October marks 2 months since the MTC.  Every day we meet: new people, more of New Zealand, new challenges, and new ways the Lord is wanting to stretch and refine us and those we get to teach.  We have only one more week of Institute classes at out Institute building before Summer Break (yup, summer is December - February  :)   Then we will attend scores of seminary and institute graduations and go to activities and events for the YSA's. We are looking for better ways to find the ONES...those who have fallen through the cracks, who are struggling for one reason or another.  Hard to find sheep when you are still learning the landscape and the culture (i.e. we offended the culture when we taught our class by sitting on the table/desk to get down to their level...I guess a table is ONLY for eating...we are learning). Out running errands both Vance and I have had missionary experiences where we have been stopped and asked about our badges and abou...

As promised here is an additional post this week with some pictures and less musing.  It was nice to get rid of the "flu bug", to enjoy General Conference for the second time, and to have an opportunity to visit several places in the North part of the North Island. Some pictures taken at Rainbow and Horseshoe Falls, which are normally lovely blue but after the heaps of rain they were gushing falls and chocolate brown instead. Inside and outside of the Puhoi Creamery with couple missionaries the Bills and Seamons. Matakana Saturday Market place For your convenience there are DOG MINDERS , they watch Fido and Foo Foo for free! Eggs are fresh and never refrigerated, rich orange colored yolks from happy chickens. Matakana Market sells local oysters, manuka honey, jams, eggs, wool and textiles, plants...even local lollies (candy) Pier in Paihia Oysters anyone? Waiting for the ferry from Paihia to Russell NZ Downtown Russel...

Written on Monday October 2, 2017      Life has been wonderful and challenging, busy and full since we arrived.  In trying to keep up and take it all in I have hurriedly documented just the surface of lessons that fill our days and our souls.  It took a sweet, heartfelt email from a dear MTC buddy whose mission is serving in a struggling ward in Hungary to stop me.  Well, that’s and a few other things. I’ve been sick enough for almost a week that, try as I may I can’t go very far or do very much.  I like to be in control and be busy checking things off my to-do list.  The Lord stopped me and I’ve been working from His to-do list this week (one of the those was being home to view General conference at the strange hours we can stream it live here).      Life is not easy, its often just plain HARD.  To quote my MTC friend (in reference to a mission but I find it applies to life in general), “There are dramatic highs and sob...