On your mark, get set...  Samoa!!

We arrived in Samoa, and were introduced to our home away from home, which is situated in walking distance to both the temple and the Pesega College, where we will be spending most of our time. 

The apartment is nice.  We kind of feel like we are in married student housing.  However we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE  the A/C.  (HATE, HATE, HATE the ants!!)

We have been entrusted with a large, manual, crew cab 4x4 truck until they figure out what our permanent vehicle will be.  Elder Little has had his hands full navigating around, backing up, driving on the left in a new place, all while shifting with his left hand.  No casualties yet!.  This is especially amazing, considering all the dogs, pigs, and chickens that cross the road (some possibly never to get to the other side).  

We went to the Senior Class car wash for a fund raiser.  

Yesterday we went to the fish market at the wharf to look around and to try purchasing some fish.  There are so many different types of fish here in Samoa – we can see where One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish must have originated!  We didn’t purchase the blue fish yesterday, but perhaps soon

We explored our new area, and ended up in a charming village named Sauniatu, dedicated by President David O. McKay, and described as one of the loveliest places on earth.  A short walk led to a beautiful waterfall with an idyllic swimming hole beneath.  We felt like we were in a postcard!  The church developed Sauniatu and there is a fine church and elementary school there (educational missionaries serve there as well). 

Waterfall at Sauniatu 

David O McKay house (fale) with wood carvings of Samoan legends.

Beautiful scenery in Sauniatu (pictures do not do it justice.)  

We love New Zealand!!!

One of the highlights of our stay at the New Zealand MTC was a visit to the temple in Hamilton on our 39th wedding anniversary (what a happy coincidence!).   

The temple is perched high on a hill in Hamilton, New Zealand, surrounded by church owned property.  Apparently,  no visit to the temple is complete without a visit to a donut truck called Mamas in a residential neighborhood nearby.  Small truck - fabulous donuts.  

The scenery on the way to the temple and surrounding areas is lush and green, with rolling hills, cows and sheep.  It almost reminds us of "The Hobbit."  Some of the filming for this movie took place near here.

 Ameet Kumar and his family drove us to the nearby Hamilton Gardens, and we strolled around different sections such as "English Garden," "Japanese Meditation Pond," etc.  Humorously, their take on a "Western US Modernist" garden included an outdoor  swimming pool, a picture of Marilyn Monroe, and some Adirondack chairs.

.The Kumars' 14th wedding anniversay coincided with ours, and Ameet took us to one of his favorite Indian restraunts for some great food.

 A visit to the Area offices

Here we were taught our responsibilities by Elder Henderson and the staff at the area offices.  After going out for lunch we strolled along the beach near the Area Offices.    The Hendersons were kind enough to invite us over to their flat (apartment) for dinner with two sister missionaries.

 Classroom time in the MTC

Sister Niutua was our MTC teacher.  It was a joy to be in her classes.  She is getting married in June, and has worked as a teacher at the MTC for 7 years (marriage should be a snap!).

 One day we went on a 'field trip' to the MIT (not the one in Boston).  The Manukau Institute of Technology in New Zealand has formed a partnership in vocational training with the church schools in Samoa and Tonga.

 One day we had a visit from our local Area Authorities for a Devotional, President Gifford Neilsen.   Gifford Neilsen was the star quarterback while we were attending BYU, before he joined the NFL and a sports broadcasting career--what a small world the church is!  Our friends Elder and Sister Oldroyd, who are going to Tonga and have been in the MTC with us, were  high school friends with Gifford Neilsen and college friends with his wife.  Small world!!

Unfortunately, one of our favorite parts of the New Zealand MTC experience was meal time.  Tony, our chef, greeted us each meal with a smile, a bit of wit, and lots of food. We will be sad to cook our own meals in Samoa!

Each day we had an exercise period.  We loved a walk to a local park.  One day Karen and I could not resist dropping in for a local Open House one of local realtors was hosting.   My goodness, paradise doesn't come without a cost!  And we thought homes were expensive in Seattle!

Our MTC experience has a been an absolute delight!   We have enjoyed the spirit we felt in the MTC, the people we have rubbed shoulders with, and the training we have received.    

Sisters serenading us as we leave the MTC

Next stop --- Samoa !!

The Adventure begins

Getting Set-apart as missionaries.  - April 9th, 2017

President Adams set us apart as missionaries with a lovely blessing.  

It is always nice to have good family and friends.

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The send off at the airport

The luggage seemed to multiply as we tried to get it checked in!    

We loved having our family see us off at the airport, though it was hard to say goodbye!  It seems like just yesterday we were the ones sending Trenton off on his mission!  

    

Grand-kids are the best!!  Trying to get enough hugs to see us through!

Trying to get to New Zealand -  Patience is a virtue.

We had an unexpected overnight stay in San Francisco because of our delayed flight.  Elder Rees negotiated a stay in a nice hotel.  We got extremely well acquainted with both the Seattle and San Francisco airports.  

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Arrival in New Zealand

On Friday, April 14, we were greeted at the airport by this young man - even with all that luggage, we were in good hands!

New Zealand MTC 

Our room here may be the best accommodations we have on our mission - and the food is provided also!  Not exactly a resort, but very comfortable indeed.

  

Senior couples -- Oldroyds (Tonga Auditing), Rees' (Samoa ITEP), and Littles (Samoa TVET)

The New Zealand MTC is set on a hill overlooking Auckland.  We had some excitement on our first Sunday, as sacrament meeting was interrupted by a fire alarm.  Luckily, the weather outside was fine. Our mission president and his wife, President and Sister Howes, took it all in stride.