Month: August 2018

One of the great things about being a senior missionary is the associations we have with the young missionaries. We have served with a lot of dedicated and hard working young people! Every now and then they just have to let loose and bring out their true, playful natures! I must also say that the associations with other senior missionaries is also very special! For us to remember, here are a few of those we serve with…..

Who says we can’t have fun! The elders play “chair soccer” in our little apartment!

Elder Tonga! One of our “little” missionaries!

Elder Mickelson, Elder Wilkinson and  Elder Ashby!

Elder Paama and Elder Wilkinson with the Ashby’s

King Lamoni and the Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s!  (The Buxton family)

Senior missionaries! The Woodard’s, the Bartlett’s, the Ashby’s, and the Stosich’s!

‘The District goes hiking on Preparation Day.

The Samoan mssionaries singing good-by to one of their elders. This was Elder Paama’s group!

Yes, we do celebrate Thanksgiving! (even though the turkey cost us $75.00!)

Our District wearing the District motto tee-shirts. Logo: Keep On Keeping On!

Flu shots!

Sister Woodard and Sister Ashby learn to make flax flowers!

Eating is right up there in the top three things missionaries like to do!

Elder Wuo and Elder Numanumanu

Oh! Wait a minute! Those are turkeys!

Here’s our missionaries! Sure do love them all!

On Saturday, July 21st, our temple closed for three years. John and I were lucky to attend the week before the closing, and even better yet, we managed to get three of our family names completed. We also finished up Kathleen Bennet-Galo’s husband’s work. She was very anxious for us to do this for her since the temple was closing. Kathleen is a member of the Dargaville Branch, although not very active since she has to care for her 93 year old mum who is in a wheelchair.

The temple will be going through some major renovations that include not only being gutted and remodeled inside, but will be strengthened and made earthquake safe on the outside. Actually, the baptistry font is just about the only thing that will not be changed. It will be very beautiful and strong when it is completed, but I feel bad for those people who will not be able to attend the temple for three years. The temple is such a blessing for all of us!

That last week people were coming and waiting in line for an hour to get on a session, and when they did get on, the sessions would have over 200 people. I know because we were on one of them! It was a great week and we feel very blessed to have been able to attend this temple during the last nine months!