Mini mazes in English Garden at Hamilton gardens As newbies in New Zealand we feel sometimes like we're in a "maze", so we have been checking out library books, asking Kiwi’s, and working to learn to identify places, people, trees, words, food, landmarks to find our way, and all kinds of things.  As we pick up the “what’ and “how” we understand more about where we are and even where we should be headed to find our way.  We dubbed the skyline and Sky Tower “OZ” because of the often-emerald green of the water and when we see it we know our way home.  It takes a bit of time but we are slowly getting better at “identifying”. A new tree we have identified is the Manuka Tree (manuka honey and tea tree oil).  An incredible tree that gives so much, we were surprised that it is just a scruffy bush-tree that is often seen growing in poor soil and on the road side.  One more proof that circumstances don’t designate worth. My roadside snapshots leave much to be des

 Sunday November 11 we attended an amazing fireside with Elder’s Juan Uceda & his wife Maria, and Craig Cardon & his wife Debbie.  I was smitten by Sister Uceda! She didn’t speak much English so her husband translated for her but she is a little humble spit-fire. She said morals and standards of God don’t go out of style.  When the worlds skirts get shorter and clothes get tighter and more revealing, God doesn’t change His standards to fit in, just like His ageless universal commandments. She also hit one of the 10 commandments pretty hard…Keep the Sabbath Day Holy.  She said in her home there was rule to honor the Lords Day…(She said it in Spanish 3 times) ”WE NEVER BUY ON SUNDAY!”  Her candor was firm and refreshing, and a reminder.  Elder Uceda told of the huge, timely, and costly sacrifice they made as a young couple to save and marry in the temple, pretty tender story.  Great fireside! Elder or President (One of the Presidents of the 70) Juan Uceda.  He is one of th