June 29 KNEES on the Floor

One year, one year, one year!!   It's amazing.   It's unbelievable whats happened in a year.

Missionaries coming and leaving every 6 weeks, THEN all at once .... 130 missionaries sent home in one month, waiting 2.5 months and then receiving 90 new missionaries in one month.

Medical Nursing:  Tumor and cancer, Gastroenterology pain, Urinary Strictures, Gynecology issues, Closed fracture pinning, ACL injury, Broken collar bones, Cortisone shots, Root Canals, Pulled wisdom teeth, Eye exams, Ear exams, Asthma and more asthma, TB and Covid-19 testing, Colds and flu, Rashes/bug bites and SCABIES!  

These sweet missionaries are still going out and teaching and inviting with what we call 

I'm inspired by good messages from conference and devotionals, and a love of the scriptures.

     The how and what of personal scripture study is not nearly as important as the why … to learn, to grow, to feel, to become, to repent, to close or narrow the Gap between you and the Heavens.   The Lord is less interested in what is happening while you study the scriptures as what you do as a result of study.  Blessings come to those who can follow through with commitments made while under the influence of the Holy Ghost long after that influence has left.    Learn to hear him by recognizing the tiniest impressions and then act on them. Conscientiously take note of what you have felt and learned and what you’re going to do about it.

Recently my daughter referred to a conference talk that states sometimes we are dancing and having a blast and no one else around us can hear the music. Dancing being the actions we take, and the music being the spirit.

She states:

Sometimes I get overwhelmed because as much as I try to get everyone around me to hear the music, half the time I don't even hear the music myself. 

But as a dancer, I cannot tell you how many times I have practiced skills and steps over and over again without music. Failing, trying again, practicing alone and with others. And once those skills are developed and you turn the music on again, it clicks. And it's inspiring. And it leaves you wanting more.

So yes, there are many days and repetitions where we don't always "hear the music" or feel the spirit at home. But when we've practiced, and the spirit comes in, those moments are worth the struggle. So. Just keep dancing.

We love you!
The Despains

June 7 2020 Tauranga

We have emerged from the Lockdown! Things are starting to get back to normal… We have adopted an empty flat over in Tauranga (Pronounced Toe-Ron-Ga) so we get to explore another area…

Tauranga -

We saw a seal frolicking in the surf at Mount Maunganui (along with a ton of other people getting out the first weekend – it was a super nice day!)

Check out these waves!

And a new Waterfall walk (with the requisite New Zealand stairs!) –

Yes, a crazy person repelling the waterfall (Not Linda)!

Crazy Person

We found a walk in some BIG trees (& Leaves) – 

 Some to climb (That’s Linda) –

See Mom?

And a bunch of Christmas Trees!?!? Which would be your favorite?

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Some have massive pinecones, so big that they have warning signs! (>20 lbs)

  

Pinecone Warning!

>10 KGs!

We found more beaches and lots of seashells

Even a Castle!

This is in an old quarry –

Great Balls of WIRE!

We love the chance to explore New Zealand while we are here!

Elder & Sister Despain

May 14 2020 ❤ Our Hearts are FULL

I've focused during the past week of those people who have completely impacted my life and made it better!   Thank you.   We love you.   We're grateful for friends and family who laugh with us and cry with us.  We're so grateful for eternity and the hope of reuniting.   I loved the many tributes on Mothers Day from family and Missionaries who have become a part of our lives!

Our hearts are full.   Today is DAY 50 of Quarantine/Isolation.   Today we have finally moved to NZ level 2.   Social Distancing still remains, but we can now meet together in groups of 10 with 2 meter separation.   We can enter restaurants with proper distancing.   Our prime Minister has stated that borders remain closed and ongoing tracking and distancing will stay in place EVEN at level 1 and for a very long time.   However, Our missionaries can AGAIN teach, meet with others in person, and most importantly BAPTIZE.   This is what they've been called to do, this is what their HEARTS desire.  We are committed to assist in Gathering Israel. 

We have continued indexing NZ rolls and love seeing familiar names and places.   I encouraged our children and grandchildren to participate. This is something our son used to do and was always his first choice when he needed to do service.  So we found it appropriate to create an Indexing Group in his honor.   Did you know you can participate in several different groups?   You request the ones you want to be a part of, some of them even have access to projects that are unique to their group.   We named our group "Nates Group" and although you have to "request" to join it, we will approve anyone who is interested in adding your numbers to something Nate continues to assist us with!

Our 8 and 10 year old grandsons were excited to have their own account and be able to help in indexing.   One day our very competitive 8 year old was beat at a game of chess by his 6 year old brother.   He was beyond aggressive and upset.  Nothing would calm him down.  After several other attempts his mother gave him the laptop and told him he could index some more names.   He immediately calmed down and focused on the enjoyment and satisfaction of something he knew he did well. Indexing has a spirit that will bind our families together and calm us in visible ways.


I've had a deeper appreciation for the story of the 10 virgins lately.   I love the reality of choices we are all faced with everyday.  D&C 88:92 tells us in the last days ALL things will be in commotion before the Bridegroom cometh, "prepare ye, prepare ye" and go ye out to meet him.   Matt 24:42-43 tell us "Be ye also ready".   If you knew the Savior was returning tomorrow, what would you do different today?

Elder Despain and I have spent the past week discussing what we often do to "take care of the missionaries" as members.    We're really good at making sure they have meals and food.   That seems to be our priority and focus.   However, there are many days these valiant missionaries spend FASTING for the work to move forward, for their investigators, and for you.   
Food is only ONE of the things we can focus on to help the missionaries. 

Consider these things for Missionary Calendar sign up:
twice a week feed missionaries
twice a week have them come teach in Member homes:   This can include Gospel lessons, English lessons, Family Home Evening Lessons, Addiction Recovery 12 step lessons, Family history/indexing lessons and missionary preparation lessons
Twice a week have them do service projects:  Cleaning church, roadways, yards, cemeteries, gardens, (Many of missionaries just knock doors and offer service without any other obligations)
Twice a week invite them to join or lead youth activities, primary, and ward activities.   Often there are non members present who can see them interact without obligation, but it will also bond a relationship between you and them so you can make suggestions and become comfortable with them.

The day will come when our missionaries will have more work than they're able to complete.   People will be lined up to meet with them.   They will recognize the truth of Christs' church and desire to be a part of his church and kingdom.    Today, we are preparing for that day.   Our missionaries have been called home to their own countries where they are familiar with the language and customs and confident in their knowledge and ability to interact with others.   Help them open doors and "Prepare the way of the Lord".

We love you
💚❤💜 The Despains

Apr 26 We seek after these things

We're humbled and GRATEFUL at the number of resources we have to study and learn.  People have shared their talents and we have benefited from them.  While right now, I simple write to communicate with friends and family, I seek any suggestions for better online communication. There are talents we wish to gain, learn and strengthen in ourselves.

 ‘If there is anything virtuous, lovely, 

of good report or praiseworthy, 

we seek after these things.’  

Philippians 4:8

During this Lockdown/Quarantine we've seen people learn new talents, computer skills, improved fitness, rediscover board games, crocheting/knitting, and lots of sewers making face masks.  We've walked to the river a lot, communicated more with family, read books online with them, watched short videos, shared puzzle accomplishments, shared recipes, and shared church discussions.

Some of our current sources of learning include:

https://scriptures.byu.edu/  Citation index full of links to talks and searchable topics cross referenced with scripture

https://www.agospelcenteredhome.com/  Good suggestions for family or individual study, short or long.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media-library/video?lang=eng&clang=ase    Limitless Spiritual Video topics

https://speeches.byu.edu/most-viewed/  Past Devotionals and Speeches

https://rsc.byu.edu/  Religious studies center Articles, videos, podcasts .... AMAZING

One I studied this week that impacted me deeply "Spiritual Rebirth":

https://rsc.byu.edu/book-mormon-message-four-gospels/spiritual-rebirth-have-ye-been-born-god

We're enjoying Fall and Harvest in New Zealand.  We're grateful for the abundance of fresh fruit and learning to enjoy new ones like feijoas.  

The fall colors are beautiful and the walks along the river are fresh and stunning.   We're grateful that we're close enough to enjoy the beauty and peace of this area.

A lot of homes have bears in windows for us to spot as we go by.   On one of our walks we captured a picture of two bears in a vehicle that entertain walkers.   

We continue to have online district meeting and even had a flu clinic this week where we observed social distancing, but were able to get half our missionaries protected with a "flu jab" as they call it here.    The other half look forward to it in the coming weeks.  

Since we are in New Zealand, we took time this week to watch the three Lord of the Rings movies for entertainment.  April 25 is Anzac Day (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps)  We acknowledge those killed in war, and honor returned servicemen and women.  It is commonly celebrated the following Monday with festivities and parades.   This year, at midnight, we celebrate going from Level 4 to Level 3, which enables to expand our "bubble" slightly and have some restaurants open for take out and drive through.   We've been preparing our own food for over a Month since restaurants were closed and we DID IT successfully, but we're looking forward to some good Fish and Chips!

We're grateful for the peace we feel.  We're grateful for family and friends to talk to, We're grateful for love and direction of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Find the personal direction for your own life.  Seek the knowledge gained from studying the doctrine of Christ.   And compile your own list of sources to share with others. 

Seek, and ye shall find  (Matthew 7:7)

With Love, 
The Despains