Dear Family,

We just got back from 2 1/2 days exploring new areas of Australia and new scenery in the bush.  Three couples went with us, The Hullingers, The Linders and new office missionaries Elder and Sister Stevens.  Eight of us went in a van so we stopped often to stretch our legs and see the beauty of this country.

Friday afternoon we drove to Bairnsdale and spent the night.  At 5:30 am, Saturday, we went to an ANZAC (Australia New Zealand Army Corp) memorial service honoring all the fallen soldiers at Gallipoli. The Australians and New Zealanders were slaughtered. It was a real tragedy.  The English command sent them into Turkey and then left them to their own means.  The memorial was also for all fallen soldiers in WWl, WWll, Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East.  The people in each town crocheted so many red poppies and they were all around the memorials.  "Lest we forget" was written everywhere.  All the towns celebrate with pray, music, bands,and red poppies.  It was very touching and emotional for all

of us.  Very much like our Veteran's Day celebration.

Later Saturday morning we started our long drive to Bright, Australia. As we traveled we started climbing into the mountains .  We had snow at Mt. Horsham, about 4400 feet.  The roads were very steep and VERY CURVY.  Some of us got car sick.  We did stop at several towns for lunch, a brisk walk and fresh air.  We descended the mountain and the fall was everywhere.  I have never seen so many neighborhoods this colorful.

The trees were so tall and with vibrant colors and they formed archways over the streets.  Magnificent !!!!!! We stopped in Bright for a very delicious hambuger.  We walked the town for an hour or so.  Stopped at their art gallery.  They had so many fun pictures, paintings, sketches etc.  There were several we would have loved to buy. 

We drove another hour to Wangaratta.  We spent the night. There are about 26,000 people living here.  They have a very small branch and a very nice meeting house.  There were 27 people there and 14 were missionaries.  They average about 30 people most Sundays. They were very excited to have us visit. The branch President and wife are a missionary couple.  Brother Crockett, a counselor, has never married, does not have children, but does have nieces and nephews.  He is a very faithful member, converted with his mother at 16-18 years old.  He has lived in Wangaratta for 66 years. One of the elders is going home next week on transfer.  It was very obvious he loved Elder Brooks and would miss him so much.  The elders did the sacrament, the talks, which were great, and taught priesthood.  We sang the song, Advance Australia Fair, the national anthem.

Talked with Erin on Saturday after seeing pictures of Grandpa Bob Epperson on Instagram.  What a great reunion he is having with Gram, UNC, Robbie and his mother.  Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.  Adrienne would love to be there to support and hug you.  Please let Beth know we love her and she is in our prayers.

Two thoughts in closing;    

   " Christ is not waiting for us at the finish line once we have done "all we can do." He is with us every step of the way."

   

    "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song

    of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now."

Love you all,

The Mothers, Grandmas, Sister Sisters

Exploring Australia

Ned Kelly

A notorious killer, somewhat a hero.

Always wore a metal hat and metal mask.

Cattle station in Hume.

Exploring Australia

4 Roos

ANZAC Memorial

 Hullingers, Adrienne, Stevens, Dee Dee, Linders

Laughing Kookaburra

Water flooding the road,

Beautiful country.

Downhill side of Great Alpine Road.

Mount Horsham.

Georgeous Harrietville fall weather

Sunset at Wangaratta.

So pretty.

Exploring Australia

Park on the way to Bairnsdale

Dinner is Bairnsdale

Rainbows, cemeteries and enchiladas...

Full rainbow over the Melbourne Temple.

Gorgeous morning.

Burwood Cemetery. No room for another body. Very Interesting.

Roger's New Mexico enchiladas being served in Melbourne, Australia.

Dear Family,

Monday- We had settled in Monday night to watch Pride and Prejudice again, with Colin Firth.  The phone rang about 7 and two of our favorite sister missionaries were calling.  Sister Hemi (from NZ) said her companion Sister Greenhalgh (from Wales) was having chest pains and having a hard time breathing.  We told them to hang on and we would be there in about 10 minutes.  We called the elders who live close by and asked them to go asap to the sisters flat and give a blessing.  They were there before us.  We arrived during the blessing.  Sister G had fainted so the blessing was being given to her while she was on the floor.  The elders got her up and put her in our car.  We drove her straight to the hospital.

We called President and Sister Maxwell and they met us at the hospital. It was scary but thank goodness Adrienne is a nurse and could help.

She is doing good and we are once again thankful for the Elders and priesthood blessings.

Tuesday- rainy and cold.  We came home from the office, got cozy and finished watching Pride and Prejudice.   It is definitely fall turning to winter here in Melbourne.  We turn the heat on the minute we walk in our door.

Wednesday- We went to the Post like we do everyday.  The mail is done differently here so we have to go everyday to mail things.  Thank goodness the workers know us now so we don't have to show our id each time we go.  There is so much outgoing mail from the office.  While we were there we ran into 3 Chinese sisters, Zhang, Wang and Lee.  They always hug and kiss us.  We know we use the words cute and darling for all the sisters but they are.  They are pretty, petite and always smiling.  Adrienne and I are so taken with all the Asian babies and children that live in Melbourne.  They are so beautiful with their big dark eyes, olive skin and shiny black hair. Their parents take very good care of them.  It is always fun for us to watch them.  Ok back to the sisters.  We took them to lunch and of course had Asian food.  I have never eaten so much Asian food.

Friday- It was a different day for us.  We were up early in the car driving to Deer Park.  It is about 1 1/2 hours away.  We had to drive though the city which is very slow, because of so many cars.  It is a crazy drive but they don't have connecting freeways here so you always have to go through the city or downtown Melbourne.

We went to a flat with 2 Samoan sisters.  The landlord wanted to kick them out and charge the mission $500-2000 dollars for damage.  It had been lived in before by 4 large islanders who had done lots of damage.  Adrienne and I went out to help them clean the flat, throw away garbage vacuum, clean the kitchen, organize all the cupboards, do windows and  so much more.  The sisters had not been taught how to clean.  They were great helpers and hopefully they gleaned information on how to clean.  The flat couple, Hullingers came and fixed doors, fixed blinds etc. Anyway we accomplished what needed to be done. Afterwards we we took them to lunch at a pasta/pizza restaurant.  Sister Puileai and Sister Ioane had heard the word pasta but had no idea what it was.  Adrienne explained pasta and pizza to them.  They got a pizza with everything on it.  The sisters said that they ate very large dinners and that they were fine til the dinner the next night.  We had a very good time with them. They hugged and kissed us good-bye.

Working in the office gives us contact with all these young missionaries.  We love them all.  We know of their goodness and desire to serve the Lord.  They are great examples to us.

Saturday we went to our favorite mall Chadstone.  We ate lunch at Wild Bill Tacos.  We put a picture of the menu on our blog. Adrienne noticed on the menu New Mexico Enchiladas, flat tortillas with cheese, chicken or beef, mild red chile and an egg on top.  This was Roger's favorite meal to eat.  He didn't have chicken or beef and always had hot red chile.  What a surprise to see it on a menu in Australia.  No one in the US understands the difference with New Mexico food but obviously Australia does.  It certainly brought back many memories of TACO SHEL and Roger.

We went to the General Relief Society meeting on Saturday night.  As always it was great, spiritual and emotional.  We loved seeing pictures of the temple grounds, flowers, and Salt Lake.  

Sunday night

    We just got back from dinner at a member's home, Rex and Phyllis Campbell.  Phyllis is from Hong Kong and Rex is from Australia.  He served his mission in Melbourne about 10 years ago.  They have a darling 2 year old boy named Manti.  He walked around and pretended we weren't there.  He totally ignored us but did send us a kiss with his hand as we walked out the door.  It was a very casual and pleasant evening.  We had leg of lamb for dinner. It was delicious.

Monday am    

    We are driving to work right now and just saw a full rainbow.  The sky and clouds here are so different than home.  They are unique.  That is the best word for them.  We are enclosing on the blog a picture of the full rainbow over the temple.

In closing;

   "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love,which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure."  Amen     Moroni 7:48

As always our love and prayers are with you,

The Moms, The grandmas, the Sister Sisters

Hello

Dear family

I just noticed it is tax day. That is always fun. Thanks Rodney for getting mine in early and for getting me some money in return. He is so smart!

As usual, everyday is busy. Saturday and Sunday were wonderful. We loved conference. I am excited to get the Ensign next month to read the messages. I loved elder Pearson's talk when he said , "stay close to the Tree". I have grown to love him. He is the area President and we have had the opportunity to be in a mission conference with him. He is great.  I think if we all reread  About Lehi's dream, we would try and stay close to the tree. The music was all beautiful. The song, Consider the Lilies is so beautiful. I loved all the children's songs that were sung on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday between sessions our ward had a get together. Everyone was suppose to bring finger foods and we gathered out on the side lawn. Because it was in the stake house, there were wards and families all over the place. The YSA had a BBQ going. They were doing SNAGS. Snags are a sausage like hotdog that they put on white read. I mean Wonder Bread like bread. Then they put tomato sauce on it! It is a traditional food over here! DD and I made PB and J sandwiches because we really don't cook. Anyway it was fun

The Goldens and there companions are here today having a meeting. It is always fun to have the missionaries come to the office. The new missionaries are always a little more relaxed after they have been here for a month.. We have so many wonderful missionaries. And they are so eager to serve.

One of our service Elders left this am to go home. He is from French Polynesia and so the chances of seeing him again are pretty slim. He was a wonderful missionary and I will miss him a lot . At least we can give them a hug when they go home. The reason I got on face book is so I can see how our missionaries are doing when they leave. Some of them are on an hour after they leave. Some are engaged a week after they get home.

Tonight is hair night and I am excited. We can look at all the magazines we want and find out about Bruce Jenner and the Kardashians( just kidding).

Jimmy told me I needed to write 7 paragraphs. I love to hear what you are doing and love the pictures and videos. I pray for all of you every day and love you.

Love
Mom and Grandma
Sent from my iPad

Dear Family,

This week has been non-stop.  We are so busy in the office and there never seems to be a break.  Rather be busy than not.  We do make sure we get out for an hour lunch and walking.  We need to breathe fresh air.  We sit way too much.  

Wednesday we went with President and Sister Maxwell, the APs, and Sister Horne to the city.  We went to check out a hotel/hostel for the transfers on May 6.  We have 29 missionaries going home and the mission home cannot handle that many people for dinner or sleeping.  We checked the place out and it was very clean so we will make a reservation.  Our September and October departures are as big so we will

use this hotel several times this year.  We will be chaperones along with the President, Sister Horne and Hullingers. It is very sad when all these great young missionaries leave.  In our 9 months here we have come to love so many of them.  One thing for sure is that they all get on Facebook the day the airplane lands.  That makes us happy.  Finally got Adrienne on Facebook last night.  We love to look at these missionaries and keep in touch with them.

Sister Horne and her son Adam went with us to the city.  Afterwards, the four of us went and got breakfast at a pancake restaurant.  Adrienne and I each got 2 pancakes with fruit topping, $18.00 each.  Yvette and Adam got eggs, bacon(ham) and 2 small pancakes, $26.00 each. Tres tres expensive!!!!!

They have a USA food store here.  It is very small BUT, food from home.  We don't go often but we love Uncle Ben's wild rice in a box.

It is approximately $7.39 for one box.  We bought 4 boxes because it is a long distance from our flat.  We also bought Brianna's Poppyseed dressing, $8.80, 2 small butterfingers, $2.20 each and small package of chocolate covered raisins, $.2.20 a piece. Total purchase was $119.00. It is expensive but we are so excited for the rice for our Sunday dinner.  

Conference was this weekend.  Saturday the sessions were at 12:30 pm and 3:00pm.  Long time to sit with only 1/2 hour break.  But certainly it was worth it to see general conference.  Sunday the services were at 10:00am and 1:00pm.  The lunch hour was a picnic on the lawn at the building.  It is too far for many members to go home in between sessions.  We all brought finger food to share and the activity leader had decorated the serving table.  It really was very nice and the children had an hour to run, scream, roll around etc.  We really love our ward family.  

Conference was so wonderful and spiritual and emotional.  Just writing this I am crying.  When the choir sang, Consider the Lilies we both cried remembering Daddy.  Can't believe it has been 10 years since he died.  Where has the time gone.  It has gone by so fast.

The sun came out after conference so we drove to Mont Albert, beautiful area with so many trees lining all the streets. It was an array of orange,yellow and red leaves.  We were in heaven.  It was a peaceful way to spend our late afternoon Sunday.  WE HAVE PUT PICTURES ON THE BLOG OF SOME OF THE TREES AND STREETS.

Our scripture for the week;.

"O remember, remember, my sons, the words which King Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world."                   HELAMAN 5:9

WE LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH

WE ARE SO GLAD AND HAPPY TO BE MISSIONARIES FOR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

WE KNOW WE ARE WHERE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AT THIS TIME OF OUR LIVES

THE MOMS, THE SISTER SISTERS, DEE DEE AND ADRIENNE

Hello

Dear  family

I am sitting here at noon in the church waiting for conference to start. It is the first session starting at 12:30 and the second session is at 3:00. There are only 3 families here so far. Saturday sessions do not bring out many people.

We went to the USA store this morning. Sometimes we just want something we are used to.we ended up getting some Wild rice,some poppy seed dressing, Granola and some other stuff.(can't remember what else we bought). We then stopped at McDonald's and got some lunch. Sometimes that really tastes good.

It has been a very busy week as always. We have around 30 missionaries coming and going in May. We have been trying to find a place where the missionaries an stay before going to the airport. We went down to the city to look it over on Wednesday and then had to stay down in the city to eat lunch!

This is a short note. I love you and miss you all. I hope you all know I think about you everyday and pray for you always.

Love, Mom

Noojee Outpost

Noojee Outpost Lunch

Sister Linder, Brother Hullinger and Sister Higginson

 

With Sister Hullinger at Trout Farm

Noojee Trestle Bridge

Group at Trestle Bridge

Koo Wee Rup

The strange names are from the Aboriginal

 Blue Rock Lake

Willow Grove Cemetery

Jindivick Country Market

Jindivick Country Market

The back side of us.

Sisters Conference

All the Sister Missionaries

March 30-31, 2015

Dearest Family,

FIRST OFF MAKE SURE YOU GO TO OUR BLOG: cannonsisterscalledtoserve.blogspot.com.au

LOTS OF PICTURES

Monday was the sisters conference.  The first day was in the Relief Society room next to the mission office.  The sisters all brought food that was native to their country.  They also taught their native dances to all of us.  We have sisters from WALES, GERMANY, FRANCE, KOREA< FIJI, TONGA, SAMOA, PHILIPINES, CHINA, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND AND THE U.S.  It was a very fun day and lots of laughter.  One of our U.S. sisters brought McDonald hamburgers because it is so American.  We had onion cake from Germany,which was very tasty.  Also, we had corn beef and cabbage, Chinese dumplings and many things that I can't describe or name.  In the evening we had FHE at the mission home with President and Sister Maxwell. She had Easter baskets and chocolate for all of us.

Tuesday our second day of conference was classes; health and personal hygiene, exercise, keeping flats clean and orderly so the spirit can abide there, bringing out your own creativity, how to answer anti-Mormon literature.  Adrienne helped with food and hygiene and I helped with keeping the flats clean.  The theme of the conference was BRINGING OUT THE ROYAL WITHIN OURSELVES.  Adrienne and I decorated the tables in red, white with black napkins and cute gold crowns.  We had a very nice lunch of chicken schnitzel.  It is a very popular food.  One of our favorite eating places is called Schnitz.

Wednesday we finally got to the temple.  We have been very busy night and day.

Thursday our ward missionary meeting got cancelled so we were more than excited to go home and walk for an hour.  The weather is very fall like because it is fall.  The weather is turning cold and with the time change it will be dark very early.  It will take some creativity to get our walking done.

Friday.  It was Good Friday and EVERYTHING but the cinemas was closed. The grocery stores, the restaurants, banks and the posts were all closed. The banks and post and some eating places close for 4 days.  Easter Monday is also considered a government holiday.  Grocery stores were open on Easter Sunday!!!!!  Australians aren't very religious and most converts are not Australian.

Saturday was another day of adventuring through Australia.  We went the Hullingers and Linders.  We drove to an area northwest of Melbourne.  We were heading towards the Baw Baw mountains. The countryside was beautiful as was the weather all day.  We stopped at a country fair in JINDIVIK and bought some homemade jam,and date pudding with caramel sauce. (Delicious) It was very quaint, in the mountains and reminded us of a small European village.  Then we stopped at NEERIM for lunch at the Outlook restaurant.  It felt like we were in the mountains, which we were, in a cabin with a roaring fire in the fireplace.  We still think it should be spring not fall and winter.  Our delicious meal was traditional PARMA. It is chicken, ham and cheese with tomato sauce.  Served with chips (fries) and a wonderful pasta salad.

The leaves are changing so everything thing we saw was breath taking and made for a lovely, pleasant and peaceful day.

Sunday-Easter.  We do not see conference til next weekend.

Our Sacrament meeting was so spiritual and emotional.  The spirit spoke to us and our testimonies were strengthened.  As we get older we better understand the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ because we would do anything for children and grandchildren.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR EASTER DAY;.We have told you about the elderly couple we visit each month, Rosemary and John Body.

We love them and so enjoy our visits. John, in-active, is kind, pleasant and so good to us.  Rosemary has cancer that is spreading and will not seek to prolong her death.  John came with Rosemary to church. When we saw them walk in we started to cry.  We hugged them both. It was a miracle and great blessing from the Lord to us and to Rosemary.  He does hear and answer prayers.

Our closing thought;

    " Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, I am the Father and the Son.  In me all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and daughters."          Ether 3:14

Love to you all,

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