July 29, 2014

Interesting and Very Varied Week. 

It is always good to get out and do something different! 

On the Evening of Thursday, July 24th, we were invited to the Websters home (the National directors of Public Affairs).  They kindly had the Morres and us over to celebrate Pioneer Day even though they are true Australians, though they were both born in New Zealand. They are kind, kind, kind. (Very wealthy as well, they own Natures Sunshine).  It was a dinner fit for royalty, presentation was everything.  They have some paintings from the States by Stephanie Rast.  She has a studio in Bountiful I guess.  (The Websters are in the states often on business.)  Anyway, these are pictures of pioneers, although she has lots of others.  We must have the name a bit wrong, as we can't find her on Google, and they said we would be able to. We'll let you know.  It was a great evening, and we MUST find this painter.

Last Friday, President and Sister Howe had a Zone Conference with the Senior missionaries.  A couple from Armadale drove 7 hours to be here, and we had 3 couples come up from the city. In total, counting the Howes, I think there were 32 of us. Plus the young A.P.'s.  Very fun day. And serious at times, as well.  We learned a lot!

The A.P.'s taught Preach My Gospel of course.  Then they had us role play, just with our spouses, just like in the MTC., so, pretty non threatening.  They did a good job, and made us think about what we would do if we actually had the chance to teach to someone.  They stressed using small concepts and simple words which we figure is just perfect for us. It was also made clear, that too many members, without the advantage of Preach My Gospel, want to drown people with the fire house approach, and it drowns their interest.  Good visual, and nice reminder.

Next Sister Howe did a very insightful presentation.  She divided  us into groups of 6 and handed us questions. We had 1 minute to tell our feelings about the questions on the paper.  Each person participating 3 times, with 3 different questions. There was a long list of questions and we could choose the ones we wanted. for example:

Had an important answer to prayer.

Been guided to say words that were not my own.

had an important experience regarding the temple.

Been raised out of a hopeless situation.

Felt encompassed by God's love.

There were many more, these are just a sample.

Then we sat a timer at each table and started.  It was amazing.  Because most subjects were spiritual, we had tears, and laughter and felt bonded very quickly.  It felt GOOD to share and a minute got to be difficult to stick to.

When it was over, Sister Howe asked us to take note of how much closer we felt to each other and the spirit as we talked and listened.  BOTH being very important in working with an investigator or non-member.  Great food for thought!  Ray and I were excited, because that same example could be used in ANY type of church lesson.  It was powerful.

Then President Howe spoke and it was a surprising topic.  It was totally geared to those in our families not being interested in the Church and going a stray. It brought so much emotion to everyone and let us know God was in charge and that wayward people are watched over as well.  Lots of participation and many good thoughts and brought a great spirit into the room. 

Then we all walked to a pizza place for dinner, which was much more than pizza, and there were some FABULOUS dinners ordered.

Then we walked back to the mission home for dessert.  Baked meringues that you crushed into a bowl and then covered with fruit purees and fresh fruit and whipped cream.  It was good!

We came home late, tired and uplifted!

Saturday morning we left for Bathhuirst to speak at a branch and decided to split up the trip and stay overnight.  We will put pictures up soon of the little branch.

The drive was AMAZING!  Beauties here that we haven't seen yet. A lot of the drive was on a main highway that actually had wider lanes like in the states and that alone was a pleasure. But the scenery was so awesome!  Pines and trees and fields and Kangaroos and an Emu which we didn't get a picture of.  Lots and lots for sheep! There will be pictures  of some of the scenery,  but they don't do it justice. We didn't get close enough to any of the animals to get a shot, as we were on a MAJOR highway. Much of the highway goes between two very deep drop offs into pines and beautiful Australian trees and flowering bushes.  There is no way to explain it.  

We hiked a bit up and down to a waterfall. Had our picture taken by some nice people. You'll have to search to see the falls in the photo, but you'll get an idea of what these canyons look like.

Blue Mountains

Only in Australia

Wentworth Falls

Falls again

Strange Aussie Couple

For Matt and Heather

 Wild life on our hike

We arrived at our hotel that afternoon and then went in search of dinner/ lunch.  It was about 4:00 and we were starving.  It was a great/beautiful town.  We DID learn something about Australian culture that we haven't experienced in the city.  No restaurants were open!  They have lunch and then close till 6:00!  The stores in the malls etc. all close at 5.  Except the grocery stores.  We finally found a tea place that was just charming and fun.  They were open and everyone there was having dessert, or tea or coffee or the most extravavgant hot chocolates we have ever seen. Just spending a slow afternoon enjoying each other.  The waitress kindly told us she could serve us Lasagna and a salad, but nothing else was ready.  We thought they would just nuke it, but obviously not.  It was fantastic!  Best we've ever had.

The next morning, we headed to the branch.  Ray had talked with the Branch President earlier in the week and asked if he needed anything else from us and he said no.  As we greeted him on Sunday, he was telling us how much time we had to speak and then said, by the way, we'd like you to teach RS and Priesthood!  What a shocker.  It is the missionary way, we know now, but THAT stretched us a bit. But it went fine.  Go figure!  Not in Utah anymore, where we prepare for a lesson for a week or more.

Bathurst Branch Building

Bathurst Branch Pot Luck Lunch

More Pot Luck

Bathhurst Branch Sisters

Last nights dinner at FHE was such a treat.  It was cooked and served by a lady from India, an international Chef.  It was fun, because it was all so different.  This lady has a great story.  I will try to condense it a bit.

They came to Sidney for her daughter to go to school.  She is 13 and their only child. Her husband travels ALOT!  So the girl, Devmini goes to school at 7:00 a.m. and gets out at 4:30, every day.  They all have uniforms and a backpack the size of a very large suitcase.

Any way, when this lady, Rashika arrived, they moved into an apartment across form the temple and their windows actually face it.  When she would be awake at night, she found that looking at that building made her feel less anxious.  So, she began to walk around the temple in the mornings.  One morning, she ran into Sister Moore out walking.  She asked Sister Moore if she attended this church.  Some questions were asked and responses given, and that was the beginning.  She has set a date in August to be baptized and we assume her daughter will be too.  They all three attended the rugby fireside which you can read about on   http://www.mormonnewsroom.org.au/article/rugby-league-players-and-their-wives-speak-to-mormon-youth. In that carousel of pictures is the picture of the Ranasinghe family.  Rashika, David (the dad) and Devmini.. When the mom heard that we were having this FHE last night, she wanted to cook for us, and she wanted to pay for it.  She wanted to serve God, she said.

I tell you this, because they need your prayers, so the whole family will join.  They are lonely here!

Getting back to our trip, we got home Sunday night, and Monday night, we taught the lesson for Family Home Evening to the senior missionaries.  It turned out to be great fun, because THAT one we prepared for. we laughed and reminisced and had a good time.

Today was a bit more relaxed and normal, and we are glad for that. We enjoyed the experience, but it is nice to be back. and glad to have the FHE lesson done.

We love our mission, and the people we never would have met.  We love seeing the changes that come to people, even the members in our ward, they have a lot to learn as they come from a different culture, but they are SO good.

It is impossible to say how we can be so lonely for people we love, and happy at the same time.  But we are both.  Please, everyone, take care.  We love you!! 

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