July 23, 2014

Public Affairs in the Church is just growing like wildfire.  Elder Perry is top man there.  You just have to know that it is finally showing the Church in it's true light, to dispel the misconceptions and shine His light.  We were told in Salt Lake, that every interview or phone conversation with an opinion leader, should contain the message, that "We follow Jesus Christ"!  It may take a while, but we think the pendulum is swinging in the right direction.  

It would inspire you to hear a Multi-Stake Public Affairs Counsel talk about their callings, the things they've just accomplished and the things on their to do lists.  Most Stake Conferences here have many non-LDS opinion leaders (Parliament members, mayors and the like) invited and many of them come!  Does that ever happen in the States?  We don't know if it's as big there as it is out of country.

Every Stake is involved in trying to get the Church's name in the papers in happy ways.  Which is what the newsroom website is for.  A place reporters can go to see what we're up to as a religion.  A lot of members read it as well, as we get remarks about it a lot.  It's a happy way to serve a mission.  Not the usual, but the scope of the Church's good works is always front and center for us and is very inspirational. 

Putting words and pictures to it just fills us up spiritually like you can't imagine!  These Stake people are finding people to give awards to who aren't members and then publicizing it.  There will be a story on the website(http://www.mormonnewsroom.org.au/) today about a Stake who gave the Family Values Award to two mayors who are not members.  You'll have to check it out.  They had 900 people attend and the mayors two priests spoke on their behalf.  So great! "Building Bridges".  The Church has gotten so good at it in recent years. Positivity instead of lifting ourselves up and above.  Don't you just know that's how The Savior spread the good word?  It's awesome!

It is winter here, but it isn't bad at all.  We have as many warm days as cold, almost. But when it rains and winds, it really has a bite to it.  The birds sing, even then.  It is a pleasant thing to hear.

I just need to talk about my companion for a minute, before there are transfers.  We have really grown to like each other, love each other.  I know there are many companionships in the mission that work really well, but ours is the best.  There is a lot to be said for serving a mission as a married couple.  My companion happens to lift me up very often, and I hope I sometimes do the same for him.  When it just feels like we are stretched too far and I miss family and friends so much, I look at him, and feel better! A great deal of my home is right here with me and it is a blessing! He is so good to me and I am SO grateful.  I know single, widowed, sisters serve missions, temple missions.  But I don't think I could.  Together we are strong, because he leads me a bit, and that's just great!

We love the e-mails and face-times from home, because, while we are OK alone, for now, we really do need you all in the biggest way. You make us so happy and fill us up continually.  Thank you, and we love you.

So sorry to hear about the passing of Sister Christel Reames in our ward.  A great gap will be left in the ward and neighborhood. The family is in our thoughts constantly right now.  How sad. Thousands of miles doesn't lessen the feelings, it just intensifies them.

Love to everyone.

July 14, 2014

These last 2 weeks have been very busy.  Time does seem to fly by sometimes. We had a training here in the Service Center for a new Multi-Stake Public Affairs director in Adelaide.  The national PA directors also came, as did the Moores in our offices.  She flew in the night before and on Wednesday July 9th we had an all day training session with lunch included.  
I know, it boggles the mind that we could be involved in training anyone!  Yet there we were, at a conference table, computer and projector in front of us doing our part.  Only on a mission, and most assuredly, ONLY with Heavenly Fathers help, could that happen. We know first hand what the phrase "He makes up for what we lack", truly means!!

On July 6th, we attended a Multi- Stake fireside for Young Men Young Women and YSA in the Stakes. They had three professional Rugby players speak, two of them with their wives. There were literally HUNDREDS of young people there.  The Chapel and gym were full, as were the two overflow rooms and the halls.  Absolutely packed!!  The biggest draw we think, was Will Hopoate who returned from a two year mission a few months ago, and has joined a professional team again.  He has almost rock star status among the youth here. He was just the best example for the church as he spoke. Every single speaker was amazing!  We were so happy to be there taking notes and pictures.  It was one of those times when you know how much Heavenly Father loves the youth today, because every talk was General Conference perfect.  No hesitation, no mistakes, and the spirit was so strong. 6 talks in 90 minutes and just flawless. They gave the Family Values award to one of the couples who spoke.  One of the few LDS couples to ever receive it.  Very Cool!!! You can read the article and see the pictures on mormonnewsroom.org.au  (The Sydney Lights story is fun as well. Check it out when you have the time.)
The fireside was arranged by a young seminary teacher who also has a calling in Public Affairs and, (surprise) he plays rugby and loves the sport.  Great example of what one person can do with a bit of inspiration and imagination. Oh the people that were touched. One of the talks was on temple marriage, one on Families, one on missions, one on education.  The theme of course, was following Jesus Christ.  

We haven't gotten out and about Sydney as much lately.  It's colder, and it seems like we have been busy.  Writing and posting.  It isn't without it's rewards.  Today Ray finished posting the article about Sydney Lights and put his arms up and said "YES!! This is a great article"!  Nearly scared me to death, but I know how he felt.  It is a blessing to be involved in getting the good news of the Gospel and the good things members are doing, out there, in whatever way we can. . . and this is our way right now! We do feel like shouting sometimes, when a story is finished and we see that we didn't write it or post it by ourselves.  VERY NICE PERK! 

This last Saturday, we attended an open market of sorts in Blacktown.  A local member had purchased a booth there, and we were invited to be the token Senior Missionary couple.  I gave away 3 Church DVD's to people walking by.(not very brave of me, but I had a number of refusals too). The best part was watching the young missionaries in action. They DO know how it's done. It was a windy but good afternoon.  Ray was actually able to talk to a couple who weren't married, but the man was an inactive member and she was not a member.  Both of their spouses had died, so they were just living together. She was very interested, which could turn out to be a very good thing in the future, you never know.

We are right in the middle of Winter now, and by the end of August, the temps go up a bit again.  We are looking forward to that, but we could never say we're freezing here, although we do very often need a coat or sweatshirt if we're out and about. Nothing to complain about certainly. But we loved April and May, which is a prime time here. Not hot, just warm and beautiful. Not that we would want to go back to the training phase again. So, we're good!!!

We are 3 months into our mission now, and happy to be at that point.  Everyone told us the first 3 months were the worst in Public Affairs. In fact what they said was, "you'll feel stupid for the first three months". We would have to concur. 

We love you all, and miss everyone.  Thank you for keeping in touch with us.  We always love word from family and friends.  It is a real blessing in our lives.

July 1, 2014

We have had an interesting week. Last Friday, June 27th, we went to a Mayorial Prayer Breakfast in Ryde.  It was a very full room.  We happily took the Moores, and went with our missionary badges on (some inter-faith things we don't wear them).  There were people there from the Catholic Church, The Anglican Church, Bible Society, Protestant and a host of others. We'll post pictures as soon as we can.  Our daughter Amy usually does that but she is out of the country right now, so we'll see if we're competent enough.

It was so amazing to be at a Christian event and have it a bit political too.  The mayor spoke, of course, and so did a man who billed himself as a Christian Cop.  He was wonderful and told about times when he was able to give hope in the Savior to people in trouble and still be within the police guidelines he had sworn to follow.  Very touching.  Many prayers were said from many congregations. Not the Latter Day Saints though.  They had to be invited to do that. Ray talked to a man after and he's going to send an e-mail and see if that could happen next year.  Apparently this is the first year we have even be invited to attend.  Step by step!

Sunday morning we went to speak at the Mittagong Branch about 90 minutes away from our home.  It's something the senior couples do every month, but this was our first time, due to scheduling problems. It was a great experience.

The Branch had about 30 members in attendance and 60 who usually attend.  They are the only congregation in the building. A family went home after Sacrament Meeting so there were no kids for Primary that day. We sure aren't in Utah anymore. We took a picture of the building and a picture of the people in the branch, and we'll get it on the blog as soon as we can.

Having not yet had the chance to speak as set apart missionaries, it was amazing to feel the power of the spirit as we shared the most ordinary of thoughts. We will remember that part for a long, long time. Heavenly Father really does watch over His missionaries, even senior couples who are pretty darn ordinary.  We are so grateful. Don't stop praying for the missionaries, it works!

In between I have been writing articles and Ray has been posting them.  Posting is by far the harder of the two, but he does it twice a week. We really are in the office 5 days a week.  It's normal for him.  For me it was like jumping through the looking glass. Now it is beginning to feel normal, but the beginning was a cultural shock that had nothing to do with geography!

Ray said when we were first here, that a day in the Public Affairs Office was more stressful than any tax season days used to be. They certainly were some of the most stressful I had experienced. Wouldn't go back and do that first month over for anything! But from here, it's doable, and we are grateful!

We are doing a 2 month Book of Mormon Challenge starting today with the senior missionaries and the service center.  We think it will be a little bonding.  Talked to one sister last night who hadn't done anything like this since she was a youth, so it will be fun to do it together.

Our days and nights are good.  We wear coats now, but it is never freezing.  It is still beautiful, as the birds still sing and there are flowers that still bloom, even though there is snow up in the Blue Mountains some where. . . we only see it on the news!

We miss our kids and grand kids so much!! We are weekly grateful for "Face Time"!! We get up every morning, and the first thing we check is e-mail, before we even head to the office.  So strange, we are so happy and so missing you all at the same time! It is a wonder.
Love you all!

June 23, 2014

Another busy week.  We have no idea where it went.  We have written and had approved, 5 articles.   Feeling so much better about all this computer stuff, but we still struggle and go backwards sometimes,   It is fun to get the good word of the Gospel out, however we can.  For us, that happens to be mormonnewsroom.au. We love searching out the stuff to post, it's like being informed about ONLY the Church ALL the time (at least at the office) and we hope it effects us and others here in Australia in a good way.


Saturday we went to Bondi beach, about 60 minutes away from our place.  We went by ourselves and spent a good 2 hours on the sand watching the ocean and reading.  It felt a great deal like a vacation! We sat in our levis and hats and lots of sun screen.  It IS winter here, but we didn't need a jacket. It was a good retreat!


We came back and dressed up and went to a chapel about 1 hour away from us, to attend and inner faith service project, which one of the Public Affairs leaders in that stake had organized.  It was very interesting.  There were people of the Jewish faith, Muslims, and Latter Day Saints. Some Budists had contributed product, but didn't come.  They were doing projects for an orphanage in Cambodia.  They played one game, which we thought was very inspired.  They had people in a circle, and they could each choose 3 colored blocks out of a bin.  All 3 had to be the same color.  Then they went around the circle, one block at a time, putting them on the table to make a big building.  The first one was asked to think about the word FOUNDATION, before she placed it.  She was probably about 7 years old, and put down the tiniest square that anyone had.  No problem, all the other people built to the side of it.  No blocks made the others tumble, and when it was done, it was an amazing tower, of all colors and shapes. Actually a work of art!


Then of course, the moderator made the point that no matter what color or shape, or what our beliefs, we can always make something beautiful together. Makes you really stop and think how true that is.  ALOT of emphasis here is placed on having inter faith gatherings of any kind.  Trying to show people that different faiths CAN work together.  I think maybe that does more to improve the reputation of the Church here than a lot of other things.  It's great to experience it and hear about them..


We had ward conference yesterday and it was really good. The Stake President talked about how only God knows our potential and how important it is to pay attention to HIS opinion of us, and not other peoples.


The Bishop based his talk on the phrase in "I Am a Child Of God" . . . "Lead me guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way." Very powerful.  Talked about how we should make being close to HIM a priority in our lives so he can bless us.


In the combined adult meeting, the Stake counselor talked about caring for our buildings.  A subject that's really needed in our stake. They feel no responsibility to clean or put trash where it goes.  They'll get it.  They are all fairly new to the church and not yet understanding the concept of it being the Lord's House.


 Then the other counselor talked about budgets in a family. One of his points was a little surprising.  He told parents, when YSA's were saving for a mission, not to raid that fund for other needs.  It must be a problem here in this ward.  Not the usual budget talk from back home, but he did such a good job, used a lot of humor. Then they took a ward picture, which we will put up on the blog when it is sent to us.


All in all, it was a very good block time.


We read a talk Sunday in the June Ensign by Elder Holland.  We love especially the part called "Build Zion Where You Are".  There is a quote there that is especially nice. "In these last days, in our dispensation, we have become mature enough to stop running.  We have become mature enough to plant our feet and our families and our foundations in every nation, kindred tongue and people permanently.  Zion is everywhere-- wherever the Church is. And with that change, we no longer think of Zion as where we will live, but how we will live."
The whole article was so fantastic, that's it's silly to try to pull out a phrase, but that was a good one.  Check it out, it's worth the read!
"How we will live".  That is the quest isn't it?  To remember why we're really here, and whose we really are. And then live it!

June 16th 2014

This last week has been so very fast.  We don't know where it went, but we have been busy! Such delightful stuff.  We have 4 articles ready to put up now, all ones we have written, and already posted 3.

We really are getting the hang of it, and enjoying the process. What a huge blessing!  I don't think we would go back over the last two months for anything, but it sure is worth it to be here at this end. Just like anything else in life . . . gets easier as we do it. And do it!!!  And do it again!!! A metaphor for sure.

We went to lunch last Monday, with the Country Public affairs directors for the church in Australia. Steve and Rosalee Webster. They are just wonderful people.they are the head of the natures sunshine conglomerate, so very well to do.  But very passionate about public affairs and anything that surrounds it.

We are doing a story on Patrice Tipoki Arkins, who is very famous here.  She has a "why I believe "video on LDS.org and and a I'm a Mormon video on the same site.  You should listen to her.  She is playing Fantiene in Les Miserbles in Brisbane.  We got to get some quotes from her and write Up the article for news room.  Great fun, it came together in what we hope is a nice way!

We had a meeting Sunday Evening at the Service Center with all stake and ward and State PA people and it was interesting.  So much talk about the article in the tribune about the women wanting the priesthood and two of them possibly being up for excommunication.  What a mine field.  They were all so worried there would be a zillion calls Monday morning from reporters about this situation and WHY the women can't have the priesthood.  The calls were to all be forwarded to us and the Moores, with very specific guidelines of what to say to them.  But guess what!  No one called.  Not one!  I was glad for many reasons.  I mostly wanted to believe it wouldn't be that big a deal over here, so far from Salt Lake.and it wasn't !

Ray and I had a long talk about this tonight.  He was asking how women felt and how we got to this point of pushing the church, etc.  I told him I thought it probably started out as a good thing, or I hope it did.  Just women wanting more of a voice in correlation meeting, young men young women meetings and the like?  And like every-discontent in these days, it's blown into this huge public spectacle. And saddest of all has gotten angry instead of helpful.

I don 't know about all women, but I wouldn't trade those quiet blessings women are given, for the more visible ones men are given.  For example, child bearing and rearing and being the person to pick them up and haul them around and be their after school and tuck them in bed at night, and listen to their tough times. I can't imagine trading that so I could work all day and shine in a career and hold the priesthood, and give blessings etc.  not me!  Maybe I lack something, but I think I've done the thing I was most suited for when I came here, and I refuse to want more because someone else does,  How often a as mother have we given our own kind of blessing to our kids when they didn't get in the musical or needed stitches, or lost the girlfriend, or didn't make the team.  They weren't preiethood blessings, no.  But it blesses our kids at the time anyway.and it's our own kind of healing using our own God given compassion.

To hold the priesthood?  Nope, it wasn't the plan. I don't understand it, but I will someday, and I can wait.  The Lord loves me as a woman, and appreciates my role, and so do I.  Some answers we won't get in this life.  Sometimes Faith that he loves us, has to be enough.  For men and women.  But I am lifted up by the way Christ treated women when he was on the earth.  There is a lesson there.  Are we listening? Are we learning from that?

We read President Monson's SUNDAY morning, "Love the Essence of the Gospel".talk tonight. Our new favorite conference talk.  40 quotes worthy of Pinterest and to be used as life long words of wisdom.  Here is our current prophet telling us things about TODAY.  Certainly some things in there to apply to the purple pant ladies and the priesthood.  End of soap Box.    

Bless you all, for keeping in touch and praying for us.  We are having a really fine experience.  Sometimes it almost hurts to be so far away from everyone, but that comes and goes, thank goodness!!

Pictures

Vivid Sydney! A light show against the opera house we went to see

More of the Light Show

A flower that grows on a tree outside our office entrance. So amazing, a perfect reminder of who we're working for

The sight that marks our corner as we drive home

June 6, 2014

This week has flown by!  We have put 2 new stories in for approval and have another one in Draft.  That is amazing for one week if you use our past weeks as a measuring stick.  Our boss has been gone now for 2 weeks so we send everything to New Zealand before it can go to the Area President for approval.  Somehow it just works.  We will be without a superior until September 19th.  Talk about the blind leading the blind here, but if we wonder about anything, we just call New Zealand or Salt Lake and there are always quick answers.

We are finding it necessary to say a prayer before we try to do anything important or daunting on the computer.  It works every time!  We are still learning!  This morning we had a web seminar with Salt Lake Public Affairs People.  New computer program to learn!  It was great instruction though and one of us (that being Ray), will be doing great on it by next week.  

The longer we're here in the office, the more we get a real feel for the scope of social media in the Church.  It's so exciting to hear Elder Perry's voice talk about social media and the role of Public Affairs.  Not what we're doing, as we are such a tiny little spec here.  But what the Church is doing world wide with 'Mormon Messages' and 'I'm a Morman' and Bible Videos and Newsroom and Facebook and Twitter etc.  It just takes a few days of going through those things on the websites and seeing new stuff that comes in every week, some times every day from Church Headquarters, not to mention the material that comes to us from Stake and Ward Public Affair Directors.  They are all so busy getting the word out about the Church!  The TRUE word, to dispell all the false ones. Talk about out of obscurity!  It's just very exciting.  Who knew you could feel the spirit of the gospel just sitting at a desk day after day, but we do!

Are we changing anything?  Probably not, but we're involved in our own small way and it just makes us happy to feel part of something great, and true and do it every day!  So different than being out there in the world every day. We are lucky!  Sometimes we think it's the perfect job for us. . . Other times we wonder if we will ever, ever get it all straight in our little tiny minds.

We miss everyone, all the time.  Sometimes we just miss being able to drive on auto-pilot like we all do. We watch very little TV, ever.  There is just nothing to see. We do watch their news pretty regularly because we're suppose to. Not much different than news at home.  Same accidents and killings and missing children and sports stories, just different people their happening to.

We love our family!  No one could ask for better support than they give us in every possible way.  Friends are so loyal, we just hope you all remember us in 16 months!  Love to you all.