Lavender Farms

Adrienne at the Lavender Farms

 Beautiful stone building.

 DeeDee and 1850 stone home.

 Cafe Trattoria for lunch.

 Beautiful flower tree.

Dear Family,

Tuesday we went to visit Cynthia Jenkins.  We are her new visiting teachers. She has a 2 month old, an 18 month old and a 9 year old step-son.  Her husband is not a member and doesn't seem to have any desire to become one.  She is from California.  Her father is here in Australia for two months helping to redo her kitchen.  She is coming to church with her Dad.  Her dad talked with the missionaries yesterday at church.  The step-son has lots of questions about the church and religion.  This could be a perfect opportunity for this family.  We will pray something good will come into their lives.

Saturday we went exploring. We have wanted to visit these places since last September.  So we finally decided to go.  It was about a three hour drive from our flat.  We first went to Castlemain.  It is a bustling town known for it's history of the gold rush.  They had a very nice art gallery, and we love going to art galleries.

The next place we drove to was Lavandula (The Lavender Farm).  It is a Swiss-Italian farm.  As we were traveling we went through many little town and villages.  Some of the roads were only one lane.  The farm is a beautiful place with 1850's stone farm building that overlook lavender fields, orchards and produce gardens.  We were sorry the lavender bushes weren't in bloom but we had a wonderful time walking through the fields, the quaint gift shop and eating on the patio at La Trattoria.  We had lavender lemonade, scones and cookies.  The sun was shining. No jackets needed so it was a PERFECT day!!!!!!

Our next stop was Daylesford.  We found a cute little French store called Paris at the End of the Street.  They were playing French music.  It was a fun shop.

We went to a baptism yesterday evening for Hannah Mohring.  She is the daughter of one of our good friends.  She is 8 years old.  Our choir, including Adrienne and me sang Teach Me to Walk in the Light and Dearest Children.  We really enjoy singing in the choir.  

We have wonderful friends in the ward and they invite us to the family events.  We already have and invite for Christmas morning breakfast.  It is Sarah and Hyrum Mohring.  We wrote about FHE at their home.  We ill get to watch their 3 sweet children open their Christmas presents. We both got teary when she asked us.  We are thrilled.

Our Thought for the day;

    "WHAT MANNER OF MEN OUGHT YE TO BE?  VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, EVEN AS I AM."

                                                                    3 NEPHI 27:27

  Love to all of you,

The Moms  The Grandmas  The Sister Sisters

Hello

Dear Family

Hope all of you are doing well. I love to see the photos and also hear how everyone is doing.

The weeks as usual are going fast. It has been very cold each morning. Sometimes the sun comes out,but the wind is very cold. I think October will be like our spring. Hopefully this weekend will be warmer,but you never know. Today at 12:00 it is suppose to be rainy,then overcast and then clear tonight.

We have had 3 families of Islanders running around the church all morning. The parents went to the 9:00 session and the children have been playing in the ward while they were in the temple. It is nice that the churches are open so members can use them.the children were using the chapel to run in, so we did stop that. They are now all eating in the cultural hall. The churches here do not seem to be closed ,except at night.

There was a sign on face book that said only 13 Friday's till Christmas . That sounded funny. By the way, do not send anything for Christmas. It will mean packing more stuff. We will be home 2 weeks later. Can you believe that!

We have had missionaries in here on and off all morning. I sure love these young people. It is fun to see them grow from the first time we see them. The gospel changes people for the better. I am so thankful everyday for this opportunity.

I love you all and miss miss you. Be strong and help each other.
Love Mom

Echuca Senior Missionary Outling

Paddle Steamer boat.

The Linders and President and Sister Maxwell.

 The Canola fields

Murray River tour.

 3 cute llamas.

 Pelican enjoying the sun and warmth.

Yes, we also came on the outing.

Ate a delicious hamburger with "chips" on national hamburger day.

Stage coach rides throughout Echuca.

A sheep ranch and lots of ibis birds.

There are birds everywhere you go in Australia and they are not afraid of humans.

Dear Family,

It was cold on Thursday night so we went to the Glen (shopping area) for hot chocolate, toasted banana bread and chocolate dipping sauce.

Saturday was the senior missionary trip to Echuca.  It is about 3 hours from Melbourne.  There were 23 seniors that went on this excursion.  We went on a paddleboat steamer for a tour of the Murray River. It was a perfect day.  The sun was shining and we didn't have to wear our jackets.

Sister Latteier (Vietnamese) is a photo queen.  Constant pictures of Adrienne and me.  She also is a great cook and loves cooking.  She brought shortbread cookies, lemon flavored with a pinch of rosemary.  They were delicious.  Of course, she brought enough cookies to share with everyone on the boat.  She is such a pleasant happy missionary. 

It was national hamburger day so we all had hamburgers and chips for lunch.  We were able to eat outside because of the warm day.

We rode up to Echuca with President and Sister Maxwell. Driving to and from Melbourne we took a couple of detours to small towns.  The countryside is so beautiful and different from other areas we have visited.  We saw many many canola oil fields.  (PIC ON BLOG)  These fields are a bright yellow and go on and on for acres. We don't know how they get the oil from the flowers. We should probably read about it on the internet.(PICS on BLOG)

We had great conversations with the Maxwells.  We really enjoy our association with each other.  Missionary work is always discussed and they are movie buffs like Adrienne and me.  We talked and laughed and discussed our favorite and least favorite movies.  President rarely has a free evening or weekend. It could be another 1-2 months til he is free for a couple of hours to relax.  Mission presidents and their wives are soooo busy.  We don't know how they keep going day after day.  On one of his free evening we will take our favorite movie to their home to watch and then watch one of their favorites.  Their choices are a bit more high brow than ours.  

Richard and Keisha couldn't keep their appointment.  We will see them on Tuesday and hopefully set another date. KEEP PRAYING!

A sunny Sunday which makes the whole day better.

Thought for the day;

    "And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all-they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

    Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him."

                                                                                            ALMA 53: 20-21

MY HOUSE FINALLY SOLD AND THE PAPER WORK IS ALL DONE!!!!!! Hallelujah

Love you all,

The moms, The grandmas, The sister sisters

Hello

Dear Family

We were lucky this week and had a couple of nice days. The sun is out today ,but the wind is freezing. I guess this is what Spring is like in Melbourne. I looke forward to warm weather. It is weird to have Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas in the summer. But then Halloween and Thanksgiving is really not celebrated here! 

We Are really excited for Caren and Cathy to come visit. I hope they like walking!

We have a new elder that came in last week. His great grandfather is Dr Theurer. His grandfather is Craig Theurer. Does this make us all feel old! He is a darling boy. It is nice for these missionaries to find some connection to their home when they come. The missionaries that are here are all so wonderful. I love them all.

I would love to hear how everyone is doing with the new house ,with school etc

Hank,thank you for the drawing .I love it. I love how you did your hair. Your handwriting is really good.

The office stays very busy, but we love it when the missionaries come in. I sometimes think they come in for the candy. DD and I make a monthly run to Costco for the "lollies". (candy)

Not much news to talk about. I love you and miss you all.
Love, mom

Missionaries and gardens

Helping with the departure dinner. Rachel Curtis

Elder Hassell, Elder Bucholz and Elder Gunnell.

They are all going back to Arizona not far from my place in Mesa.

They asked that we have and Arizona picture.

 Jessica Sweet a darling girl in our ward.  

She was at the airport leaving for New Zealand on her mission.

 The group of missionaries leaving.

 

Elder Larsen avert quiet and kind missionary.

Cute Sister Malito

First missionary we met when we arrived.

Elder Hollister from Georgia.

Sister Freemand crocheted these wall hanging for Adrienne and me.

She is one of our Senior Missionaries.

Dear Family,

Monday- Our week started off great.  Hyrum and Sarah Mohring invited us to their home for dinner.  They are one of our favorite families.  They have three adorable children, Joseph who is 6, Lucy with the red hair is 4 and Baby Adam is 1.  He has found his voice in church.  We had a very good dinner, then FHE and finished with vanilla ice cream topped with sprinkles.  We have grown to love this family.  (Pic on blog)

Tuesday was transfer day and as we have written many times before it was chaos but good chaos.  We love having all the missionaries come into the office.  There is always lots of laughter and missionary hugging amongst each other. 

Wednesday we were up at 4:00 am so we could take the missionaries to the airport.  There were 16 missionaries going home.  We rent a large bus to take them to the airport.  As always it is a very sad teary day seeing these elders and sisters leave. (Pics on blog)  After they leave we go downstairs to arrivals and put on a happy face to greet 16 new missionaries.  There were 12 elders and 3 sisters.  One of our new missionaries is Elder Theurer.  He is the great grandson of Dr. Theurer, Aunt Sally's OB-GYN doctor and she loved him.  Elder Theurer told us he went golfing with his great grandfather the week before he left for his mission.  Such a small world in the church. His uncle Ty went to school with Adrienne and me.

Sister Maxwell has been sick for about a month.  So Tuesday night Adrienne and I went over to the mission home to help with the departure dinner.  We also have taken her twice to the doctor this week and once to get an MRI.  They want her to get x-rays today on her hip and knee. 

Something is causing pain. We will take her to get her x-rays. President Maxwell is in Tasmania for stake conference so Saturday evening we went to see Sister Maxwell and watch a movie.  

Saturday afternoon we drove up to the Dandenong mountains.  They have a large Rododendrum Garden Park.  It is simply beautiful with flowers and the unique trees that are native to Australia. The park trail is 3.5 miles long.  It was a partially sunny afternoon and quite warm.  It was heavenly. The sun brings out all the people because it is so rare. We felt like we had died and gone to heaven.  (Pics-blog)

Sunday-The sun has been out all day.  Adrienne and I just got back from a slow stroll for an hour.  We were soaking up the sun.  Because there are no large mountain ranges the big blue sky seems to go on forever.

We are leaving shortly to go to a baptism for a young girl in our ward. Afterwards, we have been invited to the Snow's home for dinner.  We have written about the Rob and Theone in several letters.  They are dear friends.  As always it was a very tasty delicious meal.

Richard is meeting with the missionaries on Tuesday at 1:00 PM.  Keisha will watch the shop while he talks with them.  Not ideal but glad they are going to hear the missionaries.  Adrienne and I told him that listening to the missionaries was the best way to learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  PRAY THAT IT ALL WORKS OUT!!!!!

Our thought for the day;

    For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

    Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of the Lord.

                                                                            2 Timothy 1:7-8

We love you all,

The Moms, The Grandmas, The Sister Sisters

Dear Family,

Monday- President and Sister Maxwell went to a mission president's conference in Sydney.  They were gone 4 days and got home on Thursday evening. At the same time Elder and Sister Linder took the boat to Tasmania.  They were taking a car to some of the missionaries.  They got on the boat at  6:00 pm and arrive the next morning at 7:00 am.  They didn't get back until Friday afternoon.  It was a quiet week and a bit slow.

Sister Greenhalgh and Sister Mendoza came to the office on Wednesday afternoon.  They had a meeting and were supposed to be here by 4:00 pm.  They took the train from Werribee and it took 3 hours to get here.  They called us and we went and picked them up.  It was now 4:50 pm. They had missed their appointment.  We took them to dinner and it was getting dark so we decided to drive them into the city and let them get the train there.  By doing this we cut the return trip in half.  We still were concerned about them but they have done this a number of times. When they get off the train they still have to walk to their flat.  The Lord watches over these wonderful young elders and sisters!!!!!!

Friday night the senior missionaries had dinner at the mission home for the Hullingers.  They are leaving on Wednesday for home.  We can't say enough good about the Hullingers.  They have been so good to us.  They have taken us on weekend trips, Saturday day trips and even invited to help clean flats.  That is always a fun crazy time. They have been a real asset to the mission office. We will see them when we get home. Anyway, back to the party.  Adrienne and I went to Costco for Sister Maxwell and then dropped the food off at her home.  We went back later in the afternoon to help set tables and finish fixing the food. It is always good when we get together.  Great and fun senior couples.

Saturday morning we went exploring again. We were looking for an Aboriginal Art Gallery and ended up finding a beautiful golf course.  The homes around the course were amazing, beautiful and very very large.  Beautifully manicured lawns and horse pastures.  We spent two hours just driving around the area.  WE LOVE OUR DRIVES.

Saturday afternoon we went to a baptism in our ward.  Lilesia Tuinukuafe is the youngest of ten children born to the Tui family.  They are the Tongan family that have taken us into their family.  We have written about them often.  Anyway, Lilesia bore her testimony and also recited the 13 Articles of Faith.  She had them all memorized and she is only 8 years old.  It was impressive. It was a very nice baptism.  Of course, they had a full cooked pig with all the side dishes afterwards.  Each ward does their own baptisms.

Saturday evening we were invited to a missionary farewell party. We were happy that Jessica Sweet wanted us to come.  She flies to Auckland, NZ on Wednesday. The MTC is there.  She will be a great missionary because she loves the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  There were HEAPS of young adults at the party.  It was held at the Bishop's home.  Bishop Berry and his wife are great and so generous.  He attended MBA school at Utah State University but he is a native Australian. IT WAS A BUSY BUT WONDERFUL DAY.

Richard and Keisha told us they would pick a date this week to meet with the Elders. PRAY FOR THEM !!!!!!!

All three meetings at church were exceptionally good.  We always enjoy fast and testimony meeting and the other two were on the Atonement. We learned so much and the spirit certainly testified of truth.

Our thought for the day;.

D&C 76

    40 And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us—

 41 That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness;

 42 That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him;

Our love to you,

The moms, The grandmas, The sister sisters

Hello

Dear family,

We woke this morning to a little sun and now it is overcast again. Dee Dee and I were just over at the temple. A girl in our Stake just got married. It is so fun to watch out our window to see all that goes on over there. They really have quite a few weddings . It is fun to watch. The wedding this morning ,one of the bridesmaid is in a wheelchair. And another has a jacket on because the back zipper broke. Around the side of the temple they have a beautiful place for taking pictures. The Temple is always a good way to start a marriage.

Tonight DD and I are going to visit a Sister in our ward. She is a someone we have not met before. When we asked if we could come tonight she said that was great and she invited us for "tea". That is what they call it when you eat at night. We are excited to see what she will fix.

Patti, how is the move coming along? I would love to see pictures of the house. How are all the kids adjusting? Are the schools in Texas harder than in Utah? What about the ward. Do you like it? Are there many youth Jakes age? I hope jake an Ellie are doing ok. Robbie was starting his Junior year and Andy was going into 9th grade when we moved to AF.

I hope all the children are excited about being back in school! I hated having to go back to a schedule  and getting everyone in bed early. I also did not like that when fall came the days started getting shorter and the cold weather came. Fall was never my favorite season. I did see some Halloween "stuff" at Costco last week. They do not celebrate like we do.

We have transfers again next week and also about 20 missionaries leaving. It is hard to see them go home. We have around 16-18 new missionaries coming. The Hullingers are going home. They are the couple in the office who have been working on the flats. They live in Roosevelt and they have become very good friends. We will miss them so much. We have done a lot together.

I love all the pictures and emails. I miss you all and love you all. I cannot believe we are down to 4 months. Unbelievable! 

Love, mom