Finally we are posting!

March 22, 2014

 
 

Ga’ Day Mates,

Yes, the New Zealand and Australian word speak has been working its magic.  As I write this, it is Sunday, March 23^rd.  Since we crossed the International Date Line and given day light savings in the northern hemisphere, we are 19 hours ahead, i.e.  it is 6:30 PM here on the 23^rd and 11:30 PM on the 22^nd in Utah, just one of the many changes being 7,000+ miles away and only 3,000 miles from the southern tip of Antarctica. 

On the 24^th, we will have been missionaries for one month, having entered the MTC February 24^th.  The MTC was an interesting experience.  The Church treats seniors with a great degree of respect.  I guess they think you will break.  The reality is they acknowledge the sacrifice.  We attended with approximately 50 couples, 60% of which were called in their home stakes for member support.  Because our area includes the islands of Vanuatu and possible exposure to malaria, we took malaria training together with five other couples going to Liberia, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Papua New Guinea and Katmandu/Nepal.   Wow!!  The primary MTC focus is Preach My Gospel and missionary role playing.  It was worthwhile and a good transition to the new life.  We traveled between SLC and Provo every day.

We left SLC on March 1, 2:00 PM for a 19 hour trip to New Zealand, including 6, 50 pound bags and 2 carry-ons.  Thank heavens for Delta Medallion!  No baggage fees.  We flew to San Francisco, 4 hour layover, then 13 hours to New Zealand in a Boeing 747-400, economy class, arriving 6:30 AM, Monday the March 3^rd.  Brutal.  The couple we replaced was waiting with great big smiles … and the big adventure began.

In transition, the Church placed us in a nice hotel just around the block from the Area Office and Mission Office.  We were there for five days.  After the five day period, we moved into our apartment (flat in New Zealand), a nice two bedroom, two bath (shower) located within walking distance to the Area Office.  The apartment building contains 75 units in a 4 story structure, located in Takapuna, a North Shore, upscale suburb of Auckland.  We are on the 3^rd floor with an incredible view of downtown Auckland approximately 5 miles away. For the most part, the apartment was well furnished, at least 2 other senior couples having preceded us.  We have spent a considerable amount of time, however, getting situated including bedding, internet connection, etc.  I am pleased to announce we are there including the Vonage phone connection complete with our home phone number … yes that’s correct, you can dial 801-943-0745 on your home phone and reach us directly, no charge.  Additionally, Face Time works beautifully.  I intend to thank Steve Jobs at my homecoming.  Technology is an amazing thing.

We are public affairs missionaries working in the Pacific Area Office, a four story building owned by the Church which includes the Area Presidency as well as approximately 50 Church employees.  We report directly to Richard Hunter, the Director of Public Affairs for the Pacific which includes Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Tonga, Tahiti, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, and Fiji, approximately 9,000 square miles.  The mission of public affairs is to promote the Church with opinion leaders and media.  This is done through a variety of approaches including inter-faith councils, interaction with the New Zealand parliament, Mormon Helping Hands projects and website newsrooms.  Log on mormonnewsroom.org, click on International in the upper right corner, go to English – Pacific and there we are, updating almost daily.

Unless on assignment, our weekends are free.  Last weekend we stayed home because of a possible cyclone.  Luckily it missed our area but we did experience wind and heavy rain.  This weekend we set out for our first adventure.  We drove to Muriwai Beach.  It was breathtaking!  Muriwai beach is where the ganets (a beautiful white bird) nest on the rocks.  There were hundreds of them.  On the way home, we discovered a great little deli that serves the meat pies that are so famous here.  We tried a steak and cheese pie and a chicken, brie and cranberry.  New Zealand also has wonderful ice cream so we stopped by a place called “Phil”s” that serves fresh strawberry ice cream and smoothies.  They grow their own strawberries right next to the store.  Beach and food…..who could ask for more!!!