Dear family and friends,

Thanks for all your letters.  I really look forward to hearing from all of you.  I am so happy that everyone is doing well.  I really can see the bountous blessings that God has given us.
It was a awesome, awesome week. We were able to teach several new people the most we have had in these past two transfers. Many miracles have happened. I am starting to understand the power of fasting to a level not understand before. It really is indeed a special way in which we can come closer with God that perhaps can't happen in any other way. We have fasted twice in the last couple weeks and we have really seen the effects. Through the Spirit, some amazing, prepared people have been found.
We found one person this last week named Phuong. Elder Sealy and I saw her on the street and started to speak with her, when one of the members, saw us and helped us talk with her. They found out they live in the same apartment complex. Yet, even more than that, was that she came to church, we found out that this was the first day she had had off in an entire year due to a work agreement. It is a amazing series of miracles that helped her come to church. I am not sure when she will be able to come to church next, but we are going to meet her with her now twice a week, at the members's apartment, on the two days that she gets out before 9 at night. I am humbled by her story and reminded of the people that need to be found. I just need to have the faith and confidence in the Spirit to lead me to them.  The lesson was an incredible experience.  Elder LyNguyen told me afterwards that he wished I could've heard my Vietnamese as I taught and bore testimony. Although people don't always understand my Vietnamese, people always, always understand my testimony.  It a small miracle to me.  It's not because of more simple words, or grammar structures, but indeed the Spirit.  I won't take credit for the Vietnamese that I speak now, or praise it either (I know I have a long way to go.  Haha), but those language gaps that still persist currently, are always made up.  

Another miracle was about Chien.  He was supposed to go Adielade for an entire month, but the day after we met, he told us, he only had to be away for 3 days.  This is another miracle to me.  We taught him twice last week.  He has a great interest in the Book of Mormon and started to read it.  I This is a great blessing.  I know our testimonies and faith are strengthened as read and hear the word of God (Roman 10:17).  Life is so good.  

Got to see kangaroos last week.  It was awesome.  It was about an hour from where we are in Footscray.  I felt like a little kid going from bush to bush, trying to sneak up on the kangaroos to get the best picture. It was a blast.  It was some fields and woods close a new neighborhood develop, so there were not really any barriers.  The best part was when we saw 15 kangaroos congregated in one area, jumping around.  One even had a joey.  It was pretty cool.  

One funny thing that happened.  I was on the train with a Aussie.  He was very friendly.  He noticed right off that I was from the States.  I told him to guess the state and he said Missouri on the first guess.  It was a little weird, but also really funny.  He has a cousin from Topeka, so I guess the Midwest was on his mind.  Life is so good.  Expect more letters soon.  Love you

Jonathan

The waters of baptism

Dearest family and friends,

It was an awesome week.  Probably, the best one on the mission, thus, far.  It was a very special week indeed.  I had the opportunity to baptize Jennier on Saturday.  It was a very special experience for me. I have taught her since the second lesson, so I have had the great privilege to see her faith grow and gospel truly change her life.  

We taught her last week and we discussing general conference.  She told us how her priorities have changed in her life.  She now values her famly and her relationship with God so much more than she used to.  She is also 20 and also had her birthday on Friday.  She is from Hai Phong which is in Northern Vietnam.  The baptisimal service was a beautiful experience.  I remember baptizing Elias when I was 16 well, but it was special to have those same feelings again.  It amazing to see other dressed in complete white and then comtemplate that you are representative for Jesus Christ as you participate in this sacred ordinance that truly allows our sins to be washed away, to then walk in a "newness of life" (Roman 6:4).  Her joy was very evident as she shared her testimony with us after the baptism.  She described her feelings of being clean and having the opportunity to truly start over, as strives now to "endure to the end."  Her faith is so strong and I know her testimony will be great blessing to our congregation and to all who come in contact with her.  

When she asked me last week to baptize her, I think it was of the happiest times of my entire life.  It was a great honor for me to do it.  

Jennifer was confirmed with Holy Ghost yesterday by Elder LyNguyen.  I know Holy Ghost will be a great asset in her life.  I have seen how the Holy Ghost has impacted my life.  It does indeed give great guidance to me that I treasure that I seek to follow and it give me comfort in times of need.  

Khoa, who was baptized about a month ago, was given the priesthood yesterday.  It has been a very exciting last couple days.  

Chien, who I met on Wednesday in Sunshine came to church yesterday and we taught him a little bit before church.  He is from Da Nang, which is central Vietnam.  We taught him about the power of prayer.  He then gave his first prayer of his entire life yesterday.  It was very special.  He is going to Sydney for a couple weeks, but I will be back soon.  I translated for a little bit in sacrament.  He spoke to me in English and I spoke to him in Vietnamese.  I guess that is how the work moves forward.  Haha.

I went on a split with the APs yesterday before church.  I think it was the funnest time of "finding" or contacting on the streets yesterday.  We were at the Footscray train station and we literally talked to everyone that passed us.  I felt my confidence swell as we were united, working together.  It was an awesome experience.  This week, I am going to work harder at talking to everyone, not just a hello, but attempt to have a conversation with every single person that comes in my path. I guess we'll see what happens.  I am sure some miracles will happen.  

To mention a funny thing happened, there was a man who danced for 15 minutes straight on the train.  He had some big headphones and kept stepping to his beat.  He had glasses and kept looking straight the whole time.

Life is really good.  I am having a blast.  I am going to see some kangaroos in a couple hours for zone P-day.  I am really excited.  We're going to a reserve.  I live in the city, so I haven't seen any yet.  Love you all.  I wrote some letters home.  Expect them soon.

Love,

Jonathan

Words of the Prophets

Dearest family,
My heart is very full this cool spring morning in Melbourne.  I have felt very instructed by living apostles and prophets and I recieved defininte counsel that I look forward to apply in my life. As Elder Hales said so eloquently, "the greatest blessings come after conference."  I know that the talks given were inspired and are God's word.  I hope and love that I have for Jesus has been renewed and strengthened.  I especially loved Elder Holland's talk.  It was very down to earth and heartfelt.  As he said, we must always believe in miracles and "hold fast to hope."  We are told in 1 Nephi 15 to cling to to rod of iron of the word of God.  I believe that one reason why this is so important to do, is because the word of God fills us with hope.  I give us purpose and desire to learn, a desire that lead to faith, then to even knowledge of eternal truths.  Perhaps, in our time on earth, we feel like broken vessels.  We feel that we are doing enough, or perhaps not even good enough.  I know that Elder Holland said, Christ, our Lord and Savior is the Eternal Potter.  His fingers will guide the clay to be make a beautiful vessel, a vessel that even dwell with God.  Yet, as learn each day, it is crucial to allow his gentle touch to guide the clay and trust in His counsel and plan for each of us.  I loved this talk.    

I identified several themes, but the message of hope and the healing and redemptive power of the Atonement were feelings that came most often to my mind.  I had several questions written down, as I invited, many of the people that we teach to do so also.  I saw those questions answered one by one.  It is miraculous.  I know the prophets words are a "safety" for this day, and perhaps, ultimately, the only safety, that we have in this day, as President said so eloquently. 

It was a fabulous week.  I think our lesson with our investigator, Jennifer, was the best lesson I have participated in, thus, far on the mission.  The Spirit was so strong, so very strong.  It started with a question from Elder Rafferty, a English Elder, I was on splits with for the day, who asked her, how she has seen her faith in God grow in these past couple months.  She gave the most beautiful testimony of God and His love, and the gift of prayer in her lives.  She then proceeded to tell us that she had already prayed about the Book of Mormon, and received her answer.  I love the message that we share.  It indeed transforms individuals (Mosiah 3:19).  I have seen it transform my own.  

I love you all so very much.  In my prayer last night, I had a sweet opportunity to ponder over the gifts that each of you have been in my life.  I look to your examples and love you so much. I know I am in the right place.  I am happy to be here and I feel that I able to contribute this work.  My joy is full.  May God bless each of you.  I know that the word of God can give us peace and greater love.  It fills with hope and directs to have charity.  The scriptures have become one of my closest friends on this mission.  The words of the prophets do indeed direct towards Christ's redemptive power and God's love.  I know God loves each of you and that He will bless us great, as we seek to follow Him.  I read all you emails.  I am sorry I don't always respond. 

Love,

Jonathan 

A week of small miracles

Dear family and friends,

It was a really good past week.  We did not have as much success as I desired in finding people to teach, but day after day, small miracles happened and we were able to share in some sweet experiences.  I haven't watched general conference yet, but I am really excited for it.  I don't think I have ever been so excited.  We taught two lessons last week about prophets and committed each of them to write any question that they have about the gospel or in question about their lives.  I know that our questions can always be answered by either the words of the speakers or through listening to that small and gentle voice and impressions of the Holy Ghost.  I am still thinking about some of the questions I have.  

We were able to bring a member to church that hasn't gone in years.  That was a very special experience.  She has a strong faith and hope in Jesus Christ.  She actually writes the most beautifulf poems in Vietnamese about her love of God and Jesus Christ.  She is amazing.  We teaching much of the gospel again, because she was taught in English, so there was a language barrier.  She is learning a lot and we were able to share with her the baptisimal covenant and promise in Mosiah 18.  We promised that Holy Ghost is indeed a Comforter and can give us peace.  

We ran into many church members on the streets and transporation last week.  One person started to sing "We Thank Thee God for A Prophet."  That was very unexpected experience.  He was the only other person on the bus.  Two other people that we met, also told us that they both knew God had put us in their path.  I really believe that to be true.  One was a former drug addict that was taught by missionaries while he was a high security prison.  We testified of the healing power of the Atonement and how God indeed does not want us to have guilt or shame.  We can truly can be healed as learn about the work of God (Jacob 2) and endure the challenges that God give us, being true to what we know and believe (D&C 112).  The other people were a family that are recently baptized, but are homeless.  We shared a short testimony about God's love.  Each time, I really did feel God's love for them and I felt myself, an overwhelming love for them.  As all children of God, we are all brothers and sisters.  I wish the world remembered that.  

As missionary, I do have the opportunity to see world so close up.  I see the immense temptations of our day and the despair of many.  I see the effects of drug and alchohol abuse.  I see broken and disunited families.  Yet, I see many miracles.  I see so many good people.  I see people with strong faith in God and desire to be God.  I see people like Jacques, I met last week. From Sudan, he spent 15 years in a refugee camp in Ethiopia.  He told us how Christ has brought healing and great hope and light into his life.  The world may descend dowward, but I know that "hope is the anchor of our soul, the sail for our dreams, and the balms of our pains.  It is one-size solution that fits all."  Our faith in Christ will never fail, though storms may descend upon us.  Satan wants to have despair, but we cannot fail.  We are on the winning team.  We have God at our side, as God reminded Joshua.  I love Australia and I love the plan that God has for all of us. I'm glad to hear that Uncle Wes is doing better.  Love you all you so much,

your son, brother, and friend in Australia,

Jonathan (Anh Ca Bao)

funny thing: met two 17-year-olds who had football helmets.  their names were peter and steven.  how about an coicidence?