Letter from Elder Shaun Flakemore - 26 March 2010

"Hobart Stake YSA,

How is everyone?? Are you all managing to survive without me there? For those that are struggling, it's ok, just write me a letter and you'll feel fine.  I promise, that as you do this, your blessings will be great! I testify of this truth, so, Hobart YSA, will you continue to write letters to all missionaries that are out in the field? - Sorry, just thought I'd throw in the commitment pattern.

So far my mission has been great! I've been in contact with Sis. Kathryn Yost, and Elder Michael Watson and they seem to be doing really well also.  I'm still in Feilding, Hatchard's last area, and I've seen 6 baptisms here in my first 7 weeks, 2 of them I was privileged to perform myself.  It is truly amazing to see people's lives change and to see the joy that the gospel brings into their lives.  I'm starting to get used to door knocking, we did 7 hours of finding a few days ago.  The very first door we knocked on, we got a return appointment, and then the very last door! The longer I'm out here, the more I wish I had of done it earlier in life, but I tend to procrastinate everything in life.  At least I'm out here now!  I miss everyone of you guys and the good times we all have.  Right now I'm thinking of the ANZAC day camp last year, and I can't believe that was nearly a year ago!  At least this year I'm in NZ and it's on a Sunday so I won't get the chance to ride my motorbike and hurt my foot again.  I've only crashed my push bike once so far, hit the brakes too hard and went over the handle-bars, it hurt, but it was funny as!

Well, all is sweet aye bro, it's all choice as here cuz!  I'm slowly learning Kiwi, but people love my thick Aussie accent, so I'm trying my best not to lose it.

Everyone keep safe now!  Remember, the church is TRUE!  I thought I knew it before I came out here, but now I do know it! Pray ALWAYS! As much as we like to think we can do it on our own, we can't! Rely on our Lord and Saviour. Elder Flakemore."

Wholesome, yet not-so-clean, fun

There may have been a time in your life when you have thought to yourself, "I wonder what it feels like to wear jelly?"  Well on Saturday some brave souls from Hobart YSA turned up at Risdon Brook Dam to find out.  After a week of beautiful weather, there was only one cloud in the sky....one very big, big cloud, extending as far as the eye could see and blocking out all the sun.  But it did not rain at our lovely location, which included scenic views of the famed Risdon Prison.  And so, after a brief photoshoot, the game began.

Two teams. Two "flags". Two jelly colours.  With a few simples rules each team had to try to capture their opponent's flag and bring it back to theirs, risking being hit with a jelly-filled waterbomb with either red or green jelly.  Oh and there was one more thing - some of them were actually  filled with custard ...not jelly.  The jelly-throwing at last ended when the supplies had run out, and I think a flag may have been captured, but to be honest I was too distracted trying to avoid the jelly.

The "after" photos exhibit some of the general damage done (more photos are in the slideshow at the bottom of the page)

After some hosing-down of those who needed it (and some who didn't), we headed to Geilston Bay for a speedy BBQ to replenish our energy supplies until next time...

Well done Lewie G for dreaming up this sticky (yet tasty) event =D

Aussie Aussie Aussie!!

OI! OI! OI!

The traditional multi-stake "Australia Day" camp was held by the Devonport stake in Port Sorell last month.  At a place called Camp Boomerang we shared some fun times over the weekend.  Activities included cricket, watching Astro Boy (the multi-lingual version it seems!), service projects, the beach, an Australia-themed dance, church with Devonport ward, some workshops including Question & Answer time with President S. Prebble, and an testimony meeting.  In attendance at camp were a few "Returning Hobartians" who were back visiting their native land, as well as a couple of "Honourary Tasmanians" from Melbourne.  I think all would agree we had a great time, so a big thanks to Gemma and the Devonport stake!

Belated Christmas Greetings

This week we received a very artistic 3-D Christmas-tree-shaped letter from Sister Kathryn Yost who is currently serving as a missionary from our stake in the Brisbane mission:

"Dear YSA!

Yes the IS THE AWESOMEST!! card you have ever seen!! Why?! Because I made it!! Your letters/notes were awesome to get! I ♥ being on the receiving end of them!! Well the heat/rain of Brisbane is AWESOME!! I'm in an area called Coomera which is on the Gold Coast and to top it off I go past DREAMWORLD EVERY DAY!! And Movie World and Wet & Wild each Thursday for District Meetings!! It's weird you can hear them scream on the rides it makes me laugh! I want to yell at them to join the church and BE BAPTISED!! But that wouldn't look good! So being a missionary is awesome! I fell off my bike twice, took a chunk out of my hand helping my flat mate - other sister missionary - learn to ride a bike, haven't been chased yet! But we got yelled at by some lady! She wasn't so happy having us knock on her door!  It's raining and I am excited! We got caught in a mass down pour of rain while we were tracting which was random.  We ran to our members home which was so amazing!! Blessed! Excellent! I've run out of things to say and I still have 2 more sides...so I might write things back personally...who shall I start with?!

NESS: The rock paper is really cute! Hey I saw Olan in the 3 simple ways for a happier family pamphlet, I was excited!! So tell her she's famous!

JESS K: I do remember that tin! I ♥ Mr Bean!  I'm not sure what the spit thing is... or why you were pointing to the cloud... but thanks and YOU ARE COOL!

JESS B: I ♥ COLD ROCK! My fave is Peanut Butter in a timtam& MnM's so good! yes I ♥ the sun I'm not pastey!! Should see my tan!
CAMPBELL: So true you do only think of water when your tracting... We're tracting at night some days so it's more wishing we had aeroguard! Elder Berquist is giong good he's awesome as AP!! President & Sister Richards are awesome and have only 6 months left-ish-! Sad =( Sis Richards went to USA for a wedding I think...yes she did!  I ♥ OUR AREA BOOK!  Never thought I'd love forms as much as I do now!!
LEWIE G:  It's ok I don't actually remember much about my F.Book page... so no dramas!  My wardrobe is coping well but thanks to my handy family I am not doing too bad!  There is a lady in my ward that reminds me of you! Sorry to call you a lday! REPENT SISTER YOST!!
BEK:  HEY BEK!! All is quiet and hot!! I am excited to be here! I ♥ it!  There is a lady in our ward who always say "Girlfriend" makes me smile!!
ELDER FLAKEMORE:  YESH SHABANG A BANG!!!  Totally got my MTC district leader looking out for you!  His name is Elder Cobbett!  He's awesome!!  Just think ok dong all you can!  I hope to hear from you soon oh so awesome!! Be prepared to EAT!!
CALLIN:  Thanks Caillin! How's your Masters robot thing going??
CAMILLA: LOL I had poached eggs and thought of good old Benny!! Oh so good!! But it's worth the sacrifice as a missionary.
ELLE: Yes time flies crazy!! But I am so excited to be a missionary. It's way fun! Never want to stop!!
CHLOE: YES! It's like 30 C all the time, if it's not hot it's raining, if it's not raining it's muggy! It's great!! :| Happy 18th by the way!
LISA: Brisvegas is great hot fun! And I'm trying to not have too much fun...?! LOL! How's Rhys..?
MD: HOW ARE YOU?! I'm bad at writing too!! LOL! Oh well yay for Christmas day to write letters!! From 3 months ago...? LOL! Amanda... we aren't weird...just amazing!!?
MAZ: Well I was quite exciting to get mail so don't feel too bad...as it was my only one...LOL nah it's ok! Thank you for your advice! It's coming in handy!!

Well before I stop, thank you to all who support us missionaries! It's the best getting letters! Sorry for seriously late replies...work is busy!!

I would like to share some of my fav scriptures with you all!!
Helaman 12 - the whole thing! Trust the Lord! He has a plan for you!! Have faith in His power! There is reason for all!
Mosiah 2:34 - "...render to Him all that you have and are..."!!  I've come to realise how important gratitude to Heavenly Father is!  He has given me more than I to Him! Stop and think what he has given you!
1 Nephi 11:17 - Heavenly Father DOES LOVE HIS CHILDREN! Do not forget your divine purpose!! Become who the Lord wants you to become!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS - "my soul delighteth in fatness..." - 2 Nephi 9:51.

Love Sister Yost
P.S...Be excited to share the gospel!!!"

The Changsta Speaks Out

If you haven't yet read on http://www.lds.org.au one of Hobart Stake's Young Single Adults, Chang (aka "The Changsta") has shared his conversion story in a video now available on youtube.  Chang was baptised in May this year.  The link to his video is below.  Good on ya, Chang!

Chang's conversion story

Rise and Shine

It was early. It was damp. And it was cold. 2 days prior it had been 32 degrees! But such is Tasmanian weather. Amid the cold and wet those of the YSA brave enough gathered at the Mt. Wellington springs with the Stake Presidency at 6am in a small stone hut, to share their testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. As many shared, the Spirit soon warmed our hearts (the fire helped too). After we were spiritually filled, we filled our stomachs with the bacon and egg muffins kindly prepared by Steve and his barbecue. A couple of group photos taken soon after revealed a strange ghostly presence...

then we realised it was just David's reflective jacket. Once the jacket was out of the picture the happy snaps were a success...almost. BEK!

Service with a smile

The afternoon following the dance a few valiant souls gathered at the Stake Centre for the service project. To remind us why we were all there in the first place, we began by hearing a few thoughts on service from Lego, after which we divided into our teams and selected our victims - I mean- interviewees. A few moments were taken to load up on questions to be asked, then with directions in hand, the various groups split up to interview these members of our stake: Ray Baldwin, Brian Townsend, Ian Oates, and Murry & Betty Docking.

Back at the Stake Centre each group shared what they learnt about their interviewees and each reported a very interesting and pleasant experience. Freddo frogs were awarded for the most random facts and funniest stories (so basically each group got a prize because our people were just too interesting!) and one person from each team volunteered to do a write-up for the Stake website, so watch that space! Thanks to all who found the energy to be there after a big night.

Re-living childhood through Nursery Rhymes

Hey diddle-diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon... Who writes these nursery rhymes anyway?

Despite not knowing the answer to this thought-provoking question, many YSA put on the wigs or ears or suspenders or tiaras on to dress up as nursery rhyme character or, in some cases, object. From mice to Mary to Miss Muffet to Missionaries (perhaps from a modern chinese nursery rhyme?), there was a great variety of creativity and colour.

Throughout the night there were a few games played from those primary school days, such as What's the Time Mr. Wolf and Bob Bob Statue, as well as a Humpty Dumpty pinata, which did have a great fall! Towards the end of the night the costumes were paraded and four favourites carefully chosen by our Panel of Impartial Judges and announced by a very twinkling Maz: Elle as Incy-Wincy Spider, Lauren as Little Bo Peep, Amy as Old Mother Hubbard and Sam as Little Boy Blue. Other nursery rhymes and characters portrayed include Wee Willie Winkie, Hickory Dickory Dock, Jack (and Jill), "Four" Blind Mice, The King of Spades Daughter and Ring-o-ring-a-rosies (more importantly, a pocket full of posies!). Thanks to all who helped make it a successful night!

Foreign Correspondance

From Elder Michael Watson

"Hello Hobart Stake YSA,

Thanks heaps for your letters or notes, it feels good to know more than my family think about me every now and then.

I have see Elder Docking a few times since being here but missed Sister Gresswell by 3 days, she had already left for Sydney when I went to the temple, the MTC missionaries are usually there on Mondays when we go as missionaries once a month.

Keep that flamin' Sam Watson under control, cause I ain't there to do it.

Well how is everyone, you all sent a lot of love but not much info on what's crackin down there. From what I received I can see everyone is alright and there's a new family in the legendary GLEN HUON ward. I got a little letter from a girl of the member of the family, but it had no name, all I know is they're trying to buy my old house.

Today me and Elder Stuart (Melbourne) went into Hamilton and met up with 10 other missionaries and two sisters as well, we all played ten pin bowling and The Little Tassie Devil beat everyone, closest was 32 points away from me - 145. Anyway after that we had a go at Laser Tag. In the first couple of mins I ran around a corner and ducked to dodge any incoming laser beams and in the process ran straight into Elder Stuart and headbutted his gun and vest. Put a big old shiny & cut lump on my forehead, but I was alright, kept playing the game dazed out of my mind, just following these pretty blue and red lights haha darn classic. We then headed off to the chapel for some sport. More people got hit in the head there, one got a fat lip from a frisbee too LOL I was having a good laugh when I seen these things happening LOL. That's just some of the stuff that happened!! Some of the other stuff youse don't need to know LOL.

Well it's winter time now, are youse planning a trip to Mt Field this year?

Um I know Brodie sucks at getting dates with girls, but what about the rest of you, what's happening in this area of YSA? Has that crazy little girl named Elle got a boy yet? The little nut case she is, at least she is good for a laugh.

Man you guys I am pretty trunky right now, my comp is going home next Tuesday, I got letter from you all so I'm totally flabbergasted, my comp is always talking about home. Your letters make me think of home and I ain't allowed to drive a car yet so I'm having major withdrawal symptoms from that!!

Next week I have to take over two areas, one area is dead and the other is booming, so I have to keep that area booming and fix the other area! Well my mind is all over the place.

The gospel is true and that's all that matters! Jesus is the Christ, saviour and redeemer of mankind, the only way back to heaven. He is a perfectly purified resurrected being who leads and guides this one true and living church on the earth today by revelation. Of that there is no doubt in my mind. No other church has the priesthood nor the Holy Ghost gift of! to head the church. Pray always and never cease, especially in this time of your lives in choosing an eternal companion. Do so wisely and wisdom is to have the spirit with you.

See look at that, my testimony don't even make sense, my mind is scattered all over the place. Well I might finish there before I confuse y'all.

Man I love you guys, keep doing good.

Elder Watson."

Foreign Correspondance

From Elder Scott Docking

"Myself and Elder Watson"

Hobart Stake YSA

It's great to hear from all of you, it makes me feel loved to open up a letter and have many letters fall out onto the desk.

Things are going great here in New Zealand, there was a baptism a few weeks ago, in the ward I'm serving in. Hopefully there'll be another one in a couple of weeks.

I've served in 4 areas now and they are: Hamilton Glenview Stake, Paptoetoe Stake in South Auckland, Manurewa Stake in South Auckland, and the Tauranga Stake. I'm serving in a little town called Whakatane at the moment. Note: The WH in Whakatane is pronounced as an F.

Every day my companion and myself meet a lot of crazy people, and a lot of hot chicks I mean nice people. The mission is going really good, I'm learning heaps about the gospel that I didn't know, and things I never would've thought of. I've been blessed to see 2 apostles; Elder Cook & Elder Scott Docking I mean Elder Richard G. Scott.

Anyway stay strong in the faith. Fight the good fight.

Cheerio. Elder Scott Docking.

Alma 57:27

"Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually."

"Burning a shirt at 1 year"

"Having some fun"

"Having some more fun"

Stake/Ward website

For those of you who have not heard of the Stake and Ward websites which are now up and running, here's the spill and the instructions.

The church has developed a website system for keeping members informed of information and events in each stake and ward. What this means for our stake is that this website will replace the traditional hardcopy Stake Calender which previously has been the means of distributing scheduled events for the year and leaders/members directory.

To access the website you will need to create an LDS Account, which is pretty easy. All you need is your member number (you can find this on your temple recommend or from your ward clerk) and your confirmation date (can get from your ward clerk). You will also need to think of a username and a password.

Go to https://secure.lds.org/units/login/ and click "Obtain an LDS Account." Follow the steps listed, and once you have your LDS Account you can sign into the website. You will be taken first to your ward website, which includes a ward calender and leaders and members directories. There is also a link to go to the Stake Website at the top left, which includes a stake calender and stake leaders and members directories.

Our Stake leaders strongly encourage us to begin using this new resource to keep informed of stake and ward events and information.

Foreign Correspondance

Well Perth is pretty foreign for us here in Tassie! The first lucky missionary to make their mark on this wall is Elder Brett Docking, originating from Rosny ward. He writes the following in response to the letters of encouragement that we have written to him:

***

"Hi everyone,

As you all can probably tell I'm not the best at writing letters, but I try sometimes anyway. I have served in 4 areas now, in Thornlie, Port Headland, Kwinana & now I'm in Midland, I've been here a little over 2 weeks now. So far the mission has been good filled with highs & lows, but more highs. I've been lucky enough to have had a car for the first half of my mission, however at this current time I am riding a bike, which could be a good thing for me.
I have had a mixture of the good & the bad when it comes to companions. I've served with 3 Americans, 2 Samoans, 1 Australian & am now serving with a German. I've spent most of the time serving with Americans.
My mission has given me some good experiences, some of which I wish I hadn't had & others which I am grateful. I've seen the growth in me, even how small it is.
Well that does it for me for now, I'll see you all next year.
Elder Brett Docking."

***

Thanks to all those who have taken time to write to Elder Brett so far :)

Little Red Riding Hood - The Musical

Despite the cold weather, mountain snow and frequent rain, seven brave and courageous souls of the Hobart Stake ventured out to the stake centre for some Movie Making Mania! Being presented with the well known tale of Little Red Riding Hood and a choice of genres, such as old western, drama/soapie, comedy, silent movie, and reality tv, the group of budding hollywood artists (one of whom has lived just 8 hours away from Hollywood itself) chose to film in the musical genre. And thus was born: Little Red Riding Hood - The Opera. *Due to technical errors, this video cannot be uploaded...but we will find a way!*

Missionary Minded

This week three very fat envelopes were sent to three hopefully-not-very-fat missionaries serving from our stake: Elder Sam Sullivan, Elder Aaron Hatchard and Elder Brett Docking. Thanks to all who took the time to write an encouraging note at the last YSA fireside to our diligent missionaries serving, I'm sure they will greatly appreciate it.

We also farewelled yet another of our valiant soldiers, Sister Lauren Greswell, affectionaly known in her past life as 'Lego', who departed last Thursday for the New Zealand MTC in preparation to serve in the Australia Sydney North Mission in a few weeks. We are all very proud of Lauren and wish her all the best, and I'm sure we'll all remember to send her lots of encouraging letters in the MTC!

UPDATE- Stake Musical Fireside

Firstly this fireside, also known as the Gospel Enrichment Fireside, has been postponed until Sunday 24th May. Secondly, those participating in the fireside will be dressing up in old Jerusalem dress...yep, that means you! More details to come on that part...and it was not my choice! But I'm sure it'll be great.

Thank you to all those who have come along to practises so far. We will be having a practise this week after institute, and another one after the CES fireside on Sunday. We are singing "Jesus Was No Ordinary Man," it is sounding great and will shock and amaze the stake I'm sure! The numbers we had at the last practise were great, hopefully all of you can still come on the night! Any questions let me know, tassiemazzy@gmail. Thanks again!

April Activity - ANZAC multi-stake overnight camp

Ooh the suspense! You've probably been wondering what's happening for April, and now we can tell you! We will be having the second annual ANZAC Day overnight camp! And it's officially multi-stake too! It will be held at the world's greatest camping spot - Glen Huon. On Bishop Watson's land, if you know where that is...I don't yet...but I will! And so will you!

It will be held from 6pm Friday 24th until 10.30pm Saturday 25th. For full details contact your ward or stake reps, there is a registration form that will need to be completed and returned by Tues 14th April. Events include a testimony meeting, ANZAC Day dawn service @huonville, service activities and a dance. The theme of the dance is the World War I era, so start op-shopping for your costume now! Cost of the camp is $20 for full time (for food).

There will also be a fireside by the Hobart Stake Presidency the following Sunday 26th, 7pm at the Hobart Stake Centre. Hope you can all make it, and don't forget to register!

Letters abroad

Thanks to all who took the time at Sunday's fireside to write a quick note to three of our dedicated YSA currently serving missions. I am sure that Elder Campbell King, Elder Mark Dowe and Elder Sam Watson will appreciate receiving our words of encouragement and support and be happy to know we are thinking of them. The letters have been posted off to the respective elders so they will be receiving them very shortly! We will be writing to three of our missionaries every month at the stake YSA fireside, these three being the ones who have been out serving the longest, and we will rotate through so all are equally blessed!

Institute

At institute this week, after establishing that Abraham did not have a son named Isabella, and that Collette has sharpened her pencil since last week, we reviewed the lineage of Abraham a little, both through his son Ishmael who had 12 sons and from whose seed comes the Arab people, and also Isaac, whose son was Jacob (aka Israel) who also had 12 sons. By looking at lineages provided in the New Testament we discovered that John the Baptist was of the tribe of Levi through his father Zacharias, and that Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, through his mother Mary.

We also compared the time-lines of the ministries of John the Baptist and the Saviour, and studied in some detail the temptations the Saviour went through whilst fasting in the wilderness and discussed how we can learn from His example in resisting temptations in our lives.

Next week we will study lesson 5 from the manual.

The link on the sidebar for the stake/ward website login has been fixed, sorry to those who tried to use it before and found it didn't work. If you haven't already, you can obtain an LDS Account from the login page. Don't forget to check it often so you can know what's happening in your ward and stake!