November 18^th 2014/ Gold Coast PA Training Seminar

The week before this one, we went to Narooma to speak at the branch there.  It was the most amazing area.  Lakes and rivers and the ocean, all in one small area.  We stayed in a sort of cabin that someone in the branch gives to the visiting missionaries for free.  I was a little worried, but it was great!  They own this area with lots of lodging on it, and all very well taken care of.  It was like this huge family resort. Amazing property, a bit like being up in the mountains, and yet quite close to the town.

Narooma Branch, above the whale

Narooma Harbor

Narooma Branch (Up stairs)

The branch was a good one, growing pretty fast.  The people in these branches work so hard, because they wear many hats!  And yet they are so happy with the work and  so eager to please.  They are an amazing force for good.  They meet in a space above a deli, but it was all very new    and they had just the room they needed and it was  perfect. It had been a long drive (7 hours down and 6 hours back), but it was more than worth it.  We learn so much from them, not the other way around.

Pat and Ray's future home on the water

Narooma

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The Branch President and his wife are from Scotland.  I'm guessing they were probably about 28 or 30?  They have been here one year, and have come without their family.  They didn't have children, so they are a bit on their own and yet so happy and brave about being so involved in the Church.

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View from the Balcony

We are home from the Gold Coast, flew in this evening.  We are in the office tonight because 2 articles need to be put up.  I am spending my time on the blog and Ray is working at posting, because that’s what he does so well, all the time!

Gold Coast

We are happy to be back in Sydney.  It felt just a little like coming home . . . actually a lot like coming home!  So odd.

Elder Moore at conference

The Coast was wonderful and so beautiful.  Our room was on the 23^rd floor and faced the ocean.  It was a five star hotel and it earned every one of them!  Every time there was a mix up with what had been arranged, all we had to do was mention it, and it was very quickly fixed, with grace and kindness.  Just for example, before the first morning session started on Saturday, we noticed that the “break’ stuff was somewhat set up outside the conference room.  Many, many cups and saucers and 2 wooden boxes of tea bags and a warmer with coffee written on it.  I went down to the front desk and explained the situation, and that punch and water had been ordered. I kid you not, 15 minutes later I came out to check and all these beautiful urns had been set up with colorful juices and punch and lemon aid and many clear glasses!  And ICE! (which is pretty rare here). It was like magic!  Not a cup or saucer in sight!! When we actually came out for the break, a couple of hours later, pastries and nuts had been added.  We were so helped and blessed.

Public Affairs training conference

John Cunniffe (NSW) Terry Travers (Tasmania)

                                                                                                                                                                       It actually feels so much more missionary like to be back here.  The other was just great, but this feels better.  It was a welcome respite and we were grateful for it, and awed by the sites, but normal is good, we think especially on a mission.  Keeps us more focused!! And feels more right!

Sister Fugal and Sue Owen (Queensland)

Sister Moore & Sister Wallace

Our fearless leader Richard Hunter and two members from New Zealand

Just before we left for the training, we had posted the most amazing article we have worked on yet!  By far! It fell together so well, because this guy’s story is just incredible!!! We did a lot of research and took notes like crazy at the fireside.  It’s a story we hope you’ll love too.  I think it may be the longest one EVER, but there was no way to leave any of it out!

Stephen Webster and Tom from New Zealand

 It is AWESOME.  We hope you'll take a look at it, because we think you'll like it too, and then like it on Facebook, because it will help his story spread. It's about Scott Neeson and it is quiet a tale to tell. See article here.  Don't forget to watch the videos from CCF.

We have lots to do now, and we're glad. Many times lately, we have been reminded how blessed we are to be in Sydney.  At the conference, we had a chance to visit with the 4 PA missionaries who are stationed in New Zealand, who were actually trained with us in Salt Lake, the Wallaces and the Fugals. Two very nice couples.  They talked about how they hadn't really been warm since they arrived and that, although it's beautiful there, it rains and blows almost all the time.  It made us silently thankful for where we are!  But we think that very, very often. We need to not ever take it for granted!!

We hope you are all well. Amy and Bryon arrive this Friday with the kids.  While we don't envy them the very long flight from Minn., it will be great to see them and show them a little of the area.  They will be here for 10 days and then off to Fiji for a couple of days. They will be here over Thanksgiving and are going to help us serve dinner to the full time employees in the Service Center, so they can experience a Thanksgiving dinner. The other Senior Missionaries are all contributing food and it should make for a fun, full day!!!  Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.  There are definitely many things we miss about the USA!  Many of those are people.  We love you all!