I'm here, I'm finally here!

 Everything's been so wonderful!! It's so green here. The bush here is insane! The plants and trees are all so unique and crazy looking! My first area is Manurewa, It's south auckland and is basically the ghetto of the city. So not as nice here but the people are so humble and prepared for our message!! To be honest some of the first moments of things was pretty nerve racking but i got over it quickly. I feel very confident and determined to do my best. The weather here the first few days was really rainy and windy. Pretty dang cold! But it's gotten warmer. It's so cool how im going into the summer months! I tried to talk to everyone i could on the phone but those phone cards were a joke and i ran outta time! I thought id have heaps of time but i was wrong! The accents beautiful! Ive already had so many wonderful experiences and miracles! My very first lesson i set two girls to be baptized on the 16th! I was made for this! haha we have 6 people set now. My companion is a district leader and his name is elder Atkin! Hes been in this area for 6 months he's been out bout a year. So he's really good! We do great together especially when we're teaching. It's been a lot of fun! Not so scenic yet but the people make up for it. They say that the Auckland mission was the most successful in the world last year and my area broke records last month. They call all these areas around here the ring of fire. And we're the heart and soul of it cuz it baptizes like crazy!! Lucky huh!?  So we've already had many wonderful experiences! Heaps of food to eh?! This sunday i bore my testimony at the beginning of sacrament meeting it went great i love speaking now!! Something cool and i know it's of the Lord. So at my farewell with my last talk i had in sacrament all the young men sang army of helamen. Guess what happened after i spoke?! All the young men in the Rowendale ward sang army of helamen song!! It was definantly a wonderful moment! Made me think of home, got a bit emotional haha! I also said the closing prayer. But people are so loving here, theyve welcomed me like a son! It's been awesome! I know i'm where im supposed to be right now and im loving it!! And yes i did get all your boxes well two in the mtc unless there was more! haha but heres the addresses to send stuff!

packages and boxes:
New Zealand Auckland Mission
7A Auburn Street
Takapuna, North Shore City 0622
New Zealand

letters and padded mail:
New Zealand Auckland Mission
P.O. Box 33-840
Takapuna, North Shore City 0622
New Zealand

So there ya have it!! I love and miss you guys very much!! Hope all is going well and have fun on your trip!! I love you!! Ofa Atu!! :)

Mission President

23 September 2010

 

 

Dear Bro. and Sis. Devey,

 

It was a great pleasure to welcome your son, Elder Devey, to our mission.  He arrived in good health, ready to begin his missionary work here in the New Zealand Auckland Mission.  I have interviewed him carefully and find him well prepared, with a strong testimony.  He is a credit to his parents and we appreciate the privilege of having him here in the mission.  I feel honored to be his mission president and know that the Lord has prepared many people here to receive the testimony of the restoration he bears.

 

Elder Devey has been assigned Elder Atkin to be his first companion, his “trainer,” who will help your son adjust to missionary life.  They have been assigned to work in the Manurewa area.  We are confident that as they work diligently together that the lord will bless them in accordance with their faithfulness, and they will experience the joy of seeing our Heavenly Father’s children progress towards baptism in His church.

 

Your son will look forward to your weekly letters of encouragement and support.  Monday is his preparation day and will be when he is able to check for and write emails.  All mailed letters should be sent to the Mission Office, which address is located in the letterhead above. 

 

Thank you for all you have done to prepare your son for his mission.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.  Sister Porter and I will do everything in our power to help him have a wonderful and productive mission.  We pray the Lord will bless and sustain you in his absence.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

President Benson L. Porter

New Zealand Auckland Mission

HE GOT CALLED TO NEW ZEALAND!