Mission Report No 23

 Funny - was just having a chat with an old friend in Geelong, who knows me very well. He asked how the Church members up here are handling my sense of humor. To which I replied, "It's been a bit of a struggle." I am trying to be more serious, but it doesn't come easy for me. I think I'm getting better though, slowly. We are likely to be up here for another 12 months. Maybe by the end of our time I'll be this totally serious guy who never says anything out of left field to the surprise of everyone. Maybe I won't have changed at all, but rest assured I am working on it. Hopefully less inappropriate things will be falling out of my mouth!

Monday 5th September

We said good-by to Elder Tuave today. He had only been in Cairns for 12 weeks and he was a little bit sad to be leaving so soon. After he left, our new District Leader, Elder Misa, arrived, so we then had the Elders remaining in Cairns District, to our place for lunch.

Tuesday 6th September

Back up to Atherton to visit Leila and David today. Had a really nice talk with them. I think we took a little more stuff to the Elders in their new flat as well. Did I mention already that Elder Pollock and Tuafelele from Cairns have been moved up there?

I had a District Council meeting with the District Presidency tonight too.

Wednesday 7th September

Can't seem to remember what happened today, except I went for an afternoon kite foil session which was quite unsuccessful. The wind dropped as soon as I got in to the water.

Thursday 8th September

Had a nice visit today with a lady who really wants to start attending Church again, but I think has some mental health challenges that are preventing her from being able to come. We'll try to spend some time with her again before Sunday to see if we can help her get to Church.

Friday 9th September

Two brand new missionaries arrived here in Cairns from the US today. Elder Black from Utah and Elder Ricks from Indiana, who will be companions with Elder Misa and Elder Pemberton respectively. After they were picked up from the airport, their new companions brought them to our place for lunch.

I think it was today that I read that Queen Elizabeth II died. She's the only Queen I have ever known. I grew up singing God Save the Queen at school - I can't remember if that was every day or every week - and I did feel a twinge of emotion as I digested that bit of news.

Saturday 10th September

Had my best ever kite foil session today out at Yorkey's Knob. Before going to bed last night, I watched a video on YouTube that was titled something like "The No 1 mistake that new kite foilers make." The simple tip was to put both hands on the control bar. What an amazing difference it made!

Here's a map of my session! Long straight lines!


So, what's the deal with a missionary kitesurfing? Simple - I have to keep fit, I hate going to gyms and I need a decent dose of adrenalin every week. Plus senior missionaries simply don't have the strict rules that the young missionaries do. 

Sunday 11th September

A relatively quiet Sunday, attending both branches of the Church in Cairns.                






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