What a Whale of a Tale

We had a great preparation day and used our voucher for a free Whale and Dolphin watching tour.

We were out about half an hour when the crew spotted some Orcas swimming close to the shore. There was a mother and two juvenile Orcas and one large male which was probably was a previous litter.

We spent some time with the Orcas and then went to the EAC (Eastern Australia Current) for those of you who do not remember finding Nemo. There we saw a Bryde’s Whale. We didn’t get a good picture of it but it was huge. On our way back to Auckland we once again ran into the Orcas and spent another 30 minutes watching them.

We had help this year decorating our Christmas Tree as these Missionaries were staying with us for a couple of weeks while one of them recovered from surgery on his broken foot. They kind of improvised with one of their white shirts and tie and a name tag that read Elder Tree. The lights are bike tail lights that  we loaned them. Sister Bartlett did re-decorate the tree after this.

We also bought a gingerbread house kit and put together this lovely masterpiece with a few additions of our own. It only lasted for a day before we started devouring it with some hot chocolate. Yummmm!

We also attended the baptism of William. His sister was baptised a few months ago and now he is baptised. What a wonderful thing to see these young people so enthused about the gospel and specially primary.

I just had to get a selfie with Elder Calen Chan. If you have never heard about him then your are not into parkour. Look him up on YouTube and you will see some of the amazing things he does. He is using his talent to spread the gospel here in the New Zealand Auckland Mission.

We had a wonderful evening with the Bishopric and their families at the Sky Tower for dinner and a few pictures. We love these wonderful men and their wonderful wives and children.

We happened upon the Christmas parade in Papatoetoe and were watching Chinese dragons, Hare Krishna and many other religious organisations participating. We were looking at one another and saying how it would have been great for some our Missionaries to be in the parade for Light the World. All of a sudden there they were. The whole Mangere Zone was there with Light the World signs.

We also had our Ward Christmas Party with great food , including Chicken, Pork, and Ham!

These Young Women also served up a little Ham of their own!

Give us another slice of Ham!

We also had a live band and dancing. It also turned into a tribute to the Bartlett’s  and Elder Del Rosario since he left three days later and we are leaving January 1. For some however, the party lasted to long.

Unfortunately it is time to say farewell to some of the Missionaries we have know our whole Mission. Elder Del Rosario (left) who serves in our Ward is going home to Philippines.

Elder Tutu’ila was our first District Leader and goes home to the US.

Elder Imms, one of our former District Leaders is going home to England.

Sister Ellis (standing between us) is going home to the US.

Sister Faiga, Elder Aumalaga, and Elder Fuimoano are destined for Samoa.

Left to right Sister Fonua, Sister Fehoko, and Sister Felila, all going home to the US.

Elder Bingham is going home to the US

Sister Palu is going home to the US

We also have several Elders and Sisters who are headed for the Cook Islands and Niue.

Elder Begman is headed to the Cook Islands

Sister Borchert is headed for the Cook Islands.

Sister Inglis (standing between us) is also going to the Cook Islands.

We are really sad that Elder and Sister Stosich have finished their Mission and gone home to the US. They will be missed. We did have a good group of new Missionaries and are excited about getting to know them.

Things are happening so fast and we have little time to get our replacements trained. Elder and Sister Packard will be doing the Nursing and the Bikes. We are so glad that they have accepted this responsibility. We have so loved our Mission and are sad to be leaving but we are excited about seeing our children and grandchildren.

We love you all so much and hope these blogs have been to your liking.

Love Elder and Sister Bartlett