Sunrise on Takapuna beach. We had a unique experience on one of our early morning beach walks. Saw a flotilla of military naval ships coming from the open ocean with a helicopter escort overhead.   We watched with others on the beach trying to figure out who and what and why.   (Sorry that the zoom made it a bit fuzzy) As we did we made friends with a fit little gray haired lady who walks or runs the beach regularly and had an interesting conversation.   This is 84 year old Beverly, who we found is a marathon runner and world wide biker with her 90 year old husband Jack. She wondered at first if these were US naval ships. (We later found that they were part of the Royal New Zealand navy. This week, about 700 NZ sailors were taking part in an exercise nearby.The ships – the frigates HMNZS Te Kaha and Te Mana, amphibious sealift vessel HMNZS Canterbury, Offshore Patrol Vessels HMNZS Otago and Wellington, Inshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS Hawea and diving and mine counter-mea

Hunua Falls.  98 ft high and the water flow from the Wairoa River and the beauty are known for being constant.   In French some of the meanings of the word "constant" include "perpetual, unfailing" and "steady".  That's a good way to be if you're a waterfall. President Russell M. Nelson and his two counselors President Oaks and President Eyring We are grateful for the constancy found in the Lord's gospel and His Church, and for the seamless transition of leadership.  The English word "Constant" is derived from a Latin verb meaning "to stand with".  We "stand with" the Lord's prophet.  We, like you, want to become even more "constant", and ones He can depend upon. This lone black fern tree is a constant we see every day from the 7th floor of our carpark in downtown Auckland.  Sandwiched in between tall buildings, sometimes hidden from the sun, it still finds a way to be constant a

January 15, 2018  This week we have been reminded… How much we loved and appreciated dear President Monson and his endless example of Christ-like service. And that it’s the Lord who stands at the head of His church, prophets are called to serve Him. (President Russell M. Nelson speaking at President Monson's funeral). We were also reminded this week how much we love and miss our grandchildren.  Greyson William Godfrey was blessed by his daddy far away in Ohio.  Our family is dear, but we know the Lord has them in His Hands.  In visiting the Manakau Memorial Gardens, we were reminded of the importance of honoring those who have passed on before us.   And you can easily taste the NZ culture with different headstone, from koru’s (the Maori circle of life's beginning...Moana symbol), to marbleized rugby balls, anchors, and flags to declare your allegiance. The folks here seem to decorate and visit the resting places of loved ones much, much more than most do