Week 88

Hey Everyone :D

The chapel's internet is down and because it's a public holiday the library is closed too so we got permission from Pres Rudd to email at a members "yes, but briefly" so we're at the Pretious' today.

Bro Pretious says "tell your parents I said your working hard and you need to stay a bit longer, you can even board here!"

Thanks for the Birthday wishes. yes the Sprouses know and one of the LA bc her daughter (I'm not even going to try spell the name; it's probably longer than a Sri Lankan one, only it's a first name haha) is the day before. 

The week was good H has noticed when we go round he "feels good and all happy, not like drugs or alcohol, it's better than that" so now we have to help him recognise and realise for himself that what he is feeling is the Spirit. 

W is doing ok. He even bought some milo incase we ever wanted some while we're at his house bc he knows we don't drink tea or coffee. we found out he is very interested in Family History so we're hoping to Get Pres Chadderton and his wife to help out there (they have been family history consultants) W might even be related to the Ormsby clan haha seems like everyone is related to them!

We dug a trench for a pipe at S's (see photos), that was tiring, we went and got some deep heat after that hahaha S even helped dig for a bit 

And we finished off Sis P's garden bc it was too wet last week apparently that didn't take too long tho.

We had activity night except only S and B turned up so we had some fun with those 2. Were trying to work with S to see if he wants to be baptised but whenever we go around it never seems to quite work.

Zone Conference was great! There was 4 zones there: Glenview, Temple view, Rotokauri and Taranaki. We had the 2nd cleanest car!! despite hitting all the bugs on the way up haha.  I was playing prelude seeing we were there early and then Elder Tibbitts (who was conducting the meeting) said what the opening hymn was so I ended up being the pianist, lucky I knew how to play that hymn haha.  I don't think Pres or Sis Rudd knew i could play piano because after the meeting they both thanked me for the prelude music and said how nice it sounded, it seemed as though they were pleasantly surprised when they said it. It was good to catch up with some missionaries; Elder Joseph, Elder Lingwall, Elder Saury, Elder Latu, Sis Perry, Sis Teihotu, Sis Fifita. 

Elder Holmes talked about having charity when we teach, Sis Rudd focused on Commitments and promised blessing and Elder Tibbitts' training was on working with members. In President Rudd's remarks I really felt how much love and concern he has for each of us, not just as missionaries but as individuals and the future of the church.

Some inactive came up to us on the street as we were walking (I think he was a little drunk) and he just goes "elders..... Joseph Smith..... Nephi.... Book of Mormon... is that right?? yeah, yous are latter-day,I'll let you get back saving souls, ayyy souls like me I'm  inactive, see yous elders God bless"   and hops in a car. it was a little random but who knows maybe we'll bump into him again when he is more of himself and see if he would like to come back. 

Oh yeah and then this guy at New World (grocery store) was unloading his bread truck and he goes "Elders! are Shem and Melchizedek the same person?" idk if he is a member or what but he knows the old testament pretty well and how Maori culture links to it bc he was telling us about all the names and traditions that apparently go back to Noah. But he lives in Taupo and was just on his delivery run, so we'll probably see him again if we get to the shop at the right time.

Yep the pudding tasted good Ma and Poppy asked for the recipe so I gave it to them. the Sprouse's and Pretious' thought it tasted good as well.

Love you all

Elder Cox

Digging the trench.

The trench!

Elder Christensen eating lunch.

Reilly and Elder Christensen after hearing

Elder Christofferson (the Apostle) speak 

to the missionaries.

Nice Sunset.

And again.

Week 87

Hey Everyone :D

What a wonderful surprise this week!!! we got to go see Elder Christofferson! AND SHAKE HIS HAND!!!!! we found out on Thursday, he even said himself that it was an "unexpected blessing" so that's 3 apostles :D (and all in order too haha (Bednar then Cook then Christofferson) isn't that cool) It was so good to feel of his spirit. He and his wife were meant to be in Port Villa but the runway couldn't land planes so they had to stay, so they decided to see the missionaries how crazy is that!! 

Here's something to tell Poppy he said about how he had been in the pacific quite a lot and Australia speaking about Perth he said "Perth, Perth the end of the earth" hahaha 

Elder Christofferson is really funny too. I wish the conference didn't have to finish I think i felt a bit like the Nephites when the Saviour visited and they wanted Him to stay. 

We went up to TA on Friday (ZL area) bc driving all the way from Taumarunui to Auckland and being there by 8.45 would've been absolutely ridiculous and we needed to pick up one of the Cambridge elders bc there are 10 elders in the zone and only 2 cars.... anyway so we did a service up there.  

But because we hadn't planned to drive to Auckland and back, we went over our k's for the month too.

W is set for baptism!!! but he missed church bc he was in Waikato hospital (almost 2 hrs away) 

M is doing well he is up in Auckland for the long weekend with his kids, so he wasn't at church (Auckland anniversary) 

The ZL's (Elder Gilmore and Morley) were at District meeting on Tuesday which happened to be Australia day hahaha so guess what we sung as one of our hymns, yep the national anthem and then we all had ginger beers after the meeting haha

We were helping Sister P with her garden (she is one of the elderly members in the branch) on Wednesday and then it decided to pour on us so she told us come back another day (which will be tmrw) 

H had to go to hospital on Thursday for her hand. (they had to go to Waikato too) I heard that she is getting better. We helped K paint the roof (not the ceiling, the outside on top) so I've pretty much painted a whole house; walls ceiling and roof haha

We saw J, he was so excited to see us He really loves the Book of Mormon and says when we're there it makes sense. He's just always busy with work (at the meat works) 

Sunday school went well not too many there. only 21 at church this week

I've got a recipe for a steam pudding from S so I thought I'd try it out (see photo) I mixed it up last night and cooked it as we email at the chapel (bc it takes 2 1/2 hrs to cook and we didn't have a pot big enough to steam it) 

We have a Zone Conference this Thursday who with idk so I'll tell you next week.

Elder Tibbitts and Holmes (his comp) say thanks for the straws

photos from last p'day of Mt Doom and the "Skiwi" 

Love you, have a good week!

Elder Cox

Elder Christensen, his companion, 

and Mt Doom in the background.

Reilly and Mt Doom.

His steamed pudding.

Week 86

Hi Everyone :D

IT IS HOT!!!!!!! I don't care if you don't think it's hot here bc it is!! 

It was a good week, I learnt the importance of having a planner this week. so for Mon-Thurs we just had this little tiny space called "week 7" in the back of our old planner while we waited to get our new ones at Zone meeting (we used to get them transfer day) you can't plan out as much stuff in that tiny box they give you as usual and the start of the week wasn't great. but Fri- Sun was good. So planning is very important (we still planned but trying to plan out a day in a space that can be covered by 2 fingers vs 2 pages you really see the difference.)

Yeah W is for real! Keen as!!! we taught him the restoration on Saturday (after finding his house from treasure map directions he gave us) He said he would read the Book of Mormon before we even invited him to read it, we were introducing it and he says "I'll start reading that tonight" (his best shot at least, he's dyslexic so he said he usually tries and then asks someone if what he understands from it was right) got an appt on Tues with him. 

J was up in Auckland getting a car and we haven't been able to catch up since, shame he doesn't have a contact number so we just have to keep popping around his house. E was bogus. we went to the house and S is there, he's a nice guy, older fella too, he told us he doesn't stay here just is over alot, and said he doesn't know why he told us to come over so he said "he lives *here* go visit him, put that joke back on him" We go over, E answers the door just ajar "is E in?", "nah nah he's not home." haha looks like S was right :P

M was at church has to go to court again says he'll probably have an ankle bracelet home D. He has stopped drinking and is praying again, yay n_n.

T (a LA kid) came to our flat and had a chat outside with him, he used to live in the first flat and we're the third so we gave him the New Era that had been in the mail box for him, said he was moving to Morrinsville.

Had Zone meeting on Thursday and then a worldwide missionary broadcast so we were up there pretty much the whole day the broadcast was "teach repentance and baptise converts" it was good training for us. 

made some harakeke (flax) flowers at activity night (see photo) 

I got called and set apart as the Sunday school teacher in the branch so I teach gospel doctrine.

Love you

Elder Cox

Something funny they found.

His zone.

His flax flower he made.

Week 85

Hello Everyone

I was in TK with Elder Misi while we waited for our comps Elder Hawkins replaced Elder Baker. Elder Morley (yes my old comp) replace Elder Sialoa as ZL, Elder Fesolai was replaced by Elder Onatin and Hancock I think bc the elder who stayed finishes mid transfer. I have Elder Christensen (from Oregon) He is the youngest of 3 boys, and guess what! he's the first comp who is younger than me! Yes he drives, he likes to draw (cartoon).

The week has been kinda slow, Elder Johnson saying bye and introducing Elder Christensen. We haven't seen J he's been sick when we went to see him and then had work so tmrw we're going around. We met a backpacker from Israel who talked to us just wondering who we are, he mentioned that the weather over there (Australia) has been crazy?? but we had a good talk he thought it was a little strange what we do (as in not many people our age do that kind of stuff) but he commended us for our choice.  We were filling up a water bottle at a spring and someone stopped there too so we talked and He said 'who do i see if I want to learn more about your church' so we said 'us' haha his name is W. Yesterday E stopped us on the street and asked if we could come over this afternoon at 3 so that's where we're going after this. M is still coming to church. We've been trying to get S to come. 

Oh I won't be back in May (well most probably, not too sure yet) bc the transfers have moved so I'll get an extra 2 weeks by the looks bc I don't have a VISA that runs out. so next transfer will be 8 weeks and then back to normal 6 weeks. 

Photos

up a tree picking plums

my new comp

Love you 

Elder Cox

Picking plums.

Elder Christensen.

Week 84

Hey Everyone :D

This week was crazy, 

We helped Sis G strip wallpaper, let's just say I'm never buying a house that has wallpaper... it takes forever to get that off the walls! But before that we had a lesson with 'Jack' and at the end of the lesson he said that the night before he had been thinking about how he could tell us that would be our last visit but he said he couldn't do it, it felt wrong and that the lesson we had that day had given him a better understanding and that he said he would give it a try before giving up on it. That was really cool. 

We went all the way to mission office on Thursday after our exchange (well more splits) with the ZL in Te Awamutu, to pick up a bike rack in case of transfers which now we don't really need (see below 'Pres email') haha But at least it was good to see Elder Marsden. And then we got a call from the AP's wondering why on earth they saw us up there HAHAHA it was all good though. 

Saturday we met K (P's  grandon) who's moved from Brisbane YAY! a young person!!!! he reminds me of B a little bit, just the stuff he says. Mowed Pres C's lawns  

Elder Johnson is going to Manurewa, I'm staying, no idea who my companion is, Elder Morley is ZL here now Elder Sialoa is going to Rotorua ZL, and transfers will be a little different for us here's what Pres said in his email: 

" Attention!!!!! Effective this week we are implementing a new policy regarding Transfers. We will no longer be having "Transfer Meetings" where all those transferring come to a central location. Instead each transferring missionary will transfer by use of public transportation (Bus). During this process missionaries will be allowed to be without their companion. The cost and coordination of the transfer will be taken care of by the mission. Zone Leaders will be given instructions regarding the transfer logistics. It is very important that you adhere to the following guidelines and instructions. Each transferring missionary is allowed 2 bags (25 kilos each) and 1 carry on (5 kilos). Take your bike helmet with you (wear it if necessary). You should include your sheets and pillow case in your bags. You will not be able to take your blankets or your bikes with you. They should be left in your old area and use what is in your new area. "

so that should be interesting, packing would be a pain, I'll probably only ever get one like that. if I even get one that is, Pres Chadderton would be happy for me to stay here till May hahaha. 

Love you, have a good week

Elder Cox

Result of his sunburn from the other week.

Sunset.

Week 83

Hey Everyone :D

going to be a short one :P

We did service this week. got sunburnt, yes I put sunscreen on and it's spf 50 so idk must have worn off or something while we were in the middle of service. We helped M with more of the yard; pruning trees and weeding on new Year's Eve, it's looking good now, and this morning we helped Bro P put in some carpet in the sleep out at her place.

Then New years we helped S clear her back yard where the grass was almost as tall as us! (see photos) using whipper snippers (you never taught me how to use one of those Dad) and we couldn't even mow it once it was low bc it's bumpy and there's rocks in there for some reason.

Taught 'Jack' this week a few times about faith and the PoS said he would be at church but he didn't come bc it was raining. he said he would try cutting back on smoking tho so hope he keeps it up.

M has been busy with family but he was at church yesterday so :D we had the whole thing BoM and Howard W Hunter, should be a good year. 

J is back from holidays (but still on holidays which is good) so we should be able to set up a lesson with her this week, it's really hard for her to keep her commitments. 

Could you ask if Shane knows a G O? he lives in the area. married to a LA just curious. 

and on last tues there was still snow on the mountain....... don't know about now... 

I think we've finally finished our leftovers from christmas, well except for the chocolate... seems like no one else wants it either!

Scripture 

Isaiah 40:31 - Trust in the Lord, be patient and He will strengthen you Here.

Love you 

Elder Cox

Long grass.

After whipper-snipping.

Week 82

Hi Everyone

(This is the email after Christmas day Skype)

Yes it was hot. 

We had 17 at church... 2 of Pres Chadderton's sons were there Rick and "Ra!!" Yes I said hi to Ra she got a photo, should be looking for you Mum on FB  and his other son I forgot his name. just sacrament. nothing much exciting happened since Friday.

So for the benefit of those who didn't skype, ie. the blog, here is the uneventful week haha

We mowed the Sprouse's lawn on tuesday and then helped Sis G with her backyard, cleaning up, weeding hacking up trees. all whilst sneezing our noses off, it seems like Elder Johnson and myself are the only ones in this town who get hayfever. but it was good fun

Wednesday was Christmas conference good to catch up with everyone. We did our mission Haka. Apparently we're the first to do that so look for it bc they recorded it and everything with a drone I don't know where you'll find it but I'm sure you can. (see link below)

Christmas we spent the morning with L and J and had pancakes then lunch/dinner with the McGs and B decided to show up too. 

Boxing day we got a referral from someone! can you believe it!?! They saw a car outside the chapel (Elder Johnson was skyping) so they came and talked to us. 

Church on Sunday was small only 17 of us as I said. then we caught up with 'Jack' who is actually H we've finally got his name, and I seems like they're almost the only people left in town hahaha almost.

photos

"Be ye therefor fishers of men" Christmas present fro the Chaddertons

mission Haka  (From the Maori news channel - when the whole Haka is up I'll post the link to that too - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLRz_hN_l_4)

that game they play at christmas in Denmark (at Christmas Conference)

I'd send a video from my camera of the haka but it's too big a file.....

love you 

Elder Cox

Chocolate Fish.

At Christmas conference.

Practising the Haka.