June 9, 2024

Autumn Continues 

My parents were married 77 years ago on this day.  Measuring their influence in the lives of their posterity would be an impossibility.  I give daily thanks for the life they created for our family.  May my own life reflect that gratitude.

Once again we enjoy ferry transport.  Apparently, there isn’t much parking in Auckland so most take the Devonport ferry to Auckland and walk.

This is our favorite way to travel, especially on lovely days.

Watching the process of loading a cargo ship was sheer entertainment.

 

The view of Auckland as we near the wharf.

The old ferry station building is quite a landmark.

Long, long moss hangs from the host tree.  It’s living tentacles feel so soft.

The autumn leaves enhance the beauty of this old church in the middle of Auckland.

Auckland is geared to bikers.  There is a pedestrian walkway and a separate bike path on the major roads.

Fall leaves seem so unusual in June.

The stately War Museum stands tall in a park filled with soccer fields.

The growth of this spread tree is most unusual.

Sister Pam Tanner teaches the English Connect lesson in the beginner class.

The majority of students are Asian.  Letitia sits behind me and YoLong across from her.  He makes great progress when he tries and practices.  

I spend a lot of time “talking” with this sweet couple.  They await the birth of their first baby in July.  Letitia is fluent but YoLong has a way to go.  At the end of each class the young missionaries share a Book of Mormon scripture.   I always open my B of M app and have YoLong read it too.   He snaps a copy with his phone app and then reads the scripture in Mandarin.  This couple will receive a Book of Mormon from me before their baby is born. 

Ethan, his friend, Huni (Ethan’s wife), and another friend.  All are from Vietnam.  I’ve quickly become attached to Ethan and Huni.  They speak English fairly well.  Pronunciation needs some practice, but they are driven.  Ethan works as a chef.  He lists his best menu items with pride.  Huni does manicures and eyelash extensions.  She teaches herself English using YouTube.

 When we speak at the next level, I learn he is an Engineer and she an Accountant.  They work hard now to upgrade employment in the future.  I greatly admire their tenacity.   Ethan holds his own in a conversation.  I push and push and encourage making mistakes so they can improve.  We giggle repeatedly.  Finally, Ethan expresses interest in meeting my husband.  He said, “You are so friendly you must have been beautiful when you were younger.”  I laughed though I questioned if friendship and beauty are related.  Also, if he refers to my past am I now simply older and homely?  Regardless, I enjoy working with these wonderful people – the world’s future.