From Spiritual Highs to Scenic Sighs

Pacific Area Office Devotional in Takapuna, NZ - Feb. 21, 2017 - Bishop Causse, Elder Hallstrom, Elder Renlund, Brent Buckner, Elder Nielsen

The Area Office has been astir preparing for the visiting General Authorities.  They came to Auckland Monday after visiting in Tonga for two days.  I like this quote from a talk Bishop Causse gave in Tonga on 2.17.17.  "Time is a resource given to us by a loving Heavenly Father - a resource meant to be applied towards doing good.  Life is short and we need to use it in a meaningful way." That's my desire, to use my time doing good while serving this mission.  

These brethren were busy all day and into the night attending meetings.  They have truly consecrated their lives to the Lord. 

 While they were here visiting the area offices, three of the times I went to get on the elevator it opened up with all of the General Authorities just getting off.  The first time was great and I shook hands with each of them. Same for the second time.  The third time it was a little awkward and I just smiled and tried to not be in the way.  

During the Devotional Elder Hallstrom spoke to the senior missionaries and shared "When our children kneel and pray for us, their faith and focus on Jesus Christ elevates." Elder Renlund encouraged us  by saying, "you have consecrated yourselves for a little season [on this mission], act as if you've consecrated yourself for years".  In other words, don't hesitate to set goals that can't be accomplished in 18 months. Others will be able to carry them out after you have left. In closing, he blessed us that we "will see miracles in the lives of our children".

An open house was held for Sisters Renlund, Hallstrom and Causse.  While sitting in a Public Affairs meeting the week before,  I was interrupted and handed an invitation to attend the event.  I later learned that invitations to that event were few and far between.  Grateful that Valerie (Causse), invited me to come so I could visit with her for a bit. She's a wonderful friend.

On Thursday we headed to Hamilton. The visiting authorities toured the TempleView project during the morning.  And of course, Public Affairs missionaries needed to go to cover the happenings there.

Elder and Sister Champlin and us.

 

The trees and flowers on the temple and adjoining grounds were lovely.  Sister Champlin and I walked around the temple grounds and toured the visitor center while our husbands were out taking photos and documenting the tour group. The TempleView project is well underway.  The Convention Center is near completion and the park area is progressing as planned.

Isn't the Hamilton Temple beautiful!

 

The afternoon was well spent touring the city's Hamilton Gardens. We had several hours before theyouth devotional.  We showed up at 6:15 for the 7:00 devotional and the place was packed. Only the youth and parents were invited.  Parents were asked to sit in the back so the youth could enjoy a better seat. Youth had submitted  questions in advance and the evening was spent answering them.  Elder Renlund, Sister Renlund, Elder Cardon, and Sister Cardon each answered several of the questions.  Sister Renlund shared that "personal revelation always prompts me to do good".  Elder Renlund told the youth that "God does not care who you were, he cares who you are."

The Ward assignment we have received is to attend the Glen Innes Ward in Panmure.  The chapel is quite small but it doesn't seem to hinder the worship of the beautiful people that attend there. Sacrament meeting began with the chorister standing and asking who would like to start the hymn off (for pitch purposes).  I was shocked and motioned to the Bishop that I could play the piano.  So I went up and played.  They were going to sing without accompaniment. Unfortunately they don't have an organ in this church-house.  I'm beginning to think I brought my organ music and shoes for nothing. I met several of the sisters and enjoyed the lessons.  Jim has been asked to teach  the Priesthood Mtg. every 2nd Sunday.  I think he will enjoy doing that.  

Right after Sacrament Meeting Brother Whitaker came up to me and thanked me for playing and asked if I'd received a "HONGI".  I must have had a puzzled look on my face so he told me that it is a special Maori greeting - then I received my first "hongi".  Here's what it means:

 A hongi is a traditional Maori greeting in New Zealand.  It is done by pressing one's nose and forehead (at the same time) to another person.  In the hongi, the ha (or breath of life), is exchanged and intermingled.  The breath of life can also be interpreted as the sharing of both parties' souls.

The first Sunday that we attended the Glen Innes ward there were few in attendance and many of them seemed to be of Maori descent.  Today there were more members in attendance and many of them were Tongan.  We learned that many of the Tongans assigned to the Glen Innes ward had been attending a predominantly Tongan ward where Tongan is spoken in all the meetings.  Apparently the Stake President asked those Tongans who speak and understand English to return to the Glen Innes ward.   As a result, the congregation was about twice the size it was last week.

We spent part of last Saturday on a visit to the gannet bird colony in Muriwai.  About 1,200 pairs of gannets nest here from August to March each year. Each pair lays one egg and the parents take turns on the nest.  When the newly hatched grow strong enough they all return across the Tasman Sea to Australia.  The black sand beaches there are beautiful.  Hope I can return with cabana in tow and sit on the beach for a day.  On the way back, we indulged and stopped for some "Phil's" ice cream.