This week has been wild. So on Monday we left the MTC and took a train to the airport. That was fun especially when it broke down but eventually we made it to the airport. At the airport, I met the Gaskills from Colorado. We got on our plane and flew two hours to LA. It was so cool because when we were walking to our gate we met the missionaries heading to Brisbane. Two of them were from our district which was an awesome reunion. The funny thing is that they had been there for like 8 hours waiting and we left before they did. 

The plane ride to Australia was long. It’s funny because we got on the plane on Monday and got off on Wednesday. Really it was only 16 hours. I slept most of the way so it wasn’t as bad. We landed in Sydney. At the airport, they were filming for a documentary on customs and airport security, so if you happen to be watching an Australian documentary on airport security, you might see me. After going through customs, we boarded a small plane for Perth. The ride was 6 hours. After we landed we met President Fife and his APs right outside the gate. It’s funny because they let whoever through security which is cool. 

After we got our bags we had to travel to another airport to pick up four more missionaries from the New Zealand MTC. After we went to the mission home. It’s a really nice home and its funny because it has a pool but no one is ever able to use it. The rest of the day they talked about how we shouldn't speed and how to not get our bikes stolen. That night we slept in the mission home and the next day we went to the chapel next to the temple. There we met our trainers. My companion is Elder Anitema. He is from Tonga. He is really kind. We are assigned to Kelmscott in the Armadale ward. It is pretty big but we don’t have a car so we get to bike everywhere. After we met our trainers President Fife talked to us. He is awesome. He is really strict but also funny. 

After we went to our flat. It is nice but it is the oldest one in the mission. It’s funny because in Australia they turn on the A/C or heater only when they are home so it is always cold when we get there. Later that day we talked to an investigator and our ward mission leader. Our ward mission leader is awesome. He is an old aboriginal guy with a big beard and dreadlocks. 

So far, we have done a lot of service, gone to district meeting and zone leader council, gone tracting, and contacting. We rode to an inactive members house and she opened the door and told us she had been smoking. I was like "oh great". She let us in and it turns out she loves the church but never comes. She was really nice and we got into a really spiritual lesson about her daughter that had recently passed away. Hopefully she starts coming to church again. We also met a Filipino family while tracting and they let us in and we shared a message. 

On Sunday, we went to the ward. It is a good sized ward. They had 3 of us new missionaries get up and introduce ourselves. Me and Elder Anitema also helped give the Aaronic priesthood to a recent convert. then later that day I gave a blessing to an older woman. that was awesome. 

It’s been pretty good so far in Perth. So, to sum up Australia. Everyone has an accent. They drive on the wrong side of the rode. The birds sound like crying goat babies. The speed limits are in kilometers so we can go like a hundred down the highway. Its coldish in August. And they have funny words. Yield signs say "give way". Trash cans are rubbish bins. They say mate a lot. Also, their money is a lot cooler. 

Anyway, have a great week 

Elder Nelson

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