getting adjusted to missionary life

When I flew into Wellington my mouth dropped, it was absolutely beautiful!  Houses on mountains looking onto the beach with clear blue water.  I literally started crying.  When we got off the airplane we came out and President and Sister Jolliffe were waiting with 2 other elders. They were really excited to see us and were so nice.  We went to a chapel near by and got to know them.  Then after a while we went to the mission home and had dinner, and a testimony meeting there in their living room.  We slept in a big room with a lot of beds that were so comfortable it was amazing.  We were all so tired from hardly sleeping on the flight that we were all asleep by 8:00.  Then we woke up at 5:45 am with President Jolliffe blowing an air horn into the room, I literally jumped up I was so taken off guard.  

We had breakfast then go dropped off at the airport.  The flight from the North Island to the South Island is beautiful.  There were mountains with snow on top in the distance, then there was the beach and ocean right below me.  

My companion is Elder Tinker is an Aussie.  He is way cool and funny. We get along well and have common interests.  I'm 2 for 2 on comps right now with not getting gomers which is really rare.  So hopefully I can keep the streak going! 

connors first look at new zealand

he's really there

Connor's email. He was trying to answer all our many questions.

New Zealand is legit! On Saturday it was a ward party and it was cultural night and I dressed up in a lava lava and leis and did a Tongan dance. The other wards did a Maori dance and the hakka! I'm feeling a little homesick but I love you guys and you guys give me SO much support! I got a toy for Lily today! I'll be sending a package to you all this week hopefully! I found some of those cool green necklaces that are famous here. But it was at some souvenir shop and I wanted to buy it from a Maori maker so I'll wait on that.

There is nothing I really need. It's starting to warm up here. I'm in Christchurch. The food is so good in New Zealand. It's amazing. I love you guys so much. I love you mom! aah. It's safe here don't worry. Really safe.

I just saw the blog it's so cool! Thanks so much for doing that for me it means a lot to me! Yeah everything is fine, the condo is alright, it's pretty good for a missionary one. And it's got a washer and dryer which is awesome! We have a car. We can send letters and e-mails! They are both fun, but it's always SO good to get a handwritten letter. The other day I was really sad then read my patriarchal blessing and a letter you wrote me and got so happy! It made my day!

It feels COMPLETELY different here. Canada was a little different...but this is a whole new world. Sometimes it feels like people are speaking another language and I have to say what 10 times haha. It's seriously crazy. We have a couple that are working towards baptism it's great. I will write more about it in my letter.

I love letters. I would love it if I got one everyday! I love you all. You are the best parents. Tell everyone hi for me.

letter from sister jolliffe

Just a little note to let you know that we met Elder Rawle at the airport this morning along with the other 10 new missionaries. They are now being orientated and having all the admin work done and then this evening they will come to the mission home for a meal,a testimony meeting and to stay the night. In the morning he will leave for his new area on the South Island where he will be trained by Elder Tinker, a lovely missionary from Australia. Their address is: 213B West Belt, Rangiora 7400, New Zealand Preparation days are Monday and so you can anticipate hearing from him next week. We are so grateful for you lending us your son. We will strive to look after him as we would our own. If at any time you have concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to email us. With gospel love and gratitude, Sister Jolliffe

connor with president and sister jolliffe

the adventure begins....new zealand!

Connor is there!  He was allowed to call us from the Salt Lake City airport and he sounded really good.  We tracked the flights all night on the internet and his plane arrived safely in New Zealand today.  We can't wait to find out where his first area will be.  It was really hard saying goodbye to him on the phone, but now he is there we are so excited!  Let the adventure begin! 

Item of slight interest:  Did you know they say Maori different in New Zealand?  In New Zealand, the Maori's themselves pronounce it Mow-dee (with a long 0 sound, and a d sound inplace of the r).  Connor corrected us on the phone yesterday.    

last mtc letter

Family! I'm doing way good I have had a lot of cool experiences at the RC(referral center) this week it has been way cool. My home used to be my comfort zone, now here is my comfort zone and so I'm scared to leave to New Zealand. haha. It will be way fun though I'm super excited. We had an awesome devotional from Lowell Snow from the seventy. I really enjoyed it. He said, "God is anxious to give power to you." It really affected me. I want that power!

When I look back on my life, there are hardly even 2 years of my life that I can even remember anything that really happened. Do you remember exactly what you did between the years 1991-1993? But if I asked Dad if he remembered the 2 years of his mission, he would know he went on a mission those years. So even if a mission is hard, it is something I will remember for the rest of my life without a doubt. Besides it's not about me, it's about the Lord.

The other day in class everyone had to tell a story about when they felt the spirit really strong and I talked about how the night before Lindy had her baby, me and Dad gave her a blessing and the spirit was overwhelming.

I'm so happy that you are proud of me being in the service of the Lord on a mission. It makes me happy. I'm happy to go to New Zealand! That will be so exciting, getting off the plane.