IN THE GROOVE

We know, it has been too long since we posted but it seems like we are in more of a routine now and aren't taking as many pictures. The work is going forward though and we are scheduled for a baptism this coming Saturday for the Green boys that we have posted about before--Zerjay and Zander. We are pretty excited about this one since we have been working with them ever since we got here. So it's finally the right time.

Left to right: Zander-12, Zerjay-14 and Zack-16.

One of the highlights of our mission is sponsoring the Addiction Recovery Program. We have felt the spirit at those meetings stronger than anywhere else. The people in attendance are some of the bravest I have seen in the church and the humblest.

As mentioned above, we are in a routine, more or less, and attend District training every Thursday. Here is a  picture of the Dunedin train station that we pass on our way to district training every other week in Dunedin. The alternate week is in our home in Oamaru which is about 75 miles north of Dunedin. The train station is the most photographed building in NZ and is so wide you can't get it all in one frame at this distance.

Here we are in attendance at the session.

We just had transfers and said goodby to some very close friends-one of the hard parts about being a stationary senior couple. We work so closely with these missionaries and get so close to them that it is like saying goodbye to a son or daughter. Their back stories are often amazing. It has been astounding to us how many here who come from partially inactive homes or even part member homes. Their dedication is nothing short of amazing. 

One quick story about a missionary from South Africa is a good illustration of that. When we took him and his companion out to our "get-to-know-you lunch",we asked him about his family. In responce he mentioned his father had passed away. We asked him how his father, who was a former Muslim, had passed and he told us that he had died from loss of blood. That seemed like a very strange response so we queried him further and he said 

it was because of two bullet holes! Someone had shot him, they never found out who or why. That is just one of many stories these young men and women have shared with us. They truly are from the chosen generation.

While at the District meeting which was being held in the RS room we looked over at the wall and there was a picture of Auntie Mary Ellen. It made me think of Mom and back home for a minute. Just thought I would throw this picture in for the family.

There she is, third from the right,Sister Smoot. 

Not all is work though. We were able to watch the Super Bowl on Monday,our off day,since we are a day ahead of you. 

Just didn't have any good chips and dip to go with it--no Pace picante sauce here.

SOME UNIQUE FEATURES OF OUR HISTORIC TOWN OF OAMARU

Here is a unique feature of Oamaru and other NZ towns. New Zealand sent, as they say here, heaps of men off to war during WWI. Along the highway into and out of town you will find trees and adjacent to the trees, crosses to memorialize those who died in that war. An interesting side note is that the dates of their deaths are now over 100 years old. This town must have been pretty small during that time yet there are so many crosses. There must not have been one family that wasn't affected by this.

Notice the trees and crosses on the other side of the highway too.

Here is a shot of Oamaru stone which is quarried here and is world famous. Many of the buildings, both old and new, are made of it as many of the next pictures show.

Every year they have a VICTORIAN DAY celebration and parade that is similar to our days of '47 celebration. It celebrates their English heritage.

There is a train that travels around the harbor and through the town.

Here is an artist rendition commemorating the glory days of trains in Oamaru. It is associated with a museum, restaurant, and gift shop. These same people also designed and outfitted a harbor side play ground.

The harbor by the playground. It used to be for large ships but now it is just used for smaller craft.

A local artist's painting on the side of her shop in Oamaru. These type paintings are very common all over NZ. Here is the inside of her shop.

The oldest street in Oamaru and a major tourist attraction.

Perhaps the biggest reason to come to Oamaru as a tourist is to see the Penguin colony. Here is a cute shot of one with a bunny.

In their nest.

Sometimes you get to see a sea lion on the "beach"

 

That's about it for now. Next week we will be touring with Kresta and family so should have some great pictures and stories to share.

2016 STILL HERE AND LOVING IT

The missionaries after an early Christmas dinner:

Big turkey and dressing dinner with the crew

Thursday, the day before Christmas, we had District training at our house followed by a great USA style Christmas dinner with all the gooood stuff!. Thanks to Alecia and her cooking talent. 

After dinner we had a great gift exchange, $10 max to drawn name.

 Alecia also told them the story of the Christmas orange. For those who don't know the story it goes like this. Gayle, her dad, told his family that he forgot to give them their orange and he threw one out to all of them. He said that when he was a boy it wasn't unusual to just get an orange, a few nuts, and a piece of candy. As Alecia was sitting next to her mother, she was told to OPEN her orange. She was totally confused at such a strange request but did so any way. To her great surprise, her dad had taken the top off the orange, rolled a $100 bill up and stuffed it  in the core of the orange, and then super glued the top back on the orange so you couldn't even tell it had been done.. His Christmas gift message that year was, "It's what is on the inside that counts!". We gave each of the missionaries an orange with a $10 bill rolled inside and Alecia shared her father's message.

Such a great time was had by all that no one wanted to go back to their flats.

On Christmas Day, we were invited by Sharon Lavery to her home for Christmas dinner Kiwi style..

Remember, Christmas time is in the summer here,so we were able to sit out on the deck for dinner. Sharon's mother, aunt, son, niece, sister were ther also and very fun to be with. We have had a sort of family home evening with her in her home, given blessing, and shared parts of the gospel with her family. Sharon, a member, is the young women's president and has become quite the BFF of Alecia out here.

Here is a beautiful view from here deck.

As you may remember from a previous post, we have been involved in the teaching of a beautiful young woman from Holland who is here on a working tourist visa, Aurora Greenwood. Well she started out the new year right by being baptized.

She was so nervous about making a "mistake" in getting baptised and sure enough, she had to be dunked twice because her elbow popped up the first time. We had such a great turn out from the branch in support of her. Members brought food for a feed after and she has been loved into the branch by all. She was worried that "her" missionaries would be transferred before her baptism and when they weren't she was so greatful and took it as a tender mercy from Father. This young woman came here on her own nickel, didn't know anybody in town when she got her, and went to church her first Sunday here to meet some friends and continue her search which had started with sister missionaries in Holland. We love and adore her.

We finally got the Green family to church with their new Sunday clothes. We have been teaching Zerjei and Zander for several weeks now and hope they will come into the church soon. Zack and their mom, Zylla are members already. 

Here we are with them on the beach for a lesson from the missionaries and a FHE activity.

This lady is Alecia's new hero. She is Dot Smith and is building a castle on the same grounds that she has established a 5 star restaurant, and a home decor shop. She grows a lot of her own food for the restaurant and also has a dairy farm of over 750 head of cattle and milk cows she uses for her restaurant also. She has always wanted to live in a castle since she was a little girl and was called a princess. Isn't it fun to have your dreams come true- especially if you work to make them so.

 

We love you all so much and love being involved in helping build the Lord's kingdom. We hope you have a wonderful 2016!!