Week 99 - Perth, Western Australia - July 17, 2017 - My Family!

I love reading all about what's going on over in your new home! I'm sorry my letters aren't as exciting! 

M got baptized this week! It was really good - pretty good member support. It was a good service! We invited one of the members from Zimbabwe to speak on the Holy Ghost and it was powerful...He talked about a tragic car accident in his family that killed several of his siblings, but that He Knew he felt the comfort and strength given by the Holy Ghost...It was powerful. 

Several of the converts I have had on my mission have come from just the most difficult circumstances...M has Lost several children due to the Civil war in Sudan...She has had countless tragedies in her life. Things that could easily justify just giving up and forsaking her Faith...It's very inspiring and humbling to witness the pure Faith of these people!

It's been cool teaching this University student that the members have invited us to teach...When we first met with him he was soooo cynical and against Religion...Pretty much the only reason he met with us is because of the respect and love he had for these members....The spirit has utterly softened his heart...While we have been teaching him the spirit has spoken things through me that I didn't even know...He is now very seriously considering being baptized....When the Holy Ghost prompts us to reach out to someone we should never judge them based off our limited knowledge of them...We are not the ones who decide whether or not they are ready...God knows their hearts...And he can work with them more powerfully when we choose to exercise our Faith in their behalf....

I am so grateful for all the unearned and undeserved blessings of my life...As we finished our last zone conference trainings this week and I gave my final testimony i was just overcome with Gratitude...I have so much Love for President and Sister Fife...They have left an engraving in my heart of what a true Disciple of Christ should be...I love them HEAPS! 

President Fife has Raised my expectations for myself and my life...I now understand what God really does expect of us, and That we are here on earth to become like our Father in Heaven...There are  millions and millions of 1 day or one week or one month disciples of Christ around the world...The Greatness of Discipleship is consistency... It also happens to be the only way we can be molded and shaped into who God needs us to become in our lifetime...

Read the previous verses to put it into context:)

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Remember the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not a check list, Tick the box experience...The ordinances of the Gospel mean nothing if we are not actively engaged in changing, growing, and becoming...We are here to develop within ourselves the attributes of Christ...Remember Serving others and getting outside ourselves is not something to be begrudgingly endured while in this life till we can at once reside in peace in the celestial Kingdom....Service is the very Work and Glory of God it is the essence and fullness of the Life and Existence He lives...If we are to return to His presence and become like Him then we must Through the Power of The Living Christ change our very Natures till we have become LIKE HIM....that is the purpose of life...and isn't it great to know we don't have to do it alone, because we can't. 

I testify Life has a purpose. God speaks to me every day through the Holy Ghost, He is in the details of our life. What the world around us says or chooses to believe does not change the Truth of God. I am no where near perfect but I do know who I look to for my support, my strength, and my Light. I am nothing without Him, I wouldn't be here without him, I love HIM! 

Have an awesome week!

Elder Cordner 

M's baptism and her son attended.

Week 98 - Perth, Western Australia - July 10, 2017 - Chur Bro

Service Project

I loved seeing the pics of the fam with all the missionaries. It looks like heaps of fun! 

This week was super busy with all the new missionaries coming in...So we were picking up and dropping off and hauling every ones gear in our Trailer....It was alright...Then we did our trainings which went well....This week we'll get to work our area for a few days then we have Zone conferences...my last one:( 

M, from South Sudan is getting baptized on Saturday...She is doing so solid. She has a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith. It's been so fun teaching her. She is so hilarious....She calls us her Children...She had to be interviewed by one of President's Counselors because after she got married her husband decided to have a few more wives....The Interview went good tho so it's on for Saturday!

I love Alma chapter 31...It contains Alma's prayer to the Lord after the attempt to reclaim the Apostate Zoramites...Sometimes our prayers can become quite selfish and self centered but if we make a little change in our words which Alma shows us it makes all the difference. 

35 Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.

We Plead for strength and help to change and grow. We plead for power and wisdom SO THAT, we can serve and lift and strengthen those around us....

I have found that when my prayers become too self centered that communion with God seems to be distant  and I struggle to discern His voice, but when i have made this small change, it has made all the difference...

God hears and answers our prayers. There is no doubt in my mind...

I love you guys:) Have fun this week:)

Elder CORDNER 

M, getting baptized Saturday!!

Week 97 - Perth, Western Australia - July 3, 2017 - Tree of Life

YO! It's been "cool as" seeing all the pics and hearing from my Missionary Family!!! What an adventure! I loved the vid of the monkeys Kenzie sent! What a new Existence! And King Louie was telling me how hectic it is..flipppppp crazy....

This week we have seen the Lord's hand in the work big time....Well I guess first off I'll tell you about the guy with the Tree of life dream...So we are working with this member in our area and we got him to go and talk to one of his friends who is Islam about our church....Which he did, several times...He taught him about the restoration and about the Book of Mormon...Not in detail tho...and his friend who's name is S never accepted a Book of Mormon...Keep in mind all the while this member's family and us have been praying for S....So Brother Martin goes over to S's house to see what he is up to and S just pulls him aside and real serious says "Do you believe in visions?" and Brother Martins says "Of Course we believe. God can speak to us in that way" well S then describes this full blown vision he had the day before which perfectly described the Tree of Life....We met with Brother Martin and S the other day to teach him...He was very intrigued with the Book of Mormon and the Story of Lehi's dream but he wasn't just fully on the spot ready to abandon his Muslim Faith....We are still working with him...super cool miracle tho....

We also had this guy referred from one of President Fife's friends back home who used to be a Mission President in Brisbane. His name is V and he is From Chile...anyways this guy came to church yesterday, Apparently he already knows the church is true...it's a super long story about random scenarios that lead him to Utah where he attended church and gained a Testimony. For some reason, ever since he has been in Aussie he hasn't come to church. Tonight we are having dinner at Pres Fife's House and teaching him so that should be a power house lesson....

I got 6 more weeks to Burn the Gas tanks...I am finishing as assistant, which I think will be good. I will still have to give heaps of trainings and all that stuff so I think it will keep me focused!

What a blessing to serve our Master...All at the same time - just in different ways! 

Love you guys!

Elder Cordner

Elder Tahere 

Elder Cordner holding a jellyfish.

Week 96 - Perth, Western Australia - June 22, 2017 - All Glory to The Father

HELLO FAMILY! I don't think I can share anything more exciting than all the things I am hearing about back home! I can't wait to hear a little about the MTC experience this next week. I imagine it will be a few days packed with the Power of the Spirit and hearing the testimonies of General Authorities and Apostles? And what an amazing experience - the whole family gets to go into Elder Christofferson's office and witness Dad getting set apart...What a blessing!

This week has been packed with miracles! Do you remember the part member family from New Zealand we have been teaching?? Well A the 18 year old girl is getting baptized Saturday...She is so solid and ready. Her family has been a really good support and they are all back active in the church and working back towards the Temple as a result....And to think all of this has happened because 2 months ago we chose to follow the very still small voice of the spirit to visit this particular family on the ward list that we had never heard of before....This is God's work. 

And 2 weeks later on the 8th of July we have 2 more baptisms....One of them is named P from Malaysia. He has been praying in front of the LDS temple here in Perth every morning for 10 years....Well he has recently hit a rough patch in life and was searching for God....An old Samoan man in our ward followed the Spirit and offered to help this man....This has led to us having lessons with him and P coming to church this last week...The spirit can change peoples thoughts, opinions, and Hearts in the blink of an eye....P felt the Spirit at church and is now keen city!! 

And of course, M is still doing well. She loved church and is looking forward to her baptism! 

We are seeing the blessings of God in the work....I know that this is the work of God and not of man....In the process of saving His children, God is also building us! I love the mission! I love Australia!!! 

My prayers will be with you this week mum and dad...But I guess I'll get to email you guys on Monday before you ship out! 

Love you all!

PS. Pray for me! A asked me to baptize her and her full name is literally the longest, hardest thing in the world to pronounce...It takes like 15 seconds to say it even if you know all the proper pronunciation lol! and it's a huge thing in their culture to say all the names properly because each name represents something or someone really important! haha! So hopefully I can get it down and not bring dishonor to her ancestors! 

ELDER CORDNER

Week 95 - Perth, Western Australia - June 12, 2017 - you can't stop time

Elder Tahere and I  are pretty sore today. We did a boxing workout with some guy we met the other day and it was intense (not punching each other don't worry)! so we have been trying not to laugh much the past 2 days to avoid searing pain from how sore we are haha...

This week was pretty normal. We had some exchanges with the zone leaders which was awesome...I was with Elder Brown from the Cook Islands and Elder Nichols from New Zealand. We had a mean time together and smashed the work...Elder Brown and I started teaching M's oldest son P and put him on date. It was cool because the circumstances he was in that day was a direct answer to our specific prayer! Specific prayers bring specific blessings!

At night, if our appointments fall through, we just hit the city fully loaded with cards, pamphlets, Books of Mormon and we just go ham talking to everyone trying to get return appointments....On the weekends the clubbing life is pretty lively so we deal with quite a few intoxicated individuals. We have some good laughs....

I hope you all have a good week at Powell! I will be there in Spirit (cry a tear) haha all good! There is no where else I would rather be than here dedicating my life to the Savior! I can't believe mum and Dad go into the MTC in 2 Saturdays! What a spiritual Feast that will be! It's funny to think that my parents will be slapping on a name tag just like me in a few days! haha:) In a little over 2 weeks you will all join me South of the equator! 

This is Christ's Church. What a blessing it has been in my life to hold on to Eternal Truths and Absolutes in a world of changing morals and values. I love the Savior! I know he Atoned for our Sins and sufferings and He now Lives Triumphant over sin and death. I Know this because the Holy Ghost has impressed it upon my heart in a permanent way. The Greatest desire of my heart is to Live my life as a representative of Christ and to assist in drawing all men unto Him. I am so thankful for Parents who Have paid the Price to really KNOW the Savior...This has forever changed me...

I love you all! Think of me as you cruise through those canyons and baste in the sun! 

Elder Cordner 

Week 94 - Perth, Western Australia - June 5, 2017 - God is Good

Hey family! Sounds like fun Galore back home! 

Out here its been awesome...We have been seeing utter miracles in the field! its been super good...

We had our zone conferences this last week, Me and Elder Tahere really focused on Laboring in the spirit and what that really means....It was what our mission needed...Our mission is on point! Honestly, this mission is so obedient...Pres Fife told us he knows for a fact we are the most obedient in the Pacific area and he would wager one of the most in the world......It's pretty Celestial....That is a massive 180 degree flip from when I arrived here...haha! Well now we are qualified to plead on behalf of these people and see miracles!

Life's Good, God is Good, Its all Good:) 

Elder Cordner  

PS. I learned 2 Hakas....maybe i'll perform for yous when i return lol Love you:)

Week 93 - Perth, Western Australia - May 29, 2017 - Miracles

First off, Congrats to Matt for being ordained an Elder this week, I sent him an email sharing a bit with him about what it means to me to be a bearer of the Higher or Melchizedek priesthood...Although I have only been privileged to serve in this office for a short time, I have seen miracles, and I have seen the hand of God made manifest through this Godly power....We are given this Responsibility and as we learn how to serve others with it, and to keep the Oath and the covenant attached to it, the seed of Godhood within us Grows and develops as well as God's Work is furthered....For this purpose our Heavenly Father entrusts us with His power....We aren't his Creation we are His Children....And any Loving Parent Gives further and more mature responsibilities to Help their Child to Rise up and Become who they see they can become! What church can you go to that believes and teaches this? I know it's the truth...

This week We were stuffed city with heaps of meetings and pick ups from the airport and all that fun stuff...It didn't matter though because this is His work and He is able to do his own work....We had several people fall into our lap, a referral who we put on date...she is an African woman from South Sudan who has been studying with mormon missionaries for several years...she couldn't be baptized because her husband was a polygamist but now that he has passed away she can now! We also had a Brazilian couple fresh from Interlagos Sao Paulo 2 weeks ago just walk into church yesterday....The boy is a less active member and his girlfriend is a non-member. They had an awesome experience at church and they are excited to start again spiritually in Australia as well as temporally as they have come here for further job opportunities...:) 

My comp is a blithering Tank...I love him! We are straight brothers!

We all chose this path, To come here to earth to Experience Mortality...We chose to take this leap of Faith because of our Great Trust and Intense Love for Jesus Christ our oldest, Greatest, and Perfect Brother....Christ has come to Earth and perfectly accomplished everything he said he would....I loved the talk by one of the Sisters in conference about Raising a sin resistant Generation...The Greatness of what Christ accomplished is in the fact that He did Exactly what he said He would do. 

Because of Christ's example, the deepest and most sincere desire of my Heart is to do here on earth exactly what I said I would do before this life...and what I have said I would do again and again as I have taken upon myself Covenants that if honored bind me to Him. I testify of the reality of the Living Christ. We don't receive power in our lives from some moment of time 2,000 years ago in Gethsemane...We receive power in our lives Because Christ Lives today...He has borne our griefs, and paid the price for our sins...His living Soul Loves us and Desires us to do good and make it back to Him....He lives and understands us perfectly...and Because he lives He has said to us...

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have ^apeace. In the ^bworld ye shall have^ctribulation: but be of good ^dcheer; I have ^eovercome the world.

It is the LIVING CHRIST that has overcome the world. If you seek to do so as well there is only one way and that is through Him. I love Him.  I know he lives and loves us perfectly...The things I have felt I will never be able to deny...

Elder Cordner

P.S. Forgot to include a congrats to the twins on graduating! Yay! Now for real life :) No more easy life :) Maddy, Happy Birthday! 14! Wow! Hope it is a good one! Love you guys!