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.
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.
Beautiful! I'm surprised how much it reminds me of home :) You both are doing wonderful things and it is so much fun to get to read and be apart of your experience. We think you are awesome!
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