Aug 5-11

What happened this week?   A LOT of medical.
 
We have a pretty amazing District.   Super happy to be a part of these great elders and sisters.   6 Sisters 4 elders and one senior couple.  The District leader makes great assignments each week.  Everyone has an assignment.   We always start by quoting the mission purpose:

Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel 

through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement,

 repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, 
and enduring to the end.

Which is followed by the 4th section of the Doctrine and Covenants. 
They have it memorized ... I still stumble through both.

We recognize how amazing these elders and sisters are, and want a picture of the district together.   Its the beginning of our mission, so a picture of all our districts as they change every 6 weeks at each transfer seemed like a great idea. We planned to get it on Tuesday at District meeting.    Then Wednesday came and change was oozing from our district.  One sister with ongoing pain, finally required an MRI, which determined it was best to have her go home and she left on Saturday.  Wednesday evening one of the elders in our district had a bike accident and dislocated his thumb.   We sent him to urgent care where xrays were done and decided he needed surgery for a closed reduction fracture pinning.  They wrapped him in a plaster cast and sent him home without any pain meds.  We gave him some ibuprofen and waited.... we spent 2 days trying to track down the plastics doctor to do the CT scan or surgery.  Because it was an injury in NZ, it was covered by their Social Healthcare coverage, which is a challenge for me to adapt to!

Saying Goodbye, the night before she leaves . . .

Meanwhile we were with a previously injured elder, who was getting a cast removed and starting physical therapy to return movement to injured wrist.  We asked several departments that day how to get in for the next visit with the new accident.   Finally we returned to the urgent care, where the doctor was exasperated at himself having tried to call the plastics department and never getting an answer OR a return call.  He wrote a referral letter and explained the urgency of the surgery.  We went to the Hospital Emergency with the letter and proceeded to wait .....   That was Friday.   We waited Friday and were sent home to return Sat.   We returned Sat and were told there weren't any x-ray people available and to come back Sunday.  We went Sunday at 730 am and at 2pm they said they might have to send us home.  Linda went to take a walk and was retrieved and told they were sending him to surgery. (Which in the states is called an Operating Room, In New Zealand its a Operating Theatre ....) 

Little differences in spelling everywhere...
Authorised vs authorized
Kerb vs Curb
Tyres vs tires

Hallelujah!   He was finally out and by 730pm we were able to leave ... this time with a couple pain meds in hand.  Luckily last Sunday we attended two church meetings since we spent time in the hospital this week and while waiting attempted to help the elder with his own family history.  His father's relatives are from England which we find sources for, His mothers family is from Tonga and I am LOST trying to help with Tongan Genealogy.  Thankfully we have an amazing Islands of the Pacific Family History center here and there are many talented experts in this area.  

In the interim, I had ongoing phone calls of colds and flu, rashes, eye cyst that needs surgery, successful dental visit, and right quadrant abdominal pain coming off and on for 3 weeks.  I asked the abdominal pain elder to get a ride with another senior couple and come to Hamilton for a doctor visit, and meanwhile asked the doctor for a prescription, for a sister he had seen, with leg rash that turned into a boil,  We successfully delivered the prescription, missed a diabetes consultation and returned home.

Last Monday we attended a First Monday of the month Ward FHE, where a newly returned missionary from Samoa was welcomed and native dancers performed Samoan dances.  We met people from all over the stake who wanted to be there.  We have a list of places we'd love to see and more friends.  We visited with a delightful family who made us part of their family gathering and we tasted their highly admired crackling.   Pork fat is a staple here.   They don't sell bacon, they sell Streaky bacon which cooks crispy like they like it.   All the flavors here are slightly different than ours.  We're learning what we like. 

We manage to attend weekly office meetings for coordination updates with the President and Sister Erekson, and mingle with members we have met in other wards.  Most families have family who are not members and we get to visit with non members regularly.  We attended a baptism that sisters in our district had taught.   The girl was so elated to be a member of the church and so excited to share it with both of her parents who attended and supported her even though they are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We are grateful for the spirit we feel from these good missionaries who are here to serve and become better.  They teach us something on a regular basis.  We learn a lot from them and are immersed in their love of others as they seek to share and bless the lives of those around them.

July 29 - Aug 4, 2019

Green onions continue growth by topping,
and Lemon tree in Background.

"There is beauty all around!"  New Zealand is beautiful.  It is winter and sometimes cold, but flowers abound, lemons, grapefruit and oranges are on trees everywhere.   Because we have both grapefruit and lemon trees in our yard, we are enjoying fresh squeezed lemonade and citrus.   There are good vegetable and fruit stands, which are still more money than we're used to paying.   A bunch of green onions is $2.50, and a small pint of tomatoes is $5.99.  Thankfully, my daughter taught me how to put a glass of water in the window and just clip off the tops of the onions and they regrow, so we're harvesting and re-harvesting the same onions all the time.

We also have a glass greenhouse in our backyard.   We tilled in mulch and new soil, and planted tomatoes and peppers.  We also have several small starts of tomatoes that we're hoping grow so we can give them to missionaries and encourage them to plant in their flowerbeds.  People say, whatever you stick in the ground will grow, you don't have to do anything .... We're hoping that's true.

Planter with Strawberries, Raised beds in
background with herbs, lettuce and onions,
and Look at the grapevine that we look
forward to producing ....

We enjoyed a couples conference this week and were able to mingle with couples all over the mission.  There are some inspiring people that are helpful and making a difference in peoples and missionaries lives here.   How we need more couples to lift and inspire these young men and women out preaching and struggling to do what they've been prepared to do.

The woman with me is Sister Baxter, from Longmont Colorado, but living in Lexington KY for the last 15 years. (Where Linda was born), and she is wearing 2 identical necklaces that I have as well.  They're from a little village in Kenya where her sister is serving a mission.   My parents sent my girls and I the same necklace.... She wears it so well that I had to take a picture for inspiration, I didn't bring mine to NZ with me .... but I'm sure to don the same necklace on my return!

Purple Swamphen
 locally known as the pukeko. 

Maori greetings

Last week, we drove around most of Lake Taupo, and it took almost 2 hours.   This past week, we walked around the entire Lake Rotorua in less than an hour.  There are Native NZ birds and Some amazing playground areas, We can't wait for the grandkids to come enjoy them!

We're also getting introduced to some Maori words and traditions.  There is a large diversity of culture here.  The church congregations are well integrated.  The people here are welcoming and anxious to share their traditions.  Here are some fun words you can hear:  https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/maori-language-week/100-maori-words

It's been a most interesting week on the medical scene.   Some missionaries are amazing, and some of them are struggling.   We remind ourselves that we are immersed in the struggles and that there are some missionaries that are here to learn.  We are striving to lift and encourage them.   We're so grateful for great members and leaders.  President and Sister Erekson have been welcoming and are a blessing to this area.  As they said, "We've left 'all that we love', to come to an area and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ."  How we miss our family.  Search, Ponder, and Pray and the blessings and windows of heaven will open.

Islands of the Oceanic Area

July 22-28, 2019

Our first full week in the mission field…

More setup time (Apartment stuff, Internet, kitchen, garden, car – Computer Spreadsheets, “Android” Phones!).

In our yard, we have a Green House, raised garden beds, a grapefruit tree, orange tree and lemon tree – We picked up some seeds and plan on testing what we’ve been told “plant anything, it grows like crazy.” So, we have tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, lettuce, onions, mint, chives & strawberries…

We were provided a car – A Toyota Corolla, with the steering wheel on the right side – we have to retrain on which side of the car we try to get in! Driving on the right side is very interesting – so far, no issues!

Our apartment is actually a house in Chartwell – We started exploring the area and have found several different grocery stores, a mall, a bread store, a dairy store – all within walking distance of our apartment. This gets us out walking!

We made our own Real Fruit Ice Cream this week – very tasty!

We got a call late Monday night from the Elders that live here in Chartwell, asking for a ride to District Council meeting Tuesday morning – so we decided to stay and sit in the District Council meeting – The District Leader was very well prepared (baked and brought cookies!) – he involved everyone in a part of the meeting (music, prayers, handbook training, flat training, etc.) – it was a very engaged district – very impressive!

The Chartwell Ward had a ward activity Saturday night. So after we visited some sisters and went to the mission office, and walked part of Hamilton Gardens, we went to a potluck “Hoedown” (Linda’s Potatoes – bacon, potatoes, onions & cheese [usually in a dutch-oven] – were a hit, one of the first dishes gone!).  This Hoedown included a professional line dance caller and a Mechanical Riding Bull! Yes, a full-sized mechanical bull that spins and bucks people off – the youth loved it and rode it over and over!

Hamilton Gardens –

  

We drove 2 hours and attended church in a small branch called Taumarunui. About 30 people in attendance.  Every fourth Sunday is Soup Sunday, so we stayed and mingled with the branch members over soup.  We drove back and stopped by Huka Falls (look how deep blue the water is!).

We’re grateful to be here to share our love of God and help others Come Unto Christ.  

July 13-20, 2019

We had our first 6 day week and lost an entire day by flying across the International Dateline!

We drove to Los Angeles where we spent 3 days with our daughter Kayla.  She chauffeured us to the LA Temple, the beach, shopping, a Single Adult Church Ward and Picnic & Shakespeare in Griffith Park in Hollywood Hills.  She’s a great guide and even attempted to get us to go to a game show “California Style”.   We left her our car to babysit, and flew to New Zealand.  13 Hours later we cleared customs and were greeted by 2 enthusiastic missionaries who asked us what was in all that luggage we brought!   I smiled and said, don’t ask!   True Despain style we came prepared.

The Taylors made one quick stop at 9am New Zealand time to initiate us to fruit ice cream!   Absolutely worth it!   We then had 30 minutes to “freshen up” and were shuttled to a zone conference with President Erekson and his wife who have been here for 2 weeks.  The missionaries led the discussion and taught great concepts, followed by President led discussion and challenges for the mission.   Such an inspirational way to start our service in Hamilton New Zealand.

We’re located now in Chartwell and attending the Chartwell ward.  We were taken to a grocery store and told the prices would shock us, but to just fill our carts up with everything we needed to start our apartment.   Thankfully, Elder Taylor had already done a good job cleaning and furnishing our flat.   We did pretty well shopping, even though we returned the following 3 consecutive days for miscellaneous forgotten items.

Day 2 in NZ we met with  Elder Brent Saunders, the Area Mission Advisor (AMA) and his wife, who oriented us into the Area medical needs and contacts.  They are our next line contact with questions and assistance.

Bridal Veil Falls, Waikato NZ

Day 3 we finally had time to settle in and try to sort through folders and unfinished medical business, while answering phone calls and immersing ourselves in missionary medical phone calls and concerns.  We walked the neighborhood and the mall and visited with youth who taught us their education system.  They’ve just finished 2 weeks break and return to school on Monday.  Their only “holiday” or summer vacation is 5 weeks at Christmas and into January.  Then they have 3 other 2 week breaks throughout the year. 

Our first Weekend we ventured to the stunning Bridal Veil Falls in Waikato which is strong and beautiful with all the rain and water during this season.  Pictures don’t accurately portray how gorgeous it is with thundering water crashing over the rocks to the bottom.  

We continued to Raglan and watched surfers in the cold ocean and enjoyed another fruit ice cream before returning home.   Again, a stunning coastline and awe at the scenery and grasslands in this area.  We feel blessed to be here. 

We spoke with bankers, waiters, clerks and our landlord and introduced ourselves as missionaries with our ever present and obvious name badges.  Then we found a clerk with her own badge labeled “Nauvoo”  she’s a Maori member of the church and that’s the name her parents gave her.   She’s asked about it often and gets to have her own missionary discussions. We met a woman who is the sister of a friend of my parents from 35 years ago when they lived here and are anxious to meet more of their past friends.  We attended church in a delightful congregation full of people who love the gospel of Jesus Christ.    We’re grateful to be here to share our love of God and help others Come Unto Christ.  

July 7-12, 2019

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." (Psalm 23) I love this scripture that is also set to music.   It reminds me to have less wants and less worries, that I still express periodically.

Our house closed!  We are officially homeless.   It's such a relief that our full focus can be on our mission service and the missionaries serving in NZ.   I'm grateful that we safely transferred our belongings to our daughters basement.  Oh that we could have used a smaller moving van!   However, a 20' van is a vast improvement from the full semi load that we arrived with in Colorado!  BIG thanks and blessings to the people who jumped in at the end to assist!

This week was full of medical training.  MANY talented and professional doctors shared their area of expertise and helped us understand what can and can't be dealt with in the mission field.  These individuals shared and led us through the struggle of adjusting, adapting, homesick, perfection driven, companion laden, schedule adapting, skill acquiring challenges of 18 year olds' whom they lovingly refer to as "6 years out of primary"!

My appreciation for the staffing and availability of support and professionals increased.  There are so many people supporting, loving, encouraging and cheering on this army.   I on the sideline am repeating endlessly, "Wash your hands, drink more water, eat some fiber"  AND "breathe, relax, stay calm, we love you", while additionally handing out bandaids, evaluations and necessary referrals.

TEMPLES:  We attended the Payson temple and the Provo City Center Temple.  Both beautiful edifices, but filled with the same beautiful spirit in any temple.  Both also bursting at the seams with people.  Full parking garage, waiting in the overflow area and a busy, happy environment.

Daily Miracles!   After mailing a key through USPS in a plain envelope, only the envelope arrived at the destination.   My plea at the Postal processing center was met with a blank look and expression of the amount of keys they had pop out of envelopes as they were scanned through a slot too small for the contents.  I had someone text me a picture of a duplicate key with the # inscription on the key and I invited the worker to look in the cage of lost items for the missing key.  In less than 5 minutes it was retrieved and I was able to resend it in a more secure and postal friendly package. 

We chose to drive to Los Angeles and spend a couple days with a daughter who will babysit our one remaining vehicle.  We fly to New Zealand on Monday night. We made some unexpected adjustments to our suitcase weight limit and are prepping for the temperature extreme adjustment from 95 degrees to 45, as it is Winter in NZ.

We're so grateful for the sweet family pictures we had taken before we left.   Lia Flynn did an amazing job in a short amount of time and took them at the Arvada Skate Park as our memorial to Nate who spent so much time there flipping his scooter.  We highly recommend her:  http://stillmemories.photography/?fbclid=IwAR3tNBvQHIqTCR9njLEIHgaEBTJ_okKZwWEK5Ka52rZjXIN4GhcTeksG4NA#/
We're going to miss these humans who are so integrated into our lives.   We love them!  Thanks for supporting us.

July 1-6

The pictures throughout the missionary training center are inspiring.   They are full of light and aim to lift our spirits as we reach to lift others. 
(Matthew 18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven)

Our family were all asked to give us advice before we left.
These are some suggestions:

Brush your teeth everyday
Say your prayers everyday
Video/skype/facetime with us
Boom!
Talk and show interest and ask questions about others lives and show pictures of your family.
Don't worry about your kids, they'll be okay.
Don't have hard discussions/evaluations right before planning, and always have ice cream!
Be obedient.
Just do it!  Don't think too hard , just go forth
Write down and focus on happy thoughts.
Acknowledge blessings from missionary service.

We spent a week practicing "Preach my Gospel Training":  Invite, Help, Come, Receive.

 I had no idea that Preach my Gospel was directed to us so specifically.   We need to be taught how to invite others every time we do ministering.   It would make us go more regularly.   I'm so grateful for renewal of faith and love and service.  We were inviting people regularly everyday.   Sometimes another companionship we were paired with and sometimes a member volunteer and sometimes our instructors.   We also were challenged/invited.   As we continue to "invite" we commit to improve ourselves and match the invite we have extended.   Such beauty in this gospel.   

Reread "The Doctrine of Christ" With new understanding:   https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/10/the-doctrine-of-christ?lang=eng

Be like the stars and planets, steadfast and immovable.  Be consistently true to what you know. 
Turn outward in love, compassion and service. 
Avoid the cookie monster syndrome ....   "I want cookies NOW".   It's not about YOU!   We were blessed to watch a great MTC devotional from Elder Bednar and have Elder Kim Clark come teach, lift and inspire us this week.

There are beautiful, dedicated and inspiring people here.   We aim to emulate the Savior as he calls, "Come Follow Me".

Nathan Despain "Senior Night Football"