It is my turn to write the blog again(Elder Folland). In our last post, was discussed the upcoming transfer. It occured this past Thursday. All of the preparation and checking paid off. I spent about 6-7 hours getting it set up. What made it particularly challening was that not only was I figuring the logistics to move 38 missionaries to various locations around the mission, but I also was trying to move cars to various locations. The longest transfer was a missionary who went from Gisborne on the eastern coast to New Plymouth on the west coast. That missionary had a 13 hour bus ride to get to his new assignment. We spent a good part of the day at the central Hamilton bus station helping to make sure the missionaries made their connections. We were blessed that no one missed their bus and everyone traveling by car arrived safely.
In addition to the transfer, this week we send 2 elders home at the completion of their mission and welcomed 4 new sister missionaries, all from the states. When the new missionaries arrive, we teach them an orientation class. Then Sister Folland spends time with each missionary individually going over their driver record, deterining whether they will be able to drive and what it takes to keep them legal drivers in New Zealand. It is quite a detailed process that is different for each missionary depending on their driving experience, country of origin, nature of their native drivers licence, etc. I am glad I don't have to get involved in that. My job at intake is to help them get their smartphones set up and to take their pictures for the president's transfer board in his office. Now that we have been through the process, hopefully it goes easier next time.
By Friday we were worn out and ready for a little break. We never are completely away from the job because be usually get 4 or 5 calls or texts after we leave the office each day. That is why we look forward to Saturdays. We try to get out and see the beautiful countryside and to get away from cell service for a few hours. Yesterday, we went to Pirongia Forest Park. It is only about 30 minutes drive from our flat. It is an ancient volcano that rises up from the farm land to about 1500 ft. elevation. We hiked a track(trail) called Mangakara. It climbs to the top of the mountain. When I say climbs, I really mean it. The slopes of these volcanos are typically very steep, especially towards the top and the trails pretty much go directly up the mountain. In this case we went up part way to the top, to a look out where we could see the surrounding country. Most of the trail is in jungle-like forest. We saw a cool bird called a Tui. We have heard their beautiful calls on our other hikes but have never seen them. This time we got to actually see one. We also came across a giant earth worm. It was a night crawler on steroids. You could catch quite the fish with that worm.
We LOVE our mission and the expriences we are having. It is better than we could have imagined. We are so grateful to be in full time service to the Lord. It is wonderful to be in the positon to see the Gospel affect people for good. We testify of the living reality of the Savior. Thank you all for your support and prayers
Love Elder and Sister Folland
In addition to the transfer, this week we send 2 elders home at the completion of their mission and welcomed 4 new sister missionaries, all from the states. When the new missionaries arrive, we teach them an orientation class. Then Sister Folland spends time with each missionary individually going over their driver record, deterining whether they will be able to drive and what it takes to keep them legal drivers in New Zealand. It is quite a detailed process that is different for each missionary depending on their driving experience, country of origin, nature of their native drivers licence, etc. I am glad I don't have to get involved in that. My job at intake is to help them get their smartphones set up and to take their pictures for the president's transfer board in his office. Now that we have been through the process, hopefully it goes easier next time.
By Friday we were worn out and ready for a little break. We never are completely away from the job because be usually get 4 or 5 calls or texts after we leave the office each day. That is why we look forward to Saturdays. We try to get out and see the beautiful countryside and to get away from cell service for a few hours. Yesterday, we went to Pirongia Forest Park. It is only about 30 minutes drive from our flat. It is an ancient volcano that rises up from the farm land to about 1500 ft. elevation. We hiked a track(trail) called Mangakara. It climbs to the top of the mountain. When I say climbs, I really mean it. The slopes of these volcanos are typically very steep, especially towards the top and the trails pretty much go directly up the mountain. In this case we went up part way to the top, to a look out where we could see the surrounding country. Most of the trail is in jungle-like forest. We saw a cool bird called a Tui. We have heard their beautiful calls on our other hikes but have never seen them. This time we got to actually see one. We also came across a giant earth worm. It was a night crawler on steroids. You could catch quite the fish with that worm.
We LOVE our mission and the expriences we are having. It is better than we could have imagined. We are so grateful to be in full time service to the Lord. It is wonderful to be in the positon to see the Gospel affect people for good. We testify of the living reality of the Savior. Thank you all for your support and prayers
Love Elder and Sister Folland
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