26 January - 1 February

It is a beautiful day in Oz, with temperatures around 29-31 C.  The weather is warm during the day, but cools down nicely around dusk and through the night, making things very pleasant.  Arlo walks each morning and added a new route by the Brisbane River, where he commented that it was very cool, almost cold as he walked.

The 26th of January is official national day of Australia.  It marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove, New South Wales by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip in 1788.  In Sacrament Meeting the Sunday before, we stood together and sang their beautiful official national anthem, Advance Australia Fair,  Hymn #342, which is added in the Australian LDS hymnbooks.  

Australians all let us rejoice, for we are young and free;  
We've golden soil and wealth for toil, our home is girt by sea.  
Our land abounds in nature's gifts of beauty rich and rare;                                     
In history's page, let every stage Advance Australia fair.  
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross we'll toil with hearts and hands.                                                 
To make this commonwealth of ours renowned of all the lands.  
For those who've come across the seas we've boundless plains to share, 
with courage let us all combine to Advance Australia Fair.  

Chorus:  In joyful strains then let us sing, "Advance Australia Fair."

This special day was the last official day of the school holiday and everyone made the most of it.     Our missionaries had their P-Day switched to later in the week so they could take advantage of people being home celebrating, much like we would do on the 4th of July. 

During one of our outings to the store looking for office supplies, we found a few more signs for our mission sign collection!

No where could we find any additional signage that would tell us if we might qualify for this parking spot!

Sign designating crosswalk ahead - very self-explanatory!

A popular place in Fortitude Valley on a hot summer day.  This building was constructed in 1925, maybe accounting for the name.  As we drive past, there are always patrons in the "bath", even early in the morning.

The senior missionaries are currently trying to get all 110 mission flats inspected in the next three weeks.  This was our first one of the day, with a threesome from the United States, Tonga and Tahiti as the occupants. This very old and dusty plastic model of the Titanic was sitting on top of a wardrobe and we suggested they add it to the "rubbish bin".

These are sweet sister missionaries from China and Taiwan and their flat was spotless.  They are serving in the ward that we attend and always are looking for hugs when we arrive.  They are assigned as Chinese speaking missionaries, but are expected to master English while here.

Two current companions who knew each other during their high school days at Olympus High in Salt Lake City.  They received their calls (both to learn Mandarin Chinese) within a month of each other and were surprised to be going to the same mission.  Now they are enjoying serving together, never thinking it would be possible!

Technology never ceases to amaze us.  This week we had a mission-wide phone conference call, that also included the the Pacific Area President in New Zealand.  He was praising the missionaries in our mission for the fantastic work that occurred this past year.  Our week seems to be a blur as we think back over it, but we are grateful to be a part of keeping things going in the Brisbane Mission.