Trip to Sydney for Farewell Party

From Orange we headed out again for Sydney.  The Senior Missionary Couples were gathering for a farewell party for Elder and Sister Mangelson and Elder and Sister Byrum.   They were two of the couples that we became accainted with the first day we arrived here on our mission.

Traveling to Sydney we had to pass through Bathurst.   We were warned not to travel through Bathurst on Mon Oct 8th for we would never get through it.   The Mt. Panorama car races had just ended and there were more people there than ever before.     We had to go that way and just thought, "Ah, it can't be all that bad".   So off we went on our journey to the frightening city of Sydney.

We again enjoyed looking over the rolling hills covered with trees, sheep, cows and horses.  The sun was shinning bright.    Then we came to Bathurst.   We first noticed a pickup pulling a trailer.     Elder Tietjen commented that someone was moving.   I looked over the load and thought that this must be their move of all their odds and ends.    As I was pondering upon the contents of the trailer and pick-up I noticed other vehicles pulling trailer.   Just about every other vehicle was a camper or a camper trailer or somekind of a trailer filled with what looked like camping gear.    Oh, I finally realized that it was all the people leaving the races.   They had come for the week and camped the week here in Bathurst. 

We found ourselves right  smack dab in the middle of a long line of traffic trying to get through Bathurst

The picture above is looking towards us and the one below is looking behind us.

What normally takes 10 minutes to drive through town, it took us 1  1/2 hours.   We had left early enough in the morning to not feel rushed.   Good thing.  

We finally got through Bathurst and stopped at Elizabeth's home.   She is a very active member of the Bathurst Branch.    She looks like you might imagin a little Swiss Alps girl to look like.   That's because she is.   She has very long braids and her accent is so cute.    She loves, raises, and breeds St. Bernards.    Here we have made friends with one of them.   

Now that is one big dog

We again headed out towards Sydney.   The following are some of our adventures on our way.

We stopped to help someone in need.    They had 2 flat tires and only 1 spare.

Our Branch President had given us a spare tire that fit our car.  He did not want it anymore.     It just happpened to fit this car with the 2 flats.    So the spare was passed along to someone that was badly in need of it.   Yes, we still had a spare for our car. 

Next stop was Lithgow.   There is an information building shaped like a Big Miner's Lantern.   We have passed by many times but this time we stopped and went inside.    It also had a small gift shop inside.   We bought a boomerang here.    I just could not come home to America without getting a Boomerang. 

We are now to cross over the Blue Mountains before getting to Sydney.   Traveling through the Blue Mountains is an adveture in itself.   You have to pass through every tiny town on the way. 

Elder Tietjen got a phone call so he pulled over at this quaint little place called Full Throttle Diner. 

Next was the Lolly Bug Store in Hartley.   We have passed this cute little bug often and decided to stop.   Elder Tietjen commented "Maybe they will have a Butterfinger candy bar".  Sure enough they did.   But it cost $3.50 for the candy bar.    Valerie's Lollipopalo Company would be jealous to see all those lollies that they had.  $2.50-$3.50 a succor.    Elder Tietjen found him some peanut brittle for $4.00 and could not resist.   

Here is an example of how small and close together the little towns were.    And a few shot of some of the scenery as we passed by them.

2:22 pm leave Lolly Shop
2:29 pm Victoria Falls
2:32 pm Blackheath

2:40 pm Medlow Bath

2:45 pm Katoomba
2:55 pm Wentworth Falls
3:00 pm Lawson - lots of construction

3:17 pm Faulkan Bridge
3:26 pm Springwood - First Mountain Settlement
3:29 pm Waramoo
3:31 pm Blaxland
3:41 pm Glenbrook
3:44 pm Lapstone

4:30 pm we were in Sydney in a huge hospital.   We went to visit the Smith's from the Cowra Branch.  They were on this exact highway and had a head on collision.   They were so blessed as Sister Smith only recieved a broken collar bone and some broken ribs.   Bro Smith was just bruised up.   They feel so blessed to not have any head injuries.  Sister Smith says she felt the Lord with them the whole time and felt all would be ok.   They will be going home just 1 week after going into the hospital.

The hospital was a huge Mall in itself.   Food courts galore lining the front hall way.    Just finding the right building was a maze.   We were so glad to see the Smith's doing so well and had a good visit with them   

We finally made it to the  mission office.    I never feel really safe until we drive into the road going behind the Temple and over to the mission office. 

Look at that giant flower.  The wonderful building behind it, I think is where the Temple President lives.   

The Sydney Australia Temple sits on property formerly used as a school for boys. The buildings were renovated and converted for Church use including area offices.

We had a wonderful time visiting with the Senior Missionaries that we seldom get to see.   Most of them serve in the offices or close by the Sydney area.   We are the only couple out in the bush.   

Elder & Sister Mangelson served in the Public Affairs Office.

Elder Byrum (sitting) and Sister Byrum (standing) were serving as Member/Leader Support missionaies working with the Chinese English program.   They said that the Chinese youth that have come to school here are getting baptised and are really strong in the gospel.   

We had such a lovely time with all the Senior couple, our new Mission President & Sister Howes, and Temple Pres & Sister Barr.    

Pioneer Christmas in July

On July 21st Our Orange Branch here in Australia had a Pioneer Christmas in July party.   Petra  worked so hard on this activity.     She always comes up with such cleaver fun activities for the Branch.     
Christmas is normally in the middle of summer here in Australia.   Since July is in the middle of winter here, she was hoping for snow.   But we did not get any.   We got bright sunshine and a little wind making it a little cool.   Oh, well, she tried to order it.
Since the party was set so close to July 24, Pioneer Day, she wanted everyone to come dressed as Pioneers.    Elder Tietjen wanted me to make some costumes for Nikita (8 yr) and Mackayla (5yr).    In our far reaching travels we hit all the DI's (Vinnie's and Salvation Army stores) to find just the right material to make mine and the girls' costumes.

I found a bedspread for $15 and made me a skirt and 3 bonnets.

A queen size sheet for $4 and made 2 adult aprons and 2 children aprons

I then found a large 2 section curtain (I had already cut up one side before thinking to take a picture)

I made 3 girls skirts with pink riffles on the bottom and 3 bonnets to match.

Out of other material I found I made other colors of bonnets.

Blues and Yellow

I sewed and sewed not waisting a spare second.  (7 pm -12 midnight)  One night till 2 am. 

At the DI's we found 2 little shirts to finish up the outfits.   The girls were so excited.

A sister in the Branch (63yr) had commented last Sunday that she could not find a bonnet, 

so she was just going to have to wear a scarf.

I  made extra bonnets and took a yellow and a blue bonnet over to her on Friday night (July 20).  I let her pick the color she wanted.    She just squeeled like a little kid.   She was so happy to get a bonnet.   She hugged and kissed me and could hardly wait to dress up.  By the way, she picked the blue one above.

I then went home and made another blue bonnet and finished an apron for Denise.

We also were able to find this collection for the boys, Jamie (13), Keegan (12) and Nicholas (2).
And a few extras for whoever. 

 Pioneer Christmas in July

A festive Christmas table setting

The Relief Society was assigned to bring the food.   
I volunteered to bring the Sour Cream Potatoes (Funeral Potatoes)   
I love and use my sister-in-law's recipe.   
It was such a big hit with many of the men that they were asking for the recipe.  
They had to make sure that their wives knew that theirs was good too,
but mine was "different" (said one brothern) and he liked it.
Thanks Cindy, I love your recipe.

Children playing pioneer games:
left to right: Emma, Nikita, Mackayla, Nicholas, Luke, Cody, Braydon, & Brock (green jacket)

Everyone got a present from under the tree or could take someone elses still wrapped present.
After everyone got the present they wanted (kind of) we all got to open them.

Traditional European plum pudding smoothered with custard.   M-m-m-m good stuff

My sweet little pioneer children
Keegan, Jamie
Mackayla, Nikita
Nicholas

Pioneers, Elder & Sister Tietjen
What a wonderful Pioneer Christmas in July we had with this small Branch in Orange, Australia. 

Sunday May 24^th we had the opportunity to go to the Cowra Branch (1 hr 15 min South) and speak. We spoke on the importance of families and having Family Home evening.
Pres. Thomas S Monson once said: We cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program. It can bring spiritual growth to each member of the family, helping him or her to withstand the temptations which are everywhere.   The lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest." After the meetings we found out that there was a man there interested in learning about the church. We hope that we were able to touch him with our messages.

Mon. May 25  We traveled North to Dubbo (2hrs)  to meet the good members of the Dubbo Branch.  First we visited Sister Taylor.   She is back in the hospital.   She has been in the hospital more than out since we have come to know her.
We then met at the church and had a good time with other members there.   We had some good food and a very enjoyable time playing games.   Just associating with them is great.

That evening we continued North (45 min) to Gilgandra.   
The Branch President owns a motel there and he let us stay for the night.

Tues May 26  still heading North we arrived at Walgett (3 hrs) to meet a family there. We made an appointment to visit them at 6 pm.   We then arranged for a motel.   It was a little spooky being right next to a drive-in Liquor store but the first motel we tried was full.   So we grabbed this one as it was about the only other one in town.   At night the gate was closed and we were locked inside the grounds of the motel.   But obviously the drunks were locked out.  

Then we traveled farther North to Lightning Ridge (45 min).   We saw some Emu’s on the way and stopped and take their photo.    They are a bit shy and slowly walked away from us.

Scenes of Lightning Ridge

At Lightning Ridge we visited with 3 families that are members of our church and Elder Tietjen interviewed a young man for his baptism.    This young man is pretty excited. He will be baptized June 30 in Dubbo. That is the nearest baptismal font besides a swimming pool or such. As it is winter here, they chose the baptismal font.

We headed back to Walgett for our 6:00 pm appointment with the family there.    We visited with them about getting their son baptized in a few months when he turns 8.   Their local Branch meets in Narrabri which is 2 hrs east and they have not attended church since we have known them. They are the only members that we are aware of in Walgett. They also have a son that is 4 and the mother would like to have him blessed. We are working on getting that done too.   We made an appointment to visit them in 2 weeks to prepare their son for baptism.   We then retired to the motel.

I feel as if the gospel in my life is like the fence around the motel.   It locks out the bad and only teaches us the good.   I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and my children’s lives.

Wed. May 27 we traveled East to Narrabri (2 hrs).

Scences on the way to Narrabri:

Bales of Cotton

No, this isn't snow, it's Cotton

We have talked on the phone to the branch Pres of the Narrabri Branch but have never met him.    Finally after making an appointment with him, we went and met him and his wife.   Such lovely people.    We discussed the members of his branch and how far spread they are.
After visiting for about 1 hr we headed on down South towards home in Orange.

Scenes between Narrabri and Orange:

This was the place to break down.   No, luckily not us.   We stopped to see if we could help. 
The car in front is waiting for a tow truck.    The camper in the back was running out of oil.   As he got more to put in his camper he somehow lost his keys.   So they had been hunting for some time before we came alone.    Luckily he had a spare key and ended up using it.
 
We arrived home around 7:30 pm.   Good to be home.   It was now dark and chilly. 

Thursday April 5, 2012 Elder Tietjen developed stomach pains after eating lunch.  

He waited it out until 11 pm and decided that he was in too much pain and it was not going away. 

 I drove him to the hospital as he made sure early in our mission that I knew the way there (just incase).    He thought maybe it was his appendix.   After taking x-rays and other tests, they determined that it probably was not but they kept him overnight.   

The next day  the Doctor did a scan on his abdomin to see what they could figure out.  

All the time Elder Tietjen was on morphine to relieve the pain.  

The scan did not show any problems with his appendix either, but there was a lot of liquid around it.   The Doctor decided to do a small incision scope surgery and not finding anything decided that they needed to cut him opened.    Elder Tietjen had given that permission.   

The Doctor found 50% of his Portal Vein full of blood clots which blocks the flow of blood to the bowels.    He also found about a foot of his bowel was not working.   

He said the bowel looked healthy enough so he opted not to remove it and sewed him back up.   

He was then put on a blood thinner to hopefully help the blood flowing again.   

His bowels finally started to work again on Friday April 11.      

Tues April 17 the PICC line was removed from his arm. 

They did not want to release him until they got the amount of

warfarin (the blood thinner) regulated just right for him.  

He had at least 1 visitor from the branch each day.  

Mission Pres. Simmons came to see him from Sydney

and the South Pacific Mission Doctor kept track of him and reported his progress to Salt Lake.  

The hospital is very modern and just opened new 1 year ago.  

There is a garden in the middle of the section that we were in.  

It is surrounded by large windows and the sun shone in very bright.  

Elder Tietjen was able to walkclear around the hallway.  

We called it walking around the block.  

It is such a lovely view

He was in a room shared by 3 other men. 

They came and went during the 2 weeks Ron was there keeping the beds filled.  

There was only 1 day the beds were all empty giving him his own private room.   

It was very nice.     

 Ron's bed was the one in the left hand corner closest to the window.  

He had a beautiful view of the golf course. 

Right now Autumn is upon us and the leaves are falling.  

So there are lots of pretty colors all around. 

He was released from the Hospital Thursday April 19.  

Making it exactly 2 weeks from the time he went in.

Some of you have asked how I was holding up.  

Sister James brought me some blue and orange yarn

and a crochet hook to keep me occupied.   

I did not know what to make. 

I had brought some variegated, pastel colored, baby yarn from Rexburg.  

I also brought my crochet hook that I am used too.  

I set out making a doll bed/purse like the ones my mother  

and I had made for my little granddaughters  this past Christmas.   

I used a juice bottle that I cut the bottom off.   

When Sister James brought me the yarn she also brought her little niece

Ngari (3 ½ yrs) to the hospital to see us.   

 She is the only active little girl in the Orange Branch.   

 I decided to make it for her.   

She is an Aboriginal girl that is being adopted by Sister James’ sister and brother-in-law.

Just incase I ever made one, I have been looking for 7 months here in Australia

for a baby doll that might fit it.

I have found no small baby dolls

so I set out to make one out of a sock.

This really helped pass my time while I sat there at the hospital.

I finished it and I asked Sis. James to bring Ngari back to the hospital to visit us again and I would give it to her.   But they all got sick at their home and were unable to come.  

Now I don’t know when I will give it to her.

It was also nice to be able to have our internet and computers at the hospital. 

I was all alone at the time of Ron's surgery.   My daughter-in-law in Idaho was

on the computer too and she would e-mail me and send pictures.  

We wrote back and forth for 3 hrs.   She was truly my lifesaver.  
Thank you Christy.

I don't know how I would have handled it without you.   

Everyday I kept getting e-mails from family and spent the time writing back.  

They were even able to skype us, which I loved.

I also studied for my talk that I gave on April 29.     
It was about families.  

To watch TV in the hospital, you have to buy a TV card for $5 a day, insert it into a place on the wall and your TV works.  We decided not to buy one.   But 2 patients that had been in the same room had given Ron their cards when they left.   

One man gave him his card on April 14 with 7 hrs left on it.  

It was Ron’s birthday so we watched the movie "Curse of the Pink Panther".

 The card expired just before the mystery was solved so we will never know what happened.

Every night I went to the Doyle’s home for  dinner and visiting.  
They took good care of me and also came to the hospital to visit often. 
After leaving the Doyle's,  I would go home to my apartment, turn on a movie and go to sleep.   
Never seeing much of the movie, but at least I didn’t feel so alone.  
Sister Doyle offered for me to stay at their place and even volunteered to come and sleep at my apartment.   But I felt pretty much ok about being alone.  
Besides I needed some private time to cry.
It was hard seeing Ron in the condition that he was in.

I got to be a pro at this wrong side of the road driving.   I know my way to the hospital, the Doyle’s, the church, Big W, 2 grocery stores and now a gas station.     Oh yes, and back to our apartment.

I feel my Heavenly Fathers love and presence and I know he is also taking good care of me.

Thank you all for your prayers and concerns.