White HOT Christmas

I is definitely not white as in snow here... but the sun does reflect quite bright off of a lot of white objects... ha But yes it is very warm here! It is nice! I love it. But no, it really does not feel like Christmas at all... haha except we put up the lights in the apartment and hung up the stalking I got in my package. And we found a mini tree in our closet! So yea... ha and the bag of nuts did make it seem a little bit more like Christmas! ha Christmas Conference was awesome! a lot of good stuff. we watched a movie called Ephraim’s rescue. apparently it is new. It is a story of a man and how he helped the pioneers cross the plains. it was awesome! I liked it. very spirit filled honestly. There was a quote in that really stuck out to me "You have to Lose your life in order to Find it!" That hit deep. I even wrote it down in my notes! haha. Christmas is interesting down under... ha it is a lot more like the 4th of July almost... everyone keeps inviting us over for lunch. I can call around 7 that should work. all the people sound fine. an hour is about the longest I can take probably. Things are progressing here work wise. We had 2 investigators at our ward party. and 1 at church last week and a different one this week. we should be picking up here soon! all is well! oh and this is crazy to think that that the Knudsen’s are moving! they are like the 1 family I never expected to move... but it makes sense once you think about it...

My core experience with God this week is I guess a lot of little things. A lot of little things started to become more clear. In my studying and because of the Temple trip we were blessed to take. The love of God & Christ was truly shown to me this week through personal revelation. There was no great or marvelous moment, but several little moments that cleared things up and made me understand more fully the gospel. Which in turn brings great joy to a missionary. It was quite the appropriate experience given the season!

  I have been doing better in my teaching I feel like. Me and Elder Tsai had a good companion study earlier in the week that helped me listen better. As I am becoming a better listener I am more able to teach according to their needs, rather than hitting all the points of the lesson. Before, I thought "What they NEED is to listen to the WHOLE lesson and stop interrupting!" Obviously I was in the wrong here. ha. I am starting to be able to better help the people we teach and apply the gospel to them as I tailor the lesson, even in mid-lesson. Continuing to try and better my teaching skills, onward and upward!""

   We visited a less active man with an active member in our branch. For a while I was trying to think of something to help this individual. When after he said some of his further concerns, my mouth opened and I asked a rather deep question inquiring about his feelings of the church in general. As I sat and watched him ponder I noticed his expression change a bit. It definitely was a testament to me on how listening and having the holy ghost with you can change EVERYTHING for the better in a lesson.

Love you all Merry CHRISTmas!

Love,

   Elder Ford

 "Come What May & Love It!"  - Joseph B. Wirthlin

Sophomore Missionary

I realized after I sent this e-mail last week that I was at 6 months out! 1/4 served! So I am now calling myself a sophomore missionary... hahaha I am doing well though! I was touched to hear about the ward Christmas party and all the thoughts and old pictures. ha. Mon... i totally remember the Sheppard outfits too! haha There was a festival here last week called "The Festival Of The Sun!" Pretty much an excuse for a bunch of young people to get together and drink at a big out door concert! It was crazy to see! ha but it did bring some teaching opportunities! The work is progressing here and the whole zone broke the record for new investigators half way through the month! I am excited to see how the rest of the month progresses! It will be interesting! the sunsets here can be just as beautiful as Missouri sunsets, I included a picture of one... our Christmas conference is on Thursday and since we are traveling so far we get to go to the temple in Sydney the night before as well! so that will be interesting! President Howes is VERY temple focused! it is good. I will try to take pictures after If I have time! i would like to call around 6 or 7 Christmas eve, which is 1 or noon here. seems convenient for both parties.. but we will see. Elder Tsais family is on the east coast so they are 2 hours behind. I will let you know for sure next week!

My core experience with god this week was due to the fortunate opportunity I had to go on several exchanges with other missionaries! Every Elder I served with and every person we met were so different. All kinds of back grounds, behaviors, and habits. Some were loud and some are more quiet. However, when we were teaching we all were common. All faithful sons of our father in heaven. We may act different and have our individual personalities, but we are all converted to the same gospel. it was really neat to fill the spirit in different ways as I taught with different missionaries! Also, miracles happen on exchanges. We got into houses and met Less active members that hadn't been visited in years! We talked to more people and got more potential investigators and even investigators than we could have with out that individual missionary or on our own. 

   I m trying to be more patient when I teach. I notice I often think "okay, I know what to say there!" and want to say  it, and am so eager to say it! But that isn't good because that means I am not doing as good of a job at listening once I have this thought. I am just waiting for them to finish. It stems off from the listening problem I am getting better at. I need to be more patient with my listening I think. It is so easy to jump into a topic and start bashing when you know something is wrong! But the spirit immediately leaves as we know... I have noticed lessons go better when I am more patient and stay away from the bashing line. 

   As i try to teach as Christ taught I am becoming a better teacher and ultimately a better me! I learning "people skills" I will use for the rest of my life. I am becoming evermore eager to share the gospel and what is important to me. In my studies I am becoming so much more grateful for the life and knowledge I have, particularly pertaining to the gospel, because of the sacrifice of others (ancestors, parents, friends, etc.).

   We invited an investigator to be baptized this week and I think it really made it click with her that we are here to help and change. It really established our purpose with this daughter of god. helped her to understand the restoration much better too!

Jealous of the Surf...

I am doing well friends and family! I love you all. Australia is fun! I saw a kangaroo for the first time yesterday! That was fun! I have now seen both of the big animals people want to see here  in Australia! We visited a man named Derek, and he showed us some beautiful places near his home. That is the 2nd picture!  Port is Beautiful and the best part is... There is no snow! ha I hear you are now suffering that... I am so sorry... ha. It is nice here. very warm, I am really enjoying that! I am happy to hear form all of you.

OH and my mission address is: P.O. Box 2723 Carlingford NSW 2118 (letters only)

The Coast here is Beautiful! I love being able to see it. It is odd though cause I am so used to seeing it on the west side and the sun setting so it is a little disorienting at times... because it is obviously on the east side! The waves are HUGE it taunts me and makes me really want to learn how to surf! ha 

  My core experience with god this week was for the first time seeing a huge blessing from dedicated fasting. I started my fast Sunday and ended my fast with prayer and dedicated my fast to our finding efforts. I had never seen a big blessing from fasting before... It just kind of seemed to be "what we do"or "just cause"that is what we are told. I have never had more new investigators are opportunities to talk to new people as I have had this week! it was quite amazing honestly! in fact our zone has nearly reached its goal for finding on the month. I have never been close to reaching a goal like this before. I hope to again see a miracle! I hope that we can continue to see and act on these opportunities. For, I did notice that the harder I tried to set up a return appointment and help them learn, and all the things we do to get a new investigator that they opened up more and I was able to help them learn and like us more. Due to the spirit I would say. Gaining a testimony of Fasting and effort is what I would say my core experience with god was this week! 

   I am doing better with listening. I was on exchanges with Elder Leneham this past week. We visited a former investigator that was a 7th day Adventist. It could have very easily turned into a bible bashing session. But Because me and Elder Leneham had the idea of asking inspired questions and listening fresh in our minds from 12-week study that morning we were able to help him understand the book of Mormon and Joseph Smith more. We saw his countenance change. It was interesting. I am trying to do better at listening, and seeing success. But like any bad habit it is taking a little longer than I would like to break.

I love you all and hope all is going well! I pray for many of you back home every night.

   Love,

      Elder Christian Ford

Elder Ford Down Under

 Culture shock is real... it is weird. But It is fun! I am enjoying my time. I have never had to turn on a light switch before.. but I have now! So one thing that is interesting is people say as after everything. example.  "That t-shirt is cool-as mate!" I hear the swear word that starts with an A almost every time I hear it! it throws me for a loop... but not as much of a loop as the driving on the left side of the road! it BLEW my mind! especially right and left turns. there are so many mental accidents it is crazy but fun! 

My new companion is Elder Tsai, from Maryland . He is very nice and has been out for 18 months. He does speak Chinese however he grew up speaking English at home. We are in an area called Port Macquarie! It is a cool little surf town that has a branch of near 50 active members! It is a beautiful place! and I am loving it! 

The flight was 14 hours on an A380 Airbus. so that was cool. it is incredible to think that such a massive thing can defy gravity and fly! I met a real nice couple named Sam and Beck! they were nice and told me all kinds of useful things and stuff about Australia! 

This is the 1st e-mail I have ever sent a mission president. I thought I would tell you all of my experience...

 My core experience with god this week was profound. I have NEVER received so much personal revelation as I have this past week. When I was on the plane flying into Sydney I was coming from a week of disobedience, and thought that I need to change my ways a bit.'I went to help Elder Gunderson (assistant) get carts for all of the luggage. I asked him to tell me about the mission, expecting something about the culture. He responded by saying "The more obedient you are, the Happier you will be." If that is not the Holy Ghost working through leadership to confirm my own feelings and revelation I don't know what is. Then you asked me what I would struggle most with I didn't even have time to think. I spoke instantly and told you with out even thinking about it, that I would struggle with obedience. It was almost as if someone had spoken the words for me... quite odd. But! Your words about "Free Obedience"moved me. I realized I indeed was in the wrong and needed to change and be better. The following car ride with you and Sister Howes proved to me that exactly as I felt like I kept answering the questions you asked wrongly. The next day we had several trainings on the mission rules and guidelines. Some of the rules were different from what I had been used to in Missouri, but with the revelation I had received the day prior I understood I needed to accept the new way and send a few items home. Gladly met that requirement. Then Sister Howes proceeded with her story about the "Joking Elder." I am sad to admit that I realized that in my loud and seemingly insensitive personality, that I had the same exact issue outlined in the story. I began to think of all the nice brothers and sisters I likely offended in St. Louis, as well as in my life at home. I began to feel very guilty... The training showing the gridiron coach learning the importance of always living righteously enough to give a priesthood blessing added onto the guilt as I had just 48 hours before come from the most disobedient time in my brief mission experience. I thought to myself that this mission was too much for me. I could not possibly live up the the great expectations President and Sister Howes have of me. It is NOT my personality and is not me. I am unfit to be what they need me to be...   The I thought what else did we learn today?" We were taught, I believe by Sister Howes, how we must change to circumstances. We must rise to occasions, you can only change yourself! You have to change so You can do what is expected of you. I was amazed. This was the climax of my experience with god this week. It continued as I had the opportunity to spend time with the Baukham hills(?) Elders however, The counciled me on how best to adapt to the land and stressed the importance and sanctity of Missionaries and missionary work. I had not told them all of my experiences, but they still reached into my soul and helped me. Leaders are certainly inspired and chosen. I am so grateful for the lesson I have learned and hope I can become adequate enough to meet your, and more importantly the Lords expectations.

Thank all of you for your support! the lord loves all of us!

Missionary Arrival

Your wonderful missionary has arrived.  He is so polite and kind.  Thank you for sharing him with us.  He will be a great help and strength to the mission.

Sister Feil

Australia Sydney North Mission

2010151@ldschurch.org

 

Guess Who Got their Visa!

  After a long 5 Month stay in Missouri Elder Keefer finally got his visa... hahaha Sorry I had to fool you guys! But yes Elder Keefer is going to Australia in a week! That is the reasoning for the Trio! It is fun though! Me, Elder Bowen (Coalville , UT 13 months), and elder Keefer are enjoying our brief trio-companionship!  We are doing well! Elder Keefer opened this area so it is still fairly new! and he has put together  solid area book and is ready to hand it off! We have about 10-12 investigators and 12 members in our small Linn branch! It is an adventure though! I am excited to serve here! We have a very good Branch Mission leader who loves us! He is a nice retired doctor who used to go an a lot of safaris when he was able bodied! ha He has shot everything from Lions to elephants to deer to gazelle and everything In between! he loves to tell us his hunting stories and show us his trophies! He is however very humble and grateful for the success the lord has allowed him to have in this life! I am doing well. The other night I was thinking to myself how grateful I am to be out here doing the lords will. I truly do love it! My testimony has been destroyed and built taller because of it! I never understood the metaphor of tearing something down to build it up stronger until now! I am so blessed! I am grateful for all that the lord allows me to have and do! Now..you are probably thinking this doesn't sound like the Chris I knew... he was always joking and playing around! Well, part of that is because this is a serious work and partly because I still do have fun! haha I lov eit! we see so many craxy things and just laugh! It is great, in fact for today we are going fishing and drinking mountain dew at our branch mission leaders 14 acre lake! I love to play pranks on my companions! The other night Elder Bowen was showering and me n' Elder Keefer turned off the hot water valve! haha it was so funny! Well I am doing fantastic and I hope n' pray you all are as well!

Love,

   Elder Ford

Elder Ford in Missouri

AH! HELLO my friends and Family!!!

I am doing well still. Missouri is fun still. No matter how used to a small town you think you are... you always see something that surprises you! haha The other day there was 2 old guys sitting by a fire they made on the grass on their front lawn, cooking hobo dinners for lunch, a big ol guy with no shirt and they had the door of the pick  up open listening to the most hick country music I have ever  heard! haha coming from me , you know that means a lot! hahaha it was funny! 

   I am not driving any more, my companion got his papers signed so now he is the driver! So I am back to standing behind the car backing him up and on the passenger side! ha. oh and carrying the phone, which my companion is happy about because he doesn't have to talk to people any more! ha but that is alright with me, because I like to text the other missionaries in our ward funny things randomly! haha.

   We are supposed to teach 20 lessons every week. it is our "Standard of Excellence" for teaching. It is mixed with Investigators, less-active members, recent converts, and member lessons. SO between those different ways we are supposed to teach 20 lessons a week. That is where 20 lessons came from in my last e-mail! This last week we taught 15 I think... so it was okay! 

   We set a baptismal date with Andrew, Oct. 29th! So that should work out well! We taught a man named Jeff last week with a member named Brother Glassford which was a great idea to bring him! He really helped Jeff understand the things w were teaching! Rita canceled on us this week.. she was feeling sick... so hopefully she feels better this week and we can teach her!! that would be good!  Other than that we have some potential-Investigators we are trying to start teaching, and a part member-less-active/active family we are trying to start working with! The father, Abdur, has been on and off investigating for many years. His wife (the member) and him stay home on Sundays to watch the sick kids, but the healthy ones come to church! ha He is a good example to his wife, or so she says, and seems very ready to accept the gospel, he pretty much just needs to be baptized an come to church more often! His oldest daughter is almost 8 and is REALLY excited to be baptized! She wants him to baptize her, and he very well could! So the circumstances are just perfect! We are going to try and start that up.. should work out! So that is the summary of the work here in Warrenton! we are trying to get the work going a bit faster! 

   Preparation Days here are a bit slow... We are out in the country, so we are pretty far from anything. We usually just shop for groceries, e-mail, and play basketball inside the carpeted gym in our church with ourselves or the other elders in our ward! other than that.. it is pretty slow! but that is alright! We get stuff done the rest of the week, and "P-days" are comparatively unimportant! Oh! A few weeks ago I bought "safety color green" hooded sweatshirt! So I am visible when I run in the morning! hahaha so that was fun! it is pretty cool! I enjoy it! All is well in Missouri! Have a great week! ;)

Elder Ford