Come and See, in more ways than one. September 24

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September 24, 2017
     Our second week teaching.  Auckland University is back after their break so a few more students in the classes, including 3 non-members!  Our amazing YSA's are doing some great "inviting" others to COME AND SEE!
  
Came and saw...the "ALL BLACKS" beat South Africa with 50 YSA's (and popcorn and hot dogs) at Bishop Dil's house.  These guys get excited and NZ won 57-0....YES it was LOUD!
This is what we see as we cross the bridge to go to Institute from Takapuna into Auckland everyday.
Our view of the Sky Tower on Queen Street from a spot near the Institute building.


Sunday night we attended a mission fireside they call "COME AND SEE". Great testimonies and music focused on the Savior...it was awesome.  We met up with the Bartletts (a childhood friend of our good friend Dantzelle Allen).  She is the mission nurse...what a job!?!


 Morning walks give us new "come and see" everyday it seems. This week it was often in a bit of rain.  Here are a few views through the streets of Takapuna and 
down a little trail not far from our flat.  We're just finishing up winter so it will get warmer (been high 50's low 60's)
and greener.

Love these YSA's!.  This is one of the late night institute classes held in the outlying stakes of Auckland.  We love to come out and see how their classes are doing.  Probably 90% of the YSA's are return missionaries.  We learn more from them than they do from us.  Rosanna (Sanna) on the left is the teacher, also the president of our Institute Council.
 
 We came and saw and conquered a hike with Susan and Vern Henshaw to the Shakespeare Regional Park, a beautiful spot on a little north shore peninsula surrounded by the ocean.  Except for a few palm trees and some windsurfers and sailboats on the ocean you might think you were on a hillside in England surrounded by sheep and a few cows.  Grateful for the walking sticks. 


 We got to speak at the devotional on Wednesday at the Institute.  They came and saw not because we spoke but because we had pizza afterwards.  For "Movie Friday" we showed TC's film "17 Miracles"...we never tire of his great work and seeing that movie, it's a classic!  We have been trying out more cooking and baking skills on the YSA's...and they are all still alive.  We "get" to speak in church tomorrow.          




We are finding our way
 around much better, 
life is wonderful and
 the Lord is blessing us
 and helping us see Him and much more as He teaches us much!  
We hope you are finding 
that in your lives too.  
How we love Him! 

 Love, Elder and Sister Downs  (Vance and Louenda)

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