13 Sept 2019

There are a few things we have to get used to. Always put your "trundler" in the trundler return so they don't run away and hit cars. Im not sure what the Evacuation Assembly Area is all about...

Farms are sectioned off with hedges. I think its a pride thing, How you keep your hedge up says alot about what kind of  farmer you are. Some are over 20 feet tall and perfectly trimmed. 

Another view of the same

This dog is a resturant. This little town, Tirau, has a sheet metal ornament on each building if the entire building isn't a sheet metal animal.

Just plain fun

The country is so diverse. We drove from rolling hills to wooded area to mountains and lakes

There were about 20 eateries here. All the seating was outdoors. It was about 58 degrees

But it was ok because each table had a little fire by it, 

Flowering trees are everywhere

This was a bath house from 1901

Ferns grow everywhere

This was a bridge in the Redwood forest that would take you above the redwoods. It cost $39 for each of us so we chose to walk through it.

A toilet. It's not a restroom or bathroom. It's a toilet. A fancy one at that....

Tree huggers

Caleb and Sam brought these into our lives when they served their missions in Cananda! Best candy bar ever. So glad we found them here. Posted this to make them jealous

Hello from New Zealand! 

It's Sunday here right now and we recently returned home from church. It is crazy to think that we have only been here for 5 days. It feels like we fit right in. We are right where we are supposed to be! There is no homesickness and we've been able to chat with our kids/grandkids a handful of times. Quick update on Dwight's shoulder that was mentioned in last weeks email. He now has full mobility in it and it is feeling much better! Prayers, fasting, and priesthood blessings work! I've attached some pictures below, I'll explain them! 

Kiwis (that is what New Zealand people are called) are very proud people. When you go shopping they do not provide bags for you and you have to bring your own. We had to buy our bags and this was on our bag. Kiwis always add the word “AS” behind everything they say. As means the best it can be. If they were to say “spiritual as”it would mean you were the most spiritual you could be.

These pictures were taken on our first road trip to Rotorua. It was an hour and a half from Hamilton and we went to find a new flat for the missionaries there. (Good news, we found a place for them!) The terrain started with rolling Hills with cattle and sheep. Farms or ranches are divided by hedges. This hedge had to be 25 feet tall. Keeping your hedge perfectly trimmed is a must. They have big machines that just slice off the top of the trees. 

After driving through the Rollinghills we all of a sudden hit dense trees and eventually a wooded forest. There was a place called the redwood forest and they had this walkway that takes you up above the trees and you can look down into the forest. We didn’t go because it was $39.99 For each person and we opted to walk along the forest floor instead. It was breathtaking and a very spiritual place. I see why Joseph Smith chose a grove of trees to ask that question of which church he should join.

These trees are HUGE! We saw a guy trimming one and he was very high up! We took a photo in front of a tree and then had to hug it to show just how big it really was! 

They even had hot pots like Yellowstone!

Our newest addiction. Sweet Rolls. Just rolls with some exceedingly delicious filling inside!

If we could leave you with one thought, it would be:  Doctrine and Covenants 101:16--"Therefore, let your hearts be comforted, for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God."  The Hebrew meaning of  "be still" is "let go". Is there something in your life that is bringing turmoil to your heart?  I invite you this week to put more trust in our Savior Jesus Christ and his atonement and "let go" and allow the Savior to heal your troubled souls.

With Love, 

Sister and Elder Clayton