A Farewell in a Snow Storm

Elder J Bennallack near his apartment in Saint-Etienne, France

Before I commence the tale of the past few days, I need to include this photo of my second son Elder Jonathon Bennallack.  It shows him in his new area in the city of Saint-Etienne, rugged up against the cold! This past week he has been able to travel by train to Lyon and to Geneva, Switzerland for exchanges and meetings.  He is certainly getting to see a great deal of France and is enjoying the challenges of a new area.  Also, finally he received our package containing a new pair of shoes.  These took two months to get to him, but fortunately, at the same time, he also received a birthday package which surprised him.  He is 21 this weekend.  Happy 21st Birthday Jonathon!! 


Following our busy Cheerleading day with Sarah, Sunday was upon us which was the last Sunday for Tom here in Denver.  In the evening, we held an 'Open House' at our friends the Hansen's.  Kelland and Tom have become quite inseparable over theses past few months, and we usually see Kelland on a daily basis!  Many of the people from our ward came to wish Tom the best as he departs on his mission.  We have really grown to love these good friends of ours, and I am not looking forward to saying our final goodbyes in about 7 weeks..  We took many photos, but here a just a few:




Suzie O'Connor, Cindy Johnson, Sarah & Kelsie

 

Bro. John Cutler & Tom



The Ballard's: Michelle & Matt with Rachel & Brayden




The Prueitt family: Jesse, Karen & Roger





Kelland, Tom & Conlan!!

 

The Harvey's: Rick, Crista, Nathan, Erica & Kaitlyn

Joanna & Mike Moody with Tom (holding Keely)



The Mercer family with Tom



DeAnne & Bishop Smith

Michelle with Linda Hansen who kindly opened her home for us!

We have been so blessed to have the love and support of these people, and many others not pictured,from the Clement Park Ward, Denver Columbine Stake.

The following two days were spent trying to finalise last errands and fit the contents on the dining table into the suitcases!  A challenging task, as there were many extra items not on the 'list' but which were deemed necessary to take back to Australia.  I estimated at least 8 kilos of American condiments and luxuries!! (I think we might be facing a similar challenge in a few weeks!)

Wednesday was departure day, but with it came two cold fronts, one from the north in Wyoming and the other from the south that met somewhere over the mountains and Denver producing about 6-10 inches of snow!  We awoke when it was still dark to a thick layer of snow.  Gone are the golden leaves, instead the branches looked like they had been covered in thick blobs of heavy, white royal icing!!  Snow really transforms everything.  It really is very pretty.  However on Wednesday, the whole day remained grey and dull and very cold.  We were able to get to DIA (Denver Int Airport) in good time and before long we had to part ways with our third missionary son!  The feelings this brings are difficult to describe and tears flowed.  Tears because we will miss him dreadfully, but also tears because we are so proud of him and this huge commitment, which in turn brings joy and peace.  A complete oxymoron, but it has to be experienced to be completely understood.  We love you deeply Elder Tom Bennallack and wish you God's Speed and all the very best for this next phase in your life.



Bye Tom.. we will miss you, work hard and we'll be seeing you!



 
These past couple of days have felt rather quiet and empty.  Sarah feels Tom's absence acutely, but we are doing our best to keep busy.  And with having two days off school this week, Sarah is 'snowed' under!! (excuse the pun!)

Speaking of snow, I have a few pics to illlustrate the transformation.  Yesterday, the storm completely cleared to bring blue, clear skies but also a chilling cold. 

We awoke to -8C, -20F and it was only about 6C late afternoon as Sarah was cheering at the Freshman football game at Columbine.  Consequently, some coughs have returned.. (The football field was cleared of snow for the game, but it was a bitter 3 hours.. The girls are really layered up here!)

 The pic on the left is the view from our front door.  The colours of the leaves are just wonderful.  It has been a really beautiful 'Fall' in Litteton, Denver Colorado.  The pic on the right is where we live.  The 'red' tree is right outside Tom's room.  It's amazing to look out his window through these leaves.

This is what Wednesday looked like for most of the day! And by Thursday, there were no pretty red leaves left!  I guess that makes raking just one big job instead of a constant one!  The snow that fell was very wet and heavy, making branches really bow down under the weight, and snapping the roses.  We lost a couple of branches from a tree near our back door, and indeed this was a problem throughout the city causing some power outages.  We also heard later in the news, that over 50 flights had been cancelled due to the snow..

Tom, meanwhile was met at the Salt Lake Airport by his cousin Ben who helped him exchange shoes at 'Mr Mac' and delivered him to the MTC.  Many thanks Ben, who also sent a couple of pics!!



Elder Thomas Bennallack with his cousin Ben Crosley.
Looking good boys!  We can see it's not snowing in Utah!!



It has been quite a week.  And so begins the next chapter..

Our American Cheerleader!



Me and our Cheerleader!





The past fortnight has passed very quickly.  Each day has presented it's own various tasks to complete and slowly, but steadily they have all been accomplished.

Our time has mostly been spent following the regular routine of school and work.  However the task of preparing a missionary has remained in the forefront.  Tom and I have spent alot of time together.  We have shopped, cooked, completed errands, had lunch out and have attended the Temple.  These will remain with me cherished memories of quality time with this third son of mine.

Rewarding ourselves with some mexican lunch after finding the last item -  a good coat!!
 (I will never think of mexican food the same again.  This is incredibly amazing!)

The pile on the dining table that was the result of the 'missionary list' grew, became stable and slowly declined as articles were made ready for the promotion to the suitcase!  I have hemmed and labelled everything in sight until we have been satisfied that all is in readiness.  This has been a great time of anticipation for Tom and a little hesitation for the rest of us as we realise that 'these are days never to be forgotten', and that change is imminent, however good that might be..

We were able to go out to dinner with the Mercer family to celebrate Paige's seventh birthday and as a last 'hurrah' for Tom!  We went to Casa Bonita, a mexican restaurant which is set up to imitate a mexican village.  There was entertainment as well as good food and company.  A lovely evening we will remember! Thank you Mercer family and Happy Birthday Paige!

The Casa Bonita -  a true Denver experience!

The Mercer family: Brooke, Kelsie, Jeff, Donna
Dillon, Caden & Paige (the birthday girl!)



Now to divert, I want to focus attention on my youngest child.  My Sarah who is busy as busy can be with school, home seminary and most especially as a Junior Varsity Cheerleader.  Who would have thought one of my daughters would be an American Cheerleader!

Sarah in the back row.  The JV Cheer team commands the third quarter of the Varsity games!



Sarah is a 'baser' which means she lifts the 'flyers'.  This task caused her initial concern in case they dropped the girl flying, but the girls work well as a team and have built up their personal strength admirably.  I was at tumbling one evening observing, and watched as Sarah performed a regular handstand, then another girl steadied her ankle as she commenced doing some pushups!!  Whoah! This is serious fitness and strength.  Cheerleading is a glamorous looking sport but it is actually very gruelling, requiring great commitment and physical strength.

Sarah as a 'baser' at an afternoon Soccer game at Columbine HS.

September, October and November is a busy time in the calendar of a High School Cheerleader. Not only are there early morning practices and a weekly tumbling session, there are football, soccer and volleyball games to cheer at.  This involves all of the JV games and some of the Varisity games. This also means the wearing of the cheerleading uniform to school in support of 'game days'.  There are a few uniform options, casual warm ups to three different performance outfits.  There is the coordinating of how the combination of the uniform is worn, including hair. This is usually decided by coach, for example, bangs(fringe) in a 'poof' and high ponytail with pink ribbon.  Wearing the cheer uniform also means glitter, and lots of it!  First gloss is applied to the cheeks and eye area, followed by the application of glitter! Lots of sparkle and bling! 



This is America!
 (The game lasts 3 hours and is televised on Root Sports!)



Columbine Rebels  (Sarah is right in the middle of the group..)

This month also brought the first of a series of six competitions.  The first happened at Eaglecrest High School last Saturday for the 'Kickoff Classic' followed by cheering at the JV Football game back at Columbine HS.  A busy day, but a memorable one. If any one has seen at all the 'Bring it On' Movies, it is so like it!! I was so impressed at the skill level of these junior cheerleaders.   In Sarah's division there were eight other teams.  At the end of the competition, Columbine JV Cheer Team came in a commendable fourth position, with using only limited skill levels due to team absences.  Well done girls, this was really exciting to watch and they will only improve as the weeks go on.

The competition routine. Sarah starts off crouching on the far left.

 (Note the 3 'spotters' at the back in case of falls)

 I have to insert here, that Sarah, who is now obviously taller than me, can now do a back handspring flip confidently!  I am more than impressed with this dedication to learn these physical feats, having never participated in gymnastics or the like before.  In the coming weeks, she will also be included in the tumbling during competition.. (I feel nervous thinking about that!)  Good work Sarah!!

Autumn Aspens, General Conference & Counting Down!





For the first day of October, Rick & I escaped into the mountains.  Estes Park initially, and then drove through Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was the perfect weekend to do this drive, as the mountainsides were awash with the yellow from Aspen trees.  I'm sure there were others trees too, but the Aspens are so prominant, and when the sun catches their leaves, they become flourescent!  So many shades of yellow! 

We drove to Bear Lake which was at a 'dead end' and were fortunate to be able to park and walk.  There were so many other people also sightseeing, that the traffic was very busy, and attendants were turning cars away from the parking 'lot' until free spaces became available!  We really enjoyed the amble around the lake..



Rick at Bear Lake, Rocky Mtn National Park, Colorado



The Aspens mingled with Pines, very beautiful!

 

We headed towards Granby following Trail Ridge Road, which took about 2 hours.  It truely was a spectacular drive through the mountains, climbing up past the timberline and then back down into the Aspen forests again.  We eventually passed Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake and then to Granby which took us to the main stretch home.  All in all, we drove for about six hours!  Just Rick & I, no one else to ask 'are we there yet?'  Aahh! Pleasure!  What a great day!

This weekend is also General Conference for our church, which is broadcast bi-annually from Salt Lake City.  http://www.lds.org/

Last April, we had the great priviledge of attending every session.  This conference, we watched it at the chapel and from home on BYU-TV!  (Well, I caught the Relief Society session on the internet in my kitchen 'in real time')  For the Sunday morning session, we watched it at the chapel as Tom's boss from his work came (good work Tom!). We watched the Sunday afternoon session at the Werhli's home after lunch which consisted of BBQ ELK!  Delicious!  It's the first, and probably the last time, we would watch conference eating hot chocolate brownie from the oven topped with icecream!!  But despite, this different experience, what a fantastic conference!  I love General Conference, the talks are all excellent, and especially for me I'm sure!!



Bear Lake, Colorado

This past week Tom & I have been shopping in earnest, and I am satisfied he has everything he needs.  My dining table is loaded with missionary items he needs for the next two years.  I am sure he has too much, and will be making use of the scales for sure!

Tom is very excited to be serving soon and has especially enjoyed skyping with Michael in Brisbane.  Our days have been busy, between work schedules, cheerleading training and games and mission 'stuff'!  The weeks are going quickly and so is 'Fall'.  Already there has been snow in the mountains since our epic drive, and one ski field has opened after receiving a deep snow fall.  Officially, they open after Halloween in November.  Speaking of Halloween, the shops are full of magnificent displays for Halloween.  The seasons and holidays are a big part of the culture here, and we look forward to seeing Halloween 'happen' at the end of the month..

This past weekend, I had the opportunity of attending 'Time Out For Women' here in Denver, sponsored by Deseret Book.  It was an evening and a full day of inspriational talks and music!  We did experience a power cut for about half an hour on Saturday afternoon which made things interesting!

 But what a great event, with great company!  Thanks DeAnne, Denise, Lori and Karen for taking me! I'm all beamed up now!!


Elder Bennallack - dinner appointment, Toulon, France

 

This week Elder Jonathon  Bennallack has been transferred!  He enjoyed a baptism last week of Sophie, and this week, he leaves sunny, touristy Toulon and is now in Saint-Etienne which is about 4.5 hours north.  Saint-Etienne is in the mid-east of France, about 60km from Lyon. In his email Jon said he has gone from short sleeves to long sleeves, jacket and coat! There is also no gas in their flat for hot water at present, so interesting times for him.  He sounds very fluent in French and is loving his mission.  We love his emails and look forward to them every Monday!  We received an email from a lady in Toulon who had him and his companion over for dinner Sunday evening before his transfer, she kindly sent some photos!

As of today, Tom leaves in fourteen days... We are counting down in earnest now.



Officially 'Fall' in Denver

During this past week, as the days clicked over, it happened that 'Fall' occurred. Officially that is, because it's been happening all month!!  As previously alluded to, a cool change came, and the cool temps stayed!!  Cool, fresh, nippy mornings and warm glorious days.  I am reminded entirely of Easter.  This is the season to go camping, and pull out the woollies, only to strip them off as the day progresses.  I love Spring, I enjoy the Summer, but those who know me well, know that I especially love the Autumn and then Winter rain, when you can get all cosy inside with soup and cheese scones.  It may be due to the fact that I am a winter baby, but not here!!  Here in Denver, I am upside-down!!  It feels like Easter, but it's not!! (And there are pots of chrysanthemums in the shops, and it's not nearing Mother's Day!) 

No matter!  I am enjoying watching the leaves slowly turn colour from their vibrant and earthy greens to be brushed with gold, yellow and orange, tinged with brown.  In my mind, I am a great watercolourist painting breathtaking images of beauty to adorn walls as a longlasting reminder of this change of season.  ... ... oops!  Sorry, I got caught up in a little daydreaming there!!

This coming weekend, Rick and I and anyone else enthusiastic enough to join us, are heading for the mountains to appreciate the trees!!  Our neighbourhoods are becoming very pretty, but there has already been some snow in the mountains and we are told 'Fall' can be very short.  We could miss it all if we don't go and have a look! 

Tom's fabulous Pavlova!



Also in this past week, Tom and I spent some 'quality' time together!  On Tuesday for instance, we made pavlova's for the Relief Society Activity and then chilled watching the cooking channel on TV!! (because, we can!!)  We watched this great Red Potato & Tomato Salad being made, which Tom quickly looked up on the net, and we made it for dinner.  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/red-potato-and-tomato-salad-recipe/index.html 

Mmm! Quite sensational!  He made it again on Thursday with Chicken Parmisiana when we had missionaries over for dinner.  Very nice work Tom!  Oh, and the Pav's were a hit too!!  I'm quite satisfied you won't starve as a missionary!!

On Wednesday, Tom & I went over to the Park Meadows Shopping Mall.  It is pretty classy and a very nice place to shop.  We spent a few hours looking at clothes that might suit a missionary and found some great 'pieces' with a price to accompany them.  In the end we did exceptionally well at Macy's, taking advantage of the sales.  I think we have all the main items on the list now.  Just the bits and pieces to go.  We also need to have his suitcase repaired. The handle area was damaged in the flight over here, and it needs to last the next two years of transfers!!

Thursday found me back at Watercolour classes.  I have repainted this study and am satisfied now. We are studying rocks and light sources.  It's practice, practice. 

Study: Aspens, rocks and light source

Study: 'the Flat Irons' near Boulder, Colorado. (In particular, the sky wash)

Thursday is also Cubscout Day.  The boys are currently working on their 'Outdoor' badge so we headed out on a field trip to a local neighbourhood.  Here we studied the native flowers, which I really enjoyed, and noted that Blue Herons favours this area and can be seen most days.  (But not the time of day we went!!)



I'm the Cubscout Den Leader for the Webelo Cubs!

  

Heather teaching the boys



Wildflowers and grasses native to Colorado

 



Friday, I escaped with my good friend Donna, to the movies!!  I have to say, it's just fantastic to do this in the middle of the day, especially with great company.  You really feel like you're playing 'hooky'. (ahh, that means being truant!)  We saw 'The Help' which I thoroughly recommend.  A very thought provoking movie of racial segregation in the sixties.

During all of this, there is the gym three mornings a week, as well as cheerleading practice three mornings, cheer games in the afternoon, home seminary and homework.  Tom also managed to pick up some extra shifts (so it wasn't ALL cooking and shopping!).  So, we keep ourselves busy and the days are passing quickly.  It was so good to chat with Karlie this week, fortunately we had a good line and talked for about an hour and half.

Saturday evening, both Tom & Sarah went to Homecoming Dances at different High Schools.  Tom and Kelland went with 'dates' to Dakota Ridge High, and Sarah went to Bear Creek High.  It really is a big deal, and the kids looked lovely all dressed up!  They both had great fun, and are very lucky!!

Tom and Kelland sporting bow ties 'for fun!'  Yes, I'm sure the girls will be surprised!!

Tom and Kelland all ready to meet their 'dates'. Tom knows his, but Kelland's is 'blind!'

Finally, just a quick anecdote from my Primary Class.  I have been substituting the 9yr old class at church for the past 6 weeks, and this past Sunday was my last time with them.  They are a great class, nine, nine year olds.  Which means some weeks they are very attentive and some not.  My challenge has been to capture their attention for the 45 minutes or so of class time!!  I've loved it.  So, I decided to give them something to remind them of this time.  A small clip-on Koala we picked up from the souvineer shop before we left Adelaide.  We had just enough and they loved them!  I told them about Koalas, how they live in the Gum trees, clinging to the branches and to their mother's backs.  I hoped it would remind them to 'cling' to their Heavenly Father and the Gospel.  Later in singing time, Maya asked me "what flavour are the gum trees? Are they sweet?"  I had forgotten to explain that Gum trees were in fact 'eucalyptus' trees, (not bubble gum trees), and that's where they get that funny smelling stuff that clears your blocked nose!!! 

Aahh!! This is a big world, with so much to experience!!

Just to illustrate our different worlds, this sign is at the local playground right next to the swings and slides!!

'HOMECOMING' Week

'Homecoming' is a very big event in the calendar of High School in America, and this week it's happening at Columbine.  It celebrates the beginning of the new year by welcoming back students with events and themes happening every day of the week, culminating in the central event which is the Varsity Football game and ending with the Homecoming Dance on Saturday night. The school halls are decorated as well as the gym.  One of the activities was 'business day', where the kids dressed up professionally.  Sarah went looking like a Personal Assistant or Business Manager, jacket, straight skirt and heels!! She came home with shoes in hand though!!  A bit of fun!

Sarah also had practices in the mornings and had a game to attend every night of the week that her team was cheering at, either soccer, vollyball or football.  The main event, the Varsity Football game was at Jeffco Stadium on Thursday night.  Now this is just what you might see on TV or the movies.  School rivalry, the cheerleaders and the brass band with students and families filling the stands!!  Tom & Sarah loved it!  The JV Cheer team got to cheer in the third quarter!  whoo hoo!!

I think though, the highlight of the week must have to be the Homecoming Dance on Saturday night.  This meant finding another dress to wear, make-up and photos..  Tom managed to get himself 'invited' and both looking very fine, went off to dinners in separate parties and then to the dance. (Sarah took a camera, hence, more pics!)  They both said it was a really good night!  Another tick off the American Experience must-have list!

Tom on his way out to the Homecoming dinner - looking very sharp!

Ellen, Lizzie, Sarah and Kelsie

Sarah and her 'party'..

.. and around the 'fire pit'..

...and dinner before the dance. 
Here they are toasting their friend Brad, who is no longer with them..

It's nice to watch the kids have these very American experiences.  They are indeed very fortunate to be doing so.  For me however, the highlight of this week was going to Watercolour classes with Chuck at Ken Caryl Ranch House.  Classes actually started up again last week, but we were in Utah, and I have to say, I was really excited!  You know, that real sense of anticipation and excitement?  Crazy I know, but I love these classes.  I was able to show Chuck some of my work since last April and he was very pleased.  He was also able to critique some of them which was really great.!  I was showing him after class had finished and a few others gathered around (there are at least 10 new faces!), and one lady said, "If you can paint, why are you coming to class?" (which I thought was a bit rude), but I replied"'I am still nowhere near as good as Chuck!" and Chuck said "that's the thing with Watercolours, you never stop learning!"  Thank you Chuck, I just want to keep on learning until I am confident in my own ability with the many many different techniques.  Sometimes, when I do something really pleasing, I think, ok - can I do that again?  Watching Chuck demonstrate, I know I still have a lot to learn, but one day I would like to be as good as he is..

Last Saturday was also our granddaughter Chloe's birthday.  We made sure we posted a present to her in good time, and loved Karlie's email telling us all about how they found it on the front step and Chloe's great excitement!  We sent her a dress-up gown from the new Repunzel Disney movie 'Tangled'.  We rang her for her birthday and she said "Gramma, I'm FOUR now!"  We love her excitement!  When we asked her about her present she said "I just love it!!" (And we love you Cloe!) She is so grown up now!  This week she had her very first day at Pre-entry Kindy.  A big step!  In October, she will be going to kindy full time.  A new phase in life for Karlie and Nathan.  It's just three months now until we see them all again, and I am so looking forward to that!!

These are our girls, Chloe and Zayla.  This photo was taken as I was leaving Adelaide in February to return to Denver now 7 months ago.  They have grown alot since then.  I can't wait to see them again!!  Happy Birthday Chloe, big four year-old!