DeeDee and Adrienne's Mission

Dear Family,

Monday- We went to dinner at the Smibert home, Sister Lee Smibert, her mother Lola, Caleb, Sally, Paul and Olan.  This family was some of the first people we met when we arrived last August.  We wrote a letter about them.  Lee and Lola (86 yrs old) took us on a  7 mile hike in the Dandenong mountains.  Back to the dinner, it was delicious.  They are all very accomplished musicians.  They play the trombone, sax, horn, piano and guitar.  They entertained us for about 1/2 hour.  It was so fun and made for a perfect evening.

Tuesday- The Maxwells invited us for a movie and hot chocolate afterwards.  President loves hot chocolate.  We saw the movie, The Martian.  It was a bit tense in a few places but we liked it.  (WE LOVE MOVIES, no surprise). We enjoy being with them.

Wednesday- Went to the temple.  It closes for two weeks to be cleaned.

Thursday- In the town of Dandenong they have a Chinese Festival of Lights.  It is on for three weeks in October.  It was amazing.  They have animals, butterflies, peacocks, panda bears, flowers, windmills, dragons, kangaroos, and the list goes on and on.  They are made from silk, wire for shaping and lights inside each piece.  There was a life size pagoda made of china plates, glasses, bowls cups and silverware.  There is no glue, but string, wire and lights. 18,000 ceramic bowls, 12,000 ceramic plates, 10,000 spoons. PICS ON BLOG, A MUST SEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Also, Flat Evie, who is visiting us in Australia, is in some pictures.  She even was in a Kangaroo pouch.  

Friday- We took two sets of sister missionaries to dinner at the Lynbrook Hotel.  They live about 45 minutes from the office so we met them in their area.  They had cleaned up and were so excited to going to dinner.  They make us smile.  Sister Tihoni is French Polynesian, Enoka is Samoan/Maori, Bingham from Arizona, and Rhodes is from Brigham City.  We had a great time with these beautiful and spiritual sisters.  Flat Evie was also invited.

Saturday- We cleaned our flat for inspection.  Realtors come every few months to check out the flats.  We swept the porches and back yard so that it looks nice.  We then got into the car and went exploring.  Our second stop was a Christmas store, a very fun Christmas store.  We bought a couple of Australia flag ornaments to bring home, a nice remembrance of two Christmases in Melbourne.  We then went to Maling Road and wandered through the boutiques and ended up at Tim's Book Store. A small but lovely bookstore in which to wander.  We ate at the cafe, Between Us, and it just a small, quaint place.  The weather was sunny with a slight breeze!!!!

Sunday- We went to dinner at Rob and Thioni Snow's home.  They have been sooooo kind to us this whole mission.  They have us for dinner all the time and the food is delicious and presented so lovely.  One of our returned missionary sisters was visiting the Snows.  She came with her mother and it was so nice to see her again.   We were very close to her while she was here.

It has been a busy week and this new week with transfers will make it busier.

OUR THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

    "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

Love to you,

The Moms, The Grandmas, The Sister Sisters