Dear Shanell,

On Thursday we started the program for the new missionaries that just arrived the day before. It went very well. Afterward we had a Thanksgiving lunch with the whole office staff and the new missionaries. It was quite good! We had pumpkin pie and turkey which I really enjoyed. Elder Steed and I then helped take the sister's belongings to their respective flats and had a very busy evening. President Gray talked to me later and told me that he wanted me to work out in the field with the other missionaries as much as I could. I'm excited to do that. Elder Steed and I have a goal to get out and study with at least 3 companionships per week.

On Friday we took President and Sister Gray to the airport to go to Darwin. After that we did some work in the office and had a city zone meeting which went well. Later, Elder Steed and I were on our way to David George's home when I had a feeling we should go see the Davis family. I turned the van around and went to their home. The husband had been in the hospital because of a stroke and his hearing was gone for a short time. Elder Jackson and I had visited him in the hospital a while back. They let us in and welcomed us very well. They expressed thanks for visiting him in the hospital. I was glad to see that his hearing is back and that we will be able to go back and share the gospel with them.

On Saturday Elder Steed and I got up at 5:30 a.m. and left to go open with Elders Zurzolo, Smith, Green, and Vanderhiede. When we got there at 7:30 everyone except Vanderhiede was in their robes and stuff. We told them we'd study our scriptures while they got ready. Everyone got ready except Elder Smith. He came out in his robe and I said, "We'll wait while you got get dressed." He replied, "I don't get dressed until 9:30 and I've already taken my shower." I explained that President Gray expects us to be clothed and ready to open by 7 a.m. He just looked at me and said, "Give me one good reason why I need to be ready to study in my Pros clothes." I said, "Because President Gray said so and that is all the reason we should need. Now go get dressed or I'll carry you in there to do it I have to." He then went and got dressed, but he held it against me for the rest of the morning. Later, we went tracting with Sisters Dulics and Kuhn. We placed a Book of Mormon with a lady who lives in Ceduna.

On Sunday, Mike came to church and we were so happy to see him, but he had alcohol on his breath. It was very sad. We took him home and talked to him more about the Word of Wisdom. I know if he puts forth the effort, he can get baptized. At 2 p.m. we went to the baptism of Karen Horton. Sister Benson had worked very hard with her. It was so neat. Elder Fusselman and I had committed her to baptism before, but then she ran off with a bikey and we didn't hear from her again. She is now back with her husband and they are doing well. He was excommunicated a while back and he looked very solemn throughout the service. I hope he comes around and gets rebaptized so they can go to the temple.

For P-day Elder Steed and I took the van and just looked around the city. We went to a port and saw a Soviet Union cargo ship with the hammer and sickle emblem on it. Very interesting. Then we drove to Glenelg and played video games and had lunch. We ate these Greek things called giros and they are beautiful. They have lamb meat inside a pita bread. I love them.

Later that evening, we picked up President Gray and Elders Smith and Jones from the airport, since they have just come back from Darwin and Elliot. They looked a bit bewildered and like they had been away from the city for so long. Elliot is a little aboriginal camp and Elder Jones had been there for about 5 1/2 months. Elder Smith could not stop talking about Darwin. Elder Call took his place up there. There was a lightning storm tonight and Elder Smith and I sat upon a hill and watched it. It was really neat and the air smelled so fresh. The sky gets bluer here than it does back home and also the water is a very vivid blue. The sky and water have a gorgeous blend. 

Love,

Elder Wallentine