Friday, July 31, 2015

Interviews!!


There is a reason President Parker has a smile on his face!  Here he is doing 
interviews with the fabulous Modbury Zone.  He is having the time of his life
as he's interviewed all 108 missionaries these first 2 weeks.  What could be more 
wonderful than meeting with these great missionaries and hearing their wonderful
testimonies of our Savior?  Here we have Elder McMurray, Elder Hayes, Elder
Johnson, Elder U-Fa, Elder Miller, Elder Fa, Sister Payze and Sister Asera.


This is Sister Payze, one of our wonderful Sister Training Leaders and her great
companion, Sister Asera.  While President was interviewing, I was getting to 
know all of these incredible missionaries a little bit better.  Although it was
absolutely freezing this day and they weren't kidding when I was told to make
sure I brought a sweater to church, we had a great time and I love these great
missionaries.


It's always a great time when missionaries are around.  They are happy because 
they are sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Elder McMurray does a great job
leading this powerful group.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Our Belongings Have Arrived!


The moving truck arrived with all of our belongings after just 3 weeks of being in
Adelaide.  Not bad!  Here is President Parker marking off every box as it comes
in.  It took all day to get it all in the moving truck and just a couple of hours 
to unload it.  



These guys worked hard and absolutely nothing was broken.  That is a miracle.  


Everything is out and accounted for.  It's amazing to think everything we 
packed came half way around the world, was delivered in a truck that looks 
exactly like the one that picked it all up and now we just have to put every-
thing away! 

Thursday, July 23, 2015

First Trip Up North!


On July 17th we flew with our great assistants to Alice Springs.  It is a tradition
to stop and take pictures at this awesome welcome rock!  If you've never been to 
Alice Springs, Australia, you are really missing out!  It's winter here and the 
weather is perfect.  We loved being in Alice Springs.



So this is what you're really supposed to do at this rock- strike a pose!  President 
Parker will have to practice that.  Here he is with Elder Taylor, our assistants, Elder 
Pitama and Elder Rigby, and the Zone Leader for the Alice Springs Zone, Elder Bush.



This was the view when we landed.  Didn't matter which direction you looked!



Just to make sure we know where we are, this is what our rental car license plate said.
We are in the outback!



Good thing we are flying to Darwin.  That would be one long drive!  

  

Elder Rigby, Elder Pitama, Elder Bush, and Elder Taylor. We were so 
grateful to have our assistants with us on our first trip up north.  They lead this mission
with long hours and hard work but always with a smile on their faces and lots of love.
Elder Bush did a great job conducting the Zone Conference and we loved being with 
Elder Taylor and all the wonderful missionaries who serve there.  Great dedicated and 
faithful leaders!



This is the great Alice Springs Zone.  What a great time we had.  The Spirit was with
these wonderful Sisters and Elders and they are working hard to bring others to Christ.  
The wonderful couple in front on the left are the St. John's from Boise, ID.  We were 
instant friends.  They provided us all with a delicious dinner and we love them for all
they do and for their devotion to the Lord.  In back: Elder Taylor, Elder Bush, Elder
Pitama, Elder Rigby, Elder Kata, Elder Skadins, Elder Mannering and Elder Ware.
Front: The St. Johns, President and Sister Parker, Sister Makaya, and Sister Kereama.
We did not want to leave this great group of missionaries.  We love you!



The next morning we flew those 1500 kilometers  to Darwin to meet with this incredibly, 
amazing group of Elders and Sisters who make up the Darwin Zone.  What a wonderful
time we had.  The weather was absolutely wonderful. The church was beautiful with
a baptismal font outside.  Thank you Elder Hartley and Elder Kelese (zone leaders)
for making sure everything ran smoothly.  There was such a great spirit and feeling of 
love with you all.  Thank you for the lovely fireside Sunday evening.  We will never
forget it.  Back row: Elder Pitama, Elder Kelese, Elder Johnson, Elder Wairepo, Elder
Anton, Elder Parilla, Elder Hartley, Elder Foikau, Elder Rigby. Front: Sister Goisisi,
Sister Craig. 



While we were in Darwin we had the great privilege of meeting these two great young 
men, Jason and Jordan.  Jason is getting his mission papers ready but first he's 
competing in Las Vegas, Nevada, our home town, in the world Lifting Competition.
Jordan is 14 years old and is competing in the World Jujitsu Competition.These are
wonderful young men who are great disciples of Christ.  Good luck to both of them.



These are Jordans parents.  They have a wonderful family who strengthen the Branch
in Darwin.  They are raising up a righteous family.  Jordan made the decision to never
compete on Sunday and to honor the Sabbath.  What a great decision!!  


President Parker was grateful for all that the Elders of this mission do to help and 
support him but Sister Goisisi and Sister Craig went above and beyond by naming
a park after him!  Tee hee!!


While I was waiting for President Parker to return the rental car, I took this picture
at the airport.  Its beautiful and tropical here.  We can't wait to return to Darwin.
We love each and every missionary and loved every minute of this trip.  We loved 
meeting the members and the new converts.  The fireside was a highlight as well as 
President getting to interview each missionary and I got to visit with each of them. 
We love you!  

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

A Few More Zone Luncheon Pictures!

First Few Days in Adelaide!


As we drove around this great city, we found the absolutely beautiful 
Adelaide Temple, just 10 minutes from our home.  What a blessing to have a
temple in our mission.  Our prayer is to bring families together in the 
House of the Lord to be sealed together forever.  


Speaking at our first multi-stake fireside on how our belief in Jesus Christ blesses
our lives.  What a great topic to have been assigned.  We loved meeting the 
wonderful members here and knowing wherever we go in the world, we feel at
home with the Saints.


Meeting our absolutely wonderful Senior Couples!  The Smiths, The Grays,
The Halls, The Jurgens, and The Hannans.  We are missing the St. Johns who
are serving up north in Alice Springs.  These couples have set aside the things
of the world and have chosen to serve the Lord and bless this great mission.  
They work so hard and are not only blessing this mission, but are receiving
the blessings promised for their families.  We love you!!


On the 1st Tuesday  since we arrived in Adelaide, we held our first multi-zone 
conference.  It was a glorious day.  What a privilege to serve with these
incredible, valiant, consecrated missionaries.  How wonderful it is to finally look 
into each of their faces and see the light of the gospel shining in their eyes.
Here we all are in front of the Firle Stake Center.  We love you all!



Here are a few fun photos from our zone conference lunch.  Very happy 
missionaries and an even more happy Mission President and wife!  Thank you
senior couples for a delicious lunch!







I'm pretty sure Elder Rigby and Elder Chalke took a selfie while I wasn't looking.  


This wonderful couple are the Halls, one of our newer couples.  They are serving in
Mt. Gambie and loving it! 


President needed to pick something up for the computer on "The Parade" 
and while we were on our way we ran into 2 of our great missionaries who
were having dinner here.  At their recommendation we decided to try it.  
There is Mexican food in Adelaide and it was great!  If you look closely, you 
can see the chips and salsa we ordered.  In Adelaide, chips are french fries!  


We found gelato!  
  

That we bought with Australian money.


And since we needed a few things, our first Friday night date was at Costco
where President was happy to pick up a great Costco hot dog and a drink!


As I was leaving the house, I looked at the beautiful greenery and flowers
just to the side of our garage.  The landscaping is beautiful here and it was a 
beautiful day to match.  


This sign says it all!!  We have felt welcome since we arrived off the plane. 
We are so thankful to be in Adelaide and to be inviting all to come and
receive the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  We love this
place!