We have been on our mission for ten weeks now. President and Sister Fife, the previous mission president and wife picked us up from the airport on Saturday 30th June after our long trip from the USA. The Assistants, Elder Aldous and Elder Torrie were also there at the airport to greet us. The Fifes were very kind to us, took us back to the Mission Home and after a couple of hours sharing some basic information, they left for the airport. Sister Deb Hamon, who is the home help had made some nice lunch for us all too. It was such a frightening feeling after the Fife's left. I felt just like I did as a brand new mother...had no idea what I was doing. That night, the Assistants called to say one of the sister missionaries was missing. Fortunately she was found not long after. She had just got separated from her companion while riding their bikes. That was our first day in the mission!
Its been a whirl wind of adventure, meeting lots of wonderful missionaries, members and getting used to this six week cycle of departing and arrival of missionaries, zone conferences, training meetings, interviews and speaking each weekend at wards, stake conferences and branches. The first couple of weeks were very busy, especially for Paul. He had 110 missionaries to interview, we had a "meet the president Zone conferences and Paul had to then plan transfers. We flew up to Karatha with the Assistants after being here for a few weeks. We then drove to Port Hedland and Broome where we spent time with the missionaries, Paul interviewed them each and we had get togethers with the branch members. This past 10 weeks has been an experience like nothing on earth. We have fortunately felt the comforting, guiding influence of the Holy Ghost like never before in our lives. The missionaries are a joy to be with and being able to speak to our children and grandchildren regularly has certainly made our time here so much sweeter. Some photos below:
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| With President and Sister Fife |
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| With the Assistants, Elder Aldous and Elder Torrie |
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Gareth, the first baptism we attended on our mission, with Elders Mafi, Harris and Tebwaara (from left to right)
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| Rockingham members. Charlie, far right, who knew Phil on his mission |
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| Paul, hard at work in the Mission home |
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| Our first Missionary Leadership Council |
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| Sister Deb Hamon and her daughter Jamie Lee who make the yummy lunches |
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| Sister Chelcie Burridge from Dural ward |
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| Departing missionaries in the mission home |
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| This sister was a missionary in Adelaide when Sue and Herb were mission president and wife |
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| Freemantle on Pday |
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| With Elder Maurer |
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| On the road to the Pilbara |
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| With Elder and Sister Pitman |
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| Broome |
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| Fremantle at sunset |
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| New arrival missionaries |
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| Meeting the trainers |
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| Dads first fathers day as mission president |
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| Fathers day breakfast |
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| Sister Barr, our mission nurse |
