September 3, 2014

We received some good news today. . . or potential good news.  Rashika, David and Devmini Ranasinghe (the family from India) have set October 10th, 2014 for their baptismal date.  We are all crossing our fingers, because you never know with investigators, but it is still very good news. Happy News! Please remember them in your prayers, as he is out of town until the first week in October. This could really happen!

Rashika, David and Devmini with a Australian footballer (center)

This Friday, September 5th is our 45th wedding anniversary!  Seems like a big one, so we thought we'd mention it!  It really doesn't seem like it's been that long!!! I'm sure that's what some one who is 98 says about their age! But it's been a great journey and we are happy to be here together.  Wherever we are!

We are a bit excited for a totally unrelated reason.  We leave for Perth to do some training there this Saturday, September 6th and will be back the following Wednesday Evening.  It is a 4 hour flight and the first one we've taken since we arrived here.  We think it took us that long to be able to get on a plane again, so the timing is perfect.  We hope to meet with the area seventy there, Elder Meurs and 4 stake presidents, about Public Affairs.  Then we go to a multi-stake PA council meeting. See how things are working and hope to light a fire about the importance of this work.  We have all the feelings and the statistics and quotes; the question is, can we put it across with the spirit that SHOULD accompany it.  So, while your praying for the Ranasinghe's, say one for us as well.  We so want to do what we should there!!!

In October, we fly to Adelaide to do exactly the same thing, but with different people. This weekend will be a good practice, but we hope it's more than that.  Given Elder Bednar's talk a couple of weeks ago, we really are more excited about Public Affairs than we even have been up to now.  

We had such a good Sunday yesterday in our ward.  The meetings were just good. In Sacrament Meeting the bishopric spoke.  The bishops talk just touched us, it was about marriage.  He talked about how we should never become too accustomed to another person loving us.  His point being that we should always take care of our spouse and not take them for granted.  He spoke with so much emotion, that we had to wonder if he doesn't have more than a few marriages in trouble.  The spirit was very strong as he spoke and it was a very nice reminder to appreciate what we have.

Priesthood and R.S were combined for the fifth Sunday.  It was all about family councils and FHE and was very well done by the bishopric.  Big day for them, we're sure.  The best part was that they handed out a LARGE, laminated copy of 2 Nephi 31:20 for each couple.  We brought it right home and put it on the door to our wardrobe.  So we can see it every day.  Brings us very quickly to what is important in life. We are so glad to have it.

Ward Scripture and Pat's whole clothing wardrobe

We have to share the honest truth here, for what it's worth.  When we left our flat Sunday morning, neither of us felt we wanted to stay for the entire block time.  Not a lot was said, we just both felt that way.  So after Sacrament Meeting, we stayed in the chapel for a bit, and as we walked by Sunday school, which is also on the way down the hall to the parking lot, we decided to go in.  Didn't want to, but we got that gentle nudge.Then we decided that we would stay for Priesthood opening exercises and then leave.  We soon discovered, as they were moving chairs, that it was going to be combined, we took a seat.

As I said, the meeting was really good, we sat by an Island couple who were very friendly to us and had a nice visit.  About 3/4 through the meeting I turned to Ray and said, I don't have a headache for the first time in 4 days and it feels so great!!  Ahhh.  The blessings of being obedient, even against your worst desires.  I didn't make that connection, but Ray did. Great lesson there for us, as we were sorely tempted.  They don't need us there, we don't have a specific job there, so it's easy to consider lapsing. . . but, we need to be there!

We are writing a bit early, because we will be gone over the weekend, but this is a plenty long post as it is! We love you all, and hope we don't bore anyone too much!