Solomon's Porch: March 2011

(Map pointing showing the distance and direction from Melbourne of two towns)

(Map showing historic Port Albert, southern most town in our ward)

Out of the mouth of babes! Already it is March, the first week of Autumn 'down under.' The apple trees are turning red and the lemon trees are turning yellow and everything else is green. Kinda like Virginia and Carolina. Even the black mold on our patio is turning green, every time it rains! But just like chocolate, too much of a good thing is not always "right." Allie, our 8 year old grand daughter, sent us a letter and asked what did we do when we're not serving people? The answer, dear Allie, is we study and rest!!
When Wilford Woodruff was a missionary in England, he stood on the street on top of a box and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He converted hundreds because they were looking for religion. Nowadays, the Internet is the source of investigating. There is so much activity on mormon.org; if any of you have not been there yet, please check it out. The personal testimonies and stories are really interesting.
The News Item of the Month would be the South Hampton Jewelery heist by four guys on bikes. Everyone around the area were in a panic right up until a little old lady in a red coat, upon seeing what was going on, came upon the scene swinging her purse at them, knocking them all off their bikes. The startled crowd then overpowered them until the police came!
The next day, we got a call from the District Elders in Moe, asking us to visit a Mormon lady in the LaTrobe Hospital here in Traralgon. Turns out she was 93 years old, and had been a strong member for 50 years. Her daughter was there and we learned she was the Institute Instructor for this area; they were so pleased we came to visit. She had been depressed and our visit brightened her day. This sweet Sister is indeed one of the pioneers of the church is this area. She had a lot of stories to tell.
We travel to Moe every Tuesday morning for the District Mission Meeting, and it is so invigorating and inspirational to work with these fine young men, three Americans, one Tongan, one Chinese and one Australian.

(Our Feb Zone Conference bunch!)

And afterwards they enjoy whatever treat we bring to them, from banana bread to Bakery items. Then we always have a "jam session" with piano and singing. One week, we had them all come to our place for the meeting; then we followed that with pizza and a movie: "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," which they all enjoyed and had many 'laughs.'
February was the month for Elder Solomon to get his blood tested for his prostate condition. His results came back under 1 point, so they couldn't even analyze that minute of a point!!! So that was definitely GOOD NEWS!!!
February also saw another wonderful Zone Conference. We got the assigned place to drive up early and spend the night at the Clymore's. They are the relatively new Office Couple in the Mission Office. While there, we inherited a nice little organ(not too small, actually) that the previous couple had left and they didn't need or want. They put it out in the garage; so after cleaning all the dust and webs off of it, we loaded it up and brought to our place. Everyone that visits our home enjoys playing around on it, especially the Elders.

(Elders "taking a turn" at the piano)

(Elder Ipsom enjoying our new organ)

One of the Area Presidency Counselors, Elder Hamula and wife were present at this Conference, and they were absolutely fabulous speakers. We learned that the "bar was being lifted" once again, changing how we teach: who, what and how. Sister Hamula's talk told of how missionaries served and performed miracles during and after the Samoan earthquake. Elder Hamula complimented the missionaries, saying they 'looked good' and it feels good.' He wasn't trying to just flatter them; but said 'they were on the cusp, on the edge of good things to come, and was impressed with the 'unity' in the mission; and told us all to continue to be obedient, love each other and work hard.' I was impacted with the idea that we can change who we are. I want to be more than I am. The world teaches people just have to accept us for who and what we are; but we shouldn't buy into that philosophy. We are in the business of 'changing who we are'. Schemes today are designed to take away our free agency and only you can give it up, because the Lord designed it that way. And it doesn't need to happen overnight. Sometimes 'slow change' is more enduring. The Key to his admonition was: You act outwardly what you want to be inwardly. eg. when forcing a smile, your heart starts to warm / or "live the word of wisdom and you'll learn to like it." Encourage the best in others and be patient. and 'Grace' is the power to be and do what you cannot be and cannot do. Grace is an enabling power. We are saved by Grace after all we can do.' He was so inspirational and it gave us a new fresher outlook on our missionary work.
So on Wednesday mornings, as part of "service" activities, we go to a nice Care Center in Churchill and Sister Solomon plays the piano for a sing-a-long. They are so glad to have her because she can play any of the songs in their book. Sometimes she adds extra notes and rhythms to make it more exciting. Sister Oakley, 85 yrs., leads the music and Bro. Oakley sits with me. He has lost his sight so I try to read the words one line ahead of each line. Of course I have only heard about a quarter of the songs. These people love the Australian Heritage. Their songs are about droving sheep, rusty mills, cows in the paddock and sitting by a dry river bed. I did, however, know "Casey would waltz with a strawberry blonde while the band played on."
After the sing-a-long, we stayed for lunch. We sat between a man that kept his arms in the air and a woman that carried a doll that had it's own dish for lunch. Most everyone ate with their fork upside down in the left hand, which Shirley tells me is Continental. We had roast lamb and roasted veggies, stewed cauliflower and mint sauce. For dessert, the Italian chef announced Princess Diana Bread Pudding. It was all very good.
While I am on the subject of Australian customs, let me mention their sheering sheds. They are large buildings with polished wood floors and polished walls. The post rails that divide the areas are also polished. The ringer has the first and the best area for sheering because he is the fastest. After the sheep is sheared, he is pushed in an open door with a slide to the next paddock. I am so glad that was not part of my life.
I hope no one reads this far down our epistle because I only mention this next item for the 'record in heaven.' Last week, I taught the Gospel Doctrine Class. The sister that teaches the class was out of town and asked me to take her place for that week. In the Gospel, we are not asked; we are called. Sometimes it is a very hard thing. I am hoping to blot out all negative in my life so when the books are opened I have a better reward in heaven. This was a 'first' for me, to say the least. Sister Solomon said I did very well and had the entire class involved and participating.
The first Sunday of every month, the Mission President and wife have the President's Fireside. It is for new converts and investigators. When we were in Shepparton, we were too far away to travel to it on Sunday evenings. We were never invited to it. Now that we are within range, Pres and Sis. Lifferth have asked us to help with the April fireside. The President wants it totally on the Saviour, with the spoken word and lots of music. For a script, we are taking the "Testimony of the Apostles of the Living Christ" and adding songs like: I Know that My Redeemer Lives, His Hands, He Sent His Son, Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee, O Lord, My Redeemer,(Institute Choir), If the Saviour Stood Beside Me, and of course, I Believe in Christ.
We have been rehearsing with several of the missionaries and are pleased with the preparation so far. We believe the President is working on a power -point to show pictures of the Living Christ.
Last night was a fun Ward Activity: 10 Pins, which means 'Bowling Alley' in American!! We have had several dinner invitations; we continue to make visits to all the names on the ward list; we enjoyed a Stake Conference this month in a beautiful chapel in Narre Warren. We gave a ride to a fun sister we hadn't met named Kay Orr. The focal point was on the "new handbook." Wow, the Church is stepping up the pace, the need for the "one" and the place of the family in the Ward Council. Exciting things are brewing. This month saw the close call with the life of our little Kelsi, with many prayers going out for her all over the world; with her miraculous healing(along with the surgical removal of her ulcerated colon). She is facing 2 more surgeries to reconstruct a new colon; but the modern marvels in medicine along with faith and prayers of all who love her are just a powerful strengthening of the knowledge of the Lord's Hand . We had to trust in the Lord taking care of her; and what a marvelous little spirit she has. She was so brave and sweet during it all. We feel deep gratitude for caring doctors and heaven's outpouring of healing blessings upon her.
Another miracle at the beginning of this month. Zach and Jaimee: #1 grandson, are the proud parents of our #1 great grandson. His name is Micah Jude and he was born on March 2, 2011. However it was on "our" March 3rd because we in Oz are almost a full day ahead. We feel so blessed! Christine, Darren's daughter, blessed us with our first great grandchild ,Harlee, two years ago, so yes, God is good. What blessed events in the lives of a family. We are looking forward to returning to be with our family and extended family.
Well, this journal entry has come to a close, until next month. Cheers! Elder and Sister Solomon

P.S. Enjoy the pics!!!!