The
missionaries have been fairly healthy this week with not too many calls. A few colds hanging around but we’re doing
well. I’ve done a lot of follow up to
make sure knees, ankles, dental work, etc. are progressing as hoped.
Tuesday I went
with an Elder to purchase some glasses.
I was privileged to have lunch with his companions and the zone leaders
who gave them a ride to the mall. We had
Indian food in the food court of the mall.
I had butter chicken. Great
young men.
Other senior
missionaries have encouraged me to get a library card as it gets me into some
museums free and discounts to other sites of interest so on Thursday I went to
the Takapuna Library where I accomplished my mission.
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| Beautiful flowers outside the library. |
The library is
just up the street from the beach so I walked down to the beach to enjoy the
beauty. The tide was high so I didn’t
walk out into the sand but I took some pics of how green the park there is and
how gorgeous are the clouds. I also took
a video to share with you.
Walking back to
my flat, I spied an eating establishment that caught my eye touting New York
style pizza. I had to investigate Sal’s
Authentic to see how “authentic” it really was.
It was very thin crust and actually pretty good. Not even remotely as good as Johns of
Bleecker or Grimaldi’s but nowhere on earth is pizza as good as it is in NYC!!
Since I
splurged on fatty foods on Thursday, I made my own dinner Friday evening. Good if I do say so myself. Baked yam, salmon, green beans and persimmon.
It has been
less rainy this week so I have managed to walk a few of the days for exercise.
I try to ride the recumbent bike every day for 15 minutes to keep my knees in
good condition but I do enjoy the great out of doors and walking through Auburn
Reserve.
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| Notice the large frond growing out in the fern. It is a little difficult to see but you can see the curve of the frond. It is large. Bigger than my wrist. |
Sunday after
church I went home with Paula Ardern who is Tracy’s sister. Tracy is my kiwi daughter from another mother who is married to
my son, Rex. Paula served me a delicious
lunch of soup, salad, grilled cheese sandwich and the yummiest banana bread. The pumpkin soup was really good. (Here you can buy an array of fresh soups in
bags sold in the refrigerated section.
I’m getting some to keep in my fridge for easy, delicious meals.) Paula also gifted me a chocolate bar that is
like nothing I’ve tried before. The
essence of orange in the dark chocolate and the bits of candied ginger is an
unforgettable combination of flavors.
After lunch we
took a stroll on the beach. Paula gave
me a little geography lesson about the bay (harbor).
Waitematā Harbour is the main access by sea to Auckland, New Zealand. For this reason it is often referred to as Auckland Harbour, despite the fact that it is one of two harbours adjoining the city. The harbour forms the northern and eastern coasts of the Auckland isthmus and is crossed by the Auckland Harbour Bridge. It is matched on the southern side of the city by the shallower waters of the Manukau Harbour.
With an area of 70 square miles (180 km2), it connects the city's main port and the Auckland waterfront to the Hauraki Gulf and the Pacific Ocean. It is sheltered from Pacific storms by Auckland's North Shore, Rangitoto Island, and Waiheke Island.
Behind me in
the distance you can see Rangitoto Island.
Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, New
Zealand. The 5.5 km (3.4 mi) wide island is an iconic and widely
visible landmark of Auckland with its symmetrical shield volcano cone rising
260 m (850 ft) high over the Hauraki Gulf. Rangitoto is the youngest and largest of the
approximately 50 volcanoes of the Auckland volcanic field, covering an area of
2,311 ha (5,710 acres). It is separated from the mainland of
Auckland's North Shore by the Rangitoto Channel. Since World War II, it has
been linked by a causeway to the much older, non-volcanic Motutapu Island.
Rangitoto is Māori for 'Bloody Sky', with the name coming from the
full phrase Ngā Rangi-i-totongia-a Tama-te-kapua ("The days of the
bleeding of Tama-te-kapua"). Tama-te-kapua was the captain of the Arawa waka
(canoe) and was badly wounded on the island, after having lost a battle with
the Tainui iwi (tribe) at Islington Bay.
Later in the
afternoon, I took Sister Bunker to the New Zealand MTC again so she could help
an elder with his English. She served me
a delicious chicken dinner when we returned home. There was a colorful sunset. We could see the clouds from Sister Bunker’s
deck.
She also
introduced me to golden kiwi fruit. It
is sweeter than the green kiwi.
Tracy and Paula
(we video talked to Rex and Tracy) told me that a peanut slab is to die
for. I must concur! I noticed these Maltesers at the store. My sister, Peggy likes malt ball candy so I
had to try them in her honor. When she
comes to visit me, we can buy some. She
will like them!!
I have been
working on the presentation I will be giving in the zone conferences during the
next two weeks. I’ll report on that next
week.
On Sunday,
Father’s Day, I felt to express my love and appreciation for Kay. For the husband and father to our children
that he was. He touched the lives of so
many young people in his position as a school principal but he touched the
lives of his family most of all. He was
Dad, Grandpa, and Bompa to his family.
We love you Kay. I am proud of
all of the men in my family who are fathers and father-uncles. Each brings his own personality, care and
love to each of us.
I am deeply
grateful for my Savior. This week I
studied more about the importance of the sacrament and the blessing it is for
me to renew my baptismal covenants every Sunday in Sacrament Meeting. As I think of the Savior as I partake of the
sacrament, I have the opportunity to be forgiven each week and to have his
Spirit to guide and comfort me. The
sacrament always gives hope.
I love my
Savior. I love you my family and
friends.
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