Missionary Life

No matter how much an individual or family may sacrifice for a mission or anything else, unless missionaries choose obedience, consecrating all of their time, talents, and resources in the service of the Lord while they are in the mission field, they can not fully realize all the great blessings the Lord has in store for them.

Robert D. Hales

 Missionaries serving in Christchurch at the Institute Building. 

 Christchurch Zone Leaders Elder Vaemolo and Elder Greer.

The missionaries have been making Thank You cards for all the members and others who help support them in this wonderful work.

 

 Hard to recognize our missionaries after this muddy P-day activity.

 Riccarton Chapel in Christchurch. This is the building that has been closed since the earthquake. Hopefully it will be open in about a year.

 Who would think it's Spring

2 Elders from Samoa and 2 Elder from Tonga join our Missionary Force

Charity is especially important in missionary work. Its influence, radiated by the missionary, helps to create within the investigator a desire to learn and softens his heart to the truth. Charity can fill the missionary with an unquenchable desire to serve his fellowmen. Without it, as difficulties arise and proselyting seems unfruitful, he may lose interest and slacken his pace. But with Christlike love, the missionary will persevere through adversity because he becomes a caring and dutiful messenger of 

Christ. A Christlike love for others can purify a missionary's motives and consecrate his labor and true desire to share the gospel.

David B. Haight

Back- President and Sister Kezerian, Elder Windhausen, Elder Mataia, Elder Hemi Front - Elder Langi, Elder Brown, Elder Otuhouma

 Christchurch Zone

 Zone Leader Council

 Back: Elder Hemi, Elder Lu, Elder Tepaki, Elder Vaemolo, Elder Key, Elder Hopoate, Elder Leendertz, Elder Niutua, Elder Heindricks, Elder Neill, Elder Windhausen. Front: Elder Barnes, Sister and President Kezerian, Elder Greer, and Elder Strausser.

Near Oamaru

 Blue Penguin Colony

 President Gaskill invited us to see the penguins. There are over 75,000 visitors every year.

The area where the penguin colony is located was once a quarry where rock was taken for the development of the Oamaru Harbour. The quarry ceased operating in the 1970's and the site was abandoned. After this, the penguins began coming ashore and nesting in the old quarry..

 Oamaru

 Elder Palmer and Elder Fahina near Oamaru Harbour.

Looking out at the bay in Oamaru.

Visiting General Authorities

"First and foremost, seek to feel the Spirit each and every day of your lives. Work diligently to qualify for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and to recognize the many times the Spirit speaks to your mind and to your heart." Elder Craig C. Christensen

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Hawke's Bay Zone - Back: Sister Lavea, Sister Hemi, Elder Strasser, Pres. Kezerian, Elder Levy, Elder Siale, Elder and Sister Richards, Elder Heinricks, Sister and Elder Farns, Elder Kaumavae, Elder Aumua, Elder Howard. Center: Elder Makalio, Elder Ebel, Elder Eneri, Elder Wehipeihana, Elder Cottle, Sister Cameron. Front: Elder Nuualuga, Elder Hobby and Sister Temakau.

Wellington and Hutt Valley combined Zone Conference with North Island Senior Couples. This was an exceptional conference because we had two visiting General Authorities and their wives. Elder Craig C. Christensen who recently became a member of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife Debbie are seated next to Sister and Elder Pearson. Elder Pearson is in the First Quorum of the Seventy and is also serving in the Pacific Area Presidency.

Elder Florian directing as everyone sang to thank the dear Relief Society sisters who served us lunch.

Elder and Sister Ditchburn, who served as Family History mission here in Wellington, are on the far right.

In the evening after the Zone Conference all the Senior Couples met at Fisherman's Table for dinner.

Elder and Sister Beckstead, Sister and Elder Shepherd, Elder and Sister Brazzeal, Elder and Sister Farns, Sister and Elder Christensen and Elder Hirschi.

Sister Freeman, President and Sister Kezerian, Elder and Sister Pearson, Sister McVey with Elder McVey standing in the background.

Elder and Sister Turner, Elder and Sister Hayward, Sister and Elder Richards, Sister and Elder Overton and Elder Freeman.

Elder and Sister Pearson

Elder and Sister Christensen

On Sunday morning before the Wellington Stake Conference, a early morning meeting was held for the Youth of the Stake.

Elder Christensen was greeting the youth before the meeting began.

By the time the meeting started every available spot to set down was taken. The Youth were well rewarded for their attendance.

Next, before Stake Conference began, dignitaries from the Wellington City Council came to greet our visitors. 

President Harvey with Annette King and Sister Eileen Mueller.

Annette King is the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party here in New Zealand.

Sister Jacobsen is also working on the Wellington Council

Paul Eagle - Wellington City Councillor, far right.

The Wellington Stake was reorganized on Sunday. President Thomson (Center) became the Stake President. His Councillors are President Howard (Left) and President Fernandez (Right).

We look forward to sharing all the wonderful counsel we received from Elder and Sister Christensen and Elder and Sister Pearson.