Rain and the spirit is poured out upon us

It feels like so much has happened since I last wrote, and indeed, much has.  We spent Thursday in Cowra with the Christensen's.  What a delightful couple and they are doing such a great work.  They have been called as Member Leader Support missionaries so they have become well acquainted with the community while they serve in the Branch leadership.  Evelyn went with Sister Christensen to a wool spinning group of women.  They spent a couple hours and Evelyn learned a great deal about wool.  I think she also discovered that spinning wool isn't going to be a part of her pastime in the future.  I went over to the their flat and read the Book of Mormon with Tony, an older fellow who can't read unless it's enlarged on a computer screen.  Elder Christensen took his time, while reading, to explain and teach.  While we were teaching it began to rain.  Not just a few sprinkles but a downpour that lasted nearly half an hour.  It was beautiful!  We even got into another downpour as we drove back to Canberra.  Before we left Cowra we went to lunch at a corner café.  I haven't indulged in a burger in quite awhile and after that lunch I will not be tempted again for quite some time.  It was at least six inches high and had three beef patties.

Yesterday, Friday, Sisters Haridas and Smith came over to our flat for a discussion with a fellow who has been a member for just a few years.  Steve is older than us and he's quite a character.  He loves to talk and I'm not sure if there are many rivals to compete with his desire to maintain the dialogue.  We had a lot of smiles as he would go off on multiple subjects as we tried to read, and discuss, the scriptures.  He's so young in the gospel and we would like him to prepare himself for the temple but there will be a few hurdles before we get there.

Last night we went to the Stuart's home for dinner.  This isn't President Stewart of the Canberra Stake but it's his little brother, who serves on the high council.  They are a beautiful family with two little girls, Sophie and Alisha and Sister Stuart's mother and sister joined us for a great meal.  After dinner we had a long conversation about the YSA here in Canberra and how we can help these wonderful young people.  I'm excited to get Institute up and running at the beginning of the new semester, which is in February.

This morning Sisters Ballew and Christensen came over to the flat by 9:00 am. They have a fellow they have been teaching who has been on the missionary records for about four years. Llewellyn  is employed by the Catholic church here in Canberra and has some good questions.  Afterward, Evelyn expressed that this experience was really her first time in teaching a missionary discussion.  The sisters taught about the plan of salvation and we had a great experience.  Evelyn bore her testimony regarding several aspects of the plan and we read from several different scriptures.  Hopefully, it is time for this young man to present his questions to the Lord and then be willing to listen to the answers.

It was a beautiful day here in Australia and, although the bushfires are not completely extinguished, the air is much more tolerable and the warmth, in January, is invigorating.  We're still going to the gym every day that we can and feeling pretty good right now.  We want to stay healthy and strong so that our service is never interrupted.  Love to all,

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