Area Office Service Activity

On Friday we had a service activity at the Area Office.  The week started with collecting books from our homes and donating them to the "Reading with Conviction" book drive.  The books will be donated to the inmates at the Auckland and Mt. Eden Prison.   

On Friday we had a series of activities.  We had a blood drive sponsored by NZ Blood Donations.  We also had the opportunity to be able to purchase a box lunch from an organization called "Eat My Lunch'.  Eat my Lunch delivers wholesome and nutritious lunches to Kiwi kids in need.  The last activity was assembling Hygiene Kits.  The Area Office assembled approximately 450 - 500 kits consisting of shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor (for men only - another group assembled the women's hygiene kits), face cloth, comb and band aids.  Each department was assigned a time to assemble the kits and the job was done in no time flat.

In our time slot we were assigned to be the "bundlers".  This entailed tying a string around 10 bags and putting a label on it stating if it was a "Mens" or "Womens" kit.  

We found it interesting as the New Zealand Red Cross is celebrating their 100 year anniversary in 2015.  When we were serving in Bosnia in 2012, the Red Cross of Bosnia and Herzegovina was celebrating their 100 year anniversary at that time.  We have enjoyed working with the Red Cross organization.  They do much good in the world.

"I was told once that people would never thank me for my work, but this was not true.  I am now left with so many wonderful memories o amazing places seen that you could never imagine, beautiful smiles, humble thanks and many blessings.  And how could I ever feel unhappy about that?" Jane Askew, "Recipient of the International Committee of the Red Cross Florence Nightingale Medal". 
DONATIONS

Max George Court

Rebecca and Max George

We have had two new grandchildren born this month.  On Thursday morning, July 30, 2015 (Mountain Standard Time) our 11th grandchild was born.  Bringing the total to 10 boys and 1 girl.  

We were hoping that Max George might wait and arrive on the 1st of August so he could share his birthday with Gary.   It Looks like we will have to extend future July/August birthday celebrations every year for 3 days.  :) 

This newest member of the family is named after his great grandfathers on both sides of his family.  He is fortunate to have two great names.  When he gets older he can choose which name he wants to be called.  

Mother and son are doing great and we were delighted to see this new arrival on our Friday and their Thursday morning.    These two grandsons have been a wonderful blessing and we look forward to meeting them in person.  We know that the Lord is mindful of our service and we are thankful for the opportunity to serve.  We do miss being able to share in this joyous occasions in person, but we are so greatful for the technology that makes it possible to participate virtually.  

"The earth was created that families might be."  Elder Russell M. Nelson, "The Creation",  April Conference 2000.

Mormon Newsroom Pacific

You are probably all aware of Mormon Newsroom, but did you know that there is a Mormon Newsroom Pacific  www,mormonnewsroom.org.nz?  Mormon Newsroom Pacific focuses on what is happening here in the Pacific Area.

Paula Fugal, a missionary currently serving as a public affairs specialist in Auckland says: “There is so much good that happens in the world that often goes unnoticed.  I love the fact that we can provide a positive space for people to go for uplifting stories and information. I hope when people read our stories they feel inspired to do good things in their communities, churches and families.”

Elder and Sister Fugal, Elder Wallace, and Elder Melligan, 

During June and July, 2015 the US Navy Ship Mercy visited our part of the South Pacific.  This hospital ship spent considerable time in both Fiji and in Papua New Guinea.  In addition to Navy medical personnel, there were also 20 volunteer dentists, doctors, nurses, veterinarians, engineers and other specialists from the Church.  They participated with nearly 1000 navy crew members to provide free services to local communities.  This navy ship is actually a floating hospital. There are 12 operating rooms on the ship.  There are several articles about the ships' visit to the Pacific.  Medical supplies donated by the Church were also taken to both Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

It is interesting to see photos that our humanitarian couples sent to us when they reported on the Mercys' visit.  The missionary couples set up stations for people to be interviewed and surgeries to be scheduled. The navy medical personnel didn't just work on the ship; dentists worked on people in tents and medical doctors saw patients in local clinics and in parks.   The young missionaries were especially helpful in translating for the doctors and in assisting the local people.

This is one of our favorites stories when they visited Fiji. http://www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz/article/medical-ship-humanitarian-clinics-lift-lives.

Another interesting you tube clip we were excited to see was: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3HGTTIkKQM.  This clip tells about the work the Church is doing all over the world with vision care.  What was exciting to us was an 8 year old boy that was a part of the project.   We worked on this project when we served in the Adriatic North Mission (2012 - 2013).  We met the young boy and his parents.  He was diagnosed with vision problem that was corrected as a result of this project.

Another week is completed and we find that we are over half way through our service here. This mission is a wonderful experience.  We love the work we are privileged to be engaged in. 

"Time flies on wings of lightning, we cannot call it back.  It comes, then passes forward along its onward track.  And if we are not mindful, the chance will fade away.  For life is quick in passing, 'Tis as a single day. 

 Improve each shining moment, In this you are secure.  For promptness bringeth safety and blessings rich and pure.  Let prudence guide your actions; Be honest in your heart, and God will love and bless you and help to your impart." Improve the Shining Moment #226 LDS Hymns, Robert B. Baird, Verses 2 and 4.

Fitz Winters Bagley

Have you ever wished you could be in two places at once?  This past week was one of those times for us.  Our daughter, Reachel and her husband Andrew blessed us with our 10th grandchild.  We are thankful for modern technology which enabled us to see our grandson just minutes after he was born. We felt a part of the wonderful experience, but we still wanted to be there to help and to be part of this special time.  He was born on July 7, 2015.  His delivery was so quick that we still have not received all of the vital statistics - but we know that he is perfect.

We are grateful for the opportunity we have to serve in New Zealand at this time.  We are also thankful that the Lord has seen fit to bless our family with this new little boy.  **Just so you know - we have another daughter who will also bless us with another grandchild by the end of July.  "Double blessings" for our service?  It will be a long 8 months before we can snuggle and hold these little ones, but we also know that this is where the Lord wants us at this time.

"A spiritual rebirth can be yours as you serve the Lord in total service.  Prayer will have a deeper dimension, and the scriptures will be pondered and more deeply appreciated.  The Holy Ghost will become more evident; your capacity to love will increase; your family at home will be blessed, and they will be proud of your selfless service to the Lord." David B. Haight "Feed My Sheep" April 1979 General Conference

Canada Day and the 4th of July

Last Tuesday was the 1st of July which is Canada Day.  Our youngest daughter and her family live in a small Alberta town.  Her two older sisters braved the 12 hour drive and took three of our grandsons to visit our Canada daughter, her husband and three other grandsons.  The boys had a wonderful time being in the parade and visiting their cousins.  Every night they build a fire in their backyard fire pit and roasted marshmallows.  They floated the Milk River, visited the Cardston Temple, Waterton Park, and had a great time.  We love how our children support each other while we are away.

Saturday was the 4th of July in New Zealand.  We got up early and went with two other couples to the Hamilton New Zealand Temple.  Have we mentioned that it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere?  When we left our apartment it was raining and a temperature of 11C/52F.  When we came out it had warmed up some to 12C/54/F.  We know it is in the high 30's C/90's F in Utah and Canada and 41C/105F in Mesa, AZ.  Our children tell us every time we talk to them and we still tell them that it is cold here.  Here we are at the temple yesterday wearing our coats for the 4th!

From our Apartment Balcony 7:30 am 4th of July

After our temple session we came out and the sun was shining.  It was still cold.  We visited for a short time with the visitors center director and his wife where we learned of the passing of Elder Boyd K Packer.  Then we did a little shopping at the distribution center and headed back to Auckland for a FHE - 4th of July celebration with the other senior couples.

A great time was had by all.  We had a short lesson and a traditional 4th of July meal - hamburgers with all the trimmings, chips and root beer floats.  After dinner and before our floats we played "Minute to Win it".  Since we all have a "handicap" of being seniors - we did "30 seconds to win it".  We played several games; Defy Gravity, Suck it Up, Elephant March and Cookie Face.  The winners got star glasses and we all posed for a group picture.

Each holiday celebrated away from our family reminds us how much we miss them.  Our missions have helped us set priorities and remember the things that are most important.  We look forward to spending holidays and special occasions with our children and grandchildren next year.  

We are thankful for all that we have and grateful that we were born in a day with all the modern conveniences which we enjoy.  We know we are right where the Lord wants us to be.  We know the gospel is true and are thankful for the opportunity to serve.   We appreciate living in a country where we enjoy the blessings of freedom.

"Your absence is the most powerful testimony you will ever bear to your posterity.  The day will come when they will rise up and call you blessed because you were gone for a season.  Those grandchildren will never pray as hard for you as they do while you are serving a mission."  Elder David A Bednar,  Mission Conference, February 28, 2015 

What is an Area Welfare Specialist?

Quite often we are asked: "What is an Area Welfare Specialist and what do you do?"  According to the description on the Internet - "Area Welfare Specialists support senior humanitarian missionaries as they develop and implement humanitarian projects."

On a typical day we go to the office (an 8 minute walk from our flat) between 7:30 and 8:00 am.  If it is raining there is a shuttle that will pick us up at the apartment building at 7:45.  Gary nearly always walks - the arthritis in Susan's feet determine if she will walk or ride.  Upon arrival at the office we turn on our computers to check emails and the humanitarian project database for new requests and updates. Each morning, Susan checks the United States Geological Survey website for earthquakes with a magnitude over 5.0 and tropical storms in the Pacific Area.  She then sends an email to the Area Welfare Manager and office staff. Everyone is made aware of any possible emergencies.  

Gary at his computer

Our Administrative Assistant, Luisa

On Mondays at 8:30 am there is a devotional for all church employees and missionaries.  It usually lasts about 15 to 20 minutes.  At 9:00 am we then meet with the Area Welfare Manager and our Administrative Assistant where we discuss plans for the week.

Gary, Luisa, and Hans

Tuesday through Friday the office work is similar if we are in New Zealand. We read and respond to emails, monitor earthquakes and storms, answer phone calls and help do our best to support our humanitarian couples and staff throughout the area.  

Once a month we attend the Area Welfare Counsel Meeting (AWCM) with a member of the Pacific Area Presidency, the Director for Temporal Affairs, ourselves, our Administrative Assistant, the Area Welfare Manager, the Self-Reliance Services Manager, and the Area Controller.  At this meeting we present, review and discuss humanitarian and welfare proposals for the Pacific Area.  It was just last week that we held our monthly AWCM.  Prior to the meeting, our humanitarian couples submit their requests to fund various humanitarian projects in their countries.  Gary looks over these requests, tweaks them if necessary and puts them into a power-point format which we present for review and discussion in the AWCM.  This month we had 17 projects submitted and also approved.  The project requests range from materials to help a village complete a water system, or providing school playground equipment to shipping donated school furniture to one of the poor island countries. Other examples could include equipment and supplies for humanitarian dental clinics or helping a poor subsistence agriculture village prepare their land to plant crops. Each project is reviewed on it's merits and either approved or returned for further development.  

When our couples submit their projects we suggest that they contain the following elements: 

1.  Have the support of the local priesthood.   

2.  The beneficiaries are involved in the project - its good to have "sweat equity" as part of the project.

3.  Have volunteers participate - include project recipients and volunteers from the Church and the community.  

4.  Do something so the community will grow and benefit from this project.  To the extent possible, they will be better able to respond themselves to meet future challenges.  

5.  We try to use "local solutions" to the problem.  If local solutions are used, the community will know how to maintain the project and hopefully fix future problems. 

After our meeting, we go back to our office and notify the couples that their projects have been approved (or need to be modified) and take care of other challenges and difficulties that may arise.  

Gary's main role is working with the couples, developing the larger projects, budgeting for the next year and  helping them solve problems as they arise.  

Susan's role is humanitarian blogger.  We request that the couples send us a short paragraph and pictures each month with their successes.  When all the reports are in, she puts together a newsletter.  The newsletters help the missionary couples see what the other couples are doing and hopefully spark ideas that they might consider in their own country.  It also gives the Area Presidency an overview of the work.  Here are just a few of the pictures she receives along with a short comment of what they are doing.

There you have it - what an Area Welfare Specialist does.  Since we are making this post on Sunday night we will start all over again tomorrow morning.  We enjoy the work we are engaged in, love exploring New Zealand on the weekends and are very happy with the life of a Area Welfare Specialist in New Zealand.  We are only missing one thing - our family.  

"No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow man." Thomas S. Monson, Service Bring Joy, New Era, October 2009

Ghost Blogger

Ranginitito? Spelling?

We received an email saying we made a new blog post - only the one problem.  We never made this post.  If we did, we didn't intend to make it.  We decided that it must have been the Ghost Blogger.  

We have visited an island near Auckland called Rangitoto, but we haven't written a post  about it.   We have been working on a post telling about the various regional parks and beaches in New Zealand.  But that is still coming - stay tuned.

There are 35 Regional Parks in the Auckland area.  In fact, according to Wikipedia, New Zealand has 14,000 kilometres (8,700 miles) of coastline making it the 10th longest in the world. The coastline on both islands borders the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The entire country of New Zealand measures 2,813 kilometres (1,748 miles) from the northern tip of the North Island to the southern tip of the South Island.  At the widest point it is about 100 miles wide, so you are always close to an ocean.  There are many beautiful and nearby beaches to visit.

This past weekend we went with two other couples from the Area Office to Waiwera Thermal Resort (see http://winterskiwi.blogspot.co.nz/2014/09/first-weekend-in-takapuna-new-zealand.html) It was our Friday night date and we all slept very well after spending time in the thermal pools.

On Saturday we went with Elder and Sister Whidden to with Tāpapakanga Regional Park. We always have a good time and enjoy being able to jump in the car and take off on the weekend to visit new places.  Where else can you find a beautiful and deserted beach almost anywhere you go?  Although it is winter here.    

Friday marked our oldest grandson, Taylor's birthday.  He is 12 and received the Aaronic Priesthood.  We are proud of him and the fine young man he is becoming.  We hope to visit with him more this coming weekend.  

"May we adapt to the changes in our lives, may we realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey."   Thomas S. Monson, Finding Joy in the Journey, October General Conference 2008