February 7th 2014
Wow! Can't believe it's February or that it has been so long since we posted on the blog! I know we're always saying this, but we have been so busy. It's important that you all keep in mind that we are getting up there in years, and so everything takes LONGER. Which means, busy is relative.
We are trying to think back to all of January and it is a bit of a blur. We went from Christmas to about January 18th or so with absolutely no stories coming in from area Public Affairs people. We talked with two sister missionaries we had over for Sunday dinner. One of them used to be in our daughter-in-law, Becky's, Laurel class, so we had an 'in'. And we took some pictures of them and asked them the questions we wanted to cover for a news article and Tah Dah!! It was so fun. It actually just got posted on the website this week.
 |
| Sisters Durtschi and Luo |
 |
| Sisters Luo and Durtschi in our flat living room |
After that, it was like all the Australians were finally over Christmas and kids went back to school (December and January are their summer break time here) and article material just came pouring in! Almost to excess, but we aren't complaining.
Next week, on the 12th, we leave for Brisbane to do some training there. It's a council we haven't been to yet so it will be good to meet all those people that we e-mail with really often, regarding stories, and talk to on the phone a lot. We will love putting faces with names, and it's good for them to do the same. Makes the relationship stronger which always equates to better material coming in.
 |
| President Barr - Sydney Temple President |
 |
| Sister Barr Sydney Temple Matron and Sister Allen |
We also found out a little over a week ago that we are scheduled to go to New Zealand the first part of March. The schedule is to spend some time with an Area Presidency member and with Richard Hunter, the PA manager for the Pacific Area. Also a trip to the Auckland temple and a tour around the area with the two missionary couples who do Public Affairs in New Zealand. Both couples were trained with us in Salt Lake before we all left, and we just love them! The Moores from across the hall here are going with us, and then they head for home the 1st of April so it will be a nice trip for them especially. We are SO happy to go, it is the only place we wanted to see, outside of Australia, while we were here. Plane tickets aren't yet in hand, but we have seen the itinerary, so we assume it will be a go.
In two days, we hit the 10 month mark for our mission. Which means we have only 8 left. It's hard to put into words how we feel about that. So many things here are so good. It IS beautiful here and the climate is just fabulous. We love wearing these name tags, saying exactly who we really work for. And missionary work is awesome! The spirit abounds when we need it most. We've had experiences we never would have had in normal life. We can work longer and harder in stressful situations than we ever could at home. It is the opportunity of a life time. Our testimony of the true Gospel and The Savior and that wonderful Atoning Sacrifice that is there for each person has grown in a way we never could have envisioned before we came. At our age, that's saying A LOT!
Having said that, we miss home and family and friends. Let's be honest, we miss America too. We look forward to driving on the correct side of the car, on the correct side of the road! And sometimes, we think it will be really nice to be slugs for days at a time. 24 hours of straight sleep would be heaven!!! Oh, I should not write this at the end of the day. But we also look forward to the remaining months of our mission, and can hardly wait to see what article, experience, or beauty is just around the bend.
One of our greatest blessings is being on a mission after Face-time was invented. Just the joy of talking to kids and grand-kids. Makes us so happy and full. What a blessing. We know it's a worldly one, but it sure was sent for good!
We are happy, and in good health. We have seen beauties we could never have imagined. The temple President and his wife took us to a place called Nelson's Bay on a Saturday and there are no words to describe how beautiful it was, although 'stunning' comes to mind. Long boat ride to see Dolphins! Lunch at an outside cafe by the ocean? Lovely. We have learned to really make use of our Saturdays, we don't spend as many in the office in the summer. Winter is coming up in May, we have lots of time to explore.
 |
| Elder and Sister Finch - Payson |
 |
| Elder & Sister Kilabrew - Texas |
 |
| Dolphins tail |
 |
| Camel rides on the beach |
 |
| Beautiful Nelsons Bay |
We have included many pictures this time. The Cockatoo sits in the tree outside our office window. Sometimes there are 5 of them. The flowers are mostly from around the grounds by our flat, and the red bush is right outside our back door. Just amazing!
We love you all and we are grateful for your contact, always and anytime!
