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.

Happy Easter

You asked for it, you got it.



Love you guys,
Arah

Joey

Some of our Aboriginal members are raising an orphaned kangaroo. They’ve had it for four days. It's as friendly as a little kitten or puppy. It is so cute and cuddly and lives on milk and grass. When it goes to sleep, it crawls face first under a blanket. When it gets bigger they will probably give it to Desert Park. My grand kids need to see this. So here it is. You can click on the pictures for a close-up.

Driving Miss Daisy

Sister Shumway is continuing to direct me when I am driving on the correct side of the road, and goes into a near state of panic every time we turn a corner and she sees cars coming towards us on the right. Of course she still has not been willing to drive out here. Confidentially, I feel she should receive a medal from the Australian Government for the number of lives she has saved. It may be true: You can’t teach an old ___ to do new tricks.

With that being said, I need to let it be known that she has been wonderful to have as a companion. It is amazing how much we are learning from President & Sister Quinn, and the Elders who have been working with us. Right now, we are a little concerned because this weekend is transfers and we would hate to lose any of the Elders from this District. But we know it will happen sometime and we will be happy to work with whomever the Lord decides. We know that we are in the right place, doing the right things, and we are very happy. Every “Senior Couple” that has the health and testimony to serve a mission really should take advantage of the great opportunity.

Sister Shumway is going to put a few pictures up for everyone to see, in the near future. Please don’t be too shocked at how white her hair has been turned by my driving. And by the way...everytime I ask her why she hasn't driven in almost 4 months, she politely smiles and says "I choose life!"

P.S. From Sister Shumway: I never panicked. Why, I even remained perfectly calm when passengers, who were riding with us, politely told Elder Shumway, he was on the wrong side of the road. We’re enjoying giving literacy lessons and gospel lessons to several people and they are progressing well.

Thought of the week: “Happiness in family life is most likely achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance and forgiveness, respect, love, compassion and wholesome recreational activities,” Ensign, November 1995, page 102.