Manly Ward Update - May 2017

Manly Ward Update, May 2017 Have miracles ceased?

Serving as Bishop has given me the opportunity to witness many miracles.

The miracle of Sister Ata Berryman Not long after her hospital admission Sister Berryman came to me in a dream. She told me she was on her way to be with her late husband Stevie.

I told her not to pass on until I visited her in hospital. She said she would wait for me.

Weeks and months rolled by after the dream; with no visit from me. Then one morning her son Stevie Jnr called to tell me the doctors could do no more; she was in a coma and her life support would shortly be switched off.

That day I had a wedding to conduct, so I apologised to Stevie for not being there with the family. As soon as I got off the phone I felt a lightning strike of guilt. Months had rolled on by without me visiting as her Bishop. So my two oldest boys and I quickly dressed in our Sunday best and headed up to Royal North Shore Hospital. We sat with the family in a little waiting room; too small to fit us all; so some sat on chairs, some on the floor and others stood in the corners. The feeling of love was overpowering. A nurse came to tell us we could take turns saying our goodbyes to Ata. I went in first with Bro and Sis Ahipene.

As Ata lay in a coma I apologised to her for taking so long to visit. I thanked her for waiting for me. I held her hand and felt her will to live. I gave her a Bishop's blessing. The blessing included words which were definitely from God (not from me). Mentioned in the blessing were: • her days to live • the opportunity for her to hear the words of the blessing • being temple recommend worthy • serve as a ministering angel to her family The words spoken in the blessing seemed impossible. How could she have days to live, or receive a temple recommend when all the medical professionals expected her to pass away that day?

That night I was anxious for news about Ata. But I didn't hear anything that evening. Nor the next day; nor the day after. It would be a number of days before Stevie called. He said that his mum had made a turn for the better. She desperately wanted a temple recommend interview, could I give her one? Everyone was amazed - it was a miracle.

I visited and talked with her. I was able to share with her the words spoken in the blessing I gave her. I also conducted a temple recommend interview. This was followed up by a visit and interview with President Wolfgramm (2nd Counselor in Stake Presidency).

Ata received her temple recommend.

Not too long after she passed away peacefully.

Have miracles ceased?

No miracles have not ceased. The combination of Ata's faith. the prayers of her family and Priesthood power saw her "come back from the jaws of death" to receive her temple recommend.

I know she now lives with her husband and they work as ministering angels over their children and grandchildren here on Earth.

RIP Ata - love Bishop and Family.

Baptisms: 29 April 2017 Since Ata's passing, a number of her grandchildren have starting attending Church. This weekend three of them were baptised - Tamoko, Tylan and Kelsey! Woohoo.

Stevie, Tia and their tribe; Harry and his crew; Gloria and Tamoko; Elder Thao (from Laos) and Elder Perinese with Tamoko, Kelsey and Tylan

Called to serve Late last year I felt a strong impression that more of our ward members needed to serve outside of our ward, including couple missionaries.

So a while back I extended invitations to a number of our ward members to submit their mission papers including Bro and Sister Ahipene.

Bro Ahipene was initially reluctant due to work and family commitments; however Sister Ahipene was ready to charge hard. Bro Ahipene also seem to struggle with the online application process, so I wondered how we were ever going to get them on a mission!?

As time unfolded, President Paki (our Stake President) asked if the Ahipenes could serve in the YSA ward. This was the answer to our prayers. It was a perfect "mission call" which balanced Bro Ahipene's desire to remain close to his family and work, yet they both could be anxiously engaged in the Lord's work "abroad".

Next on my list was Bro and Sister Hailame. I was hesitant to extend the invitation for them to serve a mission due to Bro Hailame's fragile health. But I have learned that where the Lord wills, it happens! Even before I could extend an invitation for them to serve a mission, the Stake came calling for them to serve in Stake Callings. Sister Hailame is currently our Stake Relief Society President.

When callings are extended there is a mixture of reaction and responses - but they generally fall into two categories - "No, I can't, I won't" or - "Yes, I will do whatever the Lord asks".

Which side do I choose?

Here is a list of ward members currently serving outside of our ward: • Elder Danny and Sister Hamilton (Respectively Area Authority, Counselor in Stake Primary Presidency); • President John Biddle (1st Counselor in Stake Presidency) and Sister Wendy Biddle (Seminary Teacher); • Sister Mele Hailame (Stake Relief Society President); • Brother James Brown (Stake High Council); • Bro and Sister Ahipene (Bishopric Counselor, YSA Ward) • Missionaries - Elder Ongosia, Elder Biddle, Elder Zhang, Elder Faka'i, Sister Faingata'a.

• Yet to be sustained are two other ward members both will be serving at the Stake level.

Elder Biddle (England); Elder Ongosia (NZ), Elder Faka'i (Perth), Elder Zhang (England), Sister Faingata'a (Education)

It is a tremendously blessing to have a ward members serve outside of our ward.

I know that the experience our members gain from serving abroad brings a multitude of blessings to us now and in the future.

I feel blessed to be a member of God's true and only Church on the face of this planet. It is true because I asked Him and He answered.