An Apostles visit . . .

Last Friday the 25th of August was the day that Elder Gary Stevenson an Apostle of the Lord came to the MTC.

President Thatcher and I arrived at the MTC just before 7:00 am.  You could feel the excitement in the air.  The Elders were all dressed in their suits and the Sisters looked especially nice as well.  The Moroni room was all prepared for the meeting and on every chair were the scriptures and PMG's of the missionaries.

Just minutes after we arrived a van pulled up in front of the MTC and two young people go out holding photographic equipment.  They were sent from the Public Affairs department of the Church.  They had driven from Auckland with the assignment to photograph and video this visit of Elder Stevenson.  We enjoyed visiting with them and hearing of their experiences in this fun job they have.

President Thatcher and Tom Swain, one of the photographers 

We all had breakfast together and then we waited - the missionaries in the Moroni room listening to President Howes give instruction on what to do when Elder Stevenson arrived, and the rest of us waiting to greet the party when they arrived.   No one knew for sure what time they would get to the MTC - sometime around 8:30 am.  It was known, that he would only have a few minutes to spend at here.  

the waiting missionaries listening to President Howes

Finally two vans pulled up front.  Elder Stevenson and his wife Lesa, and Elder Haleck, the Area President and his wife were here.  

Elder Stevenson talks to the two photographers - Elder and Sister Haleck and President and Sister Howes look on

As soon as they walked in the door Elder Stevenson greeted The Howes, telling them how happy he was to meet them and how loved they were in Adelaide.  Then he spotted us, ". . and there's our Thatchers." he said.  Walking over to me he gave me a big hug and shook Elder Thatcher's hand.  "You're one of the reasons we are here." he added.   Lesa, Sister Stevenson gave me a hug as well.    We introduced them to  President and Sister Briggs.  They were so warm and personable to everyone.

Before anything else happened, the photographers wanted pictures of them with President and Sister Howes.  

Sister and Elder Haleck, Sister and Elder Stevenson, President and Sister Howes

And then the sweetest thing happened.   Sister Stevenson said, "Now we need a picture with the Thatchers."  So there we were just President Thatcher and I standing next to Elder and Sister Stevenson with the Church Photographers snapping away taking our picture.  I didn't get one taken on my phone, it happened too quickly to pass my phone to someone, but happily Sister Howes sent me this one that she had taken on her phone.

Elder and Sister Stevenson, myself, President Thatcher

After they took quite a few pictures of us Sister Stevenson said, "Now that picture is going to be seen all over Cache Valley.  The Ellis' and the Weese's and the Beckstrands, will all get it.   "And all the Thatcher children!" I added.

As you can tell, the pictures I took that day were kind of on the sly and not very good. The professional photographers that were there promised Sister Howes that they would send her all the photos they took.  So there is a chance that these can be replaced later with better photos.  I'm thankful to have these few anyway.

President Howes asked Elder Stevenson if he would like a tour of the MTC.  Elder Stevenson said that he was very familiar with the building so that wasn't necessary, but that he wanted to meet the missionaries and was happy to say that he could stay a little longer than he had previously thought.

We all headed to the Moroni room where the missionaries stood as he entered.  President Howes introduced Elder Stevenson from the quorum of the 12, and also President Haleck, the Area president, to the missionaries.  Then he introduced the missionaries to the visitors by telling them how many missionaries were there and that they came from about 20 countries.  He had the missionaries raise their hands when he mentioned their home country and then he began . . . United States, American Samoa, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Fiji, French Polynesia, Australia, New Zealand,  Kiribati, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Brazil, Canada, Tuvalu, Thailand, Hawaii, and South Korea.

They then sang, 'Hark All Ye Nations', in their booming missionary voices.

Elder Haleck spoke to them for a few minutes telling them about their travels this past week and where they were headed in the next few days with Elder Stevenson.  He encouraged the missionaries, telling them they would be praying for their success.  He emphasized the word work when he talked about their missions and told them there would be long days of tedious work - walking distances and people not wanting to hear our message.  But through it all we need to persevere and look forward to brighter days ahead.

He said, (and I quote from my recording of his talk)

 "I remember my first day in the mission field wondering why I came on my mission - the butterflies and the uncertainties and the expectations of what this was going to be.  I was stationed way out in a village in Fanoloa and that night making the decision that I was going to buckle down and go to work.  Two years was a long time away and home was too far to swim."

"My father was a non member of the church.  He wasn't particularly thrilled with my coming on my mission but he agreed to me coming.  It was the beginning of my journey in the church.  I had only been a member of the church for barely two years. "

"My story is similar to some of those who may be in the audience. You will receive blessings not only for yourselves but for your families. One of the first questions I ask missionaries is, 'Why have you come?' and so many of them say, 'I have come so that I can bless my family'."

"My mission was the beginning of my church experience that helped to bring my father into the church some 38 years later.  I had the honor of baptizing my father when he was 82 years old and seeing him and my mother sealed in the temple in Hawaii for time and all eternity along with all of us who were there.  What a glorious experience that was. "

"So I say to you, my young friends, 'Work hard, read the scriptures, learn to pray and have a relationship with your Heavenly Father, be obedient, be stalwart, always keeping your mind to your future.  You are being prepared for the future days of your lives - I kid you not!  Let this mission make a difference in your life.  Let it change your life.  The best convert from this mission should be you."

"May the Lord bless you that that will be the case.  That when you return from your mission you will have a clear vision of what lies ahead in your life and what you want to do.  That a part of that will be a continuation of service throughout your lives.  And be focused on continuing your education so you can get a vocation that is going to support you and your family.  Listen to your mission president and pay attention to the workings of the Lord even in the difficult days.  I bear my testimony to you that I have seen miracles happen in places that I thought would never happen. The Lord will prepare miracles to happen in the lives of people, through your service."

"I recommend to you King Benjamins speech.  Study it, read it, and liken that wonderful sermon to yourselves."

"May the Lord bless you in the varied places that you are going to serve.  Work hard and preach the Gospel.  I bear you my witness in the Name of Jesus Christ, This is His Church, you are about His business and while you are about his business give you full energy and attention to that.  Leave everything else behind.  If you will do that He will bless you now and he will not forget you in the future.  The Lord does not forget his faithful servants."

Sister Stevenson spoke for a short time telling of her love for missionaries.  When she was struggling, when they were in Japan when Elder Stevenson was the mission president there, she would say that she just needed to be around the missionaries.  Missionaries were her medicine.  She loved being with these missionaries and told them to be the missionaries their moms know they are.

Elder Stevenson then spoke.  They had just gotten in from Vanuatu and before that they were in Australia.  They were here in New Zealand for just today.  They would be going to Temple View in Hamilton.  They would then fly to Tahiti tomorrow.  He was so personable to the missionaries who loved him.  His was a missionary talk.  I thought he sounded like a Mission President teaching his missionaries how to share the gospel.  He had them all get out what he called their tools.  He referred to a tool belt where you always carry the tools you need to do the job.  Those tools were their scriptures, their white handbook, and PMG.  He had his tools with him as well.  He asked the missionaries which chapter in PMG was their favorite. He would agree with whatever the missionaries said was their favorite and would say, 'That might be my favorite chapter as well. But he settled on Chapter 11,  'How do I help People Make and Keep Commitments.'

He taught us that we call people to repentance by inviting them to do something.  If we invite them to church and they come - they are repenting.  If we invite them to read the Book of Mormon and they do - they are repenting - they are changing.  He taught us that every missionary should do three things consistently 1. Invite, 2. Promise and 3. Testify.  He lived what he was teaching.  We were all invited to do things as missionaries, promised what would happen if we did, and we heard his testimony of this latter day work and of the Lord.

May I tell you that his short talk has helped President Thatcher and I be better missionaries.  We are putting into practice what he taught about inviting, promising, and testifying.

After his talk Elder Stevenson shook hands with every missionary.  It meant so much to these missionaries and was a once in a life-time event for many of them.  We watched this happen with such gratitude in our hearts.  We were thankful for this great experience and that there are prophets and apostles on the earth who serve as the Lord served while he was on the earth.  They truly are His witnesses, not only by declaring their testimonies and witnesses of Him but by serving as he served and loving as He loved.

Elder Stevenson shaking hands with the Elders - Sister Howes catching me snap this photo - not an approved thing

It was a great day at the MTC.

I missed the shot of Elder and Sister Stevenson with the MTC Staff - Sister Gnase who is the Director of the MTC, and Abinadi

President Howes seemed convinced that Elder Stevenson had come because we were there.  He kept thanking us for arranging everything.  We told him we had nothing to do with it.  But he was aware that our Mark, having talked to Elder Stevenson a couple weeks ago and telling him that we were serving at the MTC in New Zealand had put the idea in his head.  President Howes said that as Elder Stevenson got out of the van when he arrived he said to President Howes, 'We are here because of Kathy!'  That brought a tear to my eye.

I grew up with Elder Stevenson.  His father was my bishop all through my teen-age years, and was still the bishop when Elder Thatcher and I were married.  He interviewed us for our temple recommend.  We loved Bishop Stevenson.  Elder Stevenson was 4 years younger than I was but I knew the whole family very well.  I know that in his travels around the church, Elder Stevenson has also had great visits with Uncle Scott in Georgia and with my brother Paul wherever they meet and I'm sure others from our family.

When Elder Stevenson talked in a multi-stake conference in Cache Valley a couple years ago he spoke about the 19th ward where we had grown up.  He mentioned the humble immigrant people that had fed our testimonies in our youth.  He named the Steiners, the Alleman's, the Amachers, the Zwallens, and others of those faithful saints who shaped our early testimonies.

I remember attending several firesides in my youth where Bishop Stevenson told us that we, the youth, were the hope of Israel.  He would look over the group and declare that there were future Bishops, Stake Presidents, Mission Presidents, Relief Society Presidents, Primary and YW presidents and other great leaders of youth in our midst.  I remember him saying there might even be a General Authority or two in the bunch, maybe even an Apostle.  I remember it well because my thoughts were, 'No way! there is no one in our group that is going to become that important.  We are as common a group of youth as there is in the church.'

And we were.  But Bishop Stevenson was right.  There have been many Bishops from that group of youth, several Stake Presidents that I know of, one of those being President Ripplinger, who led some of you.  He was one of those youth in that meeting.  There have been Mission Presidents - I am thinking of Nolan Gerber who was a mission president.  I don't think his primary teachers would have believed that little trouble maker would even be active in the church when he grew up. You just never can tell.  And there are at least two General Authorities from that group and one of them is an Apostle of the Lord.

I tell you this so you can think about how important to the Lord are all those you meet.  You surely are working with future leaders of the church when you teach Primary or the youth or even the scouts!  And those little ones in your own homes have such potential.  We only deal with great souls - all children of God - all with potential beyond our brightest imaginings.  And every day of our lives we have the opportunity to set an example and share our testimonies and encourage those around us as we all strive to become better.

Much love to all of you.  You are in our prayers.  Our thoughts are filled with you.

Just heard that Maddie and Brigham are in the hospital.  Don't have too much fun without me and eat all the rainbow cupcakes and shrimp and steak that you can.

Brig at PCMC

Maddie's vest is 10x too big

We are hoping that Ivie's broken arm isn't too painful and that she is enjoying all the perks like having her dad paint her fingernails.

special treatment for Ivie at the hospital

We know we have missed wishing some of you Birthday.  So Happy Birthday to Mark and Stephen, and congratulations to Stephen on his ordination last Sunday!

Happy Birthday Mark and Stephen and congratulation on your ordination Stephen 

Stephen's ordination group shot

I'm sure I'm forgetting something or someone.  Just know we love you all every one of you.  We love showing people our picture of the family.  It always gets a fun response.

Love,
Elder and Sister Thatcher

Call the Sabbath a Delight

Isaiah 58:13-14

 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:  
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Isn't that a beautiful scripture?  Elder Stevenson taught us when he visited the MTC this past week that as missionaries we should do three things 1) Invite 2) Promise, and 3) Testify.

 He told us that the Lord always includes promises with his invitations. Ask (the invitation) And it shall be given you (the promise); seek (the invitation), and ye shall find (the promise); knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (the promise).

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me (the invitation) and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (the promise)

To the rich young man: If thou wilt be perfect go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor (the invitation), and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (the promise)

Jesus and the rich young man

Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost:(invitation) . . . and, lo,  I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (promise)

Go ye therefore and teach all nations. . . 

Now, in the opening scripture from Isaiah about the Sabbath, can you find the invitation and the promises?  They are beautiful aren't they?

These are just a few examples.  Wouldn't it be interesting to mark your scriptures everytime the Lord gives an invitation and mark the promises as well?  I invite you to do this along with me.  I promise that we will find more strength to follow the Lord if we do.  I know this is true because I feel the  Spirit when I read  the promises of the Lord.  And that Spirit and those promises make me want to to change - to do better.   It feels like a joy to follow Him rather than a duty.

We enjoyed our Sunday at the MTC.   We arrived early and left late.  We were tired but edified and left with new ideas and enlightenment - with new goals and desire to be better missionaries.

I felt the Holy Spirit constantly today at the MTC.  You feel it as you walk into this special place where so many are trying to learn the Doctrine of Christ and be able to teach it.  There is humility here with the humble Elders and Sisters who are away from their homes and realize that they need a strength beyond their own to do this thing they are commissioned to do.  There is humility in the leadership.  Elder and Sister Briggs and the two of us feel such a need for strengthening in order to be effective here and President and Sister Howes are continually seeking the Lord to know what they can do to improve the learning here .  I am convinced that the humility that drips from all here allows the Spirit to be here in rich abundance.

We felt that Spirit as President Briggs taught in the Leadership Council this morning.  He spoke in his quiet voice about when he was preparing for his mission as a young man and first went to the temple.  I recorded his talk so I will tell the rest here, in our dear President Briggs own words.

President Briggs

“As a 5 year old little boy I had 16 warts on my left hand and 26 on this one. (right hand).  When I would go to play with the other children they didn’t want to touch me or my hands.  And I didn’t blame them.  So this is what happened, my folks took me to a doctor burned them all off with a red hot needle and I was left with bandaged hands.  It took them some time to heal.   When they were through healing my hands had scars on them that were embarrassing.

Another thing, I came from a family of 11 kids, I was number nine.  The other children had nice dark hair.  My father didn’t like the blonde-red hair that I  had.  When I was born my mother  cried.   I never liked that color of  hair, I hated it all the time I was growing up.   I never was quite as tall as the other children.  They were about 4 inches taller than  I was.  I  found out 8 years ago, when I had a hip operation that my leg bone went into the socket in a funny way and if it had been straight I would have been about 4 inches taller - about 6 ft. I would have loved that.

One of our great gifs from Heavenly Father was to receive a body - we all shouted for joy at the prospect of receiving a body.  Now here I was about to go on a mission and I  didn’t like my body.  I didn’t like the color of my hair.  While in the temple I  was prompted that I had been ungrateful.  In order to be grateful I had to tell Heavenly Father, ‘thank you’ and so I did.  And since that day in the Salt Lake Temple, I’m grateful for this body that He has given me.  And I promised him that I would always use it for Him not for me.

And that is what you need to do.  You need to say that you will use this body that we have, for Heavenly Father.  Be the Example you can be.  Be the best you can be so that Heavenly Father will know that you appreciate the gift that he has given to you.

I testify to you that if you will do that and show him our love for him and be sure that as we set our examples for our fellow men that we don’t be offensive to them.  Sometimes it’s easy to be offended by those who are setting good examples.  Because we think, “Oh, they think they are so smart! They are so good! They are so righteous!”  And so we have to pray extra and ask Heavenly father to help bless us with His Spirit so that our example will not be offensive to others.  And so that our words of counsel and advice will be able to be received into the hearts of those that we live with.  And that goes for us with our companions, with our families with anybody here on the earth, that we might be that wonderful example to be a beacon and a guide to help one another as we go through this life.

 And I pray that you will be blessed in that regard - that you will be able to be the example to bless the lives of the people of the Pacific.  And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”


President Briggs



Then in Sacrament Meeting the Spirit was there to testify of the things that President and Sister Howes spoke of as the speakers today.  They spoke of the Holy Ghost and their talks were amazing.  I also recorded them and will put them on the blog so others can listen and be inspired as we were.

President and Sister Howes with Elder Malrory

Sister Howes told of years ago hearing Elder Marion G. Romney speak of the blessings that would come to those who would read the Book of Mormon in their families.  She thought the blessings were so beautiful and wanted them in their home.

“I feel certain that if in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly both by themselves and with there children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell their.  The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow.  The spirit of contention will depart.  Parents will counsel their children in grater love and wisdom.  Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents.  Righteousness will increase.  Faith, hope, and charity - the pure love of Christ - will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness”

She began to read at breakfast each morning a chapter to her children.  When Luke left on his mission they had read the book 19 times as a family.   Their family is a testimony of this promise by Elder Romney.

President Howes spoke of how they love the Book of Mormon.  I couldn’t begin to tell you how many times I have read it.”  he told us.  “As a young missionary I read it once every month of my mission.”  His talk was so inspiring to the missionaries that he had a gathering of them flock him after the meeting ended.  They all wanted to up their goal for reading the B of M on their missions.  They asked him how he was able to do that.  He told them to use every minute they have.  He explained that if they kept track of how many minutes a day they spent waiting for things they would be amazed at the amount of time that they let slip away.  I know I have a new goal for reading.  This mission is a great opportunity to change my habits - to stretch my soul and to learn from the word of God.  I hope to take advantage of this precious time.

Both talks were so powerful that I am putting them on the blog.  Eric has asked a couple times what he can do now to prepare for his mission.  We think that he, and others of the grandchildren would love to hear the power and the spirit that is felt when President and Sister Howes teach.  They train missionaries and make them want to stand taller and measure up to the high calling they have been given.  We see the growth and the testimony that blossoms within them.   Any of us would do well to listen and learn.



Sister Howes



President Howes



We gave our second Devotional Sunday Evening.  This time our topic was Recognizing the Spirit.  We feel it went better than our last one.  It was too long but we are learning.  Dad taught the missionaries how to make a scripture chain.

We love Sundays at the MTC.  There are Leadership Council Meeting, District Meetings, Priesthood, and Relief Society.  President Thatcher spends much of the afternoon interviewing missionaries and there there is a progress meeting where president Howes instructs the missionaries (always tremendous meetings) a health meeting, an evening Devotional and then a final Provo MTC Broadcast Devotional.  In between these meetings we have breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  The missionaries write letters to the President and their families and study.  They are such full days that seem to go faster each Sunday we are here.  It is a day to spend with the missionaries and that we love.  We come home tired and grateful and sleep soundly.

We love all of you and pray for you always.  We wish you could be here with us and meet those we are meeting and enjoy the beauty of this land.  Take care and be true.

Mom and Dad
Grandma and Grandpa
Elder and Sister Thatcher

Visitors to the MTC

On Tuesday 22 August, we had our Devotional at the MTC.

We have these once every three weeks or once each intake.  Usually we have one of the Area Presidency come and speak to the missionaries.  Yesterday one of the Area 70, Elder David J. Thomson and his wife Sue came.  They were wonderful with the missionaries.  We all were uplifted and strengthened by them.  I recorded their talks and hope to link them to this blog.

Elder David J. Thomson (I took this picture off the internet - this is not at the MTC)

Sister Sue Thomson - "How is Your Heart?" - 3 simple exercises for your heart




Before President Howes introduced Elder Thompson he told the Missionaries, "Perhaps, just as a teaser, let me tell you that on Friday we will have an Apostle with us.  He won't be here for long but just for a few minutes."  The Elders and Sisters were stunned by the announcement. You could feel the energy and excitement in our little assembly of missionaries.  

This is a very rare thing here.  Some of the Missionaries have probably never been in the presence of one of the 12 and they love these leaders.  When they speak of the Prophet or the Apostles it is with great reverence.  They honor them.

President Thatcher and I were excited as well.  We knew immediately who it would be but had hardly dared hope it would happen.

Last week we got a text from our son Mark telling us he had been able to visit with Elder Gary Stevenson at a wedding for Elder Stevenson's nephew.  Elder Stevenson had performed the sealing.

We know the Stevenson family.  Elder Stevenson's father was my bishop in my teenage years and the bishop of our ward when Elder Thatcher and I got married.  We loved him very much.  I grew up knowing all the Stevenson children.  The boy Gary, was younger than I was and his younger brother Doug was a good friend of my younger brothers.

Elder Stevenson had asked Mark about us and when told that we were serving at the MTC in New Zealand Elder Stevenson said he was coming to that area of the world.  He had a Stake Conference in Adelaide, which just happens to be the Stake of President and Sister Howes children.  He said he would love to stop at the MTC and see the Missionaries but he had only a few hours in New Zealand and didn't know if he could make it happen.   Mark said that just incase, we should know that he loves Vanilla Ice Cream.

I mentioned the possibility to Sister Howes and hadn't heard any more since.  We are all looking forward to this big event.  He will have less than an hour to spend at the MTC but all of the Missionaries will get the chance to shake his hand and hear him talk to them for a few minutes.  His wife Lesa will accompany him.   We wish you could be here with us.

Much Love,
Mom and Dad
Elder and Sister Thatcher



Thursday 24 August 2017

Just a few glimpses of the flora and fauna of a New Zealand Winter

It is the most beautiful day in New Zealand.  The sun is out and the clouds are at a minimum.  It hasn't rained all day, which is rare.  It is winter here so for all of your children and kids that are headed back to school, these New Zealand children have been going to school all the time we have been here.  It is fun to see them in their school uniforms walking home after school.

On our walks I have been taking pictures of the beautiful flowers that are blooming here even though it is winter.

Bird of Paradise

We see these beauties everywhere

Outside MTC

bright and happy

Just outside our back door

Like sunshine in the morning

And the bushes!

almost like roses

NZ Hen and Chicks?

And here are a few street signs around our flat that make us feel right at home.

Bishop Hadfield should be careful here!

We have been receiving pictures of all the school children on their first day of school.  We love seeing them.

Anne waiting for the bus with a friend on the first day of school - 2nd Grade

First day of school - David, Brig, Ella, Maddie, Lily
8th, 6th, 4th, 9th, &1st

Kaitlin - 10th grade

Will-8th, Andrew-10th, Steven-7th

Eva-3rd, Luke-1st, Adam, Max-5th, Adam, Henry3rd-

This is how Adam felt about not getting to go on the bus with the others

Millie, Grace, Claire

Jack and Carly

Emma starts Kindergarten

and here are Emily, Kyle, Amy, Jeff, Megan, Brooke, and Stockton playing hooky

We must learn to love . . .

Sunday 20 August 2017





The Mosiah District - Top Row: E. Remuera, E. Laughingoa, E. Mamea,E. Vaekau, E. Silva Bottom Row: S. Wang, S. Lamositele, S. Digo, E. Malrory

Perhaps the favorite hour spent at the MTC on this Sabbath day was the District meeting I attended. We have 10 districts of young missionaries this intake and counting the 2 senior missionary couples we have 10 adults who could split up and attend one of the district meetings. Our role is just to attend and lend support. I happened into the Mosiah District, one of the ESL districts and shared one of the richest spiritual moments I’ve had here on our mission.

The Mosiah District contains the two Zone Leaders from Intake 11, Elder Mamea and Elder Lauhingoa, both missionaries we have come to love. The district leader is Elder Vaekau. He is the Elder who was so homesick his first days at the MTC. He had worked every day with his father and missed him terribly. The other missionaries are Elder Silva from Brazil, Elder Malrory - one of our favorite humble missionaries (Both Elder Thatcher and I commented to each other that Elder Malrory reminds us of Alex. He has the same smile and goodness. He is humble and kind. You wouldn’t see any resemblance unless you met him and then you too might think he reminds you of Alex, Elder Remuera from Kiribati, sister Lamositele, Sister Digo, and Sister Wang. There are 9 missionaries in this district from 8 different countries all trying to learn English together.

Elder Vaekau asked the District what they would like to set for goals for this coming week and told them that they were also asked to pick one of the attributes of Christ to work on. Elder Lauhingoa began to speak,

‘We need to work on Love, and I will tell you why.’ he said. Then he told of an incident he had seen in the last two days where some of the new Elders had approached Elder Malrory when he was going to ‘sport’ (what they call exercise or a sporting activity here).

‘Hey!’ one said, ‘see that black jacket you are wearing? It is the same color as your face!’

Elder Laughingoa said the comment was rudely said and meant to hurt. Elder Laughingoa said he had to leave and go to the District room and sit alone by himself. He was upset and needed to control his temper.

‘I was locked up because of my anger.’ he told us. ‘I was allowed to come on this mission but I can’t let my anger be expressed because I am a missionary. But if I wasn’t wearing this name tag I would have flattened him. He would have been on the ground! As I sat in this room I began to think of Elder Malrory. He wasn’t angry. He just smiled at the Elder. Elder Malrory had love not anger in his heart. I need to be like Elder Malrory. I need to work on having love in my heart. Elder Malrory is like Jesus.’

Then Sister Lamositele told of how she missed the other Elders and Sisters who had left. They loved us and included us. They helped us with our English. These new Elders laugh at us and we know they look down on us. But we need to love them. We are the older missionaries here. (After all they have 3 weeks under their belts) We need to set an example for them and maybe they will learn that we are all children of Heavenly Father.’ She spoke in the sweetest most loving voice. There were tears in her eyes because of the hurt but such softness in her voice and strength in her resolve to help the new Elders and Sisters. ‘I try to help them like the others helped us.’

Elder Malrory (from Vanuatu - from a very poor family) told us about his father who had never been an angry man and had taught him to love all people. ‘When the Elder said that to me, I felt no anger. I just smiled at him and felt love for him. I wanted him to know that I loved him. When I knock on any door I will love the person who opens the door and they will feel that love.’

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when Elder Malrory spoke. All these missionaries love Elder Malrory. He is the humblest of all and the most loving to them.

Elder Vaekau told them that when the others laugh at them they mustn’t let that stop them. They must keep speaking English so they can learn it. He told them that he had changed since coming to the MTC. ‘I was a normal Tongan young man. If someone said something I didn’t like I fought them. I was mean to my younger brother and would say rude things to girls. But no more. I am changed. My father wasn’t from Tonga, he is from Vanuatu and he has a quiet, kind voice and no anger. Sometimes he would give me a job to do at home and I would forget to do it. He would come home but would never show anger, instead he would do the job he had asked me to do. He would tell my mother to speak softly and with no anger to the children so we could have the spirit of the Lord in our home. He told me when I left for my mission that I was now Elder Vaekau and not a young adult anymore. I needed to learn to be a man and be true. So now I will be an example to these new missionaries. I will be up before they are up and show them how to be obedient and I will try to be like my father and like Elder Malrory and show love.’

Elder Silva asked for everyone to speak English all the time to help him as he was struggling to learn it. He said he can understand nothing of Tongan, Samoan, or the other languages and it only confuses him when they speak their languages. All expressed that they would do this to help him.

All expressed love for their companions and for each other and desires to become more than they were. It was one of those meetings you never wanted to end. You didn’t want the door to open thinking the spirit would exit as it opened. I left humbled and filled with love for these humble, sweet, young servants of the Lord. If you opened your door and found Elder Malrory on your doorstep you would feel his love and let him in. You would want him to stay in your home. You would want to be like he is.

I know it has been too long since I posted.

The week has been a busy one.  I am adding a few of my journal entries for the past week and will try to do better in the future.



Wednesday 16 August 2017

President Briggs inspecting the name tags for the incoming missionaries

This evening we got a call from Sister Howes asking if we could come to the MTC.  Seven of the missionaries had arrived early and they thought if President Thatcher and President Briggs came they could do some of the interviewing  which would make less of that tomorrow with this unusually large intake.   We rushed over and had a wonderful evening with the new missionaries and The Howes and Briggs.

We anticipate a very busy day tomorrow.  There will be greeting all the missionaries, who arrive at different times throughout the day - making them feel loved and welcome - registering them - interviewing them all - making callings to the ones that will be the zone leaders, district leaders, and Sister Training leaders - introducing them to their companions and districts - feeding them - giving them tours of the MTC - holding meetings and . . .

Sister Briggs always gets nervous about intake days.  Sister Howes walks around handling so many things at once.  She definitely ‘walks with purpose’ which how President Howes tells the missionaries to walk.  He doesn’t like them wasting time walking slowly.  President Howes actually told me this week that he likes to see me walk.  (If any of you have gone walking with me you understand what he is talking about).  I can walk down the long hall at the MTC at quite a clip!  Sister Howes told me that on intake days her step count on her phone is 25,000 steps or there about.  That is like a day at Disneyland! So that gives you an insight into what an  ‘Intake Day’ is like and how our feet feel at the end of those days.

some of the luggage that arrived today with the new missionaries

Thursday 17 August 2017   "Intake 12 Day"

We arrived at the MTC before 7:00 am today.  Sister Howes told us that the first transport of missionaries were on their way from the airport.  We have a big group coming from the United States.  We know how tired they will be having so recently made that flight but the won't be resting today.  There is a big day scheduled for them here at the MTC.  They will be welcomed, interviewed, photographed, measured for temple clothing, email home and assigned companions and districts. They will also work in their classrooms and attend a welcome meeting and instruction in the evening.   We know they will be ready to fall into bed tonight.

This is the biggest intake of missionaries since President and Sister Howes arrived in January.  The MTC feels busy and full.  We can even pronounce many of the names because a big group is from the US.  All of the missionaries in this new group will be leaving in 3 weeks - there are no ESL missionaries in the bunch.  This means that in three week we will lose all the missionaries because those still here from the last intake will have finished their 6 weeks of learning English. But until then we will be bursting at the seams.  The cafeteria is the most congested room.  We have added new tables and chairs and all are in use.

first day meeting

Friday 18 August 2017

Elder Benson and Elder Rosa -companions
Elder Benson comes from a strong LDS family - Yes! he is related to President Ezra Taft Benson  - Elder Rosa is the only member of the church from his Catholic family who asked him to leave when he joined the church - It touches my heart to see them. 

It was our temple day with the Missionaries today. We usually go the week after they arrive on a Thursday but the Temple closes tomorrow for a couple of weeks and 3 of the missionaries need to receive their Endowments, so we went today.


With such a large intake we took two buses. It was quite a sight to see that many missionaries (78) along with the 6 of us in the Presidency entering the temple. We stretched its capacity but it was a wonderful stretching. They always fix us a delicious luncheon there. Today they had to close the cafeteria to everyone else as the missionaries took all the tables and chairs available.


As the session was about to begin a woman walked in and sat down on the front row. I turned to Sister Howes and asked if she recognized her. it was Sister Elaine Dalton, past General Young Women’s President of the church. I told Sister Alofipo on my other side and she became very excited, “She came to my Stake and had 3 generations of my family stand and be recognized!” she whispered. I think she got to talk to her in the Celestial room after the session. Sister Dalton was in New Zealand for ‘Time Out for Women’.


After the session and luncheon we drove the ½ mile to the Matthew Cowley Church History Museum of the Pacific. I was excited to go because Paul had emailed me information on our relative Joseph Hodges that had served in New Zealand in 1899. I was anxious to have him added to Sister Rangi Parkers massive history of the early missionaries. She was there, sitting at her computer in her office. I walked in with my computer in tow and transferred the email Paul had sent to her computer. She will add it to the collection.


I just love Sister Parker. She has done an amazing work and all who meet her are drawn to her. She touches you and you feel like she is one of your dearest friends. I also told her I am trying to collect information on Wendell Ohlwiler from Paradise, and his mission to Tahiti. She gets so excited about things like this. Then I showed her the pictures of her on my blog and played for her the recording of her telling the story of the little blind boy, her cousin. I told her that all of our grandchildren are hearing her tell that story. It pleased her.


One of my favorite moments of the day was with Sister Wang. She is our sweet dear Sister Missionary from Mainland China. She came not speaking a word of English and of course no one else here spoke any Chinese. She has worked hard and we all love her. She is beautiful and so gentle and feminine and classy. Well, this morning as the missionaries were boarding the bus she realized she didn't have her recommend. She dashed to her room to search but it was lost. Sister Howes told her she needed to talk to President Howes but that there might not be time to issue her one. President Howes dashed to his office telling her that she should have told him earlier. She was upset I could tell. When we got on the bus she was sitting alone. President and Sister Howes were on the other bus. You are supposed to sit by your companion but since the last intake had left for their missions and her companion had been one of that group she had been put in a threesome. She sat there so still and alone. I could tell she was very shaken.


When we were underway I moved up and sat next to her and told her everything would be alright and not to worry. We are supposed to study the first half hour of the drive to the temple and I asked her if she would like to read with me. She opened her scriptures to D&C 121 and we began to read quietly together out of her English scriptures but with her Chinese opened as well. We would read a verse and I would help her with the pronunciation of the difficult words. We would repeat the words until she could say them and then she would turn to her Chinese scriptures and read the same verse. I loved watching he light of understanding come to her eyes. 'Beautiful!' she would say. She told me this was the only time she had read the scriptures in English that she had always just read them in Chinese. 'It help me." she said. Those were such sweet moments together.


After we finished she whispered to me, "I don't think Heavenly Father wants me to go to the temple today because I hate my companion. I know I am suppose to love but I hate." In her broken English she tried to explain to me that she wasn't getting any sleep. I thought she was telling me that her companions talked all night but I found out later it was that they snored all night and she couldn't sleep. Then their alarms would go off earlier than needed and she was the only one they woke up. her companions would sleep through the alarms.


I tried to comfort her and told her I loved her. When we got to the Temple President Howes had a recommend ready for her. I think the day went well. She has seemed happy since. Her companions are sweet and dear as well. Imagine how hard it must be for some of these missionaries who have left everything they know and are somewhere trying to learn to communicate in a new language. Always pray for the Missionaries. They need miracles every day. They need courage and strength and many of them need sleep.

Sister Wang and I on the bus

Saturday 19 August 2017

Darling woman from the Philippines we met at the Health Food Store - Can anyone guess what we were doing there?

This cute little woman helped us at the store today and told us that her mother had loved the Mormon missionaries back home in the Philippines. She said they had been so helpful to her mother even helping her with her home and garden. Elder Thatcher gave her this Book of Mormon. It was our best missionary effort today as our appointment with the Jehovah Witness man fell through for the 3rd time.

We went to Botany Town Center to shop and for Elder Thatcher to get a haircut that cost him 27$. I bought some scarves and saw a darling fairy tea set but since it cost 89$ it was quite easy to resist. I was satisfied with just a picture.

Tempting with the paintings of Cicely Mary Barker on them

I spotted these Harry Potter books. They look different from those I've seen back home. Do you think these are the New Zealand variety or have you seen these as well?

Colorful HP books of New Zealand

"Please do not climb on my house! by order of The Bottom Hobbit

We spotted this cute little Hobbit House while shopping today. Elder Thatcher tells me that we no longer need to go to Hobbiton. Of course I disagree - how shallow his understanding!

We went to the MTC tonight for a Progress Meeting with the missionaries and also for our presidency meeting only to learn that the presidency meeting was supposed to be at 4:00.  We're not sure how we missed that memo but we enjoyed the evening at the MTC. We held a meeting with the two senior couples that are there this week and enjoyed that very much.  Elder and Sister Mendenhall are going to Fiji.  They have already served a mission in Nepal and one other place.  The Schwenke's are going to Samoa.  They live in Sydney and Jerusha Hobby Howes father, President Hobby is their Stake President.  They love him!  Paul and I love him too having met the Hobby family when we went to Australia for Luke and Jerusha's wedding. Small world in the church.

The Moroni room all set up and ready for Sacrament Meeting tomorrow

We love getting fun texts from the kids. This came from Katie today;

My conversation with Jonny this morning:
Are you excited to be potty trained?
Jonny: I want some trains!

From Lorraine
74.5" tall and I just ordered him size 15 shoes!

 

From Andrea

"It's been an amazing year for blackberries! Benson said as he was carrying these, "This is a lot of hard work!" Thank you for sharing your harvest with us!!

Brothers and Berries

We loved a talk Laura sent that Andrew had given. I don't dare post it without Andrew's permission but it was great and he wrote it himself.

Kaitlin and Maddie

Kaitlin and Maddie reported that they and Brig had great Clinic visits. There was not even a mention of a hospital stay.

Anna and her little shadow Ray

Cousin encounter while shopping
Eric, Thatcher, Alison, Megan, Emily, Lauren, Lindy and Silvie

This bit of news from Thatcher

Hey this is Thatcher. Hope you’re having a great time in New Zealand. This week is a tennis tournament. I’m going to play with Matt. If Matt plays well we might win.

The Ellis' at the MTC open house in Provo
Lauren, Alison, Jett, Thatcher, Lindy, Greg, Eric and Silvie

Touring the new MTC
Claire, Millie, Paul, Ty, Ivie, Jen, Gracie

Hitting the Courts - Emma, Will, June

Ty looking cool in the sun

We love you all and love to hear from you.  Thank you for the mail and the emails and the fun pics.  We are so thankful for your good lives and all the things you do for each other.  We pray for you every day and hope all goes well in your many, happy, varied lives.  Be true!

 Love, 
Mom and Dad
Elder and Sister Thatcher