Melbourne Pettys - June

Mahli and Marion both get married, Carmen gets Bells palsy again, Nan stays with us and I get released.   

On Saturday the first it was the wedding of Mahli and Jareth. The Abels rolled up at about eight in the

morning after driving all night then we headed down for the 10.30 sealing. Brother Paki did sealing and Nana and Grandpa were there too. After waiting for ages for them to come out of the Temple we took some photos and then headed off to Knox City for some lunch before the ring ceremony that President Williams conducted at the Wantirna Chapel.  From there it was a drive to a function place on the Hume highway by Craigieburn for the reception. Vernice was the MC and did a great job. The day was a bit unorganized but Vern and Marion helped to pull it together and it turned out good in the end.

The next day Bernie Brayton and his wife came over for a visit. We left them there and headed off to Canberra with Marion and Jordan so they could get back for work the next day. We left late so didn’t get there until after midnight and stayed at Larry and Courtney’s place. 

Monday the third we spent the day running errands in preparation for the reception. We went out to Belconnen where Marion was working and had lunch there and did some shopping. We then waited for her to finish so we could drive her home. That evening Wal and Erin came over and the ladies went through the wedding plans again. For my birthday there was more shopping for the reception then Vern and I went for a walk around Aspen Island and I took some photos of birds.

Wednesday we went out to the Airport and picked up Charles Abel since he was returning from his mission. He was a little lost as they all are and really felt the cold. On the way out Georgia and I were paying for the parking and the machine gave me an extra $50 in two dollar coins. We gave it all to Tony later since he had no money for gas. That evening all the family met at the Woden Chapel and worked hard decoration the hall for the reception. The other children arrived from Melbourne along with Bernie and Rebecca and they all pitched in.

 

Thursday I took Bernie and Rebecca around some of the sights in Canberra. We started at the Parliament House then up Mount Ainsley, lunch down town and finished up at the Museum. It was a lot of walking but we enjoyed ourselves. That evening we all piled in the cars and headed to Sydney and the Temple Motel.

Friday the seventh was the big day. It was a mad house at the Motel with people going from one room getting ready. We took up Jordan and Marion to the Temple at 10am for the 11am sealing. All the sealing rooms in Sydney are small so we had twenty three in the room with some of them standing. Jordan’s dad and I were the witnesses and the sealer gave a lovely introduction before performing the ordinance. They were both in tears, and that got everyone else started.   

As we were taking the photos outside the sun came out and we got some good shots. Then we all jumped in the cars so we could get back to Canberra for a photo session at the Japanese gardens by the lake. Mr and Mrs Fox came with us and although it was a nice twenty two in Sydney it was cold overcast and a little windy in Canberra. The photographer lady did a great job with the conditions the pictures came out really well.

 

The decorations at the chapel were great and the evening went really well. I said a few words about the sealing then later Vern and I shared a few stories about Marion. Ellen and Carmen also spoke since they were in the bridal party with Jaeger Nichols. Dylan also read a letter from Calvin and then sang a song for Marion. The food was good and Marion and I had a daddy daughter dance. It was a great day and great evening.

Saturday the eighth I went over to Les’s and Moana’s place to help them get Sheyl Reti’s car started. I had lunch there then went for a walk up on Isaac Ridge and took some photos of birds. It was a sunny cold, still day. I could hear the crowd cheering at the rugby at Woden where the rest of the family were watching the boys play. That evening Vern and I went out to dinner with Mark, Janet and Mum. We had a hard time finding a place to eat since they were all booked out. We finally ate at Nandos.

I picked up Mum from the Motel for Church and it was a good meeting. Charles Abel spoke and spoke well about Hope. We were there when he spoke before his mission and that talk was a bit rough, what a turn around. We had lunch at the grand parents and dinner at the Abels.

  

On the Monday we drove back from Canberra. Vern, Nan and I came in one car and left in the morning then the others came later in the other car. We stopped for lunch at the small town of Chiltern just south of Albury. As we were sitting down for our lunch at the bakery of course some people came in that knew Vern, (they knew me too but they knew Vern first). It was the Wolffs who live up there and he is the Branch President in Albury. So we left the Foxes in Canberra and fell amongst the Wolffs in Chiltern. They of course are cousins to the Bears.

Carmen was sick all weekend but drugged herself up to get through the wedding. However on the Monday her Bells Palsy had returned and she has lost feeling in the left side of her face again. She was pretty depressed since she was supposed to go to a formal with Andy Tempany but has had the whole week off school. Ellen of course thinks she looks funny.

Tuesday night Austin went to bounce with the youth and had a great time in the foam pit etc. Friday night was a character themed YSA dance at Deer Park, Ellen went as sleeping beauty (she had had a long week) and Dylan went as Green Lantern. That morning Vern backed the Honda into the neighbors’ car when she was leaving for Seminary. Not too much damage but it will all need to be fixed.

It was Vern’s birthday on Tuesday so we went to the Moskito Bar in Clifton Hill. Mark, Blair, Deshon and Janet came as well. Nan of course was with us.

On Wednesday the nineteenth was my last temple recommend interview and Stake Presidency meeting. I interviewed Sister Tempany and worked out that I must have done about 1400 temple recommend interviews over the last nine years. We had a supper for out last meeting and Nick Rouse brought small bottles of ginger beer so it looked like we were hitting the grog.

Nan went back to New Zealand on the Thursday and then we all went to the Temple that night. Bishop Parton was there and mentioned that Elder Petty was in his Ward and was going around to his place for dinner on Monday.

Early on Saturday the twenty-second we met with Elder Watson and Elder Coward as a Stake Presidency to review the weekend and to have or interview. By late afternoon I knew I was off the hook since I hadn’t been called back. After the leadership meeting we had a dinner before the next session.

It was a good weekend and in the Sunday Session Elder Dudfield and Elder Coward said some nice things about President Tempany and myself and after the meeting lots of people came up to us both which was nice. Ellen came up to President Tempany afterwards and said that it would be funny calling him Brother Tempany, he said why don’t you just call me Waka, (his first name is Warwick). The new Stake President is Bishop Parton, with Brother Terry and Brother Stratov as councillors. They are all good men so the Stake is in good hands.

The next week was strange with no calling; I didn’t know what to do with myself on Wednesday evening but I must say I am enjoying it.

Carmen was still off school with her Bells Palsy although Isaac Gibbons came around and keep her company as he has an extra week holiday.

Renee is still sick and in hospital so Max brought baby Eva over for a couple of days and Vern had a great time looking after her. I haven’t lost my touch either and walked her around when I got home, she is a good baby. Austin is in the older boys Stake Basketball team and will play in the Regional Competition next week. There are some really big boys on his team from Epping Ward.

On the last day of the month I went to church as Brother Petty, very strange. I helped pass the sacrament, Austin had to tell me what to do and he also had to give me a kick because I didn’t stand when I was supposed to. I also said the opening prayer in Sacrament and was given an assignment to teach the 12-13yr Sunday School for a few weeks. Dylan spoke and did a great job. I spent the afternoon going over the new way to teach youth and the lesson. I am pretty excited about it. My first calling after my mission was teaching the same age group.