(Elders in our District)
(Primary Program Rehearsal)
(Beautiful day at the Melbourne Temple)
(Kookaburra wants in!!!!)
(Me and a tree)
(Choir practice....working hard!)
(Elders fixing us dinner!)
(Haircut!)
(Typical mailman)September in Australia Well...it's true!! The longer you're "out",,,the faster the time goes. We totally 'missed' August, it went by so quickly. September was busy with many "fun" activities, from 'flooding' to dinner parties. We actually did a little meal-planning and cooking this month. We started by inviting our Branch President and lovely wife, Joyce, and two youngsters, ages one and two, over for an American evening.
The food fare was the sumptuous "Sloppy Joes" only because this Samoan couple was so curious about such an outrageous sounding entree! I think they liked them, because they both ate 2 huge ones. We also served a green salad and big fruit salad(which they don't seem to do here) which we find strange because it's a famous orchard-producing area here and the men all work in the 'orchards.' The remainder of the evening was spent with the men discussing Branch business and the wives chasing 2 little ones from one end to the other. I thought our place was reasonably 'child-proof' but....Not!! James would throw any shoes he came across, out the front door because Aussies leave their shoes on the front porch. Ellinor, the sweet little one-yr. old, could get 'into' and 'reach' anything she desired. I was amazed at her prowess as a scavenger.
September was also the month that we finally saw a real kangaroo!! We took a long walk through the Swamp Land along the Goulbourne River between Mooroopna and Shepparton, and there they were, back in an opening in the trees about 100 yards, a whole family of them, a mother and 3 or 4 Joeys. They followed us "from a distance" as we moved along the pathway. We were so-ooo thrilled! When we'd tell someone, they'd look at us like "Well, big whoopee!" and we'd say, "You do understand...Australia is the only country in the world that has kangaroos??" Then they'd start telling us about other places where we could go see other native animal life of Aussie.
September saw an earthquake (7.1 on Richter Scale) in my 'beloved New Zealand!! It didn't affect Australia that we know of, but it did major damage to the beautiful Christchurch on the South Island. September also "rained and rained" and eventually swelled the rivers, which overflowed and caused a lot of excitement and flooding in all the communities along the way.
Shepparton and Mooroopna were 'on alert' for major flooding but no evacuations needed in our area. No loss of lives and it broke the 9-year drought that's been on-going in the state of Victoria.
We had another exciting experience of borrowing a trailer to help rescue a branch member who needed to move out of her house in a 2 1/2 hr. 'time frame.' She lived in Nathalia, about one hour north of Mooroopna. That was fun....Not.
My piano teaching..." Hymns Made Easy Keyboard Course" is expanding to include neighboring communities. I'm a "traveling Minstrel" of sorts, and I teach all day Saturday at the Chapel. It is fun, though!
We enjoyed various dinner engagements this month: at the Nuevine's in Euroa, 30 miles north, where we had our "first" lamb dinner.
Bro. Nuevine is an American, and a less-active member. His cute wife is Aussie and not a member, and she made homemade pumpkin pie in honor of us and the Elders. This was followed by a great discussion on the Tree of Life and the Plan of Happiness. It was heart-warming.
The following Tuesday, we took the 'borrowed' trailer, 30 miles south, back to the Lauders, then joined them and about 14 other of their friends and family, at a Chinese Buffet in a neighboring communiuty, Kyabram, for a "double" birthday celebration. It was here that we were called "Yanks." Never been called that before; it was a little strange, but we just laughed. There was actually another "Yank" there, in a red flannel shirt, who totally looked like an Aussie. We were informed that he makes all kinds of music instruments: violins, guitars, banjos, mandolins, Ukes, Zyther's horns, drums. Scott had a nice visit with him and he invited us to his house to see them!! And before we left his house, he volunteered to makes us a wooden Alto Recorder, which we could use in our Christmas Pageant. Then, Scott made another wonderful 'connection' with this other Aussie, who looked like Elvis Presley. This man used to have a band, and has all kinds of 'sound' and lighting' equipment in his garage, and is willing to let us use all this for our Pageant!! Scott was so excited. So even though we were referred to as the Yanks, it was a profitable evening!
And, Yes! We are still teaching early-morning Seminary!!
And Scott discovered that the Young Men weren't being advanced in the Priesthood on their birthdays, for some reason. It seems these boys have developed a 'bad reputation' and they were being ignored. So, knowing Scott, as we all do, he not only took care of this, but they also did the advancements and blessings during Sacrament Meeting for all the Branch to witness; and it was very moving! We have been struggling to 'lift and strengthen' these young men and help the to see their 'worth.' So it was a spiritual experience for the Branch members to witness this.
September also celebrated Father's Day!
(Elder Solomon's lolli lei)
The Samoans did their own Father's Day which was a royal feast and entertainment galore. The traditional 'pig' was roasted and the feast was absolutely magnificent.
We took a big tray of Mormon Potatoes(Funeral potatoes..Party Potatoes) and they absolutely"loved" them. We also made me a Samoan Outfit from material that was given to us by a sweet lady in the Branch. I felt a little 'funky', but all my church friends were very impressed. I have my own personal 'Tailor' of course!
The other "affair" in our Branch this month was the ever-traditional "Talent Quest", with trophies and prizes. This was one serious affair! Not the usual talent show stuff for them. Each Auxiliary was assigned a 'culture': it was surmised that there are basically 6 cultures represented in Shepparton Branch....Samoan, Tongan, Maori, New Guinea, Aboriginal and American(us missionaries). We got New Zealand. Of course, we were never explained the seriousness of this assignment!?. We could not get over the many nights and many hours of rehearsing that was done by the different groups. The Youth, as usual, left it til the last week; we Americans didn't take it seriously enough, but we prepared a song and Maori stick dance, did the Haka and a song: "Now I the Hour" which came from New Zealand during one of the World Wars. I tried so hard to find "Land of the Long White Cloud " that I had learned 50 years ago when I lived in N.Z. And Elder Solomon added his "Show-Biz" touch to our singing, and it was "special." This affair lasted 5 1/2 hours!!! By the way, we only took "4th" place.
(Talent Quest DJ)
(Young Women Leader: Native American)
(Relief Society: Tongan Islands)
(Elders Quorum: Samoa)
A few "fun" notes: at the store called "Spotlight" (an Australian Jo-Ann's) a 'drawing' was held for a 'hamper full of Christmas Sewing items. Guess who's name was drawn??? The 'one and only' Scott Solomon! The 'hamper' turned out to be only a red tray, but none the less, it was exciting. We went to gather our prize and had the entire store in a dither about the best spot to photograph this momentous occasion.(They were just going to hand it over to him, but being Americans, Oh No, this needed special attention.) Then I insisted it must be somewhere that the store name could be seen! Quite the deal!
And afterwards, our friend treated us to lunch and presented us with a gift, a Pie Maker!(Meat Pies...so-ooo popular down here!)
We always do one Sunday a month in Echuca, the Colonial Riverport, about 70 km's away. We are always called on to give a talk, of course. Met a brand new missionary from China! An only child; very homesick; learning English; very, very smart. He not only had to give one of the talks, but also teach the Gospel Doctrine lesson. This Branch is so small, that there's no respite there.
A note of interest: the other night on "So You Want to Make a Million" no one could answer this question: Which of the following instruments could be classified as a 'string' instrument?...piano, oboe, tuba, bassoon. And also there was a "News Break-through" item on Ketchup! It seems Heinz has come into Australia with Ketchup but the people don't want it. They like their 'tomato sauce' and don't need America's ketchup!!
September has seen the "sewing of Biblical costumes. Our flat is a veritable factory, producing robes of all sizes and colors. We've had one "sewing day" at the Church, teaching Samoans how to use and cut out 'patterns.'
They loved learning this new skill. There will be another sewing session this Saturday, while I'm in the Chapel giving piano lessons. And rehearsals are in full swing for the Pageant itself. Our upcoming outdoor pageant is the "talk of the Mission." It's quite an undertaking, and a 'new' venture for our Saints down under. At least in this part of the Vineyard.
Our new month of October began with a lovely week-end in Merlbourne. We stayed with Pat and Judy Garth, of the Mission Presidency, and we FINALLY got to visit the famous Victorian Market Place downtown Melbourne. And USA Foods, where we purchased a big can of Crisco, Lipton's Onion Soup Mix, Lawry's Seasoning packets, maraschino cherries, pancake syrup, Bisquick, Lawyer's Seasoned Salt...all items not to be found here. Then Saturday, attended our second session in the beautiful Melbourne Temple with our Branch members, then drove home, which is a breath-takingly beautiful drive.
We don't get out much; just keep busy doing our best to assist and strengthen the members in Shepparton and Echuca Branch. We have maintained good health and strength beyond our means and we certainly feel the blessings from the Lord in our lives and appreciate all the prayers on our behalf. Until we meet again......Ta and Cheerio!
(Spring!!!)
