("Angel" on stilts in shops at Christmas-time; 'walking Christmas Trees' also on prowl)
(Our friends, the Lauders and new Shepp Elders-cleaning out the Echuca flat)
(President Lifferth and the Clymores (from Idaho) enjoying Christmas Conference feast)
(Our sweet Senior Sisters at Christmas Conference)
(Painting for our 'Melbourne Bedroom')
(Our new chapel in Traralgon)
(The 'back' of the new chapel)
(Meeting Elders Mills (Oregon) and Feami (Samoa) that we're replacing)
(Pretty house in Melbourne)
(New Years Night:treating sweet Elders to dinner downtown Traralgon)
(Practicing a special number for Sacrament Meeting)
(Pretty new house under construction in Melbourne outskirts)
(Elders Bagley (Utah) and Gerghori (Perth) helped us empty 2 flats!!)
(Downtown Melbourne because we took a wrong turn! Yikes!! :)While rehearsing outdoors for the Christmas Pageant, two ladies stopped and watched what was going on, then came into the church yard and asked us if we would like to sing in the Mooroopna "Carols by Candlelight" on June 9th? This is done in many communities throughout the state of Victoria. There are five states in Australia. Victoria is the one we've been serving in. We said it sounded wonderful and we would ask our Choir and get back to them. Which we did. We asked them to think and pray about it and we would make the decision Sunday after Sacrament Meeting. Well it was a resounding "YES" , not one voted 'no.' It is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, and schools, churches and other community members participate. So on December 9th, Shepparton Branch Choir sang 4 choir numbers, ending with the touching "Go Now in Peace". They had a nice stage, with lighting and sound equipment, and our choir made a nice presentation, dressed in their beautiful Samoan dresses and shirts and ties. They gave a huge introduction of how happy they were to welcome the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" for the first time ever! You could have heard a pin drop; and they sang so beautifully, we got a rousing applause! Our group was on Cloud 9 right up until the Elders announced that they were all being transferred this time, including the Solomons! We thought the Zone Leaders were kidding!
What a day! We talked in our Branch, then drove up to Finley for a Fireside, where Scott did his dramatic reading: "The Mother" and we preceded that with a song by the Finley Sisters called "Mary, Did You Know?" I had wanted someone to sing Debby Boyd's song: "Mary. Mother of the Lord" but apparently it was too difficult for any of the 'singers' in the District. Then we hurried back to Mooroopna for the Carols by Candlelight.
Sure enough, the next morning, we got the orders to attend the transfer meeting in Melbourne, so we went on down, still thinking there must be some explanation. And sure enough, it was true. The oldest ward in Australia, in a place called Traralgon, is in jeopardy of being closed down; and a Senior Couple is needed to try and rouse the ward back into activity. And the Solomons were the name the entire Presidency received after praying. So we packed up, facing a new adventure. And always, wherever the Lord needs us is where we want to be, for sure. Once the shock of being transferred eased up, we began to get eager and look forward to a 'new adventure.' However, I told the Mission President, there are some angry Samoans back in Shepparton, but they'll be all right. There are some good people in that branch, diligent in the Gospel, and ready to be on their own. I do feel bad about my 13 piano students but we're working on a solution for that also.
So when the President asked if we brought our things, I replied it will take us several days to pack up, and he said we could stay for the week and go to church one last time and say our 'farewells.' So we did, our Samoan friends settled down and on Sunday, they held a feast after church, and we said "good-bye" and received lovely gifts. We told them now we will be 'homesick' for 2 homes...Utah and Shepparton Branch. They liked that. So on Monday morning, Dec. 20th, we loaded up and left Mooroopna and headed down to Melbourne. We were assigned a flat in Dandenong, southeast of Melbourne about 20 minutes, where we now await housing.
(Entering Dandenong flat for our temporary stay)Due to the consolidating of the two missions, less missionaries are being brought here to serve, and so there are quite a few flats that need closing down. And that is what we've been doing to help, in the meantime. This includes finding a flat for the Traralgon Elders in a nearby town, so we can move into their little house.
Christmas Day was strange, because by leaving Mooroopna, we lost out on all our invitations. We just "hung out" all day. Mid afternoon, we went out to find a place to eat. EVERYTHING was closed, even McDonalds. We finally found one KFC that was open, so that was our Christmas Dinner. Same thing the next day on Shirley's Birthday; we found another place open: A Pancake Parlor"....very cute, but very 'dear' (expensive). Australia was CLOSED for 10 days, thru New Years +2.
Here in Dandenong, we live in one of six little houses. Would you believe the house numbers go counter clockwise, another "Down Under", besides the bath tub drain! Dandenong Market: is like a large indoor swap meet. It consists of the space of a city block.The Victoria Market in Melbourne covers 6 city blocks, so this one is much smaller, but sufficient. One half of the market is food and produce; the other half is clothing, household, and souvenirs. As we entered the building, we were met by some people from Logan, Utah. They saw our badges and stopped to talk. After making the 'circle' and eating some foreign food, we found a great souvenir booth. The man in charge saw our badges and told us he would give us a discount because of the church. He also added: "I always take care of the 'boys.'
Shirley has fallen in love with Melbourne. It is the most beautiful city we've ever seen.
(Gorgeous cathedral downtown Melbourne)We took a train ride into Melbourne and toured around the city all day on trains, buses and trams. We've attended the beautiful Melbourne Temple, Presidents' Firesides, Christmas Eve Dinner party at the Mission Home and Christmas Family Home Evenings. It is exciting living around the Temple and Mission Headquarters and to partake of the Spirit that is so very prevalent therein. But we look forward to our new assignment, and hope to make the final move starting Monday.
(Downtown Melbourne)We are well, strong, blessed so very much, and only have 8 months left. The time is flying by; it is breath-taking.
(Another beautiful building)We continue to feel it such a privilege to be here, as missionaries representing the Church, and we pray constantly for the well-being of all our family and friends, and so very appreciate the efforts of our children and grandchildren, who love us and lead such good and worthy lives. And our wishes for a prosperous, blessed New Year to One and All!
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