FAMILY!! I have the best!!

I have these pictures hanging above my desk in my home office.  I often look at my family throughout the day as I work at my laptop and realize the blessing that they are in my life.  It all began with that good man standing beside me some 53 plus years ago.   Then as I look into the smiling face of each family member, I feel their love and support and have memories of days we have talked and played and worked together individually and all together to make our family a unit.  I couldn’t be a missionary without their support and care for me.  I wouldn’t be a wife, a mother, or a grandmother without them.  We are an eternal family.  I thank my Father in Heaven every moment of the day for such a gift.

It has been an interesting week.  Early Monday morning, I received a call that one of the missionaries in the north had been wakened with a sharp abdominal pain and had gone to the ER in Whangarei which is just over 2 hours north of where I live.  By the time they arrived at the hospital, the pain was gone.  Blood and urine tests couldn’t define a cause so the missionary went home.  

Tuesday night late, the pain returned so they went back to the ER.  I followed through the night by phone but the missionary was admitted to the hospital during the night for further testing.  I left at the crack of dawn to go to the hospital.  I suspected an over-night stay so I went prepared.

It ended up being a two night stay over but all ended well.  Again, the pain went away but ultrasounds and other tests were done.  Still no reason/cause for pain so the missionary was discharged.  So far all is going well.  We will have a follow-up doctor appointment in 2 weeks.  

Whangarhei Hospital

I found a Thai restaurant on Thursday evening for a dinner of chicken satay
with peanut sauce and tom kah soup.  It was probably one of
the best tom kah soups that I have eaten.

In spite of having a sick missionary the trip north gave me a change in scenery and a little road trip which I love.

I arrived by in Takapuna late afternoon Friday.  I had missed walking on the beach for 3 days so Sister Lucas joined me for an evening walk on Takapuna Beach.  The water and sky colors are so different in the evening but beautiful none-the-less.

Sister Lucas didn’t have any appointments on Saturday (she is the mental health advisor for the Pacific area) so we decided on a day trip.  We drove to Warkworth which is an hour north of Takapuna.  Our first stop was the Parry Kauri Park and Museum.  The museum was closed but our objective was the bush walk to see kauri trees.  There are 2 old trees in the park.  You may read about the history of the park/museum.

Bush walk through Parry Kauri Park

Looking at the tops of silver leaf fern trees.  On the right side of the picture
you can see fruit that has been set out to feed and attract the birds.

Fern tree fronds – new growth

Pictures from around the museum area

Next we drove to the Tawharanui Regional Park.  Tawharanui Regional Park is situated on a peninsula in the Matakana Coast Wine Country and combines farming, conservation and recreation in an ecological open sanctuary.  Tawharanui boasts some of Auckland's most beautiful white sandy beaches, rolling pastures, shingled bays, native coastal forest and regenerating wetlands.  The sanctuary has a variety of birds including kiwi.  No dogs are allowed and it is gated to prevent them from wandering into the sanctuary.  Since kiwi are nocturnal, we didn’t see them but we did see other gorgeous, interesting birds such as pukeko, Paradise Shelduck Putangitangi, oyster catcher, tui, gull, and other varieties of ducks.  You can see pictures of birds that can be found at the sanctuary.

At the park we hiked up and down hills and saw unbelievable views.  We met some bovine friends and had a great time!

Oyster catcher and chicks

Paradise Shelduck Putangitangi (bird) and Pouwhenua or pou whenua (land post)
Pou are carved wooden posts used by Māori, the indigenous peoples of New Zealand
to mark territorial boundaries or places of significance. They are generally
artistically and elaborately carved and can be found throughout New Zealand.

This large duck led us up the path

I believe that these are Pukeko birds but not 100% sure

The ridges you see on the hillside are made by the animals walking along
the path over the years.  Cattle and sheep trails.

All the climbing/walking made us hungry so we headed for the Matakana Village Farmers Market.  We chose to have a crepe made of buckwheat with Swiss cheese, ham and herbs.  It was so good I would have had a second if I hadn’t spotted a brownie and some chocolate on the way in.

The market is set alongside a picturesque river. 

Crepe – YUM!!!

Chocolate covered coconut bar and chocolate cover biscuit (cookie) with salted caramel

I saved the brownie and chocolate for a later day so that I could splurge (calories) on gelato at Charlie’s.

Charlie’s sits in the middle of a grape vinyard

We arrived back in Takapuna in time for another afternoon walk on the beach.  I went 3 days without getting much activity so I made up for it on Saturday.  I had also eaten the crepe and gelato and some of the chocolate so I needed to burn more calories.  LOL

My steps for Friday according to my Fitbit

We pass this weeping bottlebrush tree on our way to the beach. 
These trees are all over and in full bloom at this time of year.

I can sit at my desk and look out through the patio door and see these
Manuka bushes in blooming.  They are sweet smelling and the nectar is collected
to make honey.  Manuka is found all over New Zealand.   I have talked about it before
but if you missed that blog or would like to read about the plant and
the honey, you may do so.

Sister Lucas gave me some over-ripe bananas so I turned them into banana bran muffins.  

This has been a blessed week.  I’m grateful that the missionary could be discharged from the hospital with no major problem and I’m also happy that I can help other missionaries no matter where I am located.  Phones with texting and email ability makes my work possible.

Modern technology allows me to maintain contact with my family and friends.  I am so grateful for all I have.

I pray that you are well and safe.

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