Church Holiday

Over the years I have known many people who have seen Stake Conference (and often even General Conference) as the Church's version of a Public/Bank Holiday and either have the day at home with family or make other plans.

Now that we have moved to a regional area of Australia, we are in a good size Branch in a District, and a LONG way away from any other units.  So last weekend when it was District Conference (which is held in Rockhampton, a 4 hour drive south of Mackay and 4 1/2 hours from where we are currently living north of Mackay), and I had worked for 13 days straight - we figured if anyone could justify a 'Church Holiday' it was us?

So, while I worked until 3pm on Saturday, Noëlle got our camping gear together and collected a rental car (yes we are still having ongoing car problems with our poorly x-trail, so it is banned from long drives at the moment).  I rushed home from work, grabbed a quick shower, and we were soon on our 4 1/2 hour drive down to Rockhampton.  We found a camp site just around the corner from the Chapel and were soon set up.

We didn't get down in time for the Saturday night session of Conference, but loved Sunday's meetings, we got to meet some more new people and I even got to make use of my French.

We had planned a leisurely drive back up to Mackay Sunday afternoon, enjoying the scenery and taking a walk near some local caves.  The caves were closed, including the access roads, and then about 4pm I got a priority call out for work.  Even 2 hours away, I was the closest to the job, but still had to go home and get my work vehicle.  I guess I was destined to not have a day off yet!

With Saturday officially off this week, and my contract only requiring me to work Sundays for priority call outs, fingers crossed I might actually get some real down time this weekend ...