Visit from President Russell M. Nelson

Tuesday was the highlight of the week.   I was blessed to arrive in the mission in time to be present for President Nelson’s visit to New Zealand!!  The day started early. We had to be at the chapel at the MTC 2 hours before the Prophet was to arrive so that we could practice getting onto and off the risers quickly and quietly so that pictures could be taken with the guests and the Auckland Mission, the Hamilton Mission, and the MTC Mission. Here's a video of their visit.

As one group came off the risers in a line  and shook hands with the Prophet and guests, another mission took the risers. It was organized, efficient, and reverent. I was impressed!

After pictures we heard first from Sister Gong. Her message focused on the fact that Heavenly Father knows of our infinite worth. 

She shared a story that she had heard when visiting Vietnam. Two elders had to have their bikes repaired so they were to take the bikes that the sisters had been using. 

The sisters were angry that their bikes had been taken but they set out walking on their day’s errands. As they walked down the street, a lady ran up to them and was so happy to see them and expressed that she had been trying to catch them to talk to them and ask them about the church but they had always been going to quickly on their bikes and she was not able to catch up to them. 

The Lord knew the worth of the sister and was able to “arrange things” so that the sisters would be walking instead of biking. 

An important component of missionary work is the way we treat others. 

We should let others know that we appreciate them as children of God.  

Elder Gong spoke next. He testified of the prophet. 

He extended three invitations:

1. To love and minister to your companion. 
2. Talk to more people but also listen to them with ears, eyes, heart, mind and spirit. 
3. Learn even more about the mission of Joseph Smith, the restoration and The Book of Mormon. 

Sister Nelson addressed us. She warned that Satan is mean and hates people who speak the truth. 

She reminded us how Satan took over Joseph Smith prior to the first vision. 

She told of a recent experience when she and the prophet were preparing to speak to the youth.   Their internet quit working, then their computer crashed and their prepared messages were lost. 

There was a car crash. 

The President got laryngitis and became weak with no energy and finally became really sick!  With a miracle he was healed. 

Sunday morning out of the blue, Sister Nelson could barely walk. 

President Nelson was attacked again in afternoon by physical weakness. 

They were able to speak to the youth but she testified that the fight with sin is real!!  She reminded us to pray always. Those on other side of veil are with us. 

She bore her personal testimony of the Prophet. 

President Nelson began by inviting each member of the area seventies presidency (all former mission presidents) and their wives to take a minute to share what they learned as mission presidents that they felt would be words of wisdom for the missionaries:

• Look outward not inward. 
• Be full of faith. 
• Work and trust in the lord. 
• Always remember who you are and who you represent. 
• Learn all you can about the Savior. 
• The power of prayer is a most important gift. 
• Your leaders love you. We stand together. Build your testimony.  

Pres Nelson asked us to sing I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go. 

We were reminded that it is important to be who and what lord wants us to be. 

We must repent daily.  It is not always about repenting of bad things. President Nelson went on to explain that the Greek word Metanoia, means a transformative change of heart; especially a spiritual conversion.  (From the net: The term suggests repudiation, change of mind, repentance, and atonement; but "conversion" and "reformation" may best approximate its connotation.” In The King James Version of the Bible, it is translated as repent.

So daily we must have a change of mind, knowledge, and spirit. Every day we can become a little more like Jesus Christ

President Nelson then went on to quote from 3 Nephi 20 about the gathering of Israel- now gathering from all tribes today. 

We were told that we have been reserved for today to participate in teaching all nations and in making the difference in bringing people to the Savior. 

We are the ones armed with power of God.  We are covenanted people. 

We must feast on the words of Jesus Christ.  

President Nelson gave us a blessing:

He blessed our families at home. 

He gave us a blessing of health and healing. 

The rest of the week I have worked on setting up my flat. I went to several stores to pick up things I needed. 

New Zealand’s version of Home Depot

Countdown Grocery Store produce area. The store reminds me of Harmon’s at home.

I took some missionary health calls and learned more about how to handle the payment and insurance part of my calling. I attended a transfer planning meeting and interviewed with President and Sister Walker.  I was able to meet also with our area medical advisor and the area mental health advisor. They are over the South Pacific area but live here in Auckland. I have wonderful resources to help me. 

I can walk to the mission office in less than 10 minutes. I can walk along the street all the way or take a little round about way that only takes a few minutes longer. It goes through a marshy area. Needless to say, I take the wetlands board walk. 

I saw several of these Pūkeko birds. Here is a link if you want to read about them:

I spent Friday with Sister Packard who has been filling in as a medical coordinator until I arrived. I went with her to meet one of the doctors here who sees our missionaries. Sister Packard is a gift to me as she is so organized and helpful. The mission president gave us permission to continue to work together so Sister Packard will be my assistant. Yeah!!!

The Packard’s live in Papatoetoe. It only took me about 40 minutes to drive down there but an hour and a half home - rush hour!

I have met and talked to a few of the younger missionaries. I love it!!!

I have “dived in with both feet” and I can now say I have driven on the “wrong” side of the road.  That is the left side of the road here. 

My ride-2017 Toyota Corolla.

Yes I am! Driving is interesting!! I haven’t hit anyone or gone the wrong way just yet but I have to keep constantly in my mind what I'm needing to do. Google maps doesn’t really give much warning when you listen to the directions like it does in the states. It only tells you to turn when you’re almost at the intersection so you don’t have time to change lanes. 

The turn signal is on the right side of the steering column. I’ve turned on my windshield wipers, which is on the left side of the column, only about 1000 times. I have no wiper fluid left!

The last few outings I’ve been much better. It really is not as bad as I thought it might be. Driving in NYC is much more nerve racking!!!

This week has been memorable and such a great spiritual experience and blessing to be with the Prophet, to shake his hand and to look into his eyes. 

I know that the church is led by a prophet of God, Russell M. Nelson. If we listen to him and follow his guidance we will be closer to returning to the presence of our Father in Heaven. 

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

Flowers along my path.

Shoal Haven my flat complex

I was gifted a recumbent bike. I can keep my knees in better condition now. 

New Zealand flower and fall leaves. (Yes it is fall in New Zealand)

Foggy morning

Fun FaceTime with family

Chocolate

Yummy licorice

Hello New Zealand!

This past week has been filled with mixed emotions. I’ll be totally honest! My thoughts:  I really want to go and serve the Lord but I really DON’T want to go and serve the Lord. Don’t be misled by this statement. I really do want to serve the Lord in all ways possible but I really didn’t like leaving my family. 

With medical training, it has been a week of preparing for the work I’ll do as a mission nurse and also filling every moment of time possible with family.

We had dinner every evening. We mostly had fast food because no one had time to prepare a meal for 20 or more people every night. 

I walked with my grandchildren at every opportunity and enjoyed the beautiful sunsets.

We talked and enjoyed each other’s company. 

My brother, John, came from Price.  John treated me to a pedicure. 

Friday a few of us attended the temple to do some sealings of family names before I left. We followed the temple with a fantastic dinner of lemongrass pork, teriyaki brisket, and sticky rice prepared by Jeff. Thank you Jeff for a  delicious and memorable meal!

I left Saturday afternoon for the airport with my flight leaving Salt Lake City at 5:55. 

Thank you to Tracy and Rex for helping me get my luggage in. Tracy drove around while Rex managed the luggage. 

I love our beautiful snow capped mountains. 

I arrived in Los Angeles and had time to go over to the international airport where I boarded a flight for Auckland leaving at 9:40.

I was extremely blessed on this 13 hour flight because it was not overly packed with passengers and also by a kind and compassionate steward who moved me from economy to economy premier. In this section of seats there were foot rests that elevated to make a flat “bed”.  I had 3 seats together and was able to lie down and sleep. 

I arrived in Auckland at 5:40 AM on Monday morning. Because of the time change I lost Sunday but I will gain it back on my way home.

First view of Auckland

I got through customs and collected one of my suitcases. However, the other suitcase didn’t arrive with me.  I then spent 45 minutes with a lady who assured me that the suitcase that didn't make it would come at some point. 

I was picked up by Elder and Sister Packard. She has been the acting nurse as the previous nurse left a few months ago. They took me to their apt where Sister Packard began to tell me about what I needed to know to become familiar with the work I’ll do here at the mission. 

At 9:00 we left for a zone conference in an area about 45 minutes from where I’ll be living. I love the mission field!!  I’m happy that I was able to get right to work!!

Zone Conference Lunch

After lunch, Elder and Sister Lewis took me to my apt in Takapuna. It is a very nice area and my apt is roomy and light. 

Auckland skyline

 My apartment.

The Lewis’s took me to the mission office to show me around. 

Mission office

Map of mission

My first kiwi

From the office we went to a store where I could get my cel phone and internet set up and from there to the beach on the Pacific side of the island. 

We went grocery shopping so that I would have some food in my apartment. The Lewis’s treated me royally!

I’ve managed to stay up all day so I’m looking forward to a good nights rest in a nice bed as I am very tired. It was great meeting with some of the missionaries and getting to know them briefly. I look forward to meeting more of the missionaries and getting to know them on a more personal level.

I am so blessed to be able to serve in this beautiful country. The people are warm and friendly.

I’ll have more to share with you next week. I love my Savior and I love you my family and friends.