Changing Responsibilities
Sunday evening September 15:
We are completing our 15th week in New Zealand. Most things have become familiar and the constant bombardment of new views has settled down. We can get around the city of Hamilton, for the most part without GPS and the city feels more like our home. Our life back home in the travel trailer seems so long ago and moving from our home nearly 8 months ago is like a dream. It seems strange that we are not busily havesting garden produce like we have the past 25+ years. I really am missing a just-picked, garden-ripe tomato. Since it is winter here, all that is available are peaked greenhouse offerings. I hope we can plant a few in our landlord's garden to enjoy this Summer.
Breezes of change, that started blowing gently the middle of the week, developed into gale-force winds by Friday. On Wednesday, Elder and Sister Clayton arrived in the mission from North Dakota. They are the couple who will be taking Elder and Sister Taylor's place in the office. Elder Clayton was to be the housing coordinator and Sister Clayton will be the general office secretary. By Friday, President had decided it would be best to change things up. I was relieved of my duties as fleet coordinator, financial secretary, and phone coordinator. I was moved to take over Elder Taylor's position as housing coordinator. I am ok with that, except I was really starting to feel quite comfortable with my former job. Although I still had much to learn, I was no longer feeling like I was teetering on the edge of disaster. Now it will start all over again. But, I believe things like this happen for a purpose. I'm sure everything will work out. We are on the Lord's errand and He will help us accomplish his work. It may be a bit uncomfortable for awhile. Sister Folland will be keeping her same responsiblies, but we will be moving out of the office that has been our home the past 4 months. I actually like the idea of moving out of the financial office. My desk will have a beautiful view of the Hamilton Temple as well as the green farmland sorrounding it. Tomorrow will be begin a few weeks of intense training and being trained at the same time.
Yesterday, we found time to go on a nice bike ride along the Waikato River. It is a good sized river that runs through the middle of town. It has a very nice walking/biking trail along both banks in the city. With the coming Spring, the flowering trees and shrubs are putting on a show, as well as Spring bulbs. Rhodadendrons, azalias, gardenias and camellias are a common sight. My mother would have loved it. Daffodils, tulips and poppies are also creating quite a spectacle. Last night, Sister Folland organized a potluck dinner("bring a plate" in New Zealandease) for all of the senior missionaries in the area. It was a big hit. Following the dinner, we watched a fun oldie movie, "The Young Philadelphians". It was Paul Newmans first staring role.
I would like to close with a quote from a letter, witten by Joseph Smith while incarcerated in the Liberty Jail for 4 months: D&C 123:17 "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed".
We are completing our 15th week in New Zealand. Most things have become familiar and the constant bombardment of new views has settled down. We can get around the city of Hamilton, for the most part without GPS and the city feels more like our home. Our life back home in the travel trailer seems so long ago and moving from our home nearly 8 months ago is like a dream. It seems strange that we are not busily havesting garden produce like we have the past 25+ years. I really am missing a just-picked, garden-ripe tomato. Since it is winter here, all that is available are peaked greenhouse offerings. I hope we can plant a few in our landlord's garden to enjoy this Summer.
Breezes of change, that started blowing gently the middle of the week, developed into gale-force winds by Friday. On Wednesday, Elder and Sister Clayton arrived in the mission from North Dakota. They are the couple who will be taking Elder and Sister Taylor's place in the office. Elder Clayton was to be the housing coordinator and Sister Clayton will be the general office secretary. By Friday, President had decided it would be best to change things up. I was relieved of my duties as fleet coordinator, financial secretary, and phone coordinator. I was moved to take over Elder Taylor's position as housing coordinator. I am ok with that, except I was really starting to feel quite comfortable with my former job. Although I still had much to learn, I was no longer feeling like I was teetering on the edge of disaster. Now it will start all over again. But, I believe things like this happen for a purpose. I'm sure everything will work out. We are on the Lord's errand and He will help us accomplish his work. It may be a bit uncomfortable for awhile. Sister Folland will be keeping her same responsiblies, but we will be moving out of the office that has been our home the past 4 months. I actually like the idea of moving out of the financial office. My desk will have a beautiful view of the Hamilton Temple as well as the green farmland sorrounding it. Tomorrow will be begin a few weeks of intense training and being trained at the same time.
Yesterday, we found time to go on a nice bike ride along the Waikato River. It is a good sized river that runs through the middle of town. It has a very nice walking/biking trail along both banks in the city. With the coming Spring, the flowering trees and shrubs are putting on a show, as well as Spring bulbs. Rhodadendrons, azalias, gardenias and camellias are a common sight. My mother would have loved it. Daffodils, tulips and poppies are also creating quite a spectacle. Last night, Sister Folland organized a potluck dinner("bring a plate" in New Zealandease) for all of the senior missionaries in the area. It was a big hit. Following the dinner, we watched a fun oldie movie, "The Young Philadelphians". It was Paul Newmans first staring role.
I would like to close with a quote from a letter, witten by Joseph Smith while incarcerated in the Liberty Jail for 4 months: D&C 123:17 "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed".
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