Love the incoming!

Sister Marie is being trained by Sister Jones!
Sister Donumaibugale will be trained by Sister Martinsen!
Sisters Martinsen and Donumaibugale move her things to the Zone car for transport!
Anyone notice--we have a new mission van! That is right--what a beast! It has a larger cargo, easier to drive and turning radius that is much better than the Previa, but this Hyundai is a diesel engine--which gets better gas mileage but sounds like a Jumbo Jet according to our son David! Therefore, the new nickname for our mission van is J.J. the Jumbo Jet!
Ben Marshall, our amazing bike man and his family just adopted a baby and are going through the panges of being a bit older parents---but are loving every moment of it! Congratulations!
Our new Elder Johnson begged me to put this on for his family! Hope they appreciate it! Now we have two Elder Johnson's!

Departure is not my favorite part!

Departure may not be my favorite part, but from the looks on these missionaries faces--they were ready! Happy to serve and happy to rejoin their families! We will miss: Left to right, back: Elders McKinley, Cline, Babcock and Eckery. Left to right, front: Sisters Shumway, Siilata and Ashcraft!

Thank you Gee's!

The two of them work together to form their square on the mission tablecloth--is that cute of what!?!
They have served faithfully in the Temple Visitor Centre in Hamilton--the Celestial Kingdom of the mission! We love and will miss you!

Incredible Irene!

Irene is one incredible young woman! Came to New Zealand from China to study music. She asked a man on the street if he knew of a church that taught about Jesus Christ that she could attend. She was taught by her auntie in China about Jesus Christ! He was not a member but gave her details to Elder Smith and Elder Ng, that were chinese missionaries. She joined the church just one year ago and has now been called to the Wellington Mission to serve! What a blessing her faith will be to those she teaches!

Does anyone know any Tokelauans!

Fia is the first person that I know from Tokelau! I had to ask where Tokelau was. It is an island south of Samoa that is part of New Zealand, similar to the Cook Islands and Niue! We looked it up and the population is 500! We are thinking that Fia is one of the first members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from her island home, Tokelau! Her adorable sister Herrietta is close behind!

An incredible story!

Sisters Jones and Sitthidamrong were not the first missionaries to work with and teach John Crichton. His family, from Samoa, had been members for many years and even donated family land for the Samoan Temple to be built upon. The sisters just fellowshipped with the family and took John to the Hamilton New Zealand Temple Visitors Centre! As he stood in front of the Christus--he had a longing feeling to be there clean and worthy as he stood before the Saviour! It was then that he knew he needed to be baptized--that his sins might be washed away through our Saviour and Redeemer!
Brother Fruen, friend and great saint was instrumental in helping his friend John into the waters of baptism!
Sister Crichton and their 5 children have waited 25 years for this day! Congratulations Crichton family!

Welcome, welcome office couples--now we rest from every care!

Elder and Sister Brower just arrived to serve in the office of the New Zealand Auckland Mission! We have been waiting for months for this couple, due to visa delays and had their predecessors, the Robertson's extended to be able to train them, yet they missed each other by 3 weeks!
They are now here and ready to join in and help the missionaries be successful!
Hurray! The office is now complete and in great shape with the Nelson's and the Brower's! It feels soooo good!
Special "Thank You!" to Service Missionaries, Sisters Ashby and Shepherd for holding us together for the 3 weeks until the couples arrived! We are most grateful for all you have done!