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.

 
 

 

Finding Our Way

Recently Shirley suggested we call the kids. I asked "Will they be home? What time is it there? ?They won't be available today." She quickly reminded me that it is a day earlier back home. That is just one of the challenges of finding our way here in New Zealand. Almost every time we approach our car, Shirley goes to the wrong side (the driver's seat is on the right side of the car here). Similarly, I constantly have to remind myself that I am supposed to drive on the left side of the road and, when crossing the street, that traffic approaches from the right not the left.

Needing to go into the office each morning is a bit of an adjustment. For me it had been two years since I last needed to go into the office; for Shirley it had been decades. Thus, it is a bit like "Groundhog Day". We get up each morning between 6:00 and 6:30, are in the office by 8:30 and try to leave between 4:30 and 5:00. It is nice, though, that each day is quite different from the last. While endeavoring to learn the full breadth of our duties we are writing stories for the Pacific Area Newsroom, coordinating with regional and national Public Affairs Directors and fulfilling assignments from our Area Public Affairs Director, Richard Hunter.

The Church is an amazing organization for which to work. They provide everything that we need including a comfortable work environment. Everyone is so kind and helpful. We have met many senior missionaries, a few young full-time missionaries and a few young single adults. It is fun getting to know everyone. We are so impressed with the dedication and commitment of the full-time missionaries, both senior and young. In spite of the sacrifice of being away from home and loved ones, they are all so happy!  

While at home we had a Vasa membership and tried to go to the gym three days a week. Our gym membership didn't cost us anything because it was paid for by Medicare. Even so, the cost would only have been $10.00 per month for each of us. Here the cost for a gym membership (not including a personal trainer) is at least $10.90 per week per person (about $8.00 per week per person in US dollars). Love the exchange rate but often it does not compensate for the higher prices here. As a result we are trying to get our exercise by walking to and from work and taking walks on the beach.

Takapuna Beach is only a short walk from the office but we have been going there in the evening and enjoying the western edge of the Pacific Ocean as we stroll along the beach.

Not only has going into the office each day been an adjustment, so has the computer operating system. We use Apple but the Church uses Microsoft. I'm just glad that I had many years of experience with Microsoft before retiring.

 

Much of this last week was spent preparing for the visit of three General Authorities, Elder Renlund, Elder Hallstrom and Bishop Causse.  They have already been in Tonga and will be in Auckland next week. They will also travel to other of the Pacific islands as well.

Perhaps because of her friendship with Sister Causse, Shirley was invited to attend an open house being held for the wives of the visiting Brethren.

Since we work in the Public Affairs office five days a week, our Preparation Day (Pday) is Saturday. Yesterday we went to the aquarium with Elder and Sister Champlin and I played golf in the afternoon. Although the cost of admission was quite high, the aquarium was interesting. It had information on New Zealand's base in Antarctica and focused extensively on caring for the environment. We saw sharks, sting rays, Spanish lobsters, seahorses, penguins and much more.

I played 12 holes (didn't have time for 18) at Takapuna Golf Club. The greens were in good condition but the fairways were half grass and half dirt. My game is a bit rusty (make that quite rusty)!

The next few weeks will take us from Hamilton on the south to Whangarei on the north. We will participate in documenting the trip of the Brethren to Hamilton and a devotional in Whangarei where a member of the Labour Party (the opposition party in New Zealand right now) will address the Young Single Adults in that area.

The highlight of our week is Facetiming with our children and their families. We miss them so much but are settling in here in New Zealand. 

It is exciting to be a part of the Public Affairs effort in the Pacific Area! So much good work is being done here and we are blessed to be a part of it. The people involved are all dedicated servants of the Lord and, under His direction and with His help, they are doing an amazing job. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve with them.  

A Whirlwind in Five Days!

                                                      New Zealand, here we come!

On February 6th we headed to the airport for a 1:50 p.m. flight.  Jonathan drove us to the airport with our six pieces of luggage and 4 carry-on items.  We had been so concerned that our luggage not weigh more than the allowed 50 lbs. each and carry-on not weigh more than 15 lbs. each for naught.  The United Airlines attendant didn't even weigh it.  She just lifted it and said it was fine.

It was so difficult to say goodbye but we managed to remain composed as we hugged  our loved ones.  It's hard to leave our sweet grandchildren (and children, too, of course) who will be changing so much while we are away.   We  know they will be watched over from above while we are away.

Our flight to San Francisco was quick but the five hour layover there wasn't too pleasant.  And then, to try and sleep on the 12 1/2 hour flight to New Zealand -- easier for Jim than it was for me.  We arrived in Auckland around 5:40 a.m. and made our way to customs.  It didn't go so well.  We had brought a year's worth of prescription medications only to discover that only a three month's supply was permitted to be brought into New Zealand.  I learned that in the past most other senior missionaries had brought their year's supply but weren't asked the amount.  We were detained for almost two hours while things were sorted through.  We ended up leaving with three months worth of meds in our bags and nine months being held at customs.   We were told to find a physician and acquire the prescriptions needed.  So it is still a work in progress.

Once we were allowed to leave the customs area we were met by Elder and Sister Champlin, two amazing Public Affairs missionaries.  They helped us with our luggage and drove us to our apartment at Schoalhaven.  When we walked in we were so surprised at how nice it was.  The couple in it before us, Elder and Sister Preater, had left it beautiful decorated.  A basket of treats awaited us and then we discovered a frozen meal in the freezer.  We couldn't have been more grateful.  And this great place has heated bathroom floors and towel warmers.  Below are a few pics of our home away from home.  

Though we wanted to get right to work there were a lot of housekeeping details to attend to such as getting a few groceries, setting up internet, unpacking, getting plug adaptors and numerous other things.  We did manage to get to the office our first day for a few hours.  We are going to love our work but have much to learn.

Okay, this is  for my beautiful sisters!!  Somehow the "International Travels of the Sisterly Satin Bonnet" snuck inside my luggage and made the trip to New Zealand.  Ya'll got me good!

                                        Jim enjoying his breakfast on our cozy little balcony.

It's been a few years since Jim haws driven on the opposite side of the road.  The first few times out were a nail-biting experience.  Even now, I still try to get in the car on what is now the driver's side.  I haven't attempted to drive yet but may give it a try before long.

                                                                          Milford Beach

The Public Affairs Department in the Pacific Area Office is a great place to serve.  Though we aren't proselyting, the work we are involved in is vital to the great effort of inviting all to come to Christ.  We are a part of changing others' incorrect perceptions of the Church, mainly through governmental interaction and news releases.  Though it is only our first week here we are already learning to write articles for the Pacific Mormon Newsroom.  The Polynesian names are beautiful but very difficult to spell and pronounce.  Tomorrow Church representatives will present to the Samoan government Ministry of Education, Sports and Education microfilm containing Samoan birth, death and other records from as far back as 1862. Amazing things are happening in the Pacific.  We are grateful to be a part of it.

                                                                                                                 At Milford Beach

A Week of Training and Spiritual Blessings

 On Monday, January 30, we, Elder and Sister McGuire, entered the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah for five days of intense training. 

We joined newly called missionaries from all across the world headed to assignments all over the world. In front of a map of the world, we are pointing to the relatively small island nation of New Zealand where we will begin our labors on February 8.

We're Finally Official!

On January 29, 2017, almost five months after receiving our mission call, we are finally Elder and Sister McGuire. We are now able to wear our name badges identifying us as official representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here Sister McGuire is putting her name badge on for the first time.  Now it's off to the MTC in the morning.

Us with our three wonderful sons (left to right), Jonathan, Todd and Jason, our Bishop, Lester Memmott (on right) and our Stake President, James McPherson (on left).

Public Affairs Couple Missionary Training

Our Public Affairs Missionary Training, hosted by Elder & Sister Larsen - Sr. PA Missionary Coordinators, was held Tues, January 3 - Friday, January 6, 2017.  What a time we had.  We laughed, we cried, received instruction in many areas regarding our assignment, and left excited to begin our service.  Above are the eight couples that took part in the training.  From left to right;  McGuires - New Zealand, Quin & Janet Pinson - New Zealand, Loren & Tammy Morse - Toronto, Richard & Vanalee Carruth - Philippines, Ronald & Marie Partridge - Birmingham, John & Janice Switzer - Argentina, Steven & Dorie Thomsen - Tahiti, Stan & Joyce Parrish - London.

Jim and I left having made wonderful friends whose faith and testimony are an amazing example to us.  May "God Speed" as you beautiful couples leave to serve in various parts of the world.

CHRISTMAS JOY!

What a wonderful Christmas we had.  Our children were so generous and thoughtful as usual.  They gave us gifts that were a sacrifice of time and means and mean so much to us.   How many remember the game "Im going on a trip and I'm taking with me a ....  Well, we're going on a trip and we're taking a ...family photo book. We're going on a trip and we're taking  ... foot hammocks (to make our flights so much more comfortable).  We're going on a trip and we're taking  ... a "family is forever" photo blanket.  Aren't these awesome gifts?

Christmas Gifts From Children