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