Whoa all our wonderful family & friends: Here it goes again, Mrs. long winded/writter: Bear with me,
it has been over a week and what a busy week it has been.
Don't think I'm trying to rub it in, but...... last evening we had 25+ turn out for the movie night, etc we had planned weeks ago, as Instititute has a short time off for the holidays. We had asked one of our YSA's if we could use his house, as he has a big flat screened TV. He mentioned he would have his outdoor inground pool available, also. By time most of the YSA's arrived it was close to 7pm, but again since Summer starts here, starting December 1st that sounded great. It was kind
of a cool summer evening, but I knew there would still be a number of YSA's who would take that
leap into the pool and sure enough their were. By time we had pizza, popcorn (which Dad popped)
and we had pop and we had made them up candy bags for a small Christmas treat, we started the movie "The Nativity Story" and it finished it was close to 11 pm and even the YSA's were tired. But it turned out really great, they were very quiet during the movie, especially close to the end. We were surprised none of them had seen it last Christmas, when it was released in the states. And,
especially since Mary was played by a New Zealander and we had several New Zealanders there.
It is/was hard for me to imagine Christmas is so close, but sure enough it is summer here.
I'm going to jump back to last week, which was wonderful, but so busy we/or maybe more like I
had to make some hard choices.
A week ago Sunday, on December 9th, we attended the First Presidency Devotional, which was
recorded from the week before, but played later here, so wer'e not seeing or hearing it live at
2 or 3 AM in the morning here because of the tremendous time change between here and the states. After the Devotional, the Canberra stake had a beautiful Christmas program, which was just incredible. The First Presidency are a tough act to follow, but the program was so excellent and
added to the beautiful First Presidency Devotional. There is one heck of alot of great music, speaking and singing talent in this small stake. SO, for all/any of our grandchildren taking piano, etc., keep up practicing, etc. We felt so uplifted and entertained in such a beautiful way. Can't wait to hear Haleigh, Ashley, Mekena and others perform in time. Afterwards, around 8 -8:15, they
had a supper for the stake attendees, ie fresh fruits, meat pies, dessert and always some kind of punch, they call them cordials. I still prefer water. Anyway, it was a lovely evening and I didn't have to cook that day. Hooray!! These Aussies know how to party/eat!! That evening, we were invited by a young couple with a young baby (this is the baby named Samson, who didn't get named in the hospital and in fact only got his name months later, just prior to his blessing) for the
following Sat., 12/15; but I tried to graciously decline, as we had already been invited to a Christmas party/dinner that night at one of the stake wards, Belconnen. We (I) admire the bishop
of the Belconnen ward soo much and besides the Polynesians were making the food and doing the
intertainment and we didn't want to miss it.
A week ago Monday, Dec. 10th, we had one of the more recent converts over for a close to one on on BOM discussion/lesson and he had lunch with us; Josh S., a retured missionary and one of our
most perfect attendees at not only Institute, but also UNI (university scripture classes) was along. He is so knowledgeable and could probably teach better than us. Josh told Dad he really enjoys my
cooking and of course Dad said, well he does, too. Guess what, I keep telling Dad, when we return
to the states I want to eat out at Mary's Market and @ Cafe Rio and Rumbi Island Cafe in Utah, along with a few other places. I get sick of cooking every so often. Of course Dad loves not having
to hardly ever take me out to eat!!
The next evening, we taught our last Institute class for the year, we will naturally start up again,
the next Tuesday, after New Years. I always bring, either some home baked goodies; but now with
the warmer weather, I try to take fresh fruits and vegetables with homemade ranch dressing, which
they (YSA's) seem to appreciate. One of the other YSA's brought some meat pies and we ate
after the class, that runs 7-8:30. Like so many nights, we may not get home until 10-10:30PM.
Usually, by then Dad's eyes glaze over, but lucky for him, he can sleep in a little later the next
morning.
Wednesday, after the fact, Dad reminds me he had invited one of our YSA's over for dinner Wed.
night for home teaching. Probably, because the YSA's are single, duh, they like home cooking.
We had a nice evening with Tony, who is a return missionary, but for his work, does a lot of inter-
national traveling.
The next day, Thursday we had our regular flat BOM study group for supper. The first YSA arrives
around 5:30 for the 6 start time, I believe for the one on one time he wants to talk before the others arrive, then we usually have 2-3 others at 6 for dinner, then study/discussion time after
that. The last YSA left at 11, as boy did he want to talk. By they, both of our eyes are glazed
over, but try like heck to give him the attention he so needs and desires. I'm not complaining, just
you all know Dad is not a night person, but he is here.
Friday, it was supposed to be a fun day of driving into Sydney(3 hour drive in and back) to be with
our mission President & his wife and the other wonderful senior missionary couples, who we had only once previously had the opportunity to attend the Sydney Botannical Gardens and have a wonderful dinner at the Gardens, in a lovely resturant, where we had the best food since we've been over here, but that was months ago. This was supposed to be more of a Christmas activity. Well, by Thursday, after prayerfully pondering if I could hold up, I knew as much as I wanted to go
in and just have some fun with the other seniors, I just didn't think I could take the drive and the
walking because of this right leg bum knee. We knew, we still had a long day Sunday with an equally long day. I knew I had to do, what we are here for and naturally that is to be with our YSA's and also do our seminary "kids" assignments. So, I took that Friday to slightly recoup.
The bishop, Bishop Shay from one of the stake wards, had noticed Dad favoring his left leg and
in fact Dad came over here with that bum left leg of his. Anyway, Bishop Shay, as a chiropractor,
told Dad he knew he could help him with the bum left leg, so for the first time in Dad's life, he
went to this kind bishop/chiropractor and he really worked on Dad's leg and it seems to help. Dad
also, went back this week and the bishop worked on his leg again. We work with the bishops to
get seminary teachs cleared thru the stake presidents so we can appoint them and get them the
materials and do some inservice training. Well Dad had fairly patiently kept on this bishop to get a
seminary teacher for his ward and he just couldn't seem to get that person. So while this same
bishop/chiropractor was working on Dad's bum left leg and was applying some pressure on some
parts of Dad's leg, he(the bishop said as he was applying pressure, questioned Dad, so are you going to stop pressuring me about a seminary teacher? Then, Bishop Shay, said he is where he is
now, as a bishop, etc. because of good seminary teachers.
This last Saturday, we attended the Polynesian ward Christmas party previously mentioned and it
was great. One of our soon to be appointed seminary teachers, a YSA-young woman, a returned
missionary danced at the party. I believe she is Samaon and althoug she isn't overweight, she is
a good sized gal, but her dancing was just so darn graceful. They use their hands so beautifully.
Well, that day, prior to attending the party, we were there 2 or the 3 hours. When we left at
about 7:30, a couple of the Polynesians asked us to stay longer, but we still had much to do for
Sunday, as we would be up early and on the road to Nowra.
So, before attending the party I baked two batchs of homemade brownies and a large, what they
call a slice cake. It was fattening, but yummy.
Sunday, whoa talk about not a day of rest: Dad had set the alarm for 5:30, his alarm didn't go off,
but my body's natural alarm went off at 6, so we were off a bit, but not bad. We had a close to 3
hour drive through some really scary mountain pass and I mean scary. Going thru the mountains, narrow, narrow, but deep drop offs, I was having a hard time. My darn knee could feel the sharp
turns and went we went down, drove my knee nuts, too. And to top it off, it was raining and the
visibility wasn't good. But we made it for their Nowra meetings starting @ 9:30-12:30; then we set
up a nice lunch for the attendees and families, while another ward was traveling to share in our
last seminary graduation for this year. Dad spoke in the Seminary graduation. It was a nice day.
Then at 4PM, we jumped back into the car for the 3 hour return trip, again through those same
scary mountains, only now it was later, still raining and visibility was even worse. By this time of the day, my leg/knee was hurting like heck. We made it back to Canberra 5 minutes to 7PM, just
in time to meet with our new seminary appointee here. While we were in Nowra, we did two additional seminary appointments. We had a great meeting with the seminary appointee here, she is the Polynesian gal, who danced the day before and she has the most beautiful spirt about her;
she will bless the lives of those great youth she will teach, as they will bless her likewise. SO,
by time we got back to our flat, Sunday, we had been gone for 13 1/2 hours and we were both
edified by the beautiful Sabbath and exhausted. What a great week and the only thing I just knew
I couldn't manage, was the the fun activity with the Mission President and senior missionary couples. After that long day on Sunday, it only re-inforced the wisdom of not making 6 hour drives
both day. My knee wouldn't have held up.
Well, Dad has already told you; after seeing the surgeon who did my first surgery, he has scheduled me in for Jan. 5th for a second surgery. WIll, you pray for me, that this surgery will end the tremendous discomfort of my right leg, so I can better serve? I appreciate your prayers.
Just want you all to know, we love the Lord and are trying our best @ this moment in time. We
totally love these wonderful YSA's. And if I have to be away from all of you, I'm grateful it is to
work with them. You are in our daily prayers are so missed.
One of several things I miss here, I have only seen one nativity here, and that was at the stake
center, just a home sized one in the foyer. At the two Christmas parties we have attended no
decorated Christmas trees. But, mostly, I just miss my nativity's. The members are deeply spiritual,
but certainly celebrate and don't decorate for Christmas as we do in the states. Hardly, even see
many Christmas lights.
We have had 4 invites to Christmas dinner and Christmas Eve, so maybe I won't have to cook.
much. Even, if invited out, a person usually brings a plate (could be salad, or dessert or ?). I think
it is their hospitality, coupled with the expensiveness of food.
Love you all, mom/grandma mac aka sister mac
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Mission Update
Medical up date on my missionary companion;
Mom went in yesterday to the doctor and he has decided to do another arthroscopic surgery on her right knee on 5 Jan 2008. He has given her enough pain tablets and sleeping tablets to get her through the 2 or so weeks until the surgery. Last night she took the first of the sleeping tablets along with the pain tablet and she slept a lot better.
Pray for her. Senior missionaries don’t get new companions at transfer day, and the work we do is important and extensive. She does a lot to keep up the good relationship we have with the YSA’s and her cooking contributes greatly to drawing them closer to us. Love Elder Mac, Dad, Grandpa
Mom went in yesterday to the doctor and he has decided to do another arthroscopic surgery on her right knee on 5 Jan 2008. He has given her enough pain tablets and sleeping tablets to get her through the 2 or so weeks until the surgery. Last night she took the first of the sleeping tablets along with the pain tablet and she slept a lot better.
Pray for her. Senior missionaries don’t get new companions at transfer day, and the work we do is important and extensive. She does a lot to keep up the good relationship we have with the YSA’s and her cooking contributes greatly to drawing them closer to us. Love Elder Mac, Dad, Grandpa
Friday, December 14, 2007
Dec 14th
Dear family and friends,
This is Elder MacPherson writing; aka Dad, Grandpa, and Didgeridoo Doug.
Things are going extremely well mission wise, but not so well health wise. As you aware Sister Mac had arthroscopic knee surgery Nov 13 on her right knee to repair and remove torn cartilage. The healing process has not gone well, in fact, in the last two weeks it seems to be getting worse. She is unable to sleep, nor move around very well. We tried to get hold of her doctor. However, he was on a 10 day fishing trip to New Zealand, an only got back this week. We went to see him and he appeared to blow us off that there was no problem. This orthopaedic Surgeon was recommended by the Church’s Australian medical person as the top orthopaedic surgeon in Canberra. After pushing him, he agreed to give mom a cortisone/ local anaesthetic shot in the knee and some narcotic pain tablets. The shot gave her very little relief. The narcotic tablets do help at night for about 4-5 hours before the pain wakes her up. Last night she was up 3 times.
We called and made another appointment for this Monday, his last day at work for the Christmas holidays and he will not return until January 7, 2008. So we set up an appointment for that day also. She may need another arthroscopic surgery and possible major surgery to implant an artificial cushion between the bones in the knee as she has bone on bone rubbing that he feels is causing the pain.
Australia basically shuts down during the Christmas Season as it is also the middle of the summer. All those who can take off, Almost all business close, including retail stores and restaurants etc. The only medical help is emergency medical help.
Mission wise it could not get much better. We have 5 new YSA investigators, they are being taught by the FTM and we are either fellowshipping, helping in the teaching, or just answering their question. The YSA here are great member missionaries. We have had good success with the 4 new YSA members by inviting them over to our flat, FEEDING THEM, and then teaching them in the Book of Mormon. One is close to deciding to go on a mission, one is close to receiving the Melchizadek priesthood, one is finally coming regularly to church and the last one is doing very well going out with the missionaries 2-3 times a week, fulfilling his calling and fellowshipping the less actives. He has been asking us advice on how to find an eternal mate. Last Thursday night the first came to the flat at 5:30PM for a 6:30 dinner and the last left at 11:30 PM. We were trashed, but happy with our role as missionary parents. .
Our regular summer institute class takes a 3 week break as most of the YSA’s travel home or to go on holiday. . However, this Tuesday night we have a Movie, Popcorn, Pizza, Pool(swimming pool), Christmas Party. We are showing “The Nativity Story” an excellent Hollywood movie that came out last year and Rockford 3rd YSA’s back home saw it for a family home evening. I highly recommend this movie. Rent it and watch it if you can.
Well mates, it’s time to say Gid-day, throw some shrimp on the barby and say to you the Aussie’s favourite phrase when they don’t want you to worry and that is “No Worries”.
Love Elder & Sister Mac
This is Elder MacPherson writing; aka Dad, Grandpa, and Didgeridoo Doug.
Things are going extremely well mission wise, but not so well health wise. As you aware Sister Mac had arthroscopic knee surgery Nov 13 on her right knee to repair and remove torn cartilage. The healing process has not gone well, in fact, in the last two weeks it seems to be getting worse. She is unable to sleep, nor move around very well. We tried to get hold of her doctor. However, he was on a 10 day fishing trip to New Zealand, an only got back this week. We went to see him and he appeared to blow us off that there was no problem. This orthopaedic Surgeon was recommended by the Church’s Australian medical person as the top orthopaedic surgeon in Canberra. After pushing him, he agreed to give mom a cortisone/ local anaesthetic shot in the knee and some narcotic pain tablets. The shot gave her very little relief. The narcotic tablets do help at night for about 4-5 hours before the pain wakes her up. Last night she was up 3 times.
We called and made another appointment for this Monday, his last day at work for the Christmas holidays and he will not return until January 7, 2008. So we set up an appointment for that day also. She may need another arthroscopic surgery and possible major surgery to implant an artificial cushion between the bones in the knee as she has bone on bone rubbing that he feels is causing the pain.
Australia basically shuts down during the Christmas Season as it is also the middle of the summer. All those who can take off, Almost all business close, including retail stores and restaurants etc. The only medical help is emergency medical help.
Mission wise it could not get much better. We have 5 new YSA investigators, they are being taught by the FTM and we are either fellowshipping, helping in the teaching, or just answering their question. The YSA here are great member missionaries. We have had good success with the 4 new YSA members by inviting them over to our flat, FEEDING THEM, and then teaching them in the Book of Mormon. One is close to deciding to go on a mission, one is close to receiving the Melchizadek priesthood, one is finally coming regularly to church and the last one is doing very well going out with the missionaries 2-3 times a week, fulfilling his calling and fellowshipping the less actives. He has been asking us advice on how to find an eternal mate. Last Thursday night the first came to the flat at 5:30PM for a 6:30 dinner and the last left at 11:30 PM. We were trashed, but happy with our role as missionary parents. .
Our regular summer institute class takes a 3 week break as most of the YSA’s travel home or to go on holiday. . However, this Tuesday night we have a Movie, Popcorn, Pizza, Pool(swimming pool), Christmas Party. We are showing “The Nativity Story” an excellent Hollywood movie that came out last year and Rockford 3rd YSA’s back home saw it for a family home evening. I highly recommend this movie. Rent it and watch it if you can.
Well mates, it’s time to say Gid-day, throw some shrimp on the barby and say to you the Aussie’s favourite phrase when they don’t want you to worry and that is “No Worries”.
Love Elder & Sister Mac
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Dec 8th
Boy is it hot! In the 90's each day. Sun and then thunder showers, then sun and hot but very little high humidity. We have a YSA Christmas outdoor pool party the 18th of Dec. Christmas is great in Canberra.
Today mom and I went to a ring exchange ceremony at the Lyneham Chapel of two former YSA's who were married in the Sydney Temple at 9 AM this morning. They then drove 3 hours back to Canberra to hold a ring exchange ceremony at 3 PM in the chapel where over 200 people attended and at least 125 were not members of the Church. 2/3 of the attendees where in their 20's. The meeting was conducted by the 1st councilor in the Belconnan ward, who opened with an explaination that this was not a wedding for the couple, for they had been married in the Sydney temple this morning. He then explained that they were not married "until death do us part" but for eternity and that we were just attending a ring exchange ceremony. After a prayer and a song the bishop got up and spoke on the difference between a civil or church marriage and a temple marriage. He stated that a civil marriage was a earthly legal contract between two people, where a Temple marriage is a lawful heavenly eternal covenent between two people and the Lord . He then explained what was an ideal temple marriage - all in a non-threating manner. They preformed the ring exchange then the couple both spoke to the audience why they chose to have a temple marriage versus a civil marriage or a defacto marriage( just live together). They had prepared their talks well and the talks were powerful and spiritual and they bore their testimonies at the end. The audience was very attentive and I know they felt the spirit. What a great missionary experience!
The stake president came up to me and jokingly challanged me by saying "I want a YSA marriage every 2 months. We had more non-members in church today then we have had in over 6 months"
I told him "The match makers were already working on it." By the 1st week in Feb 2008 we will have 8 YSA couples get married in the temple since we came in July. This is out of a group of active YSA's of 40-50.
We have another seminary graduation excercise next Sunday. The last week of the school year is next week. This time we have to drive to the South Coast to Norwa 3 hours away. . We are also appointing new seminary teachers for next year, if we can get the Bishop's and Stake presidency to agree on teachers. Decisions are made at a much slower pace here. I am still waiting for a Stake YSA rep. that I gave names for 3 months ago. Seminary begins in February when the new school year begins. A little different timing here in the down-under.
We now have two classes in our flat, one with one new YSA and the other with 3 New YSA's. They love the one on one attention. This is okay with the university classes down for the summer. We still have not met with the Sudenese with a Bible class which they are requesting every time they meet with the FTM.
Chistmas is spoken about a lot this time of the year but I have yet to see a Chrismas tree or a house with Christmas decorations. We had a YSA fast breaker last Sunday and the YSA girls said in church before we went to their house that they had filled their house with Christmas decorations. When we arrived at the Fast-breaker meal later we found that they had put up ballons and crape paper and that was it. It looked like decorations for a birthday party. Similar but different cultures
What a blessing to be in the scriptures so much each day, to work with the Full time Missionaries,
and to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to so many spiritually hungry people. We are truly blessed
to be on this mission!
Love Elder MacPherson Aka Dad, Grandpa and Didjeridoo Doug
Dang, I left the prawns(shrimp) on the barby too long!
Today mom and I went to a ring exchange ceremony at the Lyneham Chapel of two former YSA's who were married in the Sydney Temple at 9 AM this morning. They then drove 3 hours back to Canberra to hold a ring exchange ceremony at 3 PM in the chapel where over 200 people attended and at least 125 were not members of the Church. 2/3 of the attendees where in their 20's. The meeting was conducted by the 1st councilor in the Belconnan ward, who opened with an explaination that this was not a wedding for the couple, for they had been married in the Sydney temple this morning. He then explained that they were not married "until death do us part" but for eternity and that we were just attending a ring exchange ceremony. After a prayer and a song the bishop got up and spoke on the difference between a civil or church marriage and a temple marriage. He stated that a civil marriage was a earthly legal contract between two people, where a Temple marriage is a lawful heavenly eternal covenent between two people and the Lord . He then explained what was an ideal temple marriage - all in a non-threating manner. They preformed the ring exchange then the couple both spoke to the audience why they chose to have a temple marriage versus a civil marriage or a defacto marriage( just live together). They had prepared their talks well and the talks were powerful and spiritual and they bore their testimonies at the end. The audience was very attentive and I know they felt the spirit. What a great missionary experience!
The stake president came up to me and jokingly challanged me by saying "I want a YSA marriage every 2 months. We had more non-members in church today then we have had in over 6 months"
I told him "The match makers were already working on it." By the 1st week in Feb 2008 we will have 8 YSA couples get married in the temple since we came in July. This is out of a group of active YSA's of 40-50.
We have another seminary graduation excercise next Sunday. The last week of the school year is next week. This time we have to drive to the South Coast to Norwa 3 hours away. . We are also appointing new seminary teachers for next year, if we can get the Bishop's and Stake presidency to agree on teachers. Decisions are made at a much slower pace here. I am still waiting for a Stake YSA rep. that I gave names for 3 months ago. Seminary begins in February when the new school year begins. A little different timing here in the down-under.
We now have two classes in our flat, one with one new YSA and the other with 3 New YSA's. They love the one on one attention. This is okay with the university classes down for the summer. We still have not met with the Sudenese with a Bible class which they are requesting every time they meet with the FTM.
Chistmas is spoken about a lot this time of the year but I have yet to see a Chrismas tree or a house with Christmas decorations. We had a YSA fast breaker last Sunday and the YSA girls said in church before we went to their house that they had filled their house with Christmas decorations. When we arrived at the Fast-breaker meal later we found that they had put up ballons and crape paper and that was it. It looked like decorations for a birthday party. Similar but different cultures
What a blessing to be in the scriptures so much each day, to work with the Full time Missionaries,
and to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to so many spiritually hungry people. We are truly blessed
to be on this mission!
Love Elder MacPherson Aka Dad, Grandpa and Didjeridoo Doug
Dang, I left the prawns(shrimp) on the barby too long!
Dec 3rd
Hey fab family & friends: Mariah, Art and family left this past Thursday, that's the tear, ok tears,
the next thought was gratitude that we had such a great time with them; sure hope they can sort
of had a good time with us. I had agonized months ago about us needing to stay in our mission &
knowing we needed to stay within our mission area, while we are still actually serving. I wanted
them to fill they got to see a bit of Australia because of the fairly heavy duty cost of pure and simple just coming over here, when Mariah calmed my somewhat troubled spirit, telling me(us), they
were coming over to see us. We traveled down to the coast to Merimbula to stay at a lovely
3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath free-standing bungalo w/stainless steel appliances, no less. Large dining area with a huge table w/8 chairs and another large table w/8 chairs on the deck: over-looking the ocean. It was a beautiful setting. The kids loved the pool, the ocean and sand, etc. We also, traveled to another lovely ocean area for a few hours and spent some time at a couple of other
beachs in Eden. We were at the tail end of whale watching and frankly never saw any.
We traveled back to Canberra, a 3 hr. drive from Merimbula and Mariah, Art and kids went to the
National Museum of Au. ( a freebie at that and what a National treasure it was/is); meanwhile Dad & I went to have my knew checked out and one of the two ports was still bleeding after the surgery 9 days prior to, so they really put that special tape they now use. My knee looked like a many-sided star, with the tape really criss-crossing and that really did the job. The tape just recently came off. I felt so good those first two days after the surgery; I thought the doctor was a miracle man, until those couple of days later when all the pain-dulling stuff they injected into my knee wore off and pain returned, coupled with a stiff knee. While at the doctor's office and being re-taped, the nurse/receptionist said on a scale of 1-4, 4 is the worse- I was in fact a 4. Her comment was it doesn't go to a 5. Nobody told me it was that serious, until 9 days later. I wish they would have told us/me and that I should really take it a bit easier; two days after the surgery, I cooked for 5 YSA's, plus us for supper and helped with a B of M lesson and felt such pain. I tended to think it is just the aging thing. At that last appointment, I told,Judy thnurse/receptionis t, I'd had the pain for a good 5-6 weeks prior to the surgery and was wondering if it was just the aging thing and she said, nope it was the tear. I'm still stiff kneed and am continuing to do the knee exercises, but feel frustrated the knee still hurts like heck a fair amount of the time. Thank goodness for Ibuprophen!!
Anyway, back to Mariah, Art & kids being here in Canberra (pronouced Cambra), Friday we all went
to a great museum, with lots of hands on stuff to do; took our lunch, ate it outside; stayed most
of the day, so we got our money's worth, as it had an entrance fee. Then after leaving that museum, called Questacon, which is a heart beat away from Lake Burley-Griffin, we fed the black
swans, which have red eyes & beaks. The kids liked that and no one fell in.
The next day was Saturday, and we went on a tour of the New Parliament house, which we all
thought was so interesting, the building is so unique. Oh, the night before, Brett, one of the more
recent converts came over to our flat and cooked a unique dinner: lamb tangine/ curry with fruits anda vegetable couscous, with a separate one for the kids, with fruits and nuts. He brought a
fresh loaf of turkish bread. It was a more typical Australian meal, not an English meal! Yeah, it was a real treat. Saturday, after we toured the Parliament house, we met Brett again and he, Art, Evan and Doug climbed Mount Ainslie, which is actually a lovely tall hill overlooking the city of Canberra.
Mariah and I, at the same time went to the National War Memoria, which is really quite spectacular
and also a freebie. There was a neat children's area, where Lili & Noah, happily played for close to
an hour. Noah, had a blast sitting in and steering a helicopter from the Viet Nam war. It makes all
kinds of noise and he loved it. Then we hooked back up with the guys and drove up to Mt. Ainslie
for our picnic lunch and to over-look the city and see just how lovely it really is. Then, we went about a 45 min. drive to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and the kids loved seeing kangaroos fairly close up, along with emus. I think we all enjoyed seeing so much wild life. We drove back, thanks to Mariah, we made/actually I only helped, Brett stayed for dinner and played games with the kids.
The next day, now a week had already gone by; we all went to our home ward, Woden. Came
back for some dinner, made a batch of choc. chip cookies (thanks to Kris/Mariah for that great
receipe that has a bit of lemon juice and cinnamon), packed up and drove to Sydney for the last
several days. Monday, was exhausting, but great: we started out going into the Sydney Aquarium and wildlife World on Darling Harbour. They were both fabulous, although I loved the Wildlife World
thing the most. Once you went inside, it was hard to believe the city was all around us. We saw
wondrerful wildlife, including koalas and it was even mating season for them. Then we went on the
monorail and could jump on and off with our pass: the first stop was to the absolutely lovely Chinese Gardens and as we came out of that, Mariah and Art noticed a building when they had a
free 1/2 hour show of Sounds of the Outback, performed live by an artist playing the didjeridoo, with the most fabulous backdrop behind him with scenes of th Outback in the most beautiful colors.
Art and I were both so impressed with the show, we each bought a CD, called Sounds of the Outback, which was the music we had just heard. The show was so professiona and entertaining,
I woudl pay to see it. I'm probably driving Dad nuts listening to the music, but it is so peaceful and I'm so glad I bought it. Next, we jumped back onto the monorail and went to see the Sydney Tower and OzTrek, which is probably the only thing, I wouldn't really care to see again. By time we got
back it was probably close to 8PM, but what a great day. ALthough, truth be told, we had a hard
time keeping up with Mariah & Art, Dad and I with our bad legs.
The next day, Mariah, Art & kids went to a nearby museum and we stayed back in the 3 bedroom
apartment we were renting for those last 4 days in Sydney. Then, when they returned we all
set off the see the beautiful Syney Opera House and went for a one hour tour, which again was
so interesting and sooo beautiful. From the Opera House, we could walk to the beautiful Sydney
Botanical Gardens, which we had seen with most of the senior missionaries from our mission last
month. Evan, especially enjoyed seeing all the flying fox bats hanging from so many of the trees.
The next day, Dad & I dropped Mariah, Art & kids at Bondi beach and they walked along a beautiful
walk way and I think they saw 4 or 5 beachs and ended up where we were waiting for them. I think it was close to a 3-4 mile walk. The beautiful public beachs over here have a part of the beach,
that is particianed off, ocean water, almost like a pool. In one of the beachs, Mariah said, it was
like a lap pool. Pretty cool idea. That last day was absolutely a perfect day for the beach, warm
and sunny. Frankly, even though both Dad & I didn't attemp the walk with them, by time we
got back to our Sydney apartment, when Dad & I got there; I suggested we get two guns and fire
at each other to put us out of our misery, like you might do with horses that have broken legs. Dad
walks almost as funny as I do, but it's his left leg and I had the surgery on my right leg. Inspite of
our legs letting us down, and we're hopeful we didn't rain on Mariah & Art's parade:WE ABSOLUTELY
LOVED SPENDING TIME WITH THEM AND DOING ALL THE FUN THINGS WE DID AND SEEING THE
WONDERFUL THINGS WE SAW. Have to tell all of you, family and friends, we cherish our great trips/
vacations we have had with you. It was sad/and a bit hard to say goodby to them, but again se
so appreciate them coming/being here. After that we met with our Seminary/Institute Supervisor,
Bro. Neill, who gave us our new seminary/institute supplies to take back with us to Canberra. We
then had our 3 hours drive to get back; he reminded us we had a seminary/intitute meeting back
in Sydney a day and half later. Friday, we tried playing catch up. Sat. morning, we were on the
road by 5 AM to attend that meeting that started at 8 AM and ended at noon, returning to Canberra mid afternoon. At least a ten hour day, cut well worth up. It was inspiring and uplifting.
Yesterday, Sunday we attended two wards for not quite 6 hours, we didn't attend the second
RS/Priesthood meetings. In the second set of meetings in Ginninderra, we talked with the former
stake RS President and her husband, who had just recently put in their senior missionary papers
and were called to be the replacement for the Utah couple, who had just recently left. I told them,
Bro. & Sis. Cartner, we are happy for them and we will see them once in a while and will certainly
talk with them on the phone. I told them, they will love the mission president and his great wife.
They will go on their mission the end of this month, what a great blessing for our mission president,
because the wait for an American couple would be months and months more than likely.
Last night, after leaving Ginninderra we drove back to make some homemade brownies, cut up some
fresh pineapple and kiwi's to take to the monthly fast breaker with our YSA's. Again, Brett brought
another wonderful curry, which I ate. We always enjoy socializing with them. Today, Monday, we
had one YSA, again a fairly recent convert in for his own private gospel centered lesson/discussion
with lunch with us. He asked if we were aware of several other recent converts, who might apprecaite some one on one gospel sharing/strenghenin g discussions and when we asked him to
get us their names and phone numbers, he said he would. We also, worked on prep. for our
Tuesday night Institute lesson and our Thursday night B of M supper/group. SO, we are right back
in the swing of things, as well we should be. This Friday night, we will attend the Woden ward
Christmas party and Sunday we will attend the First Presidency Christmas message, coupled with
a stake Christmas music presentation and supper at the stake center. We will attend our Woden
ward meetings Sunday, along with attending Tuggeranong' s meetings. Boy, Sunday's are right up
Dad's alley, typically 6 hrs. of meetings.
Well, want you all to know, we love the Lord and hope in ever so small ways, we can do some good. Hope this finds you all well. Want you to know, you are soooooooo beloved.
Love, Sister Mac aka mom mac/grandma mac
Sweet Noelle turns 8 on Dec. 15th and will be baptized after Christmas and Morgan, the oldest of
5 kids under the age of 3, will have her 3rd birthday on the day after Christmas! Happy birthday,
beautiful gals!!! Love ya!!!
the next thought was gratitude that we had such a great time with them; sure hope they can sort
of had a good time with us. I had agonized months ago about us needing to stay in our mission &
knowing we needed to stay within our mission area, while we are still actually serving. I wanted
them to fill they got to see a bit of Australia because of the fairly heavy duty cost of pure and simple just coming over here, when Mariah calmed my somewhat troubled spirit, telling me(us), they
were coming over to see us. We traveled down to the coast to Merimbula to stay at a lovely
3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath free-standing bungalo w/stainless steel appliances, no less. Large dining area with a huge table w/8 chairs and another large table w/8 chairs on the deck: over-looking the ocean. It was a beautiful setting. The kids loved the pool, the ocean and sand, etc. We also, traveled to another lovely ocean area for a few hours and spent some time at a couple of other
beachs in Eden. We were at the tail end of whale watching and frankly never saw any.
We traveled back to Canberra, a 3 hr. drive from Merimbula and Mariah, Art and kids went to the
National Museum of Au. ( a freebie at that and what a National treasure it was/is); meanwhile Dad & I went to have my knew checked out and one of the two ports was still bleeding after the surgery 9 days prior to, so they really put that special tape they now use. My knee looked like a many-sided star, with the tape really criss-crossing and that really did the job. The tape just recently came off. I felt so good those first two days after the surgery; I thought the doctor was a miracle man, until those couple of days later when all the pain-dulling stuff they injected into my knee wore off and pain returned, coupled with a stiff knee. While at the doctor's office and being re-taped, the nurse/receptionist said on a scale of 1-4, 4 is the worse- I was in fact a 4. Her comment was it doesn't go to a 5. Nobody told me it was that serious, until 9 days later. I wish they would have told us/me and that I should really take it a bit easier; two days after the surgery, I cooked for 5 YSA's, plus us for supper and helped with a B of M lesson and felt such pain. I tended to think it is just the aging thing. At that last appointment, I told,Judy thnurse/receptionis t, I'd had the pain for a good 5-6 weeks prior to the surgery and was wondering if it was just the aging thing and she said, nope it was the tear. I'm still stiff kneed and am continuing to do the knee exercises, but feel frustrated the knee still hurts like heck a fair amount of the time. Thank goodness for Ibuprophen!!
Anyway, back to Mariah, Art & kids being here in Canberra (pronouced Cambra), Friday we all went
to a great museum, with lots of hands on stuff to do; took our lunch, ate it outside; stayed most
of the day, so we got our money's worth, as it had an entrance fee. Then after leaving that museum, called Questacon, which is a heart beat away from Lake Burley-Griffin, we fed the black
swans, which have red eyes & beaks. The kids liked that and no one fell in.
The next day was Saturday, and we went on a tour of the New Parliament house, which we all
thought was so interesting, the building is so unique. Oh, the night before, Brett, one of the more
recent converts came over to our flat and cooked a unique dinner: lamb tangine/ curry with fruits anda vegetable couscous, with a separate one for the kids, with fruits and nuts. He brought a
fresh loaf of turkish bread. It was a more typical Australian meal, not an English meal! Yeah, it was a real treat. Saturday, after we toured the Parliament house, we met Brett again and he, Art, Evan and Doug climbed Mount Ainslie, which is actually a lovely tall hill overlooking the city of Canberra.
Mariah and I, at the same time went to the National War Memoria, which is really quite spectacular
and also a freebie. There was a neat children's area, where Lili & Noah, happily played for close to
an hour. Noah, had a blast sitting in and steering a helicopter from the Viet Nam war. It makes all
kinds of noise and he loved it. Then we hooked back up with the guys and drove up to Mt. Ainslie
for our picnic lunch and to over-look the city and see just how lovely it really is. Then, we went about a 45 min. drive to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and the kids loved seeing kangaroos fairly close up, along with emus. I think we all enjoyed seeing so much wild life. We drove back, thanks to Mariah, we made/actually I only helped, Brett stayed for dinner and played games with the kids.
The next day, now a week had already gone by; we all went to our home ward, Woden. Came
back for some dinner, made a batch of choc. chip cookies (thanks to Kris/Mariah for that great
receipe that has a bit of lemon juice and cinnamon), packed up and drove to Sydney for the last
several days. Monday, was exhausting, but great: we started out going into the Sydney Aquarium and wildlife World on Darling Harbour. They were both fabulous, although I loved the Wildlife World
thing the most. Once you went inside, it was hard to believe the city was all around us. We saw
wondrerful wildlife, including koalas and it was even mating season for them. Then we went on the
monorail and could jump on and off with our pass: the first stop was to the absolutely lovely Chinese Gardens and as we came out of that, Mariah and Art noticed a building when they had a
free 1/2 hour show of Sounds of the Outback, performed live by an artist playing the didjeridoo, with the most fabulous backdrop behind him with scenes of th Outback in the most beautiful colors.
Art and I were both so impressed with the show, we each bought a CD, called Sounds of the Outback, which was the music we had just heard. The show was so professiona and entertaining,
I woudl pay to see it. I'm probably driving Dad nuts listening to the music, but it is so peaceful and I'm so glad I bought it. Next, we jumped back onto the monorail and went to see the Sydney Tower and OzTrek, which is probably the only thing, I wouldn't really care to see again. By time we got
back it was probably close to 8PM, but what a great day. ALthough, truth be told, we had a hard
time keeping up with Mariah & Art, Dad and I with our bad legs.
The next day, Mariah, Art & kids went to a nearby museum and we stayed back in the 3 bedroom
apartment we were renting for those last 4 days in Sydney. Then, when they returned we all
set off the see the beautiful Syney Opera House and went for a one hour tour, which again was
so interesting and sooo beautiful. From the Opera House, we could walk to the beautiful Sydney
Botanical Gardens, which we had seen with most of the senior missionaries from our mission last
month. Evan, especially enjoyed seeing all the flying fox bats hanging from so many of the trees.
The next day, Dad & I dropped Mariah, Art & kids at Bondi beach and they walked along a beautiful
walk way and I think they saw 4 or 5 beachs and ended up where we were waiting for them. I think it was close to a 3-4 mile walk. The beautiful public beachs over here have a part of the beach,
that is particianed off, ocean water, almost like a pool. In one of the beachs, Mariah said, it was
like a lap pool. Pretty cool idea. That last day was absolutely a perfect day for the beach, warm
and sunny. Frankly, even though both Dad & I didn't attemp the walk with them, by time we
got back to our Sydney apartment, when Dad & I got there; I suggested we get two guns and fire
at each other to put us out of our misery, like you might do with horses that have broken legs. Dad
walks almost as funny as I do, but it's his left leg and I had the surgery on my right leg. Inspite of
our legs letting us down, and we're hopeful we didn't rain on Mariah & Art's parade:WE ABSOLUTELY
LOVED SPENDING TIME WITH THEM AND DOING ALL THE FUN THINGS WE DID AND SEEING THE
WONDERFUL THINGS WE SAW. Have to tell all of you, family and friends, we cherish our great trips/
vacations we have had with you. It was sad/and a bit hard to say goodby to them, but again se
so appreciate them coming/being here. After that we met with our Seminary/Institute Supervisor,
Bro. Neill, who gave us our new seminary/institute supplies to take back with us to Canberra. We
then had our 3 hours drive to get back; he reminded us we had a seminary/intitute meeting back
in Sydney a day and half later. Friday, we tried playing catch up. Sat. morning, we were on the
road by 5 AM to attend that meeting that started at 8 AM and ended at noon, returning to Canberra mid afternoon. At least a ten hour day, cut well worth up. It was inspiring and uplifting.
Yesterday, Sunday we attended two wards for not quite 6 hours, we didn't attend the second
RS/Priesthood meetings. In the second set of meetings in Ginninderra, we talked with the former
stake RS President and her husband, who had just recently put in their senior missionary papers
and were called to be the replacement for the Utah couple, who had just recently left. I told them,
Bro. & Sis. Cartner, we are happy for them and we will see them once in a while and will certainly
talk with them on the phone. I told them, they will love the mission president and his great wife.
They will go on their mission the end of this month, what a great blessing for our mission president,
because the wait for an American couple would be months and months more than likely.
Last night, after leaving Ginninderra we drove back to make some homemade brownies, cut up some
fresh pineapple and kiwi's to take to the monthly fast breaker with our YSA's. Again, Brett brought
another wonderful curry, which I ate. We always enjoy socializing with them. Today, Monday, we
had one YSA, again a fairly recent convert in for his own private gospel centered lesson/discussion
with lunch with us. He asked if we were aware of several other recent converts, who might apprecaite some one on one gospel sharing/strenghenin g discussions and when we asked him to
get us their names and phone numbers, he said he would. We also, worked on prep. for our
Tuesday night Institute lesson and our Thursday night B of M supper/group. SO, we are right back
in the swing of things, as well we should be. This Friday night, we will attend the Woden ward
Christmas party and Sunday we will attend the First Presidency Christmas message, coupled with
a stake Christmas music presentation and supper at the stake center. We will attend our Woden
ward meetings Sunday, along with attending Tuggeranong' s meetings. Boy, Sunday's are right up
Dad's alley, typically 6 hrs. of meetings.
Well, want you all to know, we love the Lord and hope in ever so small ways, we can do some good. Hope this finds you all well. Want you to know, you are soooooooo beloved.
Love, Sister Mac aka mom mac/grandma mac
Sweet Noelle turns 8 on Dec. 15th and will be baptized after Christmas and Morgan, the oldest of
5 kids under the age of 3, will have her 3rd birthday on the day after Christmas! Happy birthday,
beautiful gals!!! Love ya!!!
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