April 13, 2025

Milford Sound, Temple Dedication, Ted Ashby Sail Vessel

Sister Linda Leach joined me for a short trip to the South Island while our husbands traveled to Papua New Guinea.  Glacier in the background, hills of greenery, this ride from Te Anau to Milford Sound was one of the most beautiful drives of my life.

Photos by dawns early light.  Incredible!

The spectacular fjords of Milford Sound

Sister Leach wraps up against the cool but sunny day.  The magnificent waterfalls grace many mountain sides.

The Tasman Sea meets the sound.

I had to venture close enough to the glacier-fed waterfall to feel the mist on my face; cold but refreshing.

The Remarkables!  Mountain range seen from Queenstown, NZ.  This rugged mountain range provides a beautiful contrast to the green, rolling hills.

Queenstown.  Melanie described this city as very similar to Park City, Utah.  Of course, there is much more water surrounding this town.

Elder Patrick Kearon dedicated the Auckland Temple today.  His British accent was the perfect fit for New Zealand.

Public Affairs/Communications departments have been preparing for weeks.  I stand in awe at the work required behind the scenes.  Elder Kearon acknowledged those unseen labors and offered thanks for the work that allowed all to “Savor the majesty of the event.”

We boarded the Ted Ashby on a sunny Saturday to sail around the harbor.  We helped to raise the sails.  The volunteer crew was knowledgeable and entertaining.

The Ted Ashby carries about 40 passengers.  Today the numbers are much smaller, a blessing for us.

We met new friends from Ottawa, Canada.

The relaxing atmosphere intensified as the motors were cut and we ‘sailed’ under the bridge.  Other boats enjoyed the same view.  We also saw a few bridge bungee jumpers.

The magnitude of the structure maximizes the experience.

Taking a break from weekly work helps regenerate the soul and body.

The beautiful view of Auckland will forever remain in our hearts and minds.

April 6, 2025

Papua New Guinea

Port Moresby

Rick, Elder John Leach, and part of the real estate team spent 5 days in Papua New Guinea visiting sites approved for simple meeting houses, potential sites, and meeting with local counsel and other attorneys that can help with the challenging customary land laws.

Elder Leach with the locals in Banz.

Roadside shops

Woman selling bottled water

Papua New Guinea Temple

The site is under 24-hour security as materials easily disappear from any location that is not secured.  Concertina wire rests atop most fences throughout the country.  The people are poor, subsistence farmers yet so humble and faithful.

Rose Vada and her sister, Jessica.  She uses her covered patio for the local branch each Sunday.  Her parents died so she cares for her 8-year-old sister.  Rick felt humbled by the vast sacrifice of the members here.

A security guard in Saivara.  Most properties in Papua New Guinea hire security to fortify the fenced properties.  This provides an additional source of employment for an impoverished country.

One of the nicer meeting houses in Port Moresby

Bilu church and side buildings

The darkness of the photo reveals it was snapped at dusk.  The group experienced several 12-hour days.  The work that needs to be completed never end.  The church membership in Papua New Guinea is growing faster than any other location in the Pacific Area.

Inside the simple meeting house in Konedobu

The Branch President’s wife and child

Flooded Stake Center in Port Moresby.  They work to clear the mud-covered floor.

A simple structure built with local materials in Kurumul.

The meeting house with a sand floor.  Members are hoping for an update.

The new simple meeting house on the left now houses the growing branch.  The older building, on the right, was built by members in Tombil.  It remains intact as the older members of the congregation feel pride in its construction.

These papers show the lesson helps for class.  The ‘Come Follow Me’ lesson is visible.

Boxes of Sacrament trays rest in the corner.  Notice the floors and walls made from local materials.

A separate teaching facility houses classes a small distance from the main chapel.

This sister, her children, and her brother-in-law stand near her farm.  Rick said her handshake is as firm as any man’s.  He observed their dedication to the gospel and felt that immediate need for improvement in our own service.

Raising sweet potatoes.  A wooded stake raises the vines so the potatoes will receive most of the nutrients.

The church rain gutters drain into a water tank in Minj.  That supplies the building’s water needs.

The baptismal font in Minj is then filled with water from the tank.

Rick saw this crooked pole providing a home for the basketball hoop in Minj.

Rick talks with Michael, of the Real Estate Department, and Henry, the Branch President in Tombil.

The Jeep got stuck near Ban Omani.  Locals offered help with only a machete.  They cut this huge tree to use as a lever.  It finally did the job.

These men seem pleased to have assisted the strange white visitors.

Rick and Elder Leach gave their full strength to free the jeep from its muddy trap.  Their clothes are filthy, but their smiles tell the whole story.

Paul, the local driver and assistant, talks with the crowd that appears to see the visitors. 

Departure time.  Rick tells Paul that they are not ‘Blood Brothers’ but ‘Mud Brothers’.  Working to free the stuck jeep was a rewarding experience. 

Rick with the crowd.  Four are returned missionaries and two are preparing to depart.  His smile reveals the joy he feels in meeting these faithful, wonderful people in Papua New Guinea.

 

 

 

 

 

March 30, 2025

Flat Stanley Visits New Zealand

Our grandson, Hans, sent a paper representative of himself to join us for a few weeks.  We’ve photographed and written the journal for Flat Stanley.  We’ve enjoyed this chance to connect with Hans and Mrs. Dodd's 2^nd grade students.  I’ll share a few of our experiences.

The Seniors participated in croquet tournaments in Takapuna.  The group photo is on top. Rick is holding Flat Stanley.  Sister Garner really wanted to hold him after our match – which the Garners won.

These sisters willingly held him during our refreshment break.

Everyone in our Primary class wanted to have a piece of Stanley during the photo.

See Stanley stand on our 5^th floor balcony with Auckland in the background.

The double-decker bus is normal transportation for us.  Cedar City doesn’t see such buses on the streets.

We’re traveling over the Auckland Bridge.  Notice the sailboats in the background.

The upper level of the bus provides a bird’s eye view of the scene below.

Stanley participated in English Class.  Terry, from China, and Ashini, from Sri Lanka, gladly held his hands at the end of class.

Some afternoons I slip away to the first floor to practice the piano.  The diversion lifts my spirits.  Notice who helped turn pages.

Our days are not filled with outings.  The boring office tasks must be completed.  Stanley smiles as he sits on Rick’s knee to observe his work on three screens.

‘Veggie Stanley’ stands among the eggplants in an open market.

He even came to pickleball.  If he gets in the way here, he clearly earns the name ‘Flat Stanley’.  We’ve enjoyed the journey.  Next week we’ll send his pictures and journal back to second grade where he’ll give his report on New Zealand, Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud.

Look who popped into our office a few weeks ago.

Elder Ulisses Soares visited the Pacific Area and made the rounds on our floor.  Such visits always uplift the Saints, especially in the Islands.  The itinerary is kept quiet.  I knew a few more of his location plans as members of the communications department accompany him for video, photography and reporting purposes.  Yet, I stood in awe when he entered our working space, smiling and so personable.