Kia Ora, Kia ora!
Greetings from the Pit of Despair. I mean the Pit of Prosper-ity. Wainui is
great! We've been seeing a lot of great success. Even though we just got
dropped today by our recently found golden Investigator. But these things
happen, and we carry on.
Sorry, by the way, for not writing yesterday. It was "The Queen's
Birthday" so it's a holiday they have every year and they close everything
down. I used to think that New Zealand had so many random holidays just so they
could take a day off of work. But then I realized we do the same thing in
America, but just with different names for the Holiday.a
The week has been good though. I had the opportunity to go to Wellington for
what was probably the last time, but it was cool to be able to go even though
I'm not a zone leader. Elder Finlinson, one of the Assistants who's going home
July, started his mission here, so he pulled some strings and did an exchange
with us, and I got to enjoy the hills and views of Wellington again. I've
decided, when I get a new home for the first time, I've got to live on a hill.
With a great view of the city. Preferably of the ocean, but that's not much of
a possibility in Utah.
Wainuiomata is a great place, and it's a lot more exciting being in an area
when you actually know your way around. I feel a lot less like a little child
following around his dad, and more like a missionary companionship endowed with
power. I was in Palmy way too long that I still feel sometimes like I'm just on
exchanges rather than actually being in a new area. Though I already know my
way fairly well around the place, so that just shows how small it really is.
The ward here is really good. Everyone loves us and is happy to feed us. I hear
a lot of missionaries gain a lot of weight in this area. I'm determined to
fight that though. Elder Maas and I have been going running in the mornings. He
runs a lot faster than one might expect, but I beat him on the hills.
We had a really great night last night as we taught the grandkids of a sister
in the ward. The kids' parents are less active, so none of them have been
baptized, but all six of the kids usually come to church. We taught the Plan of
Salvation, though they already seemed to know quite a bit about some of the
parts of it. We had each of the kids draw a different part of it on their own
sheet of paper, which was basically just to color in a circle. And then we laid
them all out in order and taught them about the picture they drew. Eleven-year-old
Wairere drew a pretty detailed picture of the spirit paradise and the spirit
prison. We had to explain to them afterwards that people won't really be
burning or on fire if they go to spirit prison. The best part of the
lesson though was after we had taught about the resurrection. The kids were all
really excited about the idea of Resurrection, and getting a perfect body, and
what we'll look like. We then said, "After we get resurrected we then get
judged." Right away, nine-year-old Renee asked, "Are they going to judge
us on our looks?!" So we had a good laugh about that. I hope that sounds
as funny as it really was, because she seemed really concerned about it.
Well I gotta go. I love you so much and hope you have a wonderful week!
How is
school already over?! Time is flying!
Love,
Elder David John Rowe
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
An Actual Letter
Editor's note: Elder Rowe sent us a copy of his journal entry from sometime in January. Here it is, trasncribed as closely as we are able.
2 January - 6 January 2012
This has been an amazing week. Truly amazing. I can't even list all the great things I learned or that happened. I had two more exchanges, first with Elder Finlinson in Wellington and then with Elder Metusela in Palmy. My exchange in Wellington with Elder Finlinson (from Delta, Utah) who is one of the assistants was the biggest learning experience for me. Elder Finlinson is an amazing missionary, and not because he's got a great personality or is really funny. He does everything by the Spirit and he is more diligent and organized than any missionary I've met. And so I had an amazing time in Wellington. We (well, mostly Elder Finlinson) talked with everybody we came across. The only reason someone wouldn't get talked to would be because we were already talking to someone and they snuck past as we were occupied. And what's even greater about that is considering how busy Wellington is. I think another reason I particularly loved being in Wellington is the never-ending diligence that Elder Finlinson had. We never stopped. It's not that we were at a frantic pace all day, but we were missionaries every second of the day. There was never a time to feel lazy or bored because there was always something to do, even though we were driving the whole day. (Speaking of which, it was in the Mission big beefy van van which I can't fathom how he manages to pilot and/or park around Wellington City). Every time we got out of the van and to an appointment, we managed to talk and teach some passerby about the Gospel.
As my thoughts continue to randomly spill out of my head: Wellington is full of just the most random places to live. I don't know how these people were found! There was one guy who lived among a bunch of flats about a library, and then others who lived crammed on the side of a hill with a cracked, zig-zaggy sidewalk heading down to each flat. I've never been in any place like it. It's especially weird compared to the small farming areas that other missionaries are in. But to sum up my time in Wellys, I never felt more like a missionary than on those two days. So I'm working on bringing the same feeling to Palmy.
On Wednesday and Thursday I was back in Palmy on another exchanges while Elder Tukuafu went to Wanganui. In fact, I didn't even see him between because of the traveling that took place. Elder Metusela, the most sophisticatedly hilarious Samoan missionar ever (from Melbourne) came down to teach me a few magical things. Overall, one thing I really learned from Elder Metusela is how to love everyone. Everyone said hello to him and immediately became his best friend. It's a skill I'll continually be working on.
We were able to find some really golden investigators on our exchange. One in particular is a less active lady with a non-member husband and kids. In fact this past Sunday after we found them the 15-year-old daughter and a niece of the lady (named Elly) came to Church, even though they were late. And they stayed for all three hours! So things are going great!
2 January - 6 January 2012
This has been an amazing week. Truly amazing. I can't even list all the great things I learned or that happened. I had two more exchanges, first with Elder Finlinson in Wellington and then with Elder Metusela in Palmy. My exchange in Wellington with Elder Finlinson (from Delta, Utah) who is one of the assistants was the biggest learning experience for me. Elder Finlinson is an amazing missionary, and not because he's got a great personality or is really funny. He does everything by the Spirit and he is more diligent and organized than any missionary I've met. And so I had an amazing time in Wellington. We (well, mostly Elder Finlinson) talked with everybody we came across. The only reason someone wouldn't get talked to would be because we were already talking to someone and they snuck past as we were occupied. And what's even greater about that is considering how busy Wellington is. I think another reason I particularly loved being in Wellington is the never-ending diligence that Elder Finlinson had. We never stopped. It's not that we were at a frantic pace all day, but we were missionaries every second of the day. There was never a time to feel lazy or bored because there was always something to do, even though we were driving the whole day. (Speaking of which, it was in the Mission big beefy van van which I can't fathom how he manages to pilot and/or park around Wellington City). Every time we got out of the van and to an appointment, we managed to talk and teach some passerby about the Gospel.
As my thoughts continue to randomly spill out of my head: Wellington is full of just the most random places to live. I don't know how these people were found! There was one guy who lived among a bunch of flats about a library, and then others who lived crammed on the side of a hill with a cracked, zig-zaggy sidewalk heading down to each flat. I've never been in any place like it. It's especially weird compared to the small farming areas that other missionaries are in. But to sum up my time in Wellys, I never felt more like a missionary than on those two days. So I'm working on bringing the same feeling to Palmy.
On Wednesday and Thursday I was back in Palmy on another exchanges while Elder Tukuafu went to Wanganui. In fact, I didn't even see him between because of the traveling that took place. Elder Metusela, the most sophisticatedly hilarious Samoan missionar ever (from Melbourne) came down to teach me a few magical things. Overall, one thing I really learned from Elder Metusela is how to love everyone. Everyone said hello to him and immediately became his best friend. It's a skill I'll continually be working on.
We were able to find some really golden investigators on our exchange. One in particular is a less active lady with a non-member husband and kids. In fact this past Sunday after we found them the 15-year-old daughter and a niece of the lady (named Elly) came to Church, even though they were late. And they stayed for all three hours! So things are going great!
Monday, May 28, 2012
From the Wind and Hills of Wainuiomata - 5/27-28/2012
Greeting from the Wainui Hills!
Oh man, it is cold here. It's really windy and rainy. But it's a pretty awesome place. Wainuiomata is pretty much a town built in a valley at the top of a hill, like in a big bowl. I think it used to be a swamp. So we're surrounded by hills, though I think the kiwis call them mountains. The only way (maybe) out of Wainui is one road down the massive hill that leads back into Lower Hutt. And yes, Dad, you can pretend it's Hobbit-like if you want. But it's a fairly big city. Actually, i'm pretty sure they're filming The new Hobbit movie somewhere nearby. We'll see.
But this place is great. My companion is Elder Maas, from Rexburg, Idaho (somewhere around there). He's been on his mission 6 months and has been here the entire time. But he's still not sick of it, of course. The ward is really great. They were suprised to see my name because there's been and Elder Rowell and an Elder Rawle who served here last year, but hopefully that will just make it easier for them to remember my name.
There's just one ward here with about 60 people attending on average. There are hundreds more less-active members, of course. But yesterday I got to speak in Sacrament meeting, and then we had to help in Primary for the third hour of church because all of the teachers had something else to attend. I haven't been in Primary for a long time. I don't know how those people do it. Luckily, there were only like a dozen kids in the whole group.
I had a bit of a shocker yesterday after church as it started to pour down. We biked home to change out of our suits and into less-fancy church clothes. And then biked to our lunch appointment (we get fed a lot here, extra bonus!) about 10 minutes away. We were soaked before we even got halfway there. But it was definitely worth it because they made some amazing pizza! We carried along our way the rest of the day in the wind and rain trying to find someone who would actually let us in or even be brave enough to get out of their bed and answer the door. Let's just say it was a long afternoon. But for some reason, I discovered that I'm really good at doing wheelies on my bike in the rain.
Life as a missionary is very different now that I'm not a zone leader anymore. I have so much more time at nights that I don't know what to do with it. Hopefully this will give me more of a chance to write more in my journal. But just like you were saying Dad, that's how I feel, and that's why I was so excited to get out of Palmy. I feel like a brand new missionary, but with the experienced missionary skills. So it's a lot of fun.
I tried to send some pictures, but I'm not sure how to do it on these computers. So next time sorry.
Thanks for all of your love,
gotta go,
Love,
Elder Rowe
Oh man, it is cold here. It's really windy and rainy. But it's a pretty awesome place. Wainuiomata is pretty much a town built in a valley at the top of a hill, like in a big bowl. I think it used to be a swamp. So we're surrounded by hills, though I think the kiwis call them mountains. The only way (maybe) out of Wainui is one road down the massive hill that leads back into Lower Hutt. And yes, Dad, you can pretend it's Hobbit-like if you want. But it's a fairly big city. Actually, i'm pretty sure they're filming The new Hobbit movie somewhere nearby. We'll see.
But this place is great. My companion is Elder Maas, from Rexburg, Idaho (somewhere around there). He's been on his mission 6 months and has been here the entire time. But he's still not sick of it, of course. The ward is really great. They were suprised to see my name because there's been and Elder Rowell and an Elder Rawle who served here last year, but hopefully that will just make it easier for them to remember my name.
There's just one ward here with about 60 people attending on average. There are hundreds more less-active members, of course. But yesterday I got to speak in Sacrament meeting, and then we had to help in Primary for the third hour of church because all of the teachers had something else to attend. I haven't been in Primary for a long time. I don't know how those people do it. Luckily, there were only like a dozen kids in the whole group.
I had a bit of a shocker yesterday after church as it started to pour down. We biked home to change out of our suits and into less-fancy church clothes. And then biked to our lunch appointment (we get fed a lot here, extra bonus!) about 10 minutes away. We were soaked before we even got halfway there. But it was definitely worth it because they made some amazing pizza! We carried along our way the rest of the day in the wind and rain trying to find someone who would actually let us in or even be brave enough to get out of their bed and answer the door. Let's just say it was a long afternoon. But for some reason, I discovered that I'm really good at doing wheelies on my bike in the rain.
Life as a missionary is very different now that I'm not a zone leader anymore. I have so much more time at nights that I don't know what to do with it. Hopefully this will give me more of a chance to write more in my journal. But just like you were saying Dad, that's how I feel, and that's why I was so excited to get out of Palmy. I feel like a brand new missionary, but with the experienced missionary skills. So it's a lot of fun.
I tried to send some pictures, but I'm not sure how to do it on these computers. So next time sorry.
Thanks for all of your love,
gotta go,
Love,
Elder Rowe
Farewell to Palmy - 5/20-21/2012
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| Various photos of zone leader travels in the Palmerston North Zone |
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| All taken at appropriate times and in appropriate places, of course |
 |
| Or so he says . . . |
Final Greetings from the Great Palmerston North! The time
has come, and I can't believe it, but I'm leaving Palmy. Transfers are this
Thursday and I'm off on a new adventure in the magical land of
....Wainuiomata! Down in "the Hutt." A place full of excitement and
wonder, unlike any other! Or at least we can pretend. For all you pakehas out
there, it's pronounced "Why-newy-o-mahta." And I'm excited!
Though it will be really weird leaving here. I feel
like I've been here my entire mission. I don't know what it's like to be
in a new area. I guess you could say I'm nervous but excited. It'll be
great.
The week has been a crazy one! Especially since for my last
week in Palmy, I wasn't even here for most of it. On Monday Elder Niutua and
I drove up to meet the New Plymouth Elders in Hawera to start our exchange. I
then drove farther up with Elder Fifita back to New Plymouth. Now
that is a magical place! It definitely gives Laguna Beach a run for it's money.
Just with more modest looking homes. But it's also a really great place for
missionary work and Elder Fifita and I were able to have a lot of success!
And I was able to learn a lot of great lessons. It's amazing to see how some
missionaries can talk to a stranger and right away become their best friend.
Many times during the exchange when we would see someone on the street or
go to an investigators house I would afterwards say, "They seem really
cool, how often do you go visit them?" He would usually respond "I've
never met them before," or "this is only my second time coming
here." But the person he was talking to seemed as if they'd known each
other for years. So that's my new skill I'm working on.While still being myself,
of course. I guess the secret is really loving people as Christ would, or talking
with them as President Monson might.
Also, Elder Niutua and I had another amazing adventure on
Friday. As part of our zone, we traveled up to visit the Waiouru Branch as well
as Taihape where the branch president lives. No missionaries cover that area,
so we're trying to figure out for President Kezerian what work is available
up there in the two small towns. We got to sleep in a caravan! Though I guess
you'd call it a camping trailer or something. But yeah, we stayed at the
branch president's home, in his trailer, and did some visits around the two
areas. It was swell
bye!
Happy Mother's Day - May 12/13 2012
Talofa lava! Manuia le asosa o tina! (Happy Mother's Day!)
Once again, it's been another interesting week. I think I've
finally realized that it's fairly difficult to have a "normal week"
as a zone leader. However,I guess there's probably no such thing as a normal
week for any missionary. But that's a good thing I think.
This week, somewhat unintentionally, we've been
visiting with a lot of less-active members of the Church. I remember I used to
always think of less-active lessons were us trying to befriend these people
who've "gone astray" and we, as missionaries try to gently inspire
them to come back to church by sharing a quick little scripture at the end of
our random conversation. But now I realize there's such a great difference in it.
The people we've been seeing this week and the past few weeks are those
members who've gone less-active but actually want to come back. They just want
to learn the important truths of the Gospel that they seem to have forgotten
along the way. So it's always cool to see the great faith that they have in
knowing that the Church is true, but just have a few setbacks keeping them from
being fully active. So I always learn a lot from the less-active members of
the Church. One thing in particular that I've always believed is that life is so much better and perfect when we keep the
commandments. Nothing that the world offers us can make us happier than the
things that Heavenly Father has to offer us.
I learned another great principle this week while on exchanges
with Elder Windhausen here in Palmy. (He's one of the Assistants from
Wellington). He wanted to do some powerful finding, so I decided to take him
door-knocking to somewhere I've never been. We decided to go to the "rich
" part of my area where all the fancy houses are. But more importantly,
it's where all the families are, families who are already keeping the
commandments and the parents are married! The only reason that most
missionaries, including myself, don't normally go visit those places is because
we aren't usually warmly welcomed. Mainly these people think that they have
everything they need in life. They don't realize they're missing the most
important part, the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ!
We did get a pretty good reception, however. Almost everyone
was nice to us. But no one actually was willing to have us back for a
legitimate lesson though. But we gave all three of our Books of Mormon away.It was
cool.
bye
5/6 May 2012 - Hey! It's May Already!
.jpg) |
| Elder Rowe and his latest weta find in Levin |
.jpg) |
| Elder Rowe and his mission twin, Elder Cook, eating huge carrots in the back yard |
Hey Hey! I can't believe it's May!
Sorry about last week's letter, I don't know why, but they
seem to keep getting shorter.
A lady in my ward was telling me about the moon thing. I
noticed it seemed a bit brighter, but not bigger. I thought she was crazy
or something, but I guess she was sharing facts.
My weeks been good! I was able to go to Levin, for what I'm
absolutely convinced was the last time, on exchanges. It was good to go back
though. Last transfer when I went I wasn't able to see a lot of the people I
wanted to see, but this time I was able to, so it was good. I was with Elder Cook
from Providence, Utah. He just got transferred here from my old area in Napier.
He and I have so much in common. Not in the longboarding, trampoline jumping,
sno-cone eating, dancing eyebrows kind of way (is that how you'd describe
me?), but in our lives and circumstances. For example, he has 5 sisters and 1
brother. (They're older however). I can't think of any other things, but trust
me, there was a lot. And he looks like me, in a little boy sort of way. I
remember seeing him at Christmas time and thinking "man he looks like me!
Did I look that young and green when I first started my
mission?" So it was a good few days in lovely Levin.
I was also able to do an "emergency" exchange with
the Feilding elders, so Elder Brown from Melbourne came with me to Palmy. I'm
always amazed at how good some brand new missionaries are at...being
missionaries. I remember I was horrible at everything when I first started my
mission. And I'm still struggling! But Elder Brown, who's been out about a
month, is already set to become the assistant to the President! Powerful guy!
Well I gotta go but I love you so! ttyl
28/29 April 2012
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| Patea Beach. The scrunchy face is due to the sun. |
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| Presumably also Patea Beach, on zone leader travels |
Hello hello!
Sorry if this is really short, I don't know what's happened to the time.
It's been a ___ week in Palmy. I'm not sure what adjective
to put there in front of "week."
I was blessed to go to Hawera for the 5th time this week. I thought that last time would be my last, but I'm sure that this one definitely was. But i'm glad I was able to. go I learned a lot. Hawera has always been a really slow, less-than-successful area. But I was there with Elder Tukukino, who just got there last week. And everything that I thought about Hawera completely changed. We had an amazing exchange with some amazing lessons and amazing new investigators. That place is so full of people to teach, you just need the attitude and the love for tall people. We visited some former investigators whom I met the first time I was there, but hadn't really been taught since. We had a really simple-but-spiritual lesson with them Monday night. And then they texted us Tuesday morning to see if we could come over again for a "feed" (to have a big dinner with them). We had dinner already planned with a member family, but we couldn't turn down either. So we got stuffed! But it was a really good night we were able to have with Nigel and his family. And afterwards, the parents and two sons sang us a Maori song with the guitar. It was cool, to say the least.
Well I gotta go! I love you! I wish i had more time! have a wonderufl week!
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