Dearest family and friends,

Life continues to be awesome in Australia as missionary.  It is indeed a great blessing to be missionary.  It is so cool.  It is amazing to see the gospel change their lives and come to know for themselves that God and Jesus Christ indeed really do love them and that the Book of Mormon are the word of God.  With our investigator, Jennifer, I was such an exciting past week.  The commandments have just really clicked with her and has recognized that the commandments are really blessings that God has given us to guide her in our lives.  She had highlighted Mosiah 4:30 and begun telling us why from her experience, having clean and upright thoughts is so important as face decisions and temptations.  So much of what do, does indeed start with a simple thought--for good or for bad.  

With the our recent convert, Khoa, who was just baptized a couple weeks, has already begun fellowshipping.  I know this branch will continue to go stronger as people grow in gospel.  The gospel is a gospel of learning of becoming.  I learn new things each day. The branch is still small, but the congregation loves and cares for each other so much. The members really rely on each other, but most are single members in their family, living away from home. Sacrament is always so wonderful to hear people's testimonies, knowing they were only baptized a couple months ago.

I read 1 Corinthian 15:58 this past week.  I have reflected on it often.  Life isn't always easy, or we may feel that we are doing everything right, but the verse contains a great promise.  As we labor for the Lord, it is never in vain. 

I had a couple experience of being an answer to someone's prayers.  A person had been waiting for the bus for about an hour and didn't know what to do.  He told us after we had talked for about 15 minutes, that he looked after his prayer, and we were right there.  I had seen him about minute before and had a strong impression I needed to talk to him.  The Holy Ghost truly will guide us always.  I am grateful that I heeded this impression, that I didn't know would come of it.  We are meeting with him on Sunday before church. He is Vietnamese, so we were able to speak to each other.  I shared a short message about prophets and how we believe we have a prophet on the earth today, as there were prophets of old.  We might not always see the fruit of our labors.  In fact, as a missionary, most of the time, I don't see them, but God does.  I know He has a plan for us.  It is honor to be involved in this work.  I am humbled each day, but God lifts me higher (James 4:11).  

I met a person with a cardinals hat the other day.  His name was Jonathan and he was from Bogota.  I told him about Uncle Wes.  It was funny to have all those connections with him.  Love you all.  I pray for all each day.

Elder Shumway