CHRISTCHURCH----The Garden City

We flew into the Garden City, Christchurch, Saturday evening. Christchurch is the third largest city in New Zealand. We decided to eat at a restaurant we had seen as a chain in New Zealand, called The LoneStar. Delicious! I had a tender steak and home fries and felt like the USA was nearby. The restaurant even had country music playing in the background. We drove around Christchurch and saw the church, some of the houses of John's friends, and also Johnny's flat from his time in Christchurch. Britt and Johnny took us back to our motel and then they went on a little drive around the downtown area.

We were all excited to attend church Sunday morning. We knew we would see the Polo family, the Fesolai's and other members that Johnny had grown close to while in Christchurch for 6 months of his mission. The first people we saw in the foyer were Sister Polo and Fale. What a sweet reunion. Another young man was so happy to see Johnny. John Fesolai was a young man in the ward that wasn't in Christchurch 5 years ago when we visited. Johnny and John were very excited to see each other again. They obviously had a close friendship. John Fesolai took me aside and told me how much Johnny had influenced him for good. I couldn't hold back the tears as John told me that Johnny had helped him to realize he could serve a mission and change his life. John told me about his mission to the Philippines, attending BYU Hawaii, marrying Carly, graduating, having an adorable little girl, Melia, and now attending graduate school. He said, "They say that a missionary is sent somewhere to change just one life while he serves. I was the person that your son was meant to influence."

Johnny, Carly, John and Melia

After a wonderful 3 hours at church, we went back to the motel and changed. We were able to get KSL (since it was Saturday in the US and Sunday in New Zealand) and listen for 5 minutes to the San Diego/BYU game. Hearing Greg Wrubel's voice made the world a little smaller. The Internet is amazing. We were invited to the Polo's for Sunday dinner. We had such a delicious dinner. Many Samoan dishes were included. What gracious people they are. The Polo's treated Johnny like a son as he served in their ward. They are a Samoan family and have strong Samoan traditions. In their home, they have family pictures all along the wall. They have included a picture of Johnny and Brittney and our family on their wall. We feel honored to be included. Sister Polo is the sweetest lady. She is always serving her family. Brother Polo is very humble and kind. Johnny baptized their daughter-in-law, Jackie, while he was a missionary there. Leon and Jackie now live in Australia so we weren't able to see them again. We had a great dinner and visit. We laughed and caught up with all the family news. Afa, their second son, and his family were there too. Their son, Junior, recently had an operation to put a steel rod in his spine and was recuperating well. Junior always has a smile on his face despite his challenges. Fale danced for us and is very talented. The gospel truly makes us brothers and sisters.

Brother and Sister Polo, Fale, and a grandson

Afa, Lisa Polo and two of their boys

Junior in his wheelchair with his bright smile

Glenis Polo, the only daughter in the family

Glenis, Johnny and Joe Polo

Sweet Sister Polo

Fale was really light on his feet as he danced for us

Johnny with Sister Fesolai, John's mother. We were blessed to visit with Sister Fesolai in the Hamilton Temple when the Christchurch stake was there. She is also the Relief Society President in the ward. Brother Fesolai was the bishop when Johnny was a missionary and is now in the Stake Presidency.

Lyttelton Bay

Monday morning we bought the rest of our souvenirs and then drove to Lyttelton Bay. This is on the other side of the mountain from Christchurch. You must drive through a long, long claustrophobic tunnel to reach the bay. This is the bay where Grandma Char's cruise ship docked when she was visiting New Zealand. It is a tiny little town with a beautiful view. We took a windy road drive, up to the top of the mountain. (we had driven under the mountain through the tunnel earlier) Johnny, Brittney and I took a hike to get to the top of the rocks to look out at Christchurch and the Pacific Ocean.

Overlooking Christchurch

Johnny climbed as high as Brittney and I would let him without screaming --- we were screaming a little bit.

I had to take this picture to show my brother-in-law, Bart,

that they are fighting a form of Dyer"s Woad in New Zealand

also.

We drove back into Christchurch and walked along the pier that goes out over the Pacific Ocean. We saw many fisherman and surfers. (even though it was a cold windy day)

The brave fishermen

This cute little boy had a crab pinch him through his gloves

The Pacific Ocean and Christchurch behind

Johnny and Brittney

Our last day in New Zealand found us up early. Johnny was going over to visit John Fesolai and his family while we finished packing and getting ready to leave. One of the most annoying things Brittney and I found in New Zealand was the blow dryer. The blow dryers there do not have an off/on button. You must hold a button down with your thumb while you try and blow your hair dry. It was a real challenge. Brittney had to help me with my hair several times since I blew up my round brush blow dryer the second day in New Zealand with the wrong wattage. When Johnny left to visit, it was raining a torrent. He later told us how he had prayed for the rain to stop at 10:00 am when we had to check out so that we could go to the Botanical Gardens. Yes, the rain stopped!!!!

Johnny eating canned spaghetti on toast for breakfast---YUCK!

We probably ate 8 pounds of cheese on the trip. We would stop at a grocery store and buy cheese, crackers and bread to eat in the car each day. This became Johnny's signal to me that he wanted more cheese and crackers.

Brittney taking care of me

A famous fountain at the gardens

Johnny and Brittney standing at the bottom of this TALL tree

Monkeying around under a Banana Tree

"Veronica" the plant

The Silver Fern behind Johnny and Brittney. The Silver Fern is one of the National Symbols

Lovely azaleas

More beautiful azaleas

We left the gardens and began to drive downtown. We had noticed all the school kids wore school uniforms. We would see them no matter where we were in New Zealand. My favorite school uniform was the one we saw in Christchurch by the gardens.

Fancy school uniforms for a fancy private school

We drove downtown to see the Cathedral and the town square. We stopped to eat Kebobs at a Turkish restaurant that Johnny had loved when he was a missionary. John and Johnny had tried to get me to eat a kebob the entire trip. I tried a chicken kebob for lunch and LOVED it. I wish I hadn't waited for my last meal in New Zealand to eat the kebob. I would have eaten a ton of them. Delicious!

The Turkish kebob restaurant

The famous Christchurch cathedral in the back

Tiles inside the cathedral

The cathedral

The well known sculpture in the town square

We also met 8 missionaries in the town square on their P-day as they were finishing their emails home. Cute Elder Rawle (on the right) is a Cougar fan from Provo, Utah.

There are many things I miss about New Zealand.....

Wonderful people

Beautiful scenery

Tip Top

Being on vacation with John, Johnny and Brittney

Spiritual experiences

Lots of good conversation

Laughing a lot!

and.......

Deer farms

Lots of interesting birds

Cows and more cows

Hundreds and hundreds of cute baby sheep

The Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean

A relaxed and happy husband