Melbourne Pettys

Ellen returns from her mission, go on holiday to Torquay, Calvin goes to Kalgoorlie, Vern sang for the Single Adults.

Ellen came home from her mission on the second. Vernice got us to clean the house and the children to tidy their rooms. It was strange doing that for our own daughter.

We went out to the airport at ten in morning on the second to pick her up. Vern wanted to make signs but ran out of time, I was pretty happy with that. If they were going to make a sign I was going to make another one that said I wasn’t with them. Em & Jess took time off their doctoring and came out with us and the Rossetys were there too which was nice.

She took ages to come out and we had different people watching the three difference doorways. Calvin was the first to spot her and by the time I got there she and your mum were crying on each others shoulders. It was great to see her again and her accent wasn’t that bad at all.

That evening we went out to the Eltham chapel so President Dudfield could release her. He took some time with her and gave her an assignment to speak in Stake Conference; she was also called to teach the Missionary Preparation class. She was a bit sad during but perked up the next day. This was just as well because we had an open house Friday night and heaps of people came over to see her.

We had a good testimony meeting today, an Elder in the Ward was going home so bore his testimony then Ellen hers since she just come home and Jules Watson and Lauren Pitman theirs since it was their last fast Sunday before their missions.

On Tuesday the seventh we all headed down to Torquay to stay in Janet’s place for a few days. We played some tennis on Wednesday morning when it was sunny but cool then in the afternoon when to point impossible for a swim. Ellen and Marion had to head back to Melbourne that afternoon, Marion to work and Ellen to teach the Mission Preparation class which is her new calling, they came back the next day. Is was pretty windy at the beach so Calvin, Austin and I went for a walk looking for birds in the sand dunes. At least I was looking for birds they were just walking.

That evening we drove down to Lorne for dinner at the Fish and Chip shop then played in the park for a bit and walked out on the pier. The moon was rising through the clouds in the twilight and looked really cool. Carmen of course thought it looked like something out of a vampire movie.

On Thursday we drove around to St Leonards and after a hot pie for lunch went for a walk in the Edwards Point Wildlife Reserve. We walked through the bush then came out onto the beach. It was pretty warm so Ellen went for her first swim since her mission. We then walked back along the beach and found a dead string ray and also saw a live one come very close to shore. That evening we had Breana and Geneviev Walsh come and visit. Breana has just got back from her mission so Ellen and her had lots to talk about. They had dinner with us and we played charades afterwards.

Friday Ellen, Vern and I went for a long walk down to the beach then back through the town. We had a great chat with Ellen. She, as the other children had already noted said hello to everyone. We headed home that afternoon as the rain was closing in.

Saturday the eleventh was the start of our Stake Conference. Ellen spoke in the evening session and gave a very powerful testimony, many people commented on it afterwards. Calvin made an interesting comment, he said why does everyone what Ellen to get back to “normal”. She should stay how she is now, her new normal. I know she is home because when I drive the car there is church music in the CD player.

It was back to work for me on the thirteenth, not something I was looking forward to but it was busy so that is how I like it. And Austin and Carmen went back to school; Carmen has been working hard to catch up on the week of school she missed.

Calvin said his goodbyes to us and his friends and flew out to Perth on Friday the seventieth. He stayed with Auntie Shelly in Perth then caught the train to Kalgoorlie the next day. From what we understand as soon as he got there Neil put him straight to work and got him to help move a family. When we rang him tonight he was out having dinner at their place.

We had the Eltham Ward Conference today, President Dudfield was sick so asked me to run it for him. It went ok, I had to speak in Sacrament then I got Ellen and Lachlan to speak about missions in Sunday School. The youth were all sitting in the front and they both addressed their remarks to them so that was good.

We had a Single Adult dance that or Stake was hosting on Friday the twenty fourth. Your mum said she would do the music so se roped in Dave MacDonald to help her, I was in the MTC with Dave. They had a practice at our place Wednesday night so I am sure all the neighbors thought we were having a party. They did a really good job on the night and enjoyed themselves.

Carmen got picked for a lead role in this years school production so she is very happy about that. I have never heard of the play but she has to speak in an British accent.

We had another house full over the weekend of the twenty fifth with Jordan Reti coming down with a few friends from Sydney and Perth. Of course Vern and I know most of their parents. We also had Ellen report to the High Council and the rest of the family came down with her. It was a proud moment for me it I am allowed to have one. We also today was Craigieburn’s Ward Conference it was in the afternoon and the chapel was boiling. I was dying on the stand with my jacket on but they had a great dinner.