Hi everyone: Want to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving. We feel so
blessed we will have Mariah, Art and their "kid" here, it will make it
okay=
sort of not to be around family @ Christmas. Yeah, sure!
Your dad, great dad that he is, requested money to be mailed to you,
directly out of our account that we still have in Rockford. You may not
get in time for the shopping the day after Christmas, but you can go
ahead =
and buy on our behalf and the check really is in the mail. You will
each receive $20 per child (I know, I know it isn't a great amount of
money=
, it is just that you have all blessed us so much). Here's hoping
you can find some fun things for your children, that we can help with.
Love you all, Mom mac
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
November 16th
Dear Fab Family, recently added extended family and friends:
We have some major hang-up with msn.com and can’t receive e-mails and worse for me, can’t seem to get them out; this is my third attempt since Wednesday. So, it isn’t that we’re not trying. While sort of recuperating from the arthroscopic surgery from Tuesday,
The next day I tried, the system threw me out, typed a complete letter, pushed the Send
Button and nothing happened; it’s like it’s out there in cyber space.
So, I’m obviously trying another avenue; I’m saving this in Word, then will attempt to
Send it from our church website, since msn.com is so uncooperative at the moment.
Lots has happened, we received two nice mails of appreciation from our CES Coordinator and also from our High Counsellor thanking us for the nice Seminary/Istitute
Graduation, supper for the seniors and their families and food after the graduation for all
The attendees. Interesting enough, our CES Coordinator knew that I had a problem with
My knee and said don’t worry too much about the food, just do the best you can. After all
he said, they are coming for the graduation. But kindly, in his e-mail thank you; he commented the food made the graduation even more special. Because they have their own way of doing things here, it was nice to hear they enjoyed the whole graduation activity.
Well, we did have the wonderful 30 yr.old YSA, graduate of Institute and her daughter
over for a pork dinner on Tuesday to acknowledge her achievements for 4 years and
especially her wonderful help serving and last minute prep of the foods for the mentioned
graduation. Mary, as I had said previously is finishing her degree in PE and wanted to
share some weight training exercises with us; not that we EVER expect to be buff. More from our perception is to be better able to serve on our mission. These YSA’s have lots of energy!
That Thursday, after that Tuesday dinner, we had 3 recent converts over for dinner and the study Of the Book of Mormon. There is something about a little one on one or just several of them at a time that appeals to them. Can’t be the free food, can it? One of the attendees for that study group is quite a cook and he brought homemade chocolate mousse made with Belgium chocolate and it was delicious. Your dad hurried through my
cooked meat to get to the dessert, but the others were still eating dinner and he waited patiently? Yeah, sure. Brett is the great cook and while Mariah and Art are here, not only is he taking Art on a short hiking trip and planned some other outdoor activities for the rest of us a week from this Saturday. He is cooking some special Aussie’s dishes the night before at our flat, should be a real treat! One of the best things, I’m won’t have to do the cooking for that meal. That same Thursday during the day, we attended our Spiritual Meeting Place meeting @ Canberra U; and then because the Jewish, Muslim and Indigenous representatives weren’t there, it was a meeting where we opened and closed the meeting recognizing the Saviour in all things.
Last Saturday, the Institute VP and I went shopping for the opening social barbeque we
Were having in the afternoon, just a couple of hours before the activity and just took the
food directly to the activity, which was certainly easier to do. With the graduation the week before being on a Sunday, we purchased the food the day before, carried it back to
our flat and carried to the stake centre on Sunday.
This past Sunday, we met with another one of the recent converts of about a year and gave him a one on one lesson on the priesthood, as he is one who is holding back a bit;
I still feel some of these great converts haven’t quite internalized how much they are beloved of the Lord and how they are literally His children. It is something we all take for
granted, but they seem to need to internalize.
Sunday night, last week, we had Kali over for dinner to repay her for a nice dinner at her
Place a month or so ago, and Chris, who is soon leaving to travel to Canada for snow boarding and other places until his cash runs out. He is the attorney. They both have such fun personalities, again just so darn outgoing!!
Well, Dad started the Summer session of Institute, while I was in surgery for that knee that had caused me unrelenting pain for over the last month. I had a check-in time for 11AM, and was told I would have to wait my turn. I probably went in about 6PM, but I must say although it was quite a wait, the actual service was great, very compassionate.
The nurse wheeling me into the operating room, commented she would use the doctor who was doing my surgery, if she needed arthroscopic surgery. Believe it or not, since I was alone, I found that comforting. Dad came after Institute was done and we checked out about 10 PM. I slept that night the best I had in over a month, took a couple of pain
Pills. I had walked out of the hospital, just as the surgeon had said I would. Should have
Known, I’d be a bit stiff and still am. My knee is heavily bandaged and definitely the whole leg is swollen. But I had no pain so I was so relieved. Today, I have a bit of pain, but not like I had had.
Last night, we had the 3 great converts, a YSA member, who is hopefully considering a mission and his return missionary brother for dinner and B of M study. It was a bit warm,
Summer sure is on it’s way here. December 1, is the first day of Summer. Two of the men brought some desserts, which was great.
Well, we are getting down to the wire with Mariah, Art and kids; it is Friday evening here, but still Thursday in the states and they leave Friday night and will arrive here Sunday morning. We will drive in to meet them at the airport in Sydney, which means
Leaving here around 6-6:30 AM, but we’re not complaining in any way. We are just so
grateful they are making this trip.
We have some major hang-up with msn.com and can’t receive e-mails and worse for me, can’t seem to get them out; this is my third attempt since Wednesday. So, it isn’t that we’re not trying. While sort of recuperating from the arthroscopic surgery from Tuesday,
The next day I tried, the system threw me out, typed a complete letter, pushed the Send
Button and nothing happened; it’s like it’s out there in cyber space.
So, I’m obviously trying another avenue; I’m saving this in Word, then will attempt to
Send it from our church website, since msn.com is so uncooperative at the moment.
Lots has happened, we received two nice mails of appreciation from our CES Coordinator and also from our High Counsellor thanking us for the nice Seminary/Istitute
Graduation, supper for the seniors and their families and food after the graduation for all
The attendees. Interesting enough, our CES Coordinator knew that I had a problem with
My knee and said don’t worry too much about the food, just do the best you can. After all
he said, they are coming for the graduation. But kindly, in his e-mail thank you; he commented the food made the graduation even more special. Because they have their own way of doing things here, it was nice to hear they enjoyed the whole graduation activity.
Well, we did have the wonderful 30 yr.old YSA, graduate of Institute and her daughter
over for a pork dinner on Tuesday to acknowledge her achievements for 4 years and
especially her wonderful help serving and last minute prep of the foods for the mentioned
graduation. Mary, as I had said previously is finishing her degree in PE and wanted to
share some weight training exercises with us; not that we EVER expect to be buff. More from our perception is to be better able to serve on our mission. These YSA’s have lots of energy!
That Thursday, after that Tuesday dinner, we had 3 recent converts over for dinner and the study Of the Book of Mormon. There is something about a little one on one or just several of them at a time that appeals to them. Can’t be the free food, can it? One of the attendees for that study group is quite a cook and he brought homemade chocolate mousse made with Belgium chocolate and it was delicious. Your dad hurried through my
cooked meat to get to the dessert, but the others were still eating dinner and he waited patiently? Yeah, sure. Brett is the great cook and while Mariah and Art are here, not only is he taking Art on a short hiking trip and planned some other outdoor activities for the rest of us a week from this Saturday. He is cooking some special Aussie’s dishes the night before at our flat, should be a real treat! One of the best things, I’m won’t have to do the cooking for that meal. That same Thursday during the day, we attended our Spiritual Meeting Place meeting @ Canberra U; and then because the Jewish, Muslim and Indigenous representatives weren’t there, it was a meeting where we opened and closed the meeting recognizing the Saviour in all things.
Last Saturday, the Institute VP and I went shopping for the opening social barbeque we
Were having in the afternoon, just a couple of hours before the activity and just took the
food directly to the activity, which was certainly easier to do. With the graduation the week before being on a Sunday, we purchased the food the day before, carried it back to
our flat and carried to the stake centre on Sunday.
This past Sunday, we met with another one of the recent converts of about a year and gave him a one on one lesson on the priesthood, as he is one who is holding back a bit;
I still feel some of these great converts haven’t quite internalized how much they are beloved of the Lord and how they are literally His children. It is something we all take for
granted, but they seem to need to internalize.
Sunday night, last week, we had Kali over for dinner to repay her for a nice dinner at her
Place a month or so ago, and Chris, who is soon leaving to travel to Canada for snow boarding and other places until his cash runs out. He is the attorney. They both have such fun personalities, again just so darn outgoing!!
Well, Dad started the Summer session of Institute, while I was in surgery for that knee that had caused me unrelenting pain for over the last month. I had a check-in time for 11AM, and was told I would have to wait my turn. I probably went in about 6PM, but I must say although it was quite a wait, the actual service was great, very compassionate.
The nurse wheeling me into the operating room, commented she would use the doctor who was doing my surgery, if she needed arthroscopic surgery. Believe it or not, since I was alone, I found that comforting. Dad came after Institute was done and we checked out about 10 PM. I slept that night the best I had in over a month, took a couple of pain
Pills. I had walked out of the hospital, just as the surgeon had said I would. Should have
Known, I’d be a bit stiff and still am. My knee is heavily bandaged and definitely the whole leg is swollen. But I had no pain so I was so relieved. Today, I have a bit of pain, but not like I had had.
Last night, we had the 3 great converts, a YSA member, who is hopefully considering a mission and his return missionary brother for dinner and B of M study. It was a bit warm,
Summer sure is on it’s way here. December 1, is the first day of Summer. Two of the men brought some desserts, which was great.
Well, we are getting down to the wire with Mariah, Art and kids; it is Friday evening here, but still Thursday in the states and they leave Friday night and will arrive here Sunday morning. We will drive in to meet them at the airport in Sydney, which means
Leaving here around 6-6:30 AM, but we’re not complaining in any way. We are just so
grateful they are making this trip.
August 12th
G'day mates from sunny, winter in Australia: Congrats to twins Lori, age 29 & holding and twin, Quinn,
now quickly catching up with her Aunt Lori, at age 3 on this past Thur., Aug. 9th.; hope your birthdays were wonderful!
Last Monday, Aug. 6th we met with a set of missionaries on the ANU(Australian Nat. Uni) to participate in a teaching appointment with a young female student from mainland China, named Kristine. She said a beautiful prayer at the end
with such a sweet spirit, and this after only two meetings. We also have in one of our Uni classes another baptized (about a year ago) member that will finish his studies within this month and will return to mainland China. There are a lot of Asians at
both of the campus's we teach at. Probably have already written this, but have yet to see any Hispanics. We taught two Institute classes in the evening and two Uni classes during the day.
Friday p.m., the YSA had a fun activity with two of the 19+ yr old missionaries in which they did a mock up
of a mission president sending off all the attendees on 4 separate missions. Returned missionaries presented great
reviews of their own missions. The current missionaries showed some ways to approach strangers/friends and
current members told how they handled sometimes "difficult" questions from co-workers/friends.
That morning we had attended the current missionaries district meeting @ their request. It is something else to see their great spiritual maturity and obvious love for the Savior and their work as missionaries. It made me think of all of you and that I could picture the spiritual strength and maturity you had at that time in your young lives. My older brother, Tom made an interesting comment years ago about you as missionaries. He said something about, "I don't exactly know what it is about your "kids" serving missions, but there is something about their maturity."
Hope this finds you all well; you continue to be in our prayers. We pray special prayers for our teenage grandchildren to
be prepared to serve the Lord within the next few years or more. What a privilege it is to serve.
We miss you all more than you can know; but continue to realize we are where we are supposed to be at this time in
our lives.
Love, Sis. Mac, aka mom mac/grandma mac
now quickly catching up with her Aunt Lori, at age 3 on this past Thur., Aug. 9th.; hope your birthdays were wonderful!
Last Monday, Aug. 6th we met with a set of missionaries on the ANU(Australian Nat. Uni) to participate in a teaching appointment with a young female student from mainland China, named Kristine. She said a beautiful prayer at the end
with such a sweet spirit, and this after only two meetings. We also have in one of our Uni classes another baptized (about a year ago) member that will finish his studies within this month and will return to mainland China. There are a lot of Asians at
both of the campus's we teach at. Probably have already written this, but have yet to see any Hispanics. We taught two Institute classes in the evening and two Uni classes during the day.
Friday p.m., the YSA had a fun activity with two of the 19+ yr old missionaries in which they did a mock up
of a mission president sending off all the attendees on 4 separate missions. Returned missionaries presented great
reviews of their own missions. The current missionaries showed some ways to approach strangers/friends and
current members told how they handled sometimes "difficult" questions from co-workers/friends.
That morning we had attended the current missionaries district meeting @ their request. It is something else to see their great spiritual maturity and obvious love for the Savior and their work as missionaries. It made me think of all of you and that I could picture the spiritual strength and maturity you had at that time in your young lives. My older brother, Tom made an interesting comment years ago about you as missionaries. He said something about, "I don't exactly know what it is about your "kids" serving missions, but there is something about their maturity."
Hope this finds you all well; you continue to be in our prayers. We pray special prayers for our teenage grandchildren to
be prepared to serve the Lord within the next few years or more. What a privilege it is to serve.
We miss you all more than you can know; but continue to realize we are where we are supposed to be at this time in
our lives.
Love, Sis. Mac, aka mom mac/grandma mac
August 2nd
Dear Family and friends.
Well we have been on our mission for 1 month now and 21/2 weeks in Australia. The time has gone fast!.
Our apartment is not only fully furnished for living but has a fully stocked office from a large copy machine computer, printers down to pens and paper clips etc. (Office Deport Australia).
We are very, very, busy. We teach about 30 YSA in institute at one of the chapels each week. We have two "uni" (University)
classes each week, (different lessons) one at Canberra university, about the size of NIU, and at Australian National University, the Harvard of the Southern Hemisphere. We also have the equivalent of a stake seminary supervisor calling. Our area covers Canberra Stake, and Norwa Disctrict both small in population but huge in area. To drive to the coastal areas will take us three hours.
Australia is beautiful and very different. It is winter here and the temperature is between 30 - 55 each day and sunny 6 days a week. Many of the trees are what they call gum trees. Their are huge about the size a a large elm tree, but they do not lose there leaves so 70 % of the trees have leaves on them even though it is winter. The bird population is totally different. The only similar bird I have seen was a crow. They have flocks of wild white cockatoo's, many parrot species and magpies all of which are the size of a large crow. We have seen wild kangaroos and lots of dead road kill ones. Some are very large over 6 feet tall and 300-400 lbs.
We have managed to master driving on the left side of the road with a right side steering wheel car. Canberra has many many round abouts that are used at intersections instead of traffic lights, and they take some getting use to especially at rush hour.
We go to two wards one Sunday and then 2 other wards the next,and have met tons of people. Currently we are trying to remember all the YSA names of which there about 50 to 60. They are highly educated, either going to college or working for the federal government. We have some Americans YSA who work for the American embassy. I would say 40-50 % of them are returned missionaries. Their gospel knowledge is very high and they are excellent member missionaries bringing in a new YSA about every other month.
The full time missionaries tracted out a YSA that lives just a few apartment( called flats here in AU.) buildings from us and we are fellowshipping him and taking him to church.
There is a desperate need for senior missionaries, the mission home office couple has decided to extend for 6 months because the church can not find any replacement for them. It is like this all over the world.
We are in the gospel (scripture study, teaching, fellowshipping & etc)many hours each day and we have noticed a significant spiritual change in us. We have become more Christ-like in our thoughts, demeaner and actions. We are experiencing much more peace and happiness in our lives. This gospel does work as we have been taught it would. Funny after 44 years in the church that it takes a mission to realize this great truth. The Gospel of Jesus Christ truly does uplift and edify ones soul and really does bring more joy and meaning to ones life!
Elder and Sister MacPherson
Well we have been on our mission for 1 month now and 21/2 weeks in Australia. The time has gone fast!.
Our apartment is not only fully furnished for living but has a fully stocked office from a large copy machine computer, printers down to pens and paper clips etc. (Office Deport Australia).
We are very, very, busy. We teach about 30 YSA in institute at one of the chapels each week. We have two "uni" (University)
classes each week, (different lessons) one at Canberra university, about the size of NIU, and at Australian National University, the Harvard of the Southern Hemisphere. We also have the equivalent of a stake seminary supervisor calling. Our area covers Canberra Stake, and Norwa Disctrict both small in population but huge in area. To drive to the coastal areas will take us three hours.
Australia is beautiful and very different. It is winter here and the temperature is between 30 - 55 each day and sunny 6 days a week. Many of the trees are what they call gum trees. Their are huge about the size a a large elm tree, but they do not lose there leaves so 70 % of the trees have leaves on them even though it is winter. The bird population is totally different. The only similar bird I have seen was a crow. They have flocks of wild white cockatoo's, many parrot species and magpies all of which are the size of a large crow. We have seen wild kangaroos and lots of dead road kill ones. Some are very large over 6 feet tall and 300-400 lbs.
We have managed to master driving on the left side of the road with a right side steering wheel car. Canberra has many many round abouts that are used at intersections instead of traffic lights, and they take some getting use to especially at rush hour.
We go to two wards one Sunday and then 2 other wards the next,and have met tons of people. Currently we are trying to remember all the YSA names of which there about 50 to 60. They are highly educated, either going to college or working for the federal government. We have some Americans YSA who work for the American embassy. I would say 40-50 % of them are returned missionaries. Their gospel knowledge is very high and they are excellent member missionaries bringing in a new YSA about every other month.
The full time missionaries tracted out a YSA that lives just a few apartment( called flats here in AU.) buildings from us and we are fellowshipping him and taking him to church.
There is a desperate need for senior missionaries, the mission home office couple has decided to extend for 6 months because the church can not find any replacement for them. It is like this all over the world.
We are in the gospel (scripture study, teaching, fellowshipping & etc)many hours each day and we have noticed a significant spiritual change in us. We have become more Christ-like in our thoughts, demeaner and actions. We are experiencing much more peace and happiness in our lives. This gospel does work as we have been taught it would. Funny after 44 years in the church that it takes a mission to realize this great truth. The Gospel of Jesus Christ truly does uplift and edify ones soul and really does bring more joy and meaning to ones life!
Elder and Sister MacPherson
July 18th
Ga-day mates!
We are no longer homless,migrant, or UNEMPLOYED! We are in our flat (not called an apartment here) and it is comfortable.
There is no central heating in Australia and we have 6 space heaters for our 5 room flat- 1 bedroom, 1 fully eqipped office, 1 dunny(bathroom),1 living room/dining room and 1 small kitchen. We arrived in Canberra Tue afternoon from Sydney and the Lord was so pleased he greeted us with a snow storm- the 1st in 3 years! It melted the next day and we got less than 1 cm. This city is beauthiful and reminds me of Wahington DC and is encircled by a range of mountains. Yesterday,as we came down from Sydney about a 3 hour drive, I saw more sheep then I think I saw in my entire life- 1000's and 1000's of them.
The temp ranges between 30- 50 farenheight degrees but we still see flowers blooming and 1/2 the trees with leaves on(gum Trees we're told). The birds are completely different than in the states. Cock-a too's and many parrot species and except for a crow none of the american type birds are here.
The YSA's knew we were coming and knew our names and we met about 25 of them last night at an institute class taught by an American woman who was subbing for us until we arrived. Our CES coordinator downloaded enough information and tasks to keep us busy for weeks. The work load will be heavy but we are excited about the tasks that lay before us. The Canberra stake is
small and covers a large area. We also cover the Norwa District and this means we will have to travel 3-5 hours to cover the small branches it has.
Which brings me to the driving, all on the left side of the road. Our CES coordinator gave us our mission car, a Toyota Corrola.
told us to hop in our car and follow him as he drove all over the west side of Sydney(4 million pop.). WE SURVIVED! However, mom almost had a nervous breakdown and I( the driver) was a calm as a cucumber and only had to stop twice for the EMT's to give me CPR.
I guess we could say though, In the words of 4 year old Brady MacPherson " We don't like Australia. We LOOOOVE Austraila!
Love Elder MacPherson
We are no longer homless,migrant, or UNEMPLOYED! We are in our flat (not called an apartment here) and it is comfortable.
There is no central heating in Australia and we have 6 space heaters for our 5 room flat- 1 bedroom, 1 fully eqipped office, 1 dunny(bathroom),1 living room/dining room and 1 small kitchen. We arrived in Canberra Tue afternoon from Sydney and the Lord was so pleased he greeted us with a snow storm- the 1st in 3 years! It melted the next day and we got less than 1 cm. This city is beauthiful and reminds me of Wahington DC and is encircled by a range of mountains. Yesterday,as we came down from Sydney about a 3 hour drive, I saw more sheep then I think I saw in my entire life- 1000's and 1000's of them.
The temp ranges between 30- 50 farenheight degrees but we still see flowers blooming and 1/2 the trees with leaves on(gum Trees we're told). The birds are completely different than in the states. Cock-a too's and many parrot species and except for a crow none of the american type birds are here.
The YSA's knew we were coming and knew our names and we met about 25 of them last night at an institute class taught by an American woman who was subbing for us until we arrived. Our CES coordinator downloaded enough information and tasks to keep us busy for weeks. The work load will be heavy but we are excited about the tasks that lay before us. The Canberra stake is
small and covers a large area. We also cover the Norwa District and this means we will have to travel 3-5 hours to cover the small branches it has.
Which brings me to the driving, all on the left side of the road. Our CES coordinator gave us our mission car, a Toyota Corrola.
told us to hop in our car and follow him as he drove all over the west side of Sydney(4 million pop.). WE SURVIVED! However, mom almost had a nervous breakdown and I( the driver) was a calm as a cucumber and only had to stop twice for the EMT's to give me CPR.
I guess we could say though, In the words of 4 year old Brady MacPherson " We don't like Australia. We LOOOOVE Austraila!
Love Elder MacPherson
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
