Super Saints, Temple Dreams, and news from home

Sister Talo

This is our Clover Park Ward Primary President Sister Laveiai F. Talo.  We are not sure how many children she has but we know some of them.  Her little girl Sila is in the picture and her two sons Larry and Lavon are the best missionaries to our dear Ronak Singh.  Sister Talo has a brand new baby and still she has been picking Ronak up the last 3 weeks for church.  He loves to come and his mother works every Sunday as a nurse and can't bring him.  Sister Talo picks him up, brings him to church and afterwards takes him back to their home and feeds him dinner and then lets the boys watch a church movie before taking him back home.  She is a gem and tells us that Ronak is bright and is loving church.  Ronak couldn't have better friends.

Myself with Sila and Laveai Talo Primary President and Super Saint!

Tongan Baptism

We attended a baptism on Saturday in a Tongan ward in our Stake.  We couldn't understand a word but we loved the music.  There was a small group there in the chapel but as Elder Thatcher said, "These Polynesian saints know how to PROJECT!" It was a magnificent thing to hear.  The baptismal font was in a hallway (a rather crowded spot) there was enough space in the little room connected to the baptismal font for a few chairs but most of the group filled the hall.  We couldn't get close enough to see the actual baptism but when the woman getting baptised was entering the water one of the men began to sing and then everyone was singing the most beautiful rendition of 'Oh love that glorifies the Son' you have ever heard.  We felt so blessed to be there.  If you closed your eyes it felt like you were next to the ocean for the baptism, and the saints were singing.  We've never experienced anything like it.  Then after the ordinance, when the woman was climbing out of the water the singing began again.  We wish you all could have been there.

Watching the Baptism - Such a small group for such a deep rich sound

The small baptism room 

We asked the missionaries if they knew what the words they were singing were.  One from Samoa said the people singing probably didn't even understand the words.  Then he explained that at least in Samoan there are different kinds of language, the common language that the people speak and then a language that you use to speak to the Chief and finally the language used when you speak to the King.  The songs are written in the highest language.   If you speak the highest language you have much greater influence among the people.  It made me think of our prayer language.  We surely shouldn't use the common language we use with people when we address God.  It has made me think of the beauty of using the proper words in prayer.  Thee, Thy, Thou, and Thine, show proper respect when we address the highest of all.  Just using those words brings a reverence to your heart and must add power to our prayers.

Church Tour

Elder Thatcher, Matthew, Matty, and Dakota at the Church for the tour

For three weeks now we have been trying to do a church tour with our investigator Matthew and his children.  It finally happened.  When we drove up to the house we were touched that Matty and Dakota had put on their finest clothing to go.  There father wasn't home and we thought it would fall through again but he soon arrived and we were off.

We had planned it with little teachings at all the paintings around the church and explaining the different rooms and how each organization would bless their family.   We had a sweet video to play the children in the Primary room and another one for the Chapel where we would end our tour.  But the moment we went inside Dakota was upset and wanted to leave.  She was tugging on her father and trying to get him to take her out.  We didn't know what was bothering her and didn't want her memory of the church to be a bad one.  We cut the tour short and took them to get an ice cream treat.

While Elder Thatcher was paying for the ice creams I asked Matthew if he would still like us to teach him more and he said, "Yes!" which surprised me.  Then he explained that the church had not been what he expected and that he had liked it very much.  He told us he had never liked the inside of churches but he liked this one.  He asked about the absence of the cross and we told him why we didn't use that symbol of Christianity in our church.  He loved the explanation and said it had always seemed like an idol to him.

You just never know what is happening inside a person.  We will continue to teach Matthew.  He also told us his wife has been listening to us from the other room when we are teaching and is interested and likes what she has heard.

Tuan Tran

Tuan called us Wednesday morning and asked if we could come that day.   When we arrived he said he didn't have a lot of time so he wanted to teach us a song and then another time we could teach him more.  He went into the other room and came out with his guitar and began to teach us the song he had sung at our ward.  We think he wrote it himself and also the music.  It was fun to learn.  He taught us first the tune while sining in English and then had us practice it in Vietnamese.  Truthfully he speaks English much better than we speak Vietnamese.  We think he got a kick out of our attempt.

The paper we learned the song from 

Elder Thatcher was able to share a few scriptures with Tuan as well

Temple Day

Hamilton New Zealand Temple

Perhaps you have heard that the New Zealand Temple will be closing for renovations come July.  It is overdue and needed.  But we will always be grateful that while we were here serving we were able to go so often to the Temple in Hamilton.  It has been a joy and blessing.

Some have asked what the missionaries will do who come to the MTC not having been to a temple.  Our guess is that they will be called to missions where there is a temple, or go to MTC's that have a nearby temple.  We are the only one in the world without a temple on it's doorstep.  We are more concerned about the missionaries called from New Zealand.  Where will all of those go to be endowed?  We are sure the Church will handle it seamlessly however.

Elder Thatcher is convinced that they will be announcing a new Temple in Auckland come April Conference.  He is sure there is room for one by the MTC and it would be a beautiful spot.  We shall see.

Sister Howes is very good at Family History and every Temple day she has names placed on a table for each missionary to take.  We do a lot of names.  I have been wanting to tell any of you that are interested in getting endowments done you could send us the cards and we could get them done while we are here.  I know Jennie's mother does a lot of family history.  You would need to have the baptisms and confirmations done but we have a chance to do a lot of endowments.  I think somehow they can be sent electronically.

Anyway, this week someone gave Sister Howes a bunch of American Indian names and we really got a kick out of them.  These aren't even the best ones.  The island missionaries enjoyed the names as well.

some of the temple names this week

One of the reasons we love to go to the temple is the meal they fix us there.  This is Sister Poulau. She is an AMAZING COOK!  The meal we eat there after the session is the best food we have had in New Zealand.  She fixes an incredible buffet for the missionaries because she loves them.  They always sing for her after the meal.  They 'sing for their supper' she tells them.  Then she will give them a little talk about how she does this for them because she loves Heavenly Father and His missionaries.  She tells them to be good missionaries and come back after their mission to be sealed in the temple.

Super Chef - she would win any cooking show

Elder Puckey is a cousin of the Edmonds family that we love

Elder Wilson is from Alamo Nevada and is a real cowboy
He reminds us of our Nevada Bayless family even though we know
the two towns are many miles apart

Samantha

We visited Moses and Antonina and family.  Samantha is home now waiting for her transplant and so far is feeling pretty good.  They know she will become very ill if the transplant doesn't come in a timely manner.  The family seemed good.  Moses has stopped drinking and Moses and Antonina are both working on stopping smoking.  This is quite an accomplishment for such a stressful time in their lives.  They are trying to get to the temple before it closes in July.  We are their biggest cheer leaders in their efforts.  Keep Samantha in your prayers.  She is very dear to us.

Samantha and Naomi

Moses, Naomi, Keisha, Samantha, and Antonina

Tracting Report

Elder Thatcher is happiest while tracting.  We have tracted out a couple of new streets this week and have a few call back appointments.  We have almost given away a whole case of Book of Mormons and have ordered another one from the zone leaders.  He keeps track of each door that we knock on, the house number, and the response we get.  This week we gave a Book of Mormon to a very Catholic Catholic woman, to a young Samoan man whose sister is on a mission, to a very handsome father from the Cook Islands, and to a real professional Rugby Coach.

I think Elder Thatcher is most excited about the Rugby Coach.  His name is John Collins and his wife is a woman we tracked out a couple weeks ago who was a member of the church as a child.  They are very impressive people and we had a great lesson with them.  He asked us to come back the end of February when he returns from soccer tournaments in Samoa.  Elder Thatcher has visions of him as the next bishop and Sister Elaine Collins as the Relief Society President.

Elder Thatcher with Tracting book

While Elder Thatcher fills in the details of the visits in his tracting booklet I check out the local Flora and Fauna.  Look at the size of these leaves.  I thought for a moment I had been transported to Pixie Hollow in Disneyland.  I watched for Tinkerbelle but she never materialized.   I am sure that the fairies in New Zealand are very happy ones.

Beautiful plants

colorful flowers everywhere

I should have stood by this plant so you could see the size.  It was huge and reminded
me of Jumanji.  I was cautious as I walked by.

That's about it for the weekly report.  We need to dash for an appointment with our Cambodian friend who we met, of course, tracting.  Have I told you about Pin Pang?  That will be next week then.

 Sister Howes and President Howes, Sister Briggs, Elder and Sister Thatcher
Sunday evening after being being presented with shell necklaces from the outgoing French Polynesia missionaries 

A few pics we've received this week from home.  My, how we love you all

Happy Birthday Brig - his big #12

Those are pretty tall candle for a great 12 year old.

And there's been a little cousin time going on too.

David, Maddie, Ella, Kaitlin and Lily on a frozen pond having a blast

Kaitlin, Katie and Maddie in an old mine

Fun daddy daughter activity for Kent and Heidi resulting in a Snowman that is the Pink of Perfection 

Can anyone quess how Emma got this tea party and doll on the wall?

It was a big day for little Maylee.  We heard glowing reports from Alex and Anna of the beautiful blessing by her father, Bishop Hadfield, Andrew ushering at the door, Will and Steven passing the Sacrament and Will's magnificent solo during the meeting.  Some things are just so hard to miss.  We appreciate the pictures and the recordings.

It was Maylee Kate Hadfield's blessing day Sunday
She reminds us so much of Laura as a baby only Laura was much blonder

Andrew and Maylee

Will and Maylee

Steven and Maylee

Proud brothers to protect her

 S

And Eva, the best big sister to be her best friend

The Hadfield family 12 Strong 

It is fun to hear from the other Sister Thatcher each week.  We are so pleased with her service and happy faithful attitude.  She sent us this picture of a visit she made to where they filmed Harry Potter.  Does it look like Hogwarts to all of you Harry Potter fans?  We hope she left a Book of Mormon in the restricted section of the library there.  Hermione will for sure find it.

Defense against the Dark Arts Teachers at Hogwarts
This is Sister Thatcher (The young and beautiful one)

Time to send this off for another week.  Take care of yourselves and know you are loved dearly by missionaries far, far away, and by your Heavenly Father and His Son.  Love enfolds you whether you are aware of it or not.  Be true.  We love you.

Mom and Dad
Grandma and Grandpa
Elder and Sister Thatcher (the bent and aged one)

'Do you know what you have?'

Samantha Suapaia

Last Monday the 15 January, on our way to tract for the evening, we felt we needed to stop by Moses  and Antonina's and check on our little Samantha.  She is 6 years old and has been in the hospital for several weeks with a liver infection and it has been hard to communicate with the family.  We grabbed a few gifts from our gift box (Uncle Todd would be so proud) and were on our way.  When we pulled into their driveway we could see Antonina on the front porch with a neighbor.  She was  having a difficult time.  She told us that Samantha wasn't doing well.  They were home for a couple of hours and then would have to go back to the hospital.  All the antibiotics had not helped. Samantha's liver is failing.  They are talking about a liver transplant and want to do it as quickly as possible before she becomes too ill.

Samantha is very yellow.  She came to the door to see us dressed in a big parka.  Antonina said she is just embarrassed to have anyone see her.  Antonina was just overwhelmed with everything.  She is stressed by the financial burdens, having to be in the hospital with other children at home, how it had gone on and on without improvement and now facing the heavy prospect of a transplant for her little girl.  We asked Antonina if she would like a blessing and she said she would love one for Samantha.  We made arrangements to return in an hour or so with the Bishop.

Naomi and Samantha wearing one of the gifts we had brought her and dressed for her blessing

Naomi, Samantha, and Keisha

Our good bishop, Bishop Utai met us at their home later and we had such a sweet experience together.  Antonina had straightened the house as she always does, and had Samantha dressed beautifully for the blessing.  Samantha received a blessing and so did Antonina and Moses.  Bishop Utai gave the blessing to Moses in Samoan and we would have loved to understand what was said.  The Spirit was so present in the room and the comfort felt was real.  They couldn't have been more appreciative.   There is a sweetness in missionary work that comes from being allowed into the lives of families that you learn to love.  You feel so close to them and love them with a pure unselfish love.  This little family is dear to us.

We made the trip into Auckland to the Starship Children's Hospital to visit Samantha on Wednesday.
Antonina and Moses seemed much better even though the circumstances haven't changed.  The liver transplant is imminent.

Starship Children's Hospital - looks like a ship

Somehow we found our way inside

I thought it was the nicest hospital we have been in here in New Zealand.
Maddie, Kaitlin, Brig and I would have lots of fun exploring this place 

The doors leading to Samantha's room 

At first no one was in the room but soon Samantha popped in and loved playing The Bee Game with Elder Thatcher.  She has become a very smart player and beat poor Elder Thatcher both games.  If she's not careful he will stop playing with her

Soon Antonina and Moses joined us

Moses wants to be a live donor for Samantha.  They will have to do a lot of testing to find out if he is compatible.  But both Moses and Antonina seemed calm and good.  They said there is just so much to learn and consider.  It is a humbling time for all of us. Samantha seems happy and is not miserable other than the itching.  Everything itches.  It must be due to the liver not filtering correctly.  Samantha is constantly on our minds.


New Prophet Russell M. Nelson

President Dallin H. Oaks, President Russell M. Nelson, President Henry B. Eyring
New First Presidency

We set our alarm for 5:00 am so we could hear the announcement from President Russell M. Nelson. We are so thankful for latter day prophets.  We loved President Monson and we love our new prophet.

At our last visit with Enekosi and Leitu we left the video 'On the Lord's Errand' about President Monson's life.  When we visited them this week Leitu told us how they had loved it.  They had watched every minute and thought his life was so full of service.  We have been led all our lives by prophets of the Lord and their influence in our lives has been profound.  'Follow the Prophet' children, and all of us, 'He knows the way!'


Richie Edmonds and the kids

Kori, Mahina, Sister Thatcher, Pana, Georaeah, and Tiare

On Wednesday evening we stopped by the Edmonds just to check on everyone there and had a wonderful visit with Uncle Richie and the children.  Keala and Doug were out celebrating Doug's birthday.  While Elder Thatcher visited with Richie, I played hide the thimble with the kids and then we read the Joseph Smith story from the Pearl of Great Price.  Georaeah and Mahina wanted to read and took turns.  They both wanted to pray too, so before we left we had three prayers.  It was a sweet time.

Children are wonderful.  Kori is Keala's other son, and Mahina and Pana are Doug's.  The children love each other and are very sad when some need to go to their other homes.  Children respond to the gospel.  It is always sweet to hear their comments and feel their simple faith.  And at least here in New Zealand all the children seem to love the missionaries.

We also learned that Richie and Keala's cousin is a missionary right now at the MTC.  We made the connection later - it is Elder Puckey from Auckland going to Brisbane. He is a handsome one like all the Edmonds family.

MTC Devotional with President and Sister Halleck

On Tuesday we had the Area Presidency Devotional at the MTC.  This time we were privileged to hear from Elder Halleck our area president.  As they walked in Sister Halleck whispered to me that they needed to talk to us before they left.  We had no idea why and were a little nervous during the devotional.  After they had met every missionary personally and shaken everyones hand they sought us out.  Sister Halleck told us we had a mutual acquaintance - Brad Nelson.  We both were stretching trying to remember Brad Nelson, and then we realized that he married Rebecca Johnson, Uncle Andy and Aunt Tally's Rebecca.  Brad had been President Halleck's Assistant in the Samoan Mission and they love him.  I just happened (I'm kind of known for this) to have recorded their talks and told them I would send them to Brad and Becca.  I've been trying to get their email address to get this done.  I'll do it!  Anyway it's fun to make connections in the church.  'It's a small world' in the church and at Disneyland!  The connections are happy ones as well, just like the dolls in the ride.

It's a world of laughter a world of tears,
it's a world of hopes and a world of fears,
There's so much that we share,
That it's time we're aware,
It's a small world after all.

President and Sister Halleck and Sister and President Halleck

Tracting 

We meet the most lovely, beautiful people tracting.  I'm learning not to dread going.  I think Elder Thatcher is right, by the time we go home I may even enjoy it.  We met the siblings below on the road called Vetori Place.  Their home was back behind other homes at the end of an alley with banana trees growing.  Their parents weren't home but they were excited to watch a children's video on their porch with us.  The beautiful sister in the middle is Folosi.  She is 19 and a student at the university.

They loved the videos - we ended up showing at least 3 and they kept begging for more.  We asked Folosi if she would like a Book of Mormon and she said she would love one, that she loves to read.  They told us to come back late,r that their parents would love to meet us.  We don't know about that.  But we will surely return.

Ropeta, Folosi, Stephen and myself on their porch - our classroom

We also met the nicest man from Cambodia on Vetori Place.  His name is Pin Pang.  Isn't that the best name! He spent 10 years in a refugee camp.  He looked so young but he is a grandfather.  His home was beautifully neat and I loved the flowers in his yard.  His wife was working with the flowers as we walked up to the house.  He let us in and we talked about God.  He is Buddhist but doesn't seem to have great love for his religion.  He listened to the Joseph Smith story and was interested.  He said he can read English but can't understand what he reads.  We ordered a Cambodian Book of Mormon for him and our Zone leaders just got it for us.  We are looking forward to returning and giving him this priceless gift.

The Singh family

We had an appointment with the Singh family but when we got there only aunt Lolita and Ronak were home.  Ronak told us he wants to be baptised.  He asked when he could be and we told him that he was nine so he could be baptized anytime.

"OK," he said, "this week!"

We asked if he would rather be baptized alone or with his mother.  He would like to be baptized with his mother.  We will work on that.  We also told him he needed to attend church at least three times.  He said he had been there twice and so that wouldn't be hard.  Our sweet Primary President who has a brand new baby picked him up for church last week and then took him to their home after.  Her sons, Larry and Lavon are such great friends for Ronak.   We are thinking she probably picked him up again yesterday.  Clover Park Ward is the best.

We will also send a referral to Fiji for Aunt Lolita who went home on Friday.

Enekosi and Leitu

It was a week of a lot of broken appointments but Enekosi and Leitu had us come on Friday for a lesson.  It was good.  We asked them to tell us what they were thinking and learning.  Enekosi told us he loved the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith.  He showed us the Articles of Faith that he had found and said he believes every word, especially number 4 and number 11.  He believes the first principles and ordinances and wants to be baptized.  He doesn't want to be baptized at the church though, but in a river and he wants Elder Thatcher to baptize him.  But then he told us he doesn't think the church is necessary.  He likes that Joseph taught about letting a man worship anyway he wants.  We don't think he understood what Joseph meant by the 11th Article of Faith.  His understanding isn't quite where it needs to be.  We pray for help in teaching him the importance of the church.

Because of this our minds have been full of thoughts about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  - the kingdom of God on earth and the blessings of membership in the church.

The last two weeks we have witnessed a dear Prophet leave the earth and another be ordained.  It was a beautiful thing to watch.  We have talked about the way the church has blessed our lives.  What it has meant to have prophets to lead and guide us and what a blessing the church was in every aspect of our family life.  Do we need a church? Absolutely! Without the church and the priesthood we couldn't receive the ordinances and that would be a definite problem, but what if somehow we could one by one get baptised?  How would we take this blessing to the world?  Can you imagine doing the latter day work that needs to be done without the organization of the Church.  Who would build a temple for us to go to.  Who would preach the gospel to the world?  Where would the order be?  Who would record what is done on earth so it could be recorded in heaven?

It has been an eye opener to work at the MTC and see  up close and personal, the organization of the church in just one aspect of it's mission - missionary work.  It is a marvelous thing to see.  These missionaries from all countries are called, set apart, endowed, receive Patriarchal blessings, make travel plans and are trained in MTC's by servants of the Lord all dedicated to this work.  It is a marvelous work and a wonder.

This church is the most amazing organization on the earth.  We are in awe of what it accomplishes and the huge task that it faces.  We are in awe of the members who are consecrated and willing to give their lives to this latter-day work.  We are humbled to see the smooth operation of the church as it moves in it's majesty.  It truly is led by the Lord.

As Elder Thatcher often quotes one of his favorite stories, 'Do we really know what we have?'  Do we understand what we are a part of in this church.  It is such an honor to be a member of the Church.  We need to be loyal, grateful, faithful members.  The riches of Eternity are ours because the Kingdom is ours.  I can hardly type this without falling to my knees.  I am so grateful for this church.

I know I have taught the kids this many times, but if Christ is the bridegroom, who is the bride?  It is the church.  When we are born again into the family of Christ, the Church is our mother.  It nourishes us, teaches us, watches over us and helps us grow up in Christ.  We would be as lost without the church as a new baby would be lost without it's mother.  And like any child that grows up with a good  mother, those of us who have grown up in the Church love it.  We know how it has blessed us.  It is forever dear to us.  And in our old age we like to serve our dear mother and help her all we can.

Beloved Missionaries

Elder Bingham, Elder Daunasiga, Sister Ryter, Sister Thatcher, Sister Peck

At District meeting on Tuesday we saw some of our missionaries from the MTC.  Elder Daunasiga has been a companion to our Zone leader Elder Salesa for a couple weeks.  We heard he has now finished his medication and has flown out to his mission in PNG but we got to see him one last time and I asked him to bear his testimony.  It's the testimony that he bears to everyone he meets.  I will have Greg attach it here for you.





Sister Ryter was in the first intake of missionaries that we met in the MTC when we arrived here in July.  She is a fine missionary and it was so good to see her.

Church Museum of the Pacific

We went to the church museum after the temple on a rainy Thursday.  I stepped into Rangi Parker's office to tell her about a text I had received that morning from Aunt Rosie saying that she is sending her grandfather's history of when he was the mission president in Samoa and Tonga as a young man.  Rangi was delighted.  I also told her a little story about Wendell Ohlwiler when he served in Tahiti and she got so excited she asked to record the story on video.  I grabbed President Thatcher who remembered the details better than I and we made the recording.  We are now officially part of the collection and so is Wendell Ohlwiler. A little of Paradise in the Pacific.

President Thatcher, Sister King and Sister Rangi Parker preparing to video the story

Hunua Falls 

The Senior Couple Missionaries had a picnic on Saturday at Hunua Falls.  It is a beautiful place about 45 minutes from our flat.

Hunua Falls

We might have found the baptism spot for Enekosi

down stream

The group of missionaries 

Elder and Sister Downs 

Elder and Sister Downs are from Farmington.  Elder Downs was a coach at the middle school in there for years and knows Tiffanie.  I thought I was recording him while he spoke about Tiffanie and found later that I hadn't turned it on correctly.  It was so sweet to hear him tell us about Tiffanie and how she stood out of all the students he had taught over years.  He spoke of her kindness and how she never needed to be in the spotlight.  We knew he knew our Tiffanie.  He spoke with such  love for her and you could tell he was in awe that our son had married Miss Tiffanie Bell.  We grew in his admiration after that.  They are a wonderful couple who serve in the Institute here and all the YSA's love them.  Sister Downs is as outstanding as Elder Downs.  Such great souls. One of the blessings of being  senior couple missionarie is that you get to associate with such wonderful faithful people.

bright colors all around us here

Birthday Greetings

I'm afraid we've missed a few birthdays back home.  We hope you all know how happy we are to have you a part of our family.   Each and everyone of you is most precious.  

Happy Birthday this month to:

Michael
James
Heidi
Alison
Tiffanie
Brigham
Truman

We hope all your dreams and wishes come true.

It is always fun to here from the other Sister Thatcher who seems to be doing very well in Jolly Ole England.

Take care of yourselves.  Be kind to one another.  Pray for the missionaries, and read the Book of Mormon.  It is a treasure and in searching it more and more treasures become ours.  In your prayers you might just want to express gratitude to your Father in Heaven that you belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Much love,
Mom and Dad
Grandma and Grandpa
Elder and Sister Thatcher