Getting to know you
Getting to know all about you
. . . Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy?
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day!
The week we spent with the Maughan's was indeed a WHIRLWIND of Adventure . . . full of "heaps" (NZ word!) of work and training; many activities; meeting many new friends; being invited to dinner every night; becoming acquainted with the Takapuna and Auckland area; and getting used to driving on the left!
We live and work in Takapuna - just across the Harbor Bridge, north of Auckland. The first picture is the view of Auckland as we cross the bridge going south on our way to church. We love the New Zealand flags flying on the bridge! The third picture shows the Takapuna skyline, traveling north, just coming off the bridge.
These three buildings in Takapuna are close to our apartment and the Area Office - pictured below. We walk 12 minutes to work every day unless it's really raining hard and then we take the shuttle. Our office is right in "Downtown Takapuna", so it's fun to walk through the town to grab a bite for lunch every now and then!
The Area Office Building and the plaque in front of it.
This is our apartment building and the arrow is pointing to our balcony.
When we get our apartment put together, we will post pictures of the inside!
The day after we arrived was Sunday, so it was off to our ward for the first time. We were assigned to the Massey Ward, which is about a half hour away. Our building is the Stake Center and here we are with Bishop Ruwhiu - which is pronounced "Ru-few" (wh = f sound). The first ward members we met were Elisapeta and Chrisllaine Luamanu. "Luamanu" in Samoan means "two birds". Anne and Ral spent their time in Primary with the children, of coarse!
On Monday at the Area Office, Ral "Delivered the Package" (See's Chocolates!) to Hans and Luisa from the Winters. We can tell you that the chocolates didn't last very long - as evidenced by Susan Seamons' smile!
During the week there was training and more training with Anne and David and our team!
Our Amazing Office Team: Sam, Luisa, and Hans!
A "Going Home Lunch" for Anne and David.
This is our Area Presidency. Each of them met with us and made us feel so welcome and Elder Cardon,
who is directly over our department, gave us a beautiful framed quote.
Friday night of our first week was the Stake Talent Show - "Finding Joy in the Journey" - which was a beautiful introduction to our amazing Stake and Massey Ward Members. We loved hearing their beautiful voices!
We were able to view our Stake President Wi Repa in a whole new light!
Ral spent the next day, (Saturday) with "The Girls" attending "Time Out For Women" in downtown Auckland. She was able to meet and speak with all of the participants, which included two of her favorites, Elaine Dalton and John Bytheway (with his wife, Kim).
That evening, the Streeters (Christine and Steve) took Anne and David to the airport for the big trip HOME. We love the Maughan's!!! Friends for life! . . . and YES, we miss them!
We ended our first week in NZ, attending Stake Conference with the Streeters. President Wi Repa looked a little different today! Here he is with our Area Seventy, Elder Adolph Johansson.
As our very first week in New Zealand came to a close, we felt overwhelmed and so very blessed with all that we had experienced and learned; the people we had met (and LOVED already!); and the beauty we found in this little corner of "the Lord's Vineyard". The flowers on the podium of the Stake Center said it all . . . Pause from all the craziness . . . Breathe deep . . . and take it ALL in!
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