Mission Tour, Zone Conference, and Back to Normal

A New Zealand "Snow" Man

The Holidays are over, and we are back to whatever "normal" is. Monday was spent catching up on the New Convert Initiative, as I finally got my report. It covered three weeks of baptisms. It took much of the day.

We have had a Senior Couple in the Hamilton Mission that has been unable to get into our master spreadsheet for over a month. We tried a number of things, and nothing worked. She called the Church Help Desk as well as Microsoft help. Still nothing worked. On Monday she sent me a simple spreadsheet with all her updates and asked if I could put them into the master spreadsheet. Even though she had quite a few new converts, I only had to add them to the spreadsheet so that didn't take much time at all. After that, we decided to try the recommendation from Microsoft one more time. I had tried it earlier, but didn't think I had the authority to change the settings since I don't own the spreadsheet. The owner hadn't pickup up the email so he hadn't tried it either. I decided to try one more time. I did some tweaking and low and behold, I was able to change the setting. She can now get into the spreadsheet!!!

We spent much of the afternoon working on planning for a couple of trips we want to take this year before our mission ends. In February, we are going to Hobbiton and Wellington. It will be just under a week. President Allen can approve any trips we want to take in-country. In June, we want to go to Australia for about 10 days. It shouldn't be a problem, but that has to go to the Area Presidency for approval. Steve served his first mission to Australia and always promised to take me there someday. Well, someday isn't going to get any closer than it is right now while we are serving in New Zealand.

Tuesday morning started with a Zoom meeting with the Housing Coordinators. They were implementing a Mission-wide clean out and wanted us to be aware. Also, for us in the Northland area, we needed to pick up and dispose of the things they cleaned out of their flats. Some of the stuff needed to go back to Auckland, such as clothing or supplies. Other things just needed to be disposed of. Later we ran some errands and did a spot check in Bream Bay. Since they were the furthest away, we wanted to pick up their stuff first. They didn't have much.

On Wednesday, we ended up having DCM at our house. We all went to the Stake Center, but no one had the keys to get in. The Zone Leaders were in Auckland for a meeting and apparently forgot to give the keys to someone else. So, the North District went to the Carlisle's house and the Central District went to our house. We had an enjoyable meeting and everyone "lingered longer" before heading out to do their work. 

When they left, we picked up Sister Carlisle and went shopping for food for Zone Conference. That way we could put it all on one receipt that I could send in. After we got home and unloaded everything, Elder Wilcox ran some errands and I worked on the Sacrament Program, Ward Council stuff, and eventually some HawkSoft work. 

Thursday morning started our Mission Tour with Elder and Sister Jaggi. The first session of the tour was a Mission Wide Zoom meeting Thursday morning. For the most part, the sound was pretty good, but there were some speakers that were hard to hear. We communicated with the APs who were in charge of the tech stuff and told them when it worked well and when it wasn't so hot. They came up with a plan that will hopefully be better for the rest of the tour. 

Elder Jaggi had several missionaries share what they learned in our preparatory studies about goal setting before Thursday's session. He also involved those of us on Zoom, by asking questions in chat and then sharing some of our answers with the in-person people. One of the main takeaways about goals is this. A goal is your destination. The plan is how you are going to get there. A goal without a plan is just a wish. We also heard talks from President and Sister Allen, and Elder and Sister Jaggi. We really enjoyed the session and are looking forward to tomorrow.

Before the Zoom meeting, we put the beef we bought for Zone Conference in the slow cooker to cook all day. After the meeting, the first set of missionaries (Elders Erickson and Maraetefai) arrived at our house for Comp Study. We fed them lunch since it was noon. We had a great study as we prepared for Friday's Zone Conference first session. We were in-person that time and the rest of the mission was on Zoom. 

We that was going on, Sisters Jones and Koi arrived for their mentoring session and their Comp Study. We finished with the Elders, and they went with Elder Wilcox to help pick up the rest of the "clean-out" from the other flats we have in our area. The Sisters then joined me for Comp Study. We ready 1 Nephi 13 and 14. We had a very good discussion about chapter 13 as we identified the different things going on in that chapter. I really enjoyed it and I think they did too.

After the Sisters left, I went back to preparing things for our Zone Conference lunch on Friday. I cut up several items for our salad bar. I didn’t make brownies because I figured we would have plenty of desserts. I was right. When I finished it was almost 4:00. Elder Wilcox arrived home and shortly after that Elders Swensen and Sanders arrived for our last Comp Study. We studied the same topic we studied for the earlier Elders. Of course, our discussion was completely different and very enjoyable. I think our Comp Study with the Junior Missionaries is one of the favorite things we get to do. I love it.

When they left, Elder Wilcox shredded the beef while I finished up my HawkSoft work from yesterday. We poured BBQ sauce over the beef and turned it on warm. We let it stay warm all night because we didn't have room in our fridge to store it. It turned out perfect on Friday.

Friday was Zone Conference. We didn't get quite as many people as we planned. I think there were some that were coming from Auckland that changed their minds and didn't come since they had already attended the Zone Conference on Thursday in Auckland. Anyway, we ended up with PLENTY of food. 

We thought we were going to be the first ones to the Chapel for Zone Conference to unlock the doors and start setting up. We were surprised to see so many missionary cars there and the gate and doors already open. President wanted to do interviews, plus they had another meeting that started before our normal Zone Conference. 

It worked out, because we had lots of Elders there to set up tables and chairs, so we didn’t have to do that. We usually have a couple, but we had so many they were done with the whole thing in about 5 minutes. It was AWESOME. We put the table runners on and set out plates, cups, serviettes (napkins), and plasticware. We got some potatoes in the oven to warm, the shredded beef was staying warm in the several slow cookers we had, and the fruit and vegies were in the fridge.  We then had a brief meeting with the Garners about missionary flats and finished up just in time to be there for the start of Zone Conference!

We had a wonderful meeting in the morning. We reviewed what was discussed the day before and the invitation that Elder Jaggi gave the missionaries. Then we went into the topic for the day, which was about the Light of Christ and how we feel the Holy Ghost. Again, we had a great discussion. 

At 11:30, the Seniors headed to the kitchen to put together vegie trays, fruit platters, buns for our shredded beef sandwiches, and the salad bar stuff. We also put out the deserts on the desert table. We put the crock pots on the serving table and called it good. The meeting was still going on, so we went back and caught the last portions of the first session. It went over about 15 minutes. 

Everyone loved our lunch. I’m so happy. They even sang to all the Seniors a song of thanks. It was so fun. All I can say is we couldn’t have pulled it off without the help of all the Senior Couples in Northland. I love them all so much! 

After lunch, we took a Zone Picture and then we cleaned up and packaged up the food. Everyone pitched in so it didn’t take that long. We were able to join most of the second session of Conference. It was as good as the first. The focus of the second have was on the Dedication of the Auckland Temple on April 13, and the month-long Open House in March. Sister Allen gave each of the missionaries a Temple puzzle made out of wood and magnets to put it together. It is very cool. Sister Jaggi collected hundreds of triangle shaped seashells that she gave out as a remembrance of the Godhead. It went along with her talk about the divine companionship we have with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. 

The Spirit was so strong today. I loved every minute. After the meetings, we got the vacuum out and finished cleaning the cultural hall and kitchen so we could go home. There was a little bit of food left in the kitchen that didn’t get set out for some reason. I grabbed one of the AP’s since I knew he would be there to the end and told him we were putting the remaining food out and it was his responsibility to make sure it was taken by the missionaries that were still in a training meeting. Finally, it was time to go home!

Elder Sanders, Conner, and Elder Swensen

Normally, we would rest up the day after Zone Conference, but not so this time. The Riverside Ward had a baptism Saturday morning. They had been working with Conner for some time, so we were all excited to attend his special day. 

Not long after that, we headed out to Maromaku to attend the funeral of the father of a neighbor to the Bishop. Maromaku is one of those places in the middle of nowhere. Lol. We actually drove out there not long after we got here. We went to visit a sweet sister in our ward who is bedridden. Her husband has helped build many chapels in the Northland area. He is a wonderful man and takes such loving care of his sweet wife.  The first time we were there he asked us if we had some time to go see a Chapel, he helped build that was “not too far” from where we were. He gave us directions and we were off. About 30 or so minutes later, after a very windy dirt road in the middle of nowhere we finally came to a little Chapel. It looked very nice, but there didn’t look like there was anything near it for miles. We couldn’t tell if it was even still in use.

Well, not only is it still in use, but a Ward meets there (not a branch) and the Chapel is very, very nice. I think it is even bigger than our Hikurangi Chapel. The funeral service was very nice. The Spirit was so sweet. The talks were so filled with love. It truly was a celebration of life. After the service, we crossed the street to a small cemetery where they had a short service to dedicate the grave. We had several members from our Ward in attendance. 

Shortly after we got home, we headed back to the Stake Center for a Devotional by the Auckland Temple Presidency. We are all so very excited to have our open house start soon and then for the dedication of the Auckland Temple. It is such a blessing to be here for this memorable occasion. 

We had a change in our Relief Society Presidency on Sunday. The Hesters have been building a new house in Auckland and will be moving soon. I have enjoyed working with Diane ever since we arrived in Hikurangi. Both Diane and John have become great friends, and we will miss them so much.

Our new President is Tracey Thomasson.  I know she will do a GREAT job. She has been our wonderful Gospel Doctrine teacher for a couple of years. She is feeling overwhelmed, but I know she will be just fine.

Our meetings went very well. The talks were exceptional. We also got to hear from a few of our youth who went to FSY. Aunty Sandra taught our Relief Society lesson because Sister Hester was out of town, and the new Presidency was…. well…. NEW! Anyway, Aunty Sandra did a great job with her lesson by a talk by Elder Gary E. Stevenson entitled "Days Never to Be Forgotten.” It was a GREAT talk and was a wonderful lesson.

We took care of some Ward business right after Church, then headed home for a relaxing afternoon and evening. I was able to get much of my recap done before Church, so it didn’t take too long to finish it when we got home. I can’t remember the last time we had a few hours with nothing to do!

I hope you have a WONDERFUL week!

All our Love,

Elder and Sister Wilcox