Santa came by last night and brought this.

So, I decided we better get the Christmas boxes down last night and start decorating for Chrismas even though we decided we would forgo the expense of getting a Christmas tree this year.  So, we were getting into the Christmas spirit and we had Christmas music on and we were laughing and joking and singing and then there was a knock on the door and Mike answered it and  it was a man who reminded us very much of Santa because he was happy and jolly and very kind and he had this beautiful tree in his hands.  Mike called me over and said you better come take a look at this.  I was overcome with joy and gratitude!  It was the most beautiful Christmas tree I had ever seen!  Mike said "I think Santa deserves a hug"...so of course I threw my arms around Santa and gave him a great big hug and even a kiss on the cheek...I hope Mrs. Santa doesnt mind.  I was just so happy.  I felt quite emotional and very loved.  The kids just stood there with their mouths open wide.  Wow! What a wonderful gift.  We Love Santa!

I did it!

Okay so I really try hard NOT to drink this!  My body just doesnt do well when I drink caffine.  I really enjoy it much too much!  Then I start drinking it every day and then I cant sleep.  So, I really try to just stay away from the stuff.  However, today I did it!  I CAVED in and I had myself one of these.  I know, I shouldn't have because ya know, all of the above.....but if I haven't had one for a while and I have a lot to do then....I do it!  And I DID IT.  So, now I can get everything done today that I need to do hopefully.  Actually just trying to clean this house and recover from the weekend.  I'm just not motivated to do everything that I need to do and this.....well....motivates me.  What can I say, I just need a little pick me up from time to time and this "picks me up".  So, here I go......

BoyScout Troop 298 Popcorn Sales

This is how we spent last Wednesday.  Troop 298 Boy Scouts sold popcorn at the Bel Air market.  We were so impressed at how well they did.  They didnt miss one person coming in or going out of the store that day.  We started at 10:00 am and finished at 2:00 pm and sold almost $900 worth of all kinds of popcorn.  Some people were especially nice and just donated a few dollars here and there to support our boys.  Bryce decided he wanted to wear the popcorn around his neck so he and Mike rigged him up.  It was impressive when some of our boys were stopped and drilled about the scout motto, oath and law and were able to deliver on the spot.  Whew! Thank goodness they were prepared.
They made quite an impression that day.  The funds will help our boys go to scout camp this summer. Great job boys!

Another birth in the Stephenson family

Last night Tabbatha gave birth to a beautiful baby girl "Annabelle Rose Stephenson Powell" She weighed 7lbs 1oz and was 19 in long.  Tabbatha and Sean did a great job!  Sean was very tender and loving towards Tabbatha and that baby is perfect! Welcome Miss Annabelle Rose!

Better late than never!!

G'day! I'm so blessed to be in Dee Why right now. There is so much going on and I am just loving the teaching experiences that E Modlik and I have and the spiritual experiences we have had lately. This ward is so amazing. They have no fear it seems like when it comes to missionary work and thats really have everyone should be. They just know their purpose and I think they really take the scripture to heart "Love casteth out all fear." Charity, the pure love of Christ. We had a couple amazing things happen this week. We went to see Ema Taimoni she's a nice Tongan lady who actually just got out of the marines not too long ago and E. Modlik has been teaching her but I met her for the first time and I just asked her the quesiton, "Have you had a chance to pray about what E. Modlik has been teaching you?" and she gave me the funniest look! I was just uhh....lol and she just said, "Why? I know its true". I was just dumbfounded and we had a great lesson about the gospel of Jesus Christ after that and we set a baptismal date with her for the 19th of December. It was so exciting. She's acutally related to Sister Hopohate(the Hopoates are a very strong family in the ward) and actually Brother John Hopoate is the Boxing heavyweight champion of Australia and he is a very famous rugby league player. ITS AWESOME! He's a beast of a man! He's the Young Men's president so he has a great impact on the boys in the ward. You'll have to look him up on youtube. Anyways we also had an amazing night last night. We met with Candice cross, the investigator from the last email that got an answer to her prayer right in front of us, at the Teaupa's and we had an amazing family home evening with them. We shared a message about the atonement. I did push ups for everyone that wanted or didnt want a chocolate in the room to show an example of jesus christ's sacrafice for us. Remember that story? It was really cool and so fun and a great way to get the members to love you :). We've been really worried about Candice all week because she told us that her parents are really against her getting baptised into the mormon church so we've been praying nonstop and just asking for a miracle and last night Candice told us that she had spoken to her parents about getting baptised and her mum actually took her to see a catholic priest and the priest tried to convince her otherwise but she just told him, and her mum, that she knew that the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints is the true church and that she was going to convert! HALLELUJAH! HALLELIJAH! It was so great to hear that from her and she is so excited. And so are we! She should get baptised in December too!! We also have a couple of other potentials that should get baptised next month so we're just working hard and expecting miracles. I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK! So basically its been really exciting lately and E. Modlik and I are just having a blast. The weather is getting hotter though. Sunday was so ridiculous. Well I gotta go. I love you all! Cheers!

Elder Nelson

Thankful Monday

So, you'd think it was snowing outside by the way I am dressed.  I dont like the cold.  This is my Monday morning ritual.  I go for a 4 mile walk each weekday morning.  I usually like to go with a friend but she pooped out on me this morning.....I wont mention any names though...Linda Hogge.  This morning was colder than usual and I wanted to be bundled up.  Ah....all cozy.  So, Thanksgiving is around the corner and I am so thankful.  Had a great Sunday with great speakers that came to our Ward "The Bacchus'" what a great couple and good talks.  We also got to visit with Mike's neices as they invited us to dinner at their house....cute girls.  I really miss my family this time of year.  Especially Mom and my sisters.  There's nothing like family for the holidays.  We'll be spending Thanksgivng with Jerry and Rhea and their kids this year down in Salida.....looking forward to our visit with them on Thursday.  I am thankful for my morning walks and for the many many blessings that I have recieved this year by the hand of my Father in Heaven.  I am especially thankful that we will be keeping our little home.......I complained at first when we had to move into it that it was just too small.....now I am just thankful that it is ours.  I am thankful for my wonderful children who I am so proud of.  So thankful for Michael's faithful service to his Father in Heaven.  Unfortunately they dont celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia....and we didnt hear from him this week....but I am still Thankful that he is doing the single most important thing he could be doing in his life right now and I know it will shape him for the rest of his life.  I am thankful for the temple that it is so close by and that I can go there to feel close to my Father in Heaven.  I am thankful for my husband and his patience and support.  I am thankful for good uplifting friends and I am so thankful for the gospel in my life...what would I do with out it??

So glad to be back

Yesterday I decided to sign back on to facebook.  Yep, I did.  I decided I have punished myself enough for getting so addicted to it.  I really missed my friends that I had reconnected with  as well as current and even new friends.  I have learned a lesson though.  You have to be really careful with all this new technology at our fingertips these days.  There is good and bad to it all.  It all depends on how you use it.  Just like this blog.  Blogs are fun but you can waste a lot of time on them too.  But what a fun way to journal, jot down your feelings and share fun ideas.  It's also a good way to keep friends and family up on what is happening in your life.  I am a people person.... I love friends and facebook and blogging are great ways to keep in touch with them.  Just be careful not to get too hooked or use them to replace more important things that should take presidence in your life.  That's all....so, I'm glad to be back.  Have a wonderful day:)