January 2, 2015 Half Way Mark

Already the 2^nd day of 2015. Where does the time go? Some times it drags here, other times it flies.  This past month, it has done some of both!  A lot has happened since the last time we posted.

Queen Victoria Mall

A couple of weeks ago, we went on a Saturday excursion with the Archibald's to see the Queen Victoria Building, which now houses a very LARGE, very amazing Mall which has a Christmas Tree that shoots up through all 5 stories. It's called (of course) Queen Victoria's Tree. For the first time, we found real Christmas decorations that looked a bit like home.  In Australia they lean toward LED blinking lights with odd colors.

More Downtown Christmas

The Archibalds & the Allens

Stain Glass Windows Victoria Mall

More Christmas

Right after seeing the mall and enjoying lunch, we went outside and walked to Martin Place.  That's the area where the people were taken hostage by a gunman and two hostages ended up being killed.  There are two city blocks that eventually have been given over to a memorial of sorts.  People brought flowers for the dead and wounded and put them in one place.  It just kept spreading until it took up such a large area.  They fenced it in a bit.

Memorial Flowers

More Flowers

And more flowers

The feeling there was really unique.  We had come from a busy mall, walked about 2 blocks and came upon this area.  Everyone there was so quiet and reverent. People talked quietly and when we walked away, we commented that it felt like holy ground. We were glad we had visited.  What a horrific situation that all was for Australians.  Made us so sad for those days it was going on.

 It was a great day, we took the River Cat into the city and back out.  It's a wonderful, stress free way to travel to the city and has amazing scenery along the way.

The light and art show started December 1st and went through December 25th.  There was also another showing for a group of YSA's on Monday the 29th, so, we got to see the film again, it never looses it's impact!

Christmas was very unusual, as we're sure it always is in the mission field.  It will be a good memory when we look back on it next year.  We had our good times and our tough times and it was great to talk to family the day after.  Being into January gives everything a brand new perspective.

New Years Eve. will be one of our best memories.  We took the second half of the day off, and took the train into the city to have dinner with other Senior couples and watch the fireworks from the roof of the building that contains the Church Offices.

In all, there were 5 couples and it was a very nice evening.  We were right there by Hyde Park and the Anzac Memorial, so, really in the heart of the city.  And yet, it wasn't as busy as a usual Friday or Saturday night.  We think everyone was at the Harbor, or home to watch the New Year come in on TV.

Fire works over the water are just amazing!!  The number of boats out in the water was unbelievable. All in all, it was just beautiful!!  Stunning to look down on the buildings, the harbor, the Opera House!  It is always a little hard to believe we're really here, but New Years Eve here was just unreal! We are so blessed.

Happy New Years Eve

New Years in Sydney

Today we are in the office for just a bit and then hope to scoot off to the temple.  We spent yesterday here putting away all the Christmas decorations and bringing furniture back upstairs from the Art Exhibit.

Monday, things will get back to a regular schedule, at least for the missionaries.  A good portion of the paid employees are off for another week and in some cases two. We find we feel best on a normal schedule here, so we will be happy!

We are glad to be on a mission, and happy to do our small part here.  It makes our world go round, although that world would cease to revolve at all if it weren't for friends and family.  Thank you all for your support, especially over Christmas!!

It was so gratifying to see people get a glimpse of the Saviors life and ministry, often for what we think might be the first time, at the Art Exhibit.  Just the best part of Christmas in a very real way.  We do wonder a lot how many people had their lives changed a bit, just by being here!  The ultimate hope is that they changed enough to accept the missionaries into their homes!

As Church members, we have so much!  We were looking at The mormonnewroom.org Year in Review.  It just made us so happy to be members of the Church, and wonder how people navigate this life without that perspective and help.

The Church is so true, and we are so grateful for it.  Our testimonies grow with each passing month and we feel the blessings of all the prayers that are offered for the missionaries.  We do love our mission.  We have good days and bad days.  We are finally at a point where the good ones out-weigh the tough ones by far!  That is so good.             Happy New Year! We love you all.