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