Black Swans

We saw this Black Swan at Forest Lake.

It is Beautiful!

Did you know Black Swans were first discovered in Australia?

In 1697 The Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh 

discovered black swans in Australia.

The Black Swan Theory or theory of Black Swan events is a metaphor that describes an event that comes as a surprise, has a major effect, and is often inappropriately rationalized after the fact with the benefit of hindsight.   It comes from everyone thinking there were only white swans in the world and then the black swans were discovered.

Question ~ What year did a Dutchman discover black swans?

Beautiful Brisbane River View

This is the Brisbane River.  

It is RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET 

FROM THE TEMPLE!

We had no idea it was even there for many weeks

because we would always drive in from the bottom of the street.

One day we drove in from the top of the street and

there was this Beautiful View.  We were so amazed!

This bird is called a Noisy Mina.

I love the yellow beak!

Question ~ What is across the street from the Brisbane Temple?

Zone Conference

President & Sister Ence

This was their last Zone Conference.

We met with all of the ABM -Australia Brisbane Mission.

Missionaries who are going home receive leis.  I love that tradition!

President & Sister Ence will be going back home

to Saint George, Utah on July 1.

They are Lovely, Wonderful People.

I don't have any idea what this missionary's 

name is.  He is going home also.

Brother & Sister Munro.  

He takes care of the Mission Finances and she is the Mission Secretary.

And of course Sister & Elder Bennett

President & Sister Ence and Returning Missionaries

They have been Mission Leaders for 3 years.

Missionary Training

Eating Lunch

Missionaries performing the Haka as a Tradition when others leave to go home.

A  Beautiful picture of Jesus Christ and His Mother Mary

hanging in the Beenleigh Chapel in Brisbane, Australia

Everyone at the Zone Conference

Can you find Elder & Sister Bennett?

Question for anyone ~ What does the ABM stand for?

 

Bird on the Letter Box

A Bird on the Letter Box waiting for the Postie to deliver some Letters!

 

Grandkiddo's Question ~ What is a mailbox called in Australia?

Dinner with the Battyes

May 22, 2020

We were invited to the home of 

Denise & John Battye with their son David.

We had roast, potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and peas.

I think pumpkin and sweet potatoes are a staple

to eat with Australian Dinners!  

It such a surprise, but I think I'm getting used to it!

They are delicious!

For Dessert we had an Apple Crumble with whipped cream!

It was different than the Apple Crisp I make.

Delicious Also!

And then we talked.

We learned they had joined the church in their 20's.

She said she had always asked her pastor 

questions and they went unanswered.

Once she heard .

about the pre-existence 

some of her questions were answered 

and she wanted to be baptized 

after being taught by the missionaries

for two weeks!

Everyone we meet here are either converts themselves

or their parents were converts.

These people have great faith in

Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

We also found out that the Battyes have served 5 missions!

Question for the Grandkiddos ~  How many missions have the Battyes served?

Neighborhood Sausage Sizzle

We were invited to a Neighborhood Sausage Sizzle 

or in other words a Sausage Barbecue.

Everyone brought a savory or sweet thing to eat.

They always say savory meaning not sweet.

It was supposed to be held on the driveway 

but because of the rain it was held in the garage!

I thought it was a great place!

We have been to several Sausage Sizzles!

You put a sausage on a piece of white bread,

then put cooked onions and ketchup on it.

And that is how the Aussies eat their Sausage!

It was a good bye for our neighbors,

Alan and Patricia.  They are in their

80's and are moving in the their son and his wife.

We have a nice neighborhood.

One of the neighbors has told me this a few times,

"We're all friends here.  When someone

needs help we help.  But we're 

not in each others' pockets."

 Grandkiddo Question ~ What is a Sausage Barbecue called in Australia?

Cute Koalas

I LOVE these Cute Koala Bears!

They mostly sleep.  But sometimes we catch some awake!

Aren't they Sooooo Cute?

Eucalyptus leaves are low in nutrition so koalas sleep and rest 18 to 20 hours a day to conserve energy.  Koalas have a specialized diet of eucalyptus leaves, eating around 50 of the approximate 800 species that grow in Australia.  Koalas have a special bacteria in their gut to help them digest the otherwise toxic leaf.

Question for the Grandkiddos ~

What do Koalas have in their body to digest the toxic eucalyptus leaves?