Happy Easter

Happy Easter to you all. We hope your day has been special and your remembrance of the Saviors Resurrection will give you great peace. It is such a wonderful blessing to know of what is to happen to us after this life.

I was asked to speak in the Fairfield Ward today. One of the differences I see here in Australia where Church is concerned is the music. Usually on Easter we sing the traditional Easter songs. Today we sang one in each of the meetings. The talk I was asked to give and also the speaker with me, was the how to forgive and the blessings that come from forgiveness. We never have any choir or individual music in our meetings. We have an intermediate song. I really missed our choir and the talks about Easter. I tried to include as much as I could in my talk. It was nice to sit on the stand and see all of our special people. Sariah came in late and I was so glad to see her. The best was to see Peter Huang and Jimmy and Annie come in. Peter told us he would bring the kids because they didn't have Mandarin class because they have a school break.

To finish out the day we invited Sis. Nusbaum from the office for dinner, also Abby and Jane. This was their first Easter dinner. We had ham, RS potatoes, jello, deviled eggs a vegetable and ice cream for desert. They seemed to enjoy it. I loved it. We were given quite a bit of candy eggs today which was also nice. One of the greatest things that happened today was that Liza Waycott just returned from her fathers funeral and she brought me a gift from her mother Erla Coulston. A box of See's Candy.

We had a great experience on Wednesday. The ward mission leader from Caulfield Ward went to the Temple for the first time. He invited us to go and it was a very special. He has been a member for about two years and is a great missionary and does everything he can to help the Elders. He was very happy. He recognized that he had a lot to learn and looked forward to going back. I saw on the Temple cleaning sign up his name was there.

Another good experience this week was that our friend Abby has a friend from school that has wanted to know about her church. Abby decided she should come to Institute. I was a little leery of that because there wouldn't be a lot of time to talk to her about the lessons we are suppose to share. (that's how much I know about missionary work) Any way she came and we gave her a little explanation about the difference in her belief in the Trinity and ours. Then started the lesson. There were six students there. Sophia participated by reading and had a few questions. When we were finished there was a little more discussion with students adding their thoughts. Elder Urmston commented about the different places we are from, one from Australia and others from China and the US. She said, "There must be a reason we are here all together." She is Christian, three months ago she was baptized into a Chinese speaking church. If the elders would have found her first she would be a member. She told Abby that she really enjoyed herself and felt very good. She is going to come to the FHE.

This has been the Easter weekend. They have Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday off. The kids have a two week break. Australia has many holidays. The city has been empty. I went downstairs to the Big W on Saturday and there was hardly any one there.

Well time to go to bed. A new week starts tomorrow. Many people to see and lessons to plan and teach. Our life is full and happy. My friend Sharma sent me a thought. She said "The best two years of your life weren't the best every day of your life." I am finding that out. There seem to be many more good days lately. Over all it has been a great four months.

Love you all, Keep praying for us and those we work with. We see the results.

Mom and Dad - Grandma and Grandpa - Elder & Sister Urmston