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!
No comments:
Post a Comment