Bondi Beach

Okay, okay! I've neglected this site, and I apologize to all my friends and family! I figured I'd start by writing kind of a journal entry and I think I will be able to write more often.

Lew and I spent Monday doing errands in the city. Lew finished his physical required for a job interview, then we stopped by the immigration office to finish some paperwork there. Fortunately, the office was in Bondi Junction so Lew and I spent the rest of the late afternoon touring old neighborhoods of antique and quaint expressions. Common walled-constructed homes in Old English fashion with ornate iron railings on the porches that overlook the ocean is an incredible view! Bondi Beach is quite the attraction to surfers. Lew and I walked a bit on the beach as the sun set. Surfers were combing the waves all along the coast. The waves were something to behold for sure. Surfers bobbing in clumps waiting patiently. By the water movement it wasn't hard to acknowledge its world-renound success on this beach for surfer attraction. I got thinking about my cousins, Matt and Carl. We were chatting a bit about their surfing skills and adventures before I left the states. I wish they could see what I was seeing now. Come on down and visit! I can imagine for a surfer this place is heaven. It certainly is for me, and I don't surf. Actually, in thought of that... I was watching the news in the morning before we left for our errands. A man who spends his career riding GIGANTIC waves off the Australian coasts was talking about his training and experiences. Lifeguards once came out and got him saying a shark had been spotted. He asked which kind. The lifeguard replied, "Matey, there's only ONE kind we get here." (Great white). That warrants a bit of respect for ocean life here!

Lew and I drove through mostly neighborhoods all the way home. He showed me where he was born, where his mother was born, where he played ball as a kid, etc. etc. I love looking at the architecture in the homes and buildings as we drive by. It was a wonderful day!

Our Wedding Day

We decided to keep the wedding simple, at my request. With all the effort to move everything I own down to Australia, then have a wedding and get settled, I didn't want to play "hostess" on top of all that. So we decided to have a simple wedding with Lew's children for photos. Afterwards, we all went to Barnaby's for a nice dinner. It was secluded for a Wednesday night. (Another reason we planned in the middle of the week!)


Afterwards, we left for our honeymoon to the Bingle Tree Resort in the bush... a very nice couples only cabin -"privacy guaranteed". It was beautiful! The birds were quite unusual to me and I loved all the nature sounds around. There were emus, llamas, deer, and other creatures around the property. It was very enjoyable.


Some ask how my family took not being there for the wedding... They really love Lew, and were extremely supportive with our plans. I was really happy with how things turned out, and it was more beautiful than I had expected. We took pictures and video to send to my family.


It's expensive to travel to Australia from the United States, and not easy for my family to make those arrangments. So I wanted to make it worth their time when they did come to visit. We decided the best time to visit is in January when the weather is good, and we can spend time showing a bit of the Sydney sites and activities they can enjoy for summer weather. Below is picture of Lew and I with the children. From left to right: Rebecca, Elizabeth, myself, Lew, Benjamin, and Joseph.

Our Wedding Day Continued

Top Photograph: Anita and I on the Temple Grounds

Bottom Photograph: Us with the witnesses of our wedding. Left: Don and Marjorie Newton. Right: Nicola and Randall Howard. Both couples are good friends.

The Grounds and some of the Flowers at the Temple

These are some of the beautiful foliage around the temple gardens.

Our wedding location

We got married in the Sydney Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a beautiful experience! The stained glass windows light up at night, but it's hard to tell in the daytime. The overcast day was typical for winter's weather, with lots of rain ususally. However, today was PERFECT!!! Lew would have wanted less clouds, but I felt it contributed to the beautiful photographs we were able to take!

Marjorie Newton was helping me get my bouquet "just right!" She is a brilliant person. I love having conversations with her. She has her doctorate and has written and researched many articles. She's given me a lot to think about as I adjust to my new country and culture!