See if you can find Alecia. This picture is representive of a vision the District President had years ago when there were just a very few members in attendance. In the vision they had seen the chapel full to over flowing and all the way back through the culture hall. As the meeting was taking place we noticed tears streaming down President Jason Gaskill's face as he recalled that vision.
After 124 years as a Distrct---
First Dunedin Stake Presidency: President Smith, President Salamon, and President Kaufana
President Kaufana is from Oamaru and is part of the great Kaufana family here. President (Justin) Kaufana and his family are the most spiritual people we have ever known. They live by faith, in faith, and of faith and show total love and acceptance to all. It has been a pleasure to be part of their lives. The entire leadership of the wards here are made up of Kaufana's including the Bishop of the 1st Ward. More about them later in the post.
Elders Bokai( islander), Falipo( Samoa), Benjamin( Farmington), Simpson (Fiji and DL), Justin and his youngest( Tonga via Salt Lake)
Elders Nedro (Idaho),Hebertson (Sandy), Falipo (Samoa), Benjamin (Farmington), Simpson (Fiji), and Higley ( Texas). This picture was taken in our front yard after the first Oamaru District training. After we became a stake, the town and Ward of Timaru was added to the Dunedin Stake. They were formerly part of the Christchurch Stake. As a result the Oamaru district was formed and broken off from the Dunedin District. Thus, our first Oamaru District meeting.
A P-day get together for a cookie bake by Elder Higley and his mother's "everything" recipe. They were singing Folo Fala, a Tongan hymn at the time. We asked them to sing it to us every time we get together.,
All the Elders,Sisters ,and Seniors singing at Zone conference in Gore- about 31/2 hours south of Oamaru. Makes for along day- 7 hours of driving plus 5 hours of training. All worth it though.
At this zone conference we said goodbye to some outstanding Sr. Couples. The Clarks,above, who were leaving to be Mission President in Orlando, Florida and had been serving in Invercargill as MLS missionaries. And the Lynches below, who had been serving in the office. Elder Lynch was the finance and "cop" guy to the missionaries. When they got a call from him they often said they had just been "Lynched"! We got to spend an afternoon with them here in Oamaru, absolutely loved them.
The candy cards are Alecia's creation. We give them out to the missionaries returning home from our district. She has to come up with something unique to say for each one. PRESSURE!
Here is a picture of a new Sr. Couple serving in Dunedin, Dave Ward and Janalee Ward from Rexburg, Idaho. He was an English professor at BYU Idaho. They are shown with the Zone leaders, Elder Griffin(Australia), and Parry(Provo). It is fun for us to get together with them and the Edwards from time to time for a little R&R.
Here we are after a combined district training in Dunedin having lunch at a Turkish eatery. The Timaru elders had travelled with us so got to come along with the old folks. The wife of the owner wanted in the picture with us and her daughter took the picture. The elders are Nedro, and Hebertson. The food was, well Turkish!
This was taken when we drove down to Dunedin to be with the Edwards, that is Debbie and Bart Edwards (SLC), and Janalee Ward. We went out for Brunch together before the genealogy "workshop". The Edwards are Family Records missionaries in Dunedin and work 5 days a week at the archives extracting and digitalizing records. What an amazing work; then they, on their own dedication, work with the Ward and the missionaries. Lucky they are in their 20's or they wouldn't have the energy(just joking about the 20's---Really).
The Wards came up to Oamaru to help us out with our English classes which we teach twice a week to the Tongans from both our wards,and exchange students from a boys high school. One of the fun things we get to do at the end of the Tongan classes is learning Tongan hymns. Soooooo, we took them to our favorite restaurant, Riverstone, for lunch. They are still talking about it.
A shot of our back yard, fall colors starting, with Janalee.
The Edwards doing their thing at the archives in Dunedin. They were featured in a church video when this picture was taken.
At the conclusion of the combined district training. Awesome men!
Bus that the Wards, Edwards,and missionaries rode to conference on. Alecia and I followed in our car so she could be more comfortable. She has to deal with her polymyalgia daily and the bus trip would have done her in.
Elders Simpson and Higley with some of Justin Kaufana's family. The young man,16years old, kneeling is Ala Kaufana. His parents, Justin and Veeya moved to Oamaru at the call of his father, Bruce
Kaufana. Bruce called his family from the U.S. And Tonga to give up all they had going, uproot, and immigrate to Oamaru for the sole purpose of building up the kingdom here so we could increase our strength and become a stake. These amazingly faithful saints headed the call, uprooted their families, moved here and now we are a stake, just as Bruce saw in a vision. We have never met such a group as faithful saints. The sons are now serving in bishoprics, and stake presidencies. Ala, Justin's son, had stayed back in SLC with his grandparents and was a star athlete in basketball, and football at Granger high school; probably on track for college scholarships and fame. His parents had asked him to come home and leave all that and had prayed and fasted for months about it but had left the decision up to him. After he came here for the baptism of his little brother, Drewby, and for summer break, he was profoundly moved by the spirit to stay with his family, finish school here, and prepare to go on a mission. He bore his testimony in a seminary class we were attending and shared his story. Another highlight of our missionary experience.
Justin with Drewby pre baptism.
Roasting the pigs prior to the huge feed at Drewby's baptism
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Some of the young sisters enjoying the food at the post baptism feed.
Justin insisted we sit at the table of honor,much to our embarrassment, because grandparents from SLC, as well as Bruce, the Kaufana patriarch, and his wife Heather were not even at the table. Seated just to my left are Bishop Kautai, and to his left, Bishop Kaufana. Note the pig right in front of Alecia and I. We could see its eyelashes!
Elders Falipo and Simpson fellowshipping a less active couple.
This is Bruce Kaufana, and sweet Heather, the mother of the most amazing sons and daughters on the planet.
An accounting of their sons and daughters: Bishop,1st Ward, Laino Kaufana, Andrew,2nd Counselor, Sesili, Executive secretary, Soni Kaufana- elders Q pres, Bruce-2nd Councelor 2nd Ward, Daughter Sis Walker primary president.
Here I am "teaching" at our Tuesday night institute class.
DUEL STAKE MISSION CONFERENCE AT CHRISTCHURCH.
We were taught by the Pacific Area president and 70,President Pearson, and his wife, Sister Reeves of the relief society general presidency and her husband, Sister McConkie Of the young women's general presidency, her husband, and President and Sister Hudson.
The bus the Edwards, Wards, and missionaries from Dunedin, Oamaru, and Timaru rode on to conference. We followed in our car so Alecia could be more comfortable on the long journey as she has to constantly deal with the effects of her polymyalgia.
Three islander missionaries we have been honored to serve with!!!!! Masima, Simpson, and Zinck
Christchurch chapel were meeting was held
Sr. couples heading home after conference. 31/2 hour drive for us 5 hour ride for Dunedin bound.
The general authorities attended a luncheon for the newly arrived refugees. This is Sis Reeves
Mother's Day flowers sent by Kresta and a picture of Alecia's mom's mom as she was ready for her mission to California. It's in the blood!
A PROFESSIONAL PICTURE TAKEN AT THE MORIAKI BOULDERS. About 25 minutes south of us.
Father's Day we found out from Kresta that number 21 grandkid on the way. After a 7 year break! So excited for a new baby coming to our family.
ONLY IN NEW ZEALAND.. THE PICTURES SAY IT ALL.
THERE IS SO MUCH BEAUTY HERE
SETTING SON ON THE BOATS IN OAMARU HARBOR
The sky shows some of Father's creation. We have come to know at a much deeper level of His loving existence, His love for His Children, His availability to us all, His all wise hand in our lives, and the most exquisite gift of His Son, our Lord and King whom we strive to serve.
We have a profound love for all of you. That's all for now, until we post again, be happy.
Alecia, and Rand
