June 15 – 21
Monday –
My plan today was to spend most of the day studying lesson #2 of the Emotional Literacy lessons so I could “teach back” to Sister Kiels tonight and be ready to train the Teancum zone tomorrow. After such a busy week last week, we both slept in a bit this morning and I saw a text from Sister Doane (our mission leader) asking if we could give a 10 minute training as part of the “circuit” trainings for zone conference on Tuesday. Of course we said we’d be happy to give a training so I spent ¾ of the day on the Emotional Literacy training then Eric and I prayed and brainstormed about our “Don’t miss the mission while you’re on the mission training.” Gratefully, we felt very inspired by Heavenly Father and had an idea right away – would you go on the trip of a lifetime (DISNEYWORLD!) and stay in your hotel the whole time? Or sit on the bench all day instead of riding the rides? Or worry that you’re not prepared enough and miss the excitement? Of course not! So, we decided to go with that theme and liken it to being on a mission and making the most of it! Be Fit to Be ALL IN – with the subtitle, Don’t miss the mission while you’re on the mission. After we wrote the script, we used AI to help make pictures to go along with each slide. I thought it turned out good and we had a fun time practicing it! A huge shout out to our beloved, great God, who knew we had much to do this day in way of preparation, and helped the training he wanted us to give his beloved missionaries unfold in our minds so it wasn’t an extra burden! I LOVE THE LORD! I know He knows each of us – by name! He knows and cares about the details of our lives, and as we come to Him (Matthew 7:7-11), He will guide, support, and help us in every aspect of our lives!!!
Matthew 7:7-11
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Tuesday –
Zone Conference Day! Before zone conference we helped the Westover’s check cars by checking the depth of the tread on all 4 tires of each car. Fun! We missed the beginning of the conference as the cars took a bit longer but were happy to be there for “miracle share” – where the missionaries can stand and share miracles they have experienced on their mission (or in their personal lives) since the last zone conference. It’s such a tender and spiritual part of zone conference! We also were able to hear a musical number from the Teancum zone, which is the northernest zone of our ASM and who will be leaving our mission this coming week to join a newly created, Brisbane South Mission. You can guess that having those 24 missionaries and one senior couple “leave” the ASM to start a new mission has been bittersweet for everyone. The song they sang so beautifully was, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go.” The first verse and chorus 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.
So tender, poignant and beautiful!
After that portion, Eric and I were the first to share our 10 minute circuit training. We totally felt the Spirit guide us and knew it was what the Lord wanted the young (and senior!) missionaries to hear. We later heard from many missionaries how much they liked the training, how they took so many notes, and how it totally resonated with them! Here are some pictures from our training! It was so fun!
Our original plan was to go home after zone conference and practice our next training, since we didn’t have time to decide who would teach which parts then return back to the temple/mission office at 7:30 pm for the Teancum Training. Well, one of the AP’s, Elder Hector let us know that plans had changed and that we would instead be training the Teancum zone right after zone conference so they could have dinner with the Doane’s and still be able to attend their temple session. Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem at all, except that we left ALL our training materials back home. Needless to say, we left zone conference early, drove back home, picked up all our training supplies, then headed back to Carlingford for the training, barely making it in time! We were SUPER happy we got to see (and hug!) those awesome Teancum missionaries one last time before they “left” our mission. We had gotten to know most of them through the various zone trainings the past 6 months and a couple of them – Elder Duare and Elder Suico – had served in our district with us! We will miss seeing them at future zone conferences, transfers and trainings but know the Lord will bless them for their service, dedication and faith! God be with you all until we meet again!
Wednesday –
Today we were wiped out! I think the previous busy week then the mega studying for trainings, and the emotions involved, wiped us (me!) out. So, today I stayed in my PJ’s all day! We had already canceled working at the temple due to our zone conference senior dinner and activity we have each 6 weeks. When it was time to get ready for the dinner and drive back to Carlingford, I just couldn’t do it. I was tired and just wanted to crawl back in bed (we had driven back and forth to Carlingford twice yesterday!). I guess I needed the day to relax but I felt bad that we missed the “good-bye” dinner for our senior missionary friends, Fran and Joel Putnam, who will be finishing up their mission next week. They were originally called as MLS missionaries and spent their first 4 months in the Teancum zone area but were asked to come work at the office over housing, which they have been doing for the duration of their mission! I can only guess how much work it is to find new flats, oversee the moving in and moving out – buying new furniture, appliances, etc., making sure the flats are cared for, scheduling repairs, etc., but these two have done an AMAZING job! They always have a smile on their faces but I know the job hasn’t been easy! They will be GREATLY missed but I’m so excited for them to return home to see their family!!!
Thursday –
Today was a light day again – trying to get caught up with our Hyde Park group members – reaching out to them and getting back into the groove of our normal schedule.
Friday –
Today we walked to the Circular Quay to meet Bob and Kathleen Woolf for a Career Coach training and lunch. We met them at our favorite fajita spot then had some training out by the harbor. It was so fun to get to know the Woolf’s better, enjoy lunch together and find out more about our new assignment of helping with Career coaching for the missionaries the last 6 months of their mission. This is to help the junior missionaries think about and make a plan for schooling/traininging/employment when they get back home from their missions. I’m excited to learn more about it and be assigned missionaries to work with!
This evening was a Hyde Park group Movie night – watching the new cartoon “David” and eating snacks at the church. Since we’re right at that point as we study the Old Testament in Come Follow Me, it was the perfect timing. We had a great group turnout and thoroughly enjoyed the movie and the company of our dear Aussie family!
Saturday –
This morning was a Hyde Park Temple trip – meeting at the baptistry at 11:00 AM (most of our group members only have a limited use temple recommend so we scheduled baptisms to do as a group). Unfortunately, we didn’t have that big of a turnout but still had a LOVELY baptism/confirmation session with those who were there. It felt incredibly sacred being in the temple with those group members who we know and love so much! It felt like a slice of heaven being in the temple together – our little group. 🩷
After the temple session, we drove two of our elders back to their flat, came home and changed clothes, then headed via PT (public transportation) to the Sydney Olympic Park for a senior activity. We met at a nearby restaurant for an early dinner then walked to the stadium for a Giants vs (? – a team from Melbourne), Australian Football League (AFL) game. Thankfully Eric had me watch a couple You Tube videos last night so I sort of understood the rules. The field is HUGE – the size of 4 football fields, with 18 players from each team on the field at a time, along with like 8 officials! It is a FAST PACED, high energy, HIGH SKILL game and was super fun to watch! The Woolfs had planned the outing and asked a local family, the Hobby’s, to come along and tell us about the rules, etc. The weather was PERFECT, the game was FUN, and the company was the BEST!!! Such an incredible evening with amazing brothers and sisters in Christ!
When we finally got home – we were both TIRED, but Eric was kind enough to make a grocery store run so we’d be ready for the Sabbath! I couldn’t ask for a kinder hubby! I am so blessed to have the BEST EVER missionary companion, best friend and eternal partner near my side every day!
Sunday –
Happy USA Father’s Day! Father’s Day in Australia is the first Sunday in September so we almost forgot about it here as it isn’t celebrated yet! Our kids didn’t forget their dad – sending him sweet messages and thoughtful gifts to celebrate the awesome dad he is! I am grateful for my dad – especially for the strong friendship we have built this last year! I am so grateful he has taken the time to reconnect with all his kids and build friendships and relationships with all of us! I’m also grateful for my “bonus” dad, Dave, who has been through hell this past month (+) and whose life has been miraculously spared! I know he is still healing and has more to go but I’m so grateful that God has spared his life at this time and he is still with us! I’m also grateful for my grandpa – who is still living – and has been a great example to Eric and I – especially for his and my grandma’s senior missionary service! I am so proud of the dads that our son, Adam, and our son-in-law, Nathan, are to our grandkids! All seven grandkids are GREATLY blessed to have super star dads – who love them, support them, spend time with them, and teach them to follow the Savior! I couldn’t ask for better dads and role models for my grandkiddies! Praise the Lord for all these great men and father figures!
Before church I made Creamy Tomato Tortellini soup for “Linger Longer” after church. Once home from church, we started cooking for the missionaries to come to dinner later! Homemade waffles, Kneaders (Buttermilk) syrup, sliced strawberries, LOTS of whipped cream, baked “bacon” (ham slices), and fluffy scrambled eggs with ham and cheese! Eric also bought a huge container of OJ, two containers of chocolate milk and one container of regular milk. EVERYTHING was gone at the end of the dinner! I guess the dinner was a hit! 🙂
We ended the night with our Sunday, ASM devotional – hearing a beautiful training from another senior couple – the Kjars – and hearing the testimonies of the missionaries in the Teancum zone – leaving this week to the new Brisbane South mission. What a beautiful way to end the week and the Sabbath!
The Helland's Down Under 