Called to Serve!
What beauty there is in that statement! We love serving the Lord. We love to see valiant missionaries striving to serve. Our NZ missionaries come from the Tip of Northland New Zealand to the Furthest Southern point living with Penguins. And we still have islanders unable to return home, and we get to benefit from their bonus service time. They are a JOY to be around and learn from. We see so many of them in Medical settings that I prodded this sister to pose with her new companion ....
Our hearts are full of so many unlinked thoughts.
We ache for those who have lost loved ones over the last few weeks and mourn with them! We pray our tears will help reduce and minimize some of their intense pain. 💛💚💙
We are enjoying watching our children and grandchildren in online gatherings. The miracle of online video and exchange is ALMOST real. But, we're still anxious to be more than observers with solely verbal exchanges in their lives.
We spent another fabulous day in Tauranga, where a walk around Mount Maunganui has become a bi-weekly solace to our souls as we watch waves crash against rock taking one more beating and slowly being diminshed. We see seals turning endlessly in the waves and barely cresting to let us enjoy their reality and peaceful oblivion to our presence. We watch birds dive and then fly again to locate the perfect catch. We gather shells, and seek out yet one more new, colorful newly discovered treasure from the sea. We watch rainbows, seemingly painted across the sky above the mist of the showers that freely flow during this winter season. We return to our car, winded, but refreshed and grateful, so grateful for Gods creations and the beauty here that we get to share.
Then we return to interviews and answer endless questions. Linda shared needed thoughts and teachings about washing hands, brushing teeth, ingrown toenails and treating and preventing knee and ankle injuries, getting to doctor and dental appointments on time, and expressing gratitude and thanks for doctors' service. Nothing magically stopped the injuries or need for treatment. The phone calls continued and our response is, "Didn't we just talk about this?" But of course.... they all fully understand the RICE treatment and protocol for sprains and injuries. They may not have ice on hand as suggested, but most of them have frozen sausages or frozen veggies they resort to using.
Did you know the Ozone layer is thinner in NZ? Really thin. I constantly remind missionaries to use extra sunscreen and wear sunglasses. But maybe the air being thinner means our prayers ascend milliseconds faster to Heaven? It's a beautiful place and prayers are rendered by people of faith with stories of ancestors and traditions that are inspiring. We respect the little family Marae and the large community ones that are still in use and sacred to so many Maori families.
We had fish n chips again! New Zealand does some things really well that we will miss. Tip Top Ice cream, REAL fruit ice cream, fish n chips and fresh cream.
NZ is a beautiful adventure, but also for us is service and pure devotion to our Savior whom we worship. We've loved reading and studying and learning of him more fully. There are so many sources that we use for study. The church keeps adding to their vast library of videos, teachings, talks and speeches. Even the missionary library is increasing in resources. We can't keep up with the ongoing added items in the video library.
I'm still listening to the collected talks of Neal A. Maxwell that cause reflection and awe at what was clearly and succinctly stated, warned and prophesied of our day 20 years ago.
One good collection is here: http://www.natharward.com/neal-a-maxwell-complete-works/
One of the wards we attend has had a month of speakers who took the self reliance courses. How inspirational for even people who didn't think they needed direction and help.
Another woman has created links to current Come Follow me Study .... I wish I could read and watch EVERYthing on her list. https://www.agospelcenteredhome.com/
Meanwhile, we keep up with weekly missionary devotionals now online since the MTC is online training, and we listen to past inspirational talks. books and firesides. We listen to books and scriptures while driving at fast speed to get through more information and still have so much more to learn.
We're blessed to be surrounded by talented and knowledgeable individuals.
Her younger years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOj11gkYHC8
Last week we were inspired by the story of the Contractor who is doing the renovation for the Hamilton NZ temple and who built the temple in Congo. That is a miracle temple! https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/kinshasa-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-temple
https://www.ldsliving.com/First-Look-Inside-Kinshasa-Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo-Temple/s/90434
So we continue our service through the end of this year with humble and thankful hearts that we were Called to Serve!
Elder and Sister Despain
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