18-31 May

Each week we comment between us, "This week just can't be a busy as the last week." and then it turns out to be just as full as the previous week and then some!  Some days are full of the normal routine of busyness, and others bring brand-new excitement! 

This amazing young man came to our mission as a three month trial run missionary.  His proud father brought him to the office, put the name badge into the suitcoat pocket of his son, gave him a huge hug and off he went.  Three+ months later, after the recommendation that he can serve a full-time mission, we are in President Henderson's office with the elder as he prepares to open his official mission call from President Monson.  Before opening the white envelope,  he bore a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and thanked his companion for the support and strength he had been to him over the last three months.  With tears streaming down his cheeks, he opened the envelope and read aloud to us in the room and his family who was watching via Skype, that he would be serving in the Australia Brisbane Mission!  President had never before seen that happen, and our now official elder was overjoyed to be able to continue to serve here.  His paperwork went before the normal missionary assignment committee and he could have been called anywhere in the world.  So he left the mission field and attended the New Zealand MTC for training and came back with our new intake of 17 missionaries this transfer.

Departing and Arriving, plus Transfers week is always hectic and filled with emotion.  Several of our elders leaving this transfer have become close to our hearts and Sandy had tears as we wished them everything good as they prepared to start a new chapter in their lives.

The Last Dinner at the mission home is always fun for everyone and Elder Low was doing a super job of mashing the potatoes.  His big smile will be missed and the work he has done in the Mandarin Chinese program has been so important.  Returning to his native Singapore, he will become a great asset to the growth of the church.

The original intake group for the elders in this picture two years ago was 37 new missionaries. The original sisters have left and other elders left the transfer before, due to shortened visas, but this was a very large group leaving.  Most are from the United States, with Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand, Philippines and Singapore represented.

On the Monday of Transfer Week, the departing missionaries spend Monday morning at the temple in a special session the temple has just for them - one more dignified picture and one of excitement as they anticipate what is ahead for them in their lives. 

Monday evening, we come to the Mission Home and bring the departure packets to them.  These contain their passports, travel itineraries, Certificate of Release and every other piece of paper that was in their folders in the office.  Even though we counsel these young people to be careful as they open their envelopes because items can get mixed up with the missionary sitting next to them, they are so anxious to see all of the contents!  

Saturday, the 23rd, we celebrated Sandy's birthday by taking a leisurely ride up the Brisbane River on the City Cat, and seeing some new sights along the river.  The morning brought several singing birthday greetings via phone calls from missionaries.  The trunks on these trees in the City Botanic Gardens were really impressive as we walked past this row.

Sandy had to gather a lot of courage to walk across this amazing foot bridge, the Goodwill Bridge over the Brisbane River. It is well used by walkers and bikers alike. 

On the Brisbane River, there are several types of boats that seemed to be used for parties or gatherings. Usually the boats are anchored, so we don't see them moving.  But this day, the riverboat was really moving along.

Our comment quite often is "the grounds around Brisbane are so beautiful and well planned." This was one of several walkways we passed through at Southbank, on our way to catch the City Cat back to our flat.  Later in the evening, we had dinner at the Portside area, which is where the cruise ships dock.  From our seats in the restaurant, we could see into the windows of the staterooms.

Each of us in the office have a little celebration in honor of our birthdays, when the time comes. Our Senior Sisters had spent their Preparation Day at a Greek Festival and brought in delicious pastries from their adventure to share with us.  This was the first Staff Meeting with our two new assistants and one new office elder.

Our FHE one Monday, was shared with Elder and Sister Richins.  They taught us a game called Hand and Foot, which our special neighbor Ken in St. George has been wanting to teach us for a long time. The Richins are living in temporary housing for another month, until the couple they will be replacing leave for home. 

The weather is wonderful, couldn't ask for better with temperatures being in the low-mid 70's during the day. The skies have gorgeous sunsets and life is good.  Tuesday was officially the first day of winter and our night time lows are becoming cooler and now we are requiring another light blanket.   We couldn't ask for anything more to be serving together as missionaries, helping support the daily needs of all our missionaries who are working so hard to serve valiantly!