HI GUYS!! Wow I have much words to give as to the current state
of affairs and those that have come to pass in the last few days. So let’s
start from the beginning-ish. We left the MTC Wednesday morning. It
was just me and Elder Maxfield in our room the night before. (Man I loved those
islanders but is was SO peaceful once they left...) We got picked up by the
mission president and his wife and we headed down to Auckland. We had some
orientating, and we spent the night in a motel and then a little more
orientating at the mission home, and then we met our companions!!
Before I tell you about mine though, I have to say, what a time
it has been for Colorado!! The mission president and his wife are from the good
ol' mile high state to begin with. And one of the first missionaries I met was
a sister missionary in the mission office recovering from a broken foot. Her
name is Sister Camiletti, and I totally know her brother. YEAH. I know him from
when I was being Senior Patrol Leader at 11 year old scout camp. He was my
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. We were like best friends. I think he moved to
Kansas and now he is on his mission somewhere in South America, but he never
told me he had a sister. And then there's my companion. WHO IS ALSO FROM
COLORADO. Same area as me actually!! His name is Elder Fanger, and I didn't
know him before I came out, but I knew his younger brother. And we have a LOT
of the same acquaintances. So yeah it is pretty shweet.
We have been assigned to the Whangarei Zone! (In Maori, wh makes
an f sound, and the r's all have a sort of roll. So its pronounced Fawn-ga-ray,
but with the little r roll thing, it sounds a lot like fawn-ga-day) When I
first met my companion in Auckland his driver's license was expired, so they
threw me the keys and said I was driving. In all seriousness. That was the
first time I have felt nervous. Especially since Whangarei is TWO HOURS AWAY.
Luckily they found someone else to do that drive, but I still had to drive
before my companion renewed his license. It's actually not that bad though. You
just got to make sure you turn the right way (cause everyone drives on the
wrong side of the road, bunch a weirdos) and that you remember the blinker is
on the LEFT. I have given so many "American Salutes" with those
stupid windshield wipers.
Anyway, my coolest experience so far was probably my first one.
Me and my companion got to go up with our zone leaders to Whangaruru (Remember,
Fawn-ga-roo-roo, but it sound like fawn-ga-doo-doo. He he he), it’s a looong
drive on this really winding road through jungles and trees with lots of cliffs
and stuff. I NEVER get carsick, but boy this one did a number. Relatively
speaking. Anyway, it's waaayyy up in the bush with lots of Maoris. (They call
them "hoary Maoris) But we got to go up to see a Tongi (Tawng-ee) which is
a Maori funeral. They was a lot of Hongi-ing. A hongi is a Maori thing where
you start like a handshake, but then you go in and put you foreheads and noses
together. It's interesting for sure. We also got to see one of our recent
converts do the Haka. And apparently he has been on the national team or
something, cause he was good. It was really cool though. Two of the other three
elders had never even done anything like that, and I got to do it my first day
(YUS).
Afterwards, we went to
this little fish'n'chips shop right next to a gorgeous beach. It wasn't the
water or anything, but man it was just cool. It was like a little cove
surrounded, nay, hugged perfectly by two large mountainy structure things.
Other than that, it has been a little slow. It has not been a lot of sit down
visits. Just mostly going to people's houses, seeing if they are home, and
having a little "get to know you" chat. But it's been going good,
cause apparently a lot of the people who are usually mean to us have been
really nice and inviting. And I am starting to feel more comfortable as well.
The first few days I was more of "watch and listen/quiet Sam". Now I
am getting more like "normal Sam...." ;)
The weather here as also
been very nice. Apparently. I have really enjoyed it, but lots of people have
been talking about it as if it is uncharacteristic. But the nights have been
COLD AS. (That's a thing they do here. If they want to really emphasize an
adjective, they put as after it. It's a little weird, cause it sounds KIND OF
like swearing, but if you say it right it is all good. But it goes on about
anything: cool as, sweet as, in this case, cold.) Luckily I have some good
blankets and super warm socks my aunt made me (awwwww).
The bed is nice though and so is our whole flat. Relatively
anyway. Compared to the states, especially the rural areas I have lived in, it
is downright trashy. But compared to some of the houses here, it's pretty
nice... The style and standard of living is just so dang different. And the
houses are weird too. They aren't in nice neat rows on defined blocks. They are
all twisty and none of them look remotely similar to any other ones. But many
many times we have had to get to a house by walking down a loooong twisty
driveway to get to a tiny house you never would have guessed to be there. It's
got a very strange appeal though. So it has been pretty cool and I haven't even
been out here a week! But of course I remain in high spirits and reckless
optimism. (Is there an alternative?) It will be very interesting to see how
things go.
I am sorry I haven't sent pictures yet. I have not had many
chances to be in wifi, and I haven't found a charger for the weird outlets.
yet. But I will I just haven't gone to the store. Other than that, I don't know
how often I will be able to email. We go to this little cyber cafe thingy to
email and it is expensive as, man! So I will do it when I can, and it will
probably be every week, but if I am not able to, then you know why! And in my
next transfer, I will probably go someplace it will be cheaper, but that could
be a while. Have a good time at all the times and email when you can! I love to
hear from you even if I don't respond with a novel. ;) Love you guys and I will
see you in two(ish) years! :))
-Elder Clayton-
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