DeeDee and Adrienne's Mission

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