ANZAC

So this past Tuesday we honored ANZAC day, which I believe stands for Australia New Zealand Army Corps. It's kinda like a memorial day and they hold a service at dawn, at about 5, and honor those who served in the army. It was a cool experience, and we got to hear bagpipes play, speeches given, and a choir sing. Just another cool historical moment in Australian history.

Anyways, this past week has been good! We had a baptism for Tyson, and it went well! It was interesting, knowing that this would be Elder Apable's last baptism and Elder Ahn's first! Anyways, some families from the ward showed up, and a lot of his friends, and the program with very smoothly. He even bore his testimony, which was awesome to see, because he was really nervous about it but did it because it meant a lot to him.

Also, we got to hear Elder Nielson of the 70 speak to us! One of my favorite things he shared with us was, "Don't let satan win the battle of your soul". When you think about it, this life can feel like a battle within yourself. You have the world, or satan, telling you to do certain things and be a certain way, and you have to fight it and overcome the natural man in order to reach exaltation in the end. As a missionary, you see people winning that battle and unfortunately, you see some people who are starting to lose that battle and you are desperately trying to help them turn the tides, or even see that they are losing such a precious war. Anyways, that will be my little spiritual thought today.

This week we also met someone from Destiny church, a curch that started of in New Zealand. We came back and mowed their lawns for them, and in turn they rapped some songs for us! They were really good, and it was all about praising God and spreading His word, it was pretty interesting. I'd send a video but it would probably take the whole day to upload, so sorry. Apparently though they rap in the city about all these messages of joy and stuff, and it get's quite a lot of attention.

Anyways, thank you everyone for your love and support!

Elder Ho 

Three of us! An nyong ha sae yo!

Just as the title says, we are now officially a three person companionship! It's been super fun already in the first week! So Elder Apable will be finishing his mission and going home halfway through the transfer, so we picked up a new Elder last wednesday, and he's straight from the MTC! And Korean! South Korean of course, he doesn't like being called North Korean. But he's awesome! He's really funny and always has Elder Apable and I cracking up at the things he says and does, and he's got an awesome spirit! Oh, his name is Elder Ahn by the way. It's pretty cool being the companion in the middle of someone going home and someone just entering the mission!

Anyways, news for this week... we've had the opportunity to do a lot of service! One of the things that we did for service was clearing mud out of a tree far, which had been affected by the recent floods. There was mud everywhere and many missionaries and members shoveling mud into wheelbarrows. Unfortunately I wasn't able to grab any pictures, but it was a good experience. And only halfway through did they tell me that the mud was dangerous and toxic and try not to breath in any of the dust or touch my face at all... so I might come home with some cool powers or a weird new disease. We'll see.

Also, we had easter sunday, which was great! There was a musical number from a ward choir, and then a musical number from a little primary girl that had the whole ward going "aaaaaah", and some great talks!

And last but not least, a baptism coming up this friday, which we'll really excited about! I'll let you all know how it goes next time! Anyways, got lots to do today, so gonna have to end the email here...

but thanks everyone for your love and support!

Elder Ho

Revelation!

Finally! General Conference! This past Saturday and Sunday we were able to watch it, and I was able to receive a lot of revelation and helpful insights! I'll probably finish this email with one of my favorite talks or something.

Anyways, being the last week of the transfer, it's been really busy. Lot's of cleaning, planning, and then General Conference Weekend. We also got to go to an Easter Choir thing that the stake put on, which was pretty cool. They sang many songs about the life of Christ and had actors giving little speeches in between. Our mission president actually ended up turning up to one of them, which was cool. 

Also, we got flu shots this past Tuesday, and many missionaries were there from other zones. It was pretty cool, because I was able to talk a bit to my trainer and my first zone leader, who are both going home very soon. It's weird to think that all the people that were there with me at the beginning of my mission are either gone or going home soon.

Well, with a new transfer, we got the news of who is staying and going and... Both my companion and I are staying! My companion only has three weeks left, so he'll leave halfway through the transfer, so we'll see what happens after that.

I guess the last thing to talk about is one of my favorite talks. It was by Mark A Bragg, and he spoke about the Light of Christ. The Light of Christ is in all things and in everyone's "Spiritual DNA". It is the tendency for all living organisms to do good, to have compassion, and ultimately, the desire we have to return home to our Heavenly Father, whether we know it or not. It is not the Holy Ghost, but even those who aren't members and haven't heard of the Gospel have it, and it is the Light of Christ that leads them to seeking and accepting the Gospel. How does this "Light of Christ" apply to members? Well, correct me if I'm doctrinally wrong, but, as members our "light" shines towards others. The more obedient we are, the more our light can affect others. So by simply growing your light, letting it shine, you're being a member missionary and those around you, even your neighbors, are affected and that's when missionary miracles happen.

Anyways, thanks for all your love and support!

Elder Ho

Some Pictures

Water...All Over

So it's been a bit of a hectic week! Lots of things happening.

So to start off, this past thursday, it stormed! We were told to be back at our flat as soon as possible and stay at home the whole day, and it was crazy! But it was only the beginning. The next day was sunny, but that was when the floods hit. We were safe, but if you walk maybe 5 houses down our street everything was flooded. Many roads were closed, and we weren't even able to get to some areas because all the roads were flooded! The next day, the waters shifted a bit and the elders that lived near us were pretty much stuck on an island, all the roads to get to their flat were blocked. So it's been an interesting and wet week!

And on the topic of water, this past Saturday we filled up our baptismal font to help prepare of the baptism of Asa, the 9 year old boy we've been helping to prep for baptism. It was a private baptism since he gets stage fright easily, and it all went well! It took him a while to enter the water, then a little longer for his dad to immerse him, since he was scared of the water and the attention, but he was able to gather up all his courage and was baptized in the end! It was a really powerful experience.

Anyways, we have one more baptism coming up this month, which we are really excited about! It's for Tyson, and we've taught him three lessons so far. He's a really cool guy and really smart, and is understanding everything we teach him so far.

Well, I can't wait to watch general conference, thanks everyone for not giving me any spoilers! Just a spiritual thought I want to leave with you today is to remember that Heavenly Father loves you! And if you don't know if He does or if He's there, ask him, and experiment upon his word! Just a short little message for you all today.

Thanks for all your love and support,

Elder Ho