HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Orson and Elder and Sister Walker. They are in Geraldton (the easternmost branch in the mission. This is their 3rd mission.
Sister Matuauto, from SLC but grew up in Samoa. She worked in the missionary department for 22 years. She said everything there is confidential, but she bore a powerful testimony that this work is truly guided by the Lord.
Sister Kruger (from England), the office secretary. Elder and Sister Crawford, they are in charge of flats, cars, and phones. They served in Broome a year ago.
President Cahoon and Elder and Sister Orth (from Brisbane. They are working in Albany, the southernmost branch in the mission.
November 24, 2010 Tuesday

We flew down to Perth yesterday landing at 12:50 pm and made it to the 2:00 pm temple session. It was so nice: we stepped off the plane, the air was warm and DRY not humid. There was a nice breeze blowing. Brother Crawford picked us up, drove us straight to the mission office where the suitcase we’d left here in Perth with our temple clothes was and walked across the parking lot to the temple. We also did the 4 pm session. Nielsens (from Layton) had stayed late because an audit was being conducted. So they finished when we did and they took us to their flat where we are staying. He is the financial secretary for the mission and she handles all the referrals and a few other things. We had cold pork sandwiches for dinner and then talked until 11:30! It was so fun to talk to another senior couple.
Today I had a doctor appointment to renew some prescriptions and then we went to the 12:15 temple session. It was fun because we ran into two people from the Jandakot Ward where we worked the first month of our mission. It’s been so nice to be in the temple again. Our Seniors’ Conference starts tonight with a Thanksgiving Dinner at the mission home. Everybody is bringing something. We were assigned roll and pickles since we were coming from the farthest and were flying in. So we had some spare time this afternoon. We called Sister Cahoon and told her we were coming over to help her. She sounded really tired and agreed immediately. We were able to do some chopping and cutting. We also collated the booklets for our conference and wrapped a few presents. Then we ran back to the mission office to pick up the Nielsens.
Dinner was great: Turkey, sausage dressing, gravy, salad, potatoes, carrots, pickles, olives (unpitted), rolls, broccoli, peas, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, jello salad with pineapple and shredded apple in it, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, banana cream pie, apple pie, mince tartlets, and homemade coconut ice cream! Sister Cahoon made a presentation of “We Need Ewe” based on an old talk about sheep, shepherds and the Good Shepherd. Plans were announced for tomorrow. We cleaned up (she has an automatic dishwasher) and came back to Nielsen’s. Long, wonderful day :o) Senior missionaries are Elder & Sister Orth from Brisbane, Elder and Sister Crawford from Kanab, Elder and Sister Walker from Highland, Elder and Sister Nielsen from Layton, Sister Kruger from England, Sister Matuauto originally from Samoa but now from SLC, us, and of course, President and Sister Cahoon from Edmunton. Good, fun people.