Cyclone Winston

Cyclone Winston, a category 5 cyclone hit the islands of Fiji on February 20, 2016.  It was the strongest tropical cyclone on record to make landfall over Fiji.  Most of the senior missionaries as well as many of the youth were all in the capital city, Suva for the re-dedication of the Fiji Temple.  President Henry B. Eyring and Elder Quentin L. Cook along with the entire Pacific Area Presidency had just arrived.  The cultural celebration that usually takes place before a temple dedication was significantly reduced in length and started an hour earlier due to a curfew being enforced because of the cyclone  The real miracle was that the storm didn't go over Suva, but turned and struck less populated areas on outer islands.  

The main path of the storm was across the main island's northern coastline and communities to the west.  Further north, the islands of Koro, Tavenui, and Vana Levu received the worst damage.  Sadly, 44 people were killed and thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed.  

On Sunday, February 21, the temple dedication went forward with a very small crowd due to government travel restrictions and blocked roads due to fallen trees.  Even with all the challenges, those in Fiji were thankful that many lives may have been spared because over 100 youth were in Suva for the temple dedication rather than at home in the outer islands where the eye of the cyclone passed over.

"We do not always have the option of choosing our situations in life, but we can respond with faith and trust in the Savior.  We can know that He knows and loves us and will be with us."  Elaine S. Dalton, Lessons from the Old Testament:  Lessons from Ruth and Hannah, April General Conference 2006

Auckland Chinese Lantern Festival

On Saturday, February 21, 2016, several of the senior missionaries boarded the city bus and rode it downtown to the "Auckland Domain" to see the Chinese Lantern Festival.  We caught the bus in the early afternoon to avoid the traffic and crowds.  The festival started at 5:00pm and lasted till late in the evening.  We enjoyed the festival and left just before dark.  

Auckland is home to a thriving Chinese community and the lantern festival is a huge annual celebration.  They moved the event location this year to a larger venue.  The new location  gave more space for the larger crowds.  Upon arrival we were greeted by a LONG row of international food stalls.  To quote AucklandNZ.com "Like most Chinese festivals, the Lantern Festival has its own special foods, including tang yuan (or yuan xiao in Northern China)— round glutinous rice dumplings with sweet or salty fillings. The shape of the dumplings symbolise both the first full moon and family unity"   Those who went last year advised us to eat early before the big crowds arrived.  The advice was right on target.  In leaving the festival after seeing the lanterns, we felt like fish swimming against the current.  There were record crowds this year and while riding home we could see the bumper to bumper traffic headed into the city, we were glad that we used public transportation.

There were over 800 handmade lanterns and live entertainment.  The pictures tell the rest of the story.  We had a nice time.

Learning about traditions and different cultures has been one of our favorite pastimes in New Zealand.  Families are a very important part of all the cultures here.

“I see the positive things it will help the people of this generation to know about their ancestors.”   Rangi Parker, "So They Will Know Their Heritage" - Ensign January, 2011