Protection

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-measures support ship HMNZS Manawanui – and the Seasprite SH-2G(I) helicopters were to be operating off Auckland, Whangaparaoa Peninsula, Great Barrier Island and the Firth of Thames.)

But in the course of the conversation she confided how much the world has come to depend on the help and protection the US. She then shared the same fears I have heard from a variety of folks in conversations here about the current US leadership and how many in the free world are fearful that the beacon, the country they have looked to for promotion of freedom, help, and even sometimes protection, may not be that beacon in the future.

As a child I always felt safe in my country, in my home and in my family, especially when my dad was around (Fathers and dads for centuries have been known for providing safety and protection for their families).  It was a feeling of safety and peace.  It's a great blessing it is to feel the peace and security that comes from the protection from those you trust.

We see here on the air waves continual warnings from the NZ civil defense about what to do for protection and safety in an earthquake, and a tsumani.  

We just learned from the “Safeswim” web site that you are not to swim in the ocean for 3 days after a big storm because of an “overflow”…where the waste water system floods into the ocean water. 

New Zealander’s are barraged by ads and each other to wear sunscreen for protection because there is a hole in the ozone layer above NZ and they have one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world and we attest YOU CAN FEEL THE SUN’s intensity like we’ve never experienced before.  

And everyone carries an umbrella for protection because it rains often and in heaps, even if it’s only for 15 minutes sometimes.  

There are many protected species here to make sure they don't fall into extinction.  This is the rare takahe bird.

Another rare but protected  NZ species is the maui dolphin.

And the rarely seen (nocturnal) kiwi bird is another protected little guy

Arthur and Zoe and others love to gather mussles or “kuku” (these are Little New Zealand clams) to cook and eat, but to protect them you can only gather 50 “kuku”  at a time.

Here we are again at Piha black sand beach, this time with another missionary couple Al and Mary Stosich.  Love to return as Lyon Rock is one of those “awe”some landmarks.  A high tower/fortress kind of rock, I think I’d climb it in a tsunami for safety and protection. Nice to have a fortress or "Rock" you can go to in a storm ...or just to get a higher view of things.

"The Lord is my rock and my fortress...in whom I will trust…my high tower.” -Psalms18:2

From Military ships to umbrella’s, warning signs to sunscreen we have things we find protect us on the outside.  What about the inside?
Camp Maynard Pre-Missionary Sunday meeting 

This week we have been able to participate in “Inside protection” kinds of things, ones that bring warnings of possible dangers, as well as reminders that there are safe havens to find peace and protection, and if we follow His instruction, the Lord “will have our back”, and like the words from the song…”The Lord will bless you and keep you” .

“…Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalms 23

These handsome young people are more from the Camp Maynard group, the pre-mission camp.   We went back to be with them another day.  They are arming themselves to face the world without fear, knowing the Lord has their back if they try to do His will. 

 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am they God; I will strengthen thee; yea I will help the; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isaiah 41:10

“The Lord protects, guides, and watches over those who are His trusted friends in His work.” 

-President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency

Found another quiet, protected little western beach this week in Waterview.

The kids would swing out as far as they could and then jump into the water. (The mom/elected official in me worried about safety and a lawsuit, but the kids were having a great time!)

The awesome institute class of President Burgess in the Henderson stake.

More "awesomes" in another great institute class in Redoubt.

We love going out to do flat inspections with the missionaries in the Auckland mission.  We have found that there is a correlation between the cleanliness of a flat and the good feeling or spirit you can feel in the "home".  Cleanliness (physical and spiritual) really is next to godliness.  Its another protection.  Here we are with Elders Murphy and Williams.

While we were there we saw what looked like green tomatoes on a funny vine.  We asked the elders what they were and they asked if we'd never seen passion fruit on the vine.  We were in for a treat!

Elder Murphy found a purple one and cut it open.  You scoop out the seeds and eat them..like you do pomegranates.  It was really good!  We are passionate now about passion fruit!

Elder Smith and Walters...these guys are awesome too.  They sang us a Tongan song...something about love (Ofa Atu) , they are ready for America's Got Talent!

Sister missionaries Sister Lubigan and Felila.  Nobody smiles more of bigger than these two.

We try to see the unusual beauty NZ has to offer.  On the way to the missionary flats found what looked like a pink magnolia (??) tree.

We had an opportunity to teach a PATHWAYS class (those who desire to go back to school to get university degrees through BYU Idaho) on Thursday.  Saw THOTL in our preparations as well as the events of the class.  The Lord sometimes has plans for lesson direction that supersedes our own plans.  His are always better.
Our apartment, Shoal Haven, property managers are great people.  This past week they had the funeral for their son who took his own life.  It was a rough week for them and though they are not of our faith, the missionary couples tried to send them flowers and a card and reminders of our support.  Vance and I happened to meet them as they came back the day after the services and they seemed surprisingly upbeat.  We were a bit puzzled and in our conversation they told us that for some reason a Maori LDS bishop was asked to conduct the services.  They expected it to be very dark and sad with the situation and the friends and family that would possibly be coming, but instead, with the words and spirit of this great Bishop and his references to the Lord's plan, it was full of hope, and light, and truth, and, as they put it, "it was very spiritual and positive, and gave us hope and comfort beyond what we expected, it was amazing."   THOTL is busy in the lives of everybody.  He loves all of His children and has peace and protection and help waiting in the wake of the storms around every corner.  Turn to and trust Him.

We testify its true, and He love you!

We love you!

Vance and Louenda

Elder and Sister Downs