September 29, 2024

Big Month in New Zealand

 

The third-floor conference room is also used for social functions.  We’re celebrating the departure of a couple from the Communications Department.  Gina Truman looks from behind Ruby Hugo, our legal secretary.

Ruby comes from South Africa.  After one year of applications, paperwork, etc., Her family was granted citizenship in New Zealand.  We surprised her with a lunch of meat pies, Cole slaw, kiwi fruit, and a cake.  She was shocked!  Her flushed face required an immediate fan to relieve her stunned reaction.  She keeps the OGC running smoothly every day.

OGC was invited to a rugby game in Hamilton by a firm we often use for outside counsel.  Lifting teammates to catch the in pass remains one of my favorite visual aspects of the game. 

The extra kick staged extremely close to the sideline.  It was a successful score.

Another view of a different kick for the extra point.

We watched from the elite VIP box.  We received royal treatment all evening, including fabulous hors d'oeuvres beverages, and excellent company.

The scrum.  Such powerful bodies

Meeting attorney, Kainoa Hemi, was the treasured evening highlight for me.  We spent a lot of time visiting.  Her mother is Hawaiian, her father Māori.  Obviously, she embodies the best of both cultures.  Kainoa served a mission to Japan and continues on the path of other interesting ventures.   She’s as brilliant as she is beautiful.  What an amazing woman.

I was teaching our primary class about Samuel the prophet and his exile from the city.  Suddenly, the voice of Samuel rang from the “wall” behind them.  The children were shocked but listened carefully to “Samuel”.  Rick has been a great sport in teaching visual-life-like concepts.  They’ll remember that lesson. 

We enjoy these children every Sunday.

Aaron, Letitia, and Aiden appeared at the end of English Connect class one night.  Pam Tanner and I “cooed” and “awed” while holding that sweet baby.  We acted like real Grandmothers.  We feel good about creating a family feeling in our classes.

Aiden was unfazed by all our fussing.

After many hours and days of meetings for the new CPD department, we joined together for dinner.  Our Public Affairs missionaries from Australia and Papua New Guinea joined us along with visitors from SLC and Tania Torea from Wellington.

Sonny Samuela sits across from me.  He and his fabulous wife, Muriel, head all public affairs for the Auckland Temple Open House.  I'm honored to serve with them.  Sonny kept me laughing all night.  Muriel puts up with a lot, but this jovial Samoan man could do comedy on stage.