Last Day in Australia

"Hi!" From Australia.

(On 11/26/09) Thursday when I stepped off the curb, I broke a bone in each foot. After 2 days in the hospital, I'm home wearing braces, using a wheelchair and walker to get around in the flat.

My companion, Sister Jacobs (in photo), the other missionaries and ward members are taking good care of me. Since the office is upstairs, they are letting me do work from home (mostly phone calls). But I have no cmputer access for emails and blogging.

I still love my mission and am happy to be here.

Love you lots,

Sister Condie

Note: Carol will be coming home tomorrow, Dec 29th, due to health reasons. We are anxious to have her home so we can help her recuperate. We know she thoroughly enjoyed being on her mission and that she was a great missionary. We love you, Carol!!

October

Hi Friends and Family - There is lots going on here. Michael, who I told you about last month, was baptised and is coming to church regularly. The baptism was a great experience, even the Mission President was there. General Conference was really wonderful and I hope you enjoyed it too. We get it 2 weeks after you do. President and Sister Lee invited the senior missionaries to the Mission Home for tea (dinner) a couple weeks ago. We had a good time and a delicious feast. I sure work with great people. Sister Jean Keaton, an LDS artist, came and shared some of her experiences with us, then she gave each of us one of her sketches (We got to choose our favorite one.). My companions and I were involved in a car accident - no one was hurt - but we are on foot, trains and busses. The mission is great, busy and quite a challenge. But "Ican do it!". My companion, Sister Backshall, goes home in 2 1/2 weeks. Then I'll be given a new challenge. Thank you all for your emails and moral support. It does mean a lot to me. Thank you family for your support for each other. We have a super family and I love all of you. Friends, you are fantastic, too. Sister Condie

Thinking Allowed: Male and Female Roles Raising a Family

Thinking Allowed: Male and Female Roles Raising a Family

September, 2009

Hi again - Spring is here in Australia, and though we have had flowers all winter and leaves on trees, too, the weather is getting a little warmer. Father's Day here was September 6th. There was a special program at church and I remembered my Dad, my kids Dad, and all my wonderful sons who are dads (also those who will someday be dads). It was a great day.

Sister Backshall and I are teaching 2 progressing investigators. Michael is 18 and from the Philippines. He is very receptive and has attended a Young Adult activity and sacrament meeting. He is very patient with the two old ladies who are teaching him. The other investigator is a family from India (Vijay and Indira and their 2 little children, 18 months and 2 weeks old). They are so humble and seem to be really wanting to learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have seen them 2 times.

The work is going well and I am glad to be here at this time. I know my children are helping each other and that is something I am thankful for. Everyone struggles with life's challenges sometimes and when we have someone to talk with who really cares about us, it helps. Thank you all for your support to me. I love your emails, cards and letters. But mostly I love you, whether you write or not. I know how hard it is for me to write, and how hard it was for me to write when some of you were away from home. Please remember to include me in your prayers and to keep up your Book of Mormon reading.

Thank you friends for your friendship and support - I love you too. I had a good birthday - got sung to a lot, received cards and just had a good day. I Love Yous All - Sister Condie

July 20, 2009

Hi everyone - I'm still in Melbourne, but now I'm proselyting with an even older sister, Sister Backshall, from a different part of Australia. Her companion got very sick and had to go home. The Church is discontinuing senior sisters serving proselyting missions, so she needed a companion (Me). I miss the office but Sister Backshall and I are working well together and I do want to serve where the Lord wants me to and learn all I can. July is winter here, but we seldom get snow (I haven't seen any yet.). December is Summer. Can you imagine Christmas in the summer? Thank you all so much for the wonderful Memorial for Kristen. I'm very happy it was so well attended. It sounds like the flowers were beautiful and those who shared memories lifted those in attendance. I do have one great family!
My companion and I visit lots of ward members, some active and some less active. So many members who have really hard physical/emotional problems still do whatever they need to to go to church and serve others. Many less active members seem to have testimonies they share with us and they enjoy the messages/lessons we share with them, but they just don't make the effort to come to church. If we only could convince them that the ward would really benefit from their service and spirit, and they also would benefit from their service to others and hearing the testimonies of other ward members.
Our ward is Glenroy Ward and is very multicultural, but mostly Samoan. The people are friendly and love the missionaries. I love being loved.
How is the Book of Mormon reading coming? Please keep me in your prayers, and remember that I loves you'all. I don't know if that term is Samoan or Australian, but I sure hear it a lot. Please keep taking good care of each other and know that I love you lots - Sister Condie

Pictures from Australia

Sister Brooks, Sara Webber (first convert), and Carol

A Golden Contact-Sharing the message with all Melbourne residents

More pictures are on the slideshow on the sidebar.

12 June, 2009

Mission transfers came on May 26 and I was transferred to the Mission Office in Essendon. I love it here! My time with Sister Brooks was good and I learned lots. She is very conscientious and hard on herself (Patient with me). The constant tension in her made it very hard for me to relax and study, or "smell the flowers". We were careful to do all the young elders were asked to do, which was good for me in a way, but hard in other ways. President and Sister Lee both felt prompted to make a change. My Heavenly Father really is mindful of me. If I didn't know that before, which I did, I know it now. In the Mission Office I work full time with Sister Jacob, Elder and Sister Robinson, and Elder Farmer. They are a pleasure to be with. We have a great time together. I work with the referrals, help with the mail, and do anything else they ask me to do. In the evenings we study individually and as a companionship. This is such a wonderful experience for me. I'm doing better with technology, but last night we got a call on our cell phone but missed the call. I retrieved the last incoming call and called back. The person on the other end of the line was President Lee. He hadn't called, but seemed pleased to hear from me. At our next Mission Conference we'll probably have training on use of cell phones. Ballarat was out in the country, beautiful and a good experience, but Melbourne is also beautiful and I am enjoying it. It's the big city. As long as they don't ask me to drive (on the other side of the road) I'll be fine. Thank you for your emails. I love hearing from you and since I'm in the office, in spare time I can check my email and respond. You are in my thoughts and prayers often and I love you oodles. - Sister Condie

Australia

Hi - I'm still here and loving it in Australia. Today I finally got to go to the Ballarat Wild Animal Park and played with kangaroos and koalas. I'll send pictures to Jaime and she'll do her magic so you can see me in Australia. I even saw a joey in her mums pouch. She really was cute, but quite shy. This saturday Sister Brooks and I are planning for our first baptism. Exciting isn't it. How are you all coming at reading the Book of Mormon? I haven't gotten commitments from anyone yet, but haven't given up yet. Please remember to get together often so that you can support and strengthen each other. Even the most independant of you need to share your strength with your family. I miss being able to see you, but I know you'll be fine and that you know that I love you lots. My mailing address is still - Sister Condie, P.O. Box 354, Niddrie VIC 3042, Australia. I think mail takes about 2 weeks to get here. Sister Condie

Blog Posts

If you would like to be able to post on the blog, I just need your email address. So give me a call or email it to me and I'll add you. (jaime at condie dot net)

April 14, 2009

I'm still here in Ballarat, Australia. We had transfers today and one of my companions was moved to another city, but I'm still in my comfortable flat with Sister Brooks. This is her second mission and is from Canada. We get along well. We are kept very busy teaching investigators and visiting less-active members. Baptisms are fw and far between here, but we have just started teaching 2 people who seem to be ready to accept the Gospel. It is really exciting as we teach them to see that in their hearts they already believe that in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true.

Some of you have strong testimonies of the truthfulness of the Church and some don't. But I would love it if all my children and grandchildren would read the Book of Mormon while I am on my mission. As you email me please let me know if you will do that. Wasn't Conference great! We went to the ward building to watch it just last weekend.

I bought some postcards and am sending one to each family (about 3 a week). Posting international mail is very expensive so please send me emails, and each monday (p. day)I'll respond. I do love hearing how you are doing and what's going on with you. Those of you who don't have the internet please do send letters and I'll send one to you. Bobbi, will you please give Sister Sumsion my email address? Thanks! David, I can't find your address and your email address. Please contact me so I can communicate with you. I love each of you lots and pray for your peace and safety. Oodles of Love - Sister Condie

I got an email from mom today, I'm going to post the WHOLE thing. Enjoy!

Bobbi - Sorry it took so long for me to email you. I finally got to a place where it would work (the Ballarat Library). When I sent the blog by the time I figured it out and typed my message the time was up. Please tell everyone hi for me. Ballarat is really a beautiful city with lots of trees and flowers. My 2 companions are wonderful and I'm busy but very happy. Thanks for the letter. Has Mike found a job yet? I don't know if I'll be staying in the same area, but mu Sr. Companion has been here for 9 months. Times up! I love you lots - Sister Condie

She sounds happy and like things are going well.

Austin - Preschool

Austin made this at preschool.  I thought it was cute.

Letter from Mission President

3/6/09

Sister Lee and I are delighted to welcome your mother, Sister Condie, to the Australia Melbourne West Mission. It was a pleasure to meet her at the airport.

I am most grateful for her sincere desire to serve our Father in Heaven and to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know of the sacrifice you have made but testify that many wonderful blessings will be realized for you and your family as Sister Condie serves.

Sister Butler from Arizona and Sister Brooks from Alberta are your mother's missionary companions and are very qualified to provide the initial missionary foundation that will help contribute to her success.

The receipt of encouraging letters from home each week is an extremely important element in missionary work. I know your mother would be most grateful for mail from home.

Please address all mail to:

Carol Condie

Australia Melbourne West Mission

PO Box 354

Niddrie Victoria 354 AUSTRALIA

I hope you enjoy the enclosed photograph of Sister Condie taken with Sister Lee and me shortly after her arrival.

I am so very thankful for the opportunity of having your wonderful, faithful mother serve here. Sister Lee and I already have a great love for her and we look forward to sharing many wonderful and rewarding missionary experiences with her.

Sincerely,

President Barry Lee

Australia Melbourne West Mission

(Thank you passing on the info, Jim!)

Letter from Sister Condie

I got a letter from Mom today and I thought I'd just post the whole thing. You'll see that she wanted me to share it with everyone. It's dated 3/9/09:
"Dear Bobbi,
I'm here and I've survived the long flight, though I was in the hospital for about 6 hours Thursday night because they suspected that I had a blood clot. But after 2 or 3 tests they decided the pain was from muscular problems. Each day I'm feeling better.
My first companions are Sister Butler, from Arizona, and Sister Brooks, from Canada. They have been great teachers and have allowed me extra time to rest (jet lag). Presidant Lee picked the best two sisters for me to be with. We are in the city of Ballarot, a beautiful area with very friendly people.
My address is: PO Box 354
Niddrie, VIC 3042
Australia
The cost of sending mail to the U.S. is almost $3.00. Until I get on the internet- will you be my contact? Share this letter with all interested.
I'm so thankful for so many friends and family members, who support and lift me by their love.
This is where I really want to be. I'm loving this experience.

Oodles of Love,
Mom

I'm here!

(Ballarat Main Street)

Hi - I'm here in Ballarat, Australia and loving it. Lots of great experiences and wonderful people. After a scare about possible blood clots (from the long, long 15 hour flight) and being in the hospital for several hours, I'm in good health and getting my energy back. No blood clots, just muscle soarness. I have 2 great, patient companions and I'm getting the schedule down. Working together teaching is not too intimidating and our investigators and the less active brothers and sisters we visit have been wonderful. The only kangaroo I've seen was road kill. I love you all and hope you are continuing to spend time and support each other. Please give all the grandchildren hugs for me. Love Ya ! Sister Condie

Exports from Australia

I'm going to start a new series called: Exports from Australia. While we are waiting to hear from Carol, we'll be able to read about various contributions in arts, entertainment, customs, etc from Australia.

For the first edition, I'd like to introduce you to Australia's own: The Wiggles.

That's right! Greg, Anthony, Jeff and Murray Wiggle hail from Australia. Greg, Anthony and Murray met in college in Sydney while studying early childhood eduacation. For a music project, they wrote some children's songs. They collaborated with Jeff (who had played in a band with Anthony) and they formed The Wiggles. Read more about The Wiggles here. (You know you want to.)

Greg eventually left the Wiggles a couple years ago due to health reasons. Now Sam joins the gang in Greg's yellow garb.

The Wiggles now have Gold and Platinum Album status, they are the most popular performing act in Australia and they travel the world performing Wiggly Concerts.

She has arrived!

After a very verrry long flight, Carol arrived in Melbourne Australia. After a few days of jet lag, she (probably) is now recovered and excited to begin the work. Her companion is great (I'm sure). They live in an apartment that overlooks the street. She's been introduced to local cuisine and has already eaten 20 different kinds of foods cooked on the barby, (or not).

I got nothin' here people. Has anyone heard from Carol???

Mission Farewell

Carol's mission farewell was Sunday February 22nd 2009. It was a wonderful program. One young lady leaving for her mission to Spokane Washington spoke. Then Carol and her daughter, Bobbi, performed a beautiful musical number, "A Child's Prayer". Then Carol spoke to the congregation. She spoke about what she's grateful for. Among these things were the gospel, her friends and her family. Afterward, many family members stayed for her setting apart. Then we gathered at Rick's home for a family party. It was a special night. At the end we rushed to get last minute pictures of the grandkids with Grandma. We had a wonderful evening and wish Mom and Grandma the best!