A calling to serve - two separate and together, trusting in the Lord

 In Alma 8, and onward, we have the story of Alma and Amulek in their preaching to the wicked people of Ammonihah. As I read that record a little I noticed the difference in each of their calls and instruction.

Both Alma and Amulek were visited by an angel, actually the same angel who first visited Alma prior to his conversion. 

When he appeared and spoke with Alma, Alma was discouraged and about to give up on the people of Ammonihah forever. He was first comforted and blessed and then told to go back "speedily" to tell the people of Ammonihah to repent or they would be destroyed by the Lamanites, a very specific warning.

The angel must have appeared to Amulek at almost the same moment, based on the timing of their meeting soon afterwards. Amulek had been "journeying" to visit a "very near" family member.

The instructions to Amulek was simply to return to his house and that he would meet a prophet, "a holy man, who is a chosen man of God" and to feed him.

Both of these men were traveling and were told to turn around and return to the city, probably the same time. Amulek was still on the way returning to his house when he met Alma, who was still returning on his way back to the city. The timing is interesting.

Alma had been fasting in his concern about his work with the wicked people of Ammonihah. As he enetered the city, he "happened" to meet Amulek, whom he petitioned for some food "as a humble servant of God." Amulek had been commanded to receive him into his house and to feed him and promised that he and his house would be blessed. It is interesting to note that even with this blessing, Amulek's father, Giddonah, was one of those who turned against Alma and Amulek in the end. He (Amulek's father) was specifically listed as one of those who were blessed by Alma among his household in this initial experience.

The two sets of instruction are interesting in what they did and did not request of these two men. Alma was told simply to return to the city and to resume his teaching and prophesying. Amulek was asked to receive the prophet into his house and to feed him.

Alma received the blessing of that reception not knowing what to expect on his return to this hostile place. Amulek was not told to call his own people to repentance. Both did what was asked of him and encountered what was not expected. Amulek was then taught and blessed. 

Alma had, up to this point, fasted for "many days." He remained in the house of Amulek then for "many days."

It was important, first, for Amulek to see the fulfillment of the angel's prediction, complying with the instrcutions given by the angel. Alma, tired and hungry, did not immediately start preaching and proclaiming to the people of their impending doom.

The angel set up this "training session" without much instruction. Each party did what was required and then followed into the next steps as led by the spirit. Alma had not been told about meeting and training his new missionary companion. Amulek was not told about his upcoming dangerous and blessed mission, that we know, based on the scriptural account. Each stepped forward with faith, obeying the angel of the Lord and his specific instructions. The results, both the blessed and the tragic, came by their obedience and trust in the Lord.

Even though there were many great and wonderful blessings resulting from this experience: the blessing of Amulek and his house; the conversion of Zeezrom, who became a great missionary as well; some of the people freed from the wicked oppression of the ruling clergy of Ammonihah. There were also some of the most tragic consequences found in the writings of the Book of Mormon: the burning of believers, including women and children of the believing men, along with their scriptures, also the threatened burning death of Alma and Amulek themselves.

Alma and Amulek learned when to use the power of God, and when not to. It was only after their oppressors — in their mocking and jeering them in prison, proclaimed that they would believe that the Lord had power to destroy them, if they were to be delivered by God, and spoken by every one of these oppressors — that Alma and Amulek were then delivered, to the astonished destruction of these oppressors.

Much sorrow and grief came to the people, but those who were delievered — driven out or rescued by God — were blessed and joined the welcoming people of Sidom.

Soon after this, the entire city of Ammonihah was destroyed by warring Lamanites. 

The imprisonment and release of Alma and Amulek happened around February of 81 BC (12th day, 10th month, 10th year of the judges. The city was then destroyed by Lamanites on the 5th day of the 2nd month of the 11th year of the judges (about June), a week less than four months later.

Amulek first met Alma on the 4th day of the 7th month of the 10th year (about November), so this whole experience lasted about nine months, from their meeting until the destruction of Ammonihah.

Zeezrom was healed from his distraught sickness brought upon by sore repentance, then faith, to become a great missionary as well. Amulek continued to be a great servant of the Lord. Many people were blessed in the process.

The work of these missionaries began with the two companions being called separately, given very different initial instructions, and ended with both great blessings and great destruction. We never will know what will come of our missionary efforts. The Lord directs us and we serve with diligence and trust.

They way they say it here...

 I love seeing the different terms used here in New Zealand. 

I already knew about the boot and the bonnet of the car and other terms. I learned recently that when you change residence, you do not "move," you "shift." The pharmacist is the "chemist."  When you have it all figured out, you have it "sorted." 

A pickup truck is a "ute." 

Those round rubber things that carry the cars down the road are "tyres." WOF means "Warrant of Fitness," meaning an approved safety inspection.

When they fix damage to your auto body, we use a body shop, they use "panelbeaters."

The parking lot is called a "car park." A shopping cart is called a "trolley" or "trundler," and they often have a one-way entrance for bringing in your trolleys into the store (see top picture of the three).

In the store, you see what looks like large ground beef logs, but in fact they are meat for dogs. (Also, here it is not "ground beef," but beef "mince.")

The bacon that we usually see in the US is called "streaky bacon," and roasted almonds are "scorched." 

What we call vanilla pudding, they call "custard" and it comes in cartons already made up and ready to pour. Often, their desserts are served with custard and cream. They love cream on things. I could get used to that, though it might bring about a few added kilos to the waistline. Their equivalent to our 7-11 and circle K are their "takeaways." These are places all over the area in great number, where you can grab some milk, soda pop and some quick meals, usually fish or chicken and chips, a meat pie or other delectables (and also some of those dog meat rolls).

One thing I still haven't figured out, though, is this place that is a café that also sells manure and fertilizers (and liquid lime), along with a hair stylist and massage therapy — a single stop for all your needs.

Old Flat, New House

 We spent the first six months (and a half) in our flat in Dargaville. The mission moved two young missionary elders in to serve in Dargaville, and therefore, they needed to be moved into our flat and we needed to find a new place. After a bit of research, and help from local members, a house was found that exceeded our expectations. It is in the community of Bayly's Beach, about 15 minutes west of Dargaville, right on the ocean (Tasman Sea).

Our first place was a house that sits back behind another house on Plunket Street. It was OK and we adjusted well to it, but it had its quirks. The entry door was a sliding glass door (as was an outside door to our bedroom right next to that door). 

small tree, lots of yummy lemons

One fun fact of that place was the lemon tree in the back.

above: our home, below, the view from our home towards the ocean

Anyway, last week we moved into our new home in Bayly's Beach. We are now quite a ways from stores and petrol stations, but we are often in town anyway, so that is not an issue.

One nice thing is that we hear the ocean at night and it is possible to walk to the beach from our place.

I took a couple of hikes in the past few days. Most of the days since we moved in we have been so busy, we have not been able to do much or see a sunset here. Saturday I took my first hike down to the beach before a busy day. This morning, I took another hike, a little different way that was not as steep.

One nice thing about being in Bayly's Beach is that we are nearer some members, most of which are not currently attending meetings with us. Another one is close who is active. With us now in this home, the Elders can now live in town instead of traveling an hour each way from their current place with other elders in Whangarei.

Family Visit and temple

 The past two weeks were full of happenings. We enjoyed having our son and family visit us from Utah. The children's other grandparents are also serving a mission in New Zealand so they came, spent about a week with us and then a week with them. In between, we went with them down to the Hamilton area to attend the temple and to visit places there. It was glorious.

This shows us at the temple in Hamilton

Before going south, we explored together the ancient kauri forest and the Kai'iwi lakes, then a beach on the east coast, then falls there and then took our trip south to the temple.

Overlooking the Hokianga bay to the dunes on the other side.

Our granddaughter on the beach

Some of the grandchildren at the ancient kauri tree

Whangarei Falls

While we were in the Hamilton area, we visited the Māori experience in Rotorua — a very impressive demonstration (sorry, no pictures) and the Hobbiton filming site at Matamata.

The Green Dragon

The Baggins residence

The mill at Hobbiton

On the way back, we got this picture of the new Auckland temple, nearing completion.

Finally, a couple more photos. The first is one of my sweetheart as we were viewing the Wairoa river from the Dargaville Museum hill. The last one is a picture of a tree. These trees are known for their bright red color around Christmas time in the area here. This one is a block away from our home.

We are enjoying the experience of getting to know the people of our branch. There is quite a varied group of people, most with Māori ancestry, some of other Polynesian cultures. It is quite an education. They are all dear people and It is amazing to know them. One remarkable experience we see is at times going to the local stores, having people (unknown to us) talking with us, and we learn that they are not actively attending meetings. They are happy to see us and often invite us to visit them. The hand of the Lord is here with us!

Silver Beets, Burger Fuel and Whaka papa

 In visits and activities over the past week, we had some good connections and learned a lot about the local culture and people.

We had our District Council meeting last Friday in Whangarei (pronounced Fawn-ga-ray). This picture is in an eatery area in the city. We bought food from different places and ate in the same location. There was a sushi shop, pizza place and a place called "Burger Fuel." This picture is of many of us together in the sushi place (I missed getting two other elders who were between me and the wall.)

We had a good experience on Sunday in the local branch. They had their Primary Children Sacrament Meeting program. It was wonderful (sorry, no pictures). Many of the children wore Maori tapa cloth skirts around their waists and shells on necklaces. There were a lot of visitors as well. We met our branch president for the first time as well. Following the meetings, they served a very good meal of local foods.

In our visits, we find the people very generous and received food from several, including "silver beets," lemons, celery (all out of their gardens and yards) and also a generous sampling of some frozen beef.

Lemons (above, with an egg shown as comparative size)

Silver Beets (we know this as Swiss chard).

In one of our discussions, we found that they are interested in Family History research for their families. We are excited to help. The Maori word for genealogy is "Whaka papa" (the Wh is pronounced like an f or a soft v), their word for grandparents (or ancestors) is "Tupuna". We also learned that a lot of the people in the area, though many with British, Scottish, etc. ancestry, are also connected to the Maoris and have Polynesian ancestry. One brother just returned from an experience called a "Tangi," meaning to cry or mourn. He had a close friend pass away and they get together to mourn and be around each other in these circumstances. We find these people very open and caring. It is a wonderful experience.

Welcome to Dargaville

 Well, we are here. After a long flight (LA to Auckland=13hrs.), we arrived in Auckland a little over a week ago. At the mission home there, we visited with the office missionaries (seniors and Elders [ no, that is not being redundant]).

They assigned us a new car and the next day we experienced driving on the left side of the road. Sister Buchanan did a fine job of the driving the first day, though was definitely hassled by the time we arrived after the 2+ hour drive to Dargaville.

Our flat was one formerly used by the younger missionaries for a number of years and showed the experience. We got all set up and going. 

We struggled with jet lag for a while, but participated in Zone Conference/Mission Tour. Elder Meurs and his wife were visiting. We enjoyed a wonderful conference and got acquainted with the many missionaries here in the Northland.

On Sunday, we went to the church, but instead of the normal meetings, we viewed the broadcast of our stake conference. The Stake Center building in Whangarei is under construction, so they met in a different building and broadcast the conference to other church buildings. The picture at the top is our church building in Dargaville. The people are wonderful. It is a small branch. We connected quickly with some of the members and felt the spirit of them. The stake conference included a number of returned missionaries and a short message from each of them. 

We had a visit from a member couple who live close to our flat, the Wilsons. They are great people who have done a lot of service in their lifetime. They invited us to their place for dinner last night.

Yesterday, we made a visit to a woman in a local nursing home. Her brother visited our branch last Sunday and asked us to pay her a visit. She is not a member of our church. We had a wonderful visit with her and see a wonderful spirit in her. It also happened to be her birthday (which we did not know) and she appreciated our visit. We will return.

Today, we had a nice visit with a family who had been visited by missionaries in the past. They have two beautiful young boys and seek answers. We had a nice visit with them and left with a prayer and came away with some fresh Swiss chard from their yard.

Following this, we took a trip to Bayly's Beach and our first view of the Tasman Sea and ocean. Below are pictures from that trip. We only live 15 minutes away and this is our first time there.

This is a view towards Dargaville from the west.

Along the road there are often hills, woods and cows.

This shows Sister Buchanan and our car from the beach, looking inland.

They tell us that this is the longest driveable beach in all of New Zealand, above is the view north, below the view south. From here to the Puoto Point at the bottom of the peninsula (south) is about 50 miles, all beach like this. It also extends north quite a ways, just like this.

... a jelly creature in the sand

Sister Buchanan looking out at the sea, taking a picture.

And to close, a funny little story about our learning how to be "Kiwis."  We struggled to get the stove/oven to work. The hotplates work fine on the top, but no matter how we tried, we could not get the oven to turn on. 

We called the office and they finally said they would contact the landlord to get someone to service the oven. When the Wilsons visited, she said that the timer had to be set to "manual," and it should show a little hand. We tried the timer and turned the clock a lot and could make no progress. Then this morning, I tried again and pulled the little clock time knob a bit while turning and it changed to show times and a bell and finally a little red hand.

The little red area on the left side is now showing a little hand (sorry you cannot see the detail - take my word for it). The oven is now available for us to use. It only took us a week to get that solved.

The Lord is good! We love being in His service here. We pray for our family back home. They have their challenges and know they are in the Lord's hands. Here we know we can be led by Him to bless the lives of the good people here!

Starting again

 

We are enjoying the MTC experience. It is more up-to-date that previous training sessions at the Mission Training Center. We mainly love getting to know the other missionaries serving and learning their stories. It was a big group that started with us last week. These are only the senior missionaries who started this past week.

Next week we head to New Zealand.

A blessing was the opportunity to have our granddaughter come by for a short time. We shared some BYU Creamery ice cream and talked about the blessings of the temple.

The love of the Lord is real!