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...........