2 - 8 February

Howsitgoin mates?  Things are "goin" just fine here.  This past week has been our Deliberation Week, in preparation for Transfer Week!  Monday through Thursday were spent praying and poring over the companionships and areas in the mission by the assistants and the Henderson's.  The seniors in the office (two sisters and the Mickelsen's) took turns preparing a lunch to be shared together with the deliberators. This week Sandy made chicken salad to fill croissants, along side chips, veggies and fruit.  On Friday, they all go fasting to the temple  to confirm the decisions and changes that have been made during the week.  This transfer was more difficult, due to the fact that 17 missionaries are returning home and we are only adding six. There are twelve visa waiters on our mission rolls right now, and it was hoped that some would receive their visas in time to come now, instead of later.  All are serving temporary missions in the United States.  President shared with us at our weekly staff meeting, that the mission would be downsizing over time to no more than 200 missionaries, which will be a standard for all the missions in the church.

The four assistants to the president - three from the US and one New Zealander.  Because of the size of our mission President Henderson has decided to have four instead of the normal two assistants. They will all return to their homes in the next three months, three in one transfer.

Saturday we were able to have our first real p-day! at Emundi Market, located about 1 1/2 hours from our flat heading north up the coast.  Our companions for the day were Elder and Sister Johnson (from Jordan, Utah), who are serving with the Self-Reliance program in Queensland.  Quoting from the brochure, "Every Saturday and Wednesday this otherwise sleep hinterland town springs to life in the early hours of the morning, transforming into a vibrant mecca for shoppers looking for something different.  A plethora of most things locally handmade, the market sells everything from delicately constructed craft to organically grown produce, living up to the them at the bottom of the sign."  The market has over 500 booths, all excellent presentations.  We are trying our best to follow the locals example and always wear a hat when out in the very hot sunshine, to help combat skin cancer.

Shared the walkways with heaps and heaps of people!

Lots of local talent were entertaining throughout the market with a wide variety of music.

The first shop,  as we entered the market, had these intriguing little bottles of pickled onions with an interesting name. 

Heaps of people have told us that we needed to indulge in a cronut at least once during our stay here. In case you are wondering what in the world this is, we will tell you.  This is a deep fried cross between a doughnut and a croissant.  Our choice to share was one drizzled heavily with white chocolate, and raspberry jelly filled!

This portable ATM was being well used in the short time we stood by it, visiting with the owner.  He has 45 in Australia and takes them all over to many outdoor venues.  His profit comes from the $3.00 service fee.

Sandy walked into one of the stalls, which was featuring African goods.  What a surprise to come upon this display and see the Ngwenya Glass signage which has come from Swaziland, the small kingdom that borders South Africa.  The glass animals are all hand blown and made from recycled glass that people collect from "every corner of the country."  During one of PEF trips to Swaziland, we were able to visit the glass blowing facility and see first hand how the pieces were made. While looking at the pieces, fond memories of good times had in Swaziland filled our minds.

Even though we were tired from all the exploring at Emundi Market, we couldn't come so close to Coscto and not stop.  Looks just the same on the outside, except for the spelling difference on the side of the building.  So many words are spelled just a little differently than we are used to.  Our computer in the office spells correctly for Australia, but sometimes throws us Americans off!  We couldn't believe all the people lined up for a rotisserie chicken to come out of the ovens - it is a real deal.  The chickens are about the same size as the U.S. and sell for $6.99, as compared to $12-13 for a smaller chicken in the local grocery stores.  One thing that is different about Australian rotisseries (except Costco) and ours, is that they are filled with stuffing.

The set up in the store is similar enough to any we have been in the States and even the food court signage is the same, just a few different menu items.  As we entered the parking lot and store, one would have thought it was Christmas by the massive amounts of people.  There are rumors that because of the success of this store there are plans to build a second one on the opposite side of Brisbane.  

We are busier than we have been for many years and the days are long with a new challenge every hour, it seems.  But we are enjoying every minute of it and appreciate the opportunity to serve as missionaries in this part of the world.