Sunday, April 27, 2014

"A Work and a Wonder"

The Lord has declared that missionary work is the responsibility of all who follow Him."Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo. I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matt 28:19-20) Members of the Lord's Church can, by the goodness of their lives and the strength of their testimonies, share the gospel message and help prepare family members, friends, and other acquaintances who are not Latter-day Saints to be taught by the full-time missionaries.

"Missionary work isn't the only thing we need to do in this big, wide, wonderful Church. But almost everything else we need to do depends on people first hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ and coming into the faith. . . . With all that there is to do along the path to eternal life, we need a lot more missionaries opening that gate and helping people through it."
-Jeffrrey R. Holland of the Twelve Apostles-

 Elder Tu'ihaliangingie, Elder Kaka and Elder Cuthbertson - Assistants to the President. 
 Our first time to load up protected from the weather. It sure took us a long time to figure this one out.
What a joy it is welcoming in new missionaries. We had a lovely evening of dinner and testimonies. Back: President Kezerian, Elder Tavo (Auckland, New Zealand), Elder Oborn (West Valley City, Utah), Elder Chong (Ipswich, Queensland, Australia), Elder Deamer (Worcestershire, United Kingdom), Elder Lalogafau (Pago Pago, American Samoa), Elder Pei (Tapueleele, Savaii, Samoa) and Elder Morunga (Kaikohe, New Zealand). Center: Sister Kezerian, Sister Leausa (West Valley City, Utah), Sister Jones (Manitowoc, Wisconsin), Sister Martin (Susanville, California), Sister Mailau (Sydney, Australia). Front: Elder Tu'ihalangingie, Elder Kaka and Elder Cuthbertson. Also, Elder Carbonell from Davao City, Philippines arrived the next day. With shipping out our belongings this week - I've misplaced my camera and his picture was on it. I hope it shows up at home!  
Camera found! here is Elder Carbonell from Davao City, Philippines!
 And then dessert. . . . welcome to the mission!
 In Christchurch service abounds. The Zone Leaders had offered service at one of the local city missions. Soon after that, the city mission actually ran into an emergency. They had to have all their supplies moved out of their warehouse in 3 days.
 The missionaries in the area were contacted and quickly got to work.
 With all the missionaries hard work they finished the task in 4 hours! Thanks missionaires!
 The missionaries in Hawkes Bay participated in the Missionary Preparation Camp. It's hard to tell the Wellington, New Zealand Missionaries from the prospective missionaries! They must have taught them well!
Elder and Sister Harding are serving in Invercargil. We have been so blessed with Senior Couples. Elder Harding served in New Zealand as a young man - He has returned to his mission. We also welcomed a new couple to our mission this month - Elder and Sister Morris from Auckland, New Zealand. They are serving in the Palmerston North Stake. We said farewell to Elder and Sister Hayward, Elder and Sister Roberts and Elder and Sister Lewis. Thank you for all you've done to further the Lord's work, friendship and fellowship.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Full Steam Ahead as General Conference Approaches


"There is neither man or woman in this church who is not on a mission. That mission will last as long as they live, and it is to do good, to promote righteousness, to teach the principles of truth, and to prevail upon themselves and everybody around them to live those principles that they may obtain eternal life."
-President Brigham Young-
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Mission Leadership Council - Back- Elder Tinei, Elder Tu'ihalangingie, Elder Cunningham, Elder Hilton, Elder Dutson, Elder Cuthbertson, Elder Kaka, Elder Kerr, Elder Pelo, Elder Collins, Elder Evans, Elder Lawson, Elder Hunt, Elder Raston, Elder Christensen and Elder Vimahi. Front- Sister Toutai, Sister Rose, Sister Sudweeks, Sister Milne, Sister Kennedy, Sister Morris and Sister Unsicker.
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Hutt Valley Zone Conference
Wellington Zone Conference - Elder Child, Elder Malarde, Elder Christensen, Elder Vimahi, 
Elder Harris and Elder Vagai.
Elder Wenke, Elder Nordlin, Elder Loveless, Elder Pasa, Elder Nevitt, Elder Faaifoaso, Elder Nyfeler and ElderTalataina.
Elder Brown, Elder Tu'ihalangingie, Elder Kaka, Sister and Elder Roberts, Elder Zollinger, Elder Keller and Elder 'Otuhouma.
Elder Pelo and Elder Cuthbertson
Sister Training Leaders
Sister Training Leaders all from the same intake - how did that happen? And all blonde - they must have planned this.
Wellington Harbour
Sister Key, Sister Watene-Zelezniak, Sister Sturzenegger, Sister Kezerian, Sister Fetu'u, Sister Sudweeks and Sister Faana.
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Saying goodbye to Elder and Sister Webb (No photo but we also thank Elder and Sister Hayward, Elder and Sister Roberts, and Elder and Sister Lewis as they return home this month!)
 Elder Dutson and Elder Pelo in action.
Elder Hamilton and Elder Salyer keeping everyone in the community fit.
Elder Rigby and Elder Lawson talking with everyone. Thanks Elders!
The missionaries in Hawkes Bay participated in the Prospective Missionary Training and went door knocking, street contacting and provided a question and answer session for the youth.