Down Under : Flip Side

Whew! I feel like I've been through a whirlwind!

I've left beautiful Australia with only half my heart. What a wonderful experience & blessing! But when I touched down, I thought "it may not be all that physically beautiful (in that particular spot!) but it's home, it's America, it's my family; it's where I love to be". It's good to be home! God bless America!!!and Australia too!

It's been quite a shock to me trying to adjust to 'life' again; lots of tears & 'wondering' what to do next. Quinn & family did a beautiful job fixing up a room for Grandma Dory, of which I am so grateful; #1 immediate stress taken care of!

I got home just in time to repack, after unpacking boxes to find 'civilian' clothes, and drive to Colorado for my Cami's wedding in the Denver Temple. What a wonderful event! To top it off I was able to see all of my children! I've missed them so much; for me the hardest part of serving a mission. Cami & Wes will live in Ft. Riley, Kansas, which is only about 5 hours from me. Caleb recently started Chiropractic School in Iowa and is only about 6 hours from me. With Quinn & Brady in Springfield, it's pretty central for me to all my children here.

I'm going to do a little catch up now of my final adventures in Australia. As you may know, my calling as a missionary was 'fellow-shipping' not proselyting. But Sister Brooks & I were able to have the opportunity to continue teaching a young girl from the Congo, Leticia Bandibombe, after Sister Ruwhiu completed her mission. It was our blessing to see her baptized! My last month in Australia we had the opportunity to go on several 'day trips'. Our 1st was just we 3 sisters going to the Aboriginal Museum at South Bank in Brisbane. Their history is fascinating and sad. I really grew to love these people and their traditions. One evening we were also able to attend a 'cooboree', which is a ceremony of song & dance. An Aborigine man was teaching young aborigine children a traditional song & dance.

I had hoped to see him play the didgeridoo but that didn't happen. I did bring a small didgeridoo home though. I only got to hear & see it played on video except for one of the Elders played one for me.

On another day trip we went to Mt. Warning & Byron Bay, which is the most eastern-ly point of Australia. There we did 'whale watching' and actually saw one! It was way far out though.

We had Fish & Chips, which is one of my favorite meals; if they have vinegar for the chips.

Elder & Sister Cannon arrived to replace the Grants in the CES office so we took them out to Lone Pine; my favorite place in Australia!! It was so fun because the Kangaroo & Koala had Joeys! They had a sheep sheerer as part of the 'sheep dog show' and that was really fun to watch. Boy was he fast!

Elder Cannon is the cousin of another Elder Cannon, who was in my district at the MTC!!!!!!!!!!! The following week we took the Cannon's up to Montville again and stopped at the 'Big Pineapple' on our way to the Beach along the Sunshine Coast. Sister Ruwhiu is a young sister missionary who I worked closely with in the Brisbane Ward. She was allowed to drive with me, LEARNER , when we went out on visits. She completed her mission in May but came back to visit before I left. She & I went to Lone Pine, again, because she never got the chance to go while she was here on her mission. There was a new little red Kangaroo that actually was 'playing' with us. It was so much fun! I love Lone Pine; I love the animals! They are amazing!

Sister Stokes took us on a ferry trip over to Stradebroke Island. The ferry dock is close to Cleveland Point, where she accidentally went first. What a pleasant surprise to find the Point roped off because of a magnificent ship.

Upon closer investigation we discovered it was the set for the new Narnia movie & we got to visit with Captain Darnian! My grand daughter, Meghan, had been asking if I had heard anything about it so she was delighted when I told her all about our adventure.The Cannons picked me up and we spent one day walking around the city of Brisbane, checking out all the tourist & historical sites there. I especially wanted to see Anzac Square.

The bell tower at City Hall was also amazing. We got to go right up into it!

I also spent a day at Elephant Point on the Gold Coast with a friend, Jo Vinen. I love the beach! I didn't come back with an Australian accent, although I did pick up some of the words & phrases. I did come back with a love for a gorgeous country, amazing animals, wonderful people and the gospel of Jesus Christ, which I was able to share with many. I also came back with the realization that we share the gospel in so many ways that we don't even realize.

Never be afraid to share the gift of the spirit with others. It's there! I love my Heavenly Father and his son, my Savior and the blessings of His gospel in my life. I testify that they live & his gospel has been restored to the earth through Joseph Smith, a prophet. I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and we can come closer to Christ by reading it. This I know to be true and I bear this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Until next time, G-day mates.
Love ya!