Merry Christmas

From my country...to yours...MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Family Wards

You know what? I forgot how much fun family wards are. For the last three years, I've been attending Singles Wards and being home is really awesome. Last night I went to FHE where they had children etc. visiting too. Anyway, the children dressed up as characters in the nativity (yes, one of them was the donkey) to act it out. So funny. And, seeing kids all walking around the chapel is really cool too.

However, I feel really old because all the kids that were in Primary are about as tall as I am now. They're grown up! That's what happens, I guess. Ha ha. It's good though.

Also, I've been enjoying the company and cooking skills of a few of the members here. Makes me feel a bit like a missionary again--getting meal appointments with members. Except, these people are all my friends; who feel a lot like extended family (and for those of you that know NZ, they probably are).

Mormon Notes: The Spirit of Christmas

Can you believe that I've not been home for Christmas in four years? This is my first one since I started uni (the last time I came home, I just missed the actual day). Anyway, it has been a really interesting time. I've caught up with friends and family. I've even had some amazing spiritual experiences catching up on life here and attending church in the good old Totara Park Ward, Upper Hutt Stake.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to Christmas at the end of the week; mainly for it's simplicity and memories. We'll just be at home enjoying each others company. For you, I found this Mormon message online and I wanted to share it with ya. MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

NZ Update 2

So, I've been here for a few days now and it is great. Unfortunately, the weather isn't as warm as I remember. Dang it. But my family is still the same--hilarious.

In case any of you were concerned, I did get my visa for my trip back to America. The State Department official at the American Consulate in Auckland was a really nice guy actually. I was missing a letter from the Stevens that he needed, but once I told him I had just taken the LSAT and I was Mormon, it was all over. We chatted for a good couple of minutes and he made some suggestions for Law Schools to attend. He also mentioned some of his stories of being around Mormons in another foreign service assignment in Greece. It was really awesome.

NZ Update 1

Well, I made it. I'm now sitting in an internet cafe waiting for friends to either get back from the beach (I don't know where, or else I'd join them) or to get off work. I've gotten all the things I need for tomorrow's visa interview (passport photo, paid fee, and completed paperwork). It should work out just fine.

The flights were really neat actually. I wasn't too cramped because I was never sitting directly next to anyone. In fact, one of the times I sweet talked the ticketing lady to block out the seat next to mine, so I'd have more room. I did make friends with a lady from New York who works as a paralegal. We had a really interesting conversation from SLC to Phoenix.

I had to laugh about one thing throughout the trip. I can't believe how often people offered me alcohol, in particular, beer (no, not root beer). One time, I woke up and was thirsty and the flight attendant was like, "You ready for a beer now?" Really? Do I look like I want a beer?

Anyway, my final leg of the trip will be completed tomorrow afternoon when I head down to Wellington (then drive out to Upper Hutt). Woohoo! I'll keep you posted.

First Class Baby...

So, I'm pretty sure I've never flown First Class ANYWHERE. However, today I have the opportunity to fly First Class from Phoenix to LAX (with a dream and my cardigan). Here's the much needed proof you all wanted:

And, before you start ridiculing me and saying something about being spoiled...I thought you should know my flight itinerary:

Sunday, December 13th
11:15am (MST)   Leave Provo bound for SLC Airport (thanks Preston)
1:40pm (MST)     Flight to PHX is delayed for an hour and 20 mins
3:00pm (MST)     Flight to PHX leaves SLC
4:25pm (MST)     Flight arrives at Phoenix, Arizona
6:15pm (MST)     Flight to LAX is delayed for 30 mins
6:45pm (MST)     Flight leaves PHX
8:15pm (MST)     Flight arrives in LAX
11:15pm (MST)   Flight leaves LAX for Rarotonga
Monday, December 14th
9:30am (MST)     Flight arrives in Rarotonga at 6:30am their time
10:45am (MST)   Flight departs Rarotonga for New Zealand
2:45pm (MST)     Flight arrives in Auckland, New Zealand on Tuesday Dec. 15th at 11am NZ Time

I think I converted all the times correctly. Rough flying, but, it's all worth it. Soon, I'm going to be in summer weather with the family!

Mormon Notes: An Added Emphasis

So, this last week it was announced that the LDS Church is going to add a new emphasis to what was once known as the 'Three-fold mission' of the Church. For those of you who are not familiar with the 'Three-fold mission' here it is (pretty simple):

1. Proclaim the Gospel
2. Perfect the Saints
3. Redeem the Dead

These three 'missions' have allowed the Church to function well. But, under the guidance of the President and Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, we are soon to add another 'mission.' This is not a new mission, in the sense that the Church has not already been fulfilling responsibilities here. In my opinion, the Church is merely codifying a practice that has been in place for many years. The added emphasis is:

4. Care for the Poor and Needy

I'm writing this blog post because of the many online attacks the Church has sustained since the Salt Lake Tribune reported the soon-to-be-made announcement.

Let's be perfectly clear people. Caring for the Poor and Needy has been a Church practice since the beginning. This is a codification and added emphasis for members of the Church (and people of the world) to be more aware and more helpful. Proof? President Marion G. Romney counseled us to do this in 1973; not to mention the numerous scriptural references in the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

Apart from the doctrinal support, here is the "Welfare Fact Sheet" that shows we're putting our money where our mouth is--to the tune of more than $1 Billion (not to mention the 1 million days of labor donated to further our welfare efforts). Make no mistake. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is already actively "caring for the poor and needy."

"Home James"

So whenever our family would arrive home after a long trip, or get into a car to head home (or at other various times), we would say the words, "Home James." In a few short days, I'll be saying those words and actually be in New Zealand. I know you've already heard; but, I'm going home for Christmas.

When are you leaving? Oh, just this Sunday, December 13th. I'm getting on a flight bound for LAX (thank you Miley Cyrus), and then I'm going to Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands. Rarotonga is a beautiful place, quite separate to the Kingdom of Tonga. Here's a neat map...

And here's what it looks like close-up...

 

After a brief stay in Rarotonga, I'll be heading to Auckland. While I'm there, I've got to figure out my visa status. So, I'll be pleading with Immigrations officials to let me back into the country (my visa expires while I'm out of the country). Fingers-crossed everyone (unless you don't like me, then you're probably laughing or something).

Then, after a successful visit to the U.S. Consulate, I will be heading back to my hometown of Upper Hutt! Needless to say, I'm very excited. I'll have most my finals done by then (with one exception), and then I'll be living the dream. Living the dream.

The weekend that was...

It's over. My first (hopefully final) attempt at the LSAT is complete. The whole process was actually pretty rough--mostly because I neglected to study 'enough' for the test. You can start lecturing me now because I know that's a bad thing. However, I do think that Saturday's score will probably be one of my better ones (well, we can always hope, right?).

Needless to say, I'm not sure where I'll end up for law school now. I'm going to apply almost everywhere I considered going. So, I'll keep you updated on that.

Mormon Notes: Christmas Time

While sharing the First Presidency message with my hometeachees tonight, I remembered a reoccurring experience I had while working at KFC Upper Hutt (That's right, for those of you who don't know, I worked at KFC for a number of years). This experience actually reoccurred annually; and, it happens to be one of my most favorite times of the year--Christmas!

The reason why I loved Christmas as a KFC worker was the customers. For some reason, customers were much happier and had more patience. I was really thankful for the way everyone would act during Christmas. And, through these experiences, I was able to realize that everyone wants to be happy and that everyone can choose to be happy. What makes Christmas different to any other time? Probably the focus on Jesus Christ and his attributes (charity, love, giving, sharing etc). Why do this for just one month (maybe two) in a year? It is my hope that we can keep this feeling with us all year 'round. Think about it. Merry Christmas everyone!