More Scenery 2

On Saturday we travelled from Coromandel to Thames where we cleared out and cleaned up a flat. We were so tired and ready to go straight home but we had to pop into another flat to pick up a door to a tumble dryer. We had a phone call from two sisters whose sink was blocked. They had tried unblocking it but were not successful. So you guessed it we stopped by there as well. Elder Saunders spent nearly a couple of hours trying to unblock it but finally had to give in so he will be calling a plumber in next week. Meanwhile I took the opportunity to do the dishes and remove unwanted insects from their flat!
We were looking forward to an early night when our neighbour, Allan, asked if we would like to come around and see a documentary about the Lancaster Bomber. So off we went again only after about an hour I could not stay awake so left the men to finishing watching it.
On Sunday we actually attended our own Ward, which was the first time in 5 weeks. Thankfully we did as one of our special friends Sister Puaina gave a wonderful talk and both she and Sister Poole sang a beautiful song. To nearly top our special Sunday off we had our first roast dinner in 5 weeks. Can things get any better you ask, well yes as we went and visited Andrew Heasman and his new baby girl. She’s now 2 months old and so so cute.

 

This is the cute chapel in Coromandel

 

What a magnificent bird, what is it?

More Scenery

So where are we off to this weekend Elder Saunders? That as always depends on what has been happening during the week, although this is something that was reported two weeks ago. One of the missionaries washing machine wasn’t working. So off we went to the north east of our mission to replace it. On the Friday we left and checked out a flat on our way in Waihi. We have been there before and knew that we had to pass through a short gorge which was very pretty but from then on it was new territory for us. We took the coastal route which included very windy roads. Which inspired us to create a wonderful original musical number to a familiar tune. How my family have to suffer as they are the only ones to hear it. So think yourselves lucky. But because they seemed to enjoy it we created yet another musical number on the Saturday, just for our family again. But if I get any personal request I may send it to you privately. Back to our travels. On the Friday we finished our travelling at Coromandel and stayed the night in a motel overlooking the harbour. Elder Saunders swapped the washing machine over for another one only to find that the new one was leaking. But thanks to the owner of the flat going to the hardware store and getting a jubilee clip the new machine was now repaired and working. While Elder Saunders was busy working I was enjoying listening to the birds. I am so hooked on getting a close up photos of a Tui and as yet do not have any. I can hear them but not see them and today was no exception.
On Saturday we travelled from Coromandal to Thames where we cleared out and cleaned up a flat. We were so tired and ready to go straight home but we had to pop into another flat to pick up a door to a tumble dryer. We had a phone call from two sisters whose sink was blocked. They had tried unblocking it but were not successful. So you guessed it we stopped by there as well. Elder Saunders spent nearly a couple of hours trying to unblock it but finally had to give in so he will be calling a plumber in next week. Meanwhile I took the opportunity to do the dishes and remove unwanted insects from their flat!
We were looking forward to an early night when our neighbour, Allan, asked if we would like to come around and see a documentary about the Lancaster Bomber. So off we went again only after about an hour I could not stay awake so left the men to finishing watching it.

 

The View coming over the mountains to Coromandel Bay.

 

We ate our fish (sausage) and chips by the Harbour.

Happy Birthday Jack

Sunday19th April was the 14th birthday of our grandson Jack. This was the day that he was advanced in the Aaronic Priesthood to the office of a Teacher. Another one of those family things that we have sacrificed being part of, for our mission. So I was thrilled when Graham asked if we would like to Skype them so that we could be there. YES! Although it meant being at the mission office at midnight who cares. They did actually bring it forward a lot earlier so we were at the office about 10.30. BUT we tried for over 10 minutes to connect via Skype and FaceTime and it would not connect, So I was starting to feel a little anxious. We had family in Bournemouth patiently waiting for our machines to talk to each other. Nikki was so desperate  that she phone on her phone to mine and I explained that it just wouldn't connect. But they all waiting patiently then suddenly Face Time connected. So we were part of that momentous, special moment in Jack's life. Hi Adam that's for the finger messages!!!! It was a great ordination blessing that his dad gave him and we are so grateful to have been part of it.
Now you would think my story would have ended there but it didn't. When we went into the office the following morning our WIFI was down. IT WAS AN WIFI ERROR ACROSS OUR WHOLE SYSTEM. NO INTERNET AT ALL, SO HOW COME WE GOT WIFI THE NIGHT BEFORE????
Another miraculous blessing from our Heavenly Father, thank you. :-)

Off to Gisborne again Part 3

Still Saturday and we tried to go for a walk up Kati Hill. I say tried, because it was a little bit too high for me so we stopped at the view point and took a photo of over a couple of thousand logs. See photo as evidence of half of them.  Elder Hammar and Elder Van Thiel asked us to go on a teach with them that evening but no sooner had they called us they then had to call us back and cancel is as the Lady was unable to meet with them. That would have been our first teach.  J L but it didn’t happen. But it did mean we could go for our walk along the bank by the beach, as the tide was in.

 

Off to Gisborne again part 2

 We didn’t have much planned for Saturday other than going for a walk up a hill and a walk along the beach and mustn’t forget to get some keys cut and dump the washing machine. But., as always, our plans changed. When we went out to the car we found we had a puncture. Changing a tyre is a simple job for Elder Saunders, (NOT). First we had to take the washing machine out of the car to get the spare wheel out. Which was another challenge because it just would not come out. That was until we folded the back seats up then easy peasy. So off to find a garage which actually was quite simple and it was all fixed and back on the car in about half an hour. Once we had the keys cut we met up with the Belistons to give them one set and to collect vacuum cleaners to take back to Hamilton to be fixed. Bye Bye Elder and Sister Belliston. What, why are you not going? Your car wont start? Do we have jump leads? NO! But the main who lives next door did so they were on the move soon. But our next stop was an auto shop so now we have a set of jump leads. 

Would you believe it, off to Gisborne again!

Sister Marsden made a comment this week that we should move to Whakatane and commute to the office one week and Gisborne the next. Hmm I shall think about that.
No, a bit too far me thinks.
We knew that we would be off to Gisborne soon because we needed to replace a washing machine that was making a terrible noise.  We had intended to bring it back with us so that we could get it repaired but it started to leak so more things were starting to go wrong with it. Now finding the local dump was a challenge. We followed the instructions of the guy in the garage and travelled about 5 miles out of Gisborne so we turned around and came back and found it almost just around the corner. 
We actually went to Gisborne on the Thursday. We left about 6.30 am and arrived by midday. Our first jobs were to move two companions of Sisters into the Belliston’s old flat. Did I not tell you that they had moved out? That’s another story for another blog. These sisters are such hard workers but I know that they will have fun and enjoy each other’s company.  It means that two of the sisters who have bikes will have to ride a little further but we all feel that this was the correct decision to move them in together. Thursday was a long day.
Friday like I said we went Tokomaru Bay, about an hour from Gisborne, to sort the washing machine. We or should I say I was treated to dinner ready and waiting for us when we arrived. Sadly Elder Saunders would not even try the Pasta in white  sauce. There was no cheese or anything he would not like so he missed out. Although I missed out on the yummy looking cakes because I forgot to take it with me when I left, thank you Elder Mitchell and Elder Koi. It looked a lot better than the rat you showed us last time we were there!
On our way back to Gisborne we stopped so that Elder Saunders could have something to eat then off we went through Gisborne and then in the opposite direction to Wairo, that’s about 1.5 hours away. The scenery is so beautiful that it makes it a pleasure to drive around. I had a special delivery for one of the Elders. At the beginning of the week when he emailed his mum (mom cos she’s American) his was feeling poorly so his mum (cos I’m English) sent him a package which took less than 12 hours to arrive. Because it was in Gisborne Zone we made a special delivery to cheer him up. We arrived home about 9pm so another long day. I am looking forward to my sleep in the next day.

 

Tokomaru Bay Elders

Another Uninvited Guest

Has it really been two weeks since our last blog? I apologise to my regular bloggers but hope that you didn’t read the comment left on my last two blogs, which I have taken off now in case you go looking for it. As someone had left me a comment I thought I would read it and it sadden me so much. I write these blogs so that our family and friends can join with us on our mission experiences. Although anyone can read our blog it is not intended to offend anyone these are our personal experiences and some of the things I share are personal thoughts. So for someone to comment and add a link to anti-Mormon literature is so so sad. One of our strong beliefs is that we allow anyone to worship God in whatever way they wish. I believe we practice true Christianity by not judging others. All religions have a purpose on this earth and it is wonderful when religions share their beliefs in a positive way. I glanced at the rubbish and lies that were on this link and feel saddened that someone could lie and say such bad things about any Christian church. The name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Jesus Christ is the head of our church and we follow his teachings which included to love and respect one another. If anyone wishes to know more about our church follow the link on our front page. Well that’s my rank out of my head the net blog is more of our adventures J