Merry Christmas and Farwell

"In our day the spirit of giving gifts plays a large role in commemorating the Christmas season. I wonder if we might profit by asking ourselves, What gifts would the Lord have me give to Him or to others at this precious season of the year? May I suggest that our Heavenly Father would want each of us to render to Him and to His Son the gift of obedience. I also feel that He would ask us to give of ourselves and not be selfish or greedy or quarrelsome, as His precious Son suggests in the Book of Mormon: "Verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who . . . .stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. 

"Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away."

In this marvelous dispensation of the fulness of times, our opportunities to love and give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. Today there are hearts to gladden, kind works to say deeds to be done, and souls to be saved."

-President Thomas S. Monson-

Goodbye Sister Hemi.

 Thank you for you loving service!
Back: President and Sister Kezerian, Elder Lu, Elder Tepaki, Elder Greer and Elder Heiricks. (These two aren't leaving yet) Front: Elder Hemi, Sister Hemi (cousins) and Elder Kelly.

 Assistants serving for the last day together.

Wonderful, diligent, faithful Elders.

At the end of transfer day!

Sister Nowers and Sister Fitisemanu got together with the YSA in their area and decorated boxes that they could use to carry around and share Joy to the World DVD's. They attended the local Santa Parade  and gave out over 100 DVD's! Awesome!

 Merry Christmas from Christchurch

 Helping the wards get Christmas Spirit

Elder Tepaki, Elder Nyfeler, Elder Elkington, Elder Vui, Elder Raihauti and Elder Levy.

 Christmas greetings from Elder and Sister Watson remembering their time with us.

Our Sister Palmer is happily married! Congratulations!

The powerful Taranaki District!

These Elders have all reported - no holes in their socks! I'm very impressed. I wonder if this is because they want something besides socks for Christmas? We are all dreaming of a White Christmas! In more ways than one.

Mission Tour With Elder Kevin W. Pearson

"Faith is a spiritual gift from God that comes through the Holy Ghost. It requires a correct understanding and knowledge of Jesus Christ, His divine attributes and perfect character, His teachings, Atonement, Resurrection and priesthood power. Obedience to these principles develops complete trust in Him and His ordained servants and assurance of  His promised blessings."

-Elder Kevin W. Pearson-

Elder and Sister Pearson, accompanied by their daughter, taught and counselled each of our Zones ending in the Dunedin area. Elder Barnes and Elder Dalit are the Zone Leaders in the Southland Zone.

Elder Pearson quoted from Bruce R. McConkie, "Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God's laws, the greater will be the endowment of faith." 

This is Baldwin Street. It's hard to tell but this is the steepest street in the world.

On the steepest part the road is actually made of concrete to help with traction. It has a 35 degree grade. So, for every 2.86 metres travelled horizontally, the elevation changes by 1 metre. I think every missionary serving in Dunedin has tracked on this street.

Our newest intake! Elder Vagaia(American Samoa), Elder Terry (UK), Elder Cunningham (New Zealand), Elder Heinricks and Elder Hemi(Assistants), President and Sister Kezerian, Sister Glenn, Sister Matwaychuk, Elder Rigby (These 3 from US), Elder Crawford (New Zealand), Elder Greer (New Assistant), Elder Sovala (Australia). Welcome!!

 Auckland MTC missionaries always arrive a day before the Provo MTC missionaries. It's great to have a little more time to have interviews and get acquainted.

 As Elder Heinricks says, "You have to earn your apron." 

Actually the missionaries are a great help in the kitchen. I don't know if their mom's know what great cooks they are.

. 

 Enjoy the beauty of New Zealand!

Hard to tell but there are sheep and ducks in this scene.

 We're always amazed at the great views the sheep have here.

Maori's settled here in the 1300's. This is also the sight of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

We hope you can tell that these birds aren't just seagulls. They are Albatross!

Here at Taiaroa Head on the tip of the Otago Peninsula is the only mainland place in the world to view Royal Albarosse in their natural habitat.

Hard to see but there is a lighthouse on the edge of the cliff. There were fortifications here in the late 1800's and it was used as a defence base during World War I and II.

 We just think some of the trees are so unique and beautiful

Parting words from Elder Pearson. 

"Distraction leads to a lack of diligence, a reduced commitment to remain true and faithful and to carry on through despite hardship and disappointment. Disappointment is a inevitable part of life, but it need not lead to doubt, discouragement, distraction, or lack of diligence. 

If not reversed, this path ultimately leads to disobedience, which undermines the very basis of faith. So often the result is disbelief, the conscious or unconscious refusal to believe.

The scriptures describe disbelief as the state of having chosen to harden one's heart. It is to be past feelings.

These Six Destructive D's - doubt, discouragement, distraction, lack of diligence, disobedience, and disbelief - all erode and destroy our faith. We can choose to avoid and overcome them. 

Challenging times require greater spiritual power. Consider carefully the Savior's promise "If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me." (Moroni 7:33)

I humbly declare that God, our Heavenly Father, lives and loves each of us, His children. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. he lives and personally leads his Church through President Monson. His

anointed prophet. Because He lives, there is always hope smiling brightly before us. In a household of faith, there is no need to fear or doubt. Choose to live by faith and not fear."

Hastening the Work

Loyal to Their Civil Leaders

"The Lord said, 'I will hasten my work in its time' (D&C 88:73). Surely anyone observing the recent growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is keenly aware of that hastening process. This should make us humbly grateful for the Lord's omnipotent hand. Obstacles that seemed insurmountable have proven to be merely challenges for the faithful, for 'with God nothing shall be impossible' (Luke 1:37).

"Inspiration has prepared the way from the beginning, when the Lord impressed the Prophet Joseph Smith to compose the twelfth article of faith: 'We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.' This inspired statement was surely written for our day. The Prophet knew that the gospel was ultimately to be taken to all nations regardless of their governmental differences. He knew that the ordinances of salvation and exaltation could bless the lives of people regardless of their politics. And he knew that people who were taught correct principles and who were loyal to their civil leaders and observing of their local laws would be most able to enjoy the blessings of the gospel."   Russell M. Nelson

The Purpose of Missionary Work

"The purpose of our missionary work is to help the children of God fulfill a condition prescribed by our Savior and Redeemer. We preach and teach in order to baptize the children of God so that they can be saved in the celestial kingdom instead of being limited to a lesser kingdom. We do missionary work in order to baptize and confirm. That is the doctrinal basis of missionary work."
Dallin H. Oaks

Nelson District

Cousins - Elder Hemi and Elder Wihongi both served in the Weillington New Zealand Mission.

Elder Hemi and Elder Wihongi preparing for their missions

Elder and Sister Turner, Sister and Elder Beckstead, Sister and Elder Hirschi,
 Elder Kerr and Elder Kaka.

Mighty Missionaries

Sister Nowers and Sister Fitisemanu ready to share their Christmas message.

Our new intake - Elder Hemi (Assistant) Elder Marlarde, President and Sister Kezerian, Sister White, Elder Fonua and Elder Vimahi.

Arriving in Hobbit Town at the airport.

Ready to knock on every door!

Wondering if this group will listen to our message.

We forgot to take a picture when all the sisters were still there but here are some of the sister in the Hawkes Bay area who are preparing to share the gospel.

Role playing how they will share their Mormon.org cards!

Missionary preparation camp with the Prospective Elders.

Elder and Sister McVey hosted our Thanksgiving Dinner with the Senior Couples on the North Island.

Elder and Sister Watson visiting with Elder Cerros and Elder Dorius in Alexandra.

Way to conserve your K's Elders!

Beautiful New Zealand.

Elder and Sister Watson visiting in Queenstown with Elder Sun and Elder Tarati.

This is the first time we saw anything but crystal clear water in New Zealand. We had just had a heavy rainfall and it took all the soil down from the hills into the river and stirred up the river bed.

Zone Leader Council have a new vision of what we can accomplish in the mission!

Elder Hamula the President of the Pacific Area and Elder Davies from the Presiding Bishopric spoke at a fireside in Wellington.

Brother and Sister Davies (Area Travel) and Elder and Sister Anderson (Area Medical Authority)  visit the zones.

Wellington Zone

Nelson District

Southland Zone

President Kezerian always reads your letters every week and knows you.

Hawke's Bay Zone

I think we all need one of these!