Although this post should have been done on 28/01/2015 as that was the day Bianca arrived in the mission field ... procrastination wins again.

On wards and up wards ... Bianca has had a safe and wonderful arrival in the mission field and was thrilled to meet with her mission president and his wife.

An excerpt from her email after her arrival:

"Hello my lovelies - I've arrived in Perth!

Today I've been so blessed.

Firstly I forgot to tell you guys but my luggage was just over weight but instead of making me pay the lady at the desk rounded my weight numbers down. So i got off with out having to pay.

The flights were smooth and we transferred successfully (even though we got lost in melbourne airport haha)

We were picked up by the mission president and his wife at the airport and they took up to the mission home - it's amazing! Like a mansion..

They've already taken us to kings park (biggest park in the hemisphere apparently)

Anyways I'm safe. I'm staying here for the night then meeting my trainer tomorrow. Everyone here is so lovely and kind. I'm so excited!

I miss you all and love you soooo much!

Talk to you next week on Pday

Love Sister Bisogno - buggle, biancs, bunc bunc"

Then the next day we received an email from the Mission President and his wife with four photos ... have posted below.

A small note from the email" Dear Brother and Sister Bisogno ,

We are happy to inform you that your daughter, Sister Bianca Bisogno, arrived here in the Australia Perth Mission, and we thank you for sending her to us.  We are glad to have her here, and have confidence that she is going to be a fine missionary.

Her companion in the Wanneroo Area, Sister Allen, is a strong and faithful missionary who will play a vital role in the adjustments and training process your daughter will go through.  We encourage you to continue to pray for her success and happiness and to write letters of encouragement and support.

It is our privilege to have Sister Bisogno serve with us.  It is a great trust that you and Heavenly Father have placed in us to assist her in realizing her full potential as a servant of God.  We will assist in every opportunity to help her to grow in the gospel, to bless others and to invite all to come unto Christ.  She will truly be an instrument in the hands of the Lord."

                                              The two missionaries Bianca travelled with

                                               The new missionaries with their companions

                                    Bianca and her Mission President and his wife, the Lindsay's

                                      Bianca and her companion, Sister Allen

We are missing her so much but when we read her mail and see these kind of emails, we are so glad Bianca is getting to do what she wants to do.  So, till next time .. . happy reading

I made a commitment to myself that I would faithfully attend to Bianca's missionary journey and sadly, my faithfully has become a little unfaithful, so I am making amends.

We were very excited on 28/01/2015 to be able to get to the airport at 04h10 to wait for our daughter to arrive from the MTC ... of course, the amount of people checking in were just overwhelming but seeing our daughter for the first time in two weeks was just as overwhelming.

We have some photos posted below more yet on facebook, so please feel free to check both. One of my biggest concerns is that Bianca would be left to work out her own way everywhere and whilst she would cope, me ... not so sure. However, as usual, God is good and Bianca flew out to the Australia, Perth mission with two other missionaries who were called to serve there as well.

Please see an expert from one of her emails from the MTC. "I can't wait to get to Perth. The MTC has been so amazing. I've learnt so much. We went to the temple on Thursday and it was great. The Tongan sisters helped me during the session which made it even lovelier. On the way down to Hamilton, both on the bus ride up and down, the Tongan missionaries sung hymns. It was so beautiful and it really set tone.Wehad our last day in classes  yesterday. I can't believe how quickly time has gone by".

                                                 seeing dad for the first time in two weeks

                                                   aunts, brother and father seeing Bianca

                                    Bianca's missionary group about to go to different missions

                                      all leaving for mission on the same day - different times

                                                     saying good bye to new friends

                                                       the Bianca we know and love

                                                             Bianca and grandpa

                                            the hardest part -saying goodbye for 18 months

Time seems to have this habit of getting away with me ... meant to update Bianca's blog but each day started and ended before getting to it.

So, thus far, Bianca has sent one email and one hand written letter. She seems to be enjoying things and very happy.

Below is an excerpt from her email:

"I’m so greatful I’m able to email you this morning. I’ve been soooo busy! Learning a lot every day. To easy your worries mum, I am getting fed, A LOT! They feed us so well here at the MTC. Every morning there is a cooked breakfast as well as fruit, cereals and toast. For lunch we’ve had fish, hamburgers, macaroni all with the choice of many different salads. For dinners we’ve had things like roast, stir fry, sausages and mash. Again, all with salad and other things to add to your plate. I make sure to get my serving don’t worry. My companion and I get on really well. The first night we talked for an hour while watching the sunset which I think broke the ice. We are always laughing and we are learning a lot from each other. In our room it’s just us, usually there are four sisters. But I’m so glad it’s just us because it means we have our own space and we aren’t on top of each other. All the missionaries are so lovely here! I’ve become really close with two sisters in particular, Sister Wong and Sister Anderson. We are in the same district and we’re always laughing and joking."

and some more ...

"To be honest, when I first got there I was feeling good, a little nervous but good. Day two though, by the end of the night I was feeling so overwhelmed. There’s so much to learn, I miss my family – all those kinds of things. But I said a fat, long prayer to Heavenly Father, asking him to help me not feel overwhelmed and that I can understand what I’m being taught. It worked! I have not felt like that since day two. So, don’t worry about me – I’m honestly doing fine.

We had a room inspection the other day, my companion and I got 20/20. Perfect score, Dad you would be proud to see how I keep my room. Absolutely spotless. I think your cleaning has rubbed off on me, I find myself washing out the hand basin and tidying everything all the time haha. I did my washing on Saturday. It’s great because the clothes I’ve been wearing so far don’t need to be ironed so it saves me time.

I want to share something I learnt from President Tarawhiti – I think you’ll like this dad. He told us personal preparation precedes priesthood power (or PPPPP).

Like I said I’m learning a lot.We have to do a lot of roleplays which at first made me so nervous. But know I look forward to them as I learn something new each time and am able to better myself."

We have not  heard from her this week but it could be because they have changed the Pday from Monday to Tuesday due to Auckland and Australia day??? Will keep you updated.

email from Sister Bisogno

So .. received a very brief email from our daughter, the lovely Sister Bisogno

"Hi family!

 

First off I want to say that I already miss you guys so much. Just writing that is making me want to cry again.

 

As soon as I walked into the building I got my tag. Sister Bisogno. Can you guys believe it?

I was led into the next room to wait for my companion and fill in a form. My companions name is Sister Yu. She is from Hong Kong and has been here for a month already learning english and cantonese. She is going to serve in the Sydney north mission. I've unpacked and semi settled in. I read your letters (chiara and mum) thank you!  I will keep those words close to my heart and will never forget them.  I love you all so much. Thank you for supporting me on this journey. Don't worry I'll be home before you know it!

Don't miss me too much,

 

 

love your Buggle/Biancs/ SISTER BISOGNO

 

Ps Please tell everyone I miss them and love them."

So, please know that Bianca misses you and sends her love

Arriving at the Missionary Training Centre (MTC)

Hi all

At 12h45 we dropped our beautiful daughter off at the MTC ... a very hard thing to do and quite emotional but are thrilled with the life choices she has made and continues to make. We will miss her terribly.

Packing and getting sorted this morning was blissfully tension free but fraught with emotion. We miss her telling us what to do but will adjust.

                                                           Just about ready to leave

                                                  my bags are packed and I am leaving ...

                                                    oh wait, one last smooch with my cat

                                                      quick some of the family together

                                                               The three munchkins

                               A clear message .. drop your baby and GO!! - must be for mothers

Bianca's setting apart

Hi all

As mentioned previously on Bianca's facebook and my facebook, I (with the help of my clever daughter, Chiara) have created this blog for Bianca's missionary journey.

I have obviously sent you all the link and hope you will enjoy reading the updates. I have already sent her email address and if I have missed anyone (not intentionally) please fb me and I will send it to you via a private message.

Last night we had a wonderful evening where she was set apart and spent time with so many special people and really felt the love and support. Thank you. She was moved beyond her capacity to express.

Some photos of last night (see more on fb).

                                                                      Lovely Bianca

                                                                  Talking with her aunts

                                                      Jess and Bianca - very old friends

                                               Bianca with her special pops or gramps

                                             Bianca and family from Henderson Valley

                                                        Bianca and some of the family

A family shot