Obnoxious Jello Salad

Cool story about jello salad to follow, but first, some pics!!!
Enjoy!

(Downtown Mooroopna)

(Downtown Mooroopna)

(Echuca's Branch President)

(characters from Echuca Branch)

(Brenda's quilt)

(A kiwi named April)

(April's cute sons)

(Aussie sunset)

(Ancient Eucalyptus tree)

(17-yr old piano student, Vivian)

(3 sets of wheels per trailer)

(Tongan Elder Tangi)

(Reading in bed)

Scott, here: Today is Monday.

Mondays are good days.

Monday is our "P" Day- the day to recoup from Sunday, which is definitely not a "day of rest." Sunday was our Branch Conference. It is like a Ward Conference, except all the District(Stake) Leaders travel from 3 to 4 hours to get here. So, needless to say, the meetings and friendships are very intense, because we don't get together very often. The Sacrament Meeting lasted 1 hour & 50 minutes, and it started "on time" which is most unusual with Samoan Branches. Our Branch Choir, of 50 Samoan voices, sang "I Need Thee Every Hour" and brought tears from the Brethren sitting on the stand. I started the Choir 2 measures early, and of course, Shirley went with us so no one would notice. Sister Solomon is the one that makes me look good!!

We struggle out here in Mooroopna with inactive members, but let us tell you, when the stalwarts in the different areas of the District get together,the Spirit of the Lord is in great abundance.

After the Block Meetings, the Elders quickly set up tables in the Foyer (We have no Rec Hall), and with all the sisters bringing a "plate" (a "dish") the Relief Society Sisters served a lavish buffet, of which the main purpose is to feed the travelers before they leave. ENTER....the green jello! Of course, we decided now was the time to take a jello salad and we chose Shirley's 'beloved' Grandmothers famous (and infamous) recipe containing cottage cheese, crushed pineapple, walnuts, sliced green olives w/ pimentos, maraschino cherries and miniature marshmallows. Shirley let everyone know it was a dish from America, then she sat around listening to the comments, having a good chuckle. Half of those in attendance absolutely "loved" it; half were too skeptical to even try it. "What do you call this dish?" was the question of the day. Upon hearing a "jello salad" the replies were mostly that jelly (not jello) is used in desserts. And "why do you call it Jello?" to which Shirley would sing the old ad-song "J-E-L-L-O!" I, Scott, said "I'm not sure what happened: the Church brought the Gospel to Australia but forgot to bring the Jello!" I guess that's another one of 'our' responsibilities!!

Next Sunday we are teaching the first two lessons on Family History to the adults in the Branch. They are on gathering what info and material you have around your house. I'm hoping I won't have to tell them how much I don't do computers. Sister Solomon has banned me from touching the computer; every time I do, it creates so many mistakes, it takes her days to correct everything! The following day will be another exciting Zone Conference up in Wangaratta. The senior couples serving missions in this Zone always do one of the meals. The most loved of all with all the missionaries from all the Islands, Aussie and U.S. love Sloppy Joes and Hawaiian Haystacks the best. So Sister Solomon, Nielsen and Racines meet at 3:00pm to prepare the meal for the beginning of the Conference, which will continue through the next day. We are always assigned a talk, just in case you all called on to speak. Shirley was called last time, so we figure it's going to be 'my turn.
I am still looking for easy songs for our Nativity Pageant. It will be held outside the chapel with Choir and short vignettes. Please, if you have any neat songs, easy and clever, please SEND.

The Counselor to the Mission President stopped by our flat to check our TV. He thought it might need 'programming.' No matter what he did, it still left us with a blue screen. He said he would request a new TV for our flat. We are anticipating this with great hope!!

We are slowly getting more used to the language here, like putting the "rubbish in the bin" and "take away" foods and "ring me up" or "pop it over to me." I'm also getting used to the morning cereals and gravy on french fries!!(I think it takes the place of "fry sauce." ) Me-thinks we'll be back with a somewhat Aussie accent.

We still get pretty homesick; I have been surprised with how homesick I am. I thought I would have to console Shirley, but it seems to be the other way around. But we are getting busier by the day. Now it looks like I will be teaching an Institute class here and in Echuca! I actually am looking forward to doing this. There is certainly a need. We are also involved in the upcoming Youth Conference(EFY) which is held in this awesome resort up in some mountains somewhere. We'll be "in the kitchen", teaching the youth the medley "As Sisters in Zion/Armies of Helaman" which will be sung by the youth from all over for the next District Conference. There is a dynamic Young Women's Leader here in the District. The Saints that are active here are all choice people. It's been inspiring to serve with them and feel of the love and strengths.

We continue to feel so grateful to be here, to have the health and stamina to carry on the work here, in sharing the Gospel and strengthening the Saints in this Branch. Our families and friends we left behind for a short while are in our prayers and thoughts constantly. Sending love and warm regards,

The Solomons

More pics just for fun!

(Our Mission President and his wife. President Corey and Sister Janis Lindley)

(This picture shows how narrow the lanes are.)

Pics and the joy we are finding everyday!

(Scott's birthday dinner at Brenda's)

(Dancing at the Mother's Day Bash)

(Us and little J'beira)

(Maddie and Me....we're friends!)

(The Royal Wives of the Branch Presidency)


Mother's Day a la Samoa
There was great anticipation of this event to be held Saturday afternoon at 4:00, which we are learning slowly that it probably will get going about 5 or 5:30. And then they'll wait til all the dignitaries are here; in this case, it was the 2nd Counselor. Husbands had been instructed to make leis for their wives. Of course, one is suppose to just 'know' this; no announcement. And they weren't all that thrilled about Elder Solomon calling all the inactives to tell them about this party. (Tired of 'feeding' them; so we knew then that it was a Samoan affair. ) Have to learn the signals and customs. So great! Another opportunity to wear our outrageous matching outfits, made previously in Utah for a big Luau. Needless to say, our Polynesian attire was a hit! However, as I waltzed in with my home-made lei around my neck, we learn you weren't supposed to, after clearing all of us "not in the know" out of the hall. Our names and titles were called out to proceed into the room, starting First with the Branch President's wife and Counselor's wives; followed by Br.Pres. Mother-in-Law; followed next by Hilda, the oldest Mother in the Branch; followed by me, Sister Solomon. Unknowingly, Elder Solomon put his lei around my neck(once more!) gave me a sweet kiss, and escorted me in, and sat across from me, right until he noticed none of the husbands were in the Hall, much less "sitting" at a table! So he gingerly sauntered back out of the hall, once again; and all the men ate in the kitchen and waited on our tables(us wives and kids). Scott did get permission to go in and sit with me, as well as our cute Elders. The food was fabulous, as usual; they "loved" the garlic bread. (Ours! Garlic bread isn't a big thing here.) Then with Samoan Elder Prez announcing the rest of the evening in Samoan, we realized tables were dismantled and the hall was cleared for the "Item" Show, which only the Samoans knew about. A "talent show'. Then the DJ started the dance music and Scott and I danced the swing once and a waltz once and Scott was tired out (he turned 72 last week!) so we had fun watching them dance. They did a lot of 'acting out the words' with their partner as they danced. This went on for about 2 more hours then it drew to a close. We did have a good time that night. Then the next morning at church, the speakers were informed they would postpone their talks til next time, and the meeting was opened up to Mothers to bear their testimonies, and the Primary Pres. was informed as she came in late that the Primary was to sing a song for Mothers. That's how they function here. But we're here to strengthen this Branch, and you know Scott!!??

Aussies use the word "item" a lot here. We wanted to share that we're doing a big Genealogy Workshop in June, which will be open to the communities of Mooroopna and Shepparton, where anyone can come to our chapel to learn how to search out their ancestors on the computer. We are spreading at least a thousand fliers out around the communities and hope it will become a great way to get missionary referrals. And Scott has been working on his plans for the Christmas Pageant which will be traveling to 3 different towns for performances. We are really enjoying our time here. With no distractions we have been studying the scriptures and prayerfully asking for guidance to serve where we might be needed. I spend all day Saturday giving piano lessons to Branch members, of all ages. We work with the missionaries, with the members, and are finding joy in our experiences here.

Scott's Entry

Scott here….

To start off this epistle, I want our family to know how much we miss them! Zach and Jamie are getting married without our being there. I never thought a function like that would ever happen without us. And now we are starting to miss Birthdays. Often Grandma tears up and can’t even read the e-mails. But we do know why we are here and I am sure our family will grow closer together with stronger bonds. We miss our friends, that wonderful circle, that surround us and gave us comfort and encouragement.

Our calling has given us much more responsibility than we ever anticipated. We seem to be on GO all the time. We still don’t have a Tellie(TV) or radio in the flat, but they would probably slow us down.

Talking about slang, nicknames and shortened words, the other morning, we stopped for breakfast at McDonalds and on the menu billboard were the words for a “Short Breakie”. They also had a “Large Breakie.”

Anyway, with all this going on, you wonder how we can be homesick? Well, we have been, and we continue to miss our dear ones, so keep us in your prayers and thoughts, and e-mail us a couple of times a month, and that will help keep us going. We have you in our prayers daily, and send our love.

Scott: Entry #2

There have been so many things I’ve wanted to write about, I decided I would, so I have arisen from bed at 11:00pm to do this!

This past week-end, we travelled to Wangaratta for District Conference. In the mission field, it is like a Stake Conference. Our District is comprised of 10 Branches about 1 hr to 3 hrs. apart, except for Griffith which is about 41/2 hrs. away. Gas is about $1.35 per litre, which is about 1 ¾ pints, or $60-$70 to fill the tank in our Toyota Corolla. The District Presidency comes under the Mission President.

He has two Counselors and 4 Councilmen. I was sustained as a Councilman at this Conference. However, I was not Set Apart. My calling from the Prophet covers that. Presiding over the Conference was an Area Seventy by the name of David Hoare. Elder Hoare lives in Melbourne, and covers this part of the world. In our Priesthood Meeting, Sat. afternoon, he talked about Church Government. Many people out here in the Bush are new to the Gospel and have not learned many Principles. Elder Hoare explained that he holds no keys. He is on assignment from the Twelve Apostles. If a Stake needs to be re-organized, etc., he is called to officiate and represent one of the Twelve. There are 8 Quorums of the Seventies in the world today. Also the Temple President and Matron of the Melbourne Temple were there.

I couldn’t help remembering when Las Vegas had 3 small wards and Moapa Stake included Moapa Valley, Virgin Valley, Henderson, and Kingman, Arizona. How small our membership was back then!

I am sure this area here in Australia will grow; maybe not quite like Las Vegas, but they are really good people here.

Scott’s Entry #3

Our little Branch has not been growing. Our members are sweet, with wonderful spirits, but are not outgoing or doing missionary work. I suggested we have a Live Nativity Pageant to draw attention to our Chapel. Everyone so far has liked the idea. We called the Mission Office for permission. They called back and said they would like our Branch Choir, that I had mentioned being a part of the pageant, to sing at Saturday night’s meeting. We sang a striking rendition of “Come Ye Children of the Lord”. I slowed the tempo down towards the end, then picked the tempo up for a majestic ending! We also did an arrangement of “I Need Thee Every Hour” which really came off well. At the end of the Conference we were given permission to do the Pageant with an agreement to fund the expenses.

Bro. Magleby, of the Church Music Department in Salt Lake wrote back that “we were real pioneers”, when Shirley wrote that our Branch was mostly Samoans who struggle with the English Language!!

If anyone has a script or music for a Live Nativity, please send ASAP> Shirley’s saying, “It’s a fine thing you got us into .” But I’m sure there is help out there. I want to focus on the Prophecies, and the Manger- easy music and Children’s songs.

Saturday before Mother’s Day, our Branch is having a Mother’s Day Dinner. Each Brother is to make two leis(?) one for his wife and another for a Sister, and to bring a ‘plate.’ ( it’s Potluck, in other words.) They suggest I make a lollie lei. I think that’s connecting candies.

Entry #4

Now let me tell you what it is like to drive on the Left side of the road!!! You cannot imagine the ‘vibrations’ that go through your body when you see a large Semi truck on a very narrow two-lane road, coming at you on the Right side!! The embarrassment when one gets in the car when it is parked in a large Parking Lot only to discover one got in on the wrong side and there is no steering wheel!! The people in this area seem to gather when one is trying to parallel park in the painted box along side the curb. So, yeah the Rear View mirror is on the ‘wrong’ side. However I have just recently discovered a mirror on each side of the car. (Doesn’t take me long!) The basic speed on most roads is either 60, 80, or 100 kilometers. On divided highways, the speed is 110 K’s. I was told by another Elder that 110k’s is about 68 mph. No one ever goes over the limit because they will ‘ticket’ for going even 1 or 2 miles over.

Another interesting challenge is going through a “round about” clockwise instead of counter-clock-wise. Australia uses a lot of round abouts, even when major roads cross. Most traffic travels the same speed so the cars weave through the round- abouts without slowing down. Shirley is constantly having ‘heart attacks’ sitting in the passenger’s seat!

But, of course, I couldn’t do any of this navigating without my co-pilot. Shirley reads the signs, helps me judge traffic, and keeps me on the side of the road I’m supposed to be on! Shirley has yet to drive in Australia. So unlike her. Maybe when I quit turning on the windshield wiper instead the the blinker, she’ll gain the courage to try it!

Shirley gets a kick out of road signs, because they use whole sentences: here are some examples:
* It is time to SLOW Down.

* Keep left unless overtaking.
* Open your eyes. Fatigue kills.
* Please do not use noisy ENGINE BRAKES.
* Drive 50k in built up areas.
* Right lane must turn right.
* Wrong way. Go back.
* Slowing down won’t kill.
*Secure your loads. Penalties apply.
* Emergency stopping lane only.
* Only sleep cures fatigue.

Fun Mission Pictures

(Branch Pres. piano lesson)

(District Conference Auxillary Sisters)

(Ned Kelley Artwork)

(The White Fleet at Zone Conference)

(Tongan Sisters)

(The 'Ute' Truck)

(Typical Quilt)

Happenings!

INTERESTING HAPPENINGS IN OUR MISSION ZONE
(1) There is a lovely young Tongan, Sister Pasina, fresh over here from the islands, who has learned English so fast and so well, that she sounds as though she's lived here for 20 years. Well, during Transfers, she was given a brand new missionary, who is also Tongan, Sister KiniKini, who was born and raised in West Valley, Utah. Her parents are both Tongan but none of them speak the language. THey discovered, to their great delight, that they were actually related; that one's grandmother was a sister to the other's grandfather and they are cousins! And the story ends with Sister Pasina teaching KiniKini how to speak Tongan. And they are so thrilled to be together.

(2) Another interesting story was told by our Mission President's dynamite wife in an address during the Zone Conference. She was talking to the young missionaries about how laws that are eternal and can't be ignored or broken without a consequence. She related an experience her brother-in-law had just the week before. Sister Lindley was received a desperate call from her sister in Salt Lake, who was on her way there, but needed her to please hasten to Sydney and be with her husband who was in the hospital. He had been in Sydney for a Business Convention and had been run over by a truck and was in serious condition in the hospital there. He had stepped off a curb, looked to his "left" as we do in America; but in Australia traffic comes at you from the "right." There apparently was even a warning sign on the curb that said "Look to the right." She flew to be by his side, and everyone at the hospital there was saying "It was so sad it happened to such a sweet man!" But as Sister Lindley explained "When it comes to natural laws, it doesn't matter "how nice" a person is, if you step off the curb into a truck, the resulting outcome cannot be changed and he was thrown 20 feet into the air, resulting in serious skull fractures. Interesting enough, though, he received no injuries "under his clothing." Life is very interesting here in the Mission Field!