South Island Sr. Missionary Seminar - Christchurch, NZ

Good Morning Christchurch

We attended the South Island Sr. Missionary Seminar on May 29 -31.  We are all geographically  spread out on the Island so President and Sister Kezerian wanted to get us together for training and to socially meet as well.  We met for 3 to 4 hours each day discussing various topics pertaining to our  assignments.  We discussed a wide array of topics related to our callings ie: Working with members, Finding people to teach, Teaching and loving full time missionaries-offering counsel and encouragement, Flat inspections, Emergency Preparedness, Family History efforts in our district's and The Doctrine of Christ just to mention a few.  We shared ideas and programs together which was helpful to each of us.  We then took an opportunity each afternoon to  see some of the sights in the Christchurch area.  Each day we had lunch and dinner together.

Elder Turner

Sister Turner

Many areas in the city were damaged by the major earthquake they had in 2010 and 2011.  The streets were being repaired throughout the city and buildings like the one below were fenced off awaiting a turn for construction and reinforcement.  We didn't go into the city where the steeple fell off the landmark church due to that particular area of the city being so devastated and unapproachable.  A couple of the ward buildings are condemned and members are meeting in other parts of the city.  We met in the Cashmere Ward building.  They continue to have tremors daily but it hasn't slowed anything down that we could notice.  Christchurch is a very busy and modern city.

Old Church

Beautiful Architecture

Dinner together at Lone Star Restaurant - Left side: Nieder's from Idaho, Risenmay's from Washington State, Sister Nation from California, Sister Chelius from Utah  Right Side:  Pres. Kezerian from Utah (Sister Kezerian had surgery and could not be with us), Turner's from Colorado Brazzeal's from Utah

Elder Risenmay and his rib feast!

View of the city at night - so beautiful