Saving the Best till Last

We have had some good things happen in the last couple of weeks. I will start with the fun stuff.

We went on a tour to see the Little Penguins on Phillip Island. We have seen them before, but I wanted to see them one more time. They are the cutest little guys. Stand about 12 inches high. Go out to sea from before sun up until sun down eating as much as they can. When they come in at night, one comes in and looks the place over and then the rest come and the march their way up to where there burrows are. Some have to walk very long distance. There are boardwalks so we can follow them up. If they have a mate who did not go out they have a little call they make. They all know exactly where to go. Another testimony of Gods wonderful creations. I love the wonderful animals that join us on this earth we call home. Also saw some Koala's They were all sleeping in the trees but also very cute.

Two beautiful young women were Baptized and Confirmed members of the church. Jennifer and Juliette. Jennifer's mother came from China to be at the Baptism. She is now taking the discussions with the Elders. Juliette is here doing a masters in IT. We also have had three of our new members receive callings to serve in the Primary. We are so excited about that.

We have had some great spiritual experiences recently. First was conference. We enjoyed hearing the messages and I especially loved the music. I am always touched by the wonderful valiant people who give of their life to serve the Lord. We had Elder and Sister Callister to our Family home evening on Monday. President and Sister Lee were there also. Elder Callister is in our area Presidency. Our young friends were very touched by their presence. Many hand shakes and hugs and pictures were taken. The next day our mission was given training by Elder and Sister Callister. It was very good. We were told to be Celestial Missionaries. I think we can change that to be Celestial People. It was every one's zone meeting. At your last zone meeting you share your testimony. So we were able to do that. We still have a way to go, but that seemed like the beginning of the end.

We were finally able to go and visit my cousin Ken Grenda and his wife. Also Ed and Joy Totenhofer and Jean Perry were there. This is the first time I have ever met someone named Totenhofer. Jean Perry is one of the last cousins of my mothers group who is alive along with Ken and his sister Phillis. It was a great day. Both Ken and the Totenhofers have done a great deal of family history. Mostly researching the name Grenda and Totenhofer. We spent a couple of hours going over all the information Ken has from his visits to the area these ancestors lived. It was amazing. The Totenhofers really did live on an estate like Aunt Clara had told me. Even have pictures. Up near the Russian border. So I have a lot of reading to do when I get home. I think the Grenda line will go back to 1681. We had a wonderful day and we will go and see them again before we go home. Ken will take us to see his Bus company.

We continue to teach and fellowship and visit. We love our wonderful Australian friends and especially love our Chinese and Korean young people. They have given us so much more then we ever expected. We give thanks every day for this wonderful experience and also for our wonderful family at home. We love you all and are begining to think about being back in Bakersfield.