A Marvelous Week and a Wonder Part 2

Our marvelous week continued Friday March 28 with our arrival in Adelaide. The kids were great on the plane. There was an extra seat by Elder Shumway and me, so Keely spent much of the flight with us. Here are some highlights of the next four days. For further details and highlights, go to Shawn and Lisa's blog link.

Somehow Keely and Ben were able to get their parents and grandparents to the temple on time. During the sealing Keely was a perfect little lady, while Benjamin reminded everyone of his baby blessing wherein he was told he would be humble and powerful. We are still waiting for the humble part!
Ben’s becoming part of our family and his sealing in the temple were the culmination of a string of miracles that testify over and over of God’s tender mercies in our lives. It was such a memorable experience to be able share with everyone in the sealing room together. It makes us so very grateful to know that families can, indeed, be together forever.

A wonderful young woman and convert baptized by Elder Collet one year ago, Tanya Wells worked hard to ready so she could get her endowments when we came to Adelaide. Saturday morning, before Ben’s sealing, we were privileged to accompany her in the temple. She is such a wonderful example of a good member of the church: eagerly learning, quickly to progressing, and enthusiastically spreading the Gospel. She came with us to Ben’s sealing afterward.

There were lots of adventures, stories, and swinging on the porch swing with Keely and Ben.

Saturday we were all off with Keely and Benjamin to the Beach House Amusement Park.

Keely found a face painter and became a baby kangaroo. Ben thoroughly enjoyed the transformation.

We found our way out the door and to the beach. It was too cold for swimming, but there was plenty to do digging holes, building sand castles, chasing waves and seagulls, collecting shells, walking down the peer, and watching Ben ride on Grandpa’s shoulders.

We enjoyed dinner at Elder and Sister Smith’s the first night there. Most of the other evenings were spent playing Scrabble. Sister Shumway was a miserable failure and wanted to bow out for the following nights. Shawn courageously took her on as his partner, but found that bad luck and letters followed her. Everyone was content to let her sit at the table and work on her computer thereafter.

Monday night we enjoyed a heart warming family home evening together and the next morning, we were off. Keely came along even though it was early. She insisted on wearing the shell necklace she and Grandma Shumway made together. We had a wonderful conversation all the way to the airport.
This week will remain permanently etched in our all hearts and minds. Thanks so much to Lisa and Shawn for the sacrifices they made to get the whole family here and to President and Sister Quinn for their gracious hospitality and the amazing dinners at home as well as their favorite Thai restaurant.
It was hard to say good-bye, but we are thrilled to be here doing what we know the Lord wants us to do. More importantly, it makes us so aware of the importance of blessing we all can earn of never having to say good-bye forever. Our families can be together forever.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Arah DeVar and Arah Debra! We love you both so much and wish you another great year. I still remember how we had it in our minds from the beginning, Arah would be born on DeVar's birthday, and so she was! Here you are together on your birthdays. We are so grateful for you both and the lives you have led.
P.S. DeVar got a nice present from his grandson Kevin, today. He just got his mission call to Leeds, England.

A Marvelous Week and a Wonder

This was a glorious week, one we will always remember. On Monday, Lisa, Shawn, Keely and Benjamin flew into Alice Springs with President and Sister Quinn and the Assistants for “Zone” Conference. What a thrill it was to see them. Keely ran up and gave me (Sister Shumway) a hug and kiss and I was choked up. We were so happy to be able to enjoy the long awaited arrival.



























Monday afternoon, Elder Collet brought over a real live kangaroo that was gentle as a kitten. Keely and Ben got to play with the “Joey” for a little while. Fortunately, it survived Ben’s adoration. Keely loved it. Ben always definitely has a plan. Now that he can walk, he explores everywhere he goes. He went exploring with Grandpa.


























That night we went to Dinner and a Show, where we enjoyed Aboriginal culture and some of the local food. One minute we were petting a Kangaroo, and the next minute we were eating its dad. (Only in Australia!). Elder Shumway did an impressive job of playing a didgeridoo.









Tuesday was District Conference and Lisa and Shawn gave inspirational talks that made a huge impression on all of us. President and Sister Quinn blessed us with their wisdom and spirit as well. The Assistants gave us great advice and food for thought. We all went away uplifted.
That afternoon basketball was on the agenda with Shawn and all the Elders, along with members of the community. Elder Shumway was allowed into the game long enough to commit a few fouls, but before he destroyed the Church’s public relations he was invited to leave for another “pressing engagement”. That night we all put on a special dinner for Alison and Chris, some investigators the Elders have been working with. Everything went great.


Wednesday morning we went to Desert Park, after which President Quinn and his wife flew off for Darwin to catch up with the Assistants, who had left earlier. Ben was thrilled with yet another place to explore walking, in a stroller, or on a grandpa’s shoulders. Keely has a most inquisitive mind and kept busy seeing everything she could. The weather was perfect and so was the morning.













Here is the other acceptable way for Ben to explore, on the shoulders of a cooperative grandpa.

Wednesday night we threw together a pizza party for Mark and Karen, and Yvonne and her son James. We loved getting a chance for them to get to know our family. Yvonne, one of our investigators, struck up an immediate friendship with Shawn, Lisa, Mark and Karen. And Keely and Ben got along great with James. They entertained each other all night (with some help from Elder Brons and Elder Shumway.) Yvonne seemed to really enjoy herself, as did Mark and Karen. Mark (our branches newest member) ended up being the pizza chef, and a good one he was!











The Reptile Museum was the first thing on the agenda Thursday. Keely and the rest of us got to experience lots of the local animal life. The snake Keely never got to hold, but did get to pet, kept looking at her as if she was just the right size for his monthly meal.
Like mother, like daughter, like granddaughter. We all love the creepy crawlies.




















Early Thursday afternoon, Shawn and Keely came with us to meet and teach some investigators. Shawn shared a beautiful testimony as he taught and Keely really added to the spirit by her perfect behavior. Later that afternoon the men played racket ball and yes, Elder Collet beat Elder Shumway 15 to 13. Elder Collet was truly thrilled and has vowed never to play Elder Shumway again. Justifiably feels he can now return home honorably. (Since then, he has consented to bowling and pool, but lost to Elder Shumway. Later they golfed with Mark and even though it was his first time, Elder Collet had a respectable showing, almost beating Elder Shumway.)
Karen came over after racket ball and Shawn and Lisa had a chance to get to know them a little better. Lisa and Shawn were very impressed with Mark and Karen, (as are we all). Mark was just baptized and Karen joined the Church when she was sixteen. They are an amazing couple who have come through life strong, wise, determined and madly in love, after the many the trials they have faced.

Thursday late afternoon we went to the park. Ben was thrilled to get yet another opportunity to explore and Keely got to play on park equipment that was a little different that she had in the U.S. We topped the evening off at McDonald's. (They're everywhere.)

























Friday morning we were off to Adelaide. We felt sad for the Elders we left behind. Lisa and Shawn and Keely were already quite attached.
(All it takes for Sister Shumway to fly well is a few drugs and a two gallon container of water. She spends a lot of time going up and down the aisle. Could someone please give her a clue?)

Adelaide is a whirl of great meals, great company and spiritual experiences. That will be the topic of the next blog.

A Mission Conference to Cherish

(Click on image to enlarge.)

After some serious effort on the part of the Mission Office and President Quinn, arrangements were made for the entire mission to be in Adelaide for a Mission Conference with the Apostle, Elder David H. Bednar. It was a glorious experience to sit in his presence, listen to his magnificent admonitions and wisdom, and let the spirit teach us. Later that evening, we attended a fireside where he and his wife spoke again. Both times those attending were given the privilege of asking questions and receiving answers from him and sometimes, his wife.

One of the subjects that struck me powerfully was his explanation of faith and how we use and strengthen it. Faith is action, and fear is inaction. He used the analogy of being directed by the Lord to step out of a beam of light. We want the light to move first, but it is after the trial that our faith comes. Since the light moves with us, we must first take the step. Hence, first it is hoped for, then it is seen. Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” When we take the steps and have the light move with us, our faith is strengthened. He ended both meetings with great apostolic blessings for this mission and we are already seeing some effects. We will be forever thankful to those who made it possible for all the Adelaide Australia Mission (including outlying areas) to have this once in a lifetime spiritual experience.

Mark's Baptism

The Alice District Missionaries were thrilled with the baptism of Mark Bournes on March 22. We met him and his wife, Karen, in December, and quickly grew to respect and love them. We with the Elders, have all enjoyed good times, lessons, dinners together. Karen joined the Church when she was sixteen. They are both so determined and diligent about making important changes in their lives. Their progress has been exciting for us and the Elders to watch. They already had a wonderful marriage and now they are united in the Gospel. It was a spiritual baptismal service with great support from the branch. Mark received a wonderful blessing in his confirmation. Mark and Karen (Brother and Sister Bournes) are great additions to the Church. They have recently made job changes that will make it possible to attend church regularly. We are looking forward to being lifelong friends and give thanks to both of them for the privilege of being part of this baptism.