Week 50 White Line Fever

October 24, 2018

Well this week I bout drove the wheels off that Corolla. 

Just kidding it wasn't bad but we did put the kilometers on. First we drove 2 hour round trip to shep for my comp to get an ultrasound for his shoulder. This Thursday to Saturday that was the only major event cause my comp is still "recovering" . 

     Sunday was a interesting Sunday... we went to the swan hill branch, the other area we cover. That was a hour and 45 minute drive one way. I said the opening prayer, sacrement, and also gave a 20 minute talk, and 6 members were there. Hahah it was interesting but a good experience.  After just the 1 hour of church we went to visit a member in hospital ( no I didn't pass out this time I had sufficient food ). 

Monday we drove to district council (1 hour) and from there I drove to Wangaratta (hour:30) to go on exchanges with Elder Broczek. We did some service that evening. The next day we visited some of their old people being taught and one appointment went awesome!!! This lady really opened up like she never has before apparently. So that was a miracle in itself. After some more finding my comp met us in Wang and we made the 2 hour and some drive back home. 

Just for a reference my area that I cover end to end takes almost 5 hours driving on highways. About the length of utah... which includes 2 branches with 20 or so active members combined. And it's been that way for 25+ years... So yes it's very hard work here just getting to teach people. 

Anyway I was gonna add general conf this week but it's too long and I didn't wanna stick it at the end and have no one read it. So I'll tell my favorite talk: "our campfire if faith" by Elder gong. And I will elaborate next week. 

Have a great ol week mates!

Elder Satterthwaite 

Week 49 WOW..What an Interesting Week..

October 16, 2018

Yeah well it's been the most interesting week of my mission, so if you don't read any of my letters, this one is one to read. Plus I bet you'll laugh. 

Anyway so last pday right after I emailed me and Elder Middis went to get the bikes from the ludbeys to ride at the mtn bike track. 

So we get there and I hit this 'jump it's a wood platform drop off. Not 2 minutes in my comp (slightly less comfortable and experienced on a bike) hits it as well, without even looking at the landing or anything  I just see him absolutely nose the dive the sucker and he went over the bars. I was like oh shhhhnikies man.

 So I get to him and he can't really speak and he's just laying there. Landed right on his shoulder and pretty sure it is broke. can't move at all or get up so I called the mission nurse (3 hours away) and then called a member in the area who was a nurse. 

Elder thinks he needs an ambulance and the mission nurse is skeptical cause his legs were fine to walk.  Anywayyyy ends up we get an ambulance and everything and spend 3 hours at the hospital. Ended up with a fractured collar bone. 

Ludbey's offered that we could stay at their place because Elder Middis was in such bad shape and they had a nice bed, bathroom and could take care of him. So we have been staying here for the past week!! 

It's good though because then I'm not just sitting in our flat the entire day, they are on a farm so I can stay busy working. Anyway really we haven't done much because it's impossible. But the studies go on! The Lord had blessed up with an amazing family to take care of us. 

We also finally got to watch conference and it was amazing--more on that next week!

Well love you all hope it's been a good week for ya and it's cooling off up north, it's heating up here.

Elder Satterthwaite 

Week 48 11 Months!

October 9, 2018

Hello all and g'day. Well there's been better weeks here in the Australia Melbourne Mission, but it wasn't a bad week because I'm serving the Lord! This might be a quick letter or might be longer idk.

So basically all last week we absolutely smashed our branch list. It's a pretty long list even tho we don't get too many on Sunday. (Maybe the 2 hours will change that) anyway and also it's over a BIG area geographically ya know.

 So we were pretty flat out doing that whenever we could. But its fun, we have met some awesome people we are hopeful to come to activities and such. Also we did some tracting and what not.  We haven't watched General Conference yet cause Austraila woulda been on Monday so we watch it next week. Sounded great tho. 

Monday we were in the big ol city because it had to go to the doctor for my broken finger deal. It hasn't healed very well but all went well. Except I HATE THE CITY. It's such a joke every time I try to get around that place, but I lived so there ya go. My comps transportation card stopped working so that was fun. 

Tuesday was district council in the morning. After we went to give a blessing to one of the Shep areas member and after about 20 minutes of messing around they did the blessing. And I don't know why but I was super light headed and anyway I ended up PASSING OUT  it was pretty weird to be honest but guess that's the best place to do it....I got a free sandwich and juice from the hospital. So i mean it wasn't totally bad. Hahaha I don't know... I just don't like hospitals. 

Anyway I hope you all can feel of God's love this week, if you need help in that arena just shoot me a text or something. Love you all.

Elder Satterthwaite

Week 47 Packed Week!

October 2, 2018

Well this week was flat out! So fun! 

Events: 

-Thursday we had interviews with President. He is the man as always. We had a zone council afterwards which was great. 

-Saturday was the footy grand final!! The SUPER BOWL of Austraila! We got permission from pres to watch it with a family. The ludbeys are die hard Collingwood fans and they were in the finals this year. It was an awesome game but they lost :(

-Sunday was branch conference in Swan hill, the other branch we cover about an hour and 45 minutes away. I gave a talk with about 2 minutes notice!!! It went Well! Swan Hill is a tiny branch but a good one.

-Monday we had district council and drove to stay in the city for the night.

-Tuesday was zone conference! It was such a good one! Our mission President is the best. You know He gave a talk in general conference in 1985 was he was 22? Right after he won gold at the Olympic games. What a beast.

*MIRACLE*: Finally a break through in Echuca, we were knocking doors in this tiny town about an hour from where we live. After like an hour and a half we get to this ladys door. I always offer help when I knock on doors. She says oh i have a lawn mower that won't start.. so I fixed it, got it running. And she said how much do you charge to do the lawn? I said nothing at all and hopped on we also cleaned up her yard a bit. She told us not long before we showed up she had prayed and asked for help. She said we were her answer to her prayers. Such a great experience and we had a good chat to her and are heading back soon to follow up. Anyway you mates have a smashing week! Love yous!

--Elder Satterthwaite

Week 46 On The Road Again

September 25, 2018

This was a busy week for us! 

First off, Thursday we got up at 5:30 to catch a train down to the city where my doctor appointment was. Wasn't my idea to ride the train let me just say. Anyway I planned it so I would be 20 minutes early. Long story short, the train got delayed and I was 20 minutes late and the buggers made me reschedule for 3 weeks later... Haha oh well right? So we made our way around the city and got home.

   Friday we went up to the other area that we cover that is about an hour 45 minutes away, Swan Hill. It's a tiny branch. We visited a member there that gave us 3 family referrals!! Then we had dinner at the branch presidents. 

   Saturday night we had a bonfire at the Ludbeys. It was really fun. The Ludbey boys used about a gallon of diesel trying to start it with no luck. While they went to go get more fuel, I started it with a little piece of cardboard. They were laughing when they came back and the fire was huge. 

    Sunday we had our Branch Conference! It was a great Sunday! Awesome speakers and a super yummy lunch afterwards. 

   Monday we did some good ol service and then found a few people who we set up some return appointments with!!  Tuesday we did some more traveling around to some small towns to find some people, we had some success! It's great to be able to find the few people who are willing to turn to Christ and follow his example. 

  Anyway hope you all are doing so well and having fun. I love you all.

Elder Satterthwaite