Here and off running!!

Good Morning Dear Family and Friends,

We Just wanted to let you know that we made it to New Zealand in one piece!  It was a long, hard trip though.  So here's how it went.

Our flight was at 4:30 pm on Tuesday, 2 May 2017.  We first flew to Los Angeles and had a six hour lay over.  Our flight for New Zealand wasn't to leave until 11:40 that night.  Airports are not the greatest place to spend time.  Poor Greg, it was like torcher for him after spending many years in airports.  Luckily we did leave on time for our destination to New Zealand.   We were already pretty tired, and to add a 13 hour flight on top of that in a cramped plane was miserable!  wah wah!   We did make it though, and New Zealand is a beautiful country. However, it was only about 7:30 am when we got there so we still had a long day ahead of us. Our luggage made it too!  That's always a worry for me.    We were met by a sweet, big, Tongan, Elder from the MTC (Mission Training Center).  

When we got to the MTC, we were met by Presidsent and sister Howes, our Mission President and  his wife.  They were so kind and welcoming.  We got checked into our room and had a little rest.  

At 3:00 pm we met the other missionaries for an orientation.  We are the only senior couple here.  We are surrounded by  the most wonderful, young elders and sisters from all over the world.  It has been so fun to interact with them, find our where they are from, and where they are going on their mission.  There is only about 35 missionaries in our group.  

Elder Robison and I have been called to be Assistant Area Auditors in the Vanuatu Port Vila Mission.  We will be going to the different branches and wards of our mission and ensuring that the sacred funds of the church are being accounted for and spent correctly.  We will also be assisting the mission president with any needs he may have.  It will be alot of humanitarian service.

But, while we are here in the MTC, we are learning the samething the young missionaries are learning.  We are learning their lesson manual called "Preach My Gospel."  Since we are the only Senior Couple, we have our own private instructor.  We are learning how to meet with new investigators of the church and teach them.  We've been doing role playing so that we will know what it's like.  We were not called to proselyte, but you never know who we may come in contact with. We have been doing class work since we got here.  We start at 7:30 in the morning and finish around 9:00 in the evening.  Wow, it's hard on us old folks! We are enjoying being here and look forward to serving.  I'll close for now.  Just know how much we love and appreciate our friends and family at home.  Thank you again to all those who have made it possible to leave home and come on our mission.  

We love you!

    Love, Elder and Sister Robison XO