We were fortunate to be invited to the Mission President's Seminar this year in Melbourne Australia! We spent 3 1/2 days with some of the most remarkable and insightful people on the earth! It was truly a spiritual feast....and we made out too well on the physical feasting as well..grunting as I tried to zip my skirt on day three!
The view out our window of the Marriott turned out to be quite typical of this city which has preserved and restored the "old" and happily built the "new" right next door! I was especially enamored of the playfulness of the architecture!
The first night in town we were told there was a Chinese Branch 1/2 block away, so we toddled on down to see what was going on. We met Elder and Sister Lin, the very first couple to serve from mainland China! Elder Brown delighted them with his Chinese! The couple in the middle are the McFaddens (Robert). My mother used to serve in the Relief Society with his mother, and my sister June and I used to date his younger brothers, Lynn and Brent. They lived in Pleasanton, CA! Small world!?!
As a side note, when we were in Fiji, we tried to get out to the small island of Taveuni where a couple serve, but we could not arrange transportation. Guess who the couple are?? Elder McFadden's brother Gary and his wife!! Oh my goodness, color me the sons of Mosiah!!!
Our cultural treat for the week was attending Les Miserables at Her Majesty's Theater. The production was remarkable and the scene changes the best I have seen...perfectly seamless!
Our friend Sister Taylor is standing with Patrice Arkins, who played Fontaine in the production. She is a member of the church and she smiled when she told us that the picture she posted to do "period" hair, was some of Joseph Smith the Prophet!! Very clever girl!
Here we are backstage enjoying the incredible set and insights of Patrice, who has been in show business since she was a little girl!
Elder Marcus and Sister Cosette! HA!
For part of the Seminar, the Sisters met separately. I had to get a picture of the conference group next door to ours. I asked the Sisters which one they thought we should attend...it was a good chuckle! Although I would categorize these fabulous women as wildly successful- seeing as how "young" is overrated!!
Our fearless leaders, (fr. Left) Sister Haleck, Sister Pearson and Sister Nielsen. They are creative and insightful women! Love them all!
Most of the Sisters were available, with the exception of Sister Maxwell, who was not feeling well. These are divinely ordained women who exude love and kindness with every breath! It was such a privilege to get acquainted with each of them!
Wednesday afternoon, we were all turned lose to run (okay, stroll) around the city. I am eager to go back someday, as we did not see nearly enough of this lovely place! The sun was setting on this old church and across the street was a geodesic/modern domed building...such interesting contrasts on every block!
In the town square...reminded me a little of the creativity of Gaudi in Barcelona!
We quickly found out and got directions to the "graffiti by commission" area of the city. Extraordinary paintings adorn walls and trash cans alike down these alley ways!
These two "murals" were several stories high. Very impressive!
Of course our travels took us through Chinatown, which was colorful and teeming with shops, people and restaurants. We actually ended up at "Rare"- a famous steak house...oh my so yummy! Better put that one on your bucket list Tom!
The artwork in the alleys of graffiti ranged from cartoon, realism and downright silly, but was not lacking in color, theme or variety!
This one is for our son, Noble and his boy, Julian...Niinja Turtles live in Australia!!
This alley way was the inside of a full block and was almost dizzying in nature!
This young graffiti artist explained that it was permissible to paint over something only if the result was better...well that is subjective!! HA!
We look a little out of place in this setting, yes?!
The downtown train station was eye-capturing outside as well as inside. Grand old buildings!
Our perfect week culminated in attending the Melbourne Temple. It is the same as the Spokane temple, so we felt quite at home!
Here we are just before entering the temple!
On our way home Friday morning and saw this...competition for those New Zealand shearers!
This one is for you, Ariel!
Certainly this was a week of training, enlightenment, spiritual growth and great food!
Loved every minute!
