Charge

Karekare beach is another of the black sand beaches on the west side of New Zealand, known
for its dangerous rip currents.  The waves (sometimes as high as 20 feet) charge and pound this 20 meter (65 ft.) large rock island and the shoreline like we had never before seen.  

Visitors are charged to NOT ENTER THE WATER,
 only when the lifeguard in charge deems it even remotely safe.  

Roger Fenton photo web Auckland Library collection

This old Karekare beach photo from 1930 shows the large rock formation as you enter Karekare beach, aptly named "The Watchman"...as if it has been given charge to guard the traveler against the strong waters of this often dangerous beach. 

Others have been given the charge to be "watchmen" over dangerous waters and grounds.

 Not far from the beach is Karekare falls where water has charged over the top for hundreds if not thousands of years.  It was nice after a rain storm. 

Other little nearby falls after the rain doing their best to charge over the rocks.

 When we received our mission call we were given the charge to come to NZ and work in the Institute program with YSA.  We love them all and love that charge.
  Note: Second from the right is Trent Ormsby whose brother Brandon married Ally Horton (Danny and Holly Horton) from Kaysville/Layton.  Small World. 

 These are our Tuesday night "charges", we hope well-fed on scriptures and soup.

Dr. Michael Carthew (Director of church schools in the Pacific) accepted the charge to come to our Lunchside Devotional and talk to our charges about how to recognize and receive your own revelation.

 This was the group after they had feasted on both lunch and the Lunchside.

Sometimes we are given responsibility over little ones, we call them "our charges".  Elder Downs helped out with one of these little ones, J'Den, so his auntie could listen to Dr. Carthew.

 While in his charge, Elder Downs introduced his "charge" J'Den to Uni to get him excited to be a student in 20 years.

Granddaughters: Catharine and Emma being fed by Adi

 As we take on "charges" we also take on lots of responsibility.  Like feeding and caring for our charges.

At one of our YSA activities who should we meet up with but Alma Redd from Farmington, Utah!  Alma is working in NZ as an au par ... a job that puts him in charge of a three little people  You go Alma! 

rover.com web photo

 The perennial question for families with furry guys... "Who is in charge of feeding the dog?"

 Well, we DO KNOW who is in charge of feed the "not so furry"  YSA at the Institute...us!

Keeps us busy.  Most charges do that.

In careers and job descriptions we get "charges", for things we are responsible to do.

  If you were an architect, you might be in charge of figuring out how to build a house (even in strange places like precarious old volcanic hillsides) that would be firm and stay put.

 These YSA were charged to be detectives and unlock the clues (a game at Family Home Evening) to find out what had happened to their "missing-kidnapped" Bishop.

 We tried to help this group with their charge, but they did much better without us.

There are times when we shouldn't get in the way of someone else's charge.

 Love the clouds in Aoteroa (NZ-land of the long white cloud).

 Sometimes the clouds are just light and fluffy, but lately they have been charged with lots of water and energy and the things rain clouds are charged with.

That's been good, because we have really needed the rain.

The word "CHARGE" has all kinds of meanings...

our homes and lives are full of things that are used to 

"charge" up or give energy to things like our devices, tools, cars, or lights.  

We talk of "re-charging" ourselves, 

of "charging" our purchases, 

being "charged" or accused of a wrong-doing, 

being the one in "charge", 

and "taking charge"...

This is the 7th year since the locust came last to NZ...and they seem to have "taken charge" of many trees and forests.  Places that used to be almost silent are full of locust wings buzz and click. 

Another use of the word charge describes the forward movement of a group, a sport team or army... 

web photo nzherald - elizabeth thompson artist

"Charge of the Light Brigade" by Alfred Lord Tennyson tells the story of the ill-fated British light brigade in the Crimean war, who, with courage and determination (under a miscommunicated order) did their best to be faithful and obedient in carrying out their "charge"...

to "charge" against an overwhelming foe.

A photograph of some of the light brigade survivors. Wikipedia web photo

Entrusted with a charge

We are all entrusted with some kind of charges here in our life. 

Sometimes we do good things with our charges,

but sometimes we come up short,

the dog doesn't get fed, 

or we forget our charge to charge the car, or the computer, or the phone.

Maybe as the one in charge, we forget to follow up or show up,

 or, under our charge, a "light brigade" gets the wrong "charge" and suffers.   

web picture Clarke Kelley Price

No matter our own shortcomings in our charges,

 it is reassuring to remember that there is a perfect One who is ultimately in charge.

He is the ultimate and perfect "Watchman" and tutor of His charges.  

He knows our needs, our limits and our abilities.

D & C 84:42  "Even now I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you."

 We may still get wet, and struggle, or freeze, or even be tired and weary, 

but His charge and His work isn't to keep us warm and dry and comfortable...

it is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" - Moses 1:39.

Trust the One in Charge, and that can happen.

Love you,

Vance and Louenda

Elder and Sister Downs