mission conference ❤️

my last official act as relief society president was on wednesday... (only because it had been planned months ago and i thought handballing it toour new rsp would be terribly poor form) catering the mission zone conference luncheon. i feel like it was a little too easy to be honest... all we had to do this time around was have 4 sisters prepare some lasagnes and then appear at the stake centre with them. set a few tables, cut some salad stuff to assist the mission presidents house keeper/ function co-ordinator... i don't know what her actual title is haha (who is the reason it's all become so easy... it's my friends mum and she is so organised it's insane!) then cut and serve them at lunchtime. it was done and dusted before we knew it and we were off home again. joseph was a little gem, sat and played quietly with his lego in the room off the kitchen... and i barely heard a peep out of him the entire time. winning!

i love being around the missionaries... there's such a wonderful spirit to be felt there. when they had finished, they gathered for their zone photo and then sang called to serve to those of us there assisting. it was so lovely. i will miss things like this. ♥

release time

last night we got to be a part of something wonderful, as dominique was released honorably from her missionary service in the new zealand hamilton mission of the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints. we have watched from afar as our girl has grown and changed, as she has tirelessly served her heavenly father each day and we are so, so proud of her and what she has achieved.

after a meeting with our stake president, family were invited to join in, as she was officially released! i know there are so many wonderful things ahead for her and can't wait to see where life takes her next.

besties reunited! ♥ 

sister kendall is home ❤️

our girl is f-i-n-a-l-l-y home! 18 months done and dusted and she is back home with us. dougs "little" sister dominique (aka sister kendall) arrived back from the hamilton new zealand mission and we are so so happy to have her home. it is all madeline has spoken about for weeks and she has taken great delight in crossing out each number on her "aunty is coming home" calendar. 

we all met at the airport and arrived a little while before she did, just in time for madeline to find herself a good spot to watch for aunty from... ready to rush into her arms when she came through the gate.

us kendall girls reunited again... we are so happy to have her home and cannot wait for the fun to begin! ♥

church in bunno

church in bunbury was quite the event... with my children finally being used to morning church again, the trip just completely threw joseph as he was more than ready for a long nap before church even started. madeline was happy to sit with her dad and cuddle, which was ruined by him having to take joseph out and put him to sleep. oh kids...

we got to listen to one of the most amazing talks though, a girl i know had just returned from the jakarta, indonesia mission and by chance was giving her homecoming talk the day we happened to be in bunbury for the weekend and at her ward, even funnier as there are two to choose from.

it left such an impression on me, as she spoke of points relating to their mission theme that i even emailed her later that day to ask for the theme written down. she gave an incredible recount of her mission and some wonderful stories of great faith.

obedience is the price

faith is the power

work is the committment

love is the motive

the spirit is the key

christ is the reason

what a wonderful day to happen to attend her ward! i am so grateful constantly for the sacrifice made by the missionaries of our church, what wonderful blessings come to them and to their families from their service ♥

clark is home!

ladies, he is back! take a number. 

our "little brother" clark arrived back from the philippines olongapo mission on thursday and today we had his homecoming lunch at their house in baldivis. i cannot believe its been more than two years (he had to come home for a few months at the start after ruining his knee so badly that he needed surgery in the mtc) since he left and here he is back with us already.

not much has changed, he's exactly the same, cracking the same bad jokes and messing around... only difference is his "mexican" accent... apparently tagalog for two years will do that to you.

it was honestly like old times, the old crew back together... and we had so. much. fun. good food, good company and lots of laughs... what could possibly be better?

can't wait for our next hang, all is right with the world again

welcome home clarky boy!