Written by Carter. Kia ora [a Maori greeting], and Happy Mother’s Day to all the women in my life! I appreciate your influence for good in my life and in so many others around you!

We had stake conference last Sunday. One of the counselors in the stake presidency told about his third-great-grandfather joining the Church in Samoa in 1889, with this story: the ancestor was 11-years-old and very ill, near death. His father was a minister in another faith. He and others in the community had prayed for the ill boy, but with no improvement. Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had recently arrived on the island, but were not well-received in the community. Nevertheless, the boy’s father told God that, if the missionaries blessed his son and he lived, he would allow the boy to be baptized into the Church…and that is exactly what happened. The baptism was done in secret — and the father was never baptized — but gave permission for the son to attend meetings in another village — without any of his own villagers knowing about it. The boy even had to swim part of the way so his purpose for travel would not be discovered if he were seen on the trail. The son remained faithful throughout his life and has a numerous, faithful posterity. What an inspiring story!

During stake conference, our bishop was made one of the counselors in the stake presidency…so we sustained a new bishop today. As he shared his testimony, he told of the challenges he has had over the past several years: his business failed two years ago; he lost his subsequent two jobs since then, so he is currently unemployed; “and I can’t get my kids to attend church meetings.” President Nelson’s invitation to “Let God Prevail” came to mind when he was called as bishop (after recovering from the shock)…so he accepted the calling last Saturday evening. Since then, he has received two job offers! Coincidence?! I think not! I look forward to seeing how the Lord blesses him and his family as he serves Him.

Because of the pandemic, almost all the missionaries serving in New Zealand are also from New Zealand. It’s been inspiring to see how they have “stepped up” to the increased responsibilities the Lord has given them. One of the missionaries in our ward will be transferred to another area this week. His companion has only been in the mission for a couple of months. He is very quiet and seems shy…but now he’s going to train a new missionary! I like to imagine how the Lord will bless this young man’s life because of this challenge. How will this experience help him as a husband, father, and in future Church assignments? I don’t know, but am confident it will.

We celebrated Faye’s birthday this week by eating at a Thai restaurant.

We had a farewell for the couple who lived across the hall from us (the Poll’s). Great folks; I wish them well.
Yesterday, we went to a farmer’s market with several other senior missionaries, then went to Goat Island, which has a “discovery center,” where we learned about the ocean from various exhibits, including some where you can touch various sea creatures! The tour guide has a PhD in marine biology. He started out two years ago filling in for a month…and liked it so much that he has stayed on. He did a great job yesterday!

As we went on a short, beautiful hike yesterday, I told Faye, “I’m homesick for New Zealand already…and I haven’t even left yet!” I very much look forward to seeing our family and friends when we return home (June 10)…but will sure miss this place! Well…we will just have to come back someday!