Near the end of our day

So after installing the washing machine at Opotiki we headed for home. Of course we had to stop by the beach for our picnic before driving to Whakatane to deliver one letter and one DVD. Even the one is important. 

Last stop of the day in Tauranga. It's been a long sunny day and we're glad we don't have to prepare dinner tonight as we had a phone call during the day inviting us over tonight. Big smiley face. 😄

Long Day

We started the day early and were in the office just gone 7.30. There wasn't much post so we left the office by 7.45. With a new washing machine and supplies and post for the missionaries. First stop Rotorua. It's on our way to our main destination at Opiotiki to deliver the new machine. As always we had a friendly welcome from the Zone Leafers. 

Now this was funny. We heard shouting coming from inside the flat and the Elder was disconnecting the washing machine before turning off the taps. I did ask him to recreated the incident as it would take a really good picture but he refused so you just have to make do with this pose. 

Water all up the wall, on the floor and all over his tee shirt. 

Happy New Year

We had planned to go to New Plymouth Taranaki on New Years Eve. Elder Saunders has supplies that they need plus he has to check over a flat that has just been vacated. But I was really poorly and when Elder Saunders said he didn't mind if we stayed at home I jumped st that chance. It also meant we had to cancel our evening plan of staying over at  Elder and Sister Sprouses but we hopefully can arrange that for another time. 

That didn't stop us celebrating our New Year in New Zealand with our children in England. The time was 11 am for them. Sorry Paula didn't make it. We also tried to celebrate England's NewYear with them again Paula wasn't there and Chelle missed us by minutes trying to set up computer. 

We did have a relaxing start to the year but that was only because I was too weak to do anything. But I'm almost back to full strength now and travelling around the country, that's for the next post. 

The Wedding

Our first wedding.that we've been to in New Zealand. Peter Decker and Louise Hughes. They met here as missionaries. Louise is from Australia and Peter from the states. She looked stunning and couldn't keep that smile off her face. 

What was so yummy was the wedding cake. It was a German chocolate cake. I must get the recipe. 

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas everyone. Wow what a day we’ve had so far.
We were woken up by Sophia and Lilly to tell us Santa had been to New Zealand. But its only 7pm in England! Well I guess we had to get up out of bed and check if he had been to our house as it was Christmas morning here. AND YES SANTA HAS BEEN! And better than that he had the stockings and presents that Shauna (mummy) had asked him to get for us. Decorated pillow case and a Santa wish coin and a key ring lucky sixpence and angel. Now it’s back to bed.

 No Wait Graham has sent a photo.

 

We had another Skype call this time from the Cheethams so we opened up our presents from them.
Two place mats and then two other packages, one to be opened before the other, Hmmm intriguing.
The second says not to be opened before the first puzzle is completed, what?
The first a 500 piece jigsaw   - opening packet number 2 is never going to happen
What do you think we should do and what do you think the present will be?
Then just as we were settling down to open up our presents we had a knock on the door. Brother and Sister Paeas had brought us a present and then invited us to dinner. Although Elder Saunders was unsure I was delighted to accept the invitation. The day is getting better.
We open up the Marsden’s present, a little chick, Elder Saunders announced, a little Kiwi, Sister Saunders corrects him. Lol
Another knock on the door and it’s the Elders from the Rotokarui Zone. They sang a Christmas Carol and do you know I can’t remember what they sang. I can’t even guess I was so overwhelmed and emotional. They came inside for a few minutes we took photos then just before they left they said they have something else for us. They performed the mission Haka just for us. It was amazing. Can the day get even better.

We have been out for our Christmas dinner. As usual there was not much savoury that Elder Saunders would eat but I ate loads. The deserts were delicious and he was able to eat as much as he could of those. Now home for a little rest before our main event of the day, Skyping with all the family.

 

Last Deliveries

Christmas Eve and still more packages arrive. After sorting them out we decided that we would travel to South Auckland as our first delivery. Thankfully the Zone leaders were great and met us just over half way for them. Now off to the junction of Tauranga and Rotorua. Normally that would take 1 1/2  hours but we took a short cut and also the expressway was opened last week and we arrive in 50 Minutes.

As always Elder Saunders is a joker. He was telling these missionaries about sheep on the hillside behind them who were watching them. At least I think that was what he was talking about.

 



The Elders also sang a few songs for us. I'm going to try and upload that. Hope it works for you as I don't seem to be able to make it work on my laptop.

 

 

Happy Christmas Everyone!

With love from Elder & Sister