Serving the Lord in the Land Down Under: Letter #73 from Australia

December 11, 2016

Dear Family & Friends,

I don't have too much time to talk, but I will say that this week has been an insanely busy one and I am so glad that it is finally over! The week was filled with so many different meetings and it was so stressful trying to get everything ready for them as well as trying to visit all of our investigators and people that we are teaching! On Tuesday, we had our monthly MLC, mission leader council. Then on Wednesday we had Golden, the new missionaries, Review. Which is when we all meet up as trainers and new missionaries to see how well they are adjusting to the mission life and how well their skills are progressing! Thursday we had our Mission Wide Christmas party that lasted all day! It was a lot of fun and super great to see all of the missionaries that I haven't seen in a while! We had a talent show, played sport and games, ate lunch and dinner, and enjoyed a great Christmas Devotional!

Friday was our only day that we didn't have something going on, so we were finally able to be in our area to work! The only problem we had was we had SO MUCH stuff to get done for a missionary meeting that we were in charge of planning! It was on Saturday, so all day Friday, we were running around trying to get everything done for that meeting! It took the whole day, but we finally got everything ready! The meeting was great and really beneficial to everyone that came! Then as soon as the meeting ended, we had to begin preparing for the baptism of Dyon Mikha! It was a great baptism and his whole family came out to support him! Even though he is only 9, he has such a strong testimony of the church and the gospel! It was great to see another part member family helped!

Sunday was once again another busy day of work and meetings! We had our regular sacrament meeting in the morning and we were speaking in it! haha. I had no time this week to prepare for it, so I basically went completely off the spirit and it turned out pretty good! We spoke on the Savior and on the Christmas initiative! Then after church, it was off to work in the area for a couple of hours before we had to head back to the chapel for a musical fireside, one that we were singing in! haha All in all, the week worked out and we got everything that we needed to get done, done!

I am so happy that we have this Christmas season to focus on Jesus Christ and all that he has done for us! I love this time of the year and I am so happy to have all of you in my life! I hope that you truly remember the reason for the season and that the knowledge that we have of our Savior will motivate you to share the truth with others around you who do not know what we know! I love you all and hope that you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Wheeler