The Bush

We didn't go to Raglan for church today, as it was Stake Conference here in Hamilton.  There were a lot of people and not enough parking, so people parked all over the lawn.  An interesting sight.  There is a lot of diversity in New Zealand, especially people from the many islands in the Pacific where little work is available. Yet there are many New Zealanders who move to Australia because there is more work opportunities there. One of the seventies who lives in Auckland said that 42 countries are represented in his ward. He also spoke of the rich heritage of Hamilton; and how it was rather like SLC  in the earlier days, only this being the center of the church in the South Pacific.  The Hamilton Temple was the 6th temple to be built and couples and families sacrificed a great deal in order to come to be sealed.  He told how his parents, when he was a small boy, saved for years and then sold anything they could to fly from Australia to the NZ Temple.  They were ready to go when his dad's boss told him he couldn't miss work, even though he had previously arranged to do so. He chose to take his family to the temple, though they came home to nothing of worldly worth, but feeling they had everything.  Within a couple of days someone called him and offered him a job at a substantial pay increase.  His parent's faith has left a lasting family legacy.  It was an excellent missionary themed meeting.

Our friends, the Whites, went home to Utah for a visit (he works for the church) and Shannon sent a package back with Rosemary from her and the family for my birthday and Christmas.  It was so fun to get it; we haven't opened Christmas, but we sure enjoyed those chocolate bars, book and the dvd, "Ephraim's Rescue," which others here will also enjoy.  Thanks!

The Ground Breaking Ceremony for the campground went well and there is a write-up about it on the church website under " news" in the Pacific area.

ground breaking ceremony at Hamon Bush

Have we told you about Roger Hamon?  He is such a dear man whose insight and unselfish service saved the bush (5 acre forest area which will be the center of the camp, with 100,000 additional trees being added over the next 10 years).  He stopped the cutting of the trees and then over the next almost 50 years planted many additional trees,  built trails, fire pits & small bridges, fences,  put in a water  and electrical system, etc. with his own resources. He did officially work for the church for the past 5 years and has continued to maintain the site.  A year or so ago a general authority visited the area and felt inspired that it should be developed into an official campground, even though people in the area have enjoyed it for picnics camping and even wedding receptions over the years and it is referred to as Hamon's Bush.

Roger Hamon

Roger recently found out he has cancer and isn't expected to last very long (2 months to 2 years, depending on how he responds to the medication he is taking).  He spoke briefly at the ground breaking, but we are having a plaque made up recognizing his service, because there wouldn't be a camp without him.  We are having an open house (Roger Hamon Day at the Bush) for him next Saturday at which we will present the plaque, etc.  I'm sure there will be a good turn out, as he is loved by many.  We have really grown close to him and are trying to learn a lot from him regarding the maintenance of the bush and the names of various rare native trees and plants (mostly Don) etc.  His wife is helping with the plans for the open house and wanted to have it as soon as possible so he can still enjoy it.  He has lost a lot of weight (he was already slim) and hasn't the energy he still had just a few months ago.  He is leaving a great legacy, as this campground will bless the lives of the youth (and families) of NZ for decades to come.  It will be a unique campground as it is close enough to the temple that the youth will be able to walk there and do baptisms for the dead & enjoy the visitor's center.  The camp is slated to open a year from now.  Hope so!

Roger and Karen Hamon and Elder and Sister Olsen

It has been an adjustment working on this campground assignment, with prosylyting on the side.  It is not as rewarding in many ways, but we have to remind ourselves that we are doing missionary work for the future by helping to spiritually strengthen the youth as they have camping and temple experiences for years to come.
Elder Olsen and I have to laugh when we reflect back on selling our home on Sheridan Circle and downsizing, mostly due to feeling like we couldn't keep up with the big yard; now we are in charge of a 5 acre, soon to be 40 acre, campground.  How ironic!    Actually, though we do some maintenance, most of it will be done by volunteers, who we will arrange for and direct.

you call this work

 We will be taking over the office that Roger used at the Bush, hopefully within the next week as soon as they connect the internet.  It has been difficult to have an office in our small apartment, so to speed things up we went up and painted our new place and used muscles we hadn't used for a while (Ouch the next day.).  We do get a lot of variety in our assignments.  In a few months they will probably bulldoze our office as that area is designated for a camping area and then we'll have to set up another site.

Last Monday on P-day the zone, along with the Goodman's who run the mission office, went on a hike up a mountain (not a hill) to see a waterfall.  Elder Olsen's back has been bothering him and Elder Goodman's knees (or was it just an excuse), so they went fishing, instead.  It was Elder Olsen's first time here and he caught a small trout, which made him excited to go again.

a couple Elders on the way to the falls

My knees made it, but I've hardly been able to move since (combined with painting.)  I have to remind myself that I'm 45 - 50 years older than those young elders and sisters so it's OK that I was the last off the mountain.  It was a beautiful hike.

we made it to the Waiera Falls

That evening President and Sister Rudd hosted an early Thanksgiving Dinner family home evening for all the senior missionaries in the area. Sister Rudd did the turkey and pumpkin pie and the rest of us brought the trimmings.  It was the first time we've had turkey here and probably the last, as I checked the price and a 15 lb turkey cost $85 - about $70 in American money.

It was our stake from up north's week at the temple this past week and Brother Vanden Berg stayed with us  and we were able to see a group of our friends.  We went to a session of the temple with them when a young woman we were close to went through prior to leaving on a mission.  It was great to see them again.

Brother Francis Van den Berg

I've been having neck and shoulder pain for several months and have tried massage and chiropractor and is has improved somewhat.  As I said earlier, Elder Olsen's lower back has been bothering him, so I tell him that he is a pain in the backside and he tells me that I'm a pain in the neck!

Sorry this is so long.  Hope you doing well, dear family and friends.  We skype with our kids and grandkids most every week, but would love to hear how each of you are doing.  We love you and miss you, but are loving our missionary experiences and know the gospel is true.  Happy Thanksgiving!

HAMILTON GARDENS

We've been in our new area for a month now and becoming more and more occupied with the work on the Tuhikaramea Youth Camp.  We have been getting ready for the ground breaking ceremony which takes place Monday evening on the 4th of November.  Two Area 70's will be attending, Elder Thomson and Elder Coward.  We'll report on it more fully in our next blog.  We wish that our proselyting work with the Raglan Branch could be more engaging.  We have two families that we are teaching the discussions to and we share the small town with a pair of Sister missionaries who have been very dutiful in contacting all the members and have tracted the entire town, though many were not at home.

Bridal Veil Falls near Raglan

wind surfer at the bay opening in Raglan

One of the families we are teaching is an older couple (mid 60's) that the sisters referred to us.  The husband, Ken Brown, is totally blind and Jullia his wife are very devout Evangelical Christians.  They were older when they married and consequently have no children.  Well educated and now retired, they earlier in the 90's spent three and a half years serving in Botswana with several other Evangelical missionaries.  So can you imagine how our discussions have been going?  Our first meeting with them was a protracted exchange about the nature of  God and mankind's pre-mortal estate, (which they do not accept).  We learned that they earlier had a senior couple meeting with them, a set of Elders and then the Sisters who referred them to us after they didn't make any progress.  Perhaps they are trying to convert us.  Our second meeting with them we changed our approach and shared our life's experiences with each other and how the gospel has blessed our lives. We had the spirit and were able to relate to them much better.

Italian garden at Hamilton Gardens

water lilies in the gardens

Two weeks ago Denise Peacock, the English convert from Kerikeri spent several days with us.  She really was excited to see the temple, even though she could not enter.  We took her to the visitor center and to visit Sister Parker with whom she made good friends and now has a place to stay when she comes to the temple after we are gone.  We took one afternoon to visit Hamilton Gardens, there is so much natural beauty around this country, these people are surely blessed.  We took her to Raglan one day and showed her around the town, surfing, and the falls and had her accompany us to a discussion with a mother and daughter.  Denise is so excited now about going through the temple next August, she can hardly wait.

Elder and Sister Olsen and Denise Peacock

part of the India gardens

Hamilton Gardens 

more of Hamilton Gardens

 mote in Hamilton Gardens