My last New Zealand Auckland Mission blog.

It is 06 April in New Zealand and the last day of my mission.

My walk on the beach this morning.

I have had a tearful, joyful, blessed last week.  I have been able to be with missionaries I love and serve.  I have enjoyed daily beach walks.  I have admired the beauty of the earth.  I got up at 4:00 A.M.  Sunday and Monday mornings so that I could watch General Conference live.  I have been spiritually fed.  And I have “wrapped” myself in memories that I will cherish forever.  

I am adding pictures taken through this week in no particular order as to days of the week, but I want to share my last few experiences so that I can review this blog in the years to come.

Easter Sunday, I was invited to dinner at the home of Sister Jackie and Elder Craig Poll.  There I joined most of the Pacific Area Office missionaries for a delicious dinner and wonderful company.

I have helped some missionaries who are departing this week to get COVID tests so I also got to be with them and their companions.

Sisters Iobi, Sione, Beia and Elder Sila.  Sister Iobi and Elder Sila are returning to their homes.

Sisters McQueen, Escabarte, Iobi

I have been blessed to have lunch with some great young men who have served with me.  What fun!

Elders Bracken, Kendall, Martin, Tu’akalau

Elders Orozco, Uili, Tipene, Sila, Karaitiana, Downs

We ate at Mexico Takapuna.  My beef and chicken tacos

I was able to spend some quality time with former missionaries Georgia Hall and Isaac Smith. 

We ate at Panpan Kitchen and enjoyed Chinese food

Georgia and Isaac brought me some fresh eggs and some feijoa.  I had tried feijoa before but these were much tastier than the one I tried earlier.  Interesting fruit!

The feijoa is the fruit of Acca sellowiana, an evergreen shrub or small tree, 1–7 m in height. It comes from the highlands of southern Brazil, parts of Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay and northern Argentina. They are also grown throughout Azerbaijan , Iran (Ramsar), Georgia, Russia (Sochi), New Zealand and Tasmania Australia . 

The fruit is also called the 'pineapple guava' or 'guavasteen'. 

The fruit matures in autumn and is green, and about the size and shape of an egg. It has a sweet, aromatic flavour. The flesh is juicy. The fruit drops when ripe, but can be picked from the tree before to prevent bruising. Feijoa fruit have a distinctive smell. The chemical methyl benzoate smells strongly of feijoas and the aroma of the fruit is caused mostly by this and other closely related chemicals.

Sister Lucas and I also enjoyed lunch with a friend, Sameela.   We met her several months ago as we walked on the beach.  She is a lovely young woman.  It has been such a pleasure to talk to her and to share ideas and life experiences.  I believe that she is studying law but she is also an advocate for children.  

I have enjoyed beach walks and with the time change this last weekend, we can now walk in the light.

Beech walk before time change

This message was sent out to all missionaries so I guess this is FINAL.

My mission has been a learning experience.  COVID made this a unique mission.  So different from my experience in New York City.   When the missionaries were sent home last year, our numbers dropped from about 180 missionaries to around 50-60.  We are now back up to 82-83 missionaries with more coming next cycle.  

I was not very busy during the lock down we had and it has not been too hectic since but it has nevertheless, been an experience I would not have wanted to miss.  I have already told you of the spiritual blessings I have received and continue to receive.  The vitality and resilience of the youth is amazing.  The Lord truly works in mysterious ways sometimes, but COVID has brought good things as well as inconvenient and sometimes frightening things. 

I have been blessed to be in an area with little COVID and at this point, no restrictions.  I have learned a lot and value the time I have been here.

My heart overflows with love and appreciation for the support I have felt from my family and friends.  I am a blessed woman.   I look forward to being with my family in just a few more days.  I can’t quit saying “I am so blessed!”

Tomorrow, Sister Lucas and I will fly to South Island for 10 days of adventure.  This will be my last mission blog but I will post my South Island experiences on FaceBook to share with my family and friends.

I want you to know that I know that our Savior lives and loves us. I know He sacrificed and suffered for me and for you. He Atoned for our sins. He was resurrected and made it possible for us to live again and to be with our loved ones after this life. I’m grateful beyond measure for His mercy and that I feel His love and His guidance in my daily life and activities.

I know that the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ and that by reading, studying and pondering the message of this great book, we can know our Savior and learn what we must do to return to His presence.  

This is a living church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, led by a living prophet, President Russell M Nelson.  

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