Australia is Beautiful

 

This is Emu Park beach.  It is beautiful. This is at low tide.

We have had a nice run of 80 degree days.  I did not think I would ever be saying that in January.  Happy New Year.  80 to 86 degree days are much more pleasant than 90 to 96 degree days.

We have go to travel a little around our district and getting to know the town of Rockhampton better.  There are so many beautiful plants, bushes and trees around here.  I wish I knew what they are all called.  I will put in here some pictures, but it is only a small part of what we see each time we go out of our flat.

We continue to be amazed at our young missionaries. They have such strong testimonies, and they are so positive about what they are out here to do.  It is an honor to go on investigator lessons with them.  We got two new sister missionaries this last transfer.  Sister Gao is from China.  She is the only member of her immediate family who are members.  She joined because of an uncle.  She told her parents she wanted to go on a mission and they said they could not afford it. She said if I find someone to pay for my mission can I go? They said ok not think she could find someone to do so. She found someone to pay her way and she is here.  She is very smart and speaks excellent English.  We have two other missionaries serving in Brisbane Mission who are from China.  Amazing.  Our other new Sister missionary is from New Zealand and her names is Sister Tauti.  We get many young missionaries from New Zealand or Tonga.
 

We cook many meals for the missionaries.  I enjoy it and they enjoy it. As you know, it is nice to not have to cook.  Going to the grocery store continues to be an adventure.  I have yet to find anything like coolwhip.  You have to whip your own cream. Not very low calorie. I made a meal and trifle for New Years Day with the sister missionaries and then played some games.  I you can think of any games that don't require much equipment for 6 to 8 people let me know.  Missionaries love to play games to relax and laugh. 

The ward here is nice.  It is so hard to learn everyone's names at once. I wish everyone wore name badges to church.  

I am going to try to make bread this week.  I think I have found similar ingredients to what I use at home.  Cross your fingers.  We will see.

I have started driving here.  I think it is more stressful for Dave than me.  It is a little nerve racking, especially since they use so many round abouts here.  

We have enjoyed visiting shut ins and widows in the ward.  Thy all have wonder stories of their lives.  One returned to marry a member after she was a missionary here.  She lived in Michigan, so she calls us "her people".  One has a daughter who married and American and has been to Utah many times on visits.  One sister who was married to a non-member was told by President Monson (then a member of the 12) that if she continued to go to church and teach her children about Primary and the gospel that her husband would join the church.  She almost gave up hope, but he joined like 12 years later.

Miss you all and love you.