January 19, 2025

Jumping into the new year

Mission Bay on New Year’s Day.  Family gatherings everywhere.  The entire park and beach filled with BBQs, swimming, family games, and just hanging out together.

New Zealand beaches generally display a lot of skin.  This family day wasn’t too bad.  Most children swim in birthday suits.

The fountain filled with wading children and fun.

It’s time to return to the Pacific Area Offices.

Takapuna is a fairly quiet community north of Auckland.  We walk from our apartment to the office in 15 minutes.

The entry way reveals a lovely garden area.  The greenery in New Zealand appears in every corner and I never tire of the beauty here.

Rick dives into his work.  Truthfully, he spent four mornings here during our week off.  I’m grateful for our adventures in the Bay of Islands during Christmas.  We continued to celebrate the second week, but with simple outings and activities.  Rick felt a bit anxious about all the work waiting for him.

My half of the office doesn’t hold this many papers.  He claims to know where everything is and appreciates all of it at his fingertips.  We may laugh, but the Real Estate team loves him and already sheds tears thinking about his departure several months down the road.

Bridal Veil Falls:  Our last adventure before returning to the office.  This beautiful location is found on a secluded road outside Hamilton that winds around endless curves.

John and Linda Leach joined us for this short nature hike before attending the temple.  It’s a complete pleasure serving with this amazing couple.  Linda is the Area Mental Health specialist.  John serves in OGC and plans to assist Rick with many assignments.  They’ve made a huge contribution in only six weeks.

Christmas lights and displays still decorate the grounds though they no longer turn on at dusk.

Paul and Irene Rytting joined us for the temple session and dinner afterword, of course.  I seek every possible opportunity to travel to Hamilton.  The two-hour drive makes frequent attendance a challenge, but I’m grateful for a temple close enough to visit.

 

 

 

 

January 12, 2025

Happy New Year, Auckland

Midnight – January 1, 2025.  We forced ourselves to stay awake for the fireworks.

The Auckland Sky Tower erupted in beautiful colors to ring in the new year.

Our Takapuna balcony offers a perfect view of the Auckland tower.

Bright fireworks emerged from the side of the tower as well as the top.  We applauded the beautiful 10-minute display then promptly went to bed.

West Haven Park.  Great view of the Auckland bridge.

A delightful sculpture near the bay.

This artistic bench is carved from a tree.

Rick comes to the Takapuna church on Wednesday evenings to practice the piano while I play pickleball in the gym.

English Connect class at the church.  The Lin family returns to show how much Aiden has grown.  Letitia still speaks perfect English.  Aaron (YoLong) hardly knows a word.

 

Aiden stares questioningly at the strange woman holding him.

 How we love this sweet young family.

MaryAnne suggested we try Treacle Tart – a New Zealand dessert.

The tart mixes golden syrup, breadcrumbs, lemon zest and juice.  Unique flavor.  By the third day the melded flavors were quite tasty.

Kumara (sweet potato) fries.  Always a treat.

Third floor missionaries and Area Presidency members gathering for a birthday.  We don’t party all the time, but we enjoy this group whenever we meet together.

January 5, 2025

Christmas in Bay of Islands

On our northern journey Christmas day, we stopped to view the church in Wellsford.  Many refer to this building as the Chicken Coop.  We also stopped to see the church Rick and the real estate just purchased.  The Methodist/Presbyterian church will provide a larger and nicer space for the ward to meet.  Sorry, no picture of the new facility. 

Whangarei Falls

 Terrific group.  The Pacific Area office closes for two weeks during the holiday season.  However, we are still missionaries.  We wear badges, carry pass-a-long cards, smile at those who stare, and field questions from those who ask.  We’re always on the “job”.

Point Reinga lighthouse.  This marks the northern most point of New Zealand.

Kreigers, Leaches, Ryttings, Smiths, and Hafens.

View the Tazman Sea meeting the Pacific Ocean.  The differences between the two bodies of water were truly breathtaking.  The fierce winds caused the plastic raincoats of these beautiful Chinese children to fill with air as though they’d begin to fly.

Irene relished the sea air as she leaned out the window while we drove on 90-mile beach.  This reminded me of a scene from the movie “Footloose”.

Irene jumps into Paul’s arms as the cars come to a stop on 90-mile beach. 

John Leach helps Rick balance as he puts on his flip flops to walk along the beach

Coca Cola Lake on the Kari Kari Peninsula.  The Māori name is Lake Rotopokaka.  The peat and tannins in the water give the lake a distinct “cola” color.   Thankfully, the water is clean and fresh.

Rick and I enjoy kayaking on the calm, amber colored lake.

Stuart and Ellie helped to outfit us for a morning on the lake.  Stuart politely asked the age of our group as I called to reserve the watercraft.  I assured him we were seniors but still very active.  He seemed pleasantly surprised to see we were capable and even came with some boating experience.  Sister Sherrie Smith opted for the paddle board, and he was impressed with her skills.

Paul and Irene Rytting paddle through the lake.  The bird activity provided a pleasurable show.

Linda and John Leach finally arrive and kayak together.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds.  Māori Chiefs signed their accord with the British Crown in this 1840 treaty.  Ceremonial war canoe, Ngātokimatawhaorua, is launched every February as a part of Waitangi Day.  It needs 80 men to paddle it.

 As the boat approaches Hole in the Rock, I question our ability to pass through the narrow opening.

The boat succeeds passage - we cheer as the massive walls expose Hole in the Rock.

On the other side of the hole.

Notice the flock of birds.  They feast on a school of fish below.  The comb-crested Jacana bird, also called the Jesus bird as its long toes appear to walk across the water before taking flight.  We enjoyed this spectacular view of a healthy ocean.

Army Bay on Motorua island

On the island stop, our boat steward cut open several sea urchins and offered the raw fish delicacy to anyone who wanted a sample.  Rick tasted one and proclaimed it was salty and fishy.

We enjoyed our Kari Kari Christmas in Aotearoa under the Pohutukawa trees.  

 

 

December 29, 2024

Christmas in New Zealand 

Rich Hunter, Director of Public Affairs, stands with couples who serve in Communications.  His wife, Laura, and four of their five children are seated.  The Hunters hosted dinner in their beautiful yard.  Rich’s entire staff rotates every 18 months or so.  Yet, he finds only great benefits of serving with senior missionaries.  He feels the constant review of the basics keeps the team focused.  I wish to exemplify his endless positive nature.

The tree in downtown Auckland.  It’s not yet dark enough to see the lovely lights.

We frequently pass through this square on Queens Street.  The wind blows hard on this December evening.

Large Christmas ornaments stand in the background.  The wind now blows in the opposite direction.

We saw the amazing Holiday window display on Queens Street.  The Māori theme was splendidly executed.  The children in the dugout boat, the kiwi birds, and the flowering trees were life-like.

The ferries flying up and down sparkled in the display.  I recalled the ZCMI window displays of yesteryear.  Great artists continue to entertain our craving for holiday beauty.

Jeremy and Amy Jaggi, of the Pacific Area Presidency, hosted a holiday potluck dinner in their home.  Amy, right, is one of the most amazing women I know.   Their home is beautiful and inviting.  Their two youngest children currently serve missions in Mexico and the Netherlands. 

 

Four of our fabulous senior sisters.

The Healys stand against the railing while Baldwins are seated.  The view from this third level apartment is stunning.  The ocean background makes any home feel peaceful.

Happy birthday to this fabulous man.  I’m blessed to share my life with him.  Today we celebrate his birthday.

He’s walking through the Redwood Forest in Rotorua.

I’ve traveled the world with this man, my forever companion, and give daily thanks for him.  Happy Birthday Rick!!