Set

Through the week a word kept popping into our world...SET. 

 First I guess our badges, and our service, and our missions adventures are a constant reminder we have been "set apart" as missionaries to serve the Lord here in New Zealand.  The words on the mission badge open the door for lots of conversation and discussion.  We love to share our own little witness and testimony.  

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Get "set"...

In races (and life) you make preparations, you get ready. Then you get "set", you position yourself so when the time is right you can move forward and "go". 

Getting "set"...
We have spent much of the last week getting things all "set" and ready to go
for our new semester this coming next week. 
 In doing so we have had more than a few folks just passing by the building stopping in to see what we are about.  We had a great conversation with Carlos (Spanish and Italian background but lives now in NZ) whose daughter is coming to AUT.  He wanted to share much from his faith and learn much about ours.  He took a copy of a book we love, the Book of Mormon, and then shared some books he loved with us too.  

"Set"- a collection of scenery...

A "set" surrounding the audience in the NZ Civic Center ...

web photo stuff.co.nz

...and one from the stage. 

 We were invited to go with one of our coordinators Elly Edwards and her husband Manu to see the Broadway musical Aladdin here in Auckland.  We were in awe of the amazing talents and the incredible "sets"!  One of the best musicals we have ever seen (the Disney actor playing Aladdin, Graeme Isaako, is actually a Maori and related to our director Phillip)!

Downs and Edwards in front of a "set" in the Auckand Civic Center Theatre

 Ornate Civic Center

Another "set" is a collection of things similar in some way.  

These green stone necklaces were gifts from the Edwards...Greenstone or Popunamu is the Maori name for the highly valued nephrite jade found in NZ.  It is very strong as well as beautiful and they carved jewelry as well as weapons from it.  Bishop Edward's friend carved these!

Maori tradition says that "It can also enhance and protect the mana of its possessor. 

Pounamu often leaves its keepers and is known to disappear only to be found in another time and place when it is ready." -Wikipedia  

The stone is also said to link earth and heaven, as well as the stars and water. 

We "set" our tables before our meals.
A table that was set at Matavi, Niue for a little missionary dinner. 

 

"Set up"-  the way you organize or arrange something

 On Niue there were no car washes...except when Elder Downs would "set up" his own.

Niue lawn bowling club

 It's been fun to see many lawn bowling clubs... in Niue (top) and Auckland (below).  A

In the South Pacific its a favorite sport of young and old and has been around for over 150 years.  

But you have to "set" it up correctly to begin.

Auckland lawn bowling web photo

Auckland museum Maori vessel with sail woven from flax fibers                        Sail boat on Lake in Hamilton

Set your sail- to spread to the wind, to put the sail in a position to catch the wind. 

In Auckland, the "City of Sails" we see many boats that do or have "set" their sails.

 "Set" can also mean being "set"-  fixed, certain or hardened in your ways. 

 This is a carving of the English and Maori who before the Waitangi treaty were "set' in their own ways, depicted now in a Maori war waka together, learning to let go of their prejudices and old ways, and find a way to co-exist in New Zealand together.

"Set" (put in order, fix or focus) your heart right.

 We learned much from this YSA Ethan Povey about changing your heart to "set it right" with the Lord.  He spoke in Henderson stake conference about a horrific life changing accident over a year ago.  Prior to that time his life was centered in addictions and himself.
But after the accident he began to recognize THOTL in sparing him, and also
the Lord's help in the overwhelming healing process.
He softened his heart, "set" it on the Lord, and found both physical and spiritual healing.
He testified that both need great exercise and effort.

"Set" (fix) your heart on the Lord and be willing to let Him "set" you where you need to be.

Second from the left is Aiza Gonzales (plus missionaries and Sister Lotu Kolofaleon on the right).  She and her husband and 4 children had been living in the Philippines but had a very strong impression that they needed to leave for a number of reasons, including safety and education.  She said they felt a bit like Lehi when he left to take his family to a new land and the Lord said 

"I will be your light in the wilderness...in as much as you keep my commandments." 

 They put their trust and their hand in the Lord's to guide them and "set" them up in their new land...New Zealand.  They quickly began to see THOTL.  They left with only a few necessities and around every corner were people to give them warm clothes, employment, visa help, and everything they needed to begin a new life in NZ.  

She testified that as you "set" your heart on the Lord, obey Him and trust Him to "set" you on and in the right path, you will clearly see His hand in your life.  

Aiza said, "When you do, He has promised He will never let you perish, and He won't."

At the end of the day the sun "sets" ...descends or goes down on the horizon

A sun"set" on Niue. They are usually very beautiful.  

This past week we learned of another kind of  sun"set" back on Niue. 

A slippery and precarious sea track and cave in Niue

 A very young mother, Rosie, with a little 6 month old baby, was visiting her family in Niue.
While climbing she lost her footing on a cliff behind the family home and died.
It was a tragic accident and another funeral too soon in our little LDS chapel there in Alofi.

The rocks and sea tracks are so dangerous and you have to always be sure
your feet are "set" firmly and not on slippery ground.

Greg Olsen web photo

Forgive us for using the same picture again but it certainly depicts 

where you can get help "setting" your feet on firm ground.

 Its nice to know that even when the sun sets each day, it rises again to "set" in the sky 

and give us another day of its great light.

"Set apart" is another use of the word "set".  

Scriptures and prophets have taught that there are times when we want or need to be "set apart" by or for Him (or His servants)...to callings, to responsibilities, 

or to "set" ourselves apart from a world when surroundings are negative and degrading.  

We then seek to not be A PART OF the world, but be APART FROM the world. (2 Cor.6:17)

Sapphire Dream Photography, Flickr.com web photo

Saw this great question on a wall...

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Greg Olsen web photo

He was "set" upon a world He created that largely did not recognized Him.  

He "set" about doing good, "but was despised for it... 

He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind" (The Living Christ-Testimony of the Apostles),

to "set" up salvation and the opportunity for exaltation.  

 He and those who follow Him then, and now, will often find themselves 

"set apart" from the world in general.

We know that as we "set" our feet to follow His, we find the only 

"path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the life to come" (The Living Christ...). 

Love,

Elder and Sister Downs

Vance and Louenda