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.