Christmas Lights Hamilton New Zealand Temple 2014

Since we are not sending cards this year, we want to wish all of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

We appreciate your friendship, love and support.  See you in seven months.

Keith and Carol

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Greetings All and Happy Thanksgiving!! 

It has been a long time between blogs not because life has been slow but just the opposite, non-stop movement in a good way.

Interfaith Event, Australian PA Seminar

You know the G20 Economic Summit held beginning November 14th in Brisbane Australia, the one where 1980’s throwback Russian president  Vladimir Putin got rightfully snubbed … well, Griffith University also located in Brisbane decided to hold a G20 Interfaith Summit beginning the Sunday night world leaders were flying out.

Pacific Area leaders decided to hold a public affairs seminar in Brisbane for Australian and New Zealand public affairs directors on the preceding Friday.  Now if you have done the math correctly, yes that’s right, Carol and I flew into the Brisbane airport the same day President Obama and Vladimir did.  The entire city was on “holiday”.  Gratefully, we stayed on the Gold Coast about 60 miles to the north.

Part of the Gold Coast from our 19th Floor Hotel

The PA seminar was a two day event organized by Dave and Leslie Moore, our counter parts in Australia. Yes for those Sigma Chi brothers, the same Dave Moore, president of Sigma Chi when we got to the U in the fall of 1965.

Both seminars were excellent.  The theme that stood out to both of us was the importance of interfaith relations. Let me begin by saying there are three areas of emphasis in public affairs work, media contacts, opinion leader relationships and interfaith relationships.  As much as it may surprise some, a major effort is being made to align the Church with other faiths, combine the things we have in common, then take this combined strength and use it to further common interests, most notably the challenges of secularism.

While proselyting continues, Elder Tom Perry, Chairman of the Church PA Committee, will tell leaders of other churches he wants them to grow their membership 20%.  He wants more people of faith.  The Church recognizes clearly great men and women of faith in all religions furthering everyone’s interests. To me this is monumentally refreshing especially at the level it is being applied, e.g President Eyring at the Vatican.  Here in New Zealand we have an exceptional relationship with the Catholic Church and the Seventh Day Adventists. 

While in Brisbane, we had another “quasi” spiritual experience, a visit to Costco and for $1.99 Australian, a Costco hot dog and a large Pepsi Max.  Good beef hot dogs not available in NZ.  Not a wish list item for the women but oh, for the men … I just hung on a basket and walked the aisles. One more “spiritual” experience, Carol’s visit to Target also non-existent in NZ.

By the way, where did Judge Thurman spend his two years in Australia? Was the language difficult for him?

Fiji PA Seminar

After the Gold Coast, we flew from Australia to Nadi, Fiji for a PA seminar with the island directors. (This being on a mission is loaded with sacrifices!!)  

Fiji Sunset from the Hotel

Represented were the island nations of French Polynesia, Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga and Kiribati.  These are humble, spiritual individuals of great faith.  Spent two great days together.  Carol and I were in charge of all logistics and at the end of the day, it is great to have things work well and frankly, conclude without any material issues.  Altogether, 10 days on the road.

Stake Directors of  PA and Missionaries

During our Fiji days, the group completed a service project to the Treasure House in Nadi, an orphanage with kids from 4 weeks to 20 years.  They appeared to be well cared for.   We donated much needed supplies such as diapers, meat, flour, crackers, etc.  As we departed they sang to us and we to them, a moving experience.

We stayed at the Westin on Denarua Island in Nadi.  As fate would have it, we flew in on Friday the 21st and so did … wait for it … the president of China staying at the Sheraton, one property away.

Thanksgiving and Christmas

Of course, Thanksgiving being an American holiday is not celebrated here.  But the senior missionaries did manage to get together, find the right food combinations ($85 turkey) and make a meal of it.  Unfortunately, we were in Nadi so we will be doing our own celebration with two other senior couples one of whom recently arrived as assistants to the office of general counsel, former Utah Supreme Court Justice, Michael Wilkins and his attorney wife, Diane.

Since the Pacific Area office basically closes down from December 20th to January 10th, we will be travelling to the South Island over Christmas together with another couple, the Becksteads.  Should help to ease separation issues. By all indications, the South Island is spectacular.

Traveling

With the weather slowly improving and while on assignment primarily assisting the multi-stake directors, we have done some site seeing.  This includes Rotorua, Bay of Islands and once again, Cape Reinga, this time on a sunny day.

  

Maori FHE

Let's go to battle!

Bay of Islands - Hole in the Rock

Mission Presidents

Three missions in NZ, Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton.  Just a general observation after having spent time with them … these good couples together with their office senior couples have their hands full night and day. Definitely not for the physically, spiritually or mentally faint of heart.  Each has seen approximately a 20% increase in missionaries up to about 250 in the last 12 months.

Well, that’s it for the time being.  We just past our half way mark of nine months. Kids are coming over January 20th.  Summer should hit NZ sometime soon we hope.  However, no mystery as to why NZ is green, it rains three to five times a week.

Love and miss you all.

Fiji, Cape Reinga and the All Blacks

October 1, 2014

Greetings All,

It has been awhile since we posted.  It has not been for the lack of material but for the slothfulness of Carol’s companion.

Senior Mission

Being here for seven months plus, we are fully acclimated both to mission responsibilities as well as to New Zealand.  The Public Affairs assignment is choice as it applies to New Zealand.  We understand it varies in different parts of the world, e.g. Kevlar name tags in the Middle East. But in NZ, we have an exceptionally kind and capable Area Director in Rich Hunter together with well-established, dynamic local Church leadership.

Our basic assignment is to build relationships and communicate positive messages to the non-LDS community.  This is done in a variety of ways including interfaith groups, community activities, contact with opinion leaders and media interaction.  A good example is the NZ election recently concluded September 20^th.  John Key was re-elected as Prime Minister.  His primary opponent was David Cunliffe.  Both men attended Church sponsored events prior to the election where they spoke to youth and adult groups.  John Key has been a speaker at Church devotionals in the past.  They share a common, positive understanding of the Church in NZ.

Carol spends the majority of her time writing and posting articles on Pacific Newsroom,
www.mormonpacificnewsroon.org.nz

posting 5 – 7 articles per week on average.  I am also writing articles, taking care of the PA financial affairs (guard your tithing) and we both meet and train stake directors of public affairs.  Our geographic area includes NZ north island, Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands.  (Of general interest, a resident of the Marshall Islands just addressed the UN Conference on Climate Change since the Marshalls are losing ground to the increase in sea level.)  The Pacific Area covers 9,000 square miles.  Lots of travel.

Since we’re in the southern hemisphere, seasons are switched when compared to Salt Lake.  It is now our “April 1^st” with spring around the corner as you move into fall.  (Bad news for Mike Bunnell and his golf clubs.) We have experienced 12 months straight of fall and winter weather due to leaving March 1.  It has been an unusually wet winter here and I understand a wet summer for Utah.  This explains Al Gore marching in New York this week.

Fiji

We just returned from one week in Fiji, going to Nadi as well as Suva.  Suva is the capital.  The Church has both a service center and a temple there.  The service center was the 18 month home of Paul and Sherri Kasteler three to four years ago when they served as area auditors/membership records. (We asked if anyone knew them but apparently the gag order is still in effect.)

Most of the time was spent in Suva. That part of Fiji gets significant rain.  The flora was pure jungle with volcanic mountains throughout the landscape.  By contrast, Tonga was flat and certainly much smaller.  Suva has a developed commercial district and a large port.  We spent our time with the Mission President, Area Seventy, Service Center Manager and the Stake Director of Public Affairs. We are promoting a pass along card developed to encourage views to the newsroom as well as completing training for the Director of Public Affairs. 

 Fiji is third world especially outside Suva.  Always an adventure together with a little discomfort you can’t quite shake, i.e. different currency, no airport signage, wild driving conditions, etc. However, the people are great, very kind and helpful.

Cape Reinga

Because we are responsible for the North Island, periodically we travel with the Multi-stake directors, this time to Kaitaia, almost as far north as you can travel … almost.  Cape Reinga is located at northern most tip of the island.  At that point, the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, two different temperatures as well as colors, the Pacific being blue and the Tasman green.  Definitely a “bucket list” item in New Zealand.  The day we were there it was blowing 30 MPH with horizontal rain.  However, well worth the effort.

All Blacks Game

Rugby is the national sport of New Zealand.  The All Blacks is the national team.  Australia is the arch rival.  We attended the Australia game together with 5 senior couples and 65,000 screaming fans.  Another “bucket list” item.  By the way, it’s a mean game.

Well, that’s it for now. Seven down and eleven to go.  November will see us traveling again, this time to Australia and then Fiji.  Understand the Utes gave one away Saturday. Glad I have the west seats and don’t have to sit in that hot sun bearing both the heat and disappointment like you wealthy donors.

As they say in NZ, Cheers!!

August 10, 2014

Greetings All,

The weeks are beginning to fly by.  It’s closing in on the end of summer for you but for us, the beginning of spring.  So much for the Southern Hemisphere but more on that and the Southern Cross in just a minute; first, Tonga.

Tonga

Where to begin?  As mentioned in our last blog, we were traveling to Tonga on assignment covering a stake anniversary celebration and related activities.  We arrived Saturday, August 2nd at the Nuku’alofa International Airport and immediately understood one thing clearly … we were in a third world country.  Anyone who has been to the Caribbean has experienced something similar, a few isolated modest buildings overwhelmed by small, one-two story structures people have forgotten to paint or repair for the last 40 years.  Tonga is a series of islands the largest of which seats the capital, Nuku’alofa.  Total habitants are approximately 95,000.  Of this, estimates have the LDS population at about 50% with about half of them attending church. 

The Church’s presence is everywhere.  There are 116 chapels and 7 operating schools including Liahona which services approximately 300 middle and high school Tongan children on a 35 acre campus.  Virtually every village has a chapel. You are driving along on one of two (that’s right) two primary roads amidst various degrees of “habitable” dwellings and whala … an LDS chapel, pristine, well-manicured with a combination tennis/ basketball court.  The contrast is dramatic.

First thing we did Saturday was go to market for “supplies”.

Here we bought fruits and vegetables since there are no general combination food stores; rather individual bakeries, meat markets, etc.  Needless to say a change.

However, with the help of another senior couple, the Meyers, you acclimate.  We stayed on the Liahona campus in housing typical for senior missionaries.   See below, house #30 together with dryer in front.

Not too bad although in need of serious refurbishment since built in the‘60s with three TV stations one of which is Chinese cable doing American news.

We spent the week with wonderful people filling our assignment.  Prince Ata, third in line to succeed the current king, is investigating the Church. Quite the experience attending sacrament meeting with 2 rows of pews removed and a throne like chair placed in front. 

 

 

The Prince is 27 years old, and had been a rather ‘bad boy’.  His interest in the Church has totally changed him.  The young missionary who has been teaching him the discussions is from LA.  Prince Ata will most likely be baptized if he receives permission from his parents.  The Royal Family has traditionally been members of the Methodist Church.

The Stake celebration was very entertaining.  Singing, dancing, and more food than you can imagine.  As one Tongan member explained, “We don’t eat until we are full, we eat until we are tired.”   All in all, quite the experience.  Oh, did I mention we went native? 

Southern Cross

Since we are deep in the southern hemisphere, the night sky has certain constellations not seen by you northerners, most notably the Southern Cross (can’t you just hear Crosby, Stills and Nash).  One of the senior couples had an app which assisted in location. I have to admit a “quasi” spiritual experience once I found it. 16th-century European navigators perceived it as a symbol of their Christian faith.  It is also represented on both the New Zealand and Australian flags and is deeply ingrained in their culture.  Quite an icon "down

under".

Well, so much for this week.  I have to admit a much deeper appreciation for our current environment since returning.  We are now into month six and will be traveling to Fiji as well as Australia – Brisbane in the next 60 days.  Dave and Leslie Moore are our counterparts in Sydney and we video conference with them together with the other seniors assigned to public affairs every week.

Cheers to all and Go Utes!!  (All this optimism at the beginning of the season.)

 

 

July 21, 2014

Greetings All,

How time flies!!  It has been over three weeks since we posted on our blog but similar to many things in life, it feels like yesterday.  A wise man once remarked, “If you don’t think time flies, just sign a 90 day note.”  But I digress …

Senior Couples at July 4th Celebration

July 4^th Celebration

Area senior couples got together and held a “quasi” July 4^th celebration, sans fireworks.  We gathered in the Area Office break room amidst bunting, red/white/blue table decorations and small American flags then feasted on sloppy joes, potato salad, brownies and the like.  Some dressed more decorative than others but as you can see from the picture, all were there to enjoy the day and each other’s company. 

There is a strong spirit of camaraderie amongst the seniors and certainly a wide variety of individuals.  All are glad to be here but miss their families.  After the meal, we got to know each other better by first writing on a small piece of paper something about yourself  no one else knows.  These pieces of incriminating information were then read one by one as we attempted to identify the perpetrator.  Revelations included a door-to-door lingerie salesman (former mission president), a certified clown (an attorney – a paragraph could be written here) and a Las Vegas stage dancer (we asked for demonstrations but none were forthcoming). Good time had by all.

Elder Gifford Nielsen

Yes BYU fans (I don’t think there are many on my distribution list), general authority, pro-quarterback and TV announcer Gifford Nielsen will be joining the Pacific Area Presidency sometime early August, typically a three year assignment.  I will do some research to ensure no “exaggerations” are forth coming.  However upon initial Wikipedia review, he was quite an athlete.  (To the Englands, especially Chad, I will do my best to get an autograph for your collection).

Trip to Tonga

On Saturday, July 26^th, Carol and I are going to Tonga for a week to participate in a stake anniversary celebration and gather information for a related newsroom article. Tonga is about 1,500 miles from Auckland so no small trip.  The Church has strong membership there (about 58% of the nation) and has just committed $1.3 million in housing restoration after a recent strong cyclone.

Day in the Life of a Public Affairs Senior Couple

For the most part, we are in the office daily from 8:30 to 4:30.  Typical day is spent gathering, writing and editing for the newsroom,

www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz

in case you are interested in seeing the latest efforts.  From an ecclesiastical perspective, we support local leadership in their respective public affairs responsibilities. Yesterday (Sunday here) we hosted a three hour quarterly meeting of 25 stake directors of public affairs all of whom are involved with media, interfaith activities and opinion leader efforts.  Additionally, we are involved in planning activities (YSA to Parliament as an example) including service projects and stake training seminars.  Later in August, we’ll travel to the upper part of the North Island, Kaitaia, and will spend three days with various stake leaders there.

Conclusion

Well, that’s it for now.  Hope you all are enjoying summer.  Currently, our kids and their families are in Newport for our annual family vacation minus the patriarch and matriarch.  Boy that sounds old.  It’s winter here with temperatures in the low to mid fifties and wind, sometimes very strong wind including five consecutive days of non-stop 50 MPH+ recently and a whole lot of rain.  No mystery why NZ is green.

Keep the world together while we are gone aka MH Flight 17, Israel and Gaza.

Five months down and 13 to go. Cheers!!

Sunday Afternoon

June 29, 2014

Auckland Pier and a Saturday Stroll

Greetings All,

It is Sunday afternoon and we have just finished the most intense and gratifying week since our arrival. There has been a “dearth of blogging in the land” primarily due to our intense involvement in a previously mentioned event, YSA to Parliament.  At this point, please go to following web address:

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz/article/mormonism-in-pictures--mormon-and%C2%A0catholic-young-adults%C2%A0visit-new-zealand-parliament

The article is entitled “Mormonism in Pictures: Young Adults Discuss Faith, Family and Religious Freedom at New Zealand Parliament”.  In attendance were 25 LDS youth, 15 Catholic youth, Sister Catherine Jones of the Wellington Archdiocese, Area President Kevin Pearson, 2 senior couples and 5 public affairs directors.  It was a two day event, Tuesday and Wednesday. Carol and I together with the other senior couple and directors arrived Monday.  That day was spent purchasing $5,200 worth of items for the service project as well as renting four vans.

Rangitotto, an extinct volcano in the Auckland Bay

View of Auckland from the 850 foot high crater peak

Most arrived Tuesday morning which meant airport pick up of 25 youth coming from all over New Zealand. After a Pizza Hut lunch ($5 pizza is alive and well), we completed a service project where 400 hygiene kits were assembled for the Wellington Men’s Night Shelter (see last pictures in the article). 

That afternoon and at the invitation of our Catholic friends, we toured the Wellington Cathedral and had a presentation from Caritas, a Catholic humanitarian group and one of several around the world.  Very impressive.  During the presentation, the Archbishop of Wellington, His Excellency John Drew came in and spent some time with the group. (I asked him if he knew Mike Bunnell and Jim MacInnis, two famous Utah Catholic golfers and former England employees. No response but he said he would pray for them.  I guess he got my drift.)

Then an early evening Chinese buffet for 51.  Thereafter, off to attend a 7:00PM devotional where two youth speakers (one from each group, Catholic and LDS) as well as Sister Catherine Jones and Elder Kevin Pearson addressed the gathering.   On to mass housing at the local youth hostel.  By the way youth everywhere are the same.  After the devotional, late night run to McDonalds ($1 large Diet Coke during the World Cup) as well as junk food at the local Pak ‘n Save, the NZ food equivalent of Costco.

The next day was spent entirely at Parliament.  The article and pictures speak for themselves. During the morning session and in the Grand Hall, various members of Parliament (MPs) spoke to the group including the Speaker of the House.  We were then treated to a guided tour of the facilities which are steeped in British tradition. As noon arrived, we hosted lunch and were addressed by John Key, current NZ Prime Minister (the NZ equivalent of President) and David Cunliffe, his September 20^th opponent for re-election.  Please see the “selfie” with one of our kids and imagine President Obama doing the same.

 The day was concluded by viewing a one hour Parliamentary debate while seated in the upper gallery.  For those unfamiliar, this consists of world class jeering and shouting between the party in power, the Nationalist Party and their would be successors complete with everything but a food fight.  One MP even got tossed out, a rare event.  According to those in the know, it was especially intense since the election is about 80 days away.

We then brought all to the airport in winds described as “gale force”.  Wellington, the capital, sits at the south end of the north island.  The two islands are separated by the Cooke Strait.  Because of this location, it is known as “windy Wellington”, a name clearly deserved as we experienced.

We are settled and life is good.  It is winter here but temperatures are mild, thus far daytime in the high 50s, low 60s. It seems new senior couples are arriving every other week, assigned to various capacities including executive secretary to the Area President, assistant legal counsel, Infield Service Representative and a seminaries and institutes couple.  Quite a group and while only here now for a bit in excess of 4 months, we are fast becoming the “senior of the senior couples”.

We love and miss all.  4 down and 14 to go!!

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Looking west toward Karekare Beach

It’s Sunday evening about eight o’clock translating to Sunday morning 2:00 AM where you are so I write this as you sleep.  Tomorrow, Monday, June 2^nd is the Queen’s birthday (that would be Elizabeth).  It is a national holiday.  The area office is closed and we have the day off.  Imagine being on a mission and having a day off.  Another anomaly versus being a 19 year old proselyting missionary and I must admit while nice, unexpected.

Last week was a full one.  In late June, we are organizing a Young Single Adult (YSA) to Parliament two day activity involving 25 LDS and 15 Catholic NZ YSAs in Wellington.  The highlight is a meeting with Prime Minister John Key, the NZ equivalent of President Obama. Other activities include observing a parliamentary debate and lunch with a number of MPs (members of parliament).  A service project for the Wellington Night Shelter for the Homeless will be completed as well.  

Inside the Parliamentary Chamber

Trappings of Power

 

Friday we spent the entire day in NZ capital organizing, logistics review, accommodation inspection, etc.   This is typical of our public affairs assignment.  In addition, we have invited the Archbishop of the Wellington Dioceses, John Dew and fully expect his participation, probably at the evening dinner.  This is typical of interfaith efforts in NZ.  You will see them much stronger in the future as people of faith band together in common interests. 

On May 26^th, Labor Party leader David Cunliff spoke to approximately 1,000 YSAs gathered in the Robertson Road Stake Center.  Mr. Cunliff is the equivalent to the Democratic  presidential nominee, the election to be held this fall.  He was invited by the Director of our Public Affairs Coordinating Council and accepted. (See a full article written by Carol and together with pictures on the website, www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz .)  One thing should strike you as highly unusual: a Church building being used for a quasi-political event.  Although not a political meeting but a devotional, still, even the slightest political association would not be allowed in the US.  Not in NZ apparently.  His speech was excellent.  Area Seventy Paul Coward spoke as well.  Mutual goals and objectives were identified.  A framed copy of the “Proclamation to the Family” was presented.  Read the article!!!

As stated in an earlier blog, we are completely settled in and very comfortable.  This includes attending a 98% Polynesian ward (man, you ought to hear these folks sing), taking the full-time missionaries assigned to the ward to a weekly dinner, driving on the left side of the road and locating an outlet mall.  New Zealand is as close to life in America as you could be anywhere in the world.

Yesterday (Saturday), we spent the day in Hamilton with 10 other senior couples, attending a temple session and visiting a famous ice cream parlor on the way back.  Another full day.

Today was fast Sunday.  The testimonies shared were so heart-felt.  The members truly embrace the Gospel.  A young man and his wife, who were baptized last week, shared their testimonies.  It was inspiring to hear of their conversion and what being a member means to them.  You realize how much we take for granted.  We hope we are making a difference in hastening the work, but one thing is certain, our lives will be changed forever.

Waterfall at Beach

That’s it for this report on the underside of the world where the next stop going south is Antarctica.  Winter is here, daytime temps in the mid-fifties, nighttime high thirties.

We miss you all.  We are now in our fourth month. Pictures of the Karekare Beach area and waterfall included.

 

Mother's Day in New Zealand



 

 

 

It's Sunday, May 11, 2014 here in New Zealand, Mother’s Day and a bright, beautiful day.  As you know, it’s Saturday at home so we are celebrating one day early depending on your perspective.  We attend the Glen Innes ward, a suburb of Auckland where the congregation is 98% Polynesian; great people, great spirit and hugs together with cheek kisses for greetings.  Just envision that in your home ward.

Yesterday, we flew to Wellington, capital of New Zealand, for a training session with multi-stake directors of public affairs.  Public affairs is foreign to most members in Salt Lake since for the most part, the Church handles all issues.  However, outside Salt Lake it is a vital part of Church relationships intra- country and more specifically with governmental, media and community opinion leaders.  This is accomplished through local members since as missionaries, we are gone in 18 months and the relationships are ongoing.

Dedication of the local leadership is truly inspirational.  For example, our director for Wellington and the South Island is Sister Riwai-Couch.  Sister Couch, maiden name McDonald of Scottish descent, is the mother of five, a middle school principal, Phd candidate, wife of a bishop and 11 year public affairs director.  The area seventy is President Thomson (yes, no “p” in Thomson for those with a critical eye), a bank officer and a delight.  Before beginning the training meeting, we met in the high council room with 6 stake presidents and the Wellington Mission President to review public affairs and solicit additional support.  Well received.

Last week we reviewed public affairs training provided to general authorities prior to General Conference.  Apostle L. Tom Perry is head of that committee together with Apostle Tad Callister.  Both are visionaries and see clearly the power of social media.  They spoke of the “millennial generation”, young adults between the ages of 18 – 35 who are less committed to the principals of faith but faithful to social media.  It is a tool to spread messages of faith which leads me to a second topic.

Public affairs primary mission is three-fold:  faith, family and religious freedom.  I have addressed the topic of religious freedom in a prior blog so I won’t bore you again save to state the Church is coming together with NZ faiths to form interfaith councils.  The idea is we have common interests, values and objectives.  To that extent, we should work together.  While we have theological differences, secularly, we have much larger battles to fight.  In June, a large NZ inter-faith council will be held in Dunedin.  We are also busy organizing inter-faith roundtables in various communities.

Today, Sunday, was somewhat unusual.  Carol and I spoke in Sacrament Meeting, then taught Gospel Doctrine (wow, never a dull day in the Old Testament) and then, due a sudden absence, taught   priesthood.  Full day.

On May 5^th, we celebrated our 44^th wedding anniversary by having dinner in the Sky Tower.  The Sky Tower is the tall, 722 foot monolith in the picture above on the right side.  The restaurant makes a complete circle every hour.  The attached pictures are from the observation deck taken through the windows and therefore, reflect some interior lights.

We miss you all but are both blessed and glad to be here.  As they say in NZ at the end of a conversation, “cheers”.

 

 

 

 

 



 

Auckland at Night

 

Easter Sunday

Today is Easter Sunday.  Hard to believe we have been missionaries almost two months now.  Our MTC date was February 24^th, the date from which all others have relevance!

 Easter in NZ is a national holiday in combination with Good Friday and the following Monday.  So, there is a four day period where virtually everything is closed.  Since we are serving in the Area Office and it is closed as well, we literally have a four day period of discretionary time which brings me to the subject of senior missionaries.

There are thirteen senior missionary couples in the Auckland area, six of whom office together with us on the fourth floor of the Area Office.  The assignments include public affairs (us and another couple), CES working with the young adults, welfare, a doctor, a psychologist, area legal counsel and his assistant and self –reliance.   The Auckland Mission office is just around the corner.  Two senior couples serve there and are very busy given growth in missionaries assigned to the area.

The Area Office includes approximately 55-60 full time Church employees as well as the Area Presidency.  It is located on the north shore in a suburb of Auckland named Takapuna, an upscale suburb at that.  I admit I never envisioned this type of an environment.  My vision included the austerities of a nineteen year old proselyting missionary in South Germany. (You California RMs can’t relate.)  Quite to the contrary.  New Zealand could not be more modern.  While more expensive by about 30%, every creature comfort you find at home is readily available in abundance.  As an example, the Area Office is across the street from Shores, a large upscale shopping mall including a food court.

Our day begins with a ten minute walk to the Area Office arriving at 8:30 AM.  We have a car but parking is for the most part unavailable.  The day typically concludes at 4:30 PM with an hour for lunch.  Frequently, we will pack a lunch and eat in the downstairs break room.  Our evenings and weekends are generally free unless we are on assignment which in the past has taken us to Christchurch, Hamilton (location of the temple) and in the near future to Wellington, the NZ capital.

During the day, we work on a variety of activities.  However, our primary effort centers on the Church pacific newsroom site,  www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz.  Please log on and amaze yourselves at all of the articles which for the most part are the effort of Elder and Sister Wallace.  I am sure a Nobel Prize in “literature for newsrooms” is in the offing although I have yet to hear from Sweden.  This could be reasonably compared with Obama’s Nobel Prize for Peace after less than one year in office but I digress.   In addition and from time to time, we plan for particular public events.  The next is a Young Single Adults to Parliament to be held in Wellington in May.  There, fifteen young adults from various stakes together with ten Catholic young adults will observe a parliamentary session , host a luncheon where Elder Kevin Pearson together a member of Parliament will speak and participate in a debate concerning religious freedom.

 Our ward assignment is Glen Innes, a suburb of Auckland.  The membership is mostly Polynesian.  These are some of the most kind and humble people on the planet.  We have two sets of missionaries and we alternate weeks taking them to dinner at – wait for this – Carl’s Jr.  I told you this place is “modern”.  By the way, three dollars NZ for a large diet coke at McDonald’s. 

Every month on a designated Sunday evening, the missionaries gather together with investigators and members for a “Come and See” meeting.  Tonight was the night.  These are held in a stake center, and both times we have attended, the entire chapel and recreation hall have been filled.  Two beautiful musical numbers were followed by testimonies of recent converts.  The convert from China gave an inspiring account of his journey to find the “truth”.  Our favorite part of the evening was listening to over 200 missionaries sing “I Stand All Amazed”.  The program ended with a video of a talk given by  Elder Holland on Christ and the Atonement.    

After two months, we are comfortable and settled.  While we miss family, friends as well as certain things at home, we feel an opportunity to make a contribution and look forward to the next sixteen months. 

Good friends and senior missionaries, Jim and Renee Arveseth went home last Friday.  There is a real camaraderie amongst the seniors and we dearly hated to see them go.  However, two new sets are due within the first week of May with four others departing in the next four months.  A real revolving door!

We hope all is well with you.  We appreciate your love and support.  Have a wonderful Easter.  Here is a short video we posted on the newsroom about the importance of this special day.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXrOG02NMB0

In case you haven’t seen the new video the Church produced this year ……

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S3TI4bYerU

Elder and Sister Wallace, 

Keith and Carol

 

 

Hamilton Visit - April 3-4, 2014

G’Day (again)

Last week we had an assignment in Hamilton.  Hamilton is an important site for the Church in NZ.  It is home to the first NZ temple built in 1958. It is also the site of a Church school together with dormitories and support buildings all completed by labor missionaries during the 50’s and 60’s.  The school has been closed and is scheduled for demolition which has been controversial.  In addition, it is the primary site for the activities surrounding LDS apostle Matthew Cowley well known by both members and non-members alike for his dedication to the Māori people.

There are now 3 missions in NZ; Auckland, Hamilton, and Wellington (the South Island). 

Our first stop was the mission office.  It was fun to talk with the senior (we seem to use these term often) missionary couples serving there.  We talked with the Labrums who at one time lived in the Cottonwood Heights area.  Kent Labrum shared  office space as a CPA with Paul Kasteler.  Their children attended Brighton High with several of our kids.  Their son Justin and his family are in Becca’s ward.  Small world!!

We then visited with a wonderful woman, Rangi Parker.  She has been collecting and cataloging the Church history of New Zealand, focusing on missionaries who have served here.  The church is in the process of constructing a museum to house her work.  Her collection includes valuable journals and pictures dating back to the first missionaries in NZ.  Many missionaries have and continue to contribute.  Her latest addition was a picture of the Wallaces so when our grandchildren’s children arrive in NZ, they will have an historical reference.  This may be our “Andy Warhol” fifteen seconds of fame!! 

Rangi has a strong love of the gospel, and since a terrible car accident, has devoted her time to this work.  She told us a few faith promoting stories from journals and some of the miraculous events that have led her to connecting with these missionary families.  She used to be a well-known singer, and before we left she sang a beautiful song for us about New Zealand.  We hope to visit her often.    She really touched our hearts!

Across from the temple is the Visitors Center. We met the mission president’s wife, Sister Rudd, and the directors of the center, Elder and Sister Hawkins.  The Hawkins and two other couples have been in NZ under 6 months, so we had a lot in common.  We are all adjusting, but it seems to be getting easier. 

Yesterday we were introduced to the “wood carver”.  He and his family moved to NZ from Bethlehem.  He does incredible carvings from the wood of the Kouri tree.  Certain Kouri trees date back 800 – 1,500 years.  Before coming here he did carvings made from olive wood. The couple we were with, the Arveseths,who are headed home in 2 weeks,  purchased nativities for their children.  We also drove to Piha Beach.  Piha is on the Tasman Ocean side of the island and world famous for international surfing competitions.  The sand is black is color due to the proximity of ancient volcanic activity. The beach is known for “Lion’s Rock”.  This large rock shaped like a lion adds to the amazing landscape of this beautiful beach.