The Sun is Out

Spring arrived on September first. The sun has actually been shining and the people are out and about. Dark clothes are changing into spring colors. I look forward to each day and find myself much happier. I am so grateful for this amazing earth that we live on. As each season comes and nature changes I see Gods hand in everything around me.

We want to congratulate Jessica on her graduation from College. After many hours at the computer she has reached one of her goals. Now she would like to get her masters, however if you looked at their blog you will see that they now have six children living in their home. Two beautiful children who have been blessed to be placed in their home. Cameron age three has been a part of the Ivins family for almost a year and now a newborn little girl. Two more little grandchildren for us.

Also we would like to say congratulations to Nathan. He will be serving as a counselor in the Bishopric of 2nd Ward. Lots of wonderful experiences await he and his family.
We have had a very busy and fulfilling two weeks. We were involved in another wedding. Martin Side and You Ching. They had a ceremony in Taiwan but needed a civil service with documentation for Australia. We were designated as the chofer for the bride. Elder Urmston was proxy for You Ching’s father. She looked beautiful and the ward was very supportive. A lovely gathering took place after. Hopefully we will be able to teach You Ching before we go home.

Our sweet friend Etsuko wanted to cook us Japanese meal and we did not object. She came prepared to make Sushi and Tempura. I was able to make a Sushi and we enjoyed a wonderful evening with her. The food was delicious.

We spent another great evening with Pres.and Sis Lee and the other Senior couples. We feel very blessed to have our assignment. Elder and Sister Tuckett who we have really enjoyed are heading home. They have been serving in the office. We will be with out an office couple for a couple of weeks. The Rollins and Beddes both serve in wards outside of Melbourne. However the Beddes are moving to a branch where he is going to help an Aboriginal community fix their homes. He was a contractor. The Flynns are digitalizing Victoria Public Records. They go in at 7 and are done at 4, five days a week. We also have Sister Wooddard who is the financial person in the office. It is always great to hear what they are all doing.

One Saturday we went to the Carlton Learning Center to help out. It was Australia’s Helping Hands day. We did a lot of yard work. The entire back area needed help. We weeded, spread mulch and cleaned up dead plants and ivy. I had a wonderful morning. Put on my jeans and went digging in the dirt. There was a very good turnout. It was a time to get to know different Fairfield ward members. It really felt good. Two of our Chinese girls came. One is not a member yet. They were really good little workers. The Bishop and his counselors cooked hamburgers and sausage for lunch. Great, Great Day.

Elders are now beginning to go home. Elders Beckham and Kleinmann (Robyn Rebeski’s son) are on their way back to the USA. We had them and their companions for dinner. They are great young men. They are Vietnamese speaking. We will miss them. We don’t get any one new until December.

We now have 11 new members that we teach each week and Institute. Lot s of opportunity to draw on the experience we have had in the Church throughout our lives. It is great to be able to recall experiences we have had in life to illustrate a point. We also continue to visit our older friends and keep adding to the group. I mentioned to Elder Urmston that are week is getting so full that we may have to stop finding people. But we won’t.

We actually are teaching two investigators. They are Emma and Cindy. We had one lesson with Emma a couple of months ago. She was here with Henry and Vicki who got married. The evening focused more on their wedding. We were to meet with her the next week and Vickie told us she didn’t want to come. I saw her at the wedding and spoke with her. She said that wasn’t true. We set up a time and she called to see if her friend could come. OF COURSE SHE CAN. We have had two discussions with them. We first have been helping them to understand that there is a God and that he does have a son Jesus Christ. We have learned that we are just the tools. We committed them to pray to find the truth. We know the Holy Ghost will testify of the truth if they ask. It will be slow but they are coming back for another lesson.

Finally, we are proud to report that today at the Chile Cook off for the Language Zone, we were the winners. There were many different varities of Chile but the judges felt ours had the most true flavor and was delicious to the taste and it was the only container that was empty at the end. Thanks to a wonderful recipe of Danny Stotler. Thanks Jill for sharing that with us.

Life is good, and we find great joy in serving. We love you all and truly enjoy and correspondence with you. Be strong, stay true to what you know is true and stay close to each otherMom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister Urmston.