May 26, 2024

Driving:  new territory

 

Today is my brother’s birthday.  This photo was taken in 2010 with Kevin, his daughters Jessica, Janeal, and wife Debbie.  He passed unexpectantly in 2016.  He’s still loved and missed.  Thanks for the memories Kevin!

Last week Paul and Diana celebrated her birthday and their third wedding anniversary.  They’re creating such a beautiful family.

Behold our assigned car - a Toyota Corolla hybrid. 

Our apartment received two parking slots – one behind the other.  Serving in the legal office produced multiple challenges and hair-raising situations.  However, our biggest stress to date has been DRIVING!!!

Rick did well in the church parking lot considering the driver’s perception is completely different from the right side of the car.  The counsel from seasoned missionaries, “Stay left and always look right.”  Left turns are the easiest, except we continually drive over curbs.  We constantly turn on the windshield wipes when we really intend to signal a turn or lane change.   I feel much like a 16 year old learning to drive – no talking or listening to music – total concentration is required to manage a vehicle from an unfamiliar side of the car.

Note the large GPS system.  Our survival on the motorway depends on our adherence to her every direction.  It takes two to drive, one to navigate and one to man the wheel.  As the passenger, I’ve frequently pressed my foot to the floor on that imaginary brake, where could it be?  Also, the rearview mirror doesn’t benefit the left side of the car.  I constantly search for it to view what’s coming from behind. 

We are improving.

Fajeo, an interesting fruit currently in season.  The taste is both sweet and sour.  It’s easiest to cut the bulb in half and use a spoon to scoop out the meaty center.  

Elephant Ears – a different offering at most outdoor markets.

I’ve not tried one yet.  It resembles fry bread with savory toppings – maybe a cross between Navajo tacos and pita pockets.

Paul closed the office last Thursday afternoon and took everyone to the New Zealand Temple in Hamilton.  The drive from Auckland is about two hours.  In fact, we passed the rising Auckland Temple as we drove out of town. 

Paul and Irene on the left, The MacLennans stand in the back and towering on the right is Jenna Crowther, our BYU Law School intern for six weeks.  She’s been marvelous and enjoys hanging with old people.  

The temple was remodeled in 2022.  I love the simplicity inside and out.  I couldn’t resist snapping photos as we left.

The temple president welcomes senior missionaries as shift workers.  I’m currently weighing my workload to see if I could leave one afternoon each week.  I need a few others to join as we could share driving duties, especially during the dark winter hours.  That’s nearly four hours on the road (to and from) and I don’t want to do that alone.  

Paul shared this treasure from December.  I can’t wait to see the holiday decorations. 

Sid Going – Super Sid – passed away last week.  He is revered in New Zealand as one of the greatest rugby players ever.  He interrupted his budding career to serve a mission and then returned to the pros.  New Zealand changed their Pro Rugby games from Sunday to Saturday because Sid wouldn’t play on Sunday.  He and his wife later served a mission in Australia and then as temple president and matron in the Hamilton New Zealand Temple. Check out his story: 

 https://news-pacific.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/going-a-life-of-service-to-god-and-country

 May 19, 2024

New Experiences

These cartoons depict our first month in the office perfectly, especially the first two weeks.  We’re now on our own (with a lot of help) and the work seems to be progressing well.

Our apartment is blessed with a large table.  We hosted a dinner with E/S Baldwin, Gina Truman, and E/S Miller.  All missionaries are so busy it’s hard to get acquainted.  Although we enjoy a large FHE each month and at least one Zone activity, in-depth visits are nearly impossible.  So, we opted for a smaller dinner party.  The evening passed quickly with lots of laughter and great food.  We’ll do this again with different groups.

Eden Park Arena – Auckland

Our mission zone attended a rugby match.  Paul and Irene organized the entire event – a logistical nightmare with 20 senior couples.  Paul invited a friend, a former rugby pro, to teach a few of the rules, strategies of play, and highlights of the game.  

The entryway sculpture was awe-inspiring.

The rugby field is larger than a football field.  I loved the “big game” feeling and my mind and emotions travelled back to Konrad’s football seasons.  Eden Park suddenly felt like the U of U Rice-Eccles Stadium.  I relived the ups and downs of the state playoffs.  They were mostly ups.  

The late afternoon gave way to stadium lights.  The super screen provided replays and comical entertainment.

Paul captured the crowd of missionaries.  I’m in a turquoise jacket and Rick wears a beanie.  We experienced colder than usual temperatures for four days last week.  I feared winter had begun.  Thankfully, everything warmed up again.  We’ve worked around a few days of rain but that’s what winter is in New Zealand.

This is a SCRUM.  It’s a method of restarting play as players pack closely together with heads down and attempt to gain possession of the ball.  Entertaining, especially when the entire group moves in one direction and then another.

The usual snacks and some unique choices filled the entire concession area.

Concessions included these selections.  Local flavors are always the most interesting.

My favorite part – throwing the ball inbounds.  The players timed the toss perfectly and lifted teammates to enhance the chance of snagging the ball in the air.  It represented a crude form of ballet.  I marveled at their strength.

The Blues (Auckland) defeated the Hurricanes (Wellington) 31-28.  The clock seldom stopped so the game progressed quickly.  It came down to the last few action-packed plays.  What a delightful evening.  

We enjoyed the festivities.

We visited Devonport on Anzac Day (like Veteran’s Day).  We were with several others and I didn’t have time to snap photos.  On our next visit I sought out the memorials.

On Anzac Day, the visiting Veterans wore red poppies pinned to their shirts and the monuments were adorned with flower covered wreaths.  The red, white and blue décor brought tears to my eyes.   Reverence and respect fill my soul when any nation honors their fallen soldiers. 

May 12, 2024

Four Weeks Into our Mission

A morning view of Auckland from our 5^th floor balcony.

In April we enjoyed a zone activity at a Bee Farm.  

 

The owner, Harrison, is a young man from China.  His description of the hive activity was excellent.  Rick even learned a thing or two about bees and honey.   He couldn’t help but relate his Christian beliefs to keeping bees.  Everyone took several pictures and Harrison requested copies for himself.  He filled a small jar of honey for everyone present.

The gift shop offered jars of flavored honey and small sticks for sampling.  We selected our favorite flavors and now know where to go to find great gift ideas.

We make quite a crowd.  Our second stop was a festival market.  Rain started falling so we didn’t stay long.  Others couples stopped for lunch and we HAD to join them. 

Ketchup can’t be found.  One must always ask for Tomato Sauce with fries (chips) and other dishes that use this common condiment.

 Red and golden kiwi.  We especially like the huge golden variety.  Markets currently stock them for reasonable prices, so we enjoy at least one a day.

Pak’n Save grocery store.  In the USA most unmanned registers post a sign such as “This lane Closed” or “Please use next register”.  I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw this sign at a closed register on a busy Friday night.  

Tuesdays from 12:30 to 1:30 is Sister Power Hour.  In Hong Kong the name was Sister Scripture Study.  It’s basically the same thing.  Sisters serving in the Area Offices or the Mission Offices are invited to this gathering.  Someone often brings a treat or new discovery to try.  

We meet in one of the available conference rooms to focus on a conference talk.  A different sister leads the discussion each week.  Bring a lunch or join for as long as your schedule allows.  I enjoy this break in the work to unite and share with these fabulous sisters.

Paul and Irene generously invited us to join then for a trip to Costco.  We’re still leery of the Saturday traffic but wanted to meet our dear friends at the large store.

Jack and Charlene Welsh (front of the photo) are serving in Hamilton, New Zealand with seminaries, institutes, and all YSA groups.  Charlene was restocking her supplies to feed the young adults.  The Welshes were our rock-solid couple in China.  They started their second year of teaching English when we arrived.  Jack was the leader of our church group.  Charlene knows all things related to technology.  We adore this couple and hope to see them again before they return home. 

Rick’s burger was twice this height until he removed the large chunk of fried cheese.  Restaurants are quite expensive, yet we still dine out.

I enjoyed this beet and zucchini salad in an edible bowl.  Presentation is half the meal here.

May 5, 2024

Waiheke Island

April 25 was Anzac Day – similar to our Veteran’s Day – a national holiday.  Paul spearheaded a trip to Waiheke Island for all who wanted to go.  We drove to Devonport (rather, we went in another couple’s car – we’re still striving to gain confidence driving on the wrong side of everything).  We boarded the ferry and enjoy the pleasant, cloud covered day.  

The few homes we saw seemed modest in spite of their 20-million-dollar purchase price.  Apparently, Waiheke Island boasts 21 more days of sunshine per year than Auckland.  

Activities with these fabulous missionaries are always delightful.  They’ve lived incredible lives and continue to make a great mark in the world.

Pampas Grass!!  I felt like I could have been in Southern Utah for a moment.  The fall variety looks familiar.  We’re told the spring Pampas Grass seems much more native to New Zealand.  I’ll find out about that in October.

The beaches possess their own beauty.

Two of those pricey homes lay hidden in the hillside.  

The steep stairs presented no challenge for this seasoned group.

The trail art was rather interesting.

Breathtaking scenery!

New Zealand vigorously traps rodents.  The threatened Kiwi birds lay eggs on the ground, unprotected.  Those eggs provide a nice meal for rodents.  The government tries to protect the kiwi eggs by eliminating the mice and rats.  We saw a handful of these traps.

Three plus hours later we walked into the sweet beach town of Oneroa and enjoyed lunch outside on the patio

I had to walk along the sandy beach and feel that cool water on my feet.

This beautiful flower hung outside the restaurant.

The close-up view revealed it’s delicate nature.

We enjoy the diverse vegetation.

Tuesday evenings I attend English Connect class.  The communications missionaries teach the lessons and welcome all who want to help with discussion time.  We begin the class with prayer.  Students are invited to leave after the closing prayer if they choose to do so before a young missionary shares a scripture and spiritual thought.  I’ve never seen anyone leave.

The teachers in the beginning class need most of the help.  Many of the students come from Asia, some from South America.  I love seeing families learning together, though the teens are basically fluent upon entering the classroom.

I felt drawn to Yolong and Leticia, from China.  She’s lived here for a few years and speaks English fluently.  They married one year ago and she finally obtained a VISA for him.  He works as an UBER driver.  Leticia is patient and I push Yolong a little harder.  In many ways he reminds me of my son Thomas.  His nature is easy-going, he’s tall and slender, and his eyes light up when he smiles.   I open my scripture APP for them to read at the close of class.  I then ask Yolong to please read it aloud again.  When the Mandarin speaking Elder attends, he also shares his Book of Mormon with Yolong.  Leticia commented on the missionary’s excellent Mandarin.  He is one of the first to complete a Chinese dual immersion program from Utah. 

Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings members and missionaries join in casual matches of pickleball.  This provides a wonderful opportunity for social and physical interaction.  

Denise (far right) is a local member who never misses pickleball night.  She claims her health has rapidly improved since joining the action. 

 

We just completed week three in New Zealand.  The training feels a little easier with each passing day.  Paul is a marvelous “boss” and so compassionate with the “greenies”.  Truthfully, the entire legal team continues to cheer on our progress and adjustment to the Pacific Area Office.  Failure is not possible with this many cheerleaders.