Last Post: Jul 22 - 29, 2019

Last Post: Monday, July 29, 2019

Mandurah, Western Australia

Andrew's baptism - the last Saturday in my mission: July 27, 2019

District Support at Andrew's Baptism

This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. This has been the best and worst week of my mission. The best because of the District, the best because of Andrew's Baptism, the best because of the Ward and its leadership. But the worst because I know my time is running out. I feel like that one music video by Nickelback ("Savin' Me") where the guy gets saved by someone then he sees the amount of time everyone else has above their heads. I feel like my time is ticking down, and there's nothing I can do to stop it... If I could stay here as long as the Sons of Mosiah, I would take it. But, no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62)

I testify that God loves his children; he loves us so much and has compassion on us. He is kind, merciful, understanding, and full of grace. He knows us, and we can come to know Him too. I know that there is a God and that He's our Father who is in Heaven. I know that Jesus Christ is His son, that He came and performed His great and everlasting Atonement so that each of us might be saved and find peace in this life. I know that the Holy Ghost testifies of truth and that by the power of the Holy Ghost we may know the truth of all things (Moroni 10:5). And that as we remain worthy, we may have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.

How grateful I am that the Lord has blessed me to serve here in Mandurah, to serve Him valiantly in the Great Australia Perth Mission. He has blessed me with success in my last transfer. He has blessed me with a district and a family here. He has blessed me with an increased testimony and understanding of His Gospel. As King Benjamin said, "And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?" (Mosiah 2:24)

I Will Be Faithful to Him Today! And to the End of My Mortal Days.

Elder Kleven

PS: Pics of my last District Meeting

PPS - Saying goodbye to more people I love

Jul 16 - 22, 2019

Monday, July 22, 2019

Mandurah, Western Australia

This week has been really good! We had a meeting with Dannie and Pourewa just after Dannie met with Bishop to get her temple recommend. It's exciting to work with her as she continues to progress towards the temple! We are meeting with them again this coming Wednesday and will be having a member-present lesson with the new stake YSA rep!

We had an exchange with the Zone Leaders. I was with Elder Silva, and we were in Bunbury! I'm going back to my roots!  We got to see a few people there that I used to teach, and I got to see the French family again! It was good to see them. We also got tracted into by some Catholic missionaries. Which was the first I've ever heard of them sending out missionaries, but we got a pic anyways.

Andrew is also doing well. He was a bit sick yesterday, but he still came to church. We gave him a blessing just after Sacrament Meeting, then he took off to rest. He's keen as for his baptism this Saturday, though! Almost the whole ward is going to come for it! It's gonna be awesome!

I love this ward and this work! I love that I've had the time and the chance to come here to learn and grow closer to my Saviour. I love the people here, and I love those whom I am labouring with. This is truly the greatest work on earth! 

Elder Kleven

Jul 9-15, 2019

Monday, July 15, 2019

Mandurah, Western Australia

Hi!

This week was pretty good! We had a District Blitz, and some lady we ran into was High As! She went spread eagle on the door screen and started waving her arms like she was making a snowman and was saying things about the Pridelands... It was actually pretty funny. Then she called my companion a black slave, so we decided it was best to leave.🤣

This week we also taught Andrew almost all of the commandments and most of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Restoration. He has been trying to meet with us almost every day this week. He also hasn't smoked at all in over a week now! Which is awesome!

The Halls Head sisters had a baptism, and President Bennallack attended it. It was really good. The lady who was baptised was a member referral.

We had Ward Council this Sunday as well. It was really good. I love this ward!  Then we had a ward picnic afterwards. We also introduced Andrew to our ward mission leader, and he invited him over for dinner. The YSA spiritual advisor also wants to have him over for dinner. It's friggin awesome!

Kleven & Ilai

We have also been trying to work with Colin and Claudine and help them get married and quit smoking, but Satan has been trying just as hard, and they have been calling and sending us SOS texts. So, we are trying to get them more support in the ward.

Otherwise, that's about it!

Elder Kleven

PS: Also! Elder Codina came back to the mission and got to visit! It was awesome to see him again! After a year-and-a-half!

Kleven & Codina together again, during Kleven's last transfer.

Jul 2 - 8, 2019

Monday, July 8, 2019

Mandurah, Western Australia

 Everyone! This week has been awesome!

We met with Andrew many times this week! We met with him after our Zone Conference and had a member-present lesson with President Bennallack. Then, we had another member-present lesson with the two YSA reps for the ward here. We also met with him and put him on date for the 27th of July. He also attended a Come-and-See Devotional last night, which was next to the temple. And when he came to church, he told us that he had not smoked or drank for two days -- and that he may want to serve a mission! There are not words to describe how prepared he is for the Gospel.

Otherwise, we had Zone Conference this week. It was good; we got to learn more about extending invitations. 

Zone P-day was this week! We got to back to Bunbury for it! I went back to my roots! It was full of nostalgia. My last exchange on the mission will be down there as well. I'm so keen for it! 

BUNBURY!!!

All departing missionaries from the Zone! 

Zone P-day!!

This week, we've also been trying to help someone quit smoking, but things have kept coming up to stop him from starting the program that we have... But! We will keep on keeping on! We are going to take a member from the Ward Council around with us on Wednesday night, and we also will probably try to get the Ward Council to invite them over for dinner when they can. The more fellowship they get, the better!

Us meeting with Colin & Claudine for breakfast - helping him start the quit-smoking program.

Elder Kleven

Jun 25 - Jul 1, 2019

Monday, July 1, 2019

Mandurah, Western Australia

Hi! 

This week was Awesome! We had a baptism!!! Dannie got Baptised!!!  
Has the day of miracles ceased? I say unto thee, NAY!

It was awesome. We spent the week getting the program ready by making calls for speakers and musical numbers. But, thankfully, everything just fell into place. I have to say, though, I friggin love the YSA in this ward!! They are all legends! They are so united and able to fellowship anyone! After Dannie's baptism, they all lined up and, one at a time, came over and gave her a hug and congratulated her! Then we had a feed at Pourewa's house, and they all brought pizza, cleaned the dishes, and still hung out with them for a good 3 hours or so. We had to take off to an appointment, but this ward is amazing!!! President Bennallack also attended the baptism, which was a nice surprise.

Dannie's baptism!

Then, we also met with Colin and Claudine. They have taken the marriage paperwork and are filling it out. We also met with Colin to help him quit smoking and will start the 15-step program with him tonight!! They are making such great progress!! I know that the Lord is so proud of them for their progress! We also helped them with the fire break again! 

We also had Ward Conference yesterday. And we had the Stake President, President Standly, speak to us, and it was awesome! He spoke about how we should look to the future and not dwell on the past!  It was awesome!

Kleven & Ilai

Well, this is a long email, but I want to leave you with my testimony that I know that the Lord knows each of us by name! He loves us all so much and wants two things for us: He wants us to be happy and find joy, and He also wants us to grow. Sometimes that latter one takes a bit of pain and discomfort, but we will benefit so much from it if we endure. He is always with us! 

Elder Kleven

Jun 11 - 24, 2019

Monday, June 24, 2019

Mandurah, Western Australia

This week has been amazing! Except for the fact that my Soa (companion) has gone home.

Elder Colby & Tebwaara packing up to head home. 

Goodbye, Elder Tebwaara!

Checking in with Elder Hampel at transfers.

A random photo of Elder Kleven at transfers posted on the mission blog.

But my new companion is a stud! Elder Ilai (pronounced "Eli") is from New Zealand, and this is his second transfer. He spent the first with the zone leaders down in Bunbury. We have had more success this week than we've had over my whole mission! I know that the hand if the Lord is in this work!

Elder Kleven & Elder Ilai stocking up!

This week, we met with Dannie and Pourewa. She still said that she feels good about the baptism. We went over the last few commandments, and we set the baptism interview for her. She will have the interview tomorrow. And then she will be baptised this Saturday!!

We are also working with Colin and Claudine; they are working towards helping Claudine get baptised! It's awesome to see the commitments they are making! 

A pineapple at the community garden.

We also had a new face this week! We had a friend walk up to the chapel during our District Council. He (Andrew) was asking to learn more, but he wouldn't give us his address to meet with him, so we invited him to come to church -- and he actually came!! Then, we sat with him and got to know him even better!! So, we gave him a tour of the chapel, and he met with the Bishop, and we taught him the Plan of Salvation.

Trio for a day with Elder Brown, Elder Ilai, and Elder Kleven.

This week has been full of blessings, miracles, and tender mercies. I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to teach these people and see this success at this time! The waters of Mandurah are indeed flowing! 

Elder Kleven

PS, Here are some pictures of District Meeting with Elder Tebwaara:

Jun 5 - 10, 2019

Monday, June 10, 2019

Mandurah, Western Australia

Wow, this week has flown by!! Haha far out!! This week, we met with a couple we are teaching three times: Colin and Claudine--they are awesome!! They have a pet snake, and pics are included . 

We also went around to Claudine's parents house to help them burn their fire break. They have been taught by the Elders for almost 6 months now, and they haven't made any progress, so we were straight up with them and made a plan. We discussed baptism and marriage. We realized that they aren't doing the simple things, though, so we are now making sure that they read the Book of Mormon every day by texting them. By small and simple means shall great things be brought to pass. 

This Friday night, we had a cottage evening. It was good! We had a feed, a message, and a few games. Then on Saturday, we had a service in Waroona. We also stopped by a couple of families in Pinjarra. 

Also, Bishop Semu has his own little business that he runs--he sells ties. And they are pretty friggin cheap!! You can get three ties for $25! It's awesome! Yeah, that's about it. The rain has finally hit!! It is here!! 

Elder Kleven

PS, Here is a picture of Mission Leadership Conference: