Farewell New Zealand...

Hey everybody!!! :) This is the encore! The official last email to be sent in regards to my missionary service. As you last heard my last weekend in the field we had that marriage and baptism of Etienne and his family:) What a miracle that was!! I'm excited to tell you of more miracles that have taken place even as my parents came to this beautiful country!! Two worlds met that's for sure! haha The mission life feels like a whole other life and to have my parents come all the way to New Zealand to pick me up and tour the country it was quite amazing! Great transition to go home:) I'll start from the top and try to recall the events that took place after! So after I last wrote ya that last pday i said some very hard goodbyes.. Elder Dyumthi and many other missionaries it was painful to depart with them. Also some investigators and members.. I finished up packing that day and that Tuesday morning I was gone just like that! Elder Falepapalangi in my same zone came with me and off to the mission home we went! We got there and had breakfast with President and Sister Lekias. The missionaries who departed with me were Elder Afa and Elder Losalu, two of my former companions that have become dear friends to me.. Also my mtc district Elders Falepapalangi, Sorenson, and my faithful mtc companion Beckstead!:) A few others that I did not know too well who came at different times. We went to the mission office and had some job and education trainings. Also our last interviews with President.. That was so special. What a wonderful experience that was to receive counsel and advice of where to go from here and what to do in order to enhance my life and to further progress. So that was really good and we had dinner as well signed in eachothers journals and flags and such and than we had our final testimonies. The dying testimony as they call it! :) It was very emotional and very very special to me.. Especially to hear from former companions that I perhaps would not hear from again.. It was really really hard to say goodbye!! I've never been good at it and get very emotional.. This was one of the worst.. Because the mission meant so much to me and same with these special people and friends of mine. So it was the beginning of my farewell to beautiful Aeotearoa and my incredible friends... but a wonderful hello took place as my parents came to the mission home!!! :):):) Of course we had to film everything!! They came to the door after all the other missionaries took off and mom knocked.. I ran to my mom and dad of course hugging mom first.. Ive never experienced anything like that in the world.. I now have a little taste of what it may be like to be reunited with our eternal families:) That was such an amazing experience to be reunited with my parents... I'll never forget it... From than on it was vacation time!!! How my body needed it!! I was destroyed!! haha that trip with mom and dad was SOOOO much fun!!! We got to do such amazing things!!! The first couple of nights we stayed in Auckland City right next to the famous Sky Tower itself!! So confusing getting in and out though!! Dad multiple times would end up driving on the wrong side of the road!! haha But it was way fun!!! We went out to a beach and some beautiful walkways close by.. It was just so much fun to be with mom and dad again. Just to spend time with them!! That was what was so great about that trip!! Just having them to myself!! :) We also went up in Sky Tower and overlooked my mission!! Awesome!! :) Except im terrified of heights! One thing that was super fun we went to a good ol FIAFIA!!! My Papatoetoe ward put together a party for me and my parents!! The Fatupaitos put it together and members of the ward came! Junior and Allison were there as well and same with Miriana and some other converts and less-actives I helped while serving there. It was so fun!! A massive islander feed!! I think my parents liked it! I was right at home and enjoyed it very much! They than all took time one at a time talking about me and my parents! haha cultural stuff! They also gave gifts as well:) That was very special to me... Especially hearing from Junior, Allison, and Miriana and what they said... Meant the world!!! Goodness I love missions!! We come out to find people specifically who need us!! I'm so grateful I was worthy and able to serve!!! So that was a lot of fun and my mom and dad loved it as well of course! What parent wouldn't! haha It was just weird for me having so many people talkin about me!! haha That was a great night!!! Each day on the trip was so jam packed with stuff to do!! People to visit and places to see! We were very busy and had so much fun with eachother!! After bein in Central Auckland for a bit we went to the beautiful North where I served for 6 months! We ran into a few converts but spent most of the time sight seeing!! We stayed in a beautiful location in a bay in a hotel called Pacific Rendezvous! Never seen anywhere more stunning I swear!!! It was close to my old area in Whangaruru so we drove through there and I showed my parents my areas! We went to a ton of waterfalls and beautiful hikes and walkways! Nothing like the North Island of New Zealand that country is just so beautiful I can't get over it! Absolutely incredible! I think my favorite of that whole trip was just driving around with mom and dad and talking and enjoying eachother's company:) We went to the famous bay of Islands which is absolutely stunning! The next day we had to pack up super early in the morning and take off all the way to Hamilton Temple. To go witness probably the greatest miracle of my entire mission.. That is to see Junior, Allison, and their boy Vincent sealed together for all time and eternity.. We made it in time and I can't get over what a tender mercy that was from the Lord. For my last weekend in the field with my parents alongside seeing probably my favorite converts of the whole 2 years be sealed to one another.. How amazing that was!!! :) For my last 4 weekends to go baptism, than my birthday baptism, than a wedding and baptism, than a sealing... What an amazing way to finish a mission I could not have asked for more.. And I know that that was not a coincidence for my parents to be there just that one weekend and it happens to be Junior and Allison's sealing. If they didn't come pick me up I would have missed it! What a miracle it was indeed:) Best day of my life I swear!! Right after that about an hour away we went to a Hobbiton tour!! Where we got to see the Shire!! haha Capped off a perfect day it did! That was so much fun! Mom and I are big LOTR nerds not so much dad so we loved every second of it and took heaps of pictures!! haha That night we stayed on this farm gettin the whole NZ experience! It was right next to a waterfall and of course was stunning like everything else! That next day was Sunday where we ran a bit late to a nearby church! haha later on we found out dad got a ticket for speeding to get there! But that's a side note! It was in Cambridge. We than went to Huka falls and drove around Lake Taupo and stayed in Turangi at a cozy Motel where me and dad watched an All Blacks game:) It was a beautiful nice relaxing Sunday! We than made the 5 hour drive all the way to Windy Wellington! An awesome city! We would stop and visit places along the way and go sight seeing. We stayed in the city in Abel Tasman hotel and went around the city quite a lot checking out the beauty of that famous city! We went to the botanic gardens, took a cable car around and just enjoyed ourselves! Since I had no clothes that fit me anymore we got me new jeans and stuff! haha so I could wear somethin around! The next day was a full on Lord of the Rings tour where we got to see where they filmed a lot of the movies there in Wellington and got to see the Weta workshop and other nerdy stuff! haha that was super cool! We had a super nice lunch in this bay on the shoreline which was really fun as well! After Wellington we drove 6 hours to the Waitomo Caves where we stayed at a Bed and Breakfast. We did some awesome bush walks and went to some really cool caves and saw the famous glow worms and such! That place was amazing! It was so beautiful and those caves were amazing! The next day we did a few more hikes and made our way to the airport! Finished packing everything up and getting rid of stuff i didn't need and off we went.. A very very emotional day for me, for all of us.. Junior, Allison, and Vincent came to the airport to see us off and brought some gifts! We said our last goodbyes to them and than we were off in the air for the long flight back home.. I'll never forget at night time watching out the window sitting inbetween my parents seeing the country and the people that I love disappear underneath us. I was quite emotional and said a very long prayer of gratitude for the Lord allowing me to serve him and his people. Especially those faithful souls out in the Pacific.. I'll forever miss it.. The flight home was terrifying though!!! We almost died I swear the turbulence was crazy! haha but after a long trip we made it back in one piece. I got dressed up in my gifts from the people. Wearing my Tupenu, Kava, and Taivala. (that dress lookin church stuff.) And all my Niuean necklaces and other necklaces from many other islanders. My parents wore some as well. Than came the famous escalator in Salt Lake City Utah with family below awaiting our arrival.. How much fun that was to be reunited.. Never thought that day would come yet it did.. What a joy that was!!! :) And now I am back home. Having gone there and back again. My adventure in the mission field has come to a close and this is my final entry.. I love that beautiful work with all my heart... I will forever cherish my experiences out there and hold my memories dear.. I will forever miss that beautiful country and the even more beautiful people.. But now the next chapter of my life begins.. I continue on hoping one day to see all my loved ones again with our Father in Heaven living in his presence for eternity.. I cannot wait for that day but I take joy in the day today.. I love my Savior, my Master Jesus Christ. I am so grateful to have served and to have consecrated 2 years of my life to that work.. I love you all and I'm grateful for the support you have been and for your love.. With all my love I express unto you with a heart of gratitude bearing witness to the end of time that this church is true.. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen... OFA LAHI ATU!!!!! Arohanui!!!! Parker Devey:)

Sept 2, 2012 Here at the end of all things....

KIA ORA!!! For one last time in Aotearoa!!! :):):) Before anything else.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!!! :) well.... This is it!!! Can't believe we're here at the end!! What an absolute joy it has been to be in the Lord's service!!! I just can't believe it's over!! It still has not hit me yet!!! haha Well I hope you are all doing incredible as always and that everyone is all happy and dandy and such!!! How bout I tell ya about our week? Twas a very good one!! :) Monday was fun! Went and played ball with the other Elders down at Sunset chapel. Always good hittin the hardwood and ballin it up! Good pday it was and that evening we had a FHE with a family in our ward from Scotland, the Young's. They are so hilarious!! Oh my goodness!! It was one of the funnest family home evenings I have been to on my mission!! So that was really good!!! :) That tuesday was the usual district meeting! President Lekias showed up randomly to our meeting so that was really fun!! Went on a trade off with Elder Lokotui that day and guess what? More miracles!!! I stayed in our area with him and we committed two more people for baptism right after I leave!! One named Tamsyn and our sweetheart Japanese investigator named Kea!! Her lessons are so much fun she doesn't speak a lick of English so we have had translators in there with us! She's so special!! :) Super excited for her!! It was a really fun trade off! Except we went through even more trials with ET who was to be baptized that weekend and married and daughter blessed all that jazz!! He finally announced it to all of his family over in South Africa of what he was to do. They freaked and mocked and persecuted him like crazy.. So he had a really hard time getting through all that. We know it was a device of Satan's trying to hedge up his way right before the ordinance were performed.. We almost lost him. It got to such a point that he stopped it all. Amazing to see how Satan was working to do such a thing at the peak of my service as well. But as always, light always prevails over darkness:) He overcame, got many more spiritual confirmations and reassurances and continued onward:) That was one of those moments in that lesson and the many phone calls following where I was being tested very much so.. Pushed in the corner and my faith was tried.. But God always fulfills his promises if we are faithful and thus it was with ET:) Next day ET was interviewed and all was good for the upcoming weekend!! He overcame all concerns and was even more determined than before!!:) What a miracle it was by the Lord's hands. Nothing of our own that was all him!! Investigators like ET and his family make it all worth it.. The ones you work very hard for are so special. Not only because of the satisfaction of them taking that step and making that beautiful change. But also how you come to love them as you work with them. If you have not Charity you are nothing! That's true!! If we did not build the relationship we had with him and his family and that trust. He would have been gone. Amazing to see what Love can do:) That weekend was so special!! The dream came true!!! They were married, baptized and all that good stuff!!! They both were very emotional throughout as well! It was so special!! A beautiful gift from a loving Father in Heaven on my last weekend as a full-time servant in paradise.. It all went so great!! The ward helped out heaps and supported it like crazy!! The chapel was decorated hard-out and there was a massive feed after! The whole ward was there and heaps of their family as well!! It was so special!! SO SO much fun!!! :) After they were married by bishop we went to the font where I was honored to baptize my dear brother and friend. My last one... I got super emotional at that point!! After we embraced in the font he was pretty emotional as well. He was so prepared and ready.. When I went to the changing room like after most baptisms I fell to my knees and prayed. Emotions overtook me.. How grateful I am for the Lord allowing me to do this work and qualifying me to do as such as well.. How I love this work and church.. After that they had their little celebration in the hall with the feed!! To much fun!!! :) What a special weekend it was!! It got even better on Sunday!! His confirmation was so great!! That's when it really hit him:) As we sat in the congregation after it was performed he literally, not overexagerating, cried almost the whole hour!!! haha :) He was feeling the spirit so strongly and was full of love!!! He is the man and is loving it so much!! The Torbay ward is so good and has made him the center of attention! Just one big family and ET is so happy to be a part of it with his beautiful family!!! :) After many goodbyes from members that in this short time I've come to love dearly which was hard enough to say goodbye we than had our last lesson with ET and his family.. But I'll be seein him soon with the parents for sure!! But it was still tough that I'll soon perhaps never see them again..:( Ah it's gonna be hard to say goodbye to all these people I have to come to love quite dearly!! After that we had the "Last Supper" with the Ward Mission Leader Bro Rapata and his family!! One of my all-time favorites!!! That was so much fun and sealed everything off nicely!! How I love that family so so much as well!!! :) What a great last week it was... I Love this work and my Savior with all my heart... I'll forever be grateful for him calling me to serve my brothers and sisters out here in the Pacific among New Zealand and the Islands. I will never forget my memories and experiences out here in his vineyard.. How grateful I am that he has labored alongside me each and every day.. He has supported and sustained me all throughout. Without him none of these miracles could have taken place, not only in others lives but in my own.. Upon my soul and heart.. What he has done for me is past my comprehension.. But I have felt it and know it's real.. He is our Saviour and Redeemer.. Heavenly Father does indeed love us all individually infinitely and eternally... He has a perfect plan and I am so thankful I was able to show that plan to my brothers and sisters and to stand as a witness that his one true church has been restored in it's fullness upon the Earth... Now we have hope, and we can forever hold onto that hope for the eternities.. As a representative of Jesus Christ I have labored for him and his divine purpose... I am yet another witness that testifies with all surety of his heart that this work and church is true... God lives and speaks.. He is the same God yesterday, today and forever and is unfolding his purposes as in times of old and will continue to do so.. He has not forsaken us and he wants all of his children to return back home.. It's up to us to be his instruments to fulfill that work and calling.. Come join the ranks! How great shall be our joy as we bring others to Christ... I love you all very much and want to thank you all for your support, encouragement, prayers, and sacrifices in my behalf.. Before the mission in preparation and all throughout.. I have felt them and am eternally grateful for your love..It has not gone unnoticed trust me.. May God be with you all and may the Redeeming light and Grace of our Saviour Jesus Christ continue to touch your hearts and lead you is my prayer.. In the name of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, Amen...

August 26, 2012 Kia Ora!!!!

Kia Ora Whanau!!! :) How is everyone?!?! I hope absolutely fantastico!! I can definantely say that I am!!! The Lord has been blessing us abundantly it's unreal!! Oh my goodness how I love this work and life!! Sorry I'm just pumped right now! And you might say ah that's cuz the bro is trunky and he's excited to come home! But not even!! Just looking back at the mission, the experiences and the memories.. I think I have tasted a sample of a "fulness of joy".. I'll forever be eternally grateful for this sacred opportunity and privilege I had to be in his service... How I love this work and how I love the Savior whom I serve.. I do not want to part this chapter of my life and the people I so love.. But I must move on.. It's a part of life! :( I'm looking forward to seeing you all soon! Just warnin ya i'm not as dashing as I once was! haha :) But nonetheless I would hopefully say that I am the new and improved Elder Devey!! :) Hopefully I make ya'll proud! Don't wanna dissapoint! So may I tell ya of the week and the happenings thereof? Alright I'll get into it don't you fret!! So last monday guess what we did?! Well just the two of us so we went and kicked it at a nearby beach! Where we live and the area we conver is on a peninsula out in the ocean so there is beach everywhere! That'll be weird bout comin home! Some of my areas especially Niue I could see or hear ocean at all times! Soon that will be no longer! haha but anyways so we took heaps of pics and videos and all that good stuff:) The night was quite decent had some lessons and all that good stuff! Tuesday was really good!! We went on a quick tradeoff with the Assistants! My first son Elder Espino came with me and we went to a couple of lessons. That was super fun! Wow he has grown so much! Everyone wants their son to succeed past them! haha That's my boy!! He shared some comments with me and thoughts that meant a lot.. About when we served together and things we learned from eachother. He said some very sweet things in regards to how I helped him and the effect I have had on his service. It meant a great deal to me.. How I love Elder Espino!! I've loved all my companions so so much each and every one has been so incredible and I'll forever be grateful for laboring with these choice servants of the Lord:) So that was a great little tender mercy from the Lord on Tuesday! It was fun savin souls with him just like in the old days!! Some members that night brought us a new couch for the flat which we love and adore!! lol This area is so beautiful! I know I say that about all of my areas but it is!! And the members are as well!! I've really loved serving in this area and it's amazing how the Lord has provided for us.. It has been ALL him and his spirit and it's amazing to see the miracles that have taken place over this last transfer!! On Wednesday we had a Missionwide conference!! Back to my roots in Redoubt Rd Stake Centre in South Auckland, Manurewa!! :) My very first chapel and area! So that was special and also because the ENTIRE mission got to get together and that would be the last time I'd see mostly all of them... At the conference Elder Christiansen of the Presidency of the Seventy was in attendance with his wife. Also Elder Pearson of the Area Presidency over the Pacific and his lovely wife. Many others and all the senior couples and all of the missionaries. It was so great and so special. Great opportunity especially here towards the end of my service. That was a lot of fun and the spirit was so strong.. Just like at transfers as we were singing "Called to Serve" as a mission the emotions could not be withheld. I realized that'd be the last time I'd sing that beautiful song with the great NZAM... It broke my heart!! I was basically bawling as we were all standing and singing.. Missionaries were probably like what's up with this Elder?! haha :) Na they know me better than that!! So it was really hard saying goodbye to those whom I have come to love... Devestating!!! I hate goodbyes!! I'm a wimp when it comes to such!! Things are gonna just keep getting harder from here on now.. Buckle up!! :) So that was a wonderful day!! Turns out my last trade off ill ever have to go on started that night with our Zone Leaders!! It was super fun!! I worked him to the ground that's for sure!! haha just kidding! We did work very had and witnessed even more miracles!! So it twas quite enjoyable!! We done quite a lot of service this week! Moved two families and moving is a pain I tells ya!!! But they very much so appreciated it!! Partmember families and less-actives so it was super good!! And a lot of fun as well!! I love doin service!! No better way to softening hearts and being like Christ!! :) Already within this area though it has been a short amount of time I have come to love the peeps here very much as well!!! :) The people we are teaching are incredible and so amazing!! And the converts that are coming in are awesome as well!! From where it was when we came in to where it is now it's incredible!! :) Oh the miracles I tells ya!! Oh ya it was my birthday this last week!!!! :) I'm now 21!! Which is a big deal in NZ!! ha So it was fun!! I didn't tell to many people though!! That's when we moved one fam! They had us over that night as well for dinner(fishnchips) and cake!! So it was mean as!! :) That's bout it for my bday though!! It was really fun!! Nothin better than serving the Lord on your bday!! Got quite a few calls from missionaries and others wishin happy bday though which was fun!! Though some of em were disobedient:) haha President and his wife called and sang to me! Than the assistants and president sang again later!! Than some missionaries I'm super close to from other areas called and sang with their comps haha! :) So those were all nice surprises:) Than on Saturday my bday weekend guess what?!! We saved a soul!! I realized on all my bday weekends of the mission I've had baptisms and also Christmas and the Eves as well!! So those have been huge blessings!! :) Alred Tuiaki was baptized!!! :) Our tongan uso!! It was fun!!! :) Nothin better than savin souls!!! :) It was a really special baptism he's the man!!! Later that day we saw Et Low whose lookin awesome for the 1st!!! It's still on for them gettin married, baby blessed and baptized all on one day!!!!! :) They're so excited as well it's incredible!!!! They're such a miracle!!! :) I love em heaps!!! The ward has been awesome with it as well!! He's the center of attention for everyone the relief society has organized so much for it and same with the priesthood it's gonna be a pretty big deal can't wait!!! Gonna be a miraculous last weekend!!! What a blessing it has been for these last 3 weekends to have a baptism each one.. Even with the tough as area!! The Lord is so merciful!! And the 4th weekend the very last one in NZ on the 8th my parents with I get to go witness the sealing of Junior and Allison for my last weekend here.. How amazing is that!!!!?? :) I love this work so much!!!!! :) On Sunday it was really fun!! Got to give my last talk!!! :) The whole sacrament meeting was a missionary themed sacrament meeting and it was really special getting to speak in front of the people... An experience and a feeling I'll never forget..:) It's amazing to see the changes in that ward.. Going from not having a baptism for 2 years to 2 these last 2 weekends!! They're all pumped about it!! The Spirit is workin and everyone has caught the fire and are contributing so much!! So that's been heaps of fun!!!! :) The bishop got up and even talked about that same change! OUur WML there is incredible!! Bro. Rapata I contribute all of it to him and the Lord!! The works rollin!! :) Yeeehaw!!!! So ya most of our attention has been to that ward! We saw the challenge, accepted it and have worked our tails off and the Lord has provided as he always does:) So Super fun Sunday and than Elder Luamanuvae got to do his first confirmation which was very special:) So wonderful birthday weekend!! Yay!!! Things are going wonderful here and looking forward to this last weekend that's gonna be super busy and fun!! Can't wait!! I miss you all and love you all so so much!!!! :) May God continue to watch over and bless you all!!! I LOVE YOU!!!! :) Love Elder Devey

August 19, 2012 Kia Ora, Kia Ora!!

What up everyone?! :) Oh my goodness!!! It's gettin close ya'll! you're all probably pumped to see the new and improved Parker man! Hopefully i don't dissapoint! I remember always seein missionaries come home and it was a black and white difference! They grow so much! So hopefully you guys like the new version! I tried! :) haha but I'm still the same goofball i've always been! I think i've just learned some very important lessons that have changed my outlook on life completely! Not that I'm thinkin of comin home or anything! But it is kinda closer than i realize.. It's finally hitting me I've noticed.. But not really? Feels like home is SOOO far away and almost like a dream, like it never happened and I've been here my whole life it's really weird. And I'm pretty sure that soon the mission will seem like the dream which is a sad thought... People here are always talking about it and sayin such things! Freakin me out! :( I miss the Whanau(family) and can't wait to be reunited more than anything!! But also.. There's so many things about New Zealand and about the people that I so do not want to leave.. It tears at my heart the even thought of it.. Lately there has been a few times lately where I have just started bawling out of nowhere just by the slight thought of not seeing these people again or not having these incredible experiences.. It's going to be hard.. But this day had to come! I gotta keep going!! I'm so thankful for everyone's support and love from back home.. I have felt it and am so grateful for your prayers. I'll forever be grateful! :) I love you all so much!!! So let me tell ya of the work and what's happenin in this part of the vineyard! Well.. Miracles of course!! No doubt bout that!! :) So last pday was actually pretty enjoyable! We drove on down to play some ball with our district! Elder Dyumthi one of my all time favorites is in our district so it was super fun kickin it with him! He's hilarious!! :) Another one that it's gonna be hard to part ways with! But anyways so it was a good pday! Came back and had a FHE with a family in Torbay! Always good stuff the members in these wards are HILARIOUS!! It's been way fun!! :) On Tuesday we had Zone Conference! President has been super funny lately! You can see how much he has loosened up especially with me cause it's gettin close! He's like this is your last one isn't it? I was like President how darest thou?! And he just laughed and hugged me and told me to keep on keepin on as always!! He's such a wonderful man:) So zone conference was good! Good to be with all the missionaries as always!! :) We've been havin heaps of lessons with our main man ET!! :) More miracles with this guy!! So it's all planned out that it will happen on the 1st of September my last weekend. At 430 he will have his baby blessed, they'll get married, and he asked me to baptize him!! :) So we're pretty pumped about that!! Great last Saturday that will be!! :) Pretty exciting stuff!!! He's the man he's been eating it all up!! He loves it and it's amazing to see the changes that have been happening with him! He came to a activity that we had and enjoyed himself maybe too much! haha and he also came with us to a missionary fireside last night which was a really good experience as well!! :) So we're excited for him and his family and are really looking forward to that! Our bappy supposed to be happenin this weekend with our Tongan Alfred we gave him over to the Tongan missionaries. It will be a better situation for him! He's got mates there and speaks better tongan so off we sent him!! :) God speed Alfred!! um.. what else durin the week? Oh!! That Japanese girl named Kea that I told you about that came to church and was a pure miracle!! So we've been teachin her and we have an RM that speaks japanese with us to translate. They've been the funniest lessons! She's an absolute sweetheart!! She's keen as!! Just doesn't speak a lick of English!! But that's all good cause we learn by the Spirit and she's super receptive!! Some members are bringin to our flat some couches and things tommorrow so I'm pretty ecstatic about that! :) Ya than the Minute to Winit activity on Friday was a lot of fun! We got quite a few investigators there and they all really enjoyed it so that was good!! Than Saturday we had baptism day!! Elder Luamanuvae's first!! :) What a great experience that was! She's amazing! Her name is Dinah and she's Maori, she's 50 years old. Elder and Sister Nelson who are senior couple missionaries played a great role in it. She lives up in Warkworth but there is no font up there so they came all the way down to Hibuscus. We got everything set up and it was incredible! Heaps of her Whanau came and it was a very spiritually uplifting experience for all in attendance. Elder and Sister Nelson go home tommorrow and it was a wonderful mission ending event for them. Elder Nelson baptized her. I've drawn really close to both of them throughout their missions and love them very much! So it's tough to see them go as well!! :( On Sunday they picked us up and took us to Warkworth branch for the confirmation. Of course me and my comp both gave talks! As is custom first time missionaries come. The branch is TINY!! Smaller than my Niue branches!! It's a little rented out building with like only 12-15 people who come. So we blessed the sacrament, gave talks all that jazz! :) It was fun and the confirmation was very good as well!! We saved another soul!!! :) Whoooo!! It was fun driving back with the Nelsons! They're all about home now just talkin it up! and Elder Nelson is like don't distract Elder Devey! and than she's like he's basically going with us he needs to think of these things! So that was fun!! Beautiful drive as well, just such a gorgeous country!! :) Um... besides that?! Just workin to the end!!! :) I love you all heaps and hope you have a great week!!! Can't wait to see you all soon!!!! LOVE YOU!!!! Love Elder Devey

August 12, 2012 Another week in paradise...

Hi everybody!!! :) Hope you have all had another wonderful week and that everything is going awesome with you all back home!!:) My prayers and thoughts are with you!! :) Things are going great here!! The miracles have started coming after the trial of our faith!! So let's begin shall we?! So last monday was pretty lame cause we're still exiled out here on our own so we didn't do to much! We went to Orewa beach which is stunning and took heaps of photos! So that was really good! :) But besides that just laid around and did little errands and things so nothing too exciting! We had a feed with the Rameka family in Torbay and got a very good referral from one of the daughters:) Believe it or not he's tongan of course so he's keen! haha we've been teaching him at their home and the first lesson with the family we set him for baptism on the 25th of this month!! :) Whooooo!!! Miracles!! He's the man but we might hand him over to the tongan elders to baptize him or we still might not to sure! :) So that was a lot of fun!!! On Tuesday was the usual district meeting But we found out another miracle!! So up in Warkworth there is a boy who wants to be baptized! Just a wee lad I think 9 but without us being able to make it all the way up there the branch and the senior couple up those parts have been teaching him and he's coming down to our chapel this saturday to get baptized! haha :) More miracles! We cover Warkworth but we can't make it all the way up there because of our k allotment! But the Lord still provides regardless!! :) Also that night there's a girl we've been teaching named Tamsyn and we invited her to be baptized next month and she accepted as well!! Oh how I love this work!! The Lord truly does provide!! It probably has been my hardest area so far but he still provides a way and that's incredible to see!! :) The members here are really awesome and so much fun as well!! They've been fun to be with!! The Rapata's in Torbay ward have been some of my favorites. He's our ward mission leader but he does so much for us! I love him it's been fun having him around! We've also been blessed to find some new people to teach. On Sunday two random miracles showed up to church who are pretty keen!! One miracle is this Japanese girl who just moved in with a member family and apparently the other day they had motab playin and she walked in heard the music, stared at the cd player and started crying! So they brought her to church and she's keen to be taught! She doesn't speak much english though so we're grabbin a rm who served in Japan and he's gonna translate for us! Mean aye?! Also at the other ward we're sittin with our investigator and this random guy walks in and sits next to us and he smelled like smoke so we knew, (well hopefully) that he wasn't a member, brought him to our gospel principles class and he's the man! He said he just moved there looking for work and he had a strong impression to come to church so he came! So we'll be teaching him this week as well!! :) So quite a few miracles this week the biggest would have to be ET!!! :) so we started teaching him when we first got in the area. He's a great guy and he does wanna get baptized but someday! He's not married and he made it very clear that he didn't want to get pushed or forced. So we've been easy on him and have thouroughly enjoyed teaching him. Well the other day things all went downhill for him! And he kinda lost it! And in his angry upset state he called us and freaked out at us and told us to never come around again! That was super weird and interesting and that didn't sound like him. So I call his fellowship and let him know what happened. Our fellowship, our WML bro Rapata is the man! Calls him when he's cooled down and has a good talk with him. Than the next day we show up with bro Rapata and bring him lunch just to see what's up. That evil change of heart goes through another change of heart while we're there and help him resolve concerns. By the end all of the sudden he said he wanted to get his baby blessed, get married, and baptized all on the same day!! We're like what the?! He did that himself!! :) We didn't know if he was just having another good moment just in the right direction but we saw how serious he was when he took us upstairs with all his parents in laws and his partner up there and basically proposed in front of all of us! haha :):):) He told her what he was thinking of doing and how he wants to do it in the next couple of weekends!! So we knew he was serious!! Haha his partner is less active who we've been bringing back with ET:) So she was shocked!! The parents are members and they were absolutely pumped!! What a miracle!!! So we're gonna find out on Tuesday their legit plans and commitment to when it's all happening!!! But what a miracle oh my goodness!!! :) It's all good if it happens after I leave but I sure hope it's while I'm here!! So this week was just full of miracles!!! Though this area is a bit tougher the Lord has definantely been providing and blessing us greatly!!! I just never want this work to end!! :) I love it so much!!! But I'm also SOOOO tired... I'm feelin it now!! My frame doth shake and tremble exceedingly!! haha :) It's gonna be a fight to the end!! But there is no other option!!! :) And aparently while my parents are here we're gonna be able to go see a temple sealing of some of my converts!! The Lord is just so merciful and loving!!!! :) I love this work!!! We've been working hard and have been reaping the benefits!! :) I love you all very much and hope you all have a wonderful week!!!! Arohanui!!!! :) Love Elder Devey

August 5, 2012 The Green Mile...

Hi everybody!! :) Quite the title for the email I know! haha I thought it was funny but probably not! But I guess it is getting close which is crazy I can't believe it! So I'm not going to! I hope and pray that all of you had a wonderful week this last week and that all is going good!! Well I'll tell ya of the haps here in Aotearoa!! :) Last pday was pretty lame! We're too far away from everyone so there's not much to do!! There's beautiful beaches around but it was pouring so we kinda just kicked it at the flat! we're lucky and have a little nice set up of weights so we worked out heaps on pday which was fun!! That was bout it! ha The week was really good! We're really getting a feel for the area and have been findin a few people to teach which has been good! The members are incredible and have been helping us out heaps! They've been very supportive and and are so funny! I've been loving the members here so far!! :) We had a few dinners with some of them this week and also have gone and visited a lot of them and that's been good. We're just doing our best to get missionary work rolling in these wards! On Sundays we have to split up during church. Both of our wards start at the same time. We still haven't been out to our Warkworth branch it's so far away!! lol but I went to Torbay ward again. I really really like that ward! It feels like home! :) Elder Luamanuvae and I have been getting on great! He's funny! So it's been good but it feels like we're completely alone here! haha I'm used to seeing missionaries all the time and now it's just the two of us each and every day!! But it's great! It's been a good last transfer so far! Keeping me focused and working hard which is what I need!! :) So nothing to complain about and nothing really to report on either! haha just working hard trying to find people to teach and baptize!! It's a little harder here but I know God prepares his children everywhere! So we just gotta go and find them!! So it's been fun!! Well I hope you all know how much I love all of you!!! :) More than you can handle that's for sure!! Please pray for me I need it! I pray for you all and I miss you all very much!! And I also want to thank you all for your support, love and prayers. It has been my inspiration and motivation throughout my service.. I thank you for that and will be forever grateful. You all have a special place in my heart!! I LOVE YOU!!!! :) Love Elder Devey:)

July 29, 2012 Gidday!!

Hi everybody!! :) It's Elder Devey again! Well things are going good here what can I say?! Hope everyone back home is doing awesome!! I miss and love you all very very much!! I continually pray for all of you and hope that the Lord continues to watch over you and bless you abundantly!! So this week has been a crazy one! our last pday was pretty lame! Didn't really get up to much. But Tuesday was really good! A part-member family came to church and told us to come baptize their two kids who hadn't been baptized yet! So we're like, um ya we can do that! We went over and taught the two kids on Tuesday and they were keen as! They're awesome! And we set them for baptism for in a couple of weeks! Miracles aye?! Too bad I won't be there to see it but it's all good!! On Tuesday some of the families had me over for their last feeds and things! Went to a Tongan family named the Sikea's. They gave me a mean Tongan gift! This massive wall decoration thing called a Tangutapu I think? But it's way cool!! :) After that we saw some converts, saw Tania, Rebecca and Mata'anu. They got me quite a lot! A cool cocunut ukelele, some cook island necklaces and lava lavas and so forth! It was a fun last night with them I love them so much!! It was really weird but since the airport is in our area we always help out heaps with taking missionaries to and from the airport. We took some missionaries home which was pretty hard because I have become close to quite a lot of them! All the missionaries that just went home in that last intake were all so awesome! I served around heaps of them and got to know them all very well! It was hard to see them go! And we had to go pick up a sister at the mission home and we were there when some of the families and parents came to pick up their sons or daughters from the mission home! That was super weird to see! Got me a bit excited not gonna lie!! ;) My last day in Thomas rd ward!! Oh the beautiful land of Mangere!! :) We had some last little lesson/get togethers with converts and members! Had a feed with a Niuean family, the Taula's. Who of course gave some Niuean gifts! :) Also Nancy and the daughters! Those sweethearts! Saw Emi, etc etc! Just popped in on a lot and said some last goodbyes! I love that ward so much!! The converts there, the members, the people overall!! I miss it so much it's not even funny!! Hands down my favorite area of the mission!! :) But I'll be visiting them soon anyways so it's all good!! Some of the hardest goodbyes were at transfers... Former companions that we knew wouldn't see each other again we all had to part ways.. Some I'll be able to visit again but there's those couple where I don't think it would happen. Elder Losalu and Afa.. My two tongan brothers.. I dunno when I would see them again. They don't even have emails or addresses or anything where they stay in Tonga!! I've drawn so close to these two! They are some of my best friends for sure! Their stories are so amazing as well.. Joining the church was a huge sacrifice for these two. It's men like these that have caused this church to soar. Both got disowned by family and had to live on their own before their missions. And right at a year mark they left all and came to the mission field. Elder Losalu lived nearby Elder Afa and even baptized him because he was baptized just prior. They then both got their mission calls same time to the same mission. They both will go home together and I have been companions with both of them. One on Niue the other in Mangere. They go home a couple of weeks before me due to visas so that was the last time I'd see those two... It was probably the hardest goodbye of my mission yet.. I'll miss those guys I love em so much!!! :( In their broken english:) they told me they'd see me in the celestial kingdom.. Oh the mission!! Just jam packed of changes and hard goodbyes!! There's nothing like it!! You fall in love with so many people out here!! Such beautiful people I've been able to meet out here on my mission. People that forever have impacted and changed my life. People I will never forget and whom I will hold forever dear in my heart..How grateful I am for them and for all they've done for me.. Well enough of this sad business!! :) So transfers happened and I got my new companion! Elder Luamanuvae!! Straight from Samoa!! I've had samoan companions but they were plastic because they came from aus or nz! He's straight from the island! I even was talkin to Elder Whipple how I've had almost every other Islander so this was bound to happen and it did!! :) Awesome aye?! He's the man as well! So obedient and willing! English isn't the best but he's determined to work hard! I just pray I don't get in his way! Studies are crazy now because it's some new trainer program which wasn't there when I first trained. So there's an additional hour of comp study and plus he has his language study so we're in the flat for ages I hate it!!! haha but it's all good! He's soaking it all up! Hopefully I can teach him everything I know! :) The new area is insane!!! SOOOOOO beautiful!!! But MASSIVE!!! And we don't have near enough ks it's ridiculous!! We cover Warkworth branch, Hibuscus ward and Torbay ward. Arguably the richest areas of our mission and it's just the two of us!! I'm a south aucks boy and love the islanders with all my heart!! So this is being a bit difficult to get used to! Prideful white people!! haha But it's all good!! The members are absolutely lovely!! Very fun!! But ya in these 3 wards and branches over the last couple years there has been 1 possibly 2 baptisms over all!! :( The last weekend in south aucks we just baptized 3!!! So this is gonna take some getting used to! The members were shocked to see missionaries! It's been a long time! haha so this is definately that "Mountain to Climb" as President Eyring speaks of! It's funny but I asked for this too! Not only to President but in prayers that I'd be given an ending that would force me to work hard and finish strong! Well I learned that two-fold lesson as well!! So I'll do my best and hope and pray all works together for our good!!!:) The members have been helping heaps and that's been a great blessing! There's potential that's for sure we've just got to find it!! We've met up with heaps of the members trying to get things rolling. They have fed us well! haha we've gotten lost heaps and we don't have a cell phone which I'm not used to!! We've had some funny experiences as always!! We've been grateful or lucky to even teach anything!! lol :) The ward mission leaders in both wards are super onto it and they've been helping heaps!! Than on Sunday in both wards we had to give that big mission-wide combined 3rd hour training that I've already done in the South! So that was exciting as well!! They'd thrown us in the deep end I'd say!! haha It's interesting I'm used to members that will drop anything to help us or let us in! We've had members, even members! (One of them being a bishop) who turned us away at their doors!! haha Not saying the members are mean! Just not used to the white folk!! That's for sure! And the people we talk to on the streets they're definately quick to let us know if they're interested or not!! haha :) But we've been loving it! It feels so lonely though! We're far away and I'm used to being around missionaries ALL the time!! Trade offs phone calls etc etc!! Now no messages on phone, no cell phone, no random errands to be done, just me and my Samoan!! :) But the area is SOOOO beautiful!! One of the best beaches in NZ and the houses are rich as! Everyone is so proper and intelligent!! The ward was actually doctrinally sound which I'm not used to!! haha just kiddin! No more funny talks!! Everyone's so serious! No loud laughters and screaming and joking around. Just handshakes no hugs!! haha It's a change!! But I'll get used to it!! The members really are SOOO good though!! Just haven't served in an area like this!! It's a lot different but we're excited!!! :) For pday not sure what we're gonna do today! Probably check out some beaches!! Well love you guys soooo much have a great week!!! :) ALOFA ATU!!! Love Elder Devey