Melbourne Pettys

Carmen has a missionary weekend and gets her learners licence, Calvin has his wisdom teeth out and his missionary papers go in, we have Christmas in Canberra and New Years on the Gold Coast.

  

We had a Stake Missionary weekend for the Priests and Laurels on the first weekend of the month. We had seven ‘Sisters’ stay at our place on the Friday night. We had farmed the boys out so we could make room. They just stayed in their rooms for companionship study then they all went back to the Stake Centre the next day. Carmen was one of the Sisters and said it was a fantastic activity.

Teeth out

Wednesday the fifth I took the day off to take Calvin to the hospital to have three wisdom teeth out in preparation for his mission. We dropped Vern off at work then we were a little late because I went to the wrong place first. I stress out when I’m late and did so on this occasion. I shouldn't have worried though since after we checked in there was a three hour wait for the operation. It all went well and Calvin was a bit chatty while under the influence and we got home just before dinner. 

Carmen got her learners so in Saturday the eightieth I took her to the new subdivision they are building in place of the Kodak factory and I got her to drive up and down the empty streets before her basketball game. She did alright although she did jump the curb at one point and I had to grab the wheel once or twice. She hasn’t driven around a fair bit since then.

Sunday the ninth we went over to the Dudfield’s for dinner with the other stake presidency members and their families. There was quite a crowd and we only had Austin and Carmen with us. From there we headed down to the Stake Centre to watch the First Presidency broadcast which I thought was very good this year.

They like to have the Head Office staff help out in the field before Christmas. I have done this for a few years now and this year they assigned me to go to the Reservoir Post Office. For five afternoons prior to Christmas I helped out the back carding undelivered parcels and sorting the mail that comes over the counter. I find it all very interesting and feel very lucky that I have the job I have.

My last day at work for the year was Friday the twenty-first. I got off a little early, did my Christmas shopping and then headed home. Since we were heading off to Canberra for Christmas we opened our presents on the Saturday morning. This was so the boys could play their news games before they left. That afternoon we had a practise for the music evening. At least Vern and the children did, I just put out the chairs. Janet and Johnny were home when we got back and we all headed down to Ringwood to a Restaurant for the Melbourne Howe Christmas dinner.

Sunday the twenty-third we went over to the Gibbon’s place for lunch which was very relaxed. From there we went straight back to the Chapel for the Stake Music evening. If was very well attended, Vern’s Fairfield Ward Choir with Dylan, Calvin, Carmen and Austin in the ranks was the best in my opinion. They sang a song called Candlelight Carol and it came off very well. Carmen also participated in a strings number with her violin with a number of others, that didn’t come off so well.

Calvin also saw the Bishop and Stake President and President Dudfield sent his papers off.

Carmen at the wheel

Monday the twenty-fourth we packed up the two cars and with Carmen at the wheel we headed for Canberra. As we were leaving Albury we could see some very dark clouds in the direction we were heading but they always seemed to be just ahead of us. The road was very wet but we never got rained on. The boys in the other car were in front of us and they said the storm was behind them. As we were pulling into Holbrook there was leaves and branches over the road that Carmen had to avoid and there was water everywhere. We missed the storm by about ten minutes, the town was a mess with leaves and branches all over the place and a few big trees uprooted as well. The boys had just left Holbrook before it started so missed it as well. We got into Canberra around eight, visited with Vern’s parents then headed off to stay at Ezra’s place in Kambah since they were away on holidays.

Christmas day we headed over the Les and Moana’s place for breakfast then off to the Abel’s for lunch. There was about twenty there including the Fox brothers. At the Abel’s they related to us the story of Rainer their youngest at nine not getting a present for Christmas since Michelle forgot to get him one. She got such a hard time from everyone. To make matters worse she had bought and wrapped a present for herself. Rainer was ok and several of us bought presents for him the next day. We finished the day with desert at Vern’s parents with lots of laughter and music.

Austin, Vern & Carmen at Coffs Harbour

Boxing day Vern and I went to the Abel’s with Carmen and picked up Georgia and a friend and took them to Tuggeranong to watch Les Miserables. Vern and I did some shopping then dropped in on Les and Moana again, Kiriwai and Tana were there just back from Hawaii and we had a nice visit then went down to Cosco to buy them some pizza. I then dropped Vern off at the Abel’s and went for a walk up Mt Arawang which was by Ezra’s place. 

On the twenty-seventh we left Dylan and Austin in Canberra and we headed off to Taree via  Batesmans Bay. Carmen was driving all the way until we realised that learners in NSW can only go 80kph. We stopped in lunch in Nowra and then headed through Sydney, stopped near Newcastle for dinner then rolled into Taree about ten thirty. It took us a while to find the motel but we got there in the end.

Ellen with Surfers Paradise in the Backgound

On the twenty-eightieth we bought some supplies in Taree then took the scenic route north via Laurieton and Port Macquarie. Then when we got back on the Pacific Highway we got stuck in a 12km traffic jam south of Kempsey for about an hour. It was so slow at points I turned the car off. Next stop was Coffs Harbour and look around the big banana. The country side is sure green and humidity climbed as we continued to head north. Around Grafton I saw sugar cane fields that reminded me of the Philippines. We turned down the coast road to Bryon Bay and found it packed with young people. We had dinner there and then rolled into Burleigh Heads and Joanne’s place around eight.

Burleigh Heads

Ellen came over just after we arrived and then they when and picked up Marion after work. It was nice to see them again and in their new ‘home’.

On the twenty-ninth we headed to the beach at Kirra and enjoyed the warm water. Ellen, Austin and I then went for a walk around the corner to have a look at Coolangatta. We then headed to Kaye and Aaron’s place for a swim in their pool and a barbeque dinner. I dropped Marion off at her work at Subway.

Sunday we went to Church at the Mudgeeraba Chapel with Ellen and Marion. We met Alex Parsons, Leanne Nehua, Debbie Rarere and one of the Sister Missionaries was Michael Balls daughter. That evening we went around to Phil and Kereana Parkers place. Dale Wells was also there so we had a nice visit.

Vern at the Spit.

On the last day of the year Ellen and I were up at 4.30am and at the Burleigh Heads beach for a surf at 5.30am. I saw a dolphin swim past while I was out and afterwards we went for a look at Surfers Paradise. After we got back we picked up the others and went shopping at Harbour City then had lunch at a place across the road called the Big Chief which is a Queensland burger place. From there Ellen and Marion took Carmen and Austin back to the Hettig’s place while Vern and I went for a drive to the spit and walked out to the beacon. I stayed home and went to bed since I had been up early, Vern went to the Hettig’s and the children went to the Parson’s place and didn’t get back until late.