June 22, 2014

Well at least I hope it is on it's way out. We have just had the shortest day of the year so that should technically mean that the warmer weather is on it's way. But people tell us that usually July is the worst month for winter weather. Great. The Maori's also have a mid-winter celebration called Matariki. There aren't many Maori people down here so it wasn't really a big deal. But I think it is supposed to be their traditional New Year. Pretty cool. 

Well this week went pretty well. The highlight of this week was on Wednesday night. We had received a referral from the Sisters of a family, the Mxxxx family, that was staying in Timaru that were former investigators. So we went to go visit them. We stopped by once and they were on their way out. Another time and they were just getting home. This time, they were home! So we went in their home and got to know them better. They are from the Philippines. They are very open to us. The father said that he thinks that you have to listen to all the different messages of each church because how can  you know which one is true if you don't hear them all? So that was an open door for us. We set a return appointment for this week on Wednesday night again and they said that they would cook some dinner then we could have a lesson after. So I will be getting real Filipino food! My first time. Very exciting for us! It was the first new investigators we have gotten in a couple of weeks. 

Overall we have had a good week. We are saying bye to President Kezerian through email today. It is his last week! On Sunday next week, we will have a new mission president. We are sad to see President Kezerian go, but also happy and excited for the new mission president, President Hudson. It will be interesting what kind of changes go on in the last year of my mission. I am sure things will change a bit. 

Sounds like you all had a great week. Lots of work and travel and family visiting. The new house for Greg and Aurora looks great! A house like that here would be very very expensive! The cost of living in NZ is pretty high, my guess is just because it is an island. Thanks for the pictures, it looks like fun. I am a little jealous of the warm weather! Although the weather here has been unusually warm. We have had a few days in a row without any rain! On Saturday we did a bit of service and it was so sunny that I think I got sunburned! In the middle of winter!

Well that is about all for this week. Hope things keep going well. Love you all!

Love,
Elder Burnham