Solomon's Porch: September 2010

G'Day, Maties and "No Worries"
We are six months into this mission and I am still not used to those expressions that everyone uses.(Quote: Elder Solomon) Our local TV(Telly) had a news item last week about a young mother who gave birth, prematurely, to twins in a local hospital, a girl and a boy. The girl was just fine, but the 'boy' would not breathe; after 20 minutes, the Doctor pronounced the baby was dead and put him in his mother's arms to grieve and say 'goodbye.' Instinctively, the mother put the naked little body on her bare chest and held him tight. The baby started to flinch, so they called the doctor to come back, but he said 'it was just a normal reaction to twitch and would not come back to the room. Well, the baby kept twitching and then started 'rooting' , so the Mother put some milk on her finger and the baby took it, then opened his eyes. It was so touching and such a testimony to bonding with the mother when first born. It was definitely a miracle in action.
So, the first Sunday in August was another Birthday Gala at member, Brenda's house, celebrating our Elder Faumui and daughter, Erin's birthday, with the usual feast and gifts and goodies. Then we traveled to Echuca, the other Church Branch we are assigned to, for a 'Movie Night'. The Young Men hosted it, prepared all the goodies, and cleaned up afterwards. Now a 'supper' in Australia is a substantial late-night feast; there was everything from Pizza to Ice Cream Cones; and we were delighted to find that 'popcorn' is also the standard fare at movies, just like 'home.' The movie they showed was an absolutely hilarious comedy we hadn't seen: "Old Dogs" starring Robin Williams and John Travolta. Everyone brought blankets and pillows to the shopping center where church is held, and a great time was had by all.
We had many dinner invitations during the month of August, during which we are treated like 'royalty' and the food is awesome; we are having a hard time controlling our weight, to say the least. Oz is a land of butter, cream, custard toppings and meat, meat, meat!
We fulfilled our "first" time Flat Inspections of all the missionaries in our Zone. They were in pretty good shape, and we left giant Cadbury Chocolate Bars and homemade goodies with our reports in each place. We were 3 days of traveling and checking their pads. We took the opportunity to do some 'sight-seeing' as we traveled from town to town.
For Relief Society Homemaking this month, we (I made Elder Solomon come and help) taught the ladies the Art of Embroidery, by hand that is. The sisters were really excited to learn about that; and they came out 'en mass.' We tried to do a knitting one once; there was absolutely no interest in that whatsoever. I guess maybe, that's because where they come from (Samoan Islands) it's never cold enough for anything warm, like knitted stuff.
One of my cute piano students was baptized this month, and they planned it all around their piano teacher being present! I felt so special. We had to go to Echuca that day, so they made sure we would be back and timed it accordingly. It's always a BIG affair, with supper afterwards.
About 3 weeks ago, our wonderful young missionaries asked if they could teach one of our Seminary classes. We, of course, said YES! and they taught Mosiah 1-5. As luck would have it, the 'head' of Church Education in this area of Australia came to town to check on us, here in Shepparton Branch. The students were in good attitudes, the lesson the Elders gave was 'fabulous', and it made 'us' look good as leaders. Bro. Fell followed 'us' home afterwards for some 'training' which was great, because we were just 'thrown into Seminary' half-way through the year.
We surely love the Elders in our area. We get quite attached to them, and when they are transferred we really feel the loss of their sweet spirits. We have them over often, sometimes for lunch, or dinner, or just to have a 'rest.' Our local Elders are from Boston and Perth; both exceptional young men; one's a 'tenor' and ones a 'bass.' Just guess how much we like and use them!!! Elder Baker will be our "O Holy Night" in our Christmas Pageant. We are in process of cutting out and sewing "costumes" for this event. Only about 60 costumes are needed!!!!
Sunday, before last, we went to Echuca again for their Branch Conference. This Branch basically consists of 2 wonderful families, and an assortment of 'others.' The new Mission President Lifferth and his wife and First Counselor and wife, Pat and Judy Garth, came up from Melbourne for this occasion. Afterwards they cleared the hall and served a meal. 'Meals' is another word used often in this area...Meals for Hire, Meals All-Day. After the Conference, we drove north in the heavy rain another 2 hours, to Finley for a District Priesthood Meeting. During the Priesthood Meeting, Sister Solomon spent the time with Sister Anne Orro. Sister Orro is the mother of the First Counselor in the District Presidency. She also plays the piano very well. Several years ago, Bro and Sis Orro moved into a new house and had a little money left over, so she went shopping for a new piano. When it was all said and done, 'He' said they needed a shed more than a piano. After he died, she bought herself a piano; and she wanted Sis. Solomon to come see it and play it. They surely had a good time. I, of course, was the first speaker at the Priesthood Meeting. Then we had dinner at the Orro's house, then drove home in the rain and darkness. But it was a full, wonderful day.
Talk about rain, this area has been in a drought for 10 years and is just now coming out of it. The rivers are full, the swamp areas are full. The mountains have had the best snow in years. The daffodills are in bloom everywhere; the birds are coming back south; the days are getting longer. It is truly Spring! (Sept. 1 is first day of Spring)
Last Friday, we had a free day and we went with our friends, the Lauders, for a drive. We went east to Benalla, north to Wangaratta, Southeast to Terrawingee, Goomalibee and Murmungee, Moyhu Claremont, Edi, Toombullup and Mansfield. The town of Mansfield, is a kind of Cedar City. It is at the base of the Snow Fields. As we drove past the old Mansfield Hotel, I thought I should take a picture because it was grand, so old and quaint.The next day, it was reported on the news that the Mansfield Hotel burned to the grand last night!?! You just never know....but the good news was that Elder Solomon found a beautiful white cardigan at the Vinnies (Vincents de Paul) in Mansfield for $7!!!
On Friday night we were invited to attend the Girgherri's Community get-together, dinner and dance, with a Hoedown Band, at the Community Town Hall. It was a blast into the past! They called it a "Bush Dance." They did circle dances, kind of like our Virginnia Reel, Square Dancing, etc. We really had a workout. But certainly fun. And anyone who had an instrument could go on stage with the band and 'Jam.' There were old ladies and men playing Bass Fiddles, banjos, drums, harmonica mirandas, fiddles.
And as we close this entry, a small 'downer' is because of the rain they are expected 'locust infestations' like never before seen. And I'm sure mosquitos will fit in there. Which are called mossey's. Father's Day is Sept. 5th, and we are planning another big bash for the fathers this time, with "lollie leis" , dancing and lots of food. Let the Good Times Roll here in Oz with all our Samoans! Amen.