Zone Leaders are ready to go!

Our Zone Leaders are ready!
They are all on board!
They are ready to go when the new President arrives!
They are all in this together!
They are unified!

Welcome ray of sunshine for the mission!

Our ray of sunshine into the mission begins with Left to right, back row: Elders White, Kitara, Fernandez, President Porter, Elder Mariteragi! Front row: Elder Lam Cheung, Sister Seru, Porter, Elder Chan!
A sunrise view from the deck of the mission home the day after they arrived! They all came to the home for training and saw this breathtaking sunrise with all of its magestic colors!
Elder So'oalo will train Elder Lam Cheung--who is a cousin to a Sister Lam Cheung we had in the mission some time ago!
Elder Wigginton will be training Elder Chan!
Elder Atkin is to train Elder Mariteragi, who is also a cousin to yet another Elder that served in this mission previously! The impact of NZAM lives on!
Elder White is being trained by Elder Jeppesen!
Elder Keyes trained Elder Jeppesen who is now training Elder White! Elder Jeppesen and Elder Keyes are always together whenever they attend meetings in which both are there--it is sure this is a lifelong bond--we hope Elder White will have this great connection as well!
Elder Kaufusi will be training Elder Kitara!
Sister Hafoka is training Sister Seru!
Elder Fernandez will be trained by Elder Bresee!
All of the missionaries pause for a picture at a cold and bustery "One Tree Hill!"
There was a gorgeous sunrise that day which warmed up our hearts a bit!
Sisters Donumaibugale, Vea and Seru all know our first assistant Elder Ramasima! How did you let these young women slip by---eat your heart out Ramasima!!!!
Elders Sua and Papalii pose with a cute sign I had never seen!

Saying Goodbye is NOT for WIMPS!

Such wonderful missionaries, such wonderful memories and such amazing miracles! Left to right: Sisters Teaupa, Nalesoni, Porter; Elders Belk, Cameron, Christiansen, Stucki, Luckhardt, Timoteo, Magleby, Tonga, Johnson, Afoa and President Porter! On the wharf on Lake Pupuke!
Elders Kauhenga and Fanguna had to leave a few days early due to expiring visas!
Elder Baraniko from Kiribati was also one of those whose visa was going to run out before the transfer, so he ended up leaving over a week early!
The group really missed them when they were all together! Strong bonds are formed in the mission field!
Elder Magleby came right in the mission home the morning of their departure and got right into what their next "Commitment Pattern" would be looking like! I love how the girl is "to be identified!"
Elder Christiansen had investigators that had to come to the mission home to say their final goodbyes to the Elder that brought the gospel to their home and hearts! Vanessa and Fernanda are friends for life and into the eternities!
Elder Christiansen was also picked up by his parents! Mom gets the hug!
Elder Afoa is picked up as well by his mother, father and sister--who he is hugging! (No it isn't his girlfriend!)
Elder Stucki--the "drama king" falls down the steps to greet his family!
Picks himself up and greets his family!
Sister Teaupa is supported by many family members who are not even members--they were lovingly encouraging through the entire testimony meeting!
She was covered with treats--and some to share as well!
Elder Cameron's mom taped while Dad got the first hug--then, his Dad had no idea how to work the recorder for Mom's hug! That's what Mom's do!
The crazy group gather for one final picture!

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!