Primary Presentation

We had a wonderful Primary Presentation two weeks ago. I know in Newbury Ward at home they had theirs last weekend and I heard that too was wonderful. We have always enjoyed the primary presentations. The children always give such meaningful talks, short and very sweet. They try their hardest in singing. We love the primary songs. Some of them are so confident some of them shy. It never matters if the children make mistakes. They all just look so sweet. Well most of them! Some pull the most funniest of faces. Reminds me of my own children’s antics years ago. We do appreciate all the hard work the Primary leaders and teachers put into teaching the little children.


I was asked to give the Relief Society lesson last month. I was so nervous even though I had prepared well. I had visuals and interaction but I still felt I didn’t do a good job. Maybe if that was true they won’t ask me again. Relief Society is held every Sunday and is for the women aged 18 and over. We learn and discuss how to live good Christian values.

In a couple of weeks Elder Saunders and I have been assigned to talk in Sacrament meeting. I’m strangely looking forward to that. Again I will give you a report when it is finished.

CLS

Did I mention before that I am the proctor for the English language program in our mission? I did have the first test scheduled a few months ago but on the test day I discovered that the internet in the mission office does not allow that site to open. The IT department are looking into it. Only been 4 months now so I must be patient a little longer!!!

Anyway just this last week I checked out our chapel building and also the Temple Visitors Centre and both worked. So last Saturday we travelled to Redoubt chapel, about 1 ½ hours away, to see if it worked there and it did. Hurrah!

The next missionary who is due to take the test goes home in just over 2 weeks and he is serving near the Redoubt chapel. So today we travelled to Redoubt for him to take the Listening and Speaking English Language test. I arrived about an hour early so that I could set up my laptop and feel confident that everything was working. So was it working? No! The Wi-Fi wasn’t working. We were just across the road from the MTC (Missionary Training Centre) so I thought I would be cheeky and ask if theirs was working and could I use it. But I was informed that the IT man from the Area Office was fixing their signal. This was the same person who was organising my office signal to work. So I was escorted all over the MTC building to find him. Eventually we did and I waited patiently for about 15 minutes for him to finish his telephone conversation before asking him how long would it be before he re-connect the Wi-Fi. Only to be told it wasn’t disconnected, So back upstairs I went and tested out my lap top and guess what? It worked. So we are all up and ready to take the test.

I first explained to the Elder about the test and he did a demo test. That took almost 90 mins. But he grew more confident with each question. I still gave him the option to back out of the test today and for me to come back next week but he said no. 

So CLS test subject number 1 all ready to go. (actually he’s number 2 but the first didn’t even sit the test, so he’ll always be my number 1)

To say that I think the test is strange is an understatement. Although he has to choose 6 hobbies or activities that he is interested in some of the questions are random.

“Describe what the last hotel you stayed in looked like?” He’s from Tonga and has never been in a hotel in his life. “What did you do when you went into the hotel?” Okay Elder just make up a story. He did very well especially when they asked him about Tennis. When he started playing, who taught him and how can he improve on his skill. Overall he did very well and I hope he gets a good ranking. I’ll let you all know in a few days.

Actually I'll let you know now, as this is the next day. He was UR. Which mean unrateable? There was an audio problems. Although when we tested the audio it said that it was okay. Thankfully he is able to take another test because it was a technical problem. So same time, same place next week.

Still here in NZ!

It has been ages since I last posted, sorry. So what has been happening? Since coming back from our short break we have been very busy. Elder Saunders has been all over the mission doing housing stuff and I’ve been in the office doing office stuff. Now that you are caught up to date my next blog will start from today, and I may go backwards a little.

strange post

I've had a strange comment from someone called raindeer. If you are my friend then you know how to contact me or you could leave me your name then I will now who you are.

Wildlife Park

Monday
What a fun time we had at the Wildlife Park. I hope that you could all see the short videos of the last post. If not here are some stills. There were so many birds there and some of them were not in fenced/caged areas but wild. The Parakeets were one of my favourites then so was the Tawny Frogmouth Owl, the Pelican, Black Kite in fact I loved most of them. Both of our favourite animals were the koalas and the Kangaroos. And seeing the little Joey climb into its mothers pouch and hide away was so cute. The mother gave it a little poke around and it turned inside the pouch and then stuck its head out. All the Kangaroos just wondered around freely.  Here’s one of our secrets so shh don’t tell Elder Saunders but when the first Kangaroo came towards us he said “don’t let it come near me” and stood behind me, So funny, hahaha. But as you can see he was quite used to them by the time we met about 40.

 

        Ga' day Roo

 

 

 Kookaburra sits in an old gum tree……….

Rainbow Lorrikeet

Pelican

Tawny Frogmouth Owl

An albino Peacock. That would have looked spectacular if it was displaying it feathers.

Cockatoo

Cute Koalas only wished we could have had a cuddle.

 

 

Southern Cassowary

 Emu

 

I think this snake was eyeing me up! I’m so glad there was glass between us.










 

Not even one Wombat showed its face so all you got is the poster that we saw!!!

 

Never under estimate a crocodile, it never sleeps.
I wondered if this terrapin was an attraction or food for the croc?

 

Be extra careful around these four wild animals. DO NOT FEED AS THEY WILL BITE!
 

Wildlife Park Video

 

 These are just two of the many videos I took on Monday at the Wildlife Park.

Feeling A Little Croc Today!

We have been partying all weekend so feeling a little croc today!!

Well actually it was a large croc!

Party No 3

After church on Sunday we went to Gill's house for party number three. All of Ted's children and grandchildren were there and a few friends. It was a lovely relaxing afternoon especially as I didn't have to organise or clean up after. All the children played nicely together while us adults chatted and chatted. There was a guy called Mick who told jokes and did a few cards tricks for the children.  That was quite amusing. Plus I saw a couple of new birds fly into the garden. I was not quick enough to capture them all on film.

 Elder Saunders with his 3rd, 4th and 5th Cousins

 

 

Willie Wagtail having a bath

Party No. 2

Saturday afternoon Ted had another party at home for his friends. Lots of cake, yummy. My favourite was one of the two that Libby made. One was fruit and the other Ginger. Now which was which? Obviously the one with ginger on was the ginger cake (that's what Libby said) although the other had a lovely smell and distinct taste. Hmm, I wonder what? Ah Ginger!  That was so funny Libby had put ginger on the top of the fruit cake. Now they were both classed as ginger cakes.

Warf Walk

Saturday we went for a walk to the local Warf with Sally.The beach was so very pretty and the sea water was so calm, clean and clear.







 I was in my element seeing all the different coloured birds, these are just two.

  New Holland Honey Eater                                                                                     Galah

 

Happy Birthday Ted

Can you imagine our delight to be able to visit Ted for his 90th birthday. It is not in the same mission but we were encouraged to go because we are so close!!!! Ted is Elder Saunders 3rd Cousin who we contacted about two years while doing some family history. We have Skyped several times so this was a big treat to visit him.
Friday 28th August was his actual birthday and that's when Ted and his close friend Libby came to meet us. That was so exciting to met them for the first time. We were given a lovely guided tour of the area on our way to Ted's home.
In the evening we went out for a meal with his two daughter, Sally and Gill and Gill's husband Ian. Such a lovely family.