new Z nielsens: October 2014

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Kia Ora

The Sound of Music Auckland Style

The Pearsons, Halecks, Breretons and Buckners joined us in downtown Auckland to see their production of The Sound of Music. We arrived on the bustling streets of Auckland and headed toward the theatre.

Posing for a photo in front of classic old buildings in the city center. Beautiful Day for a play!

Our next stop was a restaurant complex called "The Stables". You reserve a table and head to one of many restaurants that surround the court--like a much classier Mall foodcourt--make your order, tell your table number and the food magically appears as you sit at your table and wait. Great concept.

Here we all are at table 41! The food was delicious and the company even better. Fun evening.

Elder and Sister Pearson and their daughter Elizabeth posed with us outside the theatre. President Pearson is president of the Pacific Area. Great people!

Bruce and Patsy Brereton organized the entire evening. Bruce is the executive secretary for the Area Presidency and Patsy is a "can-do" dynamo! Both Patsy and Giff celebrate October birthdays.
Happy Birthday!

Just enough time for a quick "selfie" photo with busy Aucklanders hustling behind us. Cool red building! It was really fun to be out and about with the "Kiwis" and the show was fantastic!

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Making the transition from Salt Lake City, Utah to Auckland, New Zealand

Kia Ora

OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW!

We loved living in the Brigham Apartments! We enjoyed our ward, our neighbors, downtown SLC and everything associated with our first year living at #416 The Brigham!!! We waved good-bye to all things Utah with mixed emotions--knowing that New Zealand would become HOME with so many wonderful adventures awaiting us there!

I've always loved clouds. Flying through these beautiful Salt Lake puff balls made me feel happy!

Our First stop was Los Angeles. We had to retrieve all of our luggage--boxes and bags--and lug them what seemed like a mile across that huge, archaic, airport! I guess it's good exercise?

Up, up and away! Flying over Salt Lake on our way "down under" brought feelings of gratitude, hope, love, and longing. After our tearful good-bye at the airport we were ready to face our new future with joy and anticipation!

After going through security again and experiencing what felt like a T.V. comedy skit with the airport employees and security personnel, we finally made our way to the New Zealand Air courtesy lounge. This delicious lunch awaited us! I loved the soup and salad--and had plenty of time to enjoy it during our four hour layover.

After flying all night we arrived around 5:00 a.m. and found the wonderful Halecks there to greet us. We loaded all our baggage in a trailer, hopped in a van and headed home to Auckland--actually Takapuna Beach--a bit north of Auckland. This welcoming sign greeted us and has been a boon as I try to find my way home driving around the city. Mighty nice of them to mark the building just in front of our apartments with our name! Even a blue "N" making BYU fans smile!

The view out our back windows is always spectacular. Takapuna Beach is our backyard and always treats us to various scenes of beachy beauty--morning, noon and night!

I was so delighted to take the posters made by Maddox and Jordi (with liberal help from Jenna:) and put them across our back windows. For the first few weeks of adjusting they really made me happy!

Our apartment had been cleaned, stocked with everything we needed and even decorated with this beautiful bouquet--courtesy of the wonderful office staff and our new friends at Church Headquarters here in our new home. They made me smile every time I looked at them!

You really can't beat our view. Every direction we look provides peaceful and scenic beauty. We love our new home!

Walking the nearby beaches always treats the soul. Here's a new friend I met while strolling along Milford Beach just next to Takapuna.

I learned that Sally Ann and Peggy liked to walk our beach every morning during Seminary hours. This selfie captures a bright sunrise and three happy beach combers! What lovely friends I've found here in our "tropical paradise." Since we arrived during winter I found the weather colder than I expected but nothing we can't handle. It's still so pretty that you almost forget the cold:)

Our first trip to Hamilton to attend the New Zealand Temple with the Halecks proved peaceful and uplifting. A bit windy--it is winter here--but lovely all around!

We're told that a trip for ice cream after the temple is a local custom. The ice cream is delicious--rivalling Blue Bell--and we thoroughly enjoyed our first temple expedition!

The Visitor's Center is wonderful. We felt right at home posing in front of the lovely Christus.

Norfolk Pines grow magestically straight and tall here. We waved good-bye to the Temple and took this parting shot!

Elder G's view from his Church Office is wonderful. I love this Church and how everything they do is top quality. It is a joy working with all of the dedicated people here in Auckland and throughout the Pacific Area.

These lovely ladies welcomed me right away at a luncheon for a sister who has moved away. It was great to make friends so quickly and I was reminded that no matter where we travel in this wonderful world we find family.

Jenna taught me that there are four phases of adjusting to any new cultural situation. Phase One is The Honeymoon. During this phase I cooked dinners like this one and couldn't wait to learn, explore and take in as much as possible of the new sights and sounds of New Zealand.

I went to a pottery making factory and bought this pot. I came straight home and planted it to decorate our front porch. I did lots of domestic things, including decorating our apartment like a beach house, once our shipment arrived from the U.S.

Phase Two involves Push Back, where all of the adjustments can become too much and you begin to feel stress, sadness, homesickness or other less than fun emotions. This hit me after about a month and happily only lasted around a week. I go in and out of the stages a bit but overall I'm delighted to be squarely in Phase Three--the adjusting phase, where everything seems more manageable.

This lovely full moon reminded me of the wonders and glories of Heavenly Father's creations. My heart fills with love and gratitude as I witness all of his amazing scenery.

I love this double rainbow, again remembering God's promise to Noah and His love for all of us.

I captured a few shots of the native beauty I am delighted to enjoy here in paradise. Phase Four is totally feeling that you fit in and make the culture a part of you. I'm attempting to earn that one daily.

Sunrises are always so hopeful and cheerful. I hope your days are filled with peace and joy!

We're loving colourful New Zealand and hoping that your lives are bright and cheery too!

Saturday, October 11, 2014

UTAH IN OCTOBER--FAST AND FUN

Kia Ora

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

Wow! What a whirlwind! Where to begin? Our first trip home for General Conference was a fast-paced and memorable marathon! Our first stop--Baby Elle! Born October 4, 2014, we couldn't wait to see our #20 Grand Cherub! What a little doll she is--a total angel.

Proud Big Sister Kate was only too happy to present sweet Elle to Mimi and Papi!

Big Brother Benson adores his new little sis! We are so blessed and absolutely adore our newest blessing from Heaven!

Even Cousin Jordi joined in the fun of showing off precious little Elle.

Indian Summer persisted for a few days early in our visit and Mimi hosted a "Wendy's Frosty" picnic on the lawn of the condo with a few of the cherubs.

What a perfect day to wade--or immerse--in BYU's beautiful stream above the Fieldhouse. Maddox took advantage of the gorgeous sunny weather to cool off!

This place is a children's paradise. Hard to wipe the smiles off the happy faces.

Mimi got in on the fun, wading, and joining in the refreshing stream.

This is exactly what childhood should look like!

What a reward at the end of the hike--DUCKS!!!

And lest you wonder what Papi and the boys did in their spare time--Here's a view from "Y" mountain. Guess who was the first one to reach the top? You'll have to ask the boys:)))

GNO at Women's Conference began with a nifty golf cart ride to the Conference Center!

What a joy to be together with these amazing women, learning and growing as we heard the uplifting messages of Women's Conference. I'm a happy and proud Mimi!

Celebrating all the October birthdays was FUN! Happy 12th Birthday Maddy! Happy 30th Birthdays Kourt and Brett! Happy 35th Brithday Giff! And a very Happy 60th Brithday Papi!!!!!!