Wood, Wool, and Water!

One afternoon, Ral took a break from the office to go to the "Woodcarver's"!  This is quite a "famous" place around here, especially for missionaries.  Jiries and Marcelle, both from Palestine, live on a lovely piece of property which includes their store and wood shop as well - and they truly go out of their way to make a visitor feel welcome.

The small group of senior missionaries were given a personal tour of the property.

 

Kumquat anyone?!  

Ral had never tasted one, so Jiries picked a bunch and everyone had a few!

Then the group was given an "up close and personal" experience with the sheep and lambs!

 

Really, how often can you say that you've held a lamb! 

When Ral held the lamb, the little guy stayed still and leaned his head on her cheek - but we don't have a picture of that moment!

Here is Marcelle cutting some Aloe for Sister Downs.

   

Ral and Jiries in his wood-working shop.

Sister Seamons brought him a picture of Jesus working as a carpenter to set on his work desk - he really appreciated it!

Many of the couples bought nativities - Ral really wanted to buy one too, but decided that, with maybe a couple of missions in her future, she wouldn't buy one just to put it in storage!

Jiries' nativities are beautiful!  He carves them from the wood of native trees and he even has one that is Maori with the Wharenui as the creche and pigs as some of the animals.  Maybe there is a kiwi in there as well!  (Sure reminded Ral of the "Nativity Display" put on by our Stake back in Carrollton!)

KAWAU ISLAND ROYAL MAIL CRUISE

The 4th Monday in October is New Zealand Labor Day.  The Saturday before, a group of us got together and took a mini-cruise to the island of Kawau.  We took the "mail run" cruise which leaves every morning at 10:30 and is the only way island residents get to and from the island and have mail delivered.  It is the largest mail run by water in the Southern Hemisphere. The weekend we went was fun because there were a lot of people going to visit friends on Kawau for the Holiday.

Some of the homes on the island cliffs were huge and beautiful!  

Notice the funicular on the white home and the little man coming down in the "basket" to meet the boat!

This is the Mansion House of Sir George Grey, where he lived from 1862 - 1888.  He was a British soldier, explorer, Governor of South Australia, Governor of Cape Colony, South Africa, Governor of NZ, and the 11th Prime Minister of NZ.

 

The stuffed Kangaroo next to the iron umbrella stand was Ral's favorite thing in the mansion!

This peacock opened its tail for us!

The bird on the post was the second bird that cooperated for a picture!

Coming Home - an overcast sky, but still beautiful to us!