Family Fun Day in Whangarei

Whangarei stake recently hosted a Family Fun Day.   It was a terrific event.  People of all ages came out for food, games, swimming, and more.   We were invited to join them to offer Family History as one of the many activities that were offered.   We did not get a whole lot of people, (I suppose the ice cream, bounce house and vollyball were a bit more popular), but those who came genuinely connected.   A few people, including Stake President Poutou, submitted names for temple work.  Others learned new skills.   So all in all a good time was had by all.  Here are a few scenes from the day:

Stake President Anthony Poutu

Blessings in Whangarei Stake

As soon as we were finished with our part of the PAO Christmas festivities,  we took off for Whangarei.  We came up again to do the leadership training we planned with the Stake Presidency last week.  It turned out to be one of our best ever.  We met at the building in Hikurangi.  During the planning meeting President Poutou has said he didn't want the people coming to the training to simply hear another talk about Family History.  He wanted them fully engaged in doing it.  So he had us set up a bunch of lap top computers right in the foyer where people would have to walk by us to get in and out of their meeting.   In the opening he had us both give some brief remarks.  But then once the leaders broke up into the various groups he asked that they take turns stepping out of their meetings to work on their 15 in 15.

1st Counselor, Eldon Whittaker, Stake President Anthony Poutu and
 Exec Sec. Peter Rouse

Whangarei Stake 2nd Counselor, Ronald Reti

Teara Armstrong - Stake Assistant Clerk / Technology Specialist

Rihimona Davis - 2nd Counselor in Bishopric of Hikurangi wa

   We helped MANY of them to find family names to submit to the temple.  Hearts were touched.  Even some who were sure there was no way they could find a name saw that it was possible.  The Spirit of Elijah was so strong as we worked with them, it was amazing.

Then today on the way home we stopped for a short hike to see another lovely waterfall.  The trail head to Waipu falls is just 6K off the main road. There are about 60 steps down into the gorge followed by a short walk along the river, then it opens up to a lovely spot for a picnic. It was as gorgeous end to a really special trip.

As we bring 2015 to a close we are feeling very grateful for all these experiences.

                                 

         

                                               

                                                   

Elder Bennett Turns 70!

Exactly one year ago today we were entering the MTC in Provo, Utah to begin this mission adventure.  Exactly 70 years ago today, my dear companion was born.  Today feels like a very auspicious day indeed.

We were scheduled to return to Whangarei for a planning meeting with Stake leaders for a special training we will do next week.  We figured this would be a great opportunity to show the Ormonds a taste of the Northlands and it also allowed us to celebrate Larry's birthday with our dear friends, Bruce and Doreen Savill and Rosemary Waters who live up that way.

We thought about several different ways we might have commemorated Larry beginning his 7th decade.  In the end, however, nothing could compare with being in the company of good friends and fulfilling our assignment as full time missionaries in this beautiful land.

It was an awesome day!

Larry with his birthday cake

Bruce made a special keepsake gift for Larry out of a piece of Kauri wood.
We will both treasure it for years to come as a reminder of their sweet friendship.

Bruce, Doreen and Rosemary in the Chapel by the falls
We so appreciated their kindness and enjoyed our time with them very much.

It was a great trip all the way around.  Our meetings with the Stake leaders went very well.  We were so impressed by President Anthony Poutu, he is truly an inspired man with great love for the members of his stake.

Then both on the way up and on the way back we got to show the Ormonds some very special places.   This country is so beautiful, I just never get tired of exploring it.

Larry and I standing next to the McKinney Kauri tree near Warkworth,
the place where we always stop on the way up north.

Kauri is the National Tree of New Zealand, and the McKinney Kauri is a nationally recognized specimen. It is estimated to be between 800-900 years old.

When the Europeans settled New Zealand, Rev. McKinney, the 1st Presbyterian Minister of Warkworth, originally owned this land. In 1965, Harry Parry and the school children of Warkworth raised funds to purchase and dedicate a public park to preserve 21 acres of bush containing several large Kauri trees. 

The walkway thru the bush is maintained by Kauri Bushmen's Association, and guided nature trail around the tree by the Forest and Bird Protection Society.

There is a second large Kauri a few yards west of the McKinney Kauri, named the Simpson Kauri, after the second owner of the property. The two Kauri are cited as the largest on the East coast of New Zealand.

See HERE for more info on this tree

                                       

Dave & Gayle

Us at our beach break

Me standing inside the trunk of a Kauri tree at the Kauri Museum

The "Gum Room"

A lovely inlay piece of Kauri Art

One of Rosemary's peacocks

The Honey House

We went back up to Whangarei to visit a couple Family History Centers and to meet with a Stake Presidency there to talk about the My Family 15 in 15 program.   The trip went really well.

Rather than stay in a hotel, we used the HomeAway.com website to find a "Book-a-Bach" - a holiday rental that would be more off the grid and have personal touches than commercial establishments don't.   We found a delightful spot which we call "the Honey House" about 20 minutes northwest of Whangarei.    The place where we stayed in on a gorgeous 35 acre farm tucked back away off a rural road.  A short walk from the main house where the owners live is a huge 4 bay garage.  The unit on the end at one point had been the "Honey House" where they had kept their bee keeping supplies.  When they got out of the bee business, they opted to convert that area into a small apartment to rent it out to folks looking for a quiet getaway.  It was absolutely charming. We could not have been more pleased with our accommodations.

We made all our arrangements over the Internet, and actually never did meet the owner, Samantha.  However, when we arrived all was as promised.  There were many special touches.  She had left a welcome basket with fresh homemade soda bread and farm eggs. The refrigerator was stocked with yummy jams for the bread and there was a personalize letter outlining where things were and what the procedure was for check out.  Since our first New Zealand "home-stay" was so positive we are sure we will do this again as we travel rather than opt for the usual impersonal motel room.


                                          



 The grounds around the place had lovely gardens and there was a note saying we could help ourselves to fresh herbs if we liked.   At night when we walked around outside we were blown away by the clarity of the Milky Way - the stars were just brilliant.     We woke to the sound of wild turkeys wandering past our room who came looking for figs fallen from the tree outside our window.


                                        


When we went for a walk down the lane to see the small private chapel and waterfall across the way, cows came running from the neighboring field to greet us.  (No doubt they associate people with getting fed!) We stopped and said hello to them, then when we continued on our way they went for a walk with us, keeping pace right next to us all along the length of the lane.

                                        



We got to meet Bruce Savill, the man who built the chapel some 10 yrs back and his neighbor, Rosemary - a delightful woman in her 80's who had emigrated from Ireland.  We had very sweet visits with both.

Thursday night we went into town for dinner and found the most amazing Tex-Mex restaurant called Shotgun Betty's where I had an absolutely yummy chimichanga and Larry got a burrito to die for.  (We've really missed good Mexican food since coming to New Zealand.)

Bruce Savill

                             

Our meetings with the Family History Center Directors went very well (THIS time we did not get lost in the bush like we had before!) and the leaders from Whangarei Stake could not have been more welcoming.  All it all it was a wonderful trip.    Our assignment as Area Advisors for the northern counties will have us going back up that way several times each year for various trainings.  We will look forward to staying at the Honey House again and getting to know folks up that way better.

The owner of the place was even kind enough to share here Soda Bread recipe!

Sam’s  Soda Bread

180g high grade white flour

85g wholemeal flour

1 sm tsp salt

1 heaped  tsp baking soda

25g rolled oats

Approx 200ml milk

Sunflower & linseeds (or whatever you prefer)

Preheat oven to 220C  – put in a baking or pizza stone first if you have one, or if not a regular baking tray.

Sift flours, baking soda & salt into large bowl and then mix in rolled oats.  Make a well in the middle and add the milk and mix – adding more if it seems too dry or a bit more flour if it seems too wet.

Turn out onto a floured surface and knead lightly and briefly.  (Actually I don’t turn it out, I knead it in the large bowl which makes less mess).  Once it is in a ball shape add the seeds and roll around a bit to coat.   Place on to lightly floured baking paper an shape into a 4cm deep disc and lift using paper  onto preheated baking stone or baking sheet and cook for 5 min – then reduce heat to 200C and bake for a further 15 -20 mins or until sounds hollow on the bottom when tapped.