A Wonderful Family

We were invited to family home evening and dinner with this sweet family, along with the elders. The kids are so well behaved (even the little ones) and all had parts for FHE. They sing with gusto and all the verses. The baby girl who is not quite 3, had a little pocket size hymn book, and she sang in her loudest voice - her own song, along with everyone - so darling! When she and her brother got tired, they climbed up on the couch by their mom and dad, and closed their beautiful brown eyes and went to sleep! No fussing! They had scriptures written on some big cardboard, and they all repeated the scriptures from memory - they said they do that every night before prayer.

After a wonderful 1 hr FHE, the adults all went into the dining room to eat, and the kids waited in the living room untill we were through eating, and then they got to eat. I think it was partly because there wasn't room for everyone around the table, but they said that is the tradition in Samoa. (I was so worried about the kids being hungry at 7:30)! We had fish, and beef chow mein, and chicken and french fries and taro! And cheese cake and ice cream, and fruit for desert. It was all delicious!! What a special family!! And they are so beautiful! They have one son who was at EFY in Auckland with the other youth from the Branch. They told us that they had one other son, but they let the father's brother and his wife have him to raise, because they couldn't have any children! How's that for brotherly love!

Matt and Anne, Courtney, Ethan and Shakyla

This sweet family have been so good to us and we love them. Their parents are all in Austrailia, so they don't have any grandparents nearby. They came this week for family home evening and dinner with us. They brought us a little tv, so we could watch the news and the church dvds. They also came this week and cleaned out the flower beds and took away a whole pickup load of leaves and garbage. Matt is only 27, so is like a son (or grandson!). He wears shorts and rugby socks and "jandles" (flipflops), even when it's very cold outside! Anne is such a sweet mother, and she is so kind to everyone. She and I went to Christchurch on Thursday with some other ladies from the branch, and heard Sherry Dew, Virginia Pearce, and Hillary Weeks. They were going to Auckland for a "Time out for Women" but came here as a bonus, to uplift the people who have suffered from the earthquake. It was a really wonderful evening, to hear them, and they did uplift and encourage everyone. I sat next to a lady who had arranged beautiful flowers (that had been donated) for that night, and found out she had lost her home in the earthquake, and that what money they got from the government wasn't enough to buy another house. Talking to her for a few minutes, (and also driving around Christchurch), really helped me realize how much people had been through. We are about an hour from there, and so the damage here isn't nearly as bad here. After I had talked to this little lady - Sherry Dew came down the isle, and I told her a bit about her, and Sister Dew hugged her and talked to her a minute. Anyway, it was a great experience.

Saturday we went to Christchurch for a baptism - Elder Neil and Elder Fafita have been teaching Terry , and he was baptised. The elders can't take any passengers in their car, so Terry rode with us. We heard his life story, and it's very interesting. He was born and raised in North Carolina, and he is African Anerican. As a boy, he remembers his mother talking about Joseph Smith! He practices holistic or alternative medicine, and massage and acupuncture and reflexology. He came to NZ with his wife, who was from here, but they have separated now,and they have two young sons. He is now a caregiver for and lives with a man who has had a stroke and he is helping him with diet and other things to get mobile again.

It was a really nice baptism at 11:00 and then we had lunch afterwards at the church.

Our lady from the candy shop, has a website, you should check it out! Bullrush chocolates. or maybe Bull Rush Chocolates. Her name is Nadine.

Sunday we had stake conference, and our new stake president is Pres Ormsby, who we had dinner at his house a week or so ago, and he has been in the mission presidency. He is a wonderful young (age 32) man and he will be great. We don't know the counselors, but one was a counselor in the stake before, and one has been a branch president in Timeru. It was a wonderful meeting with Elder Watson, who has been personal secretary to all of the last 5 or 6 prophets! He said not many people can do this, but he went up and walked into Pres Monson's office and told him he was going to Christchurch, and wanted to know what the prophet would like to say to the people there - and he said, "tell them that we are aware of their circumstances, that we are praying for them, and that I love them! The past stake president and his wife, gave wonderful talks too, and also Pres Ormsby. To hear the testimonies of those who have been involved in calling a new stake president, that it is a call from the Lord is pretty amazing!

Rebels

We are laughing! Our district leader, Elder Murphy, who is a wonderful young man, told Kenny this morning that he only has 2 rebellious missionaries in his district! (he and his companion, and the 2 elders here in Ashburton, and Kenny and I are his entire district). So Kenny and I are the rebellious ones, because Kenny hasn't gotten his weekly progress report into him when it was due! He's really just teasing us. He doesn't come home, so we can report until after we go to bed! We really could do better! But we are laughing at being called rebellious! He doesn't know how lucky he is that Kenny isn't here alone!! Kenny will get him back when he does apartment inspections!

Kenny can't bring himself to pay $13 for a car wash, so he's doing it himself.

Our Ashburton Elders - Elder Neil and Elder Fifita

This is the new car waiting for Elder Neil to pass his driving test tomorrow, so they can have it. Elder Neider is teasing them, by dangling the keys. Elder Fifita is showing off his new warm coat - he was so thrilled with it! They are really fun elders and are working hard in Ashburton.

Elder Neil passed his driving test and it was a glorious and happy occasion.

Our new mission president and his lovely wife and our first zone conference

It was a wonderful zone conference! We heard from President and Sister Kezerian and they told us about themselves and bore wonderful testimonies. Our mission is in good hands. I loved President's story about during WWII, how one young man jumped off a ship to go back and help men who were being abandoned - and as a result, the ship was stopped and went back and rescued all of the men. He said that is what we are to do - dive in and save lives. (Only he told it 100 times better than that)! He and his wife challenged us, and inspired us. We got to hear Pres Ormsby and his sweet wife bear their beautiful testimonies too. We also got to hear every missionary in our zone, bear their testimonies, and it was so wonderful!

We didn't think to take pictures until quite a few had left - we'll do better next time! It was a really wonderful day.

A great weekend

Last night the Timeru elders called and said the lady that they had ask us to visit in Geraldine, came to church and brought her whole family! They were pretty excited about that!

We had such a great weekend - Saturday, when we went to do the English class at the church, we were early, so we went across the street to a little "chocolate and gift" shop! I picked out some blank cards to write thank yous on, and the lady ask us about our church across the street, because of our name badges. Dad started to tell her about our church, and ask her if she would like to know more. She said yes she would!! So he kept talking to her - I had to go to my class. She said she had been going to some other church, but didn't feel like it was right, and was wanting to find another one. Dad gave her a booklet about the Plan of Salvation, she said she would read it, and for us to stop over again. (She didn't let Dad pay for over $20 worth of stuff we were buying!!)

Saturday morning I was feeling kind of panicy about what to teach at the English class. I had prayed and gotten some children's books from the library with cd, and Sister Ede had downloaded onto a cd, I Nephi. But didn't feel like it was enough. I wanted to contact Natalie or Heidi who had both taught English in foreign countries, but didn't have phone numbers. I tried to find them, and finally got on facebook and told Heidi to call me. A few minutes later she did!!! She told me that they taught the little 4 &5 yr old kids, by role playing and explained how. I got thinking that that was exactly what these ladies wanted - to know how to express themselves - like how to conduct, pray, bear testimony, etc. (one lady just got put in the RS presidency). So I typed out 3 sheets for each person. One was what you would say and do if you were to conduct, one on if you wanted to bear your testimony, and one on prayer. I told them that they would speak from their heart, but these were some things they could practice saying. A non member was there, and she said she practiced in front of a mirror and that helped her get confidence. (She is also very interested in the church!!)
We also listen and followed along with Chpt 1 of BofM. At the end of class, the lady said thank you so much - I have to conduct for the first time tomorrow in RS and this will help me! I felt like Heavenly Father was so aware of us - to have Heidi call with idea, and so I had time to get the pages ready - to help this sweet sister. (By the way - she did a great job on Sunday!!
At Sacrament meeting, (the most they had usually have is 100 or so people) - they had 138 people!!
There were people everywhere!! The stake president, Pres McDonald and his wife were there and they both spoke. We were so happy to hear and meet them, because they are going to be release this next Sunday. Very sweet and wonderful people who have had incredible trials since the earthquake.
After church we went up to Rakai, and met with the McGoons, and taught her a real lesson on the Plan of Salvation! It was our first missionary lesson - very out of our comfort zone, but we felt pretty good about it. We thought her husband would have told her about us coming (he invited us) but he kind of sprung it on her at the last minute, and she wasn't as ready as we would have hoped. But she was ok, and I think they will have us come again. We said some important things that hopefully she'll think about. We left her the booklet on the Plan of Salvation too. Excellent little booklet!
Sunday night, we had our temple prep class and Dad did a good job. We had 3 more people come who ask to be part of the class. It was a good evening! In all we are doing, we feel that the Lord is blessing and helping us know what to do and say. Carry on and try not to panic!

We have mentioned that things are small - small cars, narrow roads, etc. This little gate/cattle guard, led into a driveway of a farm house we went to. Our little car barely made it. A full size car would never make it through! It made us laugh and Kenny wanted a picture!

We had our first temple prep class on Sunday the 10th with 3 couples. We got to know each of them, and are excited for them to get ready. Hopefully we can overcome some "obstacles" and get them all to go. President Keserian called this week and said we have permission to go to the temple with them in October for stake temple week. That is very exciting! It's a 15 hr trip by car, so most everyone flies from Christchurch.
We were invited to go to early morning seminary on Tues at 6:00 am and bear our testimonies about missionary work and "inspire" the kids! There were 7 (8 including the 21 yr old teacher) of the most wonderful young people. They go every morning of the school week. Each one did a "presentation" about an aspect of the gospel, and did so well. They tickle us the way they sing with such gusto! They sing every verse of the hymns, with hamony and parts, on key, accapella! It's very amazing! That is how all the other branch members sing too! After seminary, one of the fathers, Bro Tuli, who picks the kids up every morning, and brings them, had hot chocolate, meat pies, and chocolate donuts for everyone! So wonderful! It was just a great experience! I forgot to take a picture of them, but will get one later.
Tuesday evening we went to Rakia, which is about 30 min away, and visited with 3 families up there. It was so good to figure out who was who, and how they are all connected! There are two families from Tonga - Pres Pongia's and Afu's. The mothers are sisters. And there are 3 families from Fiji that are brothers and sisters and uncle. They are all great and it was fun to visit with them. Several are part member families, so that is fun to look forward to sharing the gospel with them.
Wednesday we went to Christchurch, and took some things to the elders there, and met with President Jared Ormsby and had dinner at their home and a wonderful visit. He has been a couselor in the mission presidency. He is a lawyer (corporate law mostly) in a large firm. His wife Stephanie, is originally from Sandy, UT, but has settled into being a kiwi! They have a little girl, Sarah, about 4 and a little boy, Jaron, about 1. Pres Ormsby is 32, and has always lived in New Zealand. His mother was also there and we had such a lovely visit with them all, and a wonderful dinner. I forgot to take their pictures too! I'll catch up!
Friday we went up to Geraldine to meet with some members. They call it the scenic highway - and boy is it. The most beautiful mountains, and scenery all the way. But the closer you get to those mountains, the colder it gets!! We stopped in Mayfield where a couple that we had met the night before lived. We gave them some pamphlets and pictures, and had a good little discussion about the church. Then we went to Geraldine and got to visit with a lady that the Timeru elders had ask us to visit. She is an inactive member and has 4 children and a 16 yr old niece who lives with them, (none of them have been baptized). She really has her hands full, and is planning to move to Timeru. We talked to her about praying for help, and told her that Heavenly Father knows and loves her and her children and that He wants to help and bless them. We also talked about how important the church is in helping her to raise them. It was a good visit. We also stopped and visited Sister Johnston and her son Hamish for a few minutes. Penny Tauakume, one of our temple prep families, brought us a lovely dinner.

In Idaho (and Utah) you can tell directions easily - the sun comes up in the east and goes down in the west. And the mountains are on the east! Here, there aren't any mountains on the east, and the sun doesn't even come up in the east or go down in the west! Not sure what the problem is! It's very strange. But the sun does come up! That's good! I'm having a hard time keeping my directions straight! Kenny is doing much better than I am. Everything is backwards here - the light switches are opposite for off and on, the roundabouts go the opposite direction,they drive on the left side of the road, the driver is on the wrong side of the car, and all the controls in the car are on the opposite side from where they are in our cars - gear shift, windshield washer, etc. Kenny turns the windshield wipers on everytime he wants to make a turn! They think everyone is left handed! No worries! Everyone says that - instead of "no problem"! Everytime you say thank you - they say "no worries"! They say yous instead of your. Brother Edes laughs everytime Kenny tries to say someones name, because it's so wrong! (I don't even try!) Even when they tell you how to pronounce things, you can't do it! There's nothing to "associate" a name with, to help remember it. The Elders are funny - the ones from the United States all have New Zealand accents now, so you can't even understand them without really concentrating! No worries!

My Christmas sweater and picture gallery on our wee fridge!

June 1-7 The Lord's Missionaries!

Seems like a while since I've updated the blog. It's been so wonderful to have telephone communication with home. I had no idea how much it would mean!

No celebrating July 4th in New Zealand! We did go to dinner with our CES missionary friends, the Stauffers who are from Bountiful, UT and that was very nice.

On Saturday we went to find inactive names on the branch directory. Two names had moved and the third name was a lady who hadn't been to church since she was a child, and had joined another church with her husband. Her mother was there, who is an active member visiting her daughter from Christchurch. We had a nice visit with them. They live in a little town called Methven, which is a little ski town about 20 miles from the ski hill (they call it the ski field). Then we drove down the road to Geraldine which is a great little town and where the branch president lived with his sweet wife, until he suddenly died about 4 months ago. He had been the branch president for about 9 years, and everyone loves them so much. She is a lovely little lady, and we had a nice visit with her, and she ask Kenny to give her a blessing. It was such a sweet experience to be in her home.

Sunday was fast and testimony meeting and it was really wonderful to hear the testimonies of these good people, and get to know them better and feel their great spirits. The people we had visited who hadn't been coming, came with their family, and she bore her testimony in relief society and it was beautiful. They have had a lot of hard things the past while, but she has a great testimony.

Sunday evening, we had Val and Gram (our landlords) come to our house for dinner. They stayed to visit and we had a really lovely time with them. It's so fun to have some friends! They have ask us a few questions about the church and Kenny gave them the pamphlet on the Restoration as they were leaving.

Monday is our p-day and like the elders, we do our laundry and clean up! Gram brought us a used washer that works pretty good! We got groceries and went for a little ride. The dang seatbelt in the car is driving me nuts - and just so you all know - I'm wearing it all the time! I hate it though!

Tuesday we got up early and went to Christchurch and spent the entire day doing apartment inspections with all 6 missionary apartments there. It was great getting to know the missionaries in our zone. They are really outstanding and wonderful. Our first apt was the 2 sisters, Sister Wu from Tiwan and Sister Yu from China! They are absolutely darling. I will take a picture of them later. Then we went on to inspect the 5 elders apartments and cars, and they were all really great guys, and were happy with the rice crispie treats we took them. We were so happy to meet them all.

Wednesday we took the Ashburton elders and went to Timeru, and had district meeting and inspected the apartment and car there, and the apartment in Ashburton. We are really amazed at these great young men and women that are serving here in our mission. They know the gospel messages and their purpose so well and they have such strong testimonies and are so committed and hardworking. We are thrilled to be here and to get to associate with them, and feel their goodness. What a blessing for us. They are very fun, and are kind and loving to us. Some are going to stop by our house Saturday when they come through town to "exchange" companions. We have really enjoyed having these assignments and having things we needed to go and do.

Dad loves his GPS!! He likens it to the Holy Ghost, who will guide us, and get us safely back home to Heavenly Father! When we get off the path, it says "recalculating" and gets us headed right again. We don't know how we could possibly find all the places we've been without it. It's been a lifesaver! Hummm, the Holy Ghost is a lifesaver too! This little GPS has helped us to realize how the Holy Ghost can guide each one of us individually.

We stopped by a wool store, and I found a sweater I loved and I told Kenny that's what I wanted for Christmas. He said that at Christmas, it would be summer and warm, and that now is when I needed it, so he got it for me now. It is heaven to wear it! I'm showing it off, along with my picture gallery on our wee fridge! I also got some possum insoles to wear in my shoes, and they really help keep my feet warm!

We got our first "mail from home" today, in our mailbox - it was the announcement of Brendon's farewell! It went right up on the fridge! It came the day he went into the MTC! Love that grandson, and are excited for the adventures ahead of him. We told Shawn that now he knows how we felt when he left and how much we love him! You almost have to experience being the parents to understand.

Tonight we are going to run some treats over to a couple of families. The more people we get to know, and the more we get to know them, the more we love them!