Long distance birthday celebrations in the month of May include Hallee, Heather, and Mimi, plus Mother's Day! Happy Happy all!
Monday was slow....it poured down rain most of the day!
Tuesday the Carter's arrived home from Brisbane and Lee picked them up at the airport. Lee taught a lesson with the missionaries at 5:15 pm. I made homemade chicken noodle soup and it was wonderful!
Wednesday the Larsons traveled to Adelaide from Mildura as they are going home on Monday. Lee picked up the Whites from the airport. We went in early to call insurance in the USA for information and I called the help desk in SLC to correct a baptism/ confirmation record. We had 9 people in our English class Wed night....biggest class ever! 5 stayed afterward to be taught by Elders Holmes and Bingham. 2 are Iranians and the rest are Chinese. Very interesting talking with them while waiting for the missionaries.
Friday it poured down rain all day! President came over to the office to sign things, and Larsons showed up to use the wi-fi for email at the office before heading out to spend the day with an old missionary companion who served with Elder Larson in the Philippines. Sisters dropped by as they were trading back after trade offs and we distributed some of the coats Lee bought Thursday....it's cold and wet and none of them had a jacket. The week went slowly and it was cold and dark Friday afternoon.
The senior missionaries and the Carters met for the Larson's farewell dinner at Caffe Primo just a short distance away from the office Friday at 5:30 pm. Carter's were caught in traffic in the pouring rain so were late arriving, but after phoning ahead what to order, walked in just before dinner was served. We enjoyed hearing Mildura success stories from the Larson's 18 months of service, and also some of their frustrations and disappointments. Missionary work is hard at times, but the Larson's have served and sacrificed well.
Monday was slow....it poured down rain most of the day!
Tuesday the Carter's arrived home from Brisbane and Lee picked them up at the airport. Lee taught a lesson with the missionaries at 5:15 pm. I made homemade chicken noodle soup and it was wonderful!
Wednesday the Larsons traveled to Adelaide from Mildura as they are going home on Monday. Lee picked up the Whites from the airport. We went in early to call insurance in the USA for information and I called the help desk in SLC to correct a baptism/ confirmation record. We had 9 people in our English class Wed night....biggest class ever! 5 stayed afterward to be taught by Elders Holmes and Bingham. 2 are Iranians and the rest are Chinese. Very interesting talking with them while waiting for the missionaries.
Friday it poured down rain all day! President came over to the office to sign things, and Larsons showed up to use the wi-fi for email at the office before heading out to spend the day with an old missionary companion who served with Elder Larson in the Philippines. Sisters dropped by as they were trading back after trade offs and we distributed some of the coats Lee bought Thursday....it's cold and wet and none of them had a jacket. The week went slowly and it was cold and dark Friday afternoon.
The senior missionaries and the Carters met for the Larson's farewell dinner at Caffe Primo just a short distance away from the office Friday at 5:30 pm. Carter's were caught in traffic in the pouring rain so were late arriving, but after phoning ahead what to order, walked in just before dinner was served. We enjoyed hearing Mildura success stories from the Larson's 18 months of service, and also some of their frustrations and disappointments. Missionary work is hard at times, but the Larson's have served and sacrificed well.
President and Sister Carter sat by the Larson's at the restaurant and I observed something interesting. President and Elder Larson were discussing Mildura issues/people and I watched President grab his pizza take-home bag and jot down some notes. Then I saw him do it two more times as he received inspiration for whatever they were talking about. I am in awe and impressed to watch President and Sister Carter preside over this mission. They are wonderful and amazing! Truly! And we GET to serve along side them with beautiful young men and women from all over the world. We adore the missionaries and enjoy our interactions with them. My heart was touched when one set of Elders called me at home Sunday to wish me a Happy Mothers Day and the senior 'mission mamas' received in the mail the 4 Darwin sisters picture saying Happy Mothers Day.
Sunday morning the assistants came for breakfast before face timing their moms for Mother's Day on our ipad. Elder Holmes' parents are working in Uganda (from Vancouver, Canada) and Elder Bingham is from Idaho. We invited the Larson's for dinner Sunday for their last supper after their closing interview with President since they leave early Monday morning. The assistants showed up at 5:30 Sunday night to try Uganda again, and enjoyed some crock pot barbecue chicken sandwiches and salad with impeccable timing! We all had chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert. It was a great visit with the Larsons and we did dishes and kitchen cleanup in record time after they left at 7:30pm.
Sacrament meeting was touching on Sunday with 'mothers' as the speakers topic. A newly baptized 12 year old young woman was first, a young father was the second speaker and he was very emotional about his own mother who has passed away (which made ME emotional about MY mom who has passed away) and the bishopric member conducting was the last speaker who spoke of his mom who raised two boys as a single mom. All were excellent talks, with serious AND humorous moments, which we found very enjoyable.
I facetimed or texted with all of the kids and grandkids over the Mother's Day weekend. I received cards and letters for MD and my birthday in the same envelope from home. As mentioned in the highs and lows, Mother's Day was a little bit sad for me, but with guests for breakfast and dinner, I didn't have too long for the pity party.
There were several Mothers Day posts on Facebook, in the news and elsewhere that were humorous, some very adorable, and some that caused a tear. One piece in particular expressed the idea that moms are not perfect, that there is no training for motherhood other than on the job training, and that most moms do the best they know how to do.
If we understand that completely, we can all cut ourselves a break! (and maybe cut our mom's a break too!)
Until next time....
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