Dunedin New Zealand Stake

April 17, 2016

     The Dunedin New Zealand Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was created on this beautiful Sunday in Dunedin. President Kevin W. Pearson, President of the Pacific Area for the Church presided at the meeting. He talked about the Dunedin District first being organized in 1892.  He encouraged members to help the Church grow so that another stake could be created here in another five to ten years. He also encouraged those in attendance to keep the Sabbath Day holy and to follow the Savior's teachings. Also attending was Pacific Area Seventy Elder David J. Thomson. He conducted the meeting and announced the new stake presidency of Stephen Smith, President (he was our Branch President). Rangi Solomon and Justin Kaufana completed the presidency.

     What a wonderful experience it was to see the stake center filled to capacity..... probably the first time many of the saints had seen this many members assembled together. With the creation of the stake, our Mission President, Roger Hudson, will no longer be the ecclesiastical leader over the saints in this area. Those keys and responsibilities now belong to the new stake presidency. During his talk, President Hudson acknowledged all the full-time missionaries in attendance and had us stand up. It was fun to look around and see the many missionaries, both young and senior couples, in attendance. Elder Edward was seated in the congregation while Sister Edward joined in the special choir on the stand that provided some of the music for the meeting. Everyone who performed gave inspired performances. 

     We are told that when construction was first started on the stake center David O. McKay was the President of the Church. The original plan was for a smaller building to be built to serve the needs. After work had begun on the footings a message was received from President McKay. They were told to stop construction and fill in the holes. They were now to build a full-sized stake center. The day would come when a stake would be created and the larger building would be needed..... a very Inspired decision. More about the creation of this stake is on Mormon Newsroom.

Jason Mather (left) became the first bishop of the newly created Dunedin 2nd Ward. Roy Jenner (right) is in the Wellington Mission Presidency.

      We thought it would be fun to post some photos of the many missionaries we have associated with during our short time in Dunedin. These dedicated servants of our Heavenly Father, and many more who came before, can take extreme pride in the creation this day of the Dunedin New Zealand Stake.

Elder Berryhill & Elder Daniel (Zone Leaders) We met them shortly after arriving in Dunedin.

Sister Shaw & Sister Phillips enjoyed a walkabout at Larnach Castle.

Elder Daniel & Elder Mortensen doing parking lot duty for the Halloween Party, greeting members on Sunday morning, and eating after a church meeting.

Sister Lotoa & Sister Gabler (upper left), Sister Tavalea & Sister Shaw (upper right), Sister Phillips & SIster Hemi (lower left), and Sister Phillips & Sister Gabler (lower right).

Elder & Sister Lynch (top left) are in charge of mission housing. They found the wonderful place we are staying in. Sister Lotoa & Sister Anderson are sad-faced with Sister Edward after finding out that Sister Lotoa was being transferred. We are always grateful for the time we can spend with these valiant young missionaries.

Elder Griffin & Elder Parry (upper left), Elder Whitelock & Elder Parry (upper right), and Elder Shaw & Elder Shaik (below).

Get-together at the Edward flat after the stake meeting. Left to right, Sister & Elder Osburn, Elder Edward, Sister Anderson, Sister Lotoa, Sister Edward, Sister & Elder Clark. The Clarks had only been on their mission a short time when they received a request to change assignments. Elder Clark is to be the new Mission President in Orlando, Florida. How wonderful for the missionaries in Florida. They will be missed in New Zealand.

Tunnel Beach

The trailhead to Tunnel Beach is about a five minute drive from our flat. It was a beautiful hike down the steep path to where this amazing experience awaited us. The tunnel was built in 1870 by John Cargill so that his family could enjoy the secluded beach surrounded by steep cliffs.

The views on the way down are spectacular.

Several unique formations awaited us at the bottom. The waves roaring through this tunnel would make a great soundtrack.

There are so many different vistas to enjoy along the Southland coastline.

This is the entrance to the tunnel down to the beach.

We had to watch our heads as we descended. Notice the steps carved into the tunnel bottom.

One important part of planning your trip down to the beach is to know when low tide is.

This is what greets you at low tide. If you time your trip at high tide you will miss out on the beach. We have a photo taken from the outlook where those two people are standing later in the photos.

The steep walls surrounding the beach provide for more unique views.

We can imagine the Cargill children having a fun-filled afternoon playing among the rock formations.

Waves try to conceal a far-off rock formation.

Now when did we go on this outing?

Tunnel Beach as seen from above.

Only drawback..... he who hikes down, must hike back up!!

Dunedin Botanical Gardens

We spent a few hours walking through the Dunedin Botanical Gardens today. We will let the photos do the talking. Needless to say, it was a wonderful, relaxing experience.

Nugget Lighthouse 2

Saturday, March 5, 2016

During our first visit to the Nugget Point Lighthouse we encountered foggy weather. We decided to make a return visit to enjoy the area on a clear day. Glad we did!!

Taken from a beach near Kaka Point. The "nuggets" are in the water to the left of the lighthouse.

A beautiful and enjoyable walk from the carpark.

".....and in my right hand you see the lighthouse."

This view is looking towards the southeast..... Antarctica is out there somewhere.

A mother seal feeds her pup.

The "nuggets as seen from the viewing platform. Lots of seals below..... some playing..... some sleeping.

We counted at least ten seals and one bird in this photo.

Sister Edward had a nice visit with the people who took our photo. They were from India.

Another sign you won't see in Utah.

On a beach near Kaka Point..... so excited..... a sea lion to take some cool photos of.

First, a big yawn.... now for the perfect photo-op!!

Only one problem..... plop..... nap time.  Oh, well.

Larnach Castle Revisited

Monday, February 29, 2016

What do you do on Leap Day? We did something memorable!! We spent a few hours in the afternoon with Sister Gaebler and Sister Lotoa. Sister Gaebler only had a "wee bit" of her mission remaining..... then it would be home to Germany. We wanted her to take another special memory of New Zealand with her.

This is the first view you get of the castle grounds.

A trip to Larnach Castle is never complete until you get a group photo taken atop the turret.

Sisters Lotoa and Gaebler spend some time with Alice.

Is this an optical illusion.....  or is Sister Edward really giving Sister Lotoa a head massage?

More photos taken in the beautiful east garden walkway.

The Pohutukawa is nicknamed the New Zealand Christmas Tree.

Did you ever wonder where we get our name tags from?

More colorful flowers.

These three really enjoy spending time together.

At the end of this walkway is the reflecting pool with a view of Dunedin in the distance.

We had beautiful weather for our Larnach Castle Day.

Reverse view from the walkway towards the castle.....  with the water fountain in between.

Watch out for the "Cheshire Cat" looking down from the tree limb.

The last required photo is sitting in the "Queen of Hearts" chair.

We always enjoy the bonus time we get to spend with our missionaries. Knowing them is one of the true blessings we receive during our time in New Zealand.