Dear Family,

Monday   FHE and we went to the Hullinger's flat.  They showed us a video (2014) by Bruce Hafen.  He is an emeritus general authority.  He wrote

the biography of Elder Neal A. Maxwell.  Elder Maxwell chose Brother Hafen to write his life story after he got leukemia. He didn't know how long

he had on this earth so they worked very hard.  He was able to read the book just before he died.  It was a very interesting video with many stories

of Elder Maxwell and their conversations.

Wednesday   Hair day for which we are always grateful.

Thursday we took flowers to a friend who had hip surgery.  We also had our weekly ward missionary meeting.  Our ward is really stressing the less active

members.  Next week we will start visiting some of them with another ward missionary.  We also cleaned our flat and cleaned up the yard.  Realtors representing

the owner come every six months to check on cleanliness etc.  WE PASSED!

Friday   It was a true hot summer day.  No walking which is always sad for us.  We went to the movies where it was cool.  We have air conditioning in our flat

 but we can only run it for short periods of time because it leaks.  We have had it fixed but it still leaks.

Saturday we went with the Hullingers for brunch and a ride touring the countryside.  They are a very fun couple and we enjoy being with them.  We went to 

a very unique old cemetary.  Elder Hullinger owns the funeral home in Roosevelt, Utah.  They love looking at cemetaries just like Adrienne and me. 

Saturday and Sunday have been very spiritual days.  A young boy was baptized on Saturday.  He lives  with his mother, a less active member.  She is becoming

active again.  She also deals with anxiety issues.  She is very sweet and shy. They live with the grandma who is not a member but she came to the baptism.

The spirit was so strong.The opening song was "I Know My Father Lives." Elder Harper and Elder Quinton performed the ordinances. They are very special to

us because they are in our ward and live close to the office. Watching them doing their missionary duties is always emotional for us.

Today, Sunday, a sister gave her farewell talk.  She is Tongan and is called to Brazil.  She had a hard time talking because she was emotional and feeling the spirit.  We felt for her because we have experienced those same emotions.  

Our testimonies have grown by being missionaries. Maybe it is because we read and study the scriptures more.  We are so immersed in missionary work we feel

the spirit speaks to us often .  We get teary quite easily.

Elder Chen one of our missionaries taught the mission prep class today.  He is from mainland China and is called to speak Chinese.  Right now he is in our 

area and speaking English.  That is difficult for him but he works very hard to say things correctly.  All of our Chinese missionaries have very strong testimonies and 

are very close to the spirit.  Today in class Elder Chen had a read Ephesians 6: 10-18

 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the powerof his might.

 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able tostand against the wiles of the devil.

 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel ofpeace;

 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall beable to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,which is the word of God:

 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,and watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saint

It was a beautiful lesson.

We love you all,

The Moms, the Grandmas, The Sister Sisters

Hello

Dear family

I would like to say this has been a great week, but I really can't remember anything really exciting that we did. We really do stay busy at the office and the weeks seem to go by fast. We have had cooler weather, but today we have had a warmer day. The next two days are suppose to be hot and then back to cooler,rainy days.

We had our ward missionary meeting last night. Our ward is working hard to reactivate the less active members. There are a lot of single young adults who are less active in our ward. We have a couple of young singles who are great missionaries. Our ward is very missionary minded. They would love DD and I to go out every night. But........ We are tired after being in the office all day!

It was fun to face time on Sunday . I wish I could have talked with everyone. Happy Birthday to all the February birthdays.

Monday night for FHC we watched a discussion by the author of the biography on Neal A Maxwell. It was wonderful . Several times he mentioned President Maxwell (who is his son). We enjoy FHE and the couples we get together with.

We are starting to prepare to have Elder Bednar come next week. All of the missionaries are suppose to read 3 talks before he gets here. Seek learning by Faith, Honesty - a Moral Compass, and Ask in Faith. They are very good talks.

I pretty boring letter. I love you and miss you all. Take care and help each other.
Love, Mom

Lion King

 This is a picture #3 of us with the star of Lion King.  He is a member of the church and has filled a mission.

He came to the office so we needed to take a picture.  He is at the theatre in Melbourne for 6 months.  Super nice and good looking.

Valentine's BBQ

Our Valentine's Day barbecue with the senior missionaries. 

Dear Family,

This past week has been so busy, transfers, new arrivals and 20 missionaries returning home.

Tuesday we had about 100 missionaries at the transfer meeting which means about 50 companion changes.  The president and AP's spend everyday for a 

week praying and pondering about the changes.  Some changes work well and after the meeting some get changed again.  It is a long process and much

prayer goes into each change.

Wednesday we went with President and Sister Maxwell and  Sister Horne on a huge bus with 20 missionaries who were going home. We had a great time

being with these missionaries but there was so much chaos.  We had missionaries going to the states, Islanders flying to Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand, one sister

to South Africa, one elder to Zimbawe, several to Hong Kong, Taiwan and a senior couple to mainland China.  Getting them to all their departure areas, weighing 

baggage, different flight times is almost impossible but we got it all done.  President and Sister Maxwell go back and forth saying good-bye to each individual.

It is hard to say good-bye to these missionaries.  They become like children to us.  Tears were shed.

We then had to wait for 10 new missionaries to arrive.  3 came from the states, 1 from China, 1 from Taiwan, 1 from New Zealand, and 4 others i can't remember 

where they were from.  They are all nervous, scared and very tired after an 18 hour flight.

Melbourne is a melting pot of so many different countries and cultures.  When we walk in the city it is amazing how many different people we see.  We have grown

to love all these people no matter where they come from.  

Friday night we had a large rain storm with thunder and lightning.  Thought our electricity would go out again.  Rained all night and all morning on Saturday.

Summer is still not here and we only have 6 weeks left of summer.  I actually saw some leaves changing.

Saturday night we got together with 16 senior missionaries for a Valentine barbecue dinner.  We had such a fun time.  One couple is from Perth and all the other

seniors are from the USA.  We played a card game called RAGE.  We laugh and enjoy each other's company.

This letter is quite boring but we have been sooooo busy at the office.  Not much time for our Saturday excursion this week.

THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED ABOUT AUSTRALIA

1,. FRENCH TOAST IS SERVED WITH KETCHUP

2. PANCAKES ARE SERVED WITH VANILLA OR CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM.  HAD TO ASK FOR SYRUP

3. EGGS ARE NOT REFRIGERATED AND THE YOLK IS ORANGE.  

                NEEDLESS TO SAY WE HAVE NOT EATEN ANY EGGS

4. WE HAVE TO PAY 1-2 DOLLARS TO RENT SHOPPING CARTS AT THE GROCERY STORE.

ALMA 5:6

    "THE GOOD SHEPHERD DOTH CALL AFTER YOU AND IF YE HEARKEN UNTO HIS VOICE HE WILL BRING YOU INTO HIS FOLD."

Love to you all,

The Moms, the Grandmas, The Sister Sisters

Hello

Dear Family

As usual the last 2 days have been very busy. Yesterday we were up at 5:00 to take 20 missionaries to the airport. We rented a big bus because there so many going and sooooo much 
Luggage. They are each told they can take home 2 pieces of luggage under 23 kilos and a carry on. One of the missionaries came with 5 pieces of luggage . We are sending 2 of them home for about $300.00. He ended up paying $850.00 for the extra luggage because he wouldn't leave anything here. He is flying to Malaysia,then Singapore and then home to Kenya. He was a great missionary and will be missed. He passed the test to go to BYU Hawaii, so here is hoping he will be able to go. I helped 2 missionaries who were going to New Zealand. When it comes to big airport and international"stuff" they all revert to being young boys. So glad I was able to help them. They are these big "kiwi" boys and we will miss them. So many good missionaries and they are now gone.

We also had transfers on Tuesday . There are missionaries who came in, that we had never met. We have a large area in our mission and those who are out in the bush,rarely come in. We know there names but it is nice to shake their hands or give the Sisters a hug.  There were probably 100 missionaries in here for transfer meeting. It is always good to have them here and see them enjoy being with each other.

Today we have started zone conference. We have about 60 missionaries in here today. The Stake RS did a wonderful luncheon. They had meat pies, scalloped potatoes, green salad, fruit and ice cream for dessert. On of the Chinese missionaries ,who I just love(Elder Chik) came in this morning at 8:00 and asked what we were having for lunch. I said I did not know,and asked him if he was hungry. He said he was starving. We had some chips in the back room and he was happy to have them.

I have been working at trying to find a tutor for one of our missionaries. He is from Vanewatu,and does not read or write. He has a wonderful companion,but he needs some help. Coming here makes me realize how blessed we are. We have been given so much and need to be thankful for 
all we have.

I love you all and miss you. I am so proud of all of my family members and pray for you every day. 
Love, Mom or Adrienne

Dear Family,

Monday, we had FHE with the office staff at Elder and Sister Rust's flat.  We had a barbeque dinner.  It was so nice and fun.  We really enjoy these 3 couples.  

They are all from Utah.

Tuesday we had a nice long walk. We are trying to walk often because sitting in an office all day is hard on both our bodies.  We crave walking and breathing fresh air.

Thursday was nail day.

Friday was a good day.  Some missionaries come to the mission from very poor circumstances.  Elder Puing(19 year old) came from a small island in the Phillipines.  He

had a good job where he made 200 pesos a day.  That is between $4-5.00 a day.  That is considered very good wages.  He is very small and looks like he is 12 years old.

He is a very happy young elder.  He needed a suit, a couple of shirts, shoes and ties.  The mission has an account just for charity purposes.  His 2 companions, who are

super missionaries, went with Adrienne and me to buy him clothes.  We had to go to the children's department.  The pants will need to be hemmed.  He is serving in a Samoan branch and his companions told him he would put on weight because of all the food the Samoan people eat. They also cook many meals for the missionaries.  After buying the clothes we ate lunch.  Elder Puing wanted rice so it was an Asian lunch.

Saturday we went to the ward camp out for lunch.  It is was in the Yarra Ranges (mountains). The name of the place was Yarra Doon.  The ride was beautiful.  All the scenery 

outside the city is spectacular.  It was more agricultural with many fruit tree farms, berry farms, gardens and nurseries.  We love touring the countryside.  The camp was by a river and when we arrived the men and boys were having water fights in the river.  Lunch was a "snag", a sausage(long cooking) on white wonder bread.  They serve it with sauce, similar to ketchup.  In the states it would be a hot dog on a bun.  They also served lemonade, which is a carbonated drink, similar to sprite.  All drinks are carbonated 

except for fruit juices.  We love our ward and ward family.  We are always learning new words and phrases from them.  Heard a new word on the radio this morning.  They were talking about car accidents on the roads and used the word "dingy" for crash, or small crash.

Sister Mary Jane Tuinukafe (Tongan) gave her returning missionary talk to day.  She served in the SL Temple Square mission.  She said her mission is the crowning jewel

of missions.  She is a beautiful girl with a very strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

When we flew over here 6 months ago we met a Jewish couple on the plane.  He invited us to visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum.  He is a volunteer there.  It has been hard finding time to go because they are closed on Saturday for the Sabbath.  We asked President Maxwell if it would be okay to go on a Sunday.  He told us yes.  It is about 

an hour away from our flat.  There was a fellow named Simon.  He was about 35 years old and he took us on a tour and explained everything.  His grandparents were concentration camp survivors.  It made his comments so interesting talking about their experiences. After the holocaust there were quite a few Jewish people that settled in Melbourne.  The survivors were put in resettlement camps.  They could decide where they wanted to live. One lady was shown a map and given the choice of where she would live.  She pointed to Austalia and said, "I want to live as far away from Europe as I can." The area by the museum is the central location for the Jewish community.  It is called Caulfied.  We are very glad we had the opportunity to visit the museum.  We learned many things.

The heat is finally coming but it isn't near as hot as they told us.

In reading Mosiah 27, Alma the younger and the 4 sons of Mosiah changed their spirit and became great missionaries. The last verse in Mosiah 27 says.

    How blessed are they! For they did publish peace, they did publish good tidings of good, and they did declare unto

    the people that the Lord reigneth."

Our prayers and love are with you always,

The moms, grandmas, sister sisters, Adrienne and Dee Dee

Exploring

Sculptured garden was beautiful.

This girl looked so real.

 These are huge fern trees throughout the mountain ranges.

Bruno was an amazing artist. 

Yarra Valley ranges 

We see so many different kinds of flowers.

Alexandra, Australia

Stevenson Falls

 The bush is so different from lush green Melbourne.  It was basically sheep and cattle stations (ranches).

Three different churches right next to each other.

Church Schedules

Senior men's lawn bowling.

The little town of Yea.

Post Office.

Dear Family,

We encourage you to look at the blog cannonsisterscalledtoserve.blogspot.com.au for the pictures of all we write about in our weekly letter.

Monday, It was Australia Day, similar to our 4th of July.  The office couples took the afternoon off and took the train to the city.  We strolled along the Yarra River, had 

dinner and watched the fireworks.  It was cool almost cold by the time we left the city at 10:30 pm.  We did have a great time.

Wednesday, Temple night.  As usual a spiritual experience.  Every three months the missionaries have a temple assignment.  They love going to the temple and 

we love having them come to visit us afterwards.  They are happy to have been to the temple and show their enthusiasm with their big smiles.

Thursday night will now be our ward mission meeting.  We discussed how ward member can be involved in bringing investigators and less active members to church.

Our bishop would like 50 new members by the end of the year.  One of our ward missionaries, a native Australian, said that Australian people are not interested in religion

or joining a church.  We don't have many baptisms here.  I record all baptisms for the mission and submit them to Salt Lake.  Most are Chinese, Islanders, Iranians who have moved to Melbourne.

Oh, by the way we almost got stopped for drug testing, but they let us pass.  WHEW!  We are on our way to the monthly Mission President's Fireside.

Now for our BIG SATURDAY ADVENTURE!!!!!!

Left our house at 7:30 am and returned home at 5:30pm.  There were six of us who went exploring and boy did we see alot!!!  GET ON the BLOG  to see the pics.

Drove through the Yarra Valley wine country.  It was beautiful and so lush with grapes ready to be harvested.

Our first stop was the beginning of the Yarra Range (mountains).  The forests are totally different that ours at home.  The fern trees are like the plants we have as house plants.

They are huge, I mean really huge trees.  It is impossible to explain.  SEE PICS

Our next stop was Marysville.  In 2009 most of Marysville was destroyed in a bush fire. The town was beautiful and the foliage was magnificent.  It was as if there had never

been a fire. While there we visted the Steavensen Falls.  They are the tallest falls in Australia.  Look at PICS that don't do them justice.  The sun was out, slightly cold but 

a wonderful place to walk and breathe fresh air.  Being in an office all day we crave fresh air.  Afterwards we went to Bruno's Sculptured Garden.  PICS  The gallery and

the land all around were destroyed and burned.  Most of his statues survived the fire but all the landscaping was gone. As you can see in the pics the plants and flowers have

grown back. It as if there was no fire. His work is amazing, colorful and a joy to see.

Next stop was Alexandra. It is way Northeast of Melbourne.  It is in the BUSH.  We had fish and chips for lunch and an ice cream cone.  

We stopped at another small town, Mansfield.  We found two really cute fun shops, so exciting.  Adrienne and I each purchased a gorgeous gray throw blanket made

in Australia.  It has animals on it, soft and cuddly.  It will be in our homes as a memory of our time in Australia.  There was also a very nice clothing store.  To see stores

like these was great but surprising.  All of these little towns or villages are pretty much the same.  They are not fancy but great for the needs of the ranchers.

The bush is very barren, PIC. It is mostly sheep stations and cattle stations (ranches). The PIC of the bush is how Adrienne and I envisioned Australia. We thought it would be similar in Melbourne.  Big surprise, NO, they are completely different.  Melbourne is so green, the trees, all the colorful flowers, and bushes.  We drove a few hours to reach

the bush land. It was so interesting to see.  It would be a very hard life to live in the bush.  People go around and help each other shear their sheep.  (WATCH THE 

THORNBIRDS AGAIN TO SEE WHAT IT IS LIKE.)

Next to the last stop was a very small town called Bonnie Doon.  They people couldn't decide what type of church building they should build and couldn't agree so now there are three churches right next to each other and basically the same design. PIC   

        Anglican Christ Church     2nd Sunday each month at 11:30am

       Uniting Victoria Memorial Church (Christian)   4th Sunday each month at 11:30am

       Catholic meet each Sunday

Our last stop was the town of YEA, Australia.  Picture of the cute YEA post office and the Senior Lawn Bowling tournament.  YEA vs SEYMOUR.  We parked the van 

and went and watch it.  Slow but fun and the teams were all pumped and having a great time. 

ALL IN ALL IT WAS A FANTASTIC MEMORABLE DAY !!!!!!!!!!!

MOSIAH 2:17

" And behold I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service

 of you Lord."

LOVE TO EACH OF YOU.

The Moms   The Sisters  The Grandmas