Christmas advent

For today's blentry, I thought I'd go with a mission memory. I wonder where I got that fantastic idea? I have had 35 Christmases in my life. (Wow. Really?) If memory serves me correctly, I have spent 31 in Utah, 2 in California (with my in-laws) and 2 in Australia. Naturally, Utah's weather and Utah's culture greatly influence my idea of Christmas. Northern California, where we go, isn't much different. However, Australia is very different.

My first Christmas in Australia was most interesting...I thought it wouldn't really feel like Christmas because it was 42 degrees out. (Celsius, people. It was hot.) Because it is summer, decorations are very different. Twinkly lights can't shine until after a missionary's curfew because the sun is still up. People, who are very influenced by British (and other European) culture, still put up trees and such, but some of those traditions are better suited for the cold. It's not a good idea to have a real tree sitting in your house in that dry, dry heat, for example. Food is different because it's very uncomfortable to cook and/or eat a heavy meal of poultry, gravy, potatoes, or rich puddings when it is that hot out. So, what was a little Utah girl to expect?

What do you know! Decorations were different. Weather was different. But the spirit of Christmas was the same. And for me, it was magnified and intensified because I was serving as a representative of my Lord Jesus Christ, whose birth we were celebrating. I remember my mission Christmases as the best ones I have ever celebrated. And it wasn't just me. People were nicer when they opened their doors. They weren't interested, but they didn't slam the door and cuss about it; they smiled and were friendly to us. I was amazed that the spirit of Christmas, which is the spirit of Christ, was so recognizable among almost every person we met. My first Christmas was spent in the country, Mildura, and I don't have many photos of it. My second Christmas was back in the city, Adelaide. I have lots of photos. As missionaries, we had to do a few hours of community service every week. During December 1996, we spent our service hours caroling in the local mall. Tea Tree Plaza, I think it was called. It was so fun and the shoppers acted like it was enjoyable.

On Christmas day, we met at the chapel with a hundred other missionaries for carols, skits, and general goofiness. We enjoyed a proper Christmas haka and had a sausage sizzle. This is similar to hot dog barbeque, except that Australian sausages taste better and are served with tomato sauce, not ketchup. (Yes, Neal and Jacob. I said it. There is something better than an American hot dog.) We weren't allowed to go to the beach, which I believe is where the real Aussies celebrate with things that we don't drink, but we were allowed to play volleyball in the park adjacent to our church and enjoy each others' company. Of course, calling home was a wonderful highlight. Photos? Yes, please.

Christmas Eve 1996: We celebrated by hanging out in the backyard of the elders' flat. Elder Rundle made steak. He remembers what we ate. I sure don't. But I'll trust him.

My zone leaders, Elder Shum (from New Zealand) and Elder Rundle (from Australia), decided to sing "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" for me since I like snow and to me, snow is part of Christmas.

They began the serenade on the roof of their flat.

And then they sprayed us (and each other) with shaving cream (you know, because it's white. Like a white Christmas.)

Thus began a fun and a little crazy water fight. And also, shaving cream and flour and anything else we could find-fight. The resulting zone photo (um, it was messier than it looks):

Here we are caroling at the mall. That's me on the right. The short, blond one, with glasses.

And then, "Back home in New Zealand, we do a different kind of caroling..."

On Christmas day, every zone performed a skit. We won for best skit! I believe the plot included Sister Beadle and me converting Santa Claus. It was most clever. Here we are with our prizes.

Elder Zolik, dressed as Santa, with our mission president.

All of the missionaries pitched in to get President Knight a gift. Had I known what they were going to purchase, I would have saved my money for something else. It's a kangaroo skin. I don't approve. But I have the photo anyway.

More photos of the haka anyone? I like it. I'm not sure these are from Christmas day. The elders did this a lot.

And now some photos of me with some of my mates. (That's Australian lingo for friends. Who says I'm not bilingual?)

This is Elder Toleafoa, me, Sister Beadle, and Elder Foua

This is me with Elder Carruth.

This is Elder Rundle. I don't think this is Christmas day, but I'm holding a sausage, Australian style, and so I thought it apropos.

And these last photos are just to prove that I was actually in Australia.

Well, that's Christmas AAM style (AAM stands for Australia Adelaide Mission). Almost all of the people pictured here live in Australia or New Zealand. It's little wonder I miss it so much and little wonder I love Facebook so much. If only Elder Carruth would get a computer...

Christmas as a missionary. There is really nothing quite like it.