Mission Journal 1 April 1991 - December 1991

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25th April MTC
8th May Elder David McKay, Henderson
1st July Elder Brett Harmon, Whangarei
21st October Elder Brendan Price, Whangarei
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Please remember that I was 18 when I wrote most of this so don’t be too hard on my grammar or lack of writing style. (I barely passed school certificate English)
I have left the Journal largely unedited only adding in clarifying information, and although I wrote it to be read it could be quite hard to read because I refer to so many people without giving a full background on my relationship to them. Hopefully there will be enough themes and consistency of major players that it will be both enjoyable and uplifting to read.

Email me to let me know what you think.

Introduction

This is now the eight volume in my collection of Journals which have spanned my life for the past five years in which I’ve tried to write that which is uplifting and teaching in the hope that you are better than I.

In this particular volume I proceed to give an account of my ministering among my people, my labour in the Auckland New Zealand Mission. I endeavour to write a full account of this very special time of my life and since I feel a part of me is lot because I wrote very little in 1990, I have a greater determination to do better.

In previous journals I have used thoughts as guiding statements for that particular time. For this one, I have chosen this thought:

I desire to serve better, to make others feel good about themselves for I have learnt through sand and joyous experience that this is the only way I can be happy.

I hope that as you read this you may know of my great love for you and my great love for my Lord and heavenly father, and that maybe through this your love and testimony will be increased. Please read this with your heart as I truly wrote it with mine. May you be guided by the Holy Spirit in all things and I would that you remember my special motto:

I’ll pick up right where I left off and, as I have been without a new journal for a week, I will first recap.

Wednesday, 10th April

Today was my first day of freedom. No longer would I be working for Bob or ‘The Better Welding Company’.

I dropped Mum at school so I could have the car and then a little later I dropped around to Huia’s place. We picked up Anna and together the three of us went shopping. It was the first time I’d been shopping in one and a half years, ever since I went to Dubai and Sydney. It was good fun. I got shirts and ties and lots of knickknacks. Huia and Anna were buzzing about all the great clothes for men. It was funny.

I dropped Huia off at her place at 4 and went to meet Shar at Open all Hours café. It was really good seeing her – I hadn’t seen her since her birthday. She was as lovely as ever. We talked for a while and I gave her a lift to her next appointment. She’s got the greatest eyes - whenever she looks at me, I just melt. It’s beautiful; a man could fall in love quite easily.

In the evening I had my institute class which was neat, my second to last Mission prep class. Popped in quickly to see Phillip and Rachel before returning home.

Thursday, 11th April

After yet another long sleep-in, I managed to motivate myself to got to Newtown to pick up James Aporo whom I met at the institute last night. He seemed like a neat guy and since he wasn’t working I thought he might like to come with us. Showed him a cool second hand clothing store where he got himself a suit and I picked up some ties. Met Anna and Huia and we went to town again shopping, but I didn’t get anything else. We were pretty tired by the time we finished though.

Went to the Institute in the evening, which was really good again. Brother Hague is a really good teacher and his Book of Mormon classes are quite thought provoking. Of course afterward Chris [Broczek], James and I ventured upstairs and spent some time with our family before going to get ‘Die Hard 2’ and a tub of KFC. We had a bit of a farewell party for Anna at Huia’s place. We watched the movie, ate heaps with all the chicken and ice cream and cake which we had prepared. It was a really cool evening.

We were most full and also tired by the time we left about 12:30 – got to bed at 1am.

Friday, 12th April

Spent the whole morning writing letters to all the crew in Sydney, i.e. Jenny, Karen, Michelle, Shar, Ronette and Chantelle – it took me hours. Got to the airport and spent a little time with Shar and her family. It was quite neat. For my farewell present to her I sang ‘Flying’. It was really cool and very touching. She left without very many tears so it was a pretty painless goodbye. John and Heather came around afterwards to my house for a drink, which was good, and I spent the rest of the afternoon having a snooze.

After I picked up Mum for dinner, Chris, her and I sped out to Paraparaumu to the Berend's place. We had a lovely meal then Richard, Chris and I went to the beach. We met a few of Richard’s friends and stood around the fire talking for a few hours. We had a lot to catch up on. It was good being together for the last real time. Richard and Chris are seriously thinking of going on a mission.

Richard came back with us to Wellington and stayed at Chris’s house the night – we got back fairly late. The farewells have now started.

Saturday, 13th April

Was up early busily preparing the house for a coat of paint. Elder Lambert and his companion the District Leader came around for correlation meeting. They soon left and I was onto sanding down and painting. James, Phillip, Chris and Richard all came around although we didn’t get a whole lot done as we talked most the time. John rang up for us to go roller blading. We didn’t go with him but we did go to see him and I took a few photos of his jumps and stunts.

Richard hitched home and the rest of us went to the Ward activity and potluck dinner. It went well. I performed a few times with Richard Smith, James and once on my own. It was quite funny. There was a lot of participation and it even dragged a little, but we had a great feed. All the missionaries were there and we had a net time talking.

I found out later it was supposed to also be a farewell for me. However, I had told them I wasn’t going to be here for it. But I didn’t mind.

Got home quite late after a long day.

Sunday, 14th April

I got to speak in sacrament this morning. I spent a few hours preparing a talk on my preparation, my testimony and service. I think I will record it here as it is a nice talk and also it gives a good understanding o myself and how it is that I am what I am.

For all my life I have been a bit of a rebel, i.e., I hated conformity and disliked following trends because I did not like others dictating my life, my actions, and my feelings. I wanted to know that what I was doing was the best thing for me. Like Robert Frost, I would travel the path less travelled by. I wanted to know for myself.

It’s the same with a testimony of the Gospel; sooner or later you have to find out for yourself whether the things you are doing are right for you personally. You can’t lean on your friends and family forever. Yet the way to build a testimony is very easy. All you have to do is live the laws and realise if it is right for you by the blessings or cursings you get. I chose to keep the Work of Wisdom. As a result, I have no health problems and, best of all, I’m not subject to all the massive struggles we had in our house because of alcohol. I know that keeping the Word of Wisdom is the best for me. I pay my tithing and have little financial worry. Likewise, I read the scriptures and understand people better and have better relationships. I serve and I have people who love me. D&C 130:20-21. I have a testimony of all these things, they work for me. I get happiness doing them and from doing them.

After all, Faith precedes the miracle, whereas many would have the blessing before the sacrifice. This is why a testimony is so important – when you know for yourself something is right for you, who can persuade you otherwise? Not even your best friend can make you think your shirt is green if you can see it’s blue.

A testimony of the Gospel is made up from many testimonies of the truthfulness of lots of Gospel principles. No-one expects you to have a testimony of all things straight away but build your testimonies stronger by sharing them with others, confirming your ideas, listening to others, desiring to know more and testing new principles.

I went on to speak a little on service also. Here are the thoughts I used.

John gave an excellent talk as well and I have listed his quote from Spencer W Kimball on service on the first page of this journal.

The rest of the day was rather good and, although it was my last Sunday in the ward, it didn’t seem like I was leaving. After church, I copied out my talk for Sister Samson who remarked that it was the best talk she’d heard in a long time. With appreciation like that I was eager to do all I could for her.

I slept a little after helping make a cake with Mum.

I went over the Chris’s and had a farewell dinner with their family. It was nice.

Went to my temple prep class. It was great. Afterwards I had another farewell with them which ended up including another meeting that was there. Shannon and I had a good talk – I showed her the photos I had taken which had come out great. After dropping Mum off home I went to Chris’s and we talked for ages. I’m really going to miss him. He is the greatest friend I’ve ever had and the most amazing person I’ve ever met. Going to the Auckland Mission is a great blessing, as I think it encourages him more to come as I will be there. I feel really good about my call. We are definitely growing up though – we are talking on very deep subjects these days.

Monday, 15th April

Everybody was around today to work, Chris got the day off work, Phil had school off and James Aporo wanted to help out. Between the four of us we got lots of painting done. It was really cool. The work pile just faded down.

We had a great time doing it. At 1pm we all piled in the car and went to town to go roller blading (my last time). We went with the Elders but had to wait till 3pm for the van. James and I played some great games of table tennis and pool – we were quite evenly matched.

Roller blading was neat. Did more jumps and stunts. One of the Elders, Elder Hadford, had done ice hockey in Canada and so he took to them right way and managed to jump over 9 bins.

After getting home I tripped down the stairs and sprained my ankle quite badly.

In the evening, went to the Schwenkes for dinner and family home evening. It was neat and we talked till after 11pm. I enjoyed spending some time with them.

Tuesday, 16th April

When I woke up I couldn’t stand but I limped around a lot and managed to get Mum to work so I could have the car.

Spent all of the morning in bed as I could do little else. In the afternoon, went with Elder Lambert and Fonnesberg to some teaching appointments of which none came to pass. Disappointing though it was, it was exactly what I expected for my first taste of missionary work.

Went and visited Calvin and Christine while I was there.

On the way home I opened a Post Office cheque account that I would need later.

Picked up Mum and together we went to the chapel. I thought I had an interview but I didn’t so then Mum, Chris and I went to town, picked up Tahei and went to the movies. We wanted to see ‘Dances with Wolves’ but missed out. It was all booked out. So instead we went to see ‘Awakenings’ which I had really wanted to see as I had read the book. The movie was fantastic and related the feeling of the book magnificently. I cried a few times it was so moving. Tahei did too – it was like old times.

Returned home quite late.

Wednesday, 17th April

My ankle was a lot better today and things went well all day. Went to the District Development Meeting with all the missionaries in our ward. It was quite neat. We had a good time going over missionary things and bearing our testimonies.

Went to the Elders Flat and got a goodbye present from Elder Paea, a paisley tie. Gave Sister Sampson the talk from Sunday. She was delighted and gave me a book on seven points of success.

Went to an investigator’s house with Lambert and Fonnesberg but again we didn’t get to teach.

Instead, I went home, prepared a cake and picked up Mum.

We went to the Turners for dinner, which was neat. John and I had a good talk and they gave me a lava lava, shirt and pyjamas.

After dropping Mum at home, I drove to the Institute. My last Mission prep class was good. It was also Jarred’s birthday, which we celebrated – my cake went down well. Got to have a good talk with heaps of the mates, and Russell and Mark gave me heaps of advice,

Saw the Hague Family upstairs for a while also. I think Jarred was quite happy about the night except Bernadette was bringing a cake but couldn’t make it as their car was pulled over.

Thursday, 18th April

Mum took the car this morning so I slept in. Also packed some of my gear and checked off the things I had.

At lunch Mum picked Lisa and me up and took me to town. I wandered around a little and got Chris’s film developed for him.

Went up to Huia’s place. We made a picnic lunch and together went to the Botanical Gardens. It was cool. We talked for ages and then she sang to me which was real special, as no one had ever done that to me before.

Caught a ride home with Mum and soon after took Chris and James to the Institute with me.

Our Book of Mormon class was excellent and I enjoyed it a lot. We had a class party for my farewell that was neat, I got lots of goodbyes.

Upstairs with the Hague Family I got a large goodbye ‘candy bar’ card which was lovely and also a cake and ice cream. I was real thankful to Rachel and Phillip.

Took everyone home and did a little phoning around before I finished off a little more packing.

Friday, 19th April

My last day in Wellington. Mum was to take the car this morning but President Elkington wanted to see me in the morning so I caught a ride into town with Mum and took the car. Met with Pres and had a good talk. Also met Jeremy on the street who I talked with for a while.

Returned home and almost finished off my packing. Chris came over, as there was little work for him to do at his job. We had a neat day. Went into town for a while. Bought a duvet and also went and spent a bit of time with Matthew.

Picked up Mum at her course and came home.

After all my things were packed and I searched hard for my Patriarchal Blessing which I couldn’t find, we left for the bus.

Got lots of goodbyes and many special letters and presents of much love. Rachel and Shannon both gave me loving letters. It was quite easy leaving and I wasn’t sad – I really understand the great friendship Chris and I have too. He is truly my brother. I love him so very much.

Saturday, 20th April

After arriving at the temple at 1am, the busload of people ran to catch the first session. I had to wait around ages and get prepared with interviews and washings and anointings before the second session at 4am. John and Kerry came with me through it all and doing the endowments was quite enjoyable, thought provoking and indeed a wonderful experience. It was not what I expected at all, from the passages I had read in the Bible about temple ordinances. All my great friends were there to greet me, including Lynn and Mum. It was a very special experience.

While everyone did the 6am session Lynn, Mum and I did some family sealings, which was neat.

Had breakfast with the youth of the Wellington wards and then went and brought some gear that I needed.

Saw our entire ward off at the bus and said a simple goodbye to Mum. Met Chris Poipoi who was going in for the 9am session and arranged to meet him later.

Got a ride to the dorms with my suitcases. Aunty had made up a room for me and so I got myself together. Visited a few people before having a quick nap before Chris came back. We visited a few of his friends then headed out to find Anna and Yolander.

It was Anna’s birthday so we stopped to grab some presents and talked for ages. When we finally got to their flat they were waiting. We talked awhile then together went out to Waingaro hot springs after picking up my sister Maria. We had a nice night out and relaxing at the pool. I took my place yet again on the pole and managed to defend my title.

We returned back to Hamilton and gave Anna a big happy birthday dinner at MacDonald’s – which we managed to make a lot of mess doing.

By the end of the night we were all in hysterics and safe in the knowledge that Anna was now twenty.

Chris dropped Maria and I off at home. Back in the dorms and I spent a while talking to Vic Rouse, whom I had been good friends with at school.

Saw Jan too for a little while.

Maria was very upset because she hated the dorms and didn’t want to go back after this weekend.

Sunday, 21st April

Went to my old ward Church College second ward. It was good to see everyone again and spend a bit of time. I miss the Sunday school class I use to teach.

After church I went with Glen O’Brien to his home where Maria was staying. We talked for ages, especially Pauline and I.

Glen and I gave Maria a blessing that she might overcome all the trials and tribulations that might come her way.

Visited the Teios after lunch before returning to school.

Michelle and Karen came and picked me up. It was really good to see them. We talked for ages and laughed a lot. After dinner we just spent time talking and I started playing my guitar – I played a real personal song about all of us, which sent Karen and Michelle into tears. It was so beautiful the spirit was so touching. After lots of hugs I began to reflect how special these girls were to me and how much I love them.

They dropped me back at the dorms, one of the boys was sick so Rueben and I gave him a blessing.

Went and talked with Trevor awhile before retiring for the evening.

Monday, 22nd April

After having a nice sleep in, I got up and did a bit of study. Vik came and got me and together we went to travel into town. Met Uncle and he gave me his car to do an errand for him. So Vik and I trotted into town and I dropped him off at polytech, I went over the Yolander and Anna’s flat – only Anna was there so together we went for a drive into town. We found Vik again and the three of us started shopping together. On the way I picked up Riki and managed to see heaps of my friends, ie Jacinda, Sherena, Berty, Malcolm, Hisi and Lucy.

Vik went back to poly. I took Anna home – visited my favourite photo lab.

Went to visit the West’s but no one was home so I went to see the Ballard’s, and talked with Ollie and my dear friend Rachel. She’s engaged to Phillip Sitene – we had lots to talk about. Peni-Rachel took us up to school and I caught a ride to the Rurus with Brother Ruru.

I had a great dinner with the Ruru's. It was especially nice to spend time with Rebecca.

In the latter part of the evening I visited with the Ramdens and even got a box of 8 Book of Mormons with their testimonies to give out on my mission.

Tuesday, 23rd April

I got up fairly early and went to the 9:15 session at the temple, which was rather nice. Sister O’Brien (Pauline) came through with me and we talked quite a bit.

I went with her home. On the way we stopped off at Lavina’s house to get Pauline’s baby. We stayed for lunch and played around with a special computer for the blind, which they had.

Pauline took me out in the afternoon down the road where I visited Sister West and put in my suits for dry cleaning, and got some ice cream.

I was searching around after school for a ride to Te Rapa but although I managed to reacquaint with my old friends I couldn’t find one. So Michelle came and picked me up – we got tickets for tonight’s movie.

At their house I cooked them all, my favourite chicken dish – Al Shar – which they thoroughly enjoyed and the four of us, i.e., Michelle, Karen, Eldon and I went to ‘Dances with Wolves’.

Saw Alys there and had a good chat. The movie was excellent, I loved it. At the end I cried it was so touching as ‘Wind in his Hair’ was saying goodbye to his friend who was leaving. ‘Don’t you know I’m your friend?’ ‘Don’t you know I’ll always be your friend’?

When they dropped me off back at the dorm I really didn’t want to go – it’s a good thing that life is eternal though.

I spent a lot of time once I got back to write my journal and read some scriptures. I caught the vision tonight of why a journal is so important. The Mulekites of Old had no records to preserve their history and dealings with God and so dwindled in unbelief. Whereas, the Nephites were uplifted and kept by the knowledge of their forefathers and the Lord. So it is with our own selves. If we keep a record of our dealings with God through the building experience of life, so we will be strengthened by our own knowledge and slow to forget the great blessings and testaments wrought in our lives.

After all, ‘Much of what we now regard as scripture was not anything more or less than men writing of their own spiritual experiences for their posterity. These scriptures are family records. Therefore as a people we ought to write of our own lives and our own experiences to form a sacred record for our descendents.’ (Theodore M Burton, Ensign, January 1977, p17).

Spencer W Kimball said:

‘This is what the Lord commanded, and those who keep a personal journal are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives.’

A journal has always helped me – I know that it is right for me to do.

Wednesday, 24th April

Because I was up so late, last night I woke up just after 9 and so was too late to catch the morning session at the temple, which I was supposed to do with Sister Teio.

Instead I visited Yana in the shop at school and after helping her serve at morning interval, we got Api’s van and I drove us into town. We went to lunch at the Chinosory, which was a lovely Chinese smorgasbord.

I found out Yana knew Chris very well and also Yolander. So after returning to school so Yana could do the shop and picking up her sister’s little boy from school, we went for a drive to see them.

Yolander and Anna weren’t home when we got there but met them coming back from shopping. We had a good chat about everything and I found we had a lot of good friends in common. It’s amazing me being 18 knowing all these older people who in turn know all these other people I know. Gee life is small in the gospel – in fact NZ is small. Yana and I had a good talk and back in temple view I managed to get around and see the Teio's and West’s with Vik. Plus visited Karyn, Berty and Cindy in their flat. We played cards for ages, watched TV and I met a neat guy from Rotorua who Chris had told me about, Joseph Bock. We planned to go to the temple together tomorrow.

Thursday, 25th April

The big day the day I start my mission. Had a great spiritual day today. Joseph Bock and I went to the temple and had a great time. It was neat going through with him. We talked and discussed a lot. I really enjoyed myself.

We had lunch in the temple then went up to school. I showed him around a little and said goodbye.

Met up with Vik and borrowed Gladys’ car to get some money. Tried to see Jay Templeton but he wasn’t there. Saw Lorena and met her boyfriend Howard. Went to visit Ingrid as well but no one was there either. Luckily she was at school when I got back along with Patu Darren Gilbert, Peni-Rachel, and Mia Whanga – so I got to say my goodbyes to them as well.

Met one of the other missionaries, Elder Lemafa. Paid my money for registration and moved my stuff into Taylor dorm. After dinner I met all the other missionaries, Sisters Melekini, Beake, Blaich, Olevaeo and Elders Fazakerley, Lemafa and my companion Elder Farani. We had a short orientation then went to the Visitors Centre and matched ideas.

‘But the best by far of all the missionaries in this MTC of New Zealand is none other, no sorry you are wrong, it’s not Elder Cherian, but me, Sister Blaich. But to be modest Elder Cherian is really an unreal District Leader and will serve well in his field. But Sister Blaich rules!’

PS: Got set apart by President Hirschi and the Elders with Maria and Yana present.

Friday, 26th April

Today was great. We had President and Sister Hirschi most of the day and went over some really neat things.

We talked about the plan of salvation, the purpose of missionary work and our role in that plan. Got to know a bit more about each of the missionaries, i.e. Sister Olevao is from Tonga going to Perth Mission, Sister Blaich is from Melbourne going to Brisbane, Sister Melekini is from Fiji going back to Fiji, Sister Beake is from Perth going to Brisbane, Elder Fazakerley is from Wanganui and is coming with me along with Elder Farani from American Samoa, Elder Lemafa from Auckland is going to Brisbane.

After a great day of learning and being spiritually uplifted just being together, we had cause to relax and so we got a basketball and played three on three with Terefi and another friend.

Got to bed at our designated time of 10:30.

I could really feel the spirit working amongst us. Sister Blaich has a great talent for playing the piano so at every opportunity we try to sing which invites the spirit well.

Saturday, 27th April

Today was an excellent day. We all had a really good time learning and expanding on many gospel principles. It was fascinating and also very enlightening.

We studied over 3 Nephi Chapter 11 and Moroni 10:3-5 which was helpful. Had a few lessons on discussions presentation ‘Helping others feel and recognise the spirit’.

In the evening we had an excellent attribute lesson on ‘Personal Righteousness’. It really made me think about my sad state of affairs and what I needed to do. One thing that stuck out in my mind was President Mann who said: ‘I’m going to ask you two questions, and the answer to the second question will give your true answer to the first: Do you love Jesus Christ? Have you fully repented of all your sins?’

I got the assignment to conduct sacrament meeting tomorrow so I gave out assignments and also studied up to give a good welcome to sacrament.

Sister Blaich gave a good though which I want to include here:

Your are the creator of your own universe

For as a human being you are free

To will whatever state of being your desire

through the use of your thoughts and words

Ah! there is great power there!

It can be a blessing or a curse

It is entirely up to you!

For the quality of your life is brought about

by the quality of your thoughts, i.e. your thinking

think about that.

Sunday, 28th April

We got off to a bad start this morning because the Elders were late to set up. President was not pleased. He was even less pleased when the sisters didn’t turn up on time for the meeting. You could feel the uneasiness – I wanted us to start off on the right foot thought and I gave an introduction to the sacrament by reading from John chapter 6 verses 33-35 and 47-58 which is an excellent account of what the sacrament is all about and why it is so important. I realised this was the fist time I had been in a meeting with ten people, and that same specialness that existed when Christ administered to his Apostles, we might be able to glimpse on because of the numbers and spirit in our meeting.

All went well and everyone gave good informational talks. My companion Elder Farani conducted priesthood and we did a lot of ordinance work.

In the afternoon Phillip Smiler gave a great lesson on Christ’s atonement and really hit home the importance of his sacrifice. We also learnt about the law of justice and mercy and how they fitted in and how wonderful they are. President interviewed us and I was unsure about things so I took time out to think.

We watched a couple of talks from conference which I took notes and will include when I have seen all the talks and can write them together.

Us Elders got in late to the evening class so we all made a covenant not to be late again.

Monday, 29^th April

Had another good day today, learning many things with our group is really neat and work well together. Elder Farani and I are District leaders for the Nephi District incorporating Sisters Blaich and Olevao. Today was our districts turn to run devotional. Sister Blaich did it and did a great job. She’s a neat leader.

We read a lot and discussed heaps and just sharing made the day very enjoyable. President gave a great lesson on the fall and atonement in preparation for our Temple Session in the morning.

We had a good family home evening and games session, we went over good attributes.

After supper the boys in the dorm did a haka to us, which was great. I spoke a little and we sung a song ‘Trying to be little Jesus’ back to them.

My conscience was pricked all yesterday and today because I didn’t feel I’d truly repented of all my sins - so I had a talk to President and told him all about it. We reasoned together, and sorted it all out. Afterward I felt really good, my burdens were lifted and even more specially I gained a full remission of my sins - I think I understand how it could be like D&C 110:5 ‘Behold your sins are forgiven you, you are clean before me, therefore lift up your heads and rejoice’. It does happen! I rejoiced all night, I was so happy and the spirit was with me it was great - I would be a fool not to take advantage of the saviour’s sacrifice not to mention ungrateful. Repenting is a necessary and regular part of our church lives. ‘This ye may know if a man repenteth for he shall confess his sins and forsake them’.

Tuesday, 30^th April

I was so excited today that I woke up super early to get ready. We had breakfast early and quickly went up to the temple - it was to be Sister Beakes and Melekini’s first time so we were all excited. We didn’t catch the first session instead we did some other work in the Temple, and then did a session.

It was fantastic. I felt so incredible and wonderful. I have never enjoyed myself more in the temple before. I wished we could have stayed longer there and just soaked up the atmosphere, but we had to rush out so we could be on time for lunch.

After lunch we did a little class work then went and played basketball for a couple of hours.

In the evening we did a lot of class work. Just generally had a great time.

Wednesday, 1^st May

Another good day. We did a lot of scripture study, had a good time - Sister Olevao had the turn of conductor which she did really well and made a good spiritual impact on the class. I gave the opening thought on my favourite scripture John 16:33 about how we could find comfort in the fact that Christ overcame the world and wouldn’t want us to do anything He wouldn’t first do. For example, I used His mission and that He gave a tithing on his time just like he asks us to give a tithing on our time, i.e. Jesus served His mission 3 years when he 30 and we at 20 serve 2 years.

Had a good lesson on charity from Elder Randell. Saw my sister again also had a big feed of KFC and greasies care of Elder Lemafa’s family and some friends i.e. Sheryl.

Thursday, 2^nd May

Today we got tired pretty quickly going over the discussions again and again made the classes a bit monotonous - to relieve the drone and also bad role-plays, those whom I worked with just went over the discussion on a discussion level sharing ideas rather than a missionary/investigator staged discussion. Sister Beake and I got on better doing that, than pretending. It was more rewarding as well because we learnt all of the material better as well learnt about each other’s views.

In the evening after singing heaps which we all did a lot of Elder Lemafa and I went to the weight room and did a bit of exercise. It was good. I hadn’t done a lot for ages. By the time we got back however, we were very very tired and so crashed early.

Friday, 3^rd May

A fairly good day today - everything went well and we still learnt heaps however we were rather tired about going over the discussions again but the thought of tracting tomorrow spurred us on a bit - we tried door approaches and a little bit of teaching but it only served to make me a bit more scared about going out tomorrow. My companion was feeling worse. We went over the first discussion several times but because he is so limited in his English he doesn’t really understand exactly what he is teaching. It’s only words and phrases he’s repeating.

We planned to go over it in our evening study time. Viviana and Vik came over and so together with them, my companion and myself went for a small drive.

Saturday, 4^th May

Today I started off scared. I think the rest of the class felt much the same way. We went over some book of Mormon readings and some discussions but the thought of tracting was the thing that obsessed my mind. Even though I didn’t feel very confident, I tried to boost the class up. My companion was a bit uneasy too so when we got dropped off in Melville we were very unprepared. However, the Lord was very merciful to us and on the first house we had a really good talk to a nice old lady who we got on well with. Even the next house we met a nice guy who we talked to for ages. He showed us a little rope trick, which we could use to interest people on our travels. We then went to a member’s family and practised the first discussion on them. Then tried our luck again at tracting, we got knocked back several times but mostly in a nice way. Just before we finished we met a rather interesting lady who was into spiritual healing by the laying on of hands. We couldn’t get away from her. She wanted to talk all day but we finally met back up with President Hirschi who took us back.

At the Missionary Training Centre we related experiences that were all very positive not negative as we had all thought - so we were much happier. We enjoyed a good night and after class sang several songs together to celebrate our good day.

Back at the dorm we had a few visitors and a few treats.

Sunday, 5^th May

We went to church at Templeview 2^nd ward today, which was good. I felt like I was kind of home as I had been there many times before - it was fast and testimony meeting which was neat. Sister Olevao and Elder Farani both spoke which put such a nice spirit on the meeting.

After church we watched another conference session and then had another great lesson on the Saviour. Matthew Johnston came and visited me, which was neat. Did a bit of study with my companion and went over the commitments in the discussions. In the evening, had a good lesson about the Holy ghost, its interesting to note that when we are worthy, we have a member of the Godhead, directing us, no wonder we are filled with so much joy - conference thoughts.

Bless with necessity and comfort.
Dean L Larson

Prosperity and riches blunt reason.
F Burton Howard

We should look to ourselves repentance comes first with recognising.

Unless we do we may not get onto the right path.

You cannot justify a wrong doing because of the end.

We are employed by the means we use.

The sweet peace of the gospel doesn’t come when we justify our deeds.

How we respond is the real measure of our thoughts and intentions.

See yourself as you really are and repent accordingly.

The family is patterned after our heavenly family.
Dalin Oakes

Greatest expressions of joy/pain are in the family.

Children obey your parents in all righteous things. Emulate your parent’s great attributes.

Nothing we can give is greater than appreciation and following their counsel in righteousness.

Give parents the care they deserve, hide not from thy own flesh.

Institutional care is mostly physical we need the spiritual as well.

Then may your days be long in the land because your children will see your good example and you too will be looked after.

Safer than a light, greater than a know way - Jesus Christ’s hand.

Thomas S Monson

Violence is not strength, compassion is not weakness.

The welcome home of the heart.

Fear of failure blocked the view of love.

Where I am, there may you be also.

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy will come with the morning.

Howard H Hunter

Once we accept Christ as divine so the Father we find is just as personal.

The Lord corrects those whom He loves.

Henry B Eyring

Give the Lord, kindness to His children.

Draw close to God; know the Master through your service.

Mosiah 5:12-13

Saviour the goodness, mortality is paved with thorns.

Worse than sin is denial of sin.

How can Jesus work in our life if there is no repentance?

Remove obstacles by praying for those that hate us.

We sow the seeds of unhappiness by flirting with temptation.

Conscience strengthens through use.

Hebrews 5:14

A sensitive conscience is a sign of a healthy spirit.

Begin with ourselves, seek the master for relief.

Keep a goal in sight even as Jesus did.

Lead righteous and diligent lives.

‘If any man should follow me, deny thyself, take up your cross daily.’

2 Timothy 2:21

What we can do is not as important as what the Lord can do through us.

Russel M Nelson

We do more good by listening.

Ruling children by force is the design of Satan.

The time to listen is when someone needs to be heard.

When they don’t deserve favour is when they need favour most.

Learn and listen - listen to learn.

Take time to keep communication intact.

Time and commitment is a display of love in partners.

Light shines from a disciplined conscience.

Listen obediently.

We do not lack a prophet but a listening ear.

Harken means to listen and obey.

Listening is an important part of prayer.

2 Nep 28:30

Incline your ear to one that hears and your soul will be blessed.

Ezra Taft Benson

The price of peace is righteousness.

Develop attributes that foster the development of peace.

Prayer - keep in close touch with our heavenly father.

Boyd K Packer

No room for feelings of guilt - affliction comes to the innocent.

The cruelty is more terrible because its abuse is non-deserved.

Don’t amuse yourself at the expense of others.

Hear the spirit by erasing loneliness sooth the spirit locked in a twisted shell.

Innocence is restrained in the physical form.

You are living the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its pure form as so brings perfection when you unselfishly care for the wounded in body.

Sympathy is low on nourishment.

The works of God will be manifested in your lives through service.

After tribulation cometh blessings.

Give hours, time, money to those who care for such unselfishly.

Have you had a kindness shown?
Pass it on.
Twas not given for thee alone
Pass it on
Let it travel down the years
Let it wipe another’s tears
Till in heaven the deed appears
Pass it on.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
‘Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown.’
And he replied:
‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.’
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.

The miracle of forgiveness.

Monday, 6^th May

Today was fairly exciting especially as we had the school assembly in the morning.

As we walked up the road that great feeling started to surge and as I walked down the isle with everyone standing to greet us the spirit was strong. I had been in these missionary assembles over a hundred times, but this time I was the one who was going on a mission. It was really humbling to be able to stand in front of my family and friends now as a Missionary.

Elder Fazakerley spoke first giving a great account of his conversation and how his friends influenced him for good. Sister Beake spoke on daring to be different standing up for what you believe in.

Then I spoke - it was good. I could have talked for ages. I talked directly at them about how important a testimony is and how to develop one and best of all I told them I loved them.

We sung the missionary melody and through the crowd we walked out, it was neat.

The rest of the day went well - Lavina asked for a blessing and so just before dinner my companion and I gave her one.

In the evening we got a great lesson on Joseph Smith, which showed the unique great man that he was.

Back in the dorm we had a few visitors before getting to bed.

Tuesday, 7^th May

Our last day in the MTC we had a nice morning going over the scriptures. After lunch we went to the temple, it was beautiful. We all took through names of Sister Melekini’s family. President took us on a tour of the Temple including all the sealing rooms and the baptismal font. We ended off our time in the Temple by watching sealing’s that Sister Melekini had submitted.

We returned to the dorms and did most of our packing. It was strange to be leaving so soon.

After dinner we all met for our testimony meeting. All the sisters started crying even before we started and even I was a little teary eyed. Because there were eight of us it went very fast but the spirit was very strong. I sung Flying to them acarpellous (I wasn’t allowed the guitar). It was nice. Because we had shared so much and grown immensely together, we were all very close. President and Sister Hirsche spoke and gave us a few pointers then we sung together for ages and had a small supper.

Said goodbye to my sister with Yana, she cried. They even gave my companion and I lolly leis and a present (alarm clock).

Jason and Alys came to see me off with Paul, Larissa, and Viviana, it was neat.

Wednesday, 8^th May

Yana wrote to me .. to my favour rebel…

I love you in big ways
I love you in small ways
I love you now and
I’ll love you always..
I’m so glad we’re friends

… may God go with you, for it is certain I love you, am proud of you and am honoured to know you.

No goodbyes please.. for we shall meet again.

The card she wrote on stated:

Thank you for your gift Of listening and loving And being there for me When I need someone Thank you for the rainbows You help me find In tear drops or sunshine Whichever may come Of all life’s professions The calling of a friend Is most difficult to be Thank you for managing it So beautifully
Marshall Newman

We left early soon after breakfast. Some of the girls, Nicky, Clare and a couple of others sang me a song goodbye, it was very touching.

Helena gave me a kiss goodbye and all of us missionaries with President and Sister Hirschi said a prayer.

We all jumped into the van and headed off. We sung along the way heaps, which lifted the spirit greatly.

We arrived at the airport and said our small goodbyes. Elders Farani, Fazakerley and I met President and Sister Lloyd, our mission leaders before travelling with the assistants to meet with President Lloyd at the Mission office.We had all our interviews and finance direction. Since $500 a month is provided by myself and my family the General Mission Fund is giving me $97 a month to bring me up to the American Elders amount.

The three of us were provided with brand new sparkling 12 speed mountain bikes for two years and we rode around the corner to the Mission Home.

We had a nice lunch and then an orientation with our companions. Mine was David McKay who is originally from Strathmore Wellington and lived a couple of streets over from where I now live. (his family now resides in Utah) He was also good friends with Michelle and Karen. I met my zone leader Elders Andrew and Marble, and also Elder Madison (also from Wellington) who wanted a photo of Anna.

Got dropped off at our flat in Glendene (Henderson) Auckland. Had dinner with our landlords upstairs, a nice non-member couple and then tried to have an early night.

Thursday, 9^th May

I spent most of today getting the feel of everything. McKay’s bike tyre was flat so we walked the whole day. I didn’t really know where I was most of the day. Met a few people, lots of callbacks. Did a lot of revising on my first discussion. Visited Jim who we will be teaching on Monday. He was really nice.

Had dinner at the Barlows which was very nice - gave one of the sisters there a blessing. In the evening we visited a few less activities.

Wrote Chris a letter and realised it was mother’s day as well on Sunday so I wrote Mum a letter.

Friday, 10^th May

We started the day off by doing a service project with Mr Lyes, Sister Patterson’s spouting she was quite pleased about that.

In the afternoon I visited the Swan family and had a good chat with Brother Swan about cameras, a few hours about genealogy. Had dinner at the Emerson’s where I got to meet the other two Elders who are also serving in Glendene ward, Elder Prouting and Gerhard, Greg an AOG and met Dane Purkis one of the Strother family members.

Saturday, 11^th May

Spent a bit of time tracting today. We did brains Road but it wasn’t very productive. We only got one call back - Fred Hummond after we had talked to him half an hour.

We visited Mrs Cook whose son Greg was interested. He wasn’t home but we had a good talk to her, she was a designer.

Visited a couple of people before going to the Millers for dinner. That was quite fun, we had some good talks.

Got home early tonight to go over planning for the next week and do our stats on our effectiveness.

Sunday, 12^th May

My first day at church. It was Mother’s Day today and there was a special fast and testimony meeting. It was so lovely; I had the desire to bear my testimony however got cut off because of time. Luckily the Bishop in his wisdom got me to say the prayer, so I didn’t feel too silly. Met lots of the ward and there were a few familiar faces.

Had a correlation (mission work) meeting with Kim (stake missionary) and various other leaders in the ward.

In the evening Elder McKay and I wrote Mothers Day cards to some of the single mothers in the ward and delivered them.

Monday, 13^th May

Had a bit of a sleep in, as we were quite tired.

Glen came and picked us up and we went to the chapel.

Played a few games of basketball of which I didn’t do too well, but had a good run and sweat.

We returned back to the flat, did cleaning, washing, wrote letters and cooked up a great pizza c/- the West family.

We had a marvellous dinner at Bishop Hakaraia’s which unfortunately we had to rush off quickly afterwards to get to our appointment with the Komenes. They had some great news. They had been to Hamilton, had seen the temple and went through the visitors centre - they loved and really felt the spirit. They were so eager to hear the second discussion and wanted to know about baptism.

The discussion went great, the spirit flowed and for my first teaching experience, it was the greatest. They sat on the edge wanting to hear more. They appreciated the love of the saviour for them and when Elder McKay talked about baptism the spirit was strong so he asked then if they would be baptised. They agreed and we set a date for 9^th June. It was fantastic afterwards. We had supper pigs’ brawn (head) and Milo before returning to the flat overwhelmed and overjoyed.

Tuesday, 14^th May

Spent all day visiting. Saw Jim, he was doing well at not smoking which was neat.

Went to do a bit of tracting but my companion was not well so we saw a few people before returning to the flat. Elder McKay had a sleep and I did a little reading.

We had dinner at the Blakely’s, which was very nice, talked a lot to Edwin Blakely who had been on a mission in Wellington. He offered to dry-clean our suits, and gave us some ingredients for a meal he use to prepare on his mission. Met Jesse Skeen who served in Wellington also and knew my mum and sister well.

We came home early because Elder McKay didn’t feel well and while he slept, Brian (an old friend from school living close by) came over and we talked heaps about missions and old times and friends. He’s put off his mission for his family. The lack of his family support isn’t helping either. It’s easy to motivate him but the long lasting impression and commitment is up to him. I know he’s finding it hard.

As for myself I’m just loving life. I’m finally able to combine my favourite past times and devote all day to them i.e. eating, meeting people, service, strengthening old friendships and developing new ones and best of all I get to share the gospel, make others happy and have the Lord work through my hands, I even have a companion to do it with.

Wednesday, 15^th May

This morning after our studying Elders Andrus, Marble and Sisters' Dalton and Schwalger picked us up for our Zone Development Meeting. It was so much fun it was unreal. I must have laughed till I cried a few times. It was also motivational and even spiritual towards the end. We learnt and grew together. Elder Wheelright gave an excellent presentation on the nature of God and how the honour we give Him gives Him His power D&C 29:36 - which is an important leadership skill. Power is honour. Which means you have to serve those you are in charge of i.e. ‘he that is greatest among you, let him be your servant.’

The sisters also gave a good presentation about personal righteousness and about how important it is in our lives.

In the afternoon we helped Mr Lyes with his balcony railing stripping and scraping the paint off. It took us a few hours but it was a job well done. Mr Lyes was as thankful as ever.

We had dinner at the Fishers, which was quite nice.

Warwick picked us up to go on a ward trade off with the young adults. It was cancelled so we went out with him to visit his inactive homes. He told us he had met Kirsty and Nic Dunlop in the temple this last Friday. He was surprised I knew them but I haven’t met them.

Thursday, 16th May

Had a neat experience this morning. Went to visit Amanda. She was so nice and so glad to see us. Found out her daughter Selina, who is a member, went to Church College in 1988 the same as I. We talked to Amanda a bit and the spirit was strong so we gave her a book of Mormon and committed her to read.

Visited the Swans and did a bit of bike maintenance with Brother Swan. We spent quite a bit of time fixing things up - then as Elder McKay hopped on his bike, his pedal fell off. So we borrowed one of the Swans’ cycles.

We gathered silver beet out of Bill and Leitha's garden to give away, and brought a pair of pedals. We delivered the beet to Jim and Judith’s, then Amanda’s and stopped and visited with Corimandals. Met one of their nieces who knew Janine Compton. Talked a while with the mother and finished off watching ‘Honey I shrunk the kids’ with the children.

Went to the Swans for dinner, which was neat, had a really nice time with them.

Taught Jim and Judith the 3^rd discussion - it went okay but I didn’t feel the spirit quite as strong but they were excited and really wanted to come to church on Sunday.

Friday, 17^th May

The Zone leaders wanted us to teach someone in their area so we went down the road to Henderson to meet them. The people we went to teach were away for a couple of weeks so we returned to our area, just in time for lunch.

In the afternoon we went to tract Barrys Road. We started knocking at every house but our lack of success prompted us to try another approach, relying on the spirit to guide us. So while carrying a prayer in our hearts we tried to listen to promptings of the spirit. I felt impressed we knocked on a door and got flatly refused - I thought I’d better leave this to Elder McKay. He felt something. We visited a house and the owner was interested but busy and wanted us to call back. My faith renewed we walked on. One house caught my eye and I felt impressed to visit but I ignored it and we carried on. Halfway down the street as I could not stop thinking about it I told my companion and we went back. The lady Ray was very receptive and although sick asked us to come back next week. Rely on the Lord, trust in Him and He shall direct thy paths.

We visited a few other houses. We went to the Purkis and talked with Dane, played a little basketball, cooked ourselves up another pizza. This time with onion, garlic, the works. It was great but stunk out the flat.

We organised a little presentation. A story about the background of the portrait of the saviour the church use so we could tell it to the members.

Elder McKay would hold the picture, as I would tell the story. We went to the Lyes and Millers, who enjoyed it immensely. At the Blakelys everybody was preparing to go out but stopped to listen. Tuwela’s friends drove up and we invited them to listen as well. I told the story and it went beautifully. ‘Del Parsons from Idaho was commissioned by the general authorities to paint the portrait of Christ, how he had tried and twice his paintings had been rejected but being guided by the spirit he came up with a picture that was accepted and used worldwide.

In his firesides he would tell of his experiences and reveal the paintings. At one particular fireside he was doing, a young girl sat, withdrawal and uninterested. She was a problem child who rejected any love from anyone because as a young child she had been the sole survivor of a car accident, which had left her parent’s dead, and her alone for many hours until help came.

This one night as he revealed his paintings of the saviour and the crowd marvelled, this one girl started running forward to the front with tears running from her eyes crying ‘its him, its him!’ Everyone was confused and turned all their attention to her as she said. "It’s him, that’s the man who held me in his arms when my parents died until help came!".

That experience and the change that it brought about in her life touched many. A pure testimony that this was Jesus Christ and witness that He loves all of us as individuals no matter who or where we are.’

The spirit was strong in the Blakeley home. One of Tuwela’s friends Keith told how he had been to the pageant and had a similar picture. Nicole, Tuwela’s other friend was really impressed, I gave her a book of Mormon and committed her to read and pray. Her countenance just glowed she was so happy.

On our way out I gave my companion a hug. I just felt so incredibly wonderful. The Lord had guided our hand yet again today and we had become the instrument.

We shared the story with the Fishers and returned to our flat.

Saturday, 18^th May

Another great day. We got up early and were picked up to go to a stake missionary training meeting. It was alright, a bit long just listening. Talked to Sister Schwalger about Ngaruawhahia as she had served there before her last area. Yolander Korving has been called to serve a mini mission there with Tokoa Johnson. She wrote yesterday about the exciting news.

We were supposed to have a stake young adult trade off to visit inactive young adults. We thought we were just going to go home, as there were hardly any males who turned up. However a few came from our ward at the last minute and so I got Llwelyn as a companion for the morning.

Llwelyn and I visited a few homes but everybody was either not home or moved out. So we went and had breakfast at his house. We decided to visit the last few on our list, again moved out. We had one more and thought of just skipping out but I thought it may be the only one we do find home. We went to this house and when we explained who we were, we were invited right in. Marina our host said she was inactive but wanted to come back to church. She had even rung the chapel in the morning to find out when the ward met - we were an answer to her prayer she said we invited her the next day.

Met back up with the others, shared a few experiences - it was good. In the afternoon visited some families, cooked up Edwin’s recommended meal and went to present our message with some members. Sister Paunga fed us up magnificently when we went there.

Sunday, 18^th May

All the Elders in our ward had to give talks so I was up early organising my material on the saviour and missionary work.

Church came quickly. Jim and Judith were there with the family excited. Jim in his new op.shop suit which looked very smart it was fantastic.

All the Elders were seated up the front and ready to talk.

Elder Gearhard went first and talked about the role of the members in missionary work, it was good, a nice rebuke but done very lovingly. Elder Prouting gave a great talk on why he came on a mission and the things that had touched him and motivated him.

I gave a talk about the saviour and missionary work I started with this poem.

The touch of the master’s hand

Twas battered and scared and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while to waste such time on an old violin, but he held it up with a smile, ‘what am I biddin’ good folks’ he cries, who’ll start the bidding for me, a dollar, a dollar, then two, only two? Two dollars and who’ll make it three? Three dollars once, three dollars, twice, going and going for three but no. from the room, far back a gray haired man came forward and picked up the bow. Then wiping the dust from the old violin and tightening all the loose strings he played a melody pure and sweet as a carolling angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer with a voice that was quiet and low, said what am I to bid for an old violin and held it up with a bow.

A thousand dollars and who’ll make it two? Wo thousand and who’ll make it three? Three thousand once, three thousand twice and going and gone said he.

The people cheered and some of them cried ‘we do not quite understand’. What change, its worth swift came the reply the touch of the master’s hand.

And many a man with his life out of tune and battered and scarred with sin is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin.

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine, again and he travels on. Hes going once, he’s going twice, he’s going and he’s almost gone.

But the master comes and the foolish crowd never can quite understand the worth of a soul and the change that is worked by the touch of the master’s hand.

I then related John 21: 15-17 ‘feed my sheep’ and applying it to them said ‘Glendene Ward of the Henderson stake lovest though me? Yeah Lord ye know that we love thee ‘feed my lambs, feed my sheep, feed my sheep’. We needed their help; we are their servants so they could fulfil their missionary obligations even in such a busy life.

Elder McKay gave a beautiful talk cut short by time. I could tell the ward was moved. Sister Paunga who said the closing prayer cried and Bishop bore his testimony and urged the members to feed the missionaries. The rest of church went well. The classes were good. Elder McKay taught in our combined gospel essentials / young adults. Elders quorum was boring and I know Jim felt uncomfortable.

After church we went to the Fishers for lunch and straight afterwards we were picked up by Kim to go to ward correlation. That went well but I was tired almost all the way through.

When we returned to the flat I had a little snooze before going to the Nikoia for dinner. We had a nice evening then went to Greg’s place, showed him a video ‘Our heavenly father’s plan’ and we discussed about the book of Mormon, the spirit guided us heaps - he wanted us to come back.

Monday, 20^th May

Went to the chapel in the morning to play basketball. Wasn’t too good so ended up playing rugby with Jim. We talked a lot. He had blown up at his daughter and felt quite bad about it. We discussed things but I was unable to really help.

Played more touch rugby with the Elders and Sisters and some friends, which was neat. Had more success at that than basketball. Got a haircut and did some shopping for food before returning to the flat. Did our cleaning and washing, wrote letters and had a sleep in the afternoon. Went to Henderson to do some banking. Took some photos. I brought a purple scarf to match my tie and we ate dinner at McDonalds, as we didn’t have a dinner appointment.

Returned home and went to Jim and Judith’s. We had three discussions to Aaron to catch him up with his parents. It worked out well and the spirit was with us.

Tuesday, 21^st May

Our DDM started with a mishap as Elder Andrus locked the keys in the car. The meeting went well, a whole lot of laughs - it was so funny. Luckily we did get spiritual at the end. Some of them had such powerful testimonies; I tried to add mine to it also.

Went and visited Jim. Afterward I visited Mrs Thompson and visited Marina before having a nice dinner at the Blakely’s.

We went to go to the Purkis’s but they had heaps of visitors so we went to the Lyes and spent some time with them. Warwick was super tense - however we talked and I learnt a lot. I can see that Warwick’s wisdom can help us tremendously. He has a great spiritual feeling unlike any RM I’ve met.

Wednesday, 22^nd May

Had a good morning, visited Amanda for a little while, and took Brian’s yearbook for Selina and Amanda to have a look at.

Visited Fred Kammond, also a retired man living alone. He was thankful for the visit but it was hard to swing the conversation to a spiritual theme.

Saw the Swans for a moment and Brother Swan showed us how to fix buckles in our wheel rims.

After lunch we went and saw Ray. We talked a while but didn’t get in yet.

Visited the Zincks for a few hours, a really nice family. The parents were great, less active though.

Went to the Vakalaki’s for dinner, which was really nice. We shared our portrait message with them also.

Visited the Purkis's and talked to John. We had a lot of interests in common mostly photography. It was neat. Home early. I talked to a few people. Warwick came over and shared some great words of wisdom also.

Thursday, 23^rd May

Didn’t have a very productive morning at all. Left the flat late. Elder McKay got his back wheel changed and we picked up our dry-cleaning and then it was time for lunch.

The afternoon went much better. Saw Pete and taught him the first discussion after showing him the video ‘What is Real’. It didn’t go that great. I think it was a bit intense for me. I got a headache but he wanted to hear the second and invited us back next week.

Visited a few callbacks. Found a new family and scheduled an appointment for Monday morning.

Had a good meal at the Hyusmans and a good talk.

Went to the Burgess’ and gave them our portrait presentation. The Corimandals were busy so we visited Jim and Judith. There was that same nice spirit in their house. We discussed about some things they had read and shared some uplifting things about the saviour.

Friday, 24^th May

Spent the morning at Amanda’s showing a video, talking and eating. She is seriously considering learning about the gospel. I hope she does.

Spent the afternoon at the Lyes uprooting one of his trees and carting it away to the tip.

We ended up spending less time than we had catered for so had a bit of an afternoon supper and played a few games of pool, which Elder McKay bet me, both times - I’ll get him back on Friday.

In the evening had dinner at the Emerson’s with the other Elders. Had an enjoyable evening finishing off with a cartoon story about Abinadi.

Saturday, 25^th May

After study in the morning and breakfast we went down with Jim, Willie, Rex and Paul. We went to the field to play touch rugby.

We had a good few games. I managed to score quite a few tries here and there but our team comprising of Rex, Willie and I still got thrashed. Was invigorating.

Returned to Jim and Judith’s. Met Judith’s brother Brian who asked lots of questions about our church. I was happy to answer them. I think he was challenging me a little but I enjoyed it. Jim and Judith were a bit agitated by him.

After a good lunch we came back to the flat, got changed and went back down.

We taught Jim and Judith and Darren the fourth discussion. It went great. The plan of salvation rolled out as the spirit dictated. It then came to the law of chastity. I taught this one. I was so nervous my palms were sweating to make it worst Judith’s mum came in. I felt so inadequate but committed them to live the law of chastity and not sleep together till after their wedding. They took it great, really accepted it and we had a good laugh about how nervous I was.

Elder McKay went on to talk about the word of wisdom. Judith’s mum listened in and became very interested. The spirit was strong and everyone felt good. We invited Judith’s mum to our fireside tomorrow also.

We were schedule to have dinner at the Millers but Sister Miller was tired so we went to the Blakely’s again. Had a great meal, met their guests Brother and Sister Lesley on their way back from their mission in Adelaide to their home in Washington.

Talked to Brother and Sister Blakely for a while before returning to our flat for our weekly planning.

Brian May come over. We talked while we planned our week and made our goals. This next week is going to be great.

Got a letter today from Jenny, which was very uplifting, and a neat letter from Shannon. She wrote me this poem from Trinity McKay.

Dear heavenly father
My actions are a failure
My unclean thoughts are too
My mind is all unsettled
I don’t’ know what to do
I’ve denied you and I’m sorry
But the pressures really on
I sometimes feel you in my heart
But lately its been gone
I know you’ve done so much for me
In return I will obey
In all the teachings that you give
And mainly what you say
I hope that you’ll be happy
In the future what I’ll do
This little message from my heart
Will show that I LOVE YOU!

Sunday, 26^th May

Another great day to match the others we have been having lately. Church was excellent. Jim although not sure came to church with his family today. Sacrament was great. The youth talked about preparing for eternity by getting married, going on missions and going to the temple.

Our gospel essentials class was great - Warwick took it and rally made us think hard at what was important to us. Obviously our families and people but not so obvious was our family records. Genealogy and journals, which we have put a lot of time into - things that might be worth risking our lives for because of the salvation it might bring to others. The time and effort memories and experiences we put into these journals I’ve written over the years makes them the most valuable, priceless, and irreplaceable material possession I own.

Bishop gave a very moving thought in priesthood opening exercises about exercising our priesthood in dominion and most important, righteously. As he spoke about treating our wives and our children properly his touching testimony punctuated by tears, really hit home.

Warwick likewise gave a thought-promoting lesson on the priesthood in Elders quorum. Nearly brought me to tears again. We surely don’t appreciate that which we have. The power to move mountains to create worlds and yet we doubt its ability to change lives - we consider it a burden to do home teaching.

In the afternoon went to correlation with Kim, had a good meeting. On the way home Kim cracked us up - both Elder McKay and I went into fits of laughter, the tears rolled from our eyes - laughter is good for the soul.

Back at the flat organised our thoughts for tonight. I had a snooze before we biked over to the Ormsbys for dinner.

Our Elders quorum fireside started at 7 so we biked to the Huysmans, lots of people showed up. Jim, Judith and family plus Judith’s mum. The Emerson’s brought along their friend Todd also.

The evening went good. We gave a lesson on the plan of salvation. Afterward Brother Huysman gave a good lesson on eternal families.

There was lots of food and so everyone when filled by the spirit also filled our stomachs. I got on the guitar and it turned into a sing song with Kim, Elsie, Warwick, Aaron and I, jamming the night away on songs from the Children’s Hymn/Song book.

It was nice, a real beautiful spirit presided. Everyone felt great. Judith’s mum especially enjoyed herself. The work is going to take off in this area. Members are enthused and missionaries exhilarated.

I have a draft of the letter of acceptance I wrote to the brethren in reply to my mission call.

Dear Brethren

Thank you for the opportunity to serve the lord in this capacity. I have had a burning desire to go on a mission from an early age and upon fulfilment of this desire I am most joyful. A deep love for my saviour and also for my fellow men, I look forward to do that which I enjoy most, making people feel good about themselves and the gospel within the guidance of and direction of our lord and his leaders.

I do not prescribe to be a great leader or teacher but I do have a great love for others and God’s children. In this I seal my testimony that I know God lives, that Jesus is Christ that he has restored the gospel through modern day prophets to bring about his righteousness and our eternal exaltation.

These things I bear witness of in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

May God bless

Yours sincerely

Elder Joseph Ganesh Cherian

Monday, 27^th May

Got up early and did most of our washing while we were doing our study in the morning.

Went to visit a family but they weren’t home so we went to Henderson instead. I got my card, withdrew some money, brought a green scarf and some socks before doing the groceries.

In the afternoon spent time at the Lyes - Elder McKay recorded some music and I had a sleep and wrote some letters to Chris, Phillip, James, Shelly, Babe, Rose, Chantelle, Ronette, Karen, Cindy, Sister Blaich, Beake and Elder Lemafa. Wrote a witty letter to my sisters that I think I’d like to record.

…life here is good. I managed to survive the vigorous training programme (MTC) and have been transferred to the Henderson department in Auckland. To set me up they’ve given me a company vehicle (12 speed mountain bike), a live in office with a great view of the field (our flat) and lots of material (BOM).

The product is great and I’m using it everyday as well as sharing it with others. I’ve got a great business partner who is as good as promoting our merchandise, as he is a great guy.

Our supervisors are neat but the best by far is our boss, he’s the greatest. His influence helps us out a lot and makes the work exciting, he’s a pleasure to work for. He takes care of us wonderfully.

In fact I don’t know what we would do without him. I haven’t actually met him yet but he’s always interested to hear from us and we call him regularly. Funny thing - he always seems to know where we should go and what we should do, we are dealing in lots of stock.

You should see the pay check, you wouldn’t believe it, it’s humongous. I don’t know where to put everything I get. I’m trying to put it all in my journal but its hardly fitting. I find myself giving most of it away - only trouble is when I do that, my next paycheck is bigger - I can’t lose.

I’m meeting some great people in the course of my travels, lots of long and faithful uses of the product. It’s interesting to learn of the tests they’ve made and the conclusions they’ve come up with. We definitely have the best on the market. I don’t understand why people settle for second best or even worse, none at all. It’s great to see people using it for the first time though, and even reusing it after years of going without. It’s exciting I think I’ll be doing this a while, hopefully all my life. This company’s got a great retirement plan.

Had dinner at the Kaipo’s and went out visiting to the Purkis's afterwards.

Tuesday, 28^th May

After jumping on our bikes and leaving the flat, it poured down and we were soon soaked.

We visited Mrs Cook and Elder McKay, got his $25 hand crafted designer lava lava.

Visited Amanda, which was really nice. Showed her the video 'Together Forever'. We talked a lot and shared some good feelings. We committed her to the first discussion next Wednesday.

Came back to the flat for lunch and swapped our bikes for brollies and coats.

Visited Joanna Rangi and watched her animated Book of Mormon story, 'Journey to the promised land'. Took time with the Swans and spent time with Frank enthusing him about teaching the gospel.

Went to Jim and Judith’s for dinner, which was great, really lovely. Warwick came and also Sarah (Jim’s sister) and Sister Hall (stake missionaries), so we had quite a crowd.

Luckily the fifth discussion is the smallest. We had a nice teaching experience however the stake missionaries dragged it out a bit with unnecessary experiences. It all went well, the spirit was strong and they felt good about paying tithing and fast offerings.

We had a good lengthy sharing time at the end. Warwick really loved it.

Wednesday, 29^th May

Jumped on our bikes and sped to the other Elders flat only to find we had no Zone Development Meeting today but postponed until the morrow.

We got a ride back to the flat luckily - talked a while. Elder Andrus and Elder McKay had PPI while Marble and I talked.

Swapped our morning over and went and did a service project for Brother Lyes pulling out another tree. I was completely stuffed afterwards. We came back to the flat and had a snooze for a while. It was enough to revitalise me.

We visited a couple of people and saw Zincks again, which was nice. Had a great meal at the Pattersons. Brother Cassidy picked me up and we went home teaching together. It was quite fun. We saw a few people and managed to leave a special message with one - which I think he enjoyed.

Home teaching is so important. I see why it is ‘the greatest calling’ lives change.

Elder Andrew rang to ask me to speak on being positive at tomorrow’s Zone Development Meeting.

Thursday, 3rd May

Had a very exciting and uplifting day. It started with Zone Development Meeting that was excellent.

Started off with Elder McKay’s ‘lets look at the IF’s’.

Elder Vance gave a great talk on accountability. One of the highlights was the scripture Mosiah 13:30, which talked about a law given to observe strictly to keep the people in remembrance of God and their duty towards him. Elder Vance talked about applying this to the missionary rules - quite humbling.

Elder Marble gave an excellent talk on the importance of planning to make productive use of our time; he committed us to proper planning.

Elder Cluff gave us a report of the thoughts the general authorities have for us namely:

1. Keep doctrine pure.
2. Keep church morally clean (save don’t condemn)
3. Keep discipline low as possible.
4. Keep church financially strong.

Elder Roberts talked on the ‘fall’, which was a great eye opener to me. When he talked of Adam’s transgression he noted that nowhere did it say that Adam sinned or Adam transgressed against the Lord. His mention of the meaning of transgression

1. To break (a law) or
2. To overstep (a limit)

Sisters Schwalger and Dalton went on to give a beautiful demonstration of how they go through the third discussion, showing the church as literally built with a foundation of prophets and apostles with Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. It showed me the importance and greatness of such a visual aid as I had had trouble teaching that particular discussion.

It was then my turn to give a talk on being positive. There was much I could say but I limited my time to focus on our missionary service as a tithing on our time. Plus the benefits of such service to us now.

We closed with a rather uplifting testimony bearing - the spirit was really strong.

On arrival back at the flat we had the pleasant surprise of a parcel from Kara - containing a batch of biscuits and a couple of tapes full of uplifting music - her letter was rather inspirational as well.

As she sat on the beach watching the sunrise this morning she wrote this…

Joy cometh in the morning

All is crisp, and crystal clear
My spirit sighs in the morning air
The golden rising sunlight on my face
Reminds me, as always
How much I have loved this place

In every gentle ray

I feel God’s love bursting forth
In a brand new day
Once my world was filled with
Many mornings like this
That give
Such peace and comfort
But now it seems I’ve almost forgotten
How to live

So I engrave this scene upon my soul
That when the winds and waves
Seem beyond control
I will return to this place
Recall my saviour’s love
And be whole

So I will engrave this special witness from the spirit upon my soul, that when tribulation and trial some that seem beyond control, I will return in my mind to this place, these feelings, recall my saviour’s love and be whole.

I was reminded and taught a lesson tonight of how important everyone is, as I talked with Vanay a Vietnamese young man, he shared his feelings of the prejudice given him and his family, of how he wanted not to be hurt by the hypocrisy of others, how special it is to know God loves us, how heart wrenching to know we must love all others - we are all children of our father.

Friday, 31^st May

We got picked up quite early by Elders' Rodie and Coward. Got a chance to meet a few of the other missionaries from the Harbour zone before we started on our Zone Conference.

It was very good. President Lloyd and his assistants talked about accountability and reporting. President highlighted the thought ‘performance measured is performance improved’ also that increased productivity comes from - repetitive training, more accountability, closer supervision, and firmer control.

They then showed us how the statistics they collect help them evaluate and improve. President wanted us to do more tracting and showed us ways in which we could improve. Elder McKay volunteered us to try a door approach involving singing ‘I am a child of God’. I was impressed at the necessity to get in the door. Elder Van Beck gave a great talk on Gospel knowledge and feasting upon the Word. He used 2 Nep 32:3, feast upon the word of Christ for the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

Sister Lloyd talked a lot about testimony, which I got the sheet off her after. The so many great things she shared are worthwhile reading.

Elder Solenberg talked on conversion and shared the scripture Mosiah 27:25-26, being born again being born of God.

We did some role-playing together. In our group were Sisters' Cook, & Vanisi, Elder Van Beck and us.

We watched the video 'Called To Serve' which brought everyone including myself to tears. Then followed testimonies those who were going home. Sister Graves, Elders Skipps and Williams.

We all had a chance to bear our testimony of which I was most impressed yet again of Elder Marble and Andrews. Elder Marble was so overcome by the spirit; he was shaking, more than I have seen anyone do before. Elder Andrews gave a great testimony also about the great things that had been happening in the zone, and how he was constantly diving for pearls. His testimony was a pearl I could dive for. Elder Vance’s testimony was good also.

After it was all over we waited for interviews. Elder Rhodie, Cloward and McKay and I went to the Distribution Centre. I brought some discussions and together we brought a hymnbook and posters for Jim and Judith as they got married today.

My interview with President Lloyd was okay. I was however tired and so wasn’t very enthusiastic. He told me to do more tracting. We returned home, went to the Swans for dinner. Called in on the newly married couple, presented our presents and felt of their love, it was good.

Saturday, 1^st June

Left the flat at 9am this morning to get everything done.

Went to the Vakalahis first with Kim. Worked on the days programme and helping during the birthday celebration.

Took a trip to Massey to visit with Elsie so we could practise our song for the fireside tomorrow night.

Went to the Komenes for lunch and helped them take back the chairs for the chapel. Kim and Warwick picked us up.

The baptism went really well. The spirit was strong despite the large crowd. For my first time I was a witness and also helped confirm, it was great. I related my talk on the plan of salvation to leaving home to go to school - it worked well in helping the kids understand.

Gave Warwick a blessing afterward which was nice. Went to Mary’s birthday party and had a good feed and talk.

Returned to the flat and did a few things. Our efforts to leave were thwarted so we stayed back and did planning for the upcoming week.

Sunday, 2^nd June

Had a fairly good Sunday. Classes were good - Warwick taught his lesson on families which was nice.

Priesthood class was again unmotivational - we must do something.

We had correlation meeting at our flat however everybody was late. Luckily Kim gave us a ride to Jim and Judith’s - we stopped there a while before continuing up to the Paunga’s. Sister Pauga laid out a massive feed that had us in stitches. It was fantastic. The other Elders didn’t come. We had to eat it by ourselves.

Warwick came to pick us up and together the three of us gave Brother Paunga a blessing. The spirit was really strong and so was the blessing. A modern miracle.

We went to the fireside at the Pattersons. Everyone was late and we didn’t start till 7.30. Kim gave a good talk to help us understand that everyone is someone special and we should look for the best in others. Elder McKay and I gave some short talks and rope tricks.

We got dropped off at 9.30 after filling up again on Kim’s snacks. Janine also committed me to do an item at the upcoming youth conference.

Monday, 3^rd June

Got up early and did all the necessary things i.e. washing cleaning.

At 11.30 Warwick came to pick us up. We were supposed to have dinner with Bill and Leita (our Landlords) tonight but because we were not sure whether the other Elders would go to Paunga’s, we felt we had to go there. Leita was hurt when Elder McKay told her, she had already started preparing. However we took off collecting Kim on the way and stopping to see the new stake centre being built. We took a wrong route and ended up at Bethell’s beach. So after some correction went back again to the Waitakere forest.

The bush walk was good and we enjoyed ourselves immensely and when the trail stopped we just kept on going. Even to the point some of the team were getting worried but uttering a few silent prayers led us to a well-trodden path and a much-relieved Warwick.

After returning to the flat and just on our way out, Bill came and really rebuked us. We had made Leita feel bad and hurt him also. Dinner and visiting with Jim and Judith although uplifting didn’t dull my remorse. When we got back to the house Bill was waiting. His heart repentant for what he had said and his forgiving nature - bought quite a few repentant tears from me. I said a special prayer tonight.

Tuesday, 4^th June

Bill came again this morning to apologise. It reminded me of a little thought…

One of the most Godlike expressions of the human soul is the act of forgiveness.

Dalin H Oaks

October 1989 General Conference

We biked to our district meeting. It had changed quite a bit as Elders Rhodie shifted and Elders Evans, Foote and Brewer respectively had taken their place.

Our meeting was good and I did learn a bit. We shared about charity - focusing around the attributes of charity (in Moroni 7:43-48) and a scripture in D&C 88:125.

Some of the ideas shared were using our talents, giving service, Christ’s suffering as a divine portrayal of his love, charity through missionary work, use of the priesthood in righteous exercise, peace and perfectness, and lastly working together as a companionship.

On our way home we did some shopping as it was Queens Birthday yesterday. We brought Bill and Leita some flowers and had an exciting afternoon especially talking to Mrs Butler about genealogy.

We had dinner at the Lyes place, which was nice, just before Kim came to pick us all up.

We had the sixth discussion with Jim and Judith and Aaron tonight. It went well.

Warwick even taught a couple of principles, which was nice.

Little James impressed Warwick by his insistences of blessing and giving thanks on everything he had whether it was a biscuit, a meal, or a milo - made us feel like we still needed to learn some childlike/Christlike qualities.

The most powerful message of the whole night was when Tammy gave a simple but power spiritual prayer.

‘Bless us that we will love each other… more than we love our toys’.

A definite revelation to all of us.

Henri Frederic Amiel

Swiss essayist

1821-1888

Wednesday, 5th June

Today was our morning set aside for service so we went to the Pattersons to help with painting their porch. It was good and relaxing. We got quite a bit done. Managed to listen to quite a number of Kim’s church tapes, which was nice also. We stayed quite a bit longer than we had originally planned. We didn’t want to finish until we had finished. However the Lord gave us ample hints to go by sending us rain so we couldn’t finish anyway.

We had cancelled our dinner with the Wells because we had an appointment with Amanda unfortunately Selina wasn’t free so had to postpone our discussion till Monday. So we had dinner at the flat before going to spend a little time with Jim-Judith and Aaron.

Thursday, 6^th June

Went tracting this morning and it was great fun. We met a few interesting people of those who we set up appointments to visit were, an older lady who had some very far out ideas about Christ however was very spiritual. We sung to one lady ‘I am a child of God’ the spirit really touched her but she was unwilling to be committed. We met a Seventh Day Adventist Minister Anil Patel then met a professional filmmaker Don Scott.

We visited Pete but couldn’t get a commitment for a second discussion. Visited the Zinck family again before doing the mad dash to the Vakalahi’s for dinner. Dinner was nice and we were able to get white pants for Jim and Aaron.

We went to the Komenes, Elder Cluff came with us and gave them their interviews.

We also found out that Elders' Prouting and Gearhard had been shifted out so we had the whole ward now and not just the Glendene side.

Friday, 7^th June

Since our operating area had widened we spent the day in the other area visiting people and checking on the previous Elders records.

Visited Bill (gave him a blessing), the Emersons and Vakalahis.

We tried back with Pete but he wasn’t home so we stopped in at Amanda’s. Met Sonia and arranged with Selina a time to take photographs.

We had a lovely dinner at the Emersons but by the time we got back to our flat after biking to the chapel for nothing I was feeling quite sick. I crashed at 8.30.

Saturday, 8^th June

I woke up feeling real bad. I just slept most of the morning. I didn’t feel good for anything and none of my own efforts would help.

Warwick rang in the middle of the day expecting not to find us.

So it wouldn’t be a complete waste. I visited with some other sick missionaries in their flat so Warwick and Elder McKay could go out.

I spent an uneventful afternoon hampered by bad sleep. They returned to get me. Luckily they had visited all that we needed to visit. They brought Elsie and the missionaries and Warwick gave me a blessing.

They even drove us to the Hardens for dinner. Dinner was good. We managed to meet some good members of the family. Kim took us to some houses and Marina’s and got us back to the flat for another early night.

Sunday, 9^th June

Today was excellent. It started off with a great sacrament meeting. Sister Lyes gave a good talk. Her papers in her nervousness rustled over the microphone and caused thunderous noises, which sent Judith and I into fits of laughter. Patriarch Murphy gave an excellent talk on blessings, how to get the most out of it and counselled us to get it as young as possible 12-14 years. Brother Harlen gave a good talk on priesthood as well. Kim helped us in our organisation for the evening, driving us to the Vakalahis and wherever we needed.

In the late afternoon we got picked up by Selina and Sonia and at Amandas house took lots of photos for them both. It was a great photo session quite fun also. Selina dropped us off at the chapel for the evening.

The baptism went great. We had lots of photos together. Elder McKay baptised Jim and Judith first then I baptised Aaron. The first person I baptised.

All the talks were great and soon afterwards I confirmed Jim and Judith members of the church and conferred the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

While doing them the spirit touched me greatly and cried while giving the blessing. Many great and wonderful blessings were bestowed upon them from the lord. Tracey Burgess sang and the spirit in the room was so strong most everyone was crying. Judith’s mother was especially touched and wanted to join the church.

Everyone felt really good. We had a light supper afterwards before returning home. It was the most wonderful thing I’ve ever been part of.

Monday, 10^th June

Did a lot of relaxing and writing letters today. It was good. We got our roles of film developed and was anxious to get to Amanda’s to show her the ones of Sonia and Selina.

Our dinner and evening with them was excellent. We did not teach a discussion though as Amanda made it clear she couldn’t join the church as long as she didn’t know exactly what was happening with her husband. But she does know the church is true. The photos turned out good and they loved them. We got home late. Jason Keung (my counsellor in the Student Body Presidency from School) was waiting; he wanted to know where (his Aunty) Marilyn’s Wells house was so we went with him to show him.

Tuesday, 11^th June

Jason visited on his way back to Uni then we went to visit Marilyn. While we were there a truck full of firewood came and dumped a large load of wood on the driveway. Since it was only her home we helped pile it for her.

We went and visited Anil Patel shortly afterwards (the Seventh Day Adventist minister). We talked with him for a couple of hours wherein I learned a lot about what he and his church believe.

By the time we finished it was the middle of the afternoon so we visited Jim and Judith. Showed them the photos and they were thrilled.

Had a lovely dinner at the Pattersons and Kim was so kind as to drop us to our appointment with Mihi.

We taught her the sixth discussion which went well before Kim came and picked us up.

Wednesday, 12^th June

Our Zone Development Meeting this morning was excellent as always. I learnt we could personalise the third discussion by relating the organisation of the church to Rugby. Sister Dalton talked on the white handbook and obedience. Elder Sa'u went over resolving concerns and Elder Ofa gave a good talk on companionships. Elder McKay and I gave a talk on finding through your own efforts. We didn’t finish up until after 3pm. Visited the Purkis in the afternoon and gave Lani a blessing. Had dinner at the Swans and the first new member discussion with Jim, Judith and Aaron and along with Warwick, Kim and Tracey, it all went very well.

Thursday, 13^th June

Spent all of our time today in our other new area. It was good. We did a lot of first time contacting with a lot of the sisters old tracting reports so it was a lot of selective tracting.

Visited a few homes including the Aperamo’s before going to the Vakalahis for dinner. They weren’t home but left us some money and vouchers for MacDonalds. We went back to the flat and cooked up some stuff.

In the evening we visited Tania with Sister Huysman, which was good.

Friday, 14^th June

Spent the morning doing more visiting. Had an appointment with Paul but he wasn’t home so we went to say our departing words to Uwelen who was going to Hawaii. Elder McKay brought a sweatshirt and we all had a good talk.

Visited one of the people we met last week - she was real interesting, she showed us the letter she was drafting to US President Bush and other poems she had written. She was very nice and had a good spirit about her however I think the lights were on but no one was home - a special individual but not one we could work with.

We visited Don Scott and met his wife. We had a good laugh together and got an appointment to see them again and show ‘together forever’ which Don was particularly interest in because of his filming career. Together forever had won a Catholic Sponsored Gabriel award in the States.

Pete wasn’t home so we visited Amanda. Got to know her sister Vanessa who was quite interested in what we were talking about. Ended up playing with the kids and met Shar (Amanda’s separated husband). He seemed really nice too.

We visited Mrs Butler for half an hour before going up to the Paungas for dinner. After leaving their place, went up and spent some time with Willie and Dane, which was all right, but I think we could have spent our time a little more productively. We got back a little early.

Saturday, 15^th June

Left the flat a little later today because of the rain. Bill gave us a ride down to our appointment. The person we went to see wasn’t home. The family that was there must have been very touched as they didn’t seem to want us to go even though they gave us all the signs.

We found it hard to gain their attention as we couldn’t speak Samoan very well (at all). But we set up a time on the morrow to come back hopefully with the Samoan Elders.

We tried to visit another family but they were busy so we walked up to Barrys Road and visited the Blakely’s for a while who in turn gave us lunch.

Went to visit Phil and Erica but they weren’t home either so we spent some time with the Zincks.

In the afternoon we went to Jim and Judith’s and went over with Aaron and Jim about the priesthood, what it is, what it is used for, and why we have it. We learned as much as them. Priesthood really is service - all the things associated with the priesthood are service orientated. Jesus used the priesthood in a momentous way set the example and challenge to do the same magnifying your calling. It taught me and brought me to a remembrance of how I should be using my priesthood on a mission.

Biked way out into the bush in the rain to go to the Chapmans for dinner. They had forgotten but cooked us up a great meal and afterward ran us home. We had our planning meeting for the night and retired.

Sunday, 16^th June

Had a good church again. Enjoyed myself. I took James to primary this week. It was really cool and I enjoyed myself immensely.

After church we visited Julia. She was sleeping so we went up the road instead. Sister Purkis invited us in and we spent a bit of time there, helped Lani on the keyboard.

Visited Erica for a moment before heading for the Zincks.

We had correlation at the Pattersons in which I took my half an hour snooze that I so badly needed.

Kim took us to our appointments with Reg although he wasn’t home so we visited the Havea family. Kim was kind enough to pick us up and drive us to our dinner appointment. We had a lovely meal and when Warwick came to pick us up we gave Brother Paunga a blessing. Warwick blessed and the spirit and faith was so strong a miracle was performed. His cold completely left him as we were standing there. A massive spiritual experience!

Our young adult fireside was good. Only marred by Elder McKay and I in fits of hysterics.

Shifts were called tonight. Elders' Roberts, Marble, Leilua and Rhodie all shifted out replaced by Elders' Foote, Brewer, McMoore and Evans.

Monday, 17^th June

Did all the things we needed to do today in our preparation. Had a great game of basketball today with the other missionaries and a few of the members.

In the evening, we had dinner with the Hakaraia’s. Bishop’s son had hurt himself today (broke his arm) so we went to the hospital to help minister to him. It was really good. We stopped in at Kim’s on the way home and got her church quiz cards for District Development Meeting tomorrow.

Tuesday, 18^th June

Elder Brewer gave a good talk on covenants. He used the scriptures D&C 136:4 ‘walk in all the ordinances of the Lord’ and D&C 54:6 ‘we obtain mercy through keeping covenants and commandments.’ Our quiz game went well also.

Heard some sad news today, one of the missionaries in Tauranga, Elder Weir was hit off his bike and killed. Later on in the evening back in the flat we were phoned and Elder McKay being a friend of the family, was asked to go to the funeral in Hamilton tomorrow.

Wednesday, 19^th June

Today started early at 5.30. We were picked up late at 7 and departed for the other areas of Auckland. I was dropped off to be companions with Elder Grey. His companion also went down to the funeral. I knew Elder Grey from school, although he wasn’t at college when I was. I was a good friend of his sister. We got on well and did some really good things; we started off with a new member discussion to a guy name Nigel whom Tokoa Johnston had taught. Had lunch at McDonalds then did a bit of tracting - it was really fun especially since Elder Grey wasn’t enthused at all. Still with some good talking we managed to get a good contact.

We visited one of his investigators and eventually visited old callbacks. One person let us right in and we taught a first discussion to him.

We got back to the flat and waited for the AP’s, but they went to the wrong flat and so I ended up going with the Tongan Elders for the rest of the day.

I was again reunited with my companion at the tri-stake, missionary training meeting in which I got to see Nephi Apisaloma who was in my seminary class in 1986. He is serving in Harbour. Got my dinner and lemon meringue pie from the Pattersons.

Thursday, 20^th June

Spent the greater part of the day checking callbacks that previous missionaries had called on.

We started off on bike but ended up walking a little.

Met some nice people, none that it seemed would be productive. Visited the Wells family before our dinner at the Ormsbys. We showed them also the video ‘Called to serve’ which we hoped would inspire Paul to his missionary days.

We then went to the Lyes place and showed it to them also - they were definitely touched.

Friday, 21^st June

Visited Janis Stockman this morning. I had wanted to visit her for a while, as I knew lots of her family. We had a good talk and established a good relationship.

We visited Don Scott at 12pm and with his wife and son showed ‘Together forever’. They were very impressed but mainly on a professional filming level.

Had a good appointment with Amanda. Her sister Vanessa was there and we gave her the Plan of salvation presentation, she loved it. She asked lots of questions and wanted to know more.

We had dinner with the Seve’s prepared by our lovely friend Rayna then biked again all the way back to Kelston for Jim, Judith and Aaron’s 2nd New Member discussion. It went really well.

Saturday, 22^nd June

We left our bikes at the Komene’s last night so our first task was to collect them. We had a trade-off with Elders Sa’u and Tavai. Elder Tavai and I visited someone but they weren’t home so Tavai made an appointment to come back. We met up again at the Zincks and from there Elder McKay and I visited Phil and Erica and had lunch with them.

Went to Mihi’s and Vakalahi’s before dinner at Havea’s. It was the biggest dinner I’ve ever had. One plate of veges and another of steaks cooked by her husband (chef for the Sheraton Hotel). It was fantastic we couldn’t eat it all. We felt so guilty as it offended her so took the rest to eat later. We gave it to the Sisters as they didn’t get dinner. Went to the youth conference, it was good. Warwick and Janine were the MC’s and the items from the various wards were good. I got to do an intermediate item and I sung ‘Greater than us all’. The spirit was strong and the crowd was humbled. We had dinner. Didn’t get to leave till it had finished at 11pm.

Sunday, 23^rd June

Church was good as always after our investigators class. I got fed up with the kids and so took them both to primary. It was good but I missed out on priesthood.

We had our planning after church, as we didn’t have one last night. And our correlation at the Seve’s was great. We had dinner with the Vakalahi’s before going to Jim and Judith’s for the third new member discussion.

Tracey and Kim took it and despite Tracey’s fear she spoke with such love and care the discussion went perfectly. She even had me in tears at one point as she bore her testimony and the great blessing they had to be a forever family, something she nor I could have with our parents. I knew exactly how she felt. It was certainly a very spiritual experience.

Monday, 24^th June

We spent some of our time today with Tui doing weights. It confirmed to me how unfit I was and how I needed to do something about it.

We had dinner with the Fruens which was good however Sene wouldn’t stay so we ended up watching ‘how rare’ a possession with Sister Fruen.

Tuesday, 25^th June

Today was great, everything went perfect. We were inspired greatly.

We had a good morning’s study and left the flat on time. Visited a person we met last week and really got on well. Visited some old tracting contacts. Met a young man about 14, built a good relationship and taught him the first discussion the spirit was so strong it was really neat.

Visited a few more people at which we had fairly good success. Went to the Zincks for a little while and set up an appointment to go cook dinner for them next Saturday.

Biked to Lyes for dinner but Sister Lyes had forgotten so we talked to Warwick a little and then had dinner back at the flat.

We went to the Purkis’s in the evening. Only Margaret and the kids were home. We talked a lot and just before they had to go, I shared a song with them ‘greater than us all’. Margaret was especially touched and invited us for family home evening on Monday.

We definitely got a smiley face on our report card today and felt good about everything.

Wednesday, 26^th June

Our Zone Development Meeting was as good as usual. With all the confusion about the zone leader shifting flats he took it upon himself to give much of the programme. Elder Andrus talked about seeking the most important truths - salvation comes from none else. Life eternal comes from knowing God, the glory of which is intelligence i.e. light and truth with which we can conquer Satan. D&C 93: 36-37. The Old Testament is referred to as YADA. Several examples of knowledge and importance listed in Hosea 4:1-4. We must teach be taught by the spirit therefore the people can understand as the spirit directs D&C 50:13-14, 19.

Elder Cluff gave us the report from zone leaders conference emphasising having perfect mornings i.e. following the schedule, having and improving companionship studies. We must keep our companions in sight (no more primary for me). Sit together and be actively involved at church. After Elder Weir’s death we were instructed that we needed to wear helmets. Elder Andrus gave some mini assignments and Elder Brewer gave a talk on charity . Elder Evans gave a talk on obedience stating that to obey is better than sacrifice 1 Samuel 15:22.

Elders' Tavai, Sa'u and Junior spoke before we closed with testimonies.

After all was done we were all hungry so we stopped off at McDonalds. We had some free vouchers so we shouted thick shakes. It ended up the zone all being there. Zone activity afterward. We went and booked bowling as a combined district activity for next Thursday the 4^th of July.

As we arrived back at the flat late we didn’t have time to go to the family history library like we planned. So we paid a quick visit to Jim and Judith.

Our dinner was at Huysmans, which was really nice. Afterwards we biked home and got a ride to the chapel.

We had practice with all the other missionaries for our combined wards fireside on Sunday. We were acting as the prophets from Adam till Joseph Smith relating prophecies and promises with the book of Mormon and latter day prophets. I was picked as Alma and my companion as Nephi - it was quite interesting. The script was a bit hard to understand but I suppose with the spirit all things are possible.

Thursday, 27^th June

Spent the morning following callbacks not very successful. We started biking but the unpredicted rain got us on our feet.

Went to Sister Havea’s and met her husband who is a neat person. We managed to see Jim and Judith again. They were having another new member discussion tonight with Tracey and Kim.

We had dinner with Sister Thompson before our appointment with the Leota family (Sara). They were nice but not ready for a discussion - we gave Brother Leota a blessing.

We came home early because we had little else to do.

Friday, 28^th June

This morning wasn’t too good. It was those kind of ones where you wished you stayed at home. We were hardly motivated but went tracting on a street we had picked out. It started off fine but as we moved door to door it poured. Not many people were home and so it wasn’t much fun.

In the afternoon we went down to Amanda’s. Her brother and his wife were there. We had a great talk with him. We tried to teach them a first discussion but we kept going off the track a lot because of his concerns. He had been brought up a lot around the Seventh Day Adventists and believed in your spirit sleeping at death. So we showed him lots of scriptures and really got him thinking. The funny thing was, he had had experiences that confirmed what we told him but yet his learning wouldn’t let him believe it. Usually you believe your first hand experiences more than what people tell you.

We had an appointment with Lee but he wasn’t there when we arrived. Our dinner appointment was at the Havea’s so we biked there for another tremendous meal, which again, we couldn’t finish. I got close but time ran out.

We visited the Corimandals; they were on their way out to get shoes for their kids so they could go to church. Their home teachers had motivated them to come to church.

Visited the Swans for a little while so we didn’t have to go back to the flat early. Frank, the eldest, has a week of tech next week so we were hoping to use him in a trade-off to get even more work done. Also met an inactive son today who goes to the Assembly of God. We set an appointment to see him next Wednesday.

I have a feeling I’ll be shifting. It’s been nearly two months that I’ve been with Elder McKay. I think shifts are this weekend but no one has said anything about them. They may be next week.

Saturday, 29^th June

Did a few callbacks that we wanted to catch today. Met Ken Mason, someone who I was interested in seeking as he had once formed his own church. We made an appointment to see him next week.

We also visited a family from Jerusalem. Called on a guy name Steve who we set an appointment to see later in the day.

Visited Jim, Judith and Aaron for a couple of hours just talking before going to the chapel for our fireside practice. Things went well and we were quite prepared for tomorrow.

We went back to see Steve but he was out so we hopped over to our dinner appointment with the Browns. A lot of their kids are coming up to missionary age so we spent a little time trying to enthuse them. I lent them my tape ‘The difference one can make’.

Sunday, 30^th June

Church was good again. My companion went on a trade-off to do some home teaching with Paul Ormsby. Les Corimandal came to church, which was really neat. I think he will be coming regularly too.

In our investigators class I took the lesson. It was about gaining eternal life/perfection from a letter that Jenny sent to me yesterday.

Detailing the Steps to Perfection from 2 Peter 1:4-11

She also sent to me a recipe for controlling your action and how it starts at the middle, i.e.:

Desires - Thoughts - Actions

 Which works in both our lives and doing missionary work, by helping change people’s desires, automatically their actions are changed.

Our appointment with the Leofas was put off so we spent some time with the Asketeona family for lunch, after which we prepared for our fireside.

We all gathered together for our fireside and got changed. We looked neat – Elders Andrus and Foot didn’t show so a couple of others took their place. The show went well, but was a bit boring so I pepped it up a bit with my departure from the script onto a little of what Alma taught. Elder Andrus and Foote came bringing the news which I kind of already suspected. He and I would shift. My companion would train again, I would be going to Whangarei and Elder Andrus to be zone leader in Brisbane.

I had mixed feelings as everything was going great and I had lots of things set up for the coming week – but I was eager for different challenges and new experiences.

After saying goodbye to heaps of people, Jim, Judith, Aaron and the family plus Kim, Warwick and all the others together the zone had a testimony bearing meeting. It was quite sad, I guess because a few of the people I probably wouldn’t see again. A few people cried. I sang ‘Flying’ to them. It was generally pretty good.

Jim wanted us to come around but by the time we finished our meeting it was about 10pm and we were quickly at the flat for a lot of packing.

Monday 1st July

Another month, another lifestyle. Packed all my gear up tried to fit all my worldly possessions into my two suitcases.

The assistants were a little late so Elder Andrus and I went for a drive and got lunch and some money. Jim came up and saw me before we went. I met my new companion, Elder Brett Harmon, and we set off. Elders Soelberg, Clarke, Harmon and I, but not without a well needed stop at Kentucky Fried Chicken for lunch. Elder Clarke and I expounded doctrine all the way up despite my tiredness.

We met Elders Richardson and Forsyth who we were replacing for a few minutes before Elder Soelberg was on the road again.

In our new flat (a room of Model 6), we started fishing for clues – found our dinner appointment and managed to get to Sister Erica Flemming’s house where we had a good hospitable welcome to Whangarei. In the evening we went exploring as our flat was just minutes from town. We met some friendly people and got a contact which made us feel very good, as neither of us were very optimistic of a doubt shift.

We had something at McDonalds, as it was only a minute away from the unit.

The missionary couple, (the Petersons) who had been living at the motel also were shifting out so we were taking over their area as well. Elder Peterson took us on a bit of a tour before we hit the sack. We are now covering the 1st and 2nd wards in Whangarei and the Hikurangi branch. We have 9 people in our teaching pool.

Tuesday 2nd July

We took today as mostly a preparation day for us in this new area. Elder Harmon did a little washing before we had our appointment with Raewyn and Mike. They weren’t home so instead we went into town. Met a few people and then went to do some grocery shopping at Pak’n’Save. I was trying to see Anna Poa (my good friend from school ) as I knew she worked there. The Poas are in 2nd Ward.

Spent the afternoon going over the records looking for all the contacts that we would have. Our dinner was with Christine Epiha who was very nice and helped us a lot in getting our bearings. She had a few questions that we were able to discuss. I was impressed at her great understanding and depth.

Visited the Poas a minute. They took us to our correlation meeting at the Chapel. Anna came too. We had an excellent meeting. I was impressed by the dedication from the members. We watched a priesthood executive organisation video, which was excellent, and I took a few notes from.

D&C 20:59 Purpose ‘to invite all to come unto Christ’.

Work as a unit, concentrate on the mission of the church, unification of proclaiming the gospel, perfecting the saints and redeeming the dead.

All of the missions of the church lead towards the making of covenants.

All roads lead to the Temple.

Organise to do, less time on meetings, more time on doing.

Alma 31:34-35 everyone is precious.

Help the people, work on individuals not statistics.

Keep in close touch with prayer. Use it in selectively singling our individuals for need, and to have the Lord’s guidance.

We then had priesthood executive, which went equally well. The great spirit we felt and the strong desire particularly impressed elder Harmon and myself.

We returned to the Poas and set up a family home evening with Cecil Poa (Anna’s Dad who is a non member), and also talked to Anthony for a while in his room. I hadn’t seen him for ages. He was looking really good and we had a lot to catch up on. But because of time we had to rush and so had a speedy ride down the Tikipuna hill.

Got back to the flat just after 9:30.

Wednesday 3rd July

Spent most of the morning yet again going over old records. Also spent some time in town. We checked on a few contacts we had on the cards. I also saw Ephraim Peihopa’s (Dawson’s brother) name on the word list but there was no such place when we went to visit. We also went to visit some contacts of which only one was home.

We met the Paul family who the other Elders had started teaching. They were really nice. The husband was an ex member his wife was the one most interested. Their daughter was a little harder to get interested. We showed them a video to follow up on the last discussion and went over the book of Mormon and prayer again.

Brother Paul gave us a smoked mullet so that we wouldn’t starve. We visited Christine again tonight after finding one of her friends was scheduled for baptism but discontinued. We found out a little about Lynn.

Sister Carlton came by and invited us to her house – when she had heard we hadn’t had dinner yet she fixed us something and gave me a bag full of unshelled oysters.

We got another fantastic ride down Tikipuna hill, and got back to the flat just after time.

Thursday 4th July

Managed to finally find a place where I could get my hair cut. Luckily we met the Crawshaw family there and were able to arrange for our dinner together. I was able to get a fairly decent haircut as well.

We visited the Heremaias in 3rd ward in the afternoon. There we met the sisters Hayden and Scofield – we needed to correlate the areas and gain information. There were very nice, we wee surprised at how tiny they were and how much sister Hayden could talk.

Afterwards we bided to Onerahi. On the way we took a wrong turn, crossed the wrong bridge and went the wrong way. We ended up eventually getting there. We didn’t realise how far away it was and we were late. Dinner was beautiful, the best meal I’d had in a while with crabmeat as an entrée.

We left our bikes there and Brother Crawshaw dropped us to our appointment with the Kiro family. 4 kids from 9-13 it was good fun but extremely tiring. They had so man questions we did a bit of a discussion but just generally got to know them. Aroha, Awhina, Mark and Wesley. We walked home from there, back to the flat.

Friday 5th July

Brother Crawshaw came and picked us up at 9:30 and took us out to Onerahi, with our bikes we went for a ride around the peninsular visiting contacts we had on file. Most of the people we went to see weren’t home – we did meet some nice people though.

When we returned to the Crawshaws, Pam had made us a nice lunch that we enjoyed eating.

We biked back into town and went and visited Mary and her daughter Joanne, who we had met the other day from our contact cards, we had a nice talk. I was astonished at how forward Elder Harmon was when asking them why they weren’t going to church.

We had an evening discussion with the Paul family and committed them for Baptism, which was really neat. Brother Paul took us to McDonalds on the way home.

Elder Soelberg and Clarke had just arrived when we got back. They brought us our car and were staying over for Zone conference. Tomorrow Elder Clarke and I stayed up talking for hours about mission life and went through a few good scriptures together.

Saturday 6th July

After getting up in the middle of the morning we all managed to get on the road by 6:45. We picked up the sisters and drove up to Kaikohe. On the way we unloaded and Elder Harmon and I went with the zone leader Elder Wiberg and Bangater. It was refreshing to see President and Sister Lloyd again after so long. We are a bit more isolated from the mission up here in the North. I had my interview with President, which was pretty good. He was very helpful.

Our conference was good. The assistants talked about what a District Development Meeting should include, i.e. be communicative, motivative, instructive, training, planning, coordinate generate ideas and solve problems.

Based on needs – 50% practice.

Success comes from planning and goals.

President talked about teaching and taking control - responsibility for the environment.

Elder Harmon gave a good talk on faith, with the theme 'power is kick-started by faith'. Moroni 7:33-34 faith gives the power to do God’s will.

I was given the assignment of hard works to follow James 2:14-20. I tried to motivate the missionaries into extending their productivity, that we were responsible for the people in our area. Some of the other things we learnt about were the things we should know and learn about the scriptures, i.e. questions we should pose, when studying.

1. Determine accuracy of what you read.

2. Look at the structure and make up.

3. Be acquainted with background of each book, writings of scripture.

4. Remember the primary purpose of scripture is religious.

History conveys testimony.

Scripture may not always be fact filled, as it is a religious book, not scientific. It is based on a historical background for proof of event.

We then had a bit of a photo session with such a great reunion with Pura Flutey and Jason Manu after a rather beautiful lunch.

We journeyed back and dropped the assistants Elders’ Soelberg and Clarke to wait for President to pick them up and take them back to Auckland.

We had our dinner appointment with Andy Rolton. He wasn’t home when we got there so we made ourselves at home. When he came back we had a great dinner and we talked a lot while inspecting his music, which he is a connoisseur of.

His daughter Leslie came back from Auckland and I was surprised to find I knew her from school in 1988.

Sunday 7th July

With our new car we ventured to Church for our first ward at 9am. We realised we hadn’t our hymn books so we went and got them and got back in time for the second ward. No one I knew was in first ward but in second ward there were a few, i.e. Tammy, Joe, the Poas and Kenneth Barker and Leslie. Today was testimony bearing so I enjoyed immensely first ward’s spirit. I would have got up if there had been a break in speakers. Second ward looked a little sick with only 57 people there. I still felt the spirit and also had the opportunity to bear my testimony. We went to classes and I even taught priesthood. I gave the steps to perfection and found one man who believed that you could be saved by faith – we arranged a family home evening with him on Thursday.

We wanted to go out to Hikurangi but couldn’t find anyone out there. While doing some photocopying we caught up with third ward and was surprised to see a lot of my old friends, Jonell, Sirena, Phyllis, Marisa, and Heleina. I was glad to see Phyllis Mahanga my old friend and Heleina her daughter. We visited the Kiro kids and gave them a presentation. We didn’t have anyone for dinner so made our own. Ken Bolleboom, our first ward mission leader, came over and we did a bit of correlating.

Monday 8th July

Spent all day writing lots of letters – since I’ve been in Whangarei I’ve hardly had many letters. We also did our washing. In the afternoon the sisters rang and we drove them up to get their laundry dried. We then did our shopping altogether in Pak’n’Save, we saw Anna this time in the fish section.

The sisters took us to the winter show to see their investigators perform in the Maori culture class. It was really neat, reminded me of old times at college. We decided to attend the culture class ourselves with the sisters tomorrow.

After dropping the sister missionaries off at their dinner appointment we went to our family home evening dinner at the Watsons. They had converted their home into a welfare home and were having a house warming. It was quite good. We got to get acquainted with some more of the members in the ward and also a few non-members, including the husband and friend of Tammy-Joe.

As the night ended I managed to get my hands on a guitar and we did a little singing which was a nice round off to the evening.

Tuesday, 9^th July

Not a very productive morning. I wasn’t very happy about it but I consented to go down town to get some things we needed that we ran out of time for yesterday. Firstly I got myself a bag, a real nice black camera bag that was perfect for my stuff for a small fee of $25 - also we went and got stamps and envelopes. The price of postage has risen to 45c and with all my letters I had to buy two books, which exhausted my money.

Went and visited Joanne for a little while before travelling up to Otangarei for the Kiro kids. We taught them the second discussion which went really well and we managed to commit them all, it was good.

Went and had a review with Donna and Stacey that went really well. We went over the second discussion and managed to teach Stacey.

We made our own dinner and went to the Maori culture class, which was excellent. I enjoyed myself greatly. We sung a really nice Maori hymn called Te Atua which I enjoyed as it brought in a nice spirit. Everyone was really friendly and we met up with the sister missionaries’ investigator Carol and a lot of other active and less active members that were there.

Wednesday, 10^th July

Spent quite a bit of time preparing my apostasy kit for tonight’s discussion with the Pauls.

President Te Awa Pearce the Hikurangi branch president and mission leader came this morning and we had correlation together. We went over a lot of good families and people we could see.

We went to Nigel’s at 10am, got to know him a little and showed him some of the church videos we had.

We then met up with Robert Carpenter Ward, mission leader for second ward. We organised some good things with him, mainly people we were teaching and our fireside on the 21^st of this month.

We had a little time so stopped off at the beautiful Whangarei falls in Tikipuna. We thought it might be good to have our District Development Meeting there tomorrow. We went back to the flat for lunch before going out to Hikurangi to meet Molly Pearce (Te Awa’s mum) and visit a few of the people in the area.

Our dinner was at the Pauls after which we had the third discussion. It went really well and everyone enjoyed themselves as well as learning a lot. The apostasy kid i.e. the building of Christ church in relation to modern times and the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints - was most helpful.

Elder Wiberg and Bangater came tonight.

Thursday, 11^th July

With the zone leader at our flat we had a very spiritual morning with some good studying.

I managed to get myself in a funny mood and ended up cracking up all the time.

We had our District Development Meeting with Sisters Hayden, Scofield and Elders Wiberg, Bangeta, Harmon and myself at the chapel because it was raining.

Sister Hayden did a very wonderful spiritual thought on Jesus Christ. It ended up being a talk. I learnt some good things including Christ’s atoning sacrifice and also the description of him by Publius Lentilus, governor of Judea, addressed to Tiberius Caesar, emperor of Rome. Found in an excavated city written in Aramaic on stone, which told of his manner, character, charisma and majesty.

Sister Scofield gave a good talk on exaltation using Moses 1:39 and an experience with sky diving she talked about setting goals to be exalted, to live with God again, in a continuation of the family unit the highest of the kingdoms in the celestial glory. Another neat thing she quoted was that all we learnt in the pre-existence is recorded for us in the scriptures so we can remember. Therefore the veil is only placed upon the minds of those who choose not to expand them.

We had a good tea with the Barkers, but the highlight of the day was a overwhelming spiritual experience when we enlightened Brother Tronall with the apostasy kit and he could see feel and believe there was one true church and this was it. Also gave the portrait presentation to Andy and Leslie Rolton and Sarina.

Friday, 12^th July

Jenny rang us last night wanting a blessing apparently she had been seeing visions and they were scaring her. Prompted by the spirit I told her to fast and that we would do likewise because of the seriousness of the situation. So we were fasting all day today.

We went to the Crawshaws and did a little painting for them as part of our service hours this week. Pam made us lunch which we had to decline so she gave us some food to take with us.

We visited Joanne but couldn’t do her lawns for her today.

We had a third discussion with the Kiro kids but none of the family were home. So instead went to visit some people up and around Tikipuna. We had dinner with the Wharemates where we broke our fast. Lucy was there the missionary groupie - she was posing as Mary. We made quite a joke of it.

Jenny didn’t want her blessing after all. I think she felt unworthy as she found it hard and couldn’t fulfil her commitment to fast. However, I don’t think our fasting was in vain.

The Paul family weren’t home either and we were wondering about our success today but took the opportunity to visit Raewyn and were blessed with the opportunity of finally meeting Mike and teaching him the plan of salvation.

Saturday, 13^th July

Went to visit the Pauls this morning as we had got their apologetic note that they wouldn’t be home - when we got back to the flat last night. We went over the third discussion again with Donna and Stacey.

We went to visit Lynn White, which was rather interesting. She was scheduled for baptism but the wait was so long and Satan got in. She now doesn’t see the necessity for baptism. She believes in being saved by grace, it doesn’t matter what religion you are. It was very hard to resolve her concern; we ended up leaving a cassette tape ‘seventeen points to the true church’. We watched the Poa’s video of the polyculture centre in Hawaii. It was very good.

Our dinner was with Christine Epiha but instead we had dinner at the chapel as part of the Poa family reunion dinner with some special guests from Hawaii. Got to see heaps of my old friends Dana, Rika, Patty, Sister Hepri, Aunty June and Greg Fata. It was quite good to see them all however, we had to wait ages for the dinner. We were late home for stats.

However, the Hangi was worth it and I even got to try sushi and some other Hawaiian Japanese dishes.

Sunday, 14^th July

We had a rather interesting day today. Visited first ward and got to introduce ourselves then we shot off to get to the Hikurangi branch. We had Sunday School first and we had a very powerful class on the atonement of Jesus Christ and especially His suffering in Gesemane. The class tried to liken it to a mortal pain i.e. going to the dentist or having a baby. We discussed the fact that Jesus Christ knew what was involved and could back out at any moment, the temptation to do so must have been great however, He knew it must be done and He must do it. The spirit was very strong and I think for a moment I had a glimpse of maybe a minute understanding of what really happened that night in the garden. Our priesthood class was good as well. We left at the beginning of their sacrament to get back to the second ward. We got there in time for Sunday School but Donna left suddenly. She was quite upset also. We had class with Nigel and went over the twelve tribes of Israel and their descendants and the fulfilment of prophecy. We went to see the Kiro kids. They had gone away for the day on Friday. We went to Watsons for lunch then back to the Kiros and taught them the third discussion, after which we went back to the flat exhausted from the massive mental drain.

Monday, 15^th July

Spent the day writing letters and cleaning up. Got a few letters written to my friends throughout.

We took the sisters again to get their laundry dried and also went shopping with them. Yet again, they were concerned at our unhealthy diet.

After we dropped them off at their flat we went to fill up our car and take it a free car wash. When I typed in the code I forgot to wind up the window so the water started pouring in. My companion said he had never seen me move so quickly.

We went to a family home evening with the Poutu’s and with the Bollebooms. It was quite neat. Sister Poutu talked about humour and how we should have it but use it to lighten our lives and not to bring down others. Good humour involves a light look that helps us over the hard times and loud laughter and cheap shots that bring others down.

After a bit of humour we had a beautiful sheppards pie baked by Ken Bolleboom before returning back to the flat.

Tuesday, 16^th July

Took our travels out to Onerahi this morning. Tried a lot of our contacts but yet again no one was home. So we stopped in at the Crawshaws again. They were doing some wall papering so we pitched in. Elder Harmon did a little and learnt how to wallpaper. I sat back and read ‘Mormon Doctrine’ by Bruce R McKonie, to them. Elder Harmon did a good job of the wallpapering and it earnt us a nice lunch.

After stopping off at the flat we headed off to Tikipuna in the afternoon. We found a bit of a problem when we got to Donna’s. Apparently John was abusing her drinking and threatening. She was quite upset reminded me of all the things that happened in our home to my mum. Yet ten years on and I could still not do anything. I was as helpless as I was just a kid. There was little we could do but give some scriptural thoughts.

After dinner with the Whitakers the Relief Society President for first ward gave a quick presentation to Mike, which he really enjoyed.

We went to our culture class. We got there late but it was good. I got to renew a few hakas and learn the words to our Maori hymn ‘Te Atua’.

Wednesday, 17^th July

We started off the day with a quick trip to the drycleaners to get my suit then went with Molly Pearce to a funeral of some men in the community. It was quite touching but I nearly burst into laughter as the Minister started off the service by stating ‘we are here because Michael and Leslie are dead’. I thought that was rather stating the obvious.

I was not feeling very well so Elder Harmon drove us to Hikurangi where I had a sleep before Sister Pearce came and we went in her freezing car visiting people. I had a sore throat so tried to limit my talking because it hurt. We visited some nice families whom we hoped to develop with.

We had a nice dinner with Sister Mortimer and her well-known marathon runner husband Eric.

WE went to the Pauls for our fourth discussion, it was sad. Stacey wouldn’t join in and part of the discussion was on eternal families. It was hard. Elder Harmon taught the eternal progression and I although pained to talk, did the committal for chastity and the word of wisdom. All she had to change was her tea drinking.

Still it was a little sad tonight and I came off with a tear in my eye. It was exactly like my home yet she didn’t have the advantage of the strong church and AA and I knew exactly how Stacey felt.

Thursday, 18^th July

This morning I woke up feeling really bad. So we spent time in the flat up to after lunch. Because we had given the car to the sisters, I thought to clear my system by doing a little running. We went to Joanne’s to do her lawn. We got a little done but it started raining. We went back to the flat and got changed. We had an appointment with the Kiro kids but I felt too terrible and we had no transport since Elder Harmon’s bike wasn’t fixed yet. So we didn’t go but walked to our dinner appointment with Sister Pomare. Afterwards we went to the Bollebooms and with Ken went to Anthony’s house. He had some great stuff, some good resource materials from the prophets and things like the apocrypha and lost books of the bible.

Ken gave us a ride up to Tikipuna after Elder Harmon and him gave me a blessing. We saw Donna for a while and she, Stacey and us did a prayer.

We went to visit Lynn but she wasn’t home so we went to the Carpenters and spent a bit of time there. The Crawshaws came and we talked a while, still felt terrible. Thankfully Brother Carpenter gave us a ride home in his no window car.

Jenny rang for a blessing but we couldn’t get there without a car so she designed to come tomorrow before her court case.

Friday, 19 July

We had an interesting morning with the arrival of Ken, Brother Carpenter and Jenny for her blessing. Then the sisters came and picked us up for our Zone Development Meeting in Maramaku. I was surprised to see a beautiful big chapel out along a metal road in the middle of nowhere.

The zone meeting was quite good. Bangater talked on integrity D&C 124:15 and the attributes of honesty, righteousness and acceptance of the gospel that accompanies it. Its doing the right in the face of trials, it requires a lifetime of effort with high ideals and aims.

Integrity involves the keeping of our covenants. Sister Rigby talked on faith and hard works as a follow up to conference. She stipulated that faith and works = success. Esther 12:15, and the simple truth that if we don’t do the work we won’t accomplish anything D&C 59:23.

We were reminded to work with the stake missionaries and the general authority visits next month.

Our zone leader Elder Wiberg counselled us to live what we teach. John 13:15, D&C 112:28, D&C 39:30, and not to take our eyes off the goal or we would lose it.

The meeting thoughts were ‘light shines from disciplined consciences’. ‘Flattery is counterfeit and a bad example.’ (Non members can tell your feelings and motives - be honest) and ‘you never have a second chance to make a first impression.’

We talked for a while afterwards and then we got back in the car and Sister Hayden sped us back to Whangarei.

I still was feeling pretty bad with a lot of coughing and headaches. We stopped in town for a little while and had lunch together at the soup kitchen. We then went back to the sisters. We waited for Carol so Elder Harmon could do her baptismal interview. However she didn’t show so while waiting he talked and while the sisters went to an appointment we slept.

We found out that Carol’s sister had her baby and that’s why she didn’t come so we set up an appointment for later on tonight. We went to our tea appointment with the first ward bishop. They weren’t expecting us but made a meal anyway. Sister Rouse was really nice to us and even gave me a bottle of cough medicine for my cold.

We picked up the Sisters again and went to Carol’s place in Onerahi. While she had her interview we all sat around and talked, the sisters, Niira and I then when they finished we talked for ages too.

We were all really excited about Carol’s baptism tomorrow. She is so wonderful. She has a special spirit tomorrow will be great.

The sisters dropped us home and took the car after a very interesting day. It’s a good thing we didn’t schedule anything.

I was also reminded today of one of my favourite scriptures D&C 59:21 "in nothing do men offend God more than keeping his commandments and confessing his hand in all things’.

Saturday, 20^th July

Woke up feeling terrible. There was no way I was going anywhere this morning. We had an appointment with Donna to watch the Ten Commandments with her but we couldn’t get hold of her to tell her we weren’t coming.

In the middle of the morning after sitting around for a while because sleeping was no good, I had a look in the mirror and got a shock. I looked ugly. I had what seemed a rash over my face and chest - the measles.

My first thought was to ring up Pam Crawshaw because she had said something about her kids having something and she was a nurse. She informed me several babies had died from measles in the last month. At least I knew why I was feeling so bad and I began to write out my last testimony and will. The Crawshaws came out to help me and found I needed to be kept warm and bath in a particular liquid. We didn’t have a bath at the motel so went back to their house. Got everything done. Still felt terrible so snuggled up in a chair and watched TV. My temperature was super high so Pam’s friend a nurse, advised me to bath in a cold bath. I was already cold and shivering before I got into the water. It was very hard to do especially since I could back out anytime. I thought of the lessons of the Saviour and Joseph Smith and realised I had to do it and so despite the hardness, I did it. We were quite depressed about not being able to go to Carol’s baptism.

Sunday, 21^st July

Had to miss out on church today. So spent the day doing very little besides sleeping. I still feel quite bad. I didn’t have a very good sleep, always waking up in the middle of the night, my throat dry as a bone and coughing.

Managed to get to the end of the day with a much-reduced temperature over yesterday.

Monday, 22^nd July

Had a terrible night’s sleep. In fact I had some awful dreams, really yucky. Strange thing was the subject was so wonderful. The only thing wrong were my feelings, which made it real scary. Let me explain. My companion and I met this family. They were super golden. They were committed to everything, even before we taught them. They knew and lived the gospel principles. They were perfect as far as I could see. One of the teenage boys had a girlfriend who was the same. They told us they had slept together. We were so relieved that this family was normal after all. Then he came and told me repentantly that he had lied about the incident to make it seem that they weren’t’ as perfect because we were concerned about it. To top it all off the father was asked to be a councillor in the bishopric even before he was baptised. It was the perfect dream, the perfect situation yet I felt so bad about it. Maybe I was just realising my own inadequacies.

The rest of the day I spent in bed as Pam rung the nurse and she said I had to stay in bed and be quarantined in their house for a while.

I only got up later in the evening.

Tuesday, 23^rd July

I swapped beds on account of the bad sleeps I had been having. I think the double bed was haunted so I let Harmon sleep there and I moved into the kiddie’s single bed. I had a much better sleep. The sisters came and visited us and took over our area for us since we would be out for a while.

Wednesday, 24^th July

Stayed in bed most of the day, read a few things. Elder Harmon went to the hospital to give a blessing. However, she turned out to not want the missionaries and got a blessing from a Catholic Priest.

Thursday, 25^th July

I was a bit more mobile today and wrote a few letters to some friends, especially Brian, as he would have entered the MTC today plus President and sister Hirsche.

Friday, 26^th July

Stayed in bed a while and slept on the couch a lot, a fairly uneventful day. It was the Elders quorum activity tonight but of course we didn’t go.

Saturday, 27^th July

Met Pam’s brother today who was fairly good at singing Elvis as it happened also watched an Elvis short movie.

Pam went and got Lucy’s guitar for me. It is beautiful and I enjoyed playing with it. The sisters came over to do statistics with us since they had been visiting our area and contacts. We ended up singing children’s hymns until it was quite late. I quite enjoyed it. Boy Sister Hayden can talk.

Sunday, 28^th July

Elder Harmon went to church with Ray today and Dion Flemming came and stayed with me for the time we watched a video and a couple of episodes of the Simpson’s centering on honesty. Spent the rest of the day in my same state on my back on the couch.

Monday, 29^th July

Because I felt like I wasn’t using my time very well lately and since I would have to stay a little while, I decided to schedule my time and did a lot of study before embarking on a few letters which I managed to do a few to Kara, my sister, Chris, Aunty and Uncle and others. Had Family Home Evening.

Tuesday, 30^th July

Elder Harmon started feeling not so good last night and so they took him to the doctors. Royden McGee a recent RM came and stayed with me while they went. We had a good lunch and talk while they were away.

Cheers was the main event of this evening.

Wednesday, 31^st July

After a bit of confusion we managed to get our new car today. A Toyota Corolla, GL, power steering, central locking, automatic 1991. It only had 322kms on the clock and had been just driven up from Hamilton. The sisters took off with it pretty quick but returned it in the evening to let us have a go. We talked most of the night and had a look for a new flat for the sisters to move into.

Thursday, 1^st August

Beginning to be allowed out. I accompanied my companion into town to get him a blood test. It rained most of the day and I spent a lot of time on the computer while my companion spent a lot of time in bed. Wiberg visited told us of the zone meeting and goal’s.

Friday, 2^nd August

A bit more active. We went to see the kids perform some Maori culture at the local shops for Maori awareness week. It was good. Isobel and Yvonne both performed.

Saturday, 3^rd August

We went back to the flat today to get a few more things and clean up that which was already there and get our meal. At the Crawshaws we met everyone else who was coming over to visit like Pam’s cousin who pulled the wool over my eyes so badly - just after I’d been joking with her.

Sunday, 4^th August

I went to church for a change and my companion stayed back. It was so refreshing after not being able to attend for two weeks. I got to see Anna and she was in a bright mood. I taught her class on honesty which went really well and so everything just went great.

Anna had visited me a couple of nights ago and we had talked and talked and I did up her farewell invitation for the 16^th. She is going to BYU Hawaii to Study

We saw the Carpenters in the afternoon before returning home.

Monday, 5^th August

I stayed up late last night doing a time management article on the computer. It went really well but it was long. I spent 10 hours on it and didn’t get to sleep till 3am. So I was pretty tired this morning. Came back to the motel and wrote heaps of letters. Did washing and all else that needed to be done. Sister Hayden rang, her bag with her scriptures had been stolen out of the car, she was very upset.

Spent the evening back at the Crawshaws, had family home evening with them and their friends and family most of whom were non-members. It went okay but we didn’t get to invite them to hear the discussions, as we should have. Still we had a good meal and were back in the flat to do some little extras. Dale dropped us off. I think the spirit touched him tonight.

Tuesday, 6^th August

Planned our day quite well. Allowed time for Elder Harmon to organise our district meeting on Thursday. We got the car off the sisters and did a few things in town we wouldn’t have done like shopping. Got up to the Carpenters and had a good correlation with him on some of the things that needed doing in the ward.

We learned of an appointment we had with a family Hikurangi. Molly and Te Awa had been sharing the gospel with the Pugh family while I was sick. We just stepped in, followed up on their first discussion with the video on Joseph Smith ‘the first vision’. We also went over the book of Mormon with them, gave them one each and read with them 3 Nephi chapter 11 and committed them to pray about the things we had been sharing with them.

It was very helpful to have Molly and Te Awa there also.

Afterward we came back to Whangarei and saw all of our friends at the culture evening. Church college’s culture group is coming up here in the latter end of the month so we wanted to tell them about that. Met some non-member friends of Carol, Tracey and Louise.

Wednesday, 7^th August

Went out to Hikurangi on our usual trek to see everyone. Visited Tracey, who was really helpful. We talked to a few of the family. We even committed her sister in law to start the discussions next week. We went up to the Smiths to see them. While we were there they had taken their daughter to the doctor. He had advised them to take her to the hospital. Lillian was quite upset and worried. Together we gave her daughter then her a blessing. Her mother Aloha also wanted a blessing. Her father in law was very sick. We felt really good and knew their daughter would be all right. We visited Sister Marvin only to find she was in hospital. The Haika family was good to visit; their son was very talkative.

We had a quick lunch and also visited Sidena. We hope to begin teaching her soon.

The Pugh family were again wonderful to be with. We taught the second discussion and they desired to be baptised. Brenda shared a special dream about how she was being held back by the people around her when Molly and some well dressed men came, made her safe and felt good. The spirit was strong and we realised the preparation of our heavenly father and his love for us.

Thursday, 8^th August

Had a good district meeting with Wiberg and Bangeta and also the sisters. Sister Hayden was still quite upset about the loss of her scriptures. Elder Harmon gave the thought about the trial of our faith. 1 Peter 1:7 and how it refines you. My assignment was on the premortal life, in which we discussed the events as laid out by the scriptures that we took part in before we were born. We also talked a little about our valency and how it determined our ability to come to earth in the positions we now are in. I quoted a bit from a talk by Alvin Dyer who spoke on our purpose as missionaries.

In the afternoon we went up to Tikipunga and saw Donna. It was lovely to meet with her again, after such a long time of not seeing her. While there we rang up Raewyn and set up a time on Saturday to come visit her and the family as they were taking care of Nana.

Had dinner at the Johnstons which I found Jason Reti is their grandson.

Went to the hospital and saw Sister Marvin, gave her a book of Mormon to read and then give away.

Friday, 9^th August

Today as we were on our bikes we decided to up to Tikipunga and work up and around that area as our Dinner was also there.

We had a few people to see. We really wanted to see Nigel as we hadn’t seen him for so long, since before we had been sick. We visited his home. His family were surprised to see us and even more surprised to learn we were unaware of Nigel’s situation. We found he was in Mt Eden prison for something we didn’t know but extremely serious. We gave the family our support and love.

It rained quite heavily. It was a good thing we had our umbrellas. We spent about an hour in a bookstore while Elder Harmon hunted for a card and then went to visit some members. First the Carpenters, then Sister Calton and then frustrated by the ugly weather, we snuggled down to a hot milo and blanket at the Poa’s place. It was also a good opportunity to be with them.

Had dinner at Sister Barker’s then had a rather interesting and enlightening talk with the Carpenters on pregnancy, marriage and all of her caesarean births. It was very very thought promoting.

Saturday, 10^th August

Had a stake missionary training meeting to start off the day. The sisters, zone leaders, our ward mission leaders were also there. I learnt that we could follow the temple reactivation programme in our reactivation programmes.

After this we packed all our gear up, rang Raewyn and went out to the farm in Whakapara. Met a few of her brothers and sisters, Thea, Blondie and Vaughan. Firstly we went and saw Nana Potter, talked with her and then administered to her. Raewyn held her hand and cried through the whole thing. She told us of how proud she was of her children and how she loved them very much. How her husband was a Mormon and how even though she’d been brought up Church of England the Mormons had married her.

After talking with her we, put on our work clothes on and helped Mike and Vaughan around the farm, it was quite good but there wasn’t much to do. We had lunch altogether which was nice. Elder Harmon tried his first ox tongue, which was lovely.

Since there was not much work to do we were contemplating going home so we could do some work there. Luckily Mike took us up the road to one of the grandchildren’s farms. We had a neat time there. First taking sheep that they were going to kill for the hangi when Nan dies and then feeding out hay to the livestock in the very muddy conditions.

By the time we had finished we were very good friends with Terry and Joy. We took the sheep back to the farm. There were a few more people there this time. They told us Nana had almost gone and while were thus engaged helping she passed away about 5pm.

Immediately everyone sprung into action hiding remorse with work. We helped in the killing of the pig, which took us well into the evening.

After doing that and also sheep in preparation for the following days, they asked if we could give a small service for Nana - so crowding into her room we gave a few small remarks and gave people the opportunity to speak. Afterwards we had a small feed, met many relations and then departed about 10.30 knowing we were the instruments of God today.

Sunday, 11^th August

Went to priesthood executive meeting this morning. My companion and I split up and he went to second ward and I went to first ward executive meetings.

We went to sacrament at first ward then after which we travelled to Hikurangi for sacrament there. Both of us spoke. Elder Harmon spoke first on those things that bring conversion after which I spoke on building a testimony by living the gospel. It went quite well.

In the first ward sacrament meeting the Edmonds family gave a great presentation.

First Sister Edmonds gave a good talk on building testimonies, which I later used in my talk. Some of the thoughts she shared were: ‘Of great affliction we get our greatest joys’. ‘Fear of the Lord is the beginning of our knowledge’. ‘Wisdom comes after the knowledge’. ‘Wisdom is the application of knowledge’. ‘The gospel gives us knowledge, wisdom puts it into practice’. Sister Carpenter their daughter use sign lanuage to sing the song ‘I heard him come’, which was beautiful.

Brother Edmonds talked on 1 Corinthians 3:16 how we were the temples of God. He talked about temples so that we could relate it to ourselves. They first must be dedicated, it is the house of the Lord when it is given to Him. It is beautiful, calm, spotless and peaceable. Engraved is the statement ‘Holiness to the Lord’. It is a house of service in which blessings come which are essential for the happiness of his children. It is built by sacrifice, much patience and labour. It is the home of God; it is sacred and worthy of His presence. Are we temples of God? A temple even to the most High God. We realised we hadn’t given Sister Herewini her Book of Mormons as we had promised so we raced back just in time to do so.

After lunch we went up to Whakapara and were welcomed onto the Marae, there to see our friends and family. We spent the afternoon and evening with everyone talking, playing and eating. We had the opportunity to share the plan of salvation especially with some of the family.

Everyone stayed up quite late on the Marae, with all the snoring and talking, it was a long night before my companion or I got any shut eye.

Monday, 12^th August

After being woken up at 6.30 we enjoyed a beautiful big breakfast after which we sped back to town to get everything we needed to get there. We did a bit of washing and the sisters with us did some shopping that we needed to do.

Once we got everything done including our letters home we quickly raced back to the Marae at Whakapara. We missed out on eating with everyone but did get to have a great meal.

We talked a lot the whole evening, then started the Whaikorero where everyone got to talk, express their love and devotion to Rosey and the family, it was a lovely evening. I felt compelled and even spoke. I taught about how families could be together forever. We all talked into the wee hours of the morning. When everyone was going off to sleep I noticed Vaughan sitting quietly and went to talk to him. In the process we conversed a lot about life and I taught him the plan of salvation at 3am in the morning. He enjoyed it very much. The spirit was there and I felt good about it.

Tuesday, 13^th August

We were woken up early this morning to a beautiful sunrise. After breakfast, I went for a snooze in the car as I had only three hours sleep.

We showered and changed at the Pearce’s place before coming back to the Marae for the funeral. Although we were early back they had already started saying their last words. Vaughan got me to sing greater than us all to his mum before they sealed the casket and carried it up the church. We had a small service before committing Rosie’s body to the grave, it was extremely emotional.

Afterwards we spent some more time with the family whom we had got very close to by now, had the hangi with them before saying all our goodbyes.

We then went to the Pearce’s and while Te Awa visited the Pughs we visited the Sheppard’s and discussed with Steven the plan of our heavenly father and committed him to hear the discussions.

We stopped in at the culture class in the later end of the evening and told them of the Church College Maori performance.

Wednesday, 14^th August

Spent the first day in Hikurangi today. First visited Tracey at her place was Louise and Carol and a couple of friends, Winiata and Fred. We had lunch with them. Carol told us all of how much she wanted to go on a mission. Shared a story about the picture of Jesus Christ which they really loved and we all had prayers together.

We couldn’t teach Tracey’s sister in law because she wasn’t home so we visited Sister Marvin. She told us of how she had given the book of Mormon away to one of the nurses. The nurse had come to her asking about the church, as she had been overwhelmed with joy when she read and had cried because of the testimony in front. It was very special.

We taught the Pugh family in the late afternoon, which was very nice. The third discussion went really well, they still hadn’t prayed about the truthfulness but were anxious to come to conference this weekend.

We raced back to town after this to see Anna’s youth perform in the church hall. Anna was just beaming. After which we went and saw the Whitakers.

Thursday, 15^th August

Our district meeting was good this morning for the first time. We had the McPherson couple, the Sisters, the zone leaders with us. We had a nice meeting. Elder Harmon gave the scripture Moroni 7:9-10 about prayer and giving with the emphasis on praying preceding reading. I gave the thought about our mission being on tithing on our time and how the sisters made up 10% of missionaries therefore are the tithing of the mission as sister Hayden gracefully put it.

Spent the afternoon doing our washing, as we had no time this week.

Later on we went to the hospital and visited a few people Kenneth Bolleboom was in there, he just had his teeth replaced he was in pain when we saw him so we gave him a blessing.

After visiting some people sister Marvin wanted us to see, we had a bit of extra time so we went over to see Joanne. We had a nice talk to her; her sister Maree was there, a non-member. I think we impressed them a little, especially Maree.

Friday, 16^th August

Visited the hospital this morning again as the Elders up North gave us a referral for Bob Waring.

Went to Raewyn’s place afterwards, it poured down with rain so we stayed there talking to Karl, Wayne and Andrew.

Got a lift up Otaika and Elder Harmon interviewed Malcolm for baptism. Meanwhile I was eating chocolate éclairs and logs, it was lovely.

We then went to Otangirei with the sisters to see the Kiro kids. We had not gone to our appointment with them because of the interview. We saw them for a brief time. We then went up to Tikipunga saw the Carpenters for a little while before going to Anna’s farewell at the high school.

It was a really lovely evening. Everyone was sad to see her go as we all had a special love, I got to say my goodbyes and even spoke.

Saw a lot of good old friends from College including Chalton, Ulea, and many more.

The dinner went quite late and it wasn’t until our bedtime that we managed to go with the Sisters home.

Saturday, 17^th August

Helped the sisters with the baptism font and filing it up. Went to Malcolm’s baptism at 11am, it was great. Kellie baptised him and it was a real nice service.

We were planning to go to Kiakohe Straight after but Pam said that they were going so we planned to go up with them this afternoon and stay the night there. However their transportation didn’t work out. Instead we ended up going to their place and staying there the evening and overnight.

Sunday, 18^th August

Woke up early and departed with Ray, Isobel and Yvonne. We got to Kaikohe and spent some time with the missionaries before going to conference.

Got to see a lot of my old friends including Robert Norm ‘Gonk’ my old Church College roomate who I hadn’t seen in a few years to my surprise he hadn’t changed much and even worse I hadn’t changed in my replies to him.

The conference was excellent and I learnt a lot, which I shall try and share.

The first session dealt mainly with gospel principles and also missions in which Royden Migee and Adam both spoke of their recent return from their missions. President Going gave a few good thoughts about reaching your potential. He told the parable of ‘The three sons’ about a father who sent his sons to work for a firm and noticed after they had been working there six months; one was earning $500 a week, another $1,000 and the other $1,500. Inquiring about the injustice with the boss, he stayed with him while a shipment of good came in a container. Sending out the man’s sons simultaneously to investigate the container he received word within 10 minutes from the first son that it contained lots of silk and a few radios. A couple of hours passed the second son rang with the report of 1000 bails of silk and 200 radios. Several hours later the third son on $1,5000 a week rang. He reported 1,000 bails of silk and 200 radios, also that he could get a 50% profit by selling them to a dealer nearby, and although the radios were harder to sell he could sell them off with a $10 per radio profit. All he wanted was the go ahead on the transaction. The father could see the reason for the difference in pay.

President Going related this to home teaching and visiting teaching. Then told of president Benson’s unwavering compassion as a young man to his not so nice neighbour.

The Return Missionaries talked a little on missionary work as being hand-to-hand combat, advised to dedicate yourself and to be you. Its purpose is to make preparations for the world to come. President and sister Solemberg from the temple both spoke. They asked as to teach and prepare for the temple. Curiosity or desire is not the right motives. Faith, desire to help and serve are the principles of the temple. A temple recommend is like oil in the lamps of the virgins. In the temple we can understand all the things of God. President said make whatever sacrifice it takes to go - it will not matter in the eternities to come.

The other President Going counselled on getting a purpose in life i.e.:

1. Place the saviour/church at centre of our life, do we radiate around the saviour?
2. Enduring happiness comes from what you are not what you have - pursue values that are important
3. Have moral standards, chastity be honest. You can choose what you want to be circumstances don’t dictate your growth; challenges are a source of strength. Do what we need to do in our lives.

Be independent from Social Welfare don’t get something for nothing.

Our ultimate goal is the temple; certain requirements are needed because of sacredness. We are covenant making people, never take breaking of covenants lightly. Our eternal salvation is at stake, eternal life is our goal.

If you are fully committed to the gospel you will never have time to go back to the Marae - the chapel is your marae.

The second session was about keeping the Sabbath day holy D&C 39:9.

Saturday - Rahoria - preparation

Sunday - Ratapu - sacred

On Sunday we get renewed physically, mentally and spiritually. Without forethoughts our trip could be a disaster so we must prepare for the Sabbath. Make it an automatic decision don’t be plagued with that decision each week.

Go in empty come out full D&C 78:7. Only bored if you’ve got nothing to do. Do prayer, scripture study, service. Nothing he has asked us to do will make us unhappy - everything he asks will make us happy. Sort out the physical so concentrating on the spiritual. Church is the school of spirituality; no one can grow too much.

President Going again remarked what does it take to keep you away? What excuse do you feel you can justify your actions with? Reconsider excuses you have had in the past.

Our attendance on Sunday is a reflection of our attitude to Jesus and His sacrifice. It is a reflection of how deep or shallow our testimony is and our appreciation. Be reminded of our commitments. 1 - attend meeting 2 - realise blessings. Be an example; be not of the world, live above that which is common in the world. Food of the body is not as necessary as food of the spirit. Simplicity on preparing and providing food on the Sabbath will give greater emphasis on the spiritual. Feel fellowship of the saint’s growth comes in working together, as does strength. The Sabbath is essentially for worship - put away those things which detract from the Lord and worshiping Him. We become sanctified and lifted above the natural man. A level of spirituality that Satan finds very hard to pull us from.

After conference we caught a ride from with the Connor’s after which we had dinner with them. In the evening we recorded the church videos we use onto one tape at Anthony’s house.

Monday, 19^th August

After a day spent washing, writing letters, and shopping as is usual. We finally left in the late afternoon to go to the Barkers for dinner. We had a lovely dinner there and quickly zoomed down the hill to the Poutu’s house where we had family home evening with them. It was quite interesting. Fred gave a rather detailed version of the plan of salvation that I could tell his non-member friend. Merv couldn’t understand. However things went okay and I ended up showing my kit on our heavenly father’s plan.

We got back to the flat a little later on after yet another meal.

Tuesday, 20^th August

We went on trade-offs today. My companion went with Royden to Wharanaki and Edwin came with me around town.

It was excellent. We visited Donna for lunch after which we went to the Poa’s and helped out there. Saw Anna for the last time and gave her a big hug goodbye. She’s really going to enjoy herself in Hawaii. Edwin and I went down to Otangerei on the way we got stuck in the bush and got our shoes and socks wet in the marsh.

Visited the Whitakers then the Kiro kids where Edwin and I taught the sixth discussion. It was fun. We played a few games with them also.

Later we went to our culture class which was good and returned to the flat. The others came back a bit later. Edwin stayed overnight.

Wednesday, 21^st August

Tried to get a trade off but it wasn’t possible so we went out to Hikurangi with Edwin. Saw Tracy then went to Pearce’s for a while and helped Mr Pearce who then made us lunch and invited to take us to the Bay of Islands which we quickly accepted. Showed the restoration of the priesthood to the Pugh’s and later talked to the Henry family.

Thursday, 22^nd August

Worked in Onerahi today, visited a few people including John, Norman Berryman, Bishop. Elder Harmon got a flat tire on his bike which we fixed at Crawshaws before having dinner with them.

Our appointment with Dion and Shirley was cancelled so we rode back, stopping on the way at the Flemmings before returning home.

Friday, 23^rd August

The stage crew for Church College's performance of 'Yesterdays Heros' arrived this morning. My sister gave me a call and we went out to see her. We ended up spending all day with her. They took us for lunch at a restaurant in Kamo and we helped set up for our service hours. It was good to see My sister Maria again and all of my friends I hadn’t seen for a while.

The performance in the evening was fantastic. We had heaps of non-members there especially from our culture class and Donna, Stacey, John, Raewyn, Mike and also Tipu who was very interested in getting a copy of the show on video tape.

We didn’t get finished till quite late at night but it was worth it.

Saturday, 24^th August

We travelled up to Maramaku at 10am to get there in time for the light lunch. Our conference began with Elder Hodges talking on obedience said rules give us the freedom we need to preach the gospel i.e. freedom from sin.

Sister Flutey remarked on the importance of the spirit. Stating that the spirit is vital, with Him you can perform miracles, without Him you can do nothing to compensate. The spirit brings about conversion.

President Lloyd added that it was a tool of our heavenly father. The spirit strikes, obedience pitches. Sister Lloyd stated happiness can’t be chased, it comes through works. Only you can fulfil that mission. Your father in heaven has for you to do. Your destiny depends on you and your diligence and work you do. Do we teach as though we know him? The mark you leave is as distinct as your finger print. Have your hand in the hand of God like King David. Represent the saviour well. Testify and the spirit will take over, give us words.

Sister Banks counselled to be persistent. We must overcome. As you study put your name in place, reach for the best as you study. Work for your 'eternal companion' the harder you work the more beautiful your wife will be.

Elder Banks Quorum of the seventy shared their thoughts. A mission presidents prepare and responsibilities are 1 - to his family, 2 - save missionaries (testimony), 3 - increase convert, 4 - retention of new converts. Our priority is 1 - our companion, 2 - converts. Everything leads to ordinances in the temple. It is the epitome of the things we are allowed to do to reach our father in heaven. The brethren are concerned at 1 - number of new converts that don’t do all their covenants and 2 - number of members who don’t do all covenants. We are covenant making people baptism, sacrament, priesthood, temple endowments, and eternal marriages. It does not stop when we are baptised. D&C 15:6, to have the spirit a lot we need to be obedient. It is a frequent source of problems - ‘be you clean, purify your hearts before me’.

He then went over lots of mission rules emphasising strongly on obedience and helped us recognise our faults. After preparing us he committed us to be obedient. He told us to act as servants of the Lord. Go on time, be punctual, act with dignity, be a minister of Jesus Christ, pleasant approach, have concern and love. Help our investigators integrate by use of stake missionaries and members. ‘The thing that makes us different from other churches is not the spirit but divine authority by direct revelation.’ We shouldn’t gossip, it will destroy us in the eyes of the people we work with - don’t speak against other religions, talk on the positives, watch what you say, avoid contention. In closing, he went on to tell us the things we needed to take home.

1. Knowledge and love of God and His son Jesus Christ.
2. Increased love and gratitude for your parents.
3. Genuine love and concern for your companions.
4. Love for the people you had the opportunity to labour with.
5. Appreciation for hard work.
6. Appreciation for the scriptures.
7. Understanding of what things are important in your lives.
8. Courage to act on a belief.
9. Faith to try.
10. The humility to pray D&C 31: 3-12
11. The good sense to believe D&C 75:5
12. Alma 13:3

‘Be the missionary to match the message’.

After it was all over, we talked a while and got pictures before heading off. We stopped at the Potter farm on the way and sung our song ‘Te Atua’ before going to the Hikurangi chapel. We had a games evening with the branch and sung a few songs.It was a really neat activity and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. It was a good opportunity to associate with the branch and have our investigators along. Not that any came but it would have been great if they did.

Sunday, 25^th August

Had our various wards today as usual. Church was again very good. After church we taught Donna and Stacey the fifth discussion which they enjoyed immensely and committed to.

After which we had dinner at the Crawshaws before going to Dion and Shirley’s place. We talked a lot about the things and committed Dion to the discussions.

Today was the beginning of what we termed Obedience Week as committed by Elder Banks.

Monday, 26^th August

After sorting out staff with the sisters Mr Pearce came and got us and with Molly the four of us went around the bays on the East Coast together. It was beautiful; everything was so wonderful and scenic.

Satan must have known we were coming because one beach we went to had a whole lot of lesbian nudists on it.

However, the rest of the day went well and in the evening we went to do weights at Kensington Gym in which we met the sisters aerobics instructor who was really cool.

Tuesday, 27^th August

Edwin came out with me today and we worked around Whangarei. Our first stop was at Sharlene’s (Edwins girlfriend’s) where we showed the video tapes "Together Forever" and "The Plan of Our Heavenly Father". She was so wonderful. The spirit was so strong she cried - especially when I sung greater than us all. It was neat. I committed her to the discussions even though my first thought was of baptism. She quickly accepted and even made us a little lunch before we left. It was so thrilling.

Monday, 21^st October

Sister Hayden’s was finishing her mission so we had a farewell party at Bishop Watene’s last night for her. It turned out to be Sister Scofield’s and Elder Harmon’s farewells also as we found out they were also shifting. We spent the night packing. It was sad to see him go. We had become really close over the past four months. He is one excellent guy; I love him so much.

I was pleased to meet my new companion Elder Brendon Price. He is from Hastings and right before my mission during that Young Adult conference I had been to his house and met his family. His mum told me he was on a mission up here and that I might get to serve with him. I now have a lot of fait in Sister Price. I also went to school with his sister Peggy Joe.

[Elder Cherian - reference written by Sisters Hayden and Scofield]

Saturday, 7^th December

I have been wrestling with the desire to pick up a pen and write - I have missed so much that I would have liked to go over but I also fear I will lose the opportunity of telling you first hand what momentous experiences I have been having.

A few months ago Elder Harmon and I were stopped on the street on the way to Julian Semenoff’s welcome home party at the chapel, by Ian and Wendy Hamilton, who invited us to their home to present the message we had.

We gladly returned the next week to meet them and share with them a beautiful spirit although a very staunch born again Christian, they were eager to hear of our beliefs. Our discussions were good but went too far in depth as Ian explored the gospel. They found a lot of concepts were very hard but we felt we were at least providing an opportunity to learn and accept the truth. Ian is very into proving things and possessed quite a bit of material including facsimile manuscripts of the Bible books in the original Greek and Hebrew.

He sent away to the Smithsonian institution inquiring about the Book of Mormon as a archaeological work, as he felt it should have the same standing as the Bible in reference to its history.

After our last meeting at the end of the past week, he gave us a copy of his reply for us to read. It was a very negative reply and one that made me think some pretty hard thoughts. Still I realised upon the knowledge that my testimony did not come from middle American scholars but from my Heavenly Father. I had read and prayed and applied the principles and I knew it was the word of God.

With this knowledge we decided that the only way that Ian and Wendy would know that the gospel is true was through reading and praying. Last night we went to their place to commit them to read.

We were bold and no where near expecting what was about to unfold. Ian brought out his anti-mormon literature slandering the book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. Despite his account of hideous things I felt unusually calm and peaceful. However his sincerity and goodwill was so intense that I could only feel that he had our best interests in mind. He even offered us a place to stay because of the awkwardness of our situation. He spoke over and over again of how tragic this kind of stuff would be for him and understood our position. What he didn’t realise was we weren’t that concerned.

After leaving I read some of the material which he gave us. It was shocking stuff and my testimony of the gospel was severely shaken. I did a lot of praying and I tossed and turned all night wrestling with my knowledge of the truth. Was it true? I had had some pretty wonderful experiences with the Spirit, surely I must be doing the right things? Could I be mistaken?

Today was zone conference still spotted by the knowledge of some pretty hard hitting things I enjoyed the meeting but not as much previous ones. My thoughts were on what I had read last night. The opportunity to bear my Testimony came around, and I was reluctant to get up, I felt like I knew nothing for sure. Still I knew that God lived, so I thought I would just get up and say that. When I began to speak a force entered into me gradually until it filled my entire being and shook me continuously and for the first time in my life the feelings welled up inside of me so strong that couldn’t help but cry. I knew I had a testimony and it was real. I know that the book of Mormon is true, I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, I know that Jesus is the Christ and I know God lives. What greater proof can you have than by the grace of God through the power of the Holy Ghost I have that witness. I know the church is true.

As I sat down my companion spoke and reiterated those same feelings, that same knowledge by that same power. I wept.

The end of the day we spent at the Poa’s place we had dinner and conversation before going to Maree’s new flat around the corner from our motel and spent some time with her and her brother.

Sunday, 8^th December

We went to church this morning and it was exceptionally good. All the speakers were excellent especially Brother Carpenter who spoke on the needs of those who don’t have that much for Christmas. Really thought promoting our gospel principles class went excellent. Ces Poa surprised me and attended. So did Sister Windust, our conversation was great.

In the afternoon we visited the Pugh’s and taught the sixth discussion which was excellent. Cory was the only one ready for baptism so we got his parents permission and he will be baptised on Sunday next week.

Saw Steve also and had a particularly good visit with him. He wanted to set a date for his baptism also.

We then went out to the Pearce’s and had dinner with them.

We returned to town and visited Tip and Erika. We had an especially good discussion with them. The spirit was really strong but he failed to accept the invitation to be baptised. His attitude was definitely a step in the right direction though

All in all a very special day. I am still marvelling at my testimony and the spirit by which my knowledge comes.

Monday, 9^th December

Today was neat. It started off badly with our appointments not being available but none the less we turned it into a productive day. We delivered a guitar to Lucy for Elder Labrum. Visited Martin and had a great time with him. He really is making moves towards baptism. I am glad.

Visited Carol for a while. Tracey was with her and we read some of the book of Mormon together. We then went around the corner to Malcolm’s. We helped Joanne by taking the kids up to the park to play. Marie came along and we talked. She is really making a big change in her life.

We saw Grace also and she is doing well also.

Picked up our bikes we left and Evelyn and Kellie’s place on Friday because of the rain and went up to the Poa’s.

We had a farewell family home evening for Christine Epiha which was really neat. We had great fun playing the games and learning together.

Spent a bit of time with the Poa’s afterwards while the shirt dried from being web by Evelyn and then came home.

Elder Labrum got shifted suddenly today. We knew he was going back to the States for an operation but it was shocking that he was shifted out without any warning at all.

Tuesday, 10^th December

Spent a little time in the morning with the other Elders Foote and Dunlop. We then spent some time in town doing some things like shopping and organising finances for Christmas and this new system that we were on missionary support fund.

We picked up Elder Unitoa on his return from Auckland and he spent the day with us. We had an appointment with Sister Windust but she wasn’t available when we got to her house so we spent some time over at the Poa’s home. Anthony and Whenua were there along with Ces so it was good. We went to our tea appointment with the Hepi’s which was good. Out at Hikurangi we went to our Carol singing practice with the branch which was neat. Cory came and so did his mum Brenda which was a great blessing.

After it was over we visited Steve and Peggy and spent a little time with them before shooting out in the great wide yonder back to the flat.

Wednesday, 11^th December

We started off this morning with Elder Unitoa. We helped Lucy with her house cleaning the front and also had a good lunch. We then sped to Grace’s place – her sister Carol didn’t show so we just read the book of Mormon with Grace which was neat.

We returned to the flat and Elder Brewer we found was Unitoa’s companion.

WE had a sleep in the afternoon before going to Lucy’s for dinner. Afterwards we had a really neat first discussion with Marie and her flatmate Orion, it went really well.

Thursday, 12^th December

We did our usual bout of basketball this morning at the youth centre with Martin, Whenua, Anthony and Malcolm which was great. We also got into a good game of volleyball.

I spent a lot of the afternoon writing letters and preparing cards for friends and family throughout New Zealand and the world.

In the evening was Stacey’s baptism which was excellent. I spoke on the Holy Ghost. This was first my baptism in the area. Afterwards we visited Maree and Orion and taught a wonderful second discussion in which they wanted to get baptised as soon as possible we set a date for the 28^th of December.

Friday, 13^th December

This morning was a bit dismal. None of our appointments came through so we spent most of time with Anthony.

In the afternoon we stopped at Lucy’s. The other Elders were there and they taught Jackson a discussion. We saw a few of our investigators then shot off to Hikurangi with Elder Foote to interview Cory. It was good.

In the evening we had the Hamiltons again and taught them the fifth discussion which was neat but Ian is pretty anti the church.

Saturday, 14^th December

Spent most of the morning and parts of the afternoon making up a great program for Cory’s baptism. I am really excited. It is going to be really good.

Spent some time in Onerahi with John Hall, Watsons and Crawshaws before returning to town to go see Mike and Raewyn in their new house which is just around the corner.

In the later part of the evening, I wrote a lot of letters for Christmas.

Sunday, 15^th December

Today was excellent. I finished off a few letters in the morning and we also went and gave Mohi’s baby a blessing who had chickenpox.

Church went well. I was discouraged not to see Donna or Mike but very pleased to see Tip, Maree, Orion, Cecil and Karl. We shot away early to go up North with Marg Poutu. He was taking Elder Foote and Dunlop to their baptism in Whangaruru and dropped us off at Hikurangi. Everything got all set up and the baptism started right on the dot of 2. Everything went really well. I baptised Cory and although the water was cold, none of us really felt it. Afterward while changing Cory said he was very happy. The rest of the programme went well and at the end Cory gave a beautiful testimony.

We went back to Molly’s for some food and his parents were really pleased with him.

We got a ride home with Nicki and Te Awa Pearce and went t our appointment with Maree and Orion which was nice, we had a third discussion. Then we raced down to the Flemming's to teach Tip. He didn’t come till late so we just showed him a video 'Together Forever' everything went well.

Monday, 16^th December

Today was a very busy day. We were up on time and got everything done. Left the flat early to get a few things done. We got the bike’s crank fixed up and rode down town on the way we visited with Maree and Orion who were doing the morning tan. We then went to town and got stamps and money and I posted off heaps of Christmas cards and extras. We then started biking up Tikipunga while doing so Elder Price’s bike cogs snapped off his bike which left us transport less. Vivian came along and gave us a ride up to Tiki. We visited with Auriole and had a good fourth discussion then raced to Sister Windust’s and had a second discussion with her which was neat. Then found ourselves a ride to get to Grace’s. We taught a fifth discussion which is a quick one in a massive two hours. It kind of went off a little.

Visited Joanne and the clan at their house. Before walking up the road on our way to Tiki. Got stopped by my sisters’ friends from Church College.

We walked up the main street hoping for a ride but no one came. Luckily Steve Sheppard picked us up and took us to Tikipunga. We were just in time for a beautiful dinner with Christine, the Caltons, the kids and Dot, a friend investigating. Afterwards we had a rather lovely family home evening acting out the scenes from the birth of Christ. It was quite funny. We quickly raced to the Hepi’s and Gloria came with us and took us to Maree and Orions for their next discussion.

This discussion was the biggy about Chastity and the word of wisdom. To start it off Maree came in and her top’s button had came lose and her cleavage was showing. With Gloria meeting them for the first time I was eager to get a good repour between them. So I tried to let Maree know as discreetly as possible. When she finally realised what I was trying to tell her she was quite overtaken by laughter. It was quite funny. However the discussion progressed along well and we got to chastity, that was also very interesting. They asked lots of questions.

After that was the word of wisdom which prompted a lot of reaction. Orion has got a bit to do in that area on smoking but we were confident she would be able to do it.

They are shifting their baptismal date so Maree’s family can come so it will probably be after the New Year.

Gloria took us home it was hard to tell if she enjoyed herself because she was quite reserved.

Tuesday, 17^th December

Today was one of those rugged days. Elder Brewer rang with a hurt foot in the morning so I took him to the doctors. At the same time Elder Price and Unitoa went back to their flat to take care of some business there.

After we got it all sorted out Elder Price and I went to town and got our hair cut.

After which we returned to the flat for a shower before heading up to Tikipunga.

No one we wanted to see was at home so we continued out to Hikurangi. We visited with Brenda and Malcolm, then Eddie, then Sister Marvin and the Edwards. We cooked dinner for the Sheppard’s which was a very lovely evening before rushing back to Whangarei for our appointment.

Our planned third discussion turned into a service project fixing up Erica Flemming’s home. We did a lot of sanding and finished quite late.

Wednesday, 18^th December

Started off with an appointment with Auriole which went really well, went over the fourth discussion again and less pressure to finish it. She realised what she wanted and what she needed to do to get there.

Our second appointment was with Sister Windust - it was a third discussion and it went really well. Their dog was castrated this morning and so was stubbing about during our discussion. Her daughter was also really nice. It will be good to be able to teach her also.

We spent some time at the Hepi’s before returning to our flat. Unfortunately Carol cancelled our appointment with her for dinner so a bit of quick thinking had us at Teawa and Nicki for dinner and to Hikirangi chapel for carol singing practice which went really well.

Thursday, 19^th December

We woke up quite early and got everything prepared for the day’s events. The MacPhersons picked us up and we sped along happily out to Oakura Bay.

We first stopped in Makau Bay and had a welcome at the Marae and also a short meeting with the zone. Then we were changed and on the beach at Ohawini Bay.

It was a beautiful day, very very hot and so we poured on the tanning lotion thick.

We played quite a bit of softball before turning to volleyball. We had his big feed for lunch after which played even more volleyball. A lot of my friends from school were there - Carwin, Te Aroha, Kiri, Joe, Cecelia and heaps of others.

They even put on a little Maori culture show for us just before we left.

Back at the flat I went to do some washing but who should turn up, Mum, Maria, Lynn and Clare. I was expecting them up but no until the weekend. Was kind of glad they were here as today was Mari’s birthday so all of us went to K-Fries for dinner.

We had a family home evening with Maree, Orion and Joanne so my family came along and together we acted out the Christmas story which was quite fun.

We played a few games and then Mum, Lynn, Maria and Clare left and we stayed for milos.

Friday, 20^th December

We weren’t able to visit Auriole for her discussion this morning so instead we went to the Poa’s place for a while and saw Tony and Karl. Afterward we went to Sister Windust’s for our exciting fourth discussion which went really well. We visited Donna and Raewyn and then went down town to visit Mike for a while.

Our appointment with the Hamiltons went well. We went over the sixth discussion ‘being a member of the church’. They argued that faith was the only thing necessary but by the end they were saying you needed to work for your salvation.

All in all it went really well.

Saturday, 21^st December

Today we didn’t have any appointments in the morning so we went to town with Mum, Maria and Clare. We got a few things Elder Price and I brought identical ties and two pairs of green and red socks for each other for Christmas.

We had lunch at the park and visited a few people from around the town whom Maria and Clare knew. We tripped up to Parahaki hill to overlook the city and also went to Main Park for a while.

We had our Christmas party at the chapel which went really well, in which we had a great feed and also wonderful games.

Shifts were called out this evening but no one shifted so we will be here for Christmas, Yeah!

Sunday, 22^nd December

Church was good and we had a neat Christmas programme that was very well done. I even played a part in it as Samuel, the Lamanite prophesying of Jesus Christ’s birth.

After church we went to Hikurangi for a short choir practice of selected hymns for tomorrow’s carol singing. Visited my family at the Tikipunga falls campsite.

Saw the Napias and Poa’s before going to the Calton’s for dinner.

In the later evening we went and taught a third discussion to Tip which went really well. It was a good teaching moment. He is really really good to teach.

Monday, 23^rd December

Elder Foote, Dunlop and us went caving this morning with Mum, Lynn, Maria and Clare. It was really neat. We went to the Abbey Caves, not too far distant from Whangarei. A lot of the caverns were quite large, it was a good explore, especially for Elder Dunlop and I. We said goodbye and they all took off back down to grandmas. We went out and spent a bit of time with Orion, Julian and Maree before going to see Mike and teach him a discussion. It was a fifth discussion and it was excellent. He is such a wonderfully spiritual guy. We quickly zoomed off and went to Hikurangi where the guys played a bit of touch rugby before we all loaded up and began singing around Hikurangi. It was really cool. We had a wonderful evening, we were pretty much all sung out by the end and despite Elder Price’s built up hatred to 'Feliz Navidad', ended up by singing that twenty times.

We also did a little quartet singing to Tina and Eddy. Afterward they had a little party which we attended long enough to have a feed and quickly raced home quite late.

We had definitely finally got that Christmassy spirit and I was glad because it seemed to be such a long time coming this year.

I think we were in for a special Christmas especially here on my mission being around those I have spent so much time and effort being around.

Tuesday, 24^th December

Quite a great Christmas Eve. We started out our day by having a district meeting on the ocean beach at the Whangarei heads. We had a BBQ and spent a relaxing day soaking up the sun. We even had quite a spiritual meeting on the seashore. I managed to burn our lovely steaks to cinders but we had so much food it didn’t really matter.

In the afternoon we returned and mucked around getting equipment ready for the evening. Then we were off we made lots and lots of biscuits, wrapped them up, made a list jumped in the car and spend off to various destinations of our investigators all around Whangarei to deliver anonymous Christmas chocolate chip bikies from the black ninjas. Martin, Whenua, Elder Price and I took turns at pixieing. By the end of the night we were stuffed and hungry after jumping fences, knocking on doors and dodging dogs. It was fun.

Our last house was Marees and then we got a feed and dropped the guys off.

We decided to sleep at the Poa’s tonight so we could wake up to a Christmas tree so we loaded up the car. But while doing so our car was bombed by tea and oil and flour and after spotting the suspects I chased Maree, Julian and Orion off the property.

After trying to clean the car we went around to their place to suss things out after talking with them we hit them from behind and toilet papered their whole back lawn. However in doing so Elder Price locked the keys in the car so we had to go and ask them for help. They had a right scream when they saw what we had done. After quite a long wait and talk Ripi managed to get the car open and so after a much eventful night we sped up to the Poa’s. By this time it was 2.30 and the only one up at this time was Aunty Carol. She got us some blankets and we settled down on her floor.

All in all it was a very eventful Christmas Eve.

Wednesday, 25^th December

We woke up to our Christmas tree as planned in the Poa’s lounge. Despite our long night we woke up really early. I got bored first and went around waking everyone else up.

After a while we all assembled and sang heaps of Christmas carols together before saying a prayer. We then got to open our presents. We had a great time. It was no surprise to get a journal from the Broczeks or a white shirt from mum. Dad got me a lovely t-shirt that was very nice. We had a great big feed for Christmas breakfast. We then mucked around played games and washed the car from all the tea and oil that was on it.

Secondly we visited the Windusts who were the funniest. It was quite spiritual. Sister Windust read out her Aunt’s testimony from England which urged the family to go back to church.

We had a magnificent lunch and we got on fantastically with the family. Sister Windust’s brother had me in tears with childhood stories of the siblings bath adventures. Desiree was especially neat. We want to start teaching her.

After a great pudding we left and went to visit Grace, Carol and Niira and Jason. It was good to see them all again. Carol had had another emergency labour which sent her up to the hospital again but she’s right now. Nearly got sprung by Joanne as she drove by the field we were playing at shouting black ninjas. Fortunately Carol didn’t hear.

We had our Christmas dinner at the Johnston’s, it was real nice. Jason, Reti and his family were there and so we talked a little. He is putting his papers in for his mission really soon.

We presented Trish and Graham (the motel managers)with a Christmas present and they presented us with an empty jar of tea leaves and a tooth paste tube and a growling for the past night’s adventure. Surprisingly they were quite forgiving. To top the night off we had a very quiet evening with Julian, Maree and later Orion. We presented them with the picture of Jesus Christ we had got them to grace their new home. They were very pleased.

Thursday, 26^th December

Elder Price did a wonderful job of cleaning the flat which left no stone unturned. It was good to get the place up to a very respectable standard. We also spent a bit of time washing the motel carpark where oil and flour had stained the pavement. However despite our efforts it still looked much the same after it dried.

We spent some time with the other Elders - we had lunch at the Poutu’s reunion at the Porowini Ave Marae and a sleep at the flat.

Our afternoon adventures lead us up to the Senenoff’s house where we played Julian’s new ‘Nightmare’ game which wasn’t the greatest.

Spent the evening in the flat after making our flat look nice. We waited and eventually Elder Price’s uncle came we talked for ages then had a feed at McDonalds. Then went and bowled after which we spent some time talking up Parahoki Hill overlooking Whangarei.

We didn’t get back till quite late but enjoyed ourselves immensely. Elder Price’s uncle is very cool.

Friday, 27^th December

Today was fairly slack. No one was home that we would have liked to have seen and taught. So for the afternoon we went down and did some training with Maree at Joanne’s place. It was quite good. We got a good workout. After that we went and helped tip and Erica with their house doing some painting.

Maree prepared a bit of dinner for us and we discussed some things with her in the evening. When we got back to the motel we got the news from Tracey that Carol was in labour again and that there was a possibility of her flying to National Womens and having her baby tomorrow.

Saturday, 28^th December

Spent the morning with Tip and Erica helping paint the house. Afterwards we spent some time at the flat. We also checked on Carol at the hospital. Our discussion we had was with Maree and Orion, it was really neat. They really enjoyed the challenge to be more Christlike. Maree is so very ready. Orion still needs a bit of work but I’m sure she will get there also.

Sunday, 29^th December

Sacrament was really good. The bishopric spoke and it was really neat. Our Gospel Principles class went very well. Also Tip was even there and we enjoyed a discussion on prayer. It was quite enlightening in a lot of areas. I fee I have to devote more time to prayer. My patriarchy blessing counsels me to be mindful of that. We gave a blessing to Henry Reti which was neat. We shot out to Hikurangi and visited with Aunty Molly and family. It was quite neat. Also watched the Little Mermaid and Land Before Time with them.

We returned to town and visited Carol in Hospital. It is her 21^st birthday today. She was really good, just very bored of hospital. We had a neat fourth discussion with Tip. He is still not committed to the gospel yet. He needs quite a bit more work yet. His enthusiasm to learn is most promising though. We are teaching him early tomorrow also. Brendon’s former companion Brian Stinson rang tonight.

Monday, 30^th December

Today turned out very very productive. After teaching Tip a very good fifth discussion we took some time and visited the Poa’s. we also saw Auriole and spent some time with her which was quite good. She was ready for a lesson. So we scheduled one for this Wednesday.

Visited the Hepi’s for a little while to wish Gloria a great happy 21^st birthday which we didn’t attend on Friday night.

Then we saw the Windusts. We had a really nice time with them and also taught and went over the fourth discussion with Sister Windust and her daughter Desiree. We found Desiree was already a member, it will be good to see them both back at church.

After dinner with the Connors we had our final discussion with Maree and Orion. It started quite fearsome. The kids were playing up and we were all a little tired.

It happened that I was busting to go to the loo. So I went to attend the kids and left Elder Price teaching. While in the loo Nicky started screaming and I was stuck. I managed to get out but the toilet wouldn’t flush. Nicky was still screaming so I took care of him. Then went to fix the toilet. Meanwhile the phone rang and Maree came out to answer it. When she got to the hallway she explained ‘okay whose done poos’. When I heard her I just cracked up. When she heard it was me she cracked up too. I got back to the lounge and all of us including Elder Price were in fits of laughter to the point of tears and cramps. It was so funny and I might add embarrassing. I was glad I was among friends.

After that we finished the discussion and all was well. We finished off that evening by presenting Orion with a stop smoking programme which she did quite reluctantly. We also had a good talk. She’s got a few concerns especially about her life and what she wants to do with it.

Tuesday, 31^st December

Although this was supposed to be our Hikurangi day brother Cannon asked us to help out at the less active members funeral. Brother Ashby died and so we spent a bit of time with the family. It was rather lengthy and we spent most of the day there not doing very much. We were supposed to speak but were limited to screwing in the screws to fasten the lid down on the casket.

A few families that we were working with in Hikurangi were there also.

We did a little shopping that we needed to do and headed up to Tikipunga.

It was Cecil’s birthday today so we had quite a great feed with them. It was really good.

Since it was New Years Eve we stayed there watching TV and spending some time till the clock struck 12 and we ushered in a New Year 1992.

In my aspiration to make it an eventful New Year’s eve I suggested throwing young Carol in the pool. My suggestion was quickly taken by Elder Price and Marin. I thought it might scare her but it became a reality as Martin got pushed in by Ces and he picked up Carol and jumped into the pool. Carol was not impressed and promised not to speak to us again as she slammed her door. But a New Year came and the past was forgiven and forgotten.

We played a few video games and had a midnight feast till it was after 1am and we returned back to the flat to go to sleep.

1991

As a lot of things happened this year many changes, experiences and growth I thought it would be appropriate to spend a few pages in reviewing. Especially since I missed a few months and a lot of very special times maybe lost from view if I don’t speak about them now.

Investigators

Probably the most wonderful experience is teaching and developing special relationships with Investigations so I want to spend a little time telling you of each of our investigators how they progressed and what they are doing now, i.e. starting from the beginning.

The Komene family Jim, Judith, Aaron.

They were fantastic. I started teaching them with Elder McKay. We had some very special experiences with them which I have recorded. They got baptised soon after and now are very active and special people. [ The Komenes had been sealed in the Temple when I returned to their area at the end of my mission]

Mihi Ellis

Also taught with Elder McKay lovely lady with a special spirit who was baptised soon after I left the area.

I was then shifted to Whangarei with Elder Harmon where we started teaching several people. The Pauls, Mike and the Kiros. The Paul family, Stacey, John, Donna the other Elders first taught them. The first John who was excommunicated had been bringing Donna to church because of her desire to learn. The family was cool to teach Stacy the daughter wasn’t too enthused but did sit in. Then things went haywire the great golden family was a mess of tangled emotions and power struggles. John was not prepared to do what was necessary to come back to church. Stacey wasn’t interested and so Donna was left alone. If it weren’t for her strong sweet testimony all would have been lost. We finished up teaching her by herself. She continued coming to church but no support from the family and little from the ward was very discouraging. She has now not come to church for a month.

Mike Brydon

Donna’s sister’s boyfriend, Raewyn and him have been learning. He is a very very sweet guy with his heart in the right place. He has given up drinking and would have done smoking if Raewyn had done also. He is very special. I hope to see him baptised soon!

The Kiro kids, Mark, Aroha, Awhini and Wesley

Real nice kids with a desire to learn due to different circumstances and our slackness they lost confidence in us and their desire to be baptised lost. They moved up North and we never saw them again.

Steve Sheppard ‘Hikurangi’

His wife is a member. Really sweet guy, one of the most prepared people I have ever met. One of the nicest people I know. His teaching was one of the greatest joys. Elder Harmon taught him the most while on trade offs, but after he was shifted I got the chance to spend more time with him. He will be baptised when he gets back from the States. [Steve joined the church and is now the Hikurangi Branch President]

The Pugh Family, Brenda, Malcolm, Cori and Zoë and Boden

Lovely family. Sweet spirit, had a dream about us coming and helping them. Teaching was a pleasure but they were unwilling to make the commitments necessary to get baptised, i.e. get married, stop drinking, smoking and come to church. However Cori did that, had a burning testimony and desire and was baptised which was a real thrill. Hopefully his family will follow in his example. He certainly set a great one for them. [Malcolm Pugh died suddenly soon after I left the area, Brenda started living with someone else away from town, Cori was left fatherless and isolated from Church]

Russell Smith

Quite a nice guy I got quite close to him and we had a very very special first discussion with him. However after that we could never get to teach him again. I think he was more attached to me than the gospel. His inactive wife didn’t help much either. He has yet to progress further.

Dion, Shirley and Clinton

Shirley was the inactive sister of Pam trying to get back to church. We taught her de facto fiancé. He was really good and we had some really special times with him. He felt the spirit really strong. Dion’s knowledge was limited and he didn’t desire to change especially get married or stop drinking or smoking. Shirley disappointed by him stopped striving to be better and her dream of me getting married to her upset her and things started going downhill. Clinton accepted an invitation to get baptised but was a little rushed and backed out like a crayfish. We became really good friends with them but nothing else much happened. [Dion & Shirley moved to Wellington recently where they were semi active in the Tawa ward]

Stacey, John and Adam

Began getting involved in church through Anna’s youth programme then went onto Margie’s scout programme. Went to church and we began teaching them. Things went really well, we taught all lessons. John was really eager to get baptised, Stacey was willing to follow. However John’s dad wouldn’t let him and because of this neither got baptised later on Stacey did get baptised and it was really a thrill. Adam didn’t last.

Sharlene Hepi

I first taught her with Edwin. It was her girlfriend she had a very special spirit and a strong desire to get baptised. However when her parents found out that we were teaching her they dissolved it. She’s not allowed to join till she leaves home. [Sharlene joined the church and is now married to Edwin they live in Rotorua with their 3 children]

Martin and Whenua

Martin is a friend of Ugene, Whenua is a cousin of Anthony. We began teaching them and it was cool. We had a really good time with them. They should have been baptised by now. Martin however got cold feet and pulled out at the last moment since then we haven’t been able to really motivate them although they both still come to church. They will be baptised. [Whenua moved to Wellington and for a time we went to University together, he did not join the Church though]

Tip Williams

Erica Flemmings fiance. Excellent guy. He’s been taught almost all of the discussions. We have had very special and spiritual discussions with him but his main concern is in giving up his Sunday sports. This will be the maker or breaker of him. A lovely guy who should be a member. [Tip and Erica married and moved to Taupo where I use to visit them. Tip got his Masters in Education and joined the church. They recently moved to Wellington and were sealed in the Temple. Tip is now in the Bishopric]

The Hamilton’s, Wendy and Ian, Ruth and Rachel.

Born again Christians who stopped us on the street and asked us to come around. Very special people had got to do discussions with them although long. However more involved in apostate material than ours. Still got a long way towards conversion. Makes us think a lot though. And challenges us to a greater depth of understanding and testimony of God, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel. I certainly have learned a lot from them. [ I still keep in Contact with Ian on Email, at present he and Wendy are doing some spiritual searching]

Grace

Carol Hodson's non-member sister. We went to teach Carol the new member discussions but ended up teaching her sister - very sweet, still not very committed. Her sister because of pregnancy has gone a bit inactive and so is not the best example so she hasn’t really progressed much at all. Her new husband is not really very interested so that’s not a help either.

Cecil (Ces) Poa

A great guy and just wonderful to us. We haven’t taught him the formal 6 discussion s as he has had them twice before. But we have got him reading the Book of Mormon and has a testimony of the truthfulness of it. He will be baptised, the question is, when. His son Karl needs some encouragement also. [Ces joined the church in the following year, and got sealed in the Temple to his Family]

Maree and Orion

Met Maree through her inactive family, and began teaching her. She is very sweet and she grew heaps. When she moved out she really got interested in the church and her flatmate Orion also became interested. We have taught them all the discussions. They have made some major changes in their lives especially Orion she has given up smoking and drinking. They are now just awaiting baptism. Maree is super ready and very special person. Orion is learning heaps and is nearly ready. [Maree and Julian Semenoff got married, and were living in Whangarei last time I saw them]

Auriole

We got a referral for an inactive son and his girlfriend found out. It was my friend Carwin Ngere’s brother. Met Max and we have taught her almost all the discussions. She is really sweet. She has been to church before and enjoyed it and she has got on well with a lot of the members. She will join the church but she has to do a few things first - stop smoking and get married which are both happening.

Maureen and Desiree Windust

Sister Windust is less active trying to come back to church. Very sweet and we have been over the discussions with her. Her daughter is also very special. It would be neat to teach her husband also who is not a member. [She is now remarried and lives in Foxton. Still very active]

Special Families

Along with our investigators there were certainly lots of families especially within the wards and branch that I got very close to.

The Crawshaws, Ray, Pam and Isobel, Yvonne and Francis

Elder Harmon and I became especially close to this family because of our long stay with them (when I had the measles). Plus our long visits and great meals, they ware very special. Always willing to help us and do just about anything for us. [Found out later Pam was able to give up smoking on account of us staying with them while I had the measles, the Crawshaws got sealed in the Temple soon after, they are still very active]

The Poa family

I had known Anna and Anthony from school but we certainly grew in our love for them, especially since we also got to teach them. [Anna married in Hawaii and lives there today, Anthony married and still lives in Whangarei]

The Pearce family

Molly is always helping us with missionary work in Hikurangi. Glen always feeds us, Te Awa is the branch president and I went to school with Edwin. So I developed a strong relationship with all of them. They were very special. [Saw TeAwa and Nikki on TV recently having some difficulty with a house they had moved from Auckland to Whangarei]

Some individuals have been quite a part of my life also these include:

Jason Patterson

An returned missionary who married Maryella Barber. We always had a lot of fun with him. One heck of a great guy.

Carol and Niira

Carol was a new member and Niira is her husband to be. I’ve been really close to her for ages since we first met her just before her baptism.

Aileen and Anthony

Aileen and I were really good mates and Anthony has always been so eager to help us out. Two very special people with big hearts. Aileen is my twin. We are born on the same day.

Companions

A great part of my mission has been influenced through companions and ‘special’ missionaries.

Elder David McKay

My first companion born and raised in Strathmore but later moved to the US. Excellent missionary and great example. He set a high standard we had many special experiences in the two months we had together. I was lucky he moved to Maramaku to be my zone leader, a short time after I left Glendene. I have never laughed so much as I did when I was with him, we really got on well. I learnt so much from him and continue to do so. Some other missionaries that really impressed me while I was with him in Glendene were Elder Marble for his wonderful charismatic personality and his strong testimony and also Elder Andrus for his great leadership abilities and warmth. [David now lives in Centerville with his wife Leena, they came stayed with us on a trip to New Zealand and we have visited them in Utah, they now have a very cute little boy]

Elder Brett Harmon

From West Jordan Utah. A marvellous mountain of a man such a special guy. I learnt and grew heaps when I was with him. We both didn’t know what we were doing a lot of the time and had to rely on each other a lot. We spent four joyous months together although we didn’t baptise anyone we did the ground work for a lot. I use to get quite frustrated with his bad memory but I came to love him as if he was my own brother. He was an excellent companion. We both got very close to the others in our district, sisters Eric Hayden and Laura Scofield. It was cool, we did a lot of things as a foursome and I came to love and appreciate them very much despite many arguments. That fateful night when all three were shifted out quite an experience. It was meant to be only Sister Hayden’s farewell, she cried and cried. Elder Harmon and Sister Scofield were very shocked. I will miss those three and the special times we had the opportunity to share. [Brett married his mission girlfriend Mindy a while after he returned from his mission they now have a beautiful little girl] [Laura Scofield just moved with her husband Terry to a ranch in Southern Utah, she is a qualified teacher]

Elder Brendan Price

My most recent and continuing companion. We have been together two months already and he finishes early in February so we will be together three months. He is a great guy. I’ve really enjoyed being with him. We have both grown a bit since we have been together. He is very knowledgeable and funny but can also be quite quiet sometimes. He’s a wonderful teacher and I appreciate his testimonies, as they seem mature and powerful. We still have a lot to do but it will be a great experience. Along with him I made very special friendships with Elder Nic Dunlop and Elder Shane Foote. [Brendan married Tracey whom he meet at a young adult conference that I attended, they have 2 children now I believe] [Nic Dunlop lives in Wellington with his wife Maria and I see them occasionally. They have a son.]

Special Occasions

There were a few very special occasions that were not recorded because of my not writing so I list a few here.

Anita Shelford and Evelyn Pou’s baptisms (who the sisters taught) were both very special. Two wonderful women with the desire and thirst for the gospel.

My 19^th birthday was also a great highlight. I had it with Aileen’s 21^st. It was a very special birthday, definitely one of the best. I will always be grateful to Aileen for making me feel so wonderful.

Sister Hayden’s farewell at Bishop Watene’s was also wonderful. It was a large testimony meeting where she must have filled up a whole role of toilet paper. It was my last act of revenge for all that she had put me through to make her feel special and see her bawl. I developed a great love for her. She is very special. It was a sudden shock to see Elder Harmon go also. We always though I would be the one to go first. He was expecting to finish his mission here.

Guy Fawkes was fun also. We managed to get to heaps of celebrations. The best was the bonfire at Brother Semenoff’s the major. We had heaps of crackers to burn. And then a big fire engine came up to the house. It was so funny you have to see their long windy steep driveway to appreciate it. And so ends 1991 a most triumphant year.

Onto Journal Number 2

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