SUMMER TIME!

Where is the time going?  My last blog was on the 18th of October!  Sorry I've been so lax in getting another blog up.  We always thought people were kidding when they said that we won't know where the time went........it goes so fast!

First of all, we have to tell you that we are Great Grandparents twice since the last blog!  Chika & Dave Hess had their little son on Oct 15.  He is such a cute little boy.  They are naming him Eli.  Mom and baby are recuperating well.  Christie and Ben Maxfield had their little boy on 11/1/11 at 1:00.  Now that's going to be an easy one to remember!  We are so happy for both of these new parents. It's great watching them turn into such strong, loving parents.  His name is Hayden Thomas Maxfield and is a great addition to our family.  Spencer and Julie Bagley are expecting in April.  I believe they find out this week what sex their baby is.  It's been a trying month for Julie with the death of her father.  Our prayers go out to her and her siblings at this time.

 Took a little walk down the beach.  Found a campsite and Elder Harper took a little needed rest.  Walking in the deep sand can really wipe you out:)







Surfers were everywhere.  It was so beautiful!

Having some fun time with Elder Lau (from Hong Kong) and Sister Kim (from Korea).  Such fun missionaries and work very hard at sharing the gospel.  We are getting the chance more and more to have them over for dinner with their investigators and watch/hear them teach the gospel.  This is really how we're learning the process of teaching the gospel to investigators.

 In Circular Quay (Key) enjoying the day.



These natives are very interesting and so authentic!  Took the chance to get my picture taken with one.

    Got the chance to go to the city with the Elders and a couple of the recent converts for P-day.  Had a great day.  This is on the wharf by where we went to the Zoo.  Saw Kangaroo, Koalas, alligators, beautiful butterflies, and many other things.  The weather was perfect and we really enjoyed the day with the young people.  Don't get the chance to do this very often.  Within days of this little trip, Elder Hume (in the striped shirt on the back) was notified that he was getting transferred.  He has been in our area for 10 months and done so much good with the Chinese students.  A fantastic missionary from Canada.  He is now a Zone leader in our district.  Will be going home Dec 20.


 Emma, Vivi, Elder Hume, Elder Lau.  Emma was baptized just a month ago.  And Vivi was baptized last Saturday, November 12.  These are two of the strongest new converts that we have.  Vivi will be going back to China next week after school is completed.  She will be a pioneer in spreading the gospel.  Her family is already interested in hearing about the gospel!  These two young women already have strong testimonies.  I was ill on Sunday and stayed in bed all day.  They told me that night that they fasted and prayed for me.  And you know, by the next day (today) I am feeling so much better.  Fasting and prayer are the key!

This past week, we were able to have the Sisters over with one of their investigators.  Sister Kim on the right with In Mai (who got her name from being born in May).  Sister Kim is so excited because In Mai is also from Korea.  This gave her a chance to speak in her native tongue.  And Sister Du on the left.  She is from China.  They both have such beautiful testimonies and we really enjoy having them come into our home.


We finally gave up the battle and went and purchased an iPhone last week.  The reception on our small phone from the church is very poor in our flat.  We can never get complete calls.  Half of the conversation cuts out.  Now we just need to learn how to use it!  This technical stuff is a little trying for us at times.

We have been working in the Sydney temple for 3 weeks now.  Last Friday and this Friday the temple are closed for cleaning.  Then we will start again the week of Thanksgiving.  We have a new Temple President and Matron that just started November 1st.  President and Sister Barr came to SLC for their training for the temple.  They have a daughter who lives in Utah, so they enjoyed being their.  We will be going to President and Sister Simmon's home for Thanksgiving on Monday, November 21 for Family Home Evening.  It will seem so strange not being home with our family this year.  Of course, Australia doesn't celebrate this holiday!  Christmas decorations have been up since Halloween and people are doing their Christmas shopping already.  Elder Harper and I bought our little 3-foot tree before Halloween.  He thought I was crazy!  But I've got the decorations, lights, ribbon and a beautiful wreath for our door.  All I need to find now is a small nativity (if that's possible).

Our coordinator at the temple is going to have all of our temple group over to their home for a BBQ/pool party this month.  That should be great fun and give us an opportunity to see some of the beautiful outlying areas of Sydney.

We are getting more and more into the missionary work here and enjoying it very much.  Our testimonies are growing and we're learning more each day.  We love the gospel and are thrilled to share it with others.  It's so exciting to see the change in their lives once they accept the gospel.  Because of the restoration and all of the sacrifices that Joseph Smith made to bring the gospel back to the earth, we are blessed to share and testify of its truthfulness.

May the Lord bless each one of you and your activities and time with your families.  You are all very dear to us and we miss you terribly, but know the time here will go quickly and we'll see you once again.  Love all of you!

Elder & Sister Harper