Joy to the World . . .

Merry Christmas! We hope that all of you are experiencing a Christmas full of merriment and good cheer.  One that holds warmth of family and lots of togetherness.

Our Christmas here in New Zealand feels very different.  The sky is blue and the air warm.  People talk of going to the beach and many are in flip flops.  It is hard to wrap our minds around the fact that it is Christmas.  But it is, and we are feeling the joy that Christmas brings.  We have delivered a lot of gifts to our investigators and had fun doing it.

Some of the gifts we wrapped for those we are teaching here in New Zealand

We found some Star Lanterns (you can see one in the picture) on sale at a store here.  Grandpa Johnson would have been proud of us because we bought all that they had left.  We gave them to families with a message about Samuel the Lamanite and his prophecy of the birth of the Savior.  They were to light and hang the star on Christmas Eve to remember the new star that appeared as Samuel said it would.  It was especially fun to talk about the birth of the Savior to the Singh family who know so little about Christ because of their Hindu faith.  They had seen that we use stars to decorate for Christmas but didn't know why.

Riana, Ronak and Shelley Singh watching a Church Christmas Video on my computer

It was also fun to knock on Tuan Tran's door.  Our gift to him was an LDS edition of the Bible.  He wasn't expecting us but had us wait while he grabbed something - he had a question for us.  He  brought back a red hymnal of some sort and turned to a Hymn asking us if we knew what the word Me-lodious meant.  You are right, the song was 'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing' and he couldn't understand the word melodious. He thought he understood 'me' but what did 'lodious' mean?  When we told him it had to do with a melody he was very excited - he knew what melody meant.  Tuan loves to learn and delights in understanding things.

Tuan wanted a definition of the word but didn't want me to sing it to him

He told us he had gone to our church but we weren't there.  He said he liked it - it was the same - about Jesus.  We told him he should go back again this Christmas Eve,  that the people had loved having him come.  He said, 'Maybe I go!'

All of you past missionaries would know what it feels like to want to pour into someone the knowledge and the wonders of the gospel and to somehow have them understand the blessings they would have as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  If they only knew what could be theirs!  But then, it is true that even we who have been members all our lives have barely scratched the surface of all that awaits us in this gospel.  The Lord has such infinite patience with all of us. We need to ask more question like Tuan does and be as excited about the answers we come to understand as he is.

Victor - we loaned him the hat for the picture

The children in our neighborhood love to see us drive in to our flat because Elder Thatcher always finds them a treat from our trunk.  This is Victor.  He appears quickly when we arrive.  We like him.  He tells us about his 5 brothers and several sisters.  He is lightning fast on his scooter.




The Missionaries in our Zone held a festival on Friday the 23rd as part of their effort to light the world this Christmas.   It involved two Stakes and there was lots of free food and great entertainment.  We are not sure how much missionary work got done because many who came were already members, but we did pass out lots of cards and Elder Stringer (our Zone leader) told us they gave away 60 copies of the Book of Mormon.

Elder Thatcher at Otara Town Center 

handing out card at the Otara Center Light the World Festival

President Briggs makes friends easily at the festival or anywhere

Elder Bartlett is the life of any party

a family spreads a mat and makes themselves comfortable for the entertainment

Stake members fixing delicious food for everyone

Balloons at the festival for releasing heavenward

Christmas Eve, was spent at the MTC from early till late.  It was Sunday and some of the day seemed like a regular Sunday but much was made more special.  I kept thinking that President and Sister Howes knew how to throw a party.  This was true of both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.   We love associating with the missionaries who like us, are far from home - except for Elder Mahoni, he is actually from our Clover Park ward here.  His family just dropped him off on Tuesday when all the other missionaries were flying in.  There are also 3 other missionaries here from one Stake in Auckland.  All of the missionaries get to call home and talk to family for 30 minutes.  They are so excited about that and it reminds us of all the memories of Christmas' past where we anxiously awaited the phone calls from our missionaries.

Elder Mahoni

The talks in Sacrament Meeting were about Christmas.  We held regular District Meetings where they set their goals for their District.  Priesthood and Relief Society were pretty normal and we took our large group picture outside the MTC just like we do with every intake on their first Sunday here.

Outside for pictures:  Elder Motes, Elder Ioka, Elder Kaulave, Elder Pinto, Elder Ila, Elder Sovuai, Elder Mahoni 

Sister Kendell has a goal to gain weight at the MTC - she is losing weight so we pulled out some
 treats from the trunk for her - anything to help the missionaries with their goals

The afternoon schedule was changed from the norm.  We watched the movie, 'Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration'.  You would think that most would have seen it before but that was not the case.  They enjoyed it very much and ate popcorn as they watched.

For Choir we learned 'Gentle Jesus' the song Eric Stauffer taught us years ago.

President Howes taught his Temple Prep class to the missionaries.  It is important because 5 or 6 of them will be attending the temple for the first time when we go on Thursday.

Dinner was a little extra special and then we had a Devotional about Christmas Traditions.

The missionaries told of Christmas' that they remembered - good or bad.   They told their stories first in their districts so all got to share and then each District selected one missionary to tell his story to the whole group.  We wish you could have heard them yourselves. Sister Kendell from the US, told us that each Christmas her family gave Christmas to a needy family.

Then three missionaries in a row talked of their Christmas' at home in the islands.  None of the three had ever received a Christmas present, yet their Christmas' were memorable because of family and what they shared.  Elder Faalupega from Samoa laughed about never getting presents.  Christmas was fun because of family and fireworks.  They made their own fireworks using a big pipe and pouring some petrol or gasoline in the bottom and lighting it.  He said it made a loud BOOM!  Many of the other island missionary laughed and agreed that they too had made their own fireworks for Christmas.  Presents weren't important but BOOMS were.  I asked if anyone ever got hurt and he said no and then he remembered telling his little brother to look in the canon.  When it went off it burned his eyebrows and eyelashes.

Elder Fatani spoke of 'broken chains' and by that he meant broken families.  He had never had a Christmas - each holiday of his life had found him alone and wandering the streets while others were with their families enjoying the holiday.  His family was broken and that took all happiness from Christmas.  He had no memories of happy meals together, of singing or laughing in a family.  There were no memories of excitement with siblings or anticipation or delight over presents.  No parents tucking him into bed while visions of sugar plums danced in his head.  Then last year a friend invited him to come home with him and spend Christmas with his family.  He said he was able to be a part of what he had only dreamed about and then said that without that Christmas he would not be here today.  We felt great love for Elder Fantani while he spoke and a deeper realization of the blessings we have enjoyed all our lives.

At the end of the meeting I shared the tradition we have of sending nose-warmers to missionaries. We read the letter together and realized that in the 48 years of sending nose warmers we have never sent them to the islands of the Pacific.  We passed out nose-warmers to all of them and after everyone had theirs on we sang 'Joy To The World' together.  I think they enjoyed it.

Joy to the World

Delighted with the simple gift of a nosewarmer

kneeling: Elder Rowlings (Australia), Elder Pepa (Tonga)
Elder Ila (PNG), Elder Daunasiga (Fiji - the miracle missionary), Elder Kaulave (New Zealand), Elder Uili (Samoa), Elder Latu (Tonga), Elder Weedon (Australia)Elder Garfield (USA), Elder Williams (New Zealand), Elder Rich (USA), (Elder Razakarisoa (Madagascar)

The last Devotional of the night was the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.  While it was playing in the Moroni Room President and Sister Howes were setting up a surprise in the Cafeteria.  They spread delicious treats and fruits on a table as a late night 'supper' for the Missionaries.

President Howes kept things running smoothly even in Christmas mode

Christmas Day was even better.  We started with a delicious breakfast and then held a Christmas meeting in the Moroni room where presents were passed out for all the missionaries.  They each got an MTC t-shirt.  They are the only missionaries who get these and they were so pleased.  They also had some chocolate in their bags.

Christmas gifts

One for each missionary

Sister Inglis and Sister Tu'avao enjoying there t-shirts

Sister Briggs had organized a Christmas Story program where the story of Christmas was told interspersed with songs.  We wish you could hear these missionaries sing.  Maybe you can get an idea.  I'll try to have Greg add some sound recordings for you here.


This cute little old lady in the video is named Mavis.  Elder Thatcher was visiting with her for a while and she took quite a liking to him.  She was telling everyone that she needed his phone number and address.  I'll have to keep an eye on Elder Thatcher and we will send other missionaries to teach Mavis :Following this meeting was the Area Presidency Devotional.  It was so nice of Elder Ardern and his family to come and join us for Christmas at the MTC.  They presented a wonderful Christmas message and also brought treats for everyone - cupcakes and candy canes.  We told them that our daughter's family lives in the same ward as their son.  They remembered Alison and Greg from a time they visited their ward.  They also know Uncle Paul and Aunt Jill well having been in CES for years. 'They are good people!' they told us.  Then they wanted a picture of us together so they could send it to Paul and Jill.  It is a small world in the church.

Elder and Sister Thatcher - Sister and Elder Ardern

Next we watched 'Mr. Kruger's Christmas'.  It has been years since we had seen it and we enjoyed it very much.

With the help of some missionaries we set the cafeteria tables with table cloths, runners, and Christmas things.  It made the meals on Christmas Day seem more special and the Sister Missionaries loved setting it up.

Sister Kendell setting the Christmas table 

Lunch was quite a feed (that is what they call a feast here).  We had all kinds of salads and fruits along with ham and lamb and raw fish.  President Howes told us that lamb is the most expensive meat in New Zealand - isn't that strange in that there are so many sheep everywhere in here.  Pavlova was the dessert.  It is made from egg whites and sugar and is difficult to make and not have it fall.  We had seen it in the stores as it is quite popular, but hadn't known what it was.   I was good and didn't taste it because of the sugar.

After lunch everyone dawned their nose warmers and we were off to nursing homes to sing to the residents there.  It was the highlight of the day other than getting to face-time with a few of you.

On our way to the nursing home

The MTC Heavenly Choir

I loved how the missionaries just on their own turned to face the residents and gave them a personal concert

Sister Yanez, Elder Pinto, and Elder Lam Cheung sing to Mavis

)

We learned that one woman was from Samoa so the whole choir sang a rousing Samoan song - you should have seen the woman's smile 

Elder Gali shows a woman his light up Christmas tie that sings

Some of the visitors sang along with us

Elder Thatcher mentioned that he saw one of the Elders praying with one of the elderly women - the missionaries surprise us with their goodness

We returned to the MTC in time for more entertainment - this time we watched the Muppets and the Mormon Tabernacle choir at Christmas.  We loved it so much.  We hadn't seen this one and loved the children and the organ solo with The Count, which we thought was a masterpiece.  Santino Fontana wasn't too bad either.

We sat at the back in the Moroni room for the movies .  I think we were the official bouncers.  Someone has to keep these missionaries in line.

Following dinner we watched 'The Testaments' and then had a concert with items from the missionaries.  The day ended with another surprise in the cafeteria - Banana Splits with 3 flavors of ice-cream, syrups, toppings, and fruit.

We watched Elder Fatani all day and saw his delight during this special Christmas.  He seemed so happy to be a part of the celebration here - to have such good food to eat and friends all around him.  Having never spent Christmas with his family he seemed to feel at home.  Everyone at the MTC felt like family.   All of the lonely Christmas' of the past couldn't push away the happiness of this Christmas as a missionary.

We went home tired but happy.  During the evening before and on Christmas itself we had spoken to Anna, Paul and Jen, Alex and Tiff, Melissa and Joe and would hear from the others tomorrow.  It had been a good Christmas in the mission field spent with missionaries and faithful servants of the Lord who had worked hard to bring joy into the lives of missionaries far from home and beginning their service to Gentle Jesus born in a stable.  It seemed perfect - a Christmas mixed with service, good food, the telling of the Lord's birth, much song, good friends and chats with family.

We have been thinking of the baby's born of late in our family and hope their arrival has added to the feelings of joy at Christmas in their families.

Steven holding little sister Maylee Kate Hadfield

Sweet Grandma Siddoway holding baby Kate Thatcher

Sister Thatcher at Lorna's baptism

We loved getting a picture of Sister Thatcher's 'White Christmas' in England and reading her email also let us experience a little of her new vocabulary; Boxing Day, Christmas Crackers, dodgy, and shaggy.  We also heard that during her phone call home Brooke asked if she would bear her testimony with an English accent.

We  have gotten to speak to more of you today - the day after Christmas for us - and is a joy to see your faces and hear about your celebrations.  Thank you for all you do, and all you think, and all you think you do. (Just a little humor).  We hope Megan is having a joyous Christmas in England.  

We are grateful for this opportunity to be in the service of the Lord.  It is our first Christmas to wear a nosewarmer as  missionaries and it felt different than just sending them out to others.  

We are thankful to be able to share our testimonies of the Lord and His gospel.  We know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves all His children enough to send a Savior for us - His only Begotten Son.  It is marvelous to us that the great Creator came to earth in such a humble way.  Even in His birth he showed a willingness to descend below all things in order to lift us up.  These humble island missionaries who have never known a Christmas present can relate to the King of Kings born in a stable and laid in a manger.  He was as poor as they are and understands them.  How beautiful is that.  He can relate to all of us and he does.  His message of hope,  love,  peace,  and life everlasting is for all, from the least to the greatest.  We honor His perfect life and His infinite sacrifice.  We love Him.

Mom and Dad,

Grandma and Grandpa,

Elder and Sister Thatcher 

A baby just in time for Christmas

Welcome little Miss Maylee Kate Hadfield   Born 15 December 2017 about 4:30 pm  6 lb 13 oz.

Doesn't she look happy to be here? It must be the fun Hadfield family she got to come to.

We were so happy to hear that sweet little Miss Hadfield had arrived safely.  Laura has kept us in pictures that we study and stare at and little videos that we are glued to.  This is the second grandchild born while we have been here.  Maylee is our 62nd grandchild.   It is so hard not to be able to kiss her cheeks and hold her.  Maylee and Baby Kate make our arms ache over here.  We are so thankful that all went well and that she is here just in time for Christmas.

Just in time for Christmas - little Maylee

It is late . . . past the bedtime of a missionary but I need to get this blog done tonight.  It has been a wonderful but busy day and tomorrow we have an early intake at the MTC.  Missionaries usually come in on Thursdays but due to the airlines and when missionaries can travel during the holidays they will arrive tomorrow.  Intake days are busy and long so I better get this written tonight. 

It amazes me looking back how many things happen in a week.  Here are a few quick updates:

1.  We learned on Tuesday at the ward rescue night that our little Vietnamese investigator Tuan Tran came to church last week.  He came alone without his 'community' but he came.  Our ward mission leader's wife told us she sat by him and that he seemed to really enjoy everything in Sacrament Meeting.  We were so excited about that.  No word on whether he came again yesterday. 

a flowering bush on the way to visit Aunty Orepa

2.  We drove to Manuera to see if we could get the phone number for our sweet little Aunty Orepa (the one who played the guitar and sang with her nieces and nephew when we met them while tracting)  She is one of the most wonderful people we have met here but her brother was not interested in us coming to teach them and she is now living with her 2nd mother in Manuera.  Orepa answered the door and we were all so happy to see each other.  She told us we could teach her about the gospel but that she didn't feel that we could do it at either home since they weren't hers.  We are trying to arrange a church where we could meet and hope to teach her after Christmas.   I cried after driving away - we was just so happy and Elder Thatcher started dreaming of all the blessings and opportunities that await her. 

3.  Zone Conference - we had the best zone conference on Wednesday.  President Walker has set a new mission policy that no one can get baptized in the Auckland mission until they have met with the ward family history consultant.  Apparently new statistics from the church show that if a new convert has taken a family name to the temple for baptisms in the first 2 months following his baptism the retention rates go up dramatically.   They not only taught us about the importance of using Family History in missionary work but they had a room all set up with computers and the family history consultants from the area and all the wards there to help each missionary identify an ancestor that needs temple work and print out a card to take to the temple this week. Last Zone Conference we had submitted our log-in info for family search and these family history experts had located ancestors for all of us.  We were amazed at them.  Once the cards were printed this group of family history workers were headed to the temple to do all the baptisms and confirmations so that the missionaries could do the endowments in their temple trip tomorrow.  Elder Thatcher and I already took our cards last Thursday when we went with the MTC missionaries to the temple. 

Brother and Sister Schwinker Area Family History Consultants - gotta love these people

4.  Temple trip with only the ESL MTC Missionaries.  The schedule at the MTC is a little crazy right now.  As I understand it there is a ban for missionaries flying during the holidays so the group leaving the MTC this week left early and the new missionaries arriving are also coming early.  Because of a shortened stay for some of the missionaries at the MTC, those leaving early didn't go to the temple this week.  They stayed back to get a full day of work done at the MTC.  We made the trip with the ESL missionaries who have another 3 weeks here.  We took one MTC van and two cars and it was the most relaxing trip to the temple we remember.  Even President and Sister Howes seemed to relax and enjoy the time.  They had so many less to keep track of and worry about. The temple looks beautiful right now - all lighted and ready for Christmas.  There are choirs that perform every night and we will be going on the 28th to an afternoon session and staying to see the lights in the evening.  

beautiful Nativity at the Temple

5.  Flat inspections.  One of our new responsibilities in the mission is to inspect the cleanliness of some of the missionary flats in our district.  We have enjoyed it.  We get to know the missionaries a little better and actually become their friends.  We are pretty nice inspectors.  Elder Thatcher takes really good treats.  The 3 flats that we inspect are kept very clean so our job is just happy.  These 3 sisters have an investigator from Holland.  They want Elder Thatcher to come along with them to their next appointment with him.  That should be fun.  Elder Thatcher taught them a little Dutch before we left.  Now that is quite something hearing these missionaries try to talk Dutch with all their various accents.  I had to interpret for Elder Thatcher and tell him what they were saying in Dutch.  "Tot shins!" (see you)

Sister Romualdo (Philippine), Sister Tapu (Samoa), Sister Gorrelu (India)

6.  Brother Rotana - at Rescue night we met Brother Rotana.  He is a convert of a few years who loves the gospel and the book of Mormon.  He is reading it for the 6th time.  We love visiting with him and hearing the stories of him joining the church.  His wife is not a member and Elder Thatcher is determined to teach her the gospel.  We have made a friend of Na, Brother Rotana's Maori wife. We have taken her a puzzle because she loves puzzles and Elder Thatcher has shown up twice to help her weed her flower bed.  He is winning her over.  We visited out on their driveway and I videoed a little of his story.  I will have Greg attach it so you can hear how he met the missionaries.  

He is a hard worker and a demolition man.  I asked Na if he had changed since he joined the church and she told me it was unbelievable how much he had changed.  He had been a chain smoker and stopped smoking in one day.  I asked if he treated her nicely and she replied, 'Like a Queen!'  You would all love Brother Rotana as we do. 

Brother Rotana  - 'When I looked into their faces I knew I had known them before.' (the missionaries)

Brother Rotana from Thatcher Family on Vimeo.

7.  Meeting with the Singh family.  We stopped by the Singh family to  see if we could set up an appointment and they were so happy to see us.  The ward party was missionary magic for them.  Shelley told us that she had called all her sisters to tell them about the party and they all wish they could have come.  We told them we wanted to help them find their ancestors and would bring Sister Briggs with us who is an expert on Family History.  So Saturday The Briggs came to the Singh residence with their computer in tow and we went to work.  Ronak sat right in the middle and would enter the names for his mother.   Shelley didn't have very many dates or even names but they are excited to contact relatives and find out more.  They are now officially registered with family search.  

Sister Briggs with Ronak and Shelley as she texts her sister for info

Ronak is such an amazing boy and he wants to be a Christian

8.  The Senior Couple Christmas Party -  President and Sister Briggs and the two of us were in charge of the Christmas Party for the senior couples.  That was tonight and it was pretty delightful.  If you have to be in charge of something and you are me, it is nice to be paired up with Sister Briggs - she gets things done. She planned the program and the food.  I just basically had to show up to help decorate - cook the ham - and make the missionary nose-warmers. 

front row: myself, S. Smith, S. Briggs, S. Ashby, S. Woodard, S. Plehn, S. Bartlett
2nd row: E. Briggs, E. Smith, E. Woodard, S. Downs, S. Garlick, E. Garlick, S. Clark
top row: E. Thatcher, E. Stosich, S. Sosich, E. Ashby, E. Downs, E. Phlen, E. Bartlett, E. Clark

His eyes - how they twinkle! His dimples: how merry, His cheeks are like roses,
his nose like a cherry - a right jolly old elf, and I laugh when I'm with him inspite of myself.

9.  Enekosi and Leitu - I've saved the best and most beautiful thing for last.  We met with Enekosi and Leitu today and it was one of those times that every missionary dreams of.  The Christmas Scripture it reminds me of is in Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  That is what we will do with our meeting today - treasure it and ponder it in our hearts.  

Our progress with Enekosi and Leitu has been slower of late.  Where we once were teaching them almost daily, Leitu's cancer surgery kept her hospitalized for two weeks and then weak and unwell for several more.  She would text us when she felt strong enough for us to come and we would go visit, but little teaching was done in her weakened condition.  Sometimes she would tell us to come and then text back that she didn't feel well enough that day.

Last week we went to an appointment only to find Enekosi there alone.  He was a little shaken.  Leitu had gone after some problems with their children.  He thought she must be with their daughter but was worried that he had upset her. We read a little in the Book of Mormon with him and then left.   We were worried and have been praying for them.

Last night at the MTC we got a text from Leitu asking if we could come on Monday.  We felt like dancing in the Moroni room of the MTC when we got that text and told her we would be very happy to come.

Enekosi was standing at the open door this morning waiting for us as we walked up their driveway.  He always greets us this way, the door open and he waiting to welcome us, usually with his Bible and Book of Mormon in his hands.  He hugged us and ushered us into their living room where Leitu was sitting on the couch waiting for us.  She looked happy and we could tell she is feeling much better.  It was so good to see her doing so well.  She gave me a long hug and told us how much she had missed us.

Elder Thatcher asked them how they were feeling about the things we had taught them.  Enekosi began talking about the Book of Mormon.  We felt so pleased when he told us he is in Mosiah.  He talked about reading the book of Jacob and then Enos. 'Jacobs son Enos is very good.' he told us.  Then he talked about King Benjamin, and his son Mosiah.  He liked how it goes from father to son.

He told us that before we came he had read the Bible 'all the time'  but now he understands where the people in the Bible went.  He talked about Jacob in the Bible and wondering what had happened to all his 12 sons.  'Nephi is from Joseph' he told us. And, it is all one gospel.  It is the same Jesus - it is all about Jesus!  All of the prophets teach about Him  - the Bible prophets - and the Mormon Book's prophets - it is all the same - one gospel.  As he was talking my heart was racing, I couldn't hold back the tears.   As he continued I turned to Leitu and said, ‘He really loves it doesn’t he.'  she smiled her warm smile and nodded.

We asked how he felt about being baptised.  Could he see himself being baptised?  He said, 'To be honest I love this book.  I know it’s true and from God!' Then Enekosi began to tell us about the first day we had met them.  He talked about how he had been praying to learn more about what the Bible taught.  We had met their grandchildren in their yard and Leitu had invited us in to show a video.  He told us he heard our voices that day,  he heard us talking and the spirit said,  'Get up and go out there Enekosi, this is the answer to your prayer.  They will teach you what you want to know.'

He was telling us things we hadn’t heard before. He talked about Phillip in the New Testament and how he taught the man about being baptised and how he baptised him, just Philip and the man.  We did’t understand everything he was saying but I think he meant he wanted to be baptised like that in a river with just the two of them there.  He then said he hadn’t really thought about baptism yet that he was just reading the book and so grateful for it.

Elder Thatcher shared some scriptures from the Bible first. Matthew 7 about false prophets and knowing by their fruits if something is good or a prophet is true.  Then to the first part of Matthew 7 - ask, and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and it will be opened unto you.  He explained that asking would be as simple as prayer.  Enekosi had prayed and Heavenly Father was answering him.  Enekosi had also been seeking which is like studying the scriptures seeking truth, and he was finding truth in rich abundance.  Elder Thatcher  would have taught that knocking would be like getting baptised and the gates of heaven would be opened to him, but he didn’t get that far.

Then Elder Thatcher told the story of Gertrude Sprecht, (one of his favorite stories) and how this brilliant woman with 3 PHD's in religion felt when she was given the Book of Mormon and allowed to feast on the word of God that she had hungered for all her 76 years.

The Spirit that we had prayed so earnestly to attend us was so powerfully present in that humble home today.  We all felt it and we saw more clearly the truths He bore witness too.

We had given them a few Christmas gifts when we first came.  One of them was an LDS Bible.  With that Bible Enekosi now has all of the Latter-day scriptures at his fingertips.  He was so grateful and lovingly looked it over thanking us.  Before we left Enekosi had Leitu read what Elder Thatcher had written in that Bible.  As she read she wept.  'I will text you to come back - before Christmas.' she said.

We hardly spoke as we got into the car and then in reverent tones we shared our feelings of what we had all shared together.  When we arrived home we fell to our knees in our bedroom and thanked our Heavenly Father for the opportunity to be missionaries, to have met these people that we love so dearly and to have the great blessing of teaching them about the restored gospel.

When I was a little girl my favorite song to sing in church was 'The Morning Breaks'.  The words have been filling my mind since our meeting with Leitu and Enekosi:

The morning breaks, the shadows flee;
Lo, Zions standard is unfurled!
The dawning of a brighter day,
The dawning of a brighter day,
Majestic rises on the world.

The clouds of error disappear
Before the rays of truth divine;
The glory bursting from afar,
The glory bursting from afar
Wide o'er the nations soon will shine.

-Angels from heav'n and truth from earth
Have met, and both have record borne;
Thus Zion's light is bursting forth,
Thus Zion's light is bursting forth
To bring her ransomed children home.

There are some truly beautiful things and people here in New Zealand.

Happy Birthday to all our other December darlings.  

Claire

Daniel

Ella

Brooke and Stockton ( I told everyone this week how you are twins but born on different days)

We hope all your Christmas preparations are bringing joy and not stress.  It truly is a most magical time of year.  

We love you all dearly,

Mom and Dad,

Grandpa and Grandma,

Elder and Sister Thatcher

Light the World . . . Pacific style

The Ward Party - Friday December 8, 2017

Theme - 'Light the World - Pacific Style'

The tables looked lovely - the room was decorated with large beautiful leaves

The Clover Park Ward that we have been assigned to does many things very well.  They know how to fellowship investigators . . .  they know how to 'rescue' inactive . . .  they know how to love each other. . .  they know how to sing . . . and they know how to party!

The ward party was Friday evening.  On Tuesday for 'Rescue Night' many of the  inactive and non members were visited and given personal invitations.  On Friday we stopped at the Singh home to invite them to the party.  They are the Hindu family that we think so much of but haven't been able to meet with for some time.

We invited Riana and her family to come to the Ward Christmas Party that evening

 The party would start early for the Primary children,  There would be a Christmas tree with presents for each child.  When we told the Singhs about the presents Ronak perked right up.

We didn't really think they would come but we got there early just in case.  They came!!! and that was a great Christmas present for us.

Shelley Singh and Ronak at the Party - her Aunty Lolita looking on

There were presents around a little Christmas tree.   One for each child with their names on the gifts.  And Elder Thatcher was the substitute Santa handing out the presents.   Ronak and Riana's were labeled, "For our new friend".

2 year old Riana made herself right at home

Elder Thatcher - handing out gifts to the children

In harmony with the theme for the Party we were divided into teams and then visited 'villages' from different islands; Tonga, Samoa, Niue, Maori, and Fiji.  Below Ronak participates in the activity from the island of Tonga.

Ronak volunteered for the Tongan game

We also had other investigators at the party.  Richie and Teqwyn Edmonds came and enjoyed it as well.  Teqwyn was part of the YW and YM's Nativity program - they had her be the narrator.

Teqwyn in the white shirt and black sweater

 Richie enjoyed the party very much.

Richie and Elder Thatcher massage each other's hands in Niue

The attendance was large.  The party was late getting started  (we think this is somewhat cultural), but   in the end so many came.   It was a pot luck affair and a feast!  There was food for all and to spare. 

Visiting while waiting for their turn at the buffet

Our dear Bishop and Sister Utai

Shelley's aunt Lolita from Fiji who enjoyed the party

Shelley, Lolita, Ronak, and Riana left after the meal.  Elder Thatcher walked them to their car.  Our sweet bishop saw they were leaving and went out to the car to say goodbye.  He thanked them for coming and told them to come again on Sunday.  Elder Thatcher said that when he shook Ronak's hand Ronak told him, "I think I would like to join you and become a Christian."  The bishop responded that we would love him to join us and also to come on Sunday.   We would like that too Ronak. 

We stopped by their home yesterday to set up our next appointment.  Shelley told us how much they had enjoyed the party. She had told her sisters about it and they were sorry to have missed it.   She told us they hadn't come to church on Sunday because of her work (Shelley is a nurse), but Ronak wants to come.  We mentioned that Aunt Lolita could bring him this Sunday and Shelley liked that. 

Ronak told us that he was very nervous when he got to the church for the party.  He didn't know anyone and was in a new and strange place.  Let me tell you about two boys from the ward Larry and Lavon Talo, the sons of the Primary president.  We had told them about Ronak before when we were hoping he would come to another party.  Larry said he would watch for him and be his friend.  Larry and Lavon took charge of Ronak.  They took him around introducing him to the other children and played with him before the party started.  They stayed by him,  sat by him, and simply became his friends.  We were so impressed with those two young boys and how they made a stranger feel wanted and welcomed.  No wonder Ronak wants to join this ward and become a Christian.   He has friends here. 

We were so grateful to Larry and Lavon that we stopped by their home last night to give them each a copy of PMG.  After all such good missionaries need to know how to be all that missionaries should be.  

LaVon, Sila (their darling sister), and Larry

It has been a good week of missionary work.  Besides the party we also met with Moses and Antonina's family, Enekosi and Leitu,  Tito and Alofa's family, Tuan Tran and his wife Huyen, and others.  We had some appointments fall through and need to contact many others. 

The Bee Game with Samantha, Naomi and Moses

On Thursday we drove the van to the Temple with 5 missionaries who were going for their first time and their escorts.  We take them early and the bus with all the other missionaries meet us there later.

kneeling- E. Avia (Kiribati), E. Nalin (Vanuatu)
back - E. Jonathan (Vanuatu), E. Autufuga (Samoa), Elder Rere (Cook Islands),
S. Dalituicama (Fiji), E. Faalupega (Samoa), S. Eritrea (Kiribati), Elder Ficklin (US),
E. Sovuai (Vanuatu)

We also stopped into see Sister Rangi Parker at the Museum.  I took her the story from Sister Zhu about the hen that we told you about in the last blog.  She was excited about that and had Elder Summerhay's, the director off the museum come in to hear the story as well.

Rangi Parker and I

Update on the Boo Radley tree:  On a walk yesterday we checked on our Boo Radley tree.  All the cards were gone so we replaced them with 'Light the World' cards and suckers.  We placed them in 4 different fairy nooks in that special tree.  As you know it is one of my favorite proselyting approaches.  It requires no courage and little time.  Elder Thatcher still prefers tracting reminding me that so far we have had no appointments for teaching the gospel from this method.  I must admit he is right on this one but you never can tell.  I feel that we are planting seeds.

'Light the World' cards in the Boo Radley Tree

Funniest Missionary Moment of the week

I'll close with the missionary moment that we have laughed about all week.  We stopped by Tuan Tran's home to try to set up an appointment to teach him but when his wife Huyen opened the door she smiled and had us come right in.  I visited with Huyen in the living room while Elder Thatcher sat at the kitchen table with Tuan.  I could hear snippets of their conversation and wanted to be there.   

Elder Thatcher invited him to the Party on Friday and to come to Church.  Here is their conversation; 

‘What time your church?’

’It’s at 9:00’

‘How many seat?’

‘It’s big!’ 

‘I know, but how many seat!?’

‘Maybe 3 or 4 hundred’. 

‘Ok, I come to your church.  Maybe I bring community.  Sometime we don’t have worship. Then I bring community.’

We didn't know if he would come on Sunday but we laughed about it all week and thought we should warn the Bishop that they may have a 'Community' visit on Sunday.  

It has been another learning and growing week for us.  We are so thankful to be missionaries.  We need to improve and be more effective missionaries.  We chose for our motto for this mission the words of Christ from 3 Nephi 11, 'Ye must repent'.  It was an inspired choice.  We need to repent every day.  We need the Spirit to be with us and that comes when we are humble and repentant.  I don't think in my pre-mission life that I understood how important this is.  Because of our desperate need for the companionship of the Spirit we recognize like never before the things we do that chase that Spirit away from us.  WE MUST REPENT!  Repentance is sweet to us.  Elder Thatcher mentioned yesterday that he understands better why the Lord tells us to pray always.  We need that Spirit that comes with prayer and we need protection from the wiles of the devil.  The Lord opens your eyes on a mission.  We are so grateful.  

Happy Birthday to those of you with December birthdays - the list is long.  We are so thankful you were born and will celebrate your day along with Christmas and the birth of the Lord.   

Claire

Ella

Daniel

Brooke

Stockton

Luke

Evelyn

Carly

Paul

We hope there's a lot of partying going on back there.  We were so happy to talk to some of you while you were at the Family Party at Pizza Pie Cafe.  We hope you all enjoyed that and that all your Christmas activities will be wonderful.  We hear that many of you are serving others and 'lighting the world' all around you.  You Light Our World as well.

Here is the Church's 'Light the World' introduction for here in the Pacific.  You can see what Christmas is like here from that. 

We love this work and this Gospel.  We are thankful at this time of year to have the message of the Restoration to proclaim here among people we love.  The Gospel is true.  The Lord did come to earth as the babe of Bethlehem.  He fulfilled all that the prophets had testified he would do and opened the door of joy for all of us.  We love being his missionaries.

We love you.

Mom and Dad

Grandpa and Grandma

Elder and Sister Thatcher