Another Open House

"Service helps us forget our own travails; it enlarges our souls and gives us greater capacity to endure our own trials"

Jack B. Goslind

 Elder Kavea, Elder Van den Hoogen, Sister Tuifelasai and Sister Fetu'u with help from the Zone Leaders Elder Hopoate and Elder Lott and ward members, put on a great open house and car wash at the Titahi Bay Chapel.

 We pulled up just to come and visit and we came back to a clean car too.

 The Sisters gave some wonderful tours of the building, introduced people to the gospel and provided books, pamphlets and DVD's.

 Members provided help and food! 

Can anyone find one of our great Returned Missionaries? BYU Hawaii offers scholarships to students who work at the Polynesian Cultural Center. The purpose of the Polynesian Cultural Center  is to share with the world the cultures, diversity and spirit of the nations of Polynesia.

Here at Last!

"The Lord has said that no one can assist with this work who is not humble and full of love. But humility does not mean weakness. It does not mean timidity; it does not mean fear. A man can be humble and fearless. A man can be humble and courageous. Humility is the recognition of our dependence upon a higher power, a constant need for the Lord's support in His work. . . . Learn to be dependent on the Lord for your success."

Ezra Taft Benson

Elder Palmer has arrived in the mission at last! Welcome! He will be serving in Oamaru with Elder Seneviretne and Elder Tebau.

Elder Smith was temporarily serving in the Omaha, Nebraska.  Since he has arrived he's worked with our Elder Windhausen, Elder Finlinson, Elder Ma'u, and Elder I'aulualo in Wellington and then flew to Christchurch where he was temporarily with Elder Alifipo and Elder Finau. He is now with his companion Elder Leendertz. I hope he's counting. He may have a new record of companions.

 Bronco Mendenhall who is the coach of the BYU-Provo Football Team and his father Paul Mendenhall who previously served as Mission President in the Auckland New Zealand Mission came to speak at a fireside in Hawkes Bay.

Coach Mendenhall from BYU spoke to rugby teams and the Hastings/Flaxmere Stake along with his father, President Paul Mendenhall and his mother, Sister Mendenhall, daughter of Elder John H Vandenburg. Coach Mendenhall encourages his players to work hard, have honor, be committed, show team spirit and be responsible. He encouraged our missionaries to do the same but have creative excitement for the work. Never be disobedient, distracted, or discouraged. Spend our lives and our time in the work of the Master.     

Elder Wehipeihana, Paul Mendenhall, Elder Beck (recently he got his visa and has gone to Australia), Elder Hunt, Bronco Mendenhall, President TeKira and President Kezerian all at the fireside.

 Elder and Sister Hayward in their lovely flat in Pahiatua. Welcome to the mission!

Saying goodbye to Elder Pa'o and Elder Segi as they make their way home to Samoa. Thank you Elders! 

 Our Zone Leaders in the Hawke's Bay Zone, Elder Haiane and Elder Heinricks.

 The missionaries in Hawke's Bay are well taken care of. We think they must offer a lot of service.

Hutt Valley Zone

Zone Leader Council 

 Our new Elders! Elder Raihauti, Elder Ebel and Elder Tarati. Elder Raihauti and Elder Tarati are from French Polynesia and Elder Ebel comes to us from the Marshall Islands. They're all doing such a great job learning English.

 Wellington Zone

 The Ascot Park Ward in the Canyon Creek Chapel always provide a lovely meal for Zone Conference.

 Elder and Sister Beckstead have finally arrived after serving their first 3 months of their mission in Alabama waiting for their visas. The Beckstead's are our good friends from Orem, Utah. We actually live in the same neighborhood. Sister Beckstead taught two of our daughter in school. We have many fond memories of serving together in church callings. 

 Elder Windhausen, Elder Finau and Elder Hopoate the night before Elder Finau returned home to Tonga after serving a great mission.

 Elder and Sister Beckstead taking their first and only driving lesson from Elder Brazzeal.

Elder and Sister Hayward in the Pahiatua Chapel which he helped to build.  It's amazing they have returned to serve here on their mission.

South Istand Senior Training and Retreat

Regardless of our age and stage in life, daily obedience to gospel principles is the only sure way to eternal happiness. President Ezra Taft Benson put it most beautifully when he said, "When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power."

Our Senior Missionaries set the example, show the love, and truly have obtained Christlike attributes that they display everyday on their missions. We're so grateful for their examples and dedicated service.

While Sister Kezerian was getting repaired. President Kezerian and some of our wonderful Senior Couples were gathered for training and some P-day activities. We all wish we were there! New Zealand has so much beauty and culture to enjoy.

Sister Nation, Sister Turner and Elder Turner.

Sister and Elder Risenmay with Elder Neider.

Sister Chelius

Sister and Elder Neider

Elder and Sister Turner

For three days, the senior missionaries counselled together on how to start Family History Centers, the Addiction Recovery Program, teach with the missionaries, work with members, support temple preparation classes, community involvement and strengthen the youth. We shared ideas from each of the wards and branches they serve in and felt uplifted as we helped each other find solutions in each area. We are so grateful for these great Elders and Sisters, they are marvellous, hard working leaders. 

Visa Status Changing - More Missionaries Coming!

"Missionary service promises great rewards. And so we go and preach the gospel to one another all over the world. To take two years out of each man's life is nothing for what is received in return. . . . . what are you getting for your time and service? Well maybe nothing, maybe little, or maybe everything. That depends on you. What are you promised for devoted, efficient, humble labors? Everything, Exaltation. This is based on performance. . . . . The thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father (D&C 16:6). . . . . I promise that when you get your release, if you have forgotten yourself these years, all will have come to you, the things you might have wished for yourself, and you shall have them all, even though you did not anticipate and wait for them. You shall have obtained knowledge and the spirit of the gospel, and your testimony shall have increased. You shall be polished; you shall have a sublime and beautiful life." 

Spencer W. Kimball  - 1982

Hutt Valley Zone.

 Elder and Sister Jarvis from Pleasant Grove, Utah just arrived in the mission this week. We're so blessed to have them serving with us. They will bring much strength, wisdom, and love.

Elder Atkinson from Malad, Idaho. After being temporarily assigned to a mission in Chicago, he is finally here with us in New Zealand! He is our first Elder from the United States to receive his visa since early  December. The Lord has answered our prayers and thanks to all the hard work and efforts of those working with the government in New Zealand, we should have more American Elders coming soon.

My brother Rob is an Orthopaedic surgeon. He kindly performed the surgery on my shoulder to repair the rotary cuff and clean things up. I've appreciated the kind notes, cards, prayers and flowers.  I couldn't ask for more support and love. THANK YOU!!!

It's great to be back in working order.

Catching Up

"In no part of the work of God here upon the earth at the present time is there such a band of happy, contented, peaceful people as those who are engaged in missionary service. Service is the real key to joy. When one is giving service for the advancement of humanity, when one is working without money and without price, with no hope of earthly reward, there comes a real, genuine joy into the human heart."

Heber J. Grant  1934

 We're so grateful for the service of of Elder Tukuafu. Elder Fukofuka and Elder Masalu. 

 Barely fitting into the back seat of our car.

Waiting for Sister Kezerian at the airport before returning home to Tonga. Such patience! They are going to make great husbands.

 Our newest missionaries. Back Row: Elder Alofipo, 

Elder I'aulualo, Elder Hunt, Elder Tokoara, Elder Kaka. Front Row: Sister Taleni and Sister Saulala. WELCOME!!

Sister Moantau on the day she returned home to Kiribati.