No photos I am afraid...

Happy Easter everyone!!

So yes, my first major holiday on the mission is done, and what a great holiday to have!

It is still hot, very hot! Everybody promises it will cool down, but I don't think their idea of cool will match my desires or expectations.

We had a baptism this week, awh man it is so surreal to be on this side of the story. I never even considered how that would feel. It is exciting and scary all at once. Thomas got baptised on his birthday! And then confirmed on Easter Sunday, pretty cool hey?

So things I miss from home? Proper cadbury mini eggs, they have fake ones here! For reals!! The rain (I promise it is missable). The people... oh man, I have yet to hear a proper Irish accent, and I am really dreaming about that!! W

Welcome to Doonside!!!!

Hello my lovely people! Missed me??

Sorry it has been too long, but with travelling, and loosing Tuesday somewhere over Samoa, this has been my first opportunity to email you all!

So what has happened?!

 

So the lovely Sister Watts got to visit Temple Square the Friday before we left the MTC, where we met her mother, who brought lots of delicious fresh, healthy food!! Totally worth the 90 minutes on the frontrunner!

We said goodbye to Sister Rogers! And Brother Swenson!!

A little bit emotional... But these guys are literally amazing, and dealt with our crazy district!

SISTER THOMPSON!!!!! If anybody wants to laugh... go to the church website, the health and safety... Interview with a Germ! Promise you, proper laughed!

I got a package from the lovely Tarbets!! They are amazing... and totally made me feel loved!! I read the talks on my plane journeys!!

Sister Fairclough... my little sunbeam! I love this girl, when you find someone who just understands, you instantly love them, and this girl is totally loveable (like the December Cat)!

Sister Beck!! Haha the sassiest Sister!! She is an EMT, so we just traded funny stories. She is going to be an amazing STL... way better than me, is all I ask!!

Windy final Temple walk, and I saw my two favourites!!!

That night, our last night, we sat and talked until after 1am, and just did what we used to do! Awh man, going to miss these two awfully!! The will be making miracles in Belgium/ The Netherlands.

On the Frontrunner again, this time with suitcases that weigh more than me! The smiles is because we are going to talk with our families, and eat some real world food!

​Café Rio!!!

​

The Golden Gate bridge, on our flight from SLC to San Francisco!

Ok so... we got here Wednesday morning (Sydney Time), and we headed out into the field, with the Balkham Hills STLs. I was with Sister Herrera, I think I fell asleep in a lesson... I was that tired!

The next day I met my fabulous companion, Sister Ballif, from San Diego, California! She is great... I promise pictures soon.... She wouldn't thank me for sharing the ones I have!

It is very hot in Sydney! Not going to lie!! May have gotten a little sunburnt. Trying to be more sensible, and drinking way more water. But it does rain, and I have photographic proof!!

Could someone tell me when the hottest time of the day is? I think it might be around 3? But I am not sure, it is definitely not 12md anyway!!

Love you all!!

My mailing address for everything is,

Australia Sydney North Mission

756 Pennant Hills Rd

Carlingford

NSW

Australia

(PS... Still waiting on some email address... family members who want this, and Lauren Barnley and Janet Potts!!!)

Write Me!!

Hey everybody!

If you want to write to me, or send me Dear Elders while I am in the MTC, this is my address!

Sister Louise Jacqueline Dorman

MAR 09 AUST-SYDN, 

2005 N 900 E Unit 96,

 Provo UT 84602

I will leave the MTC around March 9th, and from then all my post should go to the mission address!

Letters sent through Dear Elder while I am in the MTC are free!! And if sent before 12md MST they are printed and given to me that day!! 

When I am in Australia, my address is 

Sister Louise Jacqueline Dorman

Australia Sydney North Mission

756 Pennant Hills Rd

Carlingford NSW 2118

Australia

Also! Any last email addresses to add to my weekly update, email me at

Louise.dorman@myldsmail.net

Love you all!!

Sister Dorman

Visa and travel plans!!

So it is definitely happening! On Thursday I got confirmation of my Australian visa, and today I got my travel plans! I am going to Utah a few days early to spend time with the Tarbet family. Elder Tarbet was one of the missionaries who taught me, and he is still serving for another few months. His mum has been a great support since I have joined the Church, so I am very excited to meet them!

So I fly Saturday February 20th February, getting into Salt Lake around 10pm. It will be a long day of travelling, 18 hours of flying... But really the last 'alone' time I will have for 18 months, so I am going to enjoy it. 

Now it is time to say my 'see you soon' 's, pack my bags, and head off on my adventure. 

(Getting the important things packed!)

T-minus 11 days to departure!

Sister Dorman

"See You Later!"...

Lucy and Courtney report to the Provo MTC in the next few days, and I am not going to lie... I totally cried!

Courtney had her farewell last Friday up in Omagh. I got out of work early and made the journey up, on a really frosty night! 

Lucy had her farewell in Bangor on the Saturday night, and that was the last time I will see Courtney before I am in Provo. We had a proper emotional trio hug... It is so surreal that it is finally time. 

Tuesday, Lucy went through the Temple for the first time, and I got to be there! It was a super long day, I was up from 3am to catch a 6.30 flight from Dublin. Another issue with the rental car meant I had to get the train from Manchester Airport to Chorley, and then a taxi the 1.5miles to the Temple. But I didn't care, because I got there in time! And it was amazing!!

We had a photo session outside afterwards, I'll attach some afterwards! But there where a lot!!

(This is a photo of the view finder - not great quality!)

Thursday night, at institute... I said my last hellos to Lucy until I get to Provo. I can't say goodbye because they are not allowing me!! Haha, so it's not goodbye, it's a see you soon!

I have 18 days of work left (12 shifts)

I fly in 27 days

I report in 32 days... 

It's getting SUPER REAL!! I am way beyond excited!

Louise x

When you meet an Apostle of the Lord!

There was a Special All Ireland Fireside with M. Russell Ballard, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in Dublin Stake Building last night (Saturday November 21st). And I got to be there!!

(The date was originally Thursday)

We got there early, and managed to get seated on the FRONT ROW! I know, pretty jammy! Well, guess who was there with Elder Ballard, Elder Kearon! And his wife. Well, the conference was pretty amazing. Sister Kearon gave an amazing talk, you know people who you just can't help but smile when you see them? She has the spirit just oozing out of her. I think she is the first person who has ever captured me like that. It was amazing! But anyway, yeah Stake President (Dublin) O'Farrell gave a talk. And the thing that he said that really struck me was - 

Be more generous in sharing the Gospel!

Members give information

Missionaries give information and an invitation!

What a powerful thing!!

Elder Ballard spoke about addressing our sins now! He taught that mortality is not something to survive, it is a time to learn and change and grow. Our bad habits will accompany us to the next life, our body will be resurrected with those human desires still in place. It is much easier to repent when the body and spirit are together!

Afterwards Elder Kearon came over to me and said, 'Louise, come meet an Apostle of the Lord'. My heart about stopped, I literally felt my life change. 

Elder Kearon introduced me, and told him that I was going on my mission to Australia! He asked when I was going, and said that my 'spirit would soften many hearts'. What an amazing thing!!

I got to meet with Elder Kearon and his wife afterwards! Awh that man is amazing, he always says the exact right thing. 

An amazing evening for sure! I can't wait to teach my investigators, and testify about the spirit of general authorities of the Church. 

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Congratulations to Sister Napier who guessed where I would serve!! She wanted EVERYONE to know!!

I love this woman, she is so filled with love, and makes me laugh so much!