Saturday July 25^th, 2015

Greetings All,

By the time you receive this, we should be headed for Los Angeles, overnight flight, Air New Zealand.

Auckland

Definitely a bitter-sweet time as earlier described.  But now more intense due to tearful good-byes, farewell dinners and the well wishes of some of the greatest and most loving people on the planet.

Twelve months ago, I wrote the following paragraphs to a good friend in response to his request for my feelings on serving as a senior missionary.  Comments were intended for a Church class.  Now as we de part, I felt impressed to share them.  More true than ever.

I think most seniors consider a mission.  My observation – it’s a difficult decision due to a variety of factors.  Most of them are personal, i.e. interrupting a comfortable lifestyle, leaving the grandkids, financial challenges, etc.  So brothers and sisters, just because you may not be one of those “unbridled enthusiasts” who somehow answer the call with no hesitation, don’t feel any sense of guilt.  Personally, I don’t think many of them exist.  It’s typically a hard decision fraught with emotion and personal considerations.  Heaven knows how much courage it took for us to turn-in those papers.  In the end, it’s a pure act of faith.

But providence interceded on our behalf as it will in yours and you will know if the decision is right for you.  Through a series of subsequent events, we had confirmation the decision was right.  We also knew how blessed we were and felt a need to “give back”.

Now having been here six months, anxiety has been replaced by gratitude.  Our family has been blessed in our absence.  Grandma has learned the grandkids can do without her - at least for small moment in time.

 And as for you both, you will have the experience of a lifetime.  You will meet wonderful people.  You will feel the strength of eternal principles.  Things in your life will become clearer and better defined.  In short and as always, your giving will in turn make you the greatest receiver.

Carol, Fugals, Elder Melligan and the author.

So….farewell beautiful New Zealand!  And farewell to all the people we have grown to love.  They have enriched our lives beyond measure.   A FOREVER memory!!

Homecoming report August 16^th, Cottonwood Heights 7^th Ward, 1:00 PM start time.  (May have to be moved to the Conference Center.)

 

 

July 1, 2015

Final Blog of the Mission!!

Hard to believe; however, the day of departure (July 25th) is fast approaching.  At the time of this writing, 24 days to be exact.  Where have 18 months gone?  To say the least, it has been a life altering experience.  As the anticipation grows, so do emotions associated with leaving great people and a wonderful country but being reunited with family again.

As previously described, we arrive July 25th in Los Angeles after an all-night flight, leaving Auckland 9:40 PM Saturday, arriving LA, 2:35 PM, Saturday (the day we lost coming over).  We then proceed to Newport Beach for a week with all of the family.  Great reunion time anticipated.

We have always desired to visit Sydney Australia before departing.  However, due to a variety of reasons, it was concluded not possible although still within the Pacific Area Public Affairs area (9,000 square miles).  Then fate intervened.  We were asked to go on assignment to Sydney to assist to the public affairs office.  (Please, “don’t throw me in the briar patch!”) These good couples are undergoing transition in offices, assignments and related logistics.

After three days at the Sydney service center, we took two personal days and with the assistance of Marriott reward points, toured one of the world’s greatest and certainly most cosmopolitan cities.

Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House

Kangaroo trying to read missionary badge.

Any of you boys remember Elder Thurman?
You say your great, great, great grandfather may have mentioned him?

Life in PA continues as we have become accustom.  In the coming weeks and months, the following will take place:

Time Out for Women event in Auckland; USS Mercy (hospital ship) coming to Papua New Guinea and Fiji; re-dedication of the Fiji Temple including cultural celebration and open house; BYU Living Legends performances early next year; Christmas lights at the Hamilton Temple; Auckland Symphony Orchestra Christmas performance with an LDS Choir; YSA and Parliament in Wellington; and the list goes on and on.

Just the next six months plus for PA assigned missionaries.

Since we are in the Area Office, the Presidency hosts a luncheon for departing missionaries.

At the far right is President Pearson, truly one of the most gifted speakers that Carol and I have ever witnessed. Elder Nielsen and his wife Wendy are on the left.  These men are exceptional.  The experience has been life changing.

Well, the next time we communicate, it will be in person!!  We can then bore anyone willing to listen with pictures and tales.

See you soon.  All our love and well wishes.

E/S Keith and Carol Wallace

Wednesday, 3 June 2015

Auckland, New Zealand

Greetings,

Well folks, another month has past and we are quickly moving toward our July 25^th departure date.  In the words of our companion couple, Elder and Sister Fugal, 7 Mondays. By the way, the Fugals want you all to know Pleasant Grove is the center of the known universe and think they can prove it.  But I digress. 

Guy and Paula Fugal, our companions for almost 18 months

I know how trite it becomes describing accelerated time passage but it really does not seem possible the end is in sight.

First, let me summarize New Zealand. It is truly an amazing country.  Other than being more expensive, the quality of life is exceptional.  There is extreme cultural diversity. The predominant ethnicities are European (Caucasian for those note familiar with filling-out international immigration forms) and Maori. However, approximately 40,000 Asians and Eastern Indians immigrate every year.  This may not seem large but keep in mind the aggregate population is approximately 4.5 million with 33% of those being in the Auckland area.

As you have seen in prior blogs, the country’s natural beauty and diversity is legendary.  Wherever you travel, it looks like a manicured golf course.  Very few watering systems since it rains so much.

One of the exceptional blessings has been our location in the Pacific Area Office.  Since the Area Presidency is here, all matters and visits come through this facility.  That together with our assignment as public affairs specialists has allowed us to cover general authority visits (Elder Bednar and Elder Cook), interfaith activities, government leader interactions as well as travel to Fiji, Australia and Tonga and up and down the north and south islands of NZ.

However, our primary activity has been Pacific Mormon Newsroom.  Carol has become a skilled article writer (Pulitzer committee on line one …) and I have materially improved my photographic skills.  Another cheap plug … See mormonnewsroom.

All that to say what a blessing it has been to be here.  And for the people with whom we have associated, very kind, warm and accommodating.  It is not home but there will be “separation anxiety”.

Recently, we have been involved with inter-faith activities, most notably a visit by Elder S. Gifford Nielsen (former BYU/Houston Oilers quarterback. I am going to get his autograph for the fourth generation England boys) and Cardinal John Dew, the Archbishop of the Wellington Catholic Diocese.

Fred Woods, Neville Rochow, Cardinal Dew, Elder Nielsen and OGC Arthur Edgson

While visiting I asked Cardinal Dew about two famous Utah Catholics, Mike Bunnell and Jim Macinnes.  He mentioned something about disciplinary action …

In addition, we hosted religious freedom lectures for two prominent scholars, Fred Woods, BYU and Neville Rochow, an Australian barrister and faculty member, University of Notre Dame – Sydney. See picture above.

The Church recently partnered with Toyota to support a 'Feed the Need' charity.  The organization started by a local Church member,  provides meals to under privileged school children and is now providing in excess of 70,000 meals per year. Typical to the things we cover in public affairs.

Toyota representative, Kerry Owen -founder and Elder Haleck of the Area Presidency

Well, that’s it for now.  We have begun sorting clothes and other such issues.  Going to have a fire sale – everything must go including the missionaries.

Love and miss you all – see you soon.

April 25, 2015

Hello Everyone –

Time once again for the monthly report. Here in NZ, summer is turning to fall although it’s much milder than Utah.  However, sign of the times.  What sign you might ask?  Well … the days are getting shorter and … wait for it … so are we!!  Just under three months to go.

Typical to other experiences in life, the bitter-sweet phenomenon is beginning to play.  Sweet due to the anticipation of successful completion and returning to family and home.  Bitter since we will be leaving newly formed friendships and people who have treated us wonderfully. 

Since we wrote last, three notable events, Easter, General Conference and Anzac Day.

General Conference

The Area Presidency, all of whom are general authorities, travel every six months to conference.  Prior to conference, they typically attend three days training together with the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve.  When they return, they host a devotional with the Pacific Area staff and senior missionaries.  This is one of many advantages to being in the Pacific Area Office.  It is a great experience.

At the devotional, they discussed training curriculum and general observations from conference. Training curriculum to quote Elder Pearson, is typically a “10 inch stack of papers” intended for distribution to the area seventies and on down the line.  This year the entirety was focussed on two subjects, Sabbath Day observation and the Sacrament.  Let your mind wander as to “how, what, where and why” but you may want to start with Elder Nelson’s talk.

Secondly, it may surprise you to learn the topics are not assigned.  Elder Nielsen said they were instructed to look for patterns and pay close attention to those brethren close to the veil.  Elder Pearson, Pacific Area President, was the second speaker Sunday afternoon.

Easter

Easter is second only to Christmas in the NZ celebration hierarchy.  They have a total of four days holiday beginning with Good Friday.  Of those four days, businesses are required by law to be closed Friday and Sunday or face stiff fines.  Everything is closed except very few critical services. The Area Office closes as well so we had the time to ourselves.  The life of a senior missionary in the Area Office.  Work, work, work …

Anzac Day

Anzac stands for ‘Australian New Zealand Army Corp’.  It is a day set aside to honor those troops killed in World War I on the Gallipoli Peninsula.  It was Turkey (then the Ottoman Empire) versus the British Empire.  A total and unmitigated disaster by all accounts.  This year represents the 100th anniversary.  New Zealanders take this very seriously even after 100 years.

Travel

Stone House – One of the oldest and still existing structures in NZ built by early missionaries in cooperation with the Maori. Located in Kerikeri, the Northland area of the North Island where we travel with some frequency on assignment.

On April 11, we attended ‘The Great Muster’ in Te Kuiti, which is in southern part of the north island.

Some days you just feel like getting sheared ...

This is the largest sheep run in the world.  It is the Kiwi version of the Pamplona Bull Run!!  Te Kuiti lets loose up to 2000 sheep to run down the town’s main street.   Te Kuiti is also known as “The Sheep Shearing Capital of the World”.  It’s a Kiwi Country Fair with shearing contests, sideshows, rides, food, music, and local arts and crafts.  (Nothing at all like Swiss Days).

Sand Sculpture

We went to Mission Bay during our lunch break to see the annual sand sculpture contest.  There were only 4, and they were covered separately by large tarps.  I suppose this is to protect them from the FREQUENT rain.

In May, we are organizing religious freedom symposiums in Wellington and Auckland.  Fred Woods, a BYU professor will be the primary speaker.  Also, Elder Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve is coming for a visit.

Well, that’s it for now. Hope this finds you all well and happy. Does anyone have the number for Church travel?

 

March 20, 2015

Greetings All, 

Well, what’s been going on since we last talked … oh yeah, a category 5 cyclone in the Pacific Area!!  Don’t these things happen to other people?   We were on full alert but gratefully the storm veered to the southeast.  You probably saw the magnitude but in case you did not, it was the largest in last 30 years with winds in some cases over 200 mph.

That’s NZ in the middle, lower.  Vanuatu was hardest hit.  A large relief and aid effort is underway with the Church assembling 2,000 food packages.  Link to the following newsroom story.  You will be impressed.

2,000 Food Boxes

Apostle Bednar Visit

In the words of Jeannie Jardine, “The apostles never disappoint.”  And so was the case with Elder Bednar.  He came on a 10 day visit to the Pacific spending the majority of time in Australia and NZ.  We are fortunate in this assignment to cover the majority of the meetings including some informal discussions held with the Pacific Area staff.  Memorable quote, “Buckle up, this work is accelerating at an unprecedented pace.”  

Hamilton Accident

Three members of the Church from Richfield and Monroe were tragically killed in an auto accident while traveling to the Hamilton Temple. The driver, the only survivor, turned in front of an oncoming truck.  Tourists and NZ driving have been a source of numerous accidents this year, i.e. driving on the left side of the road.  NZ is considering testing to pre-qualify foreign tourists.  Church and community outpouring was significant. Click on the following link.

Memorial Service

Mormon Helping Hands

Annually, the Church holds a NZ wide service day complete with yellow vests.  This year’s date was Saturday, February 28.  In addition to various community projects, one stake completed gardening on the grounds of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Wellington.  More warm and fuzzy feelings for Bunnell and Mcinnes.  For a video essay, including the Sacred Heart effort, click on the following,

Helping Hands

and you will feel good.  The canal clean-up effort was picked up by TVNZ3.

Hobbiton, Moores and the Allens

Our counterparts in Australia, Dave and Leslie Moore together with Ray and Pat Allen, came to NZ for a combination visit and seminar.  One of the memorable stops, Hobbiton, site of the Lord of the Rings filming.

Wallaces, Moores, Fugals, Allens

Release Date

We have received our release date, July 25^th, four months out.  Hard to believe this is coming to an end.  The experience continues to be exceptional.  It is beginning fall now since the seasons are reversed compared to Utah.  However, monitoring your weather, you didn’t really have winter and are having a great spring.

Go Utes!! Just saw the first round of the NCAA tournament with them beating SFA, 57-50.

See you all soon.

                                                                                   

Sunday Evening

February 8, 2015

Greetings All,

Seems we have settled into blogging about once every month.  We are now fast approaching the anniversary date (Feb. 24th) of this great adventure – hard to believe, huh?  In the words of Kermit the Frog, “Times fun when you’re having flies.”  How’s that for hard up humor?  Now for the mission report.

Recently, we have been spending the majority of our time organizing the national debut of Meet the Mormons which takes place in approximately 20 venues throughout the Pacific on the evening of February 9th. We have managed to rent theaters similar to the Megaplex facilities you experience.  The objective is to invite opinion leaders, civic leaders, friends of other faiths and others of similar background to an introduction of the Church.  There is a concerted effort Church wide to foster strong relationships with all individuals and organizations of faith.  As previously reported, secularism is viewed as a common and formidable challenge.

For those of you who are dying of curiosity and have not seen the production, I’m sure it is available on Amazon,Netlfix, etc.  Once this is complete (tomorrow) we will be posting articles on Mormon Newsroom so if you have not visited that site, give it about two to three days, then go to mormonnewsroom.org.nz and you will be able to see what we do in this life – write articles, interview individuals and chronicle events of general interest involving both the Church and the community.  And you thought we were vacationing in New Zealand, collecting social security as expatriates (partially true).

 

Of interest, patrons to the event are asked to contribute what is referred to as a “gold coin” donation, an amount of their choice. The aggregate of these collections is being donated to Caritas, the Catholic humanitarian organization with whom we have a great relationship here in NZ. (This ought to make Bunnell and McInnes warm and fuzzy.)

Later in the month, Apostle David Bednar is coming for the 2015 review of the Pacific Area plan.  During his visit, he will be in Australia meeting with the Catholic Archbishop in Sydney as well as local civic leaders.  Here in NZ, we attempted to have similar meetings but were unsuccessful.  He will also be dedicating the new missionary training center which has been materially expanded.  Look for that article as well on newsroom.

Kids Visit

Yes, all of our kids together with their spouses came to visit January 22nd through February 1st.  A great, heartfelt reunion. We managed to cover both the north and south islands as well as fly fishing for Adam, one of his lifetime goals.  I will now describe the event in pictures.

Eight and one-half pounds, 30 "

We are bearing down on the last months.  Our release date has been set for July 25th.  The intent is to fly  directly into LA then meet the family in Newport for our annual week long beach trip.

So that’s the latest from NZ.  Hope this finds you well and happy.  By the looks of weather reports, your weather rivals ours.  What up with that?

Hamilton Temple Christmas Lights

Monday, January 12th 

Greetings,

Well, we have now experienced Christmas and New Years in New Zealand with a combination of missing family as well as being in a foreign country.  So when the going gets tough, what do the tough do?  They leave town.  That’s right.  We went on holiday with the rest of New Zealand.  What you have to realize is a combination of factors:  we are in the Area Office and it literally shuts down and/or goes to a skeleton crew for a period of about 10 days; New Zealand schools are out until January 31st so many take their annual leave; and its summer here – while you are in 5 – 30 degree weather, the sun is shining here with temperatures in the mid to high 70s.

Knowing all of this, our planning started five months ago.  We decided to travel to the south island which is home of the Southern Alps as well as a variety of other scenic venues.  First to fly Dunedin, then drive to Queenstown, travel to Milford Sound, go up the west coast to Franz Joseph then on to Grey Mouth, board the trans-alpine train to Christchurch then fly home to Auckland. 
This may not mean anything to you unless you are ambitious enough to drag out a map … so I am going to include more pictures than normal.

Otago Bay - Dunedin

Milford Sound and the Southern Alps

Moeraki Boulders

Dunedin Castle

Christmas Dinner in Queenstown with the Becksteads

Auckland New Years Fireworks

After returning home for a few days, our friends, Dee and Janet Reynolds came to visit for 5 days, beginning on the 30th of December.  Janet is a former Delta employee and now a Delta retiree.  Therefore, they basically fly for free!!  We first explored Auckland, the Hamilton Temple and the glow worm caves at Waitomo (google this, it will be worth it) then traveled north to the Bay of Islands, 90 mile beach and Cape Reinga, (the northern most tip of the northern island) dinner at the Duke of Marlborough on Russell island then home. 

Reynolds on a windy day in Auckland

Glow Worm Cave

Cape Reinga

Kauri Forest

Russell Island

Beautiful weather and a great time!! About now, many of you are saying, THIS IS A MISSION???  The answer is yes and I am now breaking into a chorus of, “I hope they call YOU on a mission”.  Please sing along at your leisure.  The real answer is a unique time during a public affairs assignment in New Zealand.

Today, it is back to normal.  We are in the process of scheduling “Meet the Mormons” movie showings throughout the Pacific Area.

We are also anticipating the visit of our four children and their spouses starting January 22nd, a family visit most of the senior couples try to do while they are here.

Hope all of you are well and had great holiday experiences with your families.  Some days the world seems crazier then others, aka Charlie Hebdo but you must remain firm in the faith and conviction.

Just over six months to go. Cheers.