Solomon's Porch: December 2010

(Echuca Primary Program)

("Active" non-member George)

(After-harvest, round bales of hay, just lay in field until purchased)

(This time, celebrating Shirley's birthday at Brenda's!)

(Finley Fireside singing--"Mary Did You Know?")

(Debbie Burkin & me at Jane Mather's home for lunch)

(Family Home Evening: Barb, Jean and Nellie listening)

(A typical sight driving through towns)

(District Mtg with Elders: Pizza in the park)

(Mather's beautiful cottage in Finley)

(Grapes grown around awning on porch)

(Typical pastoral scene in the district)

(A small town effort at Christmas decorating!!!)

(Dance recital we attended)

(Our Branch Christmas Party-only decorations were the Elders wearing Santa hats!)

December 10, 2010

December has officially arrived,....the beginning of Summer in Australia! This finds this part of Australia at the end of a 10-year drought, so it has rained every other day. It is just the beginning of summer but the mozzies (mosquitoes) and locusts are already impossible!! The flies 'stick' to you and when you try to brush them off, they come right back. The rain has weakened the roads. There is not much gravel under the black top. Actually there is no gravel in this part of the country. It all comes from Western Australia and blacktop is called a 'sealed road.' The shops are full of summer wear and BarBQ's.,(cooking outdoors is called a "barbie") and Christmas tinsel and toys. As you all know, of course, I'm not one to complain!!

However I do wish I was home during this season!

Our Branch took on an Outdoor Christmas Pageant. We have rehearsed for this for 3 full months. The first performance was in a town about 1 1/2 hrs north of us, called Wangaratta. The Branch President hired a big us to transport everyone, to make sure they all showed up, which was such a good idea. Pres. Lauder of the Echuca Branch and his brother-in-law and our two missionaries, Elder Baker and Bartle and of course, the Solomons, all drove up early to set up the stage, lights and sound system. We also had the missionaries from Albury, Benalla and Wangaratta there to help us and be greeters as people arrived to see it. When we went through Benalla on the way there, it was really raining hard. But then a half hour up the road, there was no more rain, and Wangaratta was clear and nice; although there was thunder on two sides and sun on the other two directions. We had all prayed so hard that the rain would be stayed until after the performance that I gave the "go ahead" to set up. And the rain didn't come until we were all home, during which it rained all night! Our pageant was well received and so we geared up for 2 more performances in Shepparton.

We were to do our Christmas Pageant last Thursday and Friday, the 2nd and 3rd of December. Thursday rained in the morning, then stopped, so we went ahead and set up in the afternoon. But 3/4 of the way through the performance, it rained suddenly and everyone carried something and we all ran into the Chapel, where we finished to the end. So Friday, with many hard rains throughout the day, we made an executive decision to just do this performance inside, we set up in the Chapel. We have no Recreation Hall, just a big overflow area. And sure enough, at 7:00pm, the rain came down hard and rained a full hour til 8:00pm. Our audience was small, but very appreciative. The main purpose of the Christmas Pageant was to create an interest in the Branch--a "work in progress," working together, etc., and to be known in the Community. We had ads in the local newspapers; fliers distributed door-to-door, and we have been invited to sing at a community concert in the park Sunday night: "Carols by Candlelight." All in all I think we did very well.

(Christmas Pageant: An angel appearing to Noah)

('Follow the Prophet' soloists--both my piano students)

(Our Pageant Choir)

(Prophet Isaiah prophesying)

(Prophets foretelling)

("O Holy Night" being sung above Mary)

('Mary and Joseph song': Jesus Is His Name)

(Primary singing "Away in a Manger")

("Go Now in Peace"--closing song)

Going back to the rain!! The news on the telly(TV) said "It's the most rain in 50 years! Also on the news is the arrival of "Oprah" where we are following all her adventures. Apparently, she's in Melbourne today! And we are now settling down again, staying in away from the mozzies, preparing to take up missionary labors again. The District (Stake) has caught on to Scotts' talents and are all excited for MORE. And he replies: "Funny you should mention it".....he already has the 'next' production under way, and that would be his Joseph Smith Readers' Theater. Seminary is over until February; school is out for summer vacation next week, and Christmas approaches. We will focus on the spiritual side of this holiday this year, and will surely miss all our loved ones, but will be with you "in spirit and love." The "Reason for the Season" will be foremost in our lives, and we send our blessings to all of you, one and all! Cheers! Elder & Sister Solomon