The Young Single Adults (YSAs) in Canberra Stake wanted to have a super activity so we helped them organize a “Getaway” which involved camping at a beach in Merimbula, which is one of the beautiful south beach areas. So meals and activities were “planned”…which is a very loose term for young single adults. Somehow, it all came together and it was very successful. There were fun activities such as a bridge jump on Australia Day, game nights, and surfing lessons as well as workshops and a service project.
“The Gospel
and the Productive Life” is the name of the Institute class for YSAs that we
teach, which is held weekly, along with a class taught by someone else. We have
had some great discussions, but we must admit that food served afterward
contributes to the great attendance. We also have weekly Family Home evenings
for the Young Single Adults at our flat for those who do not have families in
the area.
We have
encouraged each ward to call YSA advisers and, when that has happened, we have
seen positive changes.
Another
assignment is assisting a small group of members in the south beach area from
Bateman’s Bay to Narooma. It’s a large area but the members are thinly spread.
We have visited a number of people and have enjoyed becoming acquainted with
them and the area. It has been our privilege to teach classes and give talks in
sacrament meeting. The beaches south of Sydney are the most beautiful we have
ever seen consisting of many small rocky coves with stretches of sandy beach.
It is not a sacrifice to stay at the beach house our mission has for missionaries
assigned to the area.
Older Single
Adults (ages 31 to 99) are also included in our assignments. It’s like herding
cats! We have tried a number of activities such as “Break the Fast” potlucks
and an afternoon tea. We have concluded three things: The first is that this
group is so diverse and schedules so different that it is difficult to find
activities and times that suit more than a few people. Second, most don’t want
to be treated separately or differently than other adults. Third, they want to
meet together with others that they see more frequently such as members of
their own ward.
We have
missed our first assigned area in Australia…Armidale and Inverell. We had the
opportunity to return and visit with branch members in February. The occasion
for the 9-hour drive was the one-year anniversary of Helen and Christopher
Ugochukwu’s baptism into the Church. In April we had the privilege of arranging
logistics for them to attend the Sydney temple to receive their endowments, to
be sealed for time and eternity and to have their one-year-old son sealed to
them.
We were
fortunate to have special friends from Inverell schedule a visit to come see
us…Allan and Lisa Chambers. It was a short visit but we were so glad to see
them before we return home. Our mission officially ends on May 11, but we are
going to spend some time in Queensland before we return home and are expected
to return on the 22nd of May.
With two
other senior missionary couples we climbed the Sidney Harbour Bridge, which is
the longest single span arch bridge in the world. It was exciting, and somewhat
scary, but the views were spectacular and we were glad we did it.
We were
concerned about returning to the US without having a Covid vaccine. Here in the
ACT (Australia Capital Territory) coronavirus is non-existent so we haven’t had
a problem here with any activities. After trying for a number of months we
miraculously found a person that arranged for our first vaccine within a few
days. Our second one is May 2.
We were
thrilled with the meaningful counsel and spirit we felt during General
Conference earlier this month. We are grateful for the knowledge that God
lives, His Son Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and that His chosen
Church leaders are guiding His Church through revelation. We have loved our
time in Australia and have been guided by the Spirit as we do the work of the
Lord.
Love, The Browns
Single Adult Super Activity
Ugochukwu Family
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