WONDERFUL DISTRICT CONFERENCE IN CAIRNS - AUGUST 2015

Elder Leota and President & Sister Cowan blessed the Saints and the missionaries in Cairns for their District Conference.  

We heard how great it was and how all were uplifted and edified!

OUR WONDERFUL "TONGAN" ELDERS

We had a special musical farewell by some of our "Tongan" Elders (some born in Tonga, some with Tongan ancestors, and some called to serve with the Tongans)  They know how much we love music and this was especially beautiful as a memory of them forever.

 

SPECIAL SISTER VISITS TO BRISBANE: JULY/AUG 2015

SISTER LAI ~ SISTER JENKINS ~ SISTER SMITH

We Love You! 

It was great to get to visit with these wonderful Sisters who served  here in the Australia Brisbane Mission.  There are so many who were touched by these Sisters in so many ways....you have each left your special legacy here in Queensland.  

Thanks for stopping by!  

 

 

FAMILY VISITS: AUGUST 2015 DEPARTING MISSIONARIES

The ultimate of emotions happens when you witness the incredibly happy reunion with a family after two years (for the Elders) or eighteen months (for the Sisters).  We remember the feelings well as parents picking up our missionaries....
 It is hard to describe the JOY that is on the face of every mother, father, sister, brother.....we are so grateful for the support of loved ones at home and how their faith, prayers and love sustain each missionary while they are so far away from home serving.  

ABM LEGEND RETURNS TO VISIT--AUGUST 2015

We loved having Elder Smith come and visit as he had returned to the mission with his mother shortly after returning home.  Elder Smith did all sorts of amazing things as he served in the Australia Brisbane Mission--including some amazing miracles in the Tongan program. 

Great Elder....and we know a great son!  

TRIP TO GLADSTONE -- AUGUST 2015

There are parts of Queensland that are incredibly interesting and beautiful...it was wonderful to be able to experience a drive up the A1 to visit the Elders in Gympie, the Elders in Hervey Bay, the Elders in Bundaberg and the Sisters, Senior Couple, and Saints in Gladstone.   It was an UNBELIEVABLE trip in so many ways....we loved taking a road trip together to experience this gorgeous part of the mission.   
We traveled 721.18 miles or 1160 kilometers in four days. 

FIRST STOP GYMPIE where there are rolling fields of grass, horses, vegetables and sunsets.  We love the good missionaries who serve in Gympie and the amazing members who do so much to help with the missionaries and missionary work. 
President Henderson loves his delivery of peas, beans and strawberries from Gympie each week.....THANK YOU TRAMACCHI BROTHERS!  

NEXT STOP HERVEY BAY...we didn't know it was whale watching season and so it was difficult finding a place to stay.  Luckily there was a nice couple who had a room available in their flat complex to stay the night, and it happened to be down the street from the Elders there and a block from the beautiful Dundowran Beach where we welcomed a glowing sunrise on our morning run.  

NEXT STOP GLADSTONE: 
Gladstone's primary industries are mining-related. The Port of Gladstone is the fifth largest multi-commodity port in Australia and the world's fourth largest coal exporting terminal. The port consists of a number of wharves and terminal facilities. Major exports include coal, alumina, aluminium, cement products, Sodium Cyanide and Ammonium Nitrate. Each year 50 million tonnes of coal passes through the port, making up 70% of the total exports.
Gladstone harbour is within the World Heritage Area of the GREAT BARRIER REEF and has historically supported a thriving seafood industry
We have had some great missionaries serving in Gladstone and we have two lovely Sisters serving there now, along with our great Senior Couple.  We had an amazing Sabbath day with the Gladstone Branch as the presidency was reorganized.  

 New Gladstone Branch Presidency August 2015

FINAL STOP BUNDABERG:  Home of the famous Bundaberg Ginger Beer and two great Elders!  

 

SNAPPING GRAVITY with the Elders ON A COOL, CRISP BUNDABERG MORNING. 

WE PASSED ROWS AND ROWS OF MACADAMIA NUT TREES 

 FIELDS AND FIELDS OF SUGAR CANE....

 HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF DUCKS BY THE POND. 

 IT WAS SUCH A FUN DRIVE!

AFTER A STOP AT MAMMINO HOMEMADE ICECREAM SHOP FOR A DELICIOUS CUP OF CHOCOLATE MACADAMIA NUT ICECREAM AND A STOP AT AUSTRALIA MACADAMIA 

FACTORY FOR SOME FRESH PICKED MADADAMIA NUTS and a few dark chocolate covered macadamia nuts....WE HAD A PLEASANT, HAPPY DRIVE BACK TO BRISBANE.  

 

CHINESE FIRESIDE - AUGUST 2015

CHINESE FIRESIDE FUN!

The Chinese missionaries and Chinese Branch hosted another great fireside...what a great opportunity to get together and be uplifted and edified in Chinese.  We love these missionaries and love the wonderful Saints who are growing in numbers.  

 We are grateful for Elder & Sister Mizukawa...they are doing a wonderful work with the Chinese.

Sister Mizukawa was busy practicing the piano for the musical item and left Elder Mizukawa to watch over the food.