Sister, Sisters, Sisters

"We affirm that missionary work is a priesthood duty, and we encourage all young men who are worthy and physically able and mentally capable to respond to the call to serve. Many young women also serve, but they are not under the same mandate to serve as are the young men. We assure the young sisters of the Church, however, that they make a valuable contribution as missionaries and we welcome their service."

-President Thomas S. Monson

 Our first intake ever where the Sisters outnumber the Elders. Thanks for answering the call Sisters!

 Breakfast in the mission home.

 Taking the Sisters out for their first day of proselyting (and Elder Adams)

 Having all the Sisters around makes President Kezerian feel like we are at home with our five daughters!

 You have to admire our Elders for helping out in the kitchen.

 Elder Greer and Elder Van Beek kicked everyone out of the kitchen and took over dishwashing. They have learned some valuable skills.

 By including our three assistants this picture looks a little more balanced. Back:Elder Petaia (Assistant) Elder Howard (Assistant), Elder Adams (West Point, Utah, USA) Sister Patterson (Alpine, Utah, USA), Sister Watene-Zelezniak (Sydney, Australia), Sister and President Kezerian, Elder Greer(Assistant) Front: Sister Hough (Kettering, United Kingdom), Sister Puletua (Apia, Samoa), and Sister Hann (Dundee, Scotland).

Returning with honor: Elder Teaupa, Elder Kaumavae and Sister Holladay. Thank you missionaries!

Also returning home, Elder and Sister Chesley. We love the Senior Couples!

Napier District - Elder Bender, Elder Smith (Hawke's Bay Zone Leaders) Elder Dorius, Elder Tuckett, Sister Kezerian, Sister Patterson and Sister Nowers.

Flaxmere District - Elder Crawford, Elder Kerr, Elder Lawrence, Sister Toutai and Sister Kirifi.

Hastings District - Elder Nelson, Elder Hilliman, Elder Dalit, Elder Evans, Elder Taelega, Elder Nevitt, Elder Kavea and Elder Palmer.

LDS News from the United Kingdom - We wish this was in New Zealand

Mission President Seminar - Sydney, Australia

"Teach the missionaries to be true disciples, to be exactly obedient, to be a learner, to exercise faith, to work tirelessly and to expect miracles."

-Elder Kevin W. Pearson-

During the Pacific Area Interim Mission Presidents Seminar we received counsel from our Pacific Area Presidency, Elder Kevin W. Pearson, Elder James J. Hamula and Elder F. Michael  Watson.

For those who are from Sydney, Australia here is a little bit of home. What a beautiful city.

With the population close to 4 million people, this is a great city to do missionary work. President Kezerian and I took our mormon.org cards and Books of Mormon.

Nearing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Just like New Zealand, there seem to be many clock towers

Goodies galore. Hopefully the missionaries don't buy these.

 Darling Harbour.

We kept thinking we were seeing missionaries. There were so many men in suits.

President Leota (Samoa Apia Mission), President Lekias (Auckland New Zealand Mission) and President Kezerian. 

Before our meetings started. We thought it a beautiful view.

 At the end of the day - Wow!

Sydney Australia Temple.  This was the first temple built in Australia. Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a former mission president of Australia, presided over the ground breaking services for the temple. At a fireside that evening, he said, "There is no reason why we can't have temples in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, or where ever the number of saints justifies it." His statement proved prophetic with the construction of the Adelaide Australia Temple, Melbourne Australia Temple, Brisbane Australia Temple and Perth Australia Temple.

Elder and Sister Shaw (Marshall Islands Majuro Mission) Elder and Sister Lifferth (Australia Melbourne Mission) both couples are finishing their missions July 1st. They've been great examples, friends and mentors. We love and admire them all.

Many important messages were given at the seminar to help us move the work forward one of the greatest of which was to remember that we are increasing faith, deepening conversion, building future leaders and strengthening future husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, What  an honor it is to see missionaries become true disciples of Christ; lifelong learners and leaders who make and keep sacred covenants and endure to the end. We love you missionaries!