Some things that are different!

Pie=meat (not fruit)
Jelly=Jello (used for dessert not salad)
Green salads=anything goes in them and some times no dressing
Potatoes come in three ways washed, scrubed and dirty
Salt= fine, med., and course
Sugar= fine, med. and course
flour=for baking has baking powder in it, the rest is for making thickening
Plumbing=very big pipes, double flush buttons for toilets, big drains on the floor (smart idea)
Dryers=sunshine
Birds=Cockatoos, Parrots, Magpies, Kookaburras, Lorikeets, Crested Pigeons, and the list goes on, they wake you up early in the morning and carry on the rest of the day.
Roundabouts=no four way stops (love it)
Driving=Left hand side of the road (takes some getting use to)
Turn signals=turning on the winshield wipers all the time (signals are of the right side)
Barbe=BBQ=Lamb, Lamb, Lamb, Sausage (very long ones), Chicken, Beef, Pork, Kangaroo
(I did not care for Kangaroo)
Bibee=Baby
Sun=lots and lots of sun screen
Stores hours=closing at 4:00PM week days and 2:00PM Saturday
Sun=traveling South for Summer and North for the Winter
Sky=Southern Cross
Rain=very big drops and coming down hard, then gone
Road Signs=No overtaking, Overtaking lanes ahead, all streets are 50K in the city, 40k around schools between 7 and 9:30AM and 2:30 to 4:00 PM, Kangaroo and Koloa (instead of deer and cattle)
Road Cameras=large fines if you break the speed limit ($1,000 and up)
Parking=Backing in at 90 degree angle (in Tamworth)
Cookies=biskets (they are very hard)
Lollies=candy
Sultana=Rasins
Rootbeer=not in Australia
Can't Understand=ask them to spell it (always different then how you think it is or would spell it)
and much much more when I have time and can think of them.

Beautiful Country

This is what the country looks like around us.

Missionaries playing futball (this is the way they spell) on Dec 17, 2008 at 6:00 AM before the Mission Christmas Party
Driving up to Tamworth from Sydney on Dec. 16, 2008

I posted a picture

I am at a friends house with wireless. Yea! I got a couple of pictures on. We will have to get broadband.

Suite Case

Very Very Hot

It is hard to explain how hot it is here and then the humidity on top of it makes it very hard to do anything outside. I should say do anything without air conditioning. Boy are we spoiled!
You walk out side and the sun starts cooking instantily into your skin. (It feels like a furnace like our neighbor in Deweyville, Doug, who works at Nucor, talks about) Then you add the humidity and you are cooked and steamed all at once. I don't like it but Dee does not do well at all in it.

2/10 North St.

This is our Flat.

Showers Verses Tubs

I am a bathtub person who loves to soak in them and use the bubble machine in mine at home in Deweyville. You have lots of time to think while in a tub. I come up with all kinds of ideas while soaking. Of course Elder Doney does not like most of them as it usually involves renovation of some kind, at home or in the yard. Well for the next 17 months I am religated to a shower. It is a lovely big shower. One which I seem to spend more time cleaning then actual using. This is one of the reasons I don't like them. A tub is so much easier to clean. I miss my tub!

Sunday Talks

We have been here about 6 Sundays and have talked on 3 of them. Way to often for me! Yesterday we spoke on Missionary work, how we each are missionaries in everything we do and say. Most of all we need to be willing to open our mouth and share with all we come in contact with. Share what bring us such joy and peace even in times of turmoil. Would you be offended if a friend wanted to share with you what beings them happiness? No! You would listen and be thankful they were willing to share what made them happy? Yes! It does not mean we have to agree or accept what they tell us but we would be greatful they cared enough to share with us. Be brave and share. Your friends will still like you and maybe even be very thankful you shared with them. If you bring but one soul unto me how great shall be your joy . D&C 18:15. (I have to sound like a missionary sometimes)

Our 35th Grandchild

Ember Rose just arrived straight from her Heavenly Father on 1-14-09. She is beautiful, you will just have to take my word for it as I can't post pictures yet. My heart and arms ach to hold her but being she is in California and I am in Australia they will have to ach for another 18 mos. until I get back to the States.

Heather, the Mom and my daughter, did another great job. Of course we can't leave out Steve the Dad as he had something to do with it all and how beautiful she is.

Breakfast with Pres Scruggs

This morning (at 7:30 am) we made breakfast for Pres Scruggs (mission pres) as he was going around visiting Missionaries and interviewing them. It was a very nice visit and sharing time with him. He came alone as Sister Scruggs had family conflict at the last minute. They have two teenagers here in Australia with them, their other children are all married and in the states.

It is nice to have contact with other Missionaries as we are out here alone and far away from any of the adults serving missions. When the Abplanalps, who are 3 and a half hours away, leave for home the first of March we will be 6 hrs away from any Sr. Missionaries. I guess we will just hold down the fort up here.

The Clothes Line

We have this great little washer and it does a very nice job of washing the clothes. We have a dryer that is about a third the size of the ones in the USA. It was in the bedroom but we moved it out to the garage, as it heated up the flat way too much. (maybe we will move it back in in the winter when we are freezing it will help warm up the flat, as the buildings are not insullated here). Anyway the best part is we have a clothes line out side and it is great to hang the clothes out in the sun. They smell so good when you bring them in. The down side to this is the dryer does not do permpress so now we iron.

Sometime when we get the posting of pictures straighten out you will see pictures of all I talk about.

Lightning Ridge

On Friday (1-9-09) we drove up to Lightning Ridge to see and visit the Black Opal Mines. It is the only place in the world they are found. It is a little hole on the road or I should say lots and lots of little holes all over the place. People come and place a claim and start digging and live there life under ground, digging and looking. They build shacks to live in (like right across the border into Mexico) and spend their life there. It is a rare person who finds anything to make them well off let alone rich. It sure is not my style of living. We did a mine tour and watched a video after words down in the mine (it was cool down there) very nice on a hot day.

Black Opals come in three ranges Wholes, Doublets and Triplets. The wholes are all natural, doublets they put a black slice on the back and a triplets they slice very thin and put two backings on them. Who would have known? I never knew I wanted to know all about Opals but now I know. And now you know!

Country Music Capitol

Tamworth is the Country Music Capitol of Australia. How could I be so lucky (not my kind of music) The next week or so is the big gathering and the town is being flooded with people. There are lots of shows going on all the time for the next week or so. We will try to go see one while it is here.

Home Sweet Home

We got home last night and sure were glad to not be sleeping in motel rooms. Although we slept the best we ever slept sence being in Australia, in a king size bed one night in Moree. The air conditioner was quiet and the room smelled good. Dee went to sleep at 8:00 pm and woke up at 7:00 am it was heaven to get a good night sleep.

We met with the little branch in Moree for church, there were 12 of us. The 4 of us spoke in Sacrament meeting (the missionaries). The branch is loosing one of their strong families this month, job transfer, so that will be hard on them. The faithful are very faithful and strong here.

As we were traveling we visited or tried to visit and find less active members. The Mission President is going to send Elders for 6 weeks to see how it goes. One reason we went was to find a flat for them to live in, we did so all is set up for them to move in on the 22 of Jan.

The temperature has been in the 100's very hot for me. We are told it will get hotter in Feb.

David and Tiere Baby

Congraduation a sweet baby boy!

Travel for a week

We are traveling out to the bush, outback to visit members of the church who are in a Branch and are spread over 150 K. We are going with another Missionary Couple the Alplanalp's who have been out here once before. They are going home the end of Feb. so we will be the closest missionary to support them. There about 25 active mambers out of 80.

We have stopped and visited in each little town with the members that we could find. Very nice people. We had dinner at the Branch President Allen home Monday night. We had lunch and dinner there Tuesday also. Sister Allen insisted. We had Family Home Evening with a few members and a friend last night. The Alplanalp's gave the lesson. We spent Tuesday going out and meeting members and friends of Sister Allen. A very nice experience for us all. Today Wednesday, we went out to WeeWaa and tried to find a member but they were not home. We then went out to the Australian Telescopes in WeeWaa. Five major radio telescopes on rail road tracks 3k long. They are really big.

The first town was Gunnedah, we are now staying in Narrabri, tomarrow (Thursday) we will leave for Moree and visit members on the way up. We will go to church in Moree Sunday they have church there the seconed and fifth Sundays and the other Sundays in Narrabri.

My Brother Jim

Today is my brother Jim's Birthday! How do I say but just say it Thank You Heavenly Father for such a wonderful brother you sent me. When we got home from our Mission in Rhode Island Jim and Trudy had moved to Benson, Utah. Twenty min. from us. We saw each other about once a week, ate, played games, had Family Home evening, went to concerts, had good long talks, etc. It was a great time to get reaquainted. Jim was very sick with cancer and passed away a year ago last July. I have missed him very much, I miss being able to pick up the phone and talk with him. Jim had such a calm way about him, he could help put things in perspective for me when I was troubled. Thank you for being a good example for us all, especially as a Missionary. Thanks for being such a GREAT BROTHER. I know you are watching out for all of us. Keep busy with the Missionary work where you are. Love Your Sister

Jan 2, 2009

Dee went back to the hospital for another ultra sound, the clot is still there and moving up slowly. We knew it was still there because it hurts alot. The Doctor said it will until it desolves. They gave him pain meds and all they do is make him sleepy.

Jan 2 2009 we had a visit from the National Directors of Public Affairs Australia the Warbys. They were alot of fun and interesting. They live in West Jordan, Utah so we will be able to visit with them when we go home. That is one of the nice things about a Mission is you keep in contact with the Missionaries you served with. We have had some nice get togethers with the couples from our first mission.

Yesterday 1/2/09 (this computer date and time is not set for Australia). We went out finding inactive members. We found the homes of three. Met one and family members from the others.
When we got home we had an invitation on the recorder from the Bishop to come for a BB dinner. Of course we accepted and had a very nice time. The members are starting to come back home from their Holiday.

I type up blogs

I typed up a blog telling all about last Sunday tried to find the spell check and do it and lost the whole thing. This computer thing drives me crazy!
Sunday Dec 28, 2008 We got to church and were one of the few there as everyone or most of the members are off on holiday. I was asked to lead the singing. As most of you know I don't know what those black dots on the page mean. Well I gave the good old try and did pretty good if I don't say so myself. By Relief Society and Pristhood I was doing well, part way thru Sacrament meeting the lady playing the orgon had to leave so a young man came up and played then he left. We didn't have anyone to play so we did without accompanyment the rest of the time.

I was asked to teach the youth Sunday School just before class. We had a good time just 3 in the class and only 2 were there. We spent some time getting to know each other and a lesson on Moroni 8,9,10:3-8. It was good if I don't say so myself.

Dee said the opening prayer,blessed the Sacrament, then was asked to teach the Gospel Doctrine class, then help give a blessing to Brother Green after church. We felt well needed that day.

We went home ate, took a nap and then drove out to Sumerton, Carroll and then Gunnedah. Beautiful drive blue blue big big skys with white clouds all over very big clouds. The trip wes about 158 k out and back. Australia at least the part we have seen is beautiful. As I have said the country makes my heart happy. That is one reason I love Deweyville.

Volunteer

Yesterday we went up to the Ronald McDonald House to talk about volunteering. Raelee was thrilled to have us come. (the lady in charge) We brought home 10 pages of stuff to fill out. Criminal back ground checks, etc. The house is on the hospital grounds and is walking distance from our flat. (not that Dee will walk) The house is brand new, opened in September. We think it will be a great time to share our faith if asked. As people will ask just because of our accent (get that we have an accent) where are you from and what brought you here. Opens up our sharing. We turn our papers in on Monday. Hope we qualify.

New Years

Well as per usual Dee slept thru it . I watched Funny Face (the movie) and then read until 12. The neighbors sure had a good time I as surprised they did not wake Dee up. I sure will miss the Rose Parade and cooler weather, it is in the 90's and muggy here. We are going to the Taylors for dinner tonight and play some games.