DeeDee and Adrienne's Mission

This was a letter we recieved from President and Sister Maxwell.

A Difficult Multiple Choice Question

If the Maxwell's told they would love to spend a little time with you

before you leave, how would you respond - being totally honest?

(a) We would have time to get a cup of hot chocolate Monday evening

(b) We would be interested in watching a movie of our choice at the Mission

Home Sunday evening

(d) We have no time and you hav already monoploized too much of our time

(e) Don't call us, well call you

(f) d and e

(g) None of the above

Seriously, we know you are very busy and have many people who want to spend a

bit of time with you - and we get to see you on Saturday. But we thought we'd ask

just in case. Please do NOT feel any pressure

Dear Family,

We are having too many farewell dinners. We so appreciate everyone in our Wantirna ward and their desire to feed us and say good-bye.

Monday- Dianne Bignell, a wonderful friend fixed dinner for us and we watched the movie Out of Africa afterwards. Love the movie. It was a very pleasant evening. Dianne took us earlier this year to visit some of the beautiful mansions. She is our age and a very classy fun lady.

Vincent and Elena Villani along with Daphne and Mark Booth went to dinner with on Tuesday night. We went to a new restaurant called Billy's Kitchen. Both couples are very enjoyable and fun to be with. Mark and Elena are brother and sister. They are half Italian, Daphne is Chilean and Vince is first generation Italian. Wonderful Melbourne with all of its different cultures. That has been a big reason to love being here on this mission. Vince has written a screen play that goes into production, in Belgium, this week. When they have a premier in the states we will be invited.

Wednesday we went to dinner with Elder Stokes and Fermanis to Hutch and Deb Jones home. Their daughter Emalee and son Hunter were there also. She made a fantastic risotto, had fresh tomatoes, spinach and capsicans (peppers) with delicious rolls. She had made 3 very good desserts. There house was really nice and their patios are beautiful. A picture will be on the blog.

Believe it or not we are working very hard at the office to finish our work and get lists and notes made for the incoming sisters. They haven't got their visas or tickets so they won't be here for us to train. Hopefully, our notes etc will help them. I do hope they will love this mission and working in the office as much as we have.

Thursday a new senior couple invited all the seniors to their flat for New Year's Eve. We all brought food and plenty of desserts. Sister Lattiere brought Vietnamese food. Adrienne loves her food!!

Friday we had the day off so we did more packing and cleaning. We have clothes and shoes and things that we are not bringing home so we took a bundle to the sister missionaries that live in Kew and Footscray. Both places are close to the city. We took them to lunch and another farewell meal. One sister was American, one is from Fiji and two were from the Philippines. We absolutely love all our missionaries but the sisters are very dear to us.

Saturday we went to the office to get the scales so we can weigh our luggage. Afterwards, we drove to Warren Glen Nursery and Cafe for a very pleasant lunch. We ate outside. It was a perfect weather day. When we left we decided to explore one last time just driving through new neighborhoods. That has always been one of the highlights, exploring new neighborhoods and seeing gorgeous homes and especially those that are unique to Australia.

We took the Maxwells to dinner at a German restaurant called the Cuckoo. It is located in the Dandenong mountains. They have entertainment during the evening with the audience participating, dancing, singing, learning to yodel. President Maxwell went to Germany on his mission. It was our final get together for the 4 of us. We have become great friends. We will see them when they get home this summer.

Sunday- The bishop asked us to bear our testimony. It was very emotional for us.

Pictures of all these events are on the blog.

Thought for the day:

John 4: 35

"...I say unto you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest."

We love you all,

The moms, The Grandmas, The sister sisters