America

So, Ill get to the subject title in a bit. 

This week was interesting. Tuesday I did exchanges with Elder PhimPhan (PimPan). He's from Thailand and is crazy. He's a funny guy. So we had almost no luck all day, but at like 7:15, when normally we'd be back home since there's no luck after 6 here, we were walking through the market just to do one last round, and we met Denis. He's a super nice guy who's from the Philippines. He's here being trained for a new position at work. He's an IT guy for a company that sells pet insurance.... for some reason pet insurance is a thing here. HAHAHA Super weird. So he wants to meet with us and we gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and a restoration pamphlet. 

The rest of the week was a little uneventful. Friday though, Elder Warth and I, my homie, went on exchanges. He's so awesome. Like seriously, I'm so happy I'm in an apartment with him. We've been talking a ton and hes a super cool guy. So we did exchanges on Friday and we were walking down the street. By the way, hes a blonde kid from Idaho. So we were walking down the street, and this huge group of girls on the other side of the street were like "You guys are so hot!! Come talk to us!!" No thanks Satan, not today!!! So we left. HAHAAHA So that's really the only funny story for the week. Elder Warth and I were joking about how that's why you don't put two American, blonde missionaries together in a foreign country. 

So, onto the subject title. So for the last few weeks Elder Warth and I have noticed that they talk A LOT about America in church here. Like, some of the talks have been centered on America. Super weird, but they have all had a point to them. So yesterday, apparently there was a 70 that came to church. The Bishop was the last person to speak in Sacrament and he talked about how the US government is how the world should be set up. (Not talking about like modern politics, but like democracy). And he asked a rhetorical question. "When was the last time you read the Constitution or the Federalist Papers?" I was a little confused by that. He had a point in everything though, so it was all good stuff. I just thought it was funny that even in Australia, America is awesome. HAHAAHAHAHAAHA 

Oh, and at some point last week we got a call that said that a lady had called the temple and wanted to learn more about the church. Her and her husband came to church yesterday! They're from Armenia. Super nice people though. And Elder Graffe and I went over to Wayne's house yesterday and will follow up with him tonight. Pictures below of his house. Its pretty cool. 

Well guys, this week has been good. Love ya'll and hope you're doing well in your various activities/en devours.

Elder Maxfield

1) Elder PhimPhan and I at Milson's point.

2)Our Area

The rest) Wayne's house

HOLA FOM CHATSWOOD!!!!! (one month)

I FOUND MEXICAN FOOD!!!!!!!!

At least that's what I thought. It was so nasty. I don't even know what kind of food it was, but it wasn't Mexican that's for sure. 

Well, this week wasn't too interesting. A lot of street contacting (which is so hard, but can be really fun) and a lot of door knocking. 

We ate at some members homes this week and had some awesome food! The Nelsons made some BOMB kabobs and the Jarvis's made some awesome noodles. Very authentic Chinese noodles. (shes from China). 

The members are getting better I think and I think I'm gaining their trust. I'm trying so hard to get to know them, its crazy. And Elder Graffe is doing the same. We taught Elders quorum yesterday and talked about virtue. I think I burned their eyebrows a little ( as  Elder Holland would say) on the topic. It was pretty dang cool. I am so excited for the rest of my mission!! 

So Elder Warth and I cleaned out our ears last week with the fire sticks and the money here is kinda cool!!

GOOD'AY MATES!!!

I havent heard a single person say that so far. So I dont know if its a real thing. However, my area is 90% Asian and 10% Aussie so I dont know yet. 

So the work is hard. Im loving it, but its hard. My trainer is awesome! Elder Graffe. He's form Tahiti and is working me pretty hard. He has only been out for 6 months so we're learning together but we're doing a good job as far as I can tell. 

There aren't a lot of people that want to talk to us. So that's pretty difficult, but it's whatever right? We'll find those people that are ready for us eventually. 

We are teaching an old guy though! His name is Wayne. He's super cool and is crazy into Edison phonographs. He has over 100 machines and probably over 2000 records. It's nuts. His house is like a museum. Its so cool. And he loves to talk. We invited him to be baptized on Saturday, but he says he's reluctant to give up his church. He has a hard time letting go because it was his parents and grandparents church. So we'll work on it and just listen to what he has to say and what his concerns are. 

HEY EVERYONE!!!!! LISTEN UP!!!! 

IF YOU AREN'T DOING MEMBER MISSIONARY WORK, (as Elder Clayton would say) REPENT AND SIN NO MORE!! Us missionaries can't do this work alone. It's almost impossible to bring lots of others to the church if you aren't sharing!!! So, SEND THE MISSIONARIES REFERRALS AND HELP THEM OUT!!!! (drop mic)

I love this work everyone! I hope you all are doing great at school and at home and a bunch of other things too!! 

Love yall!

1) View from my MTC classroom

2) MTC district 

3) My boy Elder Rex

4) Elder Graffe and I (Yes, that's the opera house) 

5) View from a house in Wollstonecraft SICK!!!!

I'm coming home, coming home, tell the world I'm comin home

No, that doesn't mean I'm coming home to Tracy. Sydney will be my home
for the next 2 years. So I'm calling that home. We leave Monday !!!
I'm so excited!! But the plane ride is going to be AWFUL!! Oh well.
It'll be really cool.
Anyways, this week was ai'ight. (The studio C skit forgot to put in
the apostrophe). We had 4 investigators Monday! And then on Tuesday
one of them had to make a last minute trip/move to Arizona. And then
we had 3. So we taught them a flew times.Thursday we had 3
appointments set up. 2 of them were no-shows.. and never got back to
us. Then there was 1. We met him again yesterday and asked if he would
be baptized. After explaining to him "baptism by proper authority" he
asked what he needed to do to be baptized!!!!! So I'm excited for him.
I hope he gets in contact with the missionaries in the field so he can
get baptized.
I hope you guys took a look at those videos I sent last week. They're
great!! So good.
I got to run 5 miles last night and that felt AMAZING!!! It was all in
door on a track that was .1 miles=1 lap. So did 50 laps. That was fun.
Not much else happened this week. The MTC is pretty bland. But yeah.
It was a cool week.
I know this church is true. I know Jospeh Smith was a prophet called
of God and that he restored his church on the earth. We have a prophet
that receive revelation from God today. His name is Thomas S. Monson.
He has apostles that also receive revelation from God. This church is
amazing everyone. If you don't believe or have a small testimony in
it, I encourage you to seek it out and grow that testimony. I write
this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen
-Elder Maxfield

Teach by the spirit

Okay, this week was AWESOME!! So my district was chosen (before we got here) to be part of what's called the pilot program. This is basically testing out a new way to teach in the MTC. So, instead of being in class for 9 hours a day, we have 2 mandatory hours a day, broken up into 2 different classes. All the other time, we can choose to be in class, studying, contacting investigators online through Mormon.org, or out teaching investigators that walk around the MTC. Most of them are paid actors that are members, but some of them are actually non-members!!! Elder Rex and I are teaching Bradley and Jonathan. They're both awesome. Jonathan is an atheist so that's kinds hard to teach and Bradley was studying to be a pastor but chose business instead. They're both pretty cool. So, our first lesson with Bradley went awful!!!!! We were fumbling and we stuck to our lesson plan too much instead of listening to him. So that was a mess. The same happened, more or less, with Jonathan's first lesson. But his first lesson was a lot better. But! In both of their second lessons, we taught with the spirit and listened to what they had to say and what they needed. IT WAS SO AWESOME!!! The spirit was so strong!! I really think they are both trying to learn. It's great. We'll have to see what comes out of that. 

I've been thinking a lot this week about some people and some things I've either struggled with or just some things that were shared in class. So I'm gonna put some links at the bottom of some GREAT AND AWESOME videos that all you can share. Or at least should look at. They're great. 

I think that about covers the week.... we got flight plans and we leave September 4th and get to Australia on the 6th.. yay hahhaha. 

I love this gospel everyone. Go out and teach. If you dont know of its truth, go and learn. 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/safety-for-the-soul?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-01-002-earthly-father-heavenly-father?lang=eng

ELDER CLAYTON CAME AND SPOKE!

Elder Rex and I doing contacting online 

We were given Cactus Jack as a gift from a district who was leaving. Respect him.

The BOM.com

By the way. This is the view from my classroom.

Am I small or insignificant today?

The MTC President said that on Wednesday  and it is so accurate. I'm currently feeling both. I have realized that I am nothing and need to humble myself so that i can be an instrument for the Lord to use. 

This week was crazy so far. BTW, Pday is on Saturday here in the MTC so I get to email today. 

So Wednesday was sad, but I was so excited that I didn't cry hugging mom and dad goodbye. (Sorry guys, I do love you). But I was so excited!!!! Like, NEW FAZE OF MY LIFE!!!! HOW AWESOME?!?!?!?! But it was cool, I met my district and we're all going to Sydney North except the sisters. They're going to Witchita Kansas. They're all so cool!!! I love them already. The district leader that was chosen is super cool. Elder Warth. He's awesome. Small man, but spiritual giant.

You know, when I came here, I was excited to be with a bunch of people that wanted to serve the Lord and be obedient. Why does everyone seem to be okay with breaking the mission rules? And on top of that call those who follow them "sticklers" or "needy"? That doesn't make sense to me?
Oh well, they will figure it out. I know that if I follow the mission rules that I will be blessed. Regardless of what others are doing.

My companion is awesome!!!! Elder Rex. He's from a tiny tiny town up by Park City. He wants to follow the rules too, so I'm glad that I got paired with him. He's really awesome.

Yesterday, I finally got to go running. I went with Elder WARTH, OUR DISTRICT LEADER, AND IT WAS AWESOME. Sorry about the all caps but I don't want to change it right now. It felt so good to finally go running. We went like 3 miles around the MTC and it felt AWESOME!!!!

I love my mission now, and its only just barely started. I love my Savior, and I know that through Him, and only Him, that we can be saved. And that if we come to Him, He will be pleased with us. I have a long way to go, but I'm excited for the growth I'll experience on my mission.

Love y'all and have a great week.

Elder Maxfield