Ka pai and mince pies, but no pi-oneers (July 24/25 2011

Kia Ora Whanau,

It has been an amazing week! And not just because it has been amazingly beautiful weather! So much happened, and was accomplished because of our diligence.

Elder Cerros and I have two more baptism dates! One is Anna, a 9 year old Tongan girl whose parents have been less-active. Here mom has started coming back to church and Anna really wants to get baptized because she loves going to church. She's hoping to get baptized August 14th.  

Our other baptism date is with a 17 year old named Cruise (I'm not sure how he spells it). We've been teaching his dad Warren (who is still pretty set with his Catholic baptism) and his autistic brother, Tremaine. They all love having us come over, but I think the main reason is the Spirit that is present when we teach them. I think it's a very new thing for them. Tremaine likes to talk and have attention, so it can get a bit hard at times teaching them. We do our best to take what Tremaine shouts out from watching too much BBC--whether it's about global warming, tsunamis or money--and try to relate it back to the lesson somehow. But it's good, and we love going over there. Cruise came to church yesterday and we're pretty sure he loved it. We kind of got mixed ideas of how he felt. Because Levin is such a small place where everyone knows each other's families, it turns out that Cruise's Nan (grandma) was a staunch member of the Church a few years ago until she passed away. So when the ward members found that out they kept talking to him about it. 

Yesterday was an amazing day at Church. It was Ward Conference and so the Stake leaders came down from Palmerston North and spoke. They spoke a lot about missionary work, which naturally, Elder Cerros and I loved to hear. We're hoping to increase the work a lot here by working with the members better and help them better see the joy that comes from being a member missionary (as we all should be). (hint hint)

On Thursday, we had Zone Conference and met President and Sister Kezerian for the first time. (Of course it wasn't my first time). As I expected, it was mentioned by Sister Kezerian that Elder Rowe was friends with their youngest daughter. Everyone gave me some "ooo's" and I turned bright red, and then Sister Kezerian said "but she's married now" and then everyone cracked up and I'm sure I turned even redder. But it was fine. Though I'm sure I'll be getting comments about whatever the rest of my mission.

They said great things about you by the way, and loved being able to meet you and have you over that night.

We haven't been able to see Levi much this week, and Ace and Jackie are finally back from Hamilton, so we hope to be able to see them a lot this week, and help them all to be able to really work hard to be ready for baptism. 

Something I love about being in a small town is having to drive up to Palmerston North each week for District meeting and to Otaki a couple times a week to teach some people down there. I love it because of the scenery of course, but not at all because of the narrow-as roads.  Sadly I miss out on really being to see the hills and fields because of the need to keep my eyes on the road. So I make Elder Cerros take pictures for me because he's unable to drive because of his lack of a license. But I'm perfectly used to driving on the wrong side now. It's going to be hard to switch back when I go home. Maybe Katie will even be able to give me lessons because she'll be a pro by then.

Transfers are coming up next week. "So stay tuned next time to find out what happens to Elder Cerros. Will he stay in the lovely city of Levin? Or will he be transferred to a far-less-awesome area?" I hope he stays, we're a powerful-as team. Like Nacho and Esqueleto. ;)

I had an idea, you should try using Google maps to see the chapel as well as other parts of Levin. Copy this into the google maps search bar:132 Bath Street, Levin, Manawatu-Wanganui 5510.......... And then go to the "street view" and it will be like you're biking around in Levin by the chapel! I used to always do that back home with places, so give it a try.

But I will try to take pictures of the chapel if you'd like still.

Anyway, I gotta go! I love you very much and am so grateful for everuything you do for me!

Just remember:

"True happiness comes only by making others happy"---David O. McKay 

Keep doing what is right, and praying day and night! 

Have a wonderful week!

I love you all so very much!

Love,

Elder David John Rowe

July 17/18 2011

Kia Ora my favorite people!

Weather report for the week: Monsoonish! It's probably been windier/rainier this week than I've seen in my life. Then again, I can't remember the rain storms in Texas that well. But it's been fun. As I think about it, Elder Cerros and I only got soaked once, which might have been prevented if we had left our appointment sooner and arrived to our next one on time. Because once we arrived at the second appointment the rain soon stopped. Or maybe the rain just waited until we left the first house before it let loose. Either way, we got dry eventually, so it was all good. That's something I often have to tell myself when I'm biking in the rain "You'll be dry in a little while. If not, well at least you will be in a few hours when you go to bed." There's also the fact that we have a car, which we spoil ourselves with sometimes when it's raining too bad.

This week has been good still, though a bit slower because of the weather. We got called "crazy" a few times as we door-knocked in the rain from people who were staying inside keeping warm. Most New Zealanders don't like the rain. When asked "have you had a good day?"  (on a rainy day) they usually say something like "how could I have a good day with weather like this?" Another funny thing with the weather and Kiwi's is that in cold or rainy weather 40 year old men tend to wear a huge rain coat, but still keep wearing their normal short shorts (stubbies), with wool socks and boots of course. A fashion trend that I plan on not bringing back to America.

I was in Palmerston North the first part of the week with my Zone Leader, Elder Lemalu, a Samoan from Melbourne. It's always fun going on exchanges to a different area and being able to meet all of their investigators (especially all of their golden baptism candidates), but it's also always great to be able to go back "home" to my own area. I was able to do two baptism interviews while I was up there--something I always enjoy doing. I think it's my favorite part of being a District Leader and being able to see the joy that is in the eyes of the investigators soon to be baptized.

Levi is doing great! Still struggling with the same things, but still excited to learn and make the necessary changes in his life. He just needs to find that necessary faith first to help push himself. He came to church though! We were really disappointed when we didn't see him in Sacrament meeting, but we saw him outside his house after church (because he lives like 3 houses away from us) and he told us he liked church. We were confused, but then he told us he came late and saw that it was kind of crowded so he went and sat in a classroom that had the sound being fed into the room. So he heard the talks (one was about baptism) and he really liked it. So we were so happy when he told us and told him we'd be sure to save him a seat for next week. 

I'm glad to hear all is well is with you and that you all survived your busy week.

Did you enjoy my pictures from last week? Did you get them?

I gotta go! thank you once again for all that you do for me. I appreciate your prayers so much. I have the picture book open on my desk, the one that it's open to is from the wedding reception where we, the kids, are making our model poses. It's my favorite and next to is our family one. I just thought you should know.

Just remember:

"True happiness comes only by making others happy"---David O. McKay 

Keep doing what is right, and praying day and night! 

Have a wonderful week!

I love you all so very much!

Love,

Elder David John Rowe

11 July 11

A very big bug, apparently called a weta. And apparently
photographed in the elders' apartment

A Toyota Yaris, beloved vehicle of district leaders throughout
New Zealand (although Elder Rowe is  quick to point out
that the one he drives is a much more respectable silver)

Mount Taranaki!

Elder Rowe showing off his time-lapse photography skills

Dear Family,

This week has been an interesting one. As well as a windy one. This weekend especially has been extremely windy and rainy. On Thursday I saw lightning for the first time while in New Zealand. And the thunder that came with it would shake the houses sometimes during lessons. Oh, and there was a tornado nearby in Waitara during the week. But that's out of my area, so no worries. 

Tuesday, we had District Leader Council. But because my zone is so spread out, we had to travel quite a ways away to meet together, and because of other car troubles with some Elders we had to go even farther--up to the grand Mount Taranaki. So it was a beautiful drive! And I got a good view of more of New Zealand. So that was really cool. The pictures are just my favorites of the many.

I love being a District Leader, by the way. Not because we go on road trips, but because I get to help, support and encourage my district. I don't necessarily like leading, but I just like helping people! 

Other good news of the week is that we set a date for baptism with Ace and Jackie for mid August! They're both really wanting to get baptized, they're just kind of unsure if they can really be ready for it. Ace said he felt like he "had butterflies" the more he thought about being baptized. So it was fantastic. It's still going to be a tough road to get them prepared for baptism still, just like it is with Levi, and the rest of the people we hope to be setting dates for baptism with. Something really funny is that because Levin is so small, a large majority of our investigators all know each other or are related somehow. Or if not that, they know either a family in the ward named the Williams or our member-neighbor Robbie. So once things get rolling a bit more, and they come to church, all of our investigators can start fellowshipping each other! They just all have to get married first and quit smoking. And then everything will be "ka pai" and everyone will get baptized. But of course Elder Cerros and I still have a lot of work to do. But we're excited about it. 

Other extremely exciting news from the past: I found out this week with shouts of joy that Eamonn from Napier got baptized! As well as Rudo Mapuranga from Christchurch got baptized! I couldn't believe it! Well, actually, of course I could, but I was ecstatic! So I hope Anna realizes that her prayers (as well as all of ours) were answered and Rudo finally decided to get baptized. I hope to be able to go back to Christchurch one day and see the wonderful family of 4 Zimbabweans as baptized members of the Church. 

Well I've gotta go, I never have enough time to say what I want-- letters or emails. 

But have a wonderful week!

Correction there Dad: Elder Cerros has had peanut butter sandwiches before, just not with jam. The combination of the two is what scared him. As it does with most non-Americans before they try it. 

The ants came back after a short recess of a couple days because the poison had worn off, but then we took care of them again. After we had re-arranged our cupboards while we sprayed one of them out.

Anyway,

Just remember:

"True happiness comes only by making others happy"---David O. McKay 

Keep doing what is right, and praying day and night! 

Have a wonderful week!

I love you all so very much!

Love,

Elder David John Rowe

The Fourth of July (or the 3rd in our hemisphere)

Tēnā koe whanau!

(ten-awk-way fahno)

(Hello Family!)

I've been digging into my Maori roots this week. So I'll be pretty fluent in the language soon, just like I am with Samoan. ;)

This has been a crazy week. Crazy good of course! I probably shouldn't be using so much slang in my emails, but the best way to describe this week is "chocka block!" Which I guess is the same as saying "choc' full" or packed. Because it was! We've been so busy this week, we couldn't even believe it. On Tuesday, for example, we had lesson after lesson after lesson. We had to cut some of them short so we wouldn't miss others. And this coming week should be just as busy, but we'll be sure to do some better planning.

The best part of this week has been our lessons with Levi. Levi is a friend of Ace and Jackie's whom we met at their house last week. They were a bit busy that night, so we talked to Levi for a bit and gave him a little insight to the Plan of Salvation, causing him to think about the facts of life and God's purpose for us. He didn't seem all that interested, but we gave him The Book of Mormon to read and he said he would give it to his girlfriend. We saw him a couple of days later and he said that he had been reading it and was up to 1 Nephi Ch. 20! He was extremely interested in learning more and we went over the next day to the little shed he lives in behind his uncle's home. The first night we explained more about the Book of Mormon, it's importance, and where it came from and we taught him how to pray. He couldn't wait until we came back and told him more about Joseph Smith. So this week, we've taught him five times. He was amazed by the Plan of Salvation and thanked Heavenly Father in the prayer afterwards for letting him know what happens after he dies and where his family has gone--something he's been wondering for the 19 years of his life. He understands the importance of Faith, Repentance, Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost and is anxiously awaiting being baptized at the end of this month! 

He loves having us come over and loves learning about the Gospel; he loves praying and he shares everything he learns with his girlfriend. She's kind of shy to come and join him with the lessons, but he said she'll come around soon enough. He wasn't able to come to church this week though, but he said he will this coming Sunday. We're encouraging him to keep sharing what he's learning with his friends (a lot of whom we're teaching already, but are a bit slower with progressing) and that he should bring all of them to church with him! So, Levi's pretty amazing. It's going to be interesting this week however as we teach him about all of the commandments that he isn't keeping. Which is a lot. But we've got faith, and he wants to do what's right. So Elder Cerros and I are very excited!

In answer to your question, this morning for breakfast, I had "Weet-bix" with maple syrup stirred in (an addition of my own, which I should probably submit to the company because it's so genius!) There are few American missionaries who actually like Weet-bix (which are wheat biscuits--wheat flakes pressed into rectangular shapes) but they're cheap and good for you and give me the energy I need, so I eat them. I also usually have a peanut butter and jam (not "jelly" because that would mean Jello) sandwich as well. I have a PBJ usually about twice a day. Peanut butter has become my staple. I put it on about everything. And Elder Cerros is so amazed by it. In fact, I convinced him to eat his first PBJ sandwich during our first week together. The idea had always scared him before. But now he eats one quite often like me. I've been tempted lately to pan fry one. You know, with butter on the outside, like a grilled-cheese? Would you call it a Grilled PBJ or a Fried PBJ? I'll let you know how that goes next week. 

I gotta go!

But thanks again for all that you're doing for me and the love I know you have for me.
I'm glad to hear you had such a great and eventful week. Happy Birthday again to the two birthday girls!

Fa!

Just remember:

"True happiness comes only by making others happy"---David O. McKay 

Keep doing what is right, and praying day and night! 

Have a wonderful week!

I love you all so very much!

Love,

Elder David John Rowe

26/27 June 2011

Kia Ora my Whanau!

("Fah-no" means family")

 It sounds like it's been a great week and that you're having a wonderful start to the summer!

It's been a great week here, and we're having a good winter. It's not at all as cold as everyone says it is. I think the worst it really gets here is 6 degrees, and of course that's in Celcius.Yesterday, however, there was snow up on the mountains! I wasn't able to get a picture though, but will try for next week. The back mountains, the ones behind the hills are usually hidden by the clouds, but when they're uncovered, they're pretty majestic and almost Utah-ish.

I never imagined that New Zealand would be cold. But the only cold thing about it is not having insulation in the house. I think it's colder sometimes in our house than it is outside. I can usually see my breath in our bedroom in the mornings. But it's cool. We've got gloves and big coats. And a heater in the room where we study. Luckily, biking around warms us up pretty well. So I'm not freezing or anything, but I wonder what it will be like when I have a Utah winter again.

Anyway, it's been a good week. We've had some disappointment, but some wonderful lessons as well. Ace and Jackie are doing great and love having us come over. We hope to set a baptismal date soon with them. The main concern it seems with most Kiwis is the big change in lifestyle they have to make. But I'm sure that's the same all around the world. Marriage is not a very popular thing among young couples. That is true with Ace and Jackie, as well as their smoking problem. So it's going to be perhaps a long road for them to take before baptism. But we had a wonderful lesson with them yesterday and Jackie had the biggest smile on her face after Ace said the closing prayer. But the Church is true and the Atonement is real, so I can't wait to see the change that will happen with them as they come unto Christ and work towards baptism.

The Book of Mormon is such a powerful tool in missionary work! Sadly many people automatically reject it as a book "replacing the Bible", whereas other readily accept it and are excited to read another amazing book that testifies of Christ. If only people knew of the wonderful message the Book of Mormon contained, and would at least give it a try and read from it. I don't quite know how to express my disappointment/frustration with those people who are punishing themselves and denying themselves marvelous blessings by not picking it up and learning from its word.

We haven't been able to get in contact with Chris this week, we don't really know what's going on.

The ward started doing a meal calendar (I don't know why it had stopped), but we've been getting fed more by the members and have been able to form a better relationship with them, and in effect improve the work here.

We had a meeting with Bishop Helu yesterday and talked about how the ward can help. So we're excited. The ward's excited, and I think things aren't going to get rolling here in Levin again. So it's great!

Give Eric and Mary my love/congratulations! And thank Aunt Marianne for the wedding invitation (or whoever sent it.) Where are Eric and Mary living? That's pretty great that they'll be in the good ol' 4th ward.

Happy Happy Birthday to Sara and Kathy! Sara is getting so old and Kathy is getting so young! It's crazy!

Thank you so much for everything you do,

I'll talk to you later,

Dont' get sunburned and drink plenty of fluids

Just remember:

"True happiness comes only by making others happy"---David O. McKay 

Keep doing what is right, and praying day and night! 

Have a wonderful week!

I love you all so very much!

Love,

Elder David John Rowe