MERRY 'CHRISTMAS IN JULY' FROM AUSTRALIA

I now know where that phrase comes from. It's July and feels more like Christmas than December/Christmas did! We had a big 'Christmas in July' feast this week, tree & all. Turkey, beef, chicken & pork; 2 kinds of sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, peas, carrots, squash, pumpkin, potatoes and 4 different desserts, including Pavlova, my favorite! It was another 'Hungi' where they cook the food in the ground all day. I've gone to several now; it's a Samoan tradition.

It is winter now and the weather has really cooled down. I was told I wouldn't need a coat here but I do! The nights & mornings are cold but once the sun comes up, it's usually beautiful. They don't have central heating/cooling here so we each have a little space heater, which I don't run very much. There isn't nearly as much in bloom but there still is some. I was working with the young sisters of which we had 2 pair in our area. They didn't have a car so between the 2 sets of them, we were able to go out on visits regularily. I bring my companions to the temple at the beginning of the day and then come back to pick them up. I absolutely love being able to begin my day at the temple! This is our Visitor's Welcome sign at the front of the temple or center as we call it.

Unfortunately, all 4 girls were transfered! That really changed what my day looks like. I now have to depend entirely on members to go out visiting with me. When I don't have a 'companion' for the day, I spend my time in the office and helping Sister Brooks with Referal calls. Change is growth so look at me grow!!!! This is our district's going away party for Sister Ruwhui. I love being here and can see so many things that I can do when I get home.

They also changed our assignment a bit. The 'center' is now closed in the evenings for safety reasons. The sisters give tours by appointment only at night. We are also closed on Tuesday's since the temple is closed so we go to the Mission Office and work on Referals. I'm ok with that; I love working in the office.

We've been on a couple more day trips with the Senior Missionaries. We went bush walking in Mt. Glorious & Mt. Nebo. Last week we went to Cleveland Point, Wellington Point and took a ferry from Victoria Point over to Russell Island for lunch, stopping at Macleay and Lamb Islands on the way. What an amazing trip! I love the water!!! On our way to Victoria Point we stopped to pet a couple of camels!!!!!!!

It was the highlight of the trip for me!
I have now experienced sending missionaries home; very sad. We had the opportunity to have sisters stay with us and take them to the mission home or airport on a couple of occasions now. What a blessing to be able to meet and get to know such wonderful young friends.

Here are some more Australian phrases: rugged up means bundled up; a rug is a blanket, a jumper is a sweater and a duna is a deuvet, blanket, bedspread, or quilt - it's actually a white quilted duvet without the covering. I love the subtropic weather and the beautiful flowering everything! But, unfortunately, it doesn't love me. I've had severe sinus problems because of these things that I've grown to love so much.

I also love the wildlife; Kangaroo, Koala, Wombats, scrub turkeys, lace monitors, water dragons, Imu, Cassawary, Lorikeets, Kookaburra and all kinds of other birds. It's just amazing and so much fun.

I also love all the different people I have met. There's Chinese, Korean, Tiawanese, Japanese, Chilian, Samoan, Tongan, Sudanese, Indian (from India), Kiwi, American and good ol' Aussie. Australia is very multi-cultural; people come here to live from all over the world. We see a lot of students going to 'Uni', which is the University. I love to listen to them talk and really feel like I'm learning a foreign language.

The city of Brisbane is beautiful and they have a City Cat ferry that is an amazing trip at night. They have a beach right in the city and they also have the Sunshine Coast & Gold Coast. The site where the temple is is amazing. Australia is still new and exciting to me. There are so many beautiful things here to see and enjoy. As much as I love it, I realize more and more that America is my home; God bless America. But I'm definately an adoped Aussie!!!!!!

I love being here and love the work, the people, the missionaries, the animals & nature and all I experience here in Australia and feel so blessed to be able to be here and experience this!
Until next time: G'day mates!!!!!!!!!! Love ya!