Melbourne

Dylan heads back to Western Australia, Austin performs at a Stake night, Vern's brother Ezra gets married, we bought some new stuff.

Our home was the host house for the monthly Ward YSA family home evening on Sunday the second. Ellen had organised everything and asked me to do a lesson which I was glad to do. There are about twenty YSA in the Ward so we had quite a house full. Dylan who was home for the weekend had come down with the bad cold and was sleeping if off so he missed it. The following Tuesday he headed back to Kalgoorlie. Before he went he saw the Bishop and got the Doctors and Dentist papers he will to get signed off before he can go on his mission. He has most of his money saved so it won’t be long before he is off. Ellen is planning to leave after she turns twenty one next March.

Our Stake Conference weekend started with the Stake song and dance production that Vernice and Austin were involved in. Austin did a Michael Jackson number with a few other boys, they sang and danced and Austin did well he is a good mover. Vernice also sang and did a great job. I was even forced onto the stage to say a few words to link the numbers. I have painted myself in somewhat of a corner after years of asking other people to do things in the Stake when I get asked I can’t really say no.

The rest of the conference went well, I spoke on the Saturday evening about setting an example and that seemed to be well received. It was great to spend the afternoon with the family as I regularly at home on my own as I visit other wards that meet in the morning. I played games with Austin because at one point everyone else had fallen asleep.

We got the last copy of the OPL in print this month after a twenty year run. Sad in away but there will be advantages about contributing on-line. When we started the OPL I was sending my hand written contributions to Mum. In the year 2029 I will be 67 and I wonder how we will be communicating then.

Vern’s brother Ezra got married in Canberra on the eighteenth to a very nice women called Nai we have met her a few times. The second time for him and first for her. Vern flew up on the Monday and came back late Wednesday night. She had a great time and I don’t think she slept at all when she was there since it took her a couple of days for her to recover.

This month with a healthy tax return Vern and I spent some money on a new lounge suite, rug, Plasma TV and surround sound system. It is the first time we have bought these items new and the children don’t recognise the place. We told Dylan when we rang him for his birthday he didn’t believe us. Ellen of course was nervous since she always worries about money.
New stuff

We had the Ward Temple baptisms this month they come around every three months. Calvin had to work so Carmen and Marion came down with me. Marion drove and it was the first time she had been on a freeway so was a bit nervous. It didn’t help that it was rush hour traffic but she did fine even when there was a jam due to a broken down car. They have introduced a driving log for learner drivers here in Victoria were they have to log 120hrs before they sit their test. Every time Marion drives she fills out the log and we have to sign it. She drives each way to Seminary in the morning so she gets her time up that way.