Time Out for Women and the Harbour City YSA Ward - Talofa

 This week the CEO of Deseret Book, Sheri Dew, as well as the Vice President of Operations, Laurel Christensen, Singer Hillary Weeks, Virginia Hinckley Pearce and Brad Wilcox, BYU professor of education all came to town.  2350 women heard them speak and sing at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Center at the Time Out For Women conference.  Many of the sisters (shown in these photos) from the Harbour Ward (YSA) also attended.  A lot of sister missionaries came to this event and were very much uplifted.

Elder and Sister Baker, farmers from the state of Washington have been a stalwart, dedicated Sr Couple in the Harbour Ward. As part of their assignment they live in downtown Sydney and teach English as a second language, having no previous training or experience.  They sacrificed in order to bless others. They have encouraged, guided and supported the Young Single Adults and the many newly baptized members of the church that attend the ward.  They will be missed as they will complete their 23 months of service here in about 1 month.

These photos show some of the members of the Harbour Ward and missionaries assigned to serve there.  This is the area with the most baptisms each month in the Australia Sydney North Mission.

Elder Moncho, left, from Spain and Elder Stowers from New Zealand are happy to serve in the Harbour Ward area. They do some singing for others with their interesting accents.  Very upbeat and entertaining.

An interesting fence made of twigs and wire.  This is looking out the back door of a more recently acquired missionary flat. Last Thursday Elder Feil spent about 4 1/2 hours signing and paying for leases and inspecting 2 more flats.  This type of activity will increase as we receive additional missionaries. 

An Australian young man who has a great sense of humor  and brightens the day of those around him.

Elder Davey recently arrived from England. He's one of two missionaries from the United Kingdom.  He told of a prayer offered at the Provo MTC by an American missionary on Independence Day thanking Heavenly Father that we were able to break away from the British.  He had a good laugh over that.

Upbeat and positive. That's Elder Wennerholm.

The fast breaker meal and those who helped set it up.

Sister Cho, 2nd from right is from San Francisco and speaks Mandarin and Cantonese.  Her father spoke only Cantonese and her mother only spoke Mandarin.  She and her brother speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese!  Amazing! These missionaries are so talented.

Elder Ripley, from England, having a gospel discussion.

Some of the great young women who attend each week and serve  in the Harbour Ward.

So as we close this week, we wish Happy Birthday to all of our children and grandchildren who have birthdays this month.  We send hugs to friends and family.  We are reminded by this YSA Ward that the world is a small place, and well known people have time to bless and lift others.  We are doing our best to make our part of the world a better place.  Wo ai ni

Over the River and Through the Woods......

This week we traveled to Armidale - over the Great Divide.  These are the mountains that divide the coast from the Outback.  So over the rivers, down Waterfall Way, and through the Bush to Armidale we went.  The Bush is aptly named and if you can't tell from these pictures, there is so much green and trees that sometimes you can't see for forest for the trees - literally.

 The farmlands were magnificent.  We traveled up through the World Heritage Forest of Dorrigo and then on top and down the other side are the stations - cattle as well as sheep and farming.  Every few minutes we would stop and take yet another picture.  Can you imagine the Man from Snowy River here?  I kept looking for him - but they seem to drive utility trucks now days and the horses just look good in the pasture lands.

On Sunday mornings, after checking with the Branch President, we are given an assignment to speak.  I usually have 15-20 minutes and Elder Feil finishes up with 15-20 minutes.  We have been choosing our own topics and we have been focusing on Prayer and Sacrifice.  These small "country branches" are filled with wonderful, faithful saints who are striving to live the Gospel,  and work the programs of the Church. 

Welcome to Relief Society!  Armidale is a University town - the University of New England - wait a minute, that sounds familiar. Am I in the Northeastern United States again???  The three younger girls are students at the "Uni" as they say here.  They are top notch and strive to be good representatives of the Savior by keeping his commandments and living his gospel.

This good brother works at the "Uni".

After church, everyone cleans up, including the counselor in the Branch Presidency.  It is a 2 phase building similar to what we had in NJ.  I felt right at home.

The Young Single Adults.  The sweet lady third from the left is waiting for her mission call.  Her brother is already serving in the Marshall Islands.  

And of course we check on our beloved missionaries - Elder Stergios and Elder Robbins from Australia.  Elder Stergios speaks French so maybe he is from French Polynesia.  We are still learning all the interesting facts about 120 missionaries.  The old brain is getting a workout.

Yea for Primary.  What a sweet face!

The cute little chapel.  It looks like home.

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego????

Picnic time so that we don't have to buy food on Sundays while we travel home.  I know it is winter, but this weather makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors.

Picnic time was held at Brigadoon :)  How are things in Glocca Morra.......I kept waiting for something magical to happen - oh that's right, I'm living in "magical" every day!

Over the river and through the woods, back over the Great Divide, on Thunderbolts Way we followed the sleigh - oops, reverse that, because there is no snow in this part of Australia.  It gets cold, but no snow, just rain.  Brilliant!!

Cleaning and visiting after Church.  Part of the social scene.

And this is the remains of Primary - It was so nice hearing them sing the Primary songs and remember the 36th ward at home and all my friends.  We are all children of God - how nice to be reminded. :)

Once again, where are we?? The street and town names all reflect that British Heritage that we have in common.  We even went across the river Avon and the very next town was named Stratford.  We are so blessed to have been in both England and Australia within a year's time.
 While we miss our children and grandchildren, we know this is where we need to be right now.  We are learning great lessons about love, sacrifice, patience, gratitude, and we thank Heavenly Father each day for making this possible.  I have the perfect companion, the perfect job, and live in a wonderful land called Oz!

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Missionaries arrive on jet planes to get here and when it's time, they take the big bird home.  In between they serve the Lord by seeking to spread the word of His gospel to all who will listen.  They brighten the lives of people they meet by their happy countenance and positive, loving attitude towards everyone. Those who listen to the message of the restored gospel are greatly blessed by these emissaries of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  All people are invited to join in.  We are fortunate to be helpers in the Australia Sydney North Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Above are new missionaries already hard at work completing required paperwork-fun:)

Sister Howes and Sister Cox-masters of feeding the missionaries.

Simple crockpot type meals are a good way to go when feeding several missionaries .

Will the paperwork ever end? Asks Elder Davey from England.

The Fleet made needed purchases of vacuum cleaners for missionary flats.  Quite the sight when these 3 soldiers were crossing the busy street-Pennant Hills Road-in front of the Mission Office.  This is how real men like to go shopping. We survived!!!!

Posing as soon as the camera comes out.

Elder Arona-3rd from left- finally arrived and his District came in to support him and immerse him in the work and activities of missionaries.  5 different countries are represented here.

Missionaries saying goodbye to Elder Corbett (2nd from right-Scotland), a wonderful, happy friend and missionary.

How goofy can missionaries look?  And all they drink is water.  3 Americans and a Brit.  Our comrades as they battle for souls in the work of the Lord.  Fun and dedicated servants.

Some of the wonderful Mandarin Speaking sister missionaries.  Sister Bambrough-left-writes simplified Chinese as well as native speakers. They bring a great spirit into the Mission Office as they pass through after a district meeting or picking up supplies.  Sister Feil loves and supports them.

Obedience to law is expected no matter what the spelling.

And there's still paperwork to be completed.  Seemingly a never-ending process.