20 December 2020 Season's Greetings

For many years throughout the Christmas season, the grounds of  the Australia Sydney temple and the adjacent office campus have been totally lit with lights and exhibits of artwork honoring the birth and life of Jesus Christ.  Thousands of people strolled past the lit trees, and the grounds themselves also became a place for family picnics and gatherings. The missionaries enjoyed being guides and visiting with all the attendees. We were really looking forward to the experience. Unfortunately, not this year.

Due to pandemic requirements, controlling large crowds would be problematic. And today, there are more restrictions due to a new outbreak on the northern beaches. The government sign-in procedure and contact tracing logs would be difficult to monitor. So a very restrained display with just a few trees lit is all there is to see this year.  Don heard a woman ask tonight, "Where are all the lights?"  When the security guard said she was still welcome on the grounds, she remarked, "But there's nothing to see this year."  I had to agree that the few lit trees, nativity, and large Christus art are nothing compared to what people have come to expect and enjoy. 

And yet we still feel the wonder of the season and hope for the Light of the World to touch every heart especially this year.  So many aches and losses for people struggling all over the world.  We continue look to Him who is the only true source of peace and comfort. 

 

We were treated to dinner this week by our friends James and Emily Li.  He serves in the bishopric of the Young Single Adult ward that we attend on Sundays.  We live just minutes apart and they invited us to their favorite restaurant.  Also, joining us was their good friend, Phil Lin, whose wife has not been able to return home since March as she had gone to visit family in China.  They think it will be close to a year before they can be reunited.  

Choosing the lobster was the first decision made when we arrived.  Then, less that 10 minutes later, it arrived, prepared, and ready to eat.   

The Barramundi and other dishes soon followed.  A lot of food, wonderful company, and a nice evening out since we haven't eaten out a great deal during the pandemic.  

James and Emily Li

Phil Lin

It looks like our plans to leave the area for a little Christmas holiday are cancelled.  Sydney is experiencing a surge in Covid cases since last week and locked downs have been ordered for at least a week.  Even a few cases are taken seriously here.  The cluster numbers are nothing compared to the U.S. but the attitude here is to go hard right at the beginning of problems.  No one likes it of course, but people seem to follow these directives with some grumblings knowing by doing so everyone will keep the economy moving along easier.  However, closed borders means family plans to be together have been effectively cancelled.  And that is NOT going down easy.

All the other states have closed their borders again to New South Wales and people from the greater Sydney area are being asked not to travel even regionally which was our plan for Christmas. Things could change by Wednesday, but I suspect we will just stay put.  Even the famous New Year's Sydney fireworks are being carefully controlled.  I had hoped we would get to see those but the government is issuing "tickets" on who can go into the Central Business District so the crowds are controlled.  Though we have friends who live in sight of the harbour, one still has to apply for permission to enter the area.  

So instead of sitting on one of the southern beaches by Narooma where we were going this week, we will probably be sitting in our flat watching old movies and reading. And that will be fine too.  We will enjoy the day regardless of circumstance since the real reason we celebrate continues to burn brightly in our hearts and with our faith.  

 

13 December 2020 Crazy Busy Weeks and Holiday Parties Too!

These last two weeks have seen us working long hours, answering lots of requests, and preparing for many missionary leavings.  It's rather hard to see our missionaries leave as we have grown so fond of them and enjoy their enthusiasm.  I have had several leave that needed help with their phones, getting them to work properly now.  That has taken a LOT of time.  I went in to the office at 5:00 am one day just so I could get ahold of someone in the U.S. to help with some issues.  Other days, both Don and I have been busy until close to 7:00pm as calls and emails have to be addressed.  It is all good.  We loved being busy and having things to do.  Though there are days  when Don will comment, "Now I remember why I retired.

Our grandson, Sam, on a mission of his own in the states, has written about a pet lizard he found and named him Craig.  Well, our "pet" lives outside under the shrubs and greets us many days on the path to the office by the mission president's home.  We haven't named him; nor do we pick him up. A blue-tongued lizard, he and his mates-yes there are others-seem in no hurry to scurry away from us though I will admit to watching where I step all the time.  With the warmer weather, we are seeing lots of crawling creatures everywhere. 

 

Three of our Australian missionaries that were able to go home this last week.  They were expecting to be in a two week hotel quarantine until their state's government said they would open the borders on 1 December.  So opting to stay just one more week, they were able to go directly home and be with family right away.  Good-bye Elder Chessell, Sister Marsden, and Sister Funaki; you will be missed.

The Christmas Devotional for the entire mission was held this week with all of our missionaries getting together in person for the first time in over ten months. Their joy in seeing each other and reconnecting with former companions was delightful to see.  Following the mission president's message and hearing from other missionaries, in song and testimonies, we were surprised to see family members on a video sending Christmas greetings to their beloved sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. Even senior missionaries heard and saw some of our loved ones.  I did love that!   

After eating traditional Australian fare, there were more humorous video clips from each area before they all changed and headed to the park for volleyball, soccer, an obstacle course, tug-of-war and other activities.  Then we passed out their Christmas mail and packages that were waiting for them.  Some local wards organized gifts for those that would probably not receive anything from home. A small gift from the mission for each missionary and more visiting rounded out a long but extraordinary day.  

 

Joyful faces and such unity among them was not only evident but a tremendous feeling of love permeated all the encounters I observed.  One Zone- Hebersham-Gosford-Newcastle- even had custom-made T-shirts.  A wonderful day for all even if we senior missionaries were exhausted from laughing, serving, cleaning, even disinfecting the building per Covid regulations.  

Lots of happy missionaries

They love music and have their ukuleles and guitars with them whenever  they can

Getting them to leave is not easy; they would stay long into the evening if allowed.  But President Runia told them to get going and off they went to the various districts.  

The next day the seniors had a Zone Conference just for themselves.  John and Colleen Hargreaves planned the entire day to reflect on Australian culture and traditions.  What a great day this was too.  We met in the morning and headed to Elizabeth Farm, one of oldest homes in Australia that once was home to John and Elizabeth Macarthur, an early colonial family who were instrumental in starting the Australian wool industry.

John Hargreaves giving us some background information and plans for the day.

Our group in front of the main entry and northern verandah

The kitchen garden  and shady eastern verandah

Ann Parton and I entering the courtyard of the home. We were partners since our husbands both had other work assignments for the day.  

Elise Christensen in Oak Tree courtyard

Kitchen 

Early Water Filtering system

Servant quarters and laundry

Stairway and Pantry

Large Bedroom

Drawing Room and Front Hall Entry

Dining Room

Foundation of smaller bedroom 

Laundry drying in the sun 

Walking in the gardens revealed plants from that included European plantings and some of the oldest exotic plants in Australia.  These cactus plants towered while the banana palms were equally impressive.  John Macarthur was apparently quite a character.  Having served in the military he brought his young family to the Sydney area and began building on a grant of 100 acres which was land that belonged to the Darug people. When he was found dueling he was exiled back to England for a few years.  His wife Elizabeth continued to manage the house and lands and the family ventures.  After John returned, he was later involved in a coup to overthrow Governor Bligh - yes that Bligh from Mutiny on the Bounty.  Again, he was exiled back to England. But always ambitious, he took some of the Merino wool he was developing and it was so desired, he was allowed to return. 

 

Sadly, his sons had him declared insane and a "lunatic" in order to preserve the family interests. He died a year later in Camden.  Elizabeth continue to live at the home until she died.

Colleen Hargreaves and Penny Brown

We returned to Buckland House where we had our own traditional Christmas Australian dinner complete with 'shrimp on the barby,' sausages and other meats, many salads and of course dessert consisting of my favorite, pavlova.  Aussie Christmas songs and Australian bird sounds, history of the Church in Australia, and some gifts of Aussie ornaments concluded our day.  

We  found peeling the shrimp a lot of work for very little meat!

Eating and visiting while one of our chefs finished grilling

Shrimp on the barby!

The next day we drove to Bare Island where I had read there were markets held by Aboriginal artists.  Sadly, we missed out this time as they are only held quarterly on the first weekend of the month.  The next one will be in March.  But it is a beautiful site next to Botany Bay.  The fortification has been used as a fort, a veteran's home, and a museum.  

The island fortification was also closed to touring so we could only walk up to the gates across the footbridge from Le Perouse.  The Macquarie Watchtower also was built for colonial protection and to watch for smuggling. 

After striking out looking for the market, but enjoying the location anyway, we drove to Maroubra Beach where we met up with the Young Single Adults and enjoyed being with them for their holiday party.  A little overcast for a summer's day, not too many were anxious to get in the surf.  But the food was more 'barby' foods and salads.  I think I could get used to Christmas time in the summertime.

The rules of surfing

After eating, it was time for the games like volleyball and badminton.

And tomorrow it's another holiday party with the Service Centre employees.  Just like home, everything is crammed into the first weeks of the month because everyone might be too busy later on!  But we love getting to have all these Aussie Christmas experiences.