Friday, May 12, 2017

What can I say more?

8th May  2017

Yesterday it officially clicked over to 24 months with the badge on. Wow... I have just a few short days left now so I am going to make the most of it.

I love sharing my testimony. I still freak out a little when I do so. I still shake my leg behind the stand like crazy even when I am only standing up there for a minute. But wow. The feeling afterwards is indescribable.

Something that has really stuck out to me this week as I finished the Book of Mormon for my second time while on my mission is the Focus that the Book of Mormon has on Inviting all to come unto Christ. Nephi writes in the 4th Chapter of the Whole Book of Mormon. "For mine intent is that I may more fully persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob and Be saved." or in other words as Moroni Puts it. "Come unto Christ and Be perfected in Him... And if by the Grace of God, ye are made perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the Power of God"   (Moroni 10:32) Which power is to the salvation of Souls. 

This will be my last Email. As next week is Mothers Day. I wish you all the best. I look forward to catching up with all of you sometime in the near future.

I love you all.
Arohanui
I would like to close with this.
"I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the Power of God unto the Salvation of Man." Romans 1:16
Elder Jackson Fankhauser
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015-2017

Weekly email

26th April  2017


We got on the Mormon Newsroom!!

Love you all.

We had Elder Nielsen this week and it is indescribable to be able to explain how awesome that was. But suffice it to say that the Spirit was there in Abundance. 
Elder Jackson Fankhauser
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015-2017

Here.

18th April  2017

Ohk So I want to start this off with something cool that I found.

So A Mission is 2 years which is 730 Days. However we had a Leap year so it makes it 731. I finish 16 days after I began my mission which makes 747. Which is what I will be getting on on the 747th day. Ohhhhhh So cool. ( I am quietly excited because my companion already thinks I'm weird) 

So this week we were able to do some awesome Service for a Tree Farm and help with the flood clean up. So we got super muddy. Pictures are below. It was awesome. One of my favourite things about being a missionary really. It was an awesome Day.We had approximately 40 missionaries with missionaries from 4 Zones and 3 stakes. As well as heaps of members.

On Tuesday we went down with just 6 of us and then we got asked to participate so we coordinated with some of the other Zones to make Saturday Happen and it was awesome.

On Sunday at the Samoan Branch we arrived and the Branch President pulled us into his office, and we were sitting there thinking "Did we do something wrong" and then he says. I forgot to ask you the other night but can you two share your testimonies. So it will be you, then your companion and then the intermediate Hymn. And then the Final speaker. 
So we thought about it and realized he wasn't just asking us for a short 20 second testimony but a 10 minute talk. Luckily we have the Spirit and we were both able to produce a 10 minute talk each. in about 5 minutes. Love the Gospel.

That was about it.

We have Mission Tour with Elder S. Gifford Nielsen. and then ANZAC Day Next week so P-day will be on Wednesday next week. And then the week after we have Temple P-Day on Thursday.

Love you all
Elder Jackson Fankhauser
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015-2017






Saturday, April 15, 2017

Let it Begin

10th  April  2017

Or as my Companion has been trying to get me to say "I'm all the way in"

Haha. Well it has been 23 months as of Friday since I entered the MTC. This Time Last year I was in Enoggera with Elder Banks.

What can I say but WOW!

This has honestly been one of the most life changing experiences that I have had in all my life. I think it is supposed to be like that.

A few things that I learnt from General Conference this week is.

Look Up. Let the Holy Spirit Guide. Our Father's Glorious Plan. The Language of the Gospel. Being Called to the Work. And so much more it is hard to describe.

I am honestly such a Church NERD. Someone gave me there phone to find something on Gospel Library  the other day and I started freaking out over a new feature.. (don't ask me what it was.. I'll tell you in 8 weeks or so)

But that'll have to wait. I have (And trust me I have not done this on Purpose it just happened in my head) but I have 43 days till I jump on the Plane. Now to the Math about 9 of those days are going to be half days due to Zone Meeting, District Meeting, Mission Tour, MLC and Interviews. (So - 4.5 Days) 6 of those days are P-Days and there is - 5 days because of that (that is including the hours of work after P-day) then -1 because of transfer day. - 8 hours of every day 43*8=344 hours/24 = -14

So Quite literally I have 29 days left. Not including Eating or Studying. SO that takes out who knows... but. I am going to smash it these next six weeks. and my plan is that as soon as I get home. I am going to sleep for 3 days. well maybe just 12 hours.  But this is just.., it's so weird

WEll I love you all, Wish you all the best. Work hard. 
Elder Jackson Fankhauser
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015-2017

Well, Just to let you know.

3rd April  2017

I have felt a flood of Emotions this week.
It has been a cyclone of feelings.
And the Miracles are just raining down on us
and sometimes we just get Swept away in all of it.

So No more Puns
But this week has been pretty Good. We were able to see Tala Get Baptised and witness a baptism in the Chinese Branch with some more miracles to follow. It looks like it is going to be exciting.

A funny story comes from Yesterday.

While we were at the Samoan Branch we walk into youth class (because it is done in English) and the Member of the Branch Presidency is there. He talks for about 5 minutes and then says "The Elders have your lesson today" and proceeds to walk out.

Later on in the class he comes back and seeing it as an opportunity to get him back for leaving us, I say to him "Could you explain to us what this verse means," (He had literally walked back into the room when I asked him this.) To which he replies. "It's your lesson"

Haha I love the Samoan branch. They're crack up

We also had a flood in our area from two separate rivers and I guess to illustrate how bad it got in one area
                             
           Motorway ->    {-----}
   Foundation Pillar ->  [   l   ]
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr      <- Water
   Foundation Pillar ->  [   l   ]         
   Foundation Pillar ->  [   l   ]                
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr  <- Normal Water Level
Pictures of the Floods will be available Below
Elder Jackson Fankhauser
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015-2017




Monday, March 27, 2017

19 Day Miracle

27th March  2017


So on the 6th of March we had Dinner at Bishop Iva's house and also who joined us is Miss Sharon  who is the Music Teacher at the Eagleby State School, which is the place where the majority of our ward's primary Children.
On the 25th of March after quitting smoking and having been taught all the lessons, herself doing a lot of the studying regarding the Book Of Mormon, She was baptised!
On the 26th She was confirmed a Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

An amazing Gift which helps all of us. And I had the Privilege to talk about it a little at her Baptism and I focused on some of the roles of the Holy Ghost. Such as: Comforter; Teacher; Testifier; and Reminder. I love this Gift so much. It is honestly one of the things that helped me be able to connect with her because during the Monday night (the 6th) I listened to what she was saying and the Holy Ghost just whispered to me, "ask her if this is what she means".

It was amazing to see the progress she had over the next 19 days that led to her Baptism. Completely giving up Coffee (Which was a bit of a fast one she said) and Smoking. 

Well I Love you all and I know that Miracles do happen.

Sharon at her Baptism
We also at the start of this week said Goodbye to Elder Brownell who Flew back to Portland
Elder Jackson Fankhauser
Australia Brisbane Mission
May 2015-2017

2 Baptisms coming in 2 weeks.... Bring it ON

23rd March 2017

These last few weeks have been awesome.

We have two people that are preparing for Baptism for this Weekend and Next weekend and they are super solid. One is Sharon Shepherd who is the Music Teacher here in Eagleby and she is superb. She has been getting lessons from the Primary Children and they are doing the teaching more than us. She told us of one experience she had the other day where one of the Bishops children sat her down and wrote on the Blackboard BAPTISM and then proceeded to teach her about Baptism.

The Other is Tala Emilio who we stopped by on Sunday last week and he said (in effect) "Yeah I was thinking about getting baptised just need to sort out a date" He is really cool and is ready for the water.

The other things I have done in the last few weeks is go to a biking area where we biked around for most of the day. Over the hills and far away and then mother duck cried quack quack, quack and I went to Sunnybank with the Chinese Speaking Elders. It was good. I learnt a few chinese words one was (I can't remember how you spell it in Peen(English version of Chinese(Sort of but not really cause some of the letters still don't make sense) ) But I know that you say it Shin-she and If I remember correctly that means chess.

I have also said Goodbye to the only Companion that I have "killed" (Missionary term for when a missionary finishes his mission is that he/she "dies" and their companion is the one who "kills" them) Elder Brownell got on the plan two days ago and has been home for about 24 hours now.

So now it is just me and Elder Moncur. And it looks like a busy three weeks as we finish off the transfer.

Love you all.

Elder Jackson Fankhauser
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015-2017

Week ... Not important

6th March  2017

Well it seems like only yesterday that I was transferred from Forest Lake to Yamanto. But 3 months later and another move.

So my goal is to write more people individually. So... If I happen to email you Then it is because I am trying to do better at emailing people.

But this week was pretty cool. Elder Brownell and Elder Moncur are pretty cool. They are quite a team of Pranksters. But they are also really funny. Some cool little inside Jokes have already been formed and looking forward to these next 2 weeks with Elder Brownell here and possibly the next 11 with Elder Moncur or the Next 5 depending what happens with Transfers.

Well I can't really remember any cool stories from this week. But was able to study a talk called the 4th missionary and I found that quite good. I have read it before last year but I was hoping that this time I would be able to get some more insights from it. And one thing that I remember it talking about was how to be truly consecrated you have to give your Mind and your heart. They are the only two things that you cannot give our Father in Heaven because he has given us everything else but we have to willingly choose to come closer to him. Because he will force no Man to Heaven.

Well that is just a little bit from what I learnt this week.

I love you all and I hope you have a wonderful week

The Photos are Elder Moncur and Brownell (He is the one with the pillowcase on his head)
Elder Jackson Fankhauser
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015-2017

TRANSFERS are in.... The results are

27th February 2017

Well It has been a crazy busy week in Ipswich Zone.

With Zone P-Day, District Meeting, A trip to the doctors (Don't worry it wasn't anything big), A service Project, Ward Council, a meeting with Presidentt Salanoa and then another with Bishop Ama. Weekly Planning, MLC, Deep Cleaning and A Baptism. There was not a lot of time to do other things. However we were able to have 4 of our investigators come to Sacrament and have another 2 people there that weren't members but are from Brasillia.

Zone P-Day was awesome, It was so good just to end this transfer being able to have activities where we could build that bond of Friendship. It was super awesome.

Well as for transfers Every area got changed,
Sister Orleans who had been in the Zone since she started (5 transfers)
Sister Campbell who had also been in the Zone for 5 transfers
Elder Dunlop and Elder Hunter Got Elder Faatau who moved from Raceview to Redbank
Elder Faatau went to Redbank
Sister Isom has 24 hours left on her mission  (She is going home)
And Elder.... (Me) I got transferred to Eight Mile Plains Zone serving in the Loganholme ward.. and we also cover the Samoan Branch.

Well I am going to include some Photos


Elder Jackson Fankhauser.
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015 - May 2017








So I hope...

17th February  2017

You won't mind but I am going to try squeeze 3 weeks into one weeks email

Last week was awesome. Jessica came to Church and she is super Golden. Then another one of the families in the ward bought one of the daughter's friends and (She's from Brazil) she is pretty cool. She was also astonished exceedingly at our broken portuguese. Also during Last week had trade offs with Elder Hunter from Reno Nevada. He is a pretty cool guy. Awesome elder. Has a great heart and he loves to learn.

This week.. Boy it has been pretty long. We had a storm on Monday, as well as a few cool little miracles, One being on Wednesday we took out one of the members to a lesson and Jessica (who is normally very shy) was super open and talkative, We about fell off of our chairs. She is Awesome. Tuesday we had tradeoffs with Raceview and we decided to blitz the area because they haven't been able to do much in the last few weeks because of a broken arm and the surgery that had to take place as well.

Next week we are insanely busy.
Monday is Zone P-Day, Tuesday District meeting, Wednesday we have Jessica, Thursday we have MLC (Mission Leadership Council) and weekly planning. Friday we have deep clean (Cleaning the flats).Saturday is Transfer finding out .Sunday is Church and Transfer more finding out (In other words, On Saturday we find out if they stay or go. On Sunday we find out where they are going and who we are getting)
Elder Jackson Fankhauser.
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015 - May 2017


WELL...

6th February  2017

I had an Idea however I haven't been able to actually do it yet.

But in Preparation for 2 weeks time I just want you to send questions that you want to ask about anything really and I will answer them. However my plan is... You will find out next week.


There has been some pretty cool things happening. Not enough time to really write them all. But This week it has really dawned on me how important it is to really and truly know that God is our Loving Heavenly Father. It is honestly and Truthfully the First Principle that we should all learn. It is also a Principle that we should share with others. Because Once people know who they really are they will do more to make that relationship stronger. I can Promise you that if you do the small simple things such as Praying, Reading your scriptures and going to Church. That the relationship with our Father in Heaven will be manifest unto you. And you will feel his love. I love you all and wish you the best. And I have a Surprise for next week.....!
Elder Jackson Fankhauser.
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015 - May 2017

Friday, February 3, 2017

Changes

30th January 2017

Well I know it has been announced on Facebook but I'll announce it here as well. 

This week we had a Worldwide Missionary broadcast and there were a lot of things that Happened. One of them being a change in the Schedule for Missionaries. The most significant thing about this is that we will basically be able to make up our own schedule. There is no longer a preset plan on when we are to do study. It is just guidelines now for what we have to do within a certain time. It's going pretty good so far.

Also this week we met with one of our investigators Jessica and we had an awesome lesson with her setting her on Baptismal Date for the 11th of March.

We also had Tammy come to church and we have been invited over tonight to celebrate her Husband Shaun's Birthday (he's the one that invited us) they love missionaries. It is awesome. We are going to have Corned beef tonight!!

Other than that. We had a busy week organising our Zone, teaching lessons, and also FINDING or Door knocking as most people know it by.

Well love you all. Hope you have a good night and a day!!
Elder Jackson Fankhauser.
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015 - May 2017

What a week

23rd January 2017

This week was very eventful and also very uneventful.

There was a Baptism on the weekend for the Collingwood Park Sisters and it was awesome. On Sunday we had 2 lunches so we opted to skip dinner.

This week has been good in the sense of the fact that it gave us time to prepare and get ready for this transfer. And that is probably what we will do a minor focus on this week as well and also preparing for the Missionary Worldwide Broadcast. And we have been told there may be quite a few changes implemented straightaway that we will have to be on top of so that Our entire Zone knows and understands and also to clear up any confusion that people have.

Well I have loved reading the Book of Mormon this week. I am in my favourite section.. Yes it is the War chapters again. It is so interesting that so much of the Scriptures are about Battles.

One thing that I shared with one of the guys that we talked to Yesterday is. Jesus Christ did not preach War, he preached Peace. He asked people to love their neighbour. And some people just don't make the right choices and don't understand the basics of his teachings. And so they feel that going to war is the Answer.
There were just so many other experiences as well this week where I was just pondering over a situation that a family was in or a mistake that someone had made. And it was like this. If you apply the Saviour's teachings into your life. It doesn't matter what happens around you. But it is what you decide to do. Then you will be able to feel his live. Then will you be able to witness the power of the Holy Ghost and the Miracle of true Conversion.

I love my Saviour, I love his teachings. And I am not perfect, But i am trying to be. I know that I can do it with my Saviour's Love and the Applying of his Atonement. I know it can work for all those that are around us as well.

Love you all
Elder Jackson Fankhauser.
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015 - May 2017

Photo's

16th January 2017









Week 6 means...

16th January 2017

Transfers came up again. Unfortunately I say Ang Yang to Elder Song but I do get to Say G'day Mate to Elder Peacock.

This week was good. We were able to reset one of our investigators Keali back on date and we should be able to see how it goes as we have set her for March 4.

We also said goodbye to Elder Ballesteros who is probably my favourite Filipino.

I have an Australian now. He is from Mt. Beauty, Victoria. My Second Australian and my international count continues to increase.

Non American/International
8
American
6

Elder Jackson Fankhauser.
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015 - May 2017

Photo's

9th January 2017






Well... Isn't summer Wonderful..

5th January  2017

It has been HOT. I am not used to this heat and feeling sweaty all the time. One good thing though. I'm sweating a lot. Which means it's burning my fat up.

On a more serious note. I have had a really interesting week. I have discovered some things about myself and I am hoping to work on those things.

I was reading while in the Temple this morning in D+C 67:10-14 and that really hit me. Man I have loved reading from the Doctrine and Covenants these past few days. It is absolutely amazing

A miracle was yesterday, while we were out door knocking. We found this woman that looked like she had been going through a hard time recently and something about her tipped me off that she was from New Zealand or that she had a connection to New Zealand. So I asked her about it and I found out that she is/was a member but stopped going 12 years ago. And she is related to the Arthur's from down Porirua ways. And that her mum is currently in New Zealand. I found it amazing. I was super excited to be completely honest. So we offered to mow her yard to help her out and she said yes. So we may be doing it today or Tomorrow. Don't know yet.

Anyways. Love you Gotta Leave you.


Elder Jackson Fankhauser.
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015 - May 2017

Week... Who Knows but it is week 1 in Ipswich

12th December 2016

Yamanto ward is a really good ward. We went to their Christmas Activity and it was awesome.

Most of the ward is Samoan, So I am going to get fat. Or at least be struggling to keep myself at 92-93. I have been doing quite well. I have had a solid 5 months of 91-93. So that is good in a sense.

The work is good. Getting back to the Hard Yakka again of knocking doors for more than 2 hours a day. There is quite a bit of country area here as well so should be interesting. The work is pretty good. Should be fun.

Well I love you all and want to just share this scripture. Alma 11:40.

and also Alma 12:9-11. 
love you
Elder Jackson Fankhauser.
Australia Brisbane Mission

May 2015 - May 2017