May 4 – 10, 2026
This week Eric and I were blessed to help with two big zone conferences – being in charge of the field games that happened in the afternoon for the young missionaries. Twice a year these full day zone conferences happen – at Christmas and in May. So, we decided we’d make it “official”… Ha ha!
Truthfully, all we had to do was put out the volleyball, touch rugby (aka footy), spike ball, croquet, and soccer (aka football) equipment out and encourage everyone to be involved! As you can see, we forgot our whistles! I think next time we also need a bull horn to announce, “Let the Games Begin…and may the odds be ever in your favor!” Thankfully our awesome missionaries helped us pick up all the equipment and garbage before they went home. I love how for every activity in the church, we never have to assign a “clean up crew” because most people always stay to help clean up until the job is finished!
Here’s what the week looked like:
Monday –
The Savior taught each person according to his or her unique needs. For example, when serving a paralyzed man, He forgave his sins and healed him (see Mark 2:1–12). When ministering to a woman who had committed adultery, He protected her and invited her to sin no more (see John 8:2–11). When speaking with a rich man who desired eternal life, He “loved him” despite the young man’s refusal to accept His invitation to follow Him (Mark 10:17–21).
Eric played golf today with our friend Ansii, from Finland. We got to know Ansii shortly after we arrived. He was contacted by the “blitz” our mission president holds each 6 weeks when all the new missionaries come to our mission. From the airport he takes them downtown, by the opera house and they work with a companion to talk to people about Jesus Christ from Macquarie’s chair through the botanical garden. Ansii was one of the people they spoke with at the park during one of those Golden Blitzes. Eric and I have been able to attend all his lessons he’s had with the young missionaries and have gotten to be good friends with him. He’s planning to be baptized this Aussie winter in Finland with his family. Hmmm, I wonder how much the flights to Finland are???? 😉Anyway, Ansii had two sets of golf clubs so he gave one to Eric. Eric was elated to have someone to play golf with AND have his own Aussie clubs! Thanks, Ansii! They had a great time! Later we called family, planned for the week, and attended district council.
Tuesday –
This was the first of two zone conferences – with half the mission attending. This mission conference theme was “Fit for the Kingdom” – in ALL ways – financially, emotionally, physically and SPIRITUALLY! Here were some key points:
Preach My Gospel helps us be more FIT for the kingdom (I recommend everyone read this! It’s not just for full time missionaries – it’s for EVERYONE who wants to better understand and share the gospel!)
We’re studying chapter 3 in PMG – the 4 main lessons we share – 1. The restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, 2. Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation, 3. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and 4. Becoming Life-Long Disciples of Jesus Christ.
We’re also focusing on chapter 10 – Teach to Build Faith in Jesus Christ – Some of the key points I love are:
You are called to teach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as will receive you. Teaching is central to everything you do. As you rely on the Lord for help, He has promised: “And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88).
During His earthly ministry, Jesus “went about … teaching … , preaching … , and healing” (Matthew 4:23). He taught in many settings—in synagogues, in homes, and on the road. He taught in large gatherings and in private conversations. Some of His most powerful interactions were very brief or in unusual settings. He taught through His actions as well as His words.
You can improve your teaching by learning how the Savior taught. For example, He loved the Father and those He taught. He was prayerful. He taught from the scriptures. He prepared spiritually. He asked inspired questions. He invited people to act in faith. He likened gospel principles to everyday life.
Seeking to teach as the Savior taught is a lifelong pursuit. It will come to you line upon line as you follow Him (2 Nephi 28:30; Ether 12:41).
After a DELICIOUS lunch we set up the equipment and stayed for field play until about 5:00 PM
Later that evening we met with the rest of the senior missionaries for dessert, miracle share (shared miracles we’ve had as missionaries), then learned how to hula from Sister Ah Sue from Hawaii. It was so fun and beautiful! What a fun evening with our friends!
Wednesday –
Same thing as yesterday – minus the evening with our senior missionary friends.
Thursday –
Eric took the car in to get serviced and met a guy who saw his tag and asked him about the church. The guy wanted to know about the gospel – apparently he had seen something on social media about the church and was interested in finding out more. He spoke to the right person! Eric put him in touch with our young missionaries. He’s so excited to learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ! What a miracle! That afternoon, we met the Hyde Park missionaries for “Blitz” time. Eric went with the Elders and I went with the sisters to meet and talk to people in Hyde Park.
Friday –
Today we took back all the sports equipment to the Mission Office and had lunch at our favorite spot in Carlingford – Clover Cafe. By the evening we were too tired to do anything except go to bed early!
Saturday –
P-Day – Today we walked around the QVB (Queen Victoria Building) then took a ferry ride to Parramatta – which was an hour long. It was a beautiful boat ride! The things you see on shore from the water are gorgeous! After we got off the boat, Eric felt dizzy. I guess some “boat vertigo” set in! But, we pushed on and walked to Parramatta Square for gelato then a little window shopping. We ended up taking the train back home and Eric was still pretty dizzy and walking into walls. I felt the same way a few days after we arrived in Sydney. Thankfully mine only lasted a few days so hopefully Eric feels better soon!
Ferry to paramatta
Sunday –
Mother’s Day – Eric was still very dizzy and nauseous today so he stayed home from church. Sacrament meeting was BEAUTIFUL! Fabulous speakers and BEAUTIFUL musical numbers! All the women and young women attended Relief Society together for a sweet lesson on how important and beloved God’s daughters are – with delicious and gorgeous cupcakes from the Elisara’s and treats from the RS leaders! That evening we had the missionaries and our friend Ansii over for dinner – Bow tie pasta, garlic bread, salad, my favorite punch and apple cobbler with ice cream! YUM! Sunday dinner with our Aussie family is such a treat! It was the end of a GREAT Mother’s Day!
Things I learned this week:
Whenever I start getting homesick (mostly for my grandkids…and Mexican food!) I pray for help and am blessed to remember what an honor, privilege and blessing it is to be here serving the Lord full time – no distractions from work, house upkeep, etc, just rubbing shoulders with these AMAZING young missionaries, learning from them, serving and supporting them, meeting new friends, sharing the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ! I KNOW that it will be bittersweet when our 2 years are up and it’s time to go home! For now, I’m trying to focus on what an INCREDIBLE opportunity and blessing it is to be here…and thankfully, we get to facetime our kids/grandkids every week, as well as talk to our parents. We wish we could call more people but frankly, our days are so busy, and the time slot that overlaps between when people in the US and Sydney are awake is very small! We think about our dear family and friends every day! We love and miss you all!
The Helland's Down Under 