Goodbye, Australia...Hello, America!

 June 20, 2021

Preparing to leave Kalgoorlie left us w/much to be accomplished. Thank heavens for helping hands & willing hearts who certainly lifted our burdens & made them light. What at one point seemed a long time coming. came much too soon. We will be forever changed by the amazing opportunities & blessings we experienced in Western Australia & the people who make this such an incredible place.  

                                                                     

Elder Meads & Elder Amitua...very strong young men & valiant in their testimonies of the Savior. We will miss their infectious smiles & laughter... & so strong!! 

Saying goodbye to people we love is never easy. But how grateful we are to know we will have the eternities to hang out, reflect on the great experiences we've shared & how the gospel blessed our lives. Here are just a few of the families who influenced & made a difference for us...the Pilason's; Alison Walker (who is expecting) & her boys; Josh & CeCe w/new little princess, Amelie, who took her own sweet time getting here.

 

The Mortley family, Mark & Ngaio Drage; Marea TauPau & the twins Elder Tate coached. 

                                        Bishop Sheck, his wife Fulu & their kids

Henry & Yue; James & Chen Chen...two of our Chinese couples we taught English.

One of the wonderful groups who distributed bread we gave them each week to members of the community. Maria (by Randy) & Serena (in pink shoes) are both members & great examples of how to love/serve others. Serena is the Relief Society President & a great missionary.

The mission has been getting new missionaries from the east coast on a fairly regular basis so when we got to Perth there wasn't any flats available to stay in for any of us senior couples leaving. Fortunately, some members had a lovely B&B right next to one of the chapels. Interestingly enough, it's the chapel that some of our former Karratha friends now attend. I shouldn't be surprised anymore after witnessing so many of God s's tender mercies that He would look after us! 

We were able to share a meal w/the Baker family from Karratha...Kent, Georgia, Indie & Reeve along w/his wonderful parents, Phil & Trish Baker. They are such great people who love the Lord & strive to be dedicated disciples of Christ & good examples to all they meet. Stuart & Michelle Otto, also from Karratha, were also in Perth so we joined them for dinner at a very good Italian restaurant we found & shared lots of laughter & good stories around the table.

We spent another lovely evening w/Brother & Sister Grinceri & met their beautiful grand daughter Stella. She served at the Rome Temple & met my older brother who was the head engineer while there. Such a small world in the Church! Below on the left is Oxana Osovskaya...a single mother & her two kids who were baptized a few weeks ago...they immigrated to Australia from Russia & the other photo is of two sisters from Karratha, Deanna & Sonya Dimitrov. One of my early posts in 2019 was of a bunch of us at the airport sending Sonya off on her mission to San Diego. Crazy that she's back & saying goodbye to us a few days before we return to America; the lower picture is of the Alekna's who served w/us for 18 months before returning home to Sydney. They have just moved back to Perth so we were able to say 'hello' & 'goodbye' again. 

                                  

Sitting in President Bennallack's office to receive our last interview prior to leaving for home, we once again looked at this map & remembered our first day in Perth, Western Australia. We were nervous & excited...so many feelings/thoughts rushed through our bodies/minds as we wondered where we would serve & whether or not we could make a difference in the lives of others. As we pondered on these things, three arrows caught our eyes. They were clear up north & the furthest one could get from Perth in the mission. We instantly wanted to go to those places. Broome was closed for missionaries, but Karratha & Port Hedland were open & became the first two areas in which we served. 

After eight months in Karratha we were called back to Perth because of Covid & the next time we were in the president's office we noted that Kalgoorlie was the furthest inland & that's where we hoped to go next...& that's exactly where we were assigned. We also got to go to Esperance several times to meet w/members there...it's not marked w/an arrow, but lies directly below Kalgoorlie on the lower coast of the Indian Ocean. As you can see, these areas are some of  the most remote of the Church, but they have wonderful members living there & other people who need the restored gospel in their lives. We were so privileged to be able to serve & help these good people know the Lord is aware of them. 

President planned a conference for all missionaries while we were still in Perth. We now have 54 young Elders/Sisters & 5 senior couples. Only three couples are full-time senior missionaries while the other two are part-time...but they are wonderful, hard working people who will make a huge impact in the mission. We were so happy to be able to see/say goodbye to all the missionaries we've served with over the past 22 months...They are incredible young people & we know the Church is in very good hands w/dedicated, obedient, diligent young people like we've served alongside. You'll recognize a few of them, but most have already returned home & a few are here in Idaho/Utah attending college. We're hoping to be able to see them in the next few months. 

Below are some Elders that served w/us in Kalgoorlie; Elder Meads/Amitua; Elder Winter in Elder Maguale...one of Elder Tate's very favorites...as you can see. 

Some of our Sisters...Sister Russell (going home soon) & her comps Sister Denton & I don't know the other Sister's name; Sister Olde (leaving for home tomorrow) & her comp who's name has fifteen letters & I can't spell or pronounce! Below is Elder TauHau (from Kalgoorlie) & Elder van der Linen, who served w/us in Kalgoorlie. 

We also spent a day w/the other senior couples & were able to attend the Temple together. Everyone then went to the Mission Home & had dinner w/President & Sister Bennallack. 

They complete their service & return home to Sydney the end of June. President has taken a position as the Director of Family Search for the Pacific area & is looking forward to getting back into IT. 

Time to leave WA for Boise, Idaho...we were already sleep deprived, but ready to go! We left beautiful Perth Friday, June 18 @ 6 am, which was 8 pm Thursday evening to those not familiar w/the time difference & jetted from one side of the globe to another over almost 36 hours. Since our plane from Sydney to LA was nearly empty, Elder Tate was able to meet the pilots & chat a bit! They were great & because they were stationed out of LA, they came back to visit w/us about what we'd been doing in WA & our take on Australia. A great crew...very personal & accommodating. 

Always the missionary, Elder Tate struck up a convesation w/these two young guy traveling around Australia. The one next to Randy is from Queensland & the bearded guy is from Israel. We've always wanted to go to Israel, but after spending an hour visiting w/them we came away w/an even greater desire to see the Holy Land. Hopefully the virus will disappear in the next few months & we'll be able to physically visit some of the places the Savior walked before we leave on our next mission.

What more can I possibly say about our time serving the people of Western Australia? I'm sure there's lots, but for now, we'll have to be content w/the blog & journal entries. All in all it was an amazing journey filled w/lots of love, laughter, emotional ups & downs as we made a valiant attempt to do whatever the Lord required of us. There were really fantastic day & a few really hard ones, but most of the time things always came together & we accomplished much good. The Lord is always constant, true & keeps His promises...of that we can testify.

Flying into the Treasure Valley over the Owyhee mountain range & seeing the beautiful sunset in the West. Only minutes away from home! Soooo excited!!

The Welcome committee! We sure love these peeps & are so grateful for such wonderful family & friends! Most of the grandkids weren't there as it was late & some were out of town, but for those who could come, including several not pictured...we are so very grateful for the support & outpouring of love we received! Thank you all sooo much!!   

Hours later & very, very tired, we hit the mattress for a good night's sleep. HaHa...too funny! That didn't happen for a couple more days because of jet lag, but that's ok...we were able to catch up w/great friends & spent more time w/our family at a wonderful Father's Day barbeque, eating & playing crazy games...basically having a wonderful time together making new memories.

Randy & Leslee...she made him his own plate of deviled eggs. Josh & Tara getting their burgers built...blue cheese & marionberry jam burgers. Sounds very weird, but they were delicious!! 

Mom at the table w/Kim, Noah & Belle. She has a fun time eating lots of good food, including her favorites...ice cream, brownies & strawberry shortcake! Loves her sugar cause it keeps her so sweet!!

Playing 9 square & a new game called Burrito Throw?! Giant stuffed burritos on the table are used to pummel people. Here's Belle & Leslee doing battle. 

Jessica made her father his favorite...cherry pie. She's makes fantastic & beautiful pies!! Take note Aussie peeps...here's what a true fruit pie looks like! 

People are the same everywhere in the world. They all love their families & want to find true peace, joy & success. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ makes these things & so much more possible...not just in this life, but for the eternities. We testify that as we utilize our Savior's Atonement through repentance & faith in Him, we can receive forgiveness & the needed strength to press forward through the encroaching darkness of the world. We know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's church & is led by a true Prophet, Russell M. Nelson & as we follow the council we receive from him & other leaders, we will find safety & be prepared to weather the storms of life. We know the Savior is truly the Light of the world & will soon return to take His place as Lord of Lord's & King of King's. 

It is our prayer that you may all find joy in your journeys; that your feet may remain firmly planted upon gospel sod & on the covenant path; that your families may be blessed to find peace & safety through life's challenges. 

This is the last post for now on this particular blog...I will start another one when I've had some down time w/family & friends & we've completed trips to see family living in Oregon. Thank you to everyone who followed, commented & encouraged us throughout our time of service. It has meant the world to us...In parting remember these words:

Though we may be miles apart, we'll always be close in heart! Please stay in touch...Love to you all & hurrah for Israel! 

Elder & Sister Tate

Boise, Idaho   USA

Winding down in Kalgoorlie!!

 June 2, 2021

Just like our time in Karratha came to an end & saying farewell was difficult there, it's the same here in Kalgoorlie! It's very tough to grow to love people so much & have to say goodbye, but, along w/the bitter comes much sweet...wonderful memories of people we've come to love & respect & experiences that we will hold in our hearts forever. 

It seems like the quicker time flies, the more opportunities have been coming out of the woodwork! We've been trying to meet a young couple (partners) since last November but have had no luck until a couple weeks ago. He's been less active for the past 10 years but is wanting to come back to church. She's not a member & is uninterested so far...they're expecting their second child in a few weeks. She's a hairdresser who has her own business & needed some help in managing it more successfully. Her hubby asked his mom if she knew anyone w/experience & curiously enough, she's been taking the Start Your Own Business self-reliance class we teach. So she called us one day when he was available to chat & met him at the church...after about 45 mins he called his wife & she came down for another hour. She was very emotional & said yes when asked if she would like a Priesthood blessing. Her husband stood in to assist & it was a beautiful blessings. Overall, our time w/them was a great experience, the Spirit was very strong. Over the next ten days we continued to meet again w/them for meals/talks & we feel strongly they will come along nicely w/help from the members & his parents. Here we are at our place w/Bro & Sister Drage & her son, Brodie. Below is Brodie & Gemma. 

Next up was a Relief Society activity I've wanted to do since we arrived in Kalgoorlie. It's one we've done at home for many years w/great success & is so much fun...so head's up all you other gals! It's called 'My Favorite Things' ...you can find all kinds of pictures w/ info & ideas on Pinterest to plan your own gathering. We had a great turnout w/about 37 gals in attendance; learned all kinds of interesting things about each other & had a great time. I highly recommend giving it a try!

We had to take a break during our activity to see/take pictures of the lunar eclipse! It was so beautiful & the first picture was taken almost over our heads! Here are a couple other pictures of the eclipse. One from over the Opera House in Sydney, Australia & the other over Mr. Timpanogos, Utah.

Here we are having a birthday lunch w/the  eldest Elder in our mission...Elder Amitua turned 26!! He wanted a burger, but we refused to  go spend a small fortune for a lousy burger at McDonald's or Hungry Jack's, so instead made him one from scratch. He was in heaven even though he could barely get his mouth around it. His favorite food is KFC...which they probably get 3-4 times a week, either from members or themselves! No kidding...that stuff is poison & it's no wonder the Elder's gain so much weight while serving. Senior missionaries teach more than the gospel! Life skills for their future...wives will thank us later on for teaching them how to do their laundry, cook & clean properly! 

We had dinner w/several of our Chinese guys whose families are now here in Kalgoorlie...it was a lovely evening w/one little newborn who was adorable & quiet while five young children ran/played loudly throughout the house while the adults were trying to converse & eat...so pretty much the same as back home! That's one thing that has been made abundantly clear to us while serving far from home... people are the same everywhere. Every culture/race/country... they all love their families, want to provide for them/find happiness/& be successful in life. We have so many things in common, which should always be our focus & concern...not the differences, the politics, the money or lack of...just how much we are alike. 

Here's Victor looking at the camera...his wife & two kids just arrived from China & they join James w/his wife Chen Chen (holding Jack) & Henry & Yue. Jordan's wife/children will be arriving in July. The other men's families won't be coming here...at least not now & because of Covid, they are unable to return home as they wouldn't be able to return to WA to work. So they sacrifice a great deal to be here. 

We got to choose the English names for two of the Chinese kiddos...the baby above is Ethan & the other one w/his mom's hand on his head is Jack...he really liked to eat & has such a sweet, shy smile. Their parents were very happy w/both names & we hope both little boys will grow up to be kind, happy & loving...like their namesakes. 

Next up was a visit to a local woodworking genius at a place called Chunky Timber. A tour train was parked out front & the passengers were just getting back on & ready to leave to continue their sight-seeing of the interesting places in the Goldfields. We figured if this place wass on the 'tour' then it's probably worth checking out. It totally was!! 

Here's a beautifully restored 1956 Chevy pickup...Randy was drooling over this one & another the owner was starting to restore. 

             Cool chair made from an old wine barrel, coffee table & a funky coat tree.

This is a dining table he made for his niece...it's about 12' long...he had to cut it down by about a third as it was too big to fit in her house. It would probably sell for $20+K back home in Sun Valley...the picture doesn't begin to do it justice. It was gorgeous!

Some beautiful samples of different things...the wood is lovely & some were so heavy...like iron.  This is his cavernous workshop filled w/some wood that is hundreds of years old, very rare & valuable from all over Western Australia's outback. Elder Tate would have loved to hang out here for a few days & get creative.

Next up was dinner at the Riquelme's to enjoy a true Chilean meal together w/the whole family. Roberto is the new 2nd counselor in the Bishopric...so happy for that! They are a wonderful family w/strong testimonies & a love for the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! We will miss them so very much! Leah, myself, Camilla, Claudia & Arabia.

The younger son, Robbie cooks at the grill. His mom's Argentinian marinade is the best we've ever had...so delicious! The steaks were to die for! Here's dad Roberto, Robbie & Pablo...husband to Arabia. Some of our favorite peeps on the planet! 

Gathered for the feast! So many pictures gathered together around the table as we eat, laugh, talk, laugh some more & eat more...is it any wonder we've gained a few kilos over the past couple of years?! 

Saying goodbye to some NZ friends, Kevin & Vanessa Wijohn. He's not a member & she was a less active sister w/whom we've become very close to over the past six months. Kevin loves fishing about as much as Randy, so they always have big tales to exchange. He gave Randy a beautiful fishing reel as a goodbye gift...very touching & sweet, as he felt a connection w/Elder Tate that he hasn't really felt w/anyone at Church before. He came to hear our farewell talks & said he was surprised at how much he enjoyed church. We are hopeful they will continue to move forward & find  happiness together on the covenant path. 

Of course we had to have more of our favorite peeps over...the beautiful Sheck family over to share a meal & spend some special time together. We had a great meal w/lots of laughter...at the close they sang us a traditional Maori farewell song which made me cry like a baby. I know it's not forever...otherwise I would be a basket case! 

Finally, here we are w/Peter & Harriet Young's wonderful family! His younger son, Adum, was on Elder Tate's basketball team, which is how we met. They have two older boys at university in Perth...very smart & hard working family. He's the assistant pastor of the Assembly of God Church & the chaplain at the Baptist school. A wonderful family from Ghana who have many good friends in the Church whom they respect. He comes to do family history research at the church; has put the gospel library app on his phone & wants a Book of Mormon to study for his sermons. What?! 

Brodie & Gemma, Kevin & Vanessa, the Young's & our Chinese families are some of the 'elect' people the Lord has placed in our path to love, serve & teach, so they can receive the blessings of the restored gospel & make sacred covenants w/Him. Oh how we wish we had more time to spend w/them all to help bring them to the knowledge they have been prepared to receive! Unfortunately, our time here is gone so it is now up to good friends, who are also members, to encircle them in love & draw them into the Church. We know as members do this the Lord will bless themknows who will be instrumental & how to bring it about. 
 

It's been wonderful to discover there are people everywhere that we 'remember' from before we came to this earth. As we develop relationships & serve others, our hearts turn even more outward & what we desire more than anything else is to help our brothers & sisters come unto Christ. 

Serving as full-time missionaries, as emissaries of the Savior doesn't make us perfect, in fact it makes us even more aware of our inadequacies & weaknesses. Being aware of those weaknesses helps keep us humble & strengthens our resolve to be the best examples possible. It also brings a greater appreciation for how precious the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is & helps us feel a deeper love for God & others. Because of that love we have a greater desire to become more Christlike so we can be effective, obedient & valiant in the testimonies we bear of Him.

We are reminded in Hebrews 11:1..."Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' Faith is an action word & requires much of us. I encourage you to read Elder Anderson's 2013 talk entitled, 'It's a Miracle', & prayerfully consider these words..."If you're not a full-time missionary w/a badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart...painted, as Paul said, "not w/ink, but w/the Spirit of the living God." Please continue to pray for missionaries throughout the world & do all you can to support the great work of gathering Israel, whether it be on this side of the veil or the other. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. Our Father has given us a roadmap home which is found within the church & our beloved Russell M. Nelson is His chosen Prophet who gives us much needed council & guidance through these troubled times. As we draw closer to our Savior & Heavenly Father, we will draw closer to our spouses & families & will receive the strength to navigate the challenges & trials that we may face.

We love you all & know this great work of salvation is true. Hurrah for Israel!!

Elder & Sister Tate