26 Jul -2 Aug 2020 It's Moving Day!

We have been relocated to new office space in the Service Centre of our office building.  It's taken a bit of ingenuity and effort to get things organized and ready, but I think it will work out fine.  The office we had will become a conference room for the Seminary and Institute group.  More people are being moved to other offices too, so I've spent a lot of time these last two weeks moving, refiling, and creating legal files.  Most likely, they will all be digitalized soon, but we've tried to put everything in good order to make that an easy process. It's been a lot of work and there is still quite a bit to do.  Don has a rather nice looking "legal" office while I have a little cubicle right outside his.  I rather like my little corner office downstairs.  I also have one in the mission office upstairs that I share with Nina Anderson.  Don reminds me that I had two offices in Germany too so I guess that means I have a lot to do!  Our computers will be moved tomorrow and then we are all set.  

Here are some of the young missionary sisters that came to the mission office last week.  With the uptick in Covid cases here in Australia, we don't want to take any chances with their (or our) health.  So the building has a government approved plan just like most businesses.  Everyone signs in, takes a temperature reading, and wears a mask regardless of personal feelings.  The young missionaries are good about calling ahead to make appointments and check that we will be there.  I had a few that needed some help with phones this week due to cracked screens and total failure.  They always hate having to explain what happened, especially when it's the second phone in two months that we've have to get fixed!  But they are darling and so personable.  Zone conferences are again this week and next, so I will get to see them all and probably deal with some more phone issues. I've been trying to help some with college applications which is a little challenging from here.  

 Some of my great new friends!

We may be in the middle of a pandemic but life still goes on with other experiences - some happy and some sad.  This week my brother and his wife lost her mother to the same cancer that also took our dad.  How sad we are to say good-bye to Elisabeth Heep Beckman.  She was a lovely French woman who loved her New York home and family also.  My sister also has faced some health challenges this summer, but we are grateful that she has come through with the grace and determination I have always admired.

Our youngest granddaughter was baptized today and with our technology, Don and I got up around 1:55 am to be able to "be there" too.  It was great to see everyone and still feel that we aren't totally missing out on their lives.  We love being able to speak with family easily and often.  

 Last weekend was referred to as a "rain bomb" here with a steady downpour and even flooding in some suburbs.  Since we were stuck inside, it was great to be out again yesterday.  We went with Ron and Elise Christensen to Watsons Bay by ferry.  Situated at the end of the South Head peninsula, we walked the South Head Heritage Trail up to the Hornby Lighthouse to take in the beautiful scenery.

I have just finished reading "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek."  One of the characters in the book explains that God saved the last color he created - blue - for himself.  Well, it certainly seemed apparent on this day. Stunning skies on a lovely winter day. 

Looking across the bay toward the Sydney Skyline.  Locals moored their boats here by the ferry dock.

 In the 1857, a ship ran aground killing 120 people.  Just a few weeks later, another ship crashed on the rocks below so the Hornby lighthouse was erected. It was painted with the red and white strips to distinguish it from another lighthouse just 2 km away.  The light keepers' cottage still stands near the lighthouse also.

 The lighthouse is one of the oldest still in use here in New South Wales.  There are also old military fortifications where defenses and cannons were located to protect the harbor.  Interestingly, one of the signs mentioned that six American ships sailed in unnoticed during the early days.  Though there was no conflict, but it was apparent that if the Americans could do this, others, presumably enemy forces, might also. So the fortifications were built along with several bunkers. 

 There was a sailing course set up on Saturday and we spent some time watching all the sailboats.

Another view of the Sydney skyline. 

 One cannon is still located in another fortification.  The view of the cliffs is part of South Head looking toward the Tasman Sea.

 More sandstone cliffs along the peninsula.

 ICONIC is a word I've learned that Australians love to use to describe most anything.  But I have to agree that the Opera House, the Harbour, and the Harbour Bridge are truly inspired, recognizable, and celebrated.

 On our first visit to Sydney in  2016, we loved wandering through The Rocks area and eating at the Fortune of War which I'm sure is "iconic" since is was built in 1828 and is Sydney's oldest pub.  It was originally built by a former convict who became known as the "Botany Bay Rothchild" due to his successful and shrewd business dealings.  Our day ended with a visit to several shops including "Stickies" which makes great taffy lollies!