The weather here has been very hot and humid.  Its summer, here, in a tropical rainforest and we can definitely feel the heat. The weather doesn't slow the work, but we are thankful for air conditioning in our flat and in our car.  We've had very little weather events since we've been here in Cairns.   Much rain, but no cyclones. (yet, we are still in the wet and cyclone season for another few weeks, as you can see what happened in Fiji last weekend)   We continue to love what we do and the people we meet and and try to help.  At the first part of January we had the Australia Brisbane Mission FSY (For the Strength of Youth).  This was held in Brisbane and is our local Australian equivalent to the youth EFY back home.  There were 1400 young men and young women who stayed at a college campus in Brisbane (for 5 days) and were taught and instructed of the Savior.  We had 50 Young Men and Young Women attend from the Cairns District area.  They absolutely loved the experience they had.  Because both Sister Boyce and I work with the Young Men and Young Women, in our District, we flew down to Brisbane to be with them the last day.  They all had the opportunity to go to the Temple and do Baptisms and we assisted in that wonderful experience.  We then flew back with them to Cairns, heard their testimonies and wonderful experiences they had while attending FSY  Here is a picture of our youth at the Brisbane Temple.

                                

We have had some very special missionary teaching and helping experiences here.  Attached are a couple of the special ones.  The first is the baptism of Tajuanna and Merwez Whaleboat.  They are a set of identical twins who were taught the gospel and baptized in Innisfail.  I had the wonderful experience to interview them for their baptism.  They are both 17 years old and two of the most spiritually prepared young women I have ever met.  They are already talking and preparing to serve missions of their own.   We have a special place to baptize in Innisfail.  It is in the middle of the rainforest between Cairns and Innisfail.  They call it the "Waters of Mormon" and it is so beautiful and peaceful.  Its a very, very sacred and a special place for those who have the opportunity to attend a baptism and especially for those who are baptized.

Below are pictures of Sister Boyce and I going into the dense forest towards the "Waters of Mormon".  Also pictures of the beautiful little stream where the baptisms take place.  The 3rd picture is of Merwez and Tajuanna.

Another wonderful event we had was the marriage and baptism of George and Lina Waianga.  This is a beautiful family from Holloway's beach here in Cairn's.  They have never been married (many people live like this over here, as it sometimes is too expensive to get married and also many see no need for it).  We testified of the importance and the sanctity of the marriage vow and that they needed to be married before they could be baptized.  We shared the possibilities of their Temple Marriage in a year and the knowledge that they can be with their families forever.    President Gardner (our District President) married them on Friday the 12th of February and I had the opportunity of baptizing them on Saturday the 13th of February.  

Here are pictures of the wedding and the cake (held at the Church)  Sister Atu'ake and Sister Yeh who taught them.  Two of the children were baptized previous to this.

We are also involved in a Missionary Preparation Class each Sunday evening at 6:00 for YSA and YM and YW who are16 and older.  This a picture of last weeks class.  We had about 20 YM and YW attend.  It is incredible training for these future missionaries (Preach My Gospel)

We love our Full time missionaries, there are 10 of them here in the Cairns District.  Last week for our Snap Gravity (daily vigorous exercise programs for all the missionaries via President Henderson) we hiked the Cairns Botanical Gardens.  Its a beautiful 1 hour hike through the rainforest.  Here is our wonderful group of missionaries.

Just outside of Cairns on the way to Innisfail and very close to our special baptismal font (The Waters of Mormon) is the Babinda Boulders.  Beautiful area where a small river runs though and huge boulders are in the middle of the river.  People love to swim and jump off the boulders.

These are banana plants (they are actually not trees, but large plants).  The blue wrapping protects the banana pods from birds, insects and anything else that wants to invade.  These plantations are just outside of Innisfail (about 60 miles south of Cairns)

Last Friday evening the Cairns 2nd Branch had a Cultural event where many of the diverse cultures with their food, customs, dances and music, were displayed, for all to enjoy.  Cairns is a very diversified with many different cultures and people.  (Torres Strait Islanders, Aborigine's, Polynesians, Maori's, Asians, and then there are the English Australians and New Zealanders) We love all these different cultures and we learn from each one of them.

We just experienced a Cairns District Conference last weekend.  we enjoyed two days of teaching and learning from President and Sister Henderson.  Amazing experiences and phenominal testimonies from new converts.  Treasures galore!

     Stressed strongly in our District Conference was the reading and studying of the Book of Mormon!      Everyday!   Everyday!  Everyday!!

"The Spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. 

The spirit of reverence will increase, mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow.

The spirit of contention will depart.

Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom.

Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents.

The pure love of Christ will abound in our homes and lives!"

First Presidency

Thanks for listening!!  We are having a great time!  Enjoying every minute of it!
The weather is beautiful here in Cairns!

We miss you all and St. George. . . . . . well . .

However, we really miss our kids and especially our grandckids!

Love,

Elder and Sister Boyce

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

We thought we better start another entry to our blog.  Its been awhile and we are sorry for the non-performance.  

Its just been very very busy and sitting down at the computer and writing about what we've been doing is really the last thing on our mind.  But we will repent, as we know its important to keep you all informed and please know we do love you so much.  Anyway,  we had a fun Halloween.  Its not celebrated to the extent it is back home, but it is definitely getting more popular here.  We had a branch Halloween trunk or treat party with a BBQ  and everyone dressed up and decorated their cars. It was outside in the parking lot and we had spook alleys, and activities for the kids.  We had many non-member friends who were invited and they thoroughly enjoyed the evening.  Here are a couple of pics. of the event.

Happy Halloween!

We also had a District Meeting, accompanied by a visit from President and Sister Henderson!  Everyone was excited to see them, here in Cairns.  President Henderson interviewed each one the missionaries, and we had a bake potato bar for lunch.  Here's a couple of photos.

                        Here's a group picture of all those involved in the October District Meeting.

                  We wouldn't want to miss out on any food - so here is Thanksgiving dinner as well!!
                                      Just 4 sisters and 6 Elders and Elder and Sister Boyce!

Happy Thanksgiving!! 

 

During November Cairns Branch 2 had a Culture Christmas celebration.

This took place inside the church and in the inner courtyard of the church building.

Notice the Palm trees. 

Merry Christmas!

 

  On November 22,  Elder Boyce and the District began a Mission Preparation Class.

He personally invited 22 future missionaries from the Cairns area, Atherton, Innisfail, and Thursday Island.  On Thursday Island, Innisfail and Atherton, we Skyped the participants so they were able to  interact with the teaching.

Mission Prep runs for 10 weeks and is very will attended.

It's quite an experience - we both get to attend each class on Sunday evenings for about an hour and a half.

The class is taught by a return missionary from the Brisbane Mission. (Elder Garry Talaia)

He's an amazing teacher because he was instructed by the best - President Henderson!!

Here's a picture of part of the class.

Here in Cairns we have an awesome member who is so generous to the missionaries and with service throughout the community.   She and her non-member husband know how to give and show the true spirit of Christmas.  She had all the missionaries, in Cairns, come to her home and helped them create gift baskets for their investigators or members who are in need.

           Here we are making the baskets, then taking them to those we choose to deliver them to.

She also had all the missionaries in Cairns to Christmas day dinner.   We were invited,

but were in Brisbane with Becki and Rich and our 4 little grandchildren!!  Sorry no pictures of the dinner.

 

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                                           Here's a picture of this giving Sister's Christmas home.

On Sunday, December 20 we organized a Christmas music Fireside - 

"He Sent His Son".

We invited all members, friends, investigators and who ever would like to come and share in

Christmas music and songs of the Savior.

We also presented

"A Savior is Born,"

a Christmas message offered by the Church.
We also played a video of the

"Testimonies of Our Prophets and Apostles".

We had 10 Christmas musical numbers from members in the two Cairns Branches and the music selected was absolutely perfect.

It turned out wonderful, we had about 150 people attend and about 50 of them were non-member investigators.

This is a copy of the invitation.

      Two days after our fireside we flew to Brisbane to help President and Sister Henderson with the Brisbane Christmas Zone Conference.

Sister Henderson had been working on it for a couple of months and asked us to help her get the food organized.  She then took a short trip to St. George for Sarah's wedding and arrived back in Brisbane on the 22nd.  The Zone Conference was held on the 23rd.  It involved about 225 Elders, Sister Missionaries and  the Missionary couples.

We hope, along with the other couples, we made the Conference and the meal a little easier for President and Sister Henderson.

Below are photos of the lunch.

The best part of Christmas, this year, was that night after the Zone Conference - Becki and Rich and
4 of our grandkids met us in Brisbane!!
Richie (12 yrs)

Mia (10 yrs)

Georgia (8 yrs)

Ivy (5 yrs)

First excursion was to the Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo in Brisbane. They were able to hold live animals!
Aren't they cute . . . the kids!!!(Notice Georgia, she got a little more brave with the snake)

The day after Christmas we all flew up to Cairn's where we spent the next 4 days together.  Here we are in front of the Cairn's chapel.  We had the opportunity of "showing off" some of our family to our good friends here in Cairns.

On Monday we all hopped in the rented van and drove about an hour to Port Douglas.  We then caught a charter boat to the Great Barrier Reef.  Here we snorkeled and saw so many beautiful fish.  Even our little Ivy (age 5) got into the action.  The first thing she said,
"I saw so many Dory's down there".

Because the Jelly Fish are out this time of year, they require us to wear these beautiful stinger suits.  It was in incredible adventure and the kids will never forget it.

On Tuesday we hopped on a scenic train and took a 2 hour ride through the rain forest.  We ended up in Kuranda (a cute little resort town in the rain forest).  The kids able to see "bird world" and all the beautiful tropical birds in their habitat.  We then took a 90 minute skyride (It started raining on the way down)  back to our vehicle.  Here are some of the pictures.

Barron Falls north of Cairns.
Below is a photo of our kids and grandkids as they leave the airport from
Cairns, Australia.
We hated to see them go!

Happy New Year!!

As missionaries in the Australia Brisbane Mission we have 6
recitations and scriptures that we have been invited to memorize.
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has explained: “Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change” (“The Power of Scripture,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, 6).

This is one that we have been invited to memorize.
Helaman 5:12

 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

We wish you a belated Merry Christmas and a very
prosperous, exciting and growth filled 2016!!!
We Love You.
Ren and Debbie

Springtime here in Australia is beautiful and especially here in Cairns.  The temperature has been absolutely perfect.  It is about 75-80 degrees and the humidity stays around 70%.   The evenings get down to about 65 degrees and it is delightful.  The summer is coming and we understand that the temperature gets hotter, and the humidity is even higher. We can endure this, as we had high temperatures and high humidity in South Africa and know what it is like.

The summer is  also the rainy season and even the season of potential Cyclones (Hurricanes back home).  Because we are on the coast,  Some Cyclones have hit this area in the past.  Some of the church members (who live in the beaches cities and have their homes in low elevation areas) have been evacuated in the past.  We live in a higher elevation area and should not have any problem if any of these tropical storms hit. Although it may be kind of fun and unique to experience one of these Cylcones.  Below is an awesome sunrise one morning!

Many of the homes here are built above the ground and seem to be elevated like on stilts. (from a foot to many feet above the ground elevation).  We always thought this was prevent water from getting into the home, but recently found out that people build their homes above the ground to get air flow under the home.   It makes it much cooler when the air can flow underneath the home and less expensive to run air conditioning or fans.  Here are some of the homes that show this.

We work with all the branches in the district. (Thursday Island, Innisfail, Atherton and 2 here in Cairns).  Because we are here in Cairns most of the time, we attend both Cairns Branch church services, council meetings, missionary correlation meetings and as many of their activities as time permits. Cairns 1 Branch had their annual Brisbane Temple trip this past month.  We have been actively helping them ready themselves to attend the Temple.  Many of the new converts were able to attend and had researched many of their ancestors in the Family History Center here in Cairns.  They were so excited to go and do some of this vicarious work for their family members that have passed on.  Tears of joy attended them as this work was completed.

92 Branch members got on a bus to travel for 20 hours to Brisbane and attend the Temple. 20 new members, who had joined the Church within the last year, had the opportunity of doing baptisms for their ancestors.  Several Young Men and Young Women also attended with the group.   Over 800 baptisms were performed and 300 confirmations.   Debbie and I had the opportunity to teach a family  the Temple Preparation Classes and prepare them to go through for their own Endowments and have their 4 small children sealed to them.  What a great joy it was to be with them in the Temple and watch them receive these Sacred Ordinances. (especially tender when the 4 small children were sealed to their mom and dad).   Along with the baptisms and confirmations there were 6 new Endowments, 2 family Sealings performed and 17 Patriarchal Blessings given.  Because we belong to a District, we do not have a Stake Patriarch.   Arrangements were made, and 5 Stake Patriarchs from Brisbane were at the Chapel next to the Temple to give these blessings to 17 of our Cairns 1st Branch members. It was an amazing experience.

One of the new converts to attend the Temple was John Manatan.  A convert of about 6 months, a  rough Australian Torres Strait indigenous man.   He has had a rough life and the gospel of Jesus Christ has completely changed him.  The Holy Ghost touches and changes the internal spirits of these unique people, but their exterior appearance sometimes does not change.  John told us he had not had a a haircut in over 30 years.   We prayed as to how to approach John and what to say to him as to not offend or cause him to rebel.   We used Elder Oaks talk on BYU grooming standards and expressed the importance of how your physical tidiness and cleanliness in appearance can effect your spiritual growth and well being. We shared how Sacred the Temple is and you naturally would want to feel and look the very best you can before you enter.   The conversation was incredible and he was so willing to change and prepare both spiritually and physically to enter the Temple and do the work for his ancestors.  Below are pictures of John before and after.

Our work here is so varied, we seem to do everything.  We even have a home teaching assignments in both Cairns Branches.  One of the families we home teach is a single mom who has 10 boys (8 of them still living at home and the oldest is 22 and the youngest is 3)  We recently had a family home evening with them and Debbie dressed all the boys to appear as Lehi's family in the wilderness and told the story of when Nephi was commanded to build the boat to travel to the America's.  The pictures show the event.  We had a wonderful evening.

Please continue to pray for the missionaries who are serving throughout the world. Our work is so critical and important and we need all your support and prayers.  Thank you so much.  We love and miss you will write again.

Ren and Debbie
                                        Here are some streets and businesses named after us!!