The Nielsens spoke at our senior missionary family home evening. Sister Nielsen talked about their courtship, family and what a privilege it is to be able to testify of the Savior. Elder Nielsen explained the eight quorums of the Seventy, including the mandatory release age of 70, how Area Authority Seventies function, who of the Seventy hold keys and what the General Authority Seventy's responsibilities are.
Elder Nielsen told of a conversation he had with Houston Oilers Coach, Bum Phillips a short time before his death. Bum was concerned about what would happen to him when he died, so together they read and talked about Alma 40, where Alma tells his son Corianton about the Atonement and where the righteous and the wicked go after death.
He also talked about his very close relationship with Coach Lavell Edwards and how difficult it was not to be able to be there as Coach Edwards was passing away. He credited Lavell with having a great deal to do with who he has become.
A very touching part of Elder Nielsen's talk was about the mother of a young man in the stake where Elder Nielsen was then Stake President. She was concerned that her son had chosen a different path that was leading him away from the Church. After taking some time to reflect on the mother's concerns, Elder Nielsen was inspired to read her 2 Nephi 10: 1-2, where Jacob says that "God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer." She left having hope in Christ's Atonement and that her son would come back into the Church. Elder Nielsen indicated that her son has been married in the temple and now has four children.
After the Nielsens spoke, a group photo was taken and Elder and Sister Nielsen were kind enough to take the time to take photos with each of the senior missionary couples. It was a very special evening with one of the Lord's chosen servants and many dedicated missionaries!
SM: Good morning world! The sun rises on New Zealand before any other country in the world. So we really are the first to greet the new day because of our location near the international dateline. Our friends recently returned to Tahiti after being here for a week. It was so good to see the Thomsens who are serving as public affairs missionaries there. Because they were crossing the International Dateline to come here to NZ and then return, they experienced three Sundays in one week. Heavenly!
We can untape our ankles now that reinforcements have arrived. The team is back to full strength now that Pinsons and our intern, Paesha Tuttle, have arrived. Pinsons were delayed several weeks because of visa troubles. They were ready and anxious to get here. Hope they're going to love it here as much as we do. They are awesome and it will be great to have them to share public affairs experiences and assignments with. And Paesha is so talented. Oh, and beautiful, too. Now we get to huddle up each morning with some all-star players and Hall of Fame Public Affairs Coach, Rich Hunter - who's one of a kind. What a team. Feeling blessed.
This morning we all headed to Massey University to cover a story for an event, Spirituality Week, being held there. Religions from all over Auckland were represented. Young missionaries were there to represent and answer questions about our Church. Paesha took photos while Jim and Quin Pinson were getting photo releases from individuals in the event we want to use their photos in a media story. They also had an interesting conversation with a man that thinks our Church is a cult. He expressed that he's worried about Jim's soul. Jim shared that he, too, was worried about the man's soul but that he's sure he's a good man and will eventually see the light.
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| Jim, Pinsons and Paesha at Massey University |
Look what I discovered at Countdown, a local grocery story close to our flat. Duke's Mayonnaise. Those of you from the south will appreciate this. It's something I've really missed since I left South Carolina. Yum! Another thing we enjoy here is Tip Top Ice Cream. My favorite flavor is "Hokey Pokey". Makes me want to do the Hokey-pokey!
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| Duke's - another word for YUM! |
Here's a beautiful Maori proverb that we love. "He aha te menui o Te Ao ku e Ma ku e Kli atu He Tangata , He Tangata, He Tangata." It means "What is the most important thing in this world, I say to you, It is People, It is People, It is People." That's the reason we have left home and family to go half-way around the world. For the people!
On Mother's Day Eve we went to a movie (Viceroys) and dinner at Aubergine with three other senior missionary couples. Great evening and great company. We all work hard and find a little time, now and then, to play hard as well. We get to hang out with the most amazing people and we love the camraderie that we share. It's wonderful that we can share stories of our families back home and they are willing to listen. Or maybe we have a cornered audience. But they don't seem to mind. Thanks, Collins, Lovelesses and Pinsons.
I couldn't help but smile today at Church after seeing this beautiful Mother. I've had a wonderful Mother's day reflecting on the love and sacrifices made by my beautiful mother. Oh, to be like her. All three of our children tried to reach us. Two reached us on Facetime. One at 5:45 a.m. our time. Yawn! It was wonderful to talk with them. One left a message saying he tried to reach me but couldn't. I'm sure I'll talk with him and his family tomorrow. Guess I'm loved a little bit!! What a joy it has been to have three incredible sons that have grown up to be such outstanding men. Sounding proud? Yep, I am!
We took the Pinsons (the new Public Affairs missionary couple that were delayed in coming due to visa problems) for a drive to Muriwai. Such a breathtakingly beautiful place. Our favorite place so far.
JM: Had a wonderful Mothers Day with a wonderful Mother, my sweet wife and eternal companion. I am so thankful for the sacrifices she made to bring our three sons into this world! Not only did she spend countless hours loving and teaching them, but she cared for me and our home at the same time. I am blessed to have her as my partner!
I used a sports reference in the title of this post. Elder Nielsen was a successful athlete and sportscaster and has been providing such terrific leadership and example as a Seventy and a counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency. We have been privileged to get to know him and Sister Nielsen for these few months and will miss their influence here in the Pacific.
Now it's off to Samoa in two days to become acquainted with our public affairs team there. We'll update you on our return.
