Mission Journal 3 September 1992 - June 1993

Follow these links to jump to places within the Journal

23rd of September Elder Matt Marsh, Mangere
17th of December Elder Richard Hall, Mangere
25th of January Elder Matthew VanDyken, Glendene
25th of May Trip to Australia
Special People and Summary

Photos

Use the Edit Find(within Page) option on your browser to search for your name.
You may be surprised to find that you are mentioned.

Please remember that I was 20 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 tenth volume in my own set of scripture which have been written at my hand over the past six years. The starting of this journal marks the last third of my mission, and upon its completion will give a very special trilogy and testament of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have thought and pondered what it is that I need to accomplish within these next eight months, and accordingly within my life. I have been impressed with the need to wholly dedicate myself my life to Christ, and give my all in the love and service of others.

Then Jesus said unto his disciples, if any man will come unto me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it – and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what shall a man profit, if he shall gain the whole world and shall lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the son of man shall come in the glory of his father with his angels, and then he shall reward everyman according to his works. (Matthew 16:24-27).

It must be a priority for me to prepare myself that I can fulfil my commitments and covenants to the Lord even to the loss of my life. I know that he probably won’t ask that of me, but I realise that the only thing the Lord doesn’t possess in my life is my free will, that is my own. Therefore, in order to be perfected in him his will must be mine also. It won’t happen overnight but if I follow the steps of Peter, 2 Peter 1:4-8 I also have those great promises of an entrance to Christ’s kingdom and glory, 2 Peter 1:9-10. I hope this next eight months will inspire you to the same desires.

Tuesday, 1st September 1992

The first day of spring started out with a gorgeous morning. The sun was bright and warm. We took our journeys over to the other side of Mangere to see the other Elders. On the way we stopped to get a Cook Island Book of Mormon from the sisters to give to Dunlop. We had lunch with them at Mangere Bridge to township outside the bakery. Then Elder Tini and I went to visit my grandmother’s cousin, Clarrie, who lives nearby. We had a really nice time talking to them. He was more with it than his slightly younger brother, Harold.

We had a little ride over the Mangere Bridge and back which was beautiful in the sunshine.

At 2pm we met the Elders back at their flat along with Elder Bush to do the calendar for this month. When we left, it started to rain so we took refuge at the bookstore on McKenzie Road. I wanted to get one of those luxury journals to write in but they had none left so I bought some books ‘Mormon Doctrine’, and ‘Day of Defence’. We managed to get to town without getting too wet and did some photocopying and other needed stuff. We even saw Elder Bush there too.

We got soaked on our way back home so we stopped into Rebecca’s before going on to the Begmans for dinner.

In the evening we tried to visit a few people, but no one was really home so instead we went home, made a cake and combined it with some ice cream.

Friday, 4th September

Last night we taught Johnny and Mena the fourth discussion but they didn’t really commit or anything so we have decided to drop them from teaching.

Today was our Zone Conference. It was really good. I got to see Elder Donaldson and Sister Kingi.

Elder Donaldson gave an excellent talk on repentance. Repentance is necessary because no unclean thing can enter the kingdom of God. 1 Nephi 15:34. It is the map of Jesus Christ given to the traveller to reach the destination of eternal life. D&C 88:22-24. Repentance is a celestial law. It requires faith D&C 20:20. We must choose for ourselves D&C 58:26. Sin is wilful disobedience. Mosian 4:30 encompasses our thoughts, words and deeds. Alma 34:33-35, Hebrews 10:17.

Elder Bush gave the Zone leaders a talk on personal righteousness, proscribing obedience. 2 Nephi 32:3, Deuteronomy 5:27, do the things the prophet of God has received revelation on, ie the white handbook.

President Lloyd took us through effective planning. Planning is:-

• Using time effectively
• Knowing what the most important things are to help people progress towards conversion and then doing those things
• Discussing how to help the investigator feel the spirit and keep commitment.
• Find as you teach take care of all pools.
• Thinking about people
• A way of thinking.

Each week - person in pools progression, complete reports, goals discuss help needed.

Each day- discuss progress of people, update appointments, necessary adjustments.

All the time – seek inspiration, progress towards conversion, how to reach more people.

The shortest pencil is better than the best memory.

We also went over finding out and helping others feel and recognise the spirit. All in all it was a really good Zone Conference. My interview with President was good he was really happy about the work in the area.

We all had a feed at KFC afterwards and we checked back on a few callbacks that Elder Filimaono and Soi had tracted out yesterday. We had a neat time meeting a Tongan/Palagi family that we might be able to teach.

We had a good dinner with the Joseph family and spent the rest of the evening mostly with Barry.

He still hasn’t really got a social life and the girl that really liked him and that he had an excellent prospect with is engaged to marry another.

I also found out today from President’s engagement book that my friend Dawson Peihopa is getting married to Lee-anne Sharp tomorrow. He didn’t even send me an invitation, and he said he wanted me to be his best man, didn’t want to wait I guess.

Saturday, 12th September

Today was the family history department’s program on from "whence we come". We went along in the afternoon to hear Wallace Wihongi speak. He was fantastic. He linked up the genealogies of the Polynesian people to Tiki who fled Central America about 420AD during the persecutions of the Nephites who later married a descendant of Hawaii loa who came out of Central America 55BC at the time of Hagoth.

Many scientists believe the Polynesian people came from the east in Asia, despite the opposite trade winds and currents, because they feel that the people were not advanced in sailing and navigation, so therefore could only island hop. There are not very many islands to the west.

However lots of comparisons can be made to the people of America. Firstly, genealogies link up and go back through America, oral histories, legends are the same. 76% of the ketua the most common Indian language is Polynesian. The B factor found in blood, which makes Polynesians Polynesian, is not found in the east but among the American Indians. A lot of the plants are the same; the kumara grows wild only in South America. Plus many weapons and implements are the same.

The Maori people have many homelands. Te Unirangi, the home before birth. Pre-existence Atiauru, the Garden of Eden, home of first parents Uru (1) Haunuru – the Middle East Israel and Egypt Uru (2) Arakiteuru – their former home land of America. Aotearoa – the land that they have now inherited.

The oral histories of the Maori closely link into the gospel. When the world was created, Io the supreme God gave power to the brothers which included Tane, Tui and Rongo to form the Earth Tui was jealous and fought against his brothers, he was defeated but vowed to make war on Tane’s people. Tane fashioned iwi the first women from a bone of his own body and the two dwelt in a beautiful land. A seabird deceived them and they had to leave. That’s when they had the sons Rata and Atu. Rata was jealous of his righteous brother Atu and slew him. Tane and Iwi had another son, Kapiri, from whom many special people came. Teora, one of his descendants, was said to have been taken into heaven. Tane, along with his brother, helped free his people from bondage.

Rongo visited Hawaii and taught them the gospel about 34 AD. He promised to return at a later date. When Captain Cook visited there, they hailed him as the returning Rongo, however when they saw he didn’t have power over the elements they stabbed him to death as an impostor when he returned.

In the Marae Whakaewo is Shiloh or messiah.

Wallace Wihongi went on to explain Aotearoa and how that name came about. It does not mean 'the long white cloud’; it means 'the long day'. Awanuiarangi wanted to take his father’s bones with him on his journey to New Zealand. However, to do that he could not take any food and would starve on the long journey. He prayed to Io, and Io instructed him to build a canoe that was different from the usual. It had a narrow concave hull and a keel. It was of a much faster speed. Io told him also that he would stop the sun so there would be light three days so he could make his journey. Awanuiarangi set off and, sure enough, when night fell it was still light. When he reached Hokianga harbour, he called it Aotearoa, the long day. Incidentally, in 1050 when this happened the Chinese recorded a super nova explosion that lit up the sky for three days solid. Wallace Wihongi commented that the Maori people are very blessed and powerful to have God blow up on of his stars on our behalf.

The time was very short and so we didn’t get to have the full impact but the spirit was really strong and my desire to follow after this kind of thing is greatly increased. I have always had a lean towards it; hopefully I will study it more.

After the presentation we had to quickly shoot off to the Schwaglers for dinner. We had a fantastic meal and visited a few people before returning back to the flat to do our planning for the week and also take statistics from the other missionaries in the district.

Thursday, 17th September

Today was our district meeting; the sisters picked us up and took us to the chapel. It was a beautiful day and the district decided without me to go to the beach.

We had a neat time out the back of Mangere by the shore overlooking the airport.

Elder Dunlop gave a great talk on gifts of the spirit. He gave us seven pointers or seven attributes we need to have gifts of the spirit: - the Holy Ghost, we must keep our covenants, have a teachable humble attitude, obey the Commandments, follow the saviour, partake of the Sacrament worthily and strive always to keep the spirit.

He quoted the three great passages of scripture on the matter: 1 Corinthians 12, D&C 46, and Moroni 10.

Sister Neilson gave us advice on teaching about eternal families and helping others have that goal. I went over some role-play game about finding out.

Elder Alatini gave his last testimony and advice for us all. We followed with tributes to him. It was all very touching. Of course Tini hated it as he hates attention but I felt inspired.

After we broke off for lunch we grabbed ourselves a feed at McDonalds for lunch.

At about 2pm Updike and Larsen came and I traded off with Larsen while the others went on their trip to the north.

We made a card to go with the present Alatini had got for his cousin’s birthday and then delivered it. We visited a few people that we wanted to see but caught none of them.

Our dinner was with the Jeffersons and they gave us some money. Elder Larsen had a craving for fish and chips so went and got a big feed of greasies.

Bishop took us to trade offs at the chapel for Elders Quorum. I got Brother Dennis as a companion and we got 4 homes.

We first visited the Panioras who were very special. The spirit was really strong in their home. It may be a good inactive family we can work with.

Rona Piehopa’s family wasn’t home but we extended the invitation to participate in the Ward Conference weekend activities to the rest. The Mann’s home was really good. I saw lots of photos of the famous league family’s great boys.

Our last home was the Stowens where I got to meet Linda’s non-member husband more casually. After meeting back with my companion we played a bit of table tennis and talked till it was time to go to sleep. It was good to be able to spend some time with him again.

Friday, 18th September

Today we awoke at 5am, showered, and dressed before Brother Tipene picked us up at 5:30. We went to the chapel and got things ready for Seminary. I was given the assignment of giving a talk on Isaiah and especially chapter 29. It was hard to enthuse the half asleep class although I tried. I think I learned the most out of it. We had waffles and watched a video about the Polynesian Cultural Centre before returning home.

When we got back we tried to study but fell asleep, waking up a couple of hours later with a splitting headache.

It was raining pretty hard all morning and we only had tracting planned so we stayed in the flat till it eased off. We had lunch at the Parsons and then went to tract Walden Place because I live on Walden Street in Wellington.

We had a lot of success. The second house let us in and we taught a first discussion. It was hard to commit him as he said his wife would not approve.

A few doors down we met Sharky and Amanda. We shared a beautiful plan of salvation with them. Amanda was really interested, Sharky not so much but we set up an appointment to teach the 1st discussion on Wednesday.

By this time we had used up our time and had only done one side of the small place. I think Larsen was impressed by the great success in South Auckland.

We then biked to town so that Elder Larsen could get some money and I could take care of my investments. We then proceeded to the McKenzie Road bookstore to get some Church books. Elder Larsen brought Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, after which we went back to the flat to grab the baptism book before going to our dinner appointment with Sister Peihopa.

While we were home, Barry rang. They had a problem finding Shannon. She had said yes to Allen for the ball in Hamilton but hadn’t got back to him.

We had a bit of time after dinner before the interview, so we tried to see a couple of people. We ended up spending some time at Teresa’s.

We went to the chapel; our ward was all there setting up for the dance tonight. We met Kris and when the sisters came I gave her her interview. It was really cool. She had a neat spirit and great desire to be baptised. I asked her if she had any questions, she wanted to know why she had to wear a dress to church and why it couldn’t be above the knee. I was very ill equipped to answer that one. Elder Bush and Tini returned and we spent the rest of the night talking about the day.

Saturday, 19th September

Today was an interesting day. The sisters called this morning. They are having some serious problems with their baptism candidate, Judith’s flatmate. This lesbian bearded lady is stopping her. I was inspired to open a fast because we needed some real help.

We went with them to interview Judith. I spent an hour with her. It was the most serious, heart-wrenching interview I have done. She is really sweet and qualifies for baptism in every way. However she has had some horrific trials, I felt for her heaps!!!

It was pouring down and our next appointment wasn’t till lunch so we cruised around with the Sister missionaries in their car. I voted on the Government Referendum of whether to change our voting system and we got some film for the camera.

At 1pm we went to Johnny and Mena’s for a farewell for Alatini. We had a nice afternoon with them. It is great to spend time with them. We just keep hoping and praying that they will become more committed to the Gospel. After that we went to the Tongan Elder’s flat and got Tini’s haircut. One of the stake missionaries dropped us off at the chapel so we could attend the Baptism. We were a little late so we spent time back behind the scenes cleaning up and making sure everything went smoothly. It worked out really well. Both Judith and Kris were radiant afterward. I was so happy that everything had turned out all right. I was so worried this would be a disappointing thing for the sisters after all the problems they were having.

We walked Teresa home while Bush went to his dinner. At Teresa’s place we watched rugby. Her dad is really nice to us. I hope we can have a good effect on him. Bush took us home. On the way we bought a cake and some ice cream and spent the rest of the night playing table tennis.

All the Tongans came over to raid Alatini’s stuff. Elder Lalohea seemed to get the bulk of it. Our orange cake came out perfectly so after everyone had left we ate it with orange chocolate chip ice cream. We talked a lot and had our last words. We talked a lot about home and what would happen. Also why Tini needed to go home a little early and some of the things he’s been through. The Lord does love us a whole lot, especially Alatini. You certainly don’t appreciate your own easy life till you hear others experiences. The sisters rang at 10:30 to tell me they were home. There had been more problems at Judith’s place. Sister Neilson said she was filled with the spirit and had to do a bit of rebuking although she can’t remember what she said. Hearts were touched, attitudes changed and lives uplifted. Surely this kind goes not out but by fasting and prayer. I was confident my fasting had helped also, even if only in a small way.

Sunday, 20th September

Today was really neat. We couldn’t find a ride to church this morning till late. So we got to church while the stake presidency sustained the leaders of the ward. The talks were really good. I took some notes President Stevenick counselled. Have that mighty change of heart Alma 5:11-16. This is accomplished with daily prayer and scripture study, individually and as a family. We must give selfless service, bless the lives of others. This can be accomplished through home teaching and your other callings. Gone are the times of administration, now its time to minister fast, help yourself and others. Tithe, see beyond the wall of your own circumstances, and reach for those greater blessing.

Bishop talked about our homes, that we needed to evaluate our performance. We must look at our priorities. The father is the patriarch responsible for making sure there is family home evening. He should hold personal interviews with all his family and above all he is responsible for bringing the spirit into the home. At the judgement we will be asked about the relationship between our wives, our children and how honest we have been. Through prayer and fasting we can achieve great things in our home.

Elder Alatini was asked during Sunday school opening exercises to say a few words. He was surprised. It was good though.

After church we took photos of some of the people at church. We went to Johnny and Mean and we also took photos of them.

Our lunch was at the Roberts. It was a fantastic meal, lots of taro and chop suey with a big bowl of ice cream and cake to follow. Brother Roberts dropped us at Daniel’s and there we did taping that Alatini wanted to get done.

At 4pm we walked to Niu’s flat and together with the Tongans had a quiet party. Elder Bush picked us up afterwards and we visited several families, that Tini wanted to say goodbye too.

Found out shifts – I am training - Matt March will be my companion. It’s going to be really good. We are good mates already. Sister Bowen is going to Gisborne, Niu to Mt Roskill with the two Fuimanonos, Elder Bush, Sister Neilson and I are all training. Other good news is Nephi Apisaloma who lives close to me in Wellington is shifting in.

The rest of the night we spent at the flat talking. The Tongans came over and so did Allen and Barry plus Tini’s uncle and aunty. We got out the table tennis at 12pm and we played till 4am in the morning with Allen and Tini. Our last night together.

Monday, 21st September

Alatini didn’t sleep all night. I got up at 5am to spend a little time with him. I got another couple of hours sleep a bit later.

At 9am Elder Bush took Tini with him to drop the sisters at the bus stop so Sister Bowen could catch her bus to Gisborne. Elder Fuimaono and I cleaned up the flat to prepare for my new companion. We gave this place a good shine.

When the Elders got back we went for a ride to get some lunch. On the way we stopped and saw Mark and Sarah. They were really glad we came by and really liked Elder Bush and Fuimaono. They invited Tini to pray and bless their home. It was very special.

We had lunch at Mcdonalds, then returned, packed Alatini’s stuff and went over to pick up Niu. We said our goodbyes and they were off. I’m really going to miss him. He is a very special friend.

Elder Lolohea and I spent the afternoon together with the Tongans. We picked up the film I put in on Friday. Excellent pictures, went to town and played table tennis at our place.

I spend the night with Bush. We had a big feed and then drove Elder Fuimaono to Pah Road where we exchanged him. Saw Elder Kimmel, he was much the same stressing out because of the new Elders in the Zone.

Elder Bush and I went to Elder Shaw and Louthains to do Bush’s washing and went back to Bush’s to sleep that night.

Tuesday, 22nd September

Today was supposed to be our preparation day, but we ended up being really busy. We had an exciting breakfast at Elder Dunlops and Adling, nearly caught their kitchen alight but the French toast and bacon was great.

We cleaned Elder Bush’s flat for his new companion. Taught a first discussion to a lady called Mata, vacuumed his flat, picked up Tini’s photos and delivered them to Teresa.

We taught Roberta a second discussion. She wants to get baptised next Sunday. She’s Rarotongan but wants to go to the Samoan ward because her friends take her.

We had a fantastic meal. I was mighty full by the end of it. Halfway through they brought us KFC. I talked a lot to Sister Wesche. She is a half sister to the Schwenkies in Wellington. They had just been down and so she knew all about me.

Our dinner had gone so long we missed the stake missionary meeting so we went to get my clothes. While we were at the flat Teresa rang. They couldn’t get into the sisters’ flat with the key we had given them so we went to help them out. They were decorating the flat for Sister Neilson’s new companion.

We picked up our washing from Shaw’s place and planned to have an early night. However we ended up talking till late about all kinds of things. Especially my old mission hate, i.e. mission politics.

Wednesday, 23rd September

We woke up really early despite our late night. We delivered the sisters’ car to Elder Apisaloma for the afternoon’s pickup. We also went home to get me dressed and to organise a few things.

We made the three crazy green cakes we had bought at Teresa’s house. It all went well. They turned out fantastic. After that we were relaxed and then realised we still had a chart to prepare for tonight’s President’s correlation. We did a bit of hurrying so we could have that prepared for tonight.

Then we quickly rushed to the mission office grabbing lunch at Wendy’s on the way.

We did a couple of things at the office and then went to meet the new missionaries. I saw Richard and Matt immediately and talked away to them till they had to leave.

Those of us who had trained before had a great discussion with Elder Bush. It was really funny.

After we picked up Elder Marsh and Elder Su’a from the mission home, we sped back home for our appointment. However we were late and they weren’t home so we visited the Parsons where Elder Marsh had a sleep. Then to the Gibbs for dinner and afterwards Mark and Sarah’s. Unfortunately we didn’t get to teach as I had hoped so that Elder Marsh could get into it straight away.

Thursday, 24th September

After studying and going over some things this morning, Elder Bush picked us up for Zone meeting. We had a very fantastic spiritual time together. We had some neat role-plays, my companion participated in teaching a discussion. I was very impressed with the way he taught. We made up some neat goals. That we will strive to work for testimonies were equally as touching.

After the meeting we played basketball and really had a good time. My companion is very good! In the latter part of the afternoon we showered, changed and went visiting. We saw Milly Aubrey and arranged a time to teach her. She is so special. Our dinner was at the Coopers. My companion was impressed by the great love they had in their home.

We visited the Hunts family and laughed with them as they recounted Elders fighting over their daughter many years ago. They are really doing well in their calling as stake missionaries. I didn’t realise that they had brought their neighbours to church last Sunday. We visited Josephine and set up a time next Tuesday to come and present the Wallace Wihongi presentation. I was so excited we would get that opportunity finally.

Johnny and Mena weren’t home when we went over so we visited with Maria and practised the first discussion on her. She committed to read the book of Mormon and come to church next weekend.

Friday, 25th September

After waking up at 5am we took off with Mike to Seminary. We had a lesson on Jeremiah and then we spoke about our calling as a missionary. It was quite cool, especially when we got waffles.

When we got home we tried to study but fell into bed wasted. We did our service this morning around the garden cleaning up and washing Mrs Gilbert’s car. Elder Bush and his companion came and helped also. We then went and mowed a lawn in the Sisters’ area. It was a beautiful sunny day it was a real joy.

We went to visit some people but no one was home so we went shopping for food, which we needed a lot. On the way back we met this nice girl in the corner shop who looked very familiar. We also visited the Ta’ala family whom we had a good talk to. Our dinner with the Mackeys was neat. Elder Marsh saw his first karoke machine.

Milly Aubrey was unable to make the discussion tonight so we went and spent the evening with Daniel and Marinoa and correlated a few things with him. We just really wasted time there. Came home to find a note of invitation to a house just down the road. We kicked ourselves for not coming home earlier.

Saturday, 26th September

We procrastinated our tracting to go check on our visitor from last night. We met Renus (who we met in the shop yesterday) plus her brother-in-law Roy. She is a member but Roy who we talked to for a while is a born again. Renus has been going to the Nuiean ward with Trudy.

It was raining hard when we left so we didn’t go to tract. We visited the Shanmas but only Maria was home so we gave her the book of Mormon for her to read.

In the latter part of the afternoon we went to the Hunts and spent some time with them.

At 4pm we went and taught Milly Aubrey the first discussion. It went really well and she really enjoyed it. It was my companion’s first experience with teaching to a non-member but he did really well. We didn’t have to commit her very much because she was already reading the book of Mormon and praying. We then went to Rebecca’s place for dinner. They had cooked us a beautiful feed. We baked a cake and then all the other missionaries of the zone turned up to wish Elder Bush a happy birthday. We had a neat evening together.

We came home early to plan our week and meet with Barry who’s our acting Ward Mission leader at the moment.

Sunday, 27th September

Church was quite good today I learnt some neat things. In Gospel principles our lesson was on the millennium. It got into some deep subjects like pets in heaven and Kolob. I felt sorry for Sister Beasley’s non-member mother. She had a good laugh though.

Priesthood was cool. Jay made us think really seriously about the decisions we make, whether they are Celestial, Terrestrial or Telestrial. It made us think about my thoughts and actions. We had a good correlation meeting after church also.

The weather was terrible all day so we didn’t tract Beryl again. To make it worse that family on Walden Place didn’t seem to want to see us also.

So we went over the Willy’s early and drowned our sorrows in a good feed and rugby. In the latter part of the evening we went to the Young Adult fireside at the Whites. It was the first activity I had been to in over a year. We watched the church video ‘The Award’ which was really neat plus we played a few games together. It was neat to have waffles again. This is truly a waffle ward.

Monday, 28th September

Despite the fact it was a P-day, we had a zone leader’s meeting. It was ok, but not fantastic. President talked a lot about analysing our statistics and using them to our advantage, ie, we spent more time in collecting information than using it. Reports help to be more productive and emphasise what we need to spend our time on. They hold leaders accountable to accomplish goals. We need to focus more energy on those people progressing to baptism.

It is better to have less data that is accurate than lots of soft information. Our responsibilities as leaders were outlined, ie

- Help others to be successful

- Teach correct principles

- Using the commitment pattern to invite

- Support, motivate to achieve goals

- Receive reports, and analyse.

We went to go fishing in the afternoon but to no avail. So instead Elder Marsh and I gave this flat a big clean up. In the evening we had dinner at the Fitzsimmons. Jay had invited Karla who was interested in the church to attend. We had a wonderful family home evening. We taught the first discussion and the spirit was so very strong. She loved it and my companion was just overjoyed. His face lit up. We would have committed her for baptism then but she is going to be taught by the Elders in her area in Mt Eden. We came home and Elder Marsh was so happy we gave each other a great big hug. I cried later because the Lord had blessed us so much.

Tuesday, 29th September

After a productive morning study we went to tract Beryl Place. Our reception at the start wasn’t too pleasant and my companion was beginning to doubt the human race. One lovely lady let us in. We didn’t share a discussion with her but told a little story. The spirit was strong and we told her we would come back to meet her husband.

Towards the end of the street we got a call back from a lady called Bernadette, then talked to these 2 retired men, Eric and David, for about 3 hours late into the afternoon. We had a lot of fun though, and although Eric was a real atheist, the spirit really touched him while we were there.

We had our dinner at the Begmans, which was really neat. Brother Begman cooked again. We had to rush off though to make our appointment with Josephine Jackson at 6pm. We taught her all about the origin of the Maori people as explained by Wallace Wihongi. Elder Bush came and we swapped companions so Elder Marsh could teach a family. Elder Sua and I presented Josephine with a book of Mormon and had a prayer with the family before going.

We then went to the Hunts where we joined up with Elder Bush. My companion was super happy as the girl they taught committed for baptism. We had another feed at the Parsons before returning home.

Wednesday, 30th September

This morning we did our service working around the gardens of the flat to help Mrs Gilbert. It was a beautiful sunny day so it was really nice.

Everyone we tried to visit in the afternoon was not home so we went over the Teresa’s place and spent some time with her family plus we played with the puppies. We went to the Tongan Elder’s flat and visited with them and then also saw Brighan Waha. We will try and work on him to come on a mission.

Our dinner with the Armitages was really neat. Afterward we talked a lot and she gave us a referral for a friend she had been thinking a lot about.

We then visited the Tukua family, Mr Tukua mihied us into his home and we responded in English. We told to story about the picture of Jesus Christ and had a prayer.

Then we saw the Kennedys who had obviously had a fight so we shared a little scriptural thought about missionary work. It really changed the spirit of the home and we felt really good that we had helped.

We also saw Mr Kerekere who we talked to for ages. He’s quite a hard case but seemed interested and touched as we told of the book of Mormon and the effect the gospel had in our lives.

Thursday, 1st October

It was pouring again today. Luckily the sisters needed some things so when they came we got a ride to our appointment. We showed Lee Ngawaka the video ‘Called to Serve’ and related some missionary experiences. He was happy to know you didn’t have to know everything to go on a mission. He is going to come out with us next week. Because it was raining he gave us a ride to Renus place. Her brother in law wasn’t home but we had a good time wither. She made us a beautiful lunch and we talked a bit. We found we had lots in common because when she was in Sydney she went to the Normanhurst ward where a lot of our friends go.

In the afternoon we did some things at the store then visited our appointment with Bernadette. We met her husband and talked to him a lot. He was interested in our beliefs. We committed their little family to hear the discussions which they really wanted.

We saw Bishop also and correlated a few things with him. He was pleased at the work we had been doing.

We went to Milly’s place for dinner. Brother Peihopa and Anaka were there and we had a great time. After which we taught the second discussion. Milly’s daughter and Kimiora also jointed in. Kimiora and Milly committed for baptism pending finding her records.

We came home early to organise our talks for Zone Conference tomorrow.

Friday, 2nd October

Our Zone conference was really good. Elder Heather gave a good talk on the atonement and how Jesus Christ redeems us. John 10:15-17 and Philippians 2:8. Elder Lynman gave the talk ‘Gospel Knowledge and Testimony’ stating knowledge precedes faith. Knowledge is to bring us to god. Matthew 5:48. God’s power comes through his knowledge which knowledge is essential to salvation, but mist be combined with wisdom. Our knowledge of truth is gained by the spirit 1 Corin 2:9-14. Prayer/scripture study, and by doing as the master John 7:17. This enables us to grow and excel D&C 130:18-19.

My interview with President was good and I learnt a lot. Sister Lloyd gave a good talk on health and President talked on our own personal finding through everyone we meet.

My companion had me in tears as he bore his testimony. It was very special so also was Elder Soi’s testimony. We had pizza afterward for lunch, which was very enjoyable despite the fact that we didn’t recover our money.

Elder Marsh and I worked on a few things back at the flat. I made up a present for Karen and Renus helped me out with getting it sent off.

The Hunts were unable to get the Kalalo family for us to teach so we just spent some time with them.

Mrs Gilbert came with us to the Josephs for dinner, which she enjoyed. We came back early to study.

Saturday, 3rd October

Elder Bush came to collect my companion to teach and Elder Sua and I waited for the Hunt family to bring the family for us to teach. However, Brother Hunt was unable to find them so we waited for Bush in the flat. Elder Su’a and I went over the first discussion, him teaching in English and me trying to teach in Samoan.

The others were unable to teach also. When we met up my companion and I went to visit a few people, none of whom were home except Johnny and Mena. We spent a few hours at Teresa’s place. I did up a map of the world to replace my kit, which had been misplaced.

We had a beautiful dinner at the Swaglers place. It was really neat. Then we biked through town to an appointment with Elder Dunlop and Adling. I interviewed Fraiupu for Baptism, which was really neat. Then we went around the road and I interviewed Caroline Tomuli, her children had been baptised a few months before and I had interviewed them also. She was so good the spirit was strong; I didn’t even have to ask her any questions as she told me everything and the spirit bore witness. She was worthy. Her prayer was the most humble one I had heard in my life. God really loves her.

We got a ride home from the sisters.

Sunday, 4th October

We were up early and picked up for Priesthood Executive. It wasn’t that great a meeting. Afterward we filled the font for the baptism tonight. Church was quite cool. Testimonies were really good. Barry taught the gospel principles class while we went with Bush. At priesthood Barry taught again.

After church we went to Barry’s Mum’s place. A friend of theirs, John, wanted to know about our church. He had been studying with the Jehovah’s Witness for the past 6 months but wanted to know if we had any meat to our religion. I gave him the meat all right and really taught in power. Surprisingly, the spirit was really strong. I was so happy that wee didn’t get into any contention. He was really interested to know what we believed.

We came back to the flat for dinner from Sister Sanders before Elder Bush took my companion again.

Later we went to help Dunlop and Adling with their baptism. It went really well, a truly wonderful baptism, with referrals and everything. I gave the plan of salvation presentation, which was good. I just love to teach.

Faiupu invited us to supper, which we all had together, and Bush dropped us home later.

Today was successful. We opened our mouths.

Monday, 5th October

We woke up early and called Allen. He came and took us to basketball at 7. We played with Elder Shaw, Louthain, Bush and Sua for about 2 hours really hard out. It was good to get some physical exercise for a change.

Then we went out to the Aviation clubrooms near the airport and played squash with Sister Gregory and Elders Dunlop and Adling. That was really hard also but a lot of fun. Allen ended up being the man to beat. After our escapade at the airport we drove into the town centre. Elder Marsh and I picked up some film and then Allen helped us do our shopping. That was a lot of fun.

When we returned to the flat we cleaned up and put everything away and then commenced to do our washing. After everything was sparking and Allen had a sleep, he dropped us off at Teresa’s and went to work. We went to sleep on her trampoline and then wrote some letters.

We biked home and got Elder Marsh’s photos on the way plus visited Mark and Sarah.

Our dinner with the Beazleys was fantastic after which we rod back to Teresa’s.

We had a neat family home evening with the sisters, stake missionaries and one of the sister’s investigators. Then later the sisters brought us home.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Sunday, 11th October

The events over the past few days haven’t been earth shattering so I will give them in brief.

Taught a beautiful first discussion tracting with Elder Adling during trade-offs Tuesday and saw Ern and Amelia my grandma’s cousins.

Set up an appointments with the Panioras to teach, and with Pedro Rosa to discuss the gospel. Milly is having some family problems so asked if we could discontinue the discussions for a couple of weeks.

Rung Maria at school. She was very worried about Dad coming to visit. She said she was going to come to see me on Saturday but never turned up.

Participated with the 19th ward in their activity with Elder Dunlop and Adling.

Today was good. The sacrament program was done by the Seminary students class was good also.

Elder Marsh taught Andrea with Elder Bush and committed her for the 25th of October for her baptism.

Went to Bush’s baptism tonight of Roberta who I had committed with him. It was an excellent program.

In the evening we had some time, so spent it over at Teresa’s place.

Then came back home to relax and prepare for tomorrow.

Monday, 12th October

Today was exciting, Allen picked us up for basketball and we went to the chapel. However no one was there so by the time we collected Elder Bush and Elder Shaw it was later in the morning when we got to play.

It was really good. We played for a few hours. It was very tiring but we needed some exercise.

Afterwards we all went out to the Aviation Clubrooms to play golf. Elder Bush, Marsh and myself and Sister Neilson played, everyone else including Allen and Teresa were caddies. It was one interesting afternoon.

Allen had to leave early so we caught a van-taxi home. I sat in the front with Shanta and by our journey’s end had a referral for the Elders to teach in Royal Oak.

We walked back from Mangere Town centre till home. We were stuffed from all the walking we had done today. We quickly changed and went for dinner with the hard case Beazley family.

Later on we went to the Panioras’ place for family home evening. It was excellent. We taught a first discussion. They really want to come back to church and be a part of the programme there. Even the nephews and sons living there felt the spirit. They even fed us afterward.

We came home just really happy.

Tuesday, 13th October

We woke up early this morning, prompted by such a good night last night and very spiritual dreams also. It was the first time I have dreamt of spiritual experiences and deserving the spirit.

We went out and tracted John Street this morning. It was really hot but we met some nice people and got some call backs. We even played pool with a Nuiean family.

By the time we finished it was about 1pm so we quickly rode over to our appointment with Pedro Rosa. He was busy when we got there but stopped to allow us to visit with him awhile. He wanted to know a few things mostly about our beliefs with regard to the Godhead. It was an all right discussion although didn’t go very far.

We came home to wait for Elder Marsh’s family to arrive. I got some letters from Chantelle and Ronette. I was thrilled to know that Chantelle is getting married in January, she wrote me a very uplifting letter.

Elder Marsh’s family visited awhile. They are really neat. His older sister Kere is really staunch.

We had a beautiful dinner at the Begmans. Marinoa went through the temple today. Daniel even took her through the veil.

Played touch rugby tonight with some of the boys. It was a bit late afterwards to do anything else so Elder Marsh and I went for a run.

Wednesday, 19th October

We started out this morning by going to Renus’s place. I wanted to check on something she was doing for me. We ended up checking on her brother-in-law’s spiritual tapes, which were really good.

We then visited Lee Ngawaka to help him with his commitment to come with us on trade-offs. We hope to get him started on his missionary enthusiasm.

The McKays weren’t prepared for us for lunch so we came back to the flat and made our own. We saw Mark and arranged to set up an appointment with him next week. Talked to the Tongan missionaries, and went to visit Frank and Anne who were not home.

The latter part of the afternoon we went to see Nephi and Vivian who had recently moved into our ward boundaries. They were really neat. Vivian is expecting.

We had our dinner with the Cherington family. They we neat, we had an excellent time with them.

After dinner we went and taught Andrea. It was the first time I had met her. She was really excellent. We taught a fourth discussion. She really enjoyed it asked quite a few questions. We thought the commitments would be my companion was fretting especially since he had to teach on the law of chastity. We were able to bring the spirit in really strong just before we finished which did a lot to help strengthen her resolve to be baptised.

Rebecca and Teresa dropped off a parcel in the evening afterward.

Thursday, 15th October

We started off our day with a zone meeting with the other missionaries. It was fantastic. Apisoloma’s spiritual thought was as always very touching.

Sister Neilson gave a good talk on the judgement, especially making mention of our stewardship in all things and remembering that we have to give an account at the pleasing bar of Christ. We learnt a lot as we discussed, discussion 5 with the Elders and Sisters.

Elder Harris gave us a good run through of personal righteousness in the missionary guide. What impressed me was the experience related by my companion, he said that he really wanted to help Andrea have a very special experience, so he committed himself to be really righteous and was blessed exceedingly. The sincerity of my companion touches me a lot. I hope that I can be more humble as he is. Afterward we had a quick game of touch rugby, which was a lot of fun. We then changed and went to our appointment with Allen and Bernadette. We had a wonderful discussion, the greatest ‘build on common beliefs’ lesson I have ever seen. They were really prepared – heavenly father has done a marvellous work there.

We saw David next door, the Westerlunds, and then the Gildas for dinner. We visited Rebecca’s family afterward then the Panioras who were excited to know they were anxiously reading the Book of Mormon. Visited Johnny and Mena as well and then biked to visit with Mr Kerekere. We had an in-depth discussion. The spirit was strong as we left heavenly father is preparing some wonderful things in that family.

Friday, 16th October

We had our service this morning. We started out by doing some weeding for Glenda down on Henwood. Elder Bush and Su’a came so we together did that. In the early part of the afternoon we went to Renus’s place and cut the lawn while talking to her and also Roy. I think it really touched Roy; he seemed to appreciate it a lot.

Although our appointment with Milly was at 2pm we were delayed till 3pm. I think it was through divine intervention because she was heaps happier than last time, plus she was appreciative of the card we had delivered the other night. We were able to share with her and Kimiora a very neat third discussion.

Our dinner appointment with Sister Peihopa fell through so we went back to our flat only to find Ruben Harris and Shane Waetford respectively. We were all excited. So we went out to KFC to celebrate. IT was good to visit with them again, they are so choice.

After they had departed we delivered some food that had been delivered to us to a family on Reglan Street. We met them but were unable to find an opportunity to commit them to hearing about the gospel. We went and got a kumara from Monique at the Wahas and then went and spent the remainder of the night with Mr Tukua and his family. The spirit was very strong in his home, especially as he prayed.

Saturday, 17th October

This morning was Daniel and Marinoa’s wedding. Rebecca’s dad picked us up and took us to the McKenzie Road chapel where it was being held. It was beautiful. When Marinoa came into the chapel, I got all choked up and had to push back the tears. I have never felt quite like that before.

After the ceremony I met up with Patrick, a non-member I had met in Howick. He gave us a ride home, and we talked for ages about church related things. He seems very interested.

We visited callbacks from Tuesday’s tracting and were successful at a less active’s house to set an appointment to teach. We went to Johnny and Mena’s and played on their karaoke before riding to the reception. Mena followed with Linda, her friend from work. We were excited to find out that she was related to the Hunts.

The reception went very well, Marinoa and her parents reconciled. The Rurus were there, Aunty Brenda reminded me several times that I promised to marry her daughter when I finished.

I interviewed Louise for baptism but found she was still smoking so we had to postpone the baptism till next week. Visited Mena and Maria again to check on them coming to church tomorrow. I ran over some glass and punctured my tyre so borrowed Elder Lolohea’s bike. We went and told Milly who her ride to church was and went to check on Andrea, then came back to the flat to plan. Barry came to say the night,

Sunday, 18th October

I was really excited to get to church to see who would be there. Andrea and here friend Mary came along plus Milly and Kimiora. Maria and Mena were the only ones who didn’t show. The Fitzemanus presented the sacrament meeting. It was beautiful. There were all really good. When Jay spoke about his father being the example of a Christ-like man for him the tears jumped out of my eyes and ran down my cheek.

Classes went well and everyone fellowshipped our investigations. Andrea looked a bit overwhelmed by all the goings on. Her friend Mary seemed very comfortable.

We had an excellent afternoon with the Fitzemanu family; we prepared then ate lunch and sung hymns to complement the afternoon.

On arrival back to the flat we slept also so it didn’t turn into a very productive time.

In the evening we went to visit Roy and Renus to borrow his clubs for golf tomorrow. We ended up staying there the whole evening and talking. Roy seemed to enjoy our company a lot. Renus even made a pudding to eat.

We picked up my flat bike from the Tongan Elders and returned to the flat. Barry came around; we went over to his house with Allen to watch the League, which never came on.

Monday, 19th October

We slept late to recover from last night then got ready fixed the puncture and away to Andrea’s. We spent about 2 hours with her. We ha the fifth and sixth discussions which went perfectly. The spirit was real neat. We did up a programme also for her baptism. S he said for me to baptise because it is my birthday but I wanted Elder Marsh to baptise his first person.

We went out in the afternoon to play golf. I was really good, despite the lateness. We played 9 holes. Elder Marsh got 44 and I got 67 but I am getting better. Alex picked us up and we quickly got changed to go to dinner with the Peihopas.

Our family home evening was excellent. We taught the 2nd discussion to just Brother and Sister Paniora and their daughter, Nyral. The spirit was strong but Brother Paniora was up and out of the room when we needed to commit them. I had a silent prayer that they would be blessed. I was inspired to ask Nyral if she missed church? She said yes. I asked her if she would like to come back to church? She said she wants to go with her family. The spirit touched deeply, and as I expressed our love for them, I could not hold back the tears. Elder Marsh was crying too and expressed his love. We committed the family to attend church and Elder Marsh closed the evening with a beautiful prayer, which had us in tears with a lot of gratitude for Heavenly father. They gave us supper a couple of sandwiches the only food they had in the house.

Tuesday, 20th October

Today we did our service. We went down to the Westerlunds and together with Wan painted alot of the ceilings in the home. We got a lot of things accomplished and the widow Westerlund was very appreciative. We had a good talk with Wan. He is very knowledgeable in a lot of things, plus very practical. He told us that on President Hunter’s tour to New Zealand in 1990, Elder Scott told the priesthood brethren in Auckland that it was the time for the New Zealand Saints to become wealthy and bless the lives of people here. It got me thinking a lot.

After we had finished with the work we went home to fix our own leaking tap. After fluffing around we finally broke it and went to Papatoetoe with Arthur to buy a part. When it was finished our tap worked properly.

Sister Sanders brought our dinner around so we didn’t even change but went straight on to touch rugby. No one much was there so we came home and got showered and changed.

We went back to the Westerlunds and I tried to print up the baptismal programme on their computer. We were doing well till we tried to print it and for the next few hours we tried and tried. By 9:30pm I was frustrated and disappointed so we came home and I talked to Elder Dunlop.

Elder Marsh got his first flat tyre after running over a nail.

Wednesday, 21st October

After awhile of organising the morning for trade-offs, we realised our bikes weren’t by the tree where we normally leave them. Elder Marsh was really racked off and I was upset too. Nevertheless we decided to put it into the Lord’s hands and do what we planned. So Elder Su’a went with my companion and I took Lee. We tracted the last half of Walden Place. It was all right. We didn’t have any fantastic experiences but it was ok. Lee was a real natural at talking to people and conquered his fear of tracting.

We had lunch at the Edmonds which was good and then walked to the Begmans home to do up the Baptismal programme on their computer. That went well, much better than last night’s attempt. It was the only redeemable feature of our day.

We met Elder Shaw’s ‘new’ companion when Elder Bush came to pick up Su’a and then went down to Barry’s place and caught a ride with him to Teresa’s place. Teresa cooked us a big feed and we sat and talked with her Mum and Rebecca.

Barry took us to do home teaching with him. We visited Sister Tipene and her family for a while. Andrea wasn’t home so Barry took us to Otara to visit the Stockman family. It was good to see them again.

We finished off the evening with Renus and Roy, who cooked us a curry.

Thursday, 22nd October

Today was supposed to be our district meeting, however President Lloyd called a leaders meeting so we all drove up to the mission home and left our companions together.

Our meeting was ok. It went on for quite a while and we were all tired and hungry by the end. Aaron Wirepa gave me heaps of Maoritanga material so I was very happy.

We went to Wendy’s for lunch before coming home via Manukau to pay my bill and report the theft of our bikes to the Police. The officer who took my statement accused me of running a racket. Since often missionaries reported bikes stolen. It seemed to escape her attention that we lived in the roughest part of the city, and didn’t have insurance on them.

It was pouring down so after I was reunited with my companion we spent most of the afternoon in the flat.

We then walked to the Armitage’s place for dinner. We had a great time there. They cooked us a neat meal and we talked for ages after we finished.

When we walked home we went to see the Hunts and visited with them awhile.

We walked to Johnny and Menas, when we got there was only Maria home. Mena was very repentant about not coming to church on Sunday. I was quite surprised as they are hardly committed at all to anything. Maybe we are making some steps forward.

We planned the barbecue for Saturday’s lunch, and Johnny dropped us off home.

Friday, 23rd October

Today was rather slow because we were on foot all day.

Almost all of the people we visited today were not home. We visited the Begmans and the happy couple was there. We went to visit Milly Aubrey also but she was unavailable because of a Tangi she was attending.

We came back to the flat at 4pm and did some things before Elder Shaw and Andrea turned up. Andrea had her interview and passed with flying colours. Elder Shaw was quite impressed. We talked to her about the baptism and what she needed to do to prepare for Sunday. She is really excited.

Mark Wilkinson and his wife brought us dinner, which was really nice. Barry came and helped us eat it. Then we went with Barry around to some homes. I needed to interview Louise again, but she was not home.

We also tried to see Isobel Paniora, but she wasn’t home either. So instead Barry took us to visit a friend he has at work that lives in the area. He was a good guy and great to get to know.

We then visited Nephi and Vivian and stayed with them for the rest of the evening. Nephi is now a car salesman so they were hard out looking at Barry’s Rx7. Looks like Barry wants to sell.

Saturday, 24th October

In the morning Barry rang to ask us to help with the gardens around at the Peihopas. So we got our gear organised, walked down the road through the midst of Jehovah Witnesses, changed and helped out – it was really cool.

Barry took us to our appointment but Taki was not home. Instead we made a cake at the flat and went down the road to the Parsons for their little celebration with their kids’ birthdays. It was neat just mucking around with all the children and also seeing a few old mates from Tokoroa.

Richard gave us a ride to Johnny and Menas, they cooked up a barbecue for me and even made a cake. We had a wonderful time talking and eating. That family is really wonderful to us.

Just before six we went with the Sisters to interview a guy for Baptism tomorrow. Unfortunately he wasn’t home so we walked back and some loving person gave us a ride.

Back at Teresa’s place a few people came, Elder Bush and us went to pick up Dunlop and Adling. And on the way I did the interview of Jacob.

Back at Teresa’s again we had a small party, incorporating our District meeting. It was really nice. I got a beach set, toy golf clubs, table tennis sets and a specially neat time, fantastically enough we got back in time for curfew.

Sunday, 25th October

I’m twenty today and I don’t feel any difference. In fact I was so busy with the Baptism, it didn’t feel like my birthday and in between the times I was reminded I completely forgot.

Church was cool, the trials started when we went to fill the font. The water out of the taps was so dirty that when the font was full you couldn’t see the bottom. In an effort to get clean water we used the firehouse, which came detached from the source and flooded the foyer. In despair we prayed. Barry was able to get the Mackays Vax and vacuum the water up. We fixed the hose and filled the font with clean water. I interviewed Louise again. We got our clothes and had a feed at the Tipenes.

At the beginning of the baptisms another crisis developed, the 19th ward Bishop had a serious concern with the candidate Jacob being baptised, because of moral transgressions with his member girlfriend. The decision was left in my hands, and I interviewed him again. We talked and needed confirmation so we prayed. It was an urgent matter and required an instant answer. I got the burning in my bosom and the baptism went ahead.

Andrea’s baptism went perfectly. My companion baptised her and I confirmed. She was so special and the spirit attended her baptism. It was fantastic, even her friends stood up to bear their testimony and her mum was particularly impressed with Bishop.

We had a light supper afterwards and it was just so fantastic to see Andrea so happy.

Later on at home Trudy, Renus and Roy came to wish me happy birthday. Truly I am twenty today.

Monday, 26th October

Today we enjoyed a long sleep and then were quickly into cleaning turning this mess into a paradise. After lunch Elder Bush came and Elder Shaw and his companion and the five of us with Roy went out to the course.

We played 18 holes of useless golf. I was so terrible it was amazing, I lost over 6 balls. I wasn’t doing too badly in the last few holes but during the course I had quite a few bad holes. Roy was cool. We had a good time with him. Even Rebecca and Teresa came to be our caddies.

It took us so long to get around. It was 6:30pm before we got home so we quickly showered and Trudy picked us up and took us back to Roy and Renus’s. Renus and Trudy had done up a big feed and Roy’s mate was waiting so we had an excellent feed. Elders Dunlop and Adling were there too.

They gave me a tie and a handkerchief with a G on it. We sat playing Roy’s video game most of the evening and talking with his friend. It was just a neat ending to a birthday weekend. I have got a lot of very special friends. I hope that I can be just as loving towards them.

Tuesday, 27th October

This morning we cleaned up the flat and got a lot of things organised. We needed a few things desperately because we had nothing in the cupboards so we went down to 3 Guys.

After shopping we stopped in at the Begmans and visited Sister Begman and then came home to deposit our things and have lunch.

No one was home this afternoon that we wanted to visit. Luckily we were able to see Andrea, she was radiant with the spirit. It was a big thrill to see her so happy. She had even been doing a lot of missionary work among her friends. Her Mum is moving to the States next week so she will be permanently in the area, which will be excellent.

We had a wonderful meal with the Begmans for dinner; Daniel and Marinoa look a lot like a married couple now. Fending off assumptions that Marinoa was pregnant.

In the later apart of the evening we met with the Panioras for the third discussion. We had a fantastic time we talked all about Church and they were all excited to come on Sunday to conference. The spirit was very strong and we enjoyed another beautiful evening.

Wednesday, 28th October

Although I had a bit of a sore throat, when I woke up the morning was really neat because of the discussion we had with Allen and Bernadette. It was a 2nd and they were really excited about Baptism. They only smoked one cigarette during the discussion, which allowed the spirit to be there a lot stronger. Allen said he was not looking for a church but to get closer to God. Bernadette was more resolved to be baptised as a family thing. But they committed to prepare themselves for November 22nd.

In the afternoon we went to visit Amanda and Sharky again, they weren’t home. After spending time at the Parsons and finding out that Brent and Andilla are getting married, we met up with Sharky and Amanda. So, the spirit willing, we set an appointment for Friday.

My sore throat was getting worse and I had got a headache so we went and had a few hours sleep which helped a whole lot.

Dinner at the savages was really good. We even got a referral from Sister Peihana for a couple of weeks time.

We saw the Coopers and then the Hunts, Brother Hunt was excited to be called as a state missionary. They have a few families to work with.

The Jeffersons weren’t home so we came back to the flat a bit early to prepare for the forthcoming day.

Also today we did the chart up for the President’s meeting tonight for Elder Bush.

Thursday, 29th October

Elder Bush came and picked me up for trade offs, while my companion remained for service.

We went to the sister missionaries place and inspected their car, after which we went to Elders Dunlop and Adlings flat and inspected that.

I also did Bush’s car and flat and when we returned he did ours. By this time Elder Marsh and Sua had mowed the lawn at Renus and Roy’s. Elder Bush dropped me off in time for lunch. Elder Marsh got reprimanded by the Police for practising his golf shots across Buckland Road into the front garden of Roy’s.

Milly still wasn’t home today so we did some photocopying. Our dinner with the Coopers was good. We committed ourselves to go running with him at 6am next week when he finishes varsity.

We saw the Paniora family for a few minutes. Taki wasn’t home, so we saw Daniel Tautia’s Mum to find if we could should them the video 'Together Forever. We also met up with the Tongans who were having their feed barbecue so we joined in.

It was Mena’s birthday today so we got her a card. She wasn’t home so we left it in the door. According to the Koreans and Billy Graham the world was supposed to end today at 2am. And people ask why we need modern revelation.

Friday, 30th October

Today was a zone conference with President and Sister Lloyd at Yates Road. It was really good.

President Lloyd went into deep doctrine about the Pre-Pre-existence and identified our longest common denominator, that spirit element called intelligence (D&C 93:29, 131:7-8), how it was organised and assembled into our spirit body or Intelligentsia Abr 3:22. Our state with him before birth Job 38:4-7.

Sister Lloyd went over our spirit existence before our birth.

Faith is the moving cause of all actions in intelligent beings.

Faith + Works = success acquired not given without merit, Ether 12:6.

I bore my testimony reflecting on my life as I had grown with many of the other missionaries in the room, Elder Donaldson, Apisloma, Marsh, Dunlop and Sisters Kingi and Gulliver.

After it all we went and taught Sharky and his sister Wanda a first discussion. It was very weird but apparent he felt the spirit.

We had Riki Paniora for dinner and it was really nice indeed. We biked over to the chapel in Yates Road and saw Shaw’s baptism. Immediately after we went with Dunlop and Adling to their chapel for the Halloween evening. We helped out with the decorations and then were given assignments. I did the party trick Black Magic where I got people to rub soot on their faces unknowingly. Everyone left with black faces. I got Renus and Louanna particularly well. It was so funny watching Renus squirm, she is so self-conscious.

After it was all over, Trudy took us back to the chapel where our bikes were and we rode home. It was by that time very late.

Saturday, 31st October

Today was good. We tried to see Milly again but she wasn’t home. We also visited the Fitisemanus before rushing off to the Burgesses. They were really neat. I interviewed Sister Burgess and her son; both were excited about their baptism today.

We had a bit of lunch today with the Burgesses before heading down the road to visit several people. The Panioras were really good and looking forward to Conference tomorrow. Johnny and Mena were well and we talked to them for ages.

We then went to Rebecca’s place and visited her family. Simon was the only one home so we played cricket with him before riding to the chapel for the baptism.

The baptism was excellent. There were a lot of feelings expressed by his family and Sister Burgess was just glowing with the spirit.

We had to leave a little early so that we could get to our dinner with the Schwaglers on time. As it happened they had forgotten so they brought us Kentucky Fried instead. Like I always say, it’s a hard life.

We came home and did our planning and statistics for the week and Elder Marsh did his exercises. We found out from Sister Tipene that Jonelle Tipene died yesterday in a car accident, leaving behind a young husband and baby.

Sunday, 1st November

Today was all taken up by conference sessions. We had the two Sunday sessions and then the priesthood session in the evening. All three sessions were excellent. I took more notes in the first one but probably enjoyed the priesthood one best. From my notes I’ll pick out things that impressed me; for more, you’ll have to read the November Ensign.

It impressed me today that the church is the kingdom of God, it is not a democracy. Jesus Christ is our king and has appointed those he desires to look after this subjects. Gordon B Hinkley/David Haight, Neil A Maxwell touched me with the plea to be anxiously engaged and consecrate my performance to God. We must all be like the Inn Keeper and decide if there is room for Jesus Christ.

Boyd Packer gave an excellent talk on the Pioneers, their great suffering which led them to the many blessings of our Father in Heaven. I was impressed at how much they had to go through and the ease at our lives in comparison. David Haight followed up by stating that obedience came through suffering and perfection through obedience. It made me think of the things I would need to go through.

David B Haight went on to say about principles that they were unchangeable; preference is where there is a choice. The commandments were written by the finger of lour loving God, they are the basic laws of the Almighty. We must also leave secure surroundings to learn and grow, coming to Christ each day of our life as wise men and wise women.

Elder Fowler talked of the conference addresses, telling us it was our needed information for the next 6 months. It is what the Lord would say if he were here, use it! It is scripture, study it and follow it as we do the standard works. We have had enough information to get us in the presence of God.

As with Abraham and Isaac, we are all condemned to death, Heavenly Father has provided the Lamb. Joseph was preserved by God as he did the right things, righteousness was to him; armour. We must follow the straight and narrow course guided by the prophets, even as Moses and the Red Sea. Growth comes through trials. The Lord shapes the back to the burden put on it.

Because of the great spirit I felt today and my maturity in the Gospel, I have decided that I will dedicate my life to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and make that commitment. I have covenanted to do in the Temple, to sacrifice myself, my talents, time, effort and obedience to God. I know it will be hard and I will be tested on my level of commitment, so that I may know – but I also know that the blessings will be beyond my expectations also. This will mean I must also declare ‘all out war on Satan’ as Kent Williams would put it, a war that will only end with my life. Heavenly Father requires this of me and I believe I love him enough to give of myself in this capacity. Therefore that I may be justified and sanctified that I may receive my calling and election made sure and eternal life as he has promised.

Monday, 2nd November

Allen came and got us at 8am and we went down to the chapel to play basketball. It was really good. We had a real physical run. To top it off, we played volleyball as well, which was really neat.

We went shopping afterwards and got $90 worth of food, much needed as our flat was very void of food.

We got the golf clubs from Roy and came back to the flat only to find that Bush had already been to collect Jay’s clubs that were here. We were supposed to go golfing with Mark but he wasn’t home at the nighttime so we went with Roy instead. I played terribly but it felt like I was better than before.

We had dinner at the Beazleys, which was good because we found that Spencer had some clubs we could use.

In the evening we visited the Panioras and had the fourth discussion with them. It was really neat. Sister Paniora was touched that her boys had joined in tonight also. They were a bit hesitant about giving up smoking but the spirit was so strong that they knew they could do it with the Lord’s help.

It was a beautiful evening, as always,

Tuesday, 3rd November

We had planned trade offs with Dunlop and Adling today. So we rode all the way over to their place in the morning. My companion went with Adling to do call backs. Dunny and I did tracting.

We had a really neat morning, the time went too fast. We met heaps of really nice people and got about 8 callbacks. By the end, because we knew we had such a short time, we were running from door to door.

We all met up for lunch at Mangere Bridge. My companion and I went to see my family who were over that way. We talked for ages and I invited them to listen to us present a small message. But they declined saying religion is never spoken here,

On the way back home we stopped in to get some things in town. Milly Aubrey still isn’t home so we went and had an excellent dinner with the Charringtons.

After that, we visited Duawye Waihi who is just living up the road.

We went and saw the Kennechs and played a game of upwords with them. They want to place a book of Mormon with their local shopkeeper.

We also saw Sister Kerekere before returning back home for the evening.

Wednesday, 4th November

Today we went tracting in the morning but it worked out rather badly. No one let us in and we didn’t even get a call back to teach. It was very sad. We also came across one girl who was very upset and crying and had no idea what to do there.

By the end of it we were stuffed. We met Elder Apisoloma and Soi and they had had similar success tracting this morning.

We went over to Teresa’s place to pick up some forms the sisters had dropped off for us and spent some time there.

Then we sped to the Sharkey’s place only to find them not home. They arrived after we left but it was awkward to do anything.

We had a beautiful dinner at the Fitesimanu’s place; we were excited to hear that Carla is still progressing.

In the evening we went and gave brother and sister Paniora the stop smoking workshop. They really enjoyed it and developed a great desire and confident to stop smoking. We arranged to visit them daily to accomplish their goal.

After we had finished there were went and spent a little time with Mark Watts. It was good to spend some time with him for a change.

Thursday, 5th November

We weren’t able to get the key for the chapel so we held our district meeting on the beach overlooking the airport.

We had a nice time together. Everyone was creative with their presentations. It was fun. We all went to KFC for lunch afterward and the elders taught Nelly a lesson for leaving the keys in the boot.

We visited Eldred in the afternoon, as we knew he would probably find it hard at that time of day. We found him fixing his van and doing really well not smoking.

Andrea wasn’t home but her Mum was so we talked to her for a while. She is leaving tomorrow to go to Hawaii and then to the States. Andrea’s moving in with her two sisters.

We also saw Sister Tipene back from the funeral. She said it went well – heaps of people were there. We also met her neighbour, Margaret, who is a member and her Mum.

We had our dinner at the Wahas, which was very enjoyable. Brigham wants to go on a mission so he is working towards that.

Tonight was Guy Fawkes so we went back to the Panioras and had a neat evening with them lighting of fireworks and watching the night sky. Even when we came home we sat out in the beautiful clear calm night.

Friday, 6th November

Today we did our service. It was supposed to be cleaning up the Westerlunds garden but it was a little wet so most of what we did was paint the kitchen. It went really well and by the end we had just about completed it. We also got a chance to talk to Sister Westerlund’s work mates and show them ensigns and stories that bore powerful testimony. IT was a good missionary opportunity.

We had dinner at the Josephs, which was really good. She likes to experiment on us and her experiments are fantastic successes.

In the evening we saw the Panioras again. They are still doing really well. Eldred had one cigarette today but Isobel’s holding out strong. They are really enthusiastic about church on Sunday. Brother Paniora wants his granddaughter blessed.

We went to see Taki but she is off to a tangi tonight so we didn’t teach her.

We also stopped in and saw the Burgess family. They were really good. Sister Burgess is still on a high from her baptism. We had milo with them and talked for a little while before biking around the corner back to our flat.

Today also we started running at 6am with Ephraim Cooper.

Saturday, 7th November

This morning we had another harsh run with Ephraim, which was really good. We also did some weights with him.

We visited Renus and Roy in the morning and spent a little time with them. We also saw Pane who was really cool and set up an appointment for lunch for Wednesday. She knows the church is true and knows about baptism but is still not willing to change.

At Rebecca’s house we talked to Mr Dowman. He’s a Jehovah’s Witness so we discussed some things. Teresa and Rebecca came home and made a quick lunch for us. We played heaps with Simon.

We also saw the Panioras before returning home where Sister Sanders dropped off our dinner from Sister Ox. Later on we went to visit a referral we got from Nephi. The lady was not very impressed to see us at all and we got a rude response.

So rejected we rode over to Andrea’s place. She was excited to see us and we had a really nice evening with her. She was still really happy about her baptism and church tomorrow. Her dad was there as well as so we got to meet him. I don’t think he’ll be a member right away. After that we came home and did our planning for the week, which was very productive.

Tuesday, 22nd December

Just as before, I got behind in writing and then never caught up. So not wanting to miss this important time of year I’ll revive again. Several things have changed, the most important being my companion, Elder Marsh, went to Paihia, which was a real loss to me. We had been very close; and I got a brand new companion from the States, Elder Scott Hall. He is from Utah but his grandfather grew up in Tauranga and went to the Maori Agricultural College.

Anyway, today a few days before Christmas we went to Yates Road Chapel early this morning to practise Carols for our planned carolling tomorrow night. It was really good except the guitar didn’t sound too wonderful.

We did some shopping to get some necessary groceries and ingredients. On the way back to the flat we had brunch with the Westerlunds. In the afternoon we just made cookies to deliver to our families, much as we did last year. We went to deliver some but I had forgotten some letters so we came back to the flat. Suddenly we heard a crash and a truck sped past us. I quickly got the licence plate and when we got to the corner we saw that the power pole had broken in half and fallen on a car. Apparently the truck hit it so we were able to assist police and meet the neighbours. It was the strangest accident I have ever seen.

We had dinner with the Begmans, our appointment cancelled so we showed church videos to Tala, Sulu and some other mates.

Wednesday, 23rd December

This morning it was raining but in between the showers we sped across town to meet Elders Packer and Broczek. As my companion took his jacket off, we realised he had forgotten his tie. The members fixed him up then Elder Broczek and I went to visit a contact he needed to meet and sent the others to tract till they met up with us. We had a neat visit with Gavin and when the other Elders came to the door to tract we hid and surprised them.

We have lunch at Mcdonalds after fluffing around trying to get some money, even met the Nuiean Elders. Our plan was to go to Mangere Bridge to see my family but we could not get motivated to get there. So we looked at things in the mall and did some street contacting. Bought a sumbero for each other. We visited Teresa’s family before seeing Rangi, Elder Hall’s cousin, and the Panioras.

Before dinner we came home to arrange things and then had a wonderful time over at the Cherringtons. They made a beautiful feed for us.

We picked up the Samoan Elders who were having dinner up the street and rode hard to the chapel. I had forgotten I had tightened the front brakes and went over the bars when I stopped onto the pavement, only my pride was hurt. It was quite funny. We spent the rest of the night singing Carols to some rest homes and some other families.

Thursday, 24^th December

Today we spent most of the day delivering the cookies that we baked. We went to the Gibbs who gave us a present and $50, then Johnny and Mena’s, Pamoras, Fitisemanus for lunch, Tipenes, Beazleys, Allen and Burnadette, Tala Sulu and Nina and Karen and Kenny. So we delivered almost all of our batches.

At 4.30pm the sisters picked us up along with the Tongan Elders and we travelled to Auckland City to meet with the other Auckland Missionaries. We went to the chapel off Queen Street and walked down to the Chinese restaurant. We spent an enjoyable time eating and relaxing with old friends. It was neat.

After we were all full we ventured back to the chapel and had our fireside with all the missionaries. Our Zone sisters were in charge of the evening so our zone got to go first, with our item. Elder Bush talked on our present to the saviour then I was asked to give a talk on an experience on my mission. I chose the one when I got the measles. Each zone presented a little message and also a song, the spirit was very strong and we all felt very close to Christ and that great brotherhood which unites us. It was a really powerful way of spending Christmas Eve on a mission.

As we drove home we stopped in to see Irani and spent just a little bit of time with her. I spent the remainder of the evening wrapping and organising a few presents for tomorrow. Trudy also came with a present from Chris.

Christmas day

This has been one of the most wonderful days, and I think my heavenly father for all the wonderful gifts, I have truly been blessed, both temporarily and more importantly spiritually. Firstly Chris Brozek was put in this district so that we could be together for Christmas, I wanted that more than anything because it meant I could serve with him. Jennie wrote and told me that her family are so happy with me sending them letters each week. Plus my dad wrote and told me he was reading the Book of Mormon. What more could I want but still more was given especially money I’m rolling in it this year. It amazes me that out of apparently so little much was received.

In the morning we went to the Beazleys and watched the little ones open presents and we sung them a Christmas song Felis Navidad with our sobrero’s.

Bishop took us to the Dowmans where both Elders Brozek and Packer and the Sisters where we opened presents and socialised. Rebecca brought me an attractive jersey, which I really love, plus we got some other containers and chocolates. The other missionaries went and we stayed for lunch. It was really fantastic. The Dowmans treated us as family. A friend martin came, who teaches maths at Kings College. We ended up playing the guitar and singing all afternoon. We had a lovely afternoon. Mr Dowman dropped us at Jay’s place where Elder Bush, Elder Shaw and their companions where we watched Sister Act which was neat and then after they left we watched Beauty and the Beast with the Sisters, that was adorable.

Barry and Allen took us to the Reihopa’s for a light supper then we went to visit Andrea and Daniel, neither of whom were home so we came home for an early night. The Tongans came over to use the phone and we ended up playing table tennis till late. Irani came and gave my companion a kiwi and me a tie.

It turned out to be a very peaceful and enjoyable day. The spirit was present. I must admit that leading up to Christmas I was sceptical that it would feel complete but it is. I love my saviour very much. I know I don’t appreciate fully what He has done for me but my heart is tender and touched by that great man our older brother whose birth we commemorate today. What Gordon B Hinkley said becomes more meaningful. ‘In this Christmas season when gifts are given let us not forget that God gave His son and His son gave his life, that all of us might have the gift of eternal life.’

I love you very much also, know that I would not have given this to you to read; unless I thought very highly of you that you would regard these things very special and sacred you hold a special place in my heart.

Boxing day

Today my companion wanted to stay inside, as he was still feeling sick so I cancelled our appointment for breakfast but Daniel wanted us so we ended up going anyway. We had a neat time there; the Sisters and Bush plus us all ate heaps. After which we went to the chapel and played basketball, volleyball and table tennis with the rest of the missionaries. It was a lot of fun, everyone got sunburnt, it was so hot. Later on in the afternoon we went to Trudy’s house and helped her brother Elvis do up his home. At first I was so hot I just wanted to sleep but after a while I was able to work.

They gave us some late lunch and we went back to the flat and slept for a while. Then we showered and went to visit Milly who wasn’t home and also Andrea and Michelle. Elder Hall and I had a good talk tonight. We are having a few problems with our companionship and need to sort out a lot of things. Its not that we don’t like each other but we just don’t’ have that closeness that is needed to really progress the work in this area. But we have made some plans to change that and get things moving.

We ended up staying up late to get everything we wanted planned.

Sunday, 27^th December

Church was interesting, hardly anyone was there. But luckily the spirit was and as various people spoke we were touched by the inspiring words.

Priesthood ended up being what I enjoyed the most. Barry gave the lesson on dating and courting, always a funny topic. It was really neat. The comments from those who were single and married were very interesting. Jay told the story of a woman who had such high standards for a partner that none could match in her search for Mr Right she eventually gave up and is now engaged to a less active man who she has only known for five weeks. A Cook Island man gave a neat comparison about a man who told his son to run ahead and get a straight bamboo reed from the hedge leading to the beach. His only condition that he could only pick one and (once he had gone past) he could not decide he wanted one he’d passed. The boy brought back a very crooked one because he’d waited until the end hoping there would be a straighter one ahead.

We had a light lunch at the Begmans then went tracting with Cameron. It was quite good we even taught a couple of discussions.

Dinner was with the Tinpene’s after which we spent some time with Andrea.

Monday, 28^th December

We had a meeting today so Elder Bush came and got me and together with Shaw we left our companions to study and went to the office. Everything was closed but we managed to make it in and do all our business. Our meeting at the mission home was pretty good. We talked about a lot of things.

Some things that we learnt were training by steps ie - explain _ demonstrate _ practice _ evaluate _ explain…. President also counselled us that Rules were for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools plus leadership is knowing how much pressure to put on. After we had learnt we went to physically feast at Wendys. Then raced back to Mangere to go golfing with the Sisters. We had a neat time and I did heaps better than last week by a whole lot. It was really fun. When we dropped the Sisters home we talked with them. Elder Shaw and Bush pushed me into their swimming pool. I had no hesitation in using the opportunity to the fullest. It was fantastic. Afterwards they were sorry they had done it because I taunted them about how nice it was and how thankful I was for them doing it.

We picked up our companions and came back to the flat. The Peihopa’s weren’t in for dinner so we delivered some things with Trudy and Losa and they fed us as well.

Tuesday, 29^th December

I needed to go to Manukau so Elder Bush dropped off his companion and we went. He needed to get his car wheel fixed. Elder Hall needed some pedals and we also needed to pay our dryer bill. Elder Bush and I had a relaxing time together and even went to Denny’s for breakfast. It was really good it was the first time I had been in a diner. When we got back we had to wait for our companions who had gone to do some service.

We spent the rest of the afternoon quite busy with all our families we needed to see. Our first stop was to fix the pedals on Elder Hall’s bike and then to Andrea’s to meet up with Rebecca who was there but no one else was. So we talked for ages and she brought us lunch. While waiting for the rain to pass we stopped in at the local dairy and got talking to the owner. He invited us back to speak to his family.

For dinner we were worried that it might not come but it eventually did. Only for us to leave to see Joe who was sick (again). We told him that he was going to die if he didn’t wake up and stop taking drugs.

We had a cottage meeting over at Tala’s. We showed the video 'the prodigal son' but it didn’t work out very well at all. The only one that seemed really touched was Allen. He wanted to get a copy for himself.

Wednesday, 30^th December

We visited Dion and Veronica and caught them home for the first time in ages. We spent all morning getting things organised with them. We played games and really built strong relationships of trust. We committed them to have the discussions again so we are excited to teach them next week.

We went around and visited the Paniora’s, it was great to spend some time with them and we also Dawn next door. Susan the bearded lesbian was there again and as crazy as usual. We had dinner with Rebecca and Teresa over at Teresa’s place, which was really nice.

Then we went to the Peihopa’s and met up with Teri. Our discussion with him went perfectly although Barry wasn’t there. Teri was eager to learn and he even mentioned baptism and said he would talk to Barry about it when it could happen. We were really excited. It was the first real powerful discussion we had for a while.

After we were on a high we had some time spare so we went to visit Aileen just up the road. As it happened she wasn’t home but her housekeeper was so we talked to Anna for a long time and it was excellent. I know the spirit directed us to be there. We are going to follow up with her next week.

Thursday, 31^st December

The last day of the year and we spent the morning tracting. It was good we ended up spending quite a bit of time at this young lady’s place talking. She was quite radical on her thinking and although it appeared we had similar thoughts on things, the more we talked the further away we got. She didn’t accept the plan of salvation that we presented to her either.

Everyone else we tried to check on this afternoon fell through so we visited the locals, Tala, Sulu, Allen, and Nina etc.

We had our dinner at the Coopers, which was very nice indeed. We had an appointment with Jodi to show a video but that fell through also. Instead we went to Irani’s for a while to discuss the New Year.

When we got back to the flat at 7.30 the other elders were already there. We made drinks and dip and spent the evening eating. Elders Brozek, Packham, Healy and Harrison came so it was good. We had our ten-second countdown at 9pm and the Sisters came to pick them up just before 9.30. It was a very enjoyable evening and good that we had already done the countdown so I could feel good about getting an early night’s rest in preparation for zone conference tomorrow.

Friday, 1^st January 1993

Well to start off this New Year we had zone conference with President and Sister Lloyd. It was quite intense but really good. The talks on missionary work were inspiring and what President and Sister Lloyd had to say was hard hitting. Sister Lloyd committed us to get the wolves out of our lives, things that were stopping us being the best. Testimonies were neat. Sister Campel talked about the story of Helamen killing Amilichaia and how we could remove some evil in our lives also.

Interviews were interesting this time around. I got rebuked, which I thought was forthcoming. I needed a little kick and President did it well. We talked about my plans to go to the States and work. He said that would probably be very hard.

After the draining day we had had we went back to the flat and crashed, awakened by a phone call from our dinner appointment. We had a neat time with Michael and Tania. We talked about lots of gospel discussions before returning to the flat for the evening. Elder Bush came over and we played ping-pong as we discussed our goals and plans for the year. I sent some neat goals through till the end of my mission. I’m going to increase my physical and scriptural self.

Here are some of them:

1. Read doctrine and covenants
2. Read Book of mormon again
3. Read old testament
4. Be consistent in my missionary schedule
5. Be obedient
6. Be humble and teachable
7. Be junior companion
8. Have two baptisms per month
9. Have plans for after my mission
10. Serve with all my heart
11. Dedicating myself to Christ
12. Do a push up and sit up count up till the end of my mission in place of D&C countdown
13. I set some long term goals also like:
14. Spending a lot of time with family
15. Preach the gospel to family and friends
16. Go travelling to Sydney, India, USA, Hawaii
17. Attend general conference
18. Visit Elder Bush and other companies
19. Get married
20. Be 21

Thursday, 21^st January

This past month has been really hard, but today it all paid off. My companion and I have struggled some more but are much more closer. We have made some big sacrifices and today Millie Aubrey, her granddaughter Kimiora Taylor and cousin Teri Tawhiao (Les Peihopa’s son) all got baptised.

We had fasted all day and everything went perfectly. The baptism service was one of the most fantastic I have ever been to. I baptised Millie and Kimiora, Les baptised Teri. We sung Kotokotahera and the spirit was so strong. It was exciting to see Millie get baptised. We had worked with her several months and she had run away because of her nervousness but through much prayer and fasting we were able to find her and she made that commitment. It has been a great testimony to me of fasting. We could not have done it without the Lord. I know he made it possible. Today went by with many tears of thanksgiving to a wonderful heavenly friend.

I was also grateful that Elder Hall was given the opportunity of seeing and participating in the great joys of missionary labour, we have seen a lot of the hardships. I guess that is why its so much more rewarding we have had to humble ourselves, sacrifice and work.

I love heavenly father very very much. I hope I am never so foolish again to leave him out of his missionary work.

Monday, 25^th January

My mission has followed a district pattern, and now after being 7 months in Mangere as up north I was shifted back to my first area in Glendene. I knew that I was leaving and I kind of knew I was coming back here.

We had our last game of golf this morning out at Aviation. We saw the Begmans, Beazleys and Teri, the rest we saw yesterday.

I met my companion Elder VanDyken from Sydney Australia, he seems pretty nice. I’m back in the same flat with the same landlord so its quite interesting.

Elder Shaw is the new zone leader so I’m looking forward to working with him.

The flat wasn’t too clean so we spent some time cleaning up first then did a little shopping so we wouldn’t starve.

Our dinner was with the Kaipo’s, which was really good. Brother Kaipo is our ward mission leader.

We also visited the Wells family who were up the road. It was good to see them again. I almost feel like I never left.

I’ve got a lot of mixed feelings being back. I think its neat I can check on people whom I have visited before when I was here. I wanted to be somewhere new though but I guess if the Lord wants me here I’ll work to please Him.

Tuesday, 26^th January

Today started with a very grotty welcome from the weather. It poured down all morning. We managed to get out and with a bit of faith it turned into a beautiful day.

We couldn’t find any of the people we wanted home to start but after a long walk we got to visit with the Pattersons who were excited to see me back in the ward. It was good to hear from Kim who was enjoying her mission in Timaru. We had lunch with them and chatted about old times and caught up with the news.

In the latter part of the afternoon we visited the Kaipo’s and watched a couple of church movies before Brother Kaipo came home. We did our correlation. We haven’t got a whole lot to work with here but I’m sure the experience with my companion and I we can accomplish a lot.

Our dinner was at the Lye’s but they got home late from the hospital with their mum we decided to get McDonalds instead so rode to the Henderson town centre.

We spent the evening with the Morrison family. Sister Morrison had recently been reactivated. Her husband and son are not members but super nice. I hope we can work with them.

Sister Patterson thinks that I’m probably back to baptise Mr Lyes, I hope so.

Wednesday, 27^th January

We spent the morning organising ourselves. I also got my film processed at K-Mart just down the road. We went to visit Billy whom the other Elders had taught a while ago but no one was home so we went and tracted Chisehurst Street. It was the same as I had remembered from my first time here. We had a lot of rejections, but we did one call back for tomorrow plus we spoke with a young couple for an hour. They were really neat. They were planning to move within the week but were interested in learning more. The lady Tracey had just brought the house three weeks ago and wanted to sell it again. We were also astonished that her husband Tom had a Book of Mormon which he used to swear on for an affidavit.

We visited the Komene’s and it brought back a lot of wonderful feelings especially now seeing them as temple patrons. We also saw the Purki’s family who were excellent. After them we called back on someone I had taught a first discussion to when I was here last. He was happy to see me and we arranged to teach him the remaining discussions. Our dinner was with the Havea’s which was lovely. I met her husband who seems to be more receptive to the gospel now.

For the last part of the evening we visited the Zincks and my joy was full. They had become active since I was away. Their family looked really happy.

Thursday, 28^th January

Elder Remund was dropped off to us early this morning while his companion and the other zone leaders sped off to the meeting in Takapuna. We did some studying and I did some calling around to find some service. We then went to the Kaipo’s and cleaned out their gutter with the three of us it only took about half an hour. It was really enjoyable too being up on the roof.

Sister Kaipo made us a wonderful feed, which had us all full, and then we came back to the flat where I proceeded to fix my leaking tyre. It took me ages and luckily Elder Remund had to leave his bike so I rode his the rest of the day.

We went over some things with Brother Kaipo and arranged to see some people.

Our dinner with the Vakalaki’s was neat and we filled up there also. It was good to see them again.

In the evening we went to visit a few people none of which were home, save the Henare family. We talked with them a while and when we had some spare time rode to the new stake centre our chapel. On the way back we ended up meeting a Samoan family who gave us another huge feed.

Friday 29^th January

Today we started with a district meeting. The Sisters picked us up and we went to the Glen Eden Chapel. We had a neat DDM. Elder Young did very well for his first time. It was both inspiring and fun. I liked the chocolate gave aimed at getting us to learn our discussions.

We had lunch at Georgie Pie, which was really neat before going home.

The afternoon was fun. We went to visit Rae whom I had tracted when I was here last. She was neat we set up an appointment to visit her next Thursday. I was amazed at how much I remembered about her as we talked.

We also visited a couple that we had found and got an appointment with them.

Then we tried another home but the people I knew had moved. The man who was there was a born-again so we ended up talking quite a bit together. It was quite funny, he got pretty heated.

Our dinner appointment was with the Wells family. It went really nicely. We chatted about lots of wonderful things including our missions.

I think what I like most about young families is having prayer with them. A young child talking to their heavenly parents is very humbling.

Saturday, 30^th January

Today turned out to be really interesting indeed. My companion had a sore back last night and it was even worse this morning accompanied by vomiting so the Sisters came and got us and we went down to the doctors. He felt it was a quite serious and so sent us into Auckland Hospital for tests and x-rays. We spent several hours there - the verdict was everything was okay, just an infection that was also inflicting his back.

We came home and spent the rest of the day sleeping and resting as instructed by the surgeon. My companions not allowed to do much for the weekend and not allowed to ride for a little while.

Sunday, 31^st January

Church was pretty good. We had classes back to front and so we got a chance to bear our testimonies in the wards fast meeting. It was really good.

After church we had a small correlation meeting, which will start things rolling.

We had lunch at the Morrisons; it was Mau’s birthday so we had a lovely meal. We stayed the rest of the afternoon with them and then went to the Faapoi’s for dinner. Our appointment with Phil and Erika although brief was good and we committed them to the discussions.

Monday, 1^st February

After doing our washing and cleaning up the flat a little plus writing a few vital letters our preparation day activities. Brian, Elder Lawrence and Williams came and got us and together we went over to Kelston and down to the beach of Titerangi. I hadn’t seen a proper beach in a long time and it was just my luck that we looked over the muddy waters of Manukau Harbour - it looked exactly the same from the other side. We went to Taanga’s aunty’s place and had lunch.

In the afternoon we went down to New Lynn and went to the mall before going to the local rink for ice-skating. We had a fun time Brian was especially good. We came back to the flat and Sister Morrison dropped us off dinner which we took with us to Brian’s and had a BBQ with their family.

In the evening we had family home evening with the missionaries and Brian. It was quite good. Elder Leahy gave a good talk about going home which only really applied to me. It was about habits and attitudes that would last beyond a mission. That there was no need for anyone to become inactive. Elder Lawrence and Williams drove us home.

Tuesday, 2^nd February

Today we organised ourselves and went to do a bit of shopping because yesterday was a public holiday. We visited a referral from the Elders and got an appointment for Friday. We tried also to see Lee, but just spoke to his mum then we had lunch at the Rangi’s which was very nice.

In the early part of the afternoon we went to see the Lyes but they weren’t home so instead we walked down and met Stacey. She seemed really lovely, fairly young but interested in learning. She has studies with the Jehovah’s Witness also so she seems to be tossing up between the two.

We got back to our flat just in time to catch the Sisters who took us with them to the chapel. We practiced ‘I’ll find you my friend’ (which I felt the spirit really strong on) for zone conference tomorrow.

Our correlation with Brother Kaipo went well. We were much more organised this time and it felt like we had accomplished something.

We had a quick bite at McDonalds and went to the Morrisons. Our discussion with Donny didn’t go very well. He wouldn't really participate??? so we arranged to do some other things with him.

To end off our night we had dessert at the Renners home and thankfully they gave us a lift home.

Wednesday, 3^rd February

Elders Lawrence and Williams picked us up early, and altogether we had breakfast at McDonalds.

Our zone conference was quite good. It was very to the point. It was obvious that President was not happy with the progress of Henderson zone as it is below the standards of the mission. He wanted us to gain a better profile by participating more in our classes but not in basketball. My interview with President Lloyd was good. He was full of prise for me, I had written him telling him that although I didn’t feel close to him I did appreciate him a lot. He said that he felt close to me and appreciated what I had done. When it was all over including our musical number, we all went for lunch at Wendy’s before we got dropped off back at the Morrisons. We had a neat talk there. Donny was asleep. We went to Renners and reclaimed our bikes before heading off to the Dukes for dinner. We had a hard time finding anyone home in the evening and my companion’s back wasn’t the best so we came back early to the flat and mostly talked. We need to re-certify on our discussions we looked really bad today.

Thursday, 4^th February

We had service planned for this morning however we found no one to help so instead we wrote letters to missionaries. I sent some to Lyndon, Jason, Aaron and Matthew. I’m sure they will appreciate it immensely.

Our appointment with Rae fell through so instead we went down town. Elder Vandyken brought a frame for his picture of Christ and I reported my card missing at the Postbank.

We had a neat time with the Morrisons. We went down to the creek, ate watermelon and talked. Sister Morrison felt we could build a good relationship with Donny which it did. I got a chance too to inspire Shane in his resolve to give up smoking.

We met Judy Brown who was close to baptism maybe we can work with her, plus Hoel Coreen.

Our dinner with the Hakaraia’s was fantastic. I realised how much they look like my dad and mum, even a couple of the children look like my sister and I when we were young.

We spent the rest of the evening with the Lyes family. It was good to enjoy the time. I found out Kara is engaged which threw me off completely. I wasn’t in a very good mood the rest of the night until I realised I was being selfish. I should be happy for her not sorry for myself.

Friday, 5^th February

We started this morning off with an in depth discussion with Stacey. She was really cool. It was the third discussion and we taught some heavy-duty stuff. She had had it before so we expanded it.

Renus and Losa came over; Renus brought me a t-shirt and souveniers from Fiji. It was good to see them again. Elder Young and Remund came and we went on trade offs. Elder Remund came with me and we went tracting. we had some great experiences, not many people were home but of the ones that were almost all had a talk to us, we were able to commit someone to the discussions and share a small story with another. Elder Remund got some ideas and taught me a bit. He talked about a scheme in Utah, a natural wildlife project that you could do which I would really love.

Elder Vandyken and I after tradeoffs went to visit a call back. She was busy with the grandchildren but invited us back for Monday evening.

We went to the Blakely’s before dinner and caught up with them, they might have some people for us to teach.

Our dinner with the Subriskies was good and we visited the Zincks before returning home for the night.

Saturday, 6 February

Waitangi Day everyone was disappointed that it fell on the weekend so it wasn’t much of a public holiday. We rode out to our chapel’s open house at Harvest Road. The stake anxilleries had done it up beautifully, I was very impressed.

Several investigators came through. Surprisingly Stacey came also. She loved it especially the primary program. We showed her the font and she was eager to know where she would stand and what would happen. Shane came through as well and I showed him a little.

We had a beautiful barbeque lunch provided by Mau and Moana, Shane and I spent some of the afternoon fixing Jeremy’s back tyre. After visiting some more people we went to the Martins home. We had a lovely dinner with them and I found out Blair was their son so we had someone to help reactivate.

The conference session in the evening was really good. The choir singing particularly impressed me. The theme included missionary work quite strongly. Afterwards Elders Lawrence and Williams took us home, they were prepared to come back and get us in the morning but we persuaded them to stay. Bill provided us with strawberries and we had an excellent feast prepared for breakfast. We stayed up playing monopoly for a while.

Sunday, 7^th February

The morning session of conference was quite good although it seemed to go on forever. President and Sister Lloyd both spoke which was a big push for us. A lot of people remarked on Sister Lloyd.

After it all the four of us went to the Patterson’s and enjoyed lunch with them. Taanga played the piano and got all of us to sing. It turned out a very spiritual afternoon.

We went back to the chapel early and Elder Lawrence practised playing the organ for their choir item. The dedication was neat but I was struggling got keep my eyes open then during the prayer I struggled to keep them closed.

However the choir was fantastic it was the most unreal experience of my life. The choir were powerful and at the end included the congregation singing the Spirit of God.

We rushed off with the Faapoi's for a wonderful evening meal and in haste rushed to our appointment. (We saw Phil and Erika for about half an hour, we explained about the discussions. Phil was more interested of the two.) We spent the evening with Bishop and family, which was a delightful experience, talked about Donny’s baptism with him for the end of the month.

Monday, 8^th February

After we had woken up we began the awesome task of cleaning the flat, my companion took the bathroom and did a wonderful job there. I got the kitchen and cleaned that up good too. We also did our washing at the same time. Then we rode down Lincoln Road and went to superstrike where we met up with Elders Lawrence, Williams, Leahy and Shortland. We had a really neat game and by chance I ended up leading with 138.

We went with Elder Lawrence into the city and watched him fluff around trying to find an Iron, we went back and fourth to different stores looking for the cheapest bargains. In the latter part of the afternoon we finished a few things off and zoomed down to the Moultons for dinner. We had a neat time with Bishops parents, Bishop and his family were there also. They are a really hard case.

We went and had a good talk with Yvonne and arranged an appointment with her for tomorrow. Our evening appointment cancelled so we went and saw Lee and ended up committing him and his girlfriend to the discussions. There is a very special spirit around those two.

Tuesday, 9^th February

We went tracting this morning, which was okay. We met some nice people but none who were very interested. We got in one door he turned out to be a druggie, and not in any frame of mind to teach

Sister Patterson fixed us lunch and we discussed a few things with them. They told us that Elder Hunter had been held hostage with a bomb at BYO today. Apparently it all worked out though and no one was hurt. Our discussion with Yvonne went excellent. We gave her a lot of information about he Book of Mormon and how the bible prophesied of the blessings of the tribe of Joseph and the coming forth of a sacred record. She was quite impressed even more so by the fact that the Book of Mormon showed the Polynesians came from there. Our correlation with Brother Kaipo was good. He was impressed with the work we were doing. Our dinner was good; the family is not very active so we tried to make a spiritual impact on them. We spent the early evening with the Morrisons. I had written down to see Lisa Wells next door as we went down the drive we met her and Alice invited her to family home evening on Monday. Both my tyres were flat, the kids had punctured them.

Wednesday, 10^th February

We spent the morning over at the Martin’s home. Blair was surprised that I was a missionary; I hadn’t seen him in a few years. We talked and played pool; it was obviously he was having a lot of problems. We raced back towards our flat and visited Mrs Anne, she was quite interested to know about the church, a lot of her family had joined in the Islands and she wanted to know why. Our discussion with Stacey was ‘different’. We went over the creation and fall of Adam. It was really in depth but we answered her questions. It was neat that we could discuss those things and learn and gleen so much from the Bible.

We saw Judy Brown and then went over to the Morrisons for dinner. We had a neat meal and then it began to rain so we stayed there and visited with the family till 7 when Shane took us to our next appointment.

Lee and Tanya weren’t home, his mum told us his sister had gotten him a job where she was working. Instead we went across the road and saw the Rangi’s. Tui had been baptised a few months after I was in the area last but wasn’t very active lately so hopefully we can re-inspire him. They took us home afterwards which helped us avoid a soaking walk home.

Thursday, 11^th February

This morning was our zone meeting and everyone forgot to pick us up but eventually we got picked up and went to the chapel.

Our meeting went well. Sister Dahl gave a super lesson on obedience. Elders Williams and Lawrence gave a talk on faith, which worked out really well. Elder Lawrence then got me to sing ‘No ordinary man’ which was a complete disaster. Maybe this will dissuade him from asking me again. We also did our competition discussion review. We got dropped off home and picked up again to go to lunch. The elders took us into the bush for our dinner appointment with the Kings and we rode down from the Waitakere’s to get there. Our dinner was neat; afterwards I spent time resolving a less active lady’s concern. It was quite neat.

We rode back to town and visited the Morrison family before riding back home to complete our day’s activity. I got Josephus from the Kings tonight so I have been busy reading it. It has a few good quotes about Jesus Christ, John the Baptist and James the just, which supported the historical points of the New Testament. I enjoyed Josephus’ dissertation on hades from a Jewish bishop’s point of view.

Friday, 12^th February

Brother Kaipo needed a hand with his deck so we went to give him some help this morning. He was doing his deck quite nicely so we added a few personal touches. I drilled the house and Elder Vandyken cemented a pole. The Kaipo’s not only gave us a big beautiful lunch but breakfast as well.

After changing and getting ready back at the flat we went down the road and saw Lyn Keil. She was nice, we taught her a discussion however it didn’t go the best. Although she was quite keen she didn’t want any further discussions since her husband wasn’t prepared to join in. We made an appointment to see how her reading went.

We zoomed down to the Morrisons and had a great discussion with Donny. It started off really hard he wouldn’t speak but after we drew some pictures he participated a lot more and it turned out to be very delightsome and also humbling experience.

Our dinner at the Vakalahi’s was neat. They had made us otai, which I was super pleased about. We then checked on old callbacks around that area and got an appointment to teach Doug Smith. Mihi wasn’t home whom we weren’t to see at the Marae, went to the Faapoi’s and then played bats down cricket on the street with the local kids. Our long ride home was uplifted by being yelled at for not having lights.

Saturday, 13^th February

I didn’t feel good this morning so after getting dressed and everything I went back to bed. I felt a bit better so we went up to Glendene and got our haircut. We went and saw Phil and Erika but didn’t manage to do more with them than just talk about things in general. In the afternoon we visited referrals and people up around the chapel. Sister Martin was especially happy to see us; Blair had been giving them a hard time.

We had a beautiful dinner with the Venu’s. We talked to Joy for a while also about her missionary experiences. Then we took our journey into the wilderness to see Jack Elder the local body MP.

It was exciting to meet with him. He was a very charismatic person, a great speaker. We told him about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He was anxious to read it and find out about it. He was not really prepared to commit himself to the discussions. We took the long road home and then did our planning for the week and evaluate our performance for the past week. We are slowly building up our pools and becoming more successful. We have some wonderful people to work with. I know that we will have success in helping them to progress to those wonderful covenants.

Sunday, 14^th February

Valentines Day - the most romantic day of the year but if this is the type of things to come I’m in trouble, no letters, no cards, no phone calls, no would be admirers, no nothing. I got more last year. I’m going home in two months, now is when I need someone to proclaim their love and devotion for me. But in the immortal words of Bob Marley ‘no women, no cry’.

Despite the downward trend in social activity the day was good. Sister Morrison brought her non-member friend to church and she really enjoyed herself. Brother Kaipo’s lesson was excellent and I learnt a lot.

After church we went and finished tracting the rest of Divich Avenue, we had a few good responses but nothing really definite. Our feet were really killing us by the end.

We then went down and had a beautiful dinner with the Blakely’s, which was well received by us. They even had a few roses of which they gave one each to us (the day wasn’t a total waste).

We got a ride to the Glen Eden chapel and there took part in the Sisters baptism. It reminded me of the baptism we had had there. The Fitesimanu’s were all there also so we had a good talk. Elder Shaw took us home and we spent the latter part of the evening talking. I also wrote some letters.

Monday, 15^th February

Today was destined to be a boring preparation day when we woke up it was already raining and didn’t look like stopping so we went and got some shopping and then proceeding to do our washing.

To our surprise Elder Lawrence turned up with Brian and together we went back to his place. They had some videos they had gotten to watch. They turned out to be not so great and pretty much a waste of the afternoon. However it was good to spend time with Brian. We got back to the flat just in time to catch our dinner, which was neat. Sister Morrison picked us up for family home evening. Daphne was already there when we arrived. The evening went great. Elder Vandyken gave an excellent lesson on faith, which made us all think. Daphne and her kids quite enjoyed it.

We went with Sister Morrison to visit Lisa, it was her birthday and so we took her a cake and endeavoured to bake it for her in her own microwave. She was really happy that we had come out of our way to help. She wanted to know more about the Book of Mormon in relation to the Bible though. We ended up the evening at home writing more letters.

Tuesday, 16^th February

This morning we went tracting again down Kiakura Street. We were surprised at the number of people at home. We met a lot of nice people and got some solid callbacks. One lady really made us laugh, she said she had been waiting for us so we could have a big argument but she didn’t have time at the moment.

After we had finished we had lunch back at the flat (leftovers again).

We went down and saw Rae and talked with her a while, she was nice but still super hard to bring around to the gospel.

We went to Don Scotts place also, a filmmaker we had met a long time ago. They were nice and were surprised to see me back although not short on advice for me.

Lyn Keil wasn’t home so we shot down to Stacey’s, we had a wonderful fourth discussion that went really well, and she really understood it and loved it.

We went up to the Kaipo’s for dinner and had a neat feed. Elder Shaw and Mecham came as well and together with our ward mission leader. We went to the tri-stake missionary meeting at Pah Road. The meeting went well, it was a good chance to catch up on a few familiar faces. Brother Kaipo enjoyed it too and was motivated which is how we like our ward mission leaders to be.

Wednesday, 17^th February

Our first appointment was with Anna and Sione, a Tongan couple whom we met tracting yesterday. We had a neat time with them and arranged to see them again on Saturday with someone who speaks Tongan.

We had lunch at McDonalds and endeavoured to street contact but I couldn’t identify any approaches. So we visited a lot of people around the valley and saw Daphne, our discussion with her went excellent. She really felt the spirit strongly. She impressed us because she had read through the gospel principles and gave answers to the questions.

Our discussion with Donny went okay but young Jeremy was being a disturbance so I locked him away, unaware of the boil on his tummy. He was really upset; Moana was really good about it thankfully. We had dinner with the Samuela’s, which was the highlight of the day. I recognised Nicole I had gone to school with and I had seen her Jim and Judith’s baptism. I was overjoyed to know she was now active and now married and even pregnant. Her husband is a return missionary. I remember being particularly concerned about her and desirous that she would become active. It certainly brought tears to my eyes and a great appreciation for my saviour.

In the latter part of the evening we visited the Miller family, Sharon is now one of the stake missionaries so we wanted to follow up with her and see what she was doing.

Thursday, 18^th February

District meeting was postponed until tomorrow. This morning then we went on trade offs with Elder Young and Remund. I took Elder Young to a lot of the contacts and people we were teaching down in his area. Amanda wasn’t home but Selina was so we arranged to come back. The only other people home were the Purki’s; we visited with Dane a little while and even played his electric guitar. Hopefully Elder Young will be able to build a good relationship with them.

After lunch and a snooze we went to visit a few people, none of whom were home so we went to the Kaipo’s instead to get the video. Brother King was doing the stairs off the deck for him. The whole place looked really nice.

Our discussion with Stacey was nice although we got into more scriptures than anything else. She is so confused. I feel sorry for her but I feel the spirit in her home and I know the Lord is blessing her; I am just at a loose of what we can do.

We had the Morrisons for dinner, it was Allie’s birthday and we had a neat time, we spent most of the evening there after checking on a few referrals. Then we biked home as it became late.

Friday, 19^th February

We went with the Morrisons this morning over to their new house. We helped them with their front lawn and all the branches from the trees that were scattered there. It took us quite a few hours and we did quite a bit of had work but it was really good.

After getting back the Elders picked us up and took us to the chapel, met up with Warrick on the way and we had a good chat. He looks very happily married. Our district meeting was nice; my companion did a neat presentation on music appreciation. The sisters did the skill of following up in a unique example of Chinese whispers. Elder Shaw certified us off on the first discussion, which gave us a real boost to learn the rest. Our appointment with Daphne went well. We didn’t teach a second discussion but read part of the Book of Mormon. Her friend Noelene joined in and shared some very special experiences as I related about the picture of Jesus Christ. We all felt the spirit very strong.

Our dinner was good. The Henare’s treated us. Sister Morrison took us back to the flat where we opened our fast then we went to visit the Rangi's and spent time with them, we showed them the video 'On the way home', and they were quite touched.

Saturday, 20^th February

This morning I got quite a bit done. I was quite pleased with myself. I’m coming to the end of the doctrine and covenants so I expect to finish by tomorrow. I discovered today that the Lord told Joseph Smith in 1839 that within the dispensation of the fullness of times (these latter days) the days, months and years of the heavenly spheres would be revealed D&C 121: 30-31. What a joke that would have been in his time yet now the resolutions of the planets in the solar system are common knowledge. President Faapoi came with us to our appointment with a Tongan family. He talked and really got to know them, plus encouraged us to keep going. We visited Doug Smith who was out and also Micki Pene who was going out and arranged to see them tomorrow. We checked on a few past investigators but no one was home. By then the rain had come down hard so we stopped at the Venu’s for a while and spent the afternoon with them. We also copied and watched my companion’s ‘Vision of the Pacific’ a video on the Polynesian festival of arts in Rarotonga last year.

After coming home for a while Bill dropped us to our late feed appointment with the Pokoinga’s which was really lovely, we stayed talking to them for a while also. In the evening we did our planning and statistics for the week before reading.

Sunday, 21^st February

Church was really good today. Brother Kaipo got us thinking in gospel principles again and helped us appreciate having a body, later on I understood D&C 138: 50 because of that.

I took the lesson in priesthood on Home Teaching; together we designed the ultimate home teacher on the board and challenged everyone to be that person.

Sacrament was about church magazines, all the speakers were great and I learnt and appreciated their talks. It motivated me to read our church magazines.

We made ourselves some lunch before going to visit Mihi Pene, she was really cool. I had taught her and she had joined the church after I had left the area. She was a bit disappointed with the church during her husband’s funeral. However she spoke really well of it. We also saw Dough Smith and taught him a discussion; we were interrupted by his boarder who turned out to be a member from Hamilton. She got talking and Doug got distracted but it worked out alright.

Our dinner with the Haveas was lovely as usual. I had fun explaining to the Reid's about the Book of Mormon and Jesus.

We came back to the flat and awaited the word, neither of us were shifting so I figure I’ll be here to the very end of my mission. Elder Shaw and Mecham came over later also. I finished the doctrine and covenants.

Monday, 22^nd February

Taanga T (Elder Laurence) came round to say goodbye. He gave me a heart warming letter of thanks and appreciation and told me to get married within 6-12 months and probably not to Tahei. I was really impressed; he is a very unique individual.

We did our shopping and by good fortune I noticed a 28mm lens for my camera for only $35. The chemist wasn’t very happy when he realised he had under priced it but I was. After our washing was all done and the flat clean Alice picked us up for lunch. We went back to their new home and together with Shane enjoyed the afternoon. We showed them the Polynesian arts video before she dropped us home. I wrote some letters to mum, Maria, Grandma and the Koolens before showering. Stacey rang to tell us she couldn’t make it for the evening so we went to the Huysmans alone.

We had a wonderful dinner and again Elder Vandyken gave his lesson on faith for family home evening. We played cricket with everyone on the back lawn and enjoyed dessert as well between our runnings around.

It was a very beautiful night and we enjoyed the special family unity along with the spirit.

Brother Huysman gave us a lift home and we called our dinner appointments for the rest of the week. I am now going to begin the Old Testament.

Tuesday, 23^rd February

First thing this morning we took my back wheel to the local bike shop to have it fixed. Then we went and tracted Crystal Street. It was a very hot morning, not a lot of people were home or interested. We met one lady Delwin who invited us back. Also we visited John who had a beautiful home down a driveway by the creek. He had had quite a bit to do with Mormon missionaries but was not very interested however we said a neat prayer with him.

After lunch we went and called back on a few people. We saw Mrs Keil and followed up on her reading of the Book of Mormon, it went quite well, the spirit was really strong.

Our correlation meeting was all right. We arranged things for Saturday with Donny’s baptism and told him of our other work with all the other investigators. Dinner at the Balows was neat, they really filled us up.

We had a bit of time before our next appointment so we went to visit with Moana and family. We met Allan who is Tarita’s father, he was really funny.

Our appointment with Lisa and Paula was excellent, the spirit was really strong. We went over a lot of things but they felt good about it. They even gave us their phone number just in case we weren’t doing anything Friday night. We rode home very quickly as it was late.

Wednesday, 24^th February

Alice picked us up at 9am and we went down to Moana’s place. Our main job was to organise the garage however we ended up doing more of the gardens around the house. It was a really physical excursion but I enjoyed it a lot. They even cooked us lunch. We did some arranging for Donny’s program in the afternoon. I spoke to Johnny James in Tokoroa (Donny’s uncle) he is trying to come up to the baptism to confirm Donny however he wanted to make other plans in case he couldn’t come. So in the afternoon we went and did the program on the Kaipo’s computer it came out beautifully. It didn’t take us very long either. Before dinner we came back home and helped Bill out with the caravan. Elder Vandyken found a plug that needed replacing.

Our dinner with the Lyes was great. We talked for ages and Sister Lyes thought of people who she could marry me off to. We watched the video ‘On the way home’ and then tried to commit Denis to the discussions. He was not at all keen, he seems to have no belief about God, or life after death so none of that is very important to him. At least we tried. I learnt though the important things you know because of your heart not your eyes. We came home and spent the remainder of the evening arranging things with Bill and Leita, they are going away tomorrow for a couple of weeks.

Thursday, 25^th February

It was the sisters turn to pick us up. We went with them to Massey and met with the other Elders. We practised ‘I’ll find you my friend’ for Sunday’s Young Adult missionary fireside. We got some copies of songs and finished the program for the baptism.

We went down to town, had lunch at McDonalds and then went to the copy centre. However it was closed so we came back home. In the latter part of the afternoon we went to see Rae who was going out. Brother Subrisky he was enthusiastic to see us and arranged a family home evening with his friends.

We had a talk to Donny after school and went over a few basic things we had been teaching him and then studied for our certification on our missionary discussions tomorrow. Dinner at the Luki’s was great. I was surprised she remembered me. We went to see Delwin afterwards. She was very interesting at first she was hesitant but to our surprise she asked us about church and how to get there on Sunday. Plus we set up an appointment for next week. We rode down to Henderson Valley to see a few people none of whom were home so we came home early. I used the extra time to read Leviticus.

Friday, 26^th February

It was just six of us for district meeting this morning so we went up to the Waitakers and had our meeting up there. It was a well needed refresh and change. Elder Young gave us all the happenings of the mission and what we needed to do.

Sister Thompson gave a neat spiritual thought on being happy and living after the manner of happiness 2 Nephi 5:27. Sister Sheen went on to tell us about gifts of the spirit, how we can know for ourselves certain things, how we get the knowledge maybe slightly different however the gift is the same. We should strive to have those gifts and be worthy to receive them and use them for what God intended. We met up with Elder Shaw and had lunch with him. In the afternoon we photocopied the program with Alice then took Elder Shaw to their home to have the interview with Donny. After that was all done and everything all right we returned. I rang my uncle Blam and talked with him, it was very touching. He wants to arrange for me to go to India at the end of the year. It sure was good to hear his voice.

Dinner with the Pattersons was great. We talked alot as per usual.

We took a long bike ride to Doug Smith’s home and spent a bit of time with him going over the first discussion before returning for the night to wait for Roy.

Saturday, 27^th February

After organising everything by phone from the flat this morning we ventured with Sister Kaipo to the chapel. We had noticed at the open house how dusty the font was so first off we endeavoured to clean it. After we had run the water however it didn’t seem to make any difference. We ended up spending most of the time there up to the baptism. Elders Shaw and Mecham were also there doing zone business. When the time for the baptism came hardly anyone was here but they all seemed to roll in pretty fast. Donny looked great and behaved beautifully when the time came for the baptism. He rushed around to the font I had a hard time keeping up. Everyone was impressed; he certainly knew exactly what was happening. Everything else went well then we all proceeded down to Moana’s. The feast that was prepared was fantastic. They roasted the pig on the spit and that was sweet. We ate laughed and enjoyed ourselves all afternoon. Moana, Alice, Mau and a couple of others did some Cook Island dancing.

We stayed to clean most of the rest of the night. Daphne was a huge help to everyone. She really enjoyed the baptism. I pray she will get that great desire also.

Sunday, 28^th February

The Kaipo’s picked us up for church and we rushed off to the chapel. Our Sunday School class was good. We watched ‘Man’s search for happiness’ and went over the plan of our heavenly father.

Priesthood was okay and sacrament was quite neat. After church the Kaipo’s took us back to their home and we had a beautiful lunch with them.

Alice Morrison and Siope Vakalahi came over and together we had the ward proclaiming the gospel meeting. It went well and everyone was happy about their assignments. We had someone we wanted to visit so in the hot sun we walked up the road only to find they didn’t want us.

Brother Kaipo took us to the Blakelys, Zinks and Doug Smith’s before dropping us off at the Faapoi’s for dinner. We had a barbeque with them, which was really nice. They still haven’t got a stove but they seem to be enjoying it.

They dropped us off at the chapel for the Young Adult fireside. It was a very enjoyable evening. Ted Pongai gave a neat talk on service then Rochelle Domini also went on to talk about planning so you can have time to do service. We sung the interlude item of ‘I’ll find you my friend’ and Sister Thompson talked on missionary work. I was able to catch up on a few old friends afterwards including Louanna and Brian.

Monday, 1^st March

All the chores were done pretty quickly this morning. We washed our clothes, cleaned up and wrote letters. Bernadine came over and I showed her how to use all my camera equipment before she went to use it. She was very appreciative of the gear, as she didn’t have much herself.

At lunchtime we took a ride down to K-Mart to put in our films. We then went for a look at the local mall. I checked in at the Christian bookshop for a copy of Josephus, they didn’t have it but I ended up buying a cassette.

Elder Vandyken bought a single toasted sandwich maker for $20, which we were quite blessed about. After we got our photos we came home and then went to get our groceries.

Alice picked us up at 5pm and we went with her down to Moana’s. We had another great barbeque with them (the third one in a row). Afterwards we had the family home evening. It was on the ‘Holy Ghost’, which turned out to be a really excellent topic. When we had finished we played games and ate ice cream. I think Daphne really enjoyed herself. We came home a little early to be able to do a bit of study before retiring for the night.

Tuesday, 2^nd March

This morning was our regularly scheduled tracting. We both felt good about Blacklock so we went down there. We met a lady Kaye and taught her a discussion, some of her family were members and so she was quite interested. We met a Mrs Singh also who was an inactive member of the church. We set up an appointment to visit them all. The rest of the street was long and tiring we didn’t get to finish it.

We came back to the flat, had some lunch and rode down to Doug Smith’s house for our appointment. He wasn’t home so we tried some more people none of whom were home either. We stopped in at Vakalahi’s and ended up making otai with watermelon and coconut, sugar, water and milk.

Our correlation meeting with Brother Kaipo went well. We discussed all our contacts and some sharing the gospel programs. We had dinner with the Moutons which was lovely and showed them the video ‘On the way home’. They told us to go visit their son in law Ross.

The rest of the evening was taken up with Lisa Wells. She was really neat. We taught her about the Bible and how it tells of a sacred record of Joseph that would be brought forth in the last day. She has a great desire to learn and know for herself. She said she wanted to talk about church next week. Paula and Lisa dropped us home.

Wednesday, 3^rd March

Our zone conference today went well. We arrived just before it started and so we didn’t have to sit so long. President got us to teach him a principle from the fourth discussion. Elder Shaw gave a good talk on personal righteousness quoting the psalm of Nephi and also that it would be given to us to bring many souls unto repentance.

During the missionary guide training I bugged Elder Whyte about being original and spontaneous in teaching. Sister Lloyd gave a neat talk on her rebellious son David serving a mission that touched us all.

President Lloyd went on to talk about retaining investigators through:

1. Records
2. Frequent positive contacts
3. Cultivating good investigators
4. Genuine caring interaction of members.

We must concentrate on ‘people’.

After lunch at Wendys we got organised back at the flat and went to visit Delwin and Daniel. Only Daniel was home so we set up an appointment for tomorrow. We saw the Blakelys and had a good chat to their non-member friend about smoking.

Dinner with the Rangi’s was very filling overwhelmingly. We raced down to Henderson Valley and saw Daphne, we taught her a second discussion, which she loved and felt the spirit heaps. We committed her to baptism on the 21^st of March and she wanted her daughter to get baptised as well, which was neat.

Thursday, 4^th March

Shane and Alice picked us up at the beginning of the day. We went with them to hire a trailer and then to Moana’s. We packed up some of their stuff and drove it to the new house. We then returned to get the rest and also Mau. After we had finished we had a bit of lunch and a talk before retuning to the flat to change. We went to visit Kaye and gave her the Samoan Book of Mormon she wanted. Then we went down to Judy Brown’s place and visited with her quite a while. We showed her the Polynesian decent from the book of Mormon back through to the tribe of Joseph. She quite enjoyed it. Alice picked us up for dinner and we had an enjoyable time with them.

We rushed off to see Delwin and Daniel but were disappointed that she wasn’t really interested in having us come and teach the gospel. It seemed like it was turning into a pretty bleak night. However we went to the Furans and had a good laugh talking to Sene. He told us all his stories and asked us if we would come and help him read the Book of Mormon. So that should be very interesting. We came back to the flat and did all the usual things before retiring.

Friday, 5^th March

The first thing we did this morning was to visit Mrs Singh. She told us her husband wasn’t very pleased about us coming so asked us to pray for her. We finished tracting Blacklock Street without very much success. We met Sister Hakaraia’s mum and found out she just had a baby boy the night previous.

After lunch we made up a little card for Stacey then rode down and checked on a few past investigators. We got two good responses from Mark and also Kelly. We visited a less active family before going to dinner at McDonalds. (The Dukes had given us money). While we were there we saw Janine and Donna.

After dinner we rode up towards the chapel and visited the Martins. They were very pleased to see us and we visited with them a while. Blair was on his way down to Tauranga for the week so I sent my regards with him to all our friends.

We tried to see the Enu’s but they weren’t home so we ended up coming back to the flat as we had no where else to go.

So I spent the rest of the night reading. I finished off Judges and Ruth and began on 1^st Samuel. If I continue reading at this pace I’ll be finished in a couple more weeks.

Saturday, 6^th March

Today started off looking like a disaster. We really didn’t have any set appointments especially after Daphne rang to cancel and we were both in depressed moods.

But we set out and all of the people we went to see weren’t home.

When we got to Lee’s place he was there and so we had a good talk to him. When we went to leave my cracked handlebars fell off. Thankfully Lee had some bike parts and fixed it up right away. We came back to the flat for lunch and organised ourselves for the afternoon. Then we went over to the Kaipo’s and typed some things out on their computer. In the evening we went to the Millers place and had dinner with them. We then started riding to the Falasima’s place but we met Shaw and he wanted to certify us. So we went back to the flat and he tested us on our knowledge of the discussions.

After that was finished Elder Shaw and I went to go give Sister Thompson a blessing.

Sunday, 7^th March

Church was really good this morning. In class we taught Daphne the third discussion, which everyone enjoyed. In priesthood we went over ideas about doing missionary work. Sacrament meeting was great too. Being fast and testimony meeting a lot of people got up to bear their feelings. A lot of the youth and primary participated so there was a beautiful feeling about the whole meeting.

In the afternoon we went on trade offs and I went tracting with Mason. We had an excellent time. We came across an unbaptised Jehovah’s Witness, who went on and on, it was funny. We saw Mark who was on his way out then went to Doug Smith’s. He gave us a shock when he opened the door his right eye was yellow and cheekbone bruised. He had been hit by his son’s mate and ended up in hospital for the week. But we had a good talk and we arranged to play table tennis with him on Wednesday morning. Having Brother Kaipo was good. We went to see Phil and Erika however they weren’t home.

We had our huge meal at the Havea’s before she dropped us home. We did our planning tonight for the week and wrote some letters. We finished off the night by playing monopoly for a bit of activity and companionship time.

Monday, 8^th March

We had a beautiful sleep in this morning, which was refreshing, as it was needed.

We did all our washing and finished some more letters then went up to the shops. We did some photocopying at the chemist and I also got my haircut.

After we had done our shopping for the week we returned to finish off everything else.

We were stuck for something to do for the afternoon. We chose to go bowling and went down to Lincoln. We had a couple of games. My first game started off badly but I ended up getting four strikes, three of which were together. The second game went terrible. However we had fun.

After changing and getting ready Alice picked us up and we went down to Moana’s place. The family home evening went well, the highlight was Daphne’s testimony. She said how much the gospel had changed her life for the better especially in her family. I played bulrush with the kids outside before being dropped off at the Pokoinga’s. We had a lovely dinner and spent the rest of the evening with them.

I found out that Russell and John were living up here so I gave them a call and had a great talk to them both. I got a letter from mum today.

Tuesday, 9^th March

Today was really interesting. We started off by going to see Kaye. She told us that her husband didn’t want us to visit and teach. We respected his desire, she was delightful though and told us she had read the first couple of chapters of the Book of Mormon and had loved it. We went down to the Furans and they weren’t home so we waited around till they came home. We had a wonderful time with Sene reading the introduction and the first couple of chapters of the Book of Mormon. The spirit was really strong.

In the latter part of the afternoon we got our mail. I got an application form to be on a board courier for TNT so I could go overseas. Gareth Watkins wrote also to tell me he wanted to record excerpts and stories of my mission soon after I get back. I was really overwhelmed. We met with Brother Kaipo and discussed progress of the area then went to the Morrisons for dinner. We visited Stacey and had a nice time with her. She told us she had made some choices about things, which was good. However it seemed she was leaning a lot towards the Jehovah’s Witness.

In the latter part of the evening we saw Lisa Wells and her brother. They had brought some anti literature but it worked out great and the discussion went excellent. She is really fantastic beyond belief. Joy also joined in which was neat. We got home quite late.

Wednesday, 10^th March

Early this morning Brother Kaipo picked us up and then we also picked up Doug. We went to the chapel, got out the tables for table tennis. We had a really neat time. I think Doug enjoyed himself heaps. We got back to the flat and spent the rest of the morning studying. After lunch we went down Bruce Maclaren Road and finished a couple of streets we had started tracting on Sunday. At 3pm we went to Daphne’s and gave her the fourth discussion. She really enjoyed it and we committed her for everything. She has a problem with smoking but we’ll work with her on that one. We had dinner with Mau and Alice. They brought us KFC, which was a great change. We ate it down by the river. Since Daphne had changed her appointment to the afternoon we went with Alice in the evening to her house. We spent time with Shane and also their visitors from Tahiti. It was quite an enjoyable relaxing night. Shane brought us back and I spent the rest of the night catching up on my studies.

Thursday, 11^th March

Elder Shaw picked us up for zone meeting and we all rushed around getting things ready. Our zone meeting was extremely uplifting so it was a very welcome experience. Elder Gardiner told a wonderful experience of his friend Selsa who had cancer and served a mission. How his one desire was to baptise someone he was directed by the spirit to a young boy with the same terrible disease as his. They taught him and committed him for baptism then Elder Selsa died. The boy sad at the loss of his friend still went forward into the waters of baptism.

It was Elder Shortland’s birthday today so we had ice cream and cake afterwards watched the rugby.

Later in the afternoon we went and saw Judy Brown. We had a lovely time with her, taught her how she could progress and be happier in her life. I didn’t know what I was going to teach her but the spirit just moved it along. Our dinner with the Talepita’s was neat then we went to visit a few callbacks. Not very many were home. So we ended up calling it a night fairly early. Had a good chat with Elder Young on the phone later in the evening.

Friday, 12^th March

My companion wasn’t feeling too well this morning and neither was I so we stayed in today. Our appointment with Sene fell through and our service consisted of mowing Bill’s law and cleaning up the hedges.

So as my companion slept I did a lot of catching up on my reading. I finished all of 1^st and 2^nd Chronicles and began to put everything into chronological order. As I have gone through I have listed every prophet mentioned in conjunction with the Kings of Judah and Israel at the time.

The prophetic books of the Old Testament are clearly not in order so it has been good for me to arrange things in my own mind as to the order of things. That will be a big help when I get to those prophets. It would have been much easier if the people who compiled the Bible in the first place had taken more time to arrange the books more clearly.

We went for dinner at the Pattersons, which was really nice. It was raining so we walked there and back again. We couldn’t really do much tonight so spent a bit of time playing monopoly together for a bit of companionship time. My companion beat me a real beauty tonight to make up for the thrashing I gave him last week. I got a letter from Jennie Koolen today.

The Prophets of Israel and Judah

 Saturday, 13^th March

We had planned quite a bit to do today but not much turned out. However we did enjoy our day. Phil and Erika weren’t home, neither were the Zincks. The barbeque with the Kaipo’s was postponed so we went to tell Doug who wasn’t home. We went up to the Martin’s place and played a few games of pool, at the same time checking on our family home evening on Monday. We saw Mark and had a good talk to him about history and then about God. We have some similar interests and he is willing to find out if God really is there. We went to see Lisa but she was in bed sick from the previous night’s outing. So we talked with Paula then her drinking buddies turned up and we had a chat. We had the Venu’s for dinner and had a neat time with them. Ernest and Mason just came back from winning the Henderson stake basketball competition. In the latter part of the evening we met up with Mau and visited her mum and family then we rode home and did our planning for the upcoming week.

I got a couple of letters from Michelle Koolen and her mum today. They were concerned at my downhearted letter I sent last week. It was fantastic to get letters from them.

Sunday, 14^th March

Today was really nice. It was a beautiful day fitting for the Sabbath. Church was good. I especially liked sacrament meeting. It was on employment so we had the stake employment director and also a full time welfare missionary address us. He told us we needed to ask ourselves three questions:

1. Are you going to serve the Lord?
2. Who are we going to marry?
3. What are we going to do to sustain our family?

He also pointed out that our job will choose our friends, clothes, attitude, education and calling in the church so we need to be selective. The Lord also wants to put us in those positions where we can serve Him the most.

Our appointment with Daphne went well. We went to give her the stop smoking program. When we got there she had already given up for the past four days. Most of that was due to the fact she had been drinking quite heavily. But it’s a start! We also found out she has a boyfriend, which made us wonder if she had understood about the Law of Chastity.

We went for dinner/lunch at the Vakalahi’s, which was neat. They made us otai, which really made my meal. We saw Doug Smith who was looking a lot better. He asked if it was okay to come to our church next week. Brother Kaipo wanted us to invite him to their barbeque this next Saturday. The evening went quite interestingly. We intended to visit Lee but when we rang he was busy so instead we went to Phil and Erika’s.

We caught them at just the right time and as usual began talking away. I really wanted to turn it to a gospel conversation but it just didn’t seem to be. I said a few silent prayers and almost immediately we were able to introduce the gospel. What followed was one of the most practical conversations about the church I have ever had. Phil was interested to know about families within the church at all ages. Erika was interested to know about how the gospel affected us. The spirit was very strong and they enjoyed that immensely. We got home quite late but it was well worth it. I think a lot of times we take what we have got for granted until we see others searching. I felt that way tonight.

We got everything organised for tomorrow since we have so much planned.

I spent the rest of the night finishing off some reading and talking to a couple of the missionaries.

Monday, 15^th March

Today was a wonderful day in terms of activity. My companion was up early and busy cleaning the flat. After I got up I helped him then the dreaded phone call came. Daphne rang to cancel her baptism because she found out she was not allowed to sleep with her boyfriend. She didn’t want to marry him or break off the relationship so the baptism had to go.

It was amazing that it didn’t worry me very much. I guess I thought God had brought her this far he wouldn’t give up now.

Alice and Shane Morrison came and picked us up and together we drove out to Piha. It was beautiful. I enjoyed being on a beach for a change and feeling that sand between my toes. We had a nice picnic, which we brought earlier. Then Shane and us two went on the hike up Lion Rock. The view from the top was spectacular.

We got back home and then got ready for family home evening. We biked to the Martins and then went with them to Parakai to the Aquatics center. We spent the night with them. Had dinner and sat in the hot pools. It was very nice and relaxing. They dropped us off home late after we had come back.

Tuesday, 16^th March

All our appointments for this morning fell through so we went to see Kaye. When she wasn’t home we did some tracting down Hiseman Lane. We met a really hard case Maori man who is a Komene whom we talked to about all his member family.

We had lunch then rode down to a salon to get a haircut. Elder Vandyken got his cut and I just read. We saw Dane Purkis and spent a little time with him. When I went to hop on my bike I realised I had a flat. So the next half an hour had us back at the flat to fix it. We went to Stacey’s and that didn’t work out very well. We had a bit of disagreement on some scriptures about life after death. It was very bad behaviour on my part, my companion was upset. We had dinner then went and saw Daphne. She has been doing well with her stop smoking but the Law of Chastity is a major stumbling block. We went to see an Indian family. The husband recognised my name from being the same region as his, Kerela. So it was a good point to build a relationship on.

We spent some time at Moana and Mau’s place before riding home. Rang Lisa and she was up in arms about the Book of Mormon and postponed our discussion with her until next week. Elder Vandyken and I had a good talk about progressing these people.

Wednesday, 17^th March

Elder Young and Wood rode over in the morning and we went on trade-offs. I took Elder Young to Amanda’s home in Kelston. She was still as wonderful as ever and Elder Young really liked her. We talked about all kinds of things she has had some very special experiences; she is a very spiritual woman.

When we returned to the flat I got my flight plans, for my return home next month. Elder Shaw picked us up and we all went to Georgie Pie for lunch, I even shouted.

In the afternoon we went down to Daphne’s and went over a lesson in the Gospel Principles Manual it went really well. We then went over to Doug Smith’s place and read the Book of Mormon with him, it was good, and he enjoyed it.

We then rode out to the King’s place in the busy. I got to do a ‘little’ painting before dinner and brother King dropped us to our next appointment. We met Frank Swan and talked to him for a while before Mark came out with his lawnmower. It was a bit of a worry because if we had gone in when we got there we could have been teaching him. Instead we went home and had a slightly earlier night than usual. But the day went significantly better because we had decided to plan what we were going to do with each person.

Thursday, 18^th March

This morning we did our service; we were planning to surprise Stacey by cutting her bush that blocked light into her lounge. She was there when we arrived which was good because we got some more tools to do the job. She seemed pretty appreciative. Daphne postponed our appointment with her till tomorrow so we went to find some people, none of whom ended up being home, except a couple who had chickenpox.

In the evening we went to the Lyes place for dinner. We talked with Mr Lyes for a while and then to Warrick. It was good to spend time with him and to really get to know his lovely wife. They are very much smitten with each other.

We had a wonderful meal and went on talking to Warrick for ages afterwards. We remembered some very special friends like Jason Patterson and some neat times we had had when I was here last.

Warrick is quite an inspiring man from the things that he’s accomplished and his motivation, it’s quite amazing. I have a lot of love and respect for him and the way he chooses to live his life. Just seeing the closeness between his wife and him. I see I’m going to really have to look carefully relying on the spirit. I know for myself I need to fall in love, just loving someone is not enough. But as Warrick pointed out the Lord will give you a lot of help because he can’t afford to have you make a mistake in this area.

Friday, 19^th March

Elder Faranimy MTC companion rang this morning to tell me he was leaving to go back to Samoa on Monday. Since we started at the same time we were due to finish together however to keep the Samoan missionaries numbers equal he has to go.

We were supposed to have district meeting this morning however the Sisters went to pick up their new car and the Samoans were going to the temple so it was cancelled.

My companion was a bit upset because he had been studying for certification. It ended up that Elder Shaw came and tested us and spent the morning, which was neat.

In the afternoon we went to see if we could find anymore of our investigators home, we didn’t. We went to Doug’s place at 3pm as we had planned. He greeted us at the door with the Book of Mormon in hand and his apologies for taking our time. We were stunned and didn’t know what to say minutes previous we felt he was our most progressing investigator. When we got ourselves together we bore a sweet testimony and wished him the best.

Later on that afternoon we had a really neat lesson from the gospel principles with Judy Brown on Christ’s church in former times.

We had a neat dinner with the Huysmans and enjoyed their company. Alice picked us up afterwards and we went to their place to spend some time with her family and her Tahitian visitors. When we left they gave us both shell leis. Alice let me ring mum also.

Saturday, 20^th March

The Sisters had a ward harvest so we went to participate in that. I got a very large American Samoan man called Bernade, for a companion. He was really good. We went tracting and he was not afraid to talk at all. He was even prepared to force the gospel on people if possible. We had a great time. Just at the end of our experience we met Sarah who invited us back. Bernade got a referral for the Samoan missionaries and we also met a family who didn’t mind the missionaries coming over as well. The Sisters were happy.

In the afternoon we visited the Subriskies to check on arranging a family home evening with Phil and Erika. Then we went to the Kaipo’s for a birthday barbeque. It was delicious. Brother Kaipo dropped us off at the Leung Choi’s for dinner where we stuffed ourselves again.

Elders Young and Wood plus the Sisters picked us up and we went with them and the rest of the Elders into the Waitakere’s for a campfire and feed up at Elder Shaw’s members farm. We had a very enjoyable evening with everyone, it was a great chance for zone unity and it was very effective. Sister Thompson even taught me some more tricks on the trampoline. We were laughing away when we got back because we were in such a good mood. I have exactly one month from today before I go home.

Sunday, 21^st March

Church was very good today. I felt very edified. Brother Kaipo gave an enlightening talk on the Holy Ghost in our class. Priesthood was taken up by Bishop. He talked about fasting and fast offering and utilising this method to bring spiritual blessings to the ward and provide for the needy of the ward. Brother Hakaraia talked about employment and how we can help the temporal needs of our brethren by looking out for jobs.

Sacrament meeting was neat. Ted Pongai spoke on some of the things he had learnt on his mission. He informed us it wasn’t necessary for us to know how the world was created but that made to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Moses 1:27-31, 39. He went on to talk about the Atonement, as being at one with God John 17.21. He also talked of a few of his missionary experiences that were touching. Brother Park spoke also and his talk was equally enlightening and touching.

After church we went to the Wells for lunch, which was great. We also watched a few of their animated Book of Mormon stories on video. Elder Vandyken really enjoyed them, as it was the first time he had seen them. We went and saw Daphne and had a good first discussion with little Daphne. Daphne told us she had broken up with her boyfriend and wants to be baptised so we are looking forward to Sunday. We visited Bishop and came home for the evening.

Monday, 22^nd March

Shifts were today so everyone was buzzing around. Elder Shaw took my companion in the afternoon with him to Parr road to see some people off.

Elder Mechan and I went down to Lincoln Road and were going to go bowling but the lanes were full. Elder Tausaunga and Murray were there so we just played video games with them. We wasted heaps of money but we had quite a fun time.

We grabbed a burger on the way back and cycled up the hill back to the flat. Elders Shaw and Vandyken were there waiting. Elder Birks who was shifting in was there also. The rest of the afternoon I finished writing letters to the Koolens, Chris and Maria.

After we had got changed we went down to the Moutons for dinner. We had a quick lesson with them about faith, which went well, and then we had dinner. We talked to Bishop and his wife all night. They are really fun. I found out Lavina had stayed in Wellington with the ditchburns a while and was even engaged to Kerry Haxton. Then I began to recognise her. On the way home we stopped to see Moana who was very nice to us and was pleased that Daphne had made the decision to be baptised.

Tuesday, 23^rd March

We had a fantastic day today. It was very special. First off in the morning we went to see Kaye. She has been working really hard and has not read much but the spirit was very strong in her home.

We checked on the Lyes for service tomorrow, looks like we’ll be polishing an old car. We then went to the Frueans, they weren’t there when we arrived but pulled up as we were leaving. We enjoyed reading a few chapters of the Book of Mormon with Sene.

We came back to the flat for a quick bite to eat. I called the office hopeful to catch Elder Tavai before he went home today.

Our appointment with Daphne was good. We went over tithing which she liked and organised a program for her baptism. We had a neat second discussion with little Daphne. She understands heaps. We then rode up the hill to Stacey’s place. Our discussion with her went really well. The spirit was very strong. We went over more ways the Lord could help answer her prayers. She has decided to not confuse herself at the moment and study with the JW only. We told her it is good to make decisions and she should pray for confirmation of it. Alice picked us up for dinner and we had a neat time at her place. Our appointment with Lisa went really well. The spirit was again very strong. We talked about how she could approach the Lord with faith and confidence in prayer.

Wednesday, 24^th March

We started off the day by going to the Lyes place for service. We cleaned and polished an old Austin 1300, same kind as I had a couple of years ago except tan instead of red. Its really Warrick’s car which he is selling for a bit of extra cash. It came up very nice at the end of it all. We had lunch there then came back to the flat to change. We visited Sister Vakalahi to see if she would give a prayer at the baptism on Sunday. We then rode up to the Kaipo’s to give them the programme however nobody was home.

For dinner we went to the Falasima’s and had a really neat time. They were excited to know Judy had been having a few lessons with us. After dinner Iose put on a talk tape he really liked. The theme was ‘The truth can set you free’. The speaker talked on how the gospel could make a big difference in your life to make you happier but you must let it. He related some very special experiences from his mission and also as a bishop. It was very powerful! The gospel has made me free, I have felt the forgiveness of our loving heavenly father. I have been taught to make righteous decisions which save me from a lot of pain and heartache and most of all I have a reason to live and to strive for better.

Thursday, 25^th March

The zone leader meeting was on today so Elder Wood came with us this morning. We went to see the Frueans who weren’t home so we waited for them in their back yard and played a bit of ball. However they didn’t come so we went home stopping along the way to get bread. We cooked up a beautiful big lunch and Elders Mecham and Middlebrook joined us. We then took off to Henderson Valley to visit Daphne. Our discussion with her went well, it was our last. Then we taught little Daphne, to catch her up to her mum. It was a pretty fun afternoon as we planned for the baptism.

We saw Judy Brown and went over the restoration with her. She really enjoys learning it is a pleasure to help her.

After that we went to see Lisa Wells and spent some time with her. We made a date to come polish her car. I discovered that her dog had chewed up my helmet so we signed it and gave it to her. Our dinner with the Talepita’s was neat. We had pizza and they gave the rest of it to us to take home. We went to visit Nina in the evening but no one was home so we spent the rest of the night at the Zincks helping them with their computer and Krystals talk for Sunday.

Friday, 26^th March

Finally we got to have a district meeting and it was really good. We did a lot of varied activities. I even taught them the haka, it was really funny.

We had lunch at Georgie Pie and had an activity over at one of Elder Young’s new members place. It went really well and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. I got a letter from mum today. She said she was really looking forward to having me home. She also gave me some notes from church when Sister Samson talked on four kinds of choices ie:

1. Pleasant to do and good in the long run } easy to do
2. Unpleasant to do and bad in the long run }
3. Pleasant or attractive to do with bad consequences in
4. the long run } hard not to do
5. Hard to do with good consequences to do in the long run } hard to do

We got the programme typed up in the afternoon at the Kaipo’s and then went down to the Valelahi’s for dinner. We saw Mihi Ellis who was really lovely. She gave me a tie bar that had been her husband’s, I was very touched.

On the way home my front wheel started to buckle so we had to walk it home. The spokes are all super loose. Once we got home we had no transport so we stayed and studied. Elder Shaw came over and passed us off on our certification.

Saturday, 27^th March

After taking my wayward wheel to the bike shop, Elder Shaw picked us up. We went up to the chapel and spent the morning working there. Elder Vandyken photocopied all my resource material and while he was doing that I did up the program for Daphne’s baptism tomorrow. After that was all completed, Elder Shaw dropped us to the community house. We taught little Daphne the fifth and sixth discussions consecutively, she really enjoyed them.

Elder Shaw came again and gave them both their interviews, all went well.

Alice dropped us home. We organised some things, collected my repaired wheel and colour photocopied Daphne’s program so she could have a very special one of her own. We rode down to the Vakalahi’s and had yet another wonderful dinner with them. Everyone was happy that New Zealand had won the cricket today. We wanted to see if we could have Judy Brown attend the baptism tomorrow so we went to her house. She had other plants so we rode home instead. She is probably our nearest person to baptism. At home we did some planning and organised things for the baptism tomorrow.

Sunday, 28^th March

Today went well. Church was really good. I enjoyed Brother Huysman’s wisdom as he related how he and his wife counselled their 7-year-old daughter when she had told them she would like to smoke in the future.

Sacrament was also very good. Wiwini gave a neat talk, followed by Sister Kaipo and her mum. The topic was being spiritually converted and having that ‘mighty change of heart’.

After church we got everything organised and the baptism proceeding on time. The talks were very good, then I baptised Daphne Jnr and Elder Vandyken baptised Daphne senior. Then we swapped for the confirmation, it all went wonderfully.

We had a little supper at Moana’s afterwards and we all got to share our thoughts. I was very touched as I bore my testimony. I had a lot to be thankful for. Heavenly father had prepared Daphne and her family so much, we had merely to teach her and commit her. I reflected on Sister Hakaraia as she spoke and shared her feelings about the birth of her seventh child. How she stood in one of that miraculous event yet again. Today I stood in one of the miraculous spiritual birth, which happens through conversion. I was reminded and renewed with regard to my own ‘might change of heart’. In the evening we spent time with Phil and Erika and enjoyed talking to them. We organised a family home evening with them next week.

Monday, 29^th March

After pondering the proceedings of yesterday and the things I had learnt, the Lord helped me understand some more things. No unclean thing can enter into the Kingdom of God, Ephesians 5.5 and 3 Nephi 27:19. So we must be worthy if we are to be saved. Paul stated ‘for by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast’ Ephesians 2: 8-9. if we were to rely on the things we do for our salvation we would come up short everytime. It is only in and through Christ that we can be cleansed. Afterall it is not by works that we are worthy but by the grace of God. Nevertheless we must do all that we can that’s why Nephi stated ‘for we labour diligently to write to persuade our children, and also our brethren to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God, for we know that if it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.’

Jesus Christ stated in John 3: 3-5 you must be born again to see the Kingdom of God and born of the water and the spirit to enter the Kingdom of God. In 3 Nephi 27.20 he went on to say that by being baptised and receiving the Holy Ghost, we could be spotless before him. Therefore if you consider salvation dependant on your worthiness, it becomes a process more than a specific event, because you are saved as you are forgiven which will make Christ a daily part of your life. ‘And now behold I say unto you, my brethren if ye have experienced a change of heart and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love I would ask can you feel so now?

I was so enlightened also to the importance of the Book of Mormon. If you lined up all the writings of the various religious groups throughout the world, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish etc and also included the Bible and the Book of Mormon which one would stand out?

I came to the conclusion it would be the Book of Mormon because you can accept the writings of anyone of the others and reject all the rest. You can even accept the Bible and not the Book of Mormon. However if you accept the book of Mormon as truth you must automatically accept the Bible also. That is why its so unique. Along with a testimony of the Book of Mormon also comes a testimony that Christianity is right and the Church of Jesus Christ is its only true representation.

My testimony of the Bible stems from my knowledge that the Book of Mormon is the word of god. . On the news last night a noted expert denounced the Old Testament as being historically and archaeologically correct. There are challenges to our beliefs everyday but by the spirit we can know the things that are true. That is why I have come to understand that probably the greatest missionary too (aside form the Holy Ghost) we have is the Book of Mormon. I also understand more fully the statement of Joseph Smith ‘that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion and that a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, that’s by any other book’.

Wednesday, 31^st March

We had our zone conference this morning, which was really excellent. President Lloyd gave a talk on the atonement, which he has been working on for the past three years of his mission. He stated a lot of key things I would like to record here. The atonement is linked very closely to agency. Freedom of choice gives people experience; to do a particular job will give you more knowledge than simply learning about it. The decisions to live with God and gain a body were mutually exclusive, as are coming on a mission and living at home. We knew that when we made that decision. We need failure to help us learn, a lot of learning takes place during the test. On top of that if students get perfect or near perfect scores the test doesn’t reflect what they have learnt. The test must be hard enough to make the best extend themselves as well.

Because Adam and Eve were cut from both temporally and spiritually from the presence of God they became subjects to ‘follow after their own will’ Alma 42.7. This condition was necessary for our growth but also meant that we need a saviour. For the atonement to work first Christ must use his free agency to pay for our sins and we must use our agency to repent and follow him. The Blood of Jesus Christ atones for our sin Lev 17.11, Moses 6: 57-60. If this did not happen we would all be lost and cut off. 2 Nephi 9: 6-8 Alma 34: 8-9. But because Christ was willing to give his life for us mercy can satisfy the demands of justice and we can be saved. Alma 34: 7-16, Alma 42: 6-30. This preserves our agency and allows us to learn from our decisions D&C 93:30 and 2 Nephi 2:11.

Bruce R McConkie stated that four great principles must be in force if there is to be agency.

1. Laws must exist, laws ordained by an omnipotent power, laws which can be obeyed or disobeyed.
2. Opposites must exist - good and evil, virtue and vice, right and wrong, that is, there must be an opposition one force pulling one way and another pulling the other
3. A knowledge of good and evil must be had by those who are to enjoy the agency, that is, they must know the difference between the opposites
4. An unfettered power of choice must prevail.

Overcoming spiritual death requires our agency Christ’s mediation (redemption) and our repentance = salvation from spiritual death. Alma 34: 8-9.

Christ’s role is so necessary because God is a God of Justice D&C 1.3 each debt must be paid in full and we are unable to pay. Jesus was able to do this because he was perfect, he was the Son of God and it was part of the plan. John 10.17, 1 Nephi 19.9, D&C 19.16-19. Repentance is the key we must use to make the atonement in force in our lives Mosiah 3.11-19.

As I was thinking about it later on I realised as the spirit enlightened me that Adam and Eve did not have the knowledge of good and evil before they partook of the fruit. They transgressed in ignorance for although God had commanded them not to they didn’t know it was wrong to disobey God because they had no knowledge of what was right or wrong.

The rest of the zone conference went well. Elder Shaw gave a good talk on gospel knowledge and testimony point out that testimony was gained by revelation.

After the break Elder Wood and I sung ‘A child’s prayer’. It was rather beautiful. I felt the spirit a lot as I sang and managed to be in tune. Then I got the opportunity of sharing my last testimony in zone conference. It went well. I felt very inspired and humble as I spoke and I appreciated the love of the saviour as I remembered the past two years. I related how I had come to know this really is God’s work, how much he cares for us and wants us to succeed in his time. I told of how my priorities have changed and how I learnt from the Apostle Paul what I should be striving for Phil 3:8-15.

President to my surprise in his testimony, paid me quite a compliment and thanked me. I was very touched. After it was all over we came home went and got some lunch, it was pouring quite hard so we waited. Then went to the Zincks to give them a little bit of help before having dinner with them. In the evening we visited with the Subriskies to organise the family home evening with them for next Monday with Phil and Erika. We also stopped off to see Nina, Alice’s Tahitian friend before coming home for the evening.

Thursday, 1^st April

We went down again to see the Frueans this morning, however Sene was asleep so we didn’t stay. Instead we visited a lady we had met tracting a few weeks previous. After that we came home and had lunch. In the afternoon we tracted a nearby street and met some nice people, although no one that we could begin teaching. In the latter part of the afternoon it started raining pretty hard so Bill took us to dinner with the Vakalahi’s. In the evening we went and saw the Pamaka family who were very nice indeed.

Friday, 2^nd April

Alice picked us up and we went with her to help her with her gardens this morning. We had a neat time doing that and afterwards had a bit of lunch. At 2pm we went to the community home and had a nice discussion with Daphne. She is doing really well. We tried to visit a few people however no one was home so we spent some time with Moana and Mau. We had a lovely meal with the Talepita’s then went to the Chantung’s. We had a great time with them; one of their sons is on a mission in Sydney. The father isn’t a member but is really nice. After biking home we saw Margory and Liam Blakey.

Saturday, 3^rd April

This morning we went to see Lee who wasn’t home so instead we went tracting. We had some fun experiences. One young man politely talked to us while his mother abused us in the background, it was neat to see that he accepted us. We met a couple of really nice people too whom we hope to be able to visit this forthcoming week. The last house we tracted was having a garage sale so we stopped in to talk to them and I brought a little chess board for a couple of dollars. In the afternoon we went down to Lisa Wells and polished her car for her. She is very sweet and has a great desire to do the right just lacks commitment. She said she would come to church tomorrow. For dinner we had a wonderful meal with the Blakely’s, it was fun to spend some time with them all. We stopped in to see Phil and Erika before visiting with the Zincks for a few minutes. When we came home Brian turned up and we talked for a while. The rest of the night we just got things organised for the week and did our stats. Tomorrow was fast Sunday so we also started fasting tonight.

Sunday, 4^th April

Brother Kaipo surprised us this morning by being early. Church was really nice we taught a primary class on the doctrine and covenants. Brother Huysmans took us through a lesson in priesthood on spiritual gifts. Sacrament meeting was packed with people, mostly those who were visiting to see the blessing of the Hakaraia’s newborn baby boy. The testimonies were very touching; a thought that stood out was ‘your family is as important as you make it’. I’m sure a lot of the non-members who attended were quite impressed. I saw Sister Hakaraia senior and said a special hello to her before we went home. In the afternoon we went to visit a few callbacks, none of whom were home so instead we saw the Latu family and also Bishop who we arranged breakfast with this week. Our dinner was with the Faapoi’s, which was lovely. We talked a lot about most everything. After riding back to our flat, Brian picked us up and we went with him to the Domenies home in West Harbour. There we had a neat evening with the young adults. The theme was ‘seek this Jesus’ and we discussed ways in which we could do that. I sung a song and we got back fairly late.

Monday, 5^th April

Today was rather interesting. We decided to go down to Henderson this morning. I needed to book my ticket to Sydney however we had a got chat to the travel agent and found that I could go to Brisbane for not much more. I would have to get a coach between the two cities but I would be able to see much more. So we postponed buying the ticket till I knew if I could go to Brisbane. We bought a few things before returning to the flat. In the afternoon we wrote a few letters and did the usual cleanup plus our washing. We got changed and went down to the Sibriskies and had a nice dinner with them, and then Phil and Erika arrived. We had a rather interesting evening. We showed them ‘what is real’ and then discussed about the church for quite a while. It was quite an interesting discussion. They obviously weren’t converted to the church but we accomplished our desire of letting them see what a member family is like. Erika was quite impressed with this family home evening thing. We thought they might join Lina and Loda for another one or maybe start their own. When we got home Russell rang and I spoke to him for ages. Then we went up the road and we both called Australia to find out some information.

Tuesday, 6^th April

Today worked out to be really interesting. After we had gotten organised, Elder Vandyken realised he had left his wallet at the phone last night so we quickly sped up to the centre to no avail. So we spent the morning calling Australia cancelling the visa card, informing the police and also the banks. It worked out to be quite eventful. In the latter part of the afternoon we went to the Kaipo’s home. We had a good meeting with him and detailed families we would visit to help them bring along friends to our cottage evening. We then biked down to Moana’s and a beautiful dinner with Mau, Alice, Shane, Moana and the kids. We had a really fun time with them all. Shane and I ended up cracking up all night. Later on we went to Lisa’s and spent some time with her. We told her off for not coming to church and talked about life. Alice and Mau came over later and we all talked together and they invited her to the family home evening on Monday night. We came back to the flat with Shane and Alice and did some study before going up to the phone again. I tried to find the Martins in Sydney but yet again was disappointed. However I left my name and number for them to call me.

Wednesday, 7^th April

Bishop picked us up early this morning and took us to his house. We had a lovely breakfast of pancakes, cream, ice cream and jam. It was very filling indeed. We had scripture reading with their family before biking home from Moana’s where we had left our bikes last night. We went to visit one lady we had met tracting last weekend. She was just as lovely as she had been previous but was busy at the moment. So we tracted a house we had missed the other day and came back to the flat. We helped Bill with the caravan and organised to paint our bathroom for them as well. Later we went to the Kaipo’s again and went and visited the Vakalahi’s about next Sunday’s cottage meeting. They were busy with dinner so we didn’t stay long. Our dinner appointment was with the Falesima’s. We had an excellent time them. They had a non-member friend so we played a round of taboo with them all, which was very exciting. When we had finished we went next door to the Pokoina’s. We talked and discussed people they could bring to the cottage evening. It was quite a hard case.

Then we rode home to our fantastic flat and our contact with the outside world through the phone. My sister Maria and Joe Martin came up to see me.

Thursday, 8^th April

Well after Maria and Joe Martin left early this morning. Elder Vandyken and I had a really good long talk. He told me some pretty hard hitting things. Apparently the past few months with me he had been miserable. I knew he wasn’t happy but was unaware that he hated me so much. However he went on to say that the last couple of weeks things had changed and he had really grown to love me. He was going to be really sad to see me go. We discussed a lot of personal things it certainly made a difference.

The sisters and Elder Young picked us up at 10am and we went to have our district meeting at the chapel. The majority of our time was taken listening to that talk tape which we had heard at the Falesima’s. It was really touching and I felt particularly prepared to receive its message because of this mornings talk with my companion. Afterwards we all bore our testimony and for quite a long time I sat crying. I couldn’t hold back the tears. I was very grateful for my Heavenly Father and understood that I could not be happy without him.

Elder Shaw then took us to Takapuna to get my companion’s passport and have lunch at Mexican Cantena. We then went into the city and my companion got his drivers licence processed at the Australian Conselate. On the way home we went to the resource centre on Queen Street and even saw Iose there. Later on in the afternoon we went and booked my ticket to Brisbane and Sydney. Ronette rang this morning and I confirmed details with her. We had a beauitufl meal at Moana’s house and spent a bit of time with them before coming home. My companion wasn’t feeling too well.

Good Friday

Today was quite interesting. We started off this morning by going to the Pattersons. We met Sister Falesima who gave us an Easter bouquet and then a lift. At the Pattersons we had a lovely meal. It was fantastically prepared with bacon, eggs, pancakes, and orange juice and of course, hot cross buns. We spent the rest of the morning polishing Janine’s car for service. She had an extra cut and polish done, which restored it beautifully. The car looked like new by the time we had finished, everyone was very impressed.

After talking we came home and got changed into our suits. We then went down to Henderson Valley. We walked as we had left our bikes there last night. Brother Faapoi picked us up along the way. Judy Brown wasn’t home so instead we saw Bishop and his family who were busy putting up a fence since they had a few hours because of the holiday. We had the Henare’s for dinner. Sister Henare wasn’t there so Aroha cooked for us and enlisted the help of Yvonne who we chatted to for a while. When Sister Henare did come home she fixed us something else to eat. It was pouring with rain so we stayed and spent the evening with them till it cleared up and we biked home.

Saturday, 10^th April

First thing this morning we went up to the shops and I got a haircut. Janine came and picked us up and we went to the chapel to practice a song. The little Dukes children practiced for tomorrow’s meeting. Elder Vandyken and I couldn’t decide on a song that would suit so we ended up not doing one. But we did have a good time mucking around with Janine on the piano. My companion also got to play the organ.

Alice picked us up in the afternoon and we went to Daphne’s for her new member discussion. She had been having some problems this last week so we cheered her up and encouraged her that she could come through all right. She told us she had started smoking again and was very repentant. We had our dinner with the Duke family, which was very good. It gave us a good chance to have a good talk to President Duke. In the latter part of the evening we spent with Alice Mau and Shane at their home. Shane is still a hard case as ever.

We came back home and did the rest of the things we needed to do in the preparation for tomorrow and the rest of the week.

Sunday, 11^th April

Church was excellent today. Our class was about the scriptures and how they can help us in our lives with our problems.

My companion taught priesthood which was rather good. It was about taking the Lord’s name in vain. We discussed quite a few different aspects of that. Sacrament meeting carried the theme of Easter and all the speakers from the Parks family were excellent. The spirit was really strong and helped us to understand the meaning of Christ in our lives. After church I took quite a few photos of various families since it was such a nice day. In the afternoon Alice picked us up again and we had a wonderful lunch at their place. We also spent the afternoon with Shane although not to teach him. We had a lovely dinner at the Mouton’s before a long cold bike ride home. In the evening we visited Phil and Erika and spent time with their family. Little Chelsea was really neat and we had a good time. I love their family a lot. I wish they were more interested in the gospel; it could do so much more for them. We came home and I got a few letters written before retiring for the evening.

Monday, 12^th April

Today was a real treat. We went with the other Elders out to the beach at Bethalls. We had a wonderful day. First we played football, the sisters joined in, it was a lot of fun. After eating we went for walks and played in the sand. Elders Young and Wood came later with the Komene family so we had a neat time with them as well. There were quite a few surfies out there too. I remembered that two years ago today I was surfing in Hastings with Richard, John and Russell. We came back home with enough time to shower and change before Alice and Shane picked us up. At the community home were Mau, Moana and family, Daphne and family plus the Vakalahi’s. We had the family home evening first, which went really well. I gave the first lesson on atonement of Jesus Christ since it was Easter and we discussed ways in which we could make it of effect in our lives. After that we had a lovely meal altogether with a lot of wonderful dishes. Then we had all the games and songs. Brother Vakalahi taught us a hymn ‘we thank Thee God for a prophet’ in Tongan so that we could sing it next Sunday at church. At the end Daphne lead everyone in a song ‘now is the hour’. The goodbyes have started.

Tuesday, 13^th April

We had to wait this morning for my companion’s visa card to arrive by courier so we did our washing at the same time. At lunchtime we went down to the Matthews place, Zela had it beautifully arrayed for us, we had filled rolls. We talked quite a bit about all the people we knew and what was happening all over. Zelda had been to Sydney over Christmas and so filled us in on that. In the afternoon we went and visited Nina and her family. It was good to see them again. We had each received postcards from Titaina and Titawa from Tahiti, mine was especially nice. We didn’t have dinner with anyone because of the meeting tonight so we ate a couple of filled rolls from this afternoon’s lunch. After walking to the Kaipo’s we drove into the city and since we had a few minutes they took me to the One Tree Hill. I have never been there before and so it was neat to finally touch the thing I have seen everyday for the past year. The lights of the city were awesome. I was quite impressed by the size. The meeting went well. I was very happy to see Bush and others whom I hadn’t seen for ages. To my surprise and joy I found out Tanya Kingi was flying home with me afterall.

Wednesday, 14^th April

First off today we took our suits to the Blakelys. Edwin was going to dryclean them for us today. He gave us a lift home and I gave him a surfboard, which we had acquired. We went to see the Frueans also to arrange for this evening’s dinner. At lunchtime we went with the Kaipo’s to Valentines Restaurant for their lunchtime smorgasbord. We had a lovely meal and were quite full afterwards. It was really nice of them to do this for me. We came back to the flat for a few moments so my companion could recuperate. Then we rode down to see Daphne at the community house. She was very happy which was a welcomed change from last weekend. Alice was sick so we visited her and Mau at Moana’s home. We gave her a blessing and watched as Mau and some other members began their culture class. We went up to our dinner appointment with the Frueans and had a nice time with them. We were able to answer a few of her questions about various topics. We then went and spent some time with the Zincks. My companion helped them out with their computer. I just talked and enjoyed spending time with them. We then came back to the flat to do a few things in preparation for tomorrow.

Thursday, 15^th April

The Elders and Sisters came to pick us up and we all went to the chapel. Our zone meeting was really good. Elder Young did a talk on the restoration including Joseph Smith. Elder Wilson went over getting our investigators to church. I sung ‘I’ll build you a rainbow’ with a story to suit my mission and how I found out missions could be forever ending in the lines ‘I’ll build you a mission for the rest of your life, find a good woman, make her my wife, live in a small house with a mortgage to pay, I have to work two jobs cause there’s a baby on the way’.

We watched a really neat video on having vision. Visions are dreams made real with a significant vision you also get significant success. In hard situations people got through because they felt they had something significant yet to do in their future - this gave meaning and purpose to life. Vision is never expressed in numbers - numbers are consequences of success. The man on the video told a story about a writer who on a morning at the beach observed a man running down the beach throwing starfish into the waves. As he got closer the writer inquired of the man why he was doing this. The man replied the tide was going out and the starfish would die on the sand in the hot sun. The writer responded that there were miles of beach and thousands of starfish; he could not possibly make a difference. At which the young man picked up a starfish and threw it into the waves and said it makes a difference to that one. After pondering about this for the whole day the next morning the writer spent the time with the young man tossing starfish into the water.

The video went on to talk about how you could initiate that in our organisations.

1. Must be a leader initialled
2. Must be shared and supported - this gives direction/agreement
3. Comprehensive and detailed - how when why what
4. Positive and inspiring.

Then you are empowered and have a vision community.

Vision without action is dreaming,

Action without vision passes the time,

Vision with action changes the world.

We were all impressed by the thoughts from the video and I certainly thought about things I had learnt over my mission. We had our testimonies and I wanted to share something powerful and uplifting but although I have been on my mission for so long and was now the granddaddy of the mission I still didn’t feel like an authority or an expert because I saw in the eyes of those that were there , things that I still didn’t possess. I was still very much the learner.

We had lunch at McDonalds and I picked up my tickets for Australia. I organised my finances, we did banking and picked up a couple of blank tapes. We had a wonderful dinner with the Huysmans and discussed with Brother Huysman about Amway. We also saw the Wells family and spent a bit of time with them. Came back home and spoke to Sister Vandyken from Sydney.

Friday, 16^th April

It was raining this morning so we didn’t go out to do our service. Lucy rang from Whangarei to say goodbye, which was really nice of her. She told me all about what was happening in her end of the woods. Elder Shaw came over to certify me for the discussions. I have now finished recertifying and endorsing. We planned to have lunch together so we went up to the store and bought some ingredients, my companion tried to make pizza but our oven didn’t work properly so when Elder Shaw finally came back we went to Georgie Pie instead. We took a drive up Scenic Drive and ate lunch at the lookout overlooking the city. We drove back and in the later part of the afternoon we went to the bank to arrange a couple more things before Monday. We went to see a few people, none of which were home. Instead we saw Mau, Moana and Alice and I copied Brother Falesima’s tape for Chris and I.

We spent some time with Lisa, which was uplifting. Had a beautiful dinner at the Talepita’s before seeing Judy Brown for a few minutes. When we rode back up the hill we went to see the Lyes family but they weren’t home so we came home a bit early. Maria rang to say she was staying over the night and could put my stuff on the temple bus.

Saturday, 17^th April

Today was quite exciting, Maria rang so I got up and washed my clothes and packed all my gear. I had it all ready for her to pick up. Unfortunately she didn’t come till 11 which wouldn’t give them enough time to get to Hamilton instead of taking my whole bag she only took my books. She rang a little while later to tell me they weren’t going down afterall which left all my stuff stranded. We visited the Blakely’s then had a huge lunch with Bill and Leita upstairs. In the afternoon we went to visit the Lyes and then Phil and Erika, they were all really good. We also visited Amanda and had a great time with Shar and her. We laughed a lot and everyone mocked me about having my bike sold. Then we went to the Komene’s. We had a hilarious time with them. Elders Young and Wood and Sisters Sheen and Thompson came over later on and we had a lot of fun talking and being with each other. I was amazed at how Aaron had grown, he looks like a real young man now. The Sisters brought us home to find a lovely jersey from the Falesima’s plus beautifully decorated album for my photos. My companion and I had a good talk and shared a few touching moments, I’ll really miss him.

Sunday, 10^th April

Church was really neat today despite my having to speak every class. The lessons were really neat, priesthood was really funny. We talked about forgiveness. I spoke in sacrament along with Marilyn Wells and Ron Marin. They were really good and together we covered the subject of ward unity. Afterwards I got to speak to a lot of people including Patrick who had come especially to see me. We came back to the flat with the Kaipos to get some things organised. At 3pm Shane and Alice picked us up and we went with them to Vakalahi’s for lunch/.dinner. We had an excellent time altogether. They were a real hard case. I got a lot of hugs and kisses, goodbye and a few presents, it was neat. We managed to see Mihi Ellis also for a few minutes along with the Falapoi’s. We also saw Moana and Mau to before me left Henderson Valley. When we got home I talked to Elder Bush and we laughed together. Brian and Tracey came around for a while and we talked also. We found out my companion will be getting Elder Clark from the Cook Islands. I also talked to Sister Falesima before packing a few final things and writing.

Monday, 19^th April

Last night when we went to bed we stayed up talking for hours. It was a fantastic experience. Elder Vandyken was really happy. He gave me a lot of compliments and told me he felt very close to me. It was really touching because we had struggled for the last few months and I was very worried about leaving him with the way he was feeling. But a miracle happened to him and I was grateful to my Heavenly Father immensely. I felt discouraged that I would leave the mission field not having worked as I thought I would in my last few weeks. However I was taught a greater lesson and achieved more, God does things in ways I never thought were possible.

When we awoke we went down to town and got my film developed. Then came home finished packing and waited. Elder Shaw came and took me at Pah Road we meet up with many other people. I got to see Bush and Elder Marsh plus Sister Campbell and many more of my friends. Sister Gallegar, Kingi and Atkinson along with Fazakerley, Fuimaono and I got in the van on our trip to Hamilton. Elder Workman who was shifting came with us and Elder Jackson drove us down. We stopped on the way for ice cream then met up with Elder Lawrence and Johnson at Hamilton. We went out to the temple then had dinner at the café. We saw a lot of people we knew and were able to catch up on old times. I gave a tour of church college to the rest of the missionaries; all of us had been here before when we went through MTC.

In the evening we spent time at the visitors centre. They have rearranged it and it looks beautiful. We watched a video called Rangi Maria which was excellent and featured a lot of our members plus the church college Maori culture group. I rang Maria and talked to her for a while and also the Koolens. While we were there many old faces came in, Mia and Ari plus Inia and his girlfriend. Inia’s mum had just died and the funeral was at the GRB today. He looked happy though it is good to see that the gospel can mean that much to give that much comfort. We went to the Haka’s at 9, it was fantastic. I participated because I felt it was those that were going out that it was for. Although they asked me to speak as well. Jason Ropata was one of the Elders going out. We were in Boyack together and he wasn’t a member then. I was really happy to see him. Scott Rarere was going also. I got to see a lot of the boys I went to school with plus Kura, Apii and Niki and also Leanne. We slept in the temple motel with Elder Fazakeley and Fuimaono, we talked quite a bit.

Tuesday, 20^th April

It was ironic that today two years ago I went through the temple and again we would go through today. We had a wonderful time in the temple, it was really nice. We sped all the way back to Auckland to be in time to get Elder Fuimaono on the plane to Samoa. The rest of the Sisters and Zak and I spent time at the mission home. President gave our interviews. Mine was neat; he told me that now I was going home I would be a greeny again trying to learn the ropes of life. He also counselled me to get married but also to be able to support my family as well meaning going to school to get educated. We had a beautiful meal which Sister Lloyd had prepared before our testimony meeting. Our time to share our feelings was really neat and very touching. I felt as the others very happy that my ‘basket’ was full, it seemed that in the last few days a lot of neat things had come together. I felt complete and good about leaving. I also said we would swap our basket for a bigger basket which might leave us a bit empty for a while but those same thoughts experiences would stay with us.

We went to the airport and spent several hours there. Rebecca, Teresa and Jeremy came and I was able to put another bag on the plane to send home. I also accidentally ripped my suit pants up the back but Sister Lloyd fixed them for me. At length it came time for me to say goodbye. Tanya King and I stepped down the gateway onto the plane. We enjoyed talking and looking out the window at the lights of the various cities as we passed them. Wellington looked very pretty by night. We waited till everyone was off the plane before we departed. Everyone was waiting for both of us as we came down Gang Plank. It was really neat to see so many people who had come to meet us. I was in shock most of the time trying to remember people’s names. We went back home and everyone assembled there. People had baked all kinds of things so we had a good feast. The Hagues, Smiths, Galuegas, Atas, Broczeks, Deightons, Andy, Fred, Linda and a few more who I can’t remember also came over, the house was packed.

After we had eaten I played a few songs before everyone started to go. We stayed up to wait for President Simpson, he came and we had an interview and he gave me my release certificate. He also told me that you couldn’t become a spiritual giant on your mission but that it prepared you to be so. He said that it didn’t hit him he was home till he was studying and realised what he was doing was pale in comparison to what he had been doing. I took off my badge and I was no longer a missionary. I felt very comfortable about being home, but also very tired.

Wednesday, 21^st April

My first day at home I woke up early, as it was cold and Terry and Maryanne’s baby Brandon was playing the piano. I was surprised that I didn’t look around for my companion or feel lost. I spent the day discovering all my gear from the past two years which I had stored away plus everything I had before. It took me quite a while to organise all my photos but it turned out quite well. In the afternoon when everyone came home Terry and I had a good talk before I showered and drove over to the chapel. Tanya was there and together with her mum we went into the high council. Tanya gave a wonderful address and bore a very touching testimony. I followed and they were appreciative of our thoughts. I got to see Lorraine and congratulated her on her engagement; she is getting married in a couple of weeks. I came home and no one was very keen on going swimming so I didn’t go either. Instead we stayed home and talked. I showed them all the photos I had taken and the people I had worked with. I figured out I took 15 rolls of film, about 10 of which I have in my albums.

Thursday, 22^nd April

Terry and Maryanne left this morning and I had the car. I wrote Elder Vandyken and Kara and then found letters form them in the mailbox when I went out to post them.

Elder Vandyken is doing really well. They have started teaching a lady we tracted out Kara seems to be doing okay, she informed me that she was getting married.

I went to my old work Better Welding, It had been moved to a bigger plant down Park Road. However Bob was not there, his daughter Jose came to drop off his car so I gave her a lift home. I came back to the house and mucked around here for a while before picking mum up at school. In the evening I went over to the Institute building in town and spent time with the Hagues. Rachel was practising some of her singing, she seems to be very professional these days. After looking at photos and everyone getting tired, Phil and I went out to see the new additions to the Wellington waterfront, it has changed a lot with the remodelling of the Council chambers and library. Phil also had changed; he’d got a girlfriend. I came home and watched a bit of TV before going to bed.

Friday, 23^rd April

Today was a very lazy day. I didn’t get up till really late and so most of the day was gone before I even started. I didn’t do much more with the rest of the day also mum had taken the car. We were supposed to go to the stake dance tonight however mum was tired and we didn’t have tickets so instead we got out a move instead ‘Drop Dead Fred’. Elder Vandyken rang to say he was missing me and we spoke for an hour and a half he sounds like a really changed man. Irene who we had tracted out has set a baptismal date for the 15^th of May. So he was really excited. He had also gone out to get him some of the things I had like a duvet, tie pin and he’s starting to do push ups and sit ups also. He’ll go a long way and be very successful. He also said that he felt it was meant to be, that we didn’t teach anyone in our last couple of weeks. But the change in him was worth the effort. I certainly didn’t finish my mission like I thought I would but the Lord has shown me that I finished the way he wanted me to and that was more important. I guess that’s why I feel so complete about finishing.

Saturday, 24^th April

After mum went to school this afternoon to finish some work of hers I shifted all my clothes into my room upstairs and put Maria’s into the drawers downstairs. I also played a bit of guitar and tried to figure out some classical pieces from a book I had got some years previous. I talked to Lisa and arranged to meet her and other friends which I had. When mum came home later we went out to Kilbirnie and went swimming. It was such a weird sensation after not having done it for so long but a much needed change. In the evening we spent time watching TV before going to bed. I am getting quite bored at home. It is time for me to venture out into the world and get involved in a lot of other things. I think I’ll go visit grandma and family next week while I have the car and a little money. I’m finding it hard to find my place and pick up the pieces that I had before when I left. I’m sure it will come shortly I just have to be patient. Tomorrow will be two years since I started my mission plus Anzac Day.

Sunday, 25^th April

Today two years ago I started my mission so it was quite a significant day for me. We went to church and it was really good. Everyone had grown up so much it was most noticeable on the younger ones. We had our young adults class with Derek Couch and priesthood with Steve Hemi. It was testimony meeting this Sunday because video conference was on next week so I got to say a few words as I bore my testimony. Mum also shared her testimony and cried. The spirit was really strong. I was able to see a few others of the young adults whom I knew.

In the evening we just had a quiet evening at home and watched the movie Robin Hood. I really enjoyed my day today; it really felt like I was home and ready to get on with life. Bishop has called me to be the Young Mens President.

26^th April - 9^th May

It’s been a month since I wrote but some exciting things have happened so I will recap the major ones. I went up to Dannevirke stopping on the way to visit Gareth in Carterton. We had a really nice time. Spending time with grandma was neat and we had a lot of touching moments. I also went to Hastings to see Brendan Price and stayed at the March’s place during which Matt rang from Auckland. I also saw the priesthood session of conference there. I saw the Brendan Price (my former companion) on the way back to Wellington and another session of conference. Lisa Figiola came over on Saturday night and we spent the evening with Linda, Pauline and mum. Had conference Sunday which was very neat. Visited Donal Wineras, mum and spent the day with Ollie Cowley and Wilson Poi who are serving together in Paraparaumu. Also saw Seamus Fitzgerald who is the AP in that mission he looked great. Had family home evening at the Hagues, dug the drains at home, and went to the movies with Phillip. Went on tradeoffs with Elder Birch. Visited Bob, went to a public meeting at Bishops and signed up as a Reliv distributor on Saturday. Went horse riding with mum and her young women on Saturday also then had church where I was sustained as Young Mens President.

9^th - 15^th May

On Sunday the month of May mum and I travelled up to Taihape where we stayed the night with Terry and Maryanne. In the morning we drove up to Turangi where mum went to her course at Ruapehu and I hitched to Taupo. I visited Richard for the day which was really neat then hitched a ride to Tokoroa with a guy who was Leanna Hamon’s cousin. I stayed with the Sneels in Tokoroa while visiting everyone else. I had a neat time. Mum and Lynn picked me up on Thursday and we went from there to Hamilton. Maria was anxious to see us and we spent some time with her. I was planning to stay with Uncle and Aunty at the dorms however they weren’t home so instead I stayed at the Keungs. Mum, Lynn and I spent time at the temple and also time with Maria. I also went and saw the Koolen family. On Saturday afternoon mum, Maria and Lynn set off back home. I had met Mike and Shelly in the temple and spent the afternoon with them. I also went to the priesthood session of conference with Elder L Tom Perry and Elder Wood, both of who were excellent speakers. We were counselled to be converted, magnify callings, man of integrity, and a man with a forgiving heart.

Sunday, 16^th May

We had two wonderful sessions with Elder Perry, the General Session and the Young Adult Session in the afternoon. I wrote in my notes that the spirit was so strong I realised I could live without it. We were counselled to be sealed in the temple as families so that our families will endure through death. Our homes will be a priority because that calling of being a husband/wife will not end. We must:

1. Use the priesthood.
2. Respect the priesthood
3. Respect womanhood
4. Make homes of work and play
5. Family home evenings - make the scriptures live in the lives of our children.

In the Young Adult fireside both Natasha Hepri and Carl Gugeon spoke. Elder Wood told us we have standards given to measure our conduct for guidance and direction. Sister Perry expressed warmth and love, as she understood this to be one of the most important stages of our life where we would choose our life’s career and companion. Elder Perry related the story of Nephi and the brass plates pointed out by the methods they used to get the brass plates off Laban we should not leave it to change, or rely on the things of the world but approach things with faith trusting in the Lord. He also said we would dwindle and perish by not reading the scriptures - make a habit of studying. I saw many old friends during the day including Shelly.

17^th - 22^nd May

I spent from Monday to Thursday in Hamilton. I spent a lot of time at the temple. I got so addicted to go it was neat. I felt a spiritual strength that I have never felt before. On Tuesday I had dinner at Rebecca’s place and had a neat time with her and her family along with the missionaries Elder Lawrence and Johnson. On Wednesday I spent 9 hours at the temple doing four sessions. While I was doing each one I was tired and hungry but afterwards I was really filled with the spirit so I kept going through again. I spent the evening with the Koolens and more especially Michelle and Jenny. I love them heaps. Michelle dropped me off and we watched the temple lights. After doing some more sessions in the temple on Thursday Chad, Leanne Schwaglers fiancé picked me up and we drove to Auckland. I went to the Kiwikiwis then to the Fitesimanu’s where I’m staying. I saw Barry and we went to the Stockmans in the evening.

Friday I went to town and the Museum which was nice and went with some friends to Swansends in the evening. Saturday I went to West Auckland and saw Shane, Alice, Mau and Elders Vandyken and Clark. I watched videos with Rebecca, Teresa and Jeremy. I had Via’s car. I also went to the Otara markets.

Sunday, 23^rd and Monday 24^th May

Church was good. It was nice to be back in 23^rd ward. I was privileged to hear Rebecca’s first sacrament talk. She told of how Jeremy had proposed but that she had found from the Lord he wanted her to go on a mission.

In the evening I took Andrea (one of the people whom I had taught the gospel too) out to a Young Adult fireside in town. She really enjoyed it. I met many old friends there too including Russell and John. I saw Geri and she invited me back to her house for pancakes. I wasn’t going to go but after I had dropped off Andrea the spirit said to go and although I didn’t know exactly where she lived I relied on the Lord and managed to find her home. We had an enjoyable evening. I saw Kara and her fiancé and we had a really good chat. I am really happy for her. I think that is why I was prompted to come, even though we had never officially 'gone out' we had become quite close during my mission and I think maybe that the Lord wanted her (and possibly me) to know that their were no lose ends in her marrying Chris. She even invited me to her wedding on 3rd July. Later on I played a bit of guitar and ate pancakes before getting back at 12pm. On Monday I went shopping with Kim and Rita and fixed up a tripod I had bought at the Otara markets. I also packed my gear for tomorrow.

I spent the evening with the Fitesimanu family, we had a wonderful family home evening and talk. I really felt at home with them. Jay and I discussed in depth quite a few schemes and plans. I have a lot of admiration for him. We are a perfect compliment, like brothers.

Tuesday, 25^th May

Jay drove me to the airport with all of Elder Vandykens baggage. I got an overweight limit and charge, however the money he had given covered it. Then I found out I could only get NZ$200 from the teller machine so I’m going to Australia for a month with very little money. The flight to Brisbane was okay. Ronette was there to meet me and it was great to see her again. She is looking neat. She took me into town and we went to where Vicki works. It was fantastic to see her, she was beautiful. The best thing you could see that she was really happy. It sounded like her husband was deservant of her as he was very spiritual and caring. Later in the afternoon we visited the missionaries and had lunch with them at Sizzlers. The Martins live way out from Brisbane so it took a long time for us to get back home. Their place was beautiful. We got dinner and then spent a quiet evening at home. I was really tired and so had an early night although not before some tears and heart-felt thanks to a loving heavenly father who has blessed my dear family especially Ronette and Vicky so very much.

Wednesday, 26^th May

I had such a good rest I was wide awake at 5am so I got up and read about Paul the Apostle and his letters. By 7am Ronette and I were on the road towards Brisbane. While Ronette went to work I took a train into town and spent the day wondering around the shops. I had lunch with Vicky and her workmate Leoni whom accompanied me in the afternoon to some more places. I was very tired after spending so long on my feet but it was nice to see Brisbane. I caught the train back out and met Ronette. We had a nice dinner at Pizza Hutt before visiting the Elders for a moment. In the evening we went to the Institute. I went to the New Testament class with Ronette and met her good friend Jarred whom I’m sure I met before. I saw a few people there I knew from church college and Wellington plus I saw Kerry-Anne Beake (from the MTC) who is now living here in Brisbane after serving here as a missionary. She was really shocked to see me. We had a long trip home before a welcome bed. It was quite late.

Thursday, 27^th May

After getting up early again we sped into town. I took the car and went to see the Elders. I took them out to the shopping centre and we spent the morning there. In the afternoon the Elders did their laundry and I had a quiet snooze. We played a lot of guitar and Elder Christianson showed me the stuff which he had learnt, he was very good having only been playing for 3 months. We all went to Ronette’s work and had dinner together with Charlie her boss, it was really nice. I liked Charlie’s views on a lot of things, he is a very with it person.

We dropped the missionaries at another Elders place. We wanted to visit Vicky and Robert however they weren’t home so we came home instead. I’m quiet impressed by how much Ronette has grown both spiritually and maturity wise. It’s great to see. At home we had early nights again. This jet lag stuff is great, I feel tired at the times I want to go to sleep.

Friday, 28^th May

I woke up really early again today and so spent some more time reading Paul’s life and letters. I am learning quite a bit. Ronette left for work and I spent the day at home here I did a lot of reading and writing. Sister Martin and I had a few good chats also. Brother Martin took me out for a run, which was really good. After groaning and spluttering my body enjoyed it. On the way home I tried to be a bit better than I was by taking off with speed only to conk out well before reaching home. Yet another lesson in humility. Ronette arrived home to a quick dinner and before long we were on our way. We stopped to visit Ian (a special friend of Ronette’s) at the dorm of his university. He was very nice. Then we drove to the dreaded dance. My first dance since I’ve been home. It was pretty good; there were lots of people there. I knew quite a few guys who had served in Auckland but apart from Ronette I only knew Marina Parsons so I didn’t have much variety on the dancing scene and since my confidence was low I wasn’t very enthusiastic to show any more girls what a useless dancer I had become. The barn dance was embarrassing enough. On the bright side though I got to see Nathaniel Green, Bayden Mangakahia, and Lehi Clarke.

Saturday, 29^th May

I slept in a little longer this morning but I’m still getting up earlier than my usual. I’m not sure if it’s jet lag or this Reliv Stuff. Either way I hope it continues.

Ronette and I went out this morning to the Logan Hyperdome Shopping Centre. We met up with Sara and the girls wondered around looking at womens stuff while I made smart comments where applicable. We watched a move ‘Mr Saturday’ which was all right, it had some good moments. After arriving home in the afternoon I had a bit of time to myself thinking about a lot of things, especially dad.

After dinner Ronette and I went back to Sara’s place, made popcorn and settled down to watch ‘The hand that rocks the cradle’. It was quite a thrilling movie and we had a lot of fun watching it. Afterwards we watched the end of a couple of movies that were playing on TV. It was quite an enjoyable night. I found a couple of nice quotes about prayer from this year’s general conference.

‘The passport to peace is the practice of prayer’

‘My words ascend my thoughts stay below, words without thoughts never to heaven go’

‘The Lord’s peace comes not without pain, but during it.’

Sunday, 30th May

As I got up I was in time to see Chantelle arrive. Ronette picked her up from the bus early. It was great to see that ‘old married woman’. It brought back a lot of fantastic memories.

After getting ready and picking up Sara, we sped to town for Sacrament meeting. Ronette’s boss Charlie was speaking.

Sacrament was really touching. I cried again, this is starting to become a habit. Charlie’s talk on scripture study was inspiring. On the way home we dropped Sara at her ward and I got the opportunity to see Masi, Bayden, Colleen and Jarred.

When we came home the girls went to sleep. Brother and sister Martin went to their ward and I read the book on Paul and did a bit of in-depth study on some of his epistles.

In the evening we talked and played Trivial Pursuits. Ronette and I let Chantelle and Mum think they had won. It was pretty even though. I talked to Kerry Anne Beake too and organised to see her.

Monday, 31st May

Ronette woke me up and together we went into the city. Ronette and I talked all the way in, it was quite good.

When we got to work, I took the car and went to pick up the Elders. They needed to go shopping so we went down to Indooropolly.

I had my film developed and then sent some photos along with the letters we had written to Chris. The Elders got all their stuff at the supermarket and I took them home. Their mission President came to visit so I took a drive to the Queensland University which is close by.

In the latter part of the afternoon we played video games before I went to pick up Ronette. When I got there she was really angry because I was late and Elder Creep had told her I said I would take them to the doctors on Thursday. But after I explained none of it was true, we had quite an entertaining ride home.

Mum Martin had made a beautiful dinner and so we quickly ate that. We had picked up Elder Tang (Chantelle’s brother-in-law) and his companion. Elder Tang and I got on well. He sounds like a real dedicated missionary. Then Dad, Chantelle and the Elders and I went over to the Sheas and watched the State of Origin league match with them. It was a great match in which Queensland won – but there were laughs all around.

Tuesday, 1st June

After we got home last night, Chantelle and I stayed up late talking which was really nice. I decided I had better see some others of my friends if I am to go down to Sydney with her on Friday. So I got up early and went with Chantelle into town. I spent some time with Vicky and we had lunch together.

In the afternoon I visited Southbank, a popular tourist attraction. It was rather nice. They had a little artificial beach, which was rather cute. I had a snooze on a grass bank in the park. Later on I got bored and spied a depressed young lady so after contemplating and asking for inspiration, I approached her and started a conversation. She turned out to be a schizophrenic nymphomaniac and we had little in common, but it was quite fun. We walked back into town and had an ice-cream whereupon we met two guys, Clive (a Solomon Island druggie) and his aboriginal friend called Linsey. Lisa, the girl I had met, hit it off with Linsey and I left them to it as I went to meet Vicky.

We took the bus to where her flat was and while she had her Japanese tutorial with a friend, I rang Nathaniel Green. Later on she made dinner and we looked at her wedding album till Robert came home. He is a really nice guy. I was very impressed and pleased. Although we wanted to talk all night we were all pretty tired.

Wednesday, 2nd June

After a very solemn sleep everyone was "up and at ‘em". Vicky read me a couple of journal entries she had written about me four years ago. They were very flattering. I caught the bus with her into town and dropped her at work then went for a walk.

I went down to the Museum, which was a lot smaller than a lot of museums I have been to, but it was great. They had a lot of hands on demonstrations and I learnt a lot, especially about cameras and light, as they had a magnificent display relating to that. I also watched a couple of informational films on the Queensland museum’s marine archaeology and in the process learnt about the Mutiny on the Bounty and the wreckage of the ship ‘Pandora’ which was sent to hunt for the Mutineers. I also visited the Art Gallery, but didn’t have enough money to attend the surrealism exhibition. I also spent time reading in the library.

When I returned to the city I said my goodbyes to Vicky and her family, and Brother Shea gave me a key ring, which I thought, was rather nice.

I then took the train to Kerry Beake’s place and spent the afternoon and a very delicious dinner with her. She’s dating Rodger Williams who was AP in my mission when I first started.

In the evening we went to Macdonalds for Nathaniel’s surprise 21st birthday party. There I met Bayden and we stayed at Greg’s place the night.

Thursday, 3rd June

After we woke up we took the long drive up to Tewantin about an hour and a half away. We went to Bayden’s house, grabbed some breakfast and went over to the gym. His family own this beautifully set up fitness centre. While we worked, I did some workouts on the specialised equipment they had. In the afternoon, when everything was quiet, we did a hard workout together. It was really good.

After work we had dinner with Bayden’s sister, Muriel. I cooked up a big batch of caramel popcorn and we watched ‘Under Siege’. The movie was really good. We enjoyed it immensely.

Bayden and I then went over to Noosa. Bayden was supposed to judge an aerobics competition at the local nightclub. Before we went we stopped to look at Noosa Heads and the beach. It was beautiful. You could tell why it was a very popular tourist attraction.

Back at the nightclub we watched the 3 male and female competitors. The first woman was a professional, she made the other 2 look bland. In the men’s section they didn’t even do a routine, they just strutted around the stage doing poses. When they had finished, they did some amateur activities. I entered the push-ups but lacked the strength because of the workout today. I came second and missed out on the T-shirt.

Friday, 4th June

Bayden had to go to work early this morning so I slept in till late. I went over t the gym and spent the day there helping out. I was too sore from yesterday’s workout. I didn’t go today. Later on in the afternoon Tyrone (Bayden’s brother) took me out for a spin on their jetboat. I got to see a bit more of Noosa from the river. It is quite steeped in tourist industry.

After getting ready, we started on the long haul to Brisbane. Bayden had me drive most of the way because he was tired. We went through town and picked up Bayden’s girlfriend, Rewa, before driving to the Martins’ place. Sister Martin was worried I wasn’t going to make it and when I saw Brother Martin’s car gone I wasn’t sure either. But Ronette and Chantelle were there and had kindly loaded up all my stuff.

I said my goodbyes to Bayden, then Ronette and Mum and Dad Martin. They dropped us off at Beenleigh where we jumped on the bus for the long arduous journey to Sydney.

Chantelle and I talked all night; it’s fantastic to hear her marriage stories and to know that she is so happy and so much in love. She is very inspiring.

And so ends my stay in beautiful Brisbane city.

Saturday, 5th June

The night was really long as I kept waking up all the time. Chantelle was inspired and we changed seats. That helped a lot.

In the morning we talked heaps, as we came into Sydney. I got my first glances of the Sydney Temple and so can’t wait to go.

Teresa picked us up and we went to their little flat in Ryde. I met Terry and their little newborn, Cameron. While Chantelle and Teresa went shopping, I stayed and talked with Terry and watched the basketball.

Later in the afternoon we played cards before I had a quick shower. Then we went over to Beau’s place and picked her and a flat mate up, and went to the chapel.

It was Sharlene Hiata’s 21st and so I got to see her plus Niheta, Halem, Daniel, Hama, Rebecca, and the Parsons family. We had a beautiful feed and the band played a lot of nice songs. They started playing rock and roll and I made a complete fool of myself trying to dance that. It has been a long time. I think I need to ask Lisa for some lessons when I get back home. Once the DJ took over I wasn’t too bad with the faster songs, but I was thankful when Chantelle said she wanted to go. She only has one more sleep till her husband comes home so she was anxious to awaken tomorrow. At home we did up streamers and balloons and I talked to Michelle.

Sunday, 6th June

Chantelle went early to pick up Mark from the Airport. After we were all ready we piled into the little blue mobile and took a ride to Gosford. The Gosford ward was really nice. The people were very nice and the testimony meeting was touching.

We had lunch at the Tang’s and they made me feel very welcome as I was in their home. Brother Tang senior gave me a guided tour of their homestead an where Mark and Chantelle are planning to build their home on the large section.

In the evening we came back to the city ad Chantelle and Mark dropped me over to my Dad's in Erskinville. He lives at quite a nice looking building in the rougher part of the town. He only has alone bedroom unit in the Lodge but the one next to him was unoccupied so I have scored myself a room for a few days until someone moves in.

Getting to know my Dad again was a very hesitant act for me. Tonight was really good. He was glad to see me and I was pretty glad to see him also after all these years.

We had a lot to talk about but I was pretty tired and Dad seemed tired as well, so we had an early night.

Monday, 7th June

Today I spent a very interesting day with my Dad. We don’t live very far away from town so Dad took me into the city and we wandered around the botanical gardens and the State Opera House. We even walked across the harbour bridge. In the process we had quite an intellectual conversation. I was finding out about my Christian Indian roots. Apparently the Apostle Thomas in his ministry to the Gentiles established Christianity in South India and that is the beginning of my family following Christ.

Tuesday, 8th June

After talking with my Dad in the morning and having a big breakfast, I attempted to catch the train to Carlingford to go to the temple. I had a nightmare time trying to get the right train to the right places to get the right connection so I could go to Carlingford. I eventually got to Carlingford and the Temple, however just ten minutes late for the session. So I spent the day in the temple. It was very nice. The temple is much smaller than Hamilton but the spirit is still the same.

After I had finished I ran to the train station and quickly caught the train and made it back to my Dad’s in time for dinner. He cooked up a big feed and we enjoyed a meal.

We went downstairs to watch the news and I called the Van Dykes family to tell them I was here. While I was on the phone Dad had a fight with one of the other residents whose name is Olga. It wasn’t bad but it reminded me so much of arguments at home. It didn’t sound like Dad had changed at all. I was quite disappointed in him.

Dad was feeling vexed by evil spirits so we had an early night. I spent a lot of time reading the scriptures tonight and finishing off the book of Mormon.. It was impressed upon me by what I read that charity was an absolute requirement to our returning to the Father. I could not equate that my Dad was spending all this time in meditation and prayer plus service in the spirit world, yet lacked a lot of compassion, tolerance and charity.

Wednesday, 9th June

In my effort to get to the Temple earlier, I left another ¾ of an hour before the time I did yesterday. This only meant an even more extended wait at various stations as I had to get the same train as I did yesterday. So when I got to Carlingford, I sprinted to the Temple and made it in just enough time to catch the session.

I had a really nice time in the Temple. Yet again during the last session I did, there were only three males so I ended up being a witness.

I went to the Carlingford Court Shopping Centre after I had finished and bought a box of Beauty and the Beast tissues for Ronette and a little plastercine genie and card for Vicky’s 21st.

I then caught a bus to West Ryde and walked to Chantelle and Mark’s place. Teresa and Terry are moving up to Brisbane in a few days, so I wrote Vicky the card and wrapped up the presents so they could take them up with them. Chantelle cooked us a wonderful dinner and Terry dropped me off at the train station. I was a bit worried about catching the train so late at night but I didn’t have any problems.

Dad was pretty tired so we only talked a little before going to bed.

Thursday, 10th June

Someone came to occupy the room today so I moved all my stuff back into my dad’s room. The coordinator of the Lodge talked to Dad about leaving after his verbal disagreement with Olga. So we went into town to sort things out with the Wesley mission who operate the home.

Dad showed me the local cathedrals including St Mary’s which was huge. I was fascinated by the architecture and the stained glass windows. We also went to the oldest one, St Andrews, where they had a lunchtime organ recital, which I found fascinating. The organ player even gave me a guided tour.

My attempts to go to the Temple this evening were greatly thwarted but I eventually made it, meeting a nice young lady named Cate on the way. She lives very close to the Temple and invited me to go to the movies tomorrow night. I was quite impressed that she would trust someone whom she met at the train station so I said yes. Then wondered afterwards how I could afford it.

I met John Turner Senior at the Temple and thankfully to him I was able to get home via Parramatta as the session was later than I had expected.

Friday, 11th June

I had a terrible night’s sleep in my Dad’s room. He went on cursing about the coordinator and it seemed as if he could read my thoughts.

The coordinator came to see Dad and they had a big argument so I was just praying I could get out of the situation somehow without hurting Dad’s feelings. Heavenly Father helped immediately and the condition become such that I could go spend the weekend at Chantelle and Mark’s. I was very happy.

So I packed up my stuff and took off to the Temple. I did a couple of sessions and then went down to Cate’s place to meet her. We had dinner with her sister Jo and brother-in-law Rob. It was a good laugh. They are a great family. Cate had two free tickets to the movies and Jo dropped us in Parramatta where we saw ‘Aladdin’. It was fantastic, probably the best cartoon movie I’ve seen. Cate was really fun to be with and we enjoyed ourselves a lot.

Afterwards we had a drink at a local café and a nice talk. Rob dropped me off at the Tangs where I got a very loving letter of welcome and a key to their home for whenever I might need it.

I am so thankful for loving friends and family that they are to me. It makes my life a very sweet experience.

Saturday, 12th June

Today we had planned to go to the Temple. So we rushed around to get there on time only to find that Mark had left his recommend. Since they had an appointment in Gosford, they needed to get to, we went there instead.

At Mark’s parents’ place I spent most of the day watching TV and chatting to Meg Tang (Mark’s Mum). We watched a delightful movie together and did a lot of eating. Mark and Chantelle went to discuss the plans for the pole house they want to build on the section.

After returning to town, the young couple went to a 21st and so I spent the evening at home. I talked to Karina Blaich and arranged to meet her at the Temple on Thursday. I also talked to the Peihopa’s whom I promised I would go see also.

I tried to hunt down Cindy Wilson who I had met last time I was in Sydney but to no avail.

I spent the rest of the evening watching the movies on TV and doing he washing. The drier wasn’t working properly so I spent a lot of time drying them by hand with the heater. It worked out rather well.

Sunday, 13th June

Today I was very grateful for a loving heavenly Father. Sacrament was again very touching and the talks on prayer by Wayne Rhode and his wife wee very sweet. In young adults I learnt the mark of true and close friends is they can be comfortable even though neither is talking. In priesthood we talked about how important that decision is to follow God. Plus what effect it can have on us in our youth. We talked about self-worth and I realised that this Journal is one of the biggest influences on my self-respect. As I have been reading passages over the last few days, I have bee impressed immensely by the character who wrote it. I find it hard to imagine that it was me because on every page tears welled up in my eyes and occasionally I can’t hold them back. I know I’m of worth because this record tells me I have done many things of great worth.

I came home after church and did some more reading in here. I really have been blessed. Heavenly Father has taken care of me so much.

Later on in the day Jenny came around. She looks wonderful, however I noticed a very large chip on her should that was very unattractive. I hope things go well for her.

In the evening I went to a Young Adult fireside. Cindy was there so I got to say hello, however we didn’t hit it off very well. But I met a lot of other nice young adults.

So ends another beautiful day and journal.

Companions

Counting Elder Alatini, I had four companions to the end of my mission during the last eight months. Each contributed significantly to improve me a missionary and a person. I will endeavour to explain this further as I write about them.

Elder Folauhola Alatini – August and September

Tini was my only Tongan companion who gave me an instant love for the Tongan people as a whole. We had a wonderful time together up to the end of his mission. We used to play table tennis and eat cake late into the night and talk. He taught me how to teach with power and authority and bring the spirit in. He used to call me EC, short for Elder Cherian, because he said I was an easy person to get along with. The greatest thing I learnt from him was that you could rise above your circumstances. He had faces some huge trials before coming on a mission and was pretty scared about returning home. He was a big inspiration to me, not to mention a friend. I love him very much. [I visited Folau and his Wife and twin girls in Pheonix Arizona in 1996, he was still in hiding from the gang culture he had left behind to come on a mission and it took me quite awhile to tract him down. He was doing really well and very active]

Elder Matthew Marsh – October and November

Matt and I had gone to school together but I didn’t really get to know him till we were companions. He was fantastic; although I trained him he taught me how to do missionary work. I learnt how to show my love for others from him and I learnt to appreciate dishes. We were the best of friends, so much so I disliked going on trade offs. I had no end of praise for him and his dedication and commitment as a missionary. [ I was able to attend Matt's Wedding in 1997 and visit with him and his wife and son the next year. Still a wonderful guy!]

Elder Scott Hall – December and January

Elder Hall was 1/16th Maori and related to some of the local members in the area. He had a really rough time adjusting to missionary work and being in New Zealand. A lot of the time he felt I was more of the enemy than the help I needed to be as his trainer. Still we survived and had some neat experiences. He had a wonderful talent for singing, which I really loved and which was very helpful over Christmas. He was so good he could even keep me in tune! I learnt to love him very much. [ Last time I saw Scott was 1997 when we visited the States he was married to a very lovely girl and I believe they were expecting their first child]

Elder Matthew VanDyken – February to April

We had no idea we would be together for 3 months till the end of my mission. We had such an interesting relationship, but Heavenly Father kept us together and we were privileged to see some mighty miracles, the most significant of which happened to us. We became the best of friends. Elder Van Dyken gained a desire for missionary work and I gained a knowledge and desire that the Gospel was essential to my happiness and I wanted more than anything to be worthy. Our companionship was a great fulfilment to my mission. [Matthew visited me a couple of times in Wellington after his mission and I went to be his best man at his wedding in 1997. He married a lovely girl who already had 3 little boys and since then they have had another child.]

All in all, I had 11 companions during my 2 years of service as a missionary. It gave me confidence that I could accept anyone as we stayed together 24 hours a day for months on end, and that people could accept and live with me also.

Investigators

People you can share the gospel with always become very special to you. These people became very special to me.

Andrea Brailsford

Elders Bush and Marsh started teaching her after a referral from street contacting. Elder Marsh and I finished the discussions and she was baptised on my birthday by Elder Marsh. She was very receptive to the spirit and just loved to learn about the gospel. She displayed a lot of faith for someone of her young age. [Andrea recently moved to Wellington and I have bumped into her a few times. She still just as lovely although not currently active]

Karla

We met her through the Fitesmanus, her boyfriend’s family, but she got interested in the church from an inactive friend. We had the most spiritual discussion with her. She had been so prepared. She has not as yet joined the church but has a strong testimony of it. She keeps in touch with the Fitesimanus from Perth.

Sulu

We met her through Ta’ala, her member flatmate. She enjoyed the discussions but her father is a Methodist minister so she would not get baptised.

Millie and Kimiara

A grandmother and daughter whom we taught. They were very special and golden but it wasn’t for 5 months that they were baptised with their cousin Teri.

Teri Tawhia

Les Peihopa’s son, who was anxious to join the church. We had a lot of fun teaching him. Millie Kimiora and he both got baptised January 21st. It was the most spiritual baptism I’ve had. It felt like my own family because I love the Peihopas so much.

Daphne and Daphne

The Johnston family was wonderful to teach. Heavenly Father had prepared them so much. They had a few concerns but the Lord resolved a lot of them for them. They were baptised on March 28th.

Donny Morrison

Donny’s Mum had recently come back to church and desired for Donny to be baptised. Because he was a slow learner there was doubt to whether he should be baptised. However we taught him and found out he was very smart and capable of understanding. He was baptised 27th February on his 10th birthday.

Stacey Summerfelt

She had been having discussions for years and although we showed her some good things, the pressure from studying with the Jehovah’s Witness was too strong. S he decided to follow along with them.

Irene

Elder Van Dyken and I met her tracting. However I never got to teach her before I went home. Elder Van Dyken and Elder Clarke taught and baptised her. [I got to met Irene again several years later still very active at Church]

Families

There is something special about going into people’s homes and being a missionary. Quite often you become really attached to special families who take care of you.

Fitesimanus

Jay, his wife Kim, his Mum, and children became a very close family to me while in 23rd ward. They treated me as part of the family. Jay and I are kind of like long lost brothers. We have a lot of similar ideas about life and the Gospel. They are the kind of family I want to be like and believe that I can. [ I still keep in close contact with the Fitesimanu's and visit them as often as I get to Auckland, they now have 5 children]

Dowmans and Bohm's

These two very special families made the world of difference in our missionary lives, as they opened their homes and hearts to us, we spent Christmas and several birthdays with them. Although not members their daughters Rebecca and Teresa (Tweta) who had joined the church were our faithful stake missionaries and provided numerous help in almost every occasion. [Rebecca married Jeremy Hall and they now have 3 children, I got to attend their very wonderful wedding. Tweta still lives in Mangere at her parents home with her little boy]

Panioras

Elder Marsh and I taught this less active family. We became very close and had a lot of wonderful spiritual experiences with them. They taught me the real value of family.

Barry and Peihopas

Since Barry was our ward mission leader and he lived at the Peihopas we had quite a bit to do with them. They would help us out heaps not to mention provide us with food. Barry became a very close friend because we worked so much together.

Pattersons and Lyes

I have met both these families the first time I had served in Glendene ward. Seeing them again reinforced my closeness with them.

Morrisons

Shane and Alice became very much a part of our lives in Henderson. Along with Mau and Moana we spent a lot of time eating and talking. They are a very special and worthwhile group to be with. [Shane and Alice visite me serveral times after my mission including coming to my 21^st Birthday]

Komenes

I had baptised this family when I first started my mission. Now Temple patrons and strong members of their ward, they were even more wonderful. I love them very much.

Hakaraias

The father was Bishop when I was first in the ward. Now with another addition to the family they were even better. They reminded me a lot of my own family because of their looks.

Kaipos

Brother Kaipo was our ward mission leader and also our ride to church. We spent a lot of valuable time with him and his family. He has a wonderful way of teaching and expressing the Gospel in real terms and everyday life.

Fa’apois and Vakalahis

Another 2 wonderful Tongan families who helped us a lot with missionary work and also meals. Both really gave good examples of the gospel in action in their homes.