Missionary Report No 64

Me with Margot's hat on.
"The battery is in the boot!"

Monday, 19th June, 2023

This morning I mowed Nimai and Marcella's lawn for them. I offered to do it for them until they return in August.  Up here at this time of the year, it would need to be mowed about every two weeks. In the wet season it would need to be mowed every week - glad they went away now!

We went to buy a bike for the elders to replace the one that had been stolen. Also some even more sturdier bike locks from Bunnings. We've bought 6 bikes, 5 of them have been stolen. We feel like we are running a "bicycle welfare program" here in Cairns, where we supply bikes to the local population free of charge.

We then received a message from Tara saying that she was parked at a shopping centre and was needing a new battery and wondering if we could assist her.  She bought a new battery across the road at Super Cheap Autos and I then attempted to install it but didn't have the right tools and what made it even more challenging was that the battery was located in the boot of the car. It's a Commodore. The battery is in the boot! Tara then asked a passerby who kindly came to the rescue with some extra tools.

I finished off the day with a kite foil session at Yorkey's Knob.

Tuesday, 20th June

I did laps at the pool this morning before anything else. Trying hard to keep my back in shape. Swimming really helps.

Prepared a meal for a family who were exhausted from moving.

We baked some bread for a family that we hadn't seen at church for a few weeks.  It turned out that the son has been sick.

Wednesday, 21st June

I interviewed a lady in Arizona whose grandmother wrote the song, "Book of Mormon Stories". There's a link to it above. Hope you like it.

We were going to help sisters with a teaching appointment but it fell through.

I had intended to climb Mt Bartle Frere with Elder Stokes who along with his wife is serving in Bowen. It is the highest mountain in Queensland and I was uncertain as to whether I was fit enough to do it and then last week I decided to climb the Red Arrow as practice. I took a wrong turn and four hours later made it home exhausted and knew then I wasn't fit enough to do the climb.

Thursday, 22nd June

In the afternoon we were interviewed by the counselor in the District Presidency who lives in Mt Isa via zoom to be District Temple and Family History Leaders.

Then in the evening, I taught our gospel study class. It's more of a discussion group, but it's going nicely.

Friday, 23rd June

We had flat and car inspections with our young missionaries this morning.

In the afternoon Murray and two missionaries gave a blessing to both a mother and son who are both facing serious health challenges.

Saturday, 24th June

Had our usual Tai Chi class at 8.00 this morning, with Yoriko bringing Sister Wigness. 

We had a mission devotional via Zoom where we were able to hear Elder Christofferson speak about the recent changes to Preach My Gospel (the missionary work manual) and hear the testimonies of other apostles and their wives on the Book of Mormon.

Late afternoon kite foil session at Yorkey's. Top speed of 25 knots, which was fun! (Not dangerous at all!)

Sunday, 25th June

Attended both Branches in Cairns and helped transport a father and son who the elders are teaching to church.

We often get visitors in Cairns and today we knew the wife of the family visiting, Michelle Kwong Gilbert. They are from Victoria and we have known her and her parents and siblings for many years so we enjoyed catching up.

After church there was a baptism for two children. The family is from Victoria and have been here in Cairns about six months.