Opened on December 25, 2016
***Note: We received a Christmas box from Elder Mortensen earlier in the week and waited to open it while we Skyped with him on Christmas afternoon. This letter was included in the box with some goodies from him.
December 15, 2016
Kia ora mai katou katoa,
I am looking at the calendar now and it has been six months that I have been out on a mission in New Zealand, Hamilton. That time has gone by too fast. I don't know how many times I said this but being a missionary is really fun. You get to meet heaps of people and members from all over the world, learn about different cultures, build skills, and learn how to love strangers more than ever even if they are rude to you. My highlight is you get feeds all the time. You just get shouted just walking down the street. You gain heaps of kg's on a mission. I checked the scale the other day and I got a lot of "guilt" on me. Hope you are staying healthy and keeping the Word of Wisdom.
On Tuesday we had an appointment with an investigating family. There are 3 daughters and the parents. We have been teaching them since the beginning of this transfer and all of the lessons are finished so we invited them for baptism and they all said yes! I was so excited and they were very sincere about it asking heaps of questions how it will work and how to prepare. We are planning to take them to the Visitor's Center this Friday and to another missionary's baptism next week Saturday to help them better understand. They are set for the 7th of January. It is going to be awesome! We also have a total of 13 baptism sets in our zone! Put your shoulder to the wheel push along!!!
So much has happened on my mission and I am glad that I am on a mission. Thank you Mom and Dad for keeping me on board and getting on me whenever I got close to the edge and pulling me back up and drying me off when I fell off. Seminary is important, church and auxiliaries are important too. I think all the parents are just waiting for their children to tell them "YOU WERE RIGHT!" I am proud of the badge I wear; to be a missionary; to be an instrument of God! I miss you all so much and this Christmas and New Years is going to be different without yous. I love you all. Be safe. Mele Kalikimaka. Ofa atu and stay cool.
Elder Mortensen
New Zealand, Hamilton Mission
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Dec 18, 2016 - Love You!
December 18, 2016
Kia Ora Whanau,
So, awesome week. We were at the temple lights this week where we just talked to everyone that we saw and just had fun asking people and members how they felt about the lights and the exhibits. We had about 5,500 every night so far this week and more and more are coming from all over Aotearoa. There is just heaps of people here. Then we are getting lots of meals from the members more than every. So much food and we get money given to us. We are truly blessed and taken care of. Probably the highlight this week is that we got a family set for baptism. I am so excited! Like, no joke. There are five of them and four of them are getting baptized. The mom and dad and a 12 year old and 11 year old. The youngest daughter is 4 years old, not old enough but we still teach here. They are set for the 7th of January. They are so ready. They had so many questions. When we set them they had so many questions on how and what they needed to do to get ready for it.
I don't wanna say all of it. I'll save some for next week. I am still sorting out what member I am going to do skype with so . . .it will be my Monday and your Sunday when I will Skype. That's President's instructions. So I will be on at about 3:00. That is your 4:00.
See you soon. Ofa atu. Love Yous.
Monday, December 12, 2016
It's Almost Christmas!
December 11, 2016
Aloha Mai Kakou!
So lots of inviting this week. We gave out the #Lighttheworld cards and invited people to watch the video and most of them did. The best ones were the ones who shared it on their media stuff. We also invited people to come check out the Christmas lights that are coming up and tell them that we hope to see them there. Then we spend a lot of time up at the temple helping out with setting up the lights and that's hard work in the hot sun. then we get free lunch. That was mean as. Yesterday we got to work at the temple grounds. We just went roaming around and invited people to go and see the Visitor Center and just talked and answered questions. It was way fun. I loved how there was no kind of contention there. Everyone was excited and just so happy to be there with their friends and family looking up at the temple and the lights and the exhibits. It was awesome. Our Xone is going to be working there this week so it's gonna be fun and all goods.
I don't know yet what the deal is for skyping yet but our Zone leaders are going to let us know soon. I haven't found a cord yet. I am looking around though. (He forgot his camera charger cord back in Wairoa and is hoping the next time the Zone Leaders go down there they'll pick it up.)
I got some photos for you today. It will show you more what is going on. Love yous, Ofa Atu!!!
Aloha Mai Kakou!
So lots of inviting this week. We gave out the #Lighttheworld cards and invited people to watch the video and most of them did. The best ones were the ones who shared it on their media stuff. We also invited people to come check out the Christmas lights that are coming up and tell them that we hope to see them there. Then we spend a lot of time up at the temple helping out with setting up the lights and that's hard work in the hot sun. then we get free lunch. That was mean as. Yesterday we got to work at the temple grounds. We just went roaming around and invited people to go and see the Visitor Center and just talked and answered questions. It was way fun. I loved how there was no kind of contention there. Everyone was excited and just so happy to be there with their friends and family looking up at the temple and the lights and the exhibits. It was awesome. Our Xone is going to be working there this week so it's gonna be fun and all goods.
I don't know yet what the deal is for skyping yet but our Zone leaders are going to let us know soon. I haven't found a cord yet. I am looking around though. (He forgot his camera charger cord back in Wairoa and is hoping the next time the Zone Leaders go down there they'll pick it up.)
I got some photos for you today. It will show you more what is going on. Love yous, Ofa Atu!!!
Happy December!
December 4, 2016
*NOTE: This week must've been really busy because I (Mom) didn't get a letter from Elder Mortensen but he did write to Kahali.
Hey Kahali!
It's good to hear from you again and get new photos. To tell you the truth, the mission is going by pretty quick. The weeks go by really fast and I am always waiting for my Monday's to come so that I can email and have some time to cool off and play a little. We have been at the temple a lot at the Visitor's Center getting the lights ready. The same this week. We are still setting up, then we are going to be doing some teaching up there starting on the 10th. It's gonna be mean as. Christmas is coming up soon and we are gonna be getting heaps of feeds.
The accounting will be good to have. There are lot's of jobs that needs that and it's a good skill.
*NOTE: This week must've been really busy because I (Mom) didn't get a letter from Elder Mortensen but he did write to Kahali.
Hey Kahali!
It's good to hear from you again and get new photos. To tell you the truth, the mission is going by pretty quick. The weeks go by really fast and I am always waiting for my Monday's to come so that I can email and have some time to cool off and play a little. We have been at the temple a lot at the Visitor's Center getting the lights ready. The same this week. We are still setting up, then we are going to be doing some teaching up there starting on the 10th. It's gonna be mean as. Christmas is coming up soon and we are gonna be getting heaps of feeds.
The accounting will be good to have. There are lot's of jobs that needs that and it's a good skill.
How's Hamilton and the new area?
November 27, 2016
Hey Mom,
I miss yous. Missing the Ocean. It is so hot these days over here. How is the holidays going over there? It's rolling in over here. No Thanksgiving but the Christmas trees are coming out. Lots of meals coming everywhere from members and money from strangers. They just give it to us. We are getting taken care of.
We finished teaching the last lesson to a family. They said they will be members but they just have a few things in school to fix. We feel that they will set themselves to the gospel. I gave my testimony this past Sunday. Massive ward and lots of families in it. I meet lots of families that are from La'ie. Not to familiar with the last names but they are all goods. We got a Cross Fit program that we are going to now. A member owns it so he hooked us up. Still in the Book of Mormon in Alma. Missed some days but still on it. I am hoping to go to the temple next week to do a session. I am excited. We are also going to be working at the temple grounds at the Christmas lights. It just draws people in and gives us the opportunity to share with them what goes on over there.
Look up the Mormon.org #lighttheworld if you can. It's really good. No photos yet, soon. Love yous. Don't get sick in the rain and I will pray more for yous. Ofa Atu. Love yous.
Hey Mom,
I miss yous. Missing the Ocean. It is so hot these days over here. How is the holidays going over there? It's rolling in over here. No Thanksgiving but the Christmas trees are coming out. Lots of meals coming everywhere from members and money from strangers. They just give it to us. We are getting taken care of.
We finished teaching the last lesson to a family. They said they will be members but they just have a few things in school to fix. We feel that they will set themselves to the gospel. I gave my testimony this past Sunday. Massive ward and lots of families in it. I meet lots of families that are from La'ie. Not to familiar with the last names but they are all goods. We got a Cross Fit program that we are going to now. A member owns it so he hooked us up. Still in the Book of Mormon in Alma. Missed some days but still on it. I am hoping to go to the temple next week to do a session. I am excited. We are also going to be working at the temple grounds at the Christmas lights. It just draws people in and gives us the opportunity to share with them what goes on over there.
Look up the Mormon.org #lighttheworld if you can. It's really good. No photos yet, soon. Love yous. Don't get sick in the rain and I will pray more for yous. Ofa Atu. Love yous.
Teaching in the Savior's Way
November 20, 2016
Tena Koutou!
So, Heavenly Father has seen it fit that I will be transferred out of Wairoa, my missionary birth place, and move on to a new area. It has been way fun in Wairoa. All in all I think my main purpose was to bring back less actives and to find new investigators. We had two sets last week and we had two new investigators. I am sad that I wasn't able to get a baptism after three transfers but it's not about the numbers it's about bringing people to know that the gospel is true and how it has helped us in our life. Our investigator Matiu and Jeralden made me a necklace out of whale bone and he made a Maori club for me as well for me to go off with. I felt that I should give him something in return as well so I danced a hula for him, "Ka au hele Moa." At the end of it they were both crying and sent me off. I am really going to miss them and my comp elder Chiong. He always made me food like Adobo and Pancit. It was way good.
So, my new area is in Hamilton in the Grandview Ward. It's a busy as place. Traffic and cars everywhere but it is next to the temple and the mission office so that's good. The bus ride was long as I almost got sick on the way over. It was six hours. I am companions with a Tongan elder, Elder Latu and he is the District Leader with four more months left. I a also the driver in this big city and the only driver in the district with a car so I have to do a lot of driving the other elders around. We are also in a massive zone with 26 companionships. It is huge. We haven't gotten into too much work yet because we are trying to finish up the transfer things but when it starts we will be working so hard because it is a busy area.
I love yous all . I hope you have a massive Thanksgiving holiday and stay safe. Work hard.
Love yous,
Ofa atu.
No photos this week. My charger cord is down in Wairoa. Hopefully I will get it from the Zone Leaders butif not I will need to get a new one.
Tena Koutou!
So, Heavenly Father has seen it fit that I will be transferred out of Wairoa, my missionary birth place, and move on to a new area. It has been way fun in Wairoa. All in all I think my main purpose was to bring back less actives and to find new investigators. We had two sets last week and we had two new investigators. I am sad that I wasn't able to get a baptism after three transfers but it's not about the numbers it's about bringing people to know that the gospel is true and how it has helped us in our life. Our investigator Matiu and Jeralden made me a necklace out of whale bone and he made a Maori club for me as well for me to go off with. I felt that I should give him something in return as well so I danced a hula for him, "Ka au hele Moa." At the end of it they were both crying and sent me off. I am really going to miss them and my comp elder Chiong. He always made me food like Adobo and Pancit. It was way good.
So, my new area is in Hamilton in the Grandview Ward. It's a busy as place. Traffic and cars everywhere but it is next to the temple and the mission office so that's good. The bus ride was long as I almost got sick on the way over. It was six hours. I am companions with a Tongan elder, Elder Latu and he is the District Leader with four more months left. I a also the driver in this big city and the only driver in the district with a car so I have to do a lot of driving the other elders around. We are also in a massive zone with 26 companionships. It is huge. We haven't gotten into too much work yet because we are trying to finish up the transfer things but when it starts we will be working so hard because it is a busy area.
I love yous all . I hope you have a massive Thanksgiving holiday and stay safe. Work hard.
Love yous,
Ofa atu.
No photos this week. My charger cord is down in Wairoa. Hopefully I will get it from the Zone Leaders butif not I will need to get a new one.
Earthquake again?! Are you safe?
Nov 13, 2016
*On Nov 14 there was a 7.8 earthquake in Kaikoura in the South Island of New Zealand. Luckily Elder Mortensen on the Eastern coastal area on the North Island. He didn't have too much to say in this letter, and I had received an email from the Mission President, President Cummings, that all is well.
Aloha E Ka 'Ohana Mortensen,
This is transfer week. I may leave but I may go, so I don't know. I will let you know next week.
We are working still with the youth and we have two new investigators who are willing to take the lessons and it is going awesome. We are trying to stay focused even though it's transfer week.
I might need some jeans, but that's about it.
Sorry so short. We are doing heaps of service today!
*On Nov 14 there was a 7.8 earthquake in Kaikoura in the South Island of New Zealand. Luckily Elder Mortensen on the Eastern coastal area on the North Island. He didn't have too much to say in this letter, and I had received an email from the Mission President, President Cummings, that all is well.
Aloha E Ka 'Ohana Mortensen,
This is transfer week. I may leave but I may go, so I don't know. I will let you know next week.
We are working still with the youth and we have two new investigators who are willing to take the lessons and it is going awesome. We are trying to stay focused even though it's transfer week.
I might need some jeans, but that's about it.
Sorry so short. We are doing heaps of service today!
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| Youth in Wairoa. |
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Happy Halloween and on to Thanksgiving!
October 30, 2016
Still going here in Wairoa. Me and my comp and a recent convert is putting together a song for the mission. We will share it when we finish it. It is going to be based on Faith, Love, and God. It will be good. Studies are falling behind but I am trying to get back on to it. I am trying to read and get into the book Jesus is the Christ. It is a really deep book but I will try. We had a good outcome at church from working hard all week with less actives. We had six of them show up and stay. Then they went and filled up our meal board. It has been raining a lot over here and the air is cold. I don't get it! It needs to be summer over here! We had two Tangis to go to this week. So full from eating all the time but they serve good food. Rich foods too like cray fish and oysters. Ooohhwee! Way good. Had fun again this week. We got a set for baptism and hope to stay on top so he can follow through this transfer.
I hope you are doing well. Be safe. Don't stress too much. Stay healthy.
Love yous. Ofa Atu!!!
Still going here in Wairoa. Me and my comp and a recent convert is putting together a song for the mission. We will share it when we finish it. It is going to be based on Faith, Love, and God. It will be good. Studies are falling behind but I am trying to get back on to it. I am trying to read and get into the book Jesus is the Christ. It is a really deep book but I will try. We had a good outcome at church from working hard all week with less actives. We had six of them show up and stay. Then they went and filled up our meal board. It has been raining a lot over here and the air is cold. I don't get it! It needs to be summer over here! We had two Tangis to go to this week. So full from eating all the time but they serve good food. Rich foods too like cray fish and oysters. Ooohhwee! Way good. Had fun again this week. We got a set for baptism and hope to stay on top so he can follow through this transfer.
I hope you are doing well. Be safe. Don't stress too much. Stay healthy.
Love yous. Ofa Atu!!!
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| Had District Meeting in our sulus. |
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| Love Wairoa! |
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| Machines I think Dad would be interested in. :) |
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| Site seeing |
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| Can you see the Missionary in the photo? |
Lots of Fish and Chips!
*Note from the "falling behind" Mom:
ALOHA family and loved ones. . . so sorry that I'm so behind in my blog posts. Know that our Elder is being faithful in writing to his family each week. I just don't always have time to sit and update the blog. Mahalo for your support of our Elder!
October 23, 2016
This week was slow in the work but the week goes by way fast. No one is ever home and when we set appointments they never are home. They are not ready to come back yet I guess. We work with our less actives a lot and they are trying hard. We have them preparing to teach us lessons so that they can pray more often as they prepare to teach us the lesson. We pray often, me and my comp so we can stay focused and not give up. I like one of the articles that is given in October's Ensign called The Blessings of Obedience where President Monson says "The greatest lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and we obey we will always be right." We have trials we go through but nothing that God gives us can't be over some and we can look at it as a stumbling block or a stepping stone.
We had interviews with President Cummings this past week and I shared with him my concerns about my health because the members feed us fatty food all the time. Never do we get any greens. It's all fish and chips and I honestly think I might get diabetes with all of the starches we get fed and deep friend things. I'm not starving. That's good but I might be breaking the Word of Wisdom. Lol! We work out hard but we aren't as fortunate like other sisters and elders. They have a gym nearby to go to. I might need some Purium stuff! Nah, just joke!
I miss you all. Hope to hear from you again. I really am missing the comforts of home and the food, friends, and everything at home. I miss sports and work. Just pray for me and my companion to keep moving forward and our area in small Wairoa.
Love you, Ofa Atu!!!
ALOHA family and loved ones. . . so sorry that I'm so behind in my blog posts. Know that our Elder is being faithful in writing to his family each week. I just don't always have time to sit and update the blog. Mahalo for your support of our Elder!
October 23, 2016
This week was slow in the work but the week goes by way fast. No one is ever home and when we set appointments they never are home. They are not ready to come back yet I guess. We work with our less actives a lot and they are trying hard. We have them preparing to teach us lessons so that they can pray more often as they prepare to teach us the lesson. We pray often, me and my comp so we can stay focused and not give up. I like one of the articles that is given in October's Ensign called The Blessings of Obedience where President Monson says "The greatest lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and we obey we will always be right." We have trials we go through but nothing that God gives us can't be over some and we can look at it as a stumbling block or a stepping stone.
We had interviews with President Cummings this past week and I shared with him my concerns about my health because the members feed us fatty food all the time. Never do we get any greens. It's all fish and chips and I honestly think I might get diabetes with all of the starches we get fed and deep friend things. I'm not starving. That's good but I might be breaking the Word of Wisdom. Lol! We work out hard but we aren't as fortunate like other sisters and elders. They have a gym nearby to go to. I might need some Purium stuff! Nah, just joke!
I miss you all. Hope to hear from you again. I really am missing the comforts of home and the food, friends, and everything at home. I miss sports and work. Just pray for me and my companion to keep moving forward and our area in small Wairoa.
Love you, Ofa Atu!!!
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| My Companion Elder Chiong and our Fish and Chips. It's what's for lunch! :) |
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