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 Our First Baptism


We are just leaving the chapel where we attended the first baptism where we were with the sisters when they issued a baptismal challenge and the person said yes. This young man is from Papua New Guinea (PNG). His name is Raphael.  He has been working in Rockhampton for a couple of years and started coming to church fairly regularly for the past year. He has been taught by many missionaries, but it took the right missionary and the right time to ask him again when he wanted to be baptized. The missionary inspired to ask him was our sweet Chinese missionary, Sister Gao. He was ready.  He had friends in the ward and was being fellowshipped.  He was reluctant to join because he was raised Catholic and didn't want to disappoint his single parent mother.  Sister Gao told Raph about her conversion story and the challenge of meeting the disapproval of her Buddhist parents. It wasn't easy but her parents have seen the good changes she has made in her life.  It was a sweet experience for everyone who came to the baptism.

Elder Latu, from Tonga, and Elder Larkin from Logan, Utah.  This Van Gogh sculpture piece is in one of the parks in Emerald, Australia. Yes, it is really as big as it looks. The artists put replicas one each of Van Gogh's 12 paintings of sun flowers in 12 different countries.



Queensland has beautiful clouds and beautiful sunsets.

I never knew there were so many types of palm trees.

A typical week seems to involve numerous trips to the grocery store going up and down aisles with our trolley.  That is what they call a grocery cart.  We do fix meals for sister or others about one or twice a week. Yesterday we had a "break the fast" potluck.  Besides the sister and ourselves there were eight people who came who were either new members or "friends" investigating the church.  The most enjoyable part is going on appointments with the Sisters and watching them teach.  They are amazing.  Some days we do this once or twice but one day we went to four appointments.

 Last week I got brave enough to try making my homemade bread with Australian ingredients.  Dave and I had to laugh as our sisters showed up at our flat 10 minutes after we took the bread out of the oven.  They devoured a loaf.  I was going to give them a loaf anyway so it didn't mater but now they want to know when I am going to make more.

We facetime our granddaughter every week and try to send photos and cards often. It is hard being away from her but we have faith that the Lord is blessing our family while we are gone.  XOXOX from Australia.

Comments

  1. Your Sainted MotherFebruary 6, 2025 at 5:21 AM

    Love your updates!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ColleenFebruary 11, 2025 at 6:41 AM

    That first baptism is extra sweet, I'm sure. And I love your new bread-making enterprise. Soon they'll be coming from miles away to get a loaf!

    ReplyDelete

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