Tietjens Down Under

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.