Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year

Hi future missionaries,
The mission prep class has finished for 2009 but will we continue up again from 24th January 2010 5-6pm at Mortdale Chapel. Please note that we have moved the class forward by half an hour. We are going to have another fantastic year and can't wait to see many of you head out as full-time missionaries.
All the best to Christian Haynes who heads out on his mission mid-January before we resume back.

Cheers,
Nathan and Samantha Biddle

Finances for a mission

We had a question put into the class question box about what happens if you want to serve a mission but don't currently have the finances to fund it. A member of the Mortdale Stake presidency, President Davis kindly provided us with a response:

From the General Handbook of instructions.
" The primary responsibility to provide financial support for a missionary is with the individual and his family. Generally, missionaries should not rely entirely on others outside their family for financial support.
Missionaries and their families should make appropriate sacrifices to provide financial support for a mission. It is better for a person to delay a mission and earn money toward his or her support than to rely entirely on others. However worthy missionary candidates should not be prevented from serving missions solely for financial reasons when they or their families have sacrificed according to their capabilities."

Although, in some rare circumstances a missionary must rely on financial support from outside their family,
It has been my experience that when a missionary has sacrificed all they can to fund their mission they are generally more committed to the challenge of missionary life. The adage applies to a mission as other aspects in life. That which you obtain too cheaply you esteem too lightly. Counsel with you priesthood leaders and they will always advise you on the best approach to prepare financially for your mission.

THE BEST TWO YEARS!

My name is brother Aokuso Aokuso from the Bankstown 2nd ward... I served in the Australia's Best Mission... hahaha Australia Brisbane Mission. Truly the best two years of my life, serving my Heavenly Father and representing my Savior Jesus Christ. Throughout the two years i got to know my Savior more than ever... through the Book of Mormon, sharing my testimony, the hymns, mission meetings etc...
One of the best feelings i have come to recognize is the feeling of the spirit. Right from when i got set apart as a missionary, receiving my badge in the mtc, teaching people about the restored gospel etc.... I have felt the feelings of
'love,joy,peace...'(Galatians 5:22) numerous times.
I had 7 areas, and 15 companions.. all of which i loved. Every area i served in was amazing! The members were great, tracting was fun & challenging at the same time... I met so many different people going door to door, people of different faiths and also those of no faith. I found that every area was different, and that through these many experiences i have learnt that no matter what trial you are put through you can choose to overcome it with JOY!!! One quote that Elder Baxter shared with us during a mission tour with Elder Holland is that..' There's no such thing as a dead area, just dead missionaries'.
I have had so many great experiences from the mission which i will never forget. I'm so greatful to be a part of the mission prep class, i have learnt so much from the experience so far.. and it also brings back great memories. I'm looking forward to continue sharing the many experiences i have had on the mission and most importantly my testimony of the gospel with you all.