WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN

We have had some marvelous experiences these past few weeks.  It all started with a visit to the Church College by the Presiding Bishop, Bishop Stevenson.  He was accompanied by Elder Pearson of the Seventy, Terry Oaks the Area facilities administrator as well as several  support staff.  That afternoon they visited the camp to see the progress being made.  When Sister Olsen told about working as a secretary for his father at Utah State University and remembering seeing him as a teenager, he insisted that he have a picture of us standing by him to email to his father.  He also surprised us by announcing plans for the expansion of the camp come the first of the year with an additional appropriation of church funds.  The goal of the Area leaders is to double the present planned capacity of 500 so that all the YM, YW, and YSA for all of New Zealand can have their annual conference at this site within walking distance of the temple (2 k).

That Friday evening the Monson's took us to a Mexican restaurant and a show, the Monument Men,  which was quite good.(We don't have a TV, so do enjoy a night out at the movies whenever there is something decent, which isn't that often).  Good Mexican food is not as common here, but we have found a couple of places; although we had smoke coming out our ears after eating at the Flying Burrito Brothers a few weeks ago.

The following weekend was Easter Sunday and the Goodman's invited us to dinner, along with the Sister Missionaries who serve in their branch and shared a great message with us. The next weekend Elder Pearson, of the First Quorum of Seventy and his wife, were guests at the temple visitor center fireside.  The missionaries strive to have recent converts and investigators attend. Two converts spoke and then we had 40 minutes of instruction from this inspired leader.  The meeting was started by singing "I am a Child of God," and Elder Pearson built his remarks around this principle stating that a true understanding of this principle has more power to change our lives than anything else.

The next day, Monday he presided over our zone conference.  For several hours we were taught by this master teacher.  His insights on prayer are wonderful.  "Prayer is not a negotiation, prayer is the act of aligning your will with that of the Father and if you want more answers, ask more questions."

He asked all the missionaries to do the following:  Because I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, what am I  ___________, _____________, ____________.  Or "because I am a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ I am no longer ___________, ________, _________ (fill in the blanks).

That Monday night we had FHE at President Rudd's and Elder and Sister Pearson were able to spend time sharing experiences and talking about the place and value of senior missionaries and pleading with us to recruit more of our friends, as there are things the seniors do so well that the younger missionaries do not have life's experiences to do.  Senior couples are especially important in reactivating members and helping to fellowship new members, because the young missionaries move on and the new members feel alone, unless there are those who are aware and actively working at continuing to fellowship them and be their friends.

l-r Sister Goodman, Elder Goodman, Sister Pearson, Elder Pearson, and President Higgins
This is a the end of the dinner, but it was delicious: Prime rib, salmon, ham, and all the trimmings,
 plus a beautiful dessert tray.

l-r President Rudd, Sister and Elder Olsen,  Elder and Sister Monson, Elder and Sister Marsden, Sister (Pres Rudd's older sister) and Elder Taylor, and Sister Rudd

The work in the camp is coming along well.  It rains good 2 or 3 times a week watering the plants and dries off in between allowing the builders to continue their work.  We have had a couple groups this week cleaning up and extracting fence post from the abandoned boundary fence.  We hope to build the south boundary fence this week using existing materials and some good strong priesthood brethren.

Young Men from the Deseret Ward

The work required on this mission has turned out to be much more physically demanding than I had assumed.  I've been complaining rather a lot to Sister Olsen about achy worn out joints.  All God has to do is give you something worse to deal with and the former problem doesn't seem so bad.  Well, this happened to me two weeks ago Saturday.  The wind had partially broken a large limb on a tree and was immediately over one of the camp communal kitchens under construction., so it needed to be removed.  It was high enough up the tree that I had to use a ladder and a pruning chainsaw that allowed me to reach another 6 feet vertically.  I assumed the limb would drop straight to the ground, however, it twisted - moving to the side of the tree on which the ladder was leaning.  It swept me off the ladder without hitting me directly, which was a blessing; however, I fell backwards landing on the soft forest floor below.  But what a jolt to my brain, I was unconscious for nearly 2 hours. Elder Monson gave me a priesthood blessing, including the phrase to grant me greater wisdom, I thanked him for that.  I have seen a specialist and had an MRI but I continue to have frequent dizziness and diminished equilibrium.

Friday evening had a visit from Erina, our friend from Napier. She had gotten a ride with a young man from Belgium on a business trip here to serve their computer software clients whom she hardly knew.  He is not a member of the LDS Chruch but stopped here over night so Erina could go to the Temple before proceding on to Auckland the following morning. He agreed to wait at the visitor center until we were through with an appointment and then he would follow us out to our place for dinner and then pick up Erin when she was done.  We wished we hadn't hurried, but had left him longer at the Visitor's Center as he was very interested in what the Sisters at the center were telling him about the restoration of the gospel, but when we got there he was also really hungry and that after eating with us he would return to the VT and wait for Erina and continue the discussion.  He was interrupted from that by several business phone calls after dinner, but we did have a good discussion with him when Erina returned.  He wasn't sure about his religion, remembering vaguely having confirmation at 12.  He said there are lots of empty churches in Belgium and the younger generation just do not make time for religion or see the need.  We gave him a Book of Mormon to read as he travels.He was a very nice young man (26) and has some possibilities. .

Last Sunday we had the Monsons over for our truly first all American Sunday dinner of roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, and of course, dessert.  It tasted really good. Even though they have lots of beef  here, they turn most of it into corned beef, which is too salty for our taste.  So it was nice to find and enjoy a good fresh, roast.

Twice a day and on their own volition the cows just follow one another  in line, often quite a distance, from the
nice green pastures to the milking barn. The number of cows on the farms here range from 500 to maybe 2000.
  (The farmer came along and wanted to know why we were  taking photo's of his cows,
  so we invited him to join the picture)

 There has been some excitement at home that we've missed out on, but are so happy about.  Cody, along with the support of a good wife and family, received his Doctorate of Pharmacy from the U of U Friday.  He and Sarah had just had their first baby (Lily) when he started and by the time of Cody's graduation they have three, Jack almost 3 and little Nora (4 months).  Congratulations Cody and family; we are so proud of you.

Lily, Sarah, Nora, Jack, and Cody

Also, Sunday evening, Tyler, our oldest grandson, received  his Eagle Scout Award.  He just turned 15 and is a great young man. We are proud of him as well, and Grandpa is looking forward to coming home and going fishing with him.