Tracey's exciting Christmas

Christmas Eve


WoW! This is exciting!


Look what my siblings gave me!

Christmastime at the Sydney Temple

New statues next to the temple--at night






Timed picture of lights in front of Buckland House.


Scene next to Buckland House...leading to scenes of the story of the birth of Christ

Christmas displays on grounds near the temple

"The angel came in unto [Mary]." Luke 1:28; 3 Nephi 11:20-21


"Joseph, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife." Matt. 1:20-21; 1 Nephi 11:18


A decree from Caeser Agustus... Luke 2:1


Joseph went to Judaea with Mary. Luke 2:4-5; 1 Nephi 11:13-15


Mary brought forth her firstborn son. Luke 2:7; Alma 7:10

December events

Parramatta Family History Centre Christmas party--Couple in the distance, across from each other, are the directors. Garry and Diane Andrews are assisted in the centre by many non-member "librarians" who have served for 10-20 years each!


One "librarian" took the opportunity to visit with Tracey.


Christmas zone conference. Decorations, food preparation and serving were all done by a local ward. Notice tables decorated with red and white cloths, chairs covered, place settings with Christmas plates and goblets. Wonderful meal served, complete with traditional firecrackers at each place with a prize, a paper hat, and a riddle inside.

Aussie Views

Post office, post box, and truck


On back of many cars we see a big "P," -- "Provisional Driver!"


The speed limit signs (both sides of road) indicate 110!!! (That's km/hr, which is 66 mi/hr.)


"Elder Blue Tooth (an iguana?)" lives outside, next to Buckland House!


School children in uniform wait for light. Notice RED tree in distance!

Royal National Park, south of Sydney

Wendy McKnight and The Three Broughs








Thick with beautiful trees, as far as the eye can see

Beach on Tasman Sea

Dad and others arrive at the view spot


The beach as seen from the Sea Cliff Bridge


New Sea Cliff Bridge, completed in 2005, cost $49 million to build. You can walk or drive along the 1.2 kilometers of bridge around the sea cliff.


Picnic on the beach with fellow missionaries


Games on the beach; playing in the waves

Have you seen birds like these?

Elder and Sister Larsen on the beach with the birds


The cockatoo is not afraid. He likes to pose.


Black bird in Royal National Park

A visit to Cataract Dam

Completed in 1907


The first large city water storage dam in Australia



Dad, Tracey, Elder Wright

Our Thanksgiving turkey

Our 3.4 kilogram turkey (7 1/2 pounds) was very tasty. We senior missionary couples cooked three of these little turkeys.

Oatlands Ward Christmas Party

Sister Brown, from Arizona, and Sister Guo, from China--wonderful missionaries serving in our ward (Oatlands, Sydney area)


Elder Brough (far left) with Ivan Cevalos Duran Family--Ivan, Maria, Alicia, Ivan (Jr)

"Face" in the sky

On December 1 and 2, the moon (largest spot in picture) and Venus and Jupiter created a "face" in the sky. The moon really looked like a crescent. Dec. 1, the face was a smiley face. Dec. 2 was a frowning face. The last time this was seen was 23 April 1998. (We actually only saw this Dec. 2, because of cloud cover on the 1st.)