Week 74

Family Time and Finishing Strong

18 January 2026

Happy New Year Everyone! It has been awhile since we posted. We have had a glorious time hosting family and are now back in the thick of "the lasts", planning our yearly seminar January 27-30, exit presentation to department, and regular social media and office work.

The picture above was taken previously. I love this picture of our office friends we have grown to love. These wonderful full time employees are amazing. We love them and we are going to miss them. Elder and Sister Hancey in the above picture will inherit our responsibilities. We are in the process of handing over information and introducing them to our contacts and the island communication directors.

I love this pictures because it is real everyday office banter. Actually it's not real because everyone is usually working at their desk but I love that they all together in one place. What brought them together? A baby! Tatoki's wife, had a baby a couple of months ago and she brought him in this week for show and tell. The men all went goo goo. It was so cute. I grabbed my camera getting everyone together.

It would be a blog posting without a dinner picture.

Sunday dinner with the Couchs. They are great people that are easy to laugh with.

They made it. Braiden and Morgan made it to NZ for an epic trip that took us to everything North Island and Queenstown, South Island. It was so fun showing them around, introducing them to employees & our ward, enjoying long visits and bonded over some high adventure activities.

One of our stops was the All-Blacks Experience. (For you non-Kiwi folks, All-Blacks are the national Rugby team that has an amazing history.)  

Before...

And after our jet speed boat ride in Queenstown. We were sitting in 3 inches of water. I don't think that is what was supposed to happen because the driver concluded with, "I don't want to see any bad reviews. You knew it was a water activity." We loved it! A little cold walking back to the hotel to change.

If you are in NZ you might as well film some social media videos.  We connected Braiden with one our team videographers in the Area Office. It was fun to watch him work.

You can't visit NZ without stopping at the wood carver. This man is a legend, talented, inspiring, and has such a great spirit about him. Look how cute he and his wife are. Like always, we walked away with our wallets a little less heavy.

Mirror lake Milford Sounds, NZ.

Yes, I took this picture.

Blue Springs near Rotarua, NZ.

Bonding moment but Morgan wouldn't hold my hand though.

Milford's Sound Helicopter Ride

He didn't need to park the chopper so close to the edge. I was leaning forward as he was landing. He landed so we could walk near a glacier lake high in the mountains.

The above two pictures are beyond epic. They are a miracle. Keep in mind that Launette is afraid of heights. While I stayed in the hotel room to pass a kidney stone, Braiden, Morgan and Launette took the 5 hour tour bus ride to Milford Sound (the 8th wonder of the world).  Rather than take the bus ride back, Braiden convinced Launette that a helicopter ride back (takes about a half hour by helicopter) would be the greatest adventure ever.  SHE DID IT.  To hear them explain the ride and the views was amazing.  I am sure you will hear about the helicopter ride for years to come.

Lower lakes.

I only closed my eyes as he went over each mountain precipice. 

Queenstown RS. My favorite Sundays!

Elder's Quorum, out in the garage.

Whenever we travel, we love to visit local wards or branches.  These pictures are of the branch in Queenstown NZ. They have about 60 members. During the summer months (December to February), they try to accommodate all the visitors. On this Sunday they had about 20 visitors attend the meeting. Such wonderful people. They meet in an old house. They knocked down a few walls to create space.  Two weeks prior, the Church announced the purchase of land for a small chapel for this area. They are all very excited and so faithful.  It is inspiring to see the sacrifices the members make in small branches.   

It is odd to think our days are numbered in New Zealand.   It still feels a little surreal that we actually get to go home at the end of our mission. We still have much to do and are looking forward to the last push before we head home.  We love you and miss you.

Elder and Sister Shaw