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. 

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.

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.

                               ***********************

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!

Nov. 2nd. ADELAIDE and Difficult Good Byes

October has been the longest month, and taken us totally by surprise. It was just a difficult one, we still can’t totally figure out why.  Just some hard adjustments all over again. We are glad to say hello to November!

We are a little blue, the Fiels (the office couple) left last Thursday.  They will be traveling for a month all across Australia, then New Zealand, and then to an island that we can’t remember the name of.  They will be in Utah the 1^st of December.  Oh, how we will miss them. They lived right next door to us and they were fun people.  Ray used to trip in front of the mission office very often for her as we walked to work.  One day she came out the door to say hello, and purposefully fell into the hedge for us. It was so like her. And so funny.  The neighborhood is sadly quiet without them.

The Fiels and the Allens

The Roberts 

The Roberts from Family History leave next week.  They are traveling a bit on their way home as well.  They are a special couple and we love them too.  It's interesting, on a mission, that you bond very quickly with the other couples, because they become your support system.  We are amazed how hard it is to see them both go.  No one replaces the Roberts, as they were just here for the Million Names thing that the article was about. The Roberts live in West Layton and are the proverbial farmers.  We will miss them as well. So much!

The Roberts and the lady who collected one million names

We spent 4 days of this week in Adelaide, training a new Public Affairs Council there. It was such a good time to get away, and the people there were all so nice and so eager and enthusiastic about their callings.  

We love these signs

After the council meeting, we met with 2 Stake Presidency members and that was nice.  Just to talk about Public Affairs, and their goals.  The next night we went to dinner with the director of PA for Adelaide and her husband.

The MacIlwaines and Allens

The MacIlwaine's, their children and grand children

 It was fun to hear their story and talk about their family, and then hear some of her concerns about her calling.  It was a good evening. later we'll put in a picture of their family.

The next night we met with a Stake President and his PA person for their Stake.  A little bit farther away, but worth the trip.  The best part, aside from the council meeting, was probably the opportunity to go to the Adelaide temple.  Who would have thought!!?? 

Adelaide Temple

We had a fun coincidence there.  We met the temple President and Matron, such nice people.  We had just put an article on newsroom about him being presented with an Australian flag from a Parliament member. This really nice couple were spending their next to last day as Temple President/Matron.  How lucky we felt to meet them, and have them talk about the article.  We had just put it up a few days before kind of as a fluke and were so grateful for the timing of it all. Before they were released.  We saw it as a tender mercy!!

Adelaide is a very pretty city.

Building in Adelaide

 We really enjoyed it.  Quaint, and yet large.  Maybe a bit of the feel of New Orleans (because of the design of many of the buildings) but very calm and quiet.  They have great parks with walking paths and we did some serious walking, which is always good.

We went to the ocean one afternoon, just to see it, and walked out on a very, very long pier. The locals tell us it isn't the ocean, but the Gulf. Whatever it was, it was beautiful! We only had 2 hours but we enjoyed it. Didn't even walk on the sand, but we loved it, and are grateful.

A couple on the Gulf pier

The Gulf

 We came into the office on Saturday and did some catch up, and we're here tonight, Sunday evening, and we thought it would be a great time to write on the blog before the Australian National Public Affairs council monthly teleconference.  Which means. . . we are in our jeans and very happy about it!!

The Moores are in their office across the hall, preparing as well, and they are so excited.  Two of their married kids are on the plane to Australia as we speak.  They have been here 13 months, so they are extremely pumped to see them.

November is going to be a busy month.  We go to speak in Narooma on the 9th.  It is 7 hours away, so we are leaving Friday night, the 7th.  Then, on Monday the 10th, Stephanie Allen Egbert (our niece) comes in with a collegue for the day, before they fly to New Zealand, Fiji and other places un-known on Church business.  We're going to show them around a bit, so we are looking forward to the day.

Then on the 14th, we leave for Brisbane and the Gold Coast for a Pacific Area Public Affairs Conference.  We just have a small part on it, so we will mostly just enjoy. The Gold Coast is the Las Vegas of Australia, so it's an interesting choice, but they are very good at accommodating conferences, so we are happy to attend.  The day that it ends, the G-20 conference begins.  We will not get back to Sydney until Tuesday evening of the 18th. 

On Saturday the 21st our daughter and her husband and 3 kids come to Sydney for 10 days.  We will have a chance to spend some time with them between work and have tried to clear our calendars a bit. 

On Thanksgiving Day (the 27th) they're going to help us and the other senior missionaries put on a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for the Service Center (all Australians).  So it will be fun to share turkey and dressing and the like with them.  About 50 people in all, so we don't think any of us will have much time to miss home that day, thank goodness! What a blessing that is this year! Before we know it, November will be over!

We are happy, we are well, we enjoy our time together and we love the work.  Articles are coming in like crazy.  we are busy, busy and BUSY, and on a mission, that is a great blessing!!  SO great! We are blessed and we are grateful. 

It is quickly getting to be summer here, and then we have a day here and there with a bit of a chill, and we are happy for both. The flowers are getting beautiful, and many of the trees have these gorgeous flowers on them.  It's the first we've seen of all of these as we came in the fall here, and it is AMAZING!  In Adelaide we snapped a picture of the most beautiful purple tree.  We'll try to include it on the blog.

Down Town Adelaide 

We went to our ward today and saw 6 babies blessed with three rows of non-members attending for that.  The missionaries were nearly bursting with pride.  It was fun to be there.  

We send our love and thanks for ALL your support.  We love hearing from all of you, it keeps us sane and gets us over any rough spots.  We do still pine for home fairly often. Mostly people. Everything else is just stuff and replaceable. We are so blessed, all the time, and we love Newsroom and all the good news that comes our way via the internet.  What a great time to live and be a member of the Church.   We have to say that Public Affairs is a great mission.  If you're looking at a mission, give it some consideration.

I must say in closing that I still yearn to drive on the proper side of the road, in the appropriate side on the car.   Even now, it seems so very strange. But the beauties all around us more than make up for that. We love you all, and you are in our prayers, every day!!!  Be safe.