Post Transfer Comments

Transfers

Elder Nahrwold and Elder Wallis get the transfer call...

Transfer Predictions

Elder Nahrwold and Elder Wallis make predictions of the six week transfer...

Ward Council Bust

Cleanup from the Winterland Activity

They drove back at 9:00 AM the following morning. Paul says it was ridiculous how much work everyone put into the event. They had over 1200 people attend!

Cleanup from the Winterland Activity

After the party was over, the ward and the missionaries just threw everything in the Cultural Hall. Elder Nahrwold and Elder Wallis did not get home till 12:30 that night. It is an hour drive for them.

Mauri Missionaries

Some of the Mauri missionaries performing the Haka at the Summer Winterland.

The Summer Wonderland Activity

Last picture from the Summer Wonderland

Summer Wonderland Activity

More pictures from the Summer Wonderland Activity

The Summer Wonderland Activity

This was the stage for the Summer Wonderland Activity. Standing on the stage is Elder Happel from Germany. You can see him talk about EFY on the Australia Perth Mission listing on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TrEyH2MA08

Golfing

Peter Nield and Ben Ferris took Elder Nahrwold and his companion golfing at Armadale golf course. He hit par on the 7th hole!

Called to Serve

Elder Nahrwold and Elder Wallis (and others?) sining Called to Serve. Elder Wallis has definitely improved to singing.....

Bikes and Cars

Paul's latest audio file about the mission, bikes and cars...

SMores

Giant smore's! :-) Thanks!

Elder Naruo

Elder Naruo

Elder Naruo! He's new. I'll have to tell you about him next week.

Maple Leaf

President Cahoon gave me a maple leaf lapel pin because he liked my 3 minute talk. This is me being sad because I'm wearing it.

Vista

3 Minute Talk

President Cahoon challenged Paul's group to each to put a talk together as close to 3 minutes as possible. Here is Paul's.

Goodbye Elder Rouse

Me and Elder Rouse

Goodbye Elder Rouse

We were trying to time it to do a jumping picture. It almost worked.

Goodbye Elder Rouse

This was when we were saying goodbye to Elder Rouse.
Elder Madison said a really funny joke right before this picture

Thanksgiving

And the aftermath that was the kitchen :-(

Thanksgiving

The first plateful :-)

Thanksgiving

And We're getting everything ready in the kitchen. Bro. Park is the huge Maori guy and Sis. Park is the pregant one

Teaching

Us teaching on the couch of the Park's home. You can see we're glistening cause it's so hot!

Its Hot

City Contacting

City Contacting with Dianella zone

Missionary Song

Elder Wallis

After Climb

Hill Climb

New Companion - Elder Wallis

Eldr Nahrwold talks about his new companion, Elder Wallis

Elder Nahrwold and Sister Aiono

Various PDay Pictures

Various PDay Pictures

Various PDay Pictures

Various PDay Pictures

Spiders Down Under

Dinner

Elder Nahrwold and Elder Rouse

Helaman and Captain Moroni

Helaman, Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty

Halloween

They don't celebrate Halloween as much as in the states but there are some.

real music while shopping...

Pictures of Paul and other Elders along with a member. Also, a picture of Paul with his hair parted. HOw does he look? His audio comments were made while shopping...

Still brushing

Tell Dr. Smith that I'm brushing my teeth!

Me and my companion

This is me and my companion. My hair is still looking better and his hair is
still losing it!

Thinking Spot

Elder Campbell and I come here to think sometimes...

Canning Dam

This is Canning dam. We went there on P-day. It's most of Perth's water supply. It's really low!!!

Canning Dam

Canning Dam

My District

This is my district! The Albany sisters and Senior couple are more than 4 hours away so at zone conference we got a picture because it might be the only time I see them my whole mission haha. That's my trainer(district leader) right next to me. Then Elder Rouse in the middle back is from Tasmania, Elder Kent next to him is from Minnesota, Elder and sister Orth met in this mission many years ago. And I can't remember where the sisters are from but the one on the right is in the Army.

Personal Study Area

This is what I tried to make my personal study area look like. I love hanging up my flag that I receieved for my Eagle scout award and heaps of lovely pictures and notes I get from you lovely people back home.(If you want to make the wall of fame just send me something haha) Unfortunately the flag didn't stay up for long. The sticky tape didn't hold and I need to find a new way to hang it. But everything else is still there.

A message sent home by Elder Nahrwold about baptisms

Hey all! Here's just a little update concerning Elder Nahrwold and Elder Campbell serving in the Amazing Awesome Armadale Area in the Australia Perth Mission. I am just loving it down here. It's a little rough at times when you realize that no one wants to talk to you that day and people "say" they're going to be at home and they never are. But my companion and I are working hard and have set a baptismal date for two people. It's very exciting to see all the work my trainer has done and to be a part of teaching some of these people.

These are the two dates and we're so excited!

Tracking in Amadale

This is the second posting of Elder Nahrwold's tracking experience. The Note he wanted added:

So Elder Campbell and I went tracting for two hours the other day. Here's a blow by blow account. Some of the recordings after the door didn't register because I didn't hold down the button long enough. They're funny though. This is what tracting in Armadale for two hours is like!!!

Hey, we're here! Australia is so cool! We had lunch at Hungry Jack's(Burger King) i ordered an Aussie Burger which I came to find out has beets and ham on it haha. But for some reason our debit cards wouldn't work at the airport so I ended up paying for everyone's with my cash.We tried to call from Melbourne but couldn't figure out how to get the pay phones to work.

Goodbye

I'm leaving now. See ya later. I hate the sound of my voice but I hope you all enjoy it. Keep in touch and have a great two years!

What is A Disciple of Christ?

Judgement day

Well today is one of the days. Wednesday is technically the day. And Tuesday in the night. So I guess we could say this is the morning.

Here goes nothing. It probably won't be funny or interesting. But it'll be sincere. I guess that counts.

TEAM MS

So for the past couple of weeks I've been playing indoor soccer. So far our team is undefeated and we're on top of the league. I've only ever played on one real soccer team which was senior year when I made the high school team. In the past few years I've learned how to play soccer through watching a plethora of professional games, training late at night with some of my friends and playing in high school. It's been so fun to actually be able to control a ball and score. I only scored twice in high school and it was in JV but it was still really exhilarating. This time around we're playing in a co-ed league and it's awesome to just play for fun. Although our team is taking it semi-seriously.

My dad loves to tape everything and he came to the game last night to tape it. We won our game 11-3. It was a grand old time and here's the video to prove it. With the win I'm tied for first in the league in scoring, Branson is tied for 3rd, and Todd is tied for 4th.

19 Days

So as of today I have 19 days until I enter the MTC. Don't get me wrong I enjoy life here and spending time with my friends but I just need to get out of here.

On Monday I was at work and as I was sitting down scanning cards I realized something. I just don't want to be here now. I still have plenty of friends here and I love hanging out with them but listening to the stories of other missionaries and imagining what my experience could possibly be like makes me just want to get into the field.

On Wednesday I got a letter from the MTC. They asked if I would log onto this website and watch a few videos. Basically it's filmed documentary style and a camera crew follows a few pairs of missionaries so we can see what it's really like live. While I was watching this I and saw how they plan their lessons and how they speak to investigators I just tried to imagine myself doing the same thing. Some people say it scary, but I don't. I just think it's the most exciting thing in the world. I have a chance to present myself as an authorized representative of Jesus Christ and to share His gospel with these people. I can't think of anything better.

Updates

Today our missionary newsletter came out. Justin Thomas' mom(hereafter referred to as Momma Thomas), gets emails from several of our missionary friends and compiles into a nice little newsletter. I'll just throw up my favorite quote from each of them. This is the highlight of every month for me. I love how spiritual and personal everything is in South America.

Elder Lusty
Guatemala City North Mission

"So there it is... In my first four months I have participated in baptisms, weddings, funerals, house and grave dedications, blessings, and much more... The Lord truly is leading my path."


Elder Thomas
Brazil Sao Paulo East Mission

"They teach us the language but its very basic stuff. But through that studying that we do I’m really starting to understand that the one thing that’s going to help me learn the language is faith in Christ."

Elder Steffensen
Brazil Goiania Mission

"I ate 14 slices of pizza which amounts to almost 2 pizzas."

Elder Ashby

Chile Osorno Mission

"I had done nothing for them, the lord had done everything but she had expressed an amount of love that was incredible."

Elder Tyler
Jackson Mississippi Mission

"I speak to you all as my friends, but also as my brothers who I wish to rejoice like the Sons of Mosiah who were filled with Joy when they met. Not only because they were safe and alive, but because they were still right with the Lord. WE ARE THE WATCHMEN!"

Elder Pieper
Germany Munich/Austria Mission

"I know that this church is true and it brings more joy to our own lives as well as the lives of others when we do what is right."

Elder Natter
Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission

"Everyday I hear at least once or twice "Don't leave Elder Natter" I'm the funniest person here and even the teacher told me not to leave."

Farewell Elder Natter

The Crossfire of Heaven and Hell

Brandon Flowers

The band 'The Killers' hold a special place in my heart. Their songs all have deeper meaning, and trying to figure out what they mean is like looking at a rubik's cube for the first time. Many people see it and just pass. They say, that's not for me. But when I listen to their songs something in me just connects with them. The songs are personal to me and many of them represent special moments in my life. Both good and bad. But no matter what mood I'm in I can listen to The Killers and feel better.

I first heard about The Killers from my brother and his friends. We were driving around and I wanted to hear more from this band. Then their next album 'Sam's Town' came out and I fell in love. I later learned that the lead singer, Brandon Flowers, is LDS. That added a new dimension to their music. As I listened closer a lot of the lyrics sounded more important.

"I’m gonna climb that symphony home and make it mine
Let his resonance light my way
See, all these pessimistic sufferers tend to drag me down
So I could use it to shelter what good I’ve found"

-Sweet Talk

It's little things like that that make me smile. Maybe none of their lyrics are supposed to mean what I get out of them. But I listened to an interview with Brandon once and he said, "It's special when each person can take the song and apply it to their lives." This is exactly what I do. Each song has a specific meaning to me and it's how I interpret it. It makes it special.

The Killers decided that spending years touring on the road was a little much and they decided to take an extended break so that they wouldn't break up. They'll be back together within the next year and a half. But Brandon wasn't quite prepared to be away from music so long. So he decided he wanted to come out with a solo album. The first single from it called 'Crossfire' debuted only a few days ago. It's an absolutely beautiful song.

"Tell the devil that he can go back from where he came
His fiery arrows drew their beat in vein
And when the hardest part is over we'll be here
And our dreams will break the boundaries of our fear
The boundries of our fear"

Brandon has done it again. I love the new song and I'm so glad I got to hear it before I leave. :-)

Painata

Bafana Bafana

I've been waiting for four years for the FIFA World Cup to come back to my tv screen. And it's finally here.

Watching South Africa play last year in the Confederations Cup I was extremely excited. Their passing and overall style of play was just fun to watch. Unfortunately today's opening game of the tournament wasn't the most exciting game. But it was still a great game and I'm glad Tshabalala of South Africa was able to get the tournament's first goal. It was a great goal and with every great goal comes a great celebration.

As exciting as this was I can't wait for tomorrow's game!!!

Glory Road

Ladies and Gentlemen, be on the lookout for the next great film from Glory Road Productions entitled:

"PAINATA"


Coming soon to a computer screen near you.

While traveling...

Hollie - "Did you know the remote is the grossest thing in the whole hotel room? It never gets cleaned."

Michael - "Germs scherms."

Hollie - "Sperms?"

Michael - "What?"

Hollie - "Just sayin... that's probably what's on it."

Florida and Such

So, I've been slacking off lately. But not a lot has happened lately. Once Elder Thomas left I decided to cope with the loss by going to Florida with my Father to see my Grandmother one more time before I leave.

Grandmother just got a new car. Guess who got to drive it :-)

It was a really good trip and I got to spend some quality time with Father and Grandmother. We did a lot of cool stuff, like going to a Patriotic concert at the Naples Philharmonic. During the 1812 Overture they handed out brown paper bags and we played the part of the cannon by blowing up the bags and popping them. It was really awesome.

So like I said not much else going on. Elder Natter leaves next week. It's all coming up quick. I hope I'll be ready in time :-)

Farewell Elder Thomas

Burn It All Up

Yeah, I work out

Has anyone in the audience ever destroyed a piano? I have. Jealous much? I bet you are. Well I can tell you right now that it is awesome. I feel so relaxed now.

I brought Dixon's sledgehammer to my friend Felicia's house and soon the piano was no more. It was all for some sort of art project that she's doing. She wants to take broken instruments to a waterfall and take pictures of them. Who knows how or where she got the idea but I like it and wanted to help. So since I helped pick up the piano I got to take one of the first hits.






I'd like to point out my left calf in this picture. But anyways, in a matter of minutes we managed to take it down to this...






Soon after that it turned into this...

This was probably one of the last big things I got to do with Justin, who is leaving next Tuesday to go to Brazil on his mission. So I picked up the ax and we got a picture together.