Our Missionary & a Snow Day!

This past week has been quietly industrious!  We are well into a daily routine which starts with the alarm going off at 5.00am, waiting for about 5-10 minutes then going and nudging Sarah who is usually in 'snooze' mode.  She gets picked up for Seminary at 5.45am which starts at 6.00am at the chapel for 50mins.  From Seminary, she goes straight to school which is not far from the chapel.  Except on Thursdays, where lessons at Columbine start 1 hour later due to staff meeting.  The class schedules are the same every day, and on Thursday they are shortened by a few minutes to compensate for the late start.  So on Thursday, Sarah's 'roll and go' day, I pick Sarah up and she comes home to get ready for school, then I take her. Tom on the other hand has a 'free' for the first period of the day, so doesn't start school until 8.00am, so not only is he enjoying 5 electives at school, he gets to sleep in until 7.00!! So I usually get quite a bit done between 6 and 7.30 when I drop Rick at school then take Tom.  On Thursdays, Tom has been taking the car so a bit less running around back and forth that day.   So here I am, the taxi mum again.  I find, that although the early hours are hard to get up, they are quiet and  I can get the 'essentials' done in peace! Last week I even painted a whole painting in this time!!  It feels strange that the school year in Adelaide has just begun without us, and it has started with a heat wave again.

I have spent the past few days since my last painting class, pretty much painting!  It's been like a book you can't put down!  On Wednesday, Chuck introduced us to 'Yupo' paper which is a stiff waxy paper.  Its like painting on plastic where the watercolours sit or pool together, with a mind of its own.  The paper becomes the palette and with a wide, very wet brush, you mix the colours in a direction that you can hopefully make something out of, sweeping strokes vertically to use for trees, rocks or such and horizontally to form pathways, horizons etc.  Adding more colour to areas of your imagination. Then blotting the colour with a tissue to lift the paint from the paper, to form effects like water spray, or clouds.  Spritzing dry areas with water and allowing the water to puddle or run to soften edges and give texture.  Removing paint altogether with a wipe of the tissue and adding colour to insert a 'waterfall'..  At first, when we were told to go away and do it, it was like a rabbit looking into a head light!  Most of us were 'right, sure!'  But being brave and starting, was the hardest.  The best part about 'Yupo' is that if you don't like it, the whole thing can be wiped off like a whiteboard!!  I did this once, it was very satisfying!! The other trick is not to overdo it.  I have had alot of fun this week and have now done three 'Yupo' paintings, which I am looking forward to showing Chuck tomorrow.  I have made an album on FaceBook for my paintings, which I know some have seen, so was contemplating just showing them there, but there are some friends and family who are not on Facebook, so bear with me, and here are my efforts this week: Rocks & Waterfall study

I have also had this great desire to try portraiture with watercolour.  I actually have a children's story that has been buzzing in my head for a few years that I would like to illustrate.  So here is the first of my practise runs.  It comes from a photo of my granddaughter Chloe as she was having a quiet moment discovering the sultana grapes in my garden in Adelaide about this time last year.  I like some aspects of this painting, but still have a lot of work to do with perspective and proportion and not being afraid to paint skin and especially a face. 

Hopefully, this is not too tedious to read, but this has been the bulk of my past few days, completely absorbed in paint!!

During the week we decided that we simply could not miss out on going to our nephew Ben Crosley's wedding in the Salt Lake Temple this coming Thursday.  So to cut a long story, Tom flew over to Utah on Friday and was met by our son Michael.  They found a backpackers place to stay not far from Temple Square and hired a car.  That process is so much easier now Mike is 25!  They have now moved to a house that is available for the Crosley's and us to use.  From our short conversations and Facebook feeds, we can see they are have quite the time in Utah!! We are driving over on Wednesday after school via the I-70 cutting through the Rocky's. It's great the boys can spend this time together and we look forward to Michael coming back with us on Saturday in time for Tom & Sarah to go to the Winter Formal!'

We didn't end up going snow-shoeing which was a lost opportunity, but I'm sure we will get to try it another time, the snow will be here for a while we are told!



Yesterday was a day of significance as Elder Jonathon Bennallack and three other missionaries left the MTC in Provo and flew to Toulouse, France.  En route, while he had a 3 hour lay over in Minneappolis, Jonny called me and we spoke for about 50 minutes!  He then called his Dad and brothers.  Unfortunately Rick missed his call but the boys were excited to chat with him for about half an hour.  He sounds really good.  He has had some very choice experiences in the MTC and is feeling very ready to arrive in his own area and begin work!  During this last week, the French 'boys' met the Governor of Utah and the French Consulate General who were both special guests at one of their meetings.  Jonny said they were very impressed at how much they knew in 8 weeks.  The only disappointing thing was his companion needed to return to England and did not travel at this time with them.  Jonathon tells me there are 3 Missions in France, and in July when his Mission President goes home, the other two will be combining and his mission will be called the France Lyons Mission.  It was a wonderful experience talking to him.  This child of mine who is now a man on a mission! I feel such a warmth and comfort knowing he is where he should be.  I admire the diligence that he has applied in learning the French language in such a short time, and the great desire he has to serve. 


All five at the Adelaide Temple -  27 Nov 10  (Tom are you on tippy-toes?)



At the Adelaide Temple

Jonathon with Nana, when he was 'set apart' as a missionary.

To those who may be reading this that don't know much about our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, our young men choose to serve the Lord for 24 months.  They apply, and wait to see where in the world they are needed and are called to serve.  They support themselves financially and leave behind everything but one suitcase.  They have no mobile phone, or anything technical, no music, no Facebook, YouTube or such.  They are completely focussed on the work at hand which is to share the message that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth in it's fullness, that we lived with our Father in Heaven before we came to this earth, and through the Atonement of the Saviour Jesus Christ, we will be able to return to live with him again with our families as we now do.  We are sometimes known as Mormon's.  Mormon is an ancient prophet from the Book of Mormon, which is a record of the people who anciently occupied the Americas just as the Bible is a record of those who lived in Israel.  The doctrines are simple and beautiful and I know for myself they are true.  I love it, and am so happy that Jonathon does too.  I will miss his company and his keen sense of humour, but I have this great love for him and like Hannah in the Old Testament, have handed him over to the Lord for 2 years to be in His service.  I look forward to hearing about his experiences as he is able to email us once a week.  Safe travels Jonny!

Bye Elder! At Adelaide Airport 29 Nov 10

Bye Uncle Jonny!

We have just now, recieved a phone call from the Mission President's secretary, to say Elder Bennallack has arrived safely and is now at the Mission Presidents home.  He has been out briefly with another missionary contacting, and doesn't seem to be too tired!!  This is lovely news. We now wait to hear where is going to, and what day his 'preparation day' is, as to when we will hear from him again with his news!

Yesterday, a huge cold system has gripped most of the US.  We caught the edge of it, but the eastern states are most affected with huge snow expected.  I was glad Jonny travelled in the afternoon, he should have missed most of it. 

Just arrived!  Elder Bennallack with President & Sister Carter of the France, Toulouse Mission. 

It started snowing softly, yesterday about 9am.  Quiet flurries of snow drifting down like little feathers.  By the afternoon is was getting quite heavy, and by the time Sarah came in from school around 3.15 the temp had dropped from the mid 40's (10C) to 7F (-14C).  Due to the cold snap, a 'Snow Day' was declared for today for most of the Denver school districts.  So both Rick & Sarah are home today!  Last night on the TV, there were warnings about the chill factor.  Last night it was -12F (-30ish C) Warnings were for frostbite occurring after being in the weather for 5 minutes and what signs to look out for.  This is such a contrast to Adelaide, which has been experiencing high temps of 42C and 43C (109F) and sunburn UV alerts!! 

It was so nice to chat to Karlie (and Chloe) on the phone last night.  We have a mobile that can call landlines very cheaply, but the reception is not always clear and often there is a second delay.. but it was so good to chat, and an hour went very quickly!!

The snow has settled in.  The temperatures have dropped dramatically (-12C). Thank goodness for central heating!!

Rick shovelling snow, even though it's still snowing, to avoid the base layer of ice, joined by our neighbour!  There is a ball hanging on a string right in the line of vision.  This we use to guide our car into the garage as we get used to driving on the opposite side -  I find this extremely helpful in my judgement!!

This morning we awoke to a really beautiful white world, with the sun shining.  It is very cold, but very beautiful..

I have a dress to modify for the Winter Formal, and packing for Utah to do so we can get away quickly tomorrow.  Hopefully, the pass through the mountains will be open and we will be able to get through ok.  Another adventure, I'm really looking forward to seeing Temple Square!