A happy 65th birthday in New Zealand

Kenny spoiled me with a beautiful silver fern pin and necklace, as keepsakes of New Zealand!

And we talked to some of the kids from home - that was fun!

We were invited to our Branch President's home for a suprise birthday party! The branch presidency and their families, and our home teacher and his family and another good friend and his family were all there. They roasted a pig, and there was "heaps" of delicious food. After dinner they had a family home evening, complete with kids doing the hula and singing! Kenny had little kids on his lap - sooo cute! Then the adults all bore their testimonies and said sweet things. They gave me a beautiful bag made in Tonga, to carry my scriptures in, filled with treats! It was such a wonderful birthday. Many thanks to President and Sister Pongia and all those who worked so hard to make it so special. Thanks for all your love!

When we got home we watched the dvd that Christine had made (for Christmas, but we didn't see it until my birthday the next day!) Precious kids we have. Love you all! Then lots of dear friends posted birthday wishes on facebook and e-mail - very fun!! A wonderful day!

Our Christmas card 2011

Merry Christmas 2011 from New Zealand
It’s 70 degrees and the lilies are in bloom, but it’s Christmas time in New Zealand! We’ve had a fun Christmas season. We fixed a little card with a heart ornament, and took to each family that we know. We have come to love the people here so much. We’ve been sent here to help this little branch increase and become a ward. We’ve watched it almost double in size in 6 months, and are thrilled with the spirit that is here, and the love that they all have for each other. Such sweet things happen every week, that help us feel like we are helping, and doing the Lord’s work.

We love Ashburton! We are thankful to be missionaries!
We are being blessed and our families at home are being blessed. Our grandson, Brendon, is serving in Fiji, and we are thankful for him and for each one of our children and grandchildren. We are thankful we can skype (picture above) and talk to our family often! We see the hand of the Lord in our lives, and in the lives of those at home, and those here in Ashburton.

He loves each one of us, more than we can imagine, and we love Him.
So we are sending this little heart and card to each of you, and hope you know how much we love you and appreciate your love and support. We hope that the Spirit of Love and Christmas and peace are in your homes and hearts.
Love, Elder and Sister Neider

A Merry Christmas in Ashburton

Not what we are use to in Idaho, but it was fun to go out to the lake 10 min from our house on Christmas Eve day, and see all the boats and skiiers. Then we went and helped decorate and set up for the Presbyterian Church Christmas dinner for the community. We went to the McDougalls, for a delicious Christmas Eve dinner and to exchange gifts, and had a lovely evening. When we got home we opened the beautiful gifts from our family and members of the branch. We felt very loved and contented!
Christmas morning we exchanged gifts with each other, and then got ready and went to church. It was wonderful to go to church and sing Christmas carols, and love everyone, and feel the spirit. After church we went to a lovely Christmas dinner with President Bourne's family in Christchurch, along with the Stauffers. We came back and went to a barbeque and had fun with some families, and then the Ede's came by our house and we had a fun visit. We are so thankful for each other and for this great experience and for the wonderful people here and at home! We are thankful for Christmas and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas with the Missionaries

We had a wonderful Christmas party for all the missionaries on the South Island. There were funny skits, (above one dilligent Elder tries to convince Santa (Elder Neider) that he needs to find a new job, rather than "working" on Sunday!), white elephants, delicious dinner, touching videos, words from President and Sister Kezerian, and singing (above, singing "Called to Serve"!). I told a Christmas story. First I told about Shawn, when he was on his mission in Japan, sharing all of his Christmas gifts with his 3 companions, and then I said that after sending my three children packages on their missions, that now they were sending us packages. In one package was a book of Christmas stories, because I love Christmas stories. Then I read, one of our families favorites, "Trouble at the Inn", and I cried right on cue!! Pretty funny. Anyway it was a really fun party!

December 18th a Full Day

Today we had a very special church. Our goal has been to get 150 people to church, which is the criteria for being made a ward. Today there were 200 there! We were ask to help get people there today, who haven't been coming. Also it was Sister Johnston's (the former branch president's wife) farewell party, because she will be attending the Timeru Branch, starting in January. The Stake President also came, with his family, and he and Sister Johnston both spoke. We were really packed in, and Kenny did a wonderful job of "ushering" and making sure everyone had seats. They finally had little kids sit on the floor up front, so people could have their seats! There was a most wonderful Spirit and the talks were inspired. When we went Christmas caroling last Sunday, President Pongia heard us, and he ask us to come and sing for 10 min before church started, so we did, and it was really neat. Then the Branch Presidency and their families sang a special number, "Because I have been given much", and the closing song was "God be with You." There was a potluck lunch after church, and so many people, that the "heaps" of food disappeared very quickly. They just move all the chairs back, and set up tables for the food, and it works! Mata and some of her friends went over Saturday and fixed three big beautiful flower arrangements. One sweet lady, who hasn't been to church in 5 years, came, (that is different lady than the one a couple of weeks ago who hadn't come for 5 years) and lots of others who have been inactive for shorter times. A lot of non-members came also. It was hard to keep track! It was truely an amazing and loving and lovely day!
Sunday evening, I was invited to a Christmas Tea for Sister Ede's visiting teaching companion and the ladies they go visit. It was amazing all the work she had gone to, preparing "heaps" of food, and a beautiful table with a little lit Christmas tree on it. She had made a little candy wreath for each one, and talked about how much each sister meant to her. Such a dear Sister! A "full" day in both body and Spirit! (I've got to quit eating so much!)

Branch Christmas party at the Domain

Not the usual for us, but a wonderful Christmas party in the park!! The Branch Presidency and many members worked hard to make it great. Two roasted pigs, food galore, and fun and games all day, for every age! Amazing the support and the participation and fun that was had by everyone - little kids, big kids, teenagers, and men and women. Complete with a decorated tree and a visit from Santa with gifts for every child (and Elder Neider)! So much love and fellowshipping! It was fabulous!

A wonderful Temple trip

We were able to go to the Hamilton Temple with this beautiful family, and see them sealed. What an incredible experience for them and for us. So tender to see tears streaming down their faces, and those little boys in white! Such an amazing and wonderful Spirit! It was a wonderful time to be there with everyone. Their family came from the Cook Islands for this, and the missionaries that had been here, and baptized the mother, have finished their missions now, and came to the temple with them. The two baby boys had chicken pocks, but that didn't stop this important event. Sweet boys!! To hear them bear their testimonies about the importance of their friend Matt, being their example and friend, made us realize how important it is to love and help and be good examples. Our Relief Society president's parents live near the temple, and they invited everyone to come to a wonderful dinner at their house that evening - talk about being an amazing example! Many tender mercies were witnessed at this special experience!

Christmas time in Ashburton, New Zealand

We have a cute little Christmas tree with packages from our kids under it! Kenny bought me a pretty angel, and a friend gave me a couple of angels. The rest of the ornaments were in a sack, for $2 from the trift store, and the tree was $8 from there. Our stockings were $3 each, and they were hung by the tv with care!

A baby boy to bless at church

Today we had a sweet experience. Cindy and John who were married a few weeks ago, ask Elder Neider to give their baby boy, Teurauaa, a name and a blessing. The baby was so sweet while he was giving the blessing, and was kind of giggling, and kept eye contact with Elder Neider the whole time. Cindy and John said they ask him to do it, because they love him so much.

It is quite a miracle to watch people come to church after being inactive for a while. Everyone welcomes them like long lost loved ones - which is what they are. Today, the branch presidency invited everyone to help with a Rescue Program, which entails helping bring people to church, and especially on Dec 18th, when Sister Johnston, will speak. She is going to be going to the Timeru Branch after January. Naturally, there will be a pot luck dinner after church that day! Every weekend this month there is a party for the branch! It's so amazing to watch the Lord's hand in loving people back.

Tonight some of the ladies in the branch, went Christmas caroling, and it was so much fun. It was touching to see how much it meant to the people we went and sang to. Another inspired idea of our Relief Society President, Andrina!