Sunday, 12 August 2018

Mon, 6 Aug - Elder Haley taught the seminary lesson this morning.  Kerry Arthur is doing better but not fully recovered from the dental surgery - it was a bit rough on her.  Elder Haley had to call the US and order a new temple recommend booklet for President Norman.  We called Carlingford to verify when young missionaries would be coming back to Grafton.  Stopped by Shellie Long to get her address and deliver a card from Relief Society. Then out to get with Joyce Wallbank and go looking for platypus one more time.  We were able to see one swimming in the Nymboida river, but it was raining and not as comfy as 2 weeks before.  But we still had a great time with Joyce.  We are going to miss her.

Tue, 7 Aug - Sister Haley taught seminary this morning, so Elder Haley had a day off. After that we got home and then picked up Patricia Stiller and drove out to Yamba (1 hour) to visit with Fraser & Lydia Mathieson.  We had lunch with them and were able to get Patricia introduced and develop a bit of a relationship with Lydia.  Then home to deliver Patricia back to her shop for a 2 pm appointment.  We started baking choc chip cookies before going to Mandi & Kevin Lynch's for dinner.  After dinner we had musical pieces played for us by Joseph and Declan.  When we got home, we finished the choc chip cookies and also Sards the collars of Elder Haley's white shirts so the sweat stains were removed.

Wed, 8 Aug - out final early morning seminary class 😪😫😭 with Arielle.  We did deliver the Hanks, both during and after class 😀 Then a call to Elder Haley's mum via Skype.  We made a mad dash back to Maclean to see Lavina (the Price's daughter) and be with Joan Hibberd one more time. She is a lovely lady and mentally sharp, despite having Parkinsons. We swung by the Price's to get a signature on a paper for Church.  Then pulled into Church just in time for Primary activity (and choc chip cookies).  Elder Haley met with Levera Cave and went over Primary and RS things with her. A quick bite at home and then back for FHC and YW.  Leah (from primary activity) is now attending YW and that is great since she is of another faith - she is a lovely girl and enjoys our activities.

Thu, 9 Aug - Tom Jones stopped by around 0930 to pick up a dresser.  He placed it on his Ute and I offered to help him unload it when we came out for dinner later tonight.  We went over to FHC (10am - 12pm) and helped organise a new bookcase.  Got lost doing something in the afernoon and then headed out to the Jones' for dinner at 6pm.  Amanda & Arielle came out for dinner as well.  We were given some nice Aussie gifts to remember them & OZ by. Elaine Jones fixed a superb dinner - like she always does.

Fri, 10 Aug - Did chores and errands in the morning.  We picked up Shane and took him to his appointment at Headspace in the afternoon.  While he was there we popped into the South Grafton nursing home and visited with his gran, Dorothy Ledwidge.  It was a good thing we did because she was sure we had forgotten her and she was about to disinherit us 😊 We picked up Shane and took him home and rushed back home to fix dinner for our last dinner with Scott.

Sat, 11 Aug - Mike met President Norman at 0800 to bring beds & chairs from his shed for the young elders.  We took our queen bed, dining table & chairs to the Leachs.  They were very happy to receive them. President Norman headed home and Mike stayed at the Leachs to fix a few things and wait for Margaret to pick him up.  Then we drove up to Lawrence to meet with Lorraine & Darrell Binskin (and Alpacas) for an hour or so, and to say "see you later".  Then home and fix dinner to take over to the Normans (Dave, Beth Spencer & Emma).  Then we tried to finish packing - what a joke, but thank goodness we have the car to stuff things into - now we will have to really pack in Sydney.

Sun, 12 Aug - Branch Presidency meeting at 0730. Branch Council at 0830. Normal Sunday meetings from 10am to 1pm.  We helped with other things after Church and left around 4pm.  We are staying the night with Kerry Arthur.  She had Avocado boats (avocado filled with a salsa) ready for us for dinner.  We visited until about 9pm and then we all headed for bed.  Kerry is to teach seminary tomorrow morning and we have to pack the car and drive to Sydney.  Kerry is sensitive to electromagnet fields and lights, so we ate by candle light and had minimal lighting.  NO cell phones.  It was different but it was wonderful to be able to share.

Part of the welcoming committee as we go for our second platypus viewing trip

Joyce Wallbank checking out a side pond for playtpus

The car is surrounded by the welcoming committee

Oops, we forgot to bring the feed for the committee dinner.  Now we are in trouble.

Joyce & Mike checking out part of the Nymboida river for Platypus

no platypus, but we did find a python

Lunch is being served to the hungry platypus hunters

The chef - Joseph Lynch and our dinner

Joseph at the piano

Declan at the drums

Joseph, Rosie, Kevin, Mandi, Declan Lynch

our last day in Seminary with Arielle

Primary activity day.  We are building something, but I am not sure what it is - but the boys do

Elder & Sister Haley with TJ Baker

Leah & Mason with the Haleys

The Young Women - Arielle, Beth & Emma, Willow, Shellie, Tia, Leah

Princess getting all dressed up for the wedding

The Family History Centre, Grafton Branch

Tom, Arielle, Amanda, Elaine Jones

Amanda & Arielle

Arielle, Elaine, Margaret, Mike, Tom Jones

Scott Howard & Haleys - our last dinner together at the flat

Alpaca herd at the Binskin's, Lawrence NSW

A close up of some of the Alpaca

Sarah & Rachel Rapmund

Vicki Carter, Joyce Price, Acacia

Marama Paewai holding  Benson To'ia

Tui Paewai & Mandi Lynch

Tabitha Best & Peter Arnull

Rain Best with others in the background

Tevita & Tia To'ia

Beth Norman heading into the feed line

Margaret & Amanda Jones

The feed line for our last luncheon at the Grafton Branch

More of the feed line -Manahi, Tama, Tui Paewai, Mike, Joseph Lynch, Tom Jones, Pearce & Lucky Paewai, Peter Arnull

Some of the Grafton Branch in the feed line

Joyce Wallbank, Mike, Peter Arnull

Benson, Tabitha holding Emma

Willow Best, Arielle Keenes, Spencer Norman

Sarah & Rachel Rapmund

Pearl, Tabitha, Clive, Rain Best (missing are Willoe & Sage)

Haleys & Bests - Clive, Tabitha, Willow, Rain, Sage, Pearl

Primary boys (Spencer, Tama, Manahi, Sage, Rain) in their natural state, with Elder Haley

Stafford Paewai & Clive Best

Manahi Paewai

Elaine Jones & Margaret

Joseph & Declan Lynch with Haleys

Margaret & Patricia Stiller

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.

More sugar cane burn off as we crossed the Clarence River

Mike, Scott, Martin, Judy Howard, Margaret

Emma, Mike, Spencer, Dave (President), Beth Norman, Margaret

A close up of some of the hearts left on the car and on our front yard by the Young Women