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.

  

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!!