July 28, 2024

Mid-winter

Long Bay Coastal Walk

Long Bay Regional Park

The fir trees are spectacular

We attended the Family First Conference at Due Drop Arena.  The drive through Auckland is always stressful.   Finally, during the morning break we stepped outside and noticed the Auckland temple across the street.  

 

The projected date of completion is early 2025.  We’re excited to be part of this event. 

I’m serving on the Auckland Temple Open House Committee.  I’m thrilled!

Winter in New Zealand guarantees many rainy days.

We enjoy the rainbows from our balcony.

I can’t get enough of these colorful scenes.

Saturday morning fog covers most of Auckland.  We enjoy the Auckland view from our balcony.  It’s true, we often witness three seasons in one day.  The fog cleared by late morning; we hiked in full sun until afternoon when the clouds rolled in.

This beauty appeared along a garden wall at Bastian Point.

We found a treasure:  A monument honoring New Zealanders who served in the Korean war.  The sacred site evokes reverence.

Rick stands at the monument.  He may be one of the few in New Zealand who can read the Korean characters.

Street Markets – we always walk through the crowds to see what’s there and bask in the excitement of the event.

The variety is massive:  soap, leather, Māori souvenirs, art, treats, baked goods, jewelry, on and on, plus food of every variety. 

Post hike Dinner at “Burger Burger” with Baldwins and Garners.  We enjoy these senior missionaries.  Rick said his burger was fabulous.  I ordered couscous, pumpkin, sun dried tomatoes and spinach salad, spectacular.  We’ll visit again.

 

 

 July 21, 2024

God Bless America

July 4 celebration with senior missionaries.  Note Uncle Sam who appeared to liven the event.

Good, old-fashioned burgers on the grill.  Thanks to Elders Farrell, Tanner, and Saunders for braving the cold night to cook.

Sister Archibald created a delicious, festive fruit plate.

Potato salad and baked beans.  Who could ask for a more traditional dinner to honor the USA.  We finished dinner with apple pie ala mode.

Elder and Sister Dayton, front left and right, organized and executed the evening. They certainly went upon and beyond.

Sister Saunders and Sister Truman enjoy a photo op with Uncle Sam

Elder Dayton talked of “One Nation under God.”  We felt touched to recall our nation’s humble beginnings.  Certainly, those congressional members were guided by God.

Sister Truman’s brother, Dan Truman, plays keyboard for the group “Diamond Rio”. She presented a video of the group singing their creation, “In God We Still Trust”. Radio stations wouldn’t play the piece because it mentioned “God”.

Group sing-along with these fine accompanists.  Our senior couple from Australia joined in vigorously singing every song.  Our couple from Canada was also honored as we sang their national anthem. 

 

A previous outing.  This was the scene trying to cross the Auckland Bridge when an accident occurred there.  We waited an hour.  Thankfully, another wonderful couple was driving.  We enjoyed social time with someone who knows the Auckland roads well.

We discovered a lunchroom surprise when we entered the employee kitchen and found an entire buffet honoring Samoa Language Week.  Our sack lunch was immediately stashed as we partook of delectable Samoan samplings.  Cocoa Samoa looked dark and gritty.  Amazingly, one detects a roasted and subtle chocolate flavor in this famous beverage. 

Five weeks passed quickly.  We bid our BYU legal intern “farewell”.  Jenna (back row, tall, dark hair) proved to be helpful and delightful.  She repeatedly hung out with the older crowd and enjoyed the experience.  She shared endless titles from her long reading list.  I admire anyone who can read 2-3 books a day.  Kari Gali may have met her match.

July 14, 2024

Mount Albert Ward

The photo displays a distorted view of our chapel.  It’s a small church but quite lovely and homey.  We are members of a Polynesian ward.  Most members come from Tonga and Samoa.  A few call Fiji home.  We love the island culture they create together.  They SING in church!!!  I love the loud, deep male voices.  It’s a pleasure to worship with our Mount Albert members.

Our first ward dinner and dance.  This brother sliced lamb pieces as we entered the cultural hall.

He knew exactly what to do.  We simply watched.  New Zealanders eat a lot of lamb. 

A few of the members gather before the dancing begins.  We have been warmly welcomed to the ward and we love these dear people. 

 The beautiful, young sister teaches Gospel Doctrine.  She knows how to encourage a discussion.  Notice the beauty of these little children.

Brother and Sister Tupo wore matching outfits for the occasion.   Dinner tasted interesting.  With so much meat and heavy starch I realized I brought the wrong dish.  Next time I’ll donate a large green salad and a big bowl of fruit.   As we were about to begin, a member placed ten pizza boxes on the table.  Talk about a mix of cultures.

Everyone dances.

Brother Tupo dances with his daughter.

We enjoyed the music.  We mostly danced the swing step.  I noticed several cellphones pointing in our direction.   We were later told there was video footage of us on the ward Facebook page.  I haven’t found it.

The youth congregate together in a circle.  Of course, the boys created their own circle.  At least they all danced.

Primary children joined in with the music.

Even the youngest members swirled and spun.  Oh, to have that kind of energy again.

The floor show displayed cultural dances.  I enjoyed the costumes.  These young women represented Samoa.

This Tongan sister told a complete story with her hands.  I marveled at the beauty of her gestures.   I couldn’t take my eyes off her hands as she skillfully turned each finger movement into a dance with her hands.  They truly represented a language of their own.

Brother and Sister Popolii stand outside the church on a Sunday morning.  He organizes all the music each Sunday.  It’s a joy to see so many young men and women playing the piano in church.  He also makes men’s ties.  He gave Rick four of his unique designs.  I especially like the lavender colored tie with a floral design.  Rick only dares wear it on Sundays.

Our Zone at One Tree Hill.  I’m going back to a previous group activity.  These missionaries are fabulous.  We’re grateful to serve with such amazing people.  Rick and I kneel on the front row.

 

July 7, 2024

Kiribati Part II

Moroni High School.  Rick and I stayed on campus in one of the guest houses.  Several church-owned schools dot the island.  Most are Catholic with a few other Christian schools.   They have an excellent reputation.  Many non-members seek to enroll their children here.  Government officials especially try for Moroni High School.

All the students were friendly, waving as we passed.  The campus buildings are simple and clean.  

A young couple mans the security entrance.  Their daughter really wanted me to take a picture of her.

The covered area serves as a sport court, a classroom, a gathering game area in the evening, and holds many other purposes.

Mid-morning break time draws all the students outside.  Local vendors sell a variety of snacks.  Most vendors are church members.  The Vice Principal pointed out a young widow who brings her three young children while “working” on campus.  I’m certain there are no FDA requirements here.  Some snacks looked questionable to me, but no one seemed at all bothered by any of the offerings.

I interviewed these beautiful girls, students at Moroni High School.  Part of my assignment from the Communications Department included acquiring experiences for the 99+1 initiative (honoring President Nelson’s 100^th birthday).   This proved to me a major highlight of my visit to Kiribati.  I felt as though I stood on holy ground as they recorded a significant spiritual event in their lives when they were the “one”.

Charlie and Jowan also shared simple experiences when they received ministering at a critical time of life.  My eyes welled with tears just listening to their sweet stories.  My view of the rising generation blossomed in their presence.  Each one recognized that God had blessed them through another person. 

As I transcribed these recordings, edited the language and shared with other members of the communications department, all agreed we must place them in the forefront of our media coverage on President Nelson’s birthday.  Our director was so touched he shared them with his family during their “Come Follow Me” study time.  They may appear on the Pacific Facebook group, Pacific Inspiration.

Ocean Family.  Basically, the only restaurant in town (the only one trusted by outsiders).  We enjoyed two meals there.  Thankfully, we brought packs of tuna, crackers, dried fruit, and other packaged items to assist in preparing snacks and simple meals.

We enjoyed the restaurant.  The real estate team joins with one of the contactors and Eritai Kateibwi (front, right).  He was instrumental in the design and building of churches using native materials.  As a young man he developed an aqua-culture project that earned him an entrepreneur aware from the United Nations.  His work in Kiribati aims to uplift the entire country, what an impressive and personable man.

Bairiki is Kiribati’s Costco.  Located in the same “strip mall” as the restaurant, it feels like a major business area in town.  This must be the biggest store on the island.  Gratefully, we found oranges and apples here, our only fresh food.  Frozen items are available and plenty of canned and packaged goods.

Rick cuts the end of a coconut so we can drink the milk.  We then scooped out the flesh.  Delicious!  We appreciated this fresh gift from his excursion to outer islands.

Breadfruit

Taraia prepared breadfruit chips for me.  Delicious!  I shared most with Vernice as they are her favorite snack.  Taraia now handles the housing contracts for MHS.  In a country that doesn’t keep documents – what a challenge this task has been.  However, she’s willing to help and we still communicate about the needed information for OGC. Updating these contracts was a major assignment for our visit.  We share updates with each other, and I promise to send completed documentation for her to create files.  I admire her willingness to learn.

While I worked on campus, Rick, the real estate team, and a few contractors boarded the church’s boat, “Gratitude” for outlying islands.

The entire group waded from the boat to the shore.  Rick was prepared.  They assured him it was a NO TIE day.  He wore a long sleeve white shirt.  Everyone envied his quick drying shorts.

They inspected this church made of natural, local materials.  Membership grows so rapidly in these humble countries; meeting places can’t be built fast enough.  Importing materials to the islands proves to be expensive and time consuming.

A view from inside the “chapel”.  Members feel this is sacred and prefer not to hold activities here.  Often, a second, large covering is prepared for recreation activities.

Smaller teaching areas surround the chapel.

I’d be hard pressed to concentrate in a Sunday School class in this awe-inspiring setting.

The boat could not land on the shore with such shallow water.  Everyone waded to the beach.  They told Rick he needed sandals and shorts.

The “inspectors” wade in from the boat at one of the islands visited.  Rick enjoyed the entire, long day.   They viewed three different chapel sites on three separate islands.

View another sample of simple meeting houses powered by solar panels.  Some of these islands have no electricity.  The back building houses restrooms.  Missionary quarters are generally built on the property also.

Our guest room opened to this ocean view and local children waving at us from behind the fence.  Their shyness appeared when I asked permission to snap a photo.

Miracles accompanied every task.  I met Ruth Cross, an incredible woman working for the Church in Self Reliance, Welfare, and Humanitarian Aid.  She’s seeking a seat in Parliament.  Due to country law, she must terminate her current employment to campaign.  Elections are August 15.  We will be closely watching this race.  She was raised in Kiribati and Australia.  Each country reflects her parents’ heritage.  She inherited the best of both cultures.  Her vision for Kiribati includes elevating levels of comfort, nutrition, and healthcare while allowing the current positive attitude, joy of life, and love of God to flourish.  We wish her well.

View the site for the Tarawa Kiribati Temple.  The property begins on the road and ends at the ocean.  It seems small to me.  Apparently, they (Peter) have also procured bordering property to increase the size of the site.

The Kiribati Parliament building stands stately across the street from the temple site.  That reality is not wasted on Ruth Cross, a Parliamentary candidate.

We stand at the back end of the temple property.  The ocean creates a beautiful border for any temple lot.

An artist’s rendering of the Kiribati Temple.  I easily envision this structure on the lot above.  I rejoice at the prospect. 

I never tire of this beautiful scene.  Viewing the ocean from one side of the road and the lagoon from the other feels surreal. 

Our hearts feel an amazing uplift from this choice assignment.  We bid a fond farewell to Kiribati and hope to return one day!