Senior P-Day, DCM, Dinner with Friends, Temple, and Baptisms

We had a very fun Senior P-Day on Monday. We picked up Elder and Sister Carlisle so we could ride together. It was fun getting to know them better while we talked all the way there and back again. We met everyone at the Waitangi Treaty Museum. We took the guided tour at 10:00 AM and learned more about the Māori Culture. Then saw a wonderful Cultural Performance at 11:00.  After the performance we went to the Museum and walk around for a little while. Most of it was about the Māori veterans of the wars. It was very sobering.  

From there we went to Paihia to Pier 7 and caught the ferry to Russell. There we had a delicious lunch. I had Korean Chicken and Steve had Fish and Chips. After lunch it was after 3:00 so we decided to head home. We took the ferry back to Waitangi and headed home. 

Tuesday was filled with catching up from Monday, working on some shared calendars for the Ward, having the missionaries over for Pathway, and doing some mending for the Sisters. Part of that catch up involved working a complicated financial problem we were having in the Ward. We also worked on setting up the Ward Council agenda. The shared calendars ended up being not needed so that was just a learning experience for me. Lol. 

We had our missionaries over in the afternoon for Pathway. Sister Szott was not with us because she had to take Sister Ngawaka to Auckland since she is going home…probably today. Sister Szott stayed in Auckland in a threesome until Thursday, when they had transfers. Then she picked up her new companion and came back up north.

Both Sister Chapman and Sister Ali brought things for me to fix. Sister Chapman needed so work on a strap on her shoulder bag, and Sister Ali wanted the slits in her dress sewed so they don’t go up so high. By the time I finished that it was almost 6:00.

Tuesday evening, we got a call from the Bream Bay Sisters. They were unable to get into their flat. Their door code was not working, nor was their key to the back door. We headed down there to see if we could help. To our disappointment we could do nothing. We sent them to the Sisters’ flat on Clark Road for the night.

First thing Wednesday morning, I called the real estate agent that has their property to see what could be done so they could get back into their flat. Sister Enosa was being transferred the next day and still needed to pack. They told us there should have been a remote for the garage door. The Sisters did not have a remote. So, we headed to the real estate office to pick up a remote that we could give the Sisters. They were also going to schedule someone to service the two doors. Then we headed to our DCM meeting. We were 20 minutes late. Luckily the South District was meeting in Hikurangi today, so Sister Enosa was there today. 

We were going to give the remote to the Sisters, but they were working during the day and we needed to make a copy of the remote. So, we headed back to Whangarei to a couple of locksmiths to get a remote programed for them. The first place we went to wanted $200 for the remote and they would have to order it. They sent us to some other place that they thought would have it in stock and would cost less.

While we headed over there, I called Elder Garner to let him know what was going on. He wanted the address to see if someone had turned in the original remote when they were going home. At the next place they had the remote in stock and it was only $120. Elder Garner called back and had the remote, so we didn’t need to buy one. Since the Sisters were headed to Auckland in the morning, they picked up the remote from Elder Garner and we arranged to pick up the one we gave them on Monday so we can turn it into the real estate office.

What is really weird, is we went back to Bream Bay so we could check out the remote to make sure the Sister could get in. We also wanted to see if someone had accidently moved a little switch on the front door from the inside that actually is another lock. That would have prevented the code from working. Well, the inside lock was locked, but when we unlocked it, the code STILL did not open the door. It turns green and sounds like it unlocks the door, but they door won’t open. It is weird. And the back door key that has always worked before, now feels like it is the wrong key. We can’t turn it at all. It is just weird.

We had a little pizza party after DCM to say goodbye to Sister Chapman. The Carlisles bought pizza, and we furnished brownies. We tried to pay for half the pizzas, but they wouldn't take any money. Sister Chapman was the only missionary in our district that was transferred. And of course, Sister Ngawaka went home so we got two new Sister in this transfer. 

Not long after we got home, the Elders showed up for a Comp Study. We had an nice visit with them. Later I had an hour-long call with Elder Sorensen about the New Convert Initiative spreadsheet. He had accidently created a copy of the spreadsheet so none of his changes were getting saved tot he SHARED spreadsheet. I think we got it all straightened out.

On Thursday, we picked up the Carlisles again. We headed to Costco first and then to the Mission Office. We picked up a few things for us, and then a second stash of stuff for our upcoming Zone Conferences. The Carlisles picked up stuff they wanted too. We had fun stuffing everything into the back of the car. We not only had all our luggage for overnight, but the Carlisles were returning a bunch of stuff to the Mission Office that they didn't need. 

After a quick lunch at Burger King, we headed to the Mission Office. We were hoping to be in and out in record time. That DIDN'T happen. 😂 It is just too fun to see everyone. We dropped off stuff and picked up a few items. We ran into Elder Dixon and then Sister Ali. Sister Garner forwarded a bad inspection report for one of the flats we inspect. This particular property manager is very picky. She has three of our flats. We have dealt with all the issues in the other two flats. This is the first time we got anything for this third flat. We will tackle that on Monday.

We finally got out of there about 3:15. It was at least 15 minutes later than we wanted. We were meeting friends of the Carlisles for dinner in Hamilton. The GPS said we would be there about 3 minutes before we were to meet them. We were about 5 minutes late. 😢 When we walked in, the couple looked familiar to us. Come to find out, they served at the Headquarters Mission in Salt Lake City the same time we did. We overlapped about a year. They left just as President Holmes came in. We didn't really know them other than by sight. We all had a great visit and enjoyed some delicious Italian food at a very authentic Italian restaurant. The Carlisles went home with their friends, and we went to our motel. 

Friday morning dawned bright and early. We picked up the Carlisles on our way to the Temple. We did a sealing session at 8:00. It was a large group, so they split us into two groups. We were able to do a lot of names. The Carlisles got all of their names done. We still have some children to do. After sealings, we did an endowment at 9:15. It was the fullest session we have ever been on. Schools are closed for two weeks so there are a lot of people on holiday. It is a good time to go to the Temple for them. We enjoyed our session. We stopped at the distribution center after the session so the Carlisles could pick up a few things. They we head back home.

It is a very long drive home when you don't break it up with stopping at Costco. Sister Carlisle was hoping to do her piano lessons that she teaches on Friday afternoons. 

On the way home, I got a couple of calls about a few issues that needed to be resolved. So, after we dropped the Carlisles off, we started on the issues. Some we were able to resolve. Others we addressed on Saturday. And still another one we are hoping to resolve soon. We have to get Global Services involved. 

Saturday morning, we woke up and realized we had forgot about the baptisms Elder Sanders had invited us to attend. We checked the time and realized we could make it if we hurried. It was about an hour, drive so we needed to hustle out the door. We arrived just as they were starting the service. We try to support all the missionaries in our district when they have baptisms. 

Sister Chapman

It was an awesome baptism. There were four brothers ranging in age from about 8 or 9 to 13 (I think). They all stood up there after the baptism and bore their testimonies. It reminded me of the stripling warriors of the armies of Helaman. Their parents are not active in Church, but their grandfather has done wonders with them. They are all excited and anxious be serve others. I think they will all make great missionaries one day. You can see how much the love the Lord in their countenances. I’m so grateful we went.

We had the most beautiful musical number by two brethren on clarinets and a sister on the guitar. It was so lovely. They did a medley of a couple of hymns. After the baptism, while the people were setting up for the meal that followed, the three of them continued to play hymns. We snapped a couple of pictures. They don’t ever just do a few refreshments after an event. It is always a FULL meal and lots of desserts. 

Sister Enosa

We had tons of work to do when we got home. We still didn't finish everything. We are hoping to finish it up on Monday, but I'm not holding my breath. 

I love Sundays. I love almost everything about Sundays. We started early so we could get setup before we had Ward Council. We were missing a few people, but we still had a good meeting. We discussed everything on the agenda. YAY. 

Our numbers were a little low, but not too bad. Several people our regulars were on holiday, but we had out of town visitors that almost made up the difference. Out testimony meeting was very good. I even got up and talked about my testimony of General Conference. 

Wilcoxes and Carlisles

After Church, we headed to the Ngahere Ward to attend their Sacrament meeting and visited Bishop Holtz after the meeting. We trained him in the New Convert Initiative process. He is excited to work with it. Things are beginning to pick up.

All our Love,

Elder and Sister Wilcox

The Carters in the back, the Carlisles in the middle,
and the Wilcoxes in the front.