The Pacific Post

 Week 11 Goodbyes, Concerts, and Tongue Toast October 27, 2024 Farewell Gina Truman! We will miss serving with her in communications and public affairs. (she is the middle in the blue dress) I think we talked about her previously.  We are sad to see her go and happy that we had a chance to become a friend.   She is the aunt to the Truman Brothers and sister to Dan Truman in the country group, Diamond Rio. As a going away gift, she brought the Truman Brothers to New Zealand to do a couple of concerts for the saints.   They are crazy talented and very uplifting to listen to when they perform.    Truman Brothers at the Auckland Institute doing an acoustical concert for the YSA. Notice the dumplings in the box for lunch. Yummmm! I didn't know dumplings until I came here. They remind me of Kung Fu Panda.:) Creepy right?!?  This picture needs an explanation.   We have a small covered parking space at our apartment next to an old storage s...

  Week 10 Heart-felt Love for the Papatoetoe Stake and Small and Simple Things (Sometimes called Papa2toes) 20 October 2024 This week we were asked to help with our Stake Conference special event. The Papatoetoe Stake did an event on two nights that was called, "The Temple, Your Eternal Journey."  It was really a wonderful experience.  I didn't expect to feel the spirit the way we did.   They had the stake center set up in 7 different rooms and groups of 20 would go to each room for a 10 minute presentation.   One of the most touching rooms was of primary children telling stories of their ancestors that made sacrifices to join the church which made it possible for them to be sealed in the temple.   It was touching to hear their stories.   No slam on the young men missionaries, but this group of young sister missionaries lit up the room every time they entered.  They have beautiful spirits and smiles. Everyone was attracted to t...

 Week 9 Annual Planning and Overcoming Fears 13 October 2024 Kelly and I were ask to go on the 2 day, 2025 annual planning meeting for the publishing and communication department in Matakana, about an hour away. Our manager, Rich Hunter was not able to go so Kelly and I were asked to take his place. So it was me with 10 very talent and accomplished men. Interesting 2 days!! (These men have quite the resumes of band singers, recording artists, children TV show producers. They have the know-how and technology to make anyone singing sound fabulous. It was tempting. They make the church videos for FSY and social media.) We have to admit that our expectations going in were pretty low but in the end, it exceeded all expectations. Great people, great ideas, committed employees to the church, great plans and a detailed calendar came out of the meeting. Hatu, who is the Area Director, did a great job of brining all of the department heads together. We are excited to see what comes of the te...

  Week 8 Gleaning, Gifts and General Conference 6 October 2024 A slower week in the office this week.   The Area Presidency and many of the employees are in SLC for conference this week.   It is really the time for the managers in the Area Office to have meetings and coordinate with SLC on the needs of the Pacific.   We worked on gathering some government contacts in each country. We posted a couple of stories on the Newsroom encouraging friends and members to watch and receive inspiration during General Conference. We worked on "talking points" for coordinating council communication directors. We prepared a presentation for the 2025 CPD's (Communication and Publishing Department) annual planning meeting and of course did English Connect with about 15 students. We travelled to Hamilton to have dinner with a Just Serve director but my favorite part of our mid week was we were able to do a session in at the Hamilton Temple. When the temple film began, I ...