June 2, 2024

Shades of Winter

Tuesday night rain pelted our windows with ferocious power.  Sleeping was an impossibility.  Morning brought cloudy skies and a light drizzle.  I walked at 6:00 AM without more than a sprinkle.  We arrived at the office at 7:45 and the wind began.  Pinto winds always blow hard, most days, so this wasn’t unusual for us.  Everyone else felt major concern as the rain poured combined with strong winds.  We received an early afternoon email suggesting our safety was most important and those returning to Auckland over the bridge may want to leave now, as the wind can cause swaying for those crossing.  We didn’t feel those same fears, so we stayed in the office until nearly 5:00.  The walk home felt like an uphill trek against the wind.  The moment we opened the door the rain began.  Watching the downpour from our 5^th floor apartment was quite enjoyable as we felt immense gratitude for our shelter.  Is this winter in Auckland?  Natives suggest this represents the unusual, extreme side of winter here.

We filled Paul’s office with 100 balloons for his birthday.  He is a colorful, lively guy so it seemed most appropriate.  We value his positive leadership in OGC.

The Communications department also serves on the 3^rd floor and spearheaded this project.  Elder Saunders felt lightheaded after filling balloons for several minutes.  Paul was surprised and actually enjoyed the office décor.

Rick and I represented the Church at the Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony.  The office purchased flowers for us to place on the site.  We greatly enjoyed meeting local veterans, a few Americans, and other dignitaries.

The US Consul General, Sarah Nelson, greeted us and offered her pleasure in working with the church on several projects.  She values the helpful, positive approach church officials take in aiding worthy causes in the pacific.  She will retire at the conclusion of her tenure here.  I hope we have occasion to meet the new Consul General.

This Veteran, a sappy, stands with a fellow soldier and his American wife.  She enjoys coming every year just to hear the National Anthem.

We were quite impressed this Veteran could still fit into his uniform.  He regaled us with endless stories about his service.  Unfortunately, he spoke so fast we could only nod and smile as our ability to understand his words, mixed with a bit of Māori,  was almost non-existent. 

The ceremony was held in the Grand Hall of the War Memorial Museum, a stately building.  Rick stands in front of this awe-inspiring fountain – a never-ending sheet of water that flows over the fern symbol of New Zealand with the words, “Lest We Forget”.  I shed tears standing on this holy site.  In fact, we couldn’t even recognize it was a fountain until we were nearly upon the memorial as the water flows so smoothly and quietly.

Sister Gina Truman, from St. George, treated us with all varieties of dumplings.

Last Friday the third floor saw six “teammates” traveling or sick.  We relaxed a bit when Sister Truman volunteered to bring dumplings.  I provided Cole slaw.  Which was most favored???

Sister’s Power Hour.  This represents a special meeting as Amy Jaggi “brought” Rachel Guidi to the meeting (via cell phone).  Rachel was sheltering in New Caledonia, displaced due to recent rioting.  The French overseas territory violently erupted in recent weeks due to the ongoing battle of loyalty to the French or seeking independence.  Elder and Sister Jaggi met Rachel and her family on a previous visit to the island nation.  Sister Rachel was searching for spiritual comfort when she joined our meeting.  Since then, 18 of the missionaries serving in the island country were evacuated to New Zealand.  We continue to count our blessings and ask God to bless America.

I enjoy meeting with Sister Meurs once each week at the sister’s gathering.  We share our Hong Kong ties and value our experiences in Asia.  I’ll always remember celebrating her 64^th birthday in Hong Kong as she insisted we play the Beetles song, “When I’m 64”.  Watching her dance around the room delighted us – the wife of a General Authority being so “real”.

Celery is so TALL here.  I cut eight inches from this stock, and it still wouldn’t fit on a shelf in the fridge, except diagonally.