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 Week 76 Communication/Public Affairs Seminar 2026 1 February 2026 We have spent the last 18 months of our mission working closely with these people. We have grown to love them and their sacrifice and dedication to the gospel. They inspire us. These are the communication directors from every country in the Pacific; Tahiti to New Caledonia to Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and the list goes on.  We had our annual training seminar in Auckland over the last three days. We also had the Church communication directors from SLC come. We will miss our daily interaction with these good people. The Church public affairs and communication is in good hands in the Pacific. This was a perfect way to end our mission! We learn as much from them as they learn from us.  They shared great insights from their experiences. We call it "bubbling up" information. We share messaging from the Area Presidency focus but we need the "bubble up" information from each nation to know how to...
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 Week 75 Giving Machines Wrap-Up 25 January 2026 Happy Sabbath. Our time remaining is quickly coming to a close and is packed with meetings, "hand-overs", seminar planning, "lasts", and many good bye dinners. This week completed our work with Giving Machines. Few people understand this product is almost a year-round project. Those that are in involved with GMs know it can be very time consuming. Maybe we feel that way because it is during Christmas. It's just a good thing when the wrap-up event is done. Here are some of the GOOD people involved in NZ Giving Machines. ALF! We love this man. He is currently not a member of the Church. For now, that is not a bad thing! (Can I say that?) He is doing an amazing job at promoting the church from an outward position. He speaks very highly of the Church's generosity and goodness. More importantly, there isn't a better person with a kinder heart in the world. We love Alf! (He doesn't need a last name. Everyone...
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 Week 74 Family Time and Finishing Strong 18 January 2026 Happy New Year Everyone! It has been awhile since we posted. We have had a glorious time hosting family and are now back in the thick of "the lasts", planning our yearly seminar January 27-30, exit presentation to department, and regular social media and office work. The picture above was taken previously. I love this picture of our office friends we have grown to love. These wonderful full time employees are amazing. We love them and we are going to miss them. Elder and Sister Hancey in the above picture will inherit our responsibilities. We are in the process of handing over information and introducing them to our contacts and the island communication directors. I love this pictures because it is real everyday office banter. Actually it's not real because everyone is usually working at their desk but I love that they all together in one place. What brought them together? A baby! Tatoki's wife, had a baby a co...
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 Week 70 Siblings in New Zealand  making Christmas Memories 21 December 2025 This one may be a little shorter than normal as we have been a little short on time with the planning of many activities and events.  The Area Office is now on Christmas break.  It shuts down for two weeks and we have the wonderful good fortune of having family come during the break.  My siblings are here for Christmas! Being together at Christmas, doesn't happen very often.  The thought of lining up shortest to tallest to walk in Christmas morning in our small apartment, makes me smile. We have some sweet things planned. It's sooo great to have them here!!!!!  Maybe everyone will help us write this week. I shed a few tears seeing this beautiful group come off the plane.  This is Bob: After a 12 hour flight it was wonderful to be back on solid ground and to get through customs...and then see Elder and Sister Shaw with candy leis and huge smiles was such heart warming and ...
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