TO AMERICA AND BACK

JUST BEFORE WE LEFT WE TOOK A NEW ELDER TO OUR AREA, ELDER MOLLER, AND HIS COMPANION TO LUNCH AT OUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT OUT- RIVERSTONE. BELOW IS A PICTURE OF ELDER BENJAMIN, ELDER MOLLER, SIS OSBURN, AND DOT -THE OWNER OF RIVERSTONE.  HER PERSONAL CASTLE SHOWN IN THE BACKGROUND IS ALMOST FINISHED. WE TOLD HER STORY IN A PREVIOUS POST. CAUGHT HER IN HER VEGIE GARDEN.

HERE IS A PICTURE OF THE VAHAI FAMILY ON THEIR LAST SUNDAY BEFORE MOVING TO AUSTRALIA. BROTHER VAHAI WAS THE BRANCH MISSION LEADER RIGHT AFTER THE SPLIT INTO TWO BRANCHES( later wards) AND SERVED FAITHFULLY IN THAT CALLING TILL HE LEFT. THEY HAVE 10 CHILDREN, ONE ESCAPED THE PICTURE, AND LIVED BY FAITH. THEIR ABSENCE WILL BE GREATLY FELT HERE.

US AT LOOK OUT POINT WITH SNOW ON THE MOUNTAINS TWO DAYS BEFORE WE LEFT TO THE USA WHICH WAS IN THE THROWS OF SUMMER HEAT.

A SHOUT OUT TO DENT AND DEBORAH HALES WHO PICKED US UP FROM THE AIRPORT, TOOK US OUT TO EAT--MEXICAN FOOD-- PUT UP TWO WEARY TRAVELERS IN THEIR BEAUTIFUL HOME, SHUTTLED US TO THE FERRY LANDING, KEPT US COMPANY ON THE RIDE TO ORCAS ISLAND, PICKED US UP 3 DAYS LATER, AND DROVE US 3 HOURS TO THE AIRPORT. ALL WHILE WE WERE TOO EXHAUSTED TO BE ANY FUN FOR THEM. FRIENDS FOR LIFE.

AHHHHHH, ORCAS ISLAND--ONE OF THE BEAUTY SPOTS ON THE EARTH AND SCENE OF COLBY AND MICHELLE'S FANTASTIC WEDDING. IT WAS SUCH A PLEASURE AND HONOR TO BE THERE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, BOTH OLD AND NEW! 

HOW IS THIS FOR A BACK YARD???

THE OMALEV FAMILY "CABIN" FROM THE BACK YARD

ALECIA'S GRAND KIDS WITH COLBY

THE WEDDING LINE

THE WEDDING MARCH WITH GRANDSONS ESCORTING GRANDDAUGHTERS

THE SHOW STEALERS, KREW, AND KASH ESCORTING SAYDEE AND MALIYA. NOTE THE GAZE OF THE ADMIRING WOMEN. SOOOOOO CUTE. 

MICHELLE BEING ESCORTED BY HER MOTHER AND AUNT

BROTHER  THAD ABOUT TO PRESIDE OVER THE CEREMONY ON THE SAME PROMONTORY OF LAND WHERE HER MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER WERE ALSO MARRIED.

THE BRIDE AND GROOM

 

EVENING STARTING TO FALL'

ALECIA'S CHILDREN, THAD, COLBY, KRESTA, AND CHAY

THE MOTHER OF THE GROOM AND HER "ESCORT".

GRANDMA SHARING A BEDTIME STORY ABOUT THE PLAN OF SALVATION WITH THE KIDS IN OUR CABIN

THE TRIP BACK WAS SO HARD ON ALECIA. HER LEGS AND FEET SWELLED UP SO BAD ON THE 14 HOUR FLIGHT AND WERE SO PAINFUL SHE HAD TO BE WHEELED OFF THE PLANE.  WE HAD TO STAY IN A HOTEL FOR A DAY SO SHE COULD RECOOP BEFORE FLYING FROM SYDNEY TO CHRISTCHURCH. THAT WHOLE TRIP BACK WAS A NIGHTMARE. WE COULDNT GET ON A FLIGHT FROM SEA TO LAX-ON ANY CARRIER SO HAD TO HOTEL IT AT SEATAC TILL THE NEXT AFTERNOON. THEN, AFTER WE GOT TO LAX WE MISSED FIRST CLASS BY TWO , THUS THE SWOLLEN LEGS. AFTER THE SYD HOTEL STAY, WE HAD TO REBOOK OUR FLIGHT TO CHCH,$350) AND ENDED UP IN THE AIRPORT WAITING FOR THAT FLIGHT FOR 9 HOURS. LANDED IN CHCH AT 2300 THEN DROVE HOME TO OAMARUFOR 31/2 HOURS.. YUCK!

BACK AT THE MISSION AND A TWO WARD HOE DOWN TO COMMEMERATE THE WARD SPLITTING A YEAR AGO. THE ENTIRE STAKE WAS INVITED AND WAS WELL ATTENDED, ESPECIALLY BY THE YSA. TOTAL FUN HAD BY ALL. IT WAS SO FUN SEEING TBE ISLANDERS DRESSED UP LIKE COWBOYS.

THE EDWARDS, A SR. COUPLE FROM DUNEDIN AND GREAT NEW FRIENDS, CAME UP FOR THE DANCE AND WE HAD A GREAT TIME WITH THEM.

A SUNDAY FEED CELEBRATING THE SPLITTING OF THE TWO WARDS.

THE END OF THE FEED--THREE BBQ'D PIGS LATER

NO! NO! NOT ANOTHER PICTURE OF ME EATING!

THIS IS BETTER. A DISTRICT TRAING MEETING AT THE CHURCH--NO LONGER ALOWED AT OUR HOUSE.

LUNCH AT A SIDE WALK CAFE IN TIMARU.OUR WAITRESS, WHO IS ALSO NAMED ALECIA, IMPRESSED US SO MUCH THAT WE WERE BOTH SILENTLY CONTEMPLATING HOW TO INTRODUCE HER TO THE GOSPEL. WE CONCURRENTLY AND UNBEKNOWST TO THE OTHER SAW THE TIMARU MISSIONARIES COMING TO THE RESTRUANT TO VISIT WITH HER. WE ASKED HER TO TAKE OUR PICTURE SO WE COULD OPEN THE SUBJECT WITH HER AND AS I WAS PAYING THE BILL, ALECIA COMITTED HER TO LISTEN TO THE MISSINONARIES WHEN THEY COME BY.  STILL WAITING FOR A FOLLOW UP FROM THEM.

THIS IS A BITTER/SWEET PICTURE OF PELI LUTUI SAYING GOODBYE TO US BEFORE SHE LEFT ON HER MISSION TO HAMILTON NEW ZEALAND. SHE ATTENDED OUR INSTITUTE CLASS FAITHFULLY. SHE HAS AN AMAZING TESTIMONY. SHE WAS THE FIRST TO RECEIVE A MISSION INTERVIEW AFTER WE HAD BECOME A STAKE AND A WARD. SHE IS ALSO THE FIRST MISSIONARY FROM AN OAMARU WARD AND THE FIRST SISTER FROM THE NEW DUNEDIN STAKE. AGAIN THE HARDEST THING WE HAVE TO DO OUT HERE IS TO SAY GOODBYE. ALECIA HAS STARTED A TRADITION WITH THE CANDY CARDS.

A BIRTHDAY CARD FROM THE OTHERSIDE OF THE ISLAND SENT TO ME BY MISTAKE ON ALECIA'S BIRTHDAY. THANKS GUYS! NEED TO CORRECT THE BIRTDAY DATES IN THE MISSION OFFICE.😏

WELL THAT IS ABOUT IT FOR THIS POST. WE CONTINUE TO ENJOY OUR MISSION AND ENDEVOUR TO SERVE TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY. WE LOVE THESE WOUNDERFUL PEOPLE AND FEEL SO BLESSED TO BE HERE WITH THEM. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS IS THE LORD'S WORK AND IT IS A JOY TO BE INVOLVED IN IT.

LOVE YOU ALL AND WILL SEE YOU SOON.

NORTH ISAND VISIT

IBefore we left for our north island visit, we had to say goodbye to a couple of great elders. Elder Simpson, third from the left standing, and Elder Filipo, far right sitting, were transferred while we were on our trip. Elder Simpson was the DL and had been here over 9 months which is a very long time for an elder to stay in one area, that's like 6 transfers. Needless to say, he was greatly loved by all the members in Oamaru and especially by us. Elder Filipo was also an outstanding missionary and had been here for 3 transfers. It remains one of the hardest parts of our mission to say goodbye to those we love so much and have grown so close to. This picture was taken at a district training meeting held in our home.

We had a heads up that Elder Simpson was leaving so we were able to give him, and his companions, a going away dinner. As they were about to say goodnight, he asked if he could sing us a song to which we enthusiastically agreed. He then proceeded to sing How Great Thou Art in the Maori language. Of course, it was one of the best moments of our mission. 

We flew up to Auckland the next day, rented a car and drove down to Hamilton for a week at the Hamilton temple with our three wards from Oamaru and Timaru. We Arrived about noon on Tuesday the 5th of July, got a session in and then proceeded to do 2 sessions or sealings per day through Saturday. It was an amazingly spiritual feast made even more special by members of our wards serving as workers on several of the sessions.

 

All of us stayed in temple housing for the week. These housing facilities were built years ago for the purpose of providing housing for those who had so far to travel from not only NZ, but also the pacific islands of the Pacific Island Area. Housing was free of charge for those who needed it because a trust fund was set up years ago by a wealthy member to cover the costs for those in need. The fund also covers airfare in the same way. If you can pay, you do so, if not, you get to come to the temple with your family anyway. What an awesome gift from a very giving and unselfish person that has blessed so many families over the years and continues to do so.

Here is a picture of Alecia standing outside of our "dorm". An other unit can be seen in the background.

Three other Sr. Couples from the newly formed Dunedin Stake also came for a week. They were the Edwards, the Wards, and the Christensens. We would meet in the common kitchen area for "rousing" games of Uno in the evenings. I have to tell you--there were a couple of Uno Sharks there.

One evening we planned on going to a fine dining restaurant for "Tea", or dinners as we call it. The trouble was that it was on Wednesday and the restaurants close in NZ on Wednesdays until 6 or 7 and we were there at 5 with no reservations for later. So we ended up eating at a type of food court. Fun, but not what we were shooting for..

After the other Sr. Couples had returned home we stayed a few extra days on the north island for some tourist stuff. That Saturday night we finally got our fine dining experience in by going to one of the best restaurants in Hamilton. Alecia really liked the Decor.

A unique shopping street in Hamilton.

She really likes bridges. They symbolize a bridge between this side of the veil and the other to her. These are all in Hamilton.

A picturesque gazebo in a Hamilton park. We danced in one in Washington state once to fulfill a dream of her's. Came from the movie Groundhog Day.😏.

After church on Sunday, we drove over a mountain pass to the East coast to the seaside town of Tauranga. We treated ourself to a luxury hotel stay right on,or over, the water. We had an in-room dining treat and a movie. Spoiler alert----SUPERMAN IS DEAD, and it's Batman's fault. He is the one who started it all!

Breakfast in the cool town of Tauranga.

Then on the road again to The Shire in Hobbiton.

You guessed it--a hobbit bridge

After our tour of the shire, we drove up to Auckland for the night and stayed in the Skycity hotel at their famous tower.

On the observation deck of the tower.

Alecia caught this sky jumper in mid flight as he jumped from the top of the tower to a landing platform on the ground level. They are guided down with cables, but it is a free fall till the end where they hit a braking apparatus and finish up with a bungee drop. I couldn't get Alecia to even think about having the adventure of her life!

An absolutely special time with Elder Egbert from our home Ward. We met up with him and his companion and took them to a Denny's for a late breakfast. Like most food in NZ it was ALMOST like American food. The sausage and bacon--not so much! But what a treat to meet up with this special man. Can't wait to compare more mission stories back in St. George.

Our "new" missionaries for the Oamaru district. We love these amazing men so much.

Elders Hebertson, Wilkinson, Higley, Moller, Benjamin, Alban (DL), and Reese

Zone training in Dunedin

After zone training with the amazing Elders, Sisters, and Sr. Couples--a lunch break by the seaside in Dunedin with the Wards.

Peli Lutui who has religiously attended our institute class and just received her call to serve in the Hamilton mission. She is absolutely one of the most spiritual individual we have ever known. We will miss her so much but know she will be a friend for life.

This is Peli's mother with her brand new granddaughter. The newest addition to the great Lutui family.

The Elders singing a song at a baptism. Elders Benjamin, Simpson, Higley, and Filipo. These guys harmonized so well and loved singing together. It was always a treat to hear them.

 Last week the 1st Ward had a Ward party with the Hollywood Red Carpet theme. As you can see, they really got into it. The Indians are John and Melisa Cooper.

Andrew and Mel Kaufana 

Get this one-- Bisop Kaufana on the right and Sister Kaufana on the left.

A few weeks back the Bishop of the Timaru Ward brought the youth down to Oamaru to meet and mingle with the Oamaru youth on Sunday. After church we brought them over to our house for dinner--spear of the moment. The girls wanted their pictures taken on our stairway. Cuties for sure. 

They were so full of gratitude they compiled days of Mormon quotes, made individual envelopes for each of them and sent them in a package wrapped in a map of Utah.

Sister Osburn sewing and mending Elder's pants and suits. Some of the younger Elders are still growing out here, and I don't just mean there bellies.

This is Elder Filipo, from Samoa, just before he was transferred. We really love this guy and already miss him heaps.

It was an honor to stand in the circle to ordain Angus Reid with his father Ferguson, Bishop Kauiti, and Jason Gaskill's-the young men's president, home teacher, and former second counselor of the Dunedin District.

Sharon Lavery and her granddaughter. We have become great friends with Sharon who had us over for Christmas dinner last Christmas. Her granddaughter is a troubled youth who we tried to help by talking, treats, and priesthood blessings in support of Sharon. Sharon is such a caring grandma and has also received several priesthood blessings to help her through some pretty hard times. 

Some picturesque churches in Oamaru. This country was once a very religious country. Most of the churches, especially in the smaller towns are now closed up and not in use for lack of support and congregations. Sadly, NZ is now known as one of the most atheistic countries in the world. If it weren't for the islanders, Tongans, Samoans,and Maoris, the church here would really be struggling. But they happen to be among the most faithful and dedicated on the planet. How we love them!