Week 66

Attitude of Gratitude

20 November 2025

Hello Everyone!

A couple of valuable lessons learned this week.

1st lesson--When posting on the Church social media pages, you need to make sure everything goes through correlation unless it is word for word from CHQuarters. Correlations takes forever!! I learned I don't have to correlate what has already been correlated from SLC. That sounds obvious but the Church takes this stuff seriously. If it has the Church logo on it, it has to be approved. I wouldn't trust me either!! So many great announcements lately!!!

2nd lesson--Check google maps to see how far your AirBnB is from the town. It said 5 minutes. By road is was an hour but by a little tiny skiff boat is was 5 minutes.

3rd lesson--Others are waiting of their temple work--During our sealing session as we were working through the names, Elder Jaggi slowed way down for one name and was so meaningful in how he handled one sealing.  At the end, he simply said, "I was impressed they were able to watch and have accepted that ordinance."  Wonderful experience to feel how important the temple is to those on the other side.

It's Sister Usher's last Sunday before transfers. We will miss her. Sister Brough and Sister Usher serve with us in the YSA Ward. They do a great job as social media missionaries for the Auckland Mission and we love and respect how hard they work. Transfers for young missionaries continue to be life changing events.

This is a random old bald guy going to the temple.

"Zoinks Shaggy!"  "Scooby-Doo, where are you?" 

Of course it is our responsibility to introduce these new missionaries to New Zealand by taking them on a sunset cruise. This is Elder and Sister Jensen from Vernal and Elder Robinson from Canada. Elder Robinson is a single elder. Single senior elders are new for the Church. He really is still morning his sweet wife that passed away a couple of years ago. He thought it would be best to serve a mission. He was so kind and funny. Great addition! Paul and Irene Rytting, on the right, are over the Area Legal Department.

Worth it!

Artistic photography, reverse water reflection. :)

This is the shuttle to our AirBNB. We had no idea we couldn't drive there. We were laughing at the adventure.

Sealing at the temple with missionaries and Elder Jaggi.   He schedules to do sealing with the senior missionaries once a month just to say thank you for our service.   He had just landed and took an uber to the temple to do the sealing session.  The General Authorities are very inspiring to watch.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is Thanksgiving this week. New Zealand doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving. They say they are thankful every day of the year. :) Because it isn't a holiday, we have had to make a conscience effort of think about our many blessings. May we list a few for you?

1. Launette and this opportunity to spend so much time together.

2. Our health that allows us to serve.

3. Our supportive family and friends (amazing children and darling grandchildren)

4. Relationships we have established on our mission: members, and friends of the Church.

5. The chance to be pushed outside of our box and hopefully grow through the experience.

6. Kelly's goodness and leadership skills.

7. The temple and the covenant confidence, power, and knowledge it provides.

8. The beauty in God's creations.

9. Our Savior Jesus Christ.

We love and miss you,

Elder and Sister Shaw