Temple Trip, Duck and Stake Conference (wk ending 18 May 2014).

The week was absolutely beautiful weather wise with temperatures near 70 and sunny or mostly sunny everyday.

Monday night we had Elders Holmes and Bingham, and 5 people from our language class, plus an extra girlfriend and a daughter for potluck dinner at our house. After dinner, we viewed a video about a young father and his children and likened it to our Heavenly Father's relationship to us. The Elders also read a scripture from the Bible to help illustrate the point. Our new friends seemed to like the video and freely commented on the message.

I made lasagna, French bread, and salad, and our students brought a beef dish, chicken dish, a rotisserie chicken, and hot fish! I tried everything and Lee didn't, he was smart not to try the Hot Fish as it was............ Hot!

Christina owns a 'Cold Rock' (Australian Cold Stone ice cream store) on the Parade so she brought a whopper ice cream cake to share for dessert. I had leftover choc cake w raspberries and real whipped cream to serve and there were donuts and muffins brought as well. We had a wonderful time and loved getting better acquainted.

I took left over cake to the office Tuesday to share. Lee watched (during an extended lunch) our Portland Winterhawks hockey team lose game 7.

Wednesday Lee went to evaluate a new missionary for driving in Australia. It was an hour to Trott Park and an hour back plus an hour behind the wheel for the Elder. Lee left a driving video for him to view also. While Lee was gone, I had computer problems...yep I did it again and had to call Salt Lake support desk for help. The tech fixed it so it won't happen again, GREAT IDEA, and I was totally stressed by the whole ordeal.

There was a beautiful full moon as we walked to English class at 6:20 on a balmy Wednesday night. We only had Christina and Danny in attendance but we had a great lesson talking about renting an apartment. The missionaries came in after to teach them another gospel lesson. Danny has been reading the Book Of Mormon on his own and had questions for the Elders. Christina is a member of the church and they have been married one year after meeting online.

I finally had a chance to hem Elder Bingham's suit pants Thursday night. We had the BEST homemade bean burritos at home and we were thankful it was finally Friday!

The Mount Gambier Ward scheduled a temple trip to Adelaide for the weekend, and Stephanie messaged us that she was coming and we met her at the temple Friday night. It was fun to see the Bishop and his wife and other ward members although we never did see the Smith senior missionary couple as they were in sessions when we were in the baptistry. Liana, Rosemary, and Bec came as did Maddy, Bishop Nethercott's granddaughter, and Lee Meredith.

Saturday we face timed with all the children and my dad before Lee went grocery shopping and I started cleaning. The assistants called Lee while shopping to invite him to teach with them at noon. He had to hustle home to be on time and I ironed a couple of white shirts so he could get ready quick! They had a wonderful experience and the investigator said yes when invited to be baptized.

While Lee was gone I made a batch of chocolate covered coconut bon-bons for President Carter's May 18th birthday. He LOVES coconut as I do. We had enough for a small plate each for our 3 neighbors as well as the plates for Carters and for us. President called to thank me after Saturday night meetings as we delivered them while he was at the Priesthood leadership session of stake conference.

Saturday evening was the adult session of Firle Stake Conference. Elder David J. Thomson, a Pacific Area authority since Apr 2002, was the presiding authority. His wife, Sue, teaches institute and you could surely tell by her great love for and knowledge of the scriptures. They seemed very down to earth, and she in fact said they were just regular people, doing their best to serve.

Saturday night's theme was the Hastening of the Work and featured talks by a YM, and a Bishop/Relief Society President combo speaking about effective ward councils. Elders Sexton and Flintoft who are the Firle zone leaders spoke in tandem as well, also Pres Barnes of the stake presidency, President and Sister Carter, and Sister and Elder Thomson were speakers.

Sunday morning session covered the Law of the Fast, President Korte of the stake presidency referenced a quote from President Uchtdorf about standing together and lifting where you stand, Temple President and wife, President and Sister Lee, spoke on the temple, and Elder and Sister Thomson both spoke. It was a great meeting! The investigator Lee taught Saturday and Christina from English class were both there and we had 3 seats for 4 people so Lee found a separate seat in the last row of chairs set up in the cultural hall.

Sunday for lunch we were invited, along with the RS pres and her husband and father, and another couple in the ward to a Chinese lunch at Christina and Danny's. They served duck, prawns with heads on, a beef and noodle dish, dumplings stuffed with pork or shrimp, and a small green salad. She of course had ice cream from her shop for dessert. I realized I'm not a huge fan of duck, Lee already knew he wasn't, and the prawns with heads on? Uhhhhhhh no thank you! The dumplings were ok and we love salad and ice cream. The beef and noodles were fine too. Thankfully they didn't require us to use chopsticks but they use them all the time with ease.

We did enjoy the experience, especially table conversation about health care in Australia and other enlightening subjects. It's difficult for Danny to follow with his limited English and he doesn't attend church when we don't have English class. He is a regular attender at English class though and is always very appreciative and grateful for our smallest efforts.

Sunday was restful after we got home at 3. No calls about bikes, cars, or phone problems. We invited the Grays for dinner before leaving for Mildura Monday, but they had plans with her cousin, who lives in the area.

Goodrich's married daughter and her two single sisters in law arrived in Adelaide for three days so Lee and I were totally alone in the office all day Friday, which was a little weird. With lovely 70 degree temperatures every day, the Goodrichs were able to sight see as planned without weather concerns. We met the travelers briefly at conference Sunday and traded cars all weekend so they could use the van with 5 people to transport and we drove their Corolla. The three visitors flew out early Monday morning to go snorkeling at the world famous Great Barrier Reef.

It was a good week, but slow in the office. We received notice of an infringement where the missionary was going 88 in a 60 which cost $1050.00 and once the driver is nominated will be reduced to 750.00. OUCH!  The Elder asked if the mission office contacts the family or if he has to? ( I'M not going to tell them!)

As I said the weather during the week was beautifully mild every single day and was noticed and appreciated! If this is winter, we'll take it! Until next time.....