Sunday April 25, 2015

Some days I think we don't get much done, but then I remind myself it isn't the numbers we visit, but  time spent with those we visit that matters. It isn't that we are so entertaining, but for most, a friendly chat and heartfelt message that they are loved by the Saviour is encouraging and appreciated. We met an older man, Andrew, who told us getting baptized into the church a few years ago was a "philosophical experiment" and now he was an atheist. We left, after a great visit, with a prayer and promise to return at his request. Even if he never comes to church, I don't believe he is really an atheist!

Each day we visit people who haven't been out to church for a while and ask if there is anything we can do and we leave with a spiritual message and a prayer.  A sweet Tahitian lady needs help from Craig with her IPad. She also bought an Air Fryer, and will have us to dinner as soon as she practices with it.  Everyone asks us to return, so each week we see new people and return to see the others. It's been really good for us to visit the active members too, so they get to know and trust us. Most of them have a neighbor or family member they want us to see also. We work closely with the Relief Socirty President, since she is the heart and soul of the Ward, and also with the Sister missionaries.  

I've had requests to see our tiny appliances so here is a picture below of our stove (top of counter), oven, dishwasher (bottom) and refrigerator. Above the fridge is a microwave and our only "pantry shelf". We have a few cupboards and drawers for dishes, etc. It's ok because I don't buy much food, only what we need for the week. We don't want to spend for extra kitchen stuff since we can't take anything home. You will notice the Diet Coke can, a necessity!

This is our lumpy couch that I've been told will be thrown out after we move to our permanent apartment on the 11th floor, on Monday, hopefully.  I laughed when I first saw it and only Craig sits on it. We've been in a short-term apartment while we've waited for a long-term one to be available. The apartments all look alike, but we were told we are getting new furniture. We will see! By the way, our address is

17 Amersham Way, Manakau 2104, Auckland, New Zealand, if you want to Google Earth us.

We took a P-day last Monday and loved the walk we went on at a place called Parry Kauri Park in Warkworth, 1 1/2 hours north of us. The Kauri trees are native and 800+ years old and huge. Most were cut down in the 1800's for export and they are protected now. They remind me of our redwoods. 

I should be standing next to it to give some perspective, but couldn't get close. 

We drove further north to Ruakaka Beach, which was deserted (it's Fall time, cool weather, and not a weekend). Another beautiful beach though, with waves breaking way out. I found lots of nice sand dollars, and for the first time ever, found live ones under the sand. Wherever I saw a star shape on the sand, a live one was underneath. I left those alone, of course.  

On Saturday we took another P-day (our usual day) with the other Senior couples and we drove north again to The Hibiscus Coast Highway on the east coastline about an hour north of us. Our first stop was Waiwera to. A hot springs pool, but it was a little cold and the other couples didn't have swim suits so we just walked on the beach next to it. 

These homes are worth over a million or two, being right on the beach. Some are old and some are new and very modern designs. But they are small for the money! New Zealand is experiencing a housing bubble right now and house prices are outrageous! 

Below are pictures from Wenderholm Regional Park with these amazing spidery trees and a wonderful family getaway for picnics, swimming or camping and all free. Owning a boat or water device would be a must in this country!

To end the day, we drove to Puhoi, a small touristy dairy town, for double scoops of ice cream for $6 each, which was our dinner.  I had a new flavor, called Hokey-Pokey, which is caramel flavored with some candy chips in it. Good, but not as good as Bunny Tracks! It is good ice cream though and NZ's are proud of their ice cream! 

Hokey-pokey is in the far upper left corner. The mint was good too.

Sorry this blog is so long, but I wanted to add more pictures. I read a good scripture I really liked. It is short and just a little bit from Alma 60:24  "repent of that which ye have done, and begin to be up and doing,"  So we should be "UP and DOING" everyday and not procrastinate! 

We love and miss our dear ones and good friends, but loving the work! Flea bites and all!