Today is the Queen's birthday so no seminary. It was nice to sleep in a little. After skyping with our children I finished getting everything ready for my last Primary girl activity. I made popcorn, purchased M&M peanuts and homemade sugar cookies. We took our ocean rocks from Coffs Harbor, paint and sharpies for them to write words on their rocks and their treasure boxes to the chapel. The activity started at 4:30. I gave them treasures to put in their boxes: chocolate foil wrapped coins, pirate metal coins, laminated, small pictures of the Savior showing the things he has done for us, a plastic dove on a paper with the words, "On the wings of a snow white dove, he sends his pure, sweet, love; a sign from above on the wings of adove" from a song. I then wrote on the paper, "the Holy Ghost appears as a sign of the dove" He comforts, testifies of Christ and warns us. I gave them each a postcard with the St. George temple on it. Two of the girls have not been baptized. The one has a father who is an athiest and won't let her be baptized until she is 18. The other has inactive parents who do not want her baptized until the father can do it.
It seemed to be a happy activity. The girls love their boxes. They enjoyed painting rocks as well.
Devica, Savannah, and Lucy with Sister Berger.
Tuesday, June13, 2017
I made blueberry muffins for Seminary. We had our assessment review (kind of a test). Elder Berger has a bad virus which is making itself at home in his chest. It has been raining. After Seminarty we started organizing and boxing up what we can. Tonight the new elder arrived with Elder Wang to meet us. He is Elder Kumar. He is an Indian from Fiji, a very likable missionary.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Elder Berger taught seminary and I gave Kristen a music/jewelry box we purchased for her from a used furniture store and an "Act Well Thy Part" coin. Little by little we are getting all of the coins handed out. Then we travelled to Uralla as Sister Styles has been sick and asked us to give her a blessing. They are a sweet couple with lots of challenges.
President Sully arranged for us to have a goodbye dinner at the White Bull with he and his wife, Brother Smith and Sally and Brother and Sister MacDonald. Benesch's were invited but somehow missed the invite. We had an enjoyable meal and visit. I took a plunge of bravery and wrote a card with my testimony in it along with thanks to Sally for she and her family being so welcoming to us and telling her what a lovely family she has. I gave her an Act Well Thy Part coin and a missionary card with the Salt Lake temple on one side and LDS.org info if further information is wanted. I told her I hoped she would indulge me for a moment with the card as I couldn't leave Australia without sharing my feelings with her. She seemed okay after she read the card. Sometimes, for me, it is hard to tell if I am doing the right thing where missionary work is concerned.
MacDonalds, Sullys, Bergers, and Smiths.
I taught about the Day of Pentecost. I took a package of African herbal tea that the Paynes gave us when we were in Sydney, to Sister Betts as she likes tea. We boxed more items and then took the elders to the Wonder Chinese Restaurant for lunch.
Elders Wang and Kumar with Sister Berger
Friday/Saturday
We had our last Seminary class which was hard to face -no more teaching and meeting with these wonderfujl people. We have been so blessed to have the Old Testament last year and the New Testament this year and to learn of the Savior and feel His spirit. After Seminary, we began the organization and preparation for our move on Monday morning. We cleaned out our pantry and refrigerator and assembled food boxes and took them to members of the branch. We have our exact meals down to just a few and even packed the dishes and pans to go to Tamworth and be stored in the elders' garage there. We ordered pizza tonight and tomorrow the branch is having a potluck and then we will have TV dinners tomorrow night.
Sunday, June 18, 2017
What a fantastic Sacrament meeting and potluck social. We had so many come today, all of the Inverell people included, and they have to travel for two hours to get here. Elder Berger and I spoke, the Tongan brethren sang (so beautiful), the Checketts spoke and after Primary, we enjoyed a wonderful feast with many kinds of food. Everyone expressed their love and appreciation to us and how much they would miss us. We received lots of nice going away gifts. What a special day.
Sister Benesch had the Primary children make goodbye cards for us that were so cute!
Monday, June 19, 2017
We have worked for several days to pack and clean our flat and got up at 5:30 this morning to finish cleaning and boxing and were ready when the missionaries and President Checketts and Narelle and Frank Benesch arrived. Narelle helped me wipe down surfaces. Our little home is now barren, hard to leave.
Elder Kumar and Elder Wang, saying goodbye after helping us load everything up
Wednesday, June20, 2017
We turned our car in. We are staying with the Checketts so it is easy to walk where we need to go. Joanne Pearce arrived. We are so excited to go through the temple with her tomorrow. I am privileged that she asked me to be her escort. We invited her to attend our senior couples dinner at Rashays Italian restaurant. We had a good time.
Elder Dale and Sister Kathy Fillmore
Happy Jo and Elder Berger
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
We had a wonderful time going through the temple with Joanne and spending time with the Fillmores and Checketts. We ordered Chinese food and watched some of the Origin Rugby game before retiring to prepare for our early day tomorrow.
When Jo moved to the Salt Ash branch, the Fillmores took her under their wing. They taught her the temple prep classes.
Our Wonderful Mission President.
President and Sister Checketts
Four hour lay-over in Los Angeles Going through Customs took about an hour out of the four.
Bishop Robinson came to pick us and our luggage up and what a wonderful surprise to have friends Jann Green and Rhonda Ferguson come to greet us as well!
Packing, repacking, weighing to make sure we don't have luggage over the weight restrictions
Thursday, June 22, 2017 - USA
Our dear neighbor, Rhonda Ferguson has been looking out for our home. She even planted a fantastic garden with huge tomatoes and canaloupe.
Well, we are finally home. After a few days, Australia seems so far away. The memories are still bright, but will fade somewhat over time. The feelings that we have inside us will not fade however. We truly found a great love for the wonderful people of Australia and the many Missionaries that we met there. We truly love and will miss terribly all of our friends in the Armidale Branch. Our love for our Father and our Savior has grown so much and our testimonies are stronger than ever. We loved our service in Australia and we will encourage anyone and everyone that we know to prepare and serve a mission when the time is right. It is one of the best things that we have ever done.
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