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 Week 19

Miracles in Vanuatu

and

Christmas Celebrations

22 December 2024


On Monday Vanuatu experienced a 7.4 earthquake. These two pictures above are just a sample of the devastation. If you recall from our last week's blog we were just in Vanuatu Port Vila and must have driven by the above buildings 10 times. We were home 2 days when the earthquake hit. (We were supposed to come home on Monday, but we changed our flights.) We have felt so badly for the members and missionaries that we visited. We were very relieved to hear that they were eventually all accounted for. We were in Vanuatu covering the FSY that included 1,000 youth who gathered for the week. Yesterday we received an email from the senior missionaries that were in charge of the FSY telling us about the miracles that have happened.  One hour after they loaded the last of the 1,000 FSY youth on a boat heading home, the earthquake hit.  One YSA member spent 26 hours trapped under the rubble but was freed without a scratch. They still don't have power but the water was just restored a week later. We have been praying for them. Such wonderful people and such difficult circumstances. We had a very sincere prayer of gratitude that we were safely home after we heard the news.





We got home from Vanuatu and headed immediately to Hamilton NZ to cover the Temple View lights.  They had an inter-faith gathering, choirs, and then the lights were turned on. Elder Higgins, the Area Authority 70, joined us for an interview. The video production team also came and made a wonderful video reel of the event.  Below is the link if you would like to watch it.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/B_qxQs_pIlE


You might recognize the handsome Elder on the right. That is Elder Deim. While in Hamilton we spoke with the mission leader at the temple lighting.  Elder Deim (he is from our home ward and he was in our Sunday School class), serves in the Hamilton Mission. We got permission to drop by their flat and say hello on the way home. Just so happens that Elder Deim was headed home after a great mission the very next day. We are glad we got to see him before he went home.


This is what English Connect looks like on every Tuesday evening.   We have about 15 come to the advanced class and an equal amount come to the beginner class.   They are great people.   It has been a wonderful missionary tool.


Nothing like the Auckland Philharmonic and Choir to give you the spirit of Christmas.   It was a fun outing with 3 other missionary couples.  


New Zealand is known for its stunning beauty and I am not talking about the senior couples lined up for this photo. But the natural beauty of this country is amazing.  We did a quick trip with K.C. and Judy for the Christmas break and headed North about 3 hours to the Bay of Islands for a few days. We figured while we were up there we might as well invite all the other senior missionary couples serving in the area to join us on a sailing trip around the Bay of Islands.  It was very enjoyable and relaxing.  Below is a few more pictures of our trip, including a lunch on the 90 mile highway beach.  It is a 90 mile stretch of sandy beach that allows cars to travel on it just like a motorway. So fun to have K.C. and Judy here.



Picnic at the beach.


We found some highly uncomfortable beach chairs!


Visited a yummy chocolate factory. Love free samples.  This isn't a factory that makes butter, it was a factory that makes some great chocolate.   VERY HEALTHY.



Papatoetoe 1st Ward Christmas Party. Their ward tradition is to create an beautiful elaborate Christmas backdrop for a ward family photo. Everyone stood in front to take a picture before the food was served. Beside the wintery backdrop scene were 2 white bouncy castles for the kids and they were going at it! They had fun Christmas music playing with a ward member as a DJ.  It was a very festive, fun and lively party.





Our Tongan ward party included an Umu meal. That is where you dig a pit, bury the food, cover with leaves, rocks and dirt and let is cook for hours. It smelled wonderful and the amount of food was amazing.   



I think we look quite festive for Christmas Sunday.


I just love these young missionaries! They are so good and diligent and personal. I love serving with them in the Papatoetoe 1st Ward.

One of the lessons learned this week is that life can change in an instant. We should find joy in our relationships, love the Savior, be kind and merciful to everyone around us, and strive to do what the Lord wants us to do. We find ourselves often asking, "Am I making a difference?" That seems to be a good question to center us on doing what is important rather than what is urgent. What a wonderful Christmas season. We love the Savior and wish everyone a Merry Christmas from down under.

Merry Christmas everyone! We love you and we are eternally grateful for your profound influence on our lives. We think of our family and friends back home daily. Have a wonderful week celebrating the birth of our Savior, our light, our hope, my example of charity, our redeemer.

With love,

Elder and Sister Shaw




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