M&M Haley Mission

Sunday, 25 March 2018

Mon, 19 Mar - Seminary is first thing on the agenda. Sister Haley went to declutter some more today. Elder Haley met with the new branch building rep and helped get some things set up for him. Mike called the realtor to find out when we will have to vacate the house 😢😬 Elder Haley also worked on some welfare issues that needed to be taken care of. We picked up the elders and drove out to the Jones at Flaggy Creek for dinner this evening.
We are beginning to understand and know how the early Mormons felt. We had a good life in Sydney and then moved to a wonderful house in Grafton. Now we are asked to pack up all our things in the nice house, give most of them away and move into a much smaller place. Kind of like the Saints that moved from New York to Kirtland; set up a farm or house and have a nice life going only to be asked to move to Indepence, Missouri. How much is the Lord going to ask of us, but I am glad we are in Grafton and moving and not in the same situation as the early Saints. We will do what is asked of us, and Love it, knowing it is what is best and well worth the small trial.

Tue, 20 Mar - Seminary - rise & shine. Elder Haley walked & exercised during the first half of Seminary. Then he tried fixing some photoelectric/motion detection lights that cover the parking lot - he was unsuccessful. Contacted the local propane gas company to see if they would take an EFT from the Church to pay an account for one of the members, but they do not, so we have to use BillPay which the Church does not support. That means Haleys will use BPay from their account to pay the gas bill and then get reimbursed by the Branch Welfare account. Worked on an inventory of all the furnishings in the house for the Mission President, so he can decide where all the items will go or be sold. Stopped by Hanks Kitchen to pick up the reward for our Seminary student - we give her a baked good from Hank's each Wednesday as a reward for "hanging in there" and coming to Seminary. Elder Haley read the Primary section of Handbook 2 from the Church so he was prepared for his first monthly meeting with the Primary President tonight. We went to our afternoon Primary activity and played 4 square and cricket today. Some of the kids that normally come over did not because they have "footy" (rugby) practice on Tuesday afternoons. Met with the Primary President and reviewed the Primary Sunday schedule.

Wed, 21 Mar - It sure is dark at 0500 am. Day light savings time will make the clocks change at the end of the month and that will bring a little sunshine into our lives a bit sooner. Mike talked with his Mum this morning - thank you for the video chat technology. Went on a food buying errand as we have 6 young missionaries coming for dinner tonight. Elder Haley went over to the Girl Guides to pay the camp out fees this past weekend, and to return the building keys. Ah yes, now home and have shoes off and relaxing for a few hours - er, I mean minutes. The latest drama has just occurred. A call from a sister who does not receive her government payment for a few more days, and needs a few things for her illness. There sure seem to be a lot of people on government help here. Now back home and getting ready to feed the bottomless stomachs of the 6 elders. We have our elders, the district elders and the Zone leaders here this week for District Training Meeting (DTM). Our food budget just got wiped out for the next 3 weeks 😆😏

Thurs, 22 Mar - No Seminary this morning, but Mike did get up to walk and work with his weights while walking. We are at Family History Centre (FHC) in the morning from 10-12. Mike usually works on other things in the building during this time, such as the trash and vacuums the upstairs. Sister Haley played taxi driver. We called a member who lives in Yamba about coming to visit, but this week does not look good. Then back to the meetinghouse in the evening for FHC and Branch Presidency meeting.

Fri, 23 Mar - Cleaned the meetinghouse in the morning and got a call from Lydia Mathieson in Yamba. She invited us for lunch and a visit. We headed her way around 11 am and got there just after 12 noon. We met her and her husband, Fraser Mathieson, at their place and had a lovely 5 hour visit with them. Both are from South Africa and Rhodesia. Fraser is the grandfather of Kate Mathieson who will be marrying Richard Difford in August in the Brisbane temple.

Sat, 24 Mar - We helped with the final cleaning of the Zaffino's rental home. They are moving back to the Gold Coast. Elder Haley met with one of the sisters in the branch later in the afternoon.

Sun, 25 Mar - Normal Church meetings before and after the 3 hour block of meetings. Sister Haley and Elder Haley also visited with some of the members later in the day.