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Our district Elders drove up to Gore for our district meeting, lunch at our house and some tracting in Gore. All went well at lunch but I was close to panic when the first Elder dipped up two sloppey joes on enormous buns! I had assumed that it would go around one time before they went for "seconds" but wrong...Fortunately the night before I had increased the quantity of "joes" and added a fresh fruit and vegge plate to accompany the large potato salad I had made. All of this was was followed by an enormous piece of chocolate zuccini cake and ice cream. They can really eat...They found some contacts for us to visit and we have caught up with two of them...Our pot luck Sunday dinner was transforomed into our Christmas party for our Branch today. We had roasted chicken plus vegetables and all of the trimmings as well as a Chinese "porridge" and some Fillipino pancit which is a noodle dish. The dessert table (or puddings as it is called here) would have made any respectable American Thanksgiving feast proud. Thanks to Jax for mailing me pretzel rods we had dipped pretzels, chocolate zuccini cake, pavlova, mincemeat filled cookies, lemon cheesecake, triffle,a giant bowl of fruit cocktail, and a cherry cheesecake. Everything was delicious and so nicely decorated. We had gone over Friday to set things up and everything we had done was changed today when we got there, which was FINE with me but we did remove the decorations they had put in the chapel as per the handbook. "But we've always had them," was their oomment...'nough said.Can I just say how proud of our 4 children we are? And how grateful we are for their choices and who they have become? I nearly pop my buttons and try to hide my "pride" but count our children as among our greatest blessings. We continue to see young adults making decisions that will have negative consequences for generations with innocent children paying the price for their parents sins. It is heartbreaking and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is THE answer...and it is the only answer. I am so blessed to know this and try to share our message with our friends in New Zealand.Have a great week as you hustle and bustle with the excitement of Christmas...we are mellow and enjoying it. Our one and only party was a success and we are happy! Love, Dixie
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Grandpa fighting baby Orcs on the trail.jpg

feeding the missionaries sloppey joes.jpg

Lupine hedge on both sides of the gravel driveway with an occasional fox glove....jpg

they posed by the lupine for me...ha!.jpg

attempting to get a better shot the Elders are tying thier cameras to the clothesline....jpg

Clever Jack has managed, medical mystery, to trap fluid behind both ear drums which amplifies sound and noise, and my melodic voice, to the point of being very painful. The treatment is a decongestant which kept him awake all night the first night and he takes a much reduced dosage which also lowers its effectiveness. A short hike to a higher lookout point yesterday with some serious yawning and gum chewing while on top,m seemed to improve it marginally. WE may be visiting this tiny knoll daily for several days. The possibility of an appointment with an ENT, because we are outside the system and not an emergency puts the appointment in August. Maybe we can return for the visit...ha!The lump in my breast that was "fine needle aspirated" proved to be negative. It was a routine mammogram that turned into a closer examination necessitating some tissue samples and lab work which fortunately was all good. I was touched when I found out that the Branch members, who knew about the examination were praying for me. Knowing that friends and Branch members were praying for me was strengthening and add to that the blessing of having their prayers answered. It was a memorable, tender moment for me. I will not forget it. It sounds like we have lived at the clinic the past week, which is not true but just doing what is necessary to stay healthy. We loved attending the "graduation ceremonies" for the handicapped patrons who come to the fair grounds weekly to ride horses. You would have thought we were at the Academy Awards for the significance it held in their lives. Each patron was given a certificate with a ribbon attached, which becomes a treasure and source of pride for them. We are blessed to know these precious people and rub shoulders with the fabulous volunteers who appear weekly to groom the horses, walk the horses with a mount astride around the paddock then, when the day is over, return the horses to the paddock where they stay for a week. It continues to be one of the favorite things that couple missionaries participate in and we know why.Weeds are disguising themselves as carrots in our carrot bed! We weeded for a few minutes then Jack attacked them the next day. All is well. Have I commented before on the value that is placed on tomatoes as a sort of status symbol because some sort of "plastic tunnel", or hot house, is required to grow them in? If you grow tomatoes in Southland (the big district that includes the bottom 1/3 of the south island) you have a plastic tunnel. We will be the recipient of the abundance of tomatoes 'cause we don't have a hot house! Can't wait. Ate broad beans (never had them before) from the neighbors garden yesterday. They look like a lima beans but cook and taste like a pea, once you remove the battleship gray outer skin around the bean. (The fresh bean is a pinkish color which turns to battleship gray when cooked.) The inside of the pod has the most exquisite system of fibers to cushion and protect each bean. I should have been a biology teacher! Sorry.We miss the farmers markets on the north island that were full of fresh vegges and fruit. We attended the one here in Gore Saturday and saved heaps of money. We bought nothing. Too early for the vegges and several tables were marketing meat products from a variety of the local dairy, sheep and antelope farmers. The variety will improve, we have heard.We sang Christmas songs for Sacrament Meeting today as you probably did, also. I think the season will be like watching something through a thick fog. Summer just doesn't cut it for Christmas Spirit! It will probably be our most meaningful Christmas as we ponder the Savior and his life. We are looking forward to a break from the hustle of the commercialism of the season.Our Branch continues to be a spiritual feast for us. It was wonderful to hear and share our testimonies with them. They are good people and wonderful Saints.We love you and pray for all of you...Enjoy this special time of year. Remember, HE is the reason for the season!Love, Dixie

Auds, I see the picture titles underlined but dit you actually see the photos? Or do I have to re-send them...sorry. I may be home before I figure this out. Did you know you are the guinea pigs? I sure do love you. Mom


statue of the Romney ram in Gore.jpg

A Romney Ram at auction which sells for up to 4 thousand dollars.jpg

A school crossing in Gore.jpg

the broad bean in its cushioned habbitat..jpg

Farmer Jack.jpg

The wee knoll where Jack was popping his ears.jpg

Hey, Auds,

Here it is, just for you...I hope the labels I typed hours ago come with the image because I am now home and going to bed.

I loved talking to you and reading the Thanksgiving account. You are making wonderful memories.

Love, Mom