Starting Over With Week 1 and an Apostle!

This week tried to kill us!  Monday the Goldens (formerly Greenies) flew in and we trained them at Kangaroo Point.  Tuesday was transfers and it was a little more complicated with all the missionaries in the mission flying in.  Why, you ask?  Because Elder Ronald A. Rasband was coming to Brisbane and wanted to meet with our mission while he was here training Area leaders.

Wednesday, we picked up the Nebekers from the airport because they were assigned to stay with us.  All of the southern seniors were housing the northern seniors. Plans for a Senior Missionary Conference were being finalized for April when we got the news of Elder Rasband coming so our conference was moved up to coincide with his visit.

Thursday was the first day of the Senior Conference and it was great seeing all the senior couples in our mission!  The day started at 8 am for us and didn't end until 7:30 that night!  The morning session included two great speakers:  Ama Tafilipepe and Reuben Kwong.  After lunch we all went to the temple.  Tim and I signed up for initiatories and we got 15 done between us.  I had to take a nap while the rest of the seniors finished their endowment session.  I go to my "office" which is the Mother's Lounge since every meetinghouse has one!  We then had supper and then a testimony meeting.  We ended up having to go to the mission home and make up 10 more bedding bags because some of the stored ones had gotten wet and moldy for the returning missionaries.  We collapsed into bed.

Friday I was in charge of playing the piano and Dan Turney was the chorister.  Our guest speakers were Elder Tad Callister and his wife via Zoom!  They were great!  They actually were the mission president mentors for President and Sister Vongsawad.  By the time we had lunch I was totally exhausted and Tim had to bring me home.  That was it for me.

Saturday was the day Elder Rasband came.  We had been instructed to arrive at 11 am at the Karawatha Chapel to set up.  The junior missionaries were due to arrive at 12:30 pm and we were all assigned rooms to wait in.  We had to be quiet because Elder Rasband was holding a meeting in the chapel.  He wanted a picture with us so when it was time we all filed into the cultural hall and were seated for the picture.  Elder Meurs (Area President), Bishop Causse and Elder Johnson from the Seventy were also in attendance with their wives.  After the picture with over 235 missionaries, including the seniors, we all filed into the chapel. All of the visiting authorities and their wives spoke for about 5-10 minutes and then it was Elder Rasband's turn.  He brought us a message from our dear prophet, President Russell M. Nelson:  We love you, We thank you and We need you now and for the rest of your lives!  We were then asked to hasten the work, prepare the world for the 2nd Coming and to trust the Prophet.  We were reminded that the priesthood was given to provide service and that the men needed to use it to serve more and the women needed to ask them to use it more.

It was a great privilege to be in the same room with an apostle of the Lord and though the week was grueling, we survived.  Elder Rasband had expressed hope to shake all of our hands but it was late and they had to catch their plane.

More company coming this next week:  Helen Pullen and her sister, Sue are coming to spend a few days here in Brisbane before Helen flies back to England.  She finished her mission the end of February and has been in New Zealand visiting.

Love to all.  The Church is true and as long as we trust the Prophet we will all be okay!  Take care.  Miss you.