Sunday, April 25, 2010

Language Conference!

Where two or three Tongans or Samoans are gathered---there must be good food!
The problem is that they don't typically eat breakfast---so we made it simple and had lots of fruit!
The company was the important thing!
This is a gathering of all the missionaries serving in the Samoan program of the mission! Fa Sa Fua Elders and Sisters!
Likewise, this is a gathering of all the Tongan missionaries in NZAM! Ofa Atu Elders and Sisters!
Just a bit of a demonstration of how some of our Tongan Elders such as Elder Kauhenga, shows here, how he gives President Porter such a loving hug that it lifts him off the floor! It works well to minimize the chiropractor visits as well!
Here are all the Elders and Sisters serving in both the Tongan and Samoan programs of the New Zealand Auckland Mission! We decided to try something a bit different --- not all the Elders and Sisters serving in our language programs understand all the english that is spoken at Zone Conferences in the mission. We wanted to give them their very own conference in which they could be taught in their own language and we invited a few of the Stake President's and Bishop in the area to teach on needed subjects! It went well!

Wonderful Temple Zone Conference!

This Zone Conference was such a blessing -- we were able to attend the temple and had a chapel session with President McAndrew!
The bus trip was well worth it and a good time to be together and sing and socialize!
The singing was the best---even the non-member bus driver was clapping!
The temple workers even remarked on what a beautiful sight it was to see all the missionaries at the temple!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

NZAM Leadership Council -April 2010


Our most recent Leadership Council---such wonderful, dedicated Elders who love the Lord and want to serve with all they have! It is an honor to stand side by side!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Amazing Real Story!

Great connection with two of our missionaries---In 1970, while tracting, Sister Martinsen's father found Elder DuMont's mother and her family and shared the gospel with them. Five of the six children joined the church. Sister DuMont says, "Were it not for those special missionaries finding me, my life would not be what it is today. My membership in the church, my temple marriage, my four children, a grandchild and a lifetime of joy and security knowing that God lives and loves us could not have been were it not for their diligence. I thank my Heavenly Father every day." We are blessed to have the vivid living reality of the work we are doing even amongst our missionaries!

Blessings from Heaven!

We are very impressed with the spirit of these fine new Elders and Sisters! We really need some good faithful Elders and Sisters and the Lord has blessed us with these young warriors!
Elder Battsagaan is our first missionary from Mongolia that we have been able to serve with; he will be trained by Elder Checketts!
Sister Lauritzen is being trained by Sister Spiller!
Sister Jones will be trained by Sister Chen!
Best friends reunited---Elder Bridenstine and Sister Hafoka have been best friends since they were 3 years old! They now end up serving in the same mission together! Elder Smith and Elder Otuafi also went to the same Primary school as Sister Hafoka and Elder Otuafi in Hawaii--small world!
Sister Hafoka is being trained by Sister Simeon!
Sister Martinsen will be trained by Sister Ashcraft!
Sister Feao is being trained by Sister Nalesoni!
Sister Tanuvasa will be trained by Sister Fotu!
Elder Mayer will be trained by Elder Christiansen!
Elder Jolliffe is being trained by Elder Handy!
Elder Fuataga will be trained by Elder Timoteo!
Sister Masoe is being trained by Sister Tofilau!
Elder Ward will be trained by Elder Bridge!
Elder Mutton is being trained by Elder Aldridge!
Elder Tufaga will be trained by Elder So'oalo!
Elder Fakahau is being trained by Elder Hoko!
Elder Hehepoto will be trained by Elder Kauhenga!
Elder Vaolupe is being trained by Elder Mataele!
Elder Iese is being trained by Elder Pre, but I just failed to get that last one out of 18 incoming missionaries! It happens, I just don't like it when it happens to me!
The whole group at their first stop after the airport---One Tree Hill where it was cold and windy!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Oh, what a sad day!

Left to right around the circle: Elders Avea, Docking, Auapa'au, Feo'maia, Bledsoe, Samani! A frightening group of NZAM Missionaries to be reckoned with!