Happy Easter

Rather than share this week's adventures and post pictures, Elder Shaw has asked me to share this video created by the church to celebrate Easter.

He Lives

https://plus.google.com/share?url=http://www.mormon.org/easter

This week's top 5 update

1. The Mountains

We do a lot of walking in Dannevirke. We walk from one end of town, to the other end of town and then back to the other end of town.  These are pictures of some of the beautiful mountains we get to see as we walk every day.

 

As we walk people honk their horns and wave and say hello. We don't usually know who these people are so it's quite awesome. Everyone seems to know who the missionaries are! There aren't a whole lot of people to teach, as everyone has had their doors knocked on, so we are going through the ward list to visit inactive members.

I'm loving it here.  Even though winter is approaching it still gets hot some days and rainy other days.



2. The Historic Chapel

One of the first chapels built in New Zealand! It was cool in there, and a little musty - but gorgeous!

3. Milo
Best drink in the world! we basically eat it with everything, Ice Cream, Cereal (we have wheat bix and corn flakes every morning) and cold milk!

4. Our pets

There is a a preying mantis that lives in our flat and eats the flys. He's cute and friendly - we call him 'preymantis'

'Carrie' the cat lives a few flats down.  She comes to visit us every night to play and chase my laser pointer. She is awesome.

I wonder what would happen if Prey mantis and Carrie were to meet.... hmmmmm.....

5. KFC

KFC is huge here, especially with the missionaries.  As Brayden's mother - I'm very confused by this since he has always hated eating KFC, but I guess when you aren't getting Grandma's gourmet cooking every day you start to appreciate the little things.

Dannevirke

The field is very different from the MTC. The day we left the MTC we went out tracting with other missionaries in Wellington and I can't say how many times people told me off and cursed at me, but it was different once we left main street Wellington.  We found a lady from Edmonton who was on a 106 day cruise so me and Elder Bawden talked to her and I ended up giving out my first Book of Mormon to her! We continued on and ended up coming to this little cricket game and we were invited to play cricket. We played for about 10-15 minutes and I can officially say that being embarrassed in public isn't that bad! We then came across another gentleman who was interested and we continued to talk to him for a while and the conversation lead further and he ended up asking for a Book of Mormon so I ended up handing out two Book of Mormon's that day. It feels great to share the gospel with those who are looking for it! I loved it so much!

The next day I arrived at my first area - Dannevirke! I couldn't wait to meet Elder Chong and get to my new home.

Here is a picture of me and Elder Chong. 

I was told a little bit about Dannevirke and the members there. They have a ward that used to have an attendance of about 150 people and the numbers are now down to 30-40. When I was told this I knew that our job was to help people come back to church and that is what me and Elder Chong will be working on.

Here is a picture of our flat. It has everything we need, as well as a cat we call "Carrie" that comes by every night to play for a while and then heads back outside. 

 

 

It is awesome in Dannevirke and the people are so welcoming. Everywhere we go we are met with waving arms and smiles. I am truly blessed to be serving where I am and to get the opportunity to meet these awesome people. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be in this gospel and so excited to help others come back to it, as it can bring so much happiness.



  

Safe Arrival

From President and Sister Hudson

Hello! We wanted to let you know that your son has arrived safely to our mission! He has had orientation, been interviewed by President Hudson, and has enjoyed supper and a testimony meeting at the mission home. Tomorrow he will leave for his assigned area. I have attached a picture of him with us, taken this afternoon. All is well! Love, Sister Hudson

 

New address:

9C Claudius St

Dannevirke,4930

New Zealand

 

 

Called to Serve

Sent Monday March 9, 2015

Today is the last day we are at the MTC! I cannot believe that we are almost done here! we are to fly out by 8:05 in the morning. I'm so excited to go to the Mission! it almost seems like yesterday that I arrived.  The temple was absolutely gorgeous. It seems almost like a dream waking up every morning with the fresh New Zealand air and the beautiful sunrise.  I've learned so much here and cannot wait to use what I've learned to help teach the people who need it the most!

This is me and my companion Elder Li-Khau from New Caledonia. He is super awesome!

This is a picture of me and my district outside the New Zealand temple

 

 

More pictures...

 

Before I leave to finish the rest of the day here with workshops and etc I just want to let everyone know that I love you all! That The Church of Jesus Christ is the true church and it can help with any problem and difficulty we might have. It has the answers to everything we have questions to if we just look and are willing to pray then we will recieve that personal revelation. Im so grateful for my family and for the chances i have gotten and im so grateful that i have the chance to share the gospel to make others as happy as I am. The trials that ive faced in the MTC and seen others face but also seeing them overcome those difficulties is an absolute testimony builder. This is truely the work of god and im glad i can be a part of it!

With Love

Elder Shaw