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 Week 17

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

December 8, 2024



The picture above is the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and Choir. Last night we went to their Christmas concert.   Sometimes when you are away from home and family, you work a little harder to get into the Christmas spirit.   They put on a wonderful concert.   A senior missionary couple serving in the area office with us tried out for the choir and made it and so they sang at the concert.   There must have been 20 senior missionaries at the concert to support them. Great event. Kelly said it wasn't as good as MCO. Phew!



Sister Hillier and Sister Shaw are in the holiday spirit! Elder and Sister Hillier are such wonderful people and just a joy to be around and associate with.   


Sister Shaw matches with everyone!  This is Paul Rytting and he is the chief legal counsel for the Pacific Area and a full-time employee.  Again, amazed at the wonderful people here.  Prom?!?  


We said goodby to Angie Hernandes from Houston TX.   She is our communications intern from BYU.   She brightened the office everyday with her attitude and smile.   Whatever she chooses to do in life, she will succeed.   We will miss her.   We get another intern on January 25th for 3 months.





The two pictures above are of the island Waiheke.   It is about a 30 minute ferry ride from Takapuna.   We went with K.C. and Judy on a P-day and rented e-bikes and rode all around the island.   It is such a quant and pristine island with beautiful beaches and scenery.   I am very glad to say, we rented e-bikes because there were alot of hills and we covered about 16 miles.  I swear we exercise everyday. Why I'm I out of shape?


For our Friday date night we went to a near by lake and watch the wind boarders. It looks crazy hard.


It's almost mango season!!!! This one was so ripe and juicy. 


Haha, we have 2 Christmas cards and they are from the same person, the Area Presidency. They are there to make me laugh every morning.:)




This picture needs some explanation.   We had the wonderful experience of meeting with Keith Erickson from the Church History Department in SLC.   He is on a tour of the Pacific to do firesides and meetings with member and particularly YSA.   His fireside is a question and answer about any church history topic you want to discuss, including all the hard subjects.   He goes through what the church has done to publish the pure facts about its history, where to find answers, and how to answer hard questions.   He then fields hard questions and answers them.   He answers questions about Joseph Smith and polygamy, Hans Mills, Mountain Meadow Massacre,  do we have the Labans Sword, etc.   It is a great fireside and so refreshing.   

Well that is the set-up for why we included the picture.   We have the responsibility to manage the Pacific Newsroom Facebook page.   When we posted this story we didn't anticipate the comments and conversation it would generate on the FB page.   It has been very interesting to read.   There are some people awho re very mis-informed and no amount of truth will change them.   For the most part we let all the comments and message stay on the site.   Occassionaly I have to delete a post when language or facts are so far out of line that it is offense.   Definately a hot topic with some.   It is so wonderful to hear and read about those who have a testimonies and can seek truth and faith.   The church is true and the Lord and leads and guides it through a living prophet.

We love you all and miss you.

Elder and Sister Shaw

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