Blue Suede Shoes and then some!

One of the fun things we do while traveling to various places on this mission is to do a bit of geocaching.   (For more info on what that is, check out Geocaching.com).  We've been playing the game since 2006 and have enjoyed it immensely.   Today we logged our #300 find at a place we never would have expected to find in New Zealand - an ELVIS PRESELY museum.

It is actually a private collection of memorabelia in a guy's garage.   But he has things set up to display for anyone who is interested to see it, so we took some time to check it out.

Kevin Wasley of Hāwera, Taranaki, began collecting Elvis Presley records and memorabilia in 1959. His collection grew so large that he turned his garage into a museum, which is open to the public by appointment.

Return to the Taranaki

We had the opportunity to make a second trip to the Taranaki district to do a Family History training in Waitara Branch.   This time we stayed in New Plymouth.   The training went really well, particularly the connection we made with the Young Women's president and the Branch Mission Leader.  We got some beautiful views of the mountain and had a bit of time to explore again in Pukekura Park.  It's a long drive down there, but we really like the area and love working with the saints there.

We had a positive meeting with the Director of the Family History Center in New Plymouth.  Many FHC staff feel somewhat isolated and disconnected from the stake or district leadership.  It's important to us to get to know as many of the directors as we can and let them know how much their efforts truly are appreciated.  Often times we find that with just a little bit of validation these faithful men and women begin to blossom.

As we draw closer to the end of the year we are pushing really hard to meet our goals for the My Family 15 in 15 program.  The monthly reports we get tell us  that more people than ever before throughout the Pacific Area are getting engaged in Family History work.  We certainly can't take credit for that, but we do know that as we plant seeds where ever we go and try our best to lift people up through instruction and encouragement, amazing things are happening all over.  It is such a privilege to be part of this great work.

Brother Arana Kipa-Dakin - Waitara Branch Clerk  

Ilona Ruru signed on to FamilySearch for the first time ever and now had all but one of the names for her "Family 15 in 15".  She was very excited to submit her mother's name for temple ordianances.

Peter Patuwairua, Branch Mission Leader submitted is great-grandparents for
temple ordinances to work toward completing his 15 in 15

Taranaki With the Olsens

 

Over the Labor Day weekend we went down to the Taranaki District with another Senior Mission couple, Elder and Sister Olsen.  We stayed at a lovely Bed and Breakfast on working dairy farm, and enjoyed exploring the area.  

Us with Elder & Sister Olsen at Waitaha Villa B&B in Rahou, NZ

Cows getting milked

Moyra, owner of Waitaha Villa B&B

Some of the trip was mission work as  Elder Gary Olsen is the mission doctor, and was making the trip to check out the medical facilities in New Plymouth to know what resources were available to the missionaries in that area when he needs to make  to recommendations for care.  For our part, Larry and I did a family history presentation in a combined Priesthood and Relief Society class for the Waitara Branch.  The presentation was very well received, getting people there excited about the 15 in15 goal.  The Branch President there has asked us to come back again in a few weeks to do a hands on training for how to use FamilySearch. 

 

Apart from mission assignment, we also had an opportunty to explore.  Being a holiday weekend, the Pacific Area Office was closed on Friday.  So we drove down that day and took some time to visit  Pukekura Park.  It was absolutely stunning. 

On Saturday we took a drive up to the base of Mt. Taranaki and got to see Dawson Falls. 

On Monday Larry and Elder Olsen went ocean fishing and brought in a great cash of fish that was very tasty. 

While they were out on the water, Sister Olsen and I went into New Plymouth where we visited a museum, did a bit of shopping.  We enjoyed each other's company and had a lovely walk along the beach boardwalk.  

Other high points of the trip were some great beaches, a light house, and sunsets at the end of the day.

On the way back we stopped in Hamilton to meet with the Hamilton Mission President and his wife, President & Sister Rudd, and then got to do a session at the temple.  Larry and I had met the Rudds early on in our mission when we went down with the Winters, so it was great to connect with them again.  

Us with President & Sister Rudd from our visit in December 2014

This meeting was also important for the Olsens since they sometimes need to confer over the phone about health issues that come up with missionaries.  One thing we have definitely learned is that trusting relationships can be maintained through phone and internet, but in the beginning it really helps to meet someone and get to know them face to face.  So we were glad the Olsens were able to spend some time getting acquainted with the Rudds.

We came when there was a Senior Missionary conference for all the Hamilton Seniors going on so we were able to join them for lunch.  Then afterwards we had a very sweet session in the Hamilton NZ temple, which was a wonderful close to our weekend away.

  All in all it was a great trip. This is what Wikipedia has to say about the area:

Taranaki is a coastal and mountainous region on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki, its namesake volcano, which lies within the rainforested Egmont National Park. The port city of New Plymouth is the area's hub. It hosts green spaces like Pukekura Park, with lakes and formal gardens that grow rhododendrons and king ferns.