Tour Down Under

We opened a new chapter in Australia this week. Besides it being Australia Day and blazing hot (yes – Kevin, Stacy, Madi, Coop and Rylee – you guys brought and then took away the nice, comfortable weather from Sydney!), we went out for a stage in the 10^th Tour Down Under

(similar to the Tour de France … except here in our lovely backyard of Adelaide and the surrounding countryside. I’ve never been one to watch cycling events on TV, but like most sporting events, this one took on a whole flavor of its own while ‘on site’. It’s been going for 10 years, but this is the first year that they have ‘pro’ status.

So, many of the pro teams from Europe are here albeit not with some of their best riders (a pro cycling team will have 30 riders and yet only 7 will ride in a particular event – and a team will cost on the order of $20M a year to run!). Anyway, the atmosphere was just awesome! The police with their sirens going in front of the pack to make sure the streets are clear (that was Hunter’s favorite part). Then there are sponsor vehicles which have huge model cyclists on top of the vehicle and they throw out all

sorts of free stuff (the kids collected bags, bracelets, insulated mug holders, flags, banners, etc.) This particular course had the cyclists coming around 4 times over 3.5 hours. At the first of the race we were positioned just after the ‘neutral start’ position (they ride for 2 km before the race actually starts – we were after the 2 km and they were really moving.) I was standing not on the road, but on the shoulder trying to catch a picture of them coming by. I looked down at my camera and then looked up only to see this cyclist coming straight at me. Needless to say I moved faster than I think I ever would be able to otherwise off the road entirely – I’m sure the

rider wasn’t too crazy about my position on the road :) Anyway, you’d watch them come whizzing by and then go about the local activities like a bazaar, bands, a loud speaker announcer giving updates on the racers and where they were at. As they came by the start/finish line, we would all bang on the signs which were posted to the barricades. They would also collect food and water at this location and freely discard their old water bottles (Collin managed to collect one of these prize items). It was just a riot being there and in the atmosphere of it all. I think the Tour de France will have a new viewer this year … and for years to come. The kids really enjoyed themselves and a good time was had by all. We went with our friends, the MacAllisters, who are avid race friends and showed us the ins and outs of the sport. (They went into the city afterwards and got autographs of Cadel Evans and Robbie McKewen after the race … for you race fanatics out there!) A quick aside from the MacCallisters -- they brought the orange banner that Savannah is holding to church today. Kelli was giving a talk in sacrament and during her talk they held it up from the back row and instead of 'feel the rush' they put 'feel the spirit' with the 'rush' replaced by 'spirit' on notebook paper -- which fell off according to Kelli.

We ended our Australia day by letting the kids snooze in the back of the car on the way home and then getting in their wading pool and finally doing sparklers in the evening. We took them out to a high vantage point to see the fireworks, but believe it or not Adelaide didn’t even do any fireworks! Go figure … but we still had a great day and it was one we’ll remember for a long, long time!

These last pictures are of my trip up to the Murray River with the youth from church. We had a great time. I’d also like to throw in a “feel good” moment from church, if I may. I was just sitting down to write this blog and a grandma of one our deacons from church called me up. This particular boy lives in a home with a single mother and his younger sister. His dad, I believe, left them at an early age. His mom isn’t active, but every other week he comes to stay with his grandma who takes him to church on those weekends. He was ordained a deacon last September or so and today was set apart as a counselor in the quorum presidency. During the blessing, it was a neat feeling to feel of the Spirit and the thoughts and words just flowed smoothly. The grandma was calling up to thank me for giving him a blessing for the start of school this week. She was hoping that someone could give him a father’s type blessing for the start of school, but he didn’t feel particularly comfortable with anyone coming over to do it. During his setting apart today he was blessed that he would do well in his school work, relations and education. When his grandma asked him if he’d at least be willing to say a prayer for school before he left her house this afternoon, he said that he’d already received the blessing that he needed during his setting apart. It was a testimony to me of how we can be an instrument in the Lord’s hands … and how taking a few moments to make a phone call of gratitude can mean a lot. Just wanted to close on that happy note … happy Australia day everyone!! Australia Day and 4^th of July in the same year!! Wahoo – and we hope to get fireworks in America!