN. Thats more than most members if i dare say lol. But man, this guy is a top bloke. He believes and likes what the BOM teaches, but i think he is struggling with his conviction that God lives. He said he got "the religion beat out of him" when he was younger so organized religion is tough for him to understand. But he is so awesome he took us out to lunch just out of no where after our lesson! We're not trying to push this guy too hard, i know there is the right time for him.

We had interviews with President Saturday which was awesome as usual. Then Sunday we had Branch Conference. President Vidmar came to it and spoke which was really special because he doesn't make it up to Albury much!

Done a little service this week. I fixed a tire on a members trailer that had a slow leak. It was funny, i told her a bunch of options of ways to fix it and what not. She wanted a whole new rim and tire. I explained that wouldn't necessarily be the best. So she said "just act like this is your trailer, and do what you would do, i trust you more than myself." So i took it to a tire shop and it ended up having a bad tube. Good as new.

Thats about it this week, FRIDAY Elder Neil Andersen of the 12 is coming to speak to our mission! So we are all pumped for that!

Spiritual thought: Mosiah 2:41 "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out cfaithful to the end they are received into dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

This, to me, is a really uplifting and reassuring scriprture. It gives me a reassurance that blessings will come if we are obeident and work hard. This is different for everyone, gaining a relationship with God will make us more willing to do according to his will.

Thanks so much everyone for all support I would love a write(; Till next week. #eskettit

-Elder Satterthwaite

Cleaning the Church for Branch Conference

Dinner with Junior and Moana

Made these ourselves!

Week 17 Fun Week, Short Time

March 6, 2018

Alright everyone this was an awesome week but we have a very short amount of time today. so lets get it.

We were able to meet with only one investigator this week, but it was good. We really tried to emphasise how the Book of Mormon can change her life! Cant wait to see the progress with her!

I ran the 5K race again this Saturday and improved my time by a minute and a half! I also was able to talk with some of the same people from last week so i am making good contacts and friends. After the park run we went out to do some service for a member ripping out a few garden beds that were terrible and i had to hand till them up with a pick ax, hard work for summertime.

We had also a larger service project that has taken a larger part of our week, concreting... First we had to make up the forms, then we mixed cement and did little pads one day. then the next day they had ordered a truck so all we had to do was bring it out back with wheelbarrows and then we did the finishing on it. That was fun we also did some landscaping! Here is a little bit of advice that might help you all... if you or someone you know is headed out on a mission... please please please try to have some job experience... so difficult when you don't, i have seen it close by me lol.

Anyway sorry for the short time but i would like to remind you all to stay close with you're heavenly father! Love you all,

Elder Satterthwaite

Albury Train Station

The Skid Steer that Loaded me Up

Albury Train Station

Country Road

Finished Concrete

Countryside

Concrete Forms

Country

Week 16 Good Week!

February 27, 2018

Alright what up everyone its been another good week down under. Especially good this week we got 3 new investigators! We actually got them all in one day!

We met with the first and he was super keen about learning and the lesson went really well. We gave him a book of Mormon and a restoration video. He texted us later and said he would like to come to church next week! So awesome this guy is awesome! I feel a super strong love for him already.

Then we went to meet with our other new investigator and he had a friend over and he was also interested. So we taught them both and they asked if they could come to church! So cool becuase we cleared up a lot of stuff about the Plan of Salvation and they seemed real happy.

We have done some service this week as well. We helped one member build out this place above her fire place that was sunk into the wall, so we built it out flush. We also finally finished fully removing the tiles at the Hoysteds. We rented a diamond grinder thing that grinded the cement smooth. It was messy and took a while but we got it done.

Saturday morning we ran a 5k! I have never ran in an organized race but this one was free and they have it every week. Its a good way to meet people there's probably 300 people. I think I got like #35 overall but apparently first in my age category? pretty cool.

We have been trying a few new techniques to find people to teach because my area is a a bit tough. So we walked a members dog through the city center and it made it easier for people to talk to us.

Anyway we just had zone conference yesterday and it was sweet! I am reminded everytime i see my Mission President that he is the best President ever. He is the most down to earth man i know. We are emailing in Shepparton today because we are doing a zone pday today so allll the elders in the zone are here. Which means i dont have much time.

So i will make this message brief. The Book of Mormon will change your life. Simple as that. Forget about being the perfect person for a minute, and just read the book with a real intent and changes will happen. Thanks everyone for the support, love hearing from you all, love you all.

-Elder Satterthwaite

Week 15 Transfers!

February 20, 2018

Well everyone it was a good week! I am staying in Albury! My trainer, Elder Morgan, got transferred. Sad he was a good trainer, but it was for sure time for a change haha. My new companion is Elder Nettleton he is from Australia so that is cool.

Last week on pday we went bowling with the Ferris', i did alright my game has gone a bit down hill but i still sent it.

So this week we also did some ripping up of tiles at the Hoysteds! Except this time we rented a big jackhammer thing on a cart. I will send a picture. But i thought usually they just did cement to hold tiles down, but this is all like glued down with tar so its tough. but that was fun. Oh and also i fixed 4 of her sprinklers! Cant get away from fixing sprinklers even across the world! it was fun though.

The work here is slowly progressing, a few less actives are coming back and we are getting some new teaching opportunities. The one thing i have noticed is we can only do so much for them, its ultimately up to them what they want to do. That is so true with myself and you guys. No one can force you to make good choices or work hard, it is up to us. Its the little things too that we chose to do that can change us dramatically.

Anyway hope all is killer for you all, stay cool. Also I love hearing from you all!

-Elder Satterthwaite

Tile Ripping

Sprinkler Work

COW

Week 14 Three Months!

February 13, 2018

Well is was another quick, awesome week among these aussies.

On wednesday we went on Branch Harvest with our Branch President. We visited this less-active member named Christine. We went in thinking we would just have a nice chat, and invite her back to church, which we did. But she ended up pouring her heart out basically and started crying. It was really touching! She is hopeful to coming back to church now. And thats the thing I really would like to share this week. That to me was just as important as an investigator getting baptized. To me, saving someone that knows and has heard the truth, but has been lost is as or more important that a new convert.

We also visited a less active lady that hadn't been coming because of health issues, primarily. So we are now taking her the sacrament. Anyway I also hit my 3 month mark too so thats cool.

OH yeah so we did some pretty fun service this last Saturday, at leas i thought it was fun. This part member family, The Hoysteads, has been renovating their house and saturday we had to rip up their old tiles in their house. The tiles we held on by this super strong tar/glue stuff. So we got a big ol weedburner and heated the tiles up and pryed them up with a shovel! About a minute of heat per tile, the tile itself was easy to get up it was getting the tar off the cement was a pain. and having the torch going inside it got to around 113 degrees inside! it was fun we went hard for about 2 hours and had to rest. I will attach a video in the other email.

Well I hope you all are smashing it on whatever you are doing! Stay strong and pray hard!

-Elder Satterthwaite

Lizard in the Flat

Cookin' Up

Week 13 AUS LYFE!

February 6, 2018

Well its been another quick week down under ay. But a good one, wasn't too hot i guess.

On Wednesday we drove to Shepparton which is about 2 hours to do exchanges with the Zone leaders! That was pretty fun we played volleyball with a ton of Samoans... it was intense. There were some big fellas. But they brought some non member mates so that was cool.

Oh yeah then Friday we drove up to Griffith for my companion to do a baptism interview for the sisters up there. Its about 3.5 hours and we got there at 5, did the interview at 6 and ate a their branch mission leaders house. So we ended up leaving at like 7:30 so we got home pretty late!

Then Saturday we helped 2 people move! We had 3 but didn't have time because they went all day. So that was pretty tiring in the heat. Other than that just been a normal week kinda slow just working with the same investigators trying to get an appointment set which is difficult.

Anyway i would like to remind you all that your Heavenly Father loves you! Sounds a bit cliche but its so true, and he wants you have a relationship with you. So always do your best to do the simple things like be kind, pray, and read your scriptures. I promise that it will change your life. Have an awesome week, love you all.

Elder Satterthwaite

CAT Excavator

Beautiful Griffith

Also Griffith

Week 12 Straya Day!

January 30, 2018

What up errbody it was another sweet week down under. Lets get it.

So Wednesday after we emailed we traveled to Wangaratta for zone pday. We went to Woolshed Falls, its a sweet place with a water fall and cliff jumping, but we couldnt swim and it was blazing hot so that wasa bummer, see photos.

Thursday we had zone interviews in wang, they went well! Friday was Australia day! Like the 4th of July kinda! We had a branch activity, we just did a bbq and some games at a big park next to the river. Everyone was floating the river i wanted to so bad. But it was good, we had a lot of members show up and it was a good ol time.

Oh so we had a funny/cool story this week. So Albury is a pretty tough place to find new investigators and stuff, people just dont want to hear it. But we got some ladys mail that lived down the street and we went to go deliver it to her and ended up talking to her for an hour! Well, actually she mostly talked, we could hardly get any words in she was going on and on. But it was good stuff and we set up another time to go visit her.

We helped a lady in our branch move out of her house all day monday, which was cool becuase her mother was there and she is a non-memeber so we talked to her a bit. Yesterday it FINALLY got cooler and rained... but we were mowing, weedeating, and pruning a yard so that was interesting.

Spiritual thought: Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humblethemselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weakthings become strong unto them." We are not perfect, but if we can excpet Christ into our lives and humble ourselves, God will make our weaknesses into strength. Its not an easy process, if it were than evryone would do it. It takes faith and a humble heart. The Scripture really explains it best.

Well everyone i hope you all are living your life to the fullest, love you all.

Elder Satterthwaite

On the Rivah!