From an expert

Orietta emailed and explained about the Didgeridoo:

By the way, it is pronounced Didge-er-ree-doo. Digde as in ridge. It is hard to play - you need to make your lips vibrate (like a Brrrrrr sound) as you pout them out and you need to keep doing that as you blow out slightly through your mouth. You need to breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. Hard to explain via email. Easier to show you. I can't play one because I can't do the lip bit properly and I think I remember hearing that females are not supposed to play them but I am not sure why.

And now we know the rest of the story . . .

Transferred!

Family!
Yes, I was transferred! On Friday I got a call from the AP's and they told me I was being transferred. Not going to lie- I'm pretty cut up. I'm really sad!! I have so much to tell it's cramming my brain. I'll start with where I am now. Right now I'm in the same library I wrote emails from as when I was being trained. My new area is Waterford. I am follow- up training Elder Prina. But I'm not sure if I have anything to do! He is awesome. He has been out 6 weeks. Nerdy guy so it should be great! Waterford bumps up to Crestmead- my first area, so it's kinda weird to be back here. Really weird. I'm senior companion and that is weird too. Full-time driver and once again- whitewashed into an area. Pressure is on.

Our District Leader, Elder Tuhoro found out he was going south with me. On Sunday morning at 4:00 we went to the airport and got to Brisbane by 7. So we basically worked and cruised around Brisbane the next 2 days. I've never felt so pointless in my life. I don't like not having an area. All day yesterday Elder Tuhoro (my companion for 2 days) had to clean some flat and got lost around Brisbane. Ugh.

Today is P-day. We had transfer meeting this morning and that was my first Transfer meeting. It was like Christmas! Found out I'm in Logan again so those 10 pounds I lost in Cairns will probably come back! ha :(

My last day in Cairns I got a picture with Orietta and bore my testimony to her and I've only felt the spirit that strong a few times. It was wonderful. I will miss her.
I'll definitely miss Elder Tietjen. He is the Man. Really awesome companion and good friend.
The diggery do is really hard to play. I can do it but it takes 30 seconds to warm up. You play it by blowing out and let your lips bump together. Hard to explain. But I can't believe it got there so quick! Wow.
Okay no time left.

Love you all! Wish you well.
God Speed the Right.
-Elder Adam Hales

Don't forget to tell everyone to write to the Brisbane address again!!

Didgeradoo

Adam's Didgeradoo came today. He just told me in his last letter that he was mailing it and it would take a month or two. Turns out it was less than a week. Anyway, I unwrapped it and it's a long wooden "thing." Here's what the dictionary says it is:

"Musical lip-reed wind instrument, made from a hollow eucalyptus branch 1.5 m/4 ft long and blown to produce rhythmic, booming notes of relatively constant pitch. It was first developed and played by Australian Aborigines."

It's about 4 feet in length and has pretty paintings on it. I can't get it to make music though. Can't figure out how it works. For now, it's a conversation piece. And I suspect it's the "must buy" souvineer for missionaries serving in Australia -- especially in the outback.

Another week

Hey family!
It was good to talk to you last week. It was pretty funny though- all three other Elders in our flat talked for 3 hours. I don't get how they could do that. They were pretty trunky and home- sick after. :)
For myself it was good to hear your voices and remember the Greenie Pride I have. (enthusiastic about the work)
Things here have been awesome. Last week after our phone calls, Elder Tietjen and Elder Mooney were on the phone, Elder Tuhoro and I got to go do some service for an awesome family in the branch. He was a pro- rugby player and less active guy- and changed his life around, retired, married in the temple. This week was very good though. We only had 12 lessons this week, but we had 2 families come to church! We are blessed so much.
We did chop Darren. It was sad. But I'm not too cut about it.
We're more excited for these two families.
The lady I was telling you about last week -- Idoby --We ended up getting a commitment out of her to come to church! And she did. We taught her the Restoration with the DVD in Gospel Principles and she was just bawling! She bore her testimony of Joseph Smith that he is a prophet, and then told us we ARE coming over to teach her the discussions. We said Okay. :) Idoby and her 3 daughters (who love church and asked to come) came to church this week. We were not able to teach her before church yesterday but we did go by with our fellowship (to teach) but her partner was there so it was a bad time. There are some awesome fellowship families in this branch. Anyway we are going by tonight for FHE to teach her and hopefully commit her to baptism. Not going to lie: Idoby wants Adam Monroe (less active partner) to move out and so do I. Just the kids want their dad there.
The other family that came is Greggory and Diggery. They have 8 kids but only 2 came. But he was the one whose brother committed suicide. He is just the most humble guy ever. He did go to his church that he always goes to earlier that morning so we are going to work hard on him. We didn't even meet with him this week. He lives around 25 k's away so we don't get down there often.
Those are the 2 families we are SO EXCITED about! Please pray for them!

Transfers are next week. I'm nervous. I really don't want to leave. It's been 3 months up here. We get phone calls this Friday telling us if we are staying or going.
It is such a blessing to be a missionary. I love it. I know that this church is the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Love you all so much. I'm praying for you!

Gotta go
God Speed!
-Elder Hales

Mother's Day phone call

We had a fun phone call today with Elder Hales. Carly was here with us and also "Grandpa" Leo. (family friend) We also had Cheri's family on the web cam so that they could listen in and talk with him.

He is LOVING his mission and says he wouldn't want to be anywhere else at this time in his life. "The time is flying by way too fast." He is so happy and grateful to be there.

He's disappointed in the progress that Darren is making. Or rather -- isn't. He said that if he hasn't read the material they've given him or done any praying, they will have to chop him this week. A challenge there in Australia with others that he is teaching is that marriage isn't a priority and frequently couples don't bother with it. The people are very laid back and will listen, but don't follow through with the required reading and praying. But on a happier note: they teach about 17 lessons a week to members and non-members. And he's excited about some new golden contacts.

The missionaries are very vigilant in their use of bug spray because they need to prevent Dengue. (pronounced: dang-ge) If they get it once, they have to leave Australia. (If they get it twice, it can be fatal. But that's rare.) He said that after the bus ride up there to Cairns, he had 27 mosquito bites on his arms alone.

He sent me a letter this week wishing me a happy Mother's day and took up the whole page to bear his testimony. He has really grown spiritually and has such a deeper appreciation for the Atonement and for the gospel. "I have been called of God and I know who I am. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and I represent Him." And naturally, I cried.

We're so blessed and proud of his growth. It has been an incredible experience for all of us. We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers in his behalf.

Holiday week

OYE! How ya goin?

MITCHELL GOT HIS MISSION CALL!!!! NO WAY!! HE'S THE MAN! Tell him I say congrats and that he is going to LOVE the hood!

Elder Winder is so right. Time flies too quick.

As far as money- I have had to use a little more than I like lately. We have been cursed with flat tires. I got 2 in one week. Luckily Elder Tietjen is like Dad and knows how to do everything, so I have him do it. :) He is a lot quicker than I am. I love my companion.
In transfers in 2-3 weeks I'm getting nervous 'cause it's possible one of us could go- and I'm certain there is no missionary like Elder Tietjen when it comes to working. I love it.

These last 2 weeks have been hard. We have had to chop about 6 investigators cause they stopped progressing. Now Darren is on the chopping block. I love that guy. Since he has been meeting with us and reading, his life has been blessed so much!! He has kind of taken those blessing and ran with them. He doesn't meet with us as much. We have to be really bold with him this Wednesday.
Gregory is our one really progressing investigator right now. He is great. He is aboriginal and one of the most humble and shy guys I've met. He is not the stereotypical aboriginal. He is 100 percent cowboy!! We have taught him 3 times now and he came to church 2 days ago. We asked him how he liked it and all he said was "It's truth." They speak like that- so we are getting excited. The only problem is that he has a partner and a family with a nice house. Just not married. So that should be an adventure! Maybe try to get them baptized the same day as their wedding. He has read up to the 21st chapter of 1st Nephi but his comprehension is 0%. Pray for him.
Carissa has moved down to Brisbane for 4 weeks to see how she likes this job she just got. We watched the Restoration with her. She liked it. She said yes to baptism the first time we met with her. Hopefully she continues to read the Book of Mormon down south.
I spoke in church last week. It was good. They had me speak on the blessings of being a missionary and how this gospel changes lives. So basically my life. They said they really wanted me to be "fun" in my talk, so I started with an analogy about a surfing story I had. I went over by 10 min. and so they started kicking me. :) I only looked down at my notes 2 times. Mom, you would be proud. :)

Today is our P-day cause yesterday was a public holiday. Great time to work! In the morning we had a District party. (we would call it a Stake party) And that was in Atherton. Its very cooler up there. It was nice. For about 5 seconds I was almost cold! It was sports day. Elder Tietjen, of course, won the Cross Country race. It was nice cause it was in a huge field so I could see my companion the whole time. We also played a little Touch Football. (Rugby)
Talk to ya next week. We will use our mobile's with a calling card. I don't think that will cost you anything. Hope not. Call you on your Mothers Day.
Love you all.
God Speed the Right

Elder Hales

Lessons Learned

DEAR FAMILY!
Sorry this email is so late. We have to start working soon but we did a hike that ended up to be way harder and way longer than we thought. Still debating whether or not it was worth it. It's called the Pyramid and took way too long. We heard it was 3 ks up. But it's pretty steep and hard. Ugh. Sorry- it was probably not good that we did it.

This last week has been hard. It's been great though. It has been easy to get caught up in numbers. But then I am humbled when I think of our investigators. We had to chop 3 investigators for not progressing. But we have 12 investigators right now. We want to set a few baptism dates coming up this week. This will be big! I'm so excited. There are so many I want to tell you about and so little time!
Darren: We are preparing for the interview in 5 weeks. Didn't meet with him this last 4 days. Hasn't been answering our calls. But he may have gone down to Victoria to see his dad who is on his death bed. He said that when his dad dies that it's really gunna hit him and he will want to change even more. We hope.
Carissa: FINALLY got to teach her this week. We finished the Plan of Salvation with her and will be teaching her the Restoration tomorrow! We hope to set a baptism date soon. She is keen.
Jodie: We taught her the first half of the Plan of Salvation and hope to finish it this week. We bumped into her at the store today. She is actually married! And has a family so really pray for her.
Gregory: This guy is so amazing. His brother is the one that committed suicide. He is so quiet and loving. We taught him the Restoration and will commit him to baptism this week. He lives in Gordonvale so we can only get down there once a week. Its like 30 ks. We have 80 Ks a day.
Sorry this letter is kind of scattered. I'm in a huge rush and have a headache. Still a little dehydrated. Learned that lesson.

Thanks parents for the letter too! I got it in the mail. Love you.
God Speed the Right.
- Elder Hales

Soaked Elders

(Hey guys -- update the pictures on your wall already.)

Zone Conference and General Conference

DEAR FAMILY,
Elder Winder is such a good missionary! I love that he gets rebuked for not doing anything wrong. I see that happen a lot here. Missionaries just feel bad that they aren't 100 percent obedient so they make fun. Misery loves company.
Wow- Elder Porter Ellet serves in LA?! I think I remember reading about him in a New Era one time. Sounds like a Stud.
Well this week was Great! We had Zone Conference and General Conference! It was so amazing.
On Saturday we had to skip the Saturday sessions of conference because President Richards had to do Zone conf. Sister Richards gave a lesson on Repentance and we got some amazing ideas for Darren. Then President Richards focused his training on finding people to teach. It was so good! He let us know what a Ward (or branch in my case) is supposed to do in missionary work. Of course it never happens. But he told us the story how if a ward puts missionary work number 1 or 2 priority that everything else in the ward improves. He told us what the Ward Missionary Leader should do. That just made me want to be the Ward Mission Leader for the rest of my life. I love missionary work. And I have a testimony of Home Teaching. It's sad how little Home Teaching people do. I need to repent for thinking about it in the wrong way before my mission. We had interviews and then worked for a couple of hours before Priesthood session. That session was SO GOOD! I took a lot of notes. General Conference is so different as a missionary.
Then Sunday morning- Elder Holland's talk was phenomenal! Absolutely amazing. I've never heard anything like it before. I didn't know a mortal could speak like that. On LDS.org is a clip of his talk. President had us watch it for Z.C. Mine and Elder Teitjen's eyes were sweating through it. :-)
Darren came to the second session. I was so glad cause I really wanted him to listen to our Prophet. He is coming along alright. Elder Tietjen and I were going to try to get him interviewed by President when he came up this week but he wasn't ready. He has already changed his life so much!!! I love this guy. He has come to church 5 times now! I talked to President Richards about Darren and President said to continue with him because he is progressing. I want to see his salvation so bad. I guess that's selfish. :)
Another great story: My companion and I were biking back to the flat one night and we stopped to talk to a Thursday Island man on a bridge. He asked if we were men of God. We said yes. :) And he said, "come to my home." His best friend and neighbor had committed suicide. He asked a blessing on his apartment and the one where the death happened. We taught the Plan of Salvation and blessed the homes and set up a time to return. Too bad he is an alcoholic and we can never catch him sober. But we know that we met him to be led to his new friend Gregory. Gregory is an Aboriginal. His brother was the one that died. We got his address and will teach him this Wed. He lives about 30k's away so its going to be hard on our 80 k's a day. But he is worth it.
Anyone who reads this I encourage you to come to a sense of your duty as home and visiting teachers. If you don't like it- you don't get it. I made that mistake. Nothing -- nothing is more important than bringing others unto Christ. Be Brave and Bold! Encourage your friends to listen to the Easter message by Elder Holland on LDS.Org
Aww, I love General Conference.

To Blog Viewers: Sorry- President Richards told us this week that we can only email parents and we can only receive email from parents. So no more writing me unless you want to send it to my mom. I doubt you want to do that. :) (*Hey!!)

Love you all!
God Speed!
-Elder Hales

Amazing week!

At Barren Falls with Elder Mooney

Elders Mooney, Tohoro, Tietjen, Hales

FAMILY!!!

You asked about Elder Travis Mitchell. He already wrote me so I wrote him back. He is a stud and an amazing missionary. When he wrote me, he was training a greenie.
Well this week was great as always! I'll start off with transfers! You will never believe where I am! Just kidding! I was lucky enough to stay with Elder Tietjen in Cairns! But our District Leader, Elder Nelson went down south! And guess who came up... Elder Mooney, the man from Utah, was shipped up here! So our District Leader is Elder Tohoro and all of us have been out 4 transfers or less. (6 months and less) Wow!
This month is President Richards' 61st birthday so our goal is 61 baptisms! We are going to do it! We already have 35 or so. But as long as we are 100 percent obedient and work hard we can do it.

We had another miracle this week!!! We tracted into a lady (Jody) last week and talked about how important families are. We got a return appointment and went back this week. She had questions about the Plan of Salvation pamphlet so we taught that lesson and when we got to the Atonement it was so spiritual. So we have 2 families of 4 now that we are really praying for.
The other family aren't technically investigators yet. The father's name is Aaron and when we tracted into him he was so cool and nice but he left for 6 weeks on Coast Guard cyclone duty. He got back this week so we went and talked to him and he is a stud. We are teaching them this next week.
Darren has been doing great. This last Monday we started the stop smoking program... and that night he had 2 smokes. :( haha dang. But he used to smoke 20 a day so he has been doing so much better and we're going to commit him to go cold turkey this week. We have a sport night on Friday night for all the YSA and youth and Darren (tho he is 32) went and played Footy (rugby) with them. Us missionaries couldn't go because it was on the beach. So we were praying the YSA would include Darren. We called Darren that night and he went and hung out with them after the activity. YES!!! But Darren served 7 years in prison for something he did when he was 17 yrs old. And one of our fellowship people for the lessons told the YSA about it... so Darren told us he thinks they know because they are being a little cold to him. NO!!!!!!! So we are going to work on the YSA about it. But there were 2 YSA activities this week and Darren went to both. And then church on Sunday. We just have to prepare him to be interviewed by President Richards when he comes in 1-2 weeks.
Our other investigator we are going to baptize, Carissa, got back into town from the funeral and we are teaching her this week. Elder Tietjen and I are so excited we jump everytime we think about it.
The Lord has blessed us so much. Thank you for your prayers. Pray for Darren this week!
Love you all
God speed,
Elder Hales

(*We're going to ask Adam to send a picture of himself in MISSIONARY attire.) :-)