Week 11 - Kalgoorlie, Australia - October 26, 2015 - G'day Mate

Some wallabies in the Bush - a momma and her joey. 

SUP FAM:) I love reading all of your letters! They mean so much to me:) Twas a good week here in Kal.  Just beasting it daily, kicking into mule mode and getting the work done:) IDK If I told you in the last letter, but I named my new bike Nemo and I take good care of him with this massive 60$ lock we bought. If you leave anything out, including cars, bikes, motorcycles, scooters....they will be gone within 5 minutes guaranteed. The people (I'm sure not everyone..just the punks) just steal things when they see them. haha So we were walking this street and this group of 14 year old boys start laughing at us and saying that they know where our bike is. Man, it's pretty annoying because my comp and I could have easliy taken the group of 10 but we just kept walking....obviously. 

We have been working with a man named G who claims to be an atheist but was raised in a Christian home. He is one of those people who just let us come around because he thinks we are cool and he likes talking to us, but this last week we went by and chatted for a while and asked him if we could show him a mormon message. I carry around a ton of them on a flash drive. He agreed so we plugged it in and I couldn't find the one I wanted to show so I just clicked on this random one that I had never seen thinking that it was the one. So we just watched that one....AND of course it was EXACTLY what he needed to hear.  It was absolutely powerful. You could not have walked into that room and said that it didn't feel unique.....I shared with him my testimony and I know for a FACT he cannot deny that he felt something that he has never felt before. Cool experience! God really does want ALL of his children to return to him! For some it needs to be a slow progression. We also met with a lot of our investigators and potentials. It's hard to find people who actually have the ability and self control to change their ways....Addiction is the poison of the people here in various forms, but we met with a man from Paupau, New Guinea named K. Elder Jensen got to give a large portion of the Restoration which was a good experience for him and he was smiling from ear to ear for the day. 

I gave training this last Tuesday for district meeting and started it off with a story about me and King Louie (a nickname for Matthew, his younger brother).... man I didn't even think anything of it but the minute I started talking about him the tears just came....man, I miss him! I seriously think often what would Matthew do in this situation because he was always the Christ-like example I needed. But the training went well. The spirit comes most strongly when you testify of things that you know and feel very deeply. Being set apart to be representatives of Christ, and living our lives the way we do every day truly does make us different than anyone else. People don't know why they feel the way they do around us but they just keep inviting us back because of the way we make them feel. I know that this can be lost quickly so I strive daily to be the missionary that is different from the rest. 

Something President Fife taught us this last week was this, he said, "Elders, when it boils down to it we have to have miracles. This is the only way that people can come unto Christ is through miracles." He encouraged us to pray more specifically and more often. I know that the God of this world is a God of miracles. I read it in the Book of Mormon this morning and felt the truthfulness of it. He isn't afraid to show forth his power but we do have to live worthily of it and he also wants to mold me into what I need to become. I am learning to trust in the Lord's timing. Some days I don't see the Lord's hand helping us out as much but the minute I start to search for him and his help in the work, I can always see the blessings and the guidance. 

I love being a missionary and I love Kalgoorlie. It is getting hotter and hotter but "since when did that matter" - famous quote by Pres Fife... What else can I tell you....We invited like 8 investigators to the baptism on Friday..(the other elders baptized a member's 9 year old)  but none of them came:( I guess we will go see what their excuse is tomorrow...I was pretty bold with this less active guy from New Zealand and told him he needs to bring his family back to church but he didn't come either.....I love the members though. Our ward is pretty much a mini New Zealand.  I love you all! Have an amazing week! I challenge you all to tame the natural man within you in some way this week!

Love Eldah Cordnah

^^^^^^that's how they pronounce my name here. 

ps... sounds like my other half in Brazil is doing just great! My prayers and love go out to you Kenzi:) love you!

Tracting in the Bush

Exchanges with Elder Toffingatoto from Tonga.  He's hilarious!

Helped a guy tame his palm trees. 

Week 10 - Kalgoorlie, Australia - October 19, 2015 - Red Dirt and White Shirts

Picture from Elder Matthew's era.

It has been a good week and you might be let down because I don't know if I have it in me to write a really good letter. haha! I wrote a ton of people and kinda got sick of typing. Well, this week me and Elder Jensen have been really focusing on finding new people to teach. We have been doing a lot of tracting, and also a lot of contacting randomly. I don't let anyone go by without talking to them. We ran into several JW's this week and I now know why Rio (Mitch's cousin) always said to not get caught up in it. haha. This one guy was super nice and he invited us to come back to his house in a few days. haha I knew we were in for a bible bash. We got there and sure enough they were ready for us with all their anti- Mormon material but it was all right. We just bore our testimonies and left as soon as we could. 

This week while tracting we got our bikes stolen even though we locked them up (which isn't uncommon at all) They will steal anything here...but it was funny because a few days later we were driving the car at night and Elder Fowler saw some guy riding Doug...(I named my bike Doug) but we pulled over and this guy was just casually siting on my bike looking at us so I told him to get off and that it was my bike so he took the seat off the bike and ran off. IDK Kinda random. We got other bikes now though so all is good. I'm excited for the coming week and what it holds. It's a new experience every day out here. Oh and we actually put two guys on date to be baptized the other day. The only problem is they live in this town called Leonora like 3 hours from here haha! So we will see what happens with all that. Love all of you have a good week!:)

LOVE Elder Cordner

Picture from Elder Matthew's era.

Elder Zink back in Perth I LOVE this guy...

Chicken feast in Perth.

Week 9 - Kalgoorlie, Australia - October 12, 2015 - Back into mule mode

The new incoming "Goldens" and their trainers

It has been a very exciting and eventful week here in WA. We went down to Perth on Tuesday and stayed with the Assistants that night. Then we had meetings the next morning for trainers. I got assigned to spend that night and the next day with Elder Zink. I wish I had pictures but I left my camera at the flat. Elder Zink is training too, and we got along so good! haha It had to have been one of the funnest few days on my mission hanging out with him. We went contacting in downtown Perth because he is the District Leader down there. Man, we had a good time. He's from New Zealand. 

The next day we got assigned to our new Goldens (we don't call them greenies here) and it was funny because I stood across from my MTC companion and several that were in my district that were visa waiting in California. But no I did not get one of them. I got Elder Jensen from American Fork Utah. I have never met him before but he is really nice and we get along well. The next day we saddled back up to ole Kalgoorlie. haha Perth was really cool and I am excited to go back "some day". 

Everything is good! I just got cleared to drive in Australia and I was driving all around in downtown Perth on the "wrong" side of the road but I'm pretty much a pro now. We have a car up here too that we share between the 2 companionships. We don't use it much though, usually only when we leave Kalgoorlie and go out to the other remote towns. 

General Conference was amazing! I loved all of the talks especially President Monson's. When he spoke I felt the Spirit telling me that he speaks with Jesus Christ directly. It was such an uplifting weekend and I can't wait to get the Ensign (if we ever do  - they forget that we exist out here). It has been good to train myself and also train someone else. I can tell you I am going to be really pushing myself out here for a while but I know that as I do so, the Lord will not leave me to fend for myself. I feel the Savior near me EVERY DAY.  I love the mission!  I have much to work on but as I boldly stand and testify of the Savior I know that the Lord will qualify me to do His work. When people are screaming at us and swearing and cursing God, it is my sacred privilege to stand as a representative of Jesus Christ and defend his name. I will always defend My Savior.  How could I not? It is as simple as the General Authority who gave the talk about the shark reef barrier in Australia. Those who sin will never find happiness and lasting peace. Those who serve the Savior, Jesus Christ will be uplifted and strengthened in their trials, and blessed with things both temporal and spiritual. The trials will never cease. That is just how life MUST be, but those who humble themselves and submit their will to God's will, will never, ever be forgotten because HE knows exactly how it feels to be utterly forgotten and forsaken. I love this restored Gospel! It is a sign of God's love and  mercy for him to allow someone like me to serve and represent him...This is truly how I feel. You Guys are all the best! I love you!  Have the best week as you look constantly to serve others:)

Love Elder Cordner

Me and my new Golden (Greenie) stepping off the train into Kalgoorlie.

Week 8 - Kalgoorlie, Australia - October 5, 2015 - Blg Changes

How is everyone doing back in the U S of A??? Sounds like things are cooling down and Fall is on the way! Mannnn I love Fall! That's something I will NOT see here. haha...It was a great week here and yesterday we had L and J come to Sacrament Meeting. Since it was Fast Sunday, Elder Matthews and I said a prayer that they would really feel the Spirit. It ended up being the most solid and spiritual meeting that I have attended since being here. It was awesome and our investigators had a great experience. We were hoping for more to come but you know how that goes haha. L's kids aren't used to church so we helped them color and stuff while she listened. SOOOOO There are some changes as you know. There are four of us out here in Kal and 2 are leaving. Elder Lowe, the District Leader is leaving and Elder Matthews is leaving for Rockingham...Elder Fowler and I will  be staying, Elder Fowler's comp is from the Islands. President called us last night and asked to speak to me...I have been made district leader here in Kalgoorlie and I will also be going down to Perth tomorrow ( all of us will) and I will be training a brand new Elder! haha I was blown away when he told me this because I haven't even finished my own training....so I have a lot to think about. haha I'm a little nervous because Kalgoorlie is so far out here and we are on our own with not much contact with any other missionaries, only through texting...I know the area pretty good but now I have to train a new missionary out here and be district leader sooo we'll see how this goes. I am sure and I trust that the Lord will qualify me.... SO we all go down to Perth tomorrow morning on the train:(:(:( 8 hours......and then I will be there until like Friday getting training and going to my son's orientation. So should be a fun week in PERTH! haha Maybe escape the heat! but I am excited to really see what the Lord wants done in Kalgoorlie....I feel bad for my son because I am going to work him like a baboon hahaha...He will be shocked by the desert heat. I love this gospel and I trust in the Lord. I hope I can CHOOSE to be humble instead of the alternative -  be COMPELLED. I know that if I do my part the Lord can work through me and my imperfections. I love you all so much! Thanks for all the prayers! I know that the extened fam always prays for the family missionaries! 

TIll next week:)

Elder Cordner

This is Master...that is what he demands we call him. haha great guy!

We went to an aboriginal community called Ningamia. This is the entrance.  

We blessed a very sick baby and talked to them about Jesus. 

An aboriginal woman showed up at church yesterday because she was 

touched that we blessed the very sick 1 year old. 

Buzzed my hair because of the heat.

This is T.  At another house, Elder Matthews got bit by a dog.
We were walking up to a door and the dog looked friendly
until we walked through the gate.  It charged us and I scattered
and it just pegged Elder Matthews.  He kind of kicked him in the head.
He's fine though.  It didn't break skin.  I wont send pics of the other
parts of the camp its pretty bad:(  The poverty is really sad.