On Saturday, March 5, 2016 we headed to Wenderholme Regional Park for a YSA activity.  They had an all day activity. We arrived about 11:00 a.m.  We were tired from all the travel and needed to get some things done earlier.  When we arrived most of the kids had arrived and the games were beginning.

The YSA gathered around getting instructions of what games they were going to play.

Elder and Sister Mickelsen, Self-Reliance Missionaries and also in the YSA Ward with us, talking with Brother Renata who is the high councilor over YSA for Manukau Stake.

Some of the young men were cooking the lamb and chicken.  It was very good, they did a great job.

Brother and Sister Pome'e arriving with their children.  He is the second counselor in the bishopric.

Getting ready for a tug of war.  Brother Tauili'ili giving them instructions.  He is the first counselor in the bishopric.

The above team and this team are going against each other.  Can you guess which team won?  The team above, but they were mostly men and this team had a lot more girls.

It was a pretty serious tug of war.  These guys are strong.

Nada and Sister Tafiti, the bishops wife.  She is such a good lady.

After a few games it was time to eat.
They always make us lady senior missionaries go first and then the girls then the men.

These are seriously large salads.  I always worry because even here they bring salads with mayonnaise, play, talk and then eat.  At least they had them covered and not in the direct hot sun.  No one got sick.  There was not much left by the end of the day.

Reed talking to Bishop Tafiti's kids while they are eating.  They had set up mats, blankets and tents.  They were there the whole day.  Reed is ready to go in the water.











Reed snorkelling.  Not much to see but he gets in the water when he can.  The weather was very nice today.

Some of the kids played card games.

They do not wear swimming suits.  They just got in the water with their clothes on.  They really get along well together and had a lot of fun.  We really appreciate how much they include us in their activities and events.

Sister Mickelsen and Nada walking down to the beach to watch the kids playing water games.

We had a great day at the beach.  We left around 3:00 p.m. because we needed to do some shopping and finish laundry from being gone for two weeks.

We really love being in the Auckland YSA 1st Ward.

On Sunday, March 6, 2016 they finally released Bishop Tafiti.  He has been acting as Bishop and Stake President for six weeks now.  We are very sad to see him and his family go but he will be a great Stake President.  Brother Tauili'ili was put in again as the first counsellor to the new bishop but Brother Pome'e was released.  We will really miss this cute little family.  Always changes.

We are so grateful to be serving here in New Zealand.  We live in a beautiful country with so much to see and do.  We are blessed to serve with the YSA and their leaders.  We are trying to do our best.

We love you all.  Until next time, Love Elder and Sister Spencer (aka Reed and Nada)