Brisbane Australia Mission
MTC GROUP
Salt Lake International
Mt. Isa
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A Mailer from Kiefer
Kiefer recently send us this mailer with a disk containing pictures he has taken in the Mission Home, Brisbane and Mt. Isa. I'll be posting various picture as I get them organized. Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Queen's Birthday
In all states and territories except Western Australia, Queen's Birthday is observed on the second Monday in June. Because Western Australia celebrates its Foundation Day on the first Monday in June, the Governor of Western Australia proclaims the day on which the state will observe the Queen's Birthday, based on school terms and the Perth Royal Show. There is no firm rule to determine this date before it is proclaimed, though it is typically the last Monday of September or the first Monday of October.
The day has been celebrated since 1788, when Governor Arthur Phillip declared a holiday to mark the birthday of King George III. Until 1936 it was held on the actual birthday of the Monarch, but after the death of King George V it was decided to keep the date at mid-year.
On that day the "Queen's Birthday honours list" is released naming new members of the Order of Australia and other Australian honours. This occurs on the date observed in the Eastern States, not the date observed in Western Australia.
The Queen's Birthday weekend and Empire Day, 24 May, were long the traditional times for public fireworks displays in Australia. Although they still occur, the tradition has recently been overshadowed by larger New Year's Eve fireworks, as the sale of fireworks to the public was progressively banned by the states in the 1980s. The sale of fireworks in the Australian Capital Territory was also banned on 24 August 2009.
Week June 6
Hey family,
It’s great to hear from you the pictures are great the one with Colin, mum, and dad is a great picture. I really like that one. I got your package in the mail, thank you so much for it.
Elder Munyard’s birthday is coming up next week so I'll give him the Kool-Aid you sent up. He kind of like a Kool-Aid fiend...the senior couple thinks it’s even a little weird how much he like about it and even talks about it. It’s funny but a little sad all the same. He'll like that and he enjoyed the Twizzlers as well. I let him try a couple of those as well. Thanks so much for the care packages they mean a lot to me.
I can’t believe that your graduated now Colin!!!
GRATZ Bro! You’re lookin good lol. Hope it was a good time all the same. I can believe It’s been a full year, it’s unbelievable. Good on ya though. Grandma and Grandpa look good, it’s great that they could come down and be there for that (graduation). I wish I could have been there all the same. The graduation notices looked great and that was a good picture to go along with it all. Thanks for that.
Colin you have to let me know how uni is going and how you’re doing lol. Just b/c you go to uni doesn't mean you can drop off the radar lol. I want to hear what kind of crazy stuff you'll be doing lol. Yeah, defiantly though send me a note or two.
Anyways, I sent home a CD with all my pictures on it last Thursday. IDK if it will get to you before you leave for Arizona but hopefully you will. If not then you should get it when you get back if, of course, it hasn't been snapped or damaged along the way. I assume your leave the 14th so prolly not. Sorry. I should have sent it off earlier. I'll be sending another package hopefully in the next month or two with a couple of things that I've picked up here in Mt Isa that I want to keep but don’t want to have to carry around for the next while. I'll send home some Tim Tams and hopefully some other cool things.
On the home front here we're planning on having a Baptism this Saturday for a Maori (Mode-ee) girl that we've been teaching over the last couple of weeks. She's heaps keen and hasn't really had any concerns so I'm a little weary but we've made the commitments and ask the questions we needed to and she still keen so we're going for it. The Branch has been great and has really supported her so we're excited all the same. We have the clean the font because it hasn't been used in ages and there are dead roaches and other bugs that have found a grave in the font. In fact, the Branch keeps the extra tables in there as well...dodgy… lol. We're not so happy about that one. We're excited but we still have heaps to do to get ready for the big day. Hope all goes well and we're crossing our fingers and hoping for the best. In the meantime it’s been going about the same; heaps of finding and a good deal of biking. Luckily it’s been beautiful the last week.
Other than that not much else is going on. Next Monday is the Queen’s Birthday and it’s a public holiday which means a lot of drinking surely so we'll prolly be out on the streets that day and then we'll be taking P-day on Tuesday so I email a day later or so IDK maybe it will just be a normal week we'll see.
Thanks for the emails...sounds like it’s was a crazy week love you and wish I could be there to see you off to uni Colin. Have fun. Love you and drive safe.
Elder Hatch
It’s great to hear from you the pictures are great the one with Colin, mum, and dad is a great picture. I really like that one. I got your package in the mail, thank you so much for it.
Elder Munyard’s birthday is coming up next week so I'll give him the Kool-Aid you sent up. He kind of like a Kool-Aid fiend...the senior couple thinks it’s even a little weird how much he like about it and even talks about it. It’s funny but a little sad all the same. He'll like that and he enjoyed the Twizzlers as well. I let him try a couple of those as well. Thanks so much for the care packages they mean a lot to me.
I can’t believe that your graduated now Colin!!!
GRATZ Bro! You’re lookin good lol. Hope it was a good time all the same. I can believe It’s been a full year, it’s unbelievable. Good on ya though. Grandma and Grandpa look good, it’s great that they could come down and be there for that (graduation). I wish I could have been there all the same. The graduation notices looked great and that was a good picture to go along with it all. Thanks for that.
Colin you have to let me know how uni is going and how you’re doing lol. Just b/c you go to uni doesn't mean you can drop off the radar lol. I want to hear what kind of crazy stuff you'll be doing lol. Yeah, defiantly though send me a note or two.
Anyways, I sent home a CD with all my pictures on it last Thursday. IDK if it will get to you before you leave for Arizona but hopefully you will. If not then you should get it when you get back if, of course, it hasn't been snapped or damaged along the way. I assume your leave the 14th so prolly not. Sorry. I should have sent it off earlier. I'll be sending another package hopefully in the next month or two with a couple of things that I've picked up here in Mt Isa that I want to keep but don’t want to have to carry around for the next while. I'll send home some Tim Tams and hopefully some other cool things.
On the home front here we're planning on having a Baptism this Saturday for a Maori (Mode-ee) girl that we've been teaching over the last couple of weeks. She's heaps keen and hasn't really had any concerns so I'm a little weary but we've made the commitments and ask the questions we needed to and she still keen so we're going for it. The Branch has been great and has really supported her so we're excited all the same. We have the clean the font because it hasn't been used in ages and there are dead roaches and other bugs that have found a grave in the font. In fact, the Branch keeps the extra tables in there as well...dodgy… lol. We're not so happy about that one. We're excited but we still have heaps to do to get ready for the big day. Hope all goes well and we're crossing our fingers and hoping for the best. In the meantime it’s been going about the same; heaps of finding and a good deal of biking. Luckily it’s been beautiful the last week.
Other than that not much else is going on. Next Monday is the Queen’s Birthday and it’s a public holiday which means a lot of drinking surely so we'll prolly be out on the streets that day and then we'll be taking P-day on Tuesday so I email a day later or so IDK maybe it will just be a normal week we'll see.
Thanks for the emails...sounds like it’s was a crazy week love you and wish I could be there to see you off to uni Colin. Have fun. Love you and drive safe.
Elder Hatch
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Week May 30th
Hey,
Yous really had a crazy week it sounds like with the end of school and then Graduation coming up this week end. That’s great. I can't believe it’s already that time of the year. I remember not too long ago coming home from University and Colin having to go back to school to start his senior year. It’s been an interesting year.
I wish I could be there for Colin's graduation but I know it will go well all the same. Congrats Colin on the hard work and the dedication. It’s definitely a good feeling to have it completed after you walk across the stage. It’s crazy to think b/f the end of the month you'll be at the university holding down the fort. That'll be fun. Enjoy you'll last couple of days of school but of course don't have too much fun… lol. Tell grandma and grandpa hi for me.
The ginger beers here are amazing. They're one of my new favorite drinks here. There is a video store where you can get American lolies and drinks so were going to go over there after this and get some stuff. Its way over priced but still… Elder Munyard hasn't ever had a pop tart so he is going to get some of those and some hot tamales. I'll prolly get a couple of DP's but they cost like $2.80 so they aren't cheap… lol. All is good though. If I could, I’d send you a couple of ginger beers. Maybe one day you'll get to try a couple.
Things have been going good here. My bike keeps falling apart though… lol. This week I was going up a hill shifting gears when my chain lock and then snapped my shimano gear system in half so that’s what I'll be repairing today since the bike shop in town does not have a bike mechanic now. It'll be fun. The senior couple is really getting frustrated b/c they just can't find anyone to teach or even visit. Elder Rhodes has been having a whinge about not having a dermal tool...or basically like a little hand held sander. Which he uses to "cut" or in reality to sand done his toe nails. He tells us about these things and how he can't get one that isn't expensive. All I can think is that is just nasty. TMI! Needless to say he didn't opt for the toe nail clippers but he bought some 40 grain/80 grain sand paper squares. Good times though.
It has been cooler here in the last week in the mornings it’s been down to 4 degrees C (39o F) so a little chilly. It warms up into the Mid-20's (high 60os F) in the afternoon so it very bearable so far. We've given up on the football and so we're back to doing exercise in the flat, fun times.
A little about Mt. Isa, it is very much a working town up here and even for the people that don’t work in the mines, they generally say that they'd rather just be working, because they just get bored out of their minds otherwise. It’s kind of that same way back home I reckon but not as extreme of course.
Other than that not much happening, I have everything I need. Gratz Colin on you graduation from seminary, high school and swim. Keep working hard and make the most of your time. Have fun. Miss yous heaps. Thanks for the emails and the uplifting word. I'll talk to you next week and hopefully get that package sent out as well. Love you, Cheers.
Elder Hatch
Yous really had a crazy week it sounds like with the end of school and then Graduation coming up this week end. That’s great. I can't believe it’s already that time of the year. I remember not too long ago coming home from University and Colin having to go back to school to start his senior year. It’s been an interesting year.
I wish I could be there for Colin's graduation but I know it will go well all the same. Congrats Colin on the hard work and the dedication. It’s definitely a good feeling to have it completed after you walk across the stage. It’s crazy to think b/f the end of the month you'll be at the university holding down the fort. That'll be fun. Enjoy you'll last couple of days of school but of course don't have too much fun… lol. Tell grandma and grandpa hi for me.
The ginger beers here are amazing. They're one of my new favorite drinks here. There is a video store where you can get American lolies and drinks so were going to go over there after this and get some stuff. Its way over priced but still… Elder Munyard hasn't ever had a pop tart so he is going to get some of those and some hot tamales. I'll prolly get a couple of DP's but they cost like $2.80 so they aren't cheap… lol. All is good though. If I could, I’d send you a couple of ginger beers. Maybe one day you'll get to try a couple.
Things have been going good here. My bike keeps falling apart though… lol. This week I was going up a hill shifting gears when my chain lock and then snapped my shimano gear system in half so that’s what I'll be repairing today since the bike shop in town does not have a bike mechanic now. It'll be fun. The senior couple is really getting frustrated b/c they just can't find anyone to teach or even visit. Elder Rhodes has been having a whinge about not having a dermal tool...or basically like a little hand held sander. Which he uses to "cut" or in reality to sand done his toe nails. He tells us about these things and how he can't get one that isn't expensive. All I can think is that is just nasty. TMI! Needless to say he didn't opt for the toe nail clippers but he bought some 40 grain/80 grain sand paper squares. Good times though.
It has been cooler here in the last week in the mornings it’s been down to 4 degrees C (39o F) so a little chilly. It warms up into the Mid-20's (high 60os F) in the afternoon so it very bearable so far. We've given up on the football and so we're back to doing exercise in the flat, fun times.
A little about Mt. Isa, it is very much a working town up here and even for the people that don’t work in the mines, they generally say that they'd rather just be working, because they just get bored out of their minds otherwise. It’s kind of that same way back home I reckon but not as extreme of course.
Other than that not much happening, I have everything I need. Gratz Colin on you graduation from seminary, high school and swim. Keep working hard and make the most of your time. Have fun. Miss yous heaps. Thanks for the emails and the uplifting word. I'll talk to you next week and hopefully get that package sent out as well. Love you, Cheers.
Elder Hatch
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Week May 23 - Happy B-day Grandpa Guttery
Hey,
It’s been a good week for the most part. The bikes have been playing up at various times during the week which has been an irritation but that’s what happens when you ride them literally everyday all day. Last week it was a hole in the green slim and this week it was one of the petals that got gunked up, stopped spinning properly and then stripped out the petal crank. I didn't ever think I'd learn so much about bikes but you got to do what you go to do. Other than that not much is going on besides the usual crazy things that happen here and there. We actually have progressing investigator now which is excited to say the least. We're keeping our fingers crossed. She's good.
We were actually tracting Saturday when one of the people that answered the door told us the world was going to end later that day. We had a good laugh about that and went on our way. Later that night when we went to a member’s house for dinner we told them about it and they found out that indeed some radio host in the States had predicted the world to end at 6pm that day but by that time it had passed and sadly no end...lol. All good fun. We had several people question us about that, ironically. I'll just say it now far in advance of the actually day and time. I am glad that I won’t be on my mission when the world is "supposed" to end in 2012. That would definitely make things interesting as far as missionary work goes. I'm sure we'll get a lot more of that to come.
Church on Sunday was good. We had like 40 people there which was amazing. Our very small chapel was full and it was just great. We even had like 14 people in priesthood. It’s interesting being in a small little branch like this. I enjoy it a lot. The people here are really amazing to say the least.
Other than that I don’t have much. The weather is still nice; it is in the 20C so it’s very nice. We've been throwing a gridiron ball in the morning and that has been fun. Funny thing when we went to buy it they had all the sport balls on display and when we ask to have to gridiron ball the shop worker gave us the one on display. We bought and now have the only gridiron ball in Mt. Isa. Ha Ha.
As far as sports go, "State of Origin" begins this Wednesday. It’s a big series of rugby games between the state of Queensland (the maroons) and the state of New South Wales (The Blues). If interested you can check it out and see what the craze is. Rugby is "choice" here in this part of the world. It’s basically what Gridiron (football) is in the states. Take a look at that and see if you can figure out how it’s played. It’s interesting and a lot of fun. Good stuff. Needless to say we will not be contacting people in their homes when that is going on. It’s kind of like the thing to watch. lol. It'll be fun and of course Queensland will hopefully win (as always).
Keep working hard Colin. Have fun and enjoy the rest of the school year. Go to graduation. It'll be worth it.
TTYL
GO BLUE!
It’s been a good week for the most part. The bikes have been playing up at various times during the week which has been an irritation but that’s what happens when you ride them literally everyday all day. Last week it was a hole in the green slim and this week it was one of the petals that got gunked up, stopped spinning properly and then stripped out the petal crank. I didn't ever think I'd learn so much about bikes but you got to do what you go to do. Other than that not much is going on besides the usual crazy things that happen here and there. We actually have progressing investigator now which is excited to say the least. We're keeping our fingers crossed. She's good.
We were actually tracting Saturday when one of the people that answered the door told us the world was going to end later that day. We had a good laugh about that and went on our way. Later that night when we went to a member’s house for dinner we told them about it and they found out that indeed some radio host in the States had predicted the world to end at 6pm that day but by that time it had passed and sadly no end...lol. All good fun. We had several people question us about that, ironically. I'll just say it now far in advance of the actually day and time. I am glad that I won’t be on my mission when the world is "supposed" to end in 2012. That would definitely make things interesting as far as missionary work goes. I'm sure we'll get a lot more of that to come.
Church on Sunday was good. We had like 40 people there which was amazing. Our very small chapel was full and it was just great. We even had like 14 people in priesthood. It’s interesting being in a small little branch like this. I enjoy it a lot. The people here are really amazing to say the least.
Other than that I don’t have much. The weather is still nice; it is in the 20C so it’s very nice. We've been throwing a gridiron ball in the morning and that has been fun. Funny thing when we went to buy it they had all the sport balls on display and when we ask to have to gridiron ball the shop worker gave us the one on display. We bought and now have the only gridiron ball in Mt. Isa. Ha Ha.
As far as sports go, "State of Origin" begins this Wednesday. It’s a big series of rugby games between the state of Queensland (the maroons) and the state of New South Wales (The Blues). If interested you can check it out and see what the craze is. Rugby is "choice" here in this part of the world. It’s basically what Gridiron (football) is in the states. Take a look at that and see if you can figure out how it’s played. It’s interesting and a lot of fun. Good stuff. Needless to say we will not be contacting people in their homes when that is going on. It’s kind of like the thing to watch. lol. It'll be fun and of course Queensland will hopefully win (as always).
Keep working hard Colin. Have fun and enjoy the rest of the school year. Go to graduation. It'll be worth it.
TTYL
GO BLUE!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Week May 16th
Hey,
It’s good to hear from you, it sounds like things are going well. Today I've finished copying all of the pictures I've taken over the last 6 months to a CD-R. I hopefully will get that sent out later today or tomorrow with this or that included with it. I'll send some Aussie biscuits and hopefully some other things.
Things are going well here. Last Saturday we had a Branch building clean-up activity which, as you know, I really enjoyed. The Meeting House/Chapel is built into the side of a hill and it has a drainage ditch that catches water run-off from the hill. Over time it gets filled with dirt and so we were shoveling the dirt out of the ditch which was a really good time. I got to work with the funeral home director. He has had a colorful past and among many things, has really gotten into finance. I had him tell me about managing finances, saving, stocks and what not. It was really interesting. That’s going to be one of my goal when I get home...to learn more about saving and handling my finances. Good stuff though and a lot of fun.
It is tourist season, as the locals say, and there are lot of new people moving into town so it’s not really the best time to be looking for new places. It'll probably be a while until they find the place that they (the Mission office) wants (new flat for missionaries). I'll let you know if things change. I told you a little bit about the seniors (missionary couple) but in regard to their work they, sadly, don't have much to do. We've given them a couple of people to try to see but most of the time those people just don't want contact and will cancel appointments. It’s sad I don't know how it is in other missions but it kind of sounds like a temple mission would keep them busier but IDK. It is a difficult situation. It’s good though to have them here just to have a solid priesthood holder and member of the branch Presidency.
To keep ourselves entertained we're doing several things over the course of the next couple of weeks. Elder Munyard wants to learn how to throw a Gridiron ball (Aussie)= Football (American) so we're going to get one today and then throw it in the mornings for exercise. He can run so it has made exercise harder.
We're killing roaches, cane toads and monster roaches and tallying them, again this transfer Last transfer we killed 100 roaches combined and about 15 cane toads.
Finally we're starting to barbecue regularly and we'll be sampling the famous Bunderburg fizzy drinks as a complement to our grilled/burnt meals. Our goal is to go through 50 fizzies in the next 6 weeks. Needless to say, we might be putting on some kilo's.
Other than that not much else going on. We are teaching less but hopefully we'll be finding some new people this week and have some more lessons. It'll be good though. Thanks for everything and for the emails. I really appreciate them. Love you and good luck this coming week.
Elder Hatch
It’s good to hear from you, it sounds like things are going well. Today I've finished copying all of the pictures I've taken over the last 6 months to a CD-R. I hopefully will get that sent out later today or tomorrow with this or that included with it. I'll send some Aussie biscuits and hopefully some other things.
Things are going well here. Last Saturday we had a Branch building clean-up activity which, as you know, I really enjoyed. The Meeting House/Chapel is built into the side of a hill and it has a drainage ditch that catches water run-off from the hill. Over time it gets filled with dirt and so we were shoveling the dirt out of the ditch which was a really good time. I got to work with the funeral home director. He has had a colorful past and among many things, has really gotten into finance. I had him tell me about managing finances, saving, stocks and what not. It was really interesting. That’s going to be one of my goal when I get home...to learn more about saving and handling my finances. Good stuff though and a lot of fun.
It is tourist season, as the locals say, and there are lot of new people moving into town so it’s not really the best time to be looking for new places. It'll probably be a while until they find the place that they (the Mission office) wants (new flat for missionaries). I'll let you know if things change. I told you a little bit about the seniors (missionary couple) but in regard to their work they, sadly, don't have much to do. We've given them a couple of people to try to see but most of the time those people just don't want contact and will cancel appointments. It’s sad I don't know how it is in other missions but it kind of sounds like a temple mission would keep them busier but IDK. It is a difficult situation. It’s good though to have them here just to have a solid priesthood holder and member of the branch Presidency.
To keep ourselves entertained we're doing several things over the course of the next couple of weeks. Elder Munyard wants to learn how to throw a Gridiron ball (Aussie)= Football (American) so we're going to get one today and then throw it in the mornings for exercise. He can run so it has made exercise harder.
We're killing roaches, cane toads and monster roaches and tallying them, again this transfer Last transfer we killed 100 roaches combined and about 15 cane toads.
Finally we're starting to barbecue regularly and we'll be sampling the famous Bunderburg fizzy drinks as a complement to our grilled/burnt meals. Our goal is to go through 50 fizzies in the next 6 weeks. Needless to say, we might be putting on some kilo's.
Other than that not much else going on. We are teaching less but hopefully we'll be finding some new people this week and have some more lessons. It'll be good though. Thanks for everything and for the emails. I really appreciate them. Love you and good luck this coming week.
Elder Hatch
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