Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!

Our Senior Missionaries got together this past Saturday to celebrate Thanksgiving. With lots of talented and generous Sisters we managed to pull it off in good order!

We had 47 missionaries and friends and everyone pitched in!

We have had several new couples arrive in the past 6 weeks and they are all amazing and 

dedicated to the Lord's work!

Since it is coming on summer here, we had to be resourceful in finding "fall" looking items 

for our centerpieces. It was a challenge!

Since we could not be with our family for this favorite holiday, we were happy to 

share with our NZ family! 

Believe it or not, they do not have cranberry sauce here, so thanks to Sister Haleck who brought some back with her after General Conference, we had a REAL Thanksgiving dinner!

Brother Neiztech and family had been having the Seniors to their home every year until our group got too large...now they come to dinner with us!! Was nice to have a few children around!!

We had a thankful tree where everyone wrote something they were thankful of and tied it to the tree!

Creative centerpiece from one of our talented Sisters!

It was Elder and Sister Broberg's last day before going home. 4 of their 5 kids came 

to tour and take them home!

We even had our traditional candy corn in honor of the pilgrims...

we DO have so much to be grateful for!!

Believe it or not turkeys are wild here and not raised for their meat (I see a business opportunity) They have to be imported, probably from Australia. Consequently we paid about 75.00 for each 16# turkey! Yikes...was worth every penny!!

 Pumpkin pies, carrot cake and fudge..the Libby's was imported from the US as well...

maybe you are seeing what a feat it is to have an authentic dinner in NZ?!

 We had a wonderful time together! Holidays can be difficult, even for the Senior missionaries...Elder Brown and I took some leftovers and fed our young missionaries on Sunday...they were delighted!

Our brooding harbor today...the little storms have been blowing in every 1/2 hour or so...never get tired of watching the weather move across the water....an ever changing view!

Picnics and Parachutes in Paradise!

The days are warming up here in the Southern Hemisphere, just as fall takes root in North America!

Our Chinese Branch held a picnic after Sister Serena's baptism. We had not yet been to Omana Regional Park...very lovely!

 President Liu is our Branch President, and never was there a kinder more upbeat fellow! Our newest member of the branch, Serena, is sitting on the blanket enjoying the afternoon.

 This is Samuel, President Liu's little man...he is a charmer!

 The tide was out, so the pools held interesting critters. Eli and I (President Liu's oldest at 6) went hunting for interesting little swimmy things! This seaweed below was of interest!

 Sheep in the pasture by the park with a large housing development on the adjoining hill. I guess that is called progress. Hmmm?

 Seriously, this photo is the raw image...what a beautiful day in New Zealand!

 Elder Brown rests on a bench at the viewpoint overlooking the stunning vista of the bay, Rangitoto and Waiheke Island.

 Next stop was the Parakai Airfield which is a very active skydiving arena. We spent a lazy hour or so watching groups of brave souls jump from perfectly good airplanes!! It was like fireworks in the daylight as the parachutes opened, one after another!!

 No, this is not Elder or Sister Brown, but it did look like fun!!

 Sunlight through the gathering storm...it is exciting to watch the weather move across "our" harbor!!

 The following Saturday was also lovely, so we ran off with our friends, the Taylors to enjoy more of this paradise we are privileged to serve in! We went to Karekare beach, which is rather off the beaten track, but well worth the hike!! This wooden carving is one of the many Maori works of art that are extraordinary!

 Our 20 minute hike proved quite productive as we came across this lovely waterfall and wading pool. Tempting...but no.

 At the end of the trail we were gratified to find this impressive display...the Taylors are amazing too, but we meant the waterfall! :-)

Hundred year old trees are not the exception here. They are majestic and very beautiful!! This one happened to have four little monkeys in the boughs!!

Both Karekare and Piha Beaches are famous for their black sand and rock formations.

Sister Taylor and I left the lazy ones on the beach for a nap while we explored the tide and rocks and enjoyed getting our feet wet!

On the dunes approaching the beach, the wildflowers were profuse and if you look closely you can see a little honey bee going about his business!

Ka kite ano!!