May 18th 2014
(Elder Tibbitts has been transferred to the Whangaruru area, way up north)

Hey family! 

We had a Zone Conference this week on Tuesday with Elder Pearson of the Pacific Area Presidency, and he killed it. It was awesome. 

This weekend was Stake Conference New Zealand-wide, and all the stakes in New Zealand watched a satellite broadcast from SLC with Elder Oaks and President Monson speaking. President Monson spoke about some experience he had in New Zealand when he was first called as an Apostle. 

I really love my companion. He's a man without guile. He doesn't judge others, and he isn't sarcastic or belittling, and he's obedient. He's finishes his mission in a month, same as Elder Brown. 

As part of the Saturday night adult session of stake conference, I spoke on conversion, retention, and activation.   

We are teaching a 17 year old boy whose mom and dad are less active, and as we have been teaching him, his parents have joined in on the lessons. He'll be baptized this saturday, and his mom and dad said they'll come back to church and prepare for the temple, beginning this week. Yeah! 

At the saturday night session, a lady spoke about some special experiences she has had doing family history work. She told stories of how she has seen ancestors and they have directed her to the work. Maori's have a special spiritual gift. Nearly all of them have visions and see their ancestors through the veil. It's almost a given that as soon a Maori starts to do family history work, they have a vision. It's like common practice! 

This week the Lord has given us a lot of favorable circumstances where we have been in the right place and the right time, and the people who we are teaching have had soft hearts.  

Sorry, we don't have too much time.  Much to do in the country.  Keep reading and praying! 

I love ya! :)