(Pine forest in Traralgon)
(Our present District Group: Elders Ipsom, Pak, Keenan, Mills, Alovili, Hawkins)
(Elders Alovili and Hawkins-cuties!)
(Our newest "greenie"...Elder Keenam from Perth with District Leader Elder Ipsom)
(Another fun get-together at Hungry Jacks (Aussie's Burger King and very popular food place)
(Honoree, Moana, age 3, ready to blow out her candles (I think she is so-ooo cute!)
(Ward members enjoying the food!!!!)
(Sherrill and Ryan enjoying the festivites)
(A tired Elder Solomon just home from the 'shops')
(See how the trunks peel off, very typical here)
(Just to show how lush where we walk every night)
(Beautiful view in our walking park)Elder Solomon and I have often made the comment that we sure miss the "good ole days" when we used to do Roadshows, and lo! our new stake announced roadshows for the month of May, with the theme, "Twisted Fairy Tales." Our Traralgon Ward is assigned "The Princess and the Pea" which brought to our minds the musical "Once Upon a Mattress" with Carol Burnett. So we have been having a blast writing up a script, finding song segments, everything from "Baby Face" to "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" and our twist is the Young Women's Theme for the mysterious princess. And we all know how Elder Solomon can stage a production!!
(Our upcoming "Road Show" writers at work!)The Relief Society asked me to do the 5-minute Music Appreciation and so I relished the opportunity to teach about our hymns; the background stories, and whether they are hymns of Zion or hymns of the Restoration. The ladies were really enjoying it and after 3 weeks, the Stake Relief Society canceled the 5-minute bit. Alas! Well, at least I got some fun enlightment in before I was fired!?
Our next affair of the month was our April President's Fireside in Melbourne. We had about 25 elders and sisters involved, with many others wishing to be. It was a very spiritual presentation, with awesome musical numbers and an audience of missionaries with Investigators and New Members. It was a beautiful evening.
One night, at the invitation of this dearest older lady in our ward, we went to a Scottish Dance Class at the Senior Center(!) We had a 'grand old time' learning about 3 folk dances. We haven't had time to go back again, but we are invited to do so. And we shall one day. So far, we've been to a Bush Ball and Scottish Fling! Fun times!
Our next big news is we got a new car!!...a Hyundai 130 CW Wagon. It has been an adjustment, as we now have no Cruise Control or tinted windows. It doesn't have the power our Corolla did, to say the least; but hey, new tires, and it doesn't jerk our neck as we take off, and that's because it doesn't have enough power!?! But we're glad to have it; everyone thinks it's a great car. They just don't know how to pronounce Hyundai here in Oz!
Our biggest news item, I suppose is, we were asked by the Stake President to teach Institute!
The course of study is the Doctrine and Covenants, which has been a challenge for me, as I don't think I've read it section by section. And it has "knocked us for a loop" in preparing for each week's lesson. Elder Solomon says, "Can you imagine the fear we have in preparing a worthy lesson? And then the drama of 'teaching.'" Our class has 20 young adults and several adults enrolled, and they are so excited and really loving it. It's really been fun!
(Other half of Institute class)Another fun feature this month was my attendance at the famous Relief Society Retreat held at a mountain resort called the Homestead. When we lived in Shepparton/Mooroopna, we were in the 'District' with branch presidents and a district presidency. So this was something I had signed up for before we got the news we were being transferred to Traralgon. The theme for this 2-day affair was "How to Become a 8-Cow Woman"(remember Johnny Lingo???)
(The Wangaratta Bunch)
(Samoan Dancers: Christine, Joyce and Isa)
(Joyce from Shepparton, modeling)
When we were sent to Mooroopna after our arrival in Australia, this event had just happened, and it was all I heard about for months. So I definitely planned on joining in the next time. Well, Sister Lifferth(the Mission President's wife) was also invited, so we road up together with 3 other ladies, in a large van/bus and needless to say, we had a blast. We enjoyed camaraderie, renewing old friendships, relaxing, being entertained, great "feeds" as they say here in Oz), zumba dancing,
testimony meeting, hikes, spas, etc. It was amazing to be with Sister Lifferth; remember she was in the General Primary Presidency...a real 'general authority'; and her 'presence' was indeed felt by all the sisters. What an Elect lady she is.
(Wangaratta District RElief Society Retreat, held in Ovens, VIC at the Homestead Mtn Resort)
(Debbie Berkin at Relief Society Retreat, with 2 non-member friends)We also enjoyed another day at the Temple, this time, with the company of Gordon and Freda Oakley, two of Australia's wonderful church pioneers. We have grown to love these two Saints so much. We go with them, every Wednesday morning to do a Sing-a-long at the Hazelwoo Care Center. She leads the singing, with me at the piano. We're learning quite a few fun Aussie folk songs. This couple has done this for 22 years, with Gordon at the piano and Freda leading. Now he's blind and can't play, but she still leading.
Our Traralgon Choir is going strong, and the members love it. Apparently they've never really had a choir, so they are loving everything we do. Hymn arrangements are a 'new thing' to them. And of course, with all the Islander voices, the choir has a warm, rich quality that is divine. We have also introduced them to "deviled-egg" sandwiches, which they just can't get enough of. Since we practice right after the 3-hour block, we always bring a plate of sandwiches to 'tide them over.' I think that's why some of the teenagers even come. But Elder Solomon works them hard for that hour, teaching them to sing parts and to "watch him."
Elder Solomon has been doing lawns for a single member, and I'm teaching piano again on Saturday mornings.
(June Watson, new piano student, wife of Bishop)
(Daughter of June, also a student)And we are still doing some "teaching" with some contacts we have. One is a Sudanese family, who don't speak English much' and the Olsens; and a lovely lady, Kim, who's boyfriend wants to marry her, but only in the temple. We attended a baptism in Moe, about 12 miles east of Traralgon, to support our District Elders, and met some lovely people there. So our lives are very "full" and we are keeping busy, and as a result, the time seems to be flying away.
We sure enjoyed General Conference. Australia gets it a week 'after'. When we lived in the District, we got it a month late. Scott went to General Priesthood Meeting by himself. He sure missed Sage White and David Sills who would always call and pick him up. The Tabernacle Choir was 'breath-taking' and it lifted me up into a heavenly realm and filled my soul with such love and wonder. I can still feel the warm embrace around me, days later. We were so in awe of it's beauty.
Here in Gippsland, as the entire region around here is called, also "out in the country", they're going into flooded areas and repairing for the upcoming 5-day Easter holiday. Around here, they don't seem to celebrate the 'Savior'...just the 'holiday.' It's in the Fall season and the weather is changing and so are attitudes.
Elder Solomon is worried about going home to Stop Signs. There are No stop signs in Aussie!
We can't believe how well Scott is doing with the driving in this part of Victoria. There are no Stop signs in Traralgon! It is either a 'round about' or a 'Give Way'. And even though we go round the roundabout left, the vehicle on the 'right' has the right-of-way! It is all so easy. Although we try not to do serious driving after dark. Once in a conversation with a group of ladies about traffic, a good sister remarked, "You Americans and your dumb four-way stop signs!" What-ever!!!
A new family from Nigeria just moved into our ward. He's here to work on his doctorate, and they are strong members of the church, with children's names of Alma, Nephi, etc. Elder Solomon asked the father for his address so we could come and visit them. He said they were staying with relatives and hoped his brother would "put up with them." Thinking that sounded rather rude, I turned to our tall Reiner, an RM fr in Africa, He explained that in Africa, that meant to 'board with.' In Australia, it means 'to tolerate.'
We are well, going strong, just had 'flu shots' and are good for the remaining time we have on our mission. We are so grateful for Kelsi and her parents, and for the gift of healing she has experienced, and for all she has so bravely endured, and for the growth our family has achieved in waxing strong in our faith and being so blessed. "Happy Easter" to you all in America!
We continue in our love and best wishes for one and all. Love, Elder and Sister Solomon
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