4-9 November

G-Day Mates,

Some of our week was spent traveling to Blackwater to search for members who we have not met, and in some cases, not sure they are still in the area, and for a visit to the Relief Society and Sunday School presidents and their two children.  He has lost his job and searching very hard for another one, but it appears that they will have to leave the area in order to find employment.  This will be hard for our little Emerald Branch.  Enjoyed sharing a lunch and conversation as we tried to learn more about the people in the area.  Tuesday evening we went to "tea" (dinner) with another family at their home - these are great stalwarts in the area who originally came from New Zealand.  Wednesday brought District Meeting and Institute.  The Mickelsen's were asked to share some training on the Hastening of the Work with the missionaries.  All of our regulars were in attendance at Institute and one brought Domino's Pizza for the refreshments.  It was nothing like the American Domino's but everyone loves pizza so it was a hit - the carrot sticks/ranch dressing are a necessary part of the refreshments again.  The pizza doesn't have our normal red sauce, but we decided that we could have it for a quick meal sometime. The mission patriarch and his wife (Elder and Sister Miller) finished up a 2 1/2 week circuit through the northern zone of the mission giving numerous blessings to very grateful people.  It was great to have them spend the weekend with us and two young people in the branch received their blessings on Sunday.  Sandy was able to help the Primary prepare for their yearly program, by playing the piano/keyboard, which is always fun to do.

This map is at one entrance to the Emerald Botanic Gardens which is about a mile walk from our house.  Arlo walks to here most mornings and picks up another mile or two in the gardens depending on the route he takes.  The following pictures are of the East Garden which is mostly natural landscape with planted areas of different tree varieties.  We will send some photos of the West Garden next week which has irrigated and maintained lawn areas.

The Southern Cross Windmill was built in 1931 and was used for irrigation on the "Marathon", one of the early pioneer farms near Emerald.  After restoration, it was moved to the Botanic Gardens and is used to pump water into the lagoon in the gardens.

This monument was built in 2001 to celebrate the federation of Australia.  The murals on the federation pillars are intended to reflect the Australian identity with special emphasis on the Emerald Shire.  There are ten pillars and each one represents one decade since federation.  The center seating area is called the yarn pit.

The rainforest is watered heavily during the night about five times a week and is several acres in size with paths through it.  Below are fruit bats (or flying foxes) which are hanging in the rain forest by the hundreds if not thousands.  They are huge for a bat - the head and body length is about 10 inches and they have a wing span of three plus feet.

Another week and it is amazing how the time is going.  There are many blessings that come from serving a mission together and we are most thankful for them all.