Kia Ora!
Marry Chrismas (a couple of days ago)!!! And happy new year in a few days!! Next week when I email you I'll have been on my mission for 4 months! Crazy eh? That's 1/6 done with my mission already. Well I've been transferred to Te Kuiti/Taumarunui. These two towns are about an hour apart from each other. Makes for a long drive, but it is very beautiful country, what NZ is really all about. The people in these towns are mosly Kiwi or Mouri. We're the first missionaries based in Te Kuiti in about 3 years. I think President has seen the major work that's happened in this branch and wants us to see how well the progress continues. We've found a few potential investigators already, and we have a baptism set for Feb. and an 11 yr. old who wants to be baptized. Sounds like the work here is going to be pretty good. Even if we are way out in the wop-wops (boondocks/country). We're probably about an hour away from anything.
Christmas here was not the same. Sure it was filled with lots of food, but it was pretty hot. And who does bbq's for Christmas?...Kiwi's, thats who. It just doesn't hold the same effect without the snow and the Christmas carols. Its weird having the seasons switched around. December and January should be cold! Thats something I miss as well. I didn't think I'd miss the cold near as much as I do. I like being outside and playing sports and stuff, but I love the cold too. Anyways, for Christmas we had 3 massive feeds, and 3 desserts. I think I probably gained 4 or 5 pounds on Christmas day alone. I need some serious workout routine to get this weight off. If sleep wasn't so precious then I think I'd get up early and excersize more.
Well not much has changed since I called you last. And I have to go now.
Love you all and I'll talk to you next week. I appreciate your prayers.
Ka Kite!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
Save the date: 9-9-9:00
Monday, December 27, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
December 21, 2010
Kia Ora!
I am so sorry I haven't been able to email for the last two weeks. Things have been really crazy in my missionary life. We had another mission conference, I found out I'm opening a new area (and am here now) and things have been a bit stressful, but life is good now. I've been transferred to Te Kuiti. I'll be covering two branches, Te Kuiti, and Taumarunui. The Te Kuiti branch covers Otorohanga to the North as well. My address here is 2 Broadfoot Rd.
I'll be calling home probably on your Christmas day my Dec 26th. Nevermind. I'll call later this week to set up a time. Probably my thursday morning (your Wed. afternoon). I still need permission to call from my DL, but it'll all work out. As a back up my flat number here is 07-878-5947. I don't know about country code or anything, but that's a back up. Sorry the library here is only letting us email for 30 min, and my time's pretty much up. I'll tell you all about everything when I call on Christmas.
I'm happy, healthy, and no, my head is not on a spear of some Mouri tribal leader. Sorry I can't talk any longer.
Love you all, I'm really looking forward to talking to you on Christmas this week!! Talk to you later!
Ka Kite!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
I am so sorry I haven't been able to email for the last two weeks. Things have been really crazy in my missionary life. We had another mission conference, I found out I'm opening a new area (and am here now) and things have been a bit stressful, but life is good now. I've been transferred to Te Kuiti. I'll be covering two branches, Te Kuiti, and Taumarunui. The Te Kuiti branch covers Otorohanga to the North as well. My address here is 2 Broadfoot Rd.
I'll be calling home probably on your Christmas day my Dec 26th. Nevermind. I'll call later this week to set up a time. Probably my thursday morning (your Wed. afternoon). I still need permission to call from my DL, but it'll all work out. As a back up my flat number here is 07-878-5947. I don't know about country code or anything, but that's a back up. Sorry the library here is only letting us email for 30 min, and my time's pretty much up. I'll tell you all about everything when I call on Christmas.
I'm happy, healthy, and no, my head is not on a spear of some Mouri tribal leader. Sorry I can't talk any longer.
Love you all, I'm really looking forward to talking to you on Christmas this week!! Talk to you later!
Ka Kite!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
Monday, December 6, 2010
December 6th, 2010
Kia Ora!
It has been a long and stressful week this week. We had a lot going on trying to sus things out for the baptism. Its been a little bit cooler weather which I'm happy to welcome. I think I'm really going to miss the snow this year. Send me some pictures. this week was pretty full on with lessons some days, then others we pretty much had none. But over all we met pretty much all of our goals and it was a good week.
So the reason the baptism was so stressful was because we moved it forward a week from what we had planned. So we had to run all over talking to people to see if they'd be willing to give talks, prayers, baptize, etc. like every day. So on Friday, everything was all good to go and set up. Then Saturday morning came. We called about 9am (the baptism was at 10) to see if everything was alright. Kattie (17 yr old daughter) answered the phone and told us how Rosie didn't want to be baptized. So we ran over to her house and talked to her. She was saying that she was so excited for this day, and when she woke up nobody was up or getting ready. And Matekino just up and left for the church without her wearing an immodest skirt. She was super frustrated that her family wasn't supporting her. So we talked to her and tried to calm her down and convincing her to get baptized. Nothing seemed to work. She agreed to still let Whetu (12) get baptized and that she'd take him over and watch him. When she got to the church she still didn't want to get baptized. We saw brother Kaituu walking up in his white clothes and he said "It was hard to find, but I got some white pants! They're not ironed, but I got them." After seeing "his glow" Rosie decided to get baptized. We had 3 jump suits but none of them fit her. Luckily one of the members said that they had some white clothes that she could wear. They were the members that we had dinner with the night before, and who weren't planning on coming. Heavenly Father was truly working in the background all along. It was truly a miracle. After she was baptized, she gave a powerful testimony like I've never heard from any convert. She said that she had this burning feeling all through her, and that she's never been so happy in her life. She even called the ward her family. Before she was one of those people that utterly rejected the missionaries, but now she is happier that than she's ever been.
Kattie her daughter is set to be baptized this Friday! That family has really turned around. Rosie, Matekino, and Kattie have all quit smoking, and Rosie quit coffee. They've had trials from every way you can imagine. But because of accepting Christ in they're lives, they're happier than ever. This church is the true church of Jesus Christ. I know He restored it through Joseph Smith. I'm so glad to know that because of the restored priesthood, our family is sealed together forever.
I love you all, you're all in my prayers. Thank you so much for your prayers in my behalf and your support. I couldn't do this wor without it.
I'm pretty sure that I'll get a calling card from down here, and I'll use the phone from our flat to call.
I got your second package early this week. Thank you so much! I can't wait to open them! I already have the Christmas tree up on the desk, and the stocking hanging.
Some traditions in NZ...hmmm. There are a lot of different cultures here. So some people have a big bar-b-q beach party (which is the ward Christmas party this year), and some people do hangi's. which is the pig roast under ground. Those are the only two different traditions I've heard of so far. If I hear of more, I'll let you know.
Ka Kite!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
It has been a long and stressful week this week. We had a lot going on trying to sus things out for the baptism. Its been a little bit cooler weather which I'm happy to welcome. I think I'm really going to miss the snow this year. Send me some pictures. this week was pretty full on with lessons some days, then others we pretty much had none. But over all we met pretty much all of our goals and it was a good week.
So the reason the baptism was so stressful was because we moved it forward a week from what we had planned. So we had to run all over talking to people to see if they'd be willing to give talks, prayers, baptize, etc. like every day. So on Friday, everything was all good to go and set up. Then Saturday morning came. We called about 9am (the baptism was at 10) to see if everything was alright. Kattie (17 yr old daughter) answered the phone and told us how Rosie didn't want to be baptized. So we ran over to her house and talked to her. She was saying that she was so excited for this day, and when she woke up nobody was up or getting ready. And Matekino just up and left for the church without her wearing an immodest skirt. She was super frustrated that her family wasn't supporting her. So we talked to her and tried to calm her down and convincing her to get baptized. Nothing seemed to work. She agreed to still let Whetu (12) get baptized and that she'd take him over and watch him. When she got to the church she still didn't want to get baptized. We saw brother Kaituu walking up in his white clothes and he said "It was hard to find, but I got some white pants! They're not ironed, but I got them." After seeing "his glow" Rosie decided to get baptized. We had 3 jump suits but none of them fit her. Luckily one of the members said that they had some white clothes that she could wear. They were the members that we had dinner with the night before, and who weren't planning on coming. Heavenly Father was truly working in the background all along. It was truly a miracle. After she was baptized, she gave a powerful testimony like I've never heard from any convert. She said that she had this burning feeling all through her, and that she's never been so happy in her life. She even called the ward her family. Before she was one of those people that utterly rejected the missionaries, but now she is happier that than she's ever been.
Kattie her daughter is set to be baptized this Friday! That family has really turned around. Rosie, Matekino, and Kattie have all quit smoking, and Rosie quit coffee. They've had trials from every way you can imagine. But because of accepting Christ in they're lives, they're happier than ever. This church is the true church of Jesus Christ. I know He restored it through Joseph Smith. I'm so glad to know that because of the restored priesthood, our family is sealed together forever.
I love you all, you're all in my prayers. Thank you so much for your prayers in my behalf and your support. I couldn't do this wor without it.
I'm pretty sure that I'll get a calling card from down here, and I'll use the phone from our flat to call.
I got your second package early this week. Thank you so much! I can't wait to open them! I already have the Christmas tree up on the desk, and the stocking hanging.
Some traditions in NZ...hmmm. There are a lot of different cultures here. So some people have a big bar-b-q beach party (which is the ward Christmas party this year), and some people do hangi's. which is the pig roast under ground. Those are the only two different traditions I've heard of so far. If I hear of more, I'll let you know.
Random cannon in Mangere Bridge...
Ka Kite!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
Monday, November 29, 2010
November 29, 2010
Kia Ora!
This week has been pretty good. Its getting hotter every day, and humid. Sitting down in lessons, and even right now, I'm sweating. Sounds like the complete opposite to home haha. I think it sprinkled a tiny bit once this week. Today me and Elder Jenkins did a deep clean of the flat, and we have maggots and cockroaches. We kept the biggest one in a jar for a pet. Well, the closest thing we can have to a pet. Elder Jenkins is an pretty good companion, even though he's tone deaf when we sing in lessons. He's very knowledgeable, but also good at relating to people. I'm learning more and more about being able to talk to people and being myself.
Somebody told me something that really put it into perspective. I'm sacrificing two years from my family so that others can spend eternity with theirs. Thanks so much for the pictures! Sadly there's nowhere in our area where we can get pictures developed. I'm so glad that we know families can, and through the priesthood ours will, be together forever.
Rosie and her family continue to go through a lot of trials, but their facing it much better. Well, at least Rosie and Matekino. There's tention between the kids, but despite it all, Rosie is set for this Saturday November 4th. That is if she quits smoking and drinking coffee. Our DL said that if yesterday was the last one, then she can be baptized on Saturday. A miracle!
Yesterday we ran into an evangelist for the 7th Day Adventice church. Not from what was said, but by thinking about the expirience as a whole, I learned a big lesson. As many points as he tried to bring up, and no matter how flattering his words were, the spirit didn't accompany his words. He was passionate, but no spirit. I'm glad we teach people about that and invite them to pray and find out for themselves, rather than us convincing by words alone. Very interesting lesson.
Sorry, we have a lot to do today, so email time is short. Hopefully I'll be able to copy the pictures to my memory stick and be able to send the card home.
Ka Kite Ano!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
This week has been pretty good. Its getting hotter every day, and humid. Sitting down in lessons, and even right now, I'm sweating. Sounds like the complete opposite to home haha. I think it sprinkled a tiny bit once this week. Today me and Elder Jenkins did a deep clean of the flat, and we have maggots and cockroaches. We kept the biggest one in a jar for a pet. Well, the closest thing we can have to a pet. Elder Jenkins is an pretty good companion, even though he's tone deaf when we sing in lessons. He's very knowledgeable, but also good at relating to people. I'm learning more and more about being able to talk to people and being myself.
Somebody told me something that really put it into perspective. I'm sacrificing two years from my family so that others can spend eternity with theirs. Thanks so much for the pictures! Sadly there's nowhere in our area where we can get pictures developed. I'm so glad that we know families can, and through the priesthood ours will, be together forever.
Rosie and her family continue to go through a lot of trials, but their facing it much better. Well, at least Rosie and Matekino. There's tention between the kids, but despite it all, Rosie is set for this Saturday November 4th. That is if she quits smoking and drinking coffee. Our DL said that if yesterday was the last one, then she can be baptized on Saturday. A miracle!
Yesterday we ran into an evangelist for the 7th Day Adventice church. Not from what was said, but by thinking about the expirience as a whole, I learned a big lesson. As many points as he tried to bring up, and no matter how flattering his words were, the spirit didn't accompany his words. He was passionate, but no spirit. I'm glad we teach people about that and invite them to pray and find out for themselves, rather than us convincing by words alone. Very interesting lesson.
Sorry, we have a lot to do today, so email time is short. Hopefully I'll be able to copy the pictures to my memory stick and be able to send the card home.
Ka Kite Ano!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
Monday, November 22, 2010
November 22, 2010
Kia Ora! Malo lele! Malo se fua!
This week was about an average week. Nothing too exciting besides climbing Mangere Mountain last p-day. It was pretty fun. Not very big, but on top you could see for miles (kilometers here). I'll send you some pics after I write this letter. It was an easy hike, but steep, hot, and humid. So I was pretty sweaty. Especially after playing touch at the bottom of the mountain. Touch is so much fun. The weather has been up and down. It got really hot Thursday and Friday was really humid too. Then Saturday night it poured all night. So that was good to cool everything off. I've noticed that its always windy here. You know how it feels when a front starts to come through? thats about how it feels pretty much most of the time. Luckily we've only had to be in the rain for a few minutes this week.
Earlier in the week we got like 25 referrals because some of the MTC missionaries trackted out our area. So we've been really busy trying to contact them all. And all that on top of our usual lessons. So we've been pretty busy.
This week ended pretty stressful. Lessons started falling through and there was stress with some of our investigators. Sunday we were planning on having about 10 investigators to church, and we only had 2 show up. Liandra (9 yrs.) who is set for this Saturday didn't make it. We're not really sure what to do about her. She has a hard time learning the things we're teaching her even by rote. We go over the steps to repentance very simply and a few times and she still can't repeat them back to us. So we're praying hard to know whether she should still be baptized on Sat.
Then Rosie has been having a very hard time with things this week. With the whole bail of Perry, and him arguing with his mother and her and things are just hectic for her. She has even said to us that now that she's trying to do the right things and change, all these things are coming up out of nowhere. When she thought nothing else could happen, more things happen. She said she's tired of things going wrong and doesn't want to change anymore. We're trying to comfort her and getting her to turn to the Lord, but she said she can't handle everything that's being thrown at her. We're praying very hard for her and helping her all we can. She is set for the 11th, and we're working as hard as we can to help her through these things and get her prepared for that day. I hope everything works out for her.
On Saturday Elder Jenkins made me Sr. companion for a day. I didn't realize how hard it is to do everything. Its really hard to think of people to see all day when lessons fall through, and there's not too many people on the streets. It was a bit stressful, but I learned a whole lot.
Everybody enjoy the snow. Be grateful for it. I can't wait to see it again when I get home. Most people here haven't ever seen snow in person, and if so just once. Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers. I really appreciate it. I love you all and pray for you all.
Ka Kite!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
This week was about an average week. Nothing too exciting besides climbing Mangere Mountain last p-day. It was pretty fun. Not very big, but on top you could see for miles (kilometers here). I'll send you some pics after I write this letter. It was an easy hike, but steep, hot, and humid. So I was pretty sweaty. Especially after playing touch at the bottom of the mountain. Touch is so much fun. The weather has been up and down. It got really hot Thursday and Friday was really humid too. Then Saturday night it poured all night. So that was good to cool everything off. I've noticed that its always windy here. You know how it feels when a front starts to come through? thats about how it feels pretty much most of the time. Luckily we've only had to be in the rain for a few minutes this week.
Earlier in the week we got like 25 referrals because some of the MTC missionaries trackted out our area. So we've been really busy trying to contact them all. And all that on top of our usual lessons. So we've been pretty busy.
This week ended pretty stressful. Lessons started falling through and there was stress with some of our investigators. Sunday we were planning on having about 10 investigators to church, and we only had 2 show up. Liandra (9 yrs.) who is set for this Saturday didn't make it. We're not really sure what to do about her. She has a hard time learning the things we're teaching her even by rote. We go over the steps to repentance very simply and a few times and she still can't repeat them back to us. So we're praying hard to know whether she should still be baptized on Sat.
Then Rosie has been having a very hard time with things this week. With the whole bail of Perry, and him arguing with his mother and her and things are just hectic for her. She has even said to us that now that she's trying to do the right things and change, all these things are coming up out of nowhere. When she thought nothing else could happen, more things happen. She said she's tired of things going wrong and doesn't want to change anymore. We're trying to comfort her and getting her to turn to the Lord, but she said she can't handle everything that's being thrown at her. We're praying very hard for her and helping her all we can. She is set for the 11th, and we're working as hard as we can to help her through these things and get her prepared for that day. I hope everything works out for her.
On Saturday Elder Jenkins made me Sr. companion for a day. I didn't realize how hard it is to do everything. Its really hard to think of people to see all day when lessons fall through, and there's not too many people on the streets. It was a bit stressful, but I learned a whole lot.
Everybody enjoy the snow. Be grateful for it. I can't wait to see it again when I get home. Most people here haven't ever seen snow in person, and if so just once. Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers. I really appreciate it. I love you all and pray for you all.
Mangere Mountain
The "Kevin Pose" on top of the mountain
My district (left to right: Elders Handy, Sorensen, Smith, Chandler, Matu'u, Jenkins)
Beautiful New Zealand
Me enjoying New Zealand
Ka Kite!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
November 16th, 2010
Kia Ora!
It has been an amazing week here in New Zealand. A lot has happened. We had the baptism of Matekino Toetoe, a trip down to the temple visitor's center with some investigators, and a full mission conference where Elder Hinkley (President Hinkley's son) came and talked with us. This week has just been amazing.
Matekino's baptism was so very stressful. I'm not sure if I've told you about her, but her family was pretty turned off by us coming by, but because of a very intense situation with her jumping off a bridge, but no harm done, her family has come completely around. Her mum has an unshakeable faith in God, and her sister is starting to come to church with Matekino and her mum. So the night before Matekino's baptism, her boyfriend Perry and her little brother (12 yrs old) broke into the neighbors house and stole some things. Rosalund (Matekino's mum) called the police on them, and when they were arrested they found drugs on both boys. Most of it was on the boyfriend, but a little was on the 12yr old. They were all at the police station until 3 o'clock on the morning of the baptism. The family now has a 500 meter restraning order on the house. When we called that morning they said "can you come over, something has happened." We were thinking, uh oh, she probably smoked again, or something like that. After we were told of the situation we asked Matekino if she still wanted to be baptized. She said yes. I was completely blown away! Even through all of this stress and as upset as she was, she still hadn't smoked, and she still wanted to be baptised!! So on Sunday we were waiting for her to show up to be confirmed. 8:30, nope. 8:45, nope. 8:55, nope. But luckily she showed up just after church started. I confirmed her and everything went according to plan. Just after the confirmation we looked over to the foyer who did we see? Perry. When Matekino saw him she just started to cry, and her mum was about ready to throw a fit. But luckily she stayed cool. It was all a mess trying sort out how to keep Perry away from Rosalund. It was a stressful week, but an amazing miracle nonetheless.
The mission conference was amazing!! President and Sister Porter, and 3 of the 1st quorum of the 70 spoke to us. Elder Hinkley, Elder Nielsen, and President James J. Hamula. President and Sister Porter are amazing people. I'm so gutted (kiwi slang) that he's leaving in July or something. He is really big on the basics. The mission statement is being an instrument to the Lord in 3 ways. 1-Faith in Jesus Christ 2-Recognizing and Relying on the Spirit and 3-Being exactly obedient. Sister Porter said "When you are obedient you can expect blessings. When you are exactly obedient you can expect miracles." This mission is truly a mission of miracles! They happen every day here in NZAM. They gave some stats of the mission.
October 2010 - 186 Souls saved
Year to Date total - 1,369
2009 58%(companionships baptizing) and 25%(baptizing multiples souls)
2010 70% 31%
November
Accomplished: 38
Set for baptism: 130
Projected: 168
December set: 39
Elder Hinkley gave some Be's of missionary work. It was an amazing talk. Very uplifting.
Be Enthusiastic
Be Believing
Be Obedient and be careful
Be Cheerful
Be Helpful
Be Prayerful
Be Hardworking
Be Respectful
Be Persistent
Be Spiritually Independent
Be Anxiously Patient (Patiently Impatient)
Be Bold but not overbearing
Be Humble
Be Clean
Be Filled with Faith
Ka Kite!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
It has been an amazing week here in New Zealand. A lot has happened. We had the baptism of Matekino Toetoe, a trip down to the temple visitor's center with some investigators, and a full mission conference where Elder Hinkley (President Hinkley's son) came and talked with us. This week has just been amazing.
Matekino's baptism was so very stressful. I'm not sure if I've told you about her, but her family was pretty turned off by us coming by, but because of a very intense situation with her jumping off a bridge, but no harm done, her family has come completely around. Her mum has an unshakeable faith in God, and her sister is starting to come to church with Matekino and her mum. So the night before Matekino's baptism, her boyfriend Perry and her little brother (12 yrs old) broke into the neighbors house and stole some things. Rosalund (Matekino's mum) called the police on them, and when they were arrested they found drugs on both boys. Most of it was on the boyfriend, but a little was on the 12yr old. They were all at the police station until 3 o'clock on the morning of the baptism. The family now has a 500 meter restraning order on the house. When we called that morning they said "can you come over, something has happened." We were thinking, uh oh, she probably smoked again, or something like that. After we were told of the situation we asked Matekino if she still wanted to be baptized. She said yes. I was completely blown away! Even through all of this stress and as upset as she was, she still hadn't smoked, and she still wanted to be baptised!! So on Sunday we were waiting for her to show up to be confirmed. 8:30, nope. 8:45, nope. 8:55, nope. But luckily she showed up just after church started. I confirmed her and everything went according to plan. Just after the confirmation we looked over to the foyer who did we see? Perry. When Matekino saw him she just started to cry, and her mum was about ready to throw a fit. But luckily she stayed cool. It was all a mess trying sort out how to keep Perry away from Rosalund. It was a stressful week, but an amazing miracle nonetheless.
The mission conference was amazing!! President and Sister Porter, and 3 of the 1st quorum of the 70 spoke to us. Elder Hinkley, Elder Nielsen, and President James J. Hamula. President and Sister Porter are amazing people. I'm so gutted (kiwi slang) that he's leaving in July or something. He is really big on the basics. The mission statement is being an instrument to the Lord in 3 ways. 1-Faith in Jesus Christ 2-Recognizing and Relying on the Spirit and 3-Being exactly obedient. Sister Porter said "When you are obedient you can expect blessings. When you are exactly obedient you can expect miracles." This mission is truly a mission of miracles! They happen every day here in NZAM. They gave some stats of the mission.
Maori Family we're Teaching
Temple Trip to Hamilton
Year to Date total - 1,369
2009 58%(companionships baptizing) and 25%(baptizing multiples souls)
2010 70% 31%
November
Accomplished: 38
Set for baptism: 130
Projected: 168
December set: 39
Elder Hinkley gave some Be's of missionary work. It was an amazing talk. Very uplifting.
Be Enthusiastic
Be Believing
Be Obedient and be careful
Be Cheerful
Be Helpful
Be Prayerful
Be Hardworking
Be Respectful
Be Persistent
Be Spiritually Independent
Be Anxiously Patient (Patiently Impatient)
Be Bold but not overbearing
Be Humble
Be Clean
Be Filled with Faith
Ka Kite!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
Monday, November 8, 2010
Nov 8th
Kia Ora!,
Its been a very eventful week here in Kiwi-land New Zealand! First of all, the results of transfers. My guess was that I was going to stay in Hamilton/Dinsdale area, and have to lead and basically be senior companion for a week, and that Elder Eckery was going to be transfered out. So we were expecting a call about it on tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Tuesday night, no call. Wednesday morning personal study, no call. Wednesday companionship study, no call. So we went out about our day as planned. When we got back for lunch, no call. I was so curious what was going on. We thought we should stop by our flat at about 4pm and lo and behold, there was a message! But it was not what we were expecting. Elder Eckery and I were being "double shifted" out, and they were closing the Dinsdale area for a transfer. I have no idea why, but that was way unusual. So I got transfered up to the Manukau (manu-cow) zone, but we're in Mangare city South Auckland in the Mountain view area. It took about an hour and a half to drive all the way up here, but it was a beautiful drive. We can see Auckland/One Tree Hill off in the distance. The "mountain" is really small, more like one of the foothills behind our house, but its more of a mountain here. Our address here is 96a Hall st. Mangare, Auckland, so you can look it up on google earth.
The flat is pretty messy, so I havn't taken any pictures of it, but the picture I sent, ours is the whiter one on the left. We havn't had any free time to clean or even unpack all the way. So today is going to be a busy p-day. The flat has a bedroom, a big room that we use for studying, two other rooms, a kitchen, and a small wash room. I'll see if I can send some pictures next week. Oh yeah, my new companion is Elder Jenkins. He was born in Colorado, but his dad just retired from the Air Force, so he grew up all over. He got his call from Virginia, so thats where he says he's from. He seems like a pretty nice guy, and I'm pretty sure we'll get along just fine.
Things here are going so much better than down in Hamilton. The people here are so nice, and heaps more are inviting us back to talk with them. This week we even got a referal that was looking to investigate the church. Things here are happening! I am just so happy and excited about this area. We have one investigator set for baptism for this friday! Her name is Matekino. She's about 19, Mouri, and has even given up smoking. And we've got a few others who are coming along. The prophet has given us a call for "Each companionship saves multiple souls monthly." Thats how well the work is going here in NZAM. We're well within reach of DOUBLING our baptisms from last year. I guess President Hinkley asked everyone (missions) to double their efforts and double their baptisms. Because we're doing so well and are so close to accomplishing that, Elder Hinkley (President Hinkley's son) is coming down to thank us in person!! We're having a special Mission Conference for the occasion. Its next week monday, so P-day and emailing will be on Tuesday. Its going to be so awesome! I am really excited.
Nothing really funny has happened to me this week. Except during transfers I misplaced my scriptures, but luckily they have been found, and are on their way to be returned to me.
Its been a very eventful week here in Kiwi-land New Zealand! First of all, the results of transfers. My guess was that I was going to stay in Hamilton/Dinsdale area, and have to lead and basically be senior companion for a week, and that Elder Eckery was going to be transfered out. So we were expecting a call about it on tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Tuesday night, no call. Wednesday morning personal study, no call. Wednesday companionship study, no call. So we went out about our day as planned. When we got back for lunch, no call. I was so curious what was going on. We thought we should stop by our flat at about 4pm and lo and behold, there was a message! But it was not what we were expecting. Elder Eckery and I were being "double shifted" out, and they were closing the Dinsdale area for a transfer. I have no idea why, but that was way unusual. So I got transfered up to the Manukau (manu-cow) zone, but we're in Mangare city South Auckland in the Mountain view area. It took about an hour and a half to drive all the way up here, but it was a beautiful drive. We can see Auckland/One Tree Hill off in the distance. The "mountain" is really small, more like one of the foothills behind our house, but its more of a mountain here. Our address here is 96a Hall st. Mangare, Auckland, so you can look it up on google earth.
The flat is pretty messy, so I havn't taken any pictures of it, but the picture I sent, ours is the whiter one on the left. We havn't had any free time to clean or even unpack all the way. So today is going to be a busy p-day. The flat has a bedroom, a big room that we use for studying, two other rooms, a kitchen, and a small wash room. I'll see if I can send some pictures next week. Oh yeah, my new companion is Elder Jenkins. He was born in Colorado, but his dad just retired from the Air Force, so he grew up all over. He got his call from Virginia, so thats where he says he's from. He seems like a pretty nice guy, and I'm pretty sure we'll get along just fine.
Things here are going so much better than down in Hamilton. The people here are so nice, and heaps more are inviting us back to talk with them. This week we even got a referal that was looking to investigate the church. Things here are happening! I am just so happy and excited about this area. We have one investigator set for baptism for this friday! Her name is Matekino. She's about 19, Mouri, and has even given up smoking. And we've got a few others who are coming along. The prophet has given us a call for "Each companionship saves multiple souls monthly." Thats how well the work is going here in NZAM. We're well within reach of DOUBLING our baptisms from last year. I guess President Hinkley asked everyone (missions) to double their efforts and double their baptisms. Because we're doing so well and are so close to accomplishing that, Elder Hinkley (President Hinkley's son) is coming down to thank us in person!! We're having a special Mission Conference for the occasion. Its next week monday, so P-day and emailing will be on Tuesday. Its going to be so awesome! I am really excited.
Nothing really funny has happened to me this week. Except during transfers I misplaced my scriptures, but luckily they have been found, and are on their way to be returned to me.
Goodbye Hamilton flat
Beautiful New Zealand Hills
Manukau Flat
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