Off to Canberra!

This past Saturday, we loaded up the car, and off we went with our next-door neighbors (flat right next to us!)--the Osborns! We were headed for Canberra, the capital of Australia, located in the ACT (Australian Capital Territory), and about a 3-hour drive to the south of Sydney.

As we drove into town, the first thing on the agenda was lunch, and we found a great restaurant: menu looked great, good happy crowd, beautiful view of the water and seagulls and sailboats. Only thing, it was a yacht club, and only members could eat there. So Dad and Elder Osborn joined the club, got their membership caps--and we went ahead and ate!

From there, we headed to the Floriade (flo'-ree-ahd)--their spring flower festival. There were crowds who had come from all over the area (school is out this week), and it was a festive, happy walk among the most beautiful daffodils, tulips, and pansies--acres of them!

Robyn (Osborn) and I love those beautiful colors!

A dunny and a Holden Ute in the background......

And--coming across the grounds, we could hear music playing--like the kind you hear on merry-go-rounds. We came through some trees finally, and saw the most wonderful street organ parked there, playing everything from Disney music to old-time polkas to Sousa marches. It was so charming--and we had to buy two CDs to bring home.

Sunday morning, we were off to Church to say Hello to Elder Harold and Sister Yvonne Dopson, who had served with us in Perth. We were so happy to see them!

But what a surprise to also find--in that same ward--Elder Chris Seumanutafa, and Elder Livai Ofiu (who actually lives in Sydney, but who was home in Canberra, visiting with his wife's family), and his wife and 3-week-old daughter.

After Sacrament Meeting, Elder Ofiu's in-laws (Mark and JoAnn Travers) invited us to their home for dinner. We explained that we were with another couple (in their car, actually!), and they said to bring them too. So--we did!

What delightful people! And what a joy to go into their home and to see signs of what is important to them: temples, missionary work, family, the prophet, etc.--and to feel the spirit in their home. Sister Travers had fixed wonderful Chinese food, which we loved, and we ohed and ahed over the baby, and had a fun time visiting.

It is a wonderful thing to find sweet Elder Ofiu--these few years after his mission--righteous and happy--doing such good things. We feel such love and gratitude for him. He was an elder who ALWAYS smiled--and he is still smiling today! Great!

And then--there we were, sitting at the table, when Elder Osborn (our neighbor who was with us) realized that he had known the grandmother (Trudy Bell) 40 years ago, when he served his mission here in Australia. We all could NOT believe the connections!

Here we all are--a lovely evening: Nallys, Osborns, Mark and JoAnn Travers with daughter, Danielle, in front; Grandma Trudy Bell, and Elder Livai Ofiu and his wife, Kylene, holding daughter Hilia.

The next day, we headed to the Australian National Museum, where we really enjoyed all the history and displays. Here we are in the courtyard of the museum--a very modernistic building!

This is a piece of Aboriginal art which we liked. It's entitled "Sisters," and shows two girls, one European Australian and the other, Aboriginal Australian. There was a lot of history, much learning, and great displays throughout.....

Then off we went to Parliament House--to have a look at another form of government. We even saw the old, ornate desk which Queen Victoria had used when she signed her "asssention" to Australia's becoming a separate country in 1900. They even had the inkwell and the quill pen, plus the document itself. While there, we saw the House of Commons, and the Senate, and Kaye took a moment to help the Queen out a bit--and straighten her picture, before we headed off to see the National War Memorial

Here we are on Parliament Hill--with the War Memorial in the far distance--a beautiful view!

A beautiful day--and a great TRIP!

Dragon Boats and Opera

What a wonderful couple of weeks we've had! A visit from the New Zealand MTC president, Lynn Wood and his wife, Shirlee; working with Mission Presidents near and far; teaching seminars on "Who Moved My Cheese?" (definitely not our idea, or our "thing," but they asked us to--and we did it) because of the possible upcoming changes in the Area Offices here; running into our former Perth missionaries--life here is good. The weather is turning into spring, and everything is all abloom, so things are great. We miss home--but it's good here!

During the week, we heard that everything in town was booked up because of the International Dragon Boat races. Dragon boat races??? We checked into it, and went to see the opening ceremonies in nearby Parramatta. Apparently, it is quite a sport, with boats that have (yes!) dragon heads on the front and dragon tails on the back, and the team sits in a row down the boat--and paddles. (They do not row, we found out!) They even have a drummer in the back of the boat to help the paddlers keep in rhythm! The whole concept originated in China, but has become quite popular, and teams had come from all over the world--about 2000 participants--to compete. The opening ceremony was held on the Parramatta River--close to where we live, and the actual competitions were throughout the week out at Penrith, at the Olympic Rowing site. And yes--the US has a team, and they were here!

On Saturday, we left early to catch the 7:15 a.m. ferry into Sydney. These rides are fabulous--down the beautiful Parramatta River we go, and the ride takes about 45 minutes to land us right at Circular Quay (pronounced "Key"), which is the hub for catching trains, buses, or other ferries to different parts of town. This particular morning, we had a few minutes before catching our next ferry, so stepped onto the wharf and had an apple cinnamon twist for breakfast! Yum!

Our next ferry took us across the harbor to Mosmon Point, where strolled out--in lots of wind and a little rain--to a beautiful point on the water, looking across the bay toward the city. (Good thing we combed our hair!)

From there we strolled around Mosmon Bay, with the water on one side, and beautiful old, elegant homes on the other.

Some wonderful dedicated couple had, out of their own pockets, planted acres of beautiful gardens along the pathway--full of blooms and trees and bushes and buds of every kind, fountains, rock pathways, arbors, and rock gardens that were so beautiful!

And there--so beautiful, was the little bay, with boats bobbing in the water, gulls flying overhead, and the six of us Americans--grateful to be there!

At the back end of the bay, we caught another ferry back to Circular Quay, where we had an early lunch at Vittorio's--right on the wharf: excellent Italian food--and such a sight and atmosphere!

After lunch, it was a short stroll to the Sydney Opera House for a marvelous matinee production (sold out!) of "The Gondoliers" by Gilbert and Sullivan. It is so light-hearted and fun, but was done sooooo well, and we loved it.

At the "interval" (intermission), we strolled out into hallways made of glass which looked over the water and across to the Sydney Harbor Bridge. With the water lapping at the shore right beneath our feet, and with the waves from passing barges, ferries and sailboats, we had the sensation that we were on a cruise ship--having the time of our lives! Marvelous!

Off to Melbourne!

We had a sad phone call to tell us one of our sweet sister missionaries, Sister Kristie Scantlebury, had just passed away. She had had breast cancer and then chemo, and they thought she was better. But she fell and broke her rib, and blood clots formed around her lungs and heart. In an effort to take care of them, she went into cardiac arrest, and passed away. She was only 29, and had just married about 18 months ago.

We wondered if we could get to Melbourne for the funeral, talked to Elder Sybrowsky about it, and he asked us to go on down to Melbourne, make it "official" Church business, and make a point of visiting with the two new Mission Presidents down there. So--off we went.

We attended the viewing and funeral, where everyone wore pink: pink ties, jackets, sweaters, blouses, skirts, etc. Everyone--except us (since we didn't know). They also passed out pink ribbons for everyone to pin on--in a reminder of the fight against breast cancer, which took the life of such a wonderful young woman.

After the funeral, we headed to the Maroonda Chapel, which sits on the same property with the beautiful Melbourne Temple--to attend the Zone Conference being held by the Melbourne East Mission. What a joy! Great talks, training, spot-on doctrine, good-looking missionaries, great participation, and wonderful testimonies on the end. They called on us to speak for a bit, and the Mission President, Corey Lindley and his wife, Janis, were fabulous! Of course they are--Janis is my cousin--Uncle Bill's daughter! But they really were excellent.

Following the Zone Conference, we drove across town (a BIG drive!) to meet with President Barry and Sister Pauline Lee, Mission President of the Melbourne West Mission. They really were glad for the chance to talk, ask questions, and "unload" a bit, since they've walked into quite a situation with their mission. We took them to dinner--and enjoyed them so much.

Interesting thing about Sister Lee: she joined the Church when staying with her aunt and uncle in Melbourne years ago--the aunt and uncle having just been converted and baptized by our cousin, Elder Jerald Farnsworth from Cedar City (Uncle Reed's son). The aunt and uncle raised a wonderful, dedicated and active family who have served missions, been bishops, etc. In fact, the husband, Dr. Mageur, was our Area Medical Advisor when we were in Perth, and two of his grandsons served in our mission (one as assistant to Lonnie!). Now here we were, 40-plus years after those baptisms, in Melbourne: cousins to Elder Farnsworth (Janis and myself), and connected in a wonderful way to Sister Mageur and her niece, Sister Lee. Great fruits from those baptisms all those years ago!

On Saturday, Dad and I slept in a bit, then went on a bit of a "tour" of Fitzroy Park--near downtown Melbourne. Australian parks are beautiful! They have ponds and pathways, lovely flower beds, huge grassy areas, and historical sites to visit.

This one had a beautiful arboretum, and we LOVED the flowers. This is just a little corner of the flowers inside, and the air was thick with the marvelous scent of these blossoms...

We also visited "Cooks' Cottage," which is the home of Captain Cook's parents. It was originally built in England in the 1750's, and was taken down and re-constructed in Australia.

Over the front doorway, they carved some initials: "C" for Cook, "J" for James (the husband), and "G" for his wife, Grace. Then the year--1753. And--note how short the doorway is!

There was also the "Fairy Tree"--an old tree stump which some artist had carved, on all sides, pixies and fairies and fanciful animals. It was really neat.

And--a miniature Tudor Village, with each building about 2 feet tall. It was so delightful!

Later that afternoon, we attended a baptism in a Spanish ward in Corey and Janis's mission, and my talented little cousin stood up and gave a 10-minute talk in Spanish! She served her mission in Peru, so it was great! Corey served in New York City--Greek speaking!!!--and one in ten people in Melbourne is Greek. And--they have their great experiences in China for the past five years, so they are PERFECT for their mission assignment! Afterward, we went out for great Italian food, and had a wonderful visit.

Sunday morning, we attended Church with Lindleys, then went to their home, where 9 missionaries, a woman who was baptized a week ago, their six (two of their kids are at BYU) kids who are still at home, and we all ate dinner. It was a houseful--and fun! Janis managed it all without batting an eyelash.

It was fun to be with them. Janis hardly looks like the mother of eight, plus a returned missionary and--now--a Mission President's wife! But there we were--two little cousins on the far side of the world.

The whole trip was lovely, and we hope we accomplished some good things, with seeing these mission presidents "doing their thing," and hopefully giving them some encouragement in their big assignments. Their feet are "wet" now--and they are fully into their tasks. What good people they are!

We returned home Sunday evening--tired, but happy. Melbourne is beautiful! And the work is going forward there too!

Watson Bay

After a week of stomach flu (Dad) a barbeque lunch to greet the new counselor in the Area Presidency and the new director of staff here, we finished this long week with an outing to Watson Bay. We hopped onto our ferry here at Rydalmere, rode to Circular Quay (in the city), then quickly found the Watson Bay ferry for our ride.

We arrived at one of the most beautiful, picturesque little villages we've ever seen. The sky was vivid blue, and so was the water! White sailboats bobbed in the bay, and white seagulls swooped overhead. Just beyond the opening to the bay was the skyline of Sydney--and it was spectacular!

We all hiked around a trail near the village to the lighthouse marking South Head. Just across the water, we could see the rocky bluffs of NorthHead--and realized we were at the mouth of Sydney Harbor.

Beyond the heads lies the Tasman Sea--and history has recorded many shipwrecks on the rocks of those heads, trying to make Sydney Harbor. What a beautiful world we live in--and what a beautiful day!

Olympic Bikers!

Wow! Off we went on Saturday, August 12, to bike at the Olympic Park in Sydney. It is a huge complex, with restaurants, parks, picnic and walking/biking areas, ponds, forests, stadiums and fields, and beautiful views of water and the city on every side.

It was a beautiful Saturday, as we donned our helmets--and off we went. We even biked to the top of a huge lookout, and made it all the way to the top without having to walk. Amazing! We missionaries were quite proud of that!

Our days are full of lots of contact with lots of mission presidents in the area--and, hopefully, lots of help to them. Lonnie helps them, at least, and Kaye tries to help Lonnie!

But we are situated on the campus of a former boys' school, with beautiful grounds and old, lovely buildings This building is "Buckland House," where our office is.

Sharing the grounds with our office complex is the beautiful Sydney Temple. In fact, we can see the spires right out our window!

We have been warmly welcomed by everyone, who is bending over backward to help us get the "stuff" we need to operate--ant it is a lot of STUFF! But the birds sing, the sky is blue, winter is not so bad in Australia--and the gospel is true here, so all is well!

Saturdays in Sydney

We work hard all week--in an office (with office hours), handling all kinds of issues with Mission Presidents throughout the region. We drag in the door each night, tired and worn out--but glad for the opportunity to serve. But on Saturdays--we usually go with the other senior missionary couples to see this beautiful part of the world where we are lucky to be! On our first Saturday here, we boarded a ferry near our flat and went down the Parramatta River into Sydney--and this picture was shot of the Sydney Harbor Bridge as we neared the wharf. What a beautiful sight!

Fresh off of the ferry, an aboriganal band was playing on the wharf, and we took a minute to pose. We were jet-lagged--but so happy to be in this land. We actually feel llike we never left! (Someone from here whom we know says we're like a boomerang: off we went (3 years ago), but back we've come!)

Meat pies for lunch--an Australian staple! This one had roast beef and gravy inside, then was topped with a pile of mashed potatos and mashed (yes!) peas. Yum!

And to top off the day--ice cream cones on the wharf before the ferry ride home. A FUN day!

In 'n' Out Farewell in San Francisco

Off we flew to Sydney--via Los Angeles, where several of our family members just happened to be: Jessica and Mark are there for the summer--with his internship with NFL.com, and Libby, Brandon, and girls had flown there for a weekend with his family (before their move to New Jersey. Soooo, we had a mini-reunion/picture-taking event for a bit--at an In-n-Out close to the airport.

Here we are--and with Lauren, Libby, Keira, and Brandon.

And with Jessica and Mark-----

So hard to say Goodbye to these dear ones!

But the Lord has called, and we have faith in Him! And we also know He will watch over us--and our family. How we appreciate His love for us, and the tender mercies He extends to all of us every day!

We Leave our Home for Aussie-Land

After a surprising call in April from Elder Quintin Cook and Elder Richard Hinckley to return to the great land of Australia, we began our preparations to leave in July.

Before we left, though, there was a brief, one-day reunion in American Fork with members of the Priday family who could come for a quick parade in Provo and picnic at the Dell. What fun to be together! Happy 4th of July to all of us! Here are the four Priday sisters with our wonderfl mom--Grandma Priday!



And then a trip to California to welcome Crissie and Dave's newborn: Isaac Rees Palmer, born July 12, 2007! It's their third boy--and they're sooooo excited!

Back home we flew for one day's quick re-packing and closing up the house. and then--we boarded the plane for our amazing up-coming adventure on the far side of the world.......