It was a crazy transfer week with tons going on and we just tried to
catch up during the HOT weekend after the HOT week. Our water heater
went out and we didn't even care Saturday and Sunday.
Lee made trips to the airport on Monday, January 27th, for the Darwin and Alice Springs missionaries being transferred and flying into Adelaide. The van and trailer were loaded to the brim! And then he went to the airport again three times on Wednesday, once very early and then later, to take the leavers, pick up arrivers, and get transferred missionaries to their flights back up to Darwin and Alice Springs.
I mentioned last week that Australia Days was actually Sunday but celebrated Monday. Did I mention that we didn't realize until Saturday afternoon at 4:37 (stores close at 5) that FEW businesses would be open Monday, including our local grocery store? Lee managed to find an open store downtown for the ingredients we needed for meat prep and making dessert Monday night. Then he went shopping again Tuesday locally for the rest of our grocery list. What a gong show!
Lee missed Tuesday morning transfer meeting as he took Elder Rapana to the final check up for his broken collarbone (bike accident) of several months ago. The appointment was originally for Friday, but Elder Rapana was being transferred out to Mildura 5 hours away, so he was able to be checked when the doctor had an opening Tuesday instead. We were thankful to get the appointment changed on short notice. Elder Rapana was cleared for regular duty and sport.
At the beginning of the 10:00 am transfer meeting, President Carter invited the "leavers" to bear their testimony after sharing 2-3 things that had blessed them on their mission and would bless the remaining missionaries. Here are some highlights:
Elder Taufa mentioned 1. True doctrine changes attitude and behavior. 2. Diligence brings forth good fruit. 3. Remember who you are and what you stand for. We are not volunteers but CHOSEN.
Elder Hemi challenged us to leave the meeting changed and to 1. Follow the spirit.
2. Teach by understanding true doctrine. 3. Plan. He said it was a joyful day and shared the scripture in 2 Timothy 4:7 that says "I have fought the good fight.....finished the course...and kept the faith..."
President Carter always shares an inspirational message that motivates missionaries to increase their personal efforts and discipleship. He was amazing as usual.
For the Tuesday night "leaver" dinner, Sister Carter made lasagna, Sister White brought green tossed salad, Sister Goodrich steamed vegetables, and Sister Salazar brought bread. I made my cheesecake bar cookie recipe with raspberry OR chocolate drizzle for dessert. We served the seniors and the four leavers, plus the Carters at the mission home after which comes the testimony meeting, which I love! Serving a mission blesses many lives, but no one is more blessed than the missionaries themselves. Their personal and spiritual growth is evident after 2 years or 18 months of service.
As always, President Carter sang the parting song MAY YOU ALWAYS which caused a tear or two.
It's hard and sad to have strong missionaries in leadership roles go home that you have become attached to and think so much of...yet....they've served well and their time is up so off they go to strengthen the stakes where they live.
Wednesday, two arrivers came from the Philippines via the Provo MTC. The New Zealand and Australian missionary group of 5 missed their connecting flight in Melbourne so they were rebooked and arrived 1 1/2 hour late. They came to the office for orientation, bedding, bikes, and paperwork, until dinner with their trainers, the assistants, and the seniors. We planned and prepared taco a bar for 26 and we had tons of food left over. That's not a bad thing at the end of the month as missionaries run low on money so we sent care plates home with them all. We were home by 9:30 pm both Tuesday and Wednesday and fell asleep before our heads hit the pillow.
The eighth new missionary arrived Thursday from Tuvalu. It's a small island near Fiji and said to be gradually sinking. The Carters met her at the airport (as they do most of the missionaries) and brought her back to the office for brief meetings with the staff and assistants, and to meet her trainer, Sister Van Den Bron from England.
We went home at 6:45 pm and Lee was back to the mission home for presidency meeting from 7-9:30. I was already sleeping when he got home.
By the end of the week, we were both just plain worn out. We went to the temple Friday night and then home to eat dinner. Saturday was HOT HOT HOT so we stayed in after Lee went grocery shopping in the morning and tried to keep cool. We had a good rest and did laundry. I do enjoy hanging sheets and towels on a clothesline for the smell and texture, and with the HOT breeze, they took no time at all to dry.
Sunday was a beautiful Sabbath with two confirmations of the Belodis sisters, a wonderful fast and testimony meeting, a great Sunday school lesson with several investigators, a fabulous nap, dinner here with the Evandale missionaries, and a missionary fireside at the Modbury chapel. The topic was the ATONEMENT and as expected, President and Sister Carter were speakers, along with the Modbury stake president, President McCann, and three recent converts also spoke. Sister Salazar rode with us and we stopped at stake presidency 2nd counselor President Yeow's 'break the fast' potluck dinner on the way. Did I mention that it was HOT?
During the week, I had a computer crisis....the complete missionary group email contact list disappeared. Since I use it frequently and I didn't want to re enter 130 addresses individually, I stressed! I tried everything I knew to recover the list, but Sister Salazar saved me when she came in from lunch. It was a tender mercy for sure!
Another highlight in the week was when Elder Homes invited the senior couples to stand at the arrivers meeting and introduce themselves, and asked us to each explain our role and what we DO in the office. He then told the new missionaries and the trainers that the senior missionaries proselyting "area" was the office and everything seniors do is for "you" in your area. It was a nice way to express appreciation and gratitude for our efforts.
Transfers roll around every six weeks and the last transfer seems like only a couple of weeks ago. We've been out in the mission field for 7 months now and still look at each other occasionally and ask, " Can you believe we are living and serving in Australia?" We are well and happy and doing our best to serve with all of our might mind and strength! More news next week.
Lee made trips to the airport on Monday, January 27th, for the Darwin and Alice Springs missionaries being transferred and flying into Adelaide. The van and trailer were loaded to the brim! And then he went to the airport again three times on Wednesday, once very early and then later, to take the leavers, pick up arrivers, and get transferred missionaries to their flights back up to Darwin and Alice Springs.
I mentioned last week that Australia Days was actually Sunday but celebrated Monday. Did I mention that we didn't realize until Saturday afternoon at 4:37 (stores close at 5) that FEW businesses would be open Monday, including our local grocery store? Lee managed to find an open store downtown for the ingredients we needed for meat prep and making dessert Monday night. Then he went shopping again Tuesday locally for the rest of our grocery list. What a gong show!
Lee missed Tuesday morning transfer meeting as he took Elder Rapana to the final check up for his broken collarbone (bike accident) of several months ago. The appointment was originally for Friday, but Elder Rapana was being transferred out to Mildura 5 hours away, so he was able to be checked when the doctor had an opening Tuesday instead. We were thankful to get the appointment changed on short notice. Elder Rapana was cleared for regular duty and sport.
At the beginning of the 10:00 am transfer meeting, President Carter invited the "leavers" to bear their testimony after sharing 2-3 things that had blessed them on their mission and would bless the remaining missionaries. Here are some highlights:
Elder Taufa mentioned 1. True doctrine changes attitude and behavior. 2. Diligence brings forth good fruit. 3. Remember who you are and what you stand for. We are not volunteers but CHOSEN.
Elder Hemi challenged us to leave the meeting changed and to 1. Follow the spirit.
2. Teach by understanding true doctrine. 3. Plan. He said it was a joyful day and shared the scripture in 2 Timothy 4:7 that says "I have fought the good fight.....finished the course...and kept the faith..."
President Carter always shares an inspirational message that motivates missionaries to increase their personal efforts and discipleship. He was amazing as usual.
For the Tuesday night "leaver" dinner, Sister Carter made lasagna, Sister White brought green tossed salad, Sister Goodrich steamed vegetables, and Sister Salazar brought bread. I made my cheesecake bar cookie recipe with raspberry OR chocolate drizzle for dessert. We served the seniors and the four leavers, plus the Carters at the mission home after which comes the testimony meeting, which I love! Serving a mission blesses many lives, but no one is more blessed than the missionaries themselves. Their personal and spiritual growth is evident after 2 years or 18 months of service.
As always, President Carter sang the parting song MAY YOU ALWAYS which caused a tear or two.
It's hard and sad to have strong missionaries in leadership roles go home that you have become attached to and think so much of...yet....they've served well and their time is up so off they go to strengthen the stakes where they live.
Wednesday, two arrivers came from the Philippines via the Provo MTC. The New Zealand and Australian missionary group of 5 missed their connecting flight in Melbourne so they were rebooked and arrived 1 1/2 hour late. They came to the office for orientation, bedding, bikes, and paperwork, until dinner with their trainers, the assistants, and the seniors. We planned and prepared taco a bar for 26 and we had tons of food left over. That's not a bad thing at the end of the month as missionaries run low on money so we sent care plates home with them all. We were home by 9:30 pm both Tuesday and Wednesday and fell asleep before our heads hit the pillow.
The eighth new missionary arrived Thursday from Tuvalu. It's a small island near Fiji and said to be gradually sinking. The Carters met her at the airport (as they do most of the missionaries) and brought her back to the office for brief meetings with the staff and assistants, and to meet her trainer, Sister Van Den Bron from England.
We went home at 6:45 pm and Lee was back to the mission home for presidency meeting from 7-9:30. I was already sleeping when he got home.
By the end of the week, we were both just plain worn out. We went to the temple Friday night and then home to eat dinner. Saturday was HOT HOT HOT so we stayed in after Lee went grocery shopping in the morning and tried to keep cool. We had a good rest and did laundry. I do enjoy hanging sheets and towels on a clothesline for the smell and texture, and with the HOT breeze, they took no time at all to dry.
Sunday was a beautiful Sabbath with two confirmations of the Belodis sisters, a wonderful fast and testimony meeting, a great Sunday school lesson with several investigators, a fabulous nap, dinner here with the Evandale missionaries, and a missionary fireside at the Modbury chapel. The topic was the ATONEMENT and as expected, President and Sister Carter were speakers, along with the Modbury stake president, President McCann, and three recent converts also spoke. Sister Salazar rode with us and we stopped at stake presidency 2nd counselor President Yeow's 'break the fast' potluck dinner on the way. Did I mention that it was HOT?
During the week, I had a computer crisis....the complete missionary group email contact list disappeared. Since I use it frequently and I didn't want to re enter 130 addresses individually, I stressed! I tried everything I knew to recover the list, but Sister Salazar saved me when she came in from lunch. It was a tender mercy for sure!
Another highlight in the week was when Elder Homes invited the senior couples to stand at the arrivers meeting and introduce themselves, and asked us to each explain our role and what we DO in the office. He then told the new missionaries and the trainers that the senior missionaries proselyting "area" was the office and everything seniors do is for "you" in your area. It was a nice way to express appreciation and gratitude for our efforts.
Transfers roll around every six weeks and the last transfer seems like only a couple of weeks ago. We've been out in the mission field for 7 months now and still look at each other occasionally and ask, " Can you believe we are living and serving in Australia?" We are well and happy and doing our best to serve with all of our might mind and strength! More news next week.
The leavers: Elders Hemi, Taufa, Whitehead and Sister Atu
Mimi with Sisters Lucas and Lewis
Taufa, Whitehead, Berg, Van den Bron, Hemi, Rapana, Duffus in the office on transfer day.
President and Sister Carter with the leavers: Elders Taufa, Hemi, Whitehead and Sister Atu.
Elders Visesio, Autele, and Togia
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