Christchurch Chapel on Fendalton

"After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel."

-The Prophet Joseph Smith -

Riccarton and Merivale Wards now meet in the Chapel on Fendalton. This last Christchurch Stake Conference was the first time we have attended a meeting in this beautiful chapel because it has been closed since the earthquake in 2011 and it has just been reopened.

This setting next to the chapel use to be the home of the Mission President of the Christchurch New Zealand Mission.

 The Church gave this land next to the chapel back to the city of Christchurch

 The missionaries gathered to welcome the mayor and city officials.

 Elder and Sister Smith brought home made cookies for everyone.

 As we've been attending district meetings around the mission we've been checking to see that everyone has their 72 hour kits full and their $40.00 emergency fund. We are prepared!

 Elder Howard is not going to go hungry should their be an emergency - he has double provisions!

 The beauty of the South Island

 Yes, those are sheep, 7,000 on this slope of land.

Penguin Bay

Pacific Area Annual Mission Presidents' Seminar

"With the lowering of the age to call missionaries, it ushers in a new era for missionary work in the Church. I know for many it was a life-changing event. We know it was overwhelming to the young men and young women it affected.
Surely the Lord and you parents have reared up a special generation to serve in this special day when the need and the opportunity to teach the gospel have never been greater."
-Elder L. Tom Perry, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles-

Downtown Auckland

Scenes that will be familiar to our missionaries from Auckland.

Or course we would find Sister Ramirez teaching at the Auckland MTC. Only the best!

Meeting Elder Tarati's brother who is preparing to enter the field.

Our great Sister Kei, Sister Paongo and Sister Kei's brother are all at the MTC!

Do you remember all the beautiful pictures? They inspired us!

The site of the new mission home in Hamilton. Elder and Sister Rudd only have a few more weeks in the tent!

Warm Maori welcome.

Elder Murphy stopped by and was helping with the evenings preparations with his MOM.

We had a 15 minute break at the Seminar and I knew where I would find President Kezerian, catching up on emails and phone calls. We are never far from the mission.

Beautiful views of Auckland.

Elder Sikuea came and shared a few moments with us. He spent a few weeks in the Wellington New Zealand Mission before heading out to Papua New Guinea. It was great to catch up. We claim him as one of our own.