Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009

Belated Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, 2009!-from "Down Under"   We are into the last week of our actual service/ mission among the wonderful Australians we have met with, taught scripture classes and marriage classes too, broke bread with and have grown to love more than I could have ever imagined. We have predominately served among the YSA's (young single adults 18-31++) along the high school age "kids"(aged 14 to 18) and young married adults. One of our YSA's would always remind us, here in Australia, "it's all about food, thus the break bread privilege. Just this Monday night we had several YSA's for dinner at 6 PM, they didn't leave until 11 PM. I remember shortly after we had arrived, I told the CES Coordinator we report to, nobody told us, this would be so much night work. We have been saying goodbye for the past several weeks, as we received invites for dinner; and then it really dawned on me(us), that it was going to be much harder to leave these fun loving, sensitive to the Spirit, warm, kind and so incredibly loving people than I expected or anticipated. At one of our missionary meetings we attend weekly, which generally is with the young 19-21+ year old Elders and Sisters, one of these young Elders commented that if when he returned home, if he was met at the airport with an ambulance to take him to a hospital, he would  know he had worn himself out in his missionary service and that it would be acceptable to the Savior. At another meeting, we heard, that missions are the very least we could do. Well, although, we both feel a bit worn out-we don't think we will need an ambulance—and are just hopeful it won't be a hearse to meet us. JUST KIDDING. We typically would pray daily, especially for these beautiful young people and prayed that by small means, we could help to uplift, encourage and edify them. Don't have to tell any of you, life can be hard and the challenges for young people probably were unimaginable years ago. This week has already been a full-out time with them. Up early, go to bed late, but worthwhile. When we came over here, now close to 18 months ago, it was sooooo hard leaving our family and grandchildren, but we knew we would be going back to them. Here, it is almost harder. We are excited to go home and see two new grandchildren we haven't even held, along with our other beloved thirty one grandchildren. But, as we say these ongoing goodbyes, we are aware as we leave, we may or most probably will never see most of the older people we have met & loved  and even many or most of the young people. We feel, as Aussies are truly world class travelers, we may see some of these choice beautiful young people in the U.S.. Our mission has been mostly good, just as life is mostly good with just a few disappointments and frustrations along the way. Our second son, Rob, his lovely wife, Annie and four grandchildren will fly into Sydney this coming Sunday, Dec. 21st and we are thrilled they will spend an Aussie Christmas with us and we will all travel together. Just recently I read again, having read this statement before: "…not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive & nonexistent future when you will have the time to do all that you may want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey-now. What a bittersweet journey this has been in Australia, busy, productive, meeting such wonderful people who are so easy to love and now somewhat bitter leaving them. We wish you a most lovely Christmas with family & friends. A couple of weeks ago, a lady talked about Christmas and gift giving and the fact that as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, He's the only one who doesn't receive gifts. She suggested we think of ways we can give gifts to the Savior:such as services and kindness toward to others. Thus the saying: This is the Reason for the Season.      Love, Elder & Sister MacPherson   aka Doug & Pat