Week 77 - Rockingham, Rockingham Zone, Western Australia - January 30, 2017 - Straila Day

HEY Guys, good to hear some things going on back home:) Dad sent some pics of the snow. Haha I don't really miss that to be honest....I am sure louie was awaken from bed at 4 am to mule the driveways haha....It was a flippin hot one down here. On Australia day we went to The Four Shore with the members because there was a ward activity and it was blazing! Everyone was jumping into the ocean and going for a swim and we were just sweating our butts off dressed like we were headed to some wedding. Haha! But all good. That is part of the mission experience!

Australia day was pretty awesome. Everyone was drunk and there were some pretty big parties going on. My companion almost got shot with a spud gun. It smashed into the car behind us. Haha...crazy drunk Auzzies...Last night we went to a member's house for dinner and they put on a big Island feed (dinner with the Polys)...just so you know the rules here, I will inform you of the island ways...

When the missionaries dish up everyone will watch and if they are un satisfied with how much food you have put on your plate they will voice themselves and you have to dollop more on...Seconds are absolutely mandatory no questions asked and they will all watch to make sure you get Real seconds not just a little....3rds are optional but they will try to persuade you for 10 minutes to go for thirds....Dessert is served by them and they MOUND it up... No questions asked. You have to mule down the whole desert... also when you leave all of the leftovers are given to you and they also take you into the pantry closet and fridge and load you up with anything else you can carry.....you don't even try to deny because there is no point....

haha thought I would just let you know how it goes just so you know what I mean when I say we had a mean "island feed." They also made us sing at the end with full stomachs and my comp almost puked. haha good times....

We found quite a few new gators this week, Saturday we didn't have anyone to bring to church so we were praying to find someone to bring. That day we found 3 new investigators which was awesome! None of them came to church but God put them in a position to use their agency!

We haven't seen the new missionary broadcast but we are super excited. We will be watching it tomorrow with our zone for zone meeting....

I read Ryan's letter. I thought that was awesome. He is such a good missionary... I too feel so darn blessed to be out here...What more could I ask for!? I love representing the Savior. I love Him and I am striving to draw nearer to Him every day.... This scripture Smashed into my heart this morning.   

30 Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.

Man...How many of us are willing to say this to others? This is eternal love.

I am a witness that there is a God in Heaven. He is our Heavenly Father. We are his Children and he loves us forever.

I am so blessed!  I love all of you!

ELDER CORDNER

Week 76 - Rockingham, Rockingham Zone, Western Australia - January 23, 2017 - oku mo'ui oku sai, koe otua oku sai

HEY GUYS! IT has been a mean week down here in Rocko....

My companions and I have heaps of fun...I haven't laughed so much on my whole mission. It's pretty great...but we've also been smashing the work...Found heaps of potentials this week. We have been following up with a massive list of less actives and tracting around where they live, to see if anyone knows them. It's been pretty effective...better than just blind tracting...I can't wait to one day tell you guys face to face what it is like to tract here in WA. haha!

WE have also been doing heaps of power visits to gain the members trust and get them involved in the work...which has been mean....

WE are working closely with a kiwi couple. Just like a lot of people in Auzzie they are not married but we are working with them to get married and baptized on the same day...There are a few things that are stopping her at the moment but we are faith filled. We will witness a miracle!

I love you guys so much....Sorry for the short letter! My companions love their sport on p day! Gotta go! Have a good week. You are always in my prayers!

Elder Cordner

Week 75 - Rockingham, Rockingham Zone, Western Australia - January 16, 2017 - New Scenery

Yes the news is in. I have been transferred. I am now working in the Rockingham Zone with my two companions Elder Moller From Auckland and Elder La'Akulu from Tonga....WE are straight up Homies already so I am super excited For this next upcoming transfer....Its Elder Kulu's second transfer and we are finishing up training him...

Elder Moller is planning on playing for the All Blacks some day so he is a beast.....

It was a little sad saying goodbye to a few people in Lockridge. K was super bummed about it as well as N. But it's all goods. That's what happens on the mission:)

The new ward is straight Poly. It reminds me a lot of my ward in Kalgoorlie just a bit bigger. I love it already. I gave a bit of a talk/introduction yesterday at church. It went all right. I was a bit nervous at first but I ended up talking about the stumbling block of the philosophies of men....I talked about how we need to hold on to things in our lives that are constant...the eternal truths we know of...and seek individual personal revelation...I think it went ok:)

We aren't teaching to many people in this area so we got some work ahead of us but with these guys it'll be a good time:)

I looked on LDS.org at the new Mission Presidents called and it was pretty cool seeing Dad's name up there. He is gonna be awesome:)

Just know that I am happy and you guys are part of my motivation to serve with my all! I love you all!

ELDER CORDNER

The new boys.

N and some of her kids.

K gave me his favorite hat when I told him I was leaving.

Week 74 - Lockridge, Dianella Zone, Western Australia - January 9, 2017 - Sainu

Hey guys:) This week was awesome! I told you over Skype we were teaching a single mom with 8 kids right??? Well, she struggles financially and she was out of food so we notified the ward and everyone helped out big time....she was blown away with the generosity of the members and she came to church yesterday with 3 of her kids and she loved it! I asked her how it compared to other churches she has been to and she said that it just felt right....she said there was a very different feeling....Surprise surprise:) but that was the miracle of the week so we are helping her and her kids to set a date to work towards...we just gotta help her get off the tobacco...

Transfers is coming up this next Sunday so we will see what happens... I don't think I am going anywhere but you never know! It's pretty fun being in a trio but it can also be a bit of a headache....haha Kenzie would know what I mean...So not saying I am hoping for anything but we will just wait and see what happens:) 

I told Mom already but Elder Renlund is coming to Perth end of Feb so everyone is pumped about that...apparently it's super rare. They usually just hit the east coast and deny the citizens of the most remote capital city in the world! but I am pumped to see him. He should do some sort of  a mission conf. 

Lately I have been loving this scripture. It has been running constantly through my mind.

Matthew 5:44

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

What manner of men are we if we can only love as we are loved? If we only pray for those who treat us with the utmost kindness and courtesy? If we only serve those who deserve to be served? I am not claiming that I serve in the hardest mission in the world but this scripture is definitely applicable on this continent. I love the Spirit and strength I receive from the Holy Ghost when I make the decision to be Christlike and follow the example of the Savior especially in the hardest situations to do so. I know the Savior lives. I hate to imagine my life without this knowledge. I love living my life differently from the world and I thank Heavenly Father that I was blessed with a family who taught me the truth and the purpose of life.  

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Come to know Christ and you are fulfilling your purpose. It is as simple as that. Once one comes to know the Master, he or she will never be the same. This is the reason missionary work is the best two years.

39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Missionary work brings the most happiness because we are engaged in the very work that God engages Himself in to fulfill His purpose and we are becoming like Him little by little day by day. 

I love you guys:) Have an awesome week and remember to feed your spirits!

Elder Cordner

Week 73 - Lockridge, Dianella Zone, Western Australia - January 2, 2017 - Best Gift of All - NEW Beginnings

The new year here in Australia was pretty uneventful. Everyone was just drunk city so it was funny having conversations with people. We found 10 new investigators this week just tracting it up so that was awesome. We are excited to help them progress... 5 of them are the same family....I have 3 minutes left on my computer sorry I didn't really write much.

Things are going good here:) I loved seeing all of the pictures. It made me smile seeing all of you having such a glorious time together!!! (The Cordners spent Christmas vacation in Mexico.  We really missed our missionary!) I am so blessed to have a family like you guys!  Have a good week!!!

ELDER CORDNER

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Island Style Missionary

Baptisms for the dead

Week 72 - Lockridge, Dianella Zone, Western Australia - December 26, 2016 - Best Gift of All - Skyping Elder Cordner!

Best GIFT skyping with Elder Cordner!! We miss him!