The First Week in Sydney

We left the MTC on Monday, Sept 19th.  Flew to Los Angeles at 8:30 p.m.  Then left for Sydney at 11:30 p.m.  It took almost 15 hours to get here.  Needless to say, we weren't looking too good when President and Sister Simmons picked us up at the airport!  They first took us out to take pictures at the Opera House.
Did a little site seeing and off to the Mission Home to meet everyone who works there.

Some of the missionaries took our 6 pieces of luggage out to our apartment (flat) and left them for us.  We then met Elder and Sister Byram, who we are going to be working with in the Greenwich ward.  They are such fun people (patient, kind, and caring).  They have been chasing us around to find a van.  That was an interesting project, to say the least!  BUT we have found one and will pick it up tomorrow (Monday).

We had the opportunity to go to Macquarie University (Uni) and having lunch with some of the new sweet converts.  They are so fun and loving the new life that they have accepted.  We also went back out the next day to take pictures with Tom (new graduate).  There's also a picture of the students singing "God be with you" to him in the chapel today.  He is going to go back to China in the morning where he will wait for his Visa to come back as a missionary where he will speak the Mandarin language (he speaks 3 languages, by the way).  The young sisters are so loving (always wanting a hug).  Can't hug those Elders, though :)

We are already loving the work.  Haven't been here a week yet and get emotional just thinking about the success and changing of lives that is happening.  There were 4 sisters baptized last night.  The work is moving very fast and we are thrilled to be a part of it.  The weather was quite warm when we got here, but today and yesterday have been cold and rainy.

I took the first opportunity to drive this morning on the way to church.  We have to rely fully on the Tom Tom to get us anywhere at this time.  The first thing I did was turn in front of a Taxi coming down the road.  It's a good thing I had prayed for safety this morning because we could have been killed!  Instead I got a nasty finger gesture......but I'll take that instead of what could have happened.  I must say that driving on the left side is okay - it's just the right turns and turnabouts that are a little confusing!  And the light system is quite different too - that's why I got confused turning right in front of oncoming traffic.  Better get this system down REALLY good before getting a van load of young members in our van !!!  Life is so interesting here.....and beautiful.  We are so fortunate to have this opportunity. Hope all of you are doing well...........

Enjoying the MTC

Wow, what a whirlwind week at the MTC!  We arrived here on Monday, September 12th with Carl's sister, Ione.  The first day was spent in Orientation, getting name tags, taking a tour of the MTC, etc.

Probably the most amazing place to me is the Cafeteria! They won't allow us to take pictures in there, or I would have one posted in the blog :)  Young Elders, Sisters, Senior Couples and single sisters waiting in line to get food.  It is unbelievable.  I've never seen so many white shirts and ties in all my life!  Of course, the young Sisters really fit the image of Sisters in the Mission Field.

I can't believe the packages that missionaries receive in the MTC.  (I think there's a lot of goodies sent to them)  UNBELIEVABLE!  There's a huge gym for exercising, young people everywhere on the campus in their workout clothes.  They are responsible to do service each day.

Carl and I found ourselves in a small 9 x 12 dorm room.....so interesting with 6 suitcases in here :)  We are thrilled that this is our experience at this time, although most of the seniors did not get to experience this......they were sent to the Marriott Hotel to stay (really roughing it).  There just aren't enough dorm rooms here on the campus.  We have enjoyed being here with the majority of the missionaries.  They are "coming" and "going" daily.....some arrive and others leave.  It is thrilling to see exactly what is happening with the missionary program throughout the world.  The Senior couples that we have been involved with this week are literally going to all corners of the earth!

                                             Ruth Ann, Carl and Ione before leaving the MTC

These couples were in our training class.  From L to R, Ericksons (Sweden),  Chamberlains (Scotland) our                     trainer, Sister Hales, Fuits (Dallas, TX) and of course Harpers, (Australia)

Our training has been intense, stressful, scary, spiritual, and such a learning experience.  We wouldn't trade it for anything.....what a great teaching tool in preparing us to go into the mission field.  We will be packing in the morning and catching a shuttle to the SLC airport at 4:30.  We will be arriving in Sydney Australia the following morning (it will be the 21st there).  We will be embarking on the most exciting thing we have ever done in our lives.  We are thinking of each one of you and hoping all is well.  As my step-mother-in-law passed away last evening, we are thinking of her family and love them very much.  We, of course, love each one of you.  May the Lord bless you until we meet again!