M&M Haley Mission

Sunday, 5 August 2018 (1 week to go)

Mon, 30 Jul - Yesterday we received word that one of our friends, Paula, in Indiana died - one of the difficult situations being on a mission. We would like to be there, but that is not possible. We were able to talk with Butch on the phone and express our condolences. We are thankful for others who are there and can be a proxy for us at the funeral. Sister Haley taught early morning seminary today. Then home for a quick brekky before the last declutter day. Elder Haley helped dig up a small tree and Sister Haley helped Amber replant it. Home for lunch and then off to play taxi driver and compassionate companion for Kerry who had some dental surgery today. Then a visit with Vicki Carter for a bit. Then home for dinner and preparing for early morning Seminary tomorrow. Just got a txt saying the student is crook and will not be able to make it in the morning. So time to work on the blog.
We have just 2 weeks left. It will be nice to be home, but we are in NO HURRY. We love our mission and the people we have been called to serve - both in Grafton and Hyde Park. We have been blessed by both groups and are thankful for all the friends we have made. Elder Haley is getting a sore throat, so probably good that he can sleep in tomorrow morning. He probably needs some TLC to help him recover 😉😉😉😂😂

Tue, 31 Jul - The last day of July. Teach early morning seminary as the regular seminary teacher is recovering from dental surgery. Elder Haley is trying to get rid of the sore throat and sniffles - to no avail. We met with one of the local Baptist ministers today and gave him a pumpkin pie as a going away present. We also gave him a Book of Mormon and that led to a 1-2 hour discussion which was interesting for both of us. We then had a visit by the Binghams who are the new senior missionary couple in Armidale - a 3 hour drive from Grafton. We handed over the sewing machine and heaps of kitchen utensils. Then off to Hanks to get the Wednesday Seminary Hanks pastry. We made a few stops to drop off other papers, etc. Then out to Junction Hill to visit with one of our old neighbors - Peter & Lois Robinson, for a bit. Then back to church for a Primary Presidency meeting - our last one 😥 Then back home to prepare dinner for Scott and some lively discussions on life and the Gospel. Collapse and bed.

Wed, 1 Aug - Teach early morning seminary and deliver the Hanks pastry. Call Mom Haley and let her see that we are still alive and doing well. Back home to bake choc chip cookies for the primary activity. Visit with Kerry Arthur to make sure that she is recovering from the dental surgery. Head to church building for the primary activity. Goof around with the kids and miss supper, so we stay for FHC (Sister Haley) and Young Women (Elder Haley).

Thu, 2 Aug - Slept in a little bit. We were to take Shane Leach to Coffs Harbour, but he backed out; however, we did take his mum to Coffs for the support/benefit meeting. We ran out to see Barry Ward while Margaret Leach was in the benefits meeting. After returning to Grafton in the early afternoon, we got a call asking if we could drive up to Maclean (1 hour) to give a daughter and grandchild of Ann Mewis blessings - so we did. Then we stopped and visited with Joan Hibberd in the aged care facility. We grabbed some bread, cheese & meat from the local grocer and had a picnic dinner in the Maclean park on the banks of the Clarence River. Then home to bed.

Fri, 3 Aug - Slept in a bit. Then off to Woolworths for some shopping before heading up to Brisbane for the Quarterly Branch temple trip. We took Patricia Stiller with us and had a lovely trip up - she is always good company. We arrived in Brisbane early enough to go to the new distribution centre and buy a few things. Elder Haley bought some things for one of the men who was not able to make the trip this time. Then off to the Errington's for dinner and a place to sleep. We are really fortunate to have the Erringtons in Brisbane so we can socialise with them and have a place to stay.

Sat, 4 Aug - we attended the temple and were able to do some temple work for Kerry Arthur's family - what a blessing. We were able to have lunch with the Bests and Oldfields, before heading back to Grafton. Patricia rode back to Grafton with her daughter, Kim. We drove for an hour or so and then pulled off in one of the road side parks and took a nap before we ended up in a ditch. After a nice 1 hour nap, we headed on down to Grafton - arriving safe and sound.

Sun, 5 Aug - It is fast Sunday, so our Presidency meeting starts at 0830 instead of 0730 - hurrah for small blessings. The testimonies were good - they always are. After our meetings and taking care of tithing deposits, we and the Normans went out to the Howards (Scott's parents - Judy & Martin) for a lamb dinner. Mike was not looking forward to the lamb, but it was really good - get that recipe for butterfly lamb leg 😉😜 A lovely time had by all. Then home to rest and prepare to teach seminary in the morning.

Peter & Lois Robinson with Elder & Sister Haley. The Robinsons were our neighbors in Junction Hill.

Our car was "hearted" by the Young Women

And we got a cake

And the house was hearted also. We think that we were liked by the Young Women.

Barry Ward & Sister Haley

Honey with her ball, which we hit out into the yard so she & Midnight could chase it.

Midnight waiting for the next ball to be hit

Wattle (national tree of Australia) on the lane to Barry Ward's

Closing the gate to Barry's lane. We will open it again one day.

Sunset through the clouds of smoke from the burn off of sugar cane, prior to harvest.

Our picnic dinner in Maclean & on the Clarence river bank. Baguet, pastrami & cheese.

On the Lawrence ferry. The truck in front left is stacked with beehives. We were hoping that the ferry had a smooth ride this time.

In Brisbane with a metal statue of a sheep. Walking with the Erringtons to dinner.

At a rest stop on the way home from Brisbane. The sign made us a bit more alert than we would normally be. We also double checked the toilet before entering.