Size

While we've been getting ready for the next semester to start up soon, we got to spend some time with our niece Cheryl and husband Kevin Tew and family (Tanner, Kanani, and in-laws Ryan and Melody Tew) here in NZ. One of our adventures together was gathering sea shells.  
We were struck by the great difference in SIZE.  These are the same little conch-type shell, both perfectly formed, but vastly different in SIZE.

Lunch at the Auckland Domain with the Tew family-Tanner, Kevin, Ryan, Melody, Kanani, Cheryl and us.  Should have taken a before and after picture...our SIZE was bigger after lunch.

We could spend hours finding all SIZES of shells...and we did.

More SIZES

The Tew family...families come in all SIZES too...(or Tew).

 We had a chance to stop by one of the Kauri forests, not quite as big as the California Redwoods, but the biggest SIZE native tree here in New Zealand.  Lou found it too big to adequately hug.

 Small SIZE Elder Downs next to some Big SIZE Kauri trees

There are times when SIZE can make a difference:

-The SIZE of a traffic jam can make it harder to get to your destination.

-The SIZE of a wave can make a difference to a boat, or a swimmer, or a surfer.

-The SIZE of your shoes can make a heap of difference to your feet... 

(A big SIZE Kauri tree trunk)

But SIZE and position don't always make the most difference. 

  

This week we had a study abroad group from BYU join us at the Auckland Institute Building (AIB) for lunch and a Karaoke-fest!

There were about 20 who came, for AIB that was a big SIZE group.  

Big groups and gatherings can be a positive factor, you can feel supported and surrounded, and not alone. But... 

 sometimes we can get lost in a crowd. Standing "alone" can sometimes help us be stronger and prove what we, alone with God, can really do. 
If we stick with God, no matter our SIZE, can all do hard things.
Matthew 19:26"...With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

AND...

we have seen first-hand that's it's really NOT the nature or SIZE of your problem, but your determination to resolve it that counts...its a test.

 February 16 is the WakaAma Races. 
Teams prepare long and hard, then bring their big waka (canoe, war boat, big rigger)
for the annual races.
In past years we've seen that its not always the biggest SIZED team or waka that wins the race.  

 While the wakas await the big waters, a smaller SIZE row boat easily tackles the same waters.  

There are 50 or more tiny sailboats on the horizon...they sail and keep the water out the same way the ones many times their SIZE do.

Whangeri Falls 

Much of New Zealand is very dry right now so the SIZE of the falls may be meager...but still perfect and beautiful we think.

Cheryl and Kanani hiked under the falls and agreed that the small SIZE of the water flow over the falls didn't change the beauty. 

Mark Twain quipped once about "SIZE":

web photo

Our tiny SIZE faithful guard dog friend on Niue doesn't know he's just a peanut...he just does his job.

 With the "enemy" looming and SIZING up Ryan Tew (Kevin's dad), he faces the "foe", and makes peace at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds...where the Maori and English signed an agreement giving British sovereignty over New Zealand in 1840.

 Good thing the SIZE of your bulging eyes or length of your tongue didn't make a difference to our Maori friends, maybe we just need more practice or an outfit.

One of the things the Maori do to try to appear bigger in SIZE and meaner and more ready to fight than their opponent is to stick out their tongue and bulge their eyes.  It's one way of trying to convince their enemy that  "I am more powerful and ready to fight than you!"...
no matter what their SIZE!

SIZE is a way we measure or compare physical things, their extent, dimensions, or magnitude.  We use words like:
liters
pounds
pixels
feet
kilometers
gallons
millimeters
large
small

But physical SIZE isn't always the most accurate way to compare or measure the VALUE or HEART of things.

web photo meme

web photo

 We're learning that beauty and perfection also don't particularly come in a SIZE...they can look big...

And take up heaps of space like the ocean...

 Or they can be small...

web photo lds

 ...and even be very, very tiny, like a mustard seed.
  But small may be all we need (Luke 17:6).

And whatever the SIZE, they can be valuable and perfect
in doing and being
what they need to do and be. 

Livy & Greyson......... Catharine, Gwynee, Adi and Golda

What size is LOVE?

Pure love isn't really a SIZE either.  It can be powerful if it comes from a big heart or a tiny heart...as long as its sincere and real...and pure.

In love, physical SIZE doesn't really matter.

The week we returned home from little Niue, which had only a very tiny 

SIZE Relief Society and Sunday School class.

 Then we attended Church at the Auckland Ward on Ascotia Place here in New Zealand.  

There were heaps in attendance.  

But we felt the same spirit both places.  There again, SIZE didn't make a difference.

We also remembered the words of President Thomas S. Monson ...

web photo

So SIZE doesn't hold Him back or bother Him or His work either. 

web photo painting by Del Parsons

The Savior loves and hopes to save all of His creations, big and small, the lambs and the ewes and the rams...and all of us.
 SIZE doesn't matter. 
What matters is our faith, our devotion, our obedience
  ("There is no faith where there is no obedience"-Gospel Principles, 1997, 118),
 and our hearts..whatever SIZE they may be.

Elder and Sister Downs
Vance and Louenda

PS: Hope you are seeing THOTL in your lives, some may seem big and obvious, and some small and quiet. 
 As we look we can see His Hand daily in all SIZES.