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 Week 48

Hello Cuz!!

13 July 2025

It has been a great week! I'm amazed how we fill our time here. Most weeks begin without an idea of where we will be needed or used, and then as the week passes it materialize into something directed, intentional, and meaningful. This week we sat in meetings that try to look at the bigger picture of the church in regards to budgeting, what is news, giving machines, how to get visas for waiting missionaries, recording the new hymns in other languages, explainer articles that will interest friends of the church, and even social media trends. This is all so good for our brains. It keeps us young. I'm always wondering what would my children think about this or want for their families. What do young adults need. You would be surprised at how the church caters to young adults. (That is a whole different topic.). 

One other project our team is working on is getting the Church handbook of instruction recorded for Papua New Guinea. The majority of the Church leaders in PNG speak Tok Pisin.  The average level of education in PNG is about equivalent to 4th grade in America.  Many of the leaders can't read their native language let along English. Without the ability to read, they can't reference the Church Handbook of Instruction.  The solution: record the entire handbook in their native language so they can listen to the Handbook.   


This was a great moment at institute this week. Elder Shaw and I were talking about Seeing the Power of the Lord in the Temple, when in walks "Tank" with about 15 minutes left of the class. This was his 2nd time to our class. We decided to end class with "Relatives Around Me" in the FamilySearch app. We were all a little surprised that I matched up with Tank. I decided to risk-it-for-the-biscuit, and ran over and hugged him with a "hello cuz!" "Let's take a selfie." He seemed to enjoy the attention so I'm glad I did it. You never know. When I saw Tank's last name, I realized his dad is in the stake presidency and his grandpa is the stake patriarch.  I just didn't know if my hug would send him running. Glad I did. First time seeing him smile.



After a storm, the waves usually dump all kinds of shells. I really like those walks.


We enjoyed an evening at the temple doing sealings.  Just to explain the diversity of senior missionary service in this picture, you have Area legal council, Area mental health advisor, Auckland mission health advisor, Auckland mission financial secretary and bike maintenance, and then us with Area communication and public affairs. It's amazing how the Lord get's his work done.


Samoa celebrates 21 years birthdays similar to Quinceañera. We had dinner with some missionaries at a restaurant that specializes in those parties. We took advantage of the decorations. We didn't get the chance to go to Prom together but this is about as close as it will get.


This is Elder Holland and Elder Lanae.   They are the A.P.'s in the mission and they serve in our ward with us.   Elder Holland will go home this next week. Yes, he is the grandson of President Holland and he is a fantastic missionary. So fun to see such dedicated young missionaries as they serve will full obedience and commitment.   


We enjoyed Sunday dinner at the Allen's home. They are the mission leaders here in Auckland. They are lovely people. We had a good laugh listening to stories of tractor auctions, mission life, converting a bus to a motorhome, and life after a mission. We feel like the 3 amigos: Shaws, Shaws, and Crowshaws.



It is fun to watch how the Lord moves His work forward. We have a newly hired employee in our department. He is from Utah.  He started about a month ago and his wife and 4 kids will join him here in New Zealand just before Christmas.  I asked him why he took a job in New Zealand when he and his family were settled in Utah.  He said he was unfulfilled with his work and felt there was something more he should be doing.  He and his wife had been praying what they were supposed to do. They both felt impressed he should interview for a Church job. He did and didn't get it, but the person he interviewed with suggested he would be perfect for an opportunity in New Zealand. He and his wife prayed about it and felt they were to move their family and take the job.  Their kids are in high school and junior high.   The skillset he brings to the Pacific Area is such a blessing for the work to move forward.  I said it before and will say it again, the longer I live, the more I believe there are not coincidences in life. The Lord is involved in the details of our lives.

We love you and miss you!

Love,
Elder and Sister Shaw






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