Dec 6, 2019 Mental Health and Marae visit

Root canals, CT scans, gastroenterology, and Mental Health.
That pretty much sums it up .... A lot more mental health issues which is not my forte.  I do love these missionaries and the stress is real.   There are some phenomenal websites and apps to help with many issues. 

A GREAT starting point:   https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/mentalhealth?lang=eng

Which happens to be a link from: https://caps.byu.edu/apps-and-websites

These are ones I want to try:

https://caps.byu.edu/relaxation-recordings

https://caps.byu.edu/relaxation-and-meditation

https://www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app

Thank goodness for great counselors who know how to work with these missionaries.  And great doctors who I'm forever grateful for getting missionaries treated for bug bites and rashes.

We spent a couple days in Gisborne and visited Nuhaka and Mahia where so many Maori originally converted to the church.   We entered their sacred Marae and were given a tour of the symbolism and history.  Some of which is here: https://www.visitwairoa.co.nz/see-and-do/attractions/kahungunu-marae

KAHUNGUNU MARAE. Kahungunu meeting house at Nūhaka has some magnificent Māori and carving portraying the history and stories of the early people, in the many carvings, scroll patterns and panel weaving.

Mahia is a sweet little town where our missionaries meet a couple times a week for "fight club" with a group of kids that are learning good values and life application along with some boxing skills.  We loved their devotion and caring for one another.  

We had a 3 day Early Christmas mission conference at Camp Tuhikaramea.   It was a great diversion from the day to day routine and so fun to watch the missionaries bond with each other and sing, and play sports and have fun.

We have a LOT of photos to catch up on. 

Mostly, we're grateful for the Savior and this season in which we celebrate his birth.   We see reminders of him in our lives and feel his love.

As we ponder his birth, our daughter gave birth to her own 6th child today and we are so grateful for their good health and celebration of life and love.  Not to mention our elation at another sweet grandchild to hug.

 We pause to acknowledge everything good and are grateful for examples of kindness, charity and giving all around us, as we seek to lift others and improve our own lives.