Everything's just "Ducky"

SM:  Each morning as we walk to the office we take the nature trail - at least when the weather is good.  A house off in the distance has an above ground pool and in that pool is a giant duck.  Actually, I think it's a swan.  Each time we see it, it makes us smile and we get to greet each day with a swan  (referring to my much earlier days of primary slogan - greet each day with a song).  It's funny how such little joys can impact us.  And we are grateful for them.    So, as Jim says, "Everything's ducky"!

We received a request on very short notice to go northward to Paihia to train new members of the Public Affairs team there.  We're always good for a road trip with this gang.  They're trying their best to keep us young at heart.

Stopping for some grub in Whangarei with Mau, Muriel, Tom and Junior.  What a crew!

Road trip to Paihia (Bay of Islands area). We work hard but have fun doing it. Muriel and Junior devote countless hours to their callings as Coordinating Council Directors of Public Affairs. They are amazing and make us look better than we are.

Glad we could join the Public Affairs team in Pahia. The Paihia chapel is in what seems to be an old office building. Other than that it is across the street from two bars, it is in a great location.

We had a great training session with some new public affairs team members.  Afterwards, Sid and Colleen Going invited us to their home for dinner. Sid is a former All Blacks rugby star and the immediate past President of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple.

Looking out on the deck of the 'Going' home in the famous "Bay of Islands".

On the Saturday following Thanksgiving Day in the U.S., the senior missionaries got together to celebrate Thanksgiving. Of course, it isn't celebrated in New Zealand.

Thanksgiving feast preparations underway!

Many were quite happy to sit and watch a football game before dinner. It was the first football I have been able to watch since leaving the U.S. (rugby just isn't the same).

Senior Elders singing "Over the River and Through the Woods".

We are one of the fortunate missionary couples that actually has a decent sized tree that was bequeathed to us.  There were a few decorations with it but I added sea shells to give it an island flair.  The weather is warm and sunny, so different from what we are used to. I have to really work to process the fact that it really is Christmas.  Thank goodness for beautiful Christmas music to enhance our thoughts during this time of year.

JM: While walking on the beach Christmas morning I told Shirley that it just didn't seem like Christmas, no family, no snow and walking on the beach.

The Pahutakawa Tree - blooms only in December and is considered the New Zealand Christmas Tree

Our public affairs team has done a lot to support the Church's "Light the World" initiative in the Pacific. We have worked with the different countries helping them know what they could do (billboards, banners, pass along cards, radio and TV spots and launches).

Banner outside of Pacific Area Office

We enjoyed  helping plan and execute a Pacific Area "Light the World" launch. Three charities (the Auckland City Mission, the Salvation Army and Monte Cecilia) were first identified as possible recipients, visited to determine what needs they had and, finally, were given things that it was felt would help them continue to serve the less fortunate in the Auckland area.

Meeting with Alexis at the Auckland City Mission

Met with Marlene at the Salvation Army

Spent time with Bernie at Monte Cecilia to assess their needs

They were each invited to join us in the Area office on December 1 where we thanked them for their service to the community and announced the things that the Church was donating to them.

We've celebrated Christmas very differently this year. Among the ways that we celebrated were; exchanging Christmas gifts with the senior missionaries, enjoying a Christmas Eve gathering with Rich Hunter and his family and neighbors, and a Christmas Day dinner with a couple in our ward and Elder and Sister Harvey (a senior missionary couple who work in Family History).

All of the ways we celebrated Christmas were enjoyable, but none replaced being with our family. It was really nice to be able to talk with each of our sons and their families on Christmas day here or Christmas day in Utah.

SM:  We found a lovely card in our luggage when we first arrived in New Zealand from our daughter-in-law that shared this quote from Anne of Green Gables: "My future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road...Now there is a bend in it.  I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does."  We are experiencing that bend in the road at this very moment.  Something so different from that which we are accustomed to. 

Each day is a surprise to us as we continually experience some of that "best".  We are grateful to be a part of the Lord's work in our small way and recognize the Lord's blessings in our lives and in the lives of our children and grandchildren. 

Elder Uceda

SM:  I don't think I've mentioned how fortunate we are to live where we do.  Our apartment is cozy - there's about a foot and a half on each side of the bed.  But it's home and we like it.  We understand that the rent for our apartment here in Takapuna is $750/week.  Property values are outrageous in this desired location on Auckland's North Shore.  We have two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Though the kitchen is tiny, we seem to manage just fine.  I am curious to know who lives in the apartment with the solo "red facade".  

JM:  Downsizing from 5,900 sf to 900 sf has been an adjustment for sure. We really don't need anywhere near the 5,900 sf we have at home but we could use a larger kitchen here and Shirley misses a bathtub.

Shoalhaven Apartments

SM:  We love the traditions here in our mission.  We have family home evenings together, we go on outings together, and we work hard together.  When a new missionary couple arrives, while they are getting settled in, they are invited to a dinner each night for a week at a different couple's apartment.  Janet and Quinn Pinson hosted Elder and Sister Williams (legal counsel) and we were invited to join them.  Janet made a lovely Pavlova for dessert.  Yep, it's now officially a favourite of mine!
JM:  Is there any question why we have gained weight here in New Zealand?

My new favourite dessert made by my new favourite (as of 6 months) friend!

JM: Throughout the South Pacific on the last Saturday of October each year there is a day of service where all stakes are encouraged to identify a need and have a service project to satisfy the need. We get photos and basic information for stories from some of the stakes and write stories for Newsroom highlighting some of the service performed.

The photo below was of a project in the Waterview Stake in Auckland. They wanted to plant 4,000 trees. The weather didn't cooperate so we're not sure how many they actually got planted.

SM:A few weeks ago we visited (along with Sister Bills from Humanitarian) three different charitable organizations to determine if they would be appropriate recipients of financial gifts from the Church.
The Auckland City Mission is in need of medical equipment.  These gifts are being given as part of the "Light the World" launch in the area office on Dec. 1. 

Visiting with Alexis at the Auckland City Mission

The Salvation Army identified a need for a freezer and sports equipment.

Marlene was a pleasure to meet.

JM: Monte Cecilia (not pictured) provides emergency housing to families in need. They have accommodations for 38 families in three neighborhoods in southwest Auckland. They need a server, a computer, monitor and keyboard and an iPad.

SM: We recently received a letter from a Jewish man, E. Zobel, the man assigned by Hospice to visit with my father at the assisted living center.  He would drop by several times a week and talk with Dad about his many life experiences and faith.  Dad would share his beliefs and testimony with him each time he came.  In the letter he shared with us that he had joined the Church. He said that my father was the most amazing man he had ever met and wanted us to know that he played a big role in his decision to be baptized.  What an amazing example of faithfully enduring to the end. The letter brought tears to my eyes.  I'd love to meet that man someday.

JM: Each Christmas the grounds of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple are lit. We were invited to one of the meetings of the Christmas Lighting Committee. There is quite a lot of coordination and work that is involved in hosting the 40,000 people who view the Christmas lighting each year.

Part of the project includes two VIP tours, one on December 16 and the other on December 20. We will be going to the one on December 20 to do a story for Newsroom.

The Christmas Lighting Committee

Stake President and Committee Chairman, ________ Kendall, Vicki Wihongi (the Director of Public Affairs in Hamilton) and President and Sister Robertson (Temple President and Matron) L to R

The food is included in the above photo because the Christmas lighting has partnered with the  Hamilton Food Bank this year. Visitors are encouraged to bring a can of food for donation to the food bank.

One of the major projects the Area Public Affairs Department is doing is shooting local scenes for insertion into the Church-produced "Church at a Glance" video. The original video is very good, but it doesn't include any photos or narration reflective of the South Pacific. It was decided that the video should be modified for our needs here by including scenes and local people from throughout the South Pacific. Once finished it will be used to give to opinion leaders and others to acquaint them with the Church in this area. 

Senior missionaries, Steve and Doris Thomsen, who are serving in Tahiti, Landon Jones (a BYU intern here for 3 months) and Jarom and Lincoln Reid (consultants and photographers) have been traveling to New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Samoa filming the interviews and scenes needed for modifying the video. We were designated drivers because we have a car.

Video Team and Tafiti Family at a Park in Auckland

Piha is a beach southwest of Auckland. The ocean is very active (hence a TV series "Piha Rescue"). Not long after this photo was taken a wave snuck up on us and soaked us both from the knees down.

Near Piha is a beautiful waterfall (Kitekite). The walk into the waterfall is easy and spectacular and takes only about 30 minutes each way. It wouldn't take that long if we didn't stop so frequently to enjoy the sights.

A lot of effort has been put into interfaith relations this year. The Panmure Stake (the stake in which our Glen Innes Ward is located) hosted a meeting with representatives of seven different faiths speaking. Great friendships were formed but whenever you bring those of different faiths together there will be a few surprises. In this case, some of the participants played guitars and the congregation clapped along with the music.  Several speakers were very casually dressed.  In spite of that minor discomfort, the event was well received and helped build interfaith relationships.

"Women in Faith"

Elder Juan A. Uceda, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, spoke at our Monday morning Pacific Area devotional and at our senior missionary FHE that night. He is newly assigned to oversee the Pacific area. When he spoke to the senior missionary couples he shared a fascinating understanding of the scriptures. 

Elder Uceda

Puzzles, Putts and Pavlovas

Thomsens were in town for a short time after Australia and we couldn't pass up an evening to just relax together. We brought out the BYU Stadium puzzle and m & m's and were entertained for hours.  Some of us more than others.  Jim actually hates puzzles. Janet's not particularly fond of them but was a good sport.  But Thomsens - they were intense!  Lots of laughing!

Every year in September the office sponsors a service day.  We were able to go to the Salvation Army sorting warehouse and found some very interesting items during the sorting process.  Service with friends and co-workers, the best! And Jim found an unexpected helping hand!

The senior missionary couples held their first progressive dinner and we offered to host part of the group.  Streeters, Bills, and Hales joined us for the first course of the night.  As luck and timing would have it, we had two extra guests show up to fix our doorknob.  But as the saying goes, "The show must go on!"  The repairmen were kind enough to join us for a blessing on the food.

My YSA friend, Shilo Kino, and I went to an Auckland University interfaith group gathering recently.  Jim and our intern, Landon, also came along but were turned away as only women were invited so they had a lot of time to kill waiting for us.  Three panelists representing the Mormon, Muslim and Presbyterian faiths spoke to the group. They shared thoughts on things that we, as women, have in common regardless of different faiths.  Melissa Inouye spoke of the different challenges she faces as a woman of faith.  To read more about this event click here.

Read Melissa's journey of faith here . It's powerful and speaks to those who are questioning their beliefs.

Melissa Inouye, sitting on the back row next to me, represented our faith as a panel member.

In a recent standup meeting with our Public Affairs Director, Rich Hunter, we gained a little more insight into his character. (wink).  His latest declaration --after seeing a photo one of our team members had posted on Pacific Mormon Newsroom of a 'very important person' here in the area office with the top of his head cut off -- was "I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me than have a full frontal lobotomy." We were already in a jovial mood so this just caused us to burst out laughing.  

JM - I had the opportunity to play golf with two wonderful people, Rich Hunter and Doug Matsumori, at Pupuke Golf Club. Lots of hills and too many strokes, but great fun!

Rich is the Pacific Area Director of Public Affairs for whom Shirley and I work and Doug is the Area Legal Counsel. I think it was the first time any of us had played since last Fall and our games showed it. 

I was astounded as I made two putts of 40 feet or longer! I'm grateful for gravity. Both were going fast enough that had they not dropped in the cup I would have had long putts coming back. On Facebook Rich dubbed me "Long Putt Maker". More accurately he should have dubbed me something like "User of All of His Luck in One Round".

Rich dubbed Doug "Long and Straight Down the Middle" and himself "George W. In the Bushes". I replied to Rich's self-dubbing by saying "Nix-on" that and renamed him Rich the Hunter of Balls. He had been very helpful to me, finding my ball several times.

We had a great time and, though my back paid a price, I'm sure we will do it again. Not sure why I continue to torture myself both physically and emotionally, but I do love the game.

One of the things we try to do in Public Affairs is provide opportunities for Church leaders to meet and establish relationships with opinion leaders in the area of their stewardship. 

We knew that Elder Cardon (1st Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency) would be traveling to Tonga the weekend of October 14 and 15 and wanted to give him an opportunity to meet with Reverend 'Ahio, President of the Free Wesleyan (Methodist) Church in Tonga.

I had been working with the local Public Affairs team in Tonga to get a meeting set up. On the Wednesday prior to the trip I was told that Reverend 'Ahio would not be able to meet Elder Cardon. After all the effort that had been expended, I was very disappointed and felt that I had failed. I asked Sione Langi, in Tonga, to try one more time Thursday morning. 

Elder Cardon's secretary told me that I had until noon to get an appointment set up. At 11:00 a.m. I got a call from Sione telling me that Reverend 'Ahio had agreed to return to Tonga early to meet with Elder Cardon and, rather than meeting in an office or church building, he invited him to come to his home. Sione explained that in Tonga that was quite an honor.

I had done all that I could and had failed to get the meeting set up. Sione had likewise done all that he could and, after being told that a meeting could not be accommodated, finally at the last minute it all came together. When I told Elder Cardon about the meeting, I told him that I was sure that, because I had not been able to make it happen, the Lord had intervened to make it possible. We see this kind of divine assistance quite often in our Public Affairs efforts.

A very special senior missionary couple, Karen and Lynn Collins, live just two doors down from us. A special friendship has developed with them. Lynn served as a Bishop at the Utah State prison which was the basis for an immediate bond. Karen is very "crafty" so she and Shirley get along very well. Unfortunately (for us) they will soon be going home. We will miss them and the good times we have had together.

The family of BYU intern, Landon Jones, is visiting New Zealand. Our wonderful boss, Rich Hunter, invited us and our co-workers, Elder and Sister Pinson, all over to his house for Family Home Evening to meet Landon's parents. Shirley made a favorite New Zealand dessert, pavlova, for the occasion. It was DELICIOUS and the next day Shirley and I went on a diet. Either our clothes are shrinking or we are growing.

Our intern, Landon Jones, eyeing the Pavlovas

Apparently there is quite a lot of disagreement whether pavlova originated in Australia or New Zealand, but since we are here, we come down on the side of New Zealand. 

We enjoyed a great lesson by Rich and then played games with everyone. Rich and Laura are such gracious hosts! We love them and their wonderful family.

One day I decided to wear my tennis shoes to the office. Of course I carried my dress shoes but Shirley said that I was officially "old" for having worn my tennis shoes with my suit for the walk to the office. The walk was actually considerably more comfortable but I don't like having to carry my dress shoes so I guess I will shed my "old fogey" ways and become young again.

As we tried to find an appropriate gift to be given to all of the national Directors of Public Affairs at a seminar in Hamilton in January we thought we might be able to find something at the wood carver's. So one Friday morning we went with a group of senior missionaries to his home and shop about 30 minutes away. 

Jerius and Marcella are originally from Bethlehem in Palestine but moved to New Zealand over 20 years ago when the West Bank got too dangerous for their liking. They are very kind to the missionaries and the Seamons (who will be leaving in December) have become very close to them. Sister Seamons wanted to introduce some of the "newer" missionaries to Jerius and Marcella so the relationship with them would continue. 

They gave us a tour of their property.  We tasted tangy and sweet "loquats" for the first time. They have sheep and several lambs were born 40 days earlier so some of the sisters wanted to pet the lambs. Jerius herded all of the sheep into a corral and invited Sister Downs to try to catch one of the lambs. Of course she couldn't so Jerius caught one and picked it up for her to hold. Naturally all of the other sisters (including Shirley - amazingly) wanted to hold a lamb. I guess that mothering instinct even extends to animals.

Saturday morning (October 21) we drove about 45 minutes North to Sandspit to take the Royal Mail Run Cruise to Kawau Island with a large group of senior missionaries. The weather was a little cold, but we had a great time. 

The boat delivers passengers and their baggage along with the mail (which seemed to be more miscellaneous than postal items) to Kawau Island just a 30 minute boat ride from Sandspit. The island is large but only sparsely inhabited and it is only accessible by boat.  Interestingly, early tribes that occupied Kawau were notorious for their piracy and cannibalism.

 

We enjoyed watching the deliveries and about noon enjoyed a BBQ salmon lunch that was cooked and served onboard. After lunch the boat dropped us off at the Mansion House. It is a beautiful home that was originally owned by a copper mining company operating on the island. It was used by the mine's manager. However, one of the Governors of New Zealand, Sir George Grey, purchased it from the mining company in 1862 for a family vacation residence. He expanded it from 10 rooms to 30 and used it for a period of over 20 years before selling it. Now the home and the grounds belong to New Zealand and tours are permitted. It is a very nice home with beautiful period furniture and artwork. 

Checking out a Model A in Sanspit

After our cruise, along with many of the missionaries we ventured to Manakata for ice cream (so much of the diet). Manakata is a lovely little town where every Saturday morning they have a market. We went with the Pinsons to the market a few weeks ago and got an ice cream cone at the same place. It has fresh fruit mixed into the ice cream. Very good!