Transfers!

 

Justin has just been transferred to the beautiful city of Merimbula!  His new companion is Elder Ee from Malaysia.  Here is an excerpt from his letter:

"My new area will be the toughest area I've been in so far. It is a small branch in Merimbula. There are 40 to 50 members that attend church. It is going to be the hardest part of my mission so far, yet I will come to find out why I was sent there. It will be amazing."

Macarthur Pictures

Zone Leaders

Malu Family

Matemua Family

Sister Standring

Warwicks

Family

This week I had the privilege of contacting my family via skype. It was truly wonderful. Family is just so valuable, and my testimony on how wonderful families are has grown being separated from them on the opposite side of the world.

 

The gospel involves the focus of us focusing on those things that will truly be ours, which are those things that we may have for eternity: knowledge, faith, spiritual gifts, etc.. All of such come from God and we strive for them. One more of great worth is that of families. How joyous to think that families can actually be forever, to dwell amidst our loved ones with no end. That is my happily ever after.

 

Now what can we do that others may have that eternal gift? I love that I have the privilege of helping people with just that, and talking to my family via skype helped me to increase in desire to spread the gospel, that families may partake of that joy which I was able to feel, and will feel in the end. Blessed be this gospel, and Jesus Christ, the author of it, who gave hope to all. I thank Him for His sacrifice for us and testify of the joy of families in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

This week wasn't the most eventful, but we enjoyed Stake Conference on Saturday and Sunday.  It was about letting your light shine forth.  DJ's date is definite for the 24th of May.  He still needs lots of teaching, but he's doing great!  We are going to invite Shamsa and her friend to baptism, and that will make 3 for May?  It'll be great!

Not much to say, but PICTURES! The first one is at a recent convert fireside, where I saw Elder Howse and Elder Fepuleai who had been with us at the flat last transfer.



Elder Fepuleai, Elder Howse and Elder Coats



 

1st attempt at a selfie!

Hello Everybody!

 

This week has been great! Elder Coats and I were able to teach a fourteen year old named DJ who is the son of a very less active mother, although she really isn't his mother. He will be baptized at the end of May. Our goal of baptisms for the month of May is 3 so we are going to work hard for those.

 

The ward is so great and I am just loving them. Netti, a Tongan, is preparing himself to serve a mission, and we were able to have him at two of our lessons this week. He is awesome and even wants to go tracting twice a week with us, which surprised me heaps. His family we are close to.

 

Also, I learned this week about the importance of believing. Sister Pikula, a returned missionary and current wife and mother, gave me some wonderful advice. She said that she knows that I believe, but I need to believe more. She also told me to put emotion into the work, and believe that I will find those who are ready, and that all I come in contact with need to hear what I have to say. It was great.

 

The work is going well in Macarthur and there is just so much to do. So many people need this gospel, so let's help them get it. Time is just too short. Sister Nelson, wife of Elder Nelson the apostle, spoke these words at the recent mission conference: "When you come to know who you truly are, you will wish you had spent your time better." May we all come to know who we truly are, and use our time wisely.  

 

Love,

 

Elder Cederlof

Dear people,

 

This week was wonderful! The climax of it was the privileged enjoying of General Conference. The talks were sublime and of the utmost benefit. There were three great repetitions that stood out to me: we need to get a deeper understanding of the atonement, ordinances, and "every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ". I love that last one the most. The question is, will we be compelled to do so, or rather, will we want to do so in humble adoration. I loved the talk on obedience and courage, because those reflect Christ-like qualities that we need to achieve. These talks are definitely worth studying over.

 

It has been an amazing experience to see my eyes opened as I have been out here, to see the need to take courage, and make more effort toward Christ. There is so much to do in these "four minutes" that we have. May it be done in His name.

 

Elder Cederlof



Companion - Elder Coats



Meeting house in MacArthur
 

 

Hello, everybody! Not much has happened this week, though we had transfers and I am staying with my current companion, which is good. We did have the opportunity to have a lesson with Kevin, who has been to the community basketball activities that we've been able to attend. He's having a few difficulties at the moment so we're trying to help him out and to help him see what the gospel can help him with.

 

We have been able to meet with the members a lot this week and that has been a blessing. They are just so wonderful and I love being able to find opportunitites to serve them. They are great examples of followers of Christ, even on the other side of the world. The gospel blesses all, both old and young of all kinds. That's why it's the healant for all people. Let's reach out so many can find that out for themselves.

 

Love,

 

Elder Justin Cederlof