A View

Same ocean, different view (through the playground "hamster" wheel) 

We got to spend Sunday with dear friends serving here in NZ from Farmington, Utah, Lynn and Ann Summerhays.  They came up to Auckland to get a “view” of our mission. Just can't get enough of folks we hold dear...all of you included. 
 We've learned much about the blessing of great people in our lives. 
So glad we share the views that relationships with dear ones, friends and family, go on.

Views


The sunrise on an early morning walk revealed "the house with the golden windows". As the little parable goes, it appears to the viewer to always be someone else's home...when in reality to someone else, its YOUR home in the right light... any window or home that reflects the light.
May that be your home.
Here was an interesting sign we hadn't viewed before, at a church house in South Auckland...so just take your football and cleats elsewhere.

A View of the Johnstone YSA

We took the Summerhays with us to the Johnstone ward to give them a view of our Johnstone YSA’s.  The young man who gave the lesson (one of the left-great lesson by the way) was so excited after the lesson because the day before he had picked up a treat for the YSA’s and left it in his car to bring to Sunday School.  It was meat pizza and soft drinks (served during Sunday School)…24 hours in his warm car.  You could view it many ways, but from him it was simply a sweet generous offering.    

A View from Hamilton


Traveling down to Hamilton this week to visit their institute program we were surrounded by the rich winter green.. not a "winter" view we are used to.

View of the Waikato River  

In Hamilton NZ

An Institute view from Hamilton


Decided that on this semester break we would spent a few days getting a first-hand view of the Hamilton institute program and YSA events with Elder and Sister Mumford.  Enjoyed a devotional... 
...and evening class.  Good to get another view, and they were so gracious. 
We met some pretty inspiring YSA.  We had a great discussion with "Dean", who is studying languages and theatre at the University.  He is not of our faith but a devout Christian who really loves attending the Institute of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Dean has lived and studied in France, speaks French, German, Italian and sings opera (in Latin).  He is a fascinating young man with great adventures ahead we are sure (he left before the photo).

Dayna, Sister Downs, and Kimi

A view of the Temple:

Dayna, a medical student, is a convert to the church of one year.  She got married in January and was able to go through the Hamilton Temple for the first time 3 days before it closed.  She spent the next three days for 12 hours a day at the Temple doing work for some of those who had passed on before they could get to the Temple.  She didn’t even stop to eat, just kept doing temple work.  She has a pretty sweet and inspiring view of the value of eternal families and covenants made in the temple.

A view on culture:

Kimi returned in January from serving a mission in Farmington, New Mexico(years ago Louenda's folks served there too).  Interesting to get her view as a Polynesian Islander working with the American Indians.  In her view, tradition and culture can be a blessing but also a big stumbling block.  I guess that’s true of ANY culture, especially, as Kimi explained, when one's  view of culture and tradition seem to be more important than God. 

A view of the Hamilton Institute "gathering place".

A view or two from Lake Rotarua in Hamilton

Two old missionaries decided to walk the 4k around Lake Rotarua.  Views from our walk:


A treehouse that offered a great view, better perspective, and a heap of fun (with a few needed repairs).

Duck to his friends: "Meet me at "Dead Tree Point"...I've got a great story that will "quack" you up!"
The Lake getting ready for sunset

A view from Raglan Beach

Raglan Beach 45 minutes west of Hamilton...

A view of the Tasman Sea and a favorite surfing beach.  It's probably a great view from atop the waves if you have a wet suit and a surfboard...

...and some skill.

A view from Raglan beach
These two found a nice spot to view the surfers...the missionary and his "adopted for the moment" dog friend.

Raglan Beach

This old missionary couple happened to be celebrating their (view their hands and the 4-fingers up on each hand - a hint) 44th wedding anniversary!  What a grand view 44 years has given them!  Hoping for at least 44 million more. 
Nasturtiums in Raglan starting to come into view as spring gets rolling
Oh what a view these happy NZ cows get every day with the fresh ocean air.  Please do not show this to cows who would be jealous.


The tiny black dots are actually another herd of happy milk cows.  Cow Cream in NZ is viewed by consumers as out of this world...a little like this dreamy beach-front pasture.

A view of a gate (on our walk)

A view of Sam who entered through a new gate:


Samuel Young with his missionaries-Sister Palu and Sister Beus
Sam, studying law and criminology here at AUT, was baptized this week.  He came into AIB last semester with some of his friends who attend classes at the institute.  He was struggling to find God and get Him back in his life.  He said he felt something pretty powerful while he was at the building and when he attended church with his friends.  Then he got a copy of the Book of Mormon and felt it even more powerfully as he read the words of God.  He entered through the "gate" of baptism and made covenants to do all he can to be obedient and keep his focus on God and His kingdom.

Another Maori, Tongan, Samoan cultural view

 Henderson Stake Cultural night, 2 hours of  great entertainment.  Dances...
...skits, singing and even a magic show by the Stake Presidency (they used a smoke machine which set off the fire alarm and had to stop the show while the fire trucks came...Stake President said it was one way to get the firemen to come to their show).  This Samoan ward sang one of their favorite hymns in Samoan...Polynesians can really SING!
Even Tahitian dances
And the crowd favorite, the Haka

Another view

Have been studying for an Old Testament lesson on Jewish High Holy Days.  In our search to get a clearer view of  the celebrations today, we visited this near-by Jewish synagogue.  Got great insights and a new friend in Teddi.  (more later)
THOTL: After a Sunday School class I waited to catch up to a YSA who I knew had been struggling.  She poured out her heart and lot of tears, and we talked for sometime before she dried her tears and we slipped into our Relief Society class.  From the moment we entered, the class discussion was one profound answer after another to this YSA's dilemma.  It was no coincidence but direct and carefully worded answers to her questions and her heart (and mine as well) from the Lord.  Pretty sweet.
ldsliving web photo
Have you ever been in awe of His handiwork and even His view? 

lds.org web photo
Oh what a grand view it must be... of His creations, His work, His universe, and His children.  
We know as we seek Him He will begin to unfold to us that view as well. 

That's our view.
We love you,
Elder and Sister Downs
Vance and Louenda




Comments

  1. faith16 September 2018 at 07:13

    Your pictures are like post cards! I am blown away by the beauty!

    ReplyDelete

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