I love to see the temple.

So during the week I'm sure I won't have much variety to write about as the days will become pretty repetitive mostly. But the past week was my first week taking care of Emily and things went well! We like each other and we have fun, so that is positive. :) Aaron and Sally treat me very well and so my living situation is great. All good things!

We are inside pretty much all the time, so we went on our first walk on Thursday which was much needed. Being outside just calms me. Emily falls asleep in the pram (stroller) really quickly, so I can just bring my ipod and zone out as I walk up and down the mega hills in this city. It was awesome.

Plus, this suburb is pretty nice and beautiful.

This picture does not do the hills justice.

I also went on a couple of runs this week. I'm working on being healthier since the past couple of years haven't been my best.

At night when Emily goes to bed we have been watching Band of Brothers, which is a fantastic series about a company of paratroopers in World War II. Insane to watch their experiences on a screen. I've read a book series by the LDS author Dean Hughes like 5 times called Children of the Promise that deals with a family who have 4 kids in the service during WWII - three sons as a POW in the Philippines and Japan, a Paratrooper, and a Marine, and then a daughter as a Navy nurse. I love these books and have learned a lot about the war from them. Band of Brothers is like watching the paratrooper experiences that I read about come to life. It's quite incredible. And incredibly sad. I recommend the series (both the TV show and the books).

Yesterday I went into the city again to explore some more. I walked a ton and got to see lots more stuff. I went into a museum and learned cool things, walked around Southbank a ton and had a Works Burger for lunch (piled high with hamburger, bacon pineapple, egg, lettuce, tomato, onion...and I think that's it). Apparently it's an Australian thing. Pretty delicious and MESSY haha.

As I was walking across one of the bridges I saw the temple in the distance and decided I wanted to go to the grounds. But I very much did not know where it was haha and I ended up on the wrong side of the river. So instead I walked along a pretty path along the river at the botanical gardens, then did a huge loop through the city to go back to Southbank and walk all the way back that way to go to Kangaroo Point and the CORRECT side of the river this time. It's kinda cool because you go up the cliff once you get up all the stairs...BOOM. There's the temple. :) I love to see the temple. I got to sit on the grounds for a little bit before I almost got locked in! I'm glad I eventually made it there after proving how directionally challenged I am.

Other cool things from this week:

Went to a market and bought stuff to make yummy food this week. Including lasagna. YEP.

Saw a protest parade for equal rights in the city. Lots of people.

Got a ride to church and my ward has more Polynesians than Australians and they are all so so so nice!!! Then I completely felt like a missionary again as I got invited to dinner at the bishop's house (his wife was the one who gave me a ride to church) and also to another family's house for dinner this Wednesday. I met a lot of YSA and was told about weekly institute and other things going on. I feel better now that I know I am where I am supposed to be and people are so willing to help me. I LOVE THE CHURCH! It's true no matter where you are in the world. I'm grateful for good people in the world.

That's pretty much it from this week. Good stuff to come!