Dearest Family,
WILD AND CRAZY WEEK
Tuesday we went to Costco to get treats for the new arrivals on Wednesday.
Wednesday we had to go back to Costco in the morning to get desserts for the "Train the Trainers" meeting. Most of the time Sister Maxwell has a woman help her with food for the meetings, the departures, arrivals etc. When she is not available Adrienne and I step in to help. So back to the second Costco trip. We bought 12 strawberry cheesecakes. We had enough for dessert to use on Thursday night for departing missionaries.
Two new Philippino missionaries arrived on Wednesday. They were freezing the minute they walked off the plane. Adrienne and I took them to the mall, with their companions. There were six missionaries total plus Adrienne and me. We, meaning the mission and us, bought them each a warm coat, sweaters, pajamas, socks, gloves and hats. They come from a very warm climate and don't realize how cold it is in Melbourne. We enjoy shopping with them and they love getting treats afterwards. We are really blessed when we can do this.
Thursday we went to the temple in the morning with the departing missionaries and President and Sister Maxwell. Afterwards, we went to Subway and picked up the sandwiches for the Golden Review meeting. Goldens used to be called greenies. Three weeks after they arrive they have this meeting. Thursday evening we went to the mission home. Sister Maxwell needed our help to do the departing dinner. She always does a lovely meal the night before they leave and then they have a testimony meeting. We helped her cook, set the tables, serve the food and clean up. Just being with these elders and sisters is JOY!!!!!!! We are thinking we should open up a business when we get home, hahaha.
President and Sister Maxwell are always so appreciative of our help. He called us the Sister Angels.
Friday at 6:30 am we took Sister Ioane to the airport. She was flying to Pago Pago. The other departing missionaries didn't need to be to the airport til 10:00am. After seeing her off we waited to say good-by to 10 American elders. President lets us hug them good-bye. A sad and happy day.
Friday night we crashed.
Saturday at 7:30 am we went on a two day trip with Elder and Sister Hullinger. We drove 9 1/2 hours to Griffith, New South Wales. It is the farthest point in the mission. We stopped along the way to visit the missionaries and check their flats for cleanliness and things that needed to be fixed. Without fail they need lamps, light bulbs, towel racks, handles on shower and sinks and the list goes on and on. The sister's flats are usually clean but we can't say the same for the elders.
The trip to Griffith was beautiful. The countryside is so different from green Melbourne. It is also much drier. But this has been a very cold winter everywhere in Victoria. Last week in Melbourne was the coldest in 30 years.
A list of things we saw and experienced on our journey.
1. Jerilderie, NSW and Naarrandera, NSW The names of these small villages are very unique.
2. Euchuca on the Murray River. They have paddle boat steamers. They are very cool to see. The senior couples will be going on an excursion in September to ride these boats. It will be a fun day.
3. Kangaroos everywhere. Have not seen that many at one time or in one place.
4. They grow cotton, rice and canola oil. We were so surprised to see farms growing these things. They bale the cotton in yellow plastic. It looks so neat. Similar to bales of hay but much more colorful. There are two rivers that come together the Murrumbidgee and the Murray. This is there irrigation system. That is why they can grow these crops in Griffith.
5. It was a very interesting, educational and enjoyable weekend.
We stayed overnight in Griffith and went to church. It is a branch with mostly Philippino, Samoan, Tongan, and Indians. Never thought we would meet people from these place and grow to love them so much. Two of our neighbors are Indians and just great people. Back to church, they had soup Sunday and invited us to stay. I chose potato soup and Adrienne chose the soup that had squid balls, mushrooms and noodles. Mine was good and Adrienne took hers to the bathroom and flushed it down the toilet.
Got home at 8:30 pm.
It was a most unusual week but we keep learning and exploring.
Thought for the day from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Trying to understand God's gift of grace with all our heart and mind gives us all the more reasons to love and obey our Heavenly Father with meekness and gratitude. As we walk the path of discipleship, it refines us, it empowers us, it helps us become more like Him, and it leads us back to His presence.
"The spirit of the Lord (our God) brings about such a mighty change in us...that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually". MOSIAH 5:2
Love to all of you,
The moms, The grandmas, The sister Sisters
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