Family Birthday - Church - Visitors - Theatre

The first half of February 2008 was filled with lots of office work plus a Warby family birthday celebrating Joel Warby's 16th birthday. He is part of a family we have met while here (distant relatives) that have made us feel really welcome. We also met Stephanie Rogalski, one of the Church's directors of public affairs (Perth). She came to Sydney to visit her daughter and we had a most enjoyable time being with her for a day. We also continue to support the Fairfield 3rd Ward, mostly Pacific Islanders who are so loving and wonderful. We continue to enjoy excellent weather, some rain and cool temperatures for a summer environment. They tell us this is unusual that it is usually sweltering heat but we have no complaints. We went to a wonderful musical theatre production featuring John Williamson, the Australian folk singer and really enjoyed the program.

Happy Australia Day

We helped celebrate Australia Day on Saturday, January 26, 2008 by going downtown to Sydney Harbor. The date commerates the arrival of 11 ships of the first Euroupean settlers in 1788, later to be known as First Fleet. Most of the passengers were convicts sent from England. This is a day for Australians to celebrate with pride their country. We had a vantage spot midway on the famous Harbor Bridge we walked across. There was lots of activity in the harbor itself which you can see in the photos. We also had a senior missionary couple go home (McMullins) and the arrival of a new couple (Clarks) and we took a photo of our current staff. Joyce also discovered one morning a large spider which we promptly disposed. It is quite warm and humid now with occasional rain to cool down temperatures. We miss the snow back in the States but not the shoveling.