Fast Sunday

Ever since we came home from Hamilton on Tuesday it has rained, hard, everyday, showing us what living here will often be like. The picture from our balcony when its barely raining or misting:

Because we'd heard that the 309 was a little sketchy because of all the rain,  we decided not to take the dirt road to Coromandel today but instead drive on the paved road (only abut 10 minutes longer). We got to the branch building and chatted with the Branch President for a few minutes. He mentioned that he had speakers for the meeting and I asked,"Isn't it fast Sunday? Since we had stake conference last week?". And he answered, "Hmmm. I guess it is." Oh the fun of a small branch..... The meetings in this congregation bring back so many memories of our days in Colorado. Fast Sunday is a time where anyone can have a turn to speak and discuss what has strengthened their belief in Jesus Christ during the last month. There is usually about 45 minutes allotted for that so in small groups (we had 12 attending) there is ample time for everyone to get up whereas in the larger wards, there is only time for a small percentage of everyone. I actually enjoy the opportunity to get up, to "bear testimony " as we call it. I also enjoy listening to others, feeling of their sweet personalities and feeling that confirmation that what they are saying reverberates in my soul. It was a great Sabbath.
     Finally at about 6pm the clouds parted and we saw the sun for a few minutes. We decided to take the chance and go for a walk along the ocean. The full moon rising above the cliffs was spectacular. 

You can also see a bit of the logs, twigs, shells and other stuff that washed up from the sea during all the storms. The beach was littered with it. It was good to see the color of the water returning to its natural blue too. And we didn't get rained on!
Kia Ora (pronounced like "key-oar-a), Elder and Sister O'Neal