Final Transfer to.....Cowra!

Dear People,
 

I have been transferred. It is  sad that I'll be leaving the ward that I've come to love along with the investigators we were working with, but I am looking forward to this new area. It's called Cowra and it's in the country, far as from Sydney. It took hours to get there so say goodbye to city people. I've loved it so far and my new companion is from Saratoga Springs, Utah, and his name is Elder Smith. 

 

I was actually able to meet some members and a non member family and a couple recent converts the evening I arrived which was fantastic. I love the area and the branch and the people already. The place has heaps of potential and I'll be excited to work here for the next four months. I should be dying here, mission-wise of course. It's getting cold so it's time to take out the coat. I hear that it snows in a place about an hour from here, not here though, thank goodness. It'll be great though. 

 

You are all awesome. One great thing I've learned from the mission so far is how amazing and how important, priceless, people are. People last forever. Families last forever. They are the true treasures. No wonder God cares so much about us, and I can't comprehend how much He truly loves us. It makes me wonder how much do I underestimate the importance of what I do here, how I reach out to others, how I use my time, for all things have their influence, and time is so short compared to infinite and eternal effects from what happens in that small, pathetically small,  amount of time on this earth. Church is true, and ever true. Change is fantastic because it reveals those things that don't change, such as God, His Son, and the gospel, which will always reach out to the individual, priceless, soul. In the name of Jesus Christ amen. 

 

Love you all! And happy April ending. 

 

Love,

Elder J. Cederlof

 

Japanese gardens in Cowra
 

S is doing well, though there have been some challenges with him this past week with his partner, but it's getting better. We had an awesome meet up with a potential named M, who we met at S's a while back and had given him reading material. He was at N's place when we showed up this past Sunday, and he wanted to meet up with us. He had been reading the pamphlets and we'll be seeing him tomorrow. We are continually teaching N, and we have him a blessing to help him overcome his addictions.

At ward council we brought up our concerns with the ward and asked of their concerns with us and that helped the ward council and missionaries get more unified, so now we understand more our role with them and they understand what we are seeing with the ward.

T hasn't been answering his phone as of lately, but we are still trying to get in contact with him.

I WON'T BE ON FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOTHER, WHEN THAT DAY COMES. I have your happy face on the calendar. I won't ask how old you are turning ha, but I'm thinking I've got a pretty sure idea. Love you so much!

The ward is alright, we are starting those home teaching and rescue night tradeoffs so that will help us get involved with the ward more. I am just bummed that things are rolling better, yet in two weeks is transfers, and I'll probably leave, so that will be a bummer for me. I'd gladly stay in this ward for another transfer, but whatever the Lord wills.

How is the scripture reading coming along?

Love you so much, Mom, happy birthday, glad you enjoyed Arizona - did you see Hannah and her husband? - And take care!!

Love,
 
Elder Justin Cederlof