Zone Conference in Nelson February 2, 2012

Living room area overlooking the ocean and town

We arrived in Nelson on February 1 to attend the Zone Conference on the 2nd.  Nelson is about 130 miles from Westport and due to the curving roads through the mountains, it takes us about 2 1/2 hours to drive.  We found a pretty cottage on line located high atop a hill looking down on the ocean and city.  It was so high up and the only thing we could hear were the sounds of nature.  The home was surrounded by sheep, cows and the birds were amazing.  We hope you can get a sense of the beauty we enjoyed.  We sat outside and enjoyed watching the sun set.

City of Nelson at dusk

Road leading down from our cottage

Nelson and the ocean

Rocks are all along the ocean by the walkways

Sailboats

Sheep by our cottage

View from the cottage yard

We were so lucky to find this nice place to enjoy the views

He kept a good eye on us!

Cape Foulwind Walkway

This walkway is not very far from our flat here in Westport.  On our P-days we try to drive to areas in the vicinity to enjoy the beauty of New Zealand.  Cape Foulwind was amazing as well.  I keep pinching myself when I see these views of the sea.  This particular walk is home to a seal colony and we were excited to see that.  Even on P-days, we strike up conversations with anyone we can talk to,  introduce ourselves and speak of our mission for the church.  As we speak with tourist from other countries, they usually know  someone who is LDS.  So fun to hear!

See the seal in the center of the photo?

The seals were in the cave area here  There are two sunning themselves just to the left of the opening.

There's a seal in this picture! (I just can't find him at the moment!)

Can you stand it!!!!! It's real!!!!

A nice German friend took our picture.

Westport Branch

This is our branch building here in Westport.  It has a small multipurpose room/chapel, there is a kitchen area for meals and Relief Society,  A Library, The Branch President's office, 2 small classrooms - one of which is for Primary and the Baptismal font is there.  The rooms are very small.  That's Elder Turner by the front door!

Our Car

Westport Branch Relief Society Sisters.  We were having a RS meeting at Sister VanDenBosch's home to assemble the 2012 Primary monthly themes, scripture and picture into  booklets for the less active families and their children in the branch.

Sister Maugham - RS teacher,   Sister Williams - Originally from Scotland & is RS President,   Sister Turner - Missionary, Couns. in Primary,  Sister VanDenBosch - Organist & RS teacher,   Sister Stack - Primary President & Institute Teacher, originally from Montrose, CO.,   Sister Mitchell - RS Couns., Teacher Development Instructor, Branch President's wife.

Isabel Mitchell - My little Nursery girl

Isabel ( 2 in August)

Rebecca Mitchell ( 4 in July )

Samuel Mitchell ( 5 in March )

Rahoull Pau'u  (8 in September)  Mom and boys came last Sunday - has a twin, Joshua

Joshua Pau'u  (8 in September)  You should see these 2 boys do the Haka!!!!

Westport to Graymouth

Graymouth is South of Westport and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to drive.  We drive there to attend District Mtgs. from time to time or to do a bit of shopping.  The road winds along the coast and the scenery is just beautiful.  We drove there yesterday and the surf was pounding the rocks.  The power of the water is daunting to say the least.  Another observation is the beautiful blue-green, almost turquoise color of the water.   As we drive along, I only wish our loved ones could be here to see the beauty of this part of the earth.

Various pictures of the coast near our home.  The mountains are to the East of Westport and the coast to the West.

Sunset