What a great day to be in New Zealand but in actuality every day is a
great day to be in New
Zealand !
Back in May we received word that Tyler Perron – my nephew’s son or I
could say my brother’s grandson better yet I could say my mother’s great
grandson – received his mission call to the New Zealand Auckland Mission. His departure date was not until
October. Seemed far off back then – but
TODAY (October 9th) Tyler arrived in New Zealand . We have not seen him yet and it may be quite
some time before we do see him but when Tyler ’s
plane touched down at the Auckland
airport Sister Perron was up already – early in the morning at our apartment –
baking pies for her institute cooking class. Two pumpkin pies and two apple
pies.
The flight from Salt
Lake City to New
Zealand is a long and gruelling process but
you just keep at it until you finally get here.
In the process you have crossed the international-date-line so when you
arrive you are very tired and have no clue as to what day it is. That is the reality of the journey down. NOW let me describe the trip from our point
of view since we are in New Zealand
anticipating Tyler ’s
arrival. Yesterday morning - a day later
than your day – Sister Perron and I commented to each other, Tyler
is getting on the plane in Salt Lake
City right now.
Later after we made that comment we drove from our apartment in Takapuna
across the bridge into Auckland where we taught
some institute classes; went back to Takapuna for a meeting in the Area Office;
then back across the bridge and out to Mt.
Eden for combined institute classes
for the Mt. Roskill ,
Henderson and
Waterview stakes. Following the night
institute classes we made a late night trip the store to get some things for
Sister Perron’s cooking class the next day. Left the store, went home and made
pie crusts getting to bed about midnight, got up in the morning and started
cutting up apples and baking pies. Tyler
was still not here yet... However before we were done with the pies he had
landed. I thought to myself – man that
IS a long flight! We had put in a long days work, had a good night sleep and
were starting another day all the while he was on the plane.
A
post script to the above paragraphs – When Sister
Perron and I left institute late last night at the Redoubt Stake Center I
glanced over at the MTC and the lights were out, just a few lights on in a
couple of the apartments. Thought to my
self – I bet Tyler
is asleep.
We have had some great experiences over the
last couple of weeks; simple things but spiritually uplifting to us. Last April 25th Emily – a
university student of Korean descent – was baptized. She was converted to
Christianity; gained a testimony of Jesus Christ and the restoration of the
church through the prophet Joseph Smith by reading the Book of Mormon. That was six months ago because we attended a
session of general conference with Emily while she was investigating the
church. Immediately after being baptized
Emily enrolled in institute and is currently in one of Elder Perron’s institute
classes. Emily called us the other day
and asked if we could take her to meet with her stake patriarch to get her
patriarchal blessing, the ride she had arranged had fallen through. We were
happy to give her a ride. During our visit with Emily while driving to and from
her stake centre we learned that Emily has obtained a limited use temple
recommend from her bishop. Although she
has not been able to attend the temple to do baptisms for the dead as of yet,
she has her recommend. She indicated
that she has had such a desire to go to the temple that a few weeks ago – by
herself –she caught a bus from Auckland to Hamilton – a two hour bus ride – then in Hamilton
transferred to a city bus to travel out to Temple View
where the temple is located. Temple View
is about six miles from Hamilton .
She went to the Visitor Centre and spent some time. She said before she could even see the Temple she could feel the
Spirit. She loved it there. She is so faithful and so sensitive to the
feelings of the Spirit. She is a
bright and intelligent girl. She is
21-years-old and is a 4th year student at the University majoring in
Medical Physics. She will be graduating
the end of this semester and then will be finding a job. She is so sweet and is such an inspiration to
us.
A couple of Sundays ago – September 28th
– we attended the Otara 1st Ward – which is a Tongan ward. During YSA Sunday school class the YSA
teacher asked a member of the class if he would sit behind us and interpret for
us. The young man moved over behind us
and did a great job even though half of the class was in English anyway. After class our interpreter asked us where we
were from. We told him, “Boise , Idaho .” He got really excited, said he had served a
mission in the “Idaho Boise Mission”; he had served in the Meridian South
Stake; and his favourite area that he served in was Burley. During the visit he mentioned that he was
living in Tonga when he
received his mission call and had moved to New Zealand following his mission
to find work to try to support his family.
His father has passed away and he has a brother on a mission and he is
supporting him. When he found out we
were working at the institute at the university he asked if we knew where he
could get a scholarship because he was trying to get an education but could not
get to school without a scholarship because all the money he was making was
going to support his brother and his mother.
They do not have the perpetual education fund available in New Zealand but
we told him to stop by the institute and we would help him look into things.
On Wednesday we got a phone call and he
said he had caught a bus into the city but could not find the institute. Turned out he was only about two blocks away
so we gave him directions. About ten
minutes later I got a text, “I am here!”
I went down stairs and he was standing just inside the front door. I greeted him. I then walked him around the lounge area and
introducing him to the students that were sitting around. I said, “This is William, he is a member, he
lives in Otara and is visiting the University today to see if he can get
accepted, he needs some friends,” I then asked a couple of the girls if they
would show him around the building. It
is a three story building; they jumped right up and off they went. I walked back to my office. About twenty minutes later they brought him
to my office. Just so happened Ephraim,
a great young man who returned from a mission about 5 months ago was here in
the office. Ephraim had just gone
through the process of meeting with counsellors at the university who help
Polynesian students who need assistance get into the university. Ephraim said, “Here let me take you over
there and see what we can do,” so off they went.
The
next morning – Thursday – we had just finished breakfast in our apartment when
our phone rang. It was a young lady who
introduced herself by saying, “I am not a member of your church, but I was in
the institute building yesterday when you walked that returned missionary
around and introduced him, telling everyone he needed a friend, do you remember
that?” “Yes.” Well when you did that, it was not for that
return missionaries’ sake that you did that, I felt such great, sweet feeling
when you did that; I do not even know how to describe it to you but what you
did was for my benefit,” then she started
to cry. She wanted to know if we were
going to be in the institute building today, she needed to come and talk to
Elder Perron. We agreed to meet her at
10:00 A.M. She said, “I did not even
know who you were but I have a friend who is a member of your church and I
described you to her and told her where I was when I had this experience.” My friend said, “Oh, that is Elder Perron” so
she found your phone number for me.
Within five minutes of the call the phone rang again. This time a young lady said, “I have a friend
who is not a member of the church and she may call you.” The caller indicated that her friend had told
her about the experience she had had when she was in the institute building. “I
gave my friend your phone number, hope that was alright.” I told her that her friend had already
called, just five minutes ago and we were going to meet with her at 10
o’clock! We visited for awhile and were
both excited that her friend had followed through by calling. We agreed that we would keep in touch.
At
10 o’clock, Lataai, the young lady who had called our apartment showed up for
the appointment. Sister Perron was just
starting her cooking class so I took Lataai upstairs and introduced her to
Sister Perron. We then went to where we
had some privacy. Lataai started by
saying she had had a couple of very unusual experiences. Then she started crying, eyes filled with
tears she stopped talking to try and gain composure... told me yesterday when I introduced that
young man she had “a great warm feeling just sweep over her”... started crying
some more... “I do not know how to
describe it”... she struggled trying to describe her experience. “I had this
warm feeling just sweep over me and I got goose bumps. I felt at that moment God was telling me I
needed to be taught about the Mormon Church and I needed to get baptized.” She continued by saying,” I have been
diligently looking for a job for quite a long time and had nothing going then
yesterday afternoon – after I had this experience here – I got a call and was
offered a job”... then she started crying... “And that is not all, I got a
second job offer later in the day and I had not even put an application in with
the second company. I asked them how
they knew about me and they said someone had given them my resume. I have gone from no job, no prospects to now
having to make a decision where to go to work.
This all happened after I had been here yesterday and after I had that
warm feeling sweep over me.” She was
still crying telling me of her experience all the time apologizing because she
did not know how to describe what had happened to her. I said to her, “I know how you feel – you
have had a very moving, spiritual experience – you cannot describe a spiritual
experience to someone but I have had spiritual experiences and I know what you
are trying to describe to me.” She
continued, “I want to have you and Sister Perron teach me about the church and
I want to get baptized. I have had
friends for years try to get me to take missionary lessons, I really did not
want to take any lessons, I did not want to be a Mormon, felt I was a Christian
and that was good enough. Said she did
not want the Elders to teach her. We
told her we could teach her the gospel.
After explaining this was really The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints and that some people called us Mormons because of our belief
in the Book of Mormon which is a book of sacred scripture; Another testament of
Jesus Christ. We set up an appointment
to start teaching her on the following Tuesday here at the institute.
Since that time we have given her two
lessons; are scheduled to go to church with her this coming Sunday. At the close of our first lesson we asked her
if she would offer the closing prayer.
She said she was not experienced in praying but she would offer the
prayer. It was a great heartfelt prayer
punctuated with period of silence when she was crying. She also prayed following the second
discussion. When we left institute today she was there studying some of her
college courses in the serenity of the institute building. We are very excited about the opportunity to
teach her the gospel.
A few weeks back the students brought a
couple up to our office, they were members of the church from Chile – South America – and he had come to New Zealand to
take some university courses. They were
going to be here for several months.
They had just arrived in New Zealand two days ago and were walking
through the campus and happened to see the sign on the front of the building – Institute of Religion - The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were
so excited, did not know anyone in the country and stumbled into the
church. We introduced them to the
students. Sister Perron had a cooking
class going on so they joined in and instantly had new friends and something to
eat. The sweet sister comes to the
institute several times a week while her husband is in class. She reads and helps do the dishes that the
students seem to leave around. When we
left the institute today he was there studying.
The two of them and met through the YSA program in Chile and
graduated from Institute.
Last week out in the Institute at the
Panmure Stake I was attending a Missionary Preparation class and the instructor
had divided the class into several groups.
They were working on giving one of the discussions from Preach My Gospel. The instructor asked me if I would work with
one of the groups and they were to give me the discussion – each taking one of
the major points in the discussion.
Obviously they were nervous – so I told them to just follow the
promptings of the Spirit and teach what they knew about their particular point
and not worry about trying to memorize the paragraph. Relax and enjoy the experience. The next young lady in our group started
telling us how much she loved the gospel – then she started to cry – she told
us her father had recently passed away and how strong her family had been
through the whole experience; Said she had a sister that had just entered the
MTC a couple of days before her father’s death but how she stayed on her
mission. How the families knowledge of
the Plan of Salvation was such a comfort to them. She had experienced how much support the
extended family and the church members had been to their family. That she could not wait to get on her
mission. Everyone in the group was
teary-eyed. I suddenly realized this was
a daughter of the Bishop that had passed away several weeks ago; we mentioned
the incident in our blog at the time. I
was so very emotional the whole night; the strength of the gospel and the
blessings of the Atonement.
We had a time change - Daylight Saving Time
– a couple of Sundays ago so the days are starting to be lighter- longer; the
sun is moving back South. All you
people back home might have noticed the sun is leaving your area and is headed
our way. It might make you sad but it
makes me HAPPY! The temperatures are
still pretty cold here in the mid 50’s to low 60’s. The wind blows a lot and we still are getting
a lot of rain. It is cloudy most of the
time. I am really ready for the warm
weather and sunshine! That probably
sounds funny to most of you since you are headed into fall and winter.
Thursday for my cooking class this week we
made Pico de Gallo and Cafe Rio Tacos!
I think the students inhaled them.
They were gone before I turned around!
I did not do the salad, but we used little mini taco shells, cheese,
cabbage, Pico de Gallo, and onions. They
were delicious!
On Friday, Tafi’s little girl, Ann Vahry,
(Tafi is the office manager at the city institute) - came into the office with
her. When I tried to talk to Ann, she
just stared at me and would not smile or say anything. She just stared at me. I took her picture and couldn’t even get a
smile. Her Mom said, “Yah, she is quiet
now but just wait until she warms up!”
She never really warmed up I guess.
But when she left she gave me a hug and told Elder Perron “thank you for
making me a pancake.” As she was
leaving, we heard her in the hall tell her Mom, “I love them sooo much!” That same day we also had a Friday Activity
at the Institute. The committee planned
a Quiz Bowl that was really fun. We then
had heaps of pancakes with ice cream and toppings to put on them. Elder Perron is the Master Pancake Maker!
Before the activity and the pancakes were
finished we got a call from the Area Office – they told us to come in and pick
up our new car. We received a new car
when we arrived in New
Zealand seven months ago; now another new
car? After we concluded the activity at
the institute we had to go trade in our car; now we have a brand new white
Toyota Corolla to drive around. Being a
missionary here is tough!!
Saturday we had so much fun! We cleaned our tiny apartment really
good. We went shopping for a tower fan
for our apartment – getting ready for summer – but never found one. We found other things though that we weren’t
really looking for. Then we decided to
find “The Woodcarver” that other missionaries had told us about. It was a rainy cold dreary day and not really
a good day for sightseeing so we thought it might be the perfect day to go
visit this place. I am so glad we
did! This sweet Palestinian couple from
Israel
were the kindest people. Their place is
like driving back into the rain forest.
The shop/store is also their home.
He carves religious carvings and a few kiwi birds. He uses wood native to New Zealand ,
the Kauri tree is one of the main woods he uses. He showed us all over his shop, his different
tools. He took a flat piece of board and
carved us a small kiwi bird. Elder
Perron drew the pattern on the
board. From there the master woodcarver
took over. His wife made us a glass of
orange juice. Later she asked if we
wanted some hot chocolate. She was
going to drill the eyes for our Kiwi bird and her husband told her to show me
how to do it and to let me do it. I
said, “Oh no that is fine.” They
insisted so I drilled the eyes on the bird.
I was so afraid I would ruin his bird if I
flinched-the-least-little-bit... but it was fun and I did it! The nativity scenes that he carves are
beautiful. He had carved for 21 years in
the Bethlehem area, and then he moved to New Zealand and
he has been carving here for 27 years I think he told us. I will put some pictures of his nativity
sets below. They are beautiful! Later that night we went with Elder and
Sister Wallace to dinner in Posonby at our favourite restaurant. It was fun ending to a good day!
Sunday we attended Papatoetoe’s Ward YSA
Committee meeting bright and early at 8:00 am.
There are wonderful things happening there. We only expect greater things to transpire
as time goes on. Then we went to
Sacrament meeting and Sunday school.
This past weekend was the quarterly YSA
activity. Each of the twelve stakes had
to put on a 15 minute stage production of a Book of Mormon story of their
choice. The productions were presented
Saturday afternoon and then there was a dance that followed. On Sunday there was an YSA devotional. The Book of Mormon productions just set a
spiritual tone for the whole weekend.
We received a call from Lataai – our YSA
investigator – and she wanted to know if she could come to the institute
building and talk to us. We were
wondering what was up and were preparing for whatever might happen. When she came in she said she had been
talking to her boyfriend and he was willing to meet with us and take the
lessons. She was so excited. She said he worked during the day and she
knew we had institute at night so was concerned and wanted to talk to us about
it. We told her we could make it
happen. She also said she had talked to
her mother and her mother was okay with her getting baptized. She talked to her grandma and her grandma
said she had met with the missionaries several times and went back into her
bedroom and brought out a Book of Mormon.
Lataai was so excited she could hardly contain herself. We taught her the Third lesson today. She has accepted a baptismal date of November
15th. She also complimented
Sister Perron. She noted that in Relief
Society last week they talked about dressing modestly and wearing appropriate
clothing and that modesty was beautiful.
She said when they talked about that I thought of you Sister
Perron. You are always dressed so nice
and look so beautiful. Needless to say
we had a good day.
Tomorrow night we have another lesson with
Lataai and her boyfriend. We will find a
way to teach mother and grandmother also.
This week is the last week of institute
classes at the university. Summer break
starts next week.
Funny thing we started this blog on October
9th... seems we are so busy that we just keep putting this off. Today however is the day Tyler came out of the MTC. We have not inquired what area he has been
sent to so we started this blog talking about Tyler
and we will end it talking about Tyler . He is sleeping in his apartment tonight in
his first area here in the New Zealand Auckland Mission.
We love you all! You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Aroha nui,
Elder and Sister Perron
PS – I found Sister Perron’s blog and added
some STUFF so you may figure out who is or was writing!
Emily right after receiving her patriarchal blessing.
Graduation day for some of our students. People make them lolly leis. This is
Craig.
This is Bryton and Kane. They just recently got married about 4 months ago.
They met at YSA and dated for a long time before they got married. Wonderful
people. We have talked about them and their parents before in our blogs.
This is the most adorable Ann Vahry who wouldn't say one word to me, and then as
she leaves tells her mom, "I love them soooo much!"
This is the Institute Quiz bowl. Marilo, in the pink sweater is the girl from
Chili. And then Tena, Hailey, Latu, Tom and Bronson.
The Quiz Bowl winners! Emma, Bob, Katelyn, Tim, and Stevie! They are so
smart!
The master pancake maker
The start of our kiwi bird at the Woodcarver's.
Elder Perron is tracing it the
bird on a block of wood.
And no time later it is starting to take shape!
We loved him and his wife, Marciella.
Making eyes on our kiwi bird - hands steady please!
Some of the beautiful nativity sets he makes. This one I think was out of olive
wood. The rest are made out of wood more common in New Zealand.
This little beauty is only a mere $950 if anyone wants one.
Our new car
A sweet note left on our car
Pumpkin pies
Elder Perron and Stacey. Stacey is moving to the States in a couple of weeks.
She is an extremely bright computer tech!
Just proof for Nicole that I do lead the singing now.
FHE with Elder and
Sister Gifford Nielsen, Pacific Area Authority.
Book of Mormon plays by the YSA at the Regional Conventions. They were
awesome. Each Stake put on a play, so there were 12 plays in all.
Just a sampling of the props and costumes they made. Each Stake had an assigned
BOM story to write a script to which usually included some dancing and singing.
It was quite awesome! Talented people!
Nephi up on a tower preaching.
Brother of Jared when he took the stones to be touched and saw the finger of the
Lord.
This is when Haggoth left the Americas and took many people on the boat
somewhere. The Polynesians believe they are from those people.
Me with the "warriors". I love this men. Even if Bill let me leave the house
with two different shoes! :-). None of them even noticed, but I all of a
sudden was conscious of EVERYBODY'S shoes!!!
Do you notice anything wrong with this picture?! I must be too busy or too
tired. This is how I went to work today! Hahaha. I went to the Institute and
did my cooking class. Ran to a missionary meeting..exchanges and as we were
sitting in the meeting on the back row with all the other senior missionaries, I
crossed my legs and SAW that I had two different shoes on! Several pictures
later with missionaries leaving etc. and a visit with the Mission President we
left. I begged Bill to take me home and he said no one would notice. Lol. We
went back to the Institute and I took off my shoes as most all the Poly's do and
spent the rest of the day in stocking feet. Got home at 9:45 pm.....took this
picture. All day and no one noticed.....OR they didn't say anything. When I
saw them I almost got the uncontrollable giggles in the missionary meeting in
the chapel. Jennifer...look in all those pictures I sent you...Yep...two
different shoes!
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