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 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 shed.  This picture has been hanging on that storage shed since we arrived.   I don't know who painted it or why they choose to hang it in our covered parking, but, they have to be a little twisted and enjoy horror movies because it is way creepy.



Kelly, you suppose to be taking pictures!!! What are you doing??  
We were on an assignment this week and traveled to Hamilton New Zealand to cover the celebration of the 170th anniversary of the Church in New Zealand.   As a part of that celebration, the Church History Museum in Hamilton unveiled a new exhibit dedicated to honor the Church College that used to be in Hamilton.   The Church closed the college in 2009 and it was a very hard thing for the Saints in this area.   The college was loved.   So, to pay tribute to the college, they unveiled a number of new exhibits dedicated to the memory of the students, staff, and college.  



At every traditional Maori gathering, there is a call to gather and welcome called powhiri. This sister was welcoming everyone from the anniversary devotional into the luncheon. It really is a cool and interesting custom. We have seen a couple of them now. It is very respectful.  Historically, the tribes either did this to welcome visitor or the haka (war dance) to celebrate or challenge other tribes.


One of the many things we have learned about New Zealand is that the Maori people and culture are proud of their traditions.   They have so many wonderful cultural traditions that it has been uplifting to see them honor their history.


While Kelly was taking pictures and getting quotes in the history devotional, I was assigned to make TONGUE TOAST! I was kind of giggling to myself, "Am I really doing this?" It involved cutting buttered toast into triangles, delicately placing marinated tongue on the toast, and topping it with parsley to make it look "edible". The lady in charge told me that high-end restaurants are now offering this traditional dish. That didn't change my mind. Whose tongue? I do not know.




We have learned a few things about ourselves we didn't know and many things about the the people here in NZ.  We have learned that the Maori people are devoted, musical, great story tellers (it is an art they are preserving), they go all out in productions, they are welcoming and generous. We are constantly inspired by those we have met and associate with.   Their dedication to the gospel, to their covenants, and their goodness is inspiring.   We only hope that whatever small part we are doing, it is lifting and strengthen testimonies of others.   This is a great work and we love being involved in it.

We love and miss you,

Elder and Sister Shaw

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