Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Sorry it’s been a while since we posted…...we had a rough couple of weeks, but we are on our feet now. Dave had 2 pain attacks a couple weeks ago which threw us for a loop. We were able to avoid going to the Emergency Room and we are trying to figure out what set them off. Before we left and he had them, we thought it was fried and spicy food, but not this time so we are a little confused. Right now, he is eating a very bland boring diet. He is doing much better now, and we are ready to be back at it.
As soon as Dave felt good enough, we headed to Perth for Zone Conference. It was truly inspiring and great to see all the missionaries. One of my favorite things at Zone Conference is hearing all the missionaries sing. When they sing you can truly feel the love of God. The words to “I Am A Child of God” touched me especially hard this time.
I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will,
I’ll live with him once more.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
We have felt the love and guidance of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and are so grateful to be serving here in Australia. There have been many times over the last 4 months that we have felt him walking beside us and guiding us. As the song says, we are his children. We have been entrusted with the responsibility of aiding others and alleviating their burdens, with the ultimate goal of guiding them towards Christ. What a great blessing it has been. We discovered that we are the missionaries located furthest from church headquarters in Salt Lake City worldwide. We were very surprised to be going to Australia when we received our call but know that this is where the Lord needs us, and we are grateful to be here. As one of the songs we sing at Zone Conference says…
It may not be on the mountain height
Or over the stormy sea,
It may not be at the battle's front
My Lord will have need of me.
But if, by a still, small voice he calls
To paths that I do not know,
I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:
I'll go where you want me to go.
I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,
Over mountain or plain or sea;
I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;
I'll be what you want me to be.
Perhaps today there are loving words
Which Jesus would have me speak;
There may be now in the paths of sin
Some wand'rer whom I should seek.
O Savior, if thou wilt be my guide,
Tho dark and rugged the way,
My voice shall echo the message sweet:
I'll say what you want me to say.
There's surely somewhere a lowly place
In earth's harvest fields so wide
Where I may labor through life's short day
For Jesus, the Crucified.
So trusting my all to thy tender care,
And knowing thou lovest me,
I'll do thy will with a heart sincere:
I'll be what you want me to be.
It is so
inspiring to be around the missionaries and see of their love of Jesus Christ
and sharing the gospel. They are spiritual giants, and we learn so much from
them. We are grateful to serve beside them. They bring so much joy and
happiness to us. The Australia Perth Mission missionaries have created a
Facebook page called Peace In Christ……feel free to look it up and follow
along. Prepare to be inspired. Great things are happening through social media.
During our stay in Perth, we had the opportunity to visit Elizabeth Quay. Elizabeth Quay is a waterfront district that offers dining, live entertainment, and art exhibits, all located along the Swan River. The Spanda art piece stands at 95 feet tall and is the world’s largest free-standing carbon-fiber structure. Its flowing, arch-like form symbolizes the connection between the Swan River, land, and sky and was inspired by the ripples of water.
Also at the Quay were fun aboriginal art pieces and a cool tree with massive roots along the ground that have begun to swallow the cement sidewalk. We loved strolling across the Swan River pedestrian bridge and watching the boats coming in and out of the harbor. Next time maybe we will take a scenic cruise down the Swan River. Also located at Elizabeth Quay is the Bell Tower but we will have to explore that another time.
Situated on St. George Terrace, the Trinity Uniting Church is an elegant structure originally built in 1865 and expanded in 1892. Encircled by towering metal and glass skyscrapers, it serves as a poignant reminder of historical architecture amidst modern development.
Another look back at the past was a cute shopping street called London Court. It was like a walk back in time with all the buildings resembling old London. We had a great time walking the shops and even bought some souvenirs for the grandkids…. Shoutout to Taylor, Tanner, Rylee, Carter, Remi, Wes, Kai, Chip, Dillon, and Oaklee.
After London Court we discovered the Perth Town Hall, another historic building built in 1870. Perth Town Hall is Australia’s only Gothic-style town hall, and the only town hall in the world built by convicts.
One of the best things we discovered at Elizabeth Quay was Baskins Robins. I know, I know…...with all the many things we have experience in Australia…...Baskin Robins??? Really??? I have missed American Ice Cream. Those who know me well know Ice Cream is my passion and weakness. I was especially excited and in heaven when I discovered they had my all-time favorite flavor…. Love Potion 31 and also cotton candy. I of course had to have both.
During our stay in Perth, we had the opportunity to visit the temple once more before its closure for a 10-month remodeling period. The temple's illuminated night-time view was quite remarkable as we departed. We'll miss it.
After several weeks of touring houses and searching for a new house, we received the news that our house has been sold. The new owner, who purchased it as an investment, wants to keep us as renters. Hallelujah, we don’t have to move. Thank you for all your prayers. We love our house and its location and are so happy that we get to stay right here. The only bad thing is that the old owners are keeping the lawn mower. The mission sent us down a new “lawn mower”. It looks and feels more like a vacuum cleaner. To quote Crocodile Dundee…” that’s not a lawn mower”. Dave tried it out and it took a little longer but it got the job done.
The hi-light of this week was Patricia’s baptism. We have loved teaching Patricia and have grown to love her. She is always so happy and positive. She is always thinking of others and how she can lift their spirits. She is such a great example to us. The Sister missionaries found Patricia while tracting over a year ago. Multiple missionaries have had the opportunity to teach her and become a part of her life. Everyone loves Patricia and she loves the missionaries as her own kids. It was so wonderful to see her baptized and see how happy she is.
The last few weeks have been busy with teaching lessons with the Elders, moving members, teaching Sunday school, visiting members in the hospital, weeding members gardens, and mowing lawns.
The youth from our branch joined the youth from the Como ward (from Perth) and went to a youth camp. We were lucky enough to be able to join them and help. While at the youth camp we saw an Australian navy ship come into the Frenchman’s Bay Harbor. It was a pretty cool site.
It was missionary transfer week again and we were relieved when we found out that Elder Bingham and Elder Smith will be staying in Albany for 7 more weeks. We are grateful to be missionaries in Albany and look forward to the next few weeks with them. They are working hard and doing great things.
On p-day we went to lunch with the Elders to celebrate and then went to a toy store to look around. We found this Lego police officer that was pretty awesome and couldn’t resist taking a picture to show our son-in-law Zack who is a police officer. It must have taken forever to build.
We love you all and are grateful for the love and support you give us. We leave you with a wise quote Elder Jones used to tell us all the time……”There is no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone.” We challenge you to make this week a week of personal growth.
Australian Tid bits
Cilantro is called Coriander
Most trucks have snorkels on them (no idea why)
Clothes pins are called Pegs
Popsicles are called Ice Blocks or Ice Lollies
French fries are called Chips
Raisin Bran is called Sultana Bran
There is hardly any Mexican food in Australia (even in the grocery stores)
Passing people while walking is even done on the opposite side
We sure do love reading all your missionary adventures! We miss you guys and hope you are both doing well! (No more pain episodes allowed Dave!)
ReplyDeleteLove you both!