Off to Fiji for the Temple Open House and Public Affairs Seminar

Susan and I have been joking with one another the last few days that it is summer here in New Zealand but we are still waiting for it to come. It rained yesterday, and with just a few exceptions, we’ve wondered where the really warm days of summer are that we’ve heard so much about. But, we won’t complain since most days are very pleasant, of course, with the daily threat of more rain always present. Our skin feels nice and smooth, however, because of the high humidity.

We have heard and seen quite a few pictures from home—in Utah, Minnesota, and New York (where members of our family live)—that winter really has arrived. So, who’s complaining! (Not to mention the frigid temperatures in those places which we’ve heard about.)

We continue to pursue our Public Affairs work here in the Pacific. We write stories for Mormon Newsroom—Pacific, gather pictures for the articles, coordinate the work of the Area Communication Committee for the Area Presidency, and assist the Public Affairs Coordinating Councils for Auckland, Wellington, and now Hamilton, New Zealand. Lots of emails and computer work is involved with all of this. We’ve both been happy that in our former lives, we’d had experience using various computer programs.

Attending the Glen Innes Ward on Sundays has become a real blessing for us. The ward is small and composed primarily of Tongan, Samoan, and Maori members. It takes us about 35 minutes each Sunday to travel from our apartment to the ward building. Our sense is that being strong in the Church is challenging for many, but we do our best to contribute in any way we can to help strengthen one another as members of the Church. We love the people, more and more as time passes. And our Gospel Doctrine teacher, Brother Couch, we think is one of the finest from whom we’ve ever been privileged to learn.

In the second week of January, we joined with our Public Affairs senior missionary couples from Australia and enjoyed a two-day “get better acquainted” retreat on the west coast of New Zealand. We stayed at a lovely complex perched high above the Tasman Sea near Waiuku. The beach there is called Karioitahi and is made of a fine-grained, black sand which feels like a mattress when you walk on it. We enjoyed good food, good learning, and increased friendship while we were together. We also planned our upcoming seminar in Suva, Fiji for all of the Directors of Public Affairs from around the Pacific.

Last week, we traveled to Fiji for six days and enjoyed the seminar and the Open House for VIP’s and Media at the Fiji Temple. The Open House for the general public began the following Monday, January 25. In the first day or two of the Open House, the Prime Minister of Fiji and his entire cabinet, the President of Fiji, and Miss Fiji World all toured the temple. The experience for each of these individuals was memorable, and the Fiji Sun newspaper featured a special section in the paper which was devoted exclusively to stories about the temple. It was particularly delightful that for the press, the Prime Minister said, “I’d love everyone to come and have a look at what you have here,” as he encouraged Fiji citizens to tour the temple.

Because our son-in-law who lives in Utah, Kyle Terry, had led the construction work to build the baptismal font in the Fiji temple in February of 2015, being present to personally see the results of his efforts was most uplifting to us. After our temple tour, we called and talked with him to share our impressions of the good he and his team had accomplished. They originally had planned to do that work in three weeks, but the reality turned into five weeks because of unforeseen circumstances. During that period, our daughter, Kathy, was expecting their fifth child and was home alone doing her best to manage and care for a very young family, which was challenging as well.

We felt like both of them consecrated their lives to complete this important project, and the witness of the Spirit while we were in the temple confirmed that this was so.

Our Fiji Director of Public Affairs Seminar was also equally satisfying. Both Elder Kevin Pearson and Elder Gifford Nielsen spoke to the group. Their remarks were inspiring and instructional. We strengthened and gained many friendships during the days we spent together, and we now feel even more prepared to try and accomplish the work here in the Pacific.

For a brief time, we were also able to visit the marketplace in downtown Suva. As we toured the outdoor shops and booths, we were particularly taken by the gorgeous flowers being sold there. We also were amazed at the many fruits and vegetables offered to the hundreds of customers who were roaming through the buying areas.

During January, we’ve been preparing for and helping with the visit of Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and his wife, Katherine. He has visited American Samoa, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, and is headed for New Zealand tomorrow. He had also planned to visit the Saints in Vanuatu, but the deteriorating airport runway there prevented large commercial air carriers from landing there.

We have reached our six-month mark in our missionary service; one year remaining to serve. We have learned much and continue to learn and grow. Susan and I have enjoyed reading in the scriptures each morning and praying together to start our days. We love learning from God’s words, and the words of His servants. And we try to pray for those who we know need God’s special help.

We try also to stay in touch with family and friends back home as best we can. We know of many blessings received, for which we are so grateful, and also of many challenges faced in the lives of those for whom we love and care. We believe in the midst of both of these realities that faith and trust in our Heavenly Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ is the only sure way of life. We are so grateful for the gospel and the plan of happiness which has been provided for each of us.