Well, it’s been a quiet week here in Takapuna

Well, it’s been a quiet week here in Takapuna

Every Saturday evening in years past, Kay and I and the family if we were all together, listened to Garrison Keillor and A Prairie Home Companion on public radio.  Near the end of the broadcast, Garrison would give a news report, if you can call it that, about his fictional home town of Lake Wobegon.  The report always began with:  “Well, it’s been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon…”

I often feel like I should begin my blog each week with:  “Well,   it’s been a quiet week here in Takapuna/Auckland.”

It has been quiet but I have managed to stay busy and even enjoy some adventure.  The usual triage/nursing responsibilities that comes with 150+ missionaries keeps me busy. 

Monday morning I had a visit from former Sister Crooks and her family.  She finished her mission the previous week and her family had come from Australia to pick her up and tour the mission before returning home.  I am blessed that I had the opportunity to meet such a beautiful family.  I always hate saying goodbye to missionaries but hopefully Sister Crooks will come to Utah to go to school and I can see her again.

My friend, Sister Bunker, whose mission is in the area seventies office where she is over English curriculum for Pacific Island schools, and I went on a trip to Northland.  Sister Bunker had never been more than an hour north of Auckland.  Her mission ends in April but between now and then, she will be traveling to Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Fiji, and other islands to train educators and to oversee some of the new programs that are being implemented so she needed to travel north now before she leaves.

I look for every opportunity to see the beauties of New Zealand.  Even though I went to many of the same places with Jim and Jenna when they were here just a few weeks ago, it was fun to revisit them with someone who has not had that opportunity.

Friday after work, we drove to Whangarei.  Saturday morning we walked along the river where there are historical markers.  We were able to learn a lot about the history of Whangarei.    We then went to Kiwi North where we were able to observe the live kiwi birds in a natural habitat.

Dinner Friday night - Tom Kah Gai soup and pad thai

Along the river walk were works of art such as this one

Sister Bunker has a friend in Hawaii whose daughter and family live in Moerewa which is on the route to Kaitaia where we stayed Saturday night.  We had lunch there and had an interesting discussion/lesson from Te-Rangi Peeni who is the daughter of the friend.  Te-Rani Peeni teaches Maori and is instrumental in setting up curriculum for teaching Maori in the schools here.  One of the things that she told us about is the difficulty teaching science.  For example, the periodic table and symbols are the same for every language but there are no words in Maori for the elements of the table.  So Te-Rani Peeni and other educators are creating words so that students can learn the names of the elements using the universal symbols.  I am not sure I explained that very well but…

Sunday we went to Cape Reigna and then south again to Paihia.  I talked about the Cape, Paihia and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in my blog 2 weeks ago.

Cape Reigna Lighthouse

We arrived in Paihia early enough to take the ferry to Russell, a town across the bay.  “As you stroll round Russell, Bay of Islands today, you’re walking back in time. The town’s original street plan and names from 1843 are still intact and feature some of New Zealand’s oldest and most significant historic buildings. Russell Kororareka was developed initially as a shore station for shipping. The European population grew, with a mixture of deserting seamen, runaway convicts, and grog sellers, as well as settlers and traders. The township thus gained a reputation as a lawless and rowdy port and the unflattering nickname “Hell Hole of the Pacific”. Many of the buildings seen in Russell Township now are dated back to these times, and during your stay, you will be able to discover more about the amazing stories that these buildings hold.”  If you want to read more, here is a link.

Russell Pics and bay at sunset

Monday morning we planned to go to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to see the museum and to take the tour but we woke to heavy rain and strong winds, so we opted to go back to Auckland and if possible to return to the Northland another time.

Monday evening was senior couples’ family home evening.  We met at the Institute building, had dinner and played some games.

Family Home Evening group

This week I had the opportunity to help a missionary struggling with feelings of inadequacy.  This was made worse because this missionary felt that their companion was more than capable and a great leader compared to his/her self.  This feeling of inadequacy was causing depression and low self-esteem.

I remembered a BYU Devotional talk given by Marilyn S. Bateman titled “To Thine Own Self Be True” that I had read some time ago.  I sent a portion of the talk to this missionary.  I think it is good advice to each of us who may at one time or another feel that we are not meeting up to our calling or that we can’t work well with someone whether it is in a church calling, work place or a family.

“We are told in the scriptures that members of the Church are given
special gifts of the Spirit for the benefit of those who love our
Heavenly Father and keep his commandments. Brigham Young said, “The
gifts of the Gospel are given to strengthen the faith of the believer”
(JD 10:324). In section 46 of the Doctrine and Covenants, it says: 

All have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and
to every [person] is given a gift by the Spirit of God. 

To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be
profited thereby. [D&C 46:11–12] 

Each of us is unique and in our own special way different from
everyone else. We have been given gifts and talents by the Spirit of
God that make us distinctly who we are. As we share our talents with
others, we bless them—and they bless us with their gifts. We come
together as parts of a whole, as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 12.
The body needs each part in order to function properly, to bless the
lives of each member. We come together as members of Christ’s church
to share talents and the gifts that we have. As one shares leadership
abilities, another shares the gift of love. Someone else shares their
musical talents. We strengthen one another’s testimonies as we express
our feelings about the Savior and his gospel. Within the Church some
teach, some testify, some lead—all have the opportunity to share and
develop their talents.”

I know that when we compare ourselves to others, we often feel that we fall short.  But if we can “team up” and use the talents we have each been given to work together and augment each other, we can accomplish much.

I know that the Savior loves us and wants us to be happy.

I love my Savior.  I love you my family and friends.

Misc pics of beauty: