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.

It has been a sweet but quiet week.

Our mission is so lucky to have Sister Janet Ah Mu who will be serving as the new mission health specialist.  She is very knowledgeable and is excited to be here.  She is a New Zealand resident and comes to the mission from Whangarei.  She is going to be a wonderful asset.   She has worked as a nurse and is familiar with New Zealand’s health services.

We have worked together for several days.  She has her phone and email set up and will be ready to take over as soon as she gets her access to the missionary medical website.  She is a quick learner and I have enjoyed her immensely.  

We had lunch break one day at Blindbasket.  Yummy!

It will be transfers this week so there have not been too many calls or health problems.  It always seems to be calm just before transfer day.   Been to urgent care and dental appointments but nothing major.

Everyone in the mission is making my last days brighter with kind words, dinners/lunches, and hugs.  I have had opportunities to see missionaries at the office and when I’m out and about.  I’ve also had lunch with some of them.

Elders Kendall and Waterson

Korean BBQ with Sisters Roebeck, Ah Mu and Heath

Elder and Sister Mayberry took me to Thai food in Auckland.
Sister Lucas joined us for a wonderful evening and delicious pad Thai.

With only one week left as a missionary, I have been reminiscing.  Everyone asks me what my favorite part of the mission has been and my answer is always “the missionaries.”   I have expressed my love for these young people often but their spirit and enthusiasm is contagious. 

I have loved seeing this gorgeous and clean country.  The citizens take pride in keeping the roadsides, cities and their homes clean.  The people/drivers are kind and considerate.  

I have a difficult time picking one or two or even 20 special moments or favorites from my 23 months here in New Zealand.  The whole experience has created cherished memories.  

My cousin, Steven Bailey wrote a poem that I like:

Memories (C)

As one grows older, memories of times
past often come to mind.

Memories of playing in the mud
and just having fun,

Playing Cops and Robbers,
Cowboys and Indians and hide and seek,

The trips we had to visit family on
a Sunday afternoon,

Memories of fresh-mowed hay
on a warm summer day,

The smell of a light rain falling from
clouds in the sky,

Old Western Movies and
Driven-Theaters, 

The fun of making a snowman and
throwing snowballs,

Memories of riding a sled or skiing
on a snow-covered slope,

Camping trips with family and friends,
sitting around a warm camp fire,

Enjoying the day with cousins
at the family reunion.

Fishing for the elusive trout along
a quiet river stream,

Memories of a quiet walk on the beach and
listening to the waves kiss the shore,

And receiving the advice of loving parents
when leaving home.

Planning a trip to faraway places and
traveling there with friends.

These are a few memories that come to mind
as one grows a little older.

Steve Bailey   
2021

I can add memories of my New Zealand Auckland Mission to my memory bank and look back over this time as one of joy and learning.   The Lord has surely blessed me beyond measure!

Besides the missionaries both young and senior, the memories of beach walks will be some of my most fun things to think about.

A dear friend gave me this fridge magnet.  LOVE IT!!!

I don’t have many beach pics this week because we have been going before sunrise so it has been pretty dark most days.

The beauty of a rose, a flower, a bird, the clouds, green hills, trees all create memories.

I look forward to seeing my family and friends to start a new chapter of memories in my book of memories. 

As Easter approaches, I wish to express my appreciation for my Savior -  For his sacrifice, Atonement, and resurrection.   As I was studying today, I read a quote by President McKay that I liked:

“Easter is a sacred day, a day of thanksgiving and divine worship,” President David O. McKay once said. “It is not a day just for rejoicing because of the opening of springtime, not merely an opportunity to display beautiful hats and fine clothing—it is an occasion for the expression of gratitude to God for having sent His Only Begotten Son into the world to be ‘the way, the truth, the life.’”  

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

The before and the after!!

I said to the beautician:  I need a haircut and I would like it short.  I got it short.  Thing is that it grows so fast I will be “long” and “shaggy” within a few days.  It is strange to look in the mirror though and see it short when I’ve grown accustomed to longer hair. 

In the words of Garrison Keillor:  “It has been a quiet week here in” Takapuna.  I’ve had an ER visit, urgent care visits, dental and doctor appointments, and I sat for 45 minutes in a lab today waiting for a missionary to have some blood drawn.  I was entertained by the TV ads, jokes, and words of encouragement that flashed across the screen.  Thought I would (bore you) share with you.

The weather has been great.  It is cooling off and I can feel and see fall approaching. 

The flowers are less abundant although still can be seen around.

All of the students here wear uniforms to school from elementary to high school.  Here high school is called college.

Sister Lucas and I have taken advantage of the proximity of the Sushi House & Donburi a couple of times this week.  Really good and fresh sushi.

The people who own the restaurant are such friendly and warm people.  They always greet everyone with a hello and a warm welcome.  There is a great spirit there.

We have had to walk early a few mornings and didn’t see the sunrise but it is still enjoyable.

People going out in their boats/canoes

A couple of days, the sunrise was spectacular.

One evening we took a walk to the area office to get something that Sister Lucas needed.  The sunset was as amazing as the sunrise!

I found out this week that there will be a nurse coming to replace me when I finish in 2 weeks on the 6^th of April.  She will be a service missionary and she is from Whangarei.  She and her husband will come tomorrow for a week to get some orientation.  They will be staying here in Shoalhaven where my flat is located so it will be handy and convenient.   I have been going through my papers and work to get things organized and ready to train and pass off to someone else.

I try to do something every day to get my flat ready to turn over as well.  I’m cleaning and emptying as much as possible. 

It has been an exciting week for the Kiwi’s.  New Zealand won the America’s Cup.  

Elder Edwards shared some pictures he took from a high rise apartment on Takapuna Beach where he watched the race with a group of senior missionaries.

I received my itinerary and my flight home.  I fly out on 22 April and arrive in SLC on 22 April.  My family has an appointment scheduled for me to get my COVID vaccination 23 April.  I’m going to be extra cautious and not be around a lot of people until I have the vaccinations on board.  I look forward to seeing all of you but will probably not be out much until I am fully vaccinated.  Then watch out!!  I’m coming for a hug.

I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to serve this mission.   The spirit of the mission field is indescribable.  I love the missionaries.  I love the work.  I love immersing myself in the scriptures and words of the prophets.  I love the people in the area and how welcoming and appreciative they are.  I love meeting new people and having the opportunity to talk about the Church and what I do.  There is seldom a day that goes by that someone doesn’t ask about my name tag and what I am doing here.  I am blessed.

Although I will miss New Zealand and the work, missionaries, and mission, I look forward to my family, home and friends as well. 

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