Senior Couple journal — New Zealand Hamilton Mission
August 3, 2014 to August 9, 2014
Greetings, wonderful friends and family,
We are still experiencing cold weather here in the Taranaki. The temperature was -1 degree Celsius this morning, or about 30 degrees Fahrenheit. We had a hard frost on the windshields and lawns. Our tropical paradise is acting much more like a polar region at present.
1/ Scripture joke of the week: Who was the best obstetrician in the Bible? See below for the answer.
2/ Church History question of the week: Which apostle in this dispensation served the longest length of time in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles?
3/ Quote for the week: Every day may not be great, but there is something great in every day.
4/ Update for the week: A remarkable miracle has occurred in the lives of two of our faithful branch members here in Hawera during the last six weeks. Terry and Ali Marshall, two dear friends, went up to Hamilton to participate in Temple Week 6 weeks ago. While there, they received a call from the temple president, President Sid Going, to serve as temple missionaries during the coming year. They were thrilled and accepted the call. A major problem remained, however. The Marshalls had been trying for over two years to sell their home in Eltham, New Zealand, as they desire to move to Wanganui, and now to leave for their mission with their home unsold was going to be a major challenge and a financial burden. They had tried every trick in their realtor’s book to sell the home, but to no avail. They had taken the home off the market, but decided to try again after receiving their temple mission call. The first couple that went through the home fell in love with it and made a firm offer to buy it that very day. Sister Marshall called me in tears, acknowledging that the Lord blesses his saints as they devote their lives to Him. They felt that this answer to prayer was a result of their acceptance of their mission call. Who can doubt that?
We traveled to Hamilton this past week to participate in a Zone Conference with the young missionaries. We were able to stay with President and Sister Rudd, and enjoyed hearing Annette recount her wonderful experiences at the temple marriage of their son, Sam and his new bride, Karlee.
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5/ Answer to the scripture joke: Who was the best obstetrician in the Bible? Probably Moses, because he delivered all of the children of Israel! See Exodus 3:10, where it states that Moses was sent to bring forth, or deliver, the people of the children of Israel.
6/ Answer to the Church history quiz: The apostle that served the longest in the Quorum of the Twelve was Elder Joseph Fielding Smith. He was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve for 59 years and 10 months (April 7, 1910 to January 23, 1970). He then served as President of the Church for 2 years and 5 months.
Much love,
Elder and Sister Taylor
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