I climbed a volcano on Saturday.

 I climbed a volcano on Saturday.

The senior missionaries had an outing on Saturday.  We took a ferry over to Rangitoto and climbed to the top.  Well, everyone but I climbed to the top.  I get nauseated if I get over-heated.  Well it was a nice day, but combined steep trails, sun, lack of calories, and heat, caused me to have to stop and cool off not far from the top.  I am told I was really close but I didn’t get cooled off enough to finish the trip before we needed to head back down to catch the return ferry.

Ferry ride to Rangitoto.

We went to Auckland by ferry and then had to change to another ferry for the ride to the island.

Here is some information from Wikipedia about Rangitoto.  (It is the island that you see in almost every beach picture I post.)

Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, New Zealand. The 5.5 km (3.4 mi) wide island is a symmetrical shield volcano cone, reaching a height of 260 m (850 ft).  Rangitoto is the youngest and largest of the approximately 50 volcanoes of the Auckland volcanic field, having formed in an eruption about 600 years ago, and 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. 

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.

Because there are virtually no streams on the island, plants rely on rainfall for moisture. It has the largest forest of pohutukawa trees in the world, as well as many northern rata trees. In total, more than 200 species of trees and flowers thrive on the island, including several species of orchid, as well as more than 40 types of fern. The vegetation pattern was influenced by the more recent eruptions creating lava flow crevices where pohutukawa trees (Metrosideros ssp) grow. 

If you would like to read the entire article, it is most interesting:  

It was a beautiful adventure.  We could look down into the caldera which is dense forest.  I didn’t take a picture because it was difficult to get perspective.  You will just have to come see for yourself.

Here are some pictures in no specific order.  Many of these were taken and shared by Elder Edwards.

Elder Edwards took this picture of a tui he saw.

Also loved this pic of a New Zealand fantail he saw.  I missed both of them.
I saw the fantail fly away but missed the fan show.

Rangitoto from the opposite side I see from Takapuna Beach every morning

Pictures taken from the ferry as we returned to port in Auckland

Saturday was also a race day for the America’s Cup.  As we were returning from the island, the channel was full of boats going out to watch the race.  

I was standing on shore when I got off the ferry.  Took this video of the boats on the way to the race.

Here is some information about the America’s Cup if you would like to read about it. 

This is what a bad hat hair day looks like after being sweaty and in the wind.

The week began on an emotional note, as the area missionaries held a family home evening to honor Elder and Sister Lewis who are leaving on Thursday this week and they also included me even though I don’t end my mission until 06 April.

Elder Poll had asked us to send him pictures of our mission, family, or whatever we wanted and he made a short slide show/video of our lives as a tribute.  Each of us then shared our thoughts and experiences and bore testimony.  Of course I shed a few tears, especially when we sang “God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again” for the closing hymn.

I enjoyed my daily beach walks this week.  It is dark when we go most mornings because the sun is not rising until later after 7:00.  Sister Lucas has early appointments with missionaries most days so we need to still go so we can be back by 7:15.  It really isn’t bad though.

One morning we saw this gorgeous display.  If you zoom in on the picture, you see the crescent moon like a cup waiting for the three planets to fall into it.  The planets may be difficult to see in the picture but we were told the planets were Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter.

People with dogs put lights on the collars of their dogs so they can find them in the dark.

We have had a stomach virus going through the mission the past week or so.  A lot of nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.  Had a missionary call with severe stomach pain on Saturday evening.  We went to urgent care and they sent us to the hospital.  Not a ruptured appendix but still had keyhole surgery and an appendectomy.  Not a fun thing for a missionary.  Or anyone else for that matter.

The days are flying by.  I received my itinerary for my return flight home today.  I will arrive on April 22nd.  I am going to tour South Island after my mission ends.  I may have mentioned this before.  I’m getting old and repeating one’s self is a sure sign of aging.  LOL

Many people are asking me how I feel about all of this coming change.  I look forward to being with family and friends at home and back in my homeland but sad to leave the “New Zealand family” I have found here.  I have loved every second of my time in this wonderful land filled with friendly people.  Drivers are courteous and kind.  The people here take pride in their country.  It is so clean and beautiful.  

I guess you can tell, I’m being torn.  I can’t wait to see my family and home but torn to stay with the work and spirit of the mission and country where I’m serving.   Being a missionary brings much joy.

I love my Savior.  I love you my family and friends.  I’ll be seeing you soon.