Mon, 16 Jul - The BIG day has arrived. We got up at 430 am and picked up Kerry Arthur at 6 am. Stopped to top up the petrol tank and then headed north on the A1 to Brisbane. We arrived at the Brisbane temple about 10 am. We took a few photos and then reported into the the temple. Normally the temple is not open on Mondays, but the Brisbane temple opens one Monday every 6 weeks for young missionaries that are going home. Many are from countries without a temple and this helps fortify them spiritually before they go home. The Temple President, President Cowan, offered to have some of his staff help Kerry with her sealing to her parents on this Monday. The lights in the temple were turned off so the glare & emi would not bother Kerry. The temple was very quiet and peaceful. Because it was so quiet and very few people, the Spirit was super strong for us all. Kerry was sealed to her parents and she performed a few other sealings of family while she was able to be in the temple. We also were able to sit in the celestial room for a bit - a wonderful room to consider family and our eternal relationship with our family and Heavenly Father. It was a super spiritual day for us all. We got back to Grafton around 530 pm. Tired, but very Happy.
Tue, 17 Jul - One of the nice things about being a senior missionary is that we have more time/opportunity to talk with friends and family back home. Margaret made a 2 1/2 hour video chat with one of her friends back in the US. ELDER HALEY, in the mean time, went shopping at the grocery store, talked with the District President regarding one of the sisters in the branch, stopped by the sister's flat to drop off the information from the District President, went to the meetinghouse and created a PowerPoint to be used this coming Sunday on Aussie's using LDS.Org for their tithing and other contributions. Finally, Margaret got off the video and became Sister Haley (again). We read our scriptures (New Testament at the moment) together. Then we went back to the sister's flat and followed up on what Elder Haley had dropped off. Then a quick bite for lunch and on out to visit with the Howards for a few hours - we really enjoy visiting with them. Stopped by the Price's and got some branch work done. Back home to post the Blog and then over to one of the other families to help them with the LDS.org donation application. One more stop at the seminary student's home and then we can eat dinner. Sister Haley is making pie crust while Elder Haley is typing up the blog.
Wed, 18 Jul - Last Wednesday to sleep in before seminary starts next week. Elder Haley checked out a financial planner for one of the single sisters in he branch. Sister Haley went off looking for knitting needles at the thrift shops. Then to BigW to print some pictures for some of the sisters in the branch. We dropped by Shane Leach's home to wish him a happy 18th birthday. Now back home finish dinner preparations for one of the single brothers - roast pork.
Thu, 19 Jul - Family History centre in the morning. Then off to find a "kissin" cousin for Sister Cashman/Mackie who we met at Tom Anderson's funeral. We found him and had a lovely chat and learned quite a bit about the history in this part of the country. Over to Ulmarra used book store to look for some books for Mike's mum. Then back to Grafton for a 2:30 meeting. Helped clean the building before a Primary Presidency meeting. Then home for dinner and a rest. Doing service can sure wear you out physically 😁, but lift you up spiritually.
Fri, 20 Jul - In the morning we went looking for one of the sisters and found her at the home of one of her children - baby sitting. We talked awhile and made arrangements to be her plan B for some medical visits that she needs to make in the coming weeks. At noon, we met with another sister and went to a financial planning meeting with her, so that she had a second/third pair of ears/eyes to better understand what was being presented.
Sat, 21 Jul - We made a Viber call to our son Ryan and caught up with what is going on in his & his wife's life. Then we went out visiting some of the sisters in South Grafton - homes and Aged care facilities. Home for a quick lunch and then to a Relief Society activity. The attendance was pretty good, the food was great and the sisters seemed to have a very good time. We cleaned up after the activity and went home.
Sun, 22 Jul - A normal Sunday. Elder Haley had a Branch Presidency meeting. Then the normal meetings - the talks were good and focused around the promises we make when we are baptised. We then went home and worked on our visiting calendar for the next (and last) 3 weeks. We have heaps of people to see and want to make sure we get them all visited without too big a rush.
The Relief Society (RS) activity for this week. Fix it Up, Wear it out, make it do - or do without. Trying to encourage the sisters (and brothers) to be sensible in what we do and want.
Sister Haley and Kerry Arthur, with Moroni up above
Elder Haley and Kerry Arthur
The Brisbane temple - it is the house of the Lord. We felt His Spirit very strongly there this day
The Haleys & Kerry Arthur
Kerry Arthur and the Haleys. Moroni in the top of the photo at the Brisbane temple
The Brisbane, QLD Temple
The Gazebo across from the Brisbane temple, where we ate our lunch. It overlooks Brisbane CBD and the river
Guess who?
The River from the Gazebo at Kangaroo Point and looking towards Brisbane CBD (city business district)
What a jaunty stance by the two ladies feeling might fine after spending time in the Brisbane temple
Temperature outside = 3C/37F, Inside = 12C/53F It gets a bit nippy inside the flat.
Pecan pie with choc chips - an Aussie recipe. Going to become one of Mike's all time favourites.
A dress made from a pillow case, compliments of Sister Haley
Oh yeah, and just to make sure she did it right, Sister Haley made a second one - with pocket
Oh, how true. Mum is the best cure for anything & everything.
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