Our mission has a Face Book page where missionaries are encouraged to share faith-promoting experiences and miracles that happen to them while in the service of our Lord and Savior. There are many posts that make me realize how blessed I am to have the Gospel in my life and to know the great plan of life. Today Sister Kehoe added a post that, with her permission, I want to share with you. Her post impacted me particularly because suicide has jolted the lives of people in my family and some of my friends. Each of us has, I’m sure, been witness to the change suicide can bring to lives of people we know and love.
Sister Kehoe’s post:
The Miracle of Christ
10 days ago,
I lost my best friend to suicide.
10 days ago,
a weight and sadness began to burden
my unexpectant soul.
Last night,
I found it particularly difficut to cope.
As I stood in the shower,
I sang hymns through sobs of sorrow.
My prayers of grief and pain were sent
straight up to heaven
in words and tunes of Godliness.
I gave it all to Him.
He who really knows.
He who truly understands.
He who can take the pain from me.
Never have I felt
so light
so at peace
so grateful
for my Savior
for His great Plan
for His help.
Elders and Sisters, I testify that God hears our prayers. I testify that because of our Savior, broken hearts can heal. I testify that through His matchless gift, we can find rest.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is a Miracle. In His sacred name, amen.I echo the testimony of Sister Kehoe. The gift of prayer, the love of our Savior, the healing that can come through the Atonement are real. He can make all things right.
It has been a usual week of helping missionaries although I have had fewer calls than during the last two weeks. For some reason I have yet to figure out, transfer week is traditionally more quiet. Wednesday was transfer day. We also orient the new missionaries on that day. This week we had 21 new missionaries arrive. I interview each missionary when they arrive. Sister Packard helps me. We interview them to find out if they have had any injuries, new medications, or changes in their condition since they applied for their mission. It took us a while with this large group. We started at 6:30 A.M. The flights from the US arrive at 5:45 A.M. so they are already up and waiting to be assigned to their new companions and areas.
We start the orientation presentations at 9:00. The senior couples like me, the ones over cars, bikes, finances, and flats, each take a few minutes to let the “newbies” know what will be expected of them. Then we have lunch and they get further orientation from the mission president before they go to their assigned area.
 |
| Each new missionary gets a big black bag with a new pillow, set of sheets, and 2 blankets. I’m not sure why Elder and Sister Lewis (over the flats/housing) spread the bags out in a big circle but it works! |
Wednesday evening, Sister Bunker who teaches English classes as a second language, asked me if I would attend to help her. I was there because the students were learning body parts. It was a delightful experience and I got to make some new friends. Most of the group that I worked with were from Brazil. One was from Asia but I’m not sure which country.
 |
| We played a game. The names of body parts were printed on strips of paper and placed on the table. The students chose a paper, decided how to say the word and what it meant, and then taped the body part where it belonged on our bodies. |
Thursday I went with a missionary to the doctor and also I went to visit a sister that I am assigned to minister to from our Takapuna Ward. My ministering partner is Paula Judd, Tracy’s sister. I love it because it is family I get to be with for a while. We went again on Friday morning to visit with another sister we couldn’t see on Thursday.
 |
| Sister Saras Nair. Saras is from Fiji but her ancestry is from India. |
 |
| Saras made treats for us: Gulgula is the round “donut hole” but I can’t remember what the pinwheel treat is named. |
 |
| Gulgula is an Odia traditional sweet made in different regions of India. It is one of the most popular sweets in the market places. It is traditionally made on specific festive occasions in rural areas. They are similar to donut holes in USA, and are very simple to make. They use ordinary wheat flour, sugar (traditionally jaggery), and occasionally spices (fennel seeds are common) for flavoring. Yogurt, banana pulp, yeast or baking powder may be used. They are fried in oil or ghee just like donuts. |
Saturday morning turned out to be dry, (we’ve had rain almost every day this week) so I decided to try to get my 10,000 steps in. Paula told me about a little café by Takapuna Harbor Club/Beach where they sell the best gelato. I figured that if I walked there and back, I would come close to my step goal and could rationalize my way into eating a gelato cone. It was DELICIOUS!
Saturday evening I went to a baptism for a family from Sri Lanka. It was a beautiful sight to see the four of them dressed in white and ready to enter the waters of baptism. A blessing for me to witness this occasion.
Sunday evening I attended a Come and See fireside. It is for members and missionaries to bring investigators/non-members to hear recent converts tell their conversion stories. I was so impressed by the four people who bore their testimonies. All were young people and their stories were filled with strength and commitment. One young woman who was baptized just 3 weeks ago bore a strong testimony. I couldn’t believe that she was so recently baptized. She told of the difficulties she still faces. Her family is angry that she has joined the church. They trashed her room. They mock her and give her a bad time. When she is at home she locks herself in her room to find peace and safety. I am in awe at her faith, strength and willingness to bear those burdens.
How blessed I have been in my life to have had ancestors who have prepared the path for me and for parents who have taught me by word and example. I vow to never take my testimony and the Gospel of Jesus Christ for granted. Those who have gone before have born the trials of conversion.
I love my Savior. I love you my family and friends.
MISC PICS
Saturday morning on my walk, I couldn’t help but notice the bright moss on the trunk of this big tree and the air roots growing on the branches.
 |
| Aerial roots are roots above the ground. These specialized aerial roots enable plants to breathe air in habitats that have waterlogged soil. The roots may grow down from the stem, or up from typical roots. Some botanists classify these as aerating roots rather than aerial roots, if they come up from soil. The surface of these roots are covered with lenticel (small pores) which take up air into spongy tissue which in turn uses osmotic pathways to spread oxygen throughout the plant as needed. |
 |
| Brightly colored flowers along the foot path (sidewalk) |
 |
| My neighbor has his flower garden outside his front door. Note the poinsettia still in bloom! |
 |
| Auckland
skyline on our way to the fireside on Sunday evening was gorgeous in the setting sunlight. |
 |
| Saw this article in the North Shore Newspaper. I want to see an orca in the wild!! |
 |
| Food for thought |
