Our flight from SLC to LA then LA to Sydney was booked for Monday 12/8. We had to leave early from Adam’s house (4:00 am!) to drive back to Provo to pick up our rental car we left at the MTC. After goodbyes with Adam we received a text telling us our flight had been canceled but was rebooked for the next day. We were not only disappointed but we didn’t have a place to stay either! Thankfully, a lady from missionary travel was able to rebook our flights to LA so we could catch the same flight we had to Sydney. Before flying out we were able to meet my dad, Jerry, aunts, Anti and Lizzy, and cousin Olivia for lunch. The aunts provided a yummy meal and we were able to say our goodbyes.
The “fun” part about getting around 3 different airports was carting around 8 suitcases and 2 huge backpacks (YES, I over packed -ugh!)! The flight from LA to Sydney was…long, but not as bad as I expected. The only bad part was that I got terrible acid reflux for the whole flight. Not even prescription meds or about 10 Tums helped! Ha ha!
Once in Sydney we were picked up by an awesome senior couple–the Howells. They took us from the airport to a church building where a mission wide conference was happening. OH MY GOODNESS-the musical numbers and testimonies of the junior missionaries was sooo uplifting and comforting. Even though we were tired and felt a bit dirty, the conference rejuvenated us! Everyone was so friendly and helpful. We had a DELICIOUS special Christmas luncheon then were driven to our temporary housing at the temple housing.
What a delicious feast! Just what we needed after a long flight!
We wanted to go to sleep but were instead blessed by a senior couple, the Dalpais, who picked us up and took us to dinner (Betty’s Burgers) and gelato. It was a great evening getting to know this awesome couple and have them share some tips for the mission.
The next day, we slept in! YAY! The Putnams picked us up for lunch then took us to the mission office to get our car, mission phone, and meet with President Doane to find our where and what our mission assignment would be. We were super excited to find out we would be serving in downtown Sydney, in Haymarket. We are part of the Hyde Park congregation- with the assignment to love, support, and minister to the congregation and community. That night we were treated to another delicious meal and ministering by the Taylors!
Friday we helped out in the office then took public transportation downtown with the Westovers and Sumkos. We went to the wharf for dinner with many senior couples then to the Sydney Opera House for a Christmas musical performance. It featured a HUGE orchestra and 4 choirs. It was beautiful!
Some of our new senior friends, love the ASM!
Saturday was moving day – from the temple housing to another temporary flat in Blacktown. The flat was right across from a mall (called shopping center here) – where they have all the grocery stores, butchers, clothing stores, etc. You can take your “trolley” (shopping cart) all around the mall. They have moving sidewalk ramps from level to level so you take your trolley around the mall then out to your car. Yes, malls are alive and well in Sydney!🙂
Yes, we HAD to decorate for Christmas, even if we are only going to be here a week.
The Westovers and Putnums helped us move in (THANK YOU!) then Eric and I went to Costco for pizza (just as yummy!) and shopping. Besides the pizza and hotdogs that the US Costco’s have, you can also purchase chicken strips and “chips” (really french fries) and an Australian meat pie (I’m sure Eric will try that sometime!).
Sunday was our first day visiting our new Hyde Park Congregation – right across from Hyde Park. The group is beautifully diverse. It includes people from Tonga, Samoa, Columbia, Ecuador, Brazil, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, China, Taiwan, and more! Everyone was so kind and welcoming, coming together to worship and serve Jesus Christ and minister to each other! We are SOOOO happy to be with this amazing group of people!
The inside of the chapel.
Things that we have learned/reminded this week:
- Through the help of the Lord, we can do HARD things.
- The Lord DOES hear and answer every prayer according to what is best for us!
- We have been blessed to meet the kindest and most generous people!
- Our mission leaders, President and Sister Doane, truly receive revelation. They know where the missionaries should be and what they should be doing! We already LOVE our assignment and the people!
The Helland's Down Under 