Australian Q&A- Aug 26, 2018

I wanted to do another "Australian Q&A" today. Here are some questions from back home:


Can you share with us any of your "Big Three" insights?

I've started to keep a daily journal, which (I hope) will be a blessing one day. It has also in a roundabout kind of way inspired me to rework my spiritual journal and organize my impressions and doctrinal insights. It feels good to be creating something that I feel will be useful for answering questions.

What is Elder Chinsoi's backstory? Are you learning any Thai? Eating any Thai food?

Elder Chinsoi is from the Bankok region of Thailand. He's been out for 9 months. He converted from Buddism a few years ago and hopes to share the gospel with his family when he goes back. He cooks food pretty regularly, but as he puts it, he "cooks by the spirit". so whatever we eat, it's generally not Thai food (well, it has rice and noodles, but the similarities stop there)

Tell us about the other missionaries in your apartment.

So I'm currently in a 4 man flat with Elder Bramford and Elder Raab. I was companions with Elder Raab last transfer, but we got split up to introduce the two new guys into the ward. Elder Bramford is from Adelaide. From what I hear, Adelaide is smaller than Sydney, not quite as busy, and the people there have more of a British accent. 

How are the new members doing in your ward?

They're doing fine. We continue to meet with them every week and they've been coming to church fairly consistently. Getting them to the temple has been a challenge, but hopefully that will happen soon.

What are some of the biggest adjustments that you have had to make in the mission field?

Probably the lack of regular exercise. We can do a little bit in the mornings, and we do walk a lot, but I miss having sports where I can really get a good workout in. 

How do Australian's view Americans? What funny quarks do Americans have?

(Oh, the jokes I could make about this one...) Some quirks about Americans; we usually don't back up into parking spaces, most Americans will pull in forwards. Real Australians will always back in. In America, cars usually have the right of way. In Australia, if you want to cross the street, all the cars will stop for you. In America, most people (probably all people) rinse the soap off of their dishes after they finish washing them. Australians just let it dry with the bubbles on the dishes. Americans have sales tax, so you never know what you might pay for an item. In Australia, you pay the price on the tag. Americans also have pennies, but the smallest change Australians have is a 5c piece. So prices over here aren't something.99, it's usually in dollar increments. 

What can we include in our prayer for you or your investigators?

Patience. hahaha we had one investigator reschedule a visit 7 times in the space of 2 days. While we were on the bus ride to her house, she changed what time she wanted to meet 4 times, and eventually just pushed it off to the next day. That, and other experiences make the work frustrating at times.

That's about all for now! The church is true!

Elder Nelson