Elder Bednar Visit part 2

First Sister Robbins spoke followed by her husband Elder Robbins. Then Sister Bednar spoke and now for the moment we were all waiting for Elder Bednar. Wow it was amazing. He didn’t give a two hour lecture but lead a 2 hour discussion. Before the conference we were all asked to read 3 of his recent talks and his first question was “what did you get from reading the talks.” He randomly selected missionaries to share their thoughts and feelings. It was amazing how he invited the Holy Spirit to teach us all during that meeting. Each of the missionary’s answers were so personal and although they admitted that they were very nervous they gave honest answers to the questions he then asked them. I will list the talks if you want to read them yourselves. 1. Converted unto the Lord.  will have to search the others out

We were asked to be agents not objects. For instance when we pray for something we must take action for that prayer to be answered. Other areas in our lives when we want something to happen again we must take action and not expect things to just happen. I just loved how he allowed the missionaries to learn something new as he was talking to them. I also think that most of the people in that meeting felt inspired and uplifted by how Elder Bednar lead the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us.  It was amazing like I said before.

 

 

Elder Bednar’s Visit part 1

I’m impressed that I have had complaints that I have not posted enough lately. Well I have them ready to post but just not got around to it. As you can imagine it has been very busy in the office since transfers and we only had just over a weeks’ notice that Elder Bednar would be visiting us. It was actually a two mission visit but because it was hosted in Reboubt Chapel which is in our mission we had the responsibility to sort out the seating and car parking. Elder Saunders was responsible for the car parking and with the help of Elder Marsden, Elder Witts and other Senior Elders they did a fantastic job and it went very smoothly. Now the inside was up to me. President Rudd had told me how he wanted the stand organised plus we had to separate Hamilton and Auckland missionaries with the MTC missionaries on the front two rows I put it all down on paper and printed out the reserved seat names and that was it all organised. Other senior couple checked the missionaries at the doors. I know that sounds strange but we had to make sure that all the missionaries were smart and wearing the name badges because they were all going to shake hands with Elder Bednar. Sister Marsden, Sister Witts and I directed them to their seats.

Elder Bednar arrived on time to the MTC but the dedication of the new area at the MTC and the lunch took them over time by 30 minutes. The hand shaking organisation/flow I went over in my head many many times and I finally decided the best way to do it. Then Elder Marsden and Elder Saunders took over so I though “all well anything can happen now” and it did but not in the way we expected. It did not go ahead because of the time factor. Do you know how long it would take to shake nearly 600 missionaries hands? Well I for one was eager to know. Maybe next time!

                                                                      Auckland             and              Hamilton Missions

 

Spiritual and Physical Highs

Coming soon our visit with Elder David Bednar and also our trip to a volcanic Island, not to be missed!!

Transfer Wk No. 3 End

Thursday was transfer day and although it was lovely I was a bit stressed with losing an important letter and a parcel. I took all the letters, parcels and supplies to the chapel at Higgins Road but returned to the office to double check for the missing ones. On my back to the chapel I was very tearful and prayed that the items may be found. The letter belonged to Elder Nelson and as soon as I arrived back at the chapel I asked Elder Nelson to check the boot of his car again. No letter but the parcel was there one of my worries over. It was announced at transfers for everyone to recheck their post for Elder Nelson’s letter and to let Sister Saunders know it they find it. Well no one came forward so I had a bit of a restless night worrying about it. When the AP’s arrive at the office on Friday morning I told them I was so worried about the missing letter and Elder Christy said “Did you not get the message I sent to Elder Saunders last night. It was found in Rotorua’s mail”. Gulp! I quickly phoned up Elder Nelson who did not know it had been found. We were all relieved. And a major thank you was said to our Heavenly Father for answering ours prayers so quickly.

Transfer Wk No. 3 Continued

On Wednesday we welcomed the next group of missionaries from the MTC and what a special group they are. After meeting them at the orientation meeting at the office we met then again at dinner at the Presidents house. We always have the pleasure of listening to their testimonies before bearing our own. Now for a brief summary of Elder Saunders day.

Up at 5.30, can’t be late

Cos the new missionaries they can’t wait.
At the MTC, they are waiting for me, it is now 7.53!
We drive from Auckland down to Hamilton.
I’m glad the speed limit is a ton.

 At the mission office I give them the drill,

To clean their flats and then do the Lords Will.
I warn about fleas, cockroaches and the ants,
You spray your flat, all your clothes including your pants.
Untidy flats, NO, always clean up your mess.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness.
 A special bread roll for me from Sister Pappel,
Plum, apple and cake, now I’m pretty full.

I drive the Newbies up to Presidents home

Then go back to my house all alone.
 In my garage I sort the needed supplies into Zones
I have most of my list on my phone.

I drive back to the mission President’s home

Where I wait for my wife so I’m no longer alone.
  Sister Pappel ‘s dinner we all eat
Before into the lounge, we take our seat.
Testimonies are shared by everyone.
Then by 8.30 we are all done
 
I drive the missionaries back to the motel
Now its home sweet home by 9.30, that swell.

Transfer Week Number 3

What another amazing transfer week we have had. We said goodbye to our two Assistant to the President (APS), on Tuesday. Elder Moore was an AP for 6 months so was our first AP. He was (is) lovely, such a kind gentle young man. Elder Jenson was his companion for the last 6 weeks. They both had the responsibility of travelling around the mission for the last 6 weeks. Supporting and encouraging our missionaries out in the field. Elder Hammar who was Elder Moore’s complain as an AP was released this week and for his last few transfers he will serve in Gisborne. A place that we love to visit. So we have two new AP’s, Elder Saville was called last transfer and Elder Christy this transfer. I wonder if the office will ever be the same without Elder’s Moore and Hammar, I know it won’t be? Now with Elder Christy and Saville there, they will have a lot of fun with Elder Saunders. I can feel a few good stories over the next few months.

Glow worms part 2

I expect none of you have slept the last few days waiting to hear if we went to the glow worm caves or not. Well we did go. IT was dark by the time we reached the Natural Bridge. So it was very dark by the time we went inside the natural bridge. This time we did not go through and around the outside and back to the car because it would have been too dark and we would probably have lost our way. So we just went inside to where it was the darkest and then back out again. There were hundreds of bright glow worms compared to thousands that would be in the Waitomo caves. But it was still a good free experience.