December 8, 2014

We don’t know where November went.  Seriously! As of yesterday, we  are 8 months into our mission! Don't know how that happened either. Sometimes, time just seems to fly, (other times it doesn't).

We had a really nice Thanksgiving, given we were out of the country in a place that doesn't celebrate it!  We helped fix for, and serve, 54 people the traditional turkey feast!  We ate at noon, because it was lunch time for the Service Center people and that's mostly who it was for.  All the senior missionaries cooked and brought their own food assignment. And they brought the BEST stuff (even fresh fruit arranged as a turkey). It was a fantastic lunch with all the trimmings and everyone ate way too much and then had dessert! And then more dessert.  So, essentially, it was just like any other Thanksgiving, food wise! Except no pumpkin pie.  Someone should have gone to Costco. But we did have pavlova and THAT is a treat!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Amy and Bryon and Amanda and Adri and Joshua B. were here for 10 days and brought the turkey napkins and cranberry sauce and stuffing!  Many of the people had never tasted stuffing before or cranberry sauce, so it was fun to watch the tasting and watch them find that they really liked both!  It was a good day. They met so many people that we're sure their heads were spinning. Then we headed over to watch the two grand-daughters be baptized at the temple.  It was Adri's first time, so that was fun to watch!

We had a great time trying to keep up with the family and trying to keep up on our work here.  We probably weren't very successful at either (although their jet lag was in our favor) but we had a good time showing them the sights, walking the Harbor bridge for photo's and eating our way through the tourist thing.  We made some good memories and we think it's a time we will all, always remember!  

It is Christmas time here even though it's pretty warm some days! The Christmas Lights are up on the temple grounds (and although it isn't SLC temple) they are beautiful! Along with huge paintings of the Savior's life on display for all to see inside the Service Center. They are each lighted just right!  Large, large nativity and a film about Christ that is just amazing! We wrote an article about it that you may enjoy reading.  Christmas lights.  

   

We have assignments to be hosts during the month of December for that, in the evening from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. so that will keep us busy!

The information for articles keep coming in, along with subjects our boss would like to see up, so we keep going.  Right now, there are maybe 7 possible articles on our desks to be written. Plus Alan's (our boss') ideas. I tried explaining it to a friend via e-mail the other day.  It's sort of like having 7 sacrament meeting talks to put together and give.  Researching the quotes and Church info to go with them and then making sure they're word perfect!  Putting it into what seems the right order and then doing it again, because it doesn't seem right. Sometimes we start from scratch, sometimes we have more to get us going.  Sometimes taking pictures and adding captions, and sometimes just choosing from the pictures others have taken. It takes TIME! But it's funny. . . once we get into it, the spirit takes over and we can't let go of the project.  Sort of like a dog with a bone.  And that is a huge blessing!!!

We are still amazed by one article we wrote a few weeks ago. We think we mentioned it in the last post as well (like we said, a dog with a bone). It has broken all records for Facebook 'likes' on Australia Newsroom by a mile. It's one that just makes us happy, as that one started from scratch.  If you haven't read it all ready, you'll like it.  Not so much the way it's written, but, the story itself!  He is an amazing man who gives of himself in a way that most of us never dream of.  He's actually a self proclaimed agnostic, but inside some where, he's a Mormon, we just know it!  Scott Neeson   Like it on Facebook and pass it on if you feel so inclined.

We sat in Fast and Testimony Meeting today in our ward and it was amazing to hear one brother say how this was the last testimony meeting for 2014.  It was a bit of a shock.  We were set apart as missionaries and went to the MTC, left for Australia in 2014!  To look at the year being over is just, shocking almost.

This is the only Christmas we will spend in Australia, so, while we will miss family and friends and all the normal traditions, we intend to enjoy the experience.  We certainly have every reminder of The Savior around us every day that anyone could ask for.  More Christmas lights around our home than we would ever put up! It's an opportunity to step back from the norm and see the big picture.  We've got to do that!!! Even though stepping back will be painful . . . as we love ALL the traditions back home and all the people too.  We'll get by.

We watched the video downstairs tonight (Sunday) about the Saviors birth, life, teachings, Crucifixion and Resurrection. It is an amazing compilation of films and shows some really touching scenes from the Book of Mormon. It would be impossible not to feel the spirit as you watch it, but knowing some of the people in the room are non-members is really something else! Especially given that we've spent the evening with pictures of Him and Christmas hymns on a great sound system. A huge blessing of being on Church grounds and being able to host for the Christmas Lights. We are grateful.

It is great to hear these young missionaries bear their testimonies as they end of the film.  I have heard 3 of them now, and they are really incredible.  So, so, good, and so capable.  It would be hard not to feel your testimony just burning.  I hope they all feel it as they watch. We hope you all feel it as you go through the season.  How fortunate we all are to know who Christ is and what He has given us!  Merry Christmas!!

Our kids have sent us a 'Peanuts" nativity (which is just awesome) and looks so great in our office, a small Christmas tree with lights and all the decorations, a Christmas movie and CD, a Christmas tie for Ray, so he can be 'stylin'!!  We have each other, and that is certainly one of the best gifts this year! We have a snug little home and people we have learned to care about and feel comfortable with. We are blessed.

The only thing we don't have is all of you!! We miss you all SO much!  You are in our prayers and in our hearts this Christmas time, probably more than most years, because we know how dear people can be now, and we miss you! Have good preparations and enjoy the season and all that goes with it! We love you.