Giving service down under

Elder Palmer is returning home, after serving honorably, to American Falls, Idaho.  He has been our District Leader since we arrived in early November.  He's quite shy and would have preferred to sit in the background.  Yet, when called he rose to the occasion and did a wonderful job.  Yesterday, during our District council he taught about what Jesus Christ has done, who he is, and what it means to us. The primary answers were written down, individually, rather than a collective discussion.  It became a time of serious reflection and a moment to ponder.  Thanks Elder Palmer! The temperature soared to 108 yesterday and today is supposed to be as hot.  The real problem is that another bush fire has ignited and is threatening a large portion of the Canberra Stake.  People are being asked to have an evacuation plan in place and to watch the news.  President Stuart, and others, have been posting updates on the internet and there are several fire...

Evelyn had travelled to Arizona in January of 2016 to be "grandma" while Adam and Tiff took a vacation.  She loved being with the grandbabies and I was busy with making a big mess during the remodel of our home in Freedom.  The original "cabin" had wood paneling on the walls, both the vertical surfaces and the sloping, upper walls.  It was so 1970's and dark.  The sheetrock that had been installed, behind the paneling, had not been completely taped and there were a lot of very rough surfaces that would need to be mudded, sanded and prepared before a new coat of paint.  Up against the beams there were several places that would need several coats of mud.   It was very cold and being January 30th there was a lot of snow.  I had brought inside, one of my large extension ladders, the day before so that there wouldn't be any water or ice to make things slippery.  I've climbed those ladders thousands of times in the construction and remodeling of homes...

This afternoon, I don't feel the urgency to write as a journal but rather the impressions of gratitude which are filling my heart.  It is our son, Adam's, birthday and I have been thinking about his birth, life and what he has brought in to this world.  It's actually been drawn out because yesterday, here in Australia, was the 28th, which is his birthday, but the dateline is different in the states so they are celebrating at this moment.  I've teased several people that I can tell them what their day is going to be like because we've already lived it.  And yes, I do recall reporting on this odd fact before. I'm grateful for all of our sons.  I'm grateful for my sweet wife and that she agreed to be my eternal companion way back in 1975.  I'm grateful that I was willing to listen to the spirit when it whispered that she was the one.  We'd only known each other for less than a month when I proposed.  It must've not been just my good looks and abun...

Yesterday was celebrated, here in the land down under, as National Australia Day.  I wasn't certain if it was held in the same category as Americans with the Fourth of July and I'm not certain if I have an answer after experiencing the date, but I enjoyed myself.   Because it was Monday we announced the Family Home Evening would be held at the Lake Ginninderra Park.  Evelyn had discovered that there were cooking devices at the park, similar to the barbeques in the States.  These are really nice and they are powered by electricity so no need to take briquets or propane.  However, they are flat surfaces so it's not a typical "grill".  Joseph Stubbs is an amazing part of our leadership here in the Canberra Stake. He was one of the first young people we'd met and he's been a constant source of quality information.  When I told Joe that we were wanting to celebrate Australia Day he said that we should cook it their style.  We purchased beef "sausages"...

The title doesn't mean anything "extra ordinary" it simply is identifying a Sunday afternoon where I realize there is so much to record of the last four days and I'm not sure if my fingers can come close to keeping up with my mind and heart. We arrived back at our flat, this afternoon at 3:30 and Sisters Smith and Heridas pulled into the driveway as we were stepping out of the car.  Sister Heridas had called yesterday and asked for a blessing so we knew they were coming.  Sister Heridas is going home after this next transfer (about 7 more weeks) and I think the Zone Conference on Thursday was a bit of a wake up call that her turn is next.  She's one of the most amazing missionaries and her love and joy is always visible.  It was almost overwhelming to place my hands on her head and pronounce a blessing.  Truly, she is a powerful daughter of Heavenly parents. We had a beautiful drive home from Merimbula where we attended church.  It's a little over 3 hou...

We're waiting for the young missionaries to come over and have a "cookie bake" with Sister Weber and we've just watched one of the biggest hail storms of our life.  I actually sent a Marco Polo to the family while it was happening.  We seriously wondered if we'd have a window break out.  All is well now with a little more rain falling.  Every drop is such a blessing to this dry country. The title to this post is because it's the anniversary of my fathers' death.  I was so blessed to have him as a dad.  I know that people's memory has a tendency to remember the good and diminish the bad but anyone that knew him, at any point in his life, would agree with my assessment.  I've met wonderful people in my life and been in the presence of prophets but my father stands at the top.  His ability to see what mattered most and his respect for others, particularly my mother, was always before my eyes.  He wasn't loud, except when cheering for me, and y...

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...