Sister's Training with Sister Callister!

We were able to gather our 34 Sisters in the mission together for a Sister's Training on Priesthood and Womanhood! Sister Callister served as our focal point as she trained us on how supporting her husband has been a blessing to her entire family.
It worked out to be quite perfectly timed because our own daughter-in-law had just given birth to grandchild number 6 and we were able to have an illustration of the blessings of womanhood and the great calling and responsibility we have been given as woman--how key we are in the Father's plan!
Our Samoan language program sisters gathered for a photo!
Our Tongan language program sisters were not going to be without a picture as well!
















We were able to discuss how sisters can have a critical role in the mission as they lend their support to their Zone and District leaders! I solicited ideas and ways the sisters could do this from the Zone leaders themselves and it helped the sisters see how much they are needed! We then asked the sisters how the Zone Leaders could be more helpful to them in their role as missionaries---the Elders will have to wait till Zone Leader Council! We love our Sisters! We love our Elders too!!!

Tongan Elders Sing!

Elders Sateki, Mataele, Tonga, and Molisi sang this at Zone Conference thinking that it would be our last time together! We were touched and asked if they could sing it again so I could tape it and share it on the blog! They were happy to help!

New Zealand Auckland Mission has talent and heart!

More from our wonderfully talented Tongan Elders! The two songs are a complilation of many songs:
'e sihova
'e tamaie
'e otua
nefai pe mei kalevale
Whatever the combination, they sing it with their heart and souls!

Sua Family Singers!

The Sua Family singing Brightly Beams! Enjoy!

Beautiful Baptism!

I know this would have been better if his companion was right next to him, but his companion was just in the chapel and Elder Magleby was just walking into what is probably his final baptism of his mission and this was a shot I couldn't resist! Four being baptized from two different families! Do you think these Elders love these boys or what? Bro. Sua, the ward mission leader, Alfred and Edward were just baptized and Elders Magleby and Ward!
Alfred and Edward were having trouble with something that is very common with siblings--fighting! So, the missionaries were inspired to help them with a little jingle that has caught fire in the whole ward! It helps all of us to understand the power of the Book of Mormon--after their baptism, they bore sweet and pure testimony of the power of the Book of Mormon in their lives because it helps them quit fighting as they read from its pages each day! Marvelous!! Sorry about the picture slant!
While at the baptism, I discovered a musical family that was quite impressive--see if you agree! This is the Sua Family, Dad is the ward mission leader, Ashley, Katrina and Tyra are his very talented daughters!

Hurray for Zone Conferences!

We began up in Whangarei with the Whangarei/Kaikohe Elders and Sisters!
Preparing the meal for the Elders and Sisters the following day at Manukau Stake Centre were from Tamaki Stake!
They fed Elders and Sisters from Henderson/Harbour Zone, Mt. Roskill Zone, and Manukau Zone!
Do you get the idea that it was very cold that day!?!








Thank you for the delicious and plentiful meal Tamaki Stake!
We then travel to Hamilton for the Glenview, Hamilton, Templeview, Tauranga/Rotorua and Gisborne Zones!
These missionaries are always spoiled by the expert food production of "Missionary Mums" from the Glenview Stake!
Don't you just love how they decorate!
They even create cute handouts with candy and some kind of spiritual message to go along with our conference!
This time it was about the word being like a sword!
Worked in perfectly!





Well fed and ready for more inspiration!
This is such a fun process to watch! These island sisters know how to put on a "feed"! The missionaries know how to respond! These missionaries are from the Panmure/Waterview Zone, Tamaki Zone and Manurewa/Papakura Zone!
They absolutely love these meals where they can just graze and take all they want!

It took all these to prepare and serve the meal! The adorable thing about it was that they were thanking us when it was over---for the opportunity to feed the missionaries! You just gotta love it!
As you can see, the missionaries do just that---they love it!
And they are good at it!


Left to right: Elders Rehak, Jolliffe, Fanguna, Kauhenga, Gardner and Sister Alatini!
Missionaries love taking pictures together!
All the missionaries who hadn't written on the mission tablecloth, hurried to get their names in permanent marker as part of NZAM--serving under President Porter! It will be a great thing for us to bring to reunions and reminisce over the good ole' days!

Elder Evans City Wide Conference!

It was such a blessing to have Elder David F. Evans of the Seventy come and hold a conference for those missionaries serving close enough to get there within a reasonable amount of kilometers! He helped the NZAM to better understand how obedience essential to everything a missionary does. He helped us to better apply the new Fundamentals of Preach My Gospel and was helpful in showing us how we should love our investigators enough to be BOLD! What a blessing to have these inspired men to inspire the missionaries!

May Zone Leader Council!

Where there are missionaries--there must be food close by!!!
I have come to love this scene!
Of course, the view of those who fill the shoes are even better! What a stalwart group of the Lord's missionaries!
Some of these Elders are leaving soon--can you tell by the red, wet faces, which ones!

Our last trip to Niue!

This is a wonderful view of the Alofi branch building on the island of Niue!
The Lakepa Toi Branch performs wonderful songs and dances the day before we left! Aren't they great!
The Alofi Branch Relief Society sisters performed as well! Sister Lavini (Relief Society President) was leading the group!
As a family we have been mystified by this man who wanders a certain portion of the street always eating coconuts and appears and disappears in the bush! Come to find out from the Elders, they too have enjoyed this man who is actually a member of the church and whom they have nicknamed "Moses!" He kindly agreed to take a photo with Elders Devey and Losalu with our son, David!
A few aerial views of the island from the airplane!
The airstrip of Niue! The "rock of polynesia"--Niue!
Couldn't resist sharing some great moments with the Saints performing at the Niue Festival!
The one thing that I was amazed again at, is how the members were so very influencial in every part of the program for the festival, from decorations to running the whole thing! Members of the church are so talented and have such wonderful gifts that bless the whole world! What a gift the gospel is!! Do we realize what we have?????