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 !!