Family History Milestone

"Making the covenant to be a disciple of Christ is the beginning of a lifelong process, and the path is not always easy. As we repent of our sins and strive to do what He would have us do and serve our fellow men as He would serve them, we will inevitably become more like Him. Becoming like Him and being one with Him is the ultimate goal and objective - and essentially the very definition of true discipleship."

Elder Daniel L. Johnson of the Seventy

Elder and Sister McVey and Elder and Sister Overton just this week completed digitising their combined 1.000,000th record!!! It represents 22% of the Wellington Project. Congratulations Family History Missionaries!

 Thank you for the Happy Birthday wishes missionaries!

 Caught saying "Happy Birthday" - Thanks Elders!

 Elder Hogge, Elder Pasa, Elder Kavea and Elder Norford serving in Gore

President and Sister Kezerian and Sister and Elder Turner in Westport. This picture was taken for a local newspaper article and included an interview introducing the family history work done by The Church  of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Turners have developed many relationships in the community, supported the Branch in Westport, the local Elders and are anxiously engaged in reaching out in love and service.

Welcome Elder Maribo! One more missionary from Kiribati serving in the Wellington, New Zealand Mission.

 Our Final photo with Elder Windhausen before he finishes his mission. He will be returning home to Germany. Well done Elder!

Elder Tukukino finishes his missionary service in Hawera. He will be returning to Australia. Thank you Elder Tukukino!

Ask the Missionaries! They can help you!

"Missionaries in their late teens or early 20's are young in ways of the world. But they are blessed    with gifts - such as the power of the Holy Spirit, the love of God, and testimonies of the truth - that make them powerful ambassadors of the Lord. They share the good news of the gospel that will bring true joy and everlasting happiness to all who heed their message. And in many instances they do so in a country and a language foreign to them."

-Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles-

 We wish all of New Zealand would heed Elder Nelson's counsel to "Ask the Missionaries". We have wonderful powerful teachers who are willing and able to share the gospel. Here are our Zone Leaders and Assistants. Back: Elder Greer, Elder Dalit, Elder Taelega, Elder Leendertz, Elder Florian,     Elder Lu, Elder Key, Elder Neill, Elder Vaioleti, Elder Petaia and Elder Strasser. Front: Elder Barnes, President and Sister Kezerian, Elder Heinricks and Elder Hemi.

At our Dunedin District Interviews the sisters in the Branch provided a delicious meal and the missionaries sang a thank you.

 The long wait for Elder and Sister Webb is over! This wonderful couple are here serving their second mission after serving as an office couple in Japan two years ago. Practically every missionary in the district had a need for Elder and Sister Webb. They are in demand already.

 Elder Lelenoa, Elder Fahina, Sister Ramirez and Sister Temakau.

 Our first trip on the ferry!

 The Southland Zone was in need of another car so we set off on the long journey across the Cook Strait   from the Wellington Harbour to Picton on the Interislander.

It was a beautiful 3 1/2 hour ride..

 https://maps.google.co.nz/maps?hl=en&q=new+zealand+map&ie=UTF-8&ei=0GZ6UIbfGqGhigeukYDwAg&sqi=2&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg

If you click on this link and zoom in near Wellington Harbour you can see the route of the ferry.

 Picton from a distance.

 As we were driving down the East coast right on the side of the road was the Ohau Point Seal Colony. There were hundreds of New Zealand Fur Seals. The Maori know these seals by kekeno. They are legally protected now and their population is estimated to be over 100,000.

There were also some very cool looking birds that we haven't identified yet.

The Christchurch Stake organized a Mission Preparation Camp for all of the perspective missionaries on the South Island. President Kezerian and I were asked to participate and teach during their 3 day experience.

The camp was held at Livings Springs which is located just 20 minutes outside of Christchurch.

It seems like everywhere in New Zealand is beautiful but this was spectacular.

Another way of saying "speed bumps"

By the time we were finished speaking in the evening session it was getting late but the view of the city across the bay and the full moon still caught our attention.