Seems like forever since I have written. This has been a whirlwind few days. We left on the 6th of June at 4:55 p.m. and arrived in Wellington on June 8 at 10 a.m. having crossed the international dateline and spent who remembers how many hours on planes. We were greeted by Pres. and Sis. Kezerian. She had arrived back only the day before having had surgery in the states and then flying home with her arm at a strange angle from shoulder surgery. How could we be complaining after seeing that? We were whisked away to a zone meeting and lunch for a few hours. We were then on to the Kezerians for a couple of hours which we used to shower and then out to dinner with some of the senior missionaries. The Brazzeals, McVeys and Kezerians were very good to us. Home to bed at 8 because we were wasted.
Up early for a briefing which was very brief because Pres. Kezerian remembered he was supposed to pick up a new missionary at the airport. He did that and dropped us off to catch our plane to Christchurch. The hour flight landed in snow! Didn't see much of Christchurch because we still had two hours to drive. The Neiders from Idaho picked us up and took us to their home in Ashburton where Ken was given a brief driving lesson. I have to say that this is really weird. Everything is backwards except of course the gas and brake peddles. We both constantly turn on the windshield wipers when we are trying to turn!
Ken drove on to Timaru with Elder Neider while Sis. Neider drove me. It is really beautiful. The southern alps are on the west and the ocean is on the east and their are beautiful farms everywhere. We arrived at Timaru, went to see our home for the next few months, drove out to see their beautiful little chapel and then were off to the grocery store. Had a little sticker shock but we are already finding that if we are careful, we can keep the grocery bill in line. The produce is absolutely awesome! I love the house though it is cold but it is beautifully decorated and has a little fishpond just outside the back door just like home. It is amazing that I feel right at home already.
Sunday we were off to church at 10 and were there until 4:30. Lots of things to do and talk about. I think this little branch is looking at us like a lifeline. Ken already is in the branch presidency. I will be teaching institute. They have a wonderful little chapel which is greatly underused. There are about 190 members but only 50 active so lots to do! They are friendly and welcoming and I have had no apprehension about being here. I am actually amazed at how calm I am. I think I am more calm than Ken sometimes.
Monday, June 11, was spent trying to set up internet services, banking services and trying to get a driver's icense which failed but we were able to get it yesterday, June 18 after working on it for two hours. Had all the papers this time! Tuesday, June 12, we spent the whole day cleaning! We washed pretty much everything because the house has been empty and the mice have had a wonderful time. No more mice for a while I think. Lots of things to rid us of them.
Since then, we have done lots of things, visited several members, had several "tea" (what they call dinner) appts., been in several non-member or part member homes and have generally enjoyed ourselves. We turn promising people over to the young elders. We are getting to know the area pretty well. On Saturday, we went down to the sea at the mouth of the Orari river and it was boiling. The waves were 10's of feet high and the water looked muddy from the stirred up sand. It was beautiful but I think Ken wants to try fishing on a much calmer day. You can see the ocean from the end of our block so we will know when it is time.
It has been busy but wonderful. We feel needed and useful and loved. There are awesome people here that just need a little help to get on their way. We want to make it our mission to help them get to a place where they don't need senior missionaries any more because they can be and are capable of doing it all themselves. It is a lot like the deaf branch was when we first started going there. It is so fun to go there now and see the deaf doing everything. We love the people here already and know it is just a matter of time. After all, we are not so very different are we?
2 months to go!
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