26 September 2011

Hello!

What a week!  We're just beginning to get over our jet lag.  My cold is doing a lot better, but Elder Ashby is feeling a little under the weather.  We have met literally hundreds of people, so if our heads weren't spinning already, they really are now!  Today we have spent several hours in the mission office.  It started with a devotional.  Then we went to the post office to register for a "working with children" permit.  Elder Ashby went out a couple of times taking driving lessons, and because today is P-Day for the young Elders and sisters, they have been streaming in and out all day.  They're always energetic and interested in where we come from, and some of them even know people in Tooele!  It seems like about 1/3 of them are Americans, 1/3 Eastern Australians, and 1/3 from one of the islands.

Perth Temple from the back, giant Ghost Gum Trees on right

Friday we set up a bank account, and made our first contact with a call-back.  It's a very pretty young woman in the bank, and she allowed us to give her some good information while she set up our account.  She seemed impressed to hear that we are using our savings to live here and teach Australians about the Church.  I explained briefly the restoration,  we asked her if we could come back, and she said YES!  The office staff were so excited when we showed up with our first referral two days after we came.

Ashbys and Nielsens at the beach in Perth

We have visited several of the office staff's 'flats' this week, and had a fun BBQ with them at the Innis's on Friday night.  They're a fun couple from Canada.  We enjoy the Marsdens too, who are from New Zealand.  And of course, the Nielsens, with whom we live, who are from Layton.  They all get along so great here together.  We are tired of living out of our suitcases, though, and are

                                                                                    anxious to get to our assignment. 

They took us to the famous King's Park on Saturday, where we were introduced to the flora of Australia, and enjoyed a nice walk on the paved paths with a breathtaking view of the Swan River as it joins the Cannon right below the city of Perth and mixes then with the salty sea water coming up into the harbor. There are many exotic trees and flowers, and even birds of beautiful colors.  We also visited the bell tower of Perth and chimed the giant bells ourselves!  Most beautiful of all was our walk down at the beaches of the Indian Ocean.  The sea here is so beautiful, blue-green and clear.  A stiff breeze blows in from the sea.  We walked around the harbors and shops where many very nice yaghts were docked. 

We attended church with the Nielsens in Doubleview Ward, a suberb of Perth, and a fireside Sunday evening in another suberb called Dianella.  The meetings were spiritual and deep, the people warm and friendly.  Many members are Polynesian or Tongan or other various places.  I met and visited with one woman who was one of the "boat people" of Viet Nam  who were lucky enough to escape with only their lives.  She told how her family all died except her and her mother, who prayed fervently to know whether God is there and if He could help her.  Then she met the missionaries in Malaysia.  These people are definitely in the pioneer stage of the church here. 

We live in Yokine, another suberb.  The mission office, the Temple and Dianella Stake Center are all here on the same block in Dianella.  There are over 350 suberbs and small towns in the Perth area.  We are so lost without any mountains as a point of reference.  We were given a car, a Garmin GPS, a map book and a phone.  And last night after the fireside we met with President and Sister Cahoon and got the best thing of all--our new assignment!  All of the Elders and Sisters are jealous of us because we are going to Albany, to the far south, which they all agree is the best assignment of all.  It is about 5 hours away by car, and is very beautiful I understand.  Albany Branch is the farthest functioning unit of the church in the world from Salt Lake City.  Looking south, the next land mass is Antarctica.  We will probably be able to see the whales and seals.  We're heading out tomorrow morning.  I'll write next from there.



Perth and the Swan River from King's Park