Hi everyone: 8 April 2008(your 7th)
We are back at work after a very good conference weekend. We were able to get conference here in our conference room that is just down the all from our office. It is brought in on a huge screen. We watched it with our mission president, his wife and daughter, 3 different sets of elders, our exec. sec. to the area president, wife and a few other missionarys, and church employees. To see the Sat. and Sun. morning sessions we would have to been here at 4:00 a.m. Since we didn't want to do that we saw Sat. and Sun. afternoon sessions live at 8:00 a.m. on Sun and Mon. mornings and delayed morning sessions at noon ish both days. Dad saw priesthood live at noon on Sunday. We greatly enjoyed them. Looks like the church is in good hands with the new presidency and authorities. We missed Gary Stevenson's name in the list of new 70's. Shannon and Erik and family must be very excited for them. One of Dean and LaNore's (and mine) from Long Beach days sons was also on the list of new 70's. He is James Hamula. His dad was my mother's boss at Penney's and very well thought of. His dad and mom came to our reception when we got married. Small world sometimes.
We are still awaiting word on the consolidation of our area with Australia. Should be announced maybe tomorrow. Alot of the church employees here are really on edge. It means their jobs or not or a possible relocation to Australia. We don't have that problem. Our job security is very good.
Saturday Dad and I explored a new shopping area for us. It is in Albany which is 11km north of us. We discovered some good shopping buys. Got two pair of shoes to wear at the office, a fan (for summer) and a new toaster. We did some light grocery shopping also. I tried to color my hair. What a disaster. I tried to rectify it on Sunday between sessions to no avail. People are tellling me that they like it and that I fit in with the natives. Need I say more. Dad just laughs at me. Problem is I am afraid to do much more to it or it will fall out or some such things. So I am a new me. Did get the name and number of a beautitician that is about a block away so that should help for my next cut.
We were able to go to a new restaurant last night with our FHE group. It was so good. Finally found wonderful food. However, it was expensive at $35.00 each. That seems to be the going rate for good food here. We did have lunch at the mall for $10.00 for both of us that was very good.
We have had a little rain and clouds lately. Gray skies. Reminds us of Seattle. Still very moist etc. We did spray down the house Saturday morning before we left for the day. The mission office gave us some spray that is supposed to work for mosquitos, mites, cockroaches, etc for 4 to 6 months. However, since finding the cockroach haven't seen a sign of anymore. Maybe he was just a free spirit. I got good locking containers to put most of our food in anyway. Our refrigerator is about 12 square feet. So doen't hold very much. The dryer is little and the washer little too. Let's face it everything here is mini size. Chip packages, bottles of jam, everything is little.
I said earlier that I found out why the two previous couples thought that hanging clothes out on the line was such joy. It was because the dryer didn't dry anything over three pieces of cloth. Dad found out the problem. Whoever had installed it had put the door on wrong. That and the fact that it had been run into by the car made it so it leaked air. Now it seems to do the job. (We will see what the elecricity bill is.) I might still be using the lines.
Our boss is away this week on a vacation just with his wife. He rented a cottage down the coast and called and said it is delightful. Maybe we will do the same later in the year.
Our doctor missionary couple are in the islands for a week or so. The public affairs couple just got back today. They were on the Tonga feature the church did between sessions. They were incharge of the cultural festivities etc. for the reopening. Our offices have been kind of quiet this week. As we work with the islands that is the case most of the time. The translation department is next door to us, welfare down the hall, membership too and then the area presidency offices.
Haven't seen Chuck and Alta Lloyd yet. Talked to Barnes and they said they are still here in the islands. He was here on a mission, then taught at the church college, returned as Mission president, than Pres. of the MTC. He has a lot of people to see. He and Barnes and Larsons were all good friends from Long Beach days and still are. All three have been mission presidents etc and keep in close touch. Our secretary Suzi Malota was in his mission as a missionary is anxious to see them. Hope they stop in. Understand that their office was here on our floor when they lived here. If he stayed in the mission home that they have now it is really beautiful. Overlooks Lake Polota where all the black swans are. The lake is right by us too.
Today we are getting the monthy reports in from the islands Tonga and Samoa both had computer problems so had to call in their reports. The only way we can be sure we are talking about the same location is if they give us their ID#s. We are still adjusting to the languages here. Everyone has an accent. We hear English,Scottish, Kiwi, Tongan, Samoan, Tatitian etc. Can't say I can tell you which is which yet. I am getting so I can understand better at the first try.
We received 8 computers and 8 monitors that are stacked in our office and our bosses (while he is away) for Woody to format and get ready to ship to Tonga and Samoa. When they breakdown it is cheaper and faster to have a new one in storage to replace them with so that the center can keep going than wait for a repair or replacement. With the heat and the humidity the inners often swell which causes problems. The smaller components are better to be replaced new rather than send them to be repaired as shipping is so expensive.
We are having to help the island people get onto the New Family Search too. Seems that they have to register as consultants and then after 72 hours can register for nFS. It doen't alway work right and they are calling for help. We are also supposed to be very proficient in nFS so need to get on it soon. The couple that are incharge of all service missionaries in NZ and confidential discipline for the area are down the hall and asking for help with their English and Scottish genealogy. We do have a computer in our office that is an official "FHC computer which makes us an official office. Area Presidency wifes come in occasionally to work on their families here and for help.
Well, guess I had better get back to work. Keep up the updates. We like to hear from you all regularly. Sounds like life is good and full for you all. Megan got her Notory today. Congrats. Suzanne and Bryan are having their interview and house inspection for adoption tomorrow. Lots going on aye???
Love to you all. Miss you all. Be good!! Sell the Van!!!!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
March 27th, 2008
Hi everyone: A quick update while Dad attempts to put the family picture up on his bulletin board. He said he couldn't get back there but he just did with a huge map sooooo he can figure out how to put all you guys up.
We are just finishing up another week of office work. We are going shopping tonight for groceries, a lamp or two, scissors and then tomorrow early we are picking up Landfords for a stake temple trip. It takes about 2 hours to get there. After the session we are going to Raglan Beach which is on the Tazman Sea. Should be fun. The beaches here are really beautiful. We are trying to get sand samples for Dwight but don't know if we can get them back into NZ from the islands when we go.
Sunday Dad is teaching a class at the Hibicus Ward priesthood. We are invited with the executive sec. to the area president to dinner at our bosses house in Hibicus (He is also our stake president. Nice people. So our weekend sounds busy.
We have FHE dinner this Monday here at the office. We are having swiss steak etc. We have to bring salad for 14 with dressings.
Dad is now putting the picture up on my bulletin board. (Probably like it better there anyway. Have to take down some spiritual quotes to do it but you guys are well worth it.
We went to Takapuna Beach the other night after work just for a walk. Guy was wind surfing. Looked like something Scott would love to do. Everyone walks on the beaches here in the evenings. The Area Presidency all live right there on the beach. Really rough. They pay about $1000.00 more a month than we do so its ok.
Well, have to run. Love to you all. We miss you!
Mom and Dad, Andrea and Woody
We are just finishing up another week of office work. We are going shopping tonight for groceries, a lamp or two, scissors and then tomorrow early we are picking up Landfords for a stake temple trip. It takes about 2 hours to get there. After the session we are going to Raglan Beach which is on the Tazman Sea. Should be fun. The beaches here are really beautiful. We are trying to get sand samples for Dwight but don't know if we can get them back into NZ from the islands when we go.
Sunday Dad is teaching a class at the Hibicus Ward priesthood. We are invited with the executive sec. to the area president to dinner at our bosses house in Hibicus (He is also our stake president. Nice people. So our weekend sounds busy.
We have FHE dinner this Monday here at the office. We are having swiss steak etc. We have to bring salad for 14 with dressings.
Dad is now putting the picture up on my bulletin board. (Probably like it better there anyway. Have to take down some spiritual quotes to do it but you guys are well worth it.
We went to Takapuna Beach the other night after work just for a walk. Guy was wind surfing. Looked like something Scott would love to do. Everyone walks on the beaches here in the evenings. The Area Presidency all live right there on the beach. Really rough. They pay about $1000.00 more a month than we do so its ok.
Well, have to run. Love to you all. We miss you!
Mom and Dad, Andrea and Woody
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
March 17th, 2008
We have just had our family home evening with our group which consists of the executive secretary to Pres.Condie (Elder Roushay) not that spelling the what it sounds like from Bountiful, our area doctor who we just met today Merrills from Tustin, Calif. Elder and Sister Mackey from SLC, Elder and Sr. Duvall from Laramie, (who know Fishers) Elder and Sr.Turpin who we are replacing from Bountiful, Meriam Langford who we llive with now and another sister from England who we know as Jeanette. The head guy for Australia and NZ over human resources, Bro. and Sr. Gurney. We went to dinner last week and had snacks and visited tonight.
Turpins spoke in our ward yesterday and I was ask to speak on the 20th of April so guess we will be attending that ward which is 30 minutes up north. Guess they llike to spread the missionaries out abit. Lots of the area employees attend that ward. We are invited to dinner with Turpins for the next weeks prior to their departure. The head project guy (Brent Summerhays has been here for the past week or so He leaves with our boss tomorrow for Tahiti.
I am gradually learning my duties. Main thing is to know what islands we deal with, how to spell them and better yet how to pronounce them and then put the people we deal with in the correct categories. Kiribati is pronounced as Kerribus, Vanauta is Vanahwatoo, Tahiti is ok as is Samoa and Western Samoa, New Caledonia is ok, Marjuro is ok, Tonga is ok and there is one other area that we have that I can't remember. I have to keep the records of who does what in each country--like directors and consultants for each library. We are trying to get the mailings out to NZ and the Cook Islands for New Family Search startup to help our counter parts. They go online before our three temple districts do. I finallly got my own sign on for the LDS system as did Dad. Will send you guys our phone numbers when we get back to the office tomorrow. Our mailing address for now is the church office building where you need to send packages, letters etc. It is 11 Huron, Takapuna 0622, Auckland, New Zealand. Mail is safer going there. Our house address will be 2-25 Huron, Takapuna 0622, Auckland, New Zealand.
Dad is beginning to drive. It can be scary but we are adjusting fast. Lots of round abouts that go the other way around so you are always looking right instead of left. The NZlanders are complaining because people walk on the right instead of the left. Oh well.
Got to go---its late.
Love you guys, Mom and Dad
email us. We want to hear from the grandkids too. They can type??? Love and hugs.
Turpins spoke in our ward yesterday and I was ask to speak on the 20th of April so guess we will be attending that ward which is 30 minutes up north. Guess they llike to spread the missionaries out abit. Lots of the area employees attend that ward. We are invited to dinner with Turpins for the next weeks prior to their departure. The head project guy (Brent Summerhays has been here for the past week or so He leaves with our boss tomorrow for Tahiti.
I am gradually learning my duties. Main thing is to know what islands we deal with, how to spell them and better yet how to pronounce them and then put the people we deal with in the correct categories. Kiribati is pronounced as Kerribus, Vanauta is Vanahwatoo, Tahiti is ok as is Samoa and Western Samoa, New Caledonia is ok, Marjuro is ok, Tonga is ok and there is one other area that we have that I can't remember. I have to keep the records of who does what in each country--like directors and consultants for each library. We are trying to get the mailings out to NZ and the Cook Islands for New Family Search startup to help our counter parts. They go online before our three temple districts do. I finallly got my own sign on for the LDS system as did Dad. Will send you guys our phone numbers when we get back to the office tomorrow. Our mailing address for now is the church office building where you need to send packages, letters etc. It is 11 Huron, Takapuna 0622, Auckland, New Zealand. Mail is safer going there. Our house address will be 2-25 Huron, Takapuna 0622, Auckland, New Zealand.
Dad is beginning to drive. It can be scary but we are adjusting fast. Lots of round abouts that go the other way around so you are always looking right instead of left. The NZlanders are complaining because people walk on the right instead of the left. Oh well.
Got to go---its late.
Love you guys, Mom and Dad
email us. We want to hear from the grandkids too. They can type??? Love and hugs.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
1st Letter from Mom Friday, March 7th
Well we survived our first work week we think. We are still going through orientation etc. We met the first day with Pres. Condie. He has been here for 5 years so things could change for him at the next conference. We are staying with Bob and Miriam Langford from Layton. He is an 'ex-pat' whifch means he is working for the church and being paid from the US. They have 10 months to go on their assignement of 15 months. However, everything is subject to change. The Pacific Area is being combined with Australia and New Guina and that is expected after conference. We will know then if the area offices are here or in Australia. Lots of concern as to which way it goes. It probable won't affect us but could. There are 3 couples that do the same thing as us in Australia. Sounds like with the new roll out of New Family Search we could go to Samoa to help and then later to Niua, Vanatue and Kara--. Dont' know how to spell them let alone pronounce them.
We have been treated wonderfully. Even got a cake with candle's for my birthday in our house to be. The place we are staying in now is really beautiful. Large patio overlooks the gardens and pool. They gave us the mastersuite which is wonderful. Bob is leaving on Tues. and will be gone for a month so Miriam wanted company. Bob worked for Health Rider when Gary Steven's company took it over. He is great. They took us to Mission Beach last night. We went to a Mexican restaurant. It was almost OK.
We still don't have a car to drive (It is scary to drive in this traffic on the wrong side of the road. It is even scary to be a pedistrian. Dad and I took a rather long walk to the beach, mall and back. I made him bring be home for awhile to recover. Think I got heat stroke and a huge sunburn. Since I have to accompany him everywhere we are waiting for me to recover before venturing out to the grocery store which is about a block away but have to cross three interesting intersections to get there. Pedestrians do not have any rights here so you have to really watch out---especially when they come from the wrong way.
Well, Dad is watching Bollywood. Can't understand a word so guess I will go rescue him.
Don't know when I will be able to use this computer again. Hope all is well there. It is really beautiful here. The flight was VERY long, This is a LONG way from home but we are excited to be here.
Love, Mom and Dad
We have been treated wonderfully. Even got a cake with candle's for my birthday in our house to be. The place we are staying in now is really beautiful. Large patio overlooks the gardens and pool. They gave us the mastersuite which is wonderful. Bob is leaving on Tues. and will be gone for a month so Miriam wanted company. Bob worked for Health Rider when Gary Steven's company took it over. He is great. They took us to Mission Beach last night. We went to a Mexican restaurant. It was almost OK.
We still don't have a car to drive (It is scary to drive in this traffic on the wrong side of the road. It is even scary to be a pedistrian. Dad and I took a rather long walk to the beach, mall and back. I made him bring be home for awhile to recover. Think I got heat stroke and a huge sunburn. Since I have to accompany him everywhere we are waiting for me to recover before venturing out to the grocery store which is about a block away but have to cross three interesting intersections to get there. Pedestrians do not have any rights here so you have to really watch out---especially when they come from the wrong way.
Well, Dad is watching Bollywood. Can't understand a word so guess I will go rescue him.
Don't know when I will be able to use this computer again. Hope all is well there. It is really beautiful here. The flight was VERY long, This is a LONG way from home but we are excited to be here.
Love, Mom and Dad
2nd Letter from Mom Friday, March 7th
We do not have our church (LDS) sign ons yet and do not have our cell phone either or car for that matter. Dad about killed me today with our 'little' walk. Made him bring me home instead of going to the grocery store thinking I would just send him later. He then informs me that he can't go without me as we are partners---so after a short nap and recovery I went to the store with him. Of couse we were thirsty by this time so bought lots of drinks etc. and then remembered we were on foot and had to haul it all back. Needless to say we are learning. Won't do that one again. Have now washed for the week and ironed everything that got mashed during the trip too.
We had 'scotch' steaks for dinner that weren't bad. Everything is horrible expensive.l tried to buy eye shadow at the mall. When I ask the clerk how much it cost she said $80.00. A turkey roast --like in the cardboard box---that is $3.99 at home is $29.99 here. Needless to say we won't be having turkey. Avacados are a bargain though at $.69 each.
Trip here was long to say the least. In SLC when we were supposed to be boarding they put up a notice that our flight was 'indefinitely delayed'. They eventually found us a plane that we could use so we were only 1 1/2 hour late on arrival to LA. Our flight was great 777 that had tall ceilings etc. We were 3 abreast but the lady in the aisle was a tour leader for NZ so she kept leaving her seat to visit her group. They served us a wonderful dinner and then good breakfast at 5.a.m. nz time. Turpins met us at the airport, took us to Langfords so we could unpack and then picked us up for a trip to the office to meet lots of people etc. The thing here is to keep you awake all day til at least 8 p.m so that the jet log is ok. They had dinner for us with Landfords and produced a birthday cake. We actually lasted til 9:30 and had a great nights sleep.
Landfords are out now keeping their friend from the states up till he can go to bed. We are being picked up tomorrow (Sunday) at 9:10 for a trip up the coast to the ward we are assigned to attend. It is the Hibicus Ward. Our bishop and two councilors all work in the area church office building with us. Our stake president is our immediate boss and his office is next to ours. Erik, the executive secretary to the mission is from your stake--at least he attends that building where we went to chruch with you. He is Bro. Rouche--been a temple president etc. His favorite mission was being exec. sec,. to the mission president in Hong Kong. He is arranging the family home evening group that we attend to go to dinner on Monday. Pres. Condie is in that group too. So life is interesting.,
Love Mom and Dad. p.s. e-mail us!
We had 'scotch' steaks for dinner that weren't bad. Everything is horrible expensive.l tried to buy eye shadow at the mall. When I ask the clerk how much it cost she said $80.00. A turkey roast --like in the cardboard box---that is $3.99 at home is $29.99 here. Needless to say we won't be having turkey. Avacados are a bargain though at $.69 each.
Trip here was long to say the least. In SLC when we were supposed to be boarding they put up a notice that our flight was 'indefinitely delayed'. They eventually found us a plane that we could use so we were only 1 1/2 hour late on arrival to LA. Our flight was great 777 that had tall ceilings etc. We were 3 abreast but the lady in the aisle was a tour leader for NZ so she kept leaving her seat to visit her group. They served us a wonderful dinner and then good breakfast at 5.a.m. nz time. Turpins met us at the airport, took us to Langfords so we could unpack and then picked us up for a trip to the office to meet lots of people etc. The thing here is to keep you awake all day til at least 8 p.m so that the jet log is ok. They had dinner for us with Landfords and produced a birthday cake. We actually lasted til 9:30 and had a great nights sleep.
Landfords are out now keeping their friend from the states up till he can go to bed. We are being picked up tomorrow (Sunday) at 9:10 for a trip up the coast to the ward we are assigned to attend. It is the Hibicus Ward. Our bishop and two councilors all work in the area church office building with us. Our stake president is our immediate boss and his office is next to ours. Erik, the executive secretary to the mission is from your stake--at least he attends that building where we went to chruch with you. He is Bro. Rouche--been a temple president etc. His favorite mission was being exec. sec,. to the mission president in Hong Kong. He is arranging the family home evening group that we attend to go to dinner on Monday. Pres. Condie is in that group too. So life is interesting.,
Love Mom and Dad. p.s. e-mail us!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Mom's Birthday
Here are the few pictures that I was able to take from our celebration of Mom's Birthday.
Waiting for Mom to blow out the candle
Happy Daniel :D
Sad Daniel :( I don't remember what set this one off, but it was entertaining since he was faking most of it.
Happy Birthday Grandma!!!
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